Back from WL Concierge and Poly Concierge - any ?s

[dizcrazy]

Hi! We're back from our trip - split our time between WL Concierge and Poly Concierge. The weather was awesome, and the parks crowded. Less crowds yesterday.

We were told by the concierges that the resorts were 75% full, most likely because of Mardi Gras.
They also said tourism is up and they have been suprised by all of the people.

This was our first time in concierge. We liked the food and agree with other posts that you cannot eat enough food to get your money back! (but yes, many people tried and like BambiTamy said, you just gotta laugh!)

trip report to follow, but any questions?

 

[JayCT]

How did WL Concierge compare to the Poly? Which was better. We did the Poly Concierge in 2002 and loved it. Someday DW wants to stay at WL Concierge, so we would be interested to the differences. Thanks, Jay

 

[dizcrazy]

IMO, we thought the WL concierges were wonderful, but we liked the Poly better. I liked that the Poly has a lounge with a view of the castle. And that you could sit and chat with the concierges in Poly. In WL, they have a stand right next to the elevators. Not as personal, but the WL concierges are very helpful and friendly.

Wl concierge room was less money, and food was very good. And they gave us a room with a view of the castle!!! Your DW will love WL - it is gorgeous! I just felt like the Poly was made to have the concierge service, and the WL just added it on.

 

[princess angel]

i'd love to hear about WL concierge

Laura

 

[DisneyDude10171]

never stayed at WL before, gimme EVERYTHING you got please

 

[dizcrazy]

Wilderness concierge:

What we loved:
We checked in at 10:30 am and the valet called upstairs to make sure our room was ready

The valet lead us past the long check-in line and we went right to our room

Recv'd requested view of castle from room

Crib was delivered to room within minutes of arrival

Friendly staff!!! Extremely helpful with PS's and left us voice mails with the early entry parks hours for the next day, orlando weather, and weather at home! (Nice touch!!!)

I liked the turn downservice. We went back to out room during the day and napped, so it was cool to have the room cleaned up again

Good food - and they kept it stocked And yes, many people loaded up and seemed to use the snacks for meals. (This didn't bother me a bit)

 

[Luv2trav]

Do they keep your frig stocked? if so what is it stocked with.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

Thanks for posting. Can't wait for your trip report.

 

[tinkie]

Originally posted by dizcrazy
Wilderness concierge:


Good food - and they kept it stocked And yes, many people loaded up and seemed to use the snacks for meals. (This didn't bother me a bit)

I'm sorry, I just think that is tacky and tasteless. If someone has the $$ to stay there and have concierge - they should be able to dish out for a dinner out.

Dear me.

 

[dizcrazy]

Tinkie, yes, we also thought the food should be used as a light snack only. But I wasn't bothered by the guy in front of me taking 5 ribs (okay, maybe i was a little bothered) because after all, I was on vacation! So I just rolled my eyes and continued on my merry way!

Nothing in the refig in the room, but we were welcome to bring back sodas and stock it ourselves.

if you stay concierge: make sure you let the security guard and the valets know you are concierge guests. The security guard was supposed to give a special card for the car window and call the concierges (this is what i was told by the WL concierge) and someone would meet us. Didn't happen.
Instead, I mentioned that we were concierge guests to the valet while he was unloading our car and he whisked us thru the lobby and up to 7. he kept telling us he was glad we said something (so were we!)

 

[MagicPrincess]

where is the security guard when you pull in?
When should I tell our driver we are staying concierge?
thanks!

 

[TammiMcMan]

When you pull into the resort, you have to go through the security gate. Normally, when you let the guard know you are checking in, they review their list and your name should be notated for concierge. The guard will call ahead and alert the concierge greeter that you have arrived. It all depends on how busy they are when you do check in. We've done concierge a few times and only once were we actually met at the car. We've also been met while standing in line at the regular check-in. During an extremely busy 4th of July week, we made it all the way through the regular guest registration desk before someone came to get us. I admit that being met at the car was pretty cool.

 

[Walt'sFan]

In regards to the people who are making meals out of the concierge offerings,I don't think it was right, but I'm sorry, that never seemed to bother me. I think if it is such a problem then the CM's should not tell the guests that they should take as much as they want, in fact they told us at check-in, if you want, take some extra back to your room(so I assume it was said to everyone). I've got admit most times we didn't even make it back for the offerings. Really, how many people actually do?
I apologize for going on about this but I really did not think this is such a big deal. Your at Disney, HAVE A GREAT TIME and remember that the other person is on vacation too. So keep it Magical, don't worry about anyone else, you're there to have a GREAT time, not stress yourselves!

Walt'sFan

 

[BCV23]

You know that 5 rib thing stuck out at me , too. I'm sure my husband had 4 or 5 ribs when we at the Polynesian in November but it certainly didn't replace dinner for him. He was just enjoying himself before we went to dinner. Not trying to pick on you dizcrazy...I could never have that much and then go to dinner. But it certainly is nice to have a glass of wine and some appetizers while gazing at the lagoon.

Can I ask if they're using china again in Hawaii? Thanks!

 

[magicmouse2]

Can I ask what evening offerings there were in Hawaii Concierge and also do they have bottle or bottles of wine ? A glass of wine and some cheese sound lovely on an evnng whilst viewing the fireworks and water pageant.

 

[madalex]

Originally posted by tinkie
I'm sorry, I just think that is tacky and tasteless. If someone has the $$ to stay there and have concierge - they should be able to dish out for a dinner out.

Disclaimer: we always stay concierge. While there, we make breakfast almost every morning out of the cereal, donuts, bagels and other food that is put out. At other times of day, we just snack, but we do often take food back to the room to eat while we are doing other things.

That being said, I don't understand the comment above. One of the reasons Disney charges extra for concierge is because of the lounge and the food that is put out. But, although I have paid for this service, because I can afford to pay for it, I shouldn't use it? That just doesn't make sense to me.

In my opinion, eat all you want in the lounge. If you want to use that food to replace a meal, go ahead, you paid for it! But, if you do, you are missing out on some other great food opportunities at WDW.

 

[MagicPrincess]

OK- I need someone to clear this up for me...
Is it a "no-no" to take food back to your room?
We're staying WL CL next month, we have a 2 year old, and it would be much more convenient for us to eat our breakfast and other snacks in our room.
Thanks!

 

[floridafam]

It is fine to take food back to your room and it is even encouraged.

Many families have children or spouses who are sleeping and can't make it to the lounge area for food.

There have been many times when we haven't felt like sitting at in eating areas at WL concierge and just took the food back to our room to enjoy on the balcony.

 

[MagicPrincess]

thank you Floridafam!
that's what I was hoping to hear!

 

[dizcrazy]

At WL - from 5-7, we had soda, wine, cheese, crackers, ribs, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, ribs and cookies. the second night - the same but lime shrimp which other guests said was delicious. Also at WL, the CM's brought the food up from the restaurants downstairs and then they left. If you needed anything, you just had to walk back to the elevator area where the WL concierges have a station nd ask the concierge.

There were trays in WL but I didn't see any at Poly, but I bet I could have asked for one. At Poly, the lounge has a kitchen area attached and is staffed by CM's. If you needed something, you could just ask. We were constantly encouraged to eat, take sodas, etc

At the Poly - soda, wine, cheese, crackers, ribs, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, skewers with chicken and beef, and fried rice. It was so good I was a little sorry we had PS's at Coral Reef!