Concierge "Break Even" Point?

[Poly Pal]

O.K. concierge experts, I may be able to convince my wife to "splurge" on concierge level at the Polynesian for our trip next April. So help me construct an argument that will show her it makes economic sense to do so.

Here's what I figure are our typical costs for food and water per day for 2 adults and 2 kids (4 & 9):

Breakfast from Captain Cook's

$15 to $20 per day

Lunch from Captain Cook's

$25 to $ 30 per day

Bottled water (3 bottles times 4 people @ $2.50 per bottle) per day

$30

The way I figure it, if concierge level is only $70 to $80 more per night, then it might make sense to upgrade.

Any advice or comment? Thanks for your help!

 

[Disneyhappy]

Poly Pal -
You're off to a very good start in your argument! Although I don't think you should count on lunch at Poly Concierge. They have very light offerings at lunch time like cookies and snacks. They may have P & J sandwiches for the kids but I think that is usually with the dinner offerings. You may get away with eating some dinners in the lounge. We sometimes ate our big meal at lunch and dinner in the lounge. The snacks are great for the kids, especially the cookies so you need to factor in what you would spend on snacks as well. My son would wrap a cookie to eat in the park later.

We also factor in non-monetary values to concierge. Besides the services the staff can provide, we also place a value of the convenience of the concierge lounge, especially with 2 smaller children. The biggest convenience is having the lounge so readily available. We save time by not having to go to a food service area and wait for our breakfast. That saves us valuable time. We are able to sleep about 30 minutes later or get to the parks 30 minutes faster in the morning. It also allows us to get ready in shifts and we meet in the lounge. The use of the lounge with the kids area give the kids more space to "breathe" and mom and dad to relax. I think of it as a huge family room where you are allowed to eat (unlike at home).

Monetarily I would estimate the break even point at $60-$80. We are willing to pay a litle more for the added convenience only because at this time in our lives we are able to do so. Until a few years ago, it wasn't even an option but we still enjoyed ourselves on every trip. We would bring our own snacks and drinks and searched for those few bargains Disney had to offer.

We now spend more time at Epcot and MGM so we prefer the YC or BC Concierge for its location, but I pesronally think Poly provides the best concierge offerings with a great view of the Cinderella's Castle!

My suggetion is if you have the means, the monetary and convenience value would be worth it. If you plan to do several character breakfasts and enjoy eating at nicer restaurants for dinner, it probably would not be worth it.

I wish you luck in your persuassion! Let us know how it turns out!

 

[Goofyposter]

Poly Pal, I think DisneyHappy is about right.

I'm the goof in our troop that pays the bills, and have tried hard to do the same math. We have only stayed Conceirge on our trips....My experience is that the bottom is line is that I'm paying about $50 per night for the conviences/like easy to make PS's and purchases delivered to our room, not the gift shop.

All in all, I do recommend it, if it's do-able $ wise.

 

[Humphrey1227]

Don't forget the "security" poly is a locked off building as our the other concerige floors in other resorts. So the enviorment is extra safe / secure! Also there is the concerige themselves any hard to get tickets / or p.s.'s...

 

[RobinMarie]

Poly...

You forgot the cost of desserts! When we stayed at the Poly, we enjoyed the evenings. It was a low key time, complete with wine/cordials, desserts, sandwiches and relaxing to watch the Water Pagent.

So when figuring cost, don't forget snacks/desserts.

(I've almost convinced myself to stay there now)

 

[Kimkimba]

This will be my first trip staying Concierge in September. My dh has no idea how much I'm spending - it's much better that way. With dd 13 and ds 4 and being somewhat of homebodies, I think we'll take advantage of what the concierge has to offer at the Poly. Overall, I think it will almost even out price wise with drinks, breakfast, and snacks. But I didn't look at it that way - I looked at it as the first trip for my ds and perhaps the last trip as a family with my dd. Plus my dh hasn't been since he was little so to me this is his first trip, too! I believe in Disney magic!

 

[LAWalz23]

They have free stollers (jogger type) that you can use through out your stay. It is first come first serve though they have about 6 or 8.
Also apple juice boxes for the kids and reg milk and chocolate milk. All you have to do is ask and they will give you as many as you need. There is soda and water out all day that you can take back to your room and put in the little minibar that comes in every room. I believe that refrigerators are now $12 a day extra. Building is right next to Volcano pool and beach. Easy walk to GCH and TTC.
Agree with Disneyhappy, we figured break even point at about $60-80.
We will be there for our second trip in a year, in just five days, because we loved it so much. You also may be able to get AP rates depending on when in April.
Beware once you make the upgrade you may not want to go back! LOL!

 

[KrnB]

Some more intangible benefits....

My dad and I have been known to take advantage of the upstairs area in the concierge lounge at the Poly. It's a great place to read and unwind after a long day, esp. if you have someone in your group that goes to sleep earlier.

Another nice touch are the CMs working in the office. They are a great help in making PSs and making suggestions. Some of them have worked in a number of places throughout the resort, so you may get some great inside stories. We had a guy once that had worked on the Jungle Cruise - he fit the part, he was hilarious and really nice.