Poly conc. closed Tahiti alternate help

[Tikiman]

Those are good points mirlow but I can't help but think that if my kids get raised the way I was they will not be complaining about things like that if I am taking them all the way to WDW otherwise it will be thier last trip. I guess we shall find out in a few years.

Aloha

Steve

 

[KelliR]

August will be my first time at the Poly. I have concierge booked for myself and DD5. How close will we be to the monorail? To the Neverland Club? Will there be any view at all from the concierge lounge of MK fireworks? Would I be able to get that view from my concierge room?

I have so many questions! I really do want the view, so I figured you all would be the best to ask!

 

[Tikiman]

From one end of the Polynesian to the other is a 5 – 7 minute walk depending on your stride. From Tahiti to the monorail at the TTC is about 3 minutes. The GCH is about the same and the Neverland Club you can see the building from Tahiti. I know these times because I have actually walked through every building with a video camera and the time is on it. I was going to use this tape to send to people to show them the resort but it would cost too much for me to make and send copies for free like I did for a while.

The concierge lounge will have a view of the garden but will not face the water at all. To get a view of the lagoon or fireworks you will have to get a Lagoon View room.

Steve

 

[KelliR]

Wow ... thanks Tikiman ... that's the info I was looking for. So you recommend the Poly concierge? I am splitting with AKL concierge, but I was debating between Poly and Contemporary.

 

[mirlow]

I see that my reasoning for why we aren't doing concierge has some how gotten into a parenting discussion. Maybe I gave out a little too much information as to why we prefer the Hawaii longhouse over any other longhouse I guess my kids just need to toughen up before our next trip to WDW. Well if we move to DC at least the shock of the humid weather won't bother them so much Anyways I am going to give my opinion on staying in concierge this summer. I personally wouldn't want to stay in a concierge that is going through a transition,JMO. We did stay on the concierge level at the AKL last year and thought it was fabulous I would highly recommend it.

 

[Tikiman]

I meant no disrespect. I value all opinions. I just disagree with Hawaii being so much better than any other longhouse. I am just giving my opinion. As far as raising kids I did not mean to judge how you raise your kids. I was just stating that I would never have acted like that and none of the kids we take care of ever would but then again no one said I was the expert on raising kids.

Aloha

Steve

 

[gepetto]

Originally posted by mirlow
I see that my reasoning for why we aren't doing concierge has some how gotten into a parenting discussion. Maybe I gave out a little too much information as to why we prefer the Hawaii longhouse over any other longhouse I guess my kids just need to toughen up before our next trip to WDW..

I agree with you. We usually do GV concierge but are not this year. We liked the convenient location of the Hawaii building. Plus a big factor for us was the view the lounge in Hawaii . Without the convenient location and view, all concierge has to offer us this year would be the food and that dosen't justify the extra cost.

We will probably do a regular GV room or maybe LV. I'm not sure yet. I loved the AKL concierge but it's gotten a lot more expensive since we stayed there 2 years ago.

 

[PA Princess]

We were at the Poly Feb 11 - 17, 2003. We started out in the Hawaii building GV (first floor), but because of a problem we were moved to the Tahiti building LV (third floor)...despite the move we maintained all of the concierge benefits (lounge access, robes, fridge, etc). Anyway, we did dicuss quite a bit the difference between these two buildings, and in all honesty for us we preferred the Tahiti building. Granted we did change to LV so that added something, but the Tahiti building has several perks. One is the building size...rooms are significantly larger, even the hallways are larger...we had no idea how squished we felt until they moved us. Another advantage is the location...having the TTC (meaning the MK ferry and both monorails plus other bus options) right there for transportation was a real plus! Granted, the pool was further, but it was not a big deal at all for any of us. The walk to the GCH was also longer, but we did not have one complaint (and I had three kids in tow - ages 8, 7, and 2). After seeing the view from both buildings, we really thought Tahiti has the superior view (the concierge person who assisted with our room change even said this). We enjoyed the concierge a great deal, but we are seriously thinking we may skip it on our next visit to stay in Tahiti...we liked it that much.

 

[KelliR]

I am enjoying reading all of the opinions. I'm glad tempers did not flare over the "parenting" issue. I'm sure we all agree we want to raise our kids to be respectful and appreciative ... but I also know some kids travel better than others.

I have one DD that will move right along and walk fast and get there with no problem. The other DD will take her time and actually "stop and smell the roses" along the way. That is a great trait to have, but when you are in a hurry, or it is pouring rain, or you are exhausted ... it is just nice to not have to prod her along. It sounds like the distance won't be too much of an issue for us.

I must say though, to get everyone's opinions on this thread makes me feel much better prepared for the August trip. Thanks to all!

 

[BCV23]

PA Princess...good point about the halls. The wider halls in the newer buildings really have an impact on me too.

I think it's interesting how attached most of us get to our favorite buidings at the Polynesian. We have only stayed at three different buildings in our 26 (I think?) vacations there and are almost emotionally attached to each. Objectively, I think every building has advantages. And we love Rapa Nuie...just not the parking lot side !

 

[Tess]

I have to admit that initially we were more than tentative about staying concierge at Polynesian this summer. Yes, I realize it's only a two minute walk and that Tahiti is closer to the EPCOT monorail/TTC (which we use all the time). As mirlow pointed out--when you have kids (even though mine are older now) and they want to grab a lemonade, cookie, forgotton pair of pool goggles, and on and on. . .Tahiti's hike is a good bit longer than Hawaii's from the pool. Further, after last summer's all day every day rain events, I can't imagine getting from GCH or TTC to Tahiti without being totally drenched! Of course, that's not going to happen this year--it's going to be perfectly sunny and 95º.

I also agree with mirlow's point--concierge isn't just about the food and help with PS--in fact that's probably only a secondary consideration for most. Convenience, security, and location are, at least IMO, primary consideration. (Which reminds me, I'm guessing, but not certain, that there will be keyed access to Tahiti while it houses the concierge service?) Obviously, Hawaii is the best location, at least from a GV standpoint (we don't pay the extra $$ anymore for LV either--not in our room to utilize the view). At Tahiti the foliage on the GV side is nice, but it's not the same as having a pool view to people watch from.

While we don't use the lounge often to view the fireworks--in June we've found it to be too crowded and LOUD--I'm not sure why people use the lounge if they aren't there to look and LISTEN! Now that the kids are teen and nearly teen, it's nice for all of us to stay in the parks or watch from the beach. I have to admit though that not having the lovely lounge is one thing we will miss even though we don't utilize it often at night. There's something about watching the sun rising over the Lake with Cinderella's castle glistening in the background and GF waking up while the beach is being swept and hidden Mickey's being created by the grounds crew. That I will miss this summer. . .

Having said all of that, I guess the point is I understand and respect the opinions everyone has supplied. We looked at the pros and cons, tossed around the idea of staying elsewhere (we've done BC--talk about a long walk to the pool!, BWI, and GF), read many opinions on this rehab (and, frankly it needs to be done--just not sure WHY they are doing it in the busy season--I would have thought Jan-April would have been a wiser move. . .oh well. . .), and ultimately decided that we would give it a whirl this summer in Tahiti. We did add a night at AKL just to check it out.

As I said previously, we've stayed in Tahiti (LV--prior to discovering concierge) and it is a nice building--just a long walk in the rain. We're putting our trust in the concierge staff that they will make this transition period just as terrific as ever. I'm actually kind of curious how they will pull this all off anyway. . .here's hoping we made the right decision!