ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: September 2012

[ThreeLittleLadies]

Sorry! I got buried the first time I posted this. Can any of you help me?

We have our second ever trip booked in April. It will be our first stay at the Poly! We are all super excited!

Here are my questions-
1- I booked our trip with the latest discount released in early January. I, of course, received a pin code in the mail the next week. If I call can they switch my reservation to the pin code discount if it's a better deal than the current offer?

2- What's the best way to get the LH that we want? We didn't make a specific request on our last trip because we didn't really care, but I definitely have a LH and level in mind. I used online check in last time, and from what I've read on here that is not the best way to get the room you want. Is that correct? Do I call ahead of time and request a specific LH? When and where do I check in? I'm so confused!

TIA!

 

[Wanna be Ariel]

Sorry! I got buried the first time I posted this. Can any of you help me?

Here are my questions-
1- I booked our trip with the latest discount released in early January. I, of course, received a pin code in the mail the next week. If I call can they switch my reservation to the pin code discount if it's a better deal than the current offer?

YES, I did this and had no problem... As long as they have the rooms. Just call and see what they can do.
I dont know about your 2nd ? Sorrry

 

[ThreeLittleLadies]

Here are my questions-
1- I booked our trip with the latest discount released in early January. I, of course, received a pin code in the mail the next week. If I call can they switch my reservation to the pin code discount if it's a better deal than the current offer?

YES, I did this and had no problem... As long as they have the rooms. Just call and see what they can do.
I dont know about your 2nd ? Sorrry

Thank you! I will give them a call ASAP!

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

No problem...we arrive March 4th
However, I am trying to think positive and I am not even sure my girls would use the slide without one of us going down with them so maybe it won't be that bad....I want to be on the monorail and no other resort is available for discounts like I got with Poly.
Tikiman says February 18-28 so fingers crossed he is right~

Looks like we will be there the same time!!! it is our first onsite stay and I am excited about that part of it...sometimes I wish I didnt find this site and overthink and overplan my trips...LOL

We've stayed at Port Orleans several times and at Poly last time and loved. I'm sure you'll really like it and monorail access is awesome. Even without the slide I'm the pool will be nice. I can probably live without the pool slide but our kids (all older) might be disappointed.

We made our reservations using the 35% discount in December, so if I were to switch to Beach Club I'd end up paying significantly more because the discount is a bit less and only more expensive rooms are available with the current discount.

 

[Kac923]

Well, that sucks. Thanks for calling though. Have to determine if we want to switch or not -- full pool will be open first few days we are there we planned on March 4 for resort/pool day and that will be the first day the slide is closed.

Just to caution you: I switched from Poly to CR last year because we were only going to be there 3 days with only 1 day at resort (other two days at parks). It was our first stay and wanted it to be perfect. Found out the slide would be closed so switched to tower at CR in a theme park view room. Paid $200 more. Got there and found the CR slide closed and also the little splash area not working. was shocked as there had been no discussion of it on here and nobody mentioned it at resort check-in. It was fine, kids were disappointed for a minute and then got over it. Moral of the story: you NEVER know if everything will be functional so stay where you want MOST to be.

 

[pokes1613]

Just got back from a week at the Poly for Marathon Weekend. It was our first time to stay at a Deluxe Resort. It was overall a great resort and great week! I officially love the Poly now and can't wait to go back!!

 

[jandkmom]

"2- What's the best way to get the LH that we want? We didn't make a specific request on our last trip because we didn't really care, but I definitely have a LH and level in mind. I used online check in last time, and from what I've read on here that is not the best way to get the room you want. Is that correct? Do I call ahead of time and request a specific LH? When and where do I check in? I'm so confused!"

We always have our TA add a LH request onto our ressie then we wait to check in until we get there. My current request is "Tokelau, 1st floor, facing quiet pool". So far we've gotten the requests we wanted but we go at a quiet time too. Some people say you are more likely to get the LH you want if you check in at the resort as opposed to online, but I don't know if that's true. I would just like the option of asking the CM at the front desk if we can change. I haven't had to but I like to know it's there. GL!

 

[ThreeLittleLadies]

"2- What's the best way to get the LH that we want? We didn't make a specific request on our last trip because we didn't really care, but I definitely have a LH and level in mind. I used online check in last time, and from what I've read on here that is not the best way to get the room you want. Is that correct? Do I call ahead of time and request a specific LH? When and where do I check in? I'm so confused!"

We always have our TA add a LH request onto our ressie then we wait to check in until we get there. My current request is "Tokelau, 1st floor, facing quiet pool". So far we've gotten the requests we wanted but we go at a quiet time too. Some people say you are more likely to get the LH you want if you check in at the resort as opposed to online, but I don't know if that's true. I would just like the option of asking the CM at the front desk if we can change. I haven't had to but I like to know it's there. GL!

Thanks for the info!

 

[jenniferma]

Hey guys we are here now, thank you for all your advice. Wanted to warn all of upon if you're going soon and have children that nap... They are renovating Hawaii and it is LOUD! We tried to rest in the room 3-5 land it was super loud. No huge deal for us.. Our youngest is five, but wanted to warn you all. We are on the third floor of Tokelau near Hawaii on the third floor facing the quiet pool.

WE LOVE POLY! Once it is renovated I am sure it will be even more amazing. We like poly way more than GF. Just ate at Kona for dinner.. Delicious! I totally understand the complaints about the rooms needing a bit of work, our bathroom faucets are old and pretty bad, but other than that love the room. The tokelau rooms are super big . The crowds here are incredibly light too. Thanks everyone!

 

[jandkmom]

Hey guys we are here now, thank you for all your advice. Wanted to warn all of upon if you're going soon and have children that nap... They are renovating Hawaii and it is LOUD! We tried to rest in the room 3-5 land it was super loud. No huge deal for us.. Our youngest is five, but wanted to warn you all. We are on the third floor of Tokelau near Hawaii on the third floor facing the quiet pool.

WE LOVE POLY! Once it is renovated I am sure it will be even more amazing. We like poly way more than GF. Just ate at Kona for dinner.. Delicious! I totally understand the complaints about the rooms needing a bit of work, our bathroom faucets are old and pretty bad, but other than that love the room. The tokelau rooms are super big . The crowds here are incredibly light too. Thanks everyone!

Uh oh, I didn't anticipate it being loud outside of Hawaii...I thought it would be contained inside. What are their hours when they are the loudest? We requested Tokelau but maybe another LH further away would be better? I don't have napping kids but I do have a chronically ill child that may need some quiet time.

 

[jenniferma]

We are facing Hawaii, right near the worst of it. If you were down closer to the other end it might be better, or even facing the other way. My dh and dd5 slept through it, but for the other three of us, it was too loud for resting. They are up on the third floor doing what seems to be demo and then having to get the demoed pieces down three floors and into a vehicle which beeps when it is in reverse.. This went on from at least 3-5 pm. On Tuesday it was so different, no noise, peaceful and serene. Definitely not a "relax on the balcony" atmosphere today. It was cold and rainy, thank god... I would not pick a location this close to the work if you can help it. Good luck!

 

[Wanna be Ariel]

We are facing Hawaii, right near the worst of it. If you were down closer to the other end it might be better, or even facing the other way. My dh and dd5 slept through it, but for the other three of us, it was too loud for resting. They are up on the third floor doing what seems to be demo and then having to get the demoed pieces down three floors and into a vehicle which beeps when it is in reverse.. This went on from at least 3-5 pm. On Tuesday it was so different, no noise, peaceful and serene. Definitely not a "relax on the balcony" atmosphere today. It was cold and rainy, thank god... I would not pick a location this close to the work if you can help it. Good luck!

Glad you are having a good time and like the Poly. I cant wait to go in September. If you have a chance I would love to see some pictures to get me through these cold Wisconsin days

 

[pixarmom]

We are facing Hawaii, right near the worst of it. If you were down closer to the other end it might be better, or even facing the other way. My dh and dd5 slept through it, but for the other three of us, it was too loud for resting. They are up on the third floor doing what seems to be demo and then having to get the demoed pieces down three floors and into a vehicle which beeps when it is in reverse.. This went on from at least 3-5 pm. On Tuesday it was so different, no noise, peaceful and serene. Definitely not a "relax on the balcony" atmosphere today. It was cold and rainy, thank god... I would not pick a location this close to the work if you can help it. Good luck!

Thank you so much for this information and advice! We requested Samoa, 3rd floor, facing volcano pool. If you have a moment when you return, please let us know whether the noise was a problem around the volcano pool. Maybe "facing volcano pool" will be enough, or maybe should just throw in the towel and request Fiji to distance ourselves.

Continue to enjoy - hope you see sunnier skies (and hear less noise) tomorrow!

 

[Debrn]

On hold now with CR they called Poly and were told no volcano slide closings listed!

 

[princessap]

On hold now with CR they called Poly and were told no volcano slide closings listed!

That would be great! I wish it was consistent information given out!

 

[nonnasally]

Been away from boards for awhile. Just returned from a New Year stay at Pop. Last minute, quick trip with DD and DGD. Entire family will be going in October. Presently, we have a ressie at Poly for two rooms. Poly is our family love for three generations but wondering if two bdrm at BLT would suit us better for 7 adults and two kids. Very torn to leave our Poly! Somewhere months back I saw a schedule for Poly renovations LH by Lh. Anyone have it? Thanks so much

 

[clanmcculloch]

You absolutely can not go down the slide with a child. The lifeguards are all over that. If your child won't go down alone then he/she doesn't go down at all. It's ok to wait at the bottom though you do have to stand back and you can't actually catch them coming down. With a lifejacket, kids are totally safe going down. Kids should definitely be warned that it's dark inside the slide as you go through the volcano.

On hold now with CR they called Poly and were told no volcano slide closings listed!

CRO is notorious for not only being misinformed but actually making things up to tell guests. Don't count on information from CRO being accurate.

Undercover Tourist is also saying March 4 - 15 for the pool closure but so far most sites are still saying Feb 18 - March 1. Did anybody have a link to the TA site showing the March dates? Tikiman is still saying Feb 18 and he's usually so accurate.

 

[Debrn]

You absolutely can not go down the slide with a child. The lifeguards are all over that. If your child won't go down alone then he/she doesn't go down at all. It's ok to wait at the bottom though you do have to stand back and you can't actually catch them coming down. With a lifejacket, kids are totally safe going down. Kids should definitely be warned that it's dark inside the slide as you go through the volcano.



CRO is notorious for not only being misinformed but actually making things up to tell guests. Don't count on information from CRO being accurate.

Undercover Tourist is also saying March 4 - 15 for the pool closure but so far most sites are still saying Feb 18 - March 1. Did anybody have a link to the TA site showing the March dates? Tikiman is still saying Feb 18 and he's usually so accurate.

I don't count on info. From CRO. Tikiman is definitely the one I would count on. slide was closed most of our stay last march, I changed my reservation to YC this am.

 

[princessap]

I don't count on info. From CRO. Tikiman is definitely the one I would count on. slide was closed most of our stay last march, I changed my reservation to YC this am.

Did you change based on tikimans dates??

 

[Debrn]

Did you change based on tikimans dates??

Well either dates would only affect 2 of my days if they are on schedule, but last year it was day to day they kept saying check back, I had booked cabana and honestly without the slide my kids don't want to stay as long and I like to relax at the resort a bit.
So I booked YC CL, kids love SAB pool too.
Next trip I'll do Poly again !!