AKL Concierge v Poly Concierge

[rt2dz]

I think I have this narrowed down to AKL Concierge or Poly Concierge. Can anyone compare and constrast the concierge services between the two?

 

[edingerc]

Poly Concierge: Said to have the best food of all the CL's. Beautiful view from the lounge. Wonderful, restful resort

AKL: Great views from the CL rooms. Sunrise Safari, excellent!

 

[jacksmom]

So far we have only stayed at Poly CL! We have enjoyed it so much it has been hard to try anything else! But, we have AKL CL booked for a night in Oct and would love to hear more reviews! As far as Poly goes though the rooms are big, the lounge is nice (you can have desert and watch Wishes from there), the food is great, the staff is nice, the transportation is great (you can walk to TTC), and we love eating at both Ohanas and Kona! I think for us the biggest drawback for AKL is the location, but for a short stay we are looking forward to it!

 

[montblanc]

I have been to both the Poly and AKL (though not concierge). I really enjoyed the AKL and felt like I was away from civilization, I know many think the Poly is the best but my favorite is now the AKL. I love the dark atmosphere, the fires, storytelling, grounds, and the fact it IS far away.

1970 - Disneyland
1999 - All Star Music
2003 - Port Orleans Riverside
2004 - Contemporary
2005 - Animal Kingdom, Polynesian, Animal Kingdom (two trips)

 

[luvdzny]

We have stayed at both AKL and Poly Concierge. AKL wins easily!!!! We had so many problems with our stay at Poly that we will not return there again. The staff at AKL was great, they made sure that all of our PS arrangements were made, even got us a couple of last minute ressies. We were not as lucky with Poly, 2 of the 3 PS's they made for us were not on record when we arrived at the restaurant. The staff a Poly never even acknowledged us when we we we came into the building while the AKL staff always greeted us and came around to talk to us in the lounge. We did not get our room request at Poly, but we always have at AKL. Also DD had a lot of problems with the musty smell at Poly, she is allergic to mold and her asthma really flared up while we were there. The food in the lounge at AKL definitely has an African theme to it which some people may not like. We have returned to AKL concierge and will do so again, but for us Poly concierge was not worth the money.

 

[Tikiman]

Just got back from the AKL and the Polynesian concierge. Not a single musty smell on any floor or or in our room (ground level). Staff was friendly and took care of anything we needed. I even noticed a couple that had an issue with a PS and they were making sure everything was fixed and taken care of for them. We talked to some people in the lounge and asked them how they liked the concierge and they said out of all the concierges they have tried it was the best. They were comparing to the AKL, GF and WL. I liked the AKL concierge very much but they never followed up with any question we had and forgot to do anything we asked them to do. There was plenty of food in the Polynesian lounge and everything was excellent. I have had asthma all my life and I have never had an issue at the Polynesian. The only place I ever had breathing problems in a room was last August at the Dolphin. I coughed every night and was fine once I left the room.

I keep trying other resorts but I think after this trip I am done and I will only stay at the Polynesian
Just another opinion to add to the list.

Aloha

Steve

 

[luvdzny]

Not sure if the concierge building has been remodeled yet, but that is where we had the problem. We even had to take DD to the hospital for treatment, the doctor we saw told us they see a lot of asthma/mold allergy problems from Poly guests. Maybe it depends on the room, we were on the 2nd floor and the severity of the asthma/allergy - but that is the only resort that DD ever had problems at. The trip that she had problems on was a split stay for us and the problems began the first night at Poly. As I mentioned earlier, we had a lot of problems with Poly concierge staff, and in our opinion AKL was FAR better.

 

[stinkerbelle]

AKL.

it's the only concierge that actually offers something special to JUST concierge guests.

the Sunrise and Sunset safaris.

We've done both twice...totally worth the money

 

[luvdzny]

the Sunrise and Sunset safaris.

We've done both twice...totally worth the money

I totally agree!!! The Sunset was our favorite, but they were both great

 

[rt2dz]

I know there is an age min. on the sunset safari, but what about the sunrise safari?

And what does anyone think about a split stay? We'll be on Disney property 8-9 nights; First night we always get there so late we stay off property.

And which one might be better for the holidays, as this trip will be Dec. 2006?

 

[Tikiman]

I know many love the Polynesian during the holidays and I maybe should not be answering since I have not been there in the winter but I would myself go for something like the YC, GF, WL or even the AKL for the winter months since they have more indoor areas. I would miss the warm nights walking around the Polynesian in the cooler months. We usually try to split for a 10-14 day visit having at least a full week at the Polynesian and adding a few days at a different resort before that but don’t feel that just because so many do split that you have to also. The moving is not bad so if you are ok with trying different locations during your stay than try it. Trying resorts in different areas might be the best way to split instead of something close like the Polynesian and the WL or the other monorail resorts.

 

[Frances999]

As much as I love the Polynesian Resort and its concierge service, I was a little disappointed with its holiday theming during our trip last Christmas. I would choose somewhere like the GF or YC/BC during the holiday period. However, out of AKL concierge and Polynesian concierge it would be The Polynesian for me -- IMO The Polynesian concierge services are far superior to thos of AKL.

 

[stinkerbelle]

I know there is an age min. on the sunset safari, but what about the sunrise safari?

No age restriction on Sunrise Safari
Minimum age for Sunset Safari is now 12. (used to be 16)

 

[alohaguy]

I know many love the Polynesian during the holidays and I maybe should not be answering since I have not been there in the winter but I would myself go for something like the YC, GF, WL or even the AKL for the winter months since they have more indoor areas. I would miss the warm nights walking around the Polynesian in the cooler months.

December is my family's favorite time of year at the Polynesian. If you're staying in Hawaii, there will be a huge christmas tree with a large amount of other Christmas decorations throughout the lounge and the building. The GCH is nicely decorated and there is usually some type of Christmas display by the doors to the monorail - last year was a large ginger bread house with a small monorail running around it. I know the GF has more elaborate Christmas theming, but the Polynesian is still well decorated.

The weather in December can be hit or miss, but I have never had it be too cold to walk around - maybe a little too chilly to swim - but that's about it. And especially if you're staying in Hawaii you don't have far to walk to anything.

Just my opinion - but don't write-off the Polynesian for December.

 

[J&L Love Disney]

We love both resorts and have never had any problems at either. Our service has been excellent, rooms wonderful, concierge food was great at both, although very different. It's nice being on monorail, but AKL has it's unique style and things to do.

I would suggest that if you plan to spend most of your time at MK or nearby then stay at Poly. If you'll be at AK or MGM/Epcot then stay at AKL. This will same some travel time.

Or if you are staying for 5 or more nights, why not split between the two!

Lisa

 

[princessesrule4]

Was it recently that your DD experienced allergy problems? We have allergies and was concerned because we are deciding between Hawaii bldg. and Atrium Club at CR. Did you stay in a Garden or Lagoon view room?Thanks!

 

[rt2dz]

First, Thanks EVERYONE for your answers. I'm still very confused, but the info. I'm getting is helpful/good. This is why I love the Dis boards!!

We love both resorts and have never had any problems at either. Our service has been excellent, rooms wonderful, concierge food was great at both, although very different. It's nice being on monorail, but AKL has it's unique style and things to do.

I would suggest that if you plan to spend most of your time at MK or nearby then stay at Poly. If you'll be at AK or MGM/Epcot then stay at AKL. This will same some travel time.

Or if you are staying for 5 or more nights, why not split between the two!

Lisa

I'm really thinking a split stay might be the best way to go. With little kids, I always end up doing laundry, so switching the day after laundry day would make it fairly easy--I think. Read that idea on this board somewhere and it sounds like a great idea. Regardless, packing doesn't take that much time and since Disney will move our bags I don't see how we can be too inconvienced. I'll just bring a little extra with us that day, just in case.

AKL is definetly my whole family's favorite resort. My oldest DS always wants to stay there, but *I* and DH like trying new resorts. And since we have never stayed at the Poly... And my DH is pulling for the monorail. {I don't like the CR (sorry, it just wasn't my style), we stayed WL last time, and the GF doesn't have a huge pull for me. Then YC/BC is only somewhere I'd want to stay during swimming weather--being from S. TX, Dec. isn't swimming weather. } But, we never have stayed concierge at AKL. AK is my kids favorite park, MK second favorite. The sunrise safari is also a really big pull, too. I have never found AKL location to be a big deal/inconvience...

Oh well, if anyone has anything else to offer on comparison and contrast, please keep it coming!! I need to make a decision!!