Originally Posted By TiggerRulz On our last trip to WDW, we decided to stay a couple of days longer than our DVC time so we got an AP rate at WL courtyard view. When we arrived at the hotel we were surprised to learn we had been bumped to Concierge. So here's my thoughts - yes it was really nice to have the lounge. We used the concierge's services a couple of times. The room had a MK view which was amazing. But I couldn't actually imagine paying the premium to stay there. Anytime that want to upgrade me for free - sure. Anyone else feel this way?
Originally Posted By Labuda Well, I've never stayed concierge, and highly doubt I'll ever bother. I just don't spend enough time in the hotel to make it worth it to pay the premium for concierge service.
Originally Posted By disneydad109 God bless ! What a waste on money . We have stayed at the GF and Polly and we had problems with the rooms in both hotels.Staff issues at the GF.Safty issues at the GF and NO help from WDW when we reported the troubles. Save your money and book a nicer room and buy your own snacks or you can do what we saw any number of folks do and just hang around the doors till someone opens them and sneak in and steal food..
Originally Posted By Coachbagfanatic1 We have always stayed concierge at the GF with a marina/castle view and never had a problem. Not to say that it can't happen. There are problems no matter what level you stay at. I just hope that it will be the same for us this December. *Fingers crossed*
Originally Posted By gardenrooms So had they overbooked and concierge was all that was available? However it happened it sounds fun. I'd love it if someone gave me the concierge level so I could see how the other half lives, but I could never afford to pay for it - I'd have to book a shorter stay which just wouldn't be worth it.
Originally Posted By demderedoseguys We've stayed on the concierge floor at the YC 2 times and while it offers a higher level of service,it is really not needed by most park-goers for the reason Labuda stated- most people are simply not at WDW for the hotel. We spend a fair amount of time at our resort, but even for us, we found the concierge level not worth the extra $$.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Not to mention the average tourist at WDW is *cheap*. Or else, they would not choose to drive here over flying Southwest, or stay at the Pop.
Originally Posted By TiggerRulz Since when is being cheap a bad thing? I actually read a really good article some time back about how peoples spending is becoming polarized, meaning for the things that are important to them they purchase quality, and everything else they purchase the lowest cost option. It's why in retail super high end (Neiman, Nordstrom) and Wal-Mart are doing well and the vast middle (Macy's etc)are having a tough time. And don't get me started on low cost vs legacy airlines. I'll just say - I don't see the difference in service so why should any airline think they can justify a higher fare for the same route.
Originally Posted By smeeeko SeanYoda & I have stayed at AKL concierge once and it was definitely a repeatable experience. Unlike WL or DL the concierge at AKL is a wonderful experience. We've stayed at WL and love it there but we haven't tried the concierge because honestly it doesn't look all that appetizing. WL was never meant to be a concierge level Resort. The fact that they have what amounts to a coffee table with some biscuits laid out doesn't sound so hot. AKL was nice as we've stayed there a couple times regular and they take care of everything. They are always very welcoming and wonderful and have a private lounge that is accessed by your keycard on the elevator.. not simply flashed at the door like they do at Paradise Pier where there is dirty tables and not a lot going on. There are several mini events at AKL they have wine tastings and dessert trays and coffee out for you and people are working up there at regular intervals. When we stayed concierge we would go up in the morning and have fresh oatmeal and scones or hot tea. The news or a movie were on and a paper was provided for us. If we came in later they would have this really delicious juice as well snacks or whatever. Concierge was never meant to substitute your meals or feed your family of 5 but as a treat while you are waiting or planning your day it was always something we enjoyed. We would defnitely stay AKL concierge again. We want to be able to do the sunrise safari if they still have it but you have to be staying there the night before they have one scheduled.. which means it's only a couple days a week, and friends of ours have told us don't do it on your 'getaway' day because you will be exhausted and you really will want to have a place to come back to after a EARLY morning. Also we usually do our RADP meets in December so we're short on time. Concierge is great for someone going on an anniversary or honeymoon or maybe a trip where you are staying a little longer and can afford to have a couple days away from the park. We're doing food & wine fest so we're staying at Pop Century. We don't like food court food at Disney and can't see spending concierge to be going to EPCOT and grazing our way through the park *grin*
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>Since when is being cheap a bad thing?<< Since the quality of the service that goes with it also when cheap and deteriorated. Try to find someone at McDonalds or WalMart that will go out of their way to help you or offer you a great experience along with the cheap products they sell. >>I actually read a really good article some time back about how peoples spending is becoming polarized, meaning for the things that are important to them they purchase quality, and everything else they purchase the lowest cost option. It's why in retail super high end (Neiman, Nordstrom) and Wal-Mart are doing well and the vast middle (Macy's etc)are having a tough time.<< Reading s "good article" is just someone's opinion on the matter and not the law. Whether you agree or not is up to you. However... funny you mention Macy*s because that is where I usually go shopping when I am home and that is where I get the best sales prices and the best service in retail I have gotten in town. Of course.. others' experiences may not match mine in quality and satisfaction. But you will not catch me overspending in some uppity dept. store or putting up with bad service for the sake of cheap prices at the likes of WalMart. All this leaves WDW in a league of it's own... highest theme park prices around and yet...the quality and service there (not to mention maintenance) can be a hit or miss experience. >>And don't get me started on low cost vs legacy airlines. I'll just say - I don't see the difference in service so why should any airline think they can justify a higher fare for the same route.<< Type of aircraft (the bigger the plane, the more crew members needed per the FAA minimuns) may have to do something about that, not to mention having to compensate somehow for the airline's ability to regard free loading frequent flyers with free "first" class upgrades, versus aircraft and airlines that only offer one class of service at low cost. Yet. You are sometimes getting more for less... reason why Southwest is killing the rest of the airline business. They still free snacks with drinks while some legacy carriers are selling everything, from trail mix snacks to go with your $5 cocktail, to charging for sitting next to an emergency door where you have 3 extra inches of leg room (with NO reclining seatbacks as mandated by the FAA to prevent bloking emergency doors in an emergency). Go figure.
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>Not to mention the average tourist at WDW is *cheap*. Or else, they would not choose to drive here over flying Southwest, or stay at the Pop.<< WHOA, wait a sec. I drive to Orlando. Don't lump me in there. I drive even when airfare is slightly less, that's not being cheap. I drive straight-through with only gas stops and no change of driver, so the time difference isn't that bad. Anyways, my point is that you should know better than I that it's not worth saving $70.00 to put your schedule (and I guess from a paranoid view - life) on the line with how some of these airlines are operated. I have flown too much in my life to know how bad flying has become. So bad that I rather take a 17 hr one way road trip.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I live in Atlanta and I can drive to Orlando faster than the ordeal everything around flying.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Anyways, my point is that you should know better than I that it's not worth saving $70.00 to put your schedule (and I guess from a paranoid view - life) on the line with how some of these airlines are operated.>> That is very paranoid, buddy. <<I have flown too much in my life to know how bad flying has become. So bad that I rather take a 17 hr one way road trip.>> With me, it's the direct opposite. I used to dread flying for all the hassles, but now I love it. Of course, it could be all the free First Class upgrades I get (NO COMMENTS, TDLFAN!) from spending godknowshowmuch on the same airline since 1991. I even have gotten into the habit of flying to WDW when I live 200 miles away because it's better than driving with all the crazies.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>I have flown too much in my life to know how bad flying has become. So bad that I rather take a 17 hr one way road trip.<< I much rather see you take on Road Trip for 17 hrs and win. My money's on you.
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>That is very paranoid, buddy.<< Is it though? There is a little truth to it in this post-9/11 world where jets are overrunning the runway into city streets and are having landing gear malfunctions every 60-90 days. What IS impressive is that all of those recent landing gear malfunctions have resulted in safe landings. Kudos to the pilots.
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>I even have gotten into the habit of flying to WDW when I live 200 miles away because it's better than driving with all the crazies.<< Ha! Up in the midwest you would be hard-pressed to fly over driving for a 200 mile leasuire trip. Florida certainly has the edge with all of the puddle-jumper locations. I can understand the desire to avoid the crazies on the road, I guess I personally rather avoid the greyhound bus crazies in the airport and in coach, I can avoid them on the road. I don't have to drive around Southeast Florida!
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Screw the pilots. How about Kudos to the flight attendants who have to put up with so much bull from management and customers alike, at minimun wages?
