ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: January 2012

[auprincess]

84 more days until our first stay at the Poly!! So excited!!!

 

[annej]

Can anyone tell me if there is WIFI in the rooms at the poly? Or anywhere on the poly property? We are staying Hawaii CL so even if in the lounge there would be good. I have to do a small amount of work while I am there and I am trying to decide wether i can just take my iPad or if I need to take my laptop.

TIA!

 

[disneydreamin247]

Steve is reporting on his Tikiman FB page that the latest rumour is the "major changes" are coming to the Poly in 2014 - 2015, with some work starting in 2013. He says he knows no more about the nature of these changes than when he first reported them in October. The speculation continues ...

Every time I read his updates on Facebook I think I'd rather know nothing than speculatory gossip.

 

[honeymom]

The last update was posted on tiki site was closing on the 15 or 17th with no access to the slide without a definite date of completion.

Um, it's the 20th today. I think we would have heard if it had closed already. Definitely nervous here about this. My kids will be bummed if it is not open when we are there as I'm sure others kids would be if it happened during their trip.

 

[BreezysMom]

I decided to make a Grand entrance 10 pages into the new thread I didn't even realize we moved on to a new thread

Thanks Rob

Wow, Carl...it is so good to have you back I am loving your pics!

 

[maiapapaya]

84 more days until our first stay at the Poly!! So excited!!!

That is exciting - less than 3 months. It will fly by!

Can anyone tell me if there is WIFI in the rooms at the poly? TIA!

yes, there is free wifi in the rooms

Every time I read his updates on Facebook I think I'd rather know nothing than speculatory gossip.

ITA. I sometimes wonder if Steve's contacts aren't as reliable as in the past. He said there was going to be a big celebration on Oct. 24 this past fall for the Poly's 40th. We were there at the time and there was nothing except pins being handed out in CC's. The CM's we asked about it made us feel like we were crazy. I would also prefer if he didn't give little teasers about stuff he says he knows, but then tell us he can't reveal any more information.

I decided to make a Grand entrance 10 pages into the new thread I didn't even realize we moved on to a new thread

Thanks Rob

Wow, Carl...it is so good to have you back I am loving your pics!

Took you long enough Breezy! Get with the program! sheesh

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

ITA. I sometimes wonder if Steve's contacts aren't as reliable as in the past. He said there was going to be a big celebration on Oct. 24 this past fall for the Poly's 40th. We were there at the time and there was nothing except pins being handed out in CC's. The CM's we asked about it made us feel like we were crazy. I would also prefer if he didn't give little teasers about stuff he says he knows, but then tells us he can't reveal any more information.

I was at the Poly the week before the 40th celebration and I was also told that there would be a BIG announcement (this was from the bartender who has been there everytime I have been there - Tim I think?). It does make me wonder if there was a change in plans - maybe due to Fantasyland expansion??? Like they wanted a lot of rooms near MK for 2012/2013? Anyway, they also told me all about the GF villas before they were officially announced too so I know they get some correct information! Yet at the GF, the waitress who worked at GF for years claimed she didn't even know there was construction going on um seriously??

But I digress...I also sometimes would like to not hear the rumors but honestly, that's how we find out about everything before the general public! I got slammed once talking about a big BTMR update for this year (I know a guy working on the project). And of course, it was true. So it's hard to even bring up rumors on the DIS boards. Ah well, it's fun to speculate!

 

[auprincess]

Um, it's the 20th today. I think we would have heard if it had closed already. Definitely nervous here about this. My kids will be bummed if it is not open when we are there as I'm sure others kids would be if it happened during their trip.

I wonder what is going on with the slide, too!! In the last newsletter I read (mousesavers, maybe?), there was mention of the GF (?) slide renovation but nothing mentioned about the volcano slide

 

[carlnix30]

Um, it's the 20th today. I think we would have heard if it had closed already. Definitely nervous here about this. My kids will be bummed if it is not open when we are there as I'm sure others kids would be if it happened during their trip.

The Poly did the same thing with the quiet pool. It like they really don't want the info out. Maybe to keep the rooms full?? But if you are really concerned you can call the reservation desk and they will have the most up to date info. You just have to call and ask.

I decided to make a Grand entrance 10 pages into the new thread I didn't even realize we moved on to a new thread

Thanks Rob

Wow, Carl...it is so good to have you back I am loving your pics!

Breezysmom this thread has always felt like home.. And its fun to pass the time with all things Poly!

 

[i_heart_the_mouse]

Just got back tonight from the Poly. I'll post a mini review tomorrow, but wanted to jump on and let everyone know that the slide was open. I asked MANY people if it would be closing and was told each time that it would not be closing any time soon. As always, take the info with a grain (or two!) of salt, as it seemed like nobody knew for sure what was going on. Or if they did, they weren't telling

 

[laura428]

Just got back tonight from the Poly. I'll post a mini review tomorrow, but wanted to jump on and let everyone know that the slide was open. I asked MANY people if it would be closing and was told each time that it would not be closing any time soon. As always, take the info with a grain (or two!) of salt, as it seemed like nobody knew for sure what was going on. Or if they did, they weren't telling

Please let it not be September 28 - October 7. Please let it not be September 28 - October 7. Please let it not be September 28 - October 7.

 

[carlnix30]

ALOHA EVERYONE!​

.
.

 

[maiapapaya]

Good morning Carl. Loving the pics, thanks!

 

[disneydreamin247]

ITA. I sometimes wonder if Steve's contacts aren't as reliable as in the past. He said there was going to be a big celebration on Oct. 24 this past fall for the Poly's 40th. We were there at the time and there was nothing except pins being handed out in CC's. The CM's we asked about it made us feel like we were crazy. I would also prefer if he didn't give little teasers about stuff he says he knows, but then tell us he can't reveal any more information.

I have to agree. It caused quite the commotion on the boards, and then blew over as nothing. When I was there in September the CM who transferred us over to the GF said they thought about putting DVC at the Poly but scrapped the idea. Of course info from a CM is hit or miss so who knows what's true.

 

[i_heart_the_mouse]

Just a brief little trip report for my fellow Poly lovers

We arrived via ME and were escorted back to Hawaii. Check in was a breeze and we were given room 1530 (GV like we booked). We quickly dropped our bags in the room and hightailed it to the lounge to watch our first Wishes and have some desserts. After we went back to the room, we discovered we had an accessible room which would not work very well for giving our baby a bath. Went back to the Concierge desk and were upgraded to LV room 2503!!!

We liked being so close to the lounge, didn't miss a balcony and were over the moon with the view. A tree did block a lot of the fireworks, but we are now hooked on paying for a view! Next time it will be TPV-CL for sure!

Our room was very clean, and showed no obvious signs of disrepair. I admit, I did not scour the place for dirty baseboards, or stained carpets. But nothing stuck out to me as a problem. Housekeeping was fine, but no towel animals . I know it's not something that is a given, but we have had animals every day (and quite elaborate ones at that!) and the kids's animals have been arranged in cute ways on every trip we have ever taken in the past. No big deal, and really if we hadn't been so spoiled by our past experiences, we probably wouldn't have noticed.

The food in the lounge was always adequate. although I think they recycled the bagels for a few too many days as they were always stale. Everything else seemed fresh and tasty.

Mornings were always pastries, fruit, cereal and oatmeal. Afternoon snacks were goldfish, gummies, cookies, trail mix, popcorn and yogurt pretzels. Evening apps were rotating hot apps with cheeses, hummus/pita, veggies/dip, pineapple/caramel and either uncrustables or mini corndogs for the kiddos. We particularly enjoyed sushi night and wing/potsticker night! Desserts were kinda slim. Usually a mousse or tart or two and cookies. They were just ok. The punch was flowing and I need to get the recipe and make it at home! The food was always replenished as soon as it was emptied and never once did I see them run out of an item and not put out more.

The bad news. Many other guests (kids and adults alike) were darn right disgusting. Bare feet, wearing pajamas, grabbing food with fingers, eating in line, ordering around the CMs, leaving piles of dirty plates on a table and just moving to get another fresh table, taking every last item and leaving others to stand and wait for more. Well, you get the picture.

I tried not to let it bother me, but I really felt like they could do a better job enforcing the lounge decorum. At the BC the CMs were always on top of gently correcting the no-nos. Not so at the Poly.

The CMs at the concierge desks were beyond helpful. When my DS was sick they brought him a heating pad for his belly and got him ginger ale. They helped DH order a cake for DD's birthday. We rented many movies and board games and they always helped with a smile. When we mentioned our remote was broken, they had a new one for us when we got back from the park. The level of service provided is why we will probably always book CL from now on. You just can't put a price tag on the convenience of the lounge and the extra level of service from the CMs. For my crew, it isn't a poor value money wise either since there are 6 of us.

We ate at 'Ohana for both breakfast and dinner, and enjoyed both as usual. For breakfast we had a 10:50 ressie and it was perfect. All of the characters were VERY involved. Crawling on the floor with the baby, playing hide and seek and peek-a-boo, over the top really. For dinner we had a 5:00 ressie and were seated and served almost immediately and our meal did not disappoint. The food did come out rather quickly, but we don't mind eating a little of everything at once instead of timed as separate courses. We will always do the latest breakfast and earliest dinner from now on as it really worked out the best for us!

Captain Cooks was great. We had many meals there and enjoyed each one. There were a few times that I noticed the dining area could use a little TLC. Too much garbage laying around and sticky floors and the like, but when you have 4 kids, you get used to things not being perfectly clean so it didn't bother us.

The grounds were lovely as always and the parks were nice and easy. We never waited for anything all week. As always, we got there early, used FP to our advantage and left after lunch when things start to get crowded.

Transportation was great, although we only used the monorail as this was a Epcot/MK only trip.

All in all, we can't wait to go back. Poly TPV-CL is now in the running as a part of our June trip. We are definitely doing an Epcot Resort for at least part of the trip as we love the ease of walking to WS in the evenings (and because of my mother, but that's another post ). But a Poly/BC or BWI split sounds like a little slice of heaven! I just can't decide if I want to start or end with my favorite place in the World

Anyway, hope this helps someone. I love reading and learning from other people's experiences and thought it only fair to share a bit of mine

 

[204charity]

Just a brief little trip report for my fellow Poly lovers

All in all, we can't wait to go back. Poly TPV-CL is now in the running as a part of our June trip. We are definitely doing an Epcot Resort for at least part of the trip as we love the ease of walking to WS in the evenings (and because of my mother, but that's another post ). But a Poly/BC or BWI split sounds like a little slice of heaven! I just can't decide if I want to start or end with my favorite place in the World

Anyway, hope this helps someone. I love reading and learning from other people's experiences and thought it only fair to share a bit of mine

What a wonderful week! I am so jealous of all you Dis-er's who get to go to DW multiple times a year. This is only my second time in my LIFE!! I don't think I could ever stay at the BWI - that clown slide freaks me out. Almost as much as this guy -

 

[maiapapaya]

I don't think I could ever stay at the BWI - that clown slide freaks me out. Almost as much as this guy -

ITA!!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Just a brief little trip report for my fellow Poly lovers

We arrived via ME and were escorted back to Hawaii. Check in was a breeze and we were given room 1530 (GV like we booked). We quickly dropped our bags in the room and hightailed it to the lounge to watch our first Wishes and have some desserts. After we went back to the room, we discovered we had an accessible room which would not work very well for giving our baby a bath. Went back to the Concierge desk and were upgraded to LV room 2503!!!

We liked being so close to the lounge, didn't miss a balcony and were over the moon with the view. A tree did block a lot of the fireworks, but we are now hooked on paying for a view! Next time it will be TPV-CL for sure!

Our room was very clean, and showed no obvious signs of disrepair. I admit, I did not scour the place for dirty baseboards, or stained carpets. But nothing stuck out to me as a problem. Housekeeping was fine, but no towel animals . I know it's not something that is a given, but we have had animals every day (and quite elaborate ones at that!) and the kids's animals have been arranged in cute ways on every trip we have ever taken in the past. No big deal, and really if we hadn't been so spoiled by our past experiences, we probably wouldn't have noticed.

The food in the lounge was always adequate. although I think they recycled the bagels for a few too many days as they were always stale. Everything else seemed fresh and tasty.

Mornings were always pastries, fruit, cereal and oatmeal. Afternoon snacks were goldfish, gummies, cookies, trail mix, popcorn and yogurt pretzels. Evening apps were rotating hot apps with cheeses, hummus/pita, veggies/dip, pineapple/caramel and either uncrustables or mini corndogs for the kiddos. We particularly enjoyed sushi night and wing/potsticker night! Desserts were kinda slim. Usually a mousse or tart or two and cookies. They were just ok. The punch was flowing and I need to get the recipe and make it at home! The food was always replenished as soon as it was emptied and never once did I see them run out of an item and not put out more.

The bad news. Many other guests (kids and adults alike) were darn right disgusting. Bare feet, wearing pajamas, grabbing food with fingers, eating in line, ordering around the CMs, leaving piles of dirty plates on a table and just moving to get another fresh table, taking every last item and leaving others to stand and wait for more. Well, you get the picture.

I tried not to let it bother me, but I really felt like they could do a better job enforcing the lounge decorum. At the BC the CMs were always on top of gently correcting the no-nos. Not so at the Poly.

The CMs at the concierge desks were beyond helpful. When my DS was sick they brought him a heating pad for his belly and got him ginger ale. They helped DH order a cake for DD's birthday. We rented many movies and board games and they always helped with a smile. When we mentioned our remote was broken, they had a new one for us when we got back from the park. The level of service provided is why we will probably always book CL from now on. You just can't put a price tag on the convenience of the lounge and the extra level of service from the CMs. For my crew, it isn't a poor value money wise either since there are 6 of us.

We ate at 'Ohana for both breakfast and dinner, and enjoyed both as usual. For breakfast we had a 10:50 ressie and it was perfect. All of the characters were VERY involved. Crawling on the floor with the baby, playing hide and seek and peek-a-boo, over the top really. For dinner we had a 5:00 ressie and were seated and served almost immediately and our meal did not disappoint. The food did come out rather quickly, but we don't mind eating a little of everything at once instead of timed as separate courses. We will always do the latest breakfast and earliest dinner from now on as it really worked out the best for us!

Captain Cooks was great. We had many meals there and enjoyed each one. There were a few times that I noticed the dining area could use a little TLC. Too much garbage laying around and sticky floors and the like, but when you have 4 kids, you get used to things not being perfectly clean so it didn't bother us.

The grounds were lovely as always and the parks were nice and easy. We never waited for anything all week. As always, we got there early, used FP to our advantage and left after lunch when things start to get crowded.

Transportation was great, although we only used the monorail as this was a Epcot/MK only trip.

All in all, we can't wait to go back. Poly TPV-CL is now in the running as a part of our June trip. We are definitely doing an Epcot Resort for at least part of the trip as we love the ease of walking to WS in the evenings (and because of my mother, but that's another post ). But a Poly/BC or BWI split sounds like a little slice of heaven! I just can't decide if I want to start or end with my favorite place in the World

Anyway, hope this helps someone. I love reading and learning from other people's experiences and thought it only fair to share a bit of mine

At the WL they also enforce all the lounge rules which makes it a great experience for ALL the guests. It's too bad that the Poly doesn't seem to care.

Your review was very to helpful to me - thank you.

 

[i_heart_the_mouse]

For various reasons, I'd rather not do BC again. Not that is isn't a wonderful resort, because it is . As of now, I'm booked at BWI, but that stinkin' clown is what keeps me reconsidering. Well, that and the fact that I don't think I can go to WDW again and not stay at my Poly at least part of the time

 

[WDWKOOK]

For various reasons, I'd rather not do BC again. Not that is isn't a wonderful resort, because it is . As of now, I'm booked at BWI, but that stinkin' clown is what keeps me reconsidering. Well, that and the fact that I don't think I can go to WDW again and not stay at my Poly at least part of the time

Well, keep in mind that there are two other pools without clowns at BWI/BWV. I wasn't very keen on it either until I saw it in person and realized that it fits the theme of Luna Park perfectly and really is a great slide that kids (and adults) love. Since the back of the resort faces the BoardWalk, and you spend more time in the BW area, you'll probably not even see it that much.