ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: September 2012

[thorphin]

Just took another look at the schedule on the tikiman pages. If they stay on schedule, it means that the only longhouse under renovation during our stay at the end of September is Rapa Nui, which is the only longhouse I was hoping to avoid. Woot.

 

[chamonix]

Because if they told you before you arrived, you might decide to change resorts. In all seriousness, renovations and closures are fluent--sometimes they are on schedule and sometimes not--late January, February and March are slower months and hence the renovation or rehab schedules. The schedule is changed, adjusted and oftentimes skipped altogether.

The one thing you can count on is that the Polynesian is undergoing another upgrade and there will be construction, reconstruction, and rehabbing throughout the property for the late winter and spring seasons.

If you arrive and it becomes problematic, ask for a resort change and you might be accommodated depending upon availability at other resorts. We have been at the Polynesian while it was undergoing a major renovation and while inconvenient, we had a wonderful time. Hope it all works out for your stay!

Thanks, Tess. I'm not worried at all about the longhouse rehabs, I've been there before during them and they were never a bother. Last time they did the major rehab of Hawaii we were the first guests on the day it reopened, just as we will be this time! (just a coincidence) I am just sad about the volcano pool being closed. As of right now I was still able to book a cabana during those dates though, so will keep our fingers crossed. I know they would rather close it during February, but with the GF pool being closed at the same time I assume they had to push the volcano pool rehab back. I don't think I could change resorts because we love the Poly CL too much, but would have changed our dates if we had known in time. At this point, even if I wanted them to move us to another resort for that same week there won't be availability. We will stay at the Poly pool or no pool, because we are diehard Poly-lovers.

 

[Tess]

Thanks, Tess. I'm not worried at all about the longhouse rehabs, I've been there before during them and they were never a bother. Last time they did the major rehab of Hawaii we were the first guests on the day it reopened, just as we will be this time! (just a coincidence) I am just sad about the volcano pool being closed. As of right now I was still able to book a cabana during those dates though, so will keep our fingers crossed. I know they would rather close it during February, but with the GF pool being closed at the same time I assume they had to push the volcano pool rehab back. I don't think I could change resorts because we love the Poly CL too much, but would have changed our dates if we had known in time. At this point, even if I wanted them to move us to another resort for that same week there won't be availability. We will stay at the Poly pool or no pool, because we are diehard Poly-lovers.

And that is what I meant about schedules, they change all the time. The pool may or may not be closed--strictly a matter of convenience for Disney and scheduling the crew to perform the necessary maintenance. I hope it doesn't interfere with your trip, but if it does, there will be accommodations for you, i.e., transportation to the GF themed pool for the slide.

I am with you, Polynesian CL is my hands down favorite and a bit of pool discomfort wouldn't cause me to move. Heck, when CL was moved to Tahiti, we muddled through. I'm happy the powers that be didn't make the mistake of "moving" CL this time and simply shut it down. That year was a nightmare experience.

Hoping the schedule is off by a week or so for you and your party!

 

[djse7en]

Well thank you to everyone for their suggestions I just changed my ressie to
The poly 05/06/13 through 5/12/13. Staying at Hawaii GV CL so I hope no issue with rehab pool etc.. My wife and stepdaughter have been to WDW before will be be the twins and my first time. Any recommendations on what room I should put a request in for, are there any GV rooms better then another i.e. noise etc...

 

[Bethany6537]

Thanks, Tess. I'm not worried at all about the longhouse rehabs, I've been there before during them and they were never a bother. Last time they did the major rehab of Hawaii we were the first guests on the day it reopened, just as we will be this time! (just a coincidence) I am just sad about the volcano pool being closed. As of right now I was still able to book a cabana during those dates though, so will keep our fingers crossed. I know they would rather close it during February, but with the GF pool being closed at the same time I assume they had to push the volcano pool rehab back. I don't think I could change resorts because we love the Poly CL too much, but would have changed our dates if we had known in time. At this point, even if I wanted them to move us to another resort for that same week there won't be availability. We will stay at the Poly pool or no pool, because we are diehard Poly-lovers.

What is the reopening date for Hawaii??? We are booked Feb 24-March 4 and I would gladly be willing to test out the new renovations

 

[djse7en]

What is the reopening date for Hawaii??? We are booked Feb 24-March 4 and I would gladly be willing to test out the new renovations

These are the tenitive start dates from tikimans site right now and the rehab takes appox (2 months) so I am figuring first week in march if it goes as planned may be sooner if no problems with rehab. I may be wrong but this is what I know.

Hawaii January 6
Samoa February 3
Niue/ Rarotonga March 3
Tokelau March 31
Aotearoa April 21
Tonga (lounge only but will be closed) May 5
Fiji May 19
Tuvalu June 16
Tahiti July 14
Rapa Nui August 11

 

[chamonix]

What is the reopening date for Hawaii??? We are booked Feb 24-March 4 and I would gladly be willing to test out the new renovations

They opened up reservations for CL starting on March 12. I haven't checked if they are full on that date or not, but that's what we have booked. Actually coming in on the 11th and staying one night non-CL until they open. We did the same thing years ago when they did the last major refurb (think it was October 2007 or 2008?) and it opened on time. Cross your fingers they will get it done this time too!

 

[chamonix]

Well thank you to everyone for their suggestions I just changed my ressie to
The poly 05/06/13 through 5/12/13. Staying at Hawaii GV CL so I hope no issue with rehab pool etc.. My wife and stepdaughter have been to WDW before will be be the twins and my first time. Any recommendations on what room I should put a request in for, are there any GV rooms better then another i.e. noise etc...

If you want a patio or balcony, request 1st or 3rd floor. If it's important to you, you could request "close to the elevators/lounge" but I don't see any bad rooms on that side really. Might not want the first room closest to the elevators/lounge on the first floor though, as that's where you might hear the service carts more than further away down the hall.

 

[sjs314]

What are your dates?! You know I'll be there after our cruise!

Dani I did not realize you we're going in Nov Too.

We are still not sure of our dates but 11/3 to 11/10 or 11/5 to 11/12. I wish JB flights were out would help in decideing.

 

[ixmnrs]

This is what is posted on the Disney Travel Agent site (as of 2/4/13):
Nanea Volcano Pool
03/04/13 - 03/15/13

Does this closure have anything to do with any closure in late August / Sept? I thought I saw something like that browsing through the thread and on Tikiman's page.

 

[hebbynan]

These are the tenitive start dates from tikimans site right now and the rehab takes appox (2 months) so I am figuring first week in march if it goes as planned may be sooner if no problems with rehab. I may be wrong but this is what I know.

Tahiti July 14

Oh man!! I hope they stick to this schedule and don't get behind!! We requested Tahiti for our stay and we check in September 18th. If they take 2 months that is REALLY cutting it close!!!

 

[pas130]

What are your dates?! You know I'll be there after our cruise!

Nov 1-8

Dani I did not realize you we're going in Nov Too.

We are still not sure of our dates but 11/3 to 11/10 or 11/5 to 11/12. I wish JB flights were out would help in decideing.

 

[angbuz]

We just returned from another wonderful WDW trip last Sunday - and we think this one was the best! We spent three nights at Poly and five at BWI CL. I will say that we were disappointed that Hawaii was closed for renovations - would have been nice to stay CL at both Poly and BWI. And while Captain Cook's is my favorite CS for variety, it was still pretty busy in the mornings for breakfast. So for our next stay, CL will be fresh and new, and we'll welcome breakfasts in the CL lounge!

But our stay was great and we were thrilled with our room. We requested Samoa, third floor, volcano pool side and that's exactly what Disney assigned to us! It's such a convenient location - amazing! Our boys (ages 6, 12 and 13) still love the volcano pool, dole whips, the tiki torches outside and the quick monorail to MK in the morning. They love the volcano pool - and staying in Samoa makes pool access ridiculously easy.



We found the construction in Hawaii was a non-issue. We spent the mornings in the parks and the afternoons at the resort, so we were around during the construction. No noise issues at all. And the construction at GF didn't bother us either.

A few things of concern: After defending Poly for years, I now agree that the refurb is necessary. Our room was very clean and in good order, but I welcome the white duvet covers and a bit of a "lift!"

Kona was outstanding for lunch as usual. Entirely underrated lunch/dinner location and we'll be sure to fit it into our plans again next time. The BBQ pork tacos are still my favorite.

Can't beat the beach. So fun for the boys to run around.

Transportation to MK was great. Not so great on the way home. My husband and I love the boat, but not so wonderful after Wishes (even during value season.) The monorail line was a mile long and it took 1.5 hours from MK to Poly by boat. There is a reason we previously avoided staying at MK for Wishes, and we now have confirmation - we'll go back to watching it from the Poly beach!

A few photos:

Oh my goodness, that looks like a fantastic room with a Great view. we would love to get Samoa, third floor, Volcano pool view. I'm just curious how and when you requested your building, view, etc. Did you call, do online check-in and request it then?? I just want to make sure I do it right so we can hopefully get what we request.
Thanks!!!

 

[pixarmom]

Oh my goodness, that looks like a fantastic room with a Great view. we would love to get Samoa, third floor, Volcano pool view. I'm just curious how and when you requested your building, view, etc. Did you call, do online check-in and request it then?? I just want to make sure I do it right so we can hopefully get what we request.
Thanks!!!

Hello! Our last two Poly stays have been Samoa/3rd floor/Volcano pool view.

In the past, we've never made any requests. But in 2011, I requested balcony or patio in advance and via phone. When we arrived, I asked if we could avoid a parking lot view. The CM at the front desk said she had a great room for us if we were willing to wait, and of course, we were. Well worth the "wait" while we went to Epcot and returned to a wonderful room on the 3rd floor of Samoa facing the volcano pool!

This time, I called in advance and specifically requested Samoa/3rd floor/Volcano pool view. Then I called a week before our stay to make sure the requests were still on our reservation (they were!) And then I checked in online and checked both Samoa and third floor in the requests section. When we arrived, all systems were down and they were issuing temporary keys, but I was so happy they were able to grant all of our requests!

Good luck!!

 

[princessap]

That is the exact request I made until Samoa began renovations during our stay. Requested Tokelau when I booked but not sure I am going to call and check. Might just see what happens. I read on here somewhere that it is a far walk to ttc and gch from Tokelau, anyone know if this is true? We are only there three days but need to get to ttc quick for BBB appts one day and chef mickeys another. Thanks in advance. I am so excited

 

[Jo-Anne]

Its actually quite a quick walk from Tokelau to TTC - probably no more than 5-8 minutes I'd say. Its a great location to walk to anything you need in resort or monorails/boats.

 

[Debrn]

That is the exact request I made until Samoa began renovations during our stay. Requested Tokelau when I booked but not sure I am going to call and check. Might just see what happens. I read on here somewhere that it is a far walk to ttc and gch from Tokelau, anyone know if this is true? We are only there three days but need to get to ttc quick for BBB appts one day and chef mickeys another. Thanks in advance. I am so excited

Neither is a far walk. Tokelau is a great location.

 

[akkraft]

Regarding the Volcano pool closure, I've called several times on this& originally it looked like the acid wash would start on the day of our arrival 18th feb (might be later now). so i asked if we'd be able to hop to the GF pools, they said yes, Poly guests would be able to use them& so sweet, they have a pretty cool kids play area etc at the GF& if you get a room on the west side of the poly grounds you're only like .41 miles to the poly (yes i measured it on Google Earth) so clearly not ideal, but a tolerable workaround. best luck to all getting a stay free of closures & noise etc

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

I will be at WDW (POR) for a conference and I will have a rental car. I would like to pick up a case of water and some other items and leave it at the Poly for my return trip 8 days later. I am not planning on having a rental car for the Poly trip. I've read on the 'shipping to resorts' sticky that the resorts will hold packages (sounds like up to 2 weeks) but what about me giving it to Bell services for them to hold for 8 days (I'd drop it off on a Friday and then check in the following Saturday)? And how does it need to be packaged? I was hoping just to hand over the case of water and then two bags worth of stuff (nothing refrigerated though) with my name and 'be back in 8 days' sort of thing. Is that possible?
Thanks!

 

[disneydreamin247]

Dani I did not realize you we're going in Nov Too.

We are still not sure of our dates but 11/3 to 11/10 or 11/5 to 11/12. I wish JB flights were out would help in decideing.

I completely agree! I like the price of the flight down and I am thinking of committing to the one way flight so far. We have to fly down on a friday and it is only $112 PP which is like a steal for a Friday flight! They have a 10 AM flight arriving at 1. I would be okay with arriving later so that we aren't wiped out from getting up at 4 in the morning and then wasting the rest of the day. I would like to eat at BOG that night. Then the next morning head to PC for our cruise. When we get back from the cruise I still do not know where we will be though.