WOW!! Thank You Tikiman -- First Timers Loved the Poly. Concierge!!

[kc&dmom]

This was our very first trip to Disney --me (stayed offsite 1986), DH, DD's 6 & 4, & DS 3. Before I found these boards we had decided to stay at CR Tower Club and made a reservation with WDW Travel. DH was a complete disney sceptic. He was positive it just can't be as wonderful as everyone claims --- sure great for the kids but -- are the adults who travel here just for themselves insane?? (Well, yes we are actually.) Let's just say prior to this trip he was concerned for the mental health of the Tikiman. In addition, he travels for business and simply couldn't believe the lack of in-room amenities in the moderate & deluxe resorts like irons, coffee makers, & refrigerators; standard in most hotels. In addition, he was convinced Disney had its hand in his pocket all the way back here in Wisconsin. My mission was to plan a vacation he would enjoy as much as the kids.

After finding these boards and Tikiman's website I found we were able to stay the the Poly Concierge for virtually the same price once fall fantasy rates came out. And quickly made the switch-----WOW!! What an amazing experience. As many of you know traveling with young kids is usually a heck of a lot more work than fun. We knew the bulk of our 5 days would be spent at MK and knew the monorail was going to be a lifesaver. (Actually, it was DS's favorite "ride"). But, that was just the beginning. This resort is wonderful The pool area absolutely beautiful, the concierge staff extremely helpful and the resort the most family friendly place I can imagine. Our room was clean, bright and not in anyway showing the age normally required before a hotel is renovated. I had seen a few negative reviews including a real nasty one the morning we left. And I will admit, this is not your 5 star hotel concierge experience --- but equally wonderful in many ways.

On our first day we returned hot and tired with a whopping headache from a day at MK with a pouting 6 year old who didn't want to leave, a 4 year old whining because she wants to swim, a 3 year old waking up screaming from a long overdue nap -- and within 2 minutes all the kids were sitting quietly in front of a cartoon with a glass of juice a couple of snacks and DH and I were toasting a perfect moment over a glass of wine. Heaven. The staff does not wait on you hand and foot, they don't have to--everything you need is provided for you and the staff is unobtrusive, friendly and always courteous.

Now, as for a tear jerker moment -- mine came three days into our trip when I overheard DH talking to a staff member who inquired about our stay. DH said, and I quote, "I am completely blown away by everything. This resort and the entire experience is beyond anything I could have imagined."

So . . . my Disney sceptic DH left WDW a lanyard wearing, pintrading, fast pass loving, aloha greeting Disney fool. This afternoon I found him online looking into staying for our 10th wedding anniversary in 2004 and he wanted to know if I would want to look into the Disney Vacation Club. I am the happiest girl on earth. Thank you Tikiman and thank you Polynesian!!

 

[sonogirl]

Hi, Glad to hear you had such a great time. We stayed last year at the Poly. concierge(Hawaii). We loved it also. We bought into DVC last year and used our points at the Poly, since the last 3 times we had been at the WL. We love the WL but the Poly. was a great change. The DVC points went up alot for staying at the Poly. this year but thats whats is nice though is that you are not stuck staying at one place. Anywaythe DVC is great!! So check it out. Go Packers Lori

 

[disneyfanatic60]

kc&dmom,

Thanks for the great review. We will be at Poly Conceirge in just three weeks. It's an all girls trip for myself, my daughter 14, and my best friend and her 8 yr. old daughter. We just came back from AKL (my family of 4) in May.

I am so glad to hear you were able to get your husband to "convert" and glad to hear you had such a great vacation! It sounds awesome and I cannot wait to get there.

What room did you have? Did you find the staff friendly? I have (like you) heard some mixed reactions as of late. Did you try out any of the restaurants in the hotel? Any other helpful hints you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks and welcome back.

 

[Barringer75]

kc&dmom - glad you had such a fabulous time! We leave on Weds for Poly LV conc with 4 yr old twins and I can't wait. This will be our first time there and actually DH thought conc would be convenient with the little ones. How were the Poly pools? Did you do any of the other kid friendly things (like hula lessons, or Neverland Club) at the Poly? Any other tips for another family with little ones? Thanks.

 

[CaipiraBob]

Thank you for your inspiring post!

We're leaving soon for the same place and I had been concerned with some of the posts I've been seeing. So great to read about your experience. I want this to be a wonderful vacation for my wife and kids, and it sounds like we'll be in good shape.

Tikiman has helped my enthusiasm for the Poly Concierge as well. For better or worse the guy should be getting a cut for all the marketing he's done through his sheer devotion to Disney.

I'm going with the expectations of 1) The kids don't care about much of anything as long as we go to MK frequently 2) My wife and I will have access to fast and convenient transportation between parks and resorts (monorail is a must for an on-site stay!) 3) The convenience of the snacks at the concierge for the kids will be a lifesaver between character meals and nights out.

Melissa at the desk has already exceeded my expectations on service, convenience and just generally being a nice lady. I'm looking forward to meeting her to say thanks for her hard work and effort to perfect our vacation plans.

All I need now is to make the next few weeks go afap and upon arrival get me one-o-those fancy type tropical drinks...the kind with the umbrella...yeah, that's the ticket...ahhhhhh....

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Glad you enjoyed your trip! our first stay at the Poly ended up in us joining DVC--you won't regret it!
Robin M.
Poly 6/2000
BWV 6/2001
Poly 12/2001
BWV/Poly/VWL 7/2002

 

[Folkes4Fun]

I'm glad you had a great experience. We've stayed there twice in the last two years. In fact, we returned from our Florida vacation a week ago (left Disney for Sanibel two weeks ago). I am out here today because for some reason I am suffering from extreme post-vacation blues today! This is acutally cheering me up. Oh well, 2004, here we come!!!!

 

[Krissalee]

What a beautiful post! I am so glad that you and your family had a wonderful time. The Disney magic sap that I am, I actually teared up reading your last paragraphs!

Krissy

 

[goofy4tink]

kc&dmom...your dh sounds just like mine!!! We went to wdw last fall with another family. It was fun and I did have to drag my dh. He just didn't get the wdw mentality. Anyway...on our last night there, waiting for SpectroMagic, with-out the other family around, he says, and I quote..."Let's do this again. But just our family the next time." I thought I had died and gone to heaven. He's not too sure why I'm so excited about staying at the Poly for half of our visit. But, I know, that like your dh, he'll get it once he's there. I'm so glad you posted. There have been a lot of negative posts regarding the Poly lately. And I, like you, thank Tikiman for his wonderful site. It is just the best for Poly info.

 

[kc&dmom]

************* 60 & Barringer 75-- We were in 1520, the second to last room furthest from the concierge desks. It worked out fine for us as we just stepped out our door to the quiet pool. If you are traveling with a stroller it works out well -- you have to manuever around quite a few steps and people when exiting near the volcano pool. The pools are perfect for families -- the quiet pool seemed much warmer during one of our 7 a.m. swims. (yes, they were up one morning at 5:30 begging to swim). Zero entry always works best for us -- our 3 year old loved the water squirting play area.

I know this is going to seem bizarre to many but, we never actually ate at any of the Polynesian restaurants. Not once. We took advantage of the concierge offerings, did three character meals and tried counter service at several parks. Our one regret was not scheduling at least one off park day to just enjoy the resort---we just were not there enough. And when we were-- we grabbed something from the lounge for a snack and spent every minute in the pool or playing in the sand on the beach. (After all dining with our three little dinings can be a challenge at home let alone in a restaurant!) The monorail was great--but, we really enjoyed taking the boat-- I think often it was the quickest way back and forth from MK. As for the staff -- I think people expect concierge to wait on them hand and foot and that is not the case at the Polynesian. I would say only a few staff members are truly "outgoing" personalities. But everyone is certainly approachable and very accomodating. And let's just say when DS decided to play leap frog from chair to desk and sent a display flying---I was the only one upset. DD 4 - liked to bend the ear of anyone she could stop with complete details of her day and she was always greeted with patience and a smile. The staff took it all in stride---now that's what I call making you feel right at home!

I checked out the Neverland club on our last day and -- wow! what a neat place. The Neverland Club looked like kid heaven to me. Unfortunately, DS at 3 could not attend. Like I said our time at the resort was short. I know our kids could easily have skipped our time at EPCOT and hung out at the pool instead. It is just a neat place with tons to do -- I just don't get the people with such negative reports, -- it takes all kinds I guess. Have a great time!!

 

[disneyfanatic60]

kc&dmom,

Thanks again for all the addl. input and the room number. We are hoping for a 3rd floor room (looking for a balcony). Did you have GV or LV? We have GV and I was wondering what you could see from your room?

I am actually glad to hear you ate quite a bit from the conceirge offerings? This is what we are thinking as well. Can you give me any addl. insight as to what they had to offer other than snacks, water/pop, etc.?

Did you have any check in problems? I've heard so many people feel it would have been quicker to go to main check in. Also, were you able to check in early and found your room ready? We will be arriving at 10:30 so I'm a little curious here as to what we might expect.

How did you find the walks to the monorail, TTC, etc.? Long? With traveling with three small kids--a lot of walking for them? I will agree with you--I prefer the boat. We used it staying at WL and loved the trip to MK.

Can you give me a rough idea how you got to Epcot/MGM (via bus, monorail, etc.) and how long you thought those trips were approximately? We will only be there three days and I'm trying to plan my itinery to "squeeze" as much park time but yet leave the afternoons open to the hotel/pool to relax. I thought one night about just hopping over to see Fantasmic and wondered if the trip would be too long to make it worthwhile.

Thanks again for all your input. It truly has been a huge help on my end. I appreciate you taking the time. I can say I cannot wait to leave. 19 days away!!!!

 

[kc&dmom]

************* -- For our two little ones we used a double stroller -- we are serious walkers and our 6 year old was a real trooper. (That 2mile walk to school has toughened them and me up!!) We had a rental car and used it to travel to MGM & Animal Kingdom. We did walk over to the TTC several times -- I think the resort is really easy to navigate. Did not try the buses. The tikiman has an accurate listing of meal offerings --- cookies and candy are the midday snacks. Everything is pretty repetitive but, makes great fill ins. We usually picked up a few uncrustables or cereal boxes to keep the kids happy inbetween meals at the park. Have a great time and don't sweat these little details. Your stay will be whatever you make of it --- and I am sure it will be wonderful!