ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: September 2012

[Cindie-rella]

I don't think she said how long they stayed, but unless they were staying CL TPL or in one of the suites it had to be more than a few days to be $9K for a family of 3.

In 2007 we spent over $7K for two of us for 8 nights at the Poly on the Platinum Plan, and that was value season and a regular GV room.

I think you would be surprised how many people spend $9K or more on a trip to Disney.

A week vacation for two at the Poly can easily run more than $6K when you factor in all that you spend while you are on vacation, especially if you like to eat well while you are there.

It was for 8 nights LV...and adding it up quickly it actually looks like the total trip, incl airfare, meals & spending and of course the resort and park hoppers w/wp looks like we spent approx $9200. or a little better. We did not pay rack rate either...that was with a 35% room discount.It just kind of disgusted me when I look at the overall cost...whew ! That's quite a bit to leave not really feeling like we had a great vacation. I might say it was just ok, but not really good and definitely not great.
I know Alli76 that you said you'd be there the same time as us. Maybe it was luck of the draw as to what parks we did on what days that made the difference. I felt overwhelmed at times with the crowds. I have never experienced Disney so crowded. We have always had great experiences as far as weather and crowds. So I guess I just had myself set up for basically the same great vacation. My cousin always goes in the peak of summer and said he deals with big crowds, so he's used to it and knows exactly what to expect. I guess the slow days are further and fewer in between
I'd still like to go back, just for now it will take DH some time to heal from his disappointments. Maybe in time he will want to give it another shot. I just can't talk about going again right now while its still fresh in his mind
All that said, I'm sure glad I got to experience the POLY b/c I really did think it was so beautiful !

 

[Cindie-rella]

Hello!!!

Very happy to join you fine folks tonight

I'm happy to say that we just booked poly for 4th of July week for 7 nights (sat-sat) and we are very excited!!!! Funny thing is about an hour earlier I had booked contemporary TPV but the wife balked lol! So Poly Lagoon view it is. We used our AP discount so it was a little easier on the wallet. I do have some questions I figured y'all can help me out with . .....

1. I know requests are not for certain but... What are the odds that I get Tahiti if I request it considering the long houses that will be MIA for the refurb during that time frame???

2. Would you prefer a 3rd floor balcony or a 1st floor patio for a lagoon view room?

Thanks!!! I hope our room has a nice view of the park TPV was not available for our dates but I have seen some promising looking lagoon view pictures. Anybody care to share any???

Thanks!!!

We requested Tahiti 1st fl Lagoon View and were placed in room 1030. Exactly what we requested. Was a very private and quiet area with a nice view of the Castle & monorail and close to the MK boat. View was terrific! Granddaughter could walk down to the beach and play while I sat on our patio and watched her. I preferred the 1st floor and so glad that I requested it. Just a great location ! I will post a few pics when I finally download them.

 

[princessap]

Hello!!!

Very happy to join you fine folks tonight

I'm happy to say that we just booked poly for 4th of July week for 7 nights (sat-sat) and we are very excited!!!! Funny thing is about an hour earlier I had booked contemporary TPV but the wife balked lol! So Poly Lagoon view it is. We used our AP discount so it was a little easier on the wallet. I do have some questions I figured y'all can help me out with . .....

1. I know requests are not for certain but... What are the odds that I get Tahiti if I request it considering the long houses that will be MIA for the refurb during that time frame???

2. Would you prefer a 3rd floor balcony or a 1st floor patio for a lagoon view room?

Thanks!!! I hope our room has a nice view of the park TPV was not available for our dates but I have seen some promising looking lagoon view pictures. Anybody care to share any???

Thanks!!!

Have a great time!! I am debating between poly again or CR and I had been told that cR tpv was cheaper than poly lagoon view?! did that not work the same for you?

 

[mickeynut1]

Hello!!!

Very happy to join you fine folks tonight

I'm happy to say that we just booked poly for 4th of July week for 7 nights (sat-sat) and we are very excited!!!! Funny thing is about an hour earlier I had booked contemporary TPV but the wife balked lol! So Poly Lagoon view it is. We used our AP discount so it was a little easier on the wallet. I do have some questions I figured y'all can help me out with . .....

1. I know requests are not for certain but... What are the odds that I get Tahiti if I request it considering the long houses that will be MIA for the refurb during that time frame???

2. Would you prefer a 3rd floor balcony or a 1st floor patio for a lagoon view room?

Thanks!!! I hope our room has a nice view of the park TPV was not available for our dates but I have seen some promising looking lagoon view pictures. Anybody care to share any???

Thanks!!!

Getting requests fulfilled depends on how busy the resort is, but the CM will do everything he/she can to fulfill your request . With that said, if when you check in, you are not assigned a room in Tahiti, you can always ask the CM if a room will be available later in the day (if you're willing to wait). Disney is usually very accommodating and if there is any way they can accommodate your requests, they will. My preference would be a balcony, but I think either a balcony or patio would be good. Have a great trip .

I guess the slow days are further and fewer in between

I think you're right. There are still times where crowds aren't too bad, but I think what used to be "slow" periods are no longer slow .

 

[fla4fun]

Hello!!!

Very happy to join you fine folks tonight

I'm happy to say that we just booked poly for 4th of July week for 7 nights (sat-sat) and we are very excited!!!! Funny thing is about an hour earlier I had booked contemporary TPV but the wife balked lol! So Poly Lagoon view it is. We used our AP discount so it was a little easier on the wallet. I do have some questions I figured y'all can help me out with . .....

1. I know requests are not for certain but... What are the odds that I get Tahiti if I request it considering the long houses that will be MIA for the refurb during that time frame???

2. Would you prefer a 3rd floor balcony or a 1st floor patio for a lagoon view room?

Thanks!!! I hope our room has a nice view of the park TPV was not available for our dates but I have seen some promising looking lagoon view pictures. Anybody care to share any???

Thanks!!!

I will be there in a TPV room that week also (not as long as you though). Since Tahiti isn't scheduled to go down for refurb until July 14th, I figure that's where we'll probably be. I imagine it's a pretty popular spot over the 4th. I have requested a third floor balcony, but not a specific longhouse. I spent last July 4th in a TPV at CR, and liked being outside on the balcony. I'm concerned that if I get a patio room, I'll have a lot of people standing outside blocking my view of the fireworks, and I'd really like some outdoor space. I'm looking forward to comparing how the two very different views of the fireworks stack up. At CR, it was like watching a tennis match because some fireworks were on the lagoon to the left of us, and some over MK to the right. I'm hoping that the overall view will be better at Poly.

 

[HappyMomma]

Well 1st of all it rained for like 4 days. 1 day it rained all day. That's not by any means a fault of Disney's, but all the same it really did put a damper on many of our plans. Of all my past trips to Disney at this same exact time of year we never had not even 1 day of rain. This trip more than made up for it. It wasn't just a passing shower or thunderstorm...it was all day gloomy steady and pouring rain ! UGH ! Ok beyond that...rides we waited in line for either closed, such as test track. Got fast passes. Waited 3 hrs for our time. Went back and fast pass line was slammed. Waited yet another hour and 10 min...our turn next, CLOSED! Ok, again b/c of rain but they couldn't even offer you another fast pass for the next day?!!! Haunted Mansion broke down twice. 1st nite at MK was stuck for 20 while inside waiting to board. We got out of there and never rode it b/c I am claustrophobic !!!!!!!! Next day DH and DGD go back and it breaks down while they are riding it! Splash Mtn. kept stopping in the middle of the ride, not briefly but for like 10 min at a time, 3 different times! And nonetheless right before the big drop! They sat and waited quite a bit again...ruined the whole excitement of the ride. Winnie the pooh broke down while in line too. Now the lines for rides were not short by any means. We would not have even been able to ride Toy Story if some kind man didn't hand us his 3 fastpasses. I have never had to deal with such crowds at Disney! Every big ride had such a long wait ! Ridiculous. We hardly rode anything all week esp. compared to other years. In the past most rides, even the "main" ones were only a 20-25 min wait ! This is no longer a moderate time of year. It was sooo crowded at times we just went back to the resort. Droves of cheerleader competitors and their friends and families, local schools had their class trips. Too many of them IMO ! Parks were filled with so many teens it was like an invasion....not kidding!
I talked to a manager at the front desk at POLY and told him my complaints. He totally agreed with me. Said that this was usually a really good time of year to visit the parks, even him as a local and an employee "used" to love this time of year to bring their families. He then said what is happening is Disney has recognized all their "slower" times and has been trying to fill in all the gaps over the entire year by either offering the general public discounts or esp. by giving tremendous discounts to the competitors, dance, cheerleaders, sports etc. Not only to the competitor their self, but to any one who travels with them. He told me they get some really great deals. So now Disney will try and fill the place to capacity all year long!
It was just too crowded for us. Wait lines extreme, everywhere you went crowds were uncomfortable. I have been there only 6 times before, but this was the worst I have experienced. We always had the perfect trip up until now. Our last trip before this was in 08. It was great. Low wait times, walk up to most any restaurant, character or not and get seated within 5-10 min. w/o adr's ! The free dining plan has ruined that. And if people figure it out, the dining plan is NOT worth it. At least not for a family of 3. Maybe those with lots of kids I haven't figured that out yet, but for us Disney would have gotten even more of our money. They make it sound so spectacular but we would have lost money on that and yet you have to practically order what they tell you. No thanks !
Bad Disney experience for us. So bad DH says no more! With spending almost $9000. we could have had a few vacations elsewhere without all the hassle we had to go thru. I really looked forward to this trip, esp staying at the POLY and all the money spent we should have left with smiles on our faces....It really has been a disappointment!

Oh no. This has me nervous. We are not crowd people either. It's been 4 years since we have been, but we did notice you could no longer get dining reservations on our last trip. It was so annoying. To think that you have to wait hours for rides is insane! If that is what happens on our trip I know we'll be done too.

I wish you would have had a better experience. I feel bad for you. And super worried for us.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Aloha and Happy Mother's Day!​

 

[andyman8]

Happy Mother's Day everybody. Also, just 19 days until we're at the Polynesian!

 

[EnchantedLilly]

It was for 8 nights LV...and adding it up quickly it actually looks like the total trip, incl airfare, meals & spending and of course the resort and park hoppers w/wp looks like we spent approx $9200. or a little better. We did not pay rack rate either...that was with a 35% room discount.It just kind of disgusted me when I look at the overall cost...whew ! That's quite a bit to leave not really feeling like we had a great vacation. I might say it was just ok, but not really good and definitely not great.
I know Alli76 that you said you'd be there the same time as us. Maybe it was luck of the draw as to what parks we did on what days that made the difference. I felt overwhelmed at times with the crowds. I have never experienced Disney so crowded. We have always had great experiences as far as weather and crowds. So I guess I just had myself set up for basically the same great vacation. My cousin always goes in the peak of summer and said he deals with big crowds, so he's used to it and knows exactly what to expect. I guess the slow days are further and fewer in between
I'd still like to go back, just for now it will take DH some time to heal from his disappointments. Maybe in time he will want to give it another shot. I just can't talk about going again right now while its still fresh in his mind
All that said, I'm sure glad I got to experience the POLY b/c I really did think it was so beautiful !

We usually stay garden view at the Polynesian, and with money for spending and food the trip ends up costing upwards from $10,000. We just got back as well, and I have to agree with you, the crowds were horrible at the parks compared to years past at the same time. With some of the longhouses being down for refurb the actual resort was not that crowded. At the parks, I have never been bumped into as much as this trip. We would get to the parks shortly after 9am, and we had a good hour of short ride wait times, but after 10:00am the lines were long, BTMRR had a wait time of 40 minutes, I have never seen it that long since we went at easter.

I'm sorry to hear about your trip but I do agree, the Polynesian is beautiful!

 

[valenrandy]

We requested Tahiti 1st fl Lagoon View and were placed in room 1030. Exactly what we requested. Was a very private and quiet area with a nice view of the Castle & monorail and close to the MK boat. View was terrific! Granddaughter could walk down to the beach and play while I sat on our patio and watched her. I preferred the 1st floor and so glad that I requested it. Just a great location ! I will post a few pics when I finally download them.

Thanks! Can't wait to see your pics!

 

[valenrandy]

Have a great time!! I am debating between poly again or CR and I had been told that cR tpv was cheaper than poly lagoon view?! did that not work the same for you?

We have had CR TPV twice before (11th floor) over 4th of July week and I loved it but DW thought it was time for a change. We stayed at poly CL GV for Xmas 2 years ago and we loved it! Here I am hoping for more of that love lol. We we also considering WL CL as it cost the same as Poly LV.

 

[valenrandy]

Getting requests fulfilled depends on how busy the resort is, but the CM will do everything he/she can to fulfill your request . With that said, if when you check in, you are not assigned a room in Tahiti, you can always ask the CM if a room will be available later in the day (if you're willing to wait). Disney is usually very accommodating and if there is any way they can accommodate your requests, they will. My preference would be a balcony, but I think either a balcony or patio would be good. Have a great trip .

I know the request is just that, with nothing certain. That has me a little on edge as the only 2 options available when I booked yesterday with my AP discount was standard view and lagoon view. I requested Tahiti 3rd floor balcony as my first choice and Tahiti 1st floor patio as 2nd choice. I hope that's a decent enough request. I just saw on Tikimans site that there are only 2 LV rooms on the 3rd floor so that request is almost certain to not be granted. Maybe I should change it to 2nd floor as there are many moor rooms??? I wouldn't mind a ground floor room provided that there was not a 8ft hedge I front blooming everything lol! (I know I'm picky)

 

[scampagna6]

Based on just theme park view alone...is the view much better in Hawaii (I know it's Club Level) or is Tahiti's view just as good?

I have TPV booked and requested Tahiti but trying to decide if I should upgrade to Hawaii TPV CL... pictures of each view would be great also

TIA

 

[mickeynut1]

We we also considering WL CL as it cost the same as Poly LV.

Not sure if you've stayed WL CL before, but we think it's amazing . Our favorite resort is the Poly, but we wouldn't hesitate to go back to WL CL as the CMs are great, the food offerings are good, and I love how the lounge overlooks the lobby.

I know the request is just that, with nothing certain. That has me a little on edge as the only 2 options available when I booked yesterday with my AP discount was standard view and lagoon view. I requested Tahiti 3rd floor balcony as my first choice and Tahiti 1st floor patio as 2nd choice. I hope that's a decent enough request. I just saw on Tikimans site that there are only 2 LV rooms on the 3rd floor so that request is almost certain to not be granted. Maybe I should change it to 2nd floor as there are many moor rooms??? I wouldn't mind a ground floor room provided that there was not a 8ft hedge I front blooming everything lol! (I know I'm picky)

I think your request is good as it lets the CM know that you really want the Tahiti longhouse. I agree about not wanting an 8 ft hedge blocking everything......I know I wouldn't want to pay Poly prices (with or without a discount) and have landscaping in my face blocking a nice view every time I looked out .

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

Based on just theme park view alone...is the view much better in Hawaii (I know it's Club Level) or is Tahiti's view just as good?

I have TPV booked and requested Tahiti but trying to decide if I should upgrade to Hawaii TPV CL... pictures of each view would be great also

TIA

This is the view from Hawaii ... In our opinion, the view is very similar in Tahiti​

 

[valenrandy]

This is the view from Hawaii ... In our opinion, the view is very similar in Tahiti​

That's a fantastic view! We could only wish our LV offers something similar

 

[mickeynut1]

This is the view from Hawaii ... In our opinion, the view is very similar in Tahiti​

What an amazing view .

 

[1971DBday]

This is the view from Hawaii ... In our opinion, the view is very similar in Tahiti​

I want to be in that hammock right now!

 

[psac]

Oh no. This has me nervous. We are not crowd people either. It's been 4 years since we have been, but we did notice you could no longer get dining reservations on our last trip. It was so annoying. To think that you have to wait hours for rides is insane! If that is what happens on our trip I know we'll be done too.

I wish you would have had a better experience. I feel bad for you. And super worried for us.

It may be off topic for the thread, but the two best tips for lessening crowd impact is 1) go to the parks at rope drop, being at the Poly will help for MK, and 2) use a crowd calendar site like Easywdw for the best and worse parks for each day. It REALLY makes a difference. "Everyone" goes to MK on Monday, Epcot on Tuesday, etc., and you don't want to be with that crowd.

No matter what though, it will never be empty, especially in the afternoons. Good luck!!!

 

[catho72]

We have a Poly CL trip planned in two months. Our family would also like to do a Wishes Dessert party, but are the two redundant? Since we are able to see (and hear) Wishes from the CL lounge and enjoy desserts during the fireworks, is doing the Dessert party a waste of money? Or is the view and ambiance of doing the Wishes Dessert party at MK worth the money? Help!

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