Tikiman update

[Lisa3]

skiwee1 - I did read your entire post and I am sorry if I offended you by pulling that one word out. I did not mean to imply that "your" personal opinion was that people who usually don't stay at concierge level don't know how to act. I did not state that clearly in my post and I apologize. However, the definition for the word bumkin is "an awkward or simple person from the country". You would have to agree that this word was not used in a very flattering way.

Mommaof3 - Please don't think concierge is a bunch of rude people pushing and shoving to be 1st in line. The majority of people we met on our Nov. trip were wonderful families who just like us worked and saved for their special trip. Anywhere you go you will meet and have to deal with all kinds of people - just take a trip to the mall sometime! Sometimes we need to add a little humor to our lives. While I certainly don't advocate an abuse of the concierge offerings most of you will agree that there are more important things in life than if the person in front of you takes too many deserts. Use those opportunities to teach your children how not to behave. Go and have a wonderful time. You will truly enjoy the wonderful staff at the concierge building.

Just so you know that rude behavior is not exclusive to Disney, we recently went to Hersheypark in PA. DS (10) and I decided to wait in line (a good hour) to ride the new roller coaster. There happened to be some kind of group there that day and half the group was behind us and the other half a good 50 people in front of us. As the line snaked around the people behind us decided it would be okay if they ducked under the rope to be with the rest of their group. We are not talking 1 or 2 people but at least 10! Most were teenagers but several adults followed their lead. DS looked at me and asked if it was allright to cut in line if you knew someone. I told him absolutely not and that those people were being unfair to the rest of us who would now have to wait even longer. I hope when he is a teen that he will think twice if faced with a similar choice.

Again, sorry, didn't mean to upset anyone.

 

[cinmell]

Originally posted by Tikiman


There is talk about when the rooms get changed that the concierge rooms will have additional features that are different than the standard rooms. Right now the rooms are the same other than the refrigerator.Steve

Interesting, I wonder what the additional features would be?

Thanks for the info Steve and I love your site!

 

[Tikiman]

Sorry if I missed answering someones question. Things have been busy at work and I have to read quick but I will try to start from my last post and go down the list as best I can.

Tinkerbella22
The room changes are going to happen longhouse by longhouse and the whole longhouse will not shut down. They will do a few rooms at a time. Two test rooms are in the works and most don’t even know it. I could tell you how to find them but they rather I do not and if you do find them please do not post it. Thanks again for the nice note in the room.

ValerieK
Don’t worry about the Dolphin. I did have a few legitimate complaints but I could find things wrong at any resort including the Polynesian. It was just very different and not something I was use to. The convension going on did not help. The place had much to offer though and compaired to the location of a moderate or value or even some deluxe resorts it does have a good location. Don’t let me discourage you from trying the Dolphin. I am sure there are more people that like the Dolphin than do not but you will never know until you try it. If everyone stopped going to resorts that got bad reviews than there would be no resorts to visit.

Susy
I agree that the Polynesian needs to be enjoyed over a longer time than 3 days. We spent 2 at the resort not even going into the parks. First time ever.

K&a&c’smom
My posting of the full report can be found on the link on my main web page to the Polynesian Discussion forum. I tried to write it last night but I had a work dinner to go to. I hope to have it done tonight or tomorrow.

Aloha SeaSpray and Mahalo. Good to hear from you.

I think that before we start this thread going in the wrong direction we should consider that money and age to not give you class or take it away. It all comes down to the person you are no mater what you had or don’t have. We can give our opinions about people but the fact remains that bad behavior can come from anyone and does.

I will also say that taking a full plate or two is ok with me. I just have a problem with people loading up trays from the room more than once and basically cleaning out the offerings with many in line behind them. I myself have canceled reservations to dinner because the night offerings filled me up. I even had a table full of food one night when Chef Dick was pulling back the offerings and gave them all to us. I was just waiting for someone to return and comment on the people with the table full of food one night.

Johnsonet
You are correct. I was referring to the 12 quantity of deserts, not the age of the girl although she was around 10 years old. The part that got me is the parents said nothing even when she threw them all away. I don’t expect most younger kids to know better but the parents need to wake up from their vacation mode and remember they are still incharge.

BCV23
Yes the TV will be on a lower long dresser like in the old rooms and the things above the bed will be gone with new large headboards. The woods used will be a dark wood. I am not sure many will like the new look but it will be different but not very traditional to Polynesian culture from what I have seen so far but it is still changing and I have not seen the finished product so I will hold off on my opinion till I see the end result.

Tnkrbell
Aloha and thanks for the welcome back. You do have a different opinion than me but I still always enjoy reading your post. You seem to have educated and informative responses to topics and that is always nice to read as apposed to some of the mud slinging that goes on around here sometimes. I actually wish that people that have a passion for other resorts would make pages like mine so we could get better impressions of all the resorts because one or two visits to a resort does not give you the full impression. My one time at the Dolphin I am sure was not the experience most have had otherwise it would not be so popular. I also think once someone gets use to a resort they have a hard time being at others that are different. I believe that is where some of my opinion has come from.

Hey Calidreaming
Yeah you will need to make a visit in about 2006. I think once they decide on the room it will take about 2 years like when they changed the rooms from 1996-1998.

Wampy2
I have only heard rumors of highspeed internet but nothing I would report on since I am not sure if it is true.

Mommaof3
Don’t worry about fitting in. Even with the things I have reported the concierge was great and most of the time the lounge was not crowded and there were no problems. I just feel it is fair I report on the bad experiences as well as the good. There were more good than bad by far. I would still recommend concierge at the Polynesian in a second and a few people we met tried it for the first time and thought it was worth every penny. Others who have been going for a long time have seen a slight change and it will only change more if the few guests who don’t know how to act don’t change their ways.

I did talk to some of the staff about when the concierge was in Tahiti and they did say many snuck in and the food was being attacked (as some put it). Poor Chef Dick could not keep up with the food and had to stay late to make more and replace everything. They said it was a mess and hope they never go through that again. They tried so hard to make everyone happy.

 

[Bojangles]

Originally posted by Tikiman


I did talk to some of the staff about when the concierge was in Tahiti and they did say many snuck in and the food was being attacked (as some put it).

We stayed in Tahiti last year. It was a total waste of money. They should have discontinuted concierge service while Hawaii was being renovated, rather than short changing paying guests. The lines were so long for the appetizers/wine that most nights we just skipped it. Many people took heaping plates of food and used the trays from Captain Cooks. Then they'd stick the stinky trays of leftovers in the hallway outside their room for someone else to clean up. The hallways smelled awful at night. The lines to make PS or whatever with the concierge staff were so long that we gave up and made our own arrangements.

As for other guests, there were adults staggered into the lounge in the morning still wearing pajamas. I wouldn't have a problem with a toddler still in his pj's. There were also a lot of people going in barefoot and in wet swimming suits.

Tikiman, I'm sure the chef tried, but when I pay over $100 extra/night I would have liked to get what I paid for. Heck, I could have just walked in and gotten the same service for free like some people did. Since the lounge was always packed, it would have been nice if they had at least ejected the non-concierge guests.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Thanks, Steve! - We really appreciate your insight on all issues Poly! Looking forward to your full report!

 

[susy]

I just have to say this and then I'll leave.... these types of threads always turn into "people who can afford certain things should know to behave better". The depth of snobbery that goes on this board makes me sick! Bye!

 

[Lisa3]

Thank you Tikiman for all the time you take (especially while on vacation) to give all of us updated information. I hope you had a wonderful trip.

Our 1st trip staying concierge was a dream come true for me last Nov. I was overwhelmed by how helpful the staff was. I really was not used to being treated so royally. I never thought it would be possible to stay in Hawaii again but we will be back in early Sept. I am surprising everyone with a lagoon view this trip.

We did not get to meet Chef Dick on our last trip but what fantastic dishes he prepared! We did not make it back to the lounge on several nights but one night a chicken dish was served which DH and DS loved. He made sure the staff knew how much he appreciated the delicious servings. When it was time to move onto deserts the staff made a point to let DH know that he was welcome to whatever was left of the chicken of which he took full advantage since there was no one else in the lounge. I too was waiting for someone to come in and see this huge plateful of food at our table. Of course, no more was taken than what could be eaten. I feel very strongly about teaching my children not to be wasteful.

The people I truly give credit are the CMs and staff who have to deal with all types of guests on a daily basis. They always had a smile for my children and couldn't do enough to make our stay one to be remembered.

 

[DisneyFans4]

Tikiman does a great job and I know he was a big influence in my decision when we stayed at the Poly for the last two years in a row. You can't please everyone and everyone is entitled to their own opinion so Tikiman, please don't let a few people get to you. There are plenty more of us who rely upon you that greatly outweigh those that disagree.
Keep up the tremendous work that you do!!!

 

[CoolBreeze]

Johnsonet and WDWFAN,

I have been interested in the Concierge discussions, having done the WL and POLY with great enjoyment. I agree that the food hording needs to be abolished somehow.

Have either of you stayed in a BWI Concierge room with a Boardwalk view? We are staying there in October and would love to know a good room number for a boardwalk view on the CL.

Any help would be awesome!!

By the way, TIKIMAN is King. Last year we nailed a great lagoon view room based upon his photos, recommendations, etc. THANKS AGAIN TIKIMAN!!

 

[BCV23]

Thanks for all the info, Tikiman.

I'll be watching your website in the next couple of days. Eager to read your trip report.

 

[wdwfan]

Tikiman thank you for keeping us informed! It is so generous of you to take the time to give us information. I have never stayed at the Poly, but I have visited your site and I am beginning to become very intrigued... I think I'll wait until 2006 when the refurbishment is complete to give it a try. I'm usually partial to Epcot resorts, but I have to try other things.

Coolbreeze I will be staying BWI Concierge Deluxe for the first time. I have requested a boardwalk view, although I have read that the deluxe rooms come with a boardwalk view, so I'll give you some information on rooms and such when I return. I have had a boardwalk view before when I stayed non-concierge and the views are excellent!

I can't wait until I get there! Not long now!

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by susy
I just have to say this and then I'll leave.... these types of threads always turn into "people who can afford certain things should know to behave better". The depth of snobbery that goes on this board makes me sick! Bye!

What are you talking about? NO ONE here on this thread has said any such thing. YOU seem to be the only one that turned it into a "people that afford certain things should know better" with that post. Personally I think ALL adults should know better but that is just my opinion. Buh Bye!

 

[dutch63]

TIKIMAN,
We will be staying at the Poly LVC on August 10th thru the 18th and wanted to leave a gracious token of our appreciation. Have you found any creative tokens of appreciation that really resonate with the cms in the Concierge Bldg? I think its imperative that we take the time to thank those who work hard to make our vacations magical. If anyone else out there has any creative and unique ideas of how to show appreciation I sure would appreciate it Thanks! We do live in a rather Dutch Community and thought of perhaps bringing some items unique to the dutch culture?

 

[lucysdad]

Thank you for all you do for us, Tikiman. We personally love the Tahiti building and were disappointed when it was closed to accommodate concierge guests last summer. I have heard rumors that Tahiti will be under room renovation next year. We're planning to return to the Tahiti building next summer after our AKL trip this year. Do you have the refurb schedule?
Lucy's Mom

 

[PamNC]

is my personal hero - he's the Polynesian guru. The Poly is now my favorite resort, we've been twice this year. Tikiman's site convinced me to try it and boy am I happy that I did. It's a very magical, relaxing, friendly resort. Can't wait to go back.

Thanks to Tikiman - can't wait to read your full report.

We should pay you for this...

PamNC

 

[Tikiman]

dutch63,

I am not a very good one to ask about gifts to concierge staff. I have given some things to those that I know as friends but I have not given gifts for the service they provide. Not saying they do not deserve it but if I did that I would be giving gifts to just about every member of the Polynesian Concierge.

lucysdad

Tahiti as of now is scheduled to be worked on from April till August 2005. If these dates change they will be posted on the bottom of this page:

http://www.tikiman2001.homestead.com/poly2_5.html

I have not added the new info yet but it will be posted there also.

Aloha

Steve

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Originally posted by Tikiman
Hey Calidreaming
Yeah you will need to make a visit in about 2006. I think once they decide on the room it will take about 2 years like when they changed the rooms from 1996-1998.

Thanks Tikiman. I'm already starting my 2006 planning, I guess I'll have to leave two or three nights open for the Polynesian (we'll stay at BWV the rest of the time). Will they maybe do like what the GF did and have a couple different "themes" for rooms? Maybe, say 3 different styles to have in different buildings? As soon as you are able to share some more specifics (especially pictures!) please let me know!

 

[Rambler5678]

Tikiman just want to let you know how my family enjoys reading all the great information you provide about the Poly. I resently talked with Rich Mathews at the Poly and he spoke very highly of you and your wife. I have a couple of questions I am hoping you can help out with. Were going down to the Poly the 3rd week of December. It will be 2 adults and our 7 month old daughter. We have a reservation for a GV room. Can you recommend a longhouse that we may request on our reservation. Was looking at Tokelau. Also can you reqest turndown service in a reguler GV room at no addtional charge. We had this in Vegas on our honeymoon and my wife loved it..
Thanks Agin

 

[Tikiman]

Aloha Rambler5678,

Tokelau is a great choice and yes you can request turndown for no charge.

Rich is a great guy and people managing the Polynesian like that will only make the place that much better. I know Disney has done a lot to take away from the resorts by cutting back and outsourcing but people like Rich will make sure the Polynesian is the best it can be.

Have a great time.

Aloha

Steve

 

[Tikiman]

Well I posted a very long trip report on the Polynesian Discussion Forum found on my web page and I may post it here later but if you want to see it sooner than later you can go there. I will be adding the new photos and info soon to my site.

Aloha

Steve