How many of ya'll been "bitten" by the Concierge "bug"!

[leighe]

Welcome back BambiTambi! We've missed you! I'm sorry about your YC experience but of course you handled the situation with your usual aplomb!

 

[#1hockeymom]

Welcome back to Magic Princess, too! Sounds like both (BT)of you had a lovely time!
Sorry about the room loss, BT, but as usual, you handled it beautifully and went seamlessly into the next resort!

So how is Baby Ankole? Does he miss his Mommy? LOL I can picture it now... the four of you on your lovely sunset safari, and you giggling over my ankole obsession! LOL Three weeks and I can see him for myself!

I can't wait for full reviews from both of you!

Debbie

 

[Luv2trav]

Question for all of you experts...

How good is Poly concierge or any concierge staff getting you the requests that you make? Meaning, I requested 1st or 3rd floor, non-smoking and connecting rooms.... What are the chances I will get all my requests?

 

[steveanddonna]

In our experience, they do their best to make your trip exactly what you want it to be. 1st floor was a smoking floor the last time we were there, but I believe they had changed the 3rd floor to non-smoking, so you might get a 3rd floor non. We've always been stuck on the 2nd floor because of our non-smoking preference. The concierge staff has been absolutely great to us, not only for room requests, but they have also gotten golf tee times for my husband when the pro shop told him there were none available, PS for popular restaurants that we didn't think we could get, etc. When we travelled with my aunts, 80 & 84 at the time, the concierge personally called ahead to Rose & Crown and asked that they do everything possible to get us a table on the water, as my aunts weren't up to standing to wait for Illuminations and then through the whole show as well. When we checked in at the podium that evening they said they were setting something up for us, and they meant that literally. They had set up an additional table for 4 near the servers' station (kind of a cramped location, but with an excellent view) to accommodate us. We've found that CMs all over Disney will bend over backwards for a polite and sincere request.

 

[Luv2trav]

Isn't Hawaii all non-smoking now since the renovations?

 

[Tess]

Hawaii still has 3rd floor smoking optional rooms. The staff tries to keep those requesting smoking at the east end of the building (farthest from the elevator/loft). They will use the rooms on third floor for smoking though as the need arises.

Did anyone just returning from Polynesian get an end date for the refurb of the quiet pool? Our family much prefers it to the volcano pool, it's just so quiet and peaceful.

 

[Luv2trav]

So if I definately wanted non-smoking I should just request the 1st floor?

 

[Tess]

N/S rooms are 1st and 2nd, and 3rd near the loft IF the requests for smoking do not exceed the number allotted. The bottomline is 3rd floor is a mix of smoking and non--if you don't want someone next to you smoking, or even a chance of it, then 1st and 2nd are your options.

All that said, we all know that when they put smokers in N/S rooms--they smoke on the patio. There is no 100% way to guarantee the N/S patio, pool, or resort.

 

[Luv2trav]

Oh I understand that... I just don't want the smell of smoke in our room. I hate the smell of stale smoke.... They can smoke all they want outside or in their "smoking" room it's their right..

 

[jaysue]

Great report, BambiTamby...

Loved your expose of the CL bug

Cheers
jaysue

 

[steveanddonna]

Concierge staff in Hawaii told us in January that entire 1st floor is now smoking, and 2nd & 3rd are entirely non-smoking. Since Tess was given different info, I'm wondering if they are still experimenting to see what works with the number of requests they get for each type of room? I'd say the best way to make sure the info is accurate & current is to ask when you call. As Tess pointed out, there is no guarantee that your floor will be smoke-free. Even when we had to stay non-concierge in March (GASP!) there were smokers right next door to us in Samoa. We mentioned this at the front desk, as we had been told that Samoa is entirely non-smoking, and both DH & I are allergic. Front desk told us that due to the refurbishment going on at Niue they were short on smoking rooms, and, as the Poly was completely booked, we would just have to deal. They did offer to get an ionizer for the room.

 

[Tess]

The information I supplied was given to me from the IPO at Polynesian. There was another thread not too long ago about CL at Polynesian wherein this information was, likewise, supplied to 3 or 4 other guests with upcoming visits. Frankly, I don't see them taking Hawaii N/S anytime in the future. . .like it or not, there are people with $$$ who smoke and WDW is a service industry for both smokers and nonsmokers. It's a fine line to walk, I'll grant you.

It would really make no sense to make 1st floor smoking since smoke rises. Of course, I thought the same thing when the move to Tahiti took place last summer. There were several areas of smoking rooms in that building which did include 1st floor rooms. Personally, I always thought it strange to put smoking on 3rd floor and worried that a lit ciggie or stogie might come flying from on high to land at my feet. It's never happened though.

All that said, I prefer 3rd floor.

 

[Luv2trav]

The only reason I am REALLY trying to get non-smoking is because both DH, Mom AND sister are former smokers and they can smell smoke a mile awaay... Personally, if someone is smoking next door it doesn't bother me but it does bother them. Kind of ironic isn't it? Anyway, I just don't want the stale smell in the room...that is my only perference.. I would take a non-smoking room next to a smoking room if the room doesn't smell bad..

Plus, if they wanted to upgrade me to a LVC smoking room I would take it....

 

[steveanddonna]

not sure what you're responding to - doesn't seem to be relevant to my post. Nowhere did I imply that Hawaii was completely non-smoking.
In any case, it's always best to check & double check your info with Disney, because changes are made constantly and it's virtually impossible for all of the CMs to be up to date at all times. How many of us have been told by CRO that codes weren't out only to be told minutes later by a different CM that they were? I never assume that the info I have is absolutely correct until I've double-checked it. As for IPO, I got different responses from Tara and Aida (sp?) on the smoking/non-smoking issue when I just called, with one saying 1st & 3rd are both still considered smoking-optional based on need, and the other saying that 2nd & 3rd are non-smoking. I agree, 1st floor smoking seems dumb, but then I always thought it foolish for restaurants to have non- smoking above smoking, or to have the smoking section right at the front where non-smokers are waiting for tables. I'd have to say common sense does not always reign!

Luv2trav...ask now for your preferences, but reiterate your concerns at check-in. I've always found the concierge staff to be most accommodating. I believe they will do whatever they can to make your whole party comfortable. I have to say, too, that my
b-i-l and his wife were on the 3rd floor last Nov., and even though it was a smoking room, their room did not smell at all. Of course, the refurbishment had just been completed a few weeks prior, so everything was fresh. Good luck! I know you'll love concierge - it makes everything seem so effortless!

 

[Tess]

I was simply providing from whence my information came since your information came from a like area. Just informational, that's all:

Concierge staff in Hawaii told us in January that entire 1st floor is now smoking, and 2nd & 3rd are entirely non-smoking.

The information I supplied was given to me from the IPO at Polynesian. There was another thread not too long ago about CL at Polynesian wherein this information was, likewise, supplied to 3 or 4 other guests with upcoming visits.

Basically just follow-up information to what I previously posted and in response to later posts by you and Luv2trav. that's all. Just further verification of what you propounded in your last post--there's no 2 answers alike when it comes to Disney. In fact, Aida is the person who gave us the 3rd floor away from the loft area information. Followed by the same information from another CM at IPO. Not sure why it's so hard to get a straight, consistent answer.

 

[steveanddonna]

I think we tend to forget the size & scope of Disney's operations. I know we have seen a decline in the accuracy of info from CM to CM over the years, and the cutbacks of the last few years probably have a lot to do with this. I think this is becoming an unfortunate fact of life here. My DH just called this AM for a tee time at Grand Cypress, an off-site golf course and was told the courses were for resort guests only. He mentioned that b-i-l had played the course in Feb. while staying elsewhere, so the staffer connected him to the pro shop, where they told him that the course was indeed open to anyone. They transferred him back to the original number (which is what the website gives for booking teetimes) where he was again told that he had to be a guest at the resort. After a few minutes of he said/they said/I thought all was straightened out and he has his tee time. Now he's having 2nd thoughts and lamenting how much easier it's always been booking his golf at Disney!

 

[steveanddonna]

DH & I usually are able to make a few short trips to WDW each year, and one longer one (usually 6 nts.) in the fall. It's been difficult in the past to do anything longer than a week because we own a business, have a diabetic cat, etc. etc. This year, it looks like we might be able to stay for 10-14 days in the fall, as we have a great new cat-sitter and a reliable subcontractor. Our choice is to do our usual week in the fall and another week in early December, or an extended stay in October. We've been there at both times of year and I love it equally well. DH prefers hot weather of October.
What do you think are the pros and cons of doing a long trip? I know I could never get bored at WDW, so that's not a problem. Of course, I might never want to go home after living in Disney World for 2 weeks!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

I think a 2-week trip would be heaven!! I don't get to go for extended periods, as it is just DD and I going to the World now, and I usually take her out of school for a couple of days.

Our first trip in '96 we stayed 6 nights, and it was great, but the whole family was with me. The longest trip we take now is 5 nights, as I get homesick for DH and my boys, party-poopers!!

 

[crs7568]

mom_rules, I hope that you will be doing a trip report of some sort when you return from your vacation. I have been waiting for BT to fill us in on the details of her plight and the whole thing is making me nervous about choosing the Yacht Club. The mistake that was made there just seems incredibly unprofessional. Have you stayed there before, and if so, did you have a good experience? I am seriously considering switching resorts.

 

[mom_rules]

We have never stayed at the YC but have stayed at BC twice-we have never had a problem and our room was always ready early. I'm also waiting for BT to give details-some reason must have been given. I am also very nervous now since Easter is an extremely busy time anyway-we had a difficult time in the first place trying to get a concierge room anywhere on property. BT where are you!!!? I will definitely give a trip report-in fact I'm going to try to do one live from the YC if I can get a connection. Anyone know if you can get wireless or even dial up there?