You guys were right - the GF "Ain't what it used to be"

[peachgirl]

Originally posted by disneydoc
Darian,
I would have no way to know if you need a cup of coffee or whatever, but in my post I wanted to respond to a couple of your statements which I took as condescending. I agree that concierge can be a excellent way to get VIP ressies and similar perks but certainly not the only and may not be the best as recent guest have shown. Your observation

"I guess that's kinda hard luck on non-concierge guest but hey we pay for the privelege"

simply rubbed me the wrong way. IMHO, letting someone know about the benefits of concierge, as was the intent of your post, does not have to include that type of statement. You also stated that the only reason the PS people or restaurant employees ask where you're from is so that they know

"how they should treat you".

I have to say, those comments struck me the same way as you. I have no doubt concierge services get you ps at times when you couldn't get them yourself. Outside of that, I don't believe for a second that being a WDW resort guest or staying at concierge level gets you anything more than someone staying at the local Holiday Inn would get.

I certainly wouldn't want those who aren't considering using concierge to think that WDW only gives the best treatment to those on the concierge level. That is absolutely not true and really insulting to those who choose not to use concierge services.

 

[Morticia]

There is a different level of service for concierge guests and non concierge guests. I am not saying that the cm's will not treat everyone courteously, but the little "perks" are what concierge guests pay for: the shorter or non existent lines for ps, the tables by the windows, turn down service in your room, etc.
Concierge guests are paying for this & non concierge are not. That is the reality of it. I'm not trying to be mean & as I said you are still going to get better service @ a Disney property than anywhere else I have been. That is what makes Disney special.
There are different levels in life, that is why there are job titles. Sometimes it's not fair. But @ WDW you know that you will be treated fairly, it's just that some people expect more & are willing to pay for it. That's all.
I can't think of any other reason why a CM would ask where you are staying. Anyone out there w/the answer?
There is nothing wrong w/not staying concierge. That is why there are so many different types of hotels @ WDW. Something for everyone to like. If all were exactly alike, there would be a lot of unhappy people on vacation. I like the diversity. Yipee!

 

[Darian]

Hi Disneydoc...

My comments were not meant in a condescending way, rather, out of genuine concern regarding the fairness of some of the concierge perks, and by way of stating the obvious, that those perks were not free.

Is it really fair or equitable that someone staying in disney concierge should be able to get a PS that someone else can't? Or is it fair that with a phone call from their concierge, a concierge guest would be able to walk into a busy restaurant and bypass other people already waiting for a table there?

These are issues that frankly have concerned me ever since I discovered that this sort of thing went on.

It has been my experience that once a guest is seated, everyone is treated the same, regardless of where they came from. As >>^..^<< pointed out, the issue is primarily over PS and possibly which tables may be available. Not the service given a guest once seated.

And I thought I was posting good news about another benefit of staying concierge. Either way, the OP, Gonga & company sure didn't get her money's worth.

Darian

 

[peachgirl]

There is a different level of service for concierge guests and non concierge guests. I am not saying that the cm's will not treat everyone courteously, but the little "perks" are what concierge guests pay for: the shorter or non existent lines for ps, the tables by the windows, turn down service in your room, etc.

I guess my view is based on the fact that while I've never chosen concierge service, I've never had a problem getting the "perks" you talk about. I don't call them "perks", I call them good service. We've never had a problem get any ps reservation we wanted and we've never waited more than 5 minutes for a table, sometimes no wait at all. We've gotten specific tables at restaurants when we've requested them. I will say we've never had turndown service, but then again, that's not important to us at all.

There are different levels in life, that is why there are job titles. Sometimes it's not fair. But @ WDW you know that you will be treated fairly, it's just that some people expect more & are willing to pay for it. That's all.

This is where I have the problem. Your assumption is that because it costs more than a regular room, concierge level is somehow "better" than non-concierge. I look at it as just a different choice on where you stay. I dare say I'm spending more per night for our 2 br villa at OKW than some concierge level rooms...does that mean I'm entitled to better service or that I'll get more "perks"? I don't think I am, but I certainly don't think I'm on a "different level in life" than someone who chooses to stay at concierge level.


If the some of the attitudes on this thread represent the attitude of most who choose concierge, I don't think I'd ever want to make use of it. I may be able to afford concierge, but I just don't have the mind set to "fit in".

 

[Darian]

Originally posted by Morticia
There is a different level of service for concierge guests and non concierge guests. I am not saying that the cm's will not treat everyone courteously, but the little "perks" are what concierge guests pay for: the shorter or non existent lines for ps, the tables by the windows, turn down service in your room, etc.
Concierge guests are paying for this & non concierge are not. That is the reality of it. I'm not trying to be mean & as I said you are still going to get better service @ a Disney property than anywhere else I have been. That is what makes Disney special.
There are different levels in life, that is why there are job titles. Sometimes it's not fair. But @ WDW you know that you will be treated fairly, it's just that some people expect more & are willing to pay for it. That's all.
I can't think of any other reason why a CM would ask where you are staying. Anyone out there w/the answer?
There is nothing wrong w/not staying concierge. That is why there are so many different types of hotels @ WDW. Something for everyone to like. If all were exactly alike, there would be a lot of unhappy people on vacation. I like the diversity. Yipee!

Morticia -

yes, I'd agree with you that there are different levels of service for different guests based upon how much $$$ they pay. This is nothing new.

Members of Club 33 have for years (for the most part secretly) enjoyed an entirely different level of magic at Disneyland than non members who didn't even know the club existed. I think you would agree though, that regardless of where a person stays at WDW they still can have a wonderful time and be treated just as well as anyone else would in the same circumstances. But as you pointed out, concierge guests pay for a lot of these extra "services" and different circumstances.

What about PS seating areas for parades and shows that are not given out but purchased? (see the show/parade and eat a dessert) Its another profit center for Disney to get guests to pay for special treatment not given to others. This sort of thing is every where you look at WDW.

Maybe someone or a group of someone's over at the GF felt this special treatment was unethical and is trying to be more egalitarian about making PS's. A sort of Marxist revolt in GF concierge. I would say "let them eat cake" but apparantly at the GF concierge its more like breadsticks.

Great post Morticia!

Darian

 

[>>^..^<<]

Originally posted by peachgirl

If the some of the attitudes on this thread represent the attitude of most who choose concierge, I don't think I'd ever want to make use of it. I may be able to afford concierge, but I just don't have the mind set "fit in".

Peachgirl - I like you - you've got spunk

I've seen a lot of your spunk....... on the smoking/non smoking threads, on the refillable mug threads and of course (shuddering) the pool hopping threads - why should concierge be any different?

Keep up the good work - we all love to hear your opinion - you know so much about everything.




>>^..^<<

 

[Darian]

Originally posted by peachgirl
"If the some of the attitudes on this thread represent the attitude of most who choose concierge, I don't think I'd ever want to make use of it. I may be able to afford concierge, but I just don't have the mind set 'fit in' ".

Heck Peachgirl,

I wouldn't know about the attitude thing. The folks I've met in concierge weren't any different than what you'd see anywhere else. Not "uppity" at all. (well, maybe one or two were but thats ok, we just consider them the "live entertainment" or being in desperate need of a laxative.) I'm sure you would "fit in" just fine. I think Morticia's point was that for a price, a person can gain access to some special services. Not that this makes anyone "better." On a philosophical note, I'd say it ain't the size of your bank account that makes a person worth more than someone else, its the size of their heart. Ok bad analogy... all human life is equally precious.... uh oh, i'm diggin a hole here. I better stop before I get shipped off to the debate board.

All the best to you!

Darian

 

[peachgirl]

I better stop before I get shipped off to the debate board.

Didn't you know that's where all the really "good" threads go?

What about PS seating areas for parades and shows that are not given out but purchased? (see the show/parade and eat a dessert)

Ok, I'll give it to you on that one. We did the dessert "thing" for Fantasmic at Disneyland and there's no doubt that I was feeling pretty special! Sitting up in the balcony, eating those fancy smancy desserts while all the "little people" below were fighting it out for a decent spot...it was pretty darn cool. And yep, you pay a pretty price for that little luxury, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat!

"we all love to hear your opinion - you know so much about everything."

No, please...you give me too much credit! I don't think I know near as much as you do about all those topics. One thing I do know is that you used the wrong smilie....it should have been

 

[>>^..^<<]

LOL

>>^..^<<

 

[gepetto]

Originally posted by Darian


I wouldn't know about the attitude thing. The folks I've met in concierge weren't any different than what you'd see anywhere else. Not "uppity" at all.

But then you get people who try to treat the concierge staff like their personal errand boys... just because they can...sending them all over the parks before their stay making "special purchases" and email-ing them incessantly.

As for bypassing the hoardes of people in the Boma line, we got the same treatment staying in a plain old standard AKL room by simply calling the guest services desk. We got priority because we were staying at AKL.

 

[LadyLt]

Originally posted by >>^..^<<
Hi disneydoc,

I believe Disney's Resort guests have priority over off site guests for seating - I think this is why they ask where you are staying when you make your PS.

.


>>^..^<<

The reason they ask where you are staying is to be able to contact you if anything goes wrong. If you manage to obtain a PS, you will not be treated in a different way once you reach the restaurant and are seated.

I have been told that concierge in any deluxe resort can guaratee you a seating at that resort's restauant any evening.....

AKL Boma or Jike
Yacht Club Yachtman's Steakhouse
Polynesian 'Ohana or Kona
Grand FL Narcossee's or Citrico

etc, etc,

They will attempt to get you into other restaurants at WDW (on short notice) but cannot always get those seatings. But if you are a concierge guest at a resort, you can always get into your own resort's special restaurants.

 

[Darian]

Quoted from gepetto -

"But then you get people who try to treat the concierge staff like their personal errand boys... just because they can...sending them all over the parks before their stay making "special purchases" and email-ing them incessantly."

Yeah baby, I know what you are talkin' about... but those lost souls get claimed everyday in Its A Small World and are sentenced to an eternity with feet nailed to the floor singing that song....

And that dear gepetto is why the concierge smiles...

Darian

PS And for you >>^..^<<- Remember the adage: No good deed goes unpunished. (Which interestingly enough is a very loose paraphrase from the book of proverbs.)

 

[>>^..^<<]

Originally posted by gepetto
try to treat the concierge staff like their personal errand boys... just because they can...

sending them all over the parks before their stay making "special purchases" and email-ing them incessantly.

This has got to be the most baffling comment on this thread (and that is saying alot)

Before your stay - you do not deal with the concierge lounge staff - you deal with the Itinerary Planning Office - which is a totally different department located elsewhere in the Hotel. (sometimes not even in the hotel)

They contact you - (about 90 days prior) by phone, or by email or by regular mail.

They offer and encourage their services and make all kinds of suggestions to make your trip memorable - (and drum up extra business for the mouse)

I can only speak for myself - but everything I have purchased in advance of my stay came from the hotel gift shop where I was staying or was made up by the Walt Disney Florist and delivered.

Who has CM's running to the parks?? and how on earth would you know how much emailing was going on?

I have no idea what you are talking about gepetty.

For all those thinking of concierge - I hope this thread does not scare the crap out of you - normally eveything runs really smoothly

>>^..^<<

 

[gepetto]

Originally posted by >>^..^<<
This has got to be the most baffling comment on this thread (and that is saying alot)

Why is it baffling? There are actually people on this board that boast on a regular basis about all the things they have the concierge staff do for them. Can you believe that??

We stay concierge level because it is convenient having the breakfast, drinks and snacks. The few PS arrangements we get I usually make myself simply because it is easier to keep up with. We don't really feel a need to have a group of personal servants on call 24/7. That extra $100-ish/night entitle you to that.

 

[>>^..^<<]

Originally posted by gepetto
Why is it baffling? There are actually people on this board that boast on a regular basis about all the things they have the concierge staff do for them. Can you believe that??

Hi gepetto.. I haven't seen any posts on outrageous demands guests have made - thank goodness!

I did overhear 2 families having a fit in the AKL lounge one day when the CM could not get them CRT. Yikes - I felt sorry for the guy - they were giving him a really hard time - kept saying how much they had paid etc... this was 2 families - mayber 12 people all together (and they were surprised!!)

There are nice people and nasty people and no matter where they stay - that never changes.

Cheers!

>>^..^<<

 

[Jen D]

Why is it baffling? There are actually people on this board that boast on a regular basis about all the things they have the concierge staff do for them. Can you believe that??

Well, yes.... that is what concierge is for. That's why you pay for the service.

You may stay at concierge for the extra food, but plenty of other people stay for the extra, personalized service, which is actually by definition what a concierge is supposed to offer. The extra noshing and drinking is just extra.

I've never stayed concierge at a Disney hotel, but I've stayed at other hotels with concierge services, and they are there to get you hard-to-get reservations, show tickets, take care of florist orders, and to have someone run to the drugstore for your medicine in the middle of the night. For what its worth I have never used a concierge for much else than driving directions, myself, but I could hardly fault anyone else for using a concierge at a Disney hotel for what a concierge is used for at any fine hotel.

 

[Morticia]

Well said Jen D.

 

[Darian]

Originally posted by Jen D
"Well, yes.... that is what concierge is for. That's why you pay for the service.

You may stay at concierge for the extra food, but plenty of other people stay for the extra, personalized service, which is actually by definition what a concierge is supposed to offer. The extra noshing and drinking is just extra."

There does seem to be the impression out there that Concierge service is nothing more than access to their own private buffet. As you pointed out, the food and beverage service is really not the main benefit to staying concierge.

As Morticia said (to paraphrase) "different strokes" and all that.

Darian

 

[Mr.MouseFan]

<b><i>"Uhmmm...excuse me you are a waitress and it is your job to hear your customers."</i></b>


I know I'm going to get flamed, and I may even get my post deleted for this, but here goes....

How obnoxious is that statement above?! That's right up there with the "If it weren't for customers like me, you wouldn't have a job" or "You're getting paid because of my patronage." While all of those statements are true, is it really necessary to remind people in the service industry about it? Having money in your pocket does not give you the right to belittle someone as in the quote above. Heaven forbid someone should have a bad day at work. With all due respect, you don't know what was wrong with that waitress. She could have very well been hard of hearing. She could have been new or, dare I say...she actually may not have heard your husband, as she claimed.

I realize you paid an inordinate amount of money for your vacation and you expected (and rightfully so) the highest level of service. I'll even agree with most others on this board by saying that you should pursue this matter further. However, I find it highly pretentious and downright rude to make the statement above...regardless if you actually said it to the waitress or not. Maybe next time something doesn't happen to your liking involving a waitress, you could maybe have a little compassion and/or patience and realize that maybe, just maybe, the person actually made an honest mistake.....like every human does?

Just be sure not to order any cheese with that whine...

 

[tonyk]

Originally posted by Mr.MouseFan
<b><i>"Uhmmm...excuse me you are a waitress and it is your job to hear your customers."</i></b>


I know I'm going to get flamed, and I may even get my post deleted for this, but here goes....

How obnoxious is that statement above?! That's right up there with the "If it weren't for customers like me, you wouldn't have a job" or "You're getting paid because of my patronage." While all of those statements are true, is it really necessary to remind people in the service industry about it? Having money in your pocket does not give you the right to belittle someone as in the quote above. Heaven forbid someone should have a bad day at work. With all due respect, you don't know what was wrong with that waitress. She could have very well been hard of hearing. She could have been new or, dare I say...she actually may not have heard your husband, as she claimed.

I realize you paid an inordinate amount of money for your vacation and you expected (and rightfully so) the highest level of service. I'll even agree with most others on this board by saying that you should pursue this matter further. However, I find it highly pretentious and downright rude to make the statement above...regardless if you actually said it to the waitress or not. Maybe next time something doesn't happen to your liking involving a waitress, you could maybe have a little compassion and/or patience and realize that maybe, just maybe, the person actually made an honest mistake.....like every human does?

Just be sure not to order any cheese with that whine...

Wow...too many people are looking too hard for things to get offended at. I don't want to speak for the OP, but I don't think she said it directly to the waitress. And contrary to your comment, it DOES make a difference whether she did or didn't. Typin an anonymous comment about an anonymous waitress on a message board is hardly "highly pretentious and downright rude". Lighten up.