Poly Concerige Experiences Please

[star2500]

Hi Everyone!

I am in the planning stage of my WDW vacation (1st time with kids DD age 5, Son age 8).

I would like some input from people who have stayed at the Poly-Concierge Garden View. Pros & Cons...is it worth it?

I highly appreciate any input!

Thanks again!

 

[ead79]

I have stayed Poly concierge twice--lagoon view in Dec. 2001 and garden view in Dec. 2002. It was wonderful both times! The food in the lounge is really delicious--the guava juice is great. The CMs were very friendly and helpful both before the trip and during it. Plus, the view of the castle from the concierge lounge is also wonderful--you can watch the Fantasy in the Sky fireworks from it. You also get a complimentary mini-fridge in your room, which will probably be nice with small kids. Hope this helps!

 

[star2500]

Thanks Elisabeth for posting about your experience. I see you are getting married in Disney...how exciting!

We had our honeymoon in Disney GF and the following year stayed there for 15 days (prior to kids LOL back in 91 & 93). Loved the resort and didn't realize about the fairy tale wedding after. If I had known then what I know now I would have gotten married there with Cinderellas' Carriage and all!

Best of Luck to you!

 

[lookingforward]

We stayed there (garden view concierge) in August and really, really enjoyed it! I also have two boys and they LOVED the pool and slide. We also paid the $199 for the unlimited water sports access and the boys were out and about on the water mice boats (you need to be 12 to drive it alone so an adult would have to drive with your boys). We also took out a pontoon boat and had a blast on that (we packed a picnic lunch and spend a few hours on the water)

The food is wonderful in the lounge. The only down side I saw was it was a little bit crowded in the lounge and some people let their kids go WILD in there. We had a garden view room on the second floor and that is the same floor as the lounge so we could go grab some breakfast and take it back to the room. The access to soft drinks and water 24/7 was a big plus. We also availed ourselves to the free jogger stroller for the parks. You can see the fireworks from the lounge but I prefer to go down the stairs, park some chairs on the soft sand and watch from outside. Either way you can't beat the location! There are some great restaurants at the Poly too. Kona Cafe is one of our favorites and Ohana's is great for the kids. And if you want a night out, adults only, you can leave your kids at the Poly Neverland club. Have a great trip!

 

[star2500]

Thanks LookingForward!

Sounds like you had a wonderful trip...great ages for you kids!

It's my understanding that when I plan on being there, the building will be different then the original Garden Conceirge due to renovations. I think I heard where the lounge will be in the temporary building has no big glass window to see the fireworks...but viewing them on the beach will be just as good!

Sorry to hear about the disturbance in the lounge with children with no parental control. I hate when I experience something like that, especially on vacation when you are trying to relax...but that's life! LOL By no means are my children angels LOL...but there will be none of that when we are out in public. If there is for some reason, there will be things taken away from them.

Ok sorry for the tangent...LOL

Thanks again for you experience....any more?

 

[njziggy]

We took our 2 DS and stayed at Poly Garden concierge 2 Decembers ago (they were 4 & 7 at the time). This became their favorite hotel ever & everytime we go back they want to stay there again! The lounge worked out great for us because my kids are early risers. They ate breakfast while watching the big screen tv & my DH & I got to share a "quiet breakfast alone" while overlooking the castle. When it was still too early to head to the parks we would grab a cup of coffee & head down to the beach for some sand castle building. My sons also loved to nibble through the "cocktail hour" and then hit the volcano pool. A few nights we even grabbed dessert to eat on the beach while we watched the light parade float by. You will have a fantastic time...just remember I warned you this can be habit forming!

 

[JOC]

We stayed in a first floor GV concierge room in December; it was about three doors down from the concierge lobby area. There was some nice foliage in front of our patio that gave our room some "privacy." The access to the lounge really came in handy for us; we're not big breakfast eaters so the bagels, cereal, oatmeal, danishes, fruit, etc. that they had out for breakfast was perfect. It was also nice to have dessert in the evening while watching the fireworks and electric water pageant. Don't worry, I'm sure you'll have a great time!

 

[star2500]

LOL NJZiggy...that's what I am afraid of LOL!

Another question...being our kids first time there...obviously we will be in the parks often. Although being the end of August...(HEAT)...I am sure they will want to swim also. Do you think the extra money for concierge will be worth it? My friend was recently there in Dec. at the AKL and after I told her about the codes and the concierge she wished she had known then. She said an individual size cereal box and a small milk was $3.00 each! LOL...just that along can add up along with water.

Thanks again!

 

[ducklite]

I was at the Poly concierge, Lagoon view in August of 2002--it was wonderful and exceeded our expectations!

They are my second favorite concierge after AKL.

Not sure what I can add over the other posters, but we really enjoyed it and always felt well taken care of there.

We also ran into unruly, unsipervised kids, not so much in the lounge, but in the hallways. DH put the fear of God into a few one night who were screaming and running up and down the halls.

Anne

 

[star2500]

Hi Anne!

LOLOLOL I literally laughed out loud about your DH...that would be me! lol

Thanks for you reply...really appreciate it.

When has everyone gone? Has anyone been there last August...to give me somewhat of an idea of what discounts I might be able to expect for this type of room?

I am now getting so excited and confirming my choice that I pray I can pull this one off now LOL

 

[PA Princess]

We stayed in Poly Concierge GV in Feb 03. We had a first floor patio room and we really liked it. However, because of a problem we ended up being moved after several days to the Tahiti building (while continuing the concierge services), so we actually got a taste of both buildings. We did get moved to a LV in Tahiti (and that was awesome!). In your shoes I would have had the same concerns about concierge GV in Tahiti before our trip...the big con being you lose the LV in the lounge. The only other con would be that Tahiti is further from the pool than Hawaii (but since this is your first trip, I doubt you will notice this much). The pros in my opinion would be the building is bigger (bigger rooms, bigger, hallways, bigger bathrooms, etc) and it gives a spacious feeling; the beach view is better and less crowded; you are very close to the TTC so your transportation options are really expanded. Is it worth it? Such an individual call. For us (and our kids are dd 2 and ds 7 and ds 8) the food options (so convenient with breakfast, snacks for pool breaks, etc.....we mainly ate late lunches at sit down restaurants and ate from the lounge for everything else), having another place to go when the room seemed crowded (especially nice for dad to be able to take the kids somewhere while mom finished getting ready), and having the added assistance if needed from the staff (I am a meticulous trip planner but it was nice to have help with changed PS's, when a child became ill, dealing with travel changes when a big snow storm hitat home the day we were scheduled to depart, etc), ALL of this made concierge worth it for our family this trip HTH

 

[lookingforward]

We were there last August and if I remember correctly I got a rate of about 235 per night for garden view. Can't remember if it was an annual pass holder discount, florida resident, or just a regular discount. I felt the rate was very reasonable when you count the location, ammenities, service and wonderful food/snacks. I didn't feel that shortchanged about having a garden view either. Our room overlooked the quiet pool, but because we loved this resort so much we were rarely in our room. The only time a lagoon view would be worth it in my opinion is when you are on a honeymoon, romantic trip OR you have a baby/toddler (or middle aged husband who could live without Disney..just KIDDING) who naps frequently!

 

[star2500]

Thanks Everyone for posting....I REALLY appreciate it!

Regarding the rate with a discount...that is what I am hoping it will be. After figuring out the current discount out now...this should take it to around there HOPEFULLY!

Regarding making a reservation...do you think the concierge levels book quicker then non-concierge? If I currently book a concierge room...and the discount comes out and isn't quite good or doesn't come at all...will it be easier to get a room without concierge or visa versa?

Remind you I am looking to go Aug. 23 - Sept 1st.

Thanks so much again!
Sorry for all the questions!!!

 

[TINKTWINS]

I absolutly love the Poly

I would highly reccomed it. We also were in GV concierge in December. Aslo ground floor. The next time we go, DH and I decided before we even left the Poly, we will stay LV so we can walk out to the beach.

The concierge is awesome, especially with kids. We made a point to visit it. Especially in the AM. My twins are early risers, so I would get up and take them for breakfast and tea while the others got a break and slept in. They loved the big screen tv and really seemed to enjoy all the food that was offered. And to see the view at night, was awesome. The Volcano pool is fantastic, the kids will love it. The whole atmoshphere is fantastic.

Going out to breakfast gets pretty pricey, especially if you normally dont eat it yourself, its kind of a waste of money and extra calories! Being able to feed the kids and not feeling forced to eat is a plus. My kids need to eat the minute their feet hit the floor, but DH and I normally dont eat in the AM. Also, sitting out by the pool and being able to run in to get cold drinks is great. The Quava juice is awesome!

 

[star2500]

Thanks for the reply TinkTwins!

That's what I thought also with breakfast. I think there will be enough there to satisfy all of us! Also...the fact we don't want to take too much extra time in the morning for an actual sit down breakfast prior to getting to the parks will help tremendously!

I figured we would do Cincerella's Character breakfast one morning...but other than that the lounge will be fine!

Plus grabbing some of the drinks for the day will help and since the parks will be closing early when we go...the nightly cordials and dessert will be very relaxing for my DH and I. Just the thought of sitting down with a nice glass of wine and watching the fireworks is enough for me!

Thanks again!

 

[DisneyMim]

We were there last August in a garden view room. I think we paid around $265 per night. We had the absolute best time!! Really enjoyed it. We were on the second floor, all the way down, last room. I really loved being in the last room because I found it to be somewhat noisy in the halls. Some people were complaining about loud kids in rooms, but thankfully we didn't hear anything during the night. I have to agree with the above posters though, there were a lot of obnoxious kids in the halls and in the lounge. Hubby is a high school teacher and when he uses his "teacher" voice we all laugh. Stops most kids in their tracks. Anyway, we all really really loved Poly concierge and plan to stay there again on our next visit. We're thinking that this time we'd like lagoon view, but honestly for us, it doesn't matter.

Have a Wonderful Trip!!!

 

[Twoears]

We are staying Poly GV Concierge the first week in May and have a rate of $329 a night (tax incl.). That is with the Florida resident code. We went in May of 2000 and paid aroung $250 a night tax included. That was for a GV room, but we were upgraded to a LV. I will NEVER be that lucky again! You will love it, but once you go concierge, it is hard to ever go back!!! Have fun!

 

[TDC Nala]

I was there last year at the same time. I don't have kids but I couldn't think of a better place to stay with them. Just having the lounge there was great, we could go in, eat some breakfast, and grab water and Diet Cokes and head to the parks. They'll even deliver the stuff you buy in the parks to your room (I think they'll only do that in concierge, everybody else has to pick up at a gift shop). When you go, you'll be in the Tahiti building. It's not as close to the pool as Hawaii. It is very close to the walkway to TTC, so if you want to go to Epcot and you don't want to drive, just walk over and take the monorail.

I may be over at AKL concierge for Labor Day weekend, so there's a concierge club going here... waiting for those possible discounts.

 

[Liv2CdWorld]

Star2500,

Have you checked Tikiman's site? http://tikiman2001.homestead.com He's got the most info I've seen on Poly - including all you wanted to know about concierge services there.

My family will be staying LV Concierge mid-May for the first time......can't wait!!!

 

[4our4kids]

Like Star2500, we are staying at the Poly Conc. for the first time in August also. Can anyone compare the walk from Tahiti to the pool, to the BCV walk to SAB? I am also interested in hearing opions on which floor to stay. Any advantages to staying on ground level? Does foliage block the views (LV) on the upper floors? What type of discount I could expect for LV conc.? We've already made up our mind to stay there, so any $ savings is a plus. Thanks.