ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: January 2012

[whamma]

Just trying to decide if it's worth it. We're staying 3 nights at the Poly next week (9/6-9/9). We don't arrive until 10 p.m. the first night. Also while we are there NOJ is going on at MK so there are no fireworks either night. Right now we're just staying in a standard view room (DH, DS 15, DD 9 and me) and the upgrade to club level is a total of $350 (with an AP discount). We are going to WDW as a "surprise" for DD's 10th birthday which is 9/8. Any opinions??? We've never stayed club anywhere before so we won't be comparing the Poly to any other club level.

 

[maryj11]

What exactly is club level ? I have never stayed club level and just wandered because garden view club level is all that is available on the dates we want ?

 

[ajh88]

Woot! I just had to log in and do my happy dance - called and got the GP discount applied for our October trip...saved almost $1300!!!

So happy - I was all prepared to upgrade to TPV CL to save $450 using the AP rate (the only TPV rooms available with AP discount), but when the CM gave me the total for the GP discount in our non-CL TPV room, I was thrilled!

Someday we will try CL - but we love Tuvalu so much - can't wait to be chillin' on the 3rd floor in 35 days!

 

[CindyIsMyFave]

Just thought I should post on here and say hello. We are headed to Poly on Sat. for 3 nights - and it's my first trip back there in . . . at least 15 years I think! Cost just became too prohibitive as I was in college and grad school. So my parents and I became a Moderate family. When DH and I started going alone, we stuck with that. But! On a whim at New Year's, we booked a bounceback offer at Poly "just to have it." And the stars have aligned, and we're really going! (We added on a Fri. night stay at ASMu just to get down there sooner, but of course the real vacation will start once we check into Poly Sat.!)

We've requested Tokelau upper floor or Samoa 3rd floor, and we'll be doing 'Ohana for the first time. (Kona is already a fave.). Though we're usually pretty commando, I've built in extra resort time this time. Poly and GF are my childhood resorts, and I have so many memories. I'm just so thrilled to be finally returning! Thanks for letting me share.

 

[maiapapaya]

What exactly is club level ? I have never stayed club level and just wandered because garden view club level is all that is available on the dates we want ?

There are a few differences between CL and a standard room. First, all CL rooms are located in Hawaii (with the exception of the suites). The building is secured and guests need their keycard to enter.

There is a lounge on the lagoon side of Hawaii on the second/third floors. There is a large, wall-height window in the lounge overlooking the lagoon and castle (there are pictures on the first page of the thread http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43769556&postcount=10 ) In the evening you can enjoy Wishes in the lounge and the soundtrack is piped in.

There is food service offered in the lounge and this is included in the cost of the room. In the morning there is a light breakfast with coffee/juice/tea, fruit, baked goods and oatmeal. During the day there are snacks such as fruit, cookies, crackers etc. There is always soda on hand and you can ask a CM for beer. You can take food/beverages from the lounge back to your room or to the pool/beach area. At dinner time there is an h'orderves type menu offered, with finger foods, crackers & cheese, etc. Later in the evening desserts, liqueurs, beer and alcoholic punch are served. You can find a link to the menu on the first page of this thread.

Another "perk" of CL is the use of the Poly's IPO office (Itinerary Planning Office). They can book ADR's and recreational activities for you.

It's really a matter of opinion as to whether the extra money is worth it for you. Our family likes having the extra space of the lounge to get out of the room. We are also pretty light eaters, so the food offerings work well for us (with our big meal of the day at lunch time). If you are big eaters the food in the lounge will not be a good meal substitute for you.

Hope this helps!

 

[DznyCrzy11]

Just thought I should post on here and say hello. We are headed to Poly on Sat. for 3 nights - and it's my first trip back there in . . . at least 15 years I think! Cost just became too prohibitive as I was in college and grad school. So my parents and I became a Moderate family. When DH and I started going alone, we stuck with that. But! On a whim at New Year's, we booked a bounceback offer at Poly "just to have it." And the stars have aligned, and we're really going! (We added on a Fri. night stay at ASMu just to get down there sooner, but of course the real vacation will start once we check into Poly Sat.!)

We've requested Tokelau upper floor or Samoa 3rd floor, and we'll be doing 'Ohana for the first time. (Kona is already a fave.). Though we're usually pretty commando, I've built in extra resort time this time. Poly and GF are my childhood resorts, and I have so many memories. I'm just so thrilled to be finally returning! Thanks for letting me share.

You will love it!!! Have a great time!

Sent from my GalaxyS II

 

[alex9179]

Just trying to decide if it's worth it. We're staying 3 nights at the Poly next week (9/6-9/9). We don't arrive until 10 p.m. the first night. Also while we are there NOJ is going on at MK so there are no fireworks either night. Right now we're just staying in a standard view room (DH, DS 15, DD 9 and me) and the upgrade to club level is a total of $350 (with an AP discount). We are going to WDW as a "surprise" for DD's 10th birthday which is 9/8. Any opinions??? We've never stayed club anywhere before so we won't be comparing the Poly to any other club level.

Personally, I would not do CL for this stay. There is a substantial difference in price and you will not be able to take real advantage of the lounge on your first night, maybe beverages. IPO may not be able to help you secure ADRs, since your stay is right around the corner (and you've likely taken care of that, anyway), the fireworks viewing isn't available, so I would hold this option in reserve for another time.

One thing to consider is if you'll be in the parks for the majority of the day or are you planning on hanging out at the resort. I think CL is a great addition if resort time is a big part of your vacation.

 

[gaildmoody]

Ok... quick question. Would you Poly lovers, like myself, pay $250 (my agent discount) for a night at Poly? Let me explain... we are actually staying CL beginning 9/15 for 5 nights but we are flying in 9/14 but our flight doesn't get in until 8:33pm which means we aren't at the resort until 9:30-10pm. We actually booked POFQ for the night as I can't see paying $250 just to sleep for a few hours. But again it would be nice to already be there! Of course we would have to switch rooms because that is a standard view room. Thoughts?

 

[Mousemommy1]

Ok... quick question. Would you Poly lovers, like myself, pay $250 (my agent discount) for a night at Poly? Let me explain... we are actually staying CL beginning 9/15 for 5 nights but we are flying in 9/14 but our flight doesn't get in until 8:33pm which means we aren't at the resort until 9:30-10pm. We actually booked POFQ for the night as I can't see paying $250 just to sleep for a few hours. But again it would be nice to already be there! Of course we would have to switch rooms because that is a standard view room. Thoughts?

Please know that I am only hoping to become a Poly lover (having never stayed there), but we are staying CL from 4/20-4/28, however, due to flights being cheaper flying in on 4/18 - we have booked the extra 2 nights at POR for less than one night at POLY CL! Since our flight doesn't get in until 8:30 pm on 4/18, I definitely wouldn't want to pay the $379 for another CL room, so we will get to experience POR for 2 nights and then move over.

 

[alex9179]

Ok... quick question. Would you Poly lovers, like myself, pay $250 (my agent discount) for a night at Poly? Let me explain... we are actually staying CL beginning 9/15 for 5 nights but we are flying in 9/14 but our flight doesn't get in until 8:33pm which means we aren't at the resort until 9:30-10pm. We actually booked POFQ for the night as I can't see paying $250 just to sleep for a few hours. But again it would be nice to already be there! Of course we would have to switch rooms because that is a standard view room. Thoughts?

I would stick with your current plan. On 9/15 you can have POFQ transfer your luggage to the Poly while you go on about your day at the parks. We had this same dilemma and I ended up booking AOA for two days before our Poly stay for a bit less money...although I would have preferred POR (AB rooms weren't available).

I, too, couldn't see paying CL rate when we weren't going to utilize any CL perks. If you're changing rooms anyway, why not save a bit on accommodations?

 

[cmcinc]

Got the RO discount applied to my Poly stay Oct 26-31....savings of just over $700.

 

[ireneryan]

Got the RO discount applied to my Poly stay Oct 26-31....savings of just over $700.

Oh that is WONDERFUL!!!

 

[disneyfreak71]

What type of coffee makers do they have in the rooms at Poly?

I called and checked. they do have Kuerigs now.

 

[disneydreamin247]

I called and checked. they do have Kuerigs now.

Well, unless they put them in since the 17th, that is incorrect. They have pod style brewers.

 

[Mousemommy1]

So, trying to decide on whether to book a cabana. I think I would do just a regular one and I think I'd do it on the day we transfer from POR to POLY. We are CL so we'd have the lounge to hang in if our room is not ready, but the cabana might be a nice way to start at the Poly...is the cabana still $100?? Experiences?

 

[BreezysMom]

Well, unless they put them in since the 17th, that is incorrect. They have pod style brewers.

I concur. They have pods in the room. They only have Kuerigs in the Tonga suites. I just returned a week ago.

 

[BreezysMom]

So, trying to decide on whether to book a cabana. I think I would do just a regular one and I think I'd do it on the day we transfer from POR to POLY. We are CL so we'd have the lounge to hang in if our room is not ready, but the cabana might be a nice way to start at the Poly...is the cabana still $100?? Experiences?

I agree. You could do the 10-2 time frame and chill out in the cabana. Then when you are done there is a strong possibility that the room will be ready.

I think it is $150?? Someone else may be able to confirm that. They give a beautiful tray of fruit and having the relaxing chairs and TV is nice. Pulse there is a Cabana attendant to fetch some cocktails or even food if you chose but the extra food and cocktails is extra.

I was fortunate to be a guest of Maiapapaya and family last year and it was fabulous. If my recent trip was not so short I probably would have considered it being it was a bit crowded some days but with just the three of us it did not seem worth the money and time.

 

[RedheadRinger]

Thank you to everyone for the info regarding the coffee makers.

 

[Mousemommy1]

I agree. You could do the 10-2 time frame and chill out in the cabana. Then when you are done there is a strong possibility that the room will be ready.

I think it is $150?? Someone else may be able to confirm that. They give a beautiful tray of fruit and having the relaxing chairs and TV is nice. Pulse there is a Cabana attendant to fetch some cocktails or even food if you chose but the extra food and cocktails is extra.

I was fortunate to be a guest of Maiapapaya and family last year and it was fabulous. If my recent trip was not so short I probably would have considered it being it was a bit crowded some days but with just the three of us it did not seem worth the money and time.

Nice. I think I might try to get that. Looks like you have stayed CL many times.... Can I book this through IPO and is it paid for ahead of time?

 

[gaildmoody]

I agree. You could do the 10-2 time frame and chill out in the cabana. Then when you are done there is a strong possibility that the room will be ready.

I think it is $150?? Someone else may be able to confirm that. They give a beautiful tray of fruit and having the relaxing chairs and TV is nice. Pulse there is a Cabana attendant to fetch some cocktails or even food if you chose but the extra food and cocktails is extra.

I was fortunate to be a guest of Maiapapaya and family last year and it was fabulous. If my recent trip was not so short I probably would have considered it being it was a bit crowded some days but with just the three of us it did not seem worth the money and time.

The cabana is like $117 after tax.