The *NEW* Polynesian Resort FAQ thread - *2008*

[Echie]

Wow! This is awesome! Thank you SeaSpray for all your hard work! I love all the photos and am excited about our upcoming stay at the Polynesian

 

[simonkodousek]

I had never thought of shelling out the money to spend at the Poly, but after seeing the pictures on the Poly Picture thread, I have had a change of heart and am tightening my belt. My only concern is the pool: It looks pretty small compared to the other deluxe resorts. We are planning to go the last week of August when it is scorching and will be going back to our resort every afternoon to swim (which I would assume most people do in the summer). Does the volcano pool get too crowded for comfort? A nice pool is a definite for our stay as we will be spending a big chunk of time in the pool. Is it a standing room only situation during that time in August? Is the pool open 24 hours?

The Volcano pool can get VERY crowded at peak times of the day, especially after lunch. The quiet pool (no slide or water features) located near the Hawaii longhouse is actually true to its name. We used this pool most of the time after lunch because there were never more than 10 guests at a time using it.

 

[lissiesmum]

I had a question also about the monorail transportation. There are two places at the Poly to pick up the monorail? If you don't go directly to the TTC, you can still get there from the other building where you board? There is also a boat to go to the MK? How long does it take to get there, and does it go straight there, or do you go to the GF first? Thanks Seaspray for this great website, can't wait to keep reading and seeing more fantastic pictures

 

[lissiesmum]

The Volcano pool can get VERY crowded at peak times of the day, especially after lunch. The quiet pool (no slide or water features) located near the Hawaii longhouse is actually true to its name. We used this pool most of the time after lunch because there were never more than 10 guests at a time using it.

Thanks Simonkodousek! Is it crowded all afternoon, or does the crowd ebb at all? I was thinking of staying at Yacht Club for Stormalong Bay as I hear it never feels crowded, even when it is, but I am yearning for the POLY now. But, if I can't use the pool because it is always crowded, that may be a big issue for me. We could always swim in the quiet pool once in a while, but I want to be able to enjoy the main pool as well...

 

[Kanga1]

Thank you SeaSpray! We'll be staying 12 glorious nights this July celebrating our 20th anniversary. We're SO excited!! Your pictures just make it so much more real!

 

[SeaSpray]

I had a question also about the monorail transportation. There are two places at the Poly to pick up the monorail? If you don't go directly to the TTC, you can still get there from the other building where you board? There is also a boat to go to the MK? How long does it take to get there, and does it go straight there, or do you go to the GF first? Thanks Seaspray for this great website, can't wait to keep reading and seeing more fantastic pictures

You can get the monorail from the second floor of the Great Ceremonial House, or you can take the walking path to the TTC. The TTC is where you'd get the monorail to Epcot. If you take the monorail from inside the GCH, you'd be able to get off at the TTC and then go onto the Epcot monorail.

As for the boat route, it makes a triangle: Polynesian > Magic Kingdom > Grand Floridian > Polynesian > Magic Kingdom > Grand Floridian (and so on).

Going TO the Magic Kingdom from the Polynesian, the park is the next stop; coming back from the Magic Kingdom, the boat stops at the Grand Floridian first, then on to the Polynesian. The boat rides is only about 5-10 minutes long (depending on how long it takes for the guests to load and unload at each stop), but it's a fun way to get around the Seven Seas Lagoon

 

[SeaSpray]

For your viewing pleasure:

These restrooms are behind the waterfall, "inside" the volcano itself. You can walk behind the waterfall to get to the restrooms without getting wet

With you back to the restrooms, here's what you see:

Early morning, before the waterfall is turned on:

One of the Polynesian's neighbors:

The Polynesian's other neighbor!

The pool being cleaned at night; we were able to swim again once they were done:

 

[simonkodousek]

Thanks Simonkodousek! Is it crowded all afternoon, or does the crowd ebb at all? I was thinking of staying at Yacht Club for Stormalong Bay as I hear it never feels crowded, even when it is, but I am yearning for the POLY now. But, if I can't use the pool because it is always crowded, that may be a big issue for me. We could always swim in the quiet pool once in a while, but I want to be able to enjoy the main pool as well...

It is crowded all afternoon, except at 5ish when it starts to clear up a bit. I wouldn't be hesitant about booking though. The quiet pool is a lot of fun too!

 

[SeaSpray]

A smoking area near Tangaroa Terrance:

Near the volcano pool:

 

[bunnyscootles]

We are going to be at the Poly in May when you are there Terry. I think I might hang outside of the Hawaii building and try to get an autograph!!

Thanks for the thread, it's awesome!!!

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

GREAT pictures!! This is totally pumping me up for our May Poly trip!!


Three questions:

So, I know you can't swim in the lagoon, but are the kids allowed to splash and play on the shore? Or do they have to stay away from the water completely?

Also, are both pools open 24 hours?

Is it May yet??

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

There are signs that say no going in the water so I would assume that also means splashing and etc. Now I did see some kids splashing in the 7 Seas Lagoon water, so either the parents did not see the signs or did not care.

I think the pools are open 24 hours because I saw people swimming in the Volcano pool past 12:00 AM. The only one I never saw at night was the quite pool, so I can't say if I saw anyone in there late at night.

 

[SeaSpray]

We are going to be at the Poly in May when you are there Terry. I think I might hang outside of the Hawaii building and try to get an autograph!!

Thanks for the thread, it's awesome!!!

Hehehe! Thanks for starting my day off with a chuckle!

I've met so many great people at the Polynesian, if you do see me there, please don't hesitate to say "hello"

 

[SeaSpray]

GREAT pictures!! This is totally pumping me up for our May Poly trip!!


Three questions:

So, I know you can't swim in the lagoon, but are the kids allowed to splash and play on the shore? Or do they have to stay away from the water completely?

Also, are both pools open 24 hours?

Is it May yet??

There's the possibility that you'd encounter an alligator in the lagoon (alligators can be found in ANY body of water in Florida, and alligators are regularly seen all over WDW property), but there's also the question of bacteria in the water. Since people do go water-skiing in Bay Lake behind the Contemporary, which is attached via water-way to the Seven Seas Lagoon), I don't think the risk of bacteria is too high, especially in very shallow water that you'd wade in, but personally I wouldn't advise children splashing in it, although on almost every trip, I have seen kids in up to their ankles.

As for playing on the beach itself, there's nothing wrong with that, and kids are always playing there. In addition to the chaise lounges along the beach, there are hammocks, too.

The pools are open 24 hours a day, but the lifeguards go off duty at 10pm at the Volcano pool. (Lifeguard hours are subject to change). As long as you aren't making a lot of noise, you can swim in the pools at any time. The pools will be closed down if there is a thunder storm and/or lightning in the area, and then re-opened when the storm has passed. We've seen the lifegueards clear the entire beach area (including the people sitting in chairs by the pool bar) when a storm was approaching, so they take this very seriously at WDW and in Florida in general.

Edited to add:
I almost forgot to answer you last question: No, it's not May yet! (But I wish it was!!) LOL

 

[lissiesmum]

So, I know you can't swim in the lagoon, but are the kids allowed to splash and play on the shore? Or do they have to stay away from the water completely?

I wanted to piggyback this question...if the kids can't technically go near the water, they can't make sandcastles then right? I was curious if I should pack some buckets and stuff???

 

[eclectics]

There's the possibility that you'd encounter an alligator in the lagoon (alligators can be found in ANY body of water in Florida, and alligators are regularly seen all over WDW property), but there's also the question of bacteria in the water. Since people do go water-skiing in Bay Lake behind the Contemporary, which is attached via water-way to the Seven Seas Lagoon), I don't think the risk of bacteria is too high, especially in very shallow water that you'd wade in, but personally I wouldn't advise children splashing in it, although on almost every trip, I have seen kids in up to their ankles.

As for playing on the beach itself, there's nothing wrong with that, and kids are always playing there. In addition to the chaise lounges along the beach, there are hammocks, too.

The pools are open 24 hours a day, but the lifeguards go off duty at 10pm at the Volcano pool. (Lifeguard hours are subject to change). As long as you aren't making a lot of noise, you can swim in the pools at any time. The pools will be closed down if there is a thunder storm and/or lightning in the area, and then re-opened when the storm has passed. We've seen the lifegueards clear the entire beach area (including the people sitting in chairs by the pool bar) when a storm was approaching, so they take this very seriously at WDW and in Florida in general.

Edited to add:
I almost forgot to answer you last question: No, it's not May yet! (But I wish it was!!) LOL

Thanks for taking the time to answer all these questions for folks and posting your photos. Since you have been there many times, you have a good perspective to share with folks. I'm finally Poly bound this September after too long of an absence and can't wait!

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

the shore? Or do they have to stay away from the water completely?

Also, are both pools open 24 hours?

Both pools are open 24 hours technically. There are lifeguards on duty from around 8am until 10pm. After that, swimming is at your own risk. As long as you're not making a big ruckus, you're pretty much left alone to swim. During our August trip, I let the kids swim when we got back from the parks (around 11pm) and they stayed in the pool until around 12:30am or so. A few other folks were also in the pool who came in on very late flights so there was activity but seemed pretty 'dead' compared to how busy the pool was during the day.

Hope that helps!

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

I wanted to piggyback this question...if the kids can't technically go near the water, they can't make sandcastles then right? I was curious if I should pack some buckets and stuff???

The kids can still get water near the shower at the volcano pool or in the kid's water play area. I saw several kids do this so they could make their sandcastles.

 

[Mousecat]

Coming for my first trip to the Poly in April. Love this thread. Makes me anxious for my trip. Anybody have any opinions about the Spirit of Aloha show?

 

[SeaSpray]

The kids can still get water near the shower at the volcano pool or in the kid's water play area. I saw several kids do this so they could make their sandcastles.

This is exactly what I was going to suggest; especially for young children who are likely to still put their hands in their mouths while playing.

From what I've read, the dangerous bacteria "resides" deep in still waters of lakes, but shallow water is ok. Still, why take the chance. Every once in a while I read a sad story here on the DIS posted by someone who lives in Florida of people who die from taking in this particular bacteria after swimming in contaminated bodies of water.

Like I said, they do allow water-skiing on Bay Lake, and they don't rope off the beaches at WDW, so I'm sure the water is basically safe. But it's not "fresh" water (fed from a moving stream), and it's not the ocean, so I personally don't view it as "clean" water.

I'm not an expert. This is all just my own opinion, things I've read over the years, and observations. Tons of children play on the beaches at WDW, they build sandcastles using some of the water from the lakes and lagoon, and I haven't heard of anyone getting sick from that. But like MsStinkerBelle said, there is a shower right near the beach where a child could go for some water to build sandcastles with.