concierge changes?

[tmtee]

I have read recently (on other boards) that Disney has recently cut drastically the food and beverage service on Concierge levels, basically making them all 'Light' service; no beer or wine and sparse food offerings?

Is this true?? I figured you guys would know the dirt ( I trust the stuff I read here more than in other places). I'm taking my mother in the fall and we are staying concierge and don't want to be disappointed.

Thanks

 

[cmitchel]

One more thing.

Although I do not drink, you could get beer. You just needed to ask the person working the "counter". Same goes for toast, goldfish, milk, or other items not on display.

 

[S_Grise]

DLR still had water in plastic bottles in 2003. I knew that couldn't possibly last, as we saw people leaving with arms-full. I'm a little surprised they'd switch to glass, though, for safety reasons. Either way, it's still available, so I don't see what the problem is. I'm SO excited!

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

When I stayed at the WL in Dec. 2003 they did not have the plastic bottles. They had the large glass bottles in ice.

Pam

 

[MouseMadness]

Pam- It never occured to us to ask for the oatmeal! However, I think we're still on the fence about what to do next trip. (Well, truthfully, next trip will be GF, but the following trip I'll ask and see what they say) I know they are always VERY accomodating, I've never been anything less than extremely pleased with the staff there.

tikiman- I realize your comments aren't directed at anyone in particular, :animwink: however, they did correspond to many points I made. Let me just say that we've stayed Poly concierge for our last 4 trips, and are always so happy there. And, as you point out, the point of the concierge isn't exactly the "goodies", however, when you become used to a certain standard, it's disappointing when it goes down, even in the tiny increments it has. As far as expecting to be able to replace meals with what is offered in the lounge, well, we expect it because we've always been able to! We did actually begin staying concierge because of all the reasons you mention (location, check in, etc) however, those things are becoming less and less of a perk. (Particularly since this last trip, when I went down to make a last minute dining ps change, and they got my date wrong. We missed it!) No biggie, just for our situation, I don't know if it's worth it anymore.

And as far as the water goes, I can only say it's a shame that people were wasteful with it. It was so so nice to be able to take that in the mornings after our breakfast. We really wouldn't have to stop then until lunchtime! But, it's not a huge deal, really, just something we noticed.

Really, I think the most difficult thing to give up would be the combination of our view, along with the convenient walking distance to the monorail, the TTC, and the boat to the MK!! :lol:

And 2 cents are always welcome. :wave:

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

Definately always ask if you do not see something or you want something. Also if you are doing concierge at GF, make sure you stay at Royal Palm Club in the main building.

Pam

 

[MinnieSummer]

My husband and I both like to eat a large lunch when we are in the parks and then just grab a quick snack in the evening before heading back to our room. The concierge food in the evening would be perfect for us and was a contributing factor in our decision to stay concierge for christmas this year. Is this our main reason for staying concierge -- NO! The other reasons are the convenience of having someone else help with reservations, the location, the view, the room size, the idea of being pampered on a vacation. I really don't think anyone would stay concierge for the food alone. Although it would be dissappointing to find that the evening snacks are gone before we even get the chance to experience it.

 

[tikiman]

I would say that more than half the people that post or email with questions about concierge are looking at it for the food alone and a high percentage of those people expect to replace meals with the offerings for their whole family. This whole thinking is something new in the last few years but is growing. I don’t see that kind of thinking here very much but on other forums that is the kind of thinking going on.

I see you have the right attitude about it and if everyone were that way the concierge lounges would always be the nice quiet place to visit that they use to be. In the last few visits I see more of families showing up in their pajamas with no shoes on and taking tray fulls of stuff back to the room. Now there are still many times that the lounge is a great place to visit but there has been an increase of people with this bad behavior and they are usually the ones to complain that concierge was not worth the money.

 

[cmitchel]

Tiki, I completely agree with you. I am amazed at the people in the morning in their pajamas and no shoes coming down for a full breakfast. I also saw one family at the table next to us one evening eating grilled chicken, roasted potatoes, and chicken strips for the kids. This was given to them over the counter by the concierge attendant. Not sure if they brought the food in and had it prepared or asked for it specifically, but it was very strange. At first I thought it might be a kosher meal, but then the whole family was eating the other "evening service" items.

 

[tikiman]

If we are talking about the Polynesian Concierge than they must have either ordered the food from Kona or brought it in themselves (leftover from a dinner) and asked for it to be heated up because there is nothing back in the lounge that they can grill or cook like that. The food that is cooked is done outside the Hawaii longhouse and brought in. All they can do is warm stuff up.

 

[KnK]

Is valet parking included? I was disappointed a few years ago when the deluxe hotels stop offing free valet parking.

 

[tikiman]

They have been charging for valet since 2002 I believe. If you do go to another resort to eat or visit and valet make sure you tell them you already paid at your resort and you will not be charged.

 

[KnK]

They have been charging for valet since 2002 I believe. If you do go to another resort to eat or visit and valet make sure you tell them you already paid at your resort and you will not be charged.

So not included in concierge service?

 

[tikiman]

Not included

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

Speaking of Valet parking... when we stayed at the Boardwalk concierge MKT came to visit and to have dinner and when I walked him downstairs to get his car from Valet parking, they were frantically searching for a customers car.

Seems they lost this man's cadillac!! It was quite a scene to say the least.

Pam

 

[TravisMT81]

I agree it is a tasting not a meal!