smahoney6 said:
AAAAAGGGHHH!! Cant decide- is it worth it to stay conc lagoon view poly for $6100- family of 7, 2 rms, park hoppers) when you get the free meal plan??? Will we be in the room enough to justify when we are arriving late one night (about 9:00) and leaving Sunday morning???? Someone who has experienced the conceige level (always wanted to but never have) please let me know....the choices are a room with a view at the poly, grand flor, or the cont.......
Thank you much in advance!!!
Good question
smahoney6! The DW and I have stayed concierge at the poly with lagoon view a couple times now. Concierge can never really replace the need for "real" food. So don't worry about overlap with your Disney Dining package. You'll need it. The appetizers and snacks served in concierge are not really a substitute for an actual meal. There are some people who will try to do that and strip the lounge bare like locusts, but that doesn't work out.
There is more to concierge than just food. Don't forget ability of the concerge to get you into the restaurants or shows that perhaps you might not be able to do staying non-concierge. This is especially helpful for last minute reservations. Plan as much as possible in advance, months before you arrive you should have your "must do" ressies made. Cinderella's Royal Table comes to mind.
Since you will be spending a lot of time at the resort hotel, you can make use of the lounge to relax in and cool off, have a drink, grab a snack. And speaking of food, if you like sushi, as DW and I do, then this is THE place to be. There are wine and cheeses, some evening they serve sushi (YUMM) and a variety of other appetizers. Bottled water is available... from large glass bottles you can't take to the parks. Then at night you've got desserts and liquors such as Bailys or port and grand marnier. (sp) If you add up what it would cost to have a few glasses of wine per person, order the deserts or appetizers and such it really works out well.
After a day at the parks, being pushed and stepped on, its so nice to retreat to the civilized environment of the private lounge. If there are children misbehaving, simply "accidently" step on their little feet. No just kidding. Thats bad. Don't do that. Have a glass of wine and a nice bit of fruit or appetizer while you relax and before you head off to your dinner ressie.
The lounge is particularly helpful during the times of year when the parks close early. It breaks up the day nicely. Be sure and say hello to Chef Dick. He's a great guy. Be sure to try his sushi. Top notch! I had a heart attack on the plane the last time we stayed at the poly. Concierge provided me with a wheel chair and Chef Dick was very accomdating for my low salt diet needs. The people at the concierge desk are warm, friendly, very competent and able to perform miracles. They certainly saved our vacation.
Is it worth it to go concierge? My DIS friend, if you have the means to pay for it, and can afford it, the price is definitly worth it.
PS I forgot to mention the continental breakfast which is helpful to get a quick getaway to the parks in the AM.
(though I'm not much of a drinker-even at the world) And contrary to OP, we did see empty platters. It was Friday evening, the resort was more crowded, and they ran out of the shrimp (appetizer) 
with at least an hour left til the room closed. They did not replenish the tray. That was the only hot appetizer they had that night. I wouldn't pay $75/night again for concierge (especially since I do better booking my ADR then they did-they missed the most important one!) And with the free dining, I definitely don't think it's worth it. Just MHO.
