Calling all Polynesian Concierge Veterans

[Lisa3]

Well, I did it! I booked garden view concierge at the Polynesian for our Nov. trip. I still can't quite believe it. I know this sounds silly to some of you but for us this is a REALLY BIG DEAL. We just don't travel often so this is a luxury I never thought possible. The idea of it being our 20th anniversary and all the great posts on this board made me take a leap of faith.

My question is so now what can I expect (I'm a little nervous and hope we don't feel out of place)? Will I be contacted by the resort? Can I make any requests (such as being on the 1st floor)? Should I let them know this is a special anniversary? How do I let them know what PS's we would like? Where do you check in if not at the front desk (we stayed at the Polynesian last year and that was a dream come true for me)? What is the lounge like? We will have our 3 kids with us (10, 8, and 7), is the lounge area kid friendly (they are very well behaved - at least on vacation (LOL)).

Anything you can tell me will be appreciated. I have checked out tikiman's site already (great site!!!). I'm still having a hard time thinking this really o.k. for us to do this. Help convince me!!!! I feel like a little kid who just got caught with her hand in the cookie jar!

 

[LorieDisneyLover]

Lisa,

If you loved the Poly last year ... you will LOVE conceirge.

When you arrive at the hotel -- right there at the luggage drop-off tell the people there you are staying concierge. They will immediately put your luggage in one of the "golf-car" type of cars and drive you over to the building. If you room is ready you will be taken directly to your room, and you can check-in after you get settled. If your room isn't ready you can check-in in the concierge building, etc.

The lounge is GREAT. I think by November the "normal" concierge building (Hawaii) will be reopened and the view from the lounge is fantastic. You have a perfect view of the fireworks, the electric water parade, and of course the Castle. We've found the lounge to be very kid-friendly. There are plenty of treats for kids, including fresh fruit, gummy worms (gotta love that!!!), m&ms, brownies, peanut/butter/jelly sandwiches. There's small furniture for the kids to sit on -- and a big screen tv. There is a wonderful breakfast assortment for everyone -- including KONA coffee.

Bottled water, soda, etc. is available most of the day ... and at dinner time several bottles of wine are available. Later in the evening there is an array of desserts, cookies, etc, and liquors.

You can request a ground floor if you like -=- though it's not guaranteed.

Hope this helps.
Lorie

 

[DNSDisney]

Lisa3- Think of it as a well deserved special vacation! You are a mother of 3 you deserve the best!!
You will love Polynesian concierge. The staff in the concierge lounge is friendly and helpful. The only complaint we have ever had about them comes from my DH and that was only because they didn't have any Baileys for 2 nights straight. It is the only thing my DH drinks that is an alcoholic beverage.
They have gone out of there way many times for us though. It is as laid back as the rest of the Poly is. We have gone three yrs in a row thanks to some great discounts. I can't get my family to stay at any other resort!
Yes do tell them about your annv., also note it on your itinenary when you recieve it (should be about 1-2 mths out from stay)
You should be in Hawaii building by then(refurb should be done by Oct 17th I believe) So the lounge will have a beautiful view of the castle fireworks etc . Staying GV you will have a view of one of the two pools I believe. The food is great!
We love Poly concierge I am sure you will as well but be warned. once you go concierge it is hard to go back to a standard room. So much so... this yr I had orginally booked a standard garden room and could stand wondering if I would like the view or placement etc . I ended up calling and upgrading after a week of worrying. Just remember you deserve a little extra sometimes!

 

[ead79]

Don't worry at all! The Polynesian concierge is wonderful and very family friendly. As a matter of fact, we saw many more people with young children than we did adults with no kids on our stays. The lounge is very kid friendly. They have a big TV where they are usually playing Disney cartoons, special food for kids (like gummy worms and cupcakes), and lots of yummy food that both kids and adults will love. I have only stayed concierge at WDW (never on any other non-Disney vacations), and I never felt out of place. I really save for my splurges, so I might not be the same "level" as some concierge guests who can easily afford it. However, I have NEVER felt out of place or been treated snobbily. The staff at the Poly concierge has been wonderfully helpful to me on both my stays. I emailed them using the conciege email address on Tikiman's site before my trip to request priority seatings be made. I would advise emailing just before the 60 day mark if you would like them to get you a Cindy's ressie, so it's more likely that they can do it. Check-in worked differently on each of my Poly concierge stays. On my first stay (Dec. 2001) I checked in at the regular front desk, then the bellman took me to the concierge building where the concierge staff greeted me and told me I could come back to get information from them after I had gotten settled in my room. On my second stay (Dec. 2002) I had heard before hand here on the DIS that you now check in at the concierge building. I told the bellman that I was here to check in to the concierge, and he took me directly to the concierge building. They then checked us in and we went to our room and got our stuff all laid out. I would also tell the concierge that you are celebrating your anniversary in an email before you arrive (you can also mention it when you check in if you like) so they can perhaps do a little something special for you. Don't worry, you'll enjoy yourself a ton!

 

[soooeypig]

Well, I bit the bullet and made the reservations today for the Poly. I even bit a bit bigger of a bullet and booked gv concierge! OHhhhh my...!!! Given our limited stay and room-only booking, I feel I've done the right thing. Just wish I could have booked last month and gotten a better rate! The good experiences you spoke about make me feel confident I've done the right thing. We are planning only one day at MK, then lounging around resort or playing in the lagoon. Sounds like the goodies that concierge offers will be really net! I guess we shall see how things unfold. Annnnyway...thanks for the thumbs up on this...decided I needed to be spoiled too. IT'S A VACATION!

I know they are going to be doing renovations on HAWAII starting in June, but I think that is still the longhouse that I want to stay. Should I request that? As I understand, the concierge rooms will be moving to TAHITI (which would be fine too) but, I really don't want TONGA (which may be only for the bigger suites, etc. and I may not have to worry about being placed there.) Also, my kids have allergies and I want to avoid any smoking rooms. Is this something that I can e-mail to the concierge or should I call reservations back and have them add the info to my booking?? Headed that direction in 16 days, so I need to know something soon. Thanks for any info! Sitting here second-guessing myself!!!

 

[Tigger's Friend]

I am so glad this was posted as a topic. I have stayed at the Poly before but never the Concierge level. I am surprising my Mom for her 60th birthday with a trip to WDW for her and I. I was splitting the stay between the ASMu (12 nites) and Poly (4 nites). Now with the wonderful deal, I am doing ASMU (9 nites) and Poly Concierge (7 nites). I am SOOOOOOOO excited about this. Alot of the questions asked by Lisa3 are the same questions that I have wondered.

I love this board....you think a question and before you know it there are the answers already on the board.

 

[perpetualplanner]

I've never stayed Poly Concierge (will in 3 days) but I just e-mailed them that my sons b-day will occur during our stay. I wanted to know if they would hang a Birthday banner for me that I've already purchased while we were gone. A wonderful CM e-mailed back that she had ordered a small cake for him to surprise him that evening. I think I'm gonna LOVE concierge!!!

 

[Lisa3]

Thanks everyone! Twenty-four hours later I have finally calmed down enough to know I made the right decision. I really don't know what's more fun planning the vacation or actually being there! All your feedback was wonderful - keep it coming. Maybe by Nov. the butterflies will have left my stomach so I can actually enjoy what concierge has to offer (LOL).