ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: September 2012

[maiapapaya]

Well some ppl were saying that they will be renovating rooms at the POLY the early part of 2013. I have called twice to change from POR Royal Room to a POLY GV and there weren't any available.I asked about the refurbs and she told me there wasn't anything saying this was going to happen ? They only had GV CL or LV or MK view. I ended up taking a LV and even added an extra night ! The price difference is outrageous but what the heck...They told me rooms open up all the time,I can try for a garden view later, but at least I know I have a POLY room booked our 1st stay here and I'm sooo excited ! DH doesn't know yet. I guess he'll find out when we board the Magical Express next April. He really loves POR so I think he will learn to love the POLY even more ! When they give you a Lagoon view are there any specific buildings they have set aside for that? I would love a 1st floor and something close to the GCH...any special request I should make ? Thanks.

Yes, the longhouses are being refurbed in 2013. The schedule isn't really set in stone other than they are starting with Hawaii in January. They are only doing one or two at a time.

The non-CL LV rooms are mainly in Tuvalu and Tahiti. Between those two, Tuvalu is the closest to the GCH. It is small, and just a quick walk around the little marina to the GCH (2 min. walk), beach and volcano pool.

Tahiti is more popular because it is bigger, and is close to the TTC. It currently has double sinks in the bathrooms, which many people consider a bonus, but if I remember correctly I read that all of the longhouses are going to get double sinks in the bathrooms during the refurb.

We have stayed TPV in Tuvalu twice and loved it. It has a nice view of the GF and it's small & quiet, except on Luau nights you can hear the music wafting up from Luau Cove (although it won't bother you if you have the patio doors shut).

 

[KingSpeedy]

I'm wondering this as well. Timeframe and what will be affected.

The only thing that seems certain is the Hawaii longhouse being worked on from January-March, as that's the blockout for the CL rooms. The last dates I saw said that the refurb will be done by June 14, so by May everything "should" either be finished or being worked on. I'll be there in May as well and I'm hoping specific dates for longhouses will become available at some point so I can make specific longhouse requests.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

I'm not convinced they're actually going to be renovating Hawaii in Jan. All Ears says nothing about it, Tikiman's stuff hasn't been updated since August. And interestingly, Contemporary CL is also being refurbished in the same time frame. It seems very odd to me that they would have 2 out of 3 monorail hotels, with CL undergoing refurbishment (and thus unavailable), during Feb--April, which is a popular time to go to WDW.

That said, you can't book CL at the Poly during that time frame right now. I know, I've tried. My TA has me in her tickle file--if CL comes up for my travel week, I'm going to be all over that like white on rice!

 

[maiapapaya]

I'm not convinced they're actually going to be renovating Hawaii in Jan. All Ears says nothing about it, Tikiman's stuff hasn't been updated since August. And interestingly, Contemporary CL is also being refurbished in the same time frame. It seems very odd to me that they would have 2 out of 3 monorail hotels, with CL undergoing refurbishment (and thus unavailable), during Feb--April, which is a popular time to go to WDW.

That said, you can't book CL at the Poly during that time frame right now. I know, I've tried. My TA has me in her tickle file--if CL comes up for my travel week, I'm going to be all over that like white on rice!

Tikiman answered a question about the schedule on his FB page a couple of weeks ago. He said since they changed the schedule he hasn't been able to obtain the new one (probably why no update on his website), but his sources confirmed Hawaii will start in January.

ETA: and he said they are re-doing the lounge too - excited to see that!

 

[toddd]

FWIW.....in many other countries, there's a self contained, plug in tea kettle along with the in room coffee service. I believe that is what was being asked.
And no, there's no tea kettle.

On our last stay I tried in vain to get an electric kettle for our room. They didn't seem to know what I was talking about.

 

[Cindie-rella]

I'm not convinced they're actually going to be renovating Hawaii in Jan. All Ears says nothing about it, Tikiman's stuff hasn't been updated since August. And interestingly, Contemporary CL is also being refurbished in the same time frame. It seems very odd to me that they would have 2 out of 3 monorail hotels, with CL undergoing refurbishment (and thus unavailable), during Feb--April, which is a popular time to go to WDW.

That said, you can't book CL at the Poly during that time frame right now. I know, I've tried. My TA has me in her tickle file--if CL comes up for my travel week, I'm going to be all over that like white on rice!

When I called to get my POLY ressie I had a choice of GV CL or MK view or LV . I chose the LV. But my ressie is for the week of 4/27-5/5. I really don't need a LV so I'm going to keep trying for a GV. It will save us like $800 I think. I'd rather use that on some nice Disney jewelry . We'll see. If not, LV will be just fine !

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

When I called to get my POLY ressie I had a choice of GV CL or MK view or LV . I chose the LV. But my ressie is for the week of 4/27-5/5. I really don't need a LV so I'm going to keep trying for a GV. It will save us like $800 I think. I'd rather use that on some nice Disney jewelry . We'll see. If not, LV will be just fine !

Yeah, I like the idea of the lounge for snacks and fireworks viewing. I'm going solo with 2 of my kids (DD9, DS6), and they're bigger on snacks than meals. So, I'm really hoping for some pixie dust and a delay in the refurb schedule for Hawaii. I would maybe consider the Comtemporary, but not GF (too pricey and not my style), but Contemporary is also on the refurb schedule. If I don't get any pixie dust, we'll be forced to suffer with snacks in our room from wegoshop. Oh, the horror!

 

[KingSpeedy]

What're everyone's opinion on the CL lounge vs the beach as a spot for viewing the fireworks? I'm currently booked in a regular GV room but might switch to CL depending on the discounts for May.

 

[MikeRx]

We were able to secure a GV room for April 12-18, 2013. Now we wait for the discount (AP, Disney VISA or Public…). I guess we will see what is available during the refurb when we get there/make requests. I will still make a Samoa or Niue request.

We did Tahiti TPV last April and loved it, but decided to be closer to the GCH and pool this time. We loved the view and the POLY, but will enjoy the resort more if we are closer to the main activities. The view was worth the initial wow factor, but we never spent much time just sitting and looking off our balcony. Fireworks were nice to see, but far better with the music when observed from the beach. I’m glad we did TPV once, but will likely not do so again. Tahiti is perfect for ease of use of the TTC, but a good walk for everything else (GCH, Volcano Pool, Luau).

Mike DW DS (4 ½ ) DMIL

First visit 1976, WDW 2/2010 BC CL, Disneyland GC 12/2010, WDW 4/2012 POLY TPV, WDW 7/2012 (off site meeting), WDW 12/12 POP and 4/2013 POLY with Disney Dream cruise!


and

 

[kathie859]

On our last stay I tried in vain to get an electric kettle for our room. They didn't seem to know what I was talking about.

Yeah....they're not common in the USA in hotels. I have one sitting on my kitchen counter--it boils water quickly and is safer than using a microwave and makes a better "cuppa" since the water is a rolling boil.

 

[pixarmom]

I'm not convinced they're actually going to be renovating Hawaii in Jan. All Ears says nothing about it, Tikiman's stuff hasn't been updated since August. And interestingly, Contemporary CL is also being refurbished in the same time frame. It seems very odd to me that they would have 2 out of 3 monorail hotels, with CL undergoing refurbishment (and thus unavailable), during Feb--April, which is a popular time to go to WDW.

That said, you can't book CL at the Poly during that time frame right now. I know, I've tried. My TA has me in her tickle file--if CL comes up for my travel week, I'm going to be all over that like white on rice!

So, I'm really hoping for some pixie dust and a delay in the refurb schedule for Hawaii. I would maybe consider the Comtemporary, but not GF (too pricey and not my style), but Contemporary is also on the refurb schedule. If I don't get any pixie dust, we'll be forced to suffer with snacks in our room from wegoshop. Oh, the horror!

Same here! I'm checking the website every day to see if they delay the refurb and CL becomes available in January. I made our January reservation at the beginning of July and I held out hope that they would delay the renovation and we could book CL. I'm still checking, but less hopeful. I think I need to prepare for trips to Captain Cooks for snacks (and maybe Tambu, and maybe Kona Sushi!)

 

[KingSpeedy]

I think that the refurb schedule at this point is final. They already pushed it back once, and it's only a month away. I'm not sure they'd want to deal with the disaster of moving a month's worth of CL bookings in March to other resorts and have January completely unbooked with only a month before it.

 

[ljmclin]

Just wanted to see my ticker! We actually leave tomorrow, but won't check into the Poly until Sunday. I've been waiting for this weekend since January!!! It's been 2yrs since we've been to Disney and the wonderful Poly and we are ready! Thanks guys for helping me pass the time (and pick up interesting info) over the last 12mo!!

 

[PolyAddict]

Anything under refurb during Feb 9-15?

thanks

 

[chamonix]

What're everyone's opinion on the CL lounge vs the beach as a spot for viewing the fireworks? I'm currently booked in a regular GV room but might switch to CL depending on the discounts for May.

Although the view is good from the lounge, I prefer the beach. Unless the weather was really bad I would rather be outside viewing fireworks, not watching them through glass.

 

[chamonix]

I think that the refurb schedule at this point is final. They already pushed it back once, and it's only a month away. I'm not sure they'd want to deal with the disaster of moving a month's worth of CL bookings in March to other resorts and have January completely unbooked with only a month before it.

I agree. Hawaii is scheduled to open back up on March 12th, before the masses of spring break trips start. Being down for rehab in January and February (relatively low months) was a good idea. That being said, my spring break trip is the week it opens, and it opens on Tuesday of that week, so we will have to be in a different room the first couple of nights until Hawaii opens back up.

 

[princessap]

We have a garden view reservation for the first week of March....what are the renovations that are going to be done during that week??

 

[chamonix]

We have a garden view reservation for the first week of March....what are the renovations that are going to be done during that week??

The only thing for sure appears to be the Hawaii building (club level building) will be closed from January to March 12th.

 

[maiapapaya]

Anything under refurb during Feb 9-15?

thanks

The only longhouse definitely is Hawaii. I would imagine they would probably work on at least one more at the same time, but no one seems to know what the schedule is. If you want to make a request it would probably be better to focus on what is important to you, rather than to name a specific longhouse, ie "close to GCH", etc.

 

[clanmcculloch]

What're everyone's opinion on the CL lounge vs the beach as a spot for viewing the fireworks? I'm currently booked in a regular GV room but might switch to CL depending on the discounts for May.

When we stay CL, we do both at least once. There are pros and cons for each.

lounge:
+ no weather or temperature issues
+ desserts right behind you
+ alcohol right behind you
+ number of people is more limited
- it doesn't take very many people to crowd around the window and even stand up at the window to impact everybody else's view
- if you get a group that's talking, you don't have anywhere else to go to get away from them so you can hear the music

beach:
+ lots of space to settle in
+ if there's a crowd then you can move elsewhere
+ if you get a group that's talking, you can get up and move
+ you're near the bar for grabbing some tasty drinks
- you're subject to weather and temperature
- potentially lots of people are fighting over loungers and hamocks as people who aren't staying at Poly also tend to go down to the beach to watch the fireworks

We tend to watch from the beach if we're also watching the movie. The drinks and food in the lounge as well as temperature controlled environment are definite draws to watching from up there.