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

[huntconn]

Huntconn:
Are you staying Concierge? I would love an update on the foods -- especially the evening offerings - curious to know if they're different from Tikiman's site --- which hasn't changed in over two years.

My husband and I will be at Ploy CL for our 12th anniversary AND my DS's 5th bday!!!

Yes we are staying Concierge, now called Club Level. The food offerings in the lounge have not changed drastically in the past several years but we have noticed some changes this year from last. Wednesday used to be risotto and coconut almond chicken with dipping sauces. It's now Spirit of Aloha chicken drumsticks which while good were not as good as the cococnut almond chicken they used to have IMHO. They also changed the Friday offering by getting rid of the 'Ohana beef skewers, it's now just the turkey skewers. They also stopped the Kona duck pot stickers and replaced it with Kona curry shrimp chowder. I am not in favor of any of these changes but I still love the offerings and ambience of the lounge. Chef Dick has been in the lounge quite often and I believe he will be doing his "famous" vegetable/fruit tropical animal creation tonight. The lounge in general looks as good as ever. Sorry, but you just cannot beat the view from the lounge. Even getting food from Capt. Cook's and bringing it over to the lounge is great. The staff at the Poly has been very friendly in general: plenty of "aloha's or good mornings" Also lots of folks wishing us happy anniversary when they see our anniversary pins. The Poly staff has always been very courteous and friendly to us. Almost all of them make eye contact when walking by and greet us with some pleasentry. Aloha 'till the next report!

 

[CruisingCamper]

Yes, you can preorder. And Tonga Toast is on the room service menu.

Breakfast usually arrives right as your window opens...if you mark 7-7:30, it will be there at 7 or soon after which we appreciate.

Thanks for the info, that's just what I wanted to hear!!

 

[CruisingCamper]

Is the Poly room service menu posted anywhere online?I hope I'm not repeating a question there. I'm just wondering if pineapple pancakes are on the menu.

I printed out a menu today from allearsnet. And it does NOT list pineapple, it does say you have your choice of blueberries, chocolate chips, or macadama nuts on the pancakes.

 

[Shell54]

I printed out a menu today from allearsnet. And it does NOT list pineapple, it does say you have your choice of blueberries, chocolate chips, or macadama nuts on the pancakes.

Thanks, for the info I'm heading over there now to print it out myself

 

[SeaSpray]

I know I promised a report of our stay, but it has literally been one thing after the other around here. . .I finally feel better, but I had wisdom teeth out last week and have been recovering from that ordeal. Yuck!

Anyway, here's a link to my 2008 Disney photos on Photobucket. There's some views of Polynesian in there too. I sure didn't take many photos this year primarily because I was too sick most of the time to pull the camera from the bag--yeah, that vacation could have been better, but there's always next time!

http://s229.photobucket.com/albums/ee225/Tess1009/Disney%202008/

Hi Tess!!

Welcome back and thanks for sharing your great pictures!! I love your Polynesian Pout 2008 picture! I'm so sorry that you were sick during your trip and that you're still sick I hope that you start to feel better and STAY feeling better, soon

Aloha everyone! We just checked into the Polynesian this morning and received a free upgrade from GV Club Level to LV Club Level. We requested 3rd floor and "close to the lounge" and received both requests PLUS a free upgrade. We are in room 3502 and the view in gorgeous! Sorry, I'm just so excited I had to share it with you folks right away. We come to the Poly every year and have never received a free upgrade. I was just saying to my wife before we left how jealous I am when I hear reports on the DIS about people getting upgrades. We are celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary and this has really made it MAGICAL for us. They even gave us Happy Anniversary pins at check in and everyone has been wishing us a happy anniversary! We were standing on the train station platform watching the Disney Dreams Come True parade and the guy dressed as Walt Disney at the start of the parade looked up and must have seen our pins. He mouthed Happy Anniversary to me which I just thought was the coolest thing ever! I love Disney World!

Congrats on your upgrade!!! I love your live posts; when I get the chance I'll link to all of them from the main page of this thread. I think they'd make for some fun reading for people anticipating their trips!

Is the Poly room service menu posted anywhere online?I hope I'm not repeating a question there. I'm just wondering if pineapple pancakes are on the menu.

I have the Polynesian room service menu right here on my desk I do plan on typing it all out and posting the link on Page 1. Hopefully I'll get the chance soon. But looking at it quickly, I don't see pineapple pancakes on the menu. Whether you can request pineapple on your pancakes or not, is a good question! It never hurts to ask.

Okay, you Polypeople, I'm confident one of you will know the answer to this question:

If we arrive at the resort at around 10 AM, will we be able to store our luggage and "pre-check-in" so we can go ahead and get our KTTW and hit one of the parks?

We have a four-day Park Hopper pass, and that day is one of our four days.

I know we won't be able to get into our room until later, but I'm counting on being able to get on the move to a park by noon!

I LOVE leaving all of my luggage and even day-bags and carry-ons with valet service, if and when my room isn't ready yet! (This is available at all moderate and deluxe resorts at WDW, by the way). They'll give you a numbered ticket for each piece you leave with them, then they'll retreive it when you want it back.

 

[johnsonet]

Yes we are staying Concierge, now called Club Level. The food offerings in the lounge have not changed drastically in the past several years but we have noticed some changes this year from last. Wednesday used to be risotto and cocnut almond chicken with dipping sauces. It's now Sprit of Aloha chicken drumsticks which while good were not as good as the cococnut almond chicken they used to have IMHO. They also changed the Friday offering by getting rid of the 'Ohana beef skewers, it's now just the turkey skewers. They also stopped the Kona duck pot stickers and replaced it with Kona curry shrimp chowder. I am not in favor of any of these changes but I still love the offerings and ambience of the lounge. Chef Dick has been in the lounge quite often and I believe he will be doing his "famous" vegetable/fruit tropical animal creation tonight. The lounge in general looks as good as ever. Sorry, but you just cannot beat the view from the lounge. Even getting food from Capt. Cook's and bringing it over to the lounge is great. The staff at the Poly has been very friendly in general: plenty of "aloha's or good mornings" Also lots of folks wishing us happy anniversary when they see our anniversary pins. The Poly staff has always been very courteous and friendly to us. Almost all of them make eye contact when walking by and great us with some pleasentry. Aloha 'till the next report!

huntconn You have a wonderful attitude I have really enjoyed your live posts.
I agree re. the view from the lounge. The first time I walked into the Hawaii building to check in on the 1st floor, I couldn't BELIEVE my eyes. And upstairs was even better! After years of staying at the GF I have been blown away by the Poly views from around the resort. That's why this summer we're staying LVCL. I just know that the view from our room will be amazing
Have a great time

 

[janiebegood]

I LOVE leaving all of my luggage and even day-bags and carry-ons with valet service, if and when my room isn't ready yet! (This is available at all moderate and deluxe resorts at WDW, by the way). They'll give you a numbered ticket for each piece you leave with them, then they'll retreive it when you want it back.

Thanks, SeaSpray! Good to know!

I'll echo the others, huntconn, and say THANKS for these "field reports" -- so glad you're having such a good time!

 

[Aliceacc]

We go in 4 1/2 weeks, and I'm LOVING these live reports!!!

 

[BCV23]

I wouldn't be surprised if the Macadamia pancakes include the pineapple sauce. Many of the dishes are the same as Kona Cafe. You'll have to let us all know, Shell54.

 

[Missus Toad]

Anyone have any recent reports on former smoking longhouses? I'm wondering how thoroughly the rooms/halls have been cleaned and if there's any trace of smoke left? I'd be interested in trying Niue, but my allergic DD and DM would have issues if there were any smoke residue or excessive cleaning product smell. TIA!

 

[BCV23]

We've walked through the Niue hall many times since it became no smoking....no odor at all.

 

[aprincesswannabe]

We stayed in Niue last November and loved it! Didn't notice any unusual smells.

 

[Naisy68]

We've walked through the Niue hall many times since it became no smoking....no odor at all.

Good to know!! Thanks a bunch!!

 

[stepdisney]

Quick question, please don't flame me, I honestly don't know the answer. My family and I are staying at the AKL and my sister in law, her husband and 3 children are staying at the Poly. She has babies (2) and needs the monorail. She has one DS(12) and we have a 13-year-old and they are close cousins. Is it okay for her DS to swim at AKL with us and like-wise would it be okay for our DS to swim with them at the Poly or would that be considered pool hopping? They would be with resort guests at either place.

Thanks.

 

[huntconn]

huntconn You have a wonderful attitude I have really enjoyed your live posts.
I agree re. the view from the lounge. The first time I walked into the Hawaii building to check in on the 1st floor, I couldn't BELIEVE my eyes. And upstairs was even better! After years of staying at the GF I have been blown away by the Poly views from around the resort. That's why this summer we're staying LVCL. I just know that the view from our room will be amazing
Have a great time

Thanks for the nice words. I really appreciate that. I wasn't sure if I might be going overboard with these updates. Glad you guys like them. As for the "wonderful attitude" , I've just never been one of those people who let (what I consider) the little things ruin my overall experience. Yes, the shower heads are too low at the Poly, there are no balconies on the 2nd floor, the hallways are a little dark...WAAAAAAAH! No resort is perfect, no cast member is perfect. But this is the closest I've found!

 

[huntconn]

Sorry that I'm getting a little behind with the "live updates". You guys know how it is after several days at the world...finding the time is getting harder and I'm getting more and more tired! These early entry days are a killer. As far as the weather is concerned, July in Florida is quite the adventure. This morning it was hot and humid but by noon is was actually dry and breezy, then the heavy rains moved in. Now it's slightly humid and overcast. The previous 2 days were "picture perfect" sunny, hot Florida days with no rain. Before that it was your standard July hot and sunny but "set your watch by the 2pm 30 minute thundershower from hell" type of days. The meteorologists could have 15 minute updates around here! Gotta love it!

 

[huntconn]

Sorry if I'm throwing a bunch of updates in here at one time. We have a 6:45pm ADR at Chef Mickey's tonight and the DW (Dana) and 2 DS's (Hunter 7 and Connor 6...guess where my username comes from?) are taking a nap so I have some downtime. As we have been spending every afternoon at the volcano pool, we have had plenty of opportunity to sample several (or more!) offerings from the Barefoot Pool Bar. So far we have tried the following:
1. Tommy Bahama Mama
2. Ultimate Long Island Iced Tea
3. Sunken Treasure
4. Pina CoLava
5. Poolside Lemonade
6. Captain's Rum Runner
7. Captain's Mai Tai
All were very good and were priced from $8.25 to $10.25 so they are not cheap. The bartender told me that the Rum Runner and Mai Tai are the strongest tropical drinks they make and the ULI Iced Tea is the strongest non-tropical drink. I was only inquiring for research purposes of course I also tried the Kona Longboard Lager which was just ok. The coolest thing about it was the label on the bottle but they made me take it in a plastic cup.
Oh on a quick note: the new Toy Story Mania ride is AWESOME! If you are a video game fan you will love it. But you better get your fast pass early. We went back for our FP window at 10:30am and the return times then were 9:30pm

 

[momatater]

Wow Huntconn! Sounds like your family is having a wonderful time. Thanks so much for taking the time to fill us in on what's going on there! I am a little upset to hear of the food changes at the lounge, but it certainly won't ruin our trip either! We just love being there and are fortunate to be able to enjoy CL overall!

Enjoy Chef Mickey's tonight!!!

 

[CruisingCamper]

Sorry if I'm throwing a bunch of updates in here at one time. We have a 6:45pm ADR at Chef Mickey's tonight and the DW (Dana) and 2 DS's (Hunter 7 and Connor 6...guess where my username comes from?) are taking a nap so I have some downtime. As we have been spending every afternoon at the volcano pool, we have had plenty of opportunity to sample several (or more!) offerings from the Barefoot Pool Bar. So far we have tried the following:
1. Tommy Bahama Mama
2. Ultimate Long Island Iced Tea
3. Sunken Treasure
4. Pina CoLava
5. Poolside Lemonade
6. Captain's Rum Runner
7. Captain's Mai Tai
All were very good and were priced from $8.25 to $10.25 so they are not cheap. The bartender told me that the Rum Runner and Mai Tai are the strongest tropical drinks they make and the ULI Iced Tea is the strongest non-tropical drink. I was only inquiring for research purposes of course I also tried the Kona Longboard Lager which was just ok. The coolest thing about it was the label on the bottle but they made me take it in a plastic cup.
Oh on a quick note: the new Toy Story Mania ride is AWESOME! If you are a video game fan you will love it. But you better get your fast pass early. We went back for our FP window at 10:30am and the return times then were 9:30pm

We are really enjoying your live reports!! Keep them coming!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Sorry if I'm throwing a bunch of updates in here at one time. We have a 6:45pm ADR at Chef Mickey's tonight and the DW (Dana) and 2 DS's (Hunter 7 and Connor 6...guess where my username comes from?) are taking a nap so I have some downtime. As we have been spending every afternoon at the volcano pool, we have had plenty of opportunity to sample several (or more!) offerings from the Barefoot Pool Bar. So far we have tried the following:
1. Tommy Bahama Mama
2. Ultimate Long Island Iced Tea
3. Sunken Treasure
4. Pina CoLava
5. Poolside Lemonade
6. Captain's Rum Runner
7. Captain's Mai Tai
All were very good and were priced from $8.25 to $10.25 so they are not cheap. The bartender told me that the Rum Runner and Mai Tai are the strongest tropical drinks they make and the ULI Iced Tea is the strongest non-tropical drink. I was only inquiring for research purposes of course I also tried the Kona Longboard Lager which was just ok. The coolest thing about it was the label on the bottle but they made me take it in a plastic cup.
Oh on a quick note: the new Toy Story Mania ride is AWESOME! If you are a video game fan you will love it. But you better get your fast pass early. We went back for our FP window at 10:30am and the return times then were 9:30pm

Once again thanks for the live update.