ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: January 2012

[catzle]

Just got back from 10 days at the Poly. I can tell you there are no wrist bands and everyone is welcome to watch the movie, toast marsh mellows and watch the fireworks. The pool was crowded but not too bad but of course we had Debbie with us for about 5 day of this trip.

Here are few things I noticed. One lady saving 7 chairs, watched her then leave with one shoe and a towel on each chair and come back 5 hours later. Thought this was just awful.

One parent's child had to go to the bathroom and the father asked pee or poop, daughter said pee he said okay then go pee in the pool.

Two boys throwing sand at the ducks in the lake while the parents sat there and watched them do it.

I heard a few people talking about how they were not staying at the Poly but just there to use the pool.

One lady left her 3 year old in the pool while she sat at the bar. Another set of parents said the life guards can watch their kids while they go off to lunch.

While much of this did not effect our vacation I was a little sad with today's parenting. Saw way too many parents on their cell phones and totally ignoring their children.

 

[ireneryan]

Just got back from 10 days at the Poly. I can tell you there are no wrist bands and everyone is welcome to watch the movie, toast marsh mellows and watch the fireworks. The pool was crowded but not too bad but of course we had Debbie with us for about 5 day of this trip.

Here are few things I noticed. One lady saving 7 chairs, watched her then leave with one shoe and a towel on each chair and come back 5 hours later. Thought this was just awful.

One parent's child had to go to the bathroom and the father asked pee or poop, daughter said pee he said okay then go pee in the pool.

Two boys throwing sand at the ducks in the lake while the parents sat there and watched them do it.

I heard a few people talking about how they were not staying at the Poly but just there to use the pool.

One lady left her 3 year old in the pool while she sat at the bar. Another set of parents said the life guards can watch their kids while they go off to lunch.

While much of this did not effect our vacation I was a little sad with today's parenting. Saw way too many parents on their cell phones and totally ignoring their children.

Not all of today's parents are bad. I am horrified by this stuff. I would never leave my 3 1/2 year old alone anywhere especially in water! And the phone thing makes me batty! I get picked on for not having my phone handy and answering it every minute of my life but seriously, I would much rather have my eyes glued to my DD than glued to a piece of electronics! Ugh!!!

 

[latexscooter]

Things you shouldn't miss at the Poly:

[*]EWP from the beach
[*]Wishes from the beach
[*]hula lessons in the lobby
[*]taking the boat launch to/from the MK at least once
[*]renting a sea raycer (you'll get a discount coupon in your travel documents if you've booked a package)
[*]our DD9 likes to hang out in the arcade with DH (you will also get a coupon for this)
[*]take time to enjoy the resort! There is nothing like relaxing in the pool with the castle off in the distance while listening to the boat horns & the train whistle from the MK
[*]take in the torch lighting
[*]rent a cabana if it's in your budget
[*]campfire & movie on the beach


You can request a particular longhouse (although it's not guaranteed). Depending on your room category & needs different longhouses may appeal to you than others. You can also request a particular floor. All first floor rooms have a small patio area and all third floor rooms have a balcony, but most of the longhouses do not have a balcony on the second floor. If having outdoor space is important to you, you should consider making a request.

Happy planning!

I love your name Maia, very cute! Your list is awesome! I have a couple more questions That I hope you don't mind answering.

Do you know if they post a list of daily activities in a central location you can check?

We are paying for a garden view and don't really have a preference for location but I think I'd prefer being closer to the TTC, is there a specific longhouse I should request or should I leave it to a higher power?

Rather than request a specific floor can you request not a to be on a specific floor? I'd love a balcony or patio but would hate having neither.

How is transportation to DHS and AK? Do the busses share?

That's it for now but I'm sure I'll have more later.

 

[jennyjinx3]

I love your name Maia, very cute! Your list is awesome! I have a couple more questions That I hope you don't mind answering.

Do you know if they post a list of daily activities in a central location you can check?

We are paying for a garden view and don't really have a preference for location but I think I'd prefer being closer to the TTC, is there a specific longhouse I should request or should I leave it to a higher power?

Rather than request a specific floor can you request not a to be on a specific floor? I'd love a balcony or patio but would hate having neither.

How is transportation to DHS and AK? Do the busses share?

That's it for now but I'm sure I'll have more later.

I am not Maia (and she will probably know more...) but we requested Tokelau, and it was great! So close to the quiet pool and a 5 minute walk to the TTC. It was perfect coming back from the parks. I believe all floors have either patio or balcony in this longhouse.

We caught the bus from the Poly to DHS and AK. We waited about 10 - 15 minutes for a bus to come, and then the bus made a stop at Blizzard Beach if I remember correctly. Still didn't take too long though, even with the short stop.

I cannot remember about the posted pool activities, but do remember that at the same time everyday there was a kids dance type party. This was around 4 pm I think.

Hope this helps!!

 

[maiapapaya]

I love your name Maia, very cute! Your list is awesome! I have a couple more questions That I hope you don't mind answering.

Do you know if they post a list of daily activities in a central location you can check?

We are paying for a garden view and don't really have a preference for location but I think I'd prefer being closer to the TTC, is there a specific longhouse I should request or should I leave it to a higher power?

Rather than request a specific floor can you request not a to be on a specific floor? I'd love a balcony or patio but would hate having neither.

How is transportation to DHS and AK? Do the busses share?

That's it for now but I'm sure I'll have more later.

Thanks, latexscooter, my name is after one of my daughters (I started using it when she was a baby & it's stuck).

If you prefer to be closer to the TTC then I would request Tahiti, the bathrooms have double sinks and there ARE balconies on the second floor.

When trying to avoid the second floor (in other longhouses) most people just request "1st or 3rd floor."

Other possibilities for a garden view (GV) room, just so you know what is available ...

In Figi with a GV room you can request the marina side & you will have a view of the water. It is not a view of the lagoon & castle, but still a water view. This longhouse is also very close to the Grand Ceremonial House (GCH) where you will find the restaurants, shope & monorail platform.
This is the marina side view from Figi: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34243944&postcount=789

Other people like Samoa because you will either face the volcano pool or the quiet pool, and it is also very close to the GCH. This is one of the views from Samoa: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34261952&postcount=837

Lots of options! It really isn't that far to walk to the TTC if other things appeal to you and would also be considerations in picking a longhouse to request. The Poly isn't a huge property.

Oh, and you will get a list of activities when you check in!

 

[princssdisnygina]

I just got back from a 4 night stay at the Poly. Let me tell you about what I saw at the pool as well...

No wristbands at all and definitely no one checking. Throughout the day as I was coming and going, I saw SEVERAL people walking to their cars in their bathing suits soaked with towels and a bag in hand. It appeared they had drove over to use the pool and were leaving. I saw this many times. Other than that, I can't complain much about the pool.

I can tell you I requested Samoa room 3607 and ended up with 3610 which was pretty close so I was happy. Mousekeeping was quite slow this week as it was after 3 that the room was cleaned almost everyday. Not a huge deal as we were gone most of the day. The fireworks from the beach on the 3rd were amazing. But... the beach was insanely crowded. Tikiman had suggested they were going to wristband everyone that was a resort guest and keep it for resort guests only but I did not see that happen.

Overall it was a great quick trip though. The front desk was amazing as we encountered quite the problem at the end of the trip (not Disney related). They went out of their way to help us and I can't say enough about them. They just reminded me why I love to stay at the Poly. I am on the countdown for my trip in September!

Here are some pics from the trip. Of course I had to throw in some Ohana pics! Some of the pics are views from our room.

View from our room 3610- Samoa

 

[disneydreamin247]

Gina thanks for the lovely pics. They will have to hold me over for the next month!!!

 

[ireneryan]

Those pics were gorgeous!! So looking forward to our November trip!

Quick question, What is the drink in the pineapple?

 

[disneydreamin247]

Those pics were gorgeous!! So looking forward to our November trip!

Quick question, What is the drink in the pineapple?

It's a Lapu Lapu, a rum laden pineapple full of deliciousness!

 

[TaraPA]

Thanks for the pics Gina - gorgeous!

Dani one more month to go!! Woo hoo!

For the person who asked about a room close to the TTC, we were in Tokelau and it was the PERFECT location for us. Right at the quiet pool, and a very short walk to everything else, including the TTC. We agreed that on our next Poly trip we'll request Tokelau again.

 

[latexscooter]

Gina, how was the people noise in Samoa? Being in such close proximity to the pool I'm curious if the noise of folks visiting the pools at night and whooping it up can be heard from the room. This is an issue we've experienced previously and I'm just curious.

 

[disneydreamin247]

Thanks for the pics Gina - gorgeous!

Dani one more month to go!! Woo hoo!

For the person who asked about a room close to the TTC, we were in Tokelau and it was the PERFECT location for us. Right at the quiet pool, and a very short walk to everything else, including the TTC. We agreed that on our next Poly trip we'll request Tokelau again.

I can't hardly wait to get there already. It's been one heck of a year so far.

 

[princssdisnygina]

Gina, how was the people noise in Samoa? Being in such close proximity to the pool I'm curious if the noise of folks visiting the pools at night and whooping it up can be heard from the room. This is an issue we've experienced previously and I'm just curious.

I can actually tell you I heard nothing from the pool at all. The first 3 nights I was in 3610 and the last night I was in 1607 and I heard nothing from either room. Of course if you open the patio door you hear it but the only thing I could hear is the boom from the fireworks!

 

[DznyCrzy11]

Just got back from 10 days at the Poly. I can tell you there are no wrist bands and everyone is welcome to watch the movie, toast marsh mellows and watch the fireworks. The pool was crowded but not too bad but of course we had Debbie with us for about 5 day of this trip.

Here are few things I noticed. One lady saving 7 chairs, watched her then leave with one shoe and a towel on each chair and come back 5 hours later. Thought this was just awful.

One parent's child had to go to the bathroom and the father asked pee or poop, daughter said pee he said okay then go pee in the pool.

Two boys throwing sand at the ducks in the lake while the parents sat there and watched them do it.

I heard a few people talking about how they were not staying at the Poly but just there to use the pool.

One lady left her 3 year old in the pool while she sat at the bar. Another set of parents said the life guards can watch their kids while they go off to lunch.

While much of this did not effect our vacation I was a little sad with today's parenting. Saw way too many parents on their cell phones and totally ignoring their children.

WOW, that is crazy! That's one reason I like to go in September when the crowds are low....less ignorant people!!! Peeing in the pool??? YUCK! I guess I won't be using the pool. It's sad to here there are so many irresponsible parents. I with the amount of money we pay to stay at the Poly, it makes me so upset that people are allowed to go there and use the pool and use to the beach to watch fireworks, none of that should be allowed unless they are willing to pay the price to stay there!
I'm glad to hear you did not let this ruin your vacation!

 

[DznyCrzy11]

If I were a paying resort guest and had to put up with that I'd be pretty peeved. They need to figure out what they're going to do with overcrowding now due to DVC and non-resort guests. Captain Cooks won't be able to accomodate the increased traffic flow.

I agree!! If someone is not willing to pay the price to stay at the Poly, they shouldn't be allowed to use the facilities or watch fireworks from the beach, that should be reserved solely for resort guests and they need to enforce that!

 

[ireneryan]

I agree!! If someone is not willing to pay the price to stay at the Poly, they shouldn't be allowed to use the facilities or watch fireworks from the beach, that should be reserved solely for resort guests and they need to enforce that!

100% Agree, this is my 1st WDW trip and I am shocked, honestly, that it is not enforced. When I paid for this resort I thought I was paying for all of the amenities, I didn't realize that I had to share them with "visitors".

 

[princssdisnygina]

100% Agree, this is my 1st WDW trip and I am shocked, honestly, that it is not enforced. When I paid for this resort I thought I was paying for all of the amenities, I didn't realize that I had to share them with "visitors".

It isn't just at the Poly though... it is other resorts as well.

 

[ireneryan]

It isn't just at the Poly though... it is other resorts as well.

Yes, after reading all of this, I would imagine that that would be the case. But it seems so easy to enforce. Everyone who rightfully was meant to be there would have no problem wearing wristbands and not having one would make you stick out so it would not be a difficult job to ask the others to leave....

But I'm not going to let this bother my vacation at all. I'll just pretend they all belong there so I don't get agitated!

 

[castmemberb4]

My only argument is if someone pays for dinner at O'Hanna they should be able to see the fireworks from the beach, But certainly not get access to the pool.

 

[princssdisnygina]

My only argument is if someone pays for dinner at O'Hanna they should be able to see the fireworks from the beach, But certainly not get access to the pool.

Watching the fireworks from the beach isn't really an issue, only on the 4th. There are only a handful for a normal Wishes night. That has never really bothered me. But the pool... that is annoying. If you want the amenities of a Deluxe resort, pay for it! If you can't, ALL of the resorts have pools!