Are the "Concierges" at concierge level rooms really concierges?

[durangojim]

I know my title is a bit confusing, but when I read about someone staying at a concierge level in a deluxe resort it seems that all that person is getting for the extra money is some snacks and maybe alcohol? It doesn't seem that a concierge at WDW can really do anything for a guest that guest services won't do for them, so I'm wondering what the attraction of this type of room level is. When we went on our honeymoon to Hawaii, my wife and I were fortunate to stay at some excellent resorts -- Halekulani, Princeville, and Four Seasons Wailea. The concierges there arrange dining, sailing, helicopter rides, etc for us and were able to get us into some places that were "completely booked" when we called ourselves. I guess that is what my idea of a concierge is and although I could be wrong, it seems that the Disney version is nothing close to that. For those of you who have had experience at Disney could you tell me what I'm missing? Thanks!

 

[hokielutz]

Thanks DurangoJim.......I tried this same question in a thread before you but most seemed to respond to you. After reading the replies.... I have to say I know why I don't spend my money on this. I could do mostly everything they do without much time and effort. The only thing I see as an extra is the safari...... and between the animals at the lodge and AK we get our fill. As far as eating the foods supplied and saving the money on meals..... wouldn't the dining plan be ALOT cheaper???

Sorry, I just don't see the bang for my buck if you will.... unless that is one gigantic mint they place on my pillow!!!!!

Of course, this is just my opinion and if you used it, or are going to use that is wonderful and hope you enjoyed or will enjoy it!!!!!

I think that die-hard fans and very knowledgable guests may not benefit from the concierge level because you are savy enough to take care of your reservations, meals, transportation, special events etc. all in advance that you won't need their services that much. There are folks that will go there and not have the slightest clue where to go and what to do, so the concierge service should be able to help them out.

Now I think there is one think about the Concierge level that is better with regards to the room. If you are staying in a deluxe resort with several levels, the Con rooms are on the uppermost levels with better views of the property & neighboring parks.

As for me... I'll skip the service and pickup a light snack on the way to the parks from the quickservice counter.

 

[KnK]

I think that die-hard fans and very knowledgable guests may not benefit from the concierge level because you are savy enough to take care of your reservations, meals, transportation, special events etc. all in advance that you won't need their services that much. There are folks that will go there and not have the slightest clue where to go and what to do, so the concierge service should be able to help them out.

Now I think there is one think about the Concierge level that is better with regards to the room. If you are staying in a deluxe resort with several levels, the Con rooms are on the uppermost levels with better views of the property & neighboring parks.

As for me... I'll skip the service and pickup a light snack on the way to the parks from the quickservice counter.

I am a die hard fan.....but over the past several years it's been much easier having folks take care of things for me. I have gone through KK the last couple of years and they have done most of the leg work for me.

I don't have the time to sit on a phone at the 180 day mark and try and get reservations. I work 50 plus hours a week, and I appreciate the work Elizabeth at KK has done for me. Has made things a lot less stressful.

Also, we really enjoyed staying on the Concierge floor at WL. So much so we are staying again. Granted I did not pay full price either time, but I must say I REALLY enjoyed it!

It made our vacation even more special. I am really looking forward to our concierge stay in 35 days! It's something I suggest everyone try it once. I could not afford this kind of vacation every year, but I will try and save to go as often as I can afford.

For me it's the small things:

Sitting in our little nook every evening enjoying our wine and cheese watching all the families head home for the day

Having the cast members greet us by name each day

Seeing our 'Gold' room key each day

Personally being checked in and taken to our room by a cast member

Having a chocolate canoe in the room


I could go on and one. For us it was worth it. We are not "commandos" and we spend just about every afternoon of our 10 night stay at the pool. We also just like wondering around the Lodge.

 

[abbeysmom]

Hubby and I have been to Disney many many times and have stayed at all the levels or resorts with the latest being AKL Concierge level. It was only $150.00 more to stay on Club for the 3 days and personally I loved feeling like I was special for those 3 days. It was neat getting into the elevator and having to put your key in to get to the 6th floor. The room was nothing special other than the animals. It was very nice, don't get me wrong but nothing out of the ordinary. I just enjoy being pampered for those three days. I already had all my reservations for all dinners and Cirque but they were able to get me some reservations at San Angel on Friday. But.... they were unable to get us any dinner ressies at LeCellier. We also ate breakfast in the lounge every morning and loved it. They also have beer and wine there starting in the afternoon. If they do not have it out just ask they will go get it for you.

 

[DABIGCHEEZ]

I am a die hard fan.....but over the past several years it's been much easier having folks take care of things for me. I have gone through KK the last couple of years and they have done most of the leg work for me.

I don't have the time to sit on a phone at the 180 day mark and try and get reservations. I work 50 plus hours a week, and I appreciate the work Elizabeth at KK has done for me. Has made things a lot less stressful.

Also, we really enjoyed staying on the Concierge floor at WL. So much so we are staying again. Granted I did not pay full price either time, but I must say I REALLY enjoyed it!

It made our vacation even more special. I am really looking forward to our concierge stay in 35 days! It's something I suggest everyone try it once. I could not afford this kind of vacation every year, but I will try and save to go as often as I can afford.

For me it's the small things:

Sitting in our little nook every evening enjoying our wine and cheese watching all the families head home for the day

Can't I buy a drink, sit in the lobby and do the same????

Having the cast members greet us by name each day

I'll save my money and they can call me George Washington!!

Seeing our 'Gold' room key each day

Paint is much cheaper. Does this "GOLD" key get you anything other then the chance to say "I have a GOLD room key?"

Personally being checked in and taken to our room by a cast member

I can read the signs and get there just fine.

Having a chocolate canoe in the room

I can bring bags of Hershey Kisses for $3!!!


I could go on and one. For us it was worth it. We are not "commandos" and we spend just about every afternoon of our 10 night stay at the pool. We also just like wondering around the Lodge.

Sorry I can't get the quoting correct. My replies to the advantages are in Bold in the quote. Sorry about that K&K.

I am glad you enjoyed it and are doing it again this year... but you need to work on the sales pitch. We are DVC members and are not commandos either but I have a hard time spending money on things I can do myself. We have always booked our trips down from the first one til now. A guidebook, some reading and a little time, and I do mean a little time, and one can plan a wonderful vacation. I can understand a first timer to a certain extent using it, but a little effort will allow for extra cash for other things. :shrug:

After 2 threads on this option, I still am not convinced it is worth the extra money. :wave:

 

[durangojim]

Has anyone here ever stayed in a Concierge level room at the GF? When we have stayed there in the past, we have always reserved a MK view room. When I looked at what buildings/rooms are concierge levels it seems that you cannot see the MK from any of them. Am I correct? Also at this point with having an almost 3 y/o and a 4 month old, the concierge doesn't seem to have much appeal to me as I'm a very hands on type of guy and like to arrange things myself, however, if my wife and I were to travel to WDW for a trip just for ourselves, I might consider it. I would just find the concierge much more attractive and useful if they had some real pull at restaurants, like what we have been accustomed to at other fine hotels.

 

[WIX]

We stayed concierge at WL one year for eight nights. Never got a phone call from a cast member asking if I needed assistance in planning. I would have loved that.

When we went to check in they did not have any rooms available on the concierge floor, so they placed us on a regular floor with a separate key to access the amenities of that level.

We did not make use of any of the snacks they place out for breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner or the wine/cheese bar in the evening. We found we were up and going too late for the breakfast. Were not around for the lunch or dinner and we don't drink.

For the cost we paid extra it clearly was not worth it on our trip. I have no idea why I got it in the first place . . . silly me.

I would suggest the dining plan with wine included. I have not priced this, but I bet this would be cheaper over the week than the concierge level. Especially if you feel you can do the most of the planning on your own.

 

[RiversideBunny]

I would like concierge just for

1. The free and easily accessible breakfast.
2. Being in a better location within the resort, e.g., in the main building.

Other than that it has no appeal.

In actual practice we'll probably never pay to stay in a concierge room because if you do the math even the free breakfast and snacks don't justify the extra charge.

Now, if I got a free upgrade to concierge, that would be ideal.
Yeah, I'm a concierge person.

:king: :king:

 

[mrerk]

Has anyone here ever stayed in a Concierge level room at the GF? When we have stayed there in the past, we have always reserved a MK view room. When I looked at what buildings/rooms are concierge levels it seems that you cannot see the MK from any of them. Am I correct? Also at this point with having an almost 3 y/o and a 4 month old, the concierge doesn't seem to have much appeal to me as I'm a very hands on type of guy and like to arrange things myself, however, if my wife and I were to travel to WDW for a trip just for ourselves, I might consider it. I would just find the concierge much more attractive and useful if they had some real pull at restaurants, like what we have been accustomed to at other fine hotels.

We stayed concierge at the GF for our wedding/honeymoon. There is a very limited number of MK view rooms from the main building. There is a group of rooms right above the Gasparilla Grill that look out over the marina and the MK beyond. We had one of the "turret" rooms that are on the corners of the main building. It had a perfect view of the castle right from the bed. There used to be a pretty active thread on disboards that had room numbers with MK views.

As to the whole concierge thing. We haven't stayed concierge since our wedding/honeymoon which was in 1998 (we are DVC now). The only reservations we had for that trip were V&A's and CRT (probably KSBH back then, I don't recall) We would go out to the lounge in the morning to get our breakfast and we would usually ask the concierge (Wendy, I think her name was) to check a particular place for lunch or dinner for that day. We would then go back to the room to eat and get ready for the day. On the way out we would check with her and without fail she came through for us every time. Now I don't know if it was because we were on our honeymoon, the season (late April, so I doubt it) or what. I like to think she had a lot to do with it. But maybe the concierges don't have that kind of pull anymore. :shrug:

 

[PrincessBitty]

We stayed concierge at the GF for our honeymoon in 2004. I was glad that we hadn't paid for concierge b/c we were rarely ever at the hotel (other than when Hurricane Charlie hit). (Disney had screwed up our reservation - they called with 1 week to our wedding to tells us they were bumping us from the Yacht Club - after a bridal freakout, they put us in a castle-view room on the concierge floor). There are just far more romantic places to be when at WDW than sitting in the concierge area. Honestly the few times we swung by for food & drinks, there wasn't a great variety and the atmosphere isn't great.

 

[DAKOTADISNEY]

The only reason I would consider a concierge level room would be to take advantage of the safari tour. Did I read correct that you can stay at WL and be eligible to take the safari tour at AK? Also, does it make sense to stay in a concierge level room one night to qualify for the safari then move to a standard room?

 

[ClemsonTigger]

There are actually four tours available at AK.
The two concierge only tours are Sunrise and Sunset safari's....these include breakfast or dinner as well.

The two public tours Wild by Design and Backstage Safari are available to anyone.

If you want to do the one day room for the tour thing, be sure and check available days as the concierge tours are not offered every day.

 

[RiversideBunny]

I think maybe it's the old saying 'If you have to ask, you can't afford it'.

Or in the case of concierge at WDW it's more like, 'If you have to think about it, then you don't need it.'

Or 'If you get concierge free, then take it'.

 

[unkadug]

I really don't see the advantage of paying for concierge status, and then if you actually use the Concierge you have to pay again (tip). I can arrange everything he can with a little forethought. Now if they COULD arrange ADR's that would be a different story.

 

[KnK]

The only reason I would consider a concierge level room would be to take advantage of the safari tour. Did I read correct that you can stay at WL and be eligible to take the safari tour at AK? Also, does it make sense to stay in a concierge level room one night to qualify for the safari then move to a standard room?

Yes, we went on it last year. It is offered a couple times a day Tuesday -Friday, if I remember correctly.

It cost an extra $45.00 per person and the bus only holds about 10 people or so. There were only 6 of us on the one we took. It was fabulous!

This is not to be confused with the one only for AK guest or the puplic tour options.

 

[KnK]

Sorry I can't get the quoting correct. My replies to the advantages are in Bold in the quote. Sorry about that K&K.

I am glad you enjoyed it and are doing it again this year... but you need to work on the sales pitch. We are DVC members and are not commandos either but I have a hard time spending money on things I can do myself. We have always booked our trips down from the first one til now. A guidebook, some reading and a little time, and I do mean a little time, and one can plan a wonderful vacation. I can understand a first timer to a certain extent using it, but a little effort will allow for extra cash for other things. :shrug:

After 2 threads on this option, I still am not convinced it is worth the extra money. :wave:

Up until last years trip, I did everything myself. My husband and I have been going for many years to Disney. This big issue is time and pleasure. I don't have the time I used to have. It's easier for someone else to do the planning for me.

Yes, I could have brought my own candy, but there is something magical about coming home at night with the bed turned down with castle and WL candies sitting on the bed and a special little note. And I don't even like chocolate.

Like I noted early. I've never had to pay full price. This year I am getting 40% off during value season. Costing me the same amount if I was staying in woods view.

It's nice every once in awhile to feel special and pampered. That's why I liked staying on the concierges floor. That's really the whole point. Yes, I could do all those things myself and always had in the past. BUT, every now and then you need to spluge.

 

[DAKOTADISNEY]

Thanks K & K for the info. We'll keep the safari in mind when planning our next trip.