$369 Poly Garden View, $500 Poly Garden View Concierge: Are they on crack?

[CaipiraBob]

Did you guys say you get seated immediately at restaurants? Can anybody elaborate on this a bit? Are you saying concierge guests get special 'high priority' priority seating? I didn't realize that - that would certainly be worth some money.

Me again. I don't know what to tell you. I don't think it's official policy. Yet I've rarely had to wait more that five minutes or so for a major restaurant when the staff knew I was concierge. Even with major lines during busy times.

The most visible incident was when I was staying at the boardwalk. We went to Epcot and it was raining so we called IP to see if they could get us into the nice French restaurant on the second level. Well, they did with 15 minutes prior to our seating. So we arrived, drenched, and they greeted us as if they were waiting for us. They swept us past a long line of drenched people right upstairs to a beautiful table by the window. You could feel eyes like knives in our backs. It was the best dining experience I remember ever having at Disney. We tipped near 30% for those folks, they were amazing.

Maybe we just get good hosts and servers. I think they seated us faster because we were concierge. Perhaps I'm mistaken.

 

[arazamataz]

I wish YC/BC concierge would go back to the offerings they had in 03 & 04
Those who have stayed many times know what I mean. That said , conciege has alway got us ressi that where hard to get or last min. never had to wait more then 10 min. even on Easter Sunday. The staff is great at both YC/BC and we like the extra service. We never paid $500 a night , alway got AP or AAA rates. Our TA gets us good deals. Next trip it will be conciege again.

 

[mom2febgirls]

This will be our first and probably 'only' time of using the Concierge Service. My husband said lets splurge this time. We're so excited about it!!

Same here. And the #1 reason is CONVENIENCE. To be able to relax in the lounge in the evening and watch fireworks without the crowds and then fighting my way back to my room, to be able to eat breakfast while the kids are getting dressed and to not worry about getting PS. Those are the reasons we chose Concierge.

 

[vegasnw]

As long as the market can handle the price then Disney will keep charging as much as they can. When they hit a number that is too high and they can't sell the rooms, they will look at their prices but that hasn't happened yet.

 

[CheshireVal]

When we stayed at the Poly concierge last June, we did notice preferrential treatment in a few dining places, but not in other. At Whispering Canyon, CRT and particularly at the RFC, we were seated immediately, there were others there waiting 20-30 min for their PS and the hostess mentioned that our reservation was made through the IPO. At 'Ohana, however, we waited almost 45 min, so who knows? We don't walk in and say "we are staying concierge seat us immediately" we have never mentioned it but did feel like we got better treatment.

I think that's called being lucky, not being special. I'm almost always immediately seated for every PS and I've never stayed concierge.

 

[lookingforward]

I had to laugh when someone mentioned teenagers! My boys, 12 and 15, could eat $150 in breakfast cereal and fruit each morning. They consume, and consume. It is funny to watch them. We have stayed at the Poly Concierge several times. I totally agree with the freedom it brings when some family members can go to the lounge while others get ready. My kids loved the snacks at night, too. It was magical to swim in the "lava" pool, grab some great snacks from the lounge, watch the fireworks, etc.

I also appreciate the special check-in and streamlined service. I have to say that I have noticed special treatment when dining. Your reservation is marked "concierge" on the dining computers. We have gotten great seats and quicker seating when staying concierge. The best time was at England's restuarant. We got perfect waterside seats for illuminations and were right next to a roped off table that was being held for Michael Eisner. (he never showed up!) The only time it has not worked was at the Contemporary California Grill. The Yacht club concierge employee got us last minute reservations and said that we would be given a great table. The hostess there was extremely rude and our seats could not have been worse! We did not say anything, of course, about being concierge guests, so there was no reason for her anomosity. She must have had a bad day.

Most of the time we go to WDW we stay at the Shades of Green because it is an excellent value for the $. But I LOVE having a concierge inspired vacation every now and again. The AKL is my favorite!

 

[LorieDisneyLover]

I think it's what most real estate agents would say LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION!!!!!!

It is soooooooooooooooo nice to know without a doubt exactly where we will be staying during our vacation -- right there in the Hawaii bldg with a direct view of the castle. There is no doubt ... that is what we book and pay for!

Then, of course, there is the convenience of sending off an email a few months before hand asking for the PS arrangements and arriving at the resort to find everything is ready to go.

When I had three kiddos in diapers and bottles, etc. it was great to have that extra room of the lounge where we could hang out and relax. To us, vacation is about relaxation ... we've been to Disney enough times that we do not stress over getting through each and every park/ride -- we enjoy ourselves and REALLLY try to relax. We work hard all year to enjoy this special time as a family.

For us, relaxing in the lounge, watching the fireworks with a cordial and dessert, getting to see and talk with the staff who has been there year after years --- who have watched our family grow in size and rejoiced in the birth of each new child --- IT"S FAMILY!!!!!! It's going back to a summer home!

OHANA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lorie
38 days to we're relaxing at the Polynesian!!!!

 

[kirbsam]

to answer the op: i stay concierge and yes, i am high on crack.

 

[susy]

Count us in on begin on crack! we are staying concierge for the first time over Thanksgivign and are not counting on codes to help out-AND we are a family of two adults and one child who eat very little. DH and I usually split a meal when we go out to eat, unless we can bring home leftovers.

Right now we are at BWI for $490 plus tax.

 

[lUVTOGO]

I guess we are also on "crack" as we are booked at the Poly GVC for a week in November at Rack Rate. We do have AP's and if we get the AP rate we get it but we are still staying there regardless.

We both work Full Time and we really look forward to our vacations, and I dont want to justify how we spend it, and I also don't tell anyone what we pay for our vacations because it's really no concern to anyone but us. We are taking my daughters 12 year old friend who's family suffered a tragedy last year and we want her to forget her troubles for a week and have a wonderful vacation.

 

[trappednabox]

I guess you can count me as a "Crack Head" too! It was all about convience for us!

 

[woody1967]

Hey, if I could afford it, I would do it. I have no problem with those who spend extra to get a little more. That is the American way and is what makes Americans special. If we all were the same this would be a very boring place. Maybe if my wish comes true the next time I am at MK watching the fireworks I'll be so lucky to enjoy the same types of perks. I can dream right?

 

[ducklite]

I never would pay for it personally, but some people will. Concierge isn't just about the food that is available in the concierge lounge. It is about an upgraded level of service. Some people like that sort of thing.

That's the way we look at it. We prefer the private check in, the relaxing lounge, and the more personalized service, and don't mind paying extra for amenities like that when we travel.

Anne

 

[sfbank]

This will be our first concierge trip and I am excited as well! We are staying Boardwalk Inn Deluxe and are paying $520/night rack rate. Again, we are splurging with restaurants and an Illuminations cruise. Everyone is right though--you cannot beat the planning staff. Alana just emailed me this morning to confirm everything I asked for and our trip is five months away. Doesn't sound like they will have any problem getting CRT or the Illuminations cruise when it comes time to make the arrangements. They are AWESOME!!!!

 

[Little Whistle]

Having stayed at the Poly twice with my family of 4 I know the benefits of a deluxe hotel. This year I will be returning to the Poly with now my family of 5. We have chosen the concierge not for the food but for the conviences that it has to offer. We wanted a suite but they were booked for the dates of my stay of 12 nights.

 

[NancyIL]

Personally, I wouldn't pay $369 for a standard view at the Poly - or any other WDW hotel - let alone $500 for concierge. I have no problem spending money, but I like to get good value for it. Now, if someone else is willing to pay for me to stay at the Poly in a concierge room - I'm all for it!

 

[steveanddonna]

That's the way we look at it. We prefer the private check in, the relaxing lounge, and the more personalized service, and don't mind paying extra for amenities like that when we travel.

Anne

That's exactly how we feel; we're very much do-it-yourselfers at home, so we like to be taken care of when we're on vacation. We both love the convenience of concierge, and particularly the location of the Poly, so we don't mind paying for it. Of course, with an AP discount it's even better!

 

[mermaidlagoon]

Yes we pay for the convience.I have 3 key words ....timing, space,and money , Ialways have to give in one to get another. We try to split our long stays ,after really long flight, into one concierge and one standard room in deluxe locations. Timing , location really matter to us.We do not rent a car.We spend alot of bucks on the airfares , always book mid week etc , yes we save up thruout the year.I also recommend saving tips , IT IS GOOD FOR THE KIDS ! Even my son saves half of his wages from his job sweeping at the theater so we can go . He loves to eat often and he takes his time getting around , he has Down sndrome and if he is really willing to work hard for something he wants ......I want to enjoy taking our family there and getting all the ps to make the trip as relaxing as can be. Yes we are addicted to the whole disney wish! Relax , sit back and enjoythe show! Aloha