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

[nonzerosum]

We just got back from the best week of our life staying at the Poly (Tokelau). We've travelled many places around the world and both my husband and I agreed that our week in WDW was the most enjoyable trip yet. Our kids DD4 and DS1 LOVED the Poly and have become just as obsessed as we are. We became completely spoiled and it will be hard to ever stay anywhere else. Actually, there was a bounceback offer in our room so I booked us a week at the end of Sept. Hopefully we won't all melt to death in that weather.

For all those who wonder how fast you can actually get from MK to poly, one evening we made it from the Tea Cups ride to the inside of our room in 15 minutes!!!! Granted we were walking quickly with strollers, but still, 15 minutes!!

What's with the size of the beds at the Poly? All week long we kept saying "are you sure theses aren't king beds?" They were huge and so comfy. So awesome. Prior to arriving we weren't sure where our 22 month old was going to sleep as he's out of a crib at home (he sleeps on a mattress on the floor). When we arrived at the Poly, my husband had the brilliant idea of putting the 2 chairs together to create a long and semi enclosed bed. It was great. WE pushed the "bed" up against our bed and put all of the extra pillows and shams stacked on the floor on the other side of his "bed". The chair cushions were really firm and my DS slept throught the night every night and feel asleep within 5 minutes each night. If only it would be this way at home. I have lots more to add about the poly, but my DD is poking at me to play Disney charades so I'll have to post more later.

 

[Palm_Tree]

Heading to WDW and Poly for first time in late April and very excited. Any know approximately how long it takes to get back to Poly after Wishes on an average night? (assuming watching Wishes on Main Street near Caseys).What about Illuminations by monorail from Italy?

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

Heading to WDW and Poly for first time in late April and very excited. Any know approximately how long it takes to get back to Poly after Wishes on an average night? (assuming watching Wishes on Main Street near Caseys).What about Illuminations by monorail from Italy?

Hiya!

We've done the same thing watching Wishes near Caseys but we didn't leave the park right away. The reason is, on an average night, a lot of folks beat to the exit of the park to get to the TTC. So I'd say it would take you probably about 20 minutes to get back to the Poly. Keep in mind you can take the monorail and the boat.

From the Italy pavillion I'd say about 30 minutes before you're back at the Poly.

Hope that helps!

 

[brergnat]

Has anyone stayed in one of these?

I just realized that this is cheaper than the 2 GVC rooms we have booked for next May. Even with no discount, and an AAA discount on the rooms we have booked now, we would save $1000 by staying in one of these. We booked 2 rooms so we could have a separate space to go if the kids needed to nap/go to bed earlier, and my MIL may join us for a few days, but she would fit fine on the daybed if necessary...she's TINY.

I'm wondering if it would be better to stay in the 1BR Princess suite than 2 connecting GVC rooms. Having a second bathroom is not an issue. We'd be fine with one, especially the one as large as the one in this suite!

Any input?

 

[WickedWench]

Anyone know what kind of mattresses they use at the Poly? I need a new one, and they were so comfortable there, I might just buy one of them!

 

[lissiesmum]

This is what it would look like...

http://mysite.verizon.net/imagelib/...itebuilderpictures/304.jpg&target=tlx_picq9so

Wow, that is a sight to see! I can't wait. Thanks for posting this picture, denman007 When I'm having a hard day, I will close my eyes and picture this! (Along with the pot of pressed coffee, that Tonga Toast and those pancakes! ) My trip will not be getting here soon enough!

Oh yeah, and PS...I was wondering if that Samantha Brown host on the Travel Channel has ever done one on the Polynesian? And if so, does anyone know when it will be on again? I've seen one for YC/BC and the AKL, but never the Poly, but I find it hard to believe she hasn't done one yet???

 

[senecabeach]

Heading to WDW and Poly for first time in late April and very excited. Any know approximately how long it takes to get back to Poly after Wishes on an average night? (assuming watching Wishes on Main Street near Caseys).What about Illuminations by monorail from Italy?

What I do is just...wait... maybe get an ice cream...get out of the way...maybe sit near the partner statue, castle and in about 15 min the park clears out...hang out ...listen to the music..take some night pictures and stay for the "castle kiss" then leisurely stroll down Main St...remember your at the Poly and its a quick ride home, boat or rail!!

 

[Hollywoodhaha]

Poly is my favorite resort other than AKL..for now anyway

 

[ConcKahuna]

Anyone know what kind of mattresses they use at the Poly? I need a new one, and they were so comfortable there, I might just buy one of them!

They use the Sealy Posturpedic Encore Pillowtop beds. You can actually buy them from Disney at www.DisneyResortCollection.com. They even have Pirate and Princess themed beds (although in the Plush not Pillowtop, still comfy though).

Has anyone stayed in one of these?

I just realized that this is cheaper than the 2 GVC rooms we have booked for next May. Even with no discount, and an AAA discount on the rooms we have booked now, we would save $1000 by staying in one of these. We booked 2 rooms so we could have a separate space to go if the kids needed to nap/go to bed earlier, and my MIL may join us for a few days, but she would fit fine on the daybed if necessary...she's TINY.

I'm wondering if it would be better to stay in the 1BR Princess suite than 2 connecting GVC rooms. Having a second bathroom is not an issue. We'd be fine with one, especially the one as large as the one in this suite!

Any input?

The suite is the same size as 2 connecting rooms, although one room is set up like a "living room" the other as the bedroom. Because of this, the 1-bedroom Princess only fits 5 people just like a standard room.

Having the seperate bedroom IS nice, and that suite has a great view of the castle

 

[PrincessPaczki]

senecabeach, What is the castle kiss? That is what we do also, just wait and eat goodies.

 

[ConcKahuna]

senecabeach, What is the castle kiss? That is what we do also, just wait and eat goodies.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jn8LshblMyU

 

[Aliceacc]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jn8LshblMyU

That caught my kids' attention!!! (they're at the other computer a few feet away)

We MOST definitley will be seeing it. Thank you!!!

 

[brergnat]

The suite is the same size as 2 connecting rooms, although one room is set up like a "living room" the other as the bedroom. Because of this, the 1-bedroom Princess only fits 5 people just like a standard room.

Having the seperate bedroom IS nice, and that suite has a great view of the castle

Did you actually stay in this suite?

Is the couch in the living room a pull out sleeper sofa or a daybed (says daybed, but looks more like a pull out couch in pics I've seen)?

How is it being in Tonga building? Is it connected to the GCH (i.e. can you get in there without going outside?)

Is it quiet (I worry about noise from the marina and people walking by on the boardwalk in front of the building, since it faces right onto that).

Is it a pain to go to the Hawaii building to use the concierge lounge there?

Thanks for your input! We only need to sleep 5, and like I said, my MIL may join is but we are staying 8 nights and she will most likely only be able to come 3-4 nights, so it seems like a waste to have 2 connecting rooms that can potentially sleep 10 if we only need to sleep 4-5 max. There are 4 in our immediate family.

 

[PrincessBelle23]

I hope you get your wish and get married in Disney. We've honeymooned and spent our 10th anniversary at WDW and it was great. During our 10th we met a couple on the bus to MK that we're on their honeymoon and she was on . They had the just married hats and pins. It was awesome!

I tried to get an ADR at the Garden Grill on our 10th so we could the the ice cream kissing thing for our Anniversary, but it would have embarassed my wife to no end.

Thank you! I love those hats - DBF will be wearing one whether he likes it or not, lol! Aww you should have done the ice cream kissing - who can be embarassed in Disney?

Enjoy your dinner at the Polynesian! My first ever visit to the Polynesian was for dinner, too. Then we took a walk out back to see the "new" volcano pool (in 2001) and absolutely fell in love with the entire resort!

I love your avatar pic!

Thanks!! I always have Disney dreams

 

[Disneylvr]

I have a question about the beaches at the Polynesian. From the maps I see there are 3 beach area and I assume the middle one is the most crowded. I am looking for a quiet place to play in the sand with DD. Should I go to the beach by Fiji or Tahiti? Do either of those beaches have hammocks?

 

[BCV23]

All three beaches usually have hammocks.

But even the center one is rarely busy other than sometimes for the Electrical Water Pageant and Wishes. For beach play, I'd just go to the one closest to your longhouse. We almost always are at the middle one and it's just not crowded at all.

 

[packerbeth]

I have lots more to add about the poly, but my DD is poking at me to play Disney charades so I'll have to post more later.

Oh, please do tell us more! I'll be surprising my family with the Poly next month (they think we're staying at POR!) I have four kids, and chose the Poly because of the monorail most of all, but cannot wait to stay there because of everything else it offers! (In fact, I just looked over my itinerary again to make sure I'm building in lots of resort time!)

 

[MagicalEars]

Thank you! I love those hats - DBF will be wearing one whether he likes it or not, lol! Aww you should have done the ice cream kissing - who can be embarassed in Disney?



Thanks!! I always have Disney dreams

Well I think she would do something like that now, a few years later, as she gets less and less embarassed as a side-effect of being married to me. I don't get embarassed, I mean if I can wear this viking helmet and attempt to take over the boat that goes from Future World to the World Showcase along with my dad who had the same helmet on, well I just don't know the meaning of the word. We got on the boat and the driver and his copilot played along telling all the other guests that we were taking over and announcing over the boat's loud speaker that we came to "pillage and plunder" as we docked. Hehe....we tried to do our best viking impressions, but mine came off sounding more like the Swedish Chef from the muppets.

 

[Native NYer]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jn8LshblMyU

Oh we're going to stay for this!!!

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

All three beaches usually have hammocks.

But even the center one is rarely busy other than sometimes for the Electrical Water Pageant and Wishes. For beach play, I'd just go to the one closest to your longhouse. We almost always are at the middle one and it's just not crowded at all.

ITA. I've never found the beaches crowded at all during the day. Very easy to grab a spot for play.

Oh we're going to stay for this!!!

If you think it looks great on-screen, wait until you see it in person. And the magic just goes on when from your room you can see the castle change colors all night.