Poly review. OK.I'm ready to be slamme

[travlnman1]

Just returned from a week at the Poly LV concierge.
I have been reading every Poly post for the past few months and
was extremly psyched for the trip. I have stayed at quite a few of
the deluxe resorts and wanted to try Poly.
First off..the view is amazing of the castle. You can't beat it. Truly
magical.

Concierge staff was incredible. Very nice and attentive. The food was very good and was definetly worth the extra expense.

The Poly itself did not thrill me. Even though it has gone through some refurbishment, it really needs a total overhaul. It's just very old, and some may say that that is the charm of the Poly, but I disagree.

The new pool is ok. Nothing compares with Stormalong Bay though. And where is the hot tub? Couldn't they have added that to he pool as well? It has a bubbling area, but that is NOT a hot tub. No. it's not that big of a deal to me, but it would have made sense to put one in!

I read earlier on about the smells at the hotel. I have always loved coming into the Poly and smelling that fountain (which is not working yet). It still smelled good, but not as good as when everything is in order. There was a odor in the Hawaii building where we stayed. It wasn't bad when you entered the building, but the rooms ( we were in 1505) had a old/musty/wet diaper smell. No. I did not complain. I am not a complainer. It was an observation. Not bad enough to make me change rooms, but a non-pleasant odor none the less.

The carpets did need replacing, but only on the steps. The floors were fine. Steps were worn out and dirty.

So, bottom line is...I'm glad that I experienced the Poly. I've always wanted to stay there, but as soon as I can, I'm heading back to the Boardwalk Resorts. The rooms are bright and cheery and smell clean.

Sorry Tikiman!!

[cindyfan]

I for one appreciate any input from those that have been there. ;)
Regardless of good or bad.
We are planning on splitting our stay between CBR and Poly in June and with an OK rate.
I am still trying to truely justify spending the extra $600 to be there for 4 nights as opposed to CBR the entire time.
As much as I want to.....I still have mixed feelings.
So thanks for any input.:D

[Threehearts]

I'm happy to hear any review, especially when it's of our preferred resort. I am tempted this year by the Boardwalk resorts because they do seem to have a more cheerful decor and SAB. Each resort has plusses and minuses and I am happy to have your update as it gives me a more realistic expectation for my April visit to the Poly. We have stayed in Poly LV Conc. 3 times in the past year(4th in Aug.) and you are right; some updates would improve the overall experience. To my family, it's the total Poly "package" that sells us on it every time. Thanks for the info.! Threehearts

[Poly Pal]

Well, I've found that since finding the DIS my resort expectations have been raised, perhaps unrealistically, and my Disney vacation was maybe a little less magical (a downside to this board).

The Polynesian is one of the original two resorts so it is older. But that does not mean that it does not get its share of maintenance just like any other property. I'm sure the carpet on the stairs (do you mean in the GCH?) is on a schedule of maintenance items. I've never visited the Polynesian when they weren't fixing or sprucing up something - "for my future enjoyment".

My kids loved the Volcano pool last August. But I too wish they had a hot tub. That doesn't prevent the Polynesian from being my family's favorite resort (although we will return to the GF and try Y&BC someday). We love the fun, tropical escapism that the Polynesian provides. Plus knowing that Walt had a hand in the planning and design adds a certain cache that you will not find elsewhere (except maybe at the CR).

Wow, somebody who liked the smell of the lobby! (what smell? LOL!) Just goes to show that we all are different and can have different reactions and opinions!

Thanks for an honest report. I've always said that none of the resorts are truly "world class". The Deluxes are nicely themed but they don't go beyond a Marriott or Westin in amenities or service.

[Barbruka]

I have to say I felt the same way back this last September. Everything just needs updating. The grounds are beautiful, but the rooms and hallway had a definite odor. And the room was very large but needed a total remodeling. And my dh was very dissappointed there was no hot tub. I was back at WDW this past January, and I have to say, the carpet on the stairs by 'Ohana had been just replaced. Give me AKL any day!

[Rose Red]

travlnman1, Thanks for your fair and balanced comments. We are going on Tuesday, staying in LV Concierge. We have stayed at all the deluxes (except Contemporary). Going back to Poly and trying concierge this time. Our first resort trip was to the Poly and my daughter really wanted to stay there again. I love the location, but the place always seems dark to me and I like the "whiteness" of the Boarwalk resorts. Everyone in our family favors a different resort, the YC Concierge was my favorite! But I also liked the BWV for the space and washer/dryer. I wish they'd build a home away from home on the monorail! I guess that's what makes the "world" go around.
My biggest dissappointment at Disney was the GF. It was beautiful, but our room was shabby (year before the rehab) and the service there was terrible! and the whole place seemed so crowded! We had not one "magical" moment at the hotel, but enjoyed our park visits.
I agree with your comment about the deluxes being on par with Marriott in amenities. What you really get with Disney is the themeing. And we somehow keep coming back for more!
I think sometimes these boards do raise our expectations, glad your post brings us down to earth a bit. I am going not expecting much and hope to be pleasantly surprised.
Did you think the concierge lounge was crowded? I was dismayed by one of the posts about unmannerly people (big pet peave) in the lounge. We usually get two rooms, but I'm justifying the price of concierge somewhat by having the lounge as some "extra space". Any other tips? We leave tomorrow!

[DisGrl9]

Travlnman1~ Did you go to the Polynesian Luau? If you did how was it? We are thinking of making reservations for our next visit! THANX:)

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Thanks for the review of the resort. I also noticed that "smell" on the first floor of Hawaii back in 2000 when I stayed there, I was so glad I was up on the 3rd floor (with a very faint smoke smell). :) Anyways, I'm glad the concierge staff was nice and attentive, when I was there it seemed like they could care less! LOL I'm glad they have improved! ;)

[travlnman1]

I should clarify the wore out carpets that I mentioned. In the GCH they look as if they have been recently replaced. The carpets in the Hawaii building, on the steps, are where they need to be replaced.
Rose Red hit it on the nail by saying that it was a dark resort. Those were my exact thoughts as I entered my room.
I have never stayed at the GF (never want to). But having stayed at every other dlx property, I can do an honest comparison, and I'll be hanging my Mickey hat at a Boardwalk resort.
Luau? Done that. Years ago, so I shouldn't comment on it. Hopefully it is better than it was!!
We did O'Hanas. We all loved that. We'll do that again!


DISNEY WORLD.....BEEN THERE...DONE THAT...GOING BACK!!!

[travlnman1]

Oh...the lobby for concierge...
I can say that I never felt that it was crowded. We always had a place to sit. Never had to fight anyone for a uncrustable!! (my teenagers newest fav food!)
I'm sure it has a lot to do wth the season. The parks were relatively slow. The signs on the rides never said a wait time longer than 20 min, and if you went inside, it really only took 10-15 minutes to get on any ride. Most were walk on.
So, I don't know if concierge was full or not, but never experienced any congestion or unmannerly people. :)


DISNEY WORLD...BEEN THERE...DONE THAT...GOING BACK!!!

[Disneydenise]

Everyone is being nice. I think that everyone has their own opinions of what they are looking for from aresort and a vacation. My family (sister,brother etc) have never been to WDW and I go every year. They just don't understand why I would go to this "amusement Park" every year for the last 16 years. I don't get why they insist on going to the shore to sit on a beach for hours at a time . Different strokes... The Poly is and will probably forever be my fav resort but that is because I went there on my honeymoon. It will be special forever. I got the best souvineer there.

[Blondie]

I will agree that the Poly really didn't win me over like I hoped it would.

It's a very nice resort, in an excellent location with monorail convenience, but there is something about all those dark earth tones that throw me off.

I prefer pastels or bright colors, which is why I'll stick to the Epcot resorts from now on!

[BCV23]

The Poly used to have brighter decor. The bedspreads in some rooms were coral, in others a light green (mint, perhaps??). We liked those colors much better...made for a much cheerier room. We still love the Poly, though.

[Rock'n Robin]

I don't think anyone will slam anyone, we know that opinions vary and differ, even between stays at the same place.
We are heading to the Poly for two days of our stay, actually I requested either 1505 or between 1512-1518 (thanks to Tikiman's recommendation) so I have an unobstructed view of the castle. I hope the smell you mentioned is gone by July!
We are DVC members so we stay at the BWV as well, and both resorts have their merits and demerits. I don't like the pool at BWV, but others do. And when I tried to use the hot tub in Luna Park it was loaded with teenagers.
Robin M.
Poly 6/2000
BWV 6/2001
Poly 12/2001
BWV(5 nights)Poly(2 nights)VWL (2 nights) 7/2002

[Figaro]

When we are at WDW, we try to take one day to just resort "hop" and check out the different resorts. So we will have lunch at one, supper at another, the tea at the Grand Floridian and so forth. And we have never been able to see the Polynesian (and my spouse says that obviously we are not meant to see it because we always have problems).

I use a wheelchair, and the first time we took the monorail from the Magic Kingdom, they were doing some sort of work at the Polynesian monorail "drop off" and we were told that we would need to go to TTC and walk back. It was raining, so we decided to skip it and try again some other time.

This last trip, we took the monorail over, and when we went to the elevator to go down so that we could "see" the rest of the resort, the elevator wasn't working. We went to the restaurant, told the staff, and they told us that it had been down all morning and that they didn't know when it would be fixed. I asked if there was any other way to get down to the ground level, and was told there wasn't, unless we wanted to take the monorail to the TTC and walk back (starting to see a pattern here, LOL). So we looked out the windows to see what we could see, and pretty much decided that seeing the Polynesian wasn't something we were going to try again.

[preshi]

Re : the Luau...... go there for the show not the food. :)

My review of the Poly ends with us transferring hotels. :) ANd I happen to thinK AKL is world class. It's gorgeous :)

[CHIEF TONGA]

You have angered Chief Tonga!!!!!!!!
Must now do SLAM DANCE !!!!!!

Just kidding LOL

Everyone is diferant . Thanks for being honest.

Cant wait to get back less than 60 days and smell that polly smell!! I want them to bottle it so i can get a fix every now and then till my next tripp back.
Hope they get the fountain in the lobby fixed by the end of April.

[Tikiman]

Travlnman1,

I don’t think your report was bad. I can understand being disappointed by the fountain being down and not everyone likes the décor of the Polynesian. I do love the new pool though. As far as 1505 being a smelly room, that just gets to the debate about why there is a smell (which I am not starting a debate here). I will just say that we stay in 1505 every 4th of July and we both have very sensitive smell and we have never smelled anything in the room. I was told that the reason some of the rooms may smell is from people in the room before you messing with the climate controls. It is sort of like when you first kick on the air conditioning in the car on a hot day and the moisture has been sitting in the vents. That just shows you that a room that someone says smells, does not mean it smells all the time. All I can say is 1505 has been a perfect room for us and could not have been better when we were there. You have to like that view. The decision to not put in a hot tub came from Resort management. The designs for the new Polynesian pool and GF pool had the hot tub removed from them for maintenance reasons. That is all they would say.

Thanks for the report Travlnman1.


Oh by the way Rock'n Robin, you will have to fight us for 1505 in July. ;)

Steve

[SeaSpray]

I love to hear about people's experiences at the resorts. This does give a balanced view of each resort and lets us know of potential reasons why we might not want to stay at a particular resort.

We like to check out the resorts that we might want to stay at. Last year we walked the grounds at the Polynesian, had a couple of meals there, and were shown a room in the Rarotonga building. The room was dark and had a very distinct damp smell to it. In fact, the CM mentioned it before we even had a chance to ask about it. Anyway....my point is, my family and I still really liked what we saw there and are planning a family trip there soon. The CM gave me a map of the Polynesian and marked a few of the buildings that had the best views, and also which were the newer buildings with no damp smell at all to them. One man's "old, dark resort" is another one's "paradise" :D

Another thing I want to mention.... "Expectations". Before our first family trip to WDW last year, we (and especially *I*) had very high expectations of the Caribbean Beach resort. I looked at many pictures on the internet, read every single post about the CBR that I could find, and even had dreams about our stay there in the months prior to our trip! :D I have to say, our actual experience there surpassed everything we had thought it would be. So I don't think these message boards necessarily give a person a wrong sense of expectations. As long as you read the good and bad posts about the resort of your choice, there really shouldn't be any surprises. Of course, sometimes things happen that can put a damper on a vacation, but for the most part, everything I've read on these boards have been 100% accurate.

[Misti]

Thanks for the candid review! And, welcome home. :)

[swanmom]

Travelnman1,
Yours is what a review should be....not rose-colored,
can't-say-anything-bad-about Disney and yet not rude or
mean-spirited in your criticisms. Thanks for the honest yet
considerately offered opinions.

[travlnman1]

WOW!! I didn't realize that we had THE room!!
I didn't even request it!
Just to think that we had Tikimans prized room!
I feel privilaged!!
I repeat what I said in my original post. Even though my experience at the Poly wasn't totally to my liking, there is no argument that the view cannot be beat and watching Cinderella's castle turn colors all night long, in your jammies, laying in bed is something every Disney lover should experience at least once in their travels to DW.
As i said, would I go back to the Poly? No. But I was totally emersed in the magic of the room location, and was thrilled to have experienced it.

WALT DISNEY WORLD...BEEN THERE...DONE THAT..GOING BACK!!

[Tikiman]

travlnman1,

Between you telling them about the view and me having it on my web pages, I will never get that room again ;) . You did have one of the best views. How did you like the ground level? Would you have liked the upper floors better? We like to be able to walk out to the sand from the patio. So what is the next resort you will try?

Steve

[travlnman1]

Tikiman..
You know? I must admit I struggled with the "Ground Floor" or "Balcony" request. I adore my balcony when we stay at BWV.
I kept changing my mind. Went through the pros and cons of each and decided on ground floor request. Mostly for the fact that you can just walk out to the beach.
Con for the ground floor were the ducks and birds. You know what? My kids loved playing with them and having them walk right up to the glass and hit their beaks on the window. We have many pictures taken of the ducks! They were a source of entertainment. Never a problem.
Ground floor is the best! No question.
As for my next resort?? Maybe Beach Club Villas? I'll have to wait for the reviews on THE DIS when they open.
AKL is an amazing looking resort as well.
Hhmmm..decisions...decisions..

WALT DISNEY WORLD...BEEN THERE...DONE THAT...GOING BACK!!

[KrisKT]

I also can't decide whether to get a balcony or ground floor room. I have 2 garden concierge rooms for next month. I have 4 kids (4-9) and I was worried the kids would just walk out without me knowing if we are on the ground floor. Also I am a light sleeper and I HATE hearing people walk across the ceiling. Can anyone tell me if that is a problem on the ground floor? Thanks! We can't wait! I have only been to DisneyWorld once before for only one day. This time we are staying for 8 nights. Yea!

[travlnman1]

Heard a thump once or twice.
Definately not a problem.

WALT DISNEY WORLD...BEEN THERE..DONE THAT..GOING BACK!!

[preshi]

Just don't leave open your balcony door if you have cookies on the table! SIGH...... we came back to quite a mess! And we weren't gone that long...... Heck one time we were even in the room and a little bird flew in. I adore birds but some of you may not! And cookies arent exactly their ideal diet!


I thought I'd add my short review.....
We moved resorts after 3 days of asking if something could be done about the smell. The coincierge staff didn't do a thing. We moved to AKL concierge for the same price thankfully and had a much better experience. We were 3rd floor but walked through the first floor on our way back from the TTC and it even smelled worse. AKL concierge told us they were closing down those buildings for renovation because of the mold problem. BLECH! Plus I got a rash on my feet from walking in the lake! The conceirge lounge staff was always friendly and the breakfast and snacks were tasty but like I said we WILL not stay there again.

[Dolma]

Just adding my 2 cents

We usually spend 10 days at the Polynesian Concierge but this last month was only 3 nights since we were doing the Disney Wonder Cruise for the rest of the week. It was Presiden'ts week and it was crowded but we always found room in the lounge, or upstairs in the "library", one of the lounge attendants, Scott always readied a table for us.

We always get a room on the second floor (I'm afraid bugs may crawl in first floor rooms) and have never noticed any bad smell up there, I love room 2504. you open the drapes and the castle is right there!

We only stay in the Poly concierge for special occasions because the personal service is very special from the time they call you at your house to ask your preferences of room, and make any reservations you want for restaurants, activities, spa, etc. which we have to do on our own when we do not stay in concierge. My husband is diabetic and we have to call the restaurants in the morning to let them know of his diet, but the concierge takes care of that too.

We were disappointed that the forest in the Great Ceremonial House was all covered due to renovations but otherwise everything else was as we expected. We do not expect a Gran Hyatt or Four Seasons, but for an amusement park , the resorts
are lots of fun and pretty nice.

[Kimkimba]

I haven't stayed at the Poly since 95. Back then it was paradise. About all I can say is that if my Poly concierge Hawaii room smells like wet diapers in September, I will definitely have to complain (and I'm not a complainer). This is the first Disney trip for my little boy (who is 4), and perhaps one of the last trips with the family for my teenage daughter.
Everyone has their opinions, but personally I know who thinks and acts like me. Tikiman knows Poly. I love all Steve's and Tara's pics and insites (thanks!).

[Rose Red]

Posted earlier in this thread, just back from 3 nights in room 1509 in Concierge. I was a little nervous, but everything turned out ok! I was told when I upgraded to concierge that the only rooms left were on the 2nd floor, but we were on the first. Loved the view, the walk right out to the beach, the location of the Hawaii bldg. When we first entered, the room had a perfumy, carpet shampoo smell, but it went away soon when we cranked down the A/C thermostat. The shower had no mildew and a just out of the wrapper shower curtain. Everything was very clean. I heard a few feet upstairs, but was surprised that it was amazingly quiet.
The room was dark, though and they should have some lighted makeup mirrors. I think I remember them in the YC concierge rooms. The room next to us was getting new carpet (they were installing it at 9:30 am! BANG BANG BANG!!!!
The lower level staff I thought was a little "green". They had a hard time with the computers (I also noticed this at guest services at MK and elsewhere - lots of training going on). With the help of these boards, I felt like I knew more than they did!They were ok, but seemed a little cold, although they did get my request for late check out approved for me! Upstairs they were all wonderful and bent over backward to accomodate.

[Rose Red]

Here's more about our stay...We only got to sample the food/beverage offerings for breakfast and dessert, always missing the evening appetizers because we were at the parks. Most of it was good, and plentiful but I would have liked to see a little variety. They served the same pastries/flavors every am. and the same desserts everynight. I remember the YC Concierge had a few different things each day.
My husband was less than impressed with the concierge amenities, and felt like the price/benefit ratio wasn't there. I felt it was breakeven. The location of the building, the conveniance of breakfast and coffee right there every am and the priority seating reservations they made for us always netted us a great table at the restaraunts were the positives, but the food offerings (thought they could have been a little bit more "upscale") and the attitude of the staff left me thinking I probably wouldn't spend the extra for it again. We all had a wonderful stay there and all agreed it was one of our top favorites. The landscaping and theming are the best and it is a very comfortable, relaxing resort.