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

[VAgal76]

I agree with some other posters. CL wasn't intended to save money on meals, but provide an extra level of service and convenience. Not saying you can't save money, but I couldn't see eating dinner in the lounge. I can see where it would help a family of 5 by eating breakfast there in the morning and getting snacks during the day. I felt it's worth it to me, but with that price I have peace of mind of not having to get myself out of bed to make important ressies like CRT, breathless cruise, etc. Sure, I could've done some of my own PS's, but why would I. I wanted my vacation to start before I left. I manage all the bills, vacations, daily activities in the home. I'd like to have a break for a change. I've not stayed non-concierge as of yet so I don't know if you get seated immediately at restaurants all times if you are a concierge guests. I'm sure others have my perspective on this. If it's another perk then lucky me! I did get PS's at a moments notice though for a seating my TA couldn't obtain. That I liked! I can tell you that I've never had to wait more than a few minutes with the exception of Coral Reef - 15 minute wait and they were PACKED. With that being said, good luck on your decision as it is only you that can determine if this is "worth it."

 

[DisneyMim]

We stay concierege and we are not on crack!! I can understand what some people might think. $500 is a lot on money, BUT you must remember that everything is relevant. Where I live $500,000 buys you a tiny ranch house with no basement. I agree that concierge is not for everyone, but for some people it works. I think it's wonderful that Disney has so many different types of resorts and levels of service. Something for everyone.

 

[dpic]

I would never comment on how people spend money at WDW. If my relatives knew how much I spend on our Disney vacations (staying at WL) they would think I'm on crack.

Honesty, do you think theme park tickets and meals for a week are any less extravagant? Whether you stay at a Value or a 14th floor CR concierge room, you probably lay out more cash than you would want to admit to your friends/relatives who have never been to WDW.

If you think the Poly concierge makes your trip more special, and you can afford it without selling your kids on Ebay, go for.

 

[tlbwriter]

Why does anybody stay on-site when they could stay off-site for less? Why does anybody fly when they could drive for less? Why does anybody go to WDW when they could go to Six Flags for less? Because people like, and value, different things.

 

[Crzy4Dzny]

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!!

 

[*Fantasia*]

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!!

I never done concierge (well except at the Hard Rock Hotel Universal)... but I heard once yu try it... you'll get hooked on it. So it might not be your "only"...it is your first only...then second only...then third only. Enjoy!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

i had to laugh that you wrote are they on crack
thanks for the chuckle

 

[tinknsnow]

I agree with some other posters. CL wasn't intended to save money on meals, but provide an extra level of service and convenience. Not saying you can't save money, but I couldn't see eating dinner in the lounge. I can see where it would help a family of 5 by eating breakfast there in the morning and getting snacks during the day. I felt it's worth it to me, but with that price I have peace of mind of not having to get myself out of bed to make important ressies like CRT, breathless cruise, etc. Sure, I could've done some of my own PS's, but why would I. I wanted my vacation to start before I left. I manage all the bills, vacations, daily activities in the home. I'd like to have a break for a change.

Well said.

We are a family of five who enjoys the special perks of Concierge level, too. I love the pre-planning that I can do with the Concierge CMs' help. The lounge is very convenient to grab some water or juice... and the speedy separate check-in feels very worth it after a long day's drive to WDW!

Not on crack here, either, BTW. To each his own.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Another one here with a family of 5-one under 3 and we bring an extra adult-so 6 of us. We LOVE the convenience of concierge and feel it is worth the cost to us. I got hooked on concierge in Oct 02 when I had a room only discount of 45%. Now that I'm hooked I'm willing to pay the extra $101 this Oct for it. We probably make up a good portion of the extra with breakfast, juice, milk, cookies, fruit and PB&J's. We LOVE the Poly's atmosphere and location and staying concierge lets us spread out into the lounge and not feel too crowded in the room. We'd probably need 2 rooms if we didn't stay concierge.

I also "justify" the expense by figuring to total cost of my vacation. Room, air, transport, park tickets, food. Concierge doesn't add to much more to the total cost percentage wise and we have a MUCH nicer experience.

 

[BostonRob]

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.

 

[band_man]

Traveling to Disney was really my first encounter where I(middle, middle class) could stay at the same place as folks in a much higher bracket. When you look at those room rates($500!) you realize that, ah yes, there are those who make more $ than me. As someone said, I am sure there are those that think the $200 per night I spend on the WL is CRAZY.

If people wouldn't pay they would not charge it, so it must be reasonable to a certain group of folks. Wish it was me

 

[tinknsnow]

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.

We haven't experienced that and we've stayed Concierge a few times. The staff was able to squeeze us in last minute or get hard ressies without fail (like CRT) but we never were seated before others, I don't believe. We always go in Jan/Feb so we don't typically wait long anyway...perhaps the longest wait was 15min, at O'hana.

 

[NCombs]

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.

I really don't think that is the case. I have never heard anyone mention that. I think they were just saying if...

I think they have been lucky with PS's and had short waits.

 

[lovesdumbo]

We haven't experienced that and we've stayed Concierge a few times. The staff was able to squeeze us in last minute or get hard ressies without fail (like CRT) but we never were seated before others, I don't believe. We always go in Jan/Feb so we don't typically wait long anyway...perhaps the longest wait was 15min, at O'hana.

I totally agree with Tracy. I can not say that I have noticed any special treatment when being sitted. I know that others have said they think they get "nice" tables but I can not say that I've noticed that either. I do think the PS does indicate if it was made by concierge. And yes concierge has always been able to get any reservation I've wanted-even CRT on a very short notice trip-though they didn't confirm it until we arrived at WDW.

Tracy-I notice are children are the same ages (DD(6), DS(4), DD(2)). I just love the convenience of concierge with kids our ages and they LOVE it to!

 

[tinknsnow]

Tracy-I notice are children are the same ages (DD(6), DS(4), DD(2)). I just love the convenience of concierge with kids our ages and they LOVE it to!

So do you sometimes feel like then, like I do?
We stayed Concierge once and never looked back. We even did it on the DCL and wow, was it worth the extra $! My husband (who doesn't like to spend money frivolously) loves the extra level of service and extra convenience of Concierge. We are heading off to DL for the first time and chose to stay at the DLH concierge level. I have read that the convenience and service isn't quite the same as WDW so we'll see...
Can't wait to try the Poly for the first time, too!

 

[MUFFYCAT]

Is not as for the food but the convenience and extra space.
I get up at 6:00 a.m. while the rest of family sleeps, so I go to the lounge and have some coffee. It's open 24 hours, it's nice place to sit if people in your room are doing something else.
Also, my DD doesn't eat breakfast, before we'd go and spend $50 and she never eat. This way we can all eat whatever we want.

 

[robertchance]

because they can is correct, why by a Lexus when one can guy a ford, because they can

 

[Laurajean1014]

When I travel on business, I usually get the concierge level and amendities, however, I think these amendities are over-rated.

I travel to a DVC destination/resort and have not been disappointed, however, I am very self-serving and do not want to be fussed at.

I am glad that WDW offers concierge. It obviously is wanted and needed by many. Enjoy.

 

[goodferry]

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.

 

[Uncle Albert]

We stayed in the Newport Suite at BC and concierge was great but it is only my wife and I. So, it was not a good value for us. But, I've seen teens eat and this would be a value if you have two or three of them chowing down like termites on everything they see. Snacks can cost $30-$40 a time for cokes and ice-cream an popcorn and stuff.

Now, if you are paying for a great time who cares about value. Bring on the fun.