Just back from Poly and Concierge experience

[dreamflight99]

FLAsomeday~

We stayed Poly Concierge years ago...before I ever even knew this site existed. Since we had no expectations, or standards on which to rely, we were thrilled with every little thing. During our stay, when DD would mention something to one of the Concierge, they would go out of their way to surprise her in some way or another. She mentioned how much she loved the smell of plumeria. When we came to the lounge, the CM had a special surprise for her. It was a plumeria flower (or perhaps a gardenia...I can not recall), which had been prepared by the floral dept. It was wrapped, with a little "clip" in it for her hair. She placed it in DD's hair...and made her day! This same CM did a few other things to make our stay extra-special. Once home, we sent her a thank-you package. She was delighted. Yet, we did not receive any leis upon our arrival, or a ride in the GC to our bldg. None of this seemed to affect our experience, as we had no prior knowledge of these things.

I feel badly for you, to have had to wait 90 minutes to check-in. This seems terribly long, and I understand the frustration. I'm sorry you did not enjoy your Poly stay in Concierge, and hope all your future visits to WDW are more memorable.

As for our family, we would still return to the Poly Concierge. We enjoyed our last stay, and still have the pleasant memories to sustain us. Each time we return to the Poly (Luau, or Ohana's), we always recall the magic we shared during our stay.

 

[nwdisgal]

Take everything with a grain of salt people....we all have different views - I wouldn't let this report keep me from going.....remember - some of the complaints - like the no donuts - not sure they were EVER there.....not in my stays anyway!

I've read a bunch of concierge reports on this board over the years. The facts start melding together after a while. I'm a food junkie (behind the knife and in front of it) so I really enjoy reading postings about food offerings and people's experiences. I remember many a report about yummy donuts - thought the posters mentioned Poly concierge, maybe it was at one of the other concierges that I am confusing it with? I've never stayed at Poly concierge, only because I live aloha everyday . That said, I've visited the Poly for dinners and drinks and coffee , love the location love the theming and would recommend it to any of my friends to check the place out.

People have different experiences and you have to weigh it all out and not let it dissuade you from doing something. Hey we all make our own experiences to some extent. Hang loose and don't worry about it so much.

 

[johnvree]

Whoa. We love the Poly and my wife and I never debate whether to spend the extra on the concierge. For the first time, I am considering not doing the concierge.

For us, the check in is one of the bigger pluses. I would be very disappointed with the OP's check in. The food is nice too. But we can usually count on one hand the number of times we eat there. It's great for a quick breakfast, but we rarely are there for lunch or evening offerings. The desserts are good. How new is the coffee machine? Was it there last May? If so, I thought the coffee was pretty good.

Then there's the view. We have stayed in the Hawaii building three times and have had awesome views each time. It is really a roll of the dice if you just do LV reservations. You can request Tahiti, but there is no guarantee. I would be dissappointed with some of the other views.

Ok, I am still leaning toward LVC, mostly because of the view. But I will certainly be monitoring the boards for posts like this. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[BCV23]

When in the world did the Poly Concierge EVER have donuts and croissants?

I'm with you, jillhou. We've stayed there a number of times and have never seen them. Do you think perhaps the OP had the resorts mixed up?!

The new coffeemaker also keeps it hotter. I'm a hot tea drinker so it was a big improvement for me.

I haven't bothered responding to this but it is up at the top again!

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

It sounds like maybe you caught the concierge CMs at a time when they were short staffed or maybe training some new people. I find that the seasoned staff are always right on top of things, not just at the Poly but at any resort. Unfortunately there are times when people are on vacation, or being moved to other resorts, etc., etc., and that can cause confusion. Having one CM checking in all those people surely isn't the norm. There could have been some unexpected absences, people calling in sick, etc. I wouldn't permanently mark the Poly off your list with one bad stay. We had a nightmare stay at the GF once, but then three great stays after that, so sometimes these things happen.

 

[Ladyhawke10]

I wouldn't permanently mark the Poly off your list with one bad stay. We had a nightmare stay at the GF once, but then three great stays after that, so sometimes these things happen.

Just curious, what happened during the bad stay at GF? We've always had amazing stays there, so it's always a surprise to me when I read (multiple) other reports on bad stays. I just wonder what goes on! We've had one not-so-great AKL concierge stay, but other than minor stuff (we got a bad smelling room at BWI once ), have never really had any other problems at WDW resorts that weren't immediately fixable by staff. It's interesting to hear what can go wrong in order to mentally prepare.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Oh man, do I really have to talk about it??

We started out with a bad check-in... the CM was rude and obviously annoyed about something else... then when we got to our room it was dirty. So we went back down, had to get another room, it had been cleaned but only about half way. There was someone's dirty laundry piled in the corner of the room and wadded up dirty kleenex next to the bed. We were so grossed out. Finally got another room, it was clean, but we never got turndown after requesting it over and over again, also had a bad mousekeeper, she kept forgetting to leave tp and towels everyday. Very annoying to come back to the room after a long day in the park with no toilet paper! We called the front desk about a million times and nobody cared or did anything to fix the situation. Just a bunch of empty, rushed apologies. It was just a really bad stay and it ruined our whole trip. But, the next time we went everything was fine.

 

[Ladyhawke10]

Wow, sounds like some serious mousekeeping issues (maybe the front desk was tired of hearing about it!). That's terrible when you are paying so much. I'd be sooo bummed since I love it so much there. If that ever happens to me I'll plan on asking to be moved to another side of the resort!

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

That's probably what we should have done. I think they just kept putting us in rooms where the same mousekeeper had cleaned. I bet she didn't last long. Sometimes you just have to laugh at things like that.

 

[Danvers]

I've recieved the polynesian lei, but I'd LOVE one of those polynesian lays!!! Hope my wife won't mind!

You know, this is what I hate about some Disney guests.

Most of the resorts have stopped doing the hot offerings. It was a coporate decision.

If waiting an hour and a half was sooo long...why not take your luggage to the storage area, store it, and go to the parks?

Also, not EVERY YEAR can be perfect for birthdays.

 

[Ladyhawke10]

Most of the resorts have stopped doing the hot offerings. It was a coporate decision.

If waiting an hour and a half was sooo long...why not take your luggage to the storage area, store it, and go to the parks?
QUOTE]

I think all of the concierge lounges are still offering hot appetizers between 5-7 pm (approximately). At least they still were when we last stayed in concierge at the Beach club last November, and I'm sure I would have seen it somewhere on these boards from somebody if the hot hors d'oeuvers had been removed from the schedule.

 

[Danvers]

I meant morning ones, my apologies.

 

[Puffy2]

I stayed at the Polynesian many years ago and it was great. Room was about average but I loved the service (ie., ride to the building in the golf cart, express check in) and the food offerings (plenty to choose from, bottled water you could take to the park with you, hot coffee, etc...)

I've read a few things that concern me:

1. What coffee machine are you talking about? Is the coffee FRESH and hot? Is it still good or are you talking about one of those hospital vending area coffee machines where the coffee stinks?

2. Do they put out bottled water or not?



These touches make all the difference - if conceirge is no longer offering them then there is no longer a reason to stay there.

 

[Ladyhawke10]

There is no more bottled water, but if the coffee machine is the same kind that we just had at the Beach club in concierge, then it is great! There were syrups out to add to the coffee, and you could press various buttons to make various drinks...caffeine or no caffeine, etc. It was nothing in the league of the kind of machines that you are referring to. I must have made about 10 different drinks over the course of our stay

 

[MNmom]

I was under the impression that the bottled water was in large, glass bottles. Not allowed to take into the parks but still bottled and cold for drinking. Also allowed to take back to your room to have at night. I will be very disappointed if there is no water.

We are also counting on fresh fruit and bagels for breakfast. PLEASE don't take away our fruit and bagels!!!!!

 

[Ladyhawke10]

Yes, there IS still the bottled water (Vittel) that is in the big glass bottles...just not the plastic kind to take into the parks they there used to be.

 

[uneamie]

I remember back in the 70's and 80's when "Disney World" captured your heart with magic everywhere you turned. Everything was spotless and frequently replaced if it was in the least bit worn or dirty. The service was impeccable in every venue. It still holds special magic but not quite like it use to. They are cutting back on the magic but not the price of it.

I always thought that the concierge service should be many steps above the ordinary since it's quite pricey. I never booked it because frankly I think it's too extravacant for us. $100 a day can go a long way buying snacks in the parks and or continential breakfast food in the food courts. The refillable mug gives you all the soda you need for your stay and I think I can pack a six pack or two of "bottle water" buying it much cheaper at home. Ice is easy to obtain to keep it cold. As for the "golf cart" ride to your room....that is a little piece of magic that you can't replace. They just don't get how something like this can make such a big difference in customer satisfaction. They need to keep these little touches if they want to keep the concierge customers happy and coming back.

My husband and I just returned from an 11 day cruise on NCL Dawn. Great cruise,had a terrific time, but we booked a mini suite that cost us about $1900 per person ,not counting all the other expenses etc... one would think there would be a bit of magic attached that. Well when you order "sliced bananas" from room service for your continential breakfast and they send up 2 whole bannana's and a knife for you to slice' em yourself and not even a bowel to put them in....well you know you paid far too much for a suite...same can hold true for some concierge services.

 

[opusx1001]

We are staying at Poly concierge in March 05 for our very first trip to DW.

Since it is our first trip to DW, Poly concierge, I guess we don't have any way to measure the quality of service.

I don't mind stopping for case of bottled water from grocery store if we have to.

About glass bottle water, do we have to ask for it or can we just pick it up?

Exactly, what has changed (food offerings) from Tiki's web site?

Any info would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks in advance,

Steven

 

[Disfreek]

I would like to know what has changed too (from Tikiman's website) as i am leaving very soon!!

Poly Concierge staff has already contacted me three times. I am so excited I just can't wait to get there!!!

 

[minijeanie]

I am so bummed out about the water bottles. IMHO that was a major reason to do concierge...
I loved the ability to bring water bottles back to our room. I am a non soda drinker. water only & FL water is so distasteful I have to have water bottles.

I saw on another post this is resort wide,,

is this true?

cause if is not, will switch resorts tmrw. and go where they provide water bottles.

at $3.00 a bottle, so worth it to do concierge.

which really bothers me that water is more expensive than a soda