Mr. and Mrs. Tikiman Trip report July 2002 AKL and Poly

[princess angel]

Hi Steve!

I just got the chance to read your report! (I was in Miami on a business trip this weekend) Thanks for all the great info!

I know Kristen and Diana from the YC concierge!

I cant wait to hear more info on the plans for the Hawaii longhouse! I'm sure it's going to be beautiful.

Was there any word at all on a Lilo & Stitch breakfast at O'hana's??? I would LOVE that

welcome home! when are you planning to go back???

Laura

 

[Tikiman]

Aloha Laura,

Well I don’t think we will be back for a few years. Hawaii and Tahiti are next years destinations. Lilo and Stitch are there on some days for the character caravan but there are no plans for a Lilo and Stitch character breakfast at ‘Ohana at this point. Have you heard anything about the YC concierge being shut down for rehab because Kristen and Diana said it was down while we were there but people here on the boards are staying concierge this next week.

I remember before I left people saying the TV’s in the Polynesian rooms got smaller. That was not true. They are the same size as every year I have been there. Also there were reports that the monorail thing about please stand clear of the doors changed. That too was not true. I guess you can’t believe everything you read here.

Good to hear from you.

Aloha

Steve

 

[Tess]

Thanks for the update on the planned rehab of the Hawaii building. I have mixed feelings about that one!

Unlike you, we will be back in June 2003. While I realize the need for an overhaul of the Hawaii building, it saddens me to think it will be happening during the heavier summer months. We've stayed in the Tahiti (then known as Moorea) before discovering concierge.

I have to say we enjoyed the stay in Tahiti, but if I'm paying concierge rates, I'm not sure I will want to make the hike back and forth to the MK monorail, GCH, and most importantly the pools. Another concern is the GV--paying a premium price to overlook the landscaping rather than the pool area might be a bit of a disappointment too. On the bright side though is the close proximity to the EPCOT monorail!

Do you have any information about how/where the lounge will be accomplished in the Tahiti building? I know there are "common" areas on all three floors, but it seems it might be a difficult thing to accomplish for food service.

Change is good--I would just like a bit more information before we make our final decision on the value of staying concierge at Polynesian during it's renovation.

BTW, Chef Dick and his staff in the lounge are wonderful, aren't they! I e-mailed Melissa and sang the praises of the concierge staff (also an additional e-mail to guest services for WDW--they also called to thank us for our letter). She copied the mail to all involved (we had sent a picture of the kids with Chef Dick, too and it was supposed to be posted in the lounge) and I hope these folks were given the recognition they so justly deserve.

As to Tara's encounter with Luis--my DH had a negative experience with someone he called "Luigi"--I wonder if it's the same guy? It seems there always has to be one CM in concierge that just isn't up to the standards of the rest. If he was having a bad day--it went on for a few weeks. . .

I'm glad you had a nice time despite the rain. If you read our report, you know we had more than our fair share just before your arrival.

Congrats on the home--thanks for the report and information!

 

[Tikiman]

I can understand Tahiti feeling far away from things but I don’t feel it is that much farther than you may think. If you take the winding paths to the pools or the GCH it can be a little bit of a walk but if you walk right down the beach it takes 2 minutes (yes I timed it) to get to the pool which the boat launch is right next to to get to the MK or you can pick up the monorail to the MK next door at the TTC. I think other than the lounge not having the view the larger rooms and longhouse will be nice to be in with the concierge service. Also all the rooms will either have a patio or a balcony so no worries about what floor you get on.

The lounge is going to be in the central common area (lounge) of the second floor is what I believe they told me but things may still change if they feel there is a better way. I think it would be a good experience to be there next summer. Tahiti has always been my favorite longhouse.

Aloha

Steve

 

[Laurabearz]

Thanks so much for posting your trip report. I look forward to the updates on your page.....

ANyone want to bet how fast Tikiman's site shuts down after he posts all the new pictures?????

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Yep, I bet the site will go down right after he announces that the new pictures are up! (Tikiman, maybe you should PM a bunch of us a day or two before you "announce" it so we can get a look at the new pictures before you get too many visitors!)

Steve, I cannot wait to see the suite photos and floorplans!!! I'd love to try that 1BR Princess sometime.

 

[Tikiman]

The one bedroom princess was my favorite. I just got a packet of stuff in the mail yesterday with even more detailed maps of each room in the Tonga longhouse with its measurements and list of amenities. I will have to add that to the pages too.

I did upgrade the bandwidth and I took every file and compessed them so they take up less bites. That should help it not shut down but who knows.

Steve

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Steve, that's great!!! (Now hurry up! I'm getting anxious!!! )

Thanks!!!

 

[zurgswife]

Great trip report...all of it sounds awesome......

 

[dznyfan40]

Terrific trip report, very detailed! We're heading to the Polynesian in just 11 days, and have been looking forward to it. I'm concerned, (just a little ) about the poor housekeeping service (I've been reading about this frequently lately), and Cap'n Cooks that you wrote about. Makes me think that without concierge, is the Poly still worth it? We actually had ressies at Beach Club but changed them back to the Poly because of the great service we've always gotten there in the past. Oh dear. Also, is the construction that is going on at the Polynesian distracting (I mean, loud)? Again, if I'd known that, I probably would have stayed at the Beach Club. Maybe its not too late to change...

I'm glad you had a nice time, all things considered, and have gotta say, Wow to 3 birthday cakes! My dh's idea of heaven.

Thanks for the report,

Beth

 

[Tikiman]

I would not worry about the housekeeping or the service at Captain Cook’s. I always report what ever happens (good or bad) but in most cases the one problem with house keeping and the rude CM at Captain Cook’s would not have been worth mentioning. The day housekeeping was very late with cleaning our room was unusual because of the amount of people checking out and they were very apologetic. The think at Captain Cook’s made me very upset but I went back 5 other times and had no problems. Captain Cook’s still has some good fast food and other offerings. You also have Kona Café and ‘Ohana for breakfast and dinner (all you care to eat). The transportation and pool I think is great so I would say you will not be sorry if you stay with the Polynesian over the BC. Getting into the MK and Epcot is so fast and easy from the Polynesian. You also have easy access to the Contemporary and GF for their restaurants and shops.

 

[Tikiman]

I almost forgot. The construction was not a factor. I did not know it was even going on till I walked over and even over there it was not noise or an eyesore. The only thing I noticed was the path near Luau Cove next to Aotearoa was not clean because no one was using the building. I never heard anyone mention the construction was a problem to them either.

Aloha

Steve

 

[dznyfan40]

Steve:

Many thanks for the reply re: the construction, and service. I just know that my family's trip to WDW this year will be just as magical as it has always been in the past. We've always stayed at the Polynesian in the past, and I just can't imagine it being anything less than wonderful.

Thanks so much again for the great trip report,

Beth

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Tikiman, can I ask who you rented your car from, and what you got? I'm always looking for car rental reports at MCO. We rented with Avis, and got a Cadillac SLS. It was our first time using Avis at MCO, and we were very satisfied.

Thanks.

 

[Sammie]

Great report, thanks for sharing so many details.

I sent a copy to my sister and brother in law, they are planning for their 10th Anniversary and her 30th birthday celebration.

They were undecided which Disney concierge to book until they read your report. My BIL said, "If that kind of service (gifts, flowers, champagne, candy, strawberries) is what the Polynesian conciege offers it's guests on special occassions, then that's the place for us. It sounded wonderful"

Thanks again for helping them make up their mind. Based on your report I am sure they will be thrilled with the Polynesian concierge.

 

[Tikiman]

Cali,

We have been using Dollar for the last 3 years. Every time I check online for the same car or type of car and compare the rates and Dollar is the best price. Of coarse after the upgrade it gets a little pricey for almost 2 weeks. We have been getting the Chrysler 300 M the last few trips and love it. We have been looking to buy one since driving it on vacation. We have an SUV and a full size truck at home and it is fun to cruise around in what feels like a sports car but looks like a luxury car. We also like having the CD system in the car to listen to our CDs. Every time we get one it is new. This year it only had 40 miles on it. We always get a car from a company that has them at the airport. If they are off site they can add on a transport fee for getting you from the airport to the rental building. With Dollar and some of the other ones at the airport it is right there. We did not have to wait in a line getting the car and checking out was done at the car when we were taking the luggage out of the back. Luckily this thing had a big trunk. Our Expedition just fit all the luggage and we got it all in the trunk of the 300 M.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Thanks, Tikiman. So, Dollar does have the 300M as a luxury car? I've been avoiding renting with Dollar since they don't have the LHS's anymore, and their "replacement" has been the 300M. I just can't agree that they are a luxury car - I'd say more premium. With Avis, our luxury car was a Cadillac SLS (Seville), fully loaded with everything except sunroof - even OnStar! I had to push the button to see if it worked, LOL. Only thing is, for an 8 day rental they want over $600. We've used National as well, but ended up with beat up Park Avenues - not my idea of luxury! We got the premium SUV with Budget one time, it was a GMC Yukon XL - great vehicle! Definetly a vehicle that we'd like to buy. We have a Cadillac STS here at home, so if the luggage fits in it (it has about 15 cubic foot trunk, most rentals have that or larger since we always get a large car), it'll fit in the rental.

Glad you did have a good experience with Dollar. Did your car have leather seats? If so, I might just book Dollar next time! They do have some pretty attractive rates.

Thanks!

 

[Tikiman]

The 300M is Chryslers flag ship car. This car not only has sports car performance but the most horse power in its class (255). I sound like a commercial. This thing had everything that I have seen in any other luxury car other than the navigation and sunroof. It had leather, Infinity 8 speaker cd system, 2 person memory seat adjustment, With 105.1 cubic feet of interior volume and 16.8 cubic feet of trunk space, indiglow gauges and the automatic transmission that you can shift like a stick (side to side) if you wish.

Steve

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Tikiman, you do sound like a commerical! Does it have a V6 or V8? I'm guessing the V6.

Sounds like Dollar did pretty much fully equip that thing. And, Dollar usually has the really attractive price. I just might have to give up my Caddy with Avis to try Dollar.

Thanks, Steve.

 

[Tikiman]

Yeah that is a V6.