Polynesian resort & concierge review **PICS ADDED - PAGE 3**

[wide awake]

This is a wrinkle I hadn't thought of...DS is autistic, on a gluten, casein free diet...the meal at O'hana is one that I've read the menu, read the recipes...knowing DS's tastes I can say what he would eat is safe. Now I can stress that our PS can be pushed back because of a CL guest ? What a Disney moment !!!

 

[TammiMcMan]

Now I can stress that our PS can be pushed back because of a CL guest ? What a Disney moment !!!

I don't think this is the case at all. I believe the resorts do set aside a few tables for their concierge guests. Sometimes they are "held" up until a certain time and then released for general seating. There are always last minute cancellations or no-shows and these tables might also be "held" for concierge guests. That wouldn't affect your waiting time at all. I work with autistic children, so I can certainly appreciate your concerns. Did you have them note any special dietary needs when you made your dining reservations? Disney does an excellent job with this and you can speak directly with the restaurant. I've had many of my students take Disney trips and all have been very successful. Good luck with your planning.

Tammi

 

[mlwear]

What a great review. As you know, SeaSpray, I have been following you along the Disboards as our stay is about a month later than yours. I've been eager to read your opinion.
I am so relieved. You know I have my stressed out moments of planning. Working to just set all that aside.
I think what your review says to me is that there is no need to stress, just enjoy. Wide Awake, I understand where you are coming from, my DS is also autistic and has serious difficulties with things that require me to plan extensively. SeaSpray's review let me, personally, know to not worry. She had a magical trip and I hope you do, too.

 

[SeaSpray]

This is a wrinkle I hadn't thought of...DS is autistic, on a gluten, casein free diet...the meal at O'hana is one that I've read the menu, read the recipes...knowing DS's tastes I can say what he would eat is safe. Now I can stress that our PS can be pushed back because of a CL guest ? What a Disney moment !!!

Nobody got bumped because of our last-minute reservation. And EVERYONE usually has at least a few minute wait before being seated, anyway. (Not always, but usually, you are not immediately seated upon checking in at the podium).

The servers at the restaurants have those meals down to a science. No one was effected by concierge adding us to the reservations at the Kona Cafe that night. Even at 'Ohana, they are continually bringing you out the bread, then the starters, then the meats, then the dessert(s). No one was inconvenienced or had their meal delayed because they allowed us to dine at the Kona Cafe that night. This is not something you should stress over, it will be fine, I'm sure. I have a DS with a form of autism, and having to wait, at different times, while at Disney World, is unfortunately something that cannot be entirely eliminated, even with the best planning.

P.S. DH just reminded me that the concierge CM said that they had six tables reserved for concierge guests, for that night. So in a way, by reserving them, and if concierge guests *don't* need them, that gets all other guests in quicker. And this makes sense because earlier in our trip I overheard a concierge CM tell a concierge guest on the phone that they were unable to get them into a particular restaurant, so this proves that they will not *squeeze* in concierge guests, if in fact no time/tables are available.

 

[Traveliz]

This is a wrinkle I hadn't thought of...DS is autistic, on a gluten, casein free diet...the meal at O'hana is one that I've read the menu, read the recipes...knowing DS's tastes I can say what he would eat is safe. Now I can stress that our PS can be pushed back because of a CL guest ? What a Disney moment !!!

Well if it makes you feel any better (or worse) you can expect a wait at Ohana's concierge guest or not - we waited at least a half hour a few weeks ago and we had prearranged PS at Ohana's through the concierge... by prearranged I mean several months in advance -- and we still had the wait -- so a wait may occur regardless of how your arrangements were made.

Liz

 

[SeaSpray]

Well if it makes you feel any better (or worse) you can expect a wait at Ohana's concierge guest or not - we waited at least a half hour a few weeks ago and we had prearranged PS at Ohana's through the concierge... by prearranged I mean several months in advance -- and we still had the wait -- so a wait may occur regardless of how your arrangements were made.

Liz

Us too. We had about a 15-20 minute wait to be seated for our 'Ohana dinner last Friday night.

 

[MOM6397]

What a wonderful review! We are going in November and I am surprising DH with Concierge. ( He knows we are at Poly.)
I LOVE the waiting Mouse ears idea. I have written it down on my "Prior to Leaving Things to do" list.
Thanks for Sharing!!

 

[Dizz42]

Really excited to see your pixs! Did you take any of your anniversary cake? Oh, I hope so! The last two years, we have had our anniversary dinner at O'Hana's and the cake idea sounds wonderful! I would love to spring it on my DH this year.

 

[Tess]

Seaspray--so glad that it all worked out well for you on your visit to Polynesian. I know you had your doubts and/or fears after reading some negative or at least not so glowing reports. I just knew you would love "our" resort!

You are much more prompt in reporting than I--still haven't gotten around to it! I'm still savoring the latest experience I guess and haven't felt like putting it down in words. . .hopefully, I'll get to it! Maybe if I settle on some dates for next year I'll be able to let this year go. . .?

As an aside, concierge does have a certain number of tables at the "in house" dining establishments. We had a PS at 'Ohana for 7:00 p.m. one evening and wanted to move it up by an hour. The restaurant was booked in the PS computer, but because the concierge has a hold on tables, we were moved with a "concierge" res for 6:00 p.m. We headed to the podium a bit before 6:00 p.m. and were seated upon arrival. The queue was LONG! The table was great too! We were also able to have our pick of times for a Father's Day breakfast at Kona. . .really wasn't an issue though because we went early AND it wasn't busy at that time.

Anyway, glad you enjoyed your stay!

 

[mlwear]

How loud were the fireworks when you viewed them from the pool? We are also staying Lagoon view Hawaii, could you see them from your balcony? Can you see them from the lounge (I think I read that). Trying to avoid the booms. As noted before, DS is autistic and greatly fears fireworks because of the noise. Planning to bring earplugs, but it would be great if he could just watch them without the sudden booms and blasts that terrify him so.

Do they have the gold ears back in stock or did they just have yours set aside? I wanted to do what you did, but have procratinated

 

[lUVTOGO]

Thanks for the great report SeaSpray! You have made us very excited for our November Poly Trip!! Have a great trip to the Jersey Shore!

 

[SeaSpray]

Tess: I was thinking of you and your "Polynesian Pout" while we were leaving the resort! LOL Now I know the feeling! I'm glad to see your new picture in your signature though


Regarding the cake: Yes, I took pictures! I even took a picture of what the inside of the cake looks like. LOL

Regarding the gold ears: They left the receipt for the ears in an envelope in the room for me, and according to that, they bought them before we arrived and held them until we got to the Polynesian. I took a picture of how they had them displayed. But we DID see them available in the parks, too.

 

[Dizz42]

Regarding the cake: Yes, I took pictures! I even took a picture of what the inside of the cake looks like. LOL

My kinda gal! I would have done the same thing!!! Bless you, M'lady!

 

[SeaSpray]

Regarding the fireworks: When we were out on the balcony you could definitely hear them but they weren't really loud, in my opinion. If they are too loud for your child, simply pull the drapes all the way back on both sides and watch them from inside the room. The outside walls of the rooms are full width glass, so you have a nice wide viewing area from inside the room.

Hope this helps

 

[SeaSpray]

Ok, here goes! Finally going to start adding my pictures!

Welcome to the Hawaii concierge building at Disney World's Polynesian Resort!

Checking in at the concierge desk. We were so hot and thirsty, that orange guava juice really hits the spot! They have it set up right there near the desks, so you can help yourself while being checked in.

As you can see, we were given leis immediately. Don't DSs looked thrilled? LOL

 

[SeaSpray]

Our room, #3517 which is a lagoon view concierge room:

Can't forget the night that DS14 went to take a shower and walked right back out and announced that a salamander was already IN the shower. LOL Being the good DIS board reporter that I am, I just had to go in and snap a few pics of the cute little fellow before DH captured him and released him outside:

 

[Lives4Disney]

SEASPRAY - your pics of your sons made me laugh!! I have a 15 yr old son that looks EXACTLY like that in ALL my WDW photos!! What's up with that?? I don't think I will take pics of him on our August trip - people see them and think we didn't have fun on our vacation! Then I get grief about "you're going to WDW again??"

Lives4Disney

 

[SeaSpray]

And now for the fabulous view we had! We could see the Contemporary resort, Sunset Point was straight ahead but slightly to the right, and we got to see 2 weddings on the day we checked in! And we could see the Grand Floridian to the left. And of course, Cinderella's Castle, right in the middle, with NO obstruction at all.

Here the pics I took from our room and balcony:

 

[SeaSpray]

SEASPRAY - your pics of your sons made me laugh!! I have a 15 yr old son that looks EXACTLY like that in ALL my WDW photos!! What's up with that?? I don't think I will take pics of him on our August trip - people see them and think we didn't have fun on our vacation! Then I get grief about "you're going to WDW again??"

Lives4Disney

LOL!! We actually DID get them smiling in a few pictures.

 

[SeaSpray]

More pictures taken from our room and balcony:

This wedding had a violinist and we could hear him clearly from our balcony. It was just beautiful!