Useful Concierge Information

[BCV23]

Hmmm, I can't imagine that happening.

I don't think it would be fair to anyone. Using all value season rates, someone could pay $360 and stay in WL concierge while someone in a regular lagoonview Polynesian room pays $400. So the family from WL would get FOL and the Polynesian family paying more wouldn't?

And if preferential treatment was based on money spent for the room, people in a gardenview GF room are paying around 4.5 times the price of a value room. Should they get FOL or EMH because they are paying more?

Don't think it is going to happen!

 

[steevo]

Its not a matter of how much was money is spent...just that it would be nice to have some added park perks for customers willing to go Concierge. I doubt it would happen also but it has nothing to do with fairness.
If everything was "fair" there would be no special rates or discounts..Who wants that?

 

[BCV23]

Well, the discounted rates are to fill rooms. Just a business decision.

You want an extra perk but not because of the cost of the room. What is the reason then? Do you think concierge guests are extra special?

Just not following you.....

 

[steevo]

Concierge guests DO get extra perks , regardless of if they paid more or less for the room than other guests. The concierge guest IS paying more, generally speaking! But You made the example that a guest who paid more for a non concierge suite at a different hotel should be entitled to extra services simply because of the price.
A person in a standard concierge room with a discounted rate at the WL gets special perks..The person in the lagoon view at the GF paying rack might pay more for a room but unless they are also concierge, they dont get concierge perks. Doesnt mean one is better or not..just that price and fairness have nothing to do with it.

 

[BCV23]

"Concierge guests DO get extra perks "

Yes, but not FOL.


"But You made the example that a guest who paid more for a non concierge suite at a different hotel should be entitled to extra services simply because of the price."

Nope, I didn't make this argument at all. I just pointed out that if concierge guests were to get FOL, then why not other guests who are paying more.

"A person in a standard concierge room with a discounted rate at the WL gets special perks..The person in the lagoon view at the GF paying rack might pay more for a room but unless they are also concierge, they dont get concierge perks."

No, but they have the wonderful "perk" of that view. I actually don't think of the views or concierge service and food offerings as perks at all. You pay for them.

"Doesnt mean one is better or not..just that price and fairness have nothing to do with it."

Well, I think that price does have everything to do with it and I still don't think it would be fair to offer FOL to someone paying less than another. You may not like the word fair, but that's OK. Do you prefer justifiable?? At any rate, I don't think it would fly!

 

[steveanddonna]

I'd have to say that the changes in the lounge weren't so much cutbacks as they were modifications. There was always plenty of food out, possibly a little less variety, and, in spite of being shorthanded in the Lounge with 3 CMs out on vacation or personal leave, the service was terrific. Heather, the new concierge manager, is just trying things to see what works as far as streamlining and cutting waste. She had told us in January about the enormous amounts of food that would be thrown away at the end of each day.

I agree that some little extra intangible would be great - something along the lines of when the Jiko and Boma chefs did meet and greets at the AKL snack service. We of course now have the opportunity to do the private AK safari for concierge guests, so it looks like management is thinking along the same lines. It would be nice to have something unique to the character of each resort - maybe dancers from the luau entertaining at the lounge periodically or a Lilo & Stitch meet and greet. I don't think how much we pay has anything to do with whether we're special or not; there are way too many variations to make that work. By that reasoning, someone with a discounted concierge room that costs less than a rack rate LV standard room should have to give up their right to the lounge and planning services to the person who paid more. We are entitled to "special" treatment, or persk, because we were all astute enough to choose concierge, whether at rack or discounted rates.

 

[BCV23]

Donna, glad to hear that there were no cubacks. How were the canapes?

What is Rich doing now, do you know? Heather sounds familar too...was she helping before?

I obviously wasn't clear. I don't think people should get more perks because they are paying more...concierge or lagoon, rack or discount. I just was trying to say that I can't imagine WDW granting FOL to concierge guests over others paying as much or more....or for that matter a family staying at POP. Just doesn't seem very "Disney" to me.

Now that new safari is a nice option. Of course nonconcierge guests can still do the backstage tour as well.

 

[steveanddonna]

The canapes were OK, BCV23. I'm not a big canape person (too much bread for me.) My cousin had a hard time with them, as many were seafood based - smoked salmon, salmon mousse, one topped with a scallop slice, etc. There were also turkey, ham, and salami based canapes. They seem rather labor intensive, so I kind of wonder how long they'll last.

Rich is managing the planning office right now; he stopped by the Hawaii building one day, so we did get to chat a bit. He loves what he's doing and is enthusiastic about making the Poly IPO one of the best on property. Heather did work for Disney before, and I believe it was at the Poly. She left for non-Disney pastures, before returning ;ast fall as Poly CL manager. She is very personable and totally "gets" the spirit of the Poly. Rich and Marilyn and I were talking about that very thing - how you can be incredibly competent, smart, efficient, whatever, but if you don't get the spirit of 'ohana, the Poly is not a good fit for you. If you have a feel for the resort, you can learn everything else. I think the best CMs there, and the ones who have stayed the longest, are the CMs who love the resort as much as their guests do.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

Need help. Inspired by the "Concierge Etiquette" thread. I am booked at Poly GVC in May and now I am totally freaked out. We have stayed CL before, but not at the Poly. Must people who had issues with lounge etiquette posted that their issues were at the Poly. Please tell me we haven't made the wrong decision. We like CL for the convienence and extra planning service, but I don't want to be around a bunch of people that are "grocery bag fillers". We don't consume copious amounts of food, but if my boys would like a cookie in the afternoon, I would like one to be there.

Tell me I won't be dissappointed.

 

[TheIncredibles]

Need help. Inspired by the "Concierge Etiquette" thread. I am booked at Poly GVC in May and now I am totally freaked out. We have stayed CL before, but not at the Poly. Must people who had issues with lounge etiquette posted that their issues were at the Poly. Please tell me we haven't made the wrong decision. We like CL for the convienence and extra planning service, but I don't want to be around a bunch of people that are "grocery bag fillers". We don't consume copious amounts of food, but if my boys would like a cookie in the afternoon, I would like one to be there.

Tell me I won't be dissappointed.

I really feel like these are isolated cases and tended to be considered "the norm" when a few stories are collected in one thread over a 2 or 3 year period.

We've always enjoyed plenty of food...the later in the timeframe of the set out period, the less there tends to be, and yes some will take a bit more than others, but I do not see it as a rampant problem.

 

[steveanddonna]

MickeyFliers, in all our stays at Poly CL (15) we have had only one visit where rude behavior was rampant, and that was during March of last year when the resort was especially crowded. Even then, there was never a shortage of food and the CMs kept the lounge fairly clean and orderly. In spite of the "this doesn't happen at non-Disney CLs" mantra on the other thread, I have seen this behavior at the Shangri-La in Bangkok, the Peninsula here in Chicago, and at a Loews resort in Tucson. I don't think crass behavior is the norm at the Poly or anywhere else; the other thread was asking for stories/incidents about that sort of behavior. DH and I don't let the ignorant few disrupt our vacation, we just shake our heads at the lack of civility and wonder how they get through daily life. If we saw something that truly disrupted others enjoyment of the lounge, we would just quietly inform a CM and be confident that they would handle it.

 

[ead79]

Need help. Inspired by the "Concierge Etiquette" thread. I am booked at Poly GVC in May and now I am totally freaked out. We have stayed CL before, but not at the Poly. Must people who had issues with lounge etiquette posted that their issues were at the Poly. Please tell me we haven't made the wrong decision. We like CL for the convienence and extra planning service, but I don't want to be around a bunch of people that are "grocery bag fillers". We don't consume copious amounts of food, but if my boys would like a cookie in the afternoon, I would like one to be there.

Tell me I won't be dissappointed.

Don't worry! We've done concierge level at the Polynesian 3 times, and enjoyed it very much each trip. Rudeness is definitely the exception, not the rule. Enjoy your trip!

 

[ValerieK]

Don't worry! We've done concierge level at the Polynesian 3 times, and enjoyed it very much each trip. Rudeness is definitely the exception, not the rule. Enjoy your trip!

I agree. We saw some of the same rude behaviors in the Roaring Forks in December. Why you would wear your robe and PJ's down to breakfast is beyond me, but people did.

 

[Tess]

You're more likely to see a snake in the grass than boors in the lounge! While both exist, you are unlikely to notice either.

Enjoy your stay at our favorite concierge service on property!

BTW, does anyone else feel the reason for more Polynesian stories has more to do with the size of that service as compared to the other resorts? I know the capacity in Hawaii seems greater than the other resorts in which we've stayed--can't speak to S/D though. . .could be too the island theme appeals to more of the laid back folks than the other more staid resorts. . .

 

[Julia M]

Is anyone familiar with the coffee service at the Poly lounge? Is the coffee served in coffee cups, or in disposable cups with lids?

I drink my coffee slowly, so I don't like the regular mug style. Either my coffee gets cold (and then I don't like it) or I would have to pour a little, and keep jumping up. I'll bring my own insulated Mickey mug with lid, rather than using those! (I hope that wouldn't be considered tacky??)

Julia

 

[Tess]

You can pour your coffee in a cup/saucer OR utilize a Mickey styrofoam "to go" cup/lid. Your choice all the time!

 

[Mickey Fliers]

Thank you for all of the encouragement. I knew that these had to be mostly isolated incidents. I am actually looking forward to a more "laid back" lounge. We have three little boys (7,5 and2) who are extremely well behaved, but we always felt like we were getting the "evil eye" when we were at the YC lounge. My boys have been going 4 and 5 star hotels all over the world for most of thier lives, but I still think that some people see kids and just assume "oh no, more snotty kids to mess up our good time".

Oh gosh, rambling....

Again, thanks for the encouragement. I have always wanted to stay at the Poly and we are more than excited.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Mickey Fliers-I just got to say I'm another Poly CL lover here. I've been 3 times and have only witness one incident. There was a family with a few kids and the parents were totally ignoring the kids basically having a pillow fight with the sofa cushions. We left pretty quick so our kids wouldn't think that behavior was OK. I've honestly seen much worse in the parks (or my own neighborhood).

I think you'll just LOVE the Poly! It is such a great choice with your boys. Easy to get to MK and direct monorail to Epcot is just a short walk away. I think you & boys will love the pool and the tiki torches at night. I liked the YC but I LOVE the Poly-especially with young children. It feels like such a nice secluded escape from the parks and yet you can see the Castle and Space Mountain and hear the train whistle. It is pure magic to me!

I kept reading negative review of the Poly before my 1st trip and got pretty nervous but I'm so glad I tried if for myself.

 

[Angel16]

To all that have concerns about The Poly You will love it. I have stayed at the Poly twice in the past. (when I was single) But we are leaving for our first CL Poly stay in May. We can not wait!

We stayed at AKL CL and SOG last October. During our visit at SOG we walked over to the Poly many times. People we so friendly, both guests and staff. The Poly has some great places to enjoy a quite moment or have a great meal.

We are on to be going for a week this year.

I wish you a wonderful vacation. I'm sure it will be.

 

[eddieras]

I think you'll just LOVE the Poly! It is such a great choice with your boys. Easy to get to MK and direct monorail to Epcot is just a short walk away. I think you & boys will love the pool and the tiki torches at night. I liked the YC but I LOVE the Poly-especially with young children. It feels like such a nice secluded escape from the parks and yet you can see the Castle and Space Mountain and hear the train whistle. It is pure magic to me!
QUOTE]

lovesdumbo- can you give some advice? we'll be going to ohana for dinner before our Wishes Cruise in May. How much time would you allow for dinner (theres 10 of us - 4 kids)?? also, if we're done early before the boat departs what is there to do for the kids at the Poly- if we have 30-60 minutes to kill? they're ages 9,6,5.
thanks!