BIG disappointment in Poly Concierge..

[FSUGrad97]

IEvening fare was better..at least something hot for a change but you feel like a 16 year old trying to get anything alcoholic. You have to "ask" for a beer and you can't get more than one without proof that your spouse is in the room and you're getting one for her/him..so ID of some sort is required...WHAT? I don't care if I want 6 beers at once...I'm paying $500 a night for this?? Please..

We stayed at the WL and the Territory Lounge would only allow you to take one drink to go. This is to limit their liability, and isn't that big a deal, IMHO. I just made two trips.

 

[ducklite]

That's federal liquor laws, not Disney. You could be paying $5,000 a night, it doesn't matter. One drink per person, proof required. If you look under 30 years of age, be prepared to show ID. The cast members were just doing thier job by following the policies and the law. If you have an issue with these laws, a better place to voice it would be with your congress person.

Actually not Federal--State, but same idea.

Anne

 

[copper0426]

I'll take issue with a couple of your points.

(1) The concierge employee insisted ona sking for ID because it's Florida law. She has no way of knowing if you're going to give those beers to minors - like your daughter for instance.

(2) I've had my own beefs with Disney's obstinacy in consolidating room keys and park tickets; but if I were that employee to whom you said "Get it over it already" I'd have hung you from the shower with the lei.

WOW you seemedto have taken this pretty personal.
By the way if it is FLA LAW the CM was worried about then this still does not cut it. you are supposed to see the person and the ID by law. It is more likely this policy is to keep people from slamming alcohol to geta head start on the evening. And as for the get over it comment A concerge's only function should be to do it my way with a smile.

My 2 cents

 

[sotoalf]

If I offended you, I'm sorry. From your post I assumed you could see the fun in the situation.

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

I agree with poster "71010", concierge in Disney seems to be defined differently from other 5 stars resorts. From what I read on DIS, concierge at WDW seems to be just a minor extension of typical Disney service, with some cheap food thrown in for good measure. At other resorts we have stayed at (non-WDW), the concierge seems to be mind readers. It's like having a personal travel guide and personal butler at your service at all time, rather than just someone to go to for help.

And here is precisely the dilemma. WDW has no 5 star resorts, only Deluxe resorts, rated Deluxe by...WDW. The Deluxe resorts are usually given 3 to (sometimes) 4 stars by outside rating systems. I think many visitors hear Deluxe and think they will be staying at the Ritz-Carlton or Four Seasons and they are nowhere near that level of service. Then when someone says "concierge"! Well some imagine being waited on hand and foot!

Having said that we have enjoyed concierge at the Poly 3 times (once at Cont. Tower Club). I think we knew going in what the service would consist of and we weren't paying full price (I don't do that ).

 

[Tonyspad]

My family only stays in concierge when we visit WDW. The joys we receive in the various concierge buildings are morning offerings, snacks, evening cocktails, ADR assistance and people watching( just to name a few). From what I have witnessed some people who stay in concierge do it for meal replacement. I guess you could make a meal of some the offerings and on occasion I have only had a few cocktails and apps at the Tambu Lounge or Narcoossee's Bar after visiting the lounge.

But I have witnessed some families asking Chef Dick " What was for dinner" during breakfast ! If the extra money for concierge, which is almost always noted in negative posts, is something that you think will replace meals and cocktail service you are wrong. It is even amazing that guests expect the busy CM to approach them for conversation. I have NEVER had a bad experience at a WDW concierge, but maybe I go into them with realistic expectations.

 

[Brina]

I am sorry the Poly conceirge was such a disappointment. We recently returned from a trip where we stayed half at AKL conceirge and it was quite wonderful. I highly recommned them, although i agree, conceirge at Disney is not the same as conceirge at the Ritz or Four Seasons.

 

[rie'smom]

IMO the problem with Disney's Deluxe hotels is that even though outside sources rate the hotels 3 or 4 stars,Disney charges 5 star prices thus people are expecting a Ritz-Carlton experience when in fact the deluxes are nowhere near that level. If you travel alot you notice the difference right away. In fact, the only place that we've stayed at in WDW (and we've been to all of them)that comes close to 5 star service was Coronado Springs and that may be because they cater to conventions. People who attend conventions are accustomed to a certain level of service.

 

[ducklite]

My family only stays in concierge when we visit WDW. The joys we receive in the various concierge buildings are morning offerings, snacks, evening cocktails, ADR assistance and people watching( just to name a few). From what I have witnessed some people who stay in concierge do it for meal replacement. I guess you could make a meal of some the offerings and on occasion I have only had a few cocktails and apps at the Tambu Lounge or Narcoossee's Bar after visiting the lounge.

But I have witnessed some families asking Chef Dick " What was for dinner" during breakfast ! If the extra money for concierge, which is almost always noted in negative posts, is something that you think will replace meals and cocktail service you are wrong. It is even amazing that guests expect the busy CM to approach them for conversation. I have NEVER had a bad experience at a WDW concierge, but maybe I go into them with realistic expectations.

Well said. What I hear the most in negative posts is "it was a waste of money". If you are thinking you will receive tangible benefits in concierge equal to the elevated cost, it will be a waste of money for you. What you are paying for is service and to a degree privacy. The snacks (they aren't meals and never were meant to be) will not equal the cost, they were never meant to.

I have had one bad concierge experience in all my concierge stays, and it was addressed by the resorts upper management to my saitisfaction. There are some that weren't as good as they could have been, but for the most part they've been outstanding. My expectations are realistic, and that's the difference.

Anne

 

[BeccaGrace]

We returned last week from our trip that included two nights in Poly Concierge. While the Poly's theming isn't our taste (much preferred the WL in that regard), I found the concierge service to be a wonderful addition to our trip. We booked concierge a week before our departure and I e-mailed them with a few requests before we arrived--Jeffrey was able to get me a Le Cellier ADR on the day and time we wanted when the restaurant had been booked for months; they delivered balloons for my mom's birthday; we got the room we requested. Those little extras are what sold me on the concierge level beyond the food offerings. I did enjoy the food though...I loved having coffee and soda whenever I wanted. I enjoyed my wine in the evening and my Kahlua and coffee at night while I watched Wishes from the lounge with the music piped in (Wow, I am majorly missing the Poly right now!). I loved the size of our room, especially in comparison to the WL. I do agree they need a light near the daybed though!
But I think I realized my favorite part about the Hawaii building our last morning. We returned to the Poly around 11:00 and our ME bus wasn't picking us up until 1:15. We had already eaten and no longer had our room so it was basically sit around and wait time. So we went to the lounge (which we had all to ourselves!). We played board games, the girls colored and watched TV, we had some snacks and my last few cups of Orange Guava juice (it's like crack!) and just relaxed and watched the activity on the lake. I decided to take a walk to the main building and oh my goodness was it a MADHOUSE. I saw families waiting like we were in a packed lobby that was noisy and bustling. The kids tv area was filled to the point that kids were sitting on the floor. It was just so hectic and not the way I would have wanted to end my vacation. The peace and quiet of the lounge was the perfect way to end our trip
I'm sorry the OP didn't have a good experience but I definitely treasured those few days we got to stay Poly concierge

 

[MJS]

Sorry about your experience. We go to WDW annually for 10 days to 3 weeks. We used to stay in concierge at WDW (GF~Royal Palm Club, Poly, YC, etc.), then we joined the DVC at the BCV. We realized that we were spoiled from our non-Disney concierge experiences (Four Seasons, etc) and now provide our own concierge service! Disney does a lot of things well ~ concierge service is NOT one of them.

We plan our own trips, make our own ressies (I have never had trouble getting anything, including Cindy's breakfast) and we have our own snacks! When we arrive, we go to the grocery store and liquor store, so if we want a beer in our underwear or want a healthy breakfast for our kids we have it! Also, we love the washer/dryer in the room. We generally dine out in the parks and go to a restaurant for dinner, but it is nice to have the option to stay in the room without relying on concierge.

 

[Lewisc]

I'm confused, were you limited to one beer at a time to comply with FL liquor laws or were you limited to one beer for the entire evening?

 

[Frances999]

I'm sorry to hear of your disappointment. We stayed LVC at the Polynesian in August and could not have had better service. The CMs were extremely helpful and asked how we were, if they could do anything, how was our day....etc...every time we walked past the desks. They went out of their way to provide the finest Disney service.

I guess everyone has different experiences but I think you should write to Disney regarding your concerns.

It seems strange how the concierge CM in the lounge fetched a small bagel for another guest but not for you.

 

[ducklite]

I'm confused, were you limited to one beer at a time to comply with FL liquor laws or were you limited to one beer for the entire evening?

They allow one alcoholic beverage at a time, you can always get another unless you appear intoxicated. It's the same rules in all Florida bars, restaurants, and nightclubs.

Anne

 

[AndyMcV]

I have never understood the Concierge Service at WDW. Quite frankly, its not real Concierge. A true concierge can get you tickets for sold out events, limo in 5 minutes, ask you if you need a massage just because you look tired, and anything else you require. They are supposed to take care of you, not you having to request everything you want. Its not a glass of wine and a few food items out. I think its an option Disney should be leaving out.

I agree with 71010. I just don't get the conceirge service. For an extra $200 per night or say $1400 per week I don't get it. I know, I know it's not about the money but rather the experience... but from what I hear the experience isn't all that great. I agree with 71010. If I'm paying $200 per day for a few snacks and maybe a glass of wine or beer, I would also expect the staff to be falling over my feet. With conceirge I would expect my family and myself to be pampered during our stay. I love Disney but I think they fall short in that department with regard to concierge service.

 

[copper0426]

They allow one alcoholic beverage at a time, you can always get another unless you appear intoxicated. It's the same rules in all Florida bars, restaurants, and nightclubs.

Anne

Hello
Again people keep quoting Fl law willy nilly it is not the LAW that you can only have one drink it is an est. right to make a rule to be sure to control intoxication wich tey have a LAWFULL obligation to do. However there is nothing illeagle about two for one at your local happy hour .

 

[ducklite]

Hello
Again people keep quoting Fl law willy nilly it is not the LAW that you can only have one drink it is an est. right to make a rule to be sure to control intoxication wich tey have a LAWFULL obligation to do. However there is nothing illeagle about two for one at your local happy hour .

Um, did you see me write the word law, code, or statute anywhere? I never said it was the law, I said it's the sames "rules" in all FL bars and nightclubs. Perhaps I should have said almost all. But 99.9% of the places I go that's the rule.

Anne

 

[copper0426]

Actually not Federal--State, but same idea.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

I was referring to the requirement of proving the age of the consumer of the alcohol. This is a state law, not a Federal law. In the US, regulation of legal drinking age and enforcement is not Federalized, but enforced by the State/Commonwealth.

Anne

 

[Lewisc]

Hello
Again people keep quoting Fl law willy nilly it is not the LAW that you can only have one drink it is an est. right to make a rule to be sure to control intoxication wich tey have a LAWFULL obligation to do. However there is nothing illeagle about two for one at your local happy hour .

It sounds like the concern is a guest getting two beers and then giving one to an underage drinker. Bars don't have that problem if they don't allow underage patrons in the establishment. I've been in bars, not in FL, where they put an empty shot glass next to you to signify the next drink is free (twofers).

Pool bars and even the Margarita stand by Mexico generally limit you to one drink at a time.

Sounds like a resonable policy to me.