Useful Concierge Information

[ducklite]

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.

You hit the nail on the head about the YC lounge! I've stayed at the PR twice, and both times have seen some rather piggish behaviour, but what can you do. I prefer the atmosphere at the PR, the YC lounge was more like a restaurant, no comfortable seating areas, just tables and chairs, and not comfortable ones at that! And the CM's at the YC seemed like we were bothering them, while at the PR they couldn't do enough for you.

I enjoy well behaved, properly supervised children. It's the hellions (like the pillow fighters described above) that tick me off, and their parents need a good whack of reality as well. Unlike many others, I have no problem telling children to stop what they are doing when it's out of line disruptive or dangerous (like a pillow fight in the lounge). I've actually never had a parent say anything to me for reprimanding their kids, I think they are actually glad, because they are too lazy/scared/ill-equipped to do it themselves. And the first time someone does say something, I'll tell them that maybe they need to become parents, because they procreating and parenting are two different animals.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

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!

I'm not loves Dumbo, but I'd allow 75 minutes for dinner at OHana, and 15 minutes for a potty stop and walk to the marina after. If you have an hour to kill you could take the monorail around the loop, walk to the GF and back along the shore, or visit the arcade.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

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

I don't think it's tacky at all. I do it, but for a different reason. I drink alot of tea. Generally the equivalent of 4-8 travel mugs a day. To get tea in the thimbles they call cups is ridiculous, that's a swallow for me And it wastes tea bags. So I bring my travel mug (holds about 3 times the amount of a styro cup) and use that. The only problem is, at the PR your travel mug won't fit under the "spigot" for the hot water. You'll have to pour it into a cup then into your mug.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

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.

You just made my jaw drop!

Anne

 

[lovesdumbo]

I'm not loves Dumbo, but I'd allow 75 minutes for dinner at OHana, and 15 minutes for a potty stop and walk to the marina after. If you have an hour to kill you could take the monorail around the loop, walk to the GF and back along the shore, or visit the arcade.

Anne

Thanks for answering Anne. I don't make it here as often as I'd like. I would have forgotten all about the arcade. The Poly has a couple of gift shops and it is a really nice walk to the GF.

 

[BCV23]

I don't think it's tacky at all. I do it, but for a different reason. I drink alot of tea. Generally the equivalent of 4-8 travel mugs a day. To get tea in the thimbles they call cups is ridiculous, that's a swallow for me And it wastes tea bags. So I bring my travel mug (holds about 3 times the amount of a styro cup) and use that. The only problem is, at the PR your travel mug won't fit under the "spigot" for the hot water. You'll have to pour it into a cup then into your mug.

Anne

I drink tea like you do, Anne. Lots!!! With the new expresso machines in the lounge at the Polynesian I was able to stick my large DVC mug under with no problem when we were in concierge in October. Very hot water as well....great for tea.

 

[#1hockeymom]

*posting to whisper that she had her Swan/Dolphin sorority mug on AKL's club level last July* It was still sorority rush week and it is so darn cute I am totally attached to it! Nice big size, too! Disbug did well! What other mug announces my #1hockeymom name and logo! *an invitation to sit and chat... or run for your life! LOL*

 

[ducklite]

I drink tea like you do, Anne. Lots!!! With the new expresso machines in the lounge at the Polynesian I was able to stick my large DVC mug under with no problem when we were in concierge in October. Very hot water as well....great for tea.

Great to know!! The old system had lukewarm water...

Anne

 

[SeaSpray]

I have a question about our split stay. The first part of our stay will be at the Wilderness Lodge concierge, followed by the Polynesian concierge. How does this get handled? Do we go to the WL concierge desk to check out, and go over to the Polynesian concierge desk to check in? I'm a little bummed about not arriving by limo to the Polynesian because I loved the idea of being taken on a tour of the resort grounds in a golf cart, then dropped off at the Hawaii building. Is there any way we can still get the tour even though, I guess, we'll just be taking the boat or monorail from the WL to the Polynesian? Will concierge handle moving our luggage for us?

Thanks for any info on this!

 

[lovesdumbo]

Yes they will take care of your luggage. I don't see why you couldn't ask the bellman if you could get a quick tour-how else will you get into the Hawaii building? I would take the monorail over which arrives on the 2nd floor of the lobby. Go down to 1st floor street level and out to the bellman and ask where to check in for concierge. I would think they would take you over even without arriving in limo with luggage.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Technically, you'd probably have express check-out and there'd be no need to stop by the concierge desk at the WL. I probably would anyway, just to coordinate the change over. Perhaps the CM could call the Poly to verify if and when you're new room will be ready. That will help you decide when to leave the WL as you can still use their lounge and facilities all day. Bell services will take care of transporting your luggage from one location to the other. As for the tour, just because you are not arriving by car, you should still get it if you want it. If you are leaving from the WL and going directly to the Poly, then the concierge CM's should be able to coordinate your arrival and pick you up at the boat dock for your tour and private check-in. It's not a limo, but that would still be pretty cool way to arrive .

Tammi

 

[VAgal76]

I hope you guys can answer my strange question. There are 5 of us for this trip so the whole how many bathrooms question has come up. Am I correct that the AKL 1 bdrm suite has bath and a half? Does the CR 1 bdrm suite have bath and a half or is there a shower stall in the 2nd bathroom? I can't really tell and I'm having a hard time locating info on this. Leave it to me to ask the "potty" question - LOL! I just don't want any bathroom wars while we are on vacation if you know what I mean.

 

[#1hockeymom]

The one bedroom suite has a bath and a half. The full bath has a separate toilet room once you are in the bathroom. The vanity/bath part has a huge jetted tub, a separate shower big enough for a party, and a two sink counter area. To make it a two bedroom suite you'd be adding on a reg room to the lock off area near the entry way.
I am sure someone will come along to answer the Cont. questions!

 

[sters]

Do the concierge lounges have bathrooms? I'm only asking because we'd like to swim before our room is ready but would need a place to change. Or on the other end of the trip, swim after we "check out" since we're likely to have a late flight home.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

There are restroom/changing facilities at all of the resort pools. The CL also have restrooms but I think you would prefer to change at the pool area. You can also use the CL until time for your flight.

Lori

 

[sters]

Thanks for the quick replay, that helps a lot.

Another question: Do they have internet connections at the AKL and/or can the conceriege staff print our boarding passes? We're most likely flying Southwest and I understand that the earlier in the day you can print these up the better.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Yes, the CL staff can print your boarding passes. You do want to print out boarding passes for SWA as early as possible so that you will get an "A" pass.

Lori

 

[minijeanie]

staying at CR for 3 nites and booked one nite at CR concierge.....
so excited

anyone know a website that will tell me what food/drink is offered?

 

[Kteacher]

I need help from all you concierge experts I just switched from a tower room at the CR to a 12th floor room. I understand the part about this being " concierge lite ", but never having stayed at any level of concierge before, I'm not sure what what I need to do first. Our trip is 7/27-8/6, about a month too early to make PSs . I booked through a TA, so from what I understand, I should contact the CR concierge staff. Don't want to sound like a complete idiot, but do I give them my PS list now? What kind of special requests can I make? We're celebrating my daughter's 13th birthday, and I wanted to surprise her with a cake at dinner. Will the concierge staff take care of this for me even though we are only booked in a 12th floor room? Sorry so many questions, but thanks in advance

 

[TammiMcMan]

Concierge "light" is really just an indication of what type of servings you'll see in the lounge. To be more accurate, you won't have complimentary wine or beer available with the 5pm-7pm serving and typically you won't see that final dessert and cordial serving at 8pm. Other than that, the pre-planning and staff assistance should be exactly the same as a full concierge.

If you want to check out the first posting on this thread, you'll find the CR contact information. You can absolutely send them your priority seating requests right now. They won't be able to put them in until the appropriate window time, but as soon as they do, they'll send a personalized itinerary with all your times and confirmation numbers. If you wanted spa appointments, a Wishes cruise, Cirque tickets, etc. the staff can take all those requests for you also.

Another benefit is that the staff will make arrangements for a special occasion. You can request some gifts to be purchased and delivered to your room, special dining or a special cake. They would just need to have your credit card information on file. Another DIS'er just posted about wanting a special cake for her wedding anniversary. They are staying at the Poly concierge and she's ordering the cake from the GF bakery. Normally, you would have to pick it up yourself or it can be delivered to any restaurant at the GF, but she reported that after speaking to her pre-planning team, they will make the arrangements and have it delivered during dinner at the Poly. For a price, I'm sure they could arrange to have Prince Charming deliver the cake to her . Don't be shy about asking. Concierge is much more than the snacks you receive in the lounge.

Tammi