Five Ways a Disney Resort Concierge Can Help You

TouringPlans is pleased to welcome guest author Chloe Gandal to share her personal insights about Concierge. 

Planning a Walt Disney World trip can be overwhelming, and sometimes you may need a little extra help to get everything just right. As a former Walt Disney World Resort Concierge, I know that there are many families who never stop by the Concierge desk, perhaps because they simply don’t know how helpful the Concierge can be. We can assist families in many of the same areas as Guest Relations, without having to wait in a long line! If you need assistance in dining reservations, FastPass+ selections, MagicBands, tickets, or any magical extras (like tours, gift baskets, etc.), your resort Concierge is the place to visit. Here’s five ways that a resort Concierge can help you on your next trip.

1. Dining Reservations

While the My Disney Experience app has made planning dining reservations more convenient, there are some instances where the reservation you’re looking for is simply unavailable on the app. In this case, visit the resort Concierge and check if they can find something on their end. Now, I’m not saying that the Concierge can always find a reservation for you and your family (some restaurants are almost always booked, like Be Our Guest), but they often have more access to reservations. They can also directly call the restaurant to see about cancellations, food allergies, or any other restaurant-related questions you may have. If they’re unable to find a reservation for you and your family, they are a wealth of knowledge for other dining options. Many of the Concierge cast members are well-versed in Disney Dining, and can recommend a restaurant perfectly suited for you and your family’s dining desires.

2. FastPass+

If high-demand restaurants are hard to book, FastPass+ times for popular rides are even harder to find. With “rolling fourths” and “tiered rides”, the digital FastPass+ system can be confusing to many families. A resort Concierge can assist you with FastPass+ selections, no matter what stage of the planning process you’re in. They also have the most up-to-date access to FastPass+ availability, so if you’re trying to find Seven Dwarfs Mine Train FastPass+ times for you and your family, swing by the Concierge for some assistance. They may be able to use some of their pixie dust and find a coveted FastPass+ reservation for you and your family.

3. MagicBand Issues

Has your MagicBand been inconsistent? If you’ve had trouble getting into the parks, using FastPass+, opening your room door, or charging things to the room, don’t struggle! Head to the resort Concierge. Do not visit the front desk, because they will most likely send you to the Concierge anyways. The resort Concierge team has special access to MagicBand software, which allows them to view the “back end” of My Disney Experience and fix most of the issues you may be experiencing. This software, and a team of My Disney Experience tech experts who are only a phone call away, will ensure that your MagicBand will be working properly soon. If, for some reason, the Concierge is unable to fix the problem, they can usually give you a temporary MagicBand and continue to work on yours until the issue has been fixed.

4. Tickets

Sometimes, the lines to purchase tickets at the front of the parks can be long! Avoid waiting in that line and head to the resort Concierge. They can recommend the best ticket for you and your family’s vacation, assist you in purchasing single and multi-day tickets, and ensure that they’re properly loaded to the correct MagicBand. You can also purchase special event tickets (like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, etc.) at the Concierge desk.

5. Magical Extras

Are you interested in adding something extra to your vacation? With unique access to dining, special tours, Disney Floral, and more, the Concierge is a wealth of information for exclusive experiences. Whether you’re looking for a special safari tour, a romantic dessert party, or a birthday gift basket, the Concierge can help you find and book any of the magical extras that Disney offers to guests. Keep in mind that the resort Concierge may know of some unique extras that aren’t advertised, so be sure to ask them for advice if you’re looking to plan something special.

There are so many aspects to a Walt Disney World vacation, so don’t try to manage it alone! Your resort Concierge is a wealth of information, and will be happy to assist you with anything from a simple question to a complex MagicBand issue. Remember, these cast members are uniquely chosen for their knowledge of everything related to a Walt Disney World vacation, and their desire to help guests! They can offer insight into the most efficient way to tackle a park, the best ice cream on property, or a new restaurant option for you and your family.

So, what do you think? Will you visit your resort Concierge for assistance on your next vacation, or continue to use the My Disney Experience app for all your vacation planning needs? Let us know in the comments.