ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: September 2012

[chamonix]

Originally Posted by jw50

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

Oh No! Please please no!

Personally it's no big deal to me, but we are bringing friends for their first time. I want to change but it's too late now for them to get off work another week or to change resorts. Why can't Disney release information like that farther ahead of time?!

[pixarmom]

Originally Posted by Crazy Kanga

When are all of the renovations going to be done? We are going in May and want to stay at the Poly but don't want our first stay there marred by Reno noise.

Last month, we were in Samoa on the 3rd floor, facing the volcano pool, second room from the end near Hawaii. We didn't hear a renovation peep from Hawaii, just saw a few workers coming in and out. Not disruptive in the least, and we were around the resort, pool and our room in the afternoons. I've read several reports from guests in Tokelau who had very different experiences. I really appreciated those reports, in case our first choice (Samoa) was not available. Hopefully, guests will continue to report back closer to your visit so you can avoid the noisier locations.

[pas130]

Originally Posted by disneydreamin247

November?

Dh decided we needed to postpone to save up more $$$. I think he misses F&W....

[Tess]

Originally Posted by chamonix

Oh No! Please please no!

Personally it's no big deal to me, but we are bringing friends for their first time. I want to change but it's too late now for them to get off work another week or to change resorts. Why can't Disney release information like that farther ahead of time?!

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!

[disneydreamin247]

Originally Posted by pas130

Dh decided we needed to postpone to save up more $$$. I think he misses F&W....

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

[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]

Originally Posted by Tess

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]

Originally Posted by chamonix

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]

Originally Posted by chamonix

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]

Originally Posted by Bethany6537

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]

Originally Posted by Bethany6537

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]

Originally Posted by 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...

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]

Originally Posted by disneydreamin247

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]

Originally Posted by jw50

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.