Just back...not too happy with the Polynesian

[Bird-Mom]

We just came back from a great trip! We were supposed to stay at the Polynesian. We are repeat guests there and were looking forward to "coming home." Not so. :( They tried to give us a smoking room without telling us it was smoking! And we were with our 6 1/2 month old dd! Of course non-smoking was my only request. The room we finally ended up with was awful. The bed was way past needing replacement and the air conditioner only worked on one speed-arctic. The food at Captain Cook's was not edible. The desk agent at check in reached across the desk and grabbed my dd. I called the manager and she acted like it was no big deal. Yuck, I didn't want that lady's germs!

Finally they moved us to the Beach Club! Much better service!

[ifillrxs]

Sorry your experience was so bad. We stayed at Poly once years ago, and it was our fav to date. Our kids were young then, so not only did we enjoy the theme, but the convenience of BOTH monorails. Let Dis know how unhappy you were

[Mom of 5]

Sorry you had a bad experience at the Polynesian. We loved our stay there in January, but we had the same experience with Captain Cook's...yuk! DH refers to it as "Captain Crook's". The food was terrible, and way overpriced.

[Joan S.]

OH NO!! Just when I thought I had definitely made up my mind to stay at the Poly in Feb.03!! WE have never stayed there and I have read so many positive things on these boards that I thought I would love to give it a try. Was anyone else there during this time frame and has a better experience to report?? Joan:(

[Captain Crook]

Not on topic, but Mom of 5 I personally resent your husbands implicatins!;) :) :) :)

:smooth: :smooth: :bounce: :smooth: :smooth:

[SamanthaL]

She grabbed your DD???!!!:eek:

[Tinkbell]

What exactly do you mean by "grabbed"? Sorry to hear about your stay.

[Bird-Mom]

My dd was banging on the counter and the clerk started banging too, like she was playing a little game. The next thing I know, this woman reaches over the counter and started squeezing and pinching my dd's face! When I called the manager, she said they encourage the cast members to get the kids excited. Ok, but touching someone's baby? Yikes, I really think that was uncalled for.

Normally I love the Polynesian. This was our third time there, and the previous visits were wonderful. I hope it was a fluke, but it will be some time before we give them another chance. Now the Beach Club, on the other hand, was wonderful. If it only was on the monorail...

[Gillian]

Most people think nothing of touching other people's babies. I never really noticed until I became a mom! It's something like total strangers touching a pregnant woman's belly!

sorry you didn't enjoy your stay there.

[kenman]

I would like for my kids to meet Mickey but with all this germ grabbing going on I, guess I stay home this year!!

[welovemickey]

I used to freak out when someone touched my baby. However, that was 3 babies ago and I've resigned myself to the fact that it's human nature to want to touch a baby. I also learned that germs are spread thru air and not always by touching. ;)

[JennSaint]

Bird Mom:
Could you tell us which building you were put in at POLY???

[Bird-Mom]

We were put in Rapa Nui...it's almost at the TTC

[cindyfan]

Sorry to hear about your stay.
We stayed at Poly in June and loved it. But they did put us in a smoking room to start with and I asked to be moved! The smell of smoke was SO OVERWELMING!!
The CM that grabbed your DD...was she young? Possibly inexperienced as someone who is supposed to entertain kids!

I would NEVER touch someone elses child without asking first!!!
I am sure she just wasn't thinking!!
I really wouldn't be too concerned about the germs....but it is just inappropriate to touch someone else's child.
I think I would write a letter just to let them know they should be aware of it. And they need to make the CM aware that touching or grabbing of any kind is unacceptable! Especially in this day and age! There are too many KOOKS out there.

[Mom of 5]

Oops! Sorry Captain Crook ;) !!

[Montana Disney Fan]

Heh! Sounds horrible! I HATE getting a smoking room. I travel a lot and know what it's like as it happens to me often.

Grabbed your child?!?! My wife woulda been swingin at her :eek:

Sorry it was so poor for you there. I have not been there in a while. I believe they do need to work on the hotel. It was So-So when I stayed there way back when!

[COACHSTING]

We just got back from the Poly. We enjoyed a fabulous stay at a lagoon view, concierge room. The staff could not have treated us better and our room was superb. We were skeptical before leaving to go there because of a few negative coments on this board. But we learned that a few negative comments do not amount to an overall opinion.

I am sorry for the people who did not get what they expected in terms of service or amenities at the premium resorts. As for us, we hated to leave and cannot wait to reutn. We hope to get the same room and to find the same atmosphere.

Maybe we hit things just right, but it was very much worth it for us.

If we were not happy we would let you know. We could not have been more pleased.....

[Hayley]

Don't you think the cast member was just trying to be nice? I mean, not having little ones myself anymore, I'm going to have to try to remember myself that some people might not like it if I touch there babies. Babies are so cute it's just so hard not to reach out to them.

Next time just gently tell people that you'd rather they didn't touch your child - I'm sure the cast member was very embarrassed when you complained to management.

Anyway we had the same smoking room problem at the Contemporary - one really bad stay there and I have to admit I'm not dying to stay there anymore. (First I didn't get checked into my room until 5:00. Then housekeeping barged in while I was sleeping - with the don't disturb sign - and scared the *$% out of me. Then the staff told me they didn't smell a thing in my non-smoking room that smelled like cigar smoke - and they wouldn't give me another room. Then I heard every detail of the wild all night fiesta one night in the room next door. It's the only really bad stay I've ever had at a Disney Resort - out of dozens - but it sure colors your opinion of a hotel when things don't go right.

[twixbar]

I was very particular about people touching ds when he was a baby. But, now I have a 5 1/2 month old dd, and when people touch her, it really does not bother me. Not many people can resist the urge to touch such a precious little baby. ;) Anyway, I know everyone has different opinions, but I wouldn't think that a CM would really be out of line if he/she was just playing with my baby. :)

[wdwnutze]

We stayed at the Poly last year and loved every minute of it. In fact we had the opposite problem that you did. We had a reservation at the BC and after seeing the room (which didn't have a daybed and we had 5 people) and the waterview that was of the quiet pool(not worth the extra money) and dealing with the unhelpful CM's at the desk we decided to change resorts the morning after our arrival.(We had 3 rooms booked each for 5 peolpe and not one of the rooms had a daybed)! We were thrilled when we moved and were so happy things didn't work out at the BC. We always use Capn Cooks and though the food isn't gourmet, you can at least get something to tide you over. Didn't like that the BC didn't have some sort of 24 hour food place. As for the CM touching your baby, I think it would have bothered me too but I would have just said "Please don't touch her face."

[dmfuru]

My family and I have stayed at the Polynesian several times and have never had a bad room or service. Maybe we're just lucky!

[CanBeGrumpy]

We stayed at the Polynesian for one night a few weeks ago. I really liked the resort, but I was shocked that we could hear our neighbor's conversations through the walls!!! It was not muted talking, either--we could have easily joined in the conversation through the walls! This was in the Tuvalu building, 2nd floor. Also, the room was a bit musty to me, which is surprising since I just learned that Tuvalu was refurb'd not too long ago. In reality, we loved everything about the Poly except for our room (although it was quite large, especially since we had also stayed at AKL the 2 nights prior). We loved the Kona Cafe, too. Maybe one of the more "modern" rooms would be better??

[Chattyaholic]

But as a mother of two grown children and grandmother of two, I think maybe you were being just a tad bit overprotective in not wanting the CM to touch your child because of fear of germs. You touch things that other people have touched, and then touch your baby, I'm sure. And I'll bet your baby puts all sorts of toys and things into her mouth that has germs. Like others have said, people automatically want to touch a cute baby.

As for the maid barging in on Haley when she was sleeping, even though she put the "do not disturb" sign on the door, she should have locked the door and the deadbolt, then the maid couldn't have come in!

[Poly Pal]

Sorry you did not have a better time.

I think it is an overreaction to call the manager because the cast member played with your child and then touched him on the face. My money would be on the CM just trying to be friendly. I would not have put the child up on the counter in the first place - but that's just me.

Captain Cook's is expensive...just like every other restaurant, snack bar or ice cream cart in Disney World! And while we stay away from the grill items, we've always had a good salad or sandwich for lunch. As for continental breakfast, there's not much you can do to make cold cereal inedible (but I will give you that the bagels are cottony soft - not like a good NY bagel.)

Glad you didn't let your Polynesian disappointment ruin your vacation.

[Bird-Mom]

PolyPal-My dd wasn't on the counter. I was wearing her in the sling so she was at adult level, but next to the counter.

In one of the shops, the cashier came around the counter and grabbed her too!

I don't think I overreacted to strangers touching her. I would never, ever touch a baby I didn't know. She is a gorgeous baby (if I do say so myself), but what is wrong with just a smile and a compliment? I guess some people are just not raised right.

[Montana Disney Fan]

I agree with you Bird-Mom. Touching is a bit too familiar IMHO.

[Luv2Roam]

Note to self -- No baby touching. ;)
Actually, I am just the opposite. I don't want to touch anyone's baby to avoid THEIR germs! LOL ;) :jester:

[twixbar]

Originally posted by Luv2Roam
Note to self -- No baby touching. ;)
Actually, I am just the opposite. I don't want to touch anyone's baby to avoid THEIR germs! LOL ;) :jester:

LOL, isn't that the truth? :p

[jgates]

I guess I am more on the 'relax' side of the baby touching. Maybe its from coming from a small town where everyone knows everyone. When a guy was in an office getting a loan the other day, his 20 month old (who loves computer keyboards) decided to explore my desk and the desk next to me. Well, I just took her off on a hike and we explored the whole bank!

In a situation where I was in control (especially since you were holding), I guess I wouldn't let that bother me. It is definitely preferable to some of the snotty attitudes people give you when you take a child out in public!

However, the smoking room.................I would have definitely asked for one of those room deodorizer fans to be brought in. They did that to us at the new Royal Pacific, but the maid brought an air cleaning fan and it REALLY did the trick. Only one nite there so it wasn't worth moving.

[Betsyt82]

I have a friend who is OCD and has the same problem with people touching her first child and now with the second one she is more relaxed. I am amazed at how many people are afraid of germs and that people will do harm to babies by touch or play. I have always encourged my kids and others to interact and be friendly. I refuse to raise my kids in an antibacterial bubble. Good luck in keeping your child from fearing others and the world of germs. When she is mobile you will have a heck of a time.

[Montana Disney Fan]

We wrap our children up like sandwiches in the fridge ;) Actually, I personally do not walk up to children and start touching them. I feel the same way about a lovely woman I meet... I won't reach and touch her either :p

My wife does not care if anyone touches our children unless they are sick. She has a real problem with that.

To each their own I say.

[mousewardbound]

Bird-Mom - you must be a new mom! The whole don't-touch-my- gorgeous-baby shtick- it seems all first-time mom go through it! It must be instinctual. I think if you go back when you have another DD or DS, you will realize that you might have been a bit oversensitive. Hopefully the Disney worker won't withdraw her playfulness as a result! And hopefully, this will be your last bad experience at Disney.

BTW have you read all the studies that are out today that say kids today are getting asthma and allergies at alarming rates b/c they aren't exposed to enough germs and their immune systems are therefore not able to fight anything off? I think you better let your DD roll around in the dirt a bit to strengthen up that immune system! (unless you plan to home school and don't have to worry about your child being around a dozen or more germ infested rugrats!)

[mousewardbound]

quote: I guess some people are just not raised right. - Bird Mom


I guess that overly-friendly Disney counter worker was not so lucky that you were. Good thing it takes all types......

[Montana Disney Fan]

LMAO :p Now that is funny.

It seems that "mouseward" has taken exception to your post Bird.

mousewardbound--I guess that overly-friendly Disney counter worker was not so lucky that you were. Good thing it takes all types......

Now that is a quote! heehee


Here is a fact for you: Over 65% of all people do NOT wash their hands after using the toilet.

ewwwww :rolleyes:

Don't touch my kides either :jester:

[peachgirl]

Over 65% of all people do NOT wash their hands after using the toilet


Yep, and right after they touch that food counter after having exited the bathroom you rest your hands there....that would be right before you pick up that burger and stick it in your mouth.:) Let's face it, germs are everywhere and you're not going to avoid them whether you allow your child to be touched or not. I've heard my mother talk about how she used to go nuts when she took me and my twin sister out when we were babies. Apparently it was difficult to get through a store due to people that would stop her and ask the standard dumb questions about twins, all the while leaning down and "breathing" all over us. She follows that by saying by the time we were 6 months old she had established the " you wake "em, you take "em rule". She claims this rule was only enforced with people she trusted, but sometimes I kinda' wonder.;) All this new mom fussiness apparently passes with either time or more children. Gosh, if you can't be touched how do you get a hug from Mickey???:);)

[welovemickey]

I hope the bubble that some of you live in never pops! Your babies and children get germs from everywhere - including their parents. Your kids are going to be touched, just be thankful that it was when you were around. I feel bad for that poor person at the counter. I hope she didn't get reprimanded or worse yet, lose her job over someone being overly protective of their baby.

[Trekker]

Gosh - this threaed sure went down the bunnie trail. We have lost the original topie - it is now a debate about touching children. There is sarcasm and personal attacks. Sigh! I guess another one needs to be closed - Say Goodbye!

[Mamu]

Sorry to hear your Poly experience was not a good one.

I learned a long time ago to completely ignore woman with babies. I'm a receptionist in a very busy family beauty salon. I love babies, love holding them. Never ask questions about their babies and never touch. I once commented. Isn't he cute, how old is he? Let me tell you, I don't ask any questions anymore. I got attacked. "I don't think it's any of your business how old he is". My reply with mouth wide open was "No it not"

I went ino the back room and stayed there until this woman left. I have no idea what I did or said that set her off, I just know I've learned to keep my place, no comments, no questions, no touching.