Polynesian Concierge Review - Hawaii vs Tahiti and Other Info

[TarraLee]

Thanks for the frank report, Tess. I love reading about the Poly, both the magical and not so magical, that way my expectations are realistic.

I've been calling every day trying to get INTO Poly Concierge for our dates....maybe I shouldn't be so worried about it! Mainly, we wanted Concierge for the convenience, since I will be there with 3 kiddos (14, 5, 5) most of the week, DH can only come for weekend. I like the secure building and the idea of snacks and a place to watch the fireworks.

Not flaming anyone, but remember that its not money that makes people be polite or have any class. Some of those who can afford VIP treatment at rack rates are just as demanding and rude as those who can only afford it with the FTP.

Tammydel- see you at the Poly and CRT in 27 more days!!! (and maybe in the Concierge Lounge, with a shirt on, and only one bagel, please! )

 

[Sammie]

they are working on the mold and smell problem by rehabbing the buildings, unfortunately Tahiti has not been done.

As to the abuse in concierge by other guests, one of two things will happen, food offerings will be reduced or prices will go up.

I do think due to discounts and relocations from other resorts you have some guests that are experiencing concierge for the first time and do not realize that the food offerings are snacks, not a meal for the entire family and certainly not food for the ducks.

I realize this is not the behavior of everyone, but I do see an increase in the attitude of getting everything I can out of this situation.

 

[luckytso]

It is amazing how some people abuse the system and thinking nothing of it. I have seen kids running around in resorts and could not figure out where the parents were. Maybe people have a false sense of security that they feel they can leave their kids unattended while they are at WDW. I feel sorry for the CM who have to deal with all these issues.

In many resorts, I have seen many spoiled children, especially teens/pre-teens, and very misbehaved. I always think in the back of my mind that I hope my children will not turn out like that (they are 5 and 2). I did not grow up in a very well-off family and I was never being taken to the places where I take my children to now. I know my 5 year old thinks nothing of going to these places because she is so used to it, which is kind of scary. DH sometimes says that we should stop taking these trips because he is afraid that the kids will take everything for granted and just get too spoiled.

Hopefully Poly Concierge will get their system down better so that they can keep everything running more smoothly.

Poly Concierge is the place I really would like to stay after all the trips this year. Looking forward to stay at the Hawaii building next year

 

[4our4kids]

We have reservations for 3 rms in August (mega $$) and while the reports of conceirge service are less than what I would like to read, we will keep our 9 night plans. Although I am now thinking of changing from LV to GV to help offset (if only in my mind) any disappointment.

Tess, thank you for your realistic realistic report. I was really glad to read the dining rooms were uncrowded. I had anticipated the the dining rooms would be very crowded, thus the descision to book LV. Hopefully the eating areas will give us a chance to "feel" the LV while staying in GV if we decide to change our reservation today. Saving $1600 (but losing a LV) should make me feel better!

 

[princesslondon]

Does anyone know for sure yet when concierge is moving back to Hawaii?

 

[callaghan]

Not meaning to get flamed, but ....

Money doesn't buy class. Either you have it or you don't. Some of the most courteous, kindest, generous people I have met only have "the simple important things in life". (Their description, not mine).
That being said, I am tired of may people trying to "get one over" on the system. Take what you need, need what you take. And please do it with a smile. One small gesture of kindness can change somebody's day for the better.
callie

 

[WANNABE@WDW]

We were in room 1014 Tahiti on May 23rd the smell was really bad. The housekeeping manager came in a supposedly wiped everything down. It did not work! My niece, who has a mold allergy started to get sick within the first 12 hours ( I had always doubted this allergy, until this trip!) After 24 hours the smell had not gone away, the housekeeping moved us to room 1019. We could not get the air conditioner to work. We thought maybe it was just hot and it would eventually cool off... no such luck! The maintainence men worked one entire day on the ac unit, you should have seen the black mold on the ceiling tile they removed!! That night it was cooler but not great. The next day we had to call housekeeping again because of mold all over the ceiling in the bathroom. By this time my niece was really feeling bad. The fourth morning we noticed the floor was wet by the bathroom, we thought may it was from the ac again, wrong it was the plumbing in the bath. We were moved again to 1019, third room in four days! This would not have been so bad, if we had not experienced the perfect Poly trip in Nov. We even had other relatives stay at the Poly on this trip. They, needless to say were not impressed with concierge services! We love the Poly and hope this is just a temporary problem. The vacation was still wonderful and the Volcano pool was great as always! We can't wait to come back when the Hawaii building is refurbished!

 

[floridafam]

I wish they could determine if they do have a mold problem

If they have "black mold" aka stachybotrous (sp?) then it is very serious and can make people very sick.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to go in there and determine if they have it or not.

Any environmental testing company can do that.

Frankly, from everything I have heard on these boards, I can't believe they haven't had the health department in there or an environmental company to determine the degree of problem

If it's mildew, fine. Mildew can go away with proper cleaning.

If it's a toxic mold then they need to correct the problem.

Why don't they have some commercial grade dehumidifier hooked in with the a/c system at the Poly?

 

[WANNABE@WDW]

As I mentioned in my previous post, my niece did become ill. We tried everyway possible to determine what type of mold. The housekeeping and management were polite but unhelpful in identifying the mold. The letter from the health dept just dealt with general air quality. My sister-in-law is still dealing with WDW over this issue. We were told un-officially that this was not a new issue. None of the lower level cm could comment or help us for fear of losing their jobs.

 

[kimmar067]

...but I was under the impression that FTP was for std/dlx accomodations only, not concierge!?!?!?!?
Tess, thanks for such an informative report....you really should consider WL, it really IS a lovely place to stay!

 

[>>^..^<<]

kimmar - FTP is for concierge too - I was booked at BC for 3600.00 for one week - the FTP changed it to 2400.00 - it's a super deal - but now I am worried about the crush of crowds - I think I would rather pay the higher price and have it quiet in the lounge then the lower price and have it busy.

Also I have three nights at AKL Concierge at a Canadian Dollar at Par Special - it went from 1209.00 to 744.00 (Room only)

Crossing my fingers I won't run into any experiences that Tess describes at the Poly

But on the bright side - with more people travelling comes extended park hours and more e-nights or EE mornings.

>>^..^<<

 

[kimmar067]

WOWSERS!!! (what is Par Special?)

 

[>>^..^<<]

Originally posted by kimmar067
WOWSERS!!! (what is Par Special?)

Kimmar - on May 15th CRO started a Canadian $ at par special for Canadian residents.

I already had AKL booked at the DC rate of 1209.00 total - when I called they changed the a rate to 744.00 - for the same thing!

Pretty good deal -

>>^..^<<

 

[Lisa3]

I really hope this is all ironed out when they move back into Hawaii and that they are in fact back in Hawaii for our Nov. trip. This is our 20th anniversary trip and I couldn't believe DH actually said go ahead and book concierge. You have no idea how much I was looking forward to this dream of a vacation for our family.

One of the posters is absolutely right when they say money doesn't buy class. Rude behavior runs through every socioeconomic background. I also would never dream of letting my kids run wild. This is a priviledge to be able to stay in one of the best resorts and I have no problem saying something to people whose kids act inappropriately (especially when it affects my children). My own children know that vacation does not mean a vacation from good behavior (a half hour sorting out the dirty laundry when they would rather be in the volcano pool works wonders on behavior modification).

I was really looking forward to those little extras (conversations with CMs, turn down service, candy bars, etc.) I have heard all of you talking about. As parents of three, DH and myself are usually the last on the list for any little "extras".

 

[kimmar067]

...Lisa, it'll be our 20th in September!! Happy "pre"-Anniversary!! I really was thinking about a 3-day weekend with my hunny and -NO KIDS- to Las Vegas, but I'm almost SERIOUSLY considering a 3-day to AKL [concierge]......

 

[Misti]

Thanks for the incredibly detailed review, Tess! You provided us lots of helpful information.

Nothing surprises me anymore when it comes to basic manners/etiquette. It seems some people leaves these things at home when they are on vacation. We've experienced the food hoarding at both the BC and Poly concierge. The appetizer trays at night aren't buffet size yet people would come up and essentially drain half the tray with a few plates. I've also seen kids come up to the trays and pick up and put down desserts--YUCK!

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

Whoa! This really has me worried We will be at the Poly conc. on July 12 for 7 nites. This is our second time there and we loved our first experience. I would be soooo disappointed if the same things happened to us as did to Tess. We have even convinced some friends how great Poly conc. is and they are going there for the first time.

We did request a third floor room. Has anyone in a third floor room experienced the terrible odors? What about in the first floor of Rapa Nui, my parents will be there? Thank goodness, at least Chef Dick will be there!

 

[LtlTee]

We just returned from five days at Polynesian Concierge on the third floor. My husband did notice some mildew on the bathroom ceiling, but we never noticed any type of odor. Also, our bathroom fan did not work either.
Tess, not to doubt what you are saying, but we did receive our chocolate Polynesian bar the first night with turndown service. In fact, my husband and I were out on our balcony the next day and saw a housekeeper enter the building with a cart stacked full of them!

 

[onthego103]

LtlTee~Which end of the building were you in? Closest to the TTC or the GCH? Could you tell if the either of the floors below you were smoking at your end? I would prefer to be in the end closest to GCH but not if there will be smoking on the balcony below us. How was your view? What room number were you in?
Thanks for your input.

 

[Tess]

Tess, not to doubt what you are saying, but we did receive our chocolate Polynesian bar the first night with turndown service. In fact, my husband and I were out on our balcony the next day and saw a housekeeper enter the building with a cart stacked full of them!

All I can relay is what we were told--they weren't giving those "goodies" any longer. Turn-down was never a problem--ours happened each and every day around 5:00 - 5:30 p.m. We had our pillow chocolates, but no Polynesian pix chocolate bar upon arrival. Lucky you--you received it. In fact, I saw other guests with the chocolate bars on our arrival day--we didn't get one. The chocolate bar is just one of those little things that's so cool--we really just wanted to show our nephew one since he'd not stayed in concierge before. We were there from 6/13-21, 2003.

We were in room 1014 Tahiti on May 23rd the smell was really bad. The housekeeping manager came in a supposedly wiped everything down. It did not work!

Thanks WANNABE@WDW--that is now 3 different guest families in this particular room from the boards--we all experienced the same thing!

Despite the information I supplied, and I was really trying to be fair--our trip was wonderful. For you folks that are worried, I wouldn't be--Polynesian is a terrific choice and I would/will return in a heartbeat! My warning is simply for those that may be subject to this particular room--get it changed if you are assigned to it IF the odor thing is a make-it-or-break-it issue for you!

While I don't feel the experience this year ranks as highly as those past, it wasn't "bad" by any stretch of the imagination--just average when compared to our prior experiences. I refuse to let the misbehavior of children, teens, or other adults spoil my good time at WDW--just be aware that with the additional guests in concierge--you need to plan accordingly! If you enjoy the late evening service, get there early on--ditto the a.m. service. Attitude is everything and make the most of your vacation while ignoring those that aren't in line with your plan!