Tikiman update

[BriarRosie]

Originally posted by AspiringCindy
I can't wait to read about your report! I leave for Poly Concierge in 5 days! This will not only be my 1 st Poly visit ever!...but our 1st Concierge stay as well! Any last minute helpful tidbits?

I did my one and only Poly concierge trip in Aug/Sept 2002.
Tikiman's website was a valuable resource for pre-trip planning
and morale!

I was in garden view, but I still LOVED my experience doing
concierge. I grabbed a couple of water bottles from the
lounge after getting some breakfast from their continental
offerings. It became a natural thing to grab beverages
every time I passed through the place.

My favorite thing was done on a whim, and something
I'd only do because I have an annual pass:

My friends and I grabbed a bit to eat in the lounge, for the
evening offerings. Then we hopped on the quick boat
to the Magic Kingdom to see Spectomagic. (We waited
at the curb area in front of the train station, near the exits.)

Since the parade started at the train station end of the Magic
Kingdom, we high-tailed it back to the Polynesian on that
speedy boat. We were hanging out at the lounge and had
the dessert and cordial offerings, just in time for the Electrical
Water Pageant and the fireworks. It was a lot of fun!

 

[BriarRosie]

Originally posted by skiwee1
Unfortunately there will always be people that think nothing of making a meal out of the offerings simply because they paid for concierge.

I've done that when I stayed at the Polynesian concierge, but I
think I did that only when I had a late lunch and wasn't hungry
for a big dinner. I think the food horde business is tacky, and
I never take anything from the offerings that I don't intend
to eat.

When I took two bottles of water (back when the privilege was
still around), I drank them. It was quite hot that Labor Day
week. It's a shame that the people who abused the perks
caused them to be taken away.

But I hope that because I took advantage of the perks often,
I won't be judged harshly. And for what it's worth, I entered
the lounge fully dressed at all times. LOL!

 

[BCV23]

Tikiman, I read and enjoyed your trip report on that forum.

We had "your" room in March and enjoyed it very much. We actually were assigned it in November too as well as 06 but we needed adjoining rooms and luckily they were able to reassign us to 10 & 11 I think. But I never request an particular room number although we do ask for 1st floor. We've loved the view from every room we've had in Hawaii...both gardenview and lagoonview.

Many years ago we stayed at either the Swan or Dolphin...I can't remember which ...for one night before our package at the Polynesian started. We didn't care for it at all. We had to have a cot brought in and that left no room to manuever. But I know there are many fans of those resorts here. As always, there is something for everyone at WDW. But for those of us who are Polynesian lovers, it always wonderful to hear the news from you. Mahalo!

 

[johnsonet]

CoolBreeze
I returned a couple of weeks ago from BWI Cl but my room had a "garden view" - so, sorry, I can't help with BW view. Our room was awesome, though, right next to the Concierge Lounge and had a view of the "Eiffel Tower". We loved it!
BWI CL and AKL CL are the only CL we've tried (well, GF Lodge Concierge, too, but that wasn't nearly in the same category, IMHO) They are both awesome! Enjoy!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Thank you for the trip report, Tikiman! I really enjoyed your take on the Poly, as always!

Sounds like big changes are in the works, it's possible we will like them, as we are fans of AKL.

 

[Tikiman]

I added some big news to the report I forgot to write last night about them redoing the GCH and expanding Captain Cook's. I posted it this morning.

Aloha

Steve

 

[dutch63]

Aloha

Chomping on the bit to read Tikiman's trip report I can't seem to find it. I went to his page. clicked on box marked polynesian discussion forum but didn't see it, am I missing something?

 

[BCV23]

Originally posted by dutch63
Aloha

Chomping on the bit to read Tikiman's trip report I can't seem to find it. I went to his page. clicked on box marked polynesian discussion forum but didn't see it, am I missing something?

I don't find it easy to navigate on that site either. But I found it toward the top where recent threads are listed in a scroll down smaller box. It says something like "trip report up...long."

Tikiman, very interesting news about the shops. doesn't seem like enough room for them in the front though. I didn't like the change at all when that one store became just little children's ware. Would hate to see the resort lose more shopping. On the other hand, Captain Cook's could use more space for tables as well as more refrigerated goods IMO. Before the latest reconfiguration there always seemed to be a wider variety of sandwiches, etc..

I'll be very interested in seeing the new room decor. We were talking with a housekeeping manager during our stay in July and she talked a little about it. I thought she said it would be brighter. I know she emphasized that they listening to their guests. The dark wood doesn't sound bad to me per se but burnt orange??? Oh, well....just going to have to wait and see.

 

[wdw47]

Steve just saw your postings here and reading all the replys will have to go to your site this evening and read more its all very useful information good you hear you and Tara enjoyed yourselves

 

[DeeCeeSW]

Hi Steve,
Just started reading your trip report and I notice you say that you did not have free parking for the parks when you stayed at the Dolphin. You do have that privilege when you stay at the Swan or Dolphin--your room key is supposed to serve as proof of where you are staying, and the cast members at the gates will normally wave you in. Perhaps no one at the front desk told you this...I will read on, perhaps you found this out later.

P.S. The carpeting was in the horrible condition you described due to the recent renovation--they will change the carpeting last, which makes sense, as they are still moving furniture around. I agree that some areas were dangerous to walk on, but I understand their logic in not changing it yet.

 

[Tikiman]

DeeCeeSW,

Yes, no one did tell us anything about the parking. Infact at check in they told us nothing other than here is your room and have a good night.

Now that you say that about the renovations I believe I do remember someone saying they were still in the middle of renovations so that would make sense to do that last.

Thanks for the input.

Aloha

Steve

 

[denman007]

deleted

 

[Pattymouse]

Tikiman,

I cannot find your trip report on the other website. It looks like your last thread was started on 7/15/04 (pre-trip). Help. I want to read it!

Thanks,

Pat

 

[DeeCeeSW]

Go to the message boards on Tikiman's site and you will find the report there. I sent you a PM, Pattymouse, regarding something else.

 

[eeyore45]

Hi Tikiman,

I also have to chime in that the reason we chose the Poly was your site and many of your reviews and pictures. DD 7 was not disappointed!!

We were there July 30 - Aug 6. We didnt get our "request" but we did get an awesome room - probably better than if I got my request!!

In our room (Raratonga 2813) we had one lamp that didnt work, dh noticed that the plug was broken off into the wall circuit. Our first night I had a problem sleeping on the pillows. I went down to the front desk and mentioned it - they were extremely attentive, sent someone immediately to check on the problem - I hadnt expected that at all, I just thought if I mentioned it it would be put on a list and maybe get looked at by the afternoon!! Also, I asked if they had feather pillows - again, they immediately sent up 3 feather pillows, that were just lovely to sleep on!!

It was incredibly hot, so I didnt mind not having a balcony!! And from our room one night I discovered quite by accident i could see some of the Wishes fireworks!!

I will say I couldnt figure out a very loud noise, it took me 2 days to realize it was people opening up the balcony doors!! And one day we noticed that they were hauling mattresses up the balcony - I do wish they would mark the longhouses better - they do have great maps all along the pathways, so I never felt like I was lost, but as we'd walk by, I would look at a building and wonder which one it was - even by the doors to get in to the buildings, I often forgot which building we were in!!

I quite agree with your assesment of the Pool Lifeguards, and I am often very prejudice as my 19 yr old son is a Lifeguard!! They couldnt have been more attentive, and made the days enjoyable, too much so as my dd never wanted to leave!! I never came across any pool hoppers, and always found a table to sit at, no matter the time of day - and I did partake of the pool bar - and struck up a conversation - they were all so very kind!!

Then again, I have little to compare it with, the last time we were at Disney was 8 years ago and we stayed in the north quadrant of the Contemporary!!

I will also add, thanks to all the discussions and posts I was not disappointed with anything. I had noted on our ressies we were celebrating our 25th anniversary, and I also used the WDW florist to get a lovely tropical arrangement - and we didnt receive any other notes concerning our celebration, and none were expected, and it didnt diminish the time spent at all!!

I used the Capt food each morning for breakfast, and had no problems. The last day there - I encountered a problem with my credit card, unexpectedly (and cleared it with a phone call) so when they swiped my resort key, I didnt have the $5 for my bkfst - I was so embarrassed, and went to my room for the $5 leaving my refillable mug along with my food - and when I returned they had put my food under the warming lights and filled my mug with my water starting my tea (they noticed I always put ice in it anyway ) I thought this was a nice touch and helped me over my personal embarrassment.

 

[Pattymouse]

DeeCeeSW,

Thanks...I found Tikiman's report, however, I do not know how to retrieve a PM. Let me know.

Pat

Found it! Thanks!

 

[ctrabada]

Tikiman,

Just wanted to introduce myself as another one of your fans. I read your travel report and truly appreciate your honest assessments of a place you obviously love. I visit your website often since I too love the Poly, even though the last time I stayed there I was still a child. My DH and I love to visit though and we will be having my birthday dinner at Ohana, plus a Wishes cruise out of the Poly, on Sept 25. My DH and I are dying to stay there. I have booked concierge for the past 2 years for my birthday and wanted to stay at the Poly, but this year I started my own business, so instead of canceling my annual trip, I decided to scale down and stay at a moderate. At least I'll get to spend time with my DH and DD7 and that's what matters. My parents, DS, DB (who all live in Orlando) and a couple of friendsd will join us for the dinner and cruise.

Thank you again for all the information you provide and congratulations to you and your wife on the upcoming baby.