ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: January 2012

[Mousemommy1]

Well my birthday greatly improved when I spoke to my new boss and found out I can get TA rates on my August trip and save $1100! I can totally swing all 12 nights at the Poly now!

Now that's a birthday present Dani!!!!!! I know how much you love your Poly ~ I really hope I love it too!!! I'll be expecting a ticker change soon.

 

[Mousemommy1]

It tastes like a peach frozen drink with grenadine floating on top. I know it has southern comfort in it. I couldn't taste the liquor at all.

That sounds good! If I can't taste the alcohol I'm good!

 

[Snowy-girls]

Hello Poly Lovers ,
Hope you don't mind me asking a few questions on your thread(even though i am sadly not staying at this beautiful resort -it came in way to high for us to afford to stay here ).So we will be at POP for 3 weeks-which obviously i am excited about .

I understand that we are allowed to watch the MK fireworks from the beach-but looking at the map on the first page there are a few shaded beach area's-where is the spot we should be for Wishes out of the few shaded area's?.Can we take a Lapu Lapu(can't wait to try one of these ) down onto the beach to watch Wishes?.Or no food and drink allowed?.

Are we allowed to join in with the campfire,to make s'mores?.If yes,again where do we need to be and at what time-does it still start at 7pm(as in the picture on the first page it states 7pm-but in the recreation guide it states 8pm)-so what time do you recommend we should arrive?.Will one s'mores kit be enough for 2 adults,2children?.How many can you make from one kit?(does that seem a dumb question ).Would like to do this on the same evening as watching Wishes-will this be possible-will we finish in time to then get to the place where we should be for Wishes?

I will be booking an ADR for dinner at O'Hana,one of our daughter's will only eat the noodles and vegetables,i know from reading past trip reports that you can request a child's meal-say a plate of chicken nuggets/cheeseburger-are you still allowed to do this?.If yes do i still pay the price for the dinner buffet for the alternative meal,do i pay the price of just the burger?,or will i be charged both the prices-set meal and alternative meal?.that all sounds really confusing ).Should i mention when i book the ADR about wanting an alternative meal or just mention it when we are seated?.
Does the price of dinner include beverages?.What are they please?.

Thank you very much.x..

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

Well my birthday greatly improved when I spoke to my new boss and found out I can get TA rates on my August trip and save $1100! I can totally swing all 12 nights at the Poly now!

That is FANTASTIC news! The Polynesian for your whole August trip AND saving money...doesn't get much better than that

 

[TaraPA]

Well my birthday greatly improved when I spoke to my new boss and found out I can get TA rates on my August trip and save $1100! I can totally swing all 12 nights at the Poly now!

Dani that's amazing!!! I think that's the best birthday gift ever!

 

[TinkPirateMom]

Well my birthday greatly improved when I spoke to my new boss and found out I can get TA rates on my August trip and save $1100! I can totally swing all 12 nights at the Poly now!

Happy Birthday! That's great news! I am booked for 8 nights at the Poly using the 50% TA rates. That is the only way we would be staying at the Poly so I am grateful. All Poly rooms under the TA discount are already booked for my week so I am so glad I booked when I did!

 

[TaraPA]

Snowy-girls - I don't know the answers to most of your questions, but as a non-guest we've gone to Poly many times to have a Lapu Lapu on the beach to watch Wishes. I don't know "technically" if it's allowed, but no one has ever stopped us from taking the drinks to the beach. We usually plop right down on the sand somewhere between the Volcano Pool area & the Hawaii longhouse.

 

[disneydreamin247]

Now that's a birthday present Dani!!!!!! I know how much you love your Poly ~ I really hope I love it too!!! I'll be expecting a ticker change soon.

Thanks! I'm sure you will love it. It really has a charm to it. I tell everyone that if my DAD of all people loved it then it has to be good lol. I really want to try an Epcot resort but their lack of interesting CS options really turns me off.

That is FANTASTIC news! The Polynesian for your whole August trip AND saving money...doesn't get much better than that

I'm so excited! The rate really is incredible. I never even thought I'd be able to get one for our trip. I didn't think I'd qualify for one so soon.

Dani that's amazing!!! I think that's the best birthday gift ever!

Thanks Tara! I thought it was pretty sweet....almost as sweet as my cake.

Happy Birthday! That's great news! I am booked for 8 nights at the Poly using the 50% TA rates. That is the only way we would be staying at the Poly so I am grateful. All Poly rooms under the TA discount are already booked for my week so I am so glad I booked when I did!

That's fantastic! I was floored at the rates. This may make Aulani very possible for my big 30.

 

[maiapapaya]

Well my birthday greatly improved when I spoke to my new boss and found out I can get TA rates on my August trip and save $1100! I can totally swing all 12 nights at the Poly now!

Fantastic birthday present! Hopefully some of that Poly birthday karma we were sending your way brought some of that pixie dust to your celebration!

 

[aripantaloon]

Popping in here to say that we can't wait to stay at the Poly in a little over 2 months! DH and I stayed there in 2000 and are now taking the family back. We have a garden view room and I'm thinking of requesting either Tahiti or Tokelau to be close to the TTC.

 

[disneydreamin247]

Fantastic birthday present! Hopefully some of that Poly birthday karma we were sending your way brought some of that pixie dust to your celebration!

I'm sure my Poly peeps were involved. The tiki gods were smiling on me!

 

[iloveeeyore]

Hello Poly Lovers ,
Hope you don't mind me asking a few questions on your thread(even though i am sadly not staying at this beautiful resort -it came in way to high for us to afford to stay here ).So we will be at POP for 3 weeks-which obviously i am excited about .

I understand that we are allowed to watch the MK fireworks from the beach-but looking at the map on the first page there are a few shaded beach area's-where is the spot we should be for Wishes out of the few shaded area's?.Can we take a Lapu Lapu(can't wait to try one of these ) down onto the beach to watch Wishes?.Or no food and drink allowed?.

Are we allowed to join in with the campfire,to make s'mores?.If yes,again where do we need to be and at what time-does it still start at 7pm(as in the picture on the first page it states 7pm-but in the recreation guide it states 8pm)-so what time do you recommend we should arrive?.Will one s'mores kit be enough for 2 adults,2children?.How many can you make from one kit?(does that seem a dumb question ).Would like to do this on the same evening as watching Wishes-will this be possible-will we finish in time to then get to the place where we should be for Wishes?

I will be booking an ADR for dinner at O'Hana,one of our daughter's will only eat the noodles and vegetables,i know from reading past trip reports that you can request a child's meal-say a plate of chicken nuggets/cheeseburger-are you still allowed to do this?.If yes do i still pay the price for the dinner buffet for the alternative meal,do i pay the price of just the burger?,or will i be charged both the prices-set meal and alternative meal?.that all sounds really confusing ).Should i mention when i book the ADR about wanting an alternative meal or just mention it when we are seated?.
Does the price of dinner include beverages?.What are they please?.

Thank you very much.x..

You may bring anything from the bar down to the beach, you just have to tell the bartender you are doing that, because glass bottles and glasses are not allowed. The lapu lapu is served in a pineapple, so no problem with glass there!

The movies are on the beach in view of the fireworks, so you won't have to move at all. I'm not sure if the Wishes soundtrack is piped through the movie speakers or not (they pause the movie for the fireworks if the times overlap), but you will want to ask that question. If not, make sure you scope out a place on the beach from where you can hear the background hawaiian ambience music...the soundtrack to the fireworks plays out of the speakers. I'm not sure if you're technically supposed to watch the movie on the beach if you are not a guest at the resort, but I have never heard of anyone ever being asked to leave. Especially if you are a guest of 'Ohana and are buying smores kits. I would think that after dinner at 'Ohana, one package would be plenty for 4, since you will just want a taste.

I believe that the times of the movie are seasonal, so you will have to check what time the movie is showing the week you are there.

At 'Ohana, there is a price for adults and a price for children 9 and under. It is the same whether you eat everything or close to nothing. They will bring out an alternate meal if you don't like what they serve. Last time we were there, we saw adults eating grilled cheese. That's a hefty price to pay for grilled cheese, but to each his/her own!

 

[1971DBday]

I understand that we are allowed to watch the MK fireworks from the beach-but looking at the map on the first page there are a few shaded beach area's-where is the spot we should be for Wishes out of the few shaded area's?.Can we take a Lapu Lapu(can't wait to try one of these ) down onto the beach to watch Wishes?.Or no food and drink allowed?.

The PP gave you the right area for sitting on the beach. However, all of the beach areas do have a view of the fireworks. I'm just not sure how far the audio goes that is brought in from MK. The pool bar is open until the fireworks begin and the drinks come in plastic cups. If you want a pineapple go to the bar at the Tambu Lounge. You can bring cocktails on the beach. This happens in the day and night and there are no rules as far as I know.

Are we allowed to join in with the campfire,to make s'mores?.If yes,again where do we need to be and at what time-does it still start at 7pm(as in the picture on the first page it states 7pm-but in the recreation guide it states 8pm)-so what time do you recommend we should arrive?.Will one s'mores kit be enough for 2 adults,2children?.How many can you make from one kit?(does that seem a dumb question ).Would like to do this on the same evening as watching Wishes-will this be possible-will we finish in time to then get to the place where we should be for Wishes?

I can't help you on this one since we have never done it. But last time we were there it was over at the GF beach for Poly and GF guests. I don't know how they check. There is a sidewalk that connects the Poly and GF. Once you were done at the GF you could walk over to the Poly (less then 10 minute walk).

I will be booking an ADR for dinner at O'Hana,one of our daughter's will only eat the noodles and vegetables,i know from reading past trip reports that you can request a child's meal-say a plate of chicken nuggets/cheeseburger-are you still allowed to do this?.If yes do i still pay the price for the dinner buffet for the alternative meal,do i pay the price of just the burger?,or will i be charged both the prices-set meal and alternative meal?.that all sounds really confusing ).Should i mention when i book the ADR about wanting an alternative meal or just mention it when we are seated?.
Does the price of dinner include beverages?.What are they please?

Not sure on the age of your children, but if under 9 you will be charged O'Hanan's childs rate no matter what they eat. They don't change the price depending on what they eat or how much. Same thing for the adult meal. The price of the meal includes non-alcholic beverages (coffee, soda, milk....to my knowledge) and that's it. You can order alcoholic beverages but they will be charged to your bill.

It won't change your price, but you can tell them ahead of time if you need a special meal (ie. because of allergies or diet) but you are going to have to remind them anyway when you get there. From my understanding you will still have to pay the O'Hana price. They will feed you until you are satisfied since it's all you can eat pricing, but they will not adjust the price as far as I know.

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

Just booked our flight for our upcoming trip to the World ... and will be booking our CL room hopefully today as well!!

 

[chimo2u]

I wasn't going to call because I've called every day this week, but I just decided to bite the bullet and jump throughout the automated system's hoops ....just in case.....AND I was able to change to the POLY GV CL for ALL the days of our trip with our FD pin! I actually was able to add our extra night (Sept28) which we where in limbo for due to our flight getting us there a day earlier than we had originally planned.

I am so happy it all worked out. I am showing my BFF WDW for the first time, and I really think she will like the laid back island feel of the POLY! I've always longingly looked at that beautiful resort when on the monorail,-- or at the POLY for a meal -- now I will get to stay in HAWAII for 6 nights!!! I am so glad our FD pin ended up working for all 6 nights I think I made a good choice because it will be so easy for MNSSHP, our KONA breakfast, and getting the LYNX from the TTC for our Discovery Cove day! Also monorail to EPCOT will be so nice. I am excited to experience all the magic of the POLY and hope I love it as much as you all do!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

http://www.wdwmagic.com/Transportat...ing-Grand-Floridian-DVC-construction-work.htm

There is increasing speculation that the Walt Disney World monorail system will be operating on a reduced operating schedule in the near future due to the construction of the new Grand Floridian Resort DVC wing. The close proximity of the monorail beam to the construction site is assumed to be the primary factor in the need to halt monorail operations during certain times of the day. No details are yet available on when this will take place, or for how long. Alternative transportation would include additional watercraft and bus service. Should this come into effect, it will be the second major change to monorail operating hours in the last 12 months, following the suspension of monorail service during Extra Magic Hours since July 2011.

 

[padawans]

http://www.wdwmagic.com/Transportat...ing-Grand-Floridian-DVC-construction-work.htm

There is increasing speculation that the Walt Disney World monorail system will be operating on a reduced operating schedule in the near future due to the construction of the new Grand Floridian Resort DVC wing. The close proximity of the monorail beam to the construction site is assumed to be the primary factor in the need to halt monorail operations during certain times of the day. No details are yet available on when this will take place, or for how long. Alternative transportation would include additional watercraft and bus service. Should this come into effect, it will be the second major change to monorail operating hours in the last 12 months, following the suspension of monorail service during Extra Magic Hours since July 2011.

Thanks for posting this. I am glad I am doing a split stay this time. The boats will be fine for us. I just added a few days at BW so I don't think the monorail is going to affect our vacation at all.

 

[PoohsFan1]

Thanks CR Resort Fan 4 Life for the heads up. We will be doing a split stay between the Poly and BLT, of course both of which are on the monorail line .

 

[MSLRAC]

http://www.wdwmagic.com/Transportat...ing-Grand-Floridian-DVC-construction-work.htm

There is increasing speculation that the Walt Disney World monorail system will be operating on a reduced operating schedule in the near future due to the construction of the new Grand Floridian Resort DVC wing. The close proximity of the monorail beam to the construction site is assumed to be the primary factor in the need to halt monorail operations during certain times of the day. No details are yet available on when this will take place, or for how long. Alternative transportation would include additional watercraft and bus service. Should this come into effect, it will be the second major change to monorail operating hours in the last 12 months, following the suspension of monorail service during Extra Magic Hours since July 2011.

UGH! Wonder when more info on this will come out? We just booked Poly with a PIN because of the monorail.

 

[Mousemommy1]

What are all of the places you can go via boat??? I saw that the expected times of monorail closure during the day would be 11-7:30 pm...so, is there a boat to GF (as our ressies there are for 5), when we would apparently not be able to get there via monorail...does the boat go to CR? and I'm assuming that this would only affect the MK monorail right? The Epcot one doesn't go through the resort area...