ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: September 2012

[ella6599]

We're considering the Poly for an early August stay this year. Loving looking at all the pictures and great info in this thread. One thing I'm wondering though...I read a rumor somewhere that they could be doing construction on the pool late summer to put in a hot tub. Anyone else hear anything about this? Is early August "late summer"? And if so, how much would it be likely to affect the pool? (My kids are daily swimmers when we're on vacation!)

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

Do any of you know when the renovations are supposed to be complete at The Poly? I have friends trying to decide between 2 club level rooms at either Poly or GF for April. They have 4 kids, ages 2,4,6, and 8.
Thanks!

The Hawaii Bldg was the first longhouse to undergo renovations. They started work in January and with allowing approximately 2 months for each longhouse, they should be completed with the renos soon I would think

 

[LollieFollie]

The Hawaii Bldg was the first longhouse to undergo renovations. They started work in January and with allowing approximately 2 months for each longhouse, they should be completed with the renos soon I would think

Thanks!

 

[rcraw45425]

Love the knowledgeable phone CMs! I jsut called to add a request for a renovated room, don't really care about the building at this point. She replied, oh they're all renovated now! I explained that I didn't think so, had friends that had just been there and there were buildings being redone right now. I just hope she put in the request. I wanted to request Samaoa again but didn't want to push my luck with this one.

 

[angbuz]

We're considering the Poly for an early August stay this year. Loving looking at all the pictures and great info in this thread. One thing I'm wondering though...I read a rumor somewhere that they could be doing construction on the pool late summer to put in a hot tub. Anyone else hear anything about this? Is early August "late summer"? And if so, how much would it be likely to affect the pool? (My kids are daily swimmers when we're on vacation!)

We'll be there late August.....hoping this is not the case. My kids would be crushed if they couldn't use the pool/slide.

 

[Tropical Wilds]

Just got back from Poly on Sat... The hotel was gorgeous, though the bus system wasn't all that great, but a lot of the shine was taken off when bell services lost my laptop bag which had my laptop, a Surface tablet, my DS, and my MP3 player. We checked it in with them to hold so we could go do the parks one last time and when we claimed our carryons, we noticed it wasn't with our stuff. They said they remembered seeing it, remembered seeing it in the baggage room, but couldn't "put their hands on it" at this time. After 1.5 hours of looking and a missed Magic Express, it finally turned up in the hotel itself somewhere... Somebody had taken it out of baggage services and it somehow got back into the hotel by mistake. They suspect they mis-delivered it to a room with somebody's arrival baggage...

I know that isn't typical, it's certainly never happened to me before, but I have to say it put a damper on the Poly experience.

I'd also suggest to those staying there that they think twice about using their bell services. In the process of trying to locate the bag, they let us into their baggage room to look around... There were laptops EVERYWHERE, just on shelves, some near the door, all within eyesight of guests passing by, not secured in their cage. That was very, very different from our experience at Pop, where they lock all of that up while you're out and about. If I were to go again, I'd be really, really hesitant about using that service there.

 

[angbuz]

Just wanted to see my ticker!!!

 

[maiapapaya]

Wow - thank you so much for this information and the room layout! So helpful. Just three follow-up questions...

First, if you stay in a first floor room, can you go in and out of your room through the patio door? Can you lock the sliding glass door from the outside?

Second - can you enter the lounge directly from any floor?

IF you are staying in either the first or second floors, can you hear people walking around above you? I'm wondering if 3rd floor might be better for that reason??

Clearly, I am way overthinking this and taking advantage of this group's vast and detailed information!! Thank you!

Yes, if you have a first floor room you can go in & out through the patio door to your patio and the lawns, but you cannot lock the sliding door from the outside.

You cannot enter the lounge directly from the first floor. There is a set of stairs at the concierge desk end. You can enter directly from the second floor. From the third floor you can enter the upper level of the lounge, but you have to go down a set of stairs in the lounge to access the food & beverages.

We've only had the third floor, so I can't comment on overhead noise for the 1st/2nd floors

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Just got back from Poly on Sat... The hotel was gorgeous, though the bus system wasn't all that great, but a lot of the shine was taken off when bell services lost my laptop bag which had my laptop, a Surface tablet, my DS, and my MP3 player. We checked it in with them to hold so we could go do the parks one last time and when we claimed our carryons, we noticed it wasn't with our stuff. They said they remembered seeing it, remembered seeing it in the baggage room, but couldn't "put their hands on it" at this time. After 1.5 hours of looking and a missed Magic Express, it finally turned up in the hotel itself somewhere... Somebody had taken it out of baggage services and it somehow got back into the hotel by mistake. They suspect they mis-delivered it to a room with somebody's arrival baggage...

I know that isn't typical, it's certainly never happened to me before, but I have to say it put a damper on the Poly experience.

I'd also suggest to those staying there that they think twice about using their bell services. In the process of trying to locate the bag, they let us into their baggage room to look around... There were laptops EVERYWHERE, just on shelves, some near the door, all within eyesight of guests passing by, not secured in their cage. That was very, very different from our experience at Pop, where they lock all of that up while you're out and about. If I were to go again, I'd be really, really hesitant about using that service there.

That is not right. I'm so sorry to hear of it. I don't like using bell services anywhere only because I prefer to have my luggage in view but occasionally it is necessary - especially when your room isn't ready!

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

We'll be there late August.....hoping this is not the case. My kids would be crushed if they couldn't use the pool/slide.

All rumor until it happens or Disney officially announces it (which is generally at the same time). Best 'rumors' are from Tikiman but even he has received misinformation.

 

[rcraw45425]

Our last Polynesian stay was several years back but we're booked for June 2013 for our older daughters high school graduation/18th birthday. Our prior stay was less than magical, room delays until almost 6pm due to housekeeping shampooing our carpet to remove "something". Manager was awesome though, insisted on comping our dinner at 'Ohana. Our girls were looking forward to the volcano pool, which wound up being closed our entire stay for "extensive cleaning/sanitizing" after parents let their children swim without swim diapers and then left "biologicals" floating Hoping that's not the case this time!

 

[Wanna be Ariel]

All rumor until it happens or Disney officially announces it (which is generally at the same time). Best 'rumors' are from Tikiman but even he has received misinformation.

This would be really really bad. We have our trip booked for the end of September. And for us the pool would be a deal breaker. I had no idea they were going to maybe do work on it then.

 

[iloveeeyore]

I am super excited because I just booked our first Poly stay. We've been to several disney resorts (POFQ, AKL & BC), but Poly has always been on my resort "wish list"! I was able to get the 35% pin code for our stay in August 21-27th. Given this is our first time at Poly, my kids (DD13, DS 9), DH and I are not sure which longhouse we want to request or if we should request one at all. After reading this whole thread, I'm leaning towards Samoa, balcony, volcano pool side. We would like to be close to the pool and the GCH. Does that sound like a good request? Again, I'm just so thrilled to be able to stay at Poly......I don't think I'll care much which longhouse we're in.

We just love this location! We requested it a second time after our first stay there. I have photos from our room in my trip report linked in my signature. Beautiful view, perfect location, and you will definitely get a renovated room!

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

I think my question got buried a few pages ago (perhaps between all my drink and cabana photos ).

Last time they renovated, we stayed in Tokelau (2007). The were renovating Tokelau WHILE we stayed there. There was a bit of noise during the day and we did have to ask them to keep it down at one point while the kids were napping (we only asked once and they were really nice about it!). Other than that, the renovations didn't bother us at all - they didn't start too early or go to late and it wasn't smelly or dusty nor were they even renovating on our floor (just above).

So I am staying at the Poly in May and it looks like Tokelau will be renovated during that time (or at least if the schedule is spot on). Well, I adore the longhouse and do not care if they are renovating it while we are there.

BUT...this time around, are they keeping the longhouses open while they renovate? So just renovating a section of a longhouse at a time so they still have other rooms available? It sounds like a yes because people have reported they have stayed CL recently while renovations were ongoing.

Does anyone know for sure the the longhouses will still be open during renovations?

Wow, such a long post for such a short question

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

This would be really really bad. We have our trip booked for the end of September. And for us the pool would be a deal breaker. I had no idea they were going to maybe do work on it then.

I agree - a volcano pool closure would be a deal breaker for me too. The kids love the slide and DH and I like to enjoy the castle view while we relax! BUT I will say that the whole family prefers to actually SWIM in the East Pool. We usually start off at the volcano pool then move to the East Pool to really be able to swim (yup, Mom's getting her hair wet - FINALLY).

But I haven't heard the rumor about a pool closure in the fall. Doesn't mean it isn't a rumor or that it isn't going to happen though!

 

[angbuz]

We just love this location! We requested it a second time after our first stay there. I have photos from our room in my trip report linked in my signature. Beautiful view, perfect location, and you will definitely get a renovated room!

Thanks! Just went through your trip report and it makes me soooo excited for the POLY. We'll be there in August and we can't wait!!!!!

 

[prune1977]

I think my question got buried a few pages ago (perhaps between all my drink and cabana photos ).

Last time they renovated, we stayed in Tokelau (2007). The were renovating Tokelau WHILE we stayed there. There was a bit of noise during the day and we did have to ask them to keep it down at one point while the kids were napping (we only asked once and they were really nice about it!). Other than that, the renovations didn't bother us at all - they didn't start too early or go to late and it wasn't smelly or dusty nor were they even renovating on our floor (just above).

So I am staying at the Poly in May and it looks like Tokelau will be renovated during that time (or at least if the schedule is spot on). Well, I adore the longhouse and do not care if they are renovating it while we are there.

BUT...this time around, are they keeping the longhouses open while they renovate? So just renovating a section of a longhouse at a time so they still have other rooms available? It sounds like a yes because people have reported they have stayed CL recently while renovations were ongoing.

Does anyone know for sure the the longhouses will still be open during renovations?

Wow, such a long post for such a short question

We just got back from the Poly this last Saturday, while checking out, I overheard a guest checking in asking about paying to upgrade. The cm told him it was unlikely because they were quite full as 2 longhouses were closed due to renovations but she would call and check. So to answer your ?, sounds like they are closing them during renovations.

 

[Wanna be Ariel]

I think my question got buried a few pages ago (perhaps between all my drink and cabana photos ).

Last time they renovated, we stayed in Tokelau (2007). The were renovating Tokelau WHILE we stayed there. There was a bit of noise during the day and we did have to ask them to keep it down at one point while the kids were napping (we only asked once and they were really nice about it!). Other than that, the renovations didn't bother us at all - they didn't start too early or go to late and it wasn't smelly or dusty nor were they even renovating on our floor (just above).

So I am staying at the Poly in May and it looks like Tokelau will be renovated during that time (or at least if the schedule is spot on). Well, I adore the longhouse and do not care if they are renovating it while we are there.

BUT...this time around, are they keeping the longhouses open while they renovate? So just renovating a section of a longhouse at a time so they still have other rooms available? It sounds like a yes because people have reported they have stayed CL recently while renovations were ongoing.

Does anyone know for sure the the longhouses will still be open during renovations?

Wow, such a long post for such a short question

No, They are closing the whole longhouse til it is all done. I asked the CM and that is what I was told.

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

Tinkerbellie16 I believe they are closing down the longhouses for the renovations because it also includes plumbing and electrical work.

 

[psac]

Hi everyone, We am going to be staying at BLT this coming april. We have an ADR at Cona Cafe on the day we arrive, I figured we would check out the Poly and have dinner there that night. Is there anything we should absolutely check out at the Poly before heading back to BLT for the night?

We have always passed by the Poly on the Monorail but have never been in there!

Kona Cafe is great, enjoy it. I would definitely take a little walk out the back of the main building and see the torch lit walkways. If the timing is right, maybe even watch Wishes on the beach. Also check out the gift shop on the first floor of the main building for the fun tiki statues.