ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: January 2012

[chimo2u]

So excited! All our ADRS are made, and I am so very much looking forward to my first GV CL Poly stay Sept/Oct ! Only 178 days to go I was very happy with IPO booking our dining....they got most of the timings I wanted, except OHANA is at 7:05 pm on Sept 29 instead of 6:15/6:30 like I was hoping for....but hey, we will take it
We got our Cabana booked for our MNSSHP day (sept 30/ hopefully ) and are hoping to get Manu Kea? If we can on the day of.
Question: are we supposed to tip our Cabana attendant? And if so, what is appropriate? Would hate to not if it was a normal/ expected practice

I hope we come back loving the POLY like you all do!

Marie

 

[204charity]

Okay so I'm reading through the posts while drinking coffee and the Napolean Dynamite voice just made me snarf my coffee up my nose. Thank so much for the laugh. Now go feed Tina!!

Tina! Eat your meat!!!

 

[carlnix30]

So excited! All our ADRS are made, and I am so very much looking forward to my first GV CL Poly stay Sept/Oct ! Only 178 days to go I was very happy with IPO booking our dining....they got most of the timings I wanted, except OHANA is at 7:05 pm on Sept 29 instead of 6:15/6:30 like I was hoping for....but hey, we will take it
We got our Cabana booked for our MNSSHP day (sept 30/ hopefully ) and are hoping to get Manu Kea? If we can on the day of.
Question: are we supposed to tip our Cabana attendant? And if so, what is appropriate? Would hate to not if it was a normal/ expected practice

I hope we come back loving the POLY like you all do!

Marie

The cabana attendant works for recreation department and do not expect a tip. But we do it anyway but in no way are you obligated.

 

[disneyfan67]

How has your experience been with the online check in? I'm thinking of doing it the day before my arrival at the Poly when I'm finishing up my stay at Universal. I would love to get a balcony or patio room and can you request this online? I have never done the online check in, so I'm curious on people's experience with it.

 

[WDWDad73]

LOVE THIS HOTEL!!!! MY favorite!!!

 

[carlnix30]

So I just got back from staying at the Disneyland hotel and I had to tell you about their quick service - Tangoroa Terrace. It was like being at Captain Cooks! They had the same decor, ordering kiosks (even with the 'order here' icon surrounding by those palm tree leaves!), and Polynesian feel. Of course, it just made us 'Poly' homesick but it was neat to see.

Back to regular programming...

So looking at the pics, it looks like they transported captain cooks to California! That is magic!!
Welcome back Tink!

 

[SevenSeasLagoon5]

So excited! All our ADRS are made, and I am so very much looking forward to my first GV CL Poly stay Sept/Oct ! Only 178 days to go I was very happy with IPO booking our dining....they got most of the timings I wanted, except OHANA is at 7:05 pm on Sept 29 instead of 6:15/6:30 like I was hoping for....but hey, we will take it
We got our Cabana booked for our MNSSHP day (sept 30/ hopefully ) and are hoping to get Manu Kea? If we can on the day of.
Question: are we supposed to tip our Cabana attendant? And if so, what is appropriate? Would hate to not if it was a normal/ expected practice

I hope we come back loving the POLY like you all do!

Marie

Congrats on your upcoming stay!! You're going to love the Poly!

It's true that the cabana attendants work for recreation, but we always tip them 15-20 % of the cabana rental bill. We do this at the resorts and on Castaway Cay. Just like a waiter would bring a drink to you at the pool in another hotel, he would be tipped based on your total bar bill. Have fun!

Always love this thread!

 

[kimberwee]

Are there any downsides to checking in online? We know that we wont get a king size bed and dont really have any preferences.

Would we have a better chance at Pixie Dust if we just wait and check in when we get there?

Anyone? Anyone?

 

[auprincess]

Anyone? Anyone?

I don't know...I'm 10 days out and debating it!!! We always have in the past, so I think I'm going to go ahead and do it today. This trip is the first time I actually have a request; I figure if I don't get it, that's okay. We'll ask again when we get there (since we won't be in a rush to get our room).

 

[crostorfer]

Anyone? Anyone?

There is absolutely no difference between the 2 at the Poly, IMO. I've done both, both were quick and efficent, and my requests were met both times.

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

kimberwee I don't think it really matters one way or the other. We have done both (different resorts) and found no real difference. Online check in is usually quicker assuming you like your room assignment. If you do not like your room, you will have to get in line for regular check in to change. I also do not think either gives you a better chance of an upgrade.

Since you are not picky about location, I would leave it up to the tikigods and actually walk in your room and see how you like it. Last visit to Poly we requested 3rd flr Tokelau. We ended up in 3rd flr Aotearoa. Originally I was sad about location but after we got into the room, we LOVED it. We even had a peek-a-boo glimpse of the castle thru a wispy tree...at garden view price Not what I asked for but loved it just the same. Poly has beautiful views from all the longhouses. After experiencing different longhouses at Poly, the only reason I would change rooms now is if I can see a car/parking lot from my room(which is also why I would never book TPV at CR as it looks over the parking lot). That is the one thing that bums me on a room view for vacation and there are an exceptional few of those at Poly. They really did a great job of planning when they built the Poly

 

[204charity]

On-line check-in day!

 

[crostorfer]

kimberwee I don't think it really matters one way or the other. We have done both (different resorts) and found no real difference. Online check in is usually quicker assuming you like your room assignment. If you do not like your room, you will have to get in line for regular check in to change. I also do not think either gives you a better chance of an upgrade.

Since you are not picky about location, I would leave it up to the tikigods and actually walk in your room and see how you like it. Last visit to Poly we requested 3rd flr Tokelau. We ended up in 3rd flr Aotearoa. Originally I was sad about location but after we got into the room, we LOVED it. We even had a peek-a-boo glimpse of the castle thru a wispy tree...at garden view price Not what I asked for but loved it just the same. Poly has beautiful views from all the longhouses. After experiencing different longhouses at Poly, the only reason I would change rooms now is if I can see a car/parking lot from my room(which is also why I would never book TPV at CR as it looks over the parking lot). That is the one thing that bums me on a room view for vacation and there are an exceptional few of those at Poly. They really did a great job of planning when they built the Poly

I absolutely love 3rd floor Aotearoa. I like the older side of the resort better in general, it's more quiet and relaxing over there, and I love listening to the music from the Luau. If we weren't staying CL this time, I would absolutely request Aotearoa again. We paid for Lagoon View, but we had a dead on view of the castle to the right of a palm tree.

 

[Tebrown96]

Oh, my goodness, I am getting so excited - 1 month from tomorrow we'll be checking into Poly for our first time! I'm going with DH, DD (4 1/2) and my mom and we are all over-the-moon excited. We made a big "Countdown to Disney" calendar with DD about a month ago, all decorated with Disney stickers, etc. Every day she gets to put another sticker on for the day and we're now at 31 days. I can almost feel the sunshine and warm breezes! This thread has just totally amped me up even more - seeing the pictures, reading the must-dos. Our trip can't come quick enough!!

 

[jennyjinx3]

Oh, my goodness, I am getting so excited - 1 month from tomorrow we'll be checking into Poly for our first time! I'm going with DH, DD (4 1/2) and my mom and we are all over-the-moon excited. We made a big "Countdown to Disney" calendar with DD about a month ago, all decorated with Disney stickers, etc. Every day she gets to put another sticker on for the day and we're now at 31 days. I can almost feel the sunshine and warm breezes! This thread has just totally amped me up even more - seeing the pictures, reading the must-dos. Our trip can't come quick enough!!

How exciting for you!! You must be super pumped! We still have to wait until September!!

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

So excited! All our ADRS are made, and I am so very much looking forward to my first GV CL Poly stay Sept/Oct ! Only 178 days to go I was very happy with IPO booking our dining....they got most of the timings I wanted, except OHANA is at 7:05 pm on Sept 29 instead of 6:15/6:30 like I was hoping for....but hey, we will take it
We got our Cabana booked for our MNSSHP day (sept 30/ hopefully ) and are hoping to get Manu Kea? If we can on the day of.
Question: are we supposed to tip our Cabana attendant? And if so, what is appropriate? Would hate to not if it was a normal/ expected practice

I hope we come back loving the POLY like you all do!

Marie

The cabana attendant works for recreation department and do not expect a tip. But we do it anyway but in no way are you obligated.

Ditto Carl!
They will actually tell you they don't take tips, but I forced it (well, he didn't refuse!) into his hand and told him it wasn't a tip

How has your experience been with the online check in? I'm thinking of doing it the day before my arrival at the Poly when I'm finishing up my stay at Universal. I would love to get a balcony or patio room and can you request this online? I have never done the online check in, so I'm curious on people's experience with it.

I have done online check in ever since they offered it. At the Poly, I have received all of my requests (but I CALLED in my requests months prior then verified they had my requests about a week prior) and have always waited in the 'short line'. At WLV I had a different experience - they didn't have me checked in even though I did it and my request wasn't met either. And I stood in a longer line. But I'll continue to do online check in. It also appears to have changed where some resorts let you type in a request??? But I've never had that for the Poly. I've always called in my requests.

So looking at the pics, it looks like they transported captain cooks to California! That is magic!!
Welcome back Tink!

Thanks! It was super cool to see those kiosks. But I'll tell you, the kids told me they missed the Poly! We stayed at the Disneyland Hotel and it was nice but a far cry from WDW. Oh, but I can't say that...the DL forum is skewering me for my preference...oops...

 

[auprincess]

I did online check in today, but it wouldn't let me do my request (I did it, but then it said it could not process or something and to call). I have it noted on my reservation when I first booked (and asked to confirm when I made my final payment). Do I need to call again? I am asking for a certain building, but really I just want to make sure we have a patio or balcony so DH and I can hang out while the girls sleep.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

I did online check in today, but it wouldn't let me do my request (I did it, but then it said it could not process or something and to call). I have it noted on my reservation when I first booked (and asked to confirm when I made my final payment). Do I need to call again? I am asking for a certain building, but really I just want to make sure we have a patio or balcony so DH and I can hang out while the girls sleep.

If you've already phoned in your request, you should be fine. But I'm a double-checker so I always call about a week prior to checking in to make sure they have my requests noted. I ask them to tell me what it says and then say 'good!'. I don't think they've ever had it wrong - but they didn't know how to pronounce Tokelau

 

[carlnix30]

Congrats on your upcoming stay!! You're going to love the Poly!

It's true that the cabana attendants work for recreation, but we always tip them 15-20 % of the cabana rental bill. We do this at the resorts and on Castaway Cay. Just like a waiter would bring a drink to you at the pool in another hotel, he would be tipped based on your total bar bill. Have fun!

Always love this thread!

No way would I tip 15-20% on the price of the premium cabana. that would be $105-$140. I think we tipped $50 last time we were there. Heather was super nice but all I really requested from her was ice and a few sodas. Castaway Cay would be a different story.

 

[carlnix30]

Thanks! It was super cool to see those kiosks. But I'll tell you, the kids told me they missed the Poly! We stayed at the Disneyland Hotel and it was nice but a far cry from WDW. Oh, but I can't say that...the DL forum is skewering me for my preference...oops...

Its funny. we all know Disney world is so much better than Disneyland! there its a land.. here its a WORLD!

there is no doubt where your loyalties lie! you are way closer to Disneyland but you prefer coming to the world! I wouldn't mind seeing Disneyland but I don't think I could stay 9 days there!