Worried about Polynesian Concierge

[CaliforniaDreaming]

I still don't know what to do. I question every decision I make on which resort to stay at.

Just to clarify things a little bit. The Polynesian is a great resort. The theme of the resort is wonderful, it really transports you to a different place. I really encourage everyone to try it atleast once.

My "questioning" whether to stay there really comes from three things:
1) The stay is short, and concierge really isn't something needed.
2) The concierge is still showing problems it showed years ago.
3) I love the GF, and always question when I don't stay there.

I'm almost certain we'd enjoy the Polynesian, I just don't know if it will be the right choice given our short stay.

 

[Bojangles]

keep trying to get a regular LV room. I'm sure something will open up between now and your trip.

 

[DisneyFans4]

Tikiman
I know you know alot of people at Poly.
Do you know why they stopped the bottled water? Did they also stop the canned soda?
How are the beverages served now, in just the glass urns?

 

[ppony]

Tikiman wrote:
I guess I see things different. I had a not great experience with the concierge staff at the AKL but I did not let it ruin my stay and I would go back in a second and I am sure I will. Even with the bad experience I don't come in here and scare people off from staying at the AKL jsut because I got a CM having a bad day or that did not pay attention.



Not letting the bad in with the good is a form of censorship and nowhere in my OP did I try or suggest anyone not go to the Poly, I only shared what was wrong with my trip. Without the bad being mentioned, there would be no incentive for anyone at any place of business to keep up good standards. If one only shares the good and not the bad, it's not doing a good sevice to anyone. I believe that if all one does is complain and tell the bad with no counter balance of good, THAT is a disservice to all and should be questioned. It is not fair to assume sharing of bad experiences is intended to scare anyone.

It was my experience only and obviously a few others have had the same. Sure, the good MUST outweigh the bad or serious changes would be a-happanin down there...but I had to share. I have always shared the good in past trips as well and haven't been back more than 48 hours yet to be able to type in my whole trip report ebcasue much of it was good and I did NOT let the concierge staff ruin my vacation...they just disppointed me very much. I had been looking forward to this trip so much from all I had heard, I had not hear any bad as I'm not on the boards much but I sort of wish I had. Not that it would ahve changed my mind but it may have prepared me for what I didn't expect.

 

[DisneyFans4]

I agree with ppony.
I too did not let my bad experience with the Poly last year ruin my trip, they just very much disappointed me and I felt management was run very badly.
I did speak to guest services upon my return and boy did I let loose!
What did they give me to make up for what I went through...$100 Disney Dollars. Wasn't that a slap in the face when you consider what I paid for a day there and I spent 11 days.
But all considering, the Poly is a beautiful resort but I think the new CM's need some serious learning on how to treat guests.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Cali - We stayed in a gv room at the Poly last spring and loved it! We were in Fiji facing the marina... we could see the GCH, Volcano, marina, CR, and the EWP. We couldn't see the MK fireworks, but all we had to do was just walk down to the beach. Definitely consider it as an option.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Erika, just sent you a PM.

 

[Threehearts]

I think we will try AKL concierge next. After 7 times now in Poly LV Conc. I am ready for better service. I do love the convenience of the resort and the lounge staff is always kind and accomodating but after reading so many similar complaints about the Poly Conc. staff and our own chilly experiences with them, I'm probably going to reserve elsewhere. Threehearts

 

[Bojangles]

Originally posted by Threehearts
I do love the convenience of the resort and the lounge staff is always kind and accomodating but after reading so many similar complaints about the Poly Conc. staff and our own chilly experiences with them, I'm probably going to reserve elsewhere.

We have also stayed at the Polynesian concierge many times. After this summer, I don't think I would return. I would probably opt for a regular LV room, rather than concierge. The Hawaii building was being renovated at the time and the lounge was in Tahiti. The crowds for the evening service were astounding. There were lines over halfway down the hall. The children's table was just brownies and uncrustables every day. If they were unable to accomodate the increased number of guests in Tahiti, they should have just not offered concierge service at all until Hawaii was re-opened. It wasn't just the lines in the lounge, there was also a lack of the individualized attention that we had become accustomed to. The staff was polite but not as friendly as they have been in the past.

 

[MJS]

Hi Cali! Hi Tikiman! I do not have much to add to the discussion, but I have not "talked" to you guys in awhile, and I hope all is well with you.

Cali, ignoring concierge for a moment, where do you really want to stay? The Poly is so beautiful and well-themed. It is a true escape, especially for us in MN. Do you want a tropical feel? Would you rather be at the AKL with all that resort offers? Do you want the victorian elegance of the GF (still your favorite, right?) I could listen to Christian Frederick play the piano in the lobby all night and be happy!

Our favorite resort is the YC/BC, and we joined the DVC at the BCV. We now provide our own concierge service in the kitchen , and do a water bottle run on our way into the hotel.

Good luck with your decision and Happy Holidays!

PS. Tikiman, I have been away from this board for awhile. I hope that you found a great job!

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

MJS, we joined DVC, too! Our home is the BoardWalk. Well, I've already taken care of everything, no rooms available at the GF! I'm depressed. Anyways, I was able to get two courtyard view rooms at WL, I guess that'll do fine. I was very tempted at AKL savanna view, but I think we'll stay there in the summer instead.

 

[Tikiman]

Aloha MJS,

Yes I did find a great job. Helping design stuff to keep the country safe. How do you like the BCV? I saw it being built and it looked like it was going to be great.

Maybe Cali should try the YC. I am not sure if he has been there. I have heard great things about their Concierge. Infast one year some of the YC staff was at the Polynesian and they were great!!!

We did not do concierge when we went to the YC.

Aloha and have a great holiday.

Steve

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

We've stayed at the Beach Club, but not the Yacht Club. I would like to try the Yacht Club someday, though.

 

[DisneyFans4]

Hey Bojangles
When were you at the Poly this summer? We were there in August.
I had the same exact experience as far as the food. The kids got absolutely no variety and were served the same thing everyday!!
I don't know about you, but we encuontered alot of people that received free upgrades (I didn't) and obviously never stayed concierge before. I couldn't believe that some people actually arrived at the lounge with bags to fill up with food!
If you read my prior posts I had a bad experience with a CM and nothing was even done.
I'm definitely not staying there this summer

 

[Bojangles]

We were there for 10 nights over July 4th.

Most of the staff at the desk were wonderful. But a couple were a little snippy. Like when we told one man that there were no robes in our room, he was rather snide and told us that it was a housekeeping problem and to take it up with them. Or when we didn't get a lei at check in "...sorry, all out" and slammed his drawer shut. Now I didn't mind calling housekeeping myself or not getting a lei, but I did mind the nasty attitude. So much for extra pampering.

There was one family staying concierge who would let their non-concierge friends into the lounge via the 3rd floor automatic doors every morning. I guess they got their money's worth and then some.

 

[DisneyFans4]

Hey Bojangles
You reminded me...I didn't get a lei upon checkin either and had to ask. If I wasn't a return guest I would never have known I was entitled to one..
When we were there in August the doors just opened automatically to the Tahiti building and you didn't need your key so I can see how anyone could just walk in. Maybe it was those guests that brought plastic bags to the lounge during evening service.
But personal service and pampering definitely lacked or should I say didn't even exist when I was there. So much for making my stay "magical."

 

[ppony]

I just sent ya PMs : )

Steph

 

[MJS]

Cali - Enjoy the WL! It is stunning. I love sitting in a rocker in front of the fireplace in the lobby.

Steve - Congrats on your job! I was hoping that you would go work for Disney. You would be a great addition to the company! We love the BCV. The kitchen and laundry facilities in the room make alot of sense for us, especially with kids. We also like Stormalong Bay. I do wish it was a MK resort, but the Epcot location is great, too!

Pre-DVC, we stayed in the YC concierge and really enjoyed it!

 

[SeaSpray]

Have they stopped handing out leis at the Polynesian resort? Just curious... I've always wanted to stay there and get a lei upon check-in

We're most likely going to be staying at the Polynesian after our 7-night Disney cruise next summer, but to be honest, I'm not even considering concierge. Lagoon view, absolutely, though!! Personally, I LOVE doing all the planning around our vacations so I'd have no need for any of those services, and I don't think we'd ever stop in the lounge for any snacks or drinks, either. So....whether to go concierge or not, for us anyway, isn't an issue because we're just not interested in it.

I have to agree with whoever said: Pick a resort you think you're really going to enjoy, then hope for the best! Good and bad happens at all the resorts. We choose a resort based on theming, location, and also figure in costs. So far, we've "chosen wisely" and have not been disappointed in our choices

 

[ppony]

Yep we each got one upon check in and then again at the luau.
I had brought our own tabletop fiberoptic Christmas tree for our room and when we came back from a day at the parks, Mousekeeping had draped them around the tree. It was beautiful. My mom has it up exactly that way in her home now.