No Poly Concierge in 2003!!!!

[Tikiman]

Well it is official. I would not have believed it untill I was told directly from the Polynesian this morning. The Hawaii building will be going down for rehab starting in June 2003 for approximately 2-3 months. At this time, the rooms have not been released to be sold due to the final arrangements being made. At this time, they are also making final arrangements on how they are going to do our Concierge level rooms and provide the same type of
services, (check-in, food amenities etc, etc). The Disney
Reservations agents can only see there are no rooms in the Concierge category, unfortunately, it doesn't tell them why.

Good thing we were planning on going to Tahiti next year and not WDW. I guess we will have to return in 2004 and see how it looks.

Aloha

Steve

[dmfuru]

At 1st I thought that you were going to stay in the Tahiti building.....Have fun in Tahiti (the real one) next year.

[zakatak]

I appreciate your help in figuring out what was going on... I am really depressed about that... after finally deciding to stay on the concierge level during our trip next July... I CAN'T!! ugh... well, I book the Lagoon view room instead... I hope it is just as nice (without all the extras :rolleyes: ...

Thanks again for your help...

Karen

Maybe you can tell me this... Which is better... lagoon view at poly or concierge anywhere else??? We are switching to AKL concierge for nights 5 - 9...

Thanks!

[BrianD]

For the building to be down for that long, they must be doing some extensive rehabbing! I will definitely be looking forward to staying there after it's finished to see what they have done!

[Tikiman]

A regular lagoon view room will still be great. Maybe we can all pitch in and stay in the King Kamehameha suite!!!

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Guess I'll have to stay at the Polynesian on my January 2004 trip. Can't wait to see the new 'Hawaii'.

Couldn't they move concierge to Tahiti since it has that large common area in the middle?

[preshi]

Thank goodness. We were told about this in January after we transferred to the AK but not told a time for it. I would happily go back and give the Poly another shot if they renovate!

[Rock'n Robin]

Doesn't make much sense to do this during high season...oh well! Esp. July 4!!
It actually does make my life easier....I was trying to decide for next year on a 4 day cruise followed by 3 days at the Poly concierge over July 4 (I would pay cash since my DVC points would all go to the cruise) or 4 days at my BWV "home" followed by the 3 day cruise....guess it's the 3 day cruise! If I have to pay cash for a non-DVC room, there isn't anywhere I'd want to really stay but the Poly, esp. since it would be over July 4.
On the other hand, I have 2 weeks for Christmas 2003 vacation instead of the usual 10 days--perhaps another December mini-trip will be in order to check the place out!!
Robin M.

[Cris]

2-3 months that is a long rehab I wonder what all they are going to do. -Cris

[Tikiman]

A complete gutting of the place and a new lounge.

Steve

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Originally posted by Tikiman
A complete gutting of the place and a new lounge.

Steve

Sounds similar to what they did at the Grand Floridian. :)

Will they be redoing all the buildings? I think I read Aorteora was already done?

[Tikiman]

Yes they will be doing all the Hawaii longhouse.

[gepetto]

We were there the end of May for 10 nights and were surprised to see Aorteora empty. That's our favorite non-concierge building. Guess that's where we'll have to stay next year.:(

[Cris]

I am hoping it is extensive, new interior and bathrooms.

[erikthewise]

Steve,

A new lounge makes sense, but "a complete gutting of the place"? What could that mean? The time frame is too short for any major reconstruction. Perhaps you just mean stripping out all the rooms and replacing with new carpet, furnishings, etc.

Wouldn't it be cool to have balconies on the second floor? And dual sinks like the newer longhouses?

[Tikiman]

When I said gutting I did not mean anything structural just carpeting, paint etc. Sort of like the renovation in 1996-1998 but I got the impression they have some surprises for the concierge lounge and services. I will try to find out more. They would not be able to add the double sink but maybe the balcony. We shal see.

Steve

[princess angel]

well, that certainly sounds exciting to me!
Lilo & Stitch has gotten me in the Polynesian mood, but I think I now want to wait til it gets it's make over in the Hawaii longhouse.
I'm sure it will be beautiful.
cant wait to hear tidbits - Steve :) :) :)

Laura :)

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Originally posted by Tikiman
It looks like Tahiti will be the concierge building while the Hawaii building is being completely redone. THey seem to think the work will be very extensive.

Steve

:Doing the Happy Dance:
Guess Cali-D might be right, then! ;) Maybe I'll have to try Tahiti Concierge to see how it compares! ;) Gotta love those double sinks and balconies on both the 2nd and 3rd floors!

[Tina]

Maybe they'll be able to scrub the "stink" out of those rooms. I'd love to go back and stay there in a "stink-free" concierge room. :)

[Gail T AGAIN]

I didn't find any stick, that is the first thing I was checking for, I think I drove my son nuts sniffing. As far as doing the rooms over, I bet it will be gorgeous but I found when I was there a week agao the room was in GREAT shape for being such an old hotel.:)

[jmarie]

It doesn't start until June, right?? We're planning to go in Feb/03 and I was looking forward to Lagoon concierge 1st floor based on your glowing reviews!!!!

[lvs_eeyore]

Steve I have a question for you.

We were planning on doing Lagoon View Concierge for our 20th Anniversary in July of 2003.

If you were me would you now just book a lagoon view regular room or would you try what they will set up as concierge? Im just worried about paying Concierge prices and not having the real concierge feel. If you would go regular lagoon view what longhouse would you suggest?

This is just such a special trip and I want it to be magical.

[Tikiman]

Well if the rumor of Tahiti being the concierge building while Hawaii is being worked on is true than I would say your only good choice will be to go with concierge. The Tahiti longhouse is a better longhouse (except for the lounge). The rooms are larger and there are more of them and you still have a great view. You are a little farther from the pool and GCH but not that far. If you went with a regular lagoon view than they would have to put you in Tuvalu. Tuvalu is not bad but it is one of my least favorite longhouses. I am sure what ever they do for concierge will be great. The reason they have not announced the plans for the concierge next summer is because they are still working out all the details. They are very concerned with making sure the experience will be great for the guests.

Aloha

Steve

[lvs_eeyore]

Steve

Thank you so much for your opinion on what to do. Did they give you any idea of when they would be releasing these rooms? This is such a special occasion for us and I really would like to get the concierge if at all possible. I am so glad they gave you this information. When I called tbe Polynesian directly I got the basic I dont know answer then got cut off.

Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to find out this information for us.

[mikek]

So the current lagoon view concierge rooms only have balconies on the 3rd floor?

Going in august and need to know what to ask for...

THANKS

[Tikiman]

As of right now the lagoon views in Tuvalu and Hawaii (concierge only) only have balconies on the 3rd floor. the Tahiti longhouse has balconies on the 2nd and 3rd floor.

[nicanna]

Hi Tikiman..Do you think that the renovations will be done by November 2003? I just made my reservations and would love to be in a newly renovated building. Does Hawaii have garden view also? I have never been to Poly and asked for garden view concierge to save a few dollars, but maybe I should switch it. I never hear anyone talk about the garden view...thanks for the info. I love your website!

[Tikiman]

They said the renovation would start in June 2003 and last about 2-3 months. Yes Hawaii has a garden view side. You can see it on my web page. Everything should be good for November.

Aloha

Steve

[cindyfan]

We just returned from Poly on the 17th....stayed 4 nights in the Tokelau building!!:D BEAUTIFUL :Pinkbounc
While we were there we noticed they had Aotearoa and Fiji buidings blocked off and surrounded with the "contruction wall"...."Please pardon our dust......."
It did not appear anyone was in either building.
Wondering what kind of rehab going on there too?????

ps Tikiman....love your site!! Thanks for all the info before we got to Poly.:D

Do have to say.....there are no bad buildings or rooms or views there!!! Even the "parking lot" rooms had enough trees and foliage that you couldn't see the parking lot.

LOVE THE POLYNESIAN!!! :D

[Tikiman]

Glad you had a good time cindyfan. They have been redoing everything it looks like in the longhouses. I will have to find out what longhouses are left to do when I get there next week. Tokelau is a great longhouse.

There is one set of rooms I would not want to be in and that is the parking lot side of RapaNui. Most people never walk over near the parkinglot next to the longhouse but if you do you will see that the rooms are very close to the parking lot with nothing in between them and the parking lot. I have pictures on the web pages where I show Rapa Nui and you can see how close they are. The other longhouses that face parking lots are much better with a nice garden area between them and the parking lot so I would agree that most of the rooms at the Polynesian are great.

Aloha

Steve

[cindyfan]

Tikiman....I think Rapa Nui was the only building I really didn't take notice of as far as the views. :confused:
We did walk the other side of the building on the way to TTC, but did not walk near the parking lot.

At first they were going to put us in Rarotonga, but on the 2nd floor. We really wanted a first floor....and I am glad I pursued that!!! :D After checking they did find one in Samoa.
I usually ask for non-smoking and thought it wouldn't be so bad.
WELL, YUK! The smell of cigarette smoke was just overwelming.
So went back to ask for the Rarotonga room back.......Well they were great...and found us a first floor in Tokelau!!!

It was AWESOME!!!
Anyway, I tried to check out each of the buildings for our next visit!!! Not sure when we will be able to afford to return to Poly.....maybe 2004.....But really didn't see any bad rooms!!!:D

[jmarie]

Steve-I know Poly is your favorite resort-what is your next fave of the others that you've stayed at??