Yacht Club concierge??

[restful urchin]

I just knew that booking for a vacation 10 months out would tempt me overthink and change things..
I'm booked for 4 nights in the YC in June. There will be myself, brother and two teenage nephews aged 15 and 17.
Is going concierge worth it for the snack offerings? We're paying OOP for food. Can you do breakfast in the lounge? Cereal, juice, danish etc? I dont' expect to replace meals but savings for breakfast, snacks,and decadent sweets at night etc, might be nice and conventient. Just wondering if it will be enough of a food/snack savings to be worth it.
We're doing the first 4 days at ASMu FS with DDP so as I said this part of the trip will be OOP. Trying to make it as cost effective as one can at a deluxe. (and think of inventive ways to keep the teens' tummys full.)
Any thoughts?

OK.. so really I'm trying to find a way to justify spending the extra money on concierge...

 

[PghLybrt]

This is usually where we stay and how we stay. I hate to say this (for fear others will want to try it!) but it is my favorite resort and I feel has the best concierge staff around. We went for a birthday of mine and they want out of there way to get us the best views, best seats little extras at dinner. Never a hesitation if I needed help with something, even if it was shipping papers back to my work! I think there are plenty of things to snack on and eat for breakfast ect. I really do not think you could ever go wrong with the concierge at the yacht, now wildness.....that’s another story

 

[bytheblood]

Nvm!

 

[lvloopingbag]

We stayed there in May and I wasn't that impressed. The lounge is very small and I didn't feel as if they offered as much as compared to the monorail resort club levels or the BWI.

 

[TammiMcMan]

We stayed there in May and I wasn't that impressed. The lounge is very small and I didn't feel as if they offered as much as compared to the monorail resort club levels or the BWI.

I've got to agree. Breakfast was fine if you weren't too carb conscious, but that was about it. I guess at one time, desserts were really nice here, with full pies and cakes being offered. When we were there, it was mini pastries only. Just my personal opinion, but I'd skip club level here, especially if you're just looking at food options. They were pretty slim pickings IMO. Now, if you were considering staying here because you wanted to plan a special trip, then by all means select an Epcot resort. From my experience, their pre-planning staff is the best. Not so impressed with the YC's onsite staff and lounge though.

 

[CaipiraBob]

I just knew that booking for a vacation 10 months out would tempt me overthink and change things..
I'm booked for 4 nights in the YC in June. There will be myself, brother and two teenage nephews aged 15 and 17.
Is going concierge worth it for the snack offerings? We're paying OOP for food. Can you do breakfast in the lounge? Cereal, juice, danish etc? I dont' expect to replace meals but savings for breakfast, snacks,and decadent sweets at night etc, might be nice and conventient. Just wondering if it will be enough of a food/snack savings to be worth it.
We're doing the first 4 days at ASMu FS with DDP so as I said this part of the trip will be OOP. Trying to make it as cost effective as one can at a deluxe. (and think of inventive ways to keep the teens' tummys full.)
Any thoughts?

OK.. so really I'm trying to find a way to justify spending the extra money on concierge...

If you're uncomfortable, I should point out a few things. The lounge is only open during limited hours. You don't have access 24/7 like you do in the Polynesian. I wake up at 4 every day no matter if I go to bed at 10PM or 2AM. That gives me a lot of time to try not to wake up the family. If I was at the Polynesian I could take a book to the lounge. At the YCC, I don't have that option, I'd sit in a chair by the desks and drink the home roasted French pressed coffee I always bring.

I was irritated at not having access. It was a constant inconvenience as compared to the PRC or the AKLC which have open access lounges. Mind you, the lounge is shut down after breakfast and before evening offerings. Same with the BCC and BWC. I've not stayed at the GFC or WLC myself, but I hear the WLC is open access as well.

Really, I like the extra space to stretch out and kick back. Then again, we used the full patio in our room a lot as well. That was wonderful, too. You can do that with non-concierge room.

As far as the food, you certainly can make a light continental breakfast out of their offerings each day. Yet don't expect to get a table to eat at each time. The lounge fills up quickly. I like fruit for breakfast but I'll eat some pastries when I stay at one of those places because they are so tempting. It's more than enough to start a day.

So as far as space, you're limited by their hours. Along with food, you go by their schedule and you can always buy some fruit or snacks for $20-$30 for the whole trip.

The real convenience is the planning office. But we've been going 2-3 a year since 2001, and we just don't have a driving desire to see and do every restaurant when we go now, so we don't really need planning services. We can make all of those reservations in advance and be happy with them.

For us, the value isn't as great as it was when we first discovered Concierge levels at Disney. The last few times we only used the planning services at the time we made the initial reservations.

Now with small children in tow, concierge offers some nice conveniences. Yet our children are getting pretty big. The conveniences are just that, and we can get by just as easily without them.

If you can financially justify the novelty of concierge service at Disney, it's a very nice experience. If you're borderline and trying to justify it, you may be simply questioning if you're getting the value for the dollar. If you can't justify it based on convenience of the services beyond question, maybe you'd enjoy downgrading and having that extra ~$100 a night in your pocket. That's a lot of gummy bears. If you think you'll be satisfied with your stay even if you don't eat anything other than breakfast, not using the planning services and not having 24/7 access to the lounge, try it because it's a new experience.

Enjoy!

 

[madalex]

I've stayed at the YC concierge a dozen times over the last 10 years. I and the family are able to make breakfast out of the morning food offerings (cereal, donuts, bagels, fresh fruit, etc.). However, the food offerings during the rest of the day have gone downhill over the years and the afternoon snacks and evening offerings are not what they used to be.

That being said, I am going next March and staying at the YC concierge level again. The itinerary planning is very helpful and I like the room locations a lot. I would not, however, expect that you will get much in the way of food savings by staying there.

 

[restful urchin]

Wow!
Thanks for all the replies. Back in the mid 80's to mid 90's used to go to WDW alot..about a dozen times..coming from Oregon that was a pretty good trip. Had Magic Kingdon Club or something like that through work and got 50%off rack rate or rooms. Stayed at alot of different rooms including YC/BC. EVen got bumped up to concierge once because a confernce was in town and they needed the rooms.
Jump forward about 10 or so years. Had just returned from WDW for the first time in a decade (in May )and was thrilled. Now am going back with family etc to show them! It's funny how where one stays has become for me a bigger deal than it used to be..maybe it's just all the dreaming about the trip. As for the justifying the cost... well it's not going to put over the edge of the budget.. but close!
anyhow.. I went for the concierge!!!
I see us as running in and grabbing fruit, rolls etc. for breakfast. I dont' intend on keeping 4 of us in there to sit, just run and go!
that said I really think my bro and I are the ones who will really be utilzing the snack and cordial options.
The boys are big into soccer and don't really eat much junk food.. wish the same could be said for me!!!
I will enjoy using the trip planning services for ideas!!

Thanks so much again for your replies. This board is fun with so many differnt people.

 

[cjsmom5]

We've always enjoyed the YC Concierge when we've stayed. Food for breakfast is plenty for a continental breakfast -- fruit, danish, bagels, toast, juice, etc. Snacks are okay - gold fish, popcorn, gummie worms, pretzels and drinks. Dinner options they typically offer a soup and some type of "main appetizer" which has been fish/chips, ribs, mussels/seafood type appetizers, but they are meant to be just that ... appetizers. In the evening there are a variety of alcoholic drinks along with a tray of desserts that are put out.

It is also interesting to note that the YC/BC rotate their concierge staff with them working at both resorts. The "pre-planning" cast members are the same as the "on-site" cast members depending on the day/time, etc. The service we have gotten has always been excellent both before and while there.

As far as justifying the price ... well ... we can't do that . What we like is the service and putting a price tag on that is difficult. The food is a nice perk but typically doesn't play into our decision. But, we do like the service.

 

[TammiMcMan]

It is also interesting to note that the YC/BC rotate their concierge staff with them working at both resorts. The "pre-planning" cast members are the same as the "on-site" cast members depending on the day/time, etc.

I knew about the on site staff members going back & forth between the YC and BC concierge desk, but I hadn't heard about the on site staff rotating with the pre-planners. Whether it's been planning a BC, YC or BWI stay, I've always dealt with the same exact staff of 3 or 4 girls. When I've sent thank you gifts, the only names given to me were the 4 girls I was told worked in that office. Unless this is a recent change?

 

[cjsmom5]

On a couple trips we have received pre-planning assistance from those who were at the desk when we arrived? I know at AKL, also, that we dealt with several before we arrived that were behind the desk when we arrived ... one never knows, though.

 

[TammiMcMan]

I know at AKL, also, that we dealt with several before we arrived that were behind the desk when we arrived ... one never knows, though.

Yes, I've heard many guests have been able to meet the very helpful Don and Juanita at AKL. I guess I wouldn't expect it so much at the YC/BC though, because their small staff handles all the pre-planning for BC, YC and BWI. As you said, you never know and perhaps they periodically rotate or simply cover during a sick or vacation day. Personally, I think it's great to be able to meet them and say thanks in person.