[iluvwdw]

First of all, AWESOME CHOICE of resort! YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!!! We stayed at the Poly last month and ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT. We only stayed there 2 nights in December 03...we loved it so much we are staying 7 or 8 nights this December!!!! December is also now our favorite time of year to go...

1 - Personally, I don't think you need to concierge at all. Some people like the convenience of having snacks on hand for a lot of the hours in the day, but I don't think it's necessary. $90 is a lot extra to pay for each night, especially when you have kids 4 & 2 that won't eat much. It will be MUCH MUCH cheaper for you guys to snack at the 24 hour snack shop they have on site!!!!! And you have more variety of foods there...Yes, the concierge staff CAN make PS's for you, but you could do that yourself (or have your Disney travel agent do this for you, if you are using one) It is not worth the $360 extra to get the concierge...JMHO

2 - As for Transportation, I always get a rental car. DH HATES having to depend SOLELY on WDW transportation. Although the 2 nights we stayed at the Poly, we really only used the monorail and I have to tell you, IT WAS GREAT! We have a 2 year old and it was SO convenient. We stayed in Tahiti Longhouse, which is literally right next to the Ticketing and Transportation Center...where you have to go to get to MK or Epcot! You can get the EXPRESS monorail to MK here...you won't have to stop anywhere! And you could also get the RESORT MONORAIL right at the GREAT CEREMONIAL HOUSE, which will take you to GRAND FLORIDIAN, CONTEMPORARY and last but not least THE MAGIC KINGDOM. We loved the convenience of the monorail, but we got the rental car so we could go where we wanted and not have to worry about the busses...we always do this, and will probably continue to do so. It is quicker to get from place to place...you won't have to get on and off busses, and with folding baby carriages, carrying diaper backs, 2 young children and your own stuff, it might be more convenient. And MAY not cost THAT much more than Tiffany Town Car (but it WILL cost you more, no doubt...)

3 - Yes, the Poly has a great beach!!! We didn't experience it during our stay, but we had a Castle View right on the beach and it was ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS! When we go back in December, we plan to watch the fireworks from the beach one night! ;)

4 - Hmmm...wing it or develop an itinerary??? I would have to say you should have SOME sort of plan. You should plan on at least one priority seating per day (this way, you are not waiting an hour for a table at a sit down restaurant!) I also think that you should decide which parks you want to do in one day. With a park hopper or Ultimate Park Hopper, you can jump from park to park all day long...it's GREAT!!!
To plan, I suggest getting a guidebook or two (or ten, like some of us do!!!) Here are some great ones:
- UNOFFICIAL GUIDE TO WDW - about 3 inches thick, has GREAT info and it is NOT written by Disney, so it will give you all points of view
- PASSPORTER - awesome book, with color photos of all the parks (I think that is new for 2004), and also journaling pages with pockets for you to hold tickets, itineraries, etc.
- BIRNBAUM'S WDW 2004..this one IS written by Disney, so it puts a good spin on ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING...I do love the colorful way the book is layed out though....

5 - I don't think the Concierge level will guarantee breakfast at CRT! It is a VERY hard ressie to get...I got it in December and I felt like I won a mini-lottery!!! You HAVE to be on the phone starting at 6:45AM EASTERN TIME...and start dialing that phone. The UNOFFICIAL GUIDE TO WDW gives great tips on how to get this ressie. When the phone lines open at EXACTLY 7AM EST, you have to be on hold for a Cast Member...if you are on hold for more than 5 minutes, chances are that the reservations are GONE for that day and you will have to try again the next morning. I hear GREAT alternatives are 1600 PARK FARE in the Grand Floridian and also the Princess Breakfast in Norway...so there will still be chances to have a meal with the Princesses..maybe not in the castle though!

6 - Park Hopper DEFINITELY...you might opt to get the ULTIMATE PARK HOPPER if you plan on going to any water parks, Pleasure Island (will be hard to do with a 4 year old and a 2 year old in tow) or even Disney Quest. If you don't plan to go to any of these places, regular Park Hoppers might be your best bet...:whistle:

Let us know how else we can help you with your vacation plans. We love talking about Disney and will help you in any way we possibly can! :)