Polynesian vs. Beach Club Concierge

[Tinkmom]

For those who have (fairly recently) stayed at both Polynesian concierge and at Beach Club concierge could you please compare them for me?

I am NOT interested in the pros/cons of rooms, location, etc. JUST the concierge lounge itself -- offerings, size, view from lounge, etc.

Thank you so much!!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

From what my family and I saw back in August when we visited the Polynesian lounge in the Hawaii Longhouse, it was big. There was a lot of seating and a great view of Cinderella’s Castle, so a great spot to watch Wishes. Since we are checking in there next Saturday I can then tell you more about the food offerings.

 

[mommylicious]

I am going to guess that most will say the Poly. I will disagree and say the Beach Club.

That said...the lounge is much bigger at the Poly and the view is great from the Poly lounge. Nothing special from the Beach Club. The Beach Club has the smallest lounge of the ones we've tried (everywhere but the YC and the RPC at the GF). The offerings, IMHO, were comparable at both. I preferred the Beach Club because DH and I both agreed we felt more "welcomed" by the CMs at the Beach Club and because the guest behavior at the BC was better. Admittedly the guest behavior can change depending on the guests you share the lounge with. We saw the most food hoarding and rude behavior at the Poly and AKL. BC, BWI and Tower Club at the CR were the ones with the best atmosphere taking in to consideration the CMs and guests.

You won't go wrong either way though! My personal preference is the BC but like I said, if you are judging by lounge size and view...Poly has that in spades.

 

[Tinkmom]

I think I saw an earlier post of yours that said that 12th floor CR concierge was now the same "full concierge" as the 14th floor? I just cancelled my 12th floor concierge reservation there because the listing on the website specifically indicated it was "light" concierge and it did not list afternoon snacks, etc. as being offered, as do the other concierge level descriptions. I think it was continental breaks and mid-day snacks and soft drinks only?

Is that info just outdated?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I think I saw an earlier post of yours that said that 12th floor CR concierge was now the same "full concierge" as the 14th floor? I just cancelled my 12th floor concierge reservation there because the listing on the website specifically indicated it was "light" concierge and it did not list afternoon snacks, etc. as being offered, as do the other concierge level descriptions. I think it was continental breaks and mid-day snacks and soft drinks only?

Is that info just outdated?

I can say 100% that the 12th floor is full Concierge and has been since January 2006, when they were temporally on the 10th floor. So the WDW website is wrong in this situation.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Here are some pictures I took with my cell phone this past August of some the foods and beer they serve at 5:00 PM on the 12th floor. The food in the 1st picture is Beef Wellington Puff Pastries, Mini Kieshes, various Cheeses, P&J sandwiches and some veggies.

 

[lvloopingbag]

The Poly lounge is far superior......It is bigger and offers a much better view, not to mention the food selection is better.....

 

[ducklite]

To the OP:

There are several distinct differences between the PR and BC CL's. At the PR the CM's are located on the first floor, while the offerings are on the second floor in a spacious lounge with a variety of seating options that overlooks Seven Seas Lagoon with a castle view. On the third floor there are a few more tables and IIR a sofa. The third floor is a cozy, smaller area that overlooks most of the second floor lounge area. A couple of the tables have built in checkerboards, and you can borrow the game pieces from the CM's on teh first floor. A flight of stairs runs between the three floors. The PR lounge never closes, although they pack away everything but maybe the coffee service during non-offering times. You are more than welcome to sit in the lounge in the middle of the afternoon and read the paper or watch the TV.

The BC lounge is not even half as large. It's closed when they aren't serving "offerings." The seating is restricted to tables and chairs, there are no sofas or easy chairs to sink into. The two CM desks are located right outside of the lounge where all CL guests need to walk past to get from the elevator to their rooms. There is no "view" from the CL. There is a small balcony off the lounge but IIR the door is locked and there was no real view from it.

IMHO these days the offerings are pretty close between the two, although the PR tends toward Asian influences in the early evening appetizers.

Let me know if you ahve any other questions.

 

[Tinkmom]

I have never stayed BC concierge, but have stayed concierge level at the Polynesian twice. On both those trips there were always soft drinks available in the lounge. (By always I guess I don't mean in the middle of the night, but ANYTIME we went by on our way to and from the parks, which varied a lot.)

Has that changed??? I guess we could stock up a few in the room, because the ability to have a soft drink is a significant factor for my group!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I have never stayed BC concierge, but have stayed concierge level at the Polynesian twice. On both those trips there were always soft drinks available in the lounge. (By always I guess I don't mean in the middle of the night, but ANYTIME we went by on our way to and from the parks, which varied a lot.)

Has that changed??? I guess we could stock up a few in the room, because the ability to have a soft drink is a significant factor for my group!

When I saw the lounge the fridge with all the drinks was still there.

 

[vettechick99]

hey Tinkmom!!!

I have not stayed BC concierge, but have BWI and Poly. I know you didn't ask this, but if BC is anything like BWI, stay far, far away! While the Poly had an amazing selection of hot and cold foods and great cocktails, the BWI had popcorn and chips, water and soda. There may have been wine at night.

They are not even in the same league as Poly or GF. I wasn't even impressed by their staff. I'd never stay concierge there again. I hope that BC's is better than that (you know I love me some BC )!

 

[MissionMouse]

...Has that changed??? I guess we could stock up a few in the room, because the ability to have a soft drink is a significant factor for my group!

Not sure when you stayed last but the PR lounge has change somewhat due to abuse and cost cutting efforts.

The little fridge only contains soda 7/24.

They no longer put milk cartons or yogurt in the fridge during the morning offerings...you have to ask for them. Also beer is no longer on the counter but against the wall on a special platform where you have to ask for them too. Polynesian beers have also been eliminated and are only available at the resort restaurants. Wine, cordials and alocholic punch are easily accessible within the serving line.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Polynesian beers have also been eliminated and are only available at the resort restaurants. Wine, cordials and alocholic punch are easily accessible within the serving line.

So you can no longer get bottles of Budwieser, Bud Light and Heineken in the lounge?

 

[MissionMouse]

So you can no longer get bottles of Budwieser, Bud Light and Heineken in the lounge?

Yes you can all three of those brands, but you have to ask for them since you can't reach that far back behind the serving line. I was looking forward to the drinking the polynesian beer I only saw at Kona now. There is also one other beer in the lounge too...I don't recall name but it started with an 'H'...I just drank Heineken. There is also a special punch (alcoholic) named after one of the Hawaiian CM on staff. Very nice tropical taste.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Yes you can all three of those brands, but you have to ask for them since you can't reach that far back behind the serving line. I was looking forward to the drinking the polynesian beer I only saw at Kona now. There is also one other beer in the lounge too...I don't recall name but it started with an 'H'...I just drank Heineken. There is also a special punch (alcoholic) named after one of the Hawaiian CM on staff. Very nice tropical taste.

Thanks for that information. When I 1st read what you said I must have read it wrong, because I thought you meant they were no longer offered in the lounge since you said they were eliminated and are only available at the resort restaurants.

 

[frdeb1999]

The Poly concierge lounge is one of the best we have ever used. They have a huge variety of items throughout the day. Not to mention juice, soda and water...also alcholic beverages in the evening. They have a very nice selection for kids also. The CM's are very friendly and will help anytime asked. The lounge is huge and has wonderful views. We go Poly concierge yearly and have never had a bad experience.

 

[CinderellyCinderelly]

I just found this thread and love it! We are staying Poly concierge and I can't wait...We usually do it at the GF, I wonder how different it is?

 

[grannyminnie]

Cinerelly, I've done both the GF (Sugarloaf) and the Poly, and I think they're comparable, except for the view from the Poly lounge, of course. You can't beat that!! I did prefer the evening offerings at the Poly, tho, just because the GF offerings leaned toward the spicy.