ALOHA! The Poly FAQ: Fall 2010 Edition

[Tess]

Do they pipe in the music on the beach for wishes?

Yes indeed. . .just walk the sidewalk around the beach and you will see hidden speakers. Find a good spot near one and you are all set.

 

[barbeml]

Two months from today...

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

LOVING the pics and reviews!! Starting to work on outfits for the kids this week. I KNOW that will make the time fly.

 

[paras4ri]

Two months from today...

2 months 2 weeks and 2 days for us!!!

 

[jdd]

Finally getting around to posting my pics of our 8/31-9/4 Poly stay - first week of school was crazy!!

Unfortunately, my sunrise pictures didn't come out well. It was so beautiful and I thought they'd be gorgeous, but I only have one, and it's not very good:

This was our room, 3528, GV CL:

and the view from the balcony, first left:

straight ahead:

and right:

I was a little worried that this truck would be there all week, but it was only for the first day. There were problems with the quiet pool that day.

These are some random pictures from throughout the resort, nothing everyone here hasn't seen before

waterfall coming from the GCH:

Then going down towards the volcano pool:

the volcano pool early in the morning before the waterfall or slide were operating:

and in the afternoon, with a small crowd:

the waterfall inside the GCH:

So, nothing new, but the pictures everyone takes

Can't wait to go back - the kids are already saying "next year..."

 

[guitarob]

Finally getting around to posting my pics of our 8/31-9/4 Poly stay - first week of school was crazy!!

Unfortunately, my sunrise pictures didn't come out well. It was so beautiful and I thought they'd be gorgeous, but I only have one, and it's not very good:

Thanks for the photos and your thoughts!

Here's a touch-up of your sunset I tried to rescue it a little, this is about the best I could do.

 

[Chelley00]

30 days until our first Poly stay, and my mom's first Disney trip. So excited I can't wait.

I still can't decide on a longhouse. Part of me wants to leave it to chance to see what we get. I have pros and cons for anything I'd request. Blech.

 

[vinotinto]

Have any of you taken the bus to AK? What stops does the AK bus make to/from Poly? Is there a bus directly from the TTC (and is that one as frequent as the one from Poly)? TIA

 

[PixiePoppins]

Doing the 30 day hula dance here too!

I'm with you on the request indecision Chelley...it's either leave it up to the Tiki Gods or 3rd floor Tokelau. I rarely get my requests granted, so it will probably work out the same either way I go.

Thanks for the pics, jdd, I can never get enough of them!

 

[ginnymack]

Thought this might help those asking about commute times...

(From Unnofficial Guide and Tikiman)

NOTE - The EPCOT commute times seem to be a "fluke" based on when they tested. The Unofficial Guide shows GF to Epcot to be shorter than Poly to Epcot, which is impossible...unless you fall and break your leg on the way to the TTC! I based on the other monorail resorts I would think 20(25) to be a better estimate.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Thought this might help those asking about commute times...

(From Unnofficial Guide and Tikiman)

Seriously - 54 minutes (75 worst case) from Poly to DTD on the bus? I mean, I hate that route but I didn't realize it took that long. I've never clocked it, just gotten annoyed with it This time I'm taking a TAXI! Anyone know how much that will be and how long it will take? It's got to be better than the DTD bus....

 

[Tess]

Have any of you taken the bus to AK? What stops does the AK bus make to/from Poly? Is there a bus directly from the TTC (and is that one as frequent as the one from Poly)? TIA

We have taken the bus directly from TTC to AK and AK to TTC. It seems to be faster than taking it from the Polynesian to AK because there are no extra stops at other resorts or BB. I can't speak to the frequency of buses from TTC to AK, but we have always found one waiting or just arriving when we were ready to go.

 

[jkstewart1800]

We just got back (in August) from WDW where my two boys ages 3 and 7 spent two 'nights' at The Neverland Club. We had never used this (or any of the kid clubs on property) so we were pretty excited/nervous to see what it was all about. Long story short... the place was AMAZING and I give it high marks.

Even though the club is located at the 'front' of the resort, it can sometimes be hard to find. The monorail runs right by it, the bus stop is about 100 feet away from it and it is only a short walk from the Great Ceremonial House of the Poly.

Upon entering, you enter Wendy's "house" and her rules. They recently changed the age restrictions from 4 down to 3, but the child must be toliet trained and able to go by themselves or able to go tell one of the workers to take them. If for some reason your child has an accident, the club does (and did for our little guy) provide new undies and shorts (at no charge) that you can keep. Hours are from 4-midnight with a two hour minimum. The cost is 11.50 per hour per child. Dinner is included and parents can choose from a menu upon checking in. (as far as I could tell, the food comes from the Poly's quick service location Captain Cooks). Dinner is served anywhere from 6-8 depending on when your child arrives.

It is best and encouraged to make reservations ahead of time. Credit card is required and there is a 24hr cancellation policy. However I did see people just show up and drop off their kids without a ressie.

When you enter you are effectively in Wendy's bedroom and the bed is the check in desk. The staff was quick and efficient and cheerful. There is a form to fill out, with names and phone numbers (you can ask for a pager if you don't have a cell phone number to leave with them). They hand you a 'receipt' back that you MUST have when you return to pick up your child.

No grown ups are allowed past Wendy's room during operating hours. I arrived during the open house and was given a tour and allowed to take pictures then.

Once the children are checked in, they climb through the window... and they are off!

The window leads down into the arts and craft area which is decorated to look like London.

at the other end of the London area is the 'Indian Camp' which has games and building blocks etc.

On the other side of the club is the dress up area and some other toy shelves. I want to mention how CLEAN and FRESH everything looked while we were there. None of the toys looked old or crusty or sticky. All the costumes were in great shape too!

The HUGE pirate ship holds bean bags and video games for all ages.

After the kids have played for awhile and dinner arrives everyone can sit down and watch a movie before the night is through.

I can't say enough good things about this place. Both times we went the ladies who worked with the kids were just lovely. My 7 year old LOVED it and my 3 year old (who was hesitant at first) went running up to the big window the second time around.

The kids are sent home with some treats (signed pictures of some of the Characters (stock photos) and (while we were there) Mickey straws. Plus any art work that they made during their stay goes home with them too.

The total for our two boys for 4 1/2 hours was about 90$ - way more than our in room sitter cost... but I think it was well worth the price... They both had so much fun!

 

[guitarob]

We just got back (in August) from WDW where my two boys ages 3 and 7 spent two 'nights' at The Neverland Club. We had never used this (or any of the kid clubs on property) so we were pretty excited/nervous to see what it was all about. Long story short... the place was AMAZING and I give it high marks.

Thank you so much for the review and photos. It's a wonderful addition to the thread!

 

[jkstewart1800]

Thank you so much for the review and photos. It's a wonderful addition to the thread!

You are very welcome! I am sorry it took me so long to get it done. I posted it in the regular resort forum, but then realized that the Poly thread is really where it should be....

 

[Tess]

We just got back (in August) from WDW where my two boys ages 3 and 7 spent two 'nights' at The Neverland Club. We had never used this (or any of the kid clubs on property) so we were pretty excited/nervous to see what it was all about. Long story short... the place was AMAZING and I give it high marks.


The total for our two boys for 4 1/2 hours was about 90$ - way more than our in room sitter cost... but I think it was well worth the price... They both had so much fun!

Thanks for the review, it brings back some fond memories of when the two "kids" in my signature were Neverland Clubbers. . .it was around $60 when they were little and worth every penny! They loved the Club and wanted a second night "out". Of course, we couldn't accommodate them, but as a parent it was wonderful to know the kids were having a terrific "night out" as well.

 

[coopersmom]

We just got back (in August) from WDW where my two boys ages 3 and 7 spent two 'nights' at The Neverland Club. We had never used this (or any of the kid clubs on property) so we were pretty excited/nervous to see what it was all about. Long story short... the place was AMAZING and I give it high marks.

We have a son who will be three, almost four, and has been totally potty trained for a long time now (finally, thank goodness). I've always been a little reluctant about these sorts of kids' clubs (hated them myself as a kid), but my son thinks they're great. (I stay at home so he only goes to preschool twice a week and he's the type of kid that has to be dragged out, not in.)

But as an only child I worry a bit about him being that young. My husband thinks it's a great idea for us to have dinner by ourselves one night. If he had a big brother like your little one, I would be all over it, but alone I'm still iffy.

He just recently watched (and loved) Peter Pan and he'd be all over that "through the window" thing.

 

[jkstewart1800]

We have a son who will be three, almost four, and has been totally potty trained for a long time now (finally, thank goodness). I've always been a little reluctant about these sorts of kids' clubs (hated them myself as a kid), but my son thinks they're great. (I stay at home so he only goes to preschool twice a week and he's the type of kid that has to be dragged out, not in.)

But as an only child I worry a bit about him being that young. My husband thinks it's a great idea for us to have dinner by ourselves one night. If he had a big brother like your little one, I would be all over it, but alone I'm still iffy.

He just recently watched (and loved) Peter Pan and he'd be all over that "through the window" thing.

Although the NC was bigger than the other clubs I checked out, it is still a smaller space than the pictures show... there are no areas for little ones to get 'lost' or put to the side out of the action. The women there were very loving and hands on, making sure each kid was happy and felt secure. I forgot to mention in my review that they put their name on their back so that each worker can use the child's name. The place is deffinately aimed at the youngsters... there weren't any BIG kids running around ... the oldest that was there that night was 10... it is not a place were little ones will be trampled... it is made for little ones....

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

We just got back (in August) from WDW where my two boys ages 3 and 7 spent two 'nights' at The Neverland Club. We had never used this (or any of the kid clubs on property) so we were pretty excited/nervous to see what it was all about. Long story short... the place was AMAZING and I give it high marks.

Thank you so much for the reviews and pictures!

I am thinking about using this for our kids so we can go to Jelly Rolls one evening. I'm worried that my DS8 will think it is too babyish for him. I saw that they had video games - do you happen to know if there were any that were geared toward kids around 8?

 

[jkstewart1800]

Thank you so much for the reviews and pictures!

I am thinking about using this for our kids so we can go to Jelly Rolls one evening. I'm worried that my DS8 will think it is too babyish for him. I saw that they had video games - do you happen to know if there were any that were geared toward kids around 8?

My son is 7 and loved it... he played the games and watch the movies and had a great time!