Just Back from Poly LV Concierge

[lynr]

Just returned from our 7 night stay at the Poly Lagoonview Concierge 1st floor room 1502. It was just my DH and I we left the kids at home.

We had requested two things the room number and late checkout and we got both.

Trip started out very hot and ended on the cool side. Had a great time and saw all the new parades, the flower and garden show at Epcot, and ate at alot of sit down restaurants. I kept track of what we spent on food if anyone is interested.

We used Randy's mobility for a scooter for my husband, he is recovering from a long illness and surgery. They were great only $150 for 8 days and they delivered right to our room.

For rental car I used hotwire for the first time. We got a luxury car from Budget for $323 with tax. It turned out to be a new Lincoln Towncar.

Let me know if you have any questions.
Lyn

 

[Ricola]

Sounds like you had a great trip! Welcome Back!

 

[Praise2Him]

Were you happy with the view from your room? We're debating between 1st and 3rd floors.

 

[lynr]

Praise2him:

I used to stay on the 3rd floor but I have found the 1st floor more accessable to the beach, swing and hammochs. And it is nice not to wait for an elevator. 3rd Floor is also smoking, if you are interested.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Glad you had a good stay at the Polynesian. How was the concierge service?

 

[DIXIEDAYS]

Welcome back. We are also debating between the 1st and third floor.
Did you enjoy the "walk out" feeling of the 1st floor?
Was is noisy being closer to the beach and people walking around?
How were the snacks they put out every day?

Feel free to e-mail the details.

Thanks:

 

[Ityldu]

Do you think LV makes that much of a difference over GV. We have 3 kids (4,8&12). We're already way over our original budget, and just found out that it will be only $30/night more for LV. My original thinking was we'll make more use of GV since we'll be at the pools much more then on the beach and we probably won't be in the room that much since naps will be minimal.

I'm so torn. DH doesn't know I've upgraded to conceirge, so in his mind it will be $130/night more, where in my mind it's only $30/night more. Was the castle really that close, or do you think we'll enjoy the view just as much from the lounge. Decisions, decisions. Thanks for your opinion.

 

[lynr]

First let me say that I love the Poly it is my favorite resort or my home as it feels. I have stayed in Concierge atleast once a year since 1992, when I was upgraded for free and I have been paying ever since. That being said, this year I paid rack rate less my DC discount. This is the only year I paid that much. The only reason I paid full price was I switched resorts at the last minute because my husband has been very ill and required a scooter to get around. We were supposed to stay at AKL so it would have been difficult to ge around. I can't bring myself to stay in GV concierge because I am spoiled, but if I had to I guess I would. If you have never stayed in Lagoon-view then don't spend the extra money unless you really want to. You can see everything from the beach.

In the beginning I loved the 3rd floor and wouldn't even think about the 1st floor. But a couple of years ago the kids wanted to try the 1st floor and we were hooked I would never go back to the 3rd floor again. It is so convenient going in and out the sliding door to the beach, the swing, and the hammocks.

The food this trip was out of this world. I have to say it was the best as I have ever seen it. They have sandwiches for kids, huge Strawberries, candies, sodas, milk, coffee, tea, liquor, perrier, bottle water, the desserts were fabulous. I heard people talking about the dinner foods but we didn't eat anything but the chicken lomain which was great, oh yeah the wine and cheese were fabulous.

The down side was the concierge staff, I did see some of the old staff, like Missy, Melissa, and Rosemarie in suites, I love these girls. But the new staff with the exception of Tara just don't seem that friendly or involved. When we left they didn't even ask if we enjoyed our trip. I know that sounds stupid but I miss those little things.

I have pictures but I am computer stupid when it comes to loading them. My oldest son usually does that, but he is in Seattle now so I have no help.

Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[Ityldu]

Thank you so much for your reply. I think you're right, since we've never tried LV, we'll stick with GV conceirge, especially since it will be our first conceirge visit. I'm sure we'll be spoiled after this also, so not doing LV on this trip will give us something to look forward to on future trips. If it's possible, you've made me even more excited then I was before reading your post. I don't know how I'm going to survive 26 more days.

 

[Laurabearz]

Originally posted by lynr

The down side was the concierge staff, I did see some of the old staff, like Missy, Melissa, and Rosemarie in suites, I love these girls. But the new staff with the exception of Tara just don't seem that friendly or involved. When we left they didn't even ask if we enjoyed our trip. I know that sounds stupid but I miss those little things.
.

We had the same kinda of experince with the Poly Con Staff.... BUT they were such a small portion of our trip, we wont hesitate to stay there again!

We also whole heartedly agree.... the food offerings were smashing! Yum yum yum!!!

As for staying on the first floor.... I love to have my drapes open, On the garden view side your a bit more private, I couldnt imigine a LV 1st floor room.... I love to lay in my jammies and watch the castle change colors.........

 

[lynr]

Laurabearz:

I just looked at your pictures. Your children are beautiful. It looks like you had a great trip. Your pictures are perfect. When were you there? We were there 5/15 - 5/22.
Lyn

 

[Laurabearz]

Lyn, We we at the Beach Club Concierge May 9th- 13th and then Poly Con LV May13th-18th so we overlapped a couple of days.

Were you there for the surprise fireworks? That was such a real treat. I was sooo bummed the Fireworks for Friday the 17th were cancled... then we got a Phone mail message sayingthere would be fireworks wither Weds of Thursday... I forget. It was the icing on the already yummy cake!!

 

[lynr]

LauraBearz:

Yes we did get to see those suprise fireworks. Wasn't it nice that they called us to let us know that they were having them. No matter how many times you see them they are always something new.
Lyn

 

[Ityldu]

Laura - You mentioned that the GV conceirge rooms, 1st fl., are more private then the LV con. 1st fl.? Is that right? I assumed the LV would be more private, with less people walking by. Are there bushes blocking the sidewalks when sitting on the patios?

Still trying to decide if I should upgrade to LV for $30/night more, so all info. is helpful. Thanks.

 

[BCV23]

I find the GV side of Hawaii more private, too. For one thing, the sidewalk on the LV is much closer to the building...in GV rooms it is only close for the rooms nearest the concierge office. More importantly, there are far fewer people on the GV sidewalk not to mention the folks who are at the beach itself. The beach is very close to the LV rooms...nice if you have little ones who play in the sand a lot but not nearly as private IMHO.

 

[Ityldu]

BVC23 - Thanks for your input. It only made my decision even harder, but what a great decision to have. Since the whole conceirge thing is a surprise to my DH, I can't get his advice and I just can't make up my mind on this one.

 

[erikthewise]

Ityldu,

Here's a vote for GV concierge. That's what we did last year; it was already a splurge for us. You are just a few steps the concierge lounge, where the view is just as good as it would be from your room, and from the beach, which IMHO is the best view of all esp for fireworks. Also in GV there is no reason not to be on the second floor, which is very convenient to the lounge (and probably less crowded seeing as everyone is trying to decide between the 1st and 3rd floor! )

 

[Laurabearz]

Originally posted by Ityldu
Laura - You mentioned that the GV conceirge rooms, 1st fl., are more private then the LV con. 1st fl.? Is that right? I assumed the LV would be more private, with less people walking by. Are there bushes blocking the sidewalks when sitting on the patios?

Still trying to decide if I should upgrade to LV for $30/night more, so all info. is helpful. Thanks.

The LV rooms have little on nor bushes to block the view.... If you head to Tikiman's site, he has some good pictures. http://tikiman2001.homestead.com/index.html Very little landscaping on the LV side.... much more on the GV side. Plus with the added traffic on the LV side.... a lot less private. IMO a GV 1st floor would be great... but give me the 3rd floor with the balcony and I am in heaven!!

This is for privacy.... if you dont care about that... I like the idea of a 1st floor LV when our kids are older..... and your much more likely to take advantage of that lovely hammock if all you have to do is stroll out your door....

Each has it ups and downs... We like walking around 1/2 nekad! LOL Trust me.... you want us on the 3rd floor! <snort>

 

[Ityldu]

Okay - I'm sold. It will be GV for this trip. Laura, you almost got me back to LV with the hammock, but I'm staying firm. Like Erikthewise, conceirge is such a major splurge already, I just have to stop the madness.

Just how close are the two pools to Hawaii? Can you see them from the 1st floor rooms?

 

[lynr]

Ityldu:
The pools are only steps away. You are close to everything when you are in the concierge building.