ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: September 2012 - Page 146 - The DIS Discussion Forums

maiapapaya · 03-19-2013, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heidia

Sometimes I get the new site, sometimes the old one. If I want to ensure I see the new one, I use a program called "Hotspot shield". (I also use it to stream TV shows on abc.com and Hulu). It basically tricks the internet into thinking you are in the US (by masking your IP address). I just turn it off and on as I need it.

Thanks for the tip, I'll try it!

welvWDW · 03-19-2013, 08:59 AM

Regarding the online check-in: if the reservation was made by a travel agent, do they need to write in? [I thought I read that somewhere in the past]. Our check in at Poly is in 70 days!! Have stayed at other onsite resorts, but this is our first time at Poly! VERY excited!!

Elinor Dashwood · 03-19-2013, 09:01 AM

Checked in at my 60 day mark, today! It worked and I was able to request the building I wanted, etc.

Super easy to do.

maiapapaya · 03-19-2013, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elinor Dashwood

Checked in at my 60 day mark, today! It worked and I was able to request the building I wanted, etc.

Super easy to do.

Excellent!

I'm a little bummed/concerned though ... I tried your suggestion heidia and it didn't work - got the same old WDW site plus a lot of annoying pop-up ads! (didn't want to go for the deluxe paid version until I was sure it would work). I can't even get online check-in to work on the old site. It used to be if you were playing around and clicked on it, it would tell you you can't log into it yet because you're not within your window. Now it won't even do that, it just loops back to my reservation. I'm concerned if I can't access the My Disney Experience we won't be able to do the 60 day check-in. It wouldn't be an issue normally since we are staying CL and usually they tell CL guests not to bother with the online check-in (since you are checked in over in Hawaii), but if the FP+ is up and running for our October trip we will need to be checked in online to use it.

I have the app on my phone. But it doesn't look like I can add our resort reservation to "My Plans", only dining, so I don't think checking in via the phone app is an option.

Another fanstastic job Disney IT!

Hoping the FP+ isn't online by the fall so it won't be an issue, or they get things sorted out for international visitors before the full launch!

kpitarresi · 03-19-2013, 09:39 AM

I just went to My Disney Experience and on the lower right hand side there is a little blue box and it says Get Set! Click on pre-arrival check list and at the bottom it should say, "Guests at Walt Disney World Resort hotels may also:
Check-in online up to 60 days before arrival". I got 17 more days

maiapapaya · 03-19-2013, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kpitarresi

I just went to My Disney Experience and on the lower right hand side there is a little blue box and it says Get Set! Click on pre-arrival check list and at the bottom it should say, "Guests at Walt Disney World Resort hotels may also:
Check-in online up to 60 days before arrival". I got 17 more days

Unfortunately if you are connecting to WDW's website from a non-American URL you can't even access My Disney Experience online. It just automatically goes to the old website. There is no way to manually redirect yourself (unless you get a fake URL generator program like heidia suggested - which didn't seem to work for me either, gah!) If nothing else I'd like to at least be able to check things out.

kpitarresi · 03-19-2013, 10:04 AM

Hi Polys!
This is our first time going to Disney as a family and we have decided to stay at Poly (So Excited!!!!). Are there any beachside standard rooms? Also, what longhouse would you recommend for two young boys (2 & 6)? TIA

Elinor Dashwood · 03-19-2013, 10:06 AM

Is the walkway from the Polynesian to the Grand Floridian open with all of the construction now? We have a breakfast planned for the Grand Floridian and prefer just walking the path there.

maiapapaya · 03-19-2013, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kpitarresi

Hi Polys!
This is our first time going to Disney as a family and we have decided to stay at Poly (So Excited!!!!). Are there any beachside standard rooms? Also, what longhouse would you recommend for two young boys (2 & 6)? TIA

No. These are rooms that used to be known as "garden view" and there are none that are on the beach side of any of the long houses. Those are all either the lagoon view or theme park view rooms.

If you have standard view, with two young kids I would suggest requesting Samoa, volcano pool side. In that location you are right near the GCH (shops, restaurants, monorail platform) and the pool/beach. It is currently under refurb, but *should* be reopening near the beginning of April if they keep on time with the work.

Good choice in picking Poly! Most people who stay there love it!

heidia · 03-19-2013, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maiapapaya

Excellent!

I'm a little bummed/concerned though ... I tried your suggestion heidia and it didn't work - got the same old WDW site plus a lot of annoying pop-up ads!

Sometimes I have to disconnect and reconnect a time or two to get it to work (it uses US and I think Australian?? IP addresses, so sometimes it takes a few tries to get a US one).

But I only have the free version too and dont get any popups, so that part is weird. Maybe I have an older version. I know there are other programs out there that will do the same thing that might be better (less popups).

Honestly, you aren't missing much! The new site sucks too!

Hopefully they will roll it out for everyone soon!

KingSpeedy · 03-19-2013, 02:19 PM

My online checkin went fine on the new site. Requested Samoa (for May). Was hoping to request a King room as well (the renovated Samoa is rumored to have them), but that might just be something I have to ask for at the desk.

PixieMama · 03-19-2013, 03:46 PM

We will be staying at the Poly for the first time in October... since I've never stayed there I've been doing lots of reading up on the resort. Forgive me if this has already been asked/addressed:

I *think* I want to request Rapa Nui or Tokelau for our stay. The info I found regarding the renovations has Rapa Nui scheduled to start Aug 11, and that makes me nervous they won't be done in time for our trip (if there are any delays, that is). But with 5 people (3 of which are adults!) I'm thinking not a good idea to have just one sink, as I've read Tokelau has. Once the room renovations have been done, will there still be only one sink in Tokelau? Or will there be two? TIA!

kpitarresi · 03-19-2013, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maiapapaya

No. These are rooms that used to be known as "garden view" and there are none that are on the beach side of any of the long houses. Those are all either the lagoon view or theme park view rooms.

If you have standard view, with two young kids I would suggest requesting Samoa, volcano pool side. In that location you are right near the GCH (shops, restaurants, monorail platform) and the pool/beach. It is currently under refurb, but *should* be reopening near the beginning of April if they keep on time with the work.

Good choice in picking Poly! Most people who stay there love it!

Thanks for the info! I think I am gonna take your advice and request Samoa, 1st floor, volcano pool side. If they can't fill my request at check in can you request something else? What do you think of Tokelau? Thanks again!!!

princessap · 03-19-2013, 04:06 PM

We stayed at Tokelau and it was a great location and the room was very spacious....my first choice would have been Samoa but it was under renovations...we will request Tokelau again next year...my girls loved seeing the CR and space mountain from our balcony and I cannot count how many times we walked to the stairs at the end of the hallway outside to look at the castle!

Lita · 03-19-2013, 04:27 PM

I will be able to check in online for my first Poly stay in 5 days! I will be there from May 23-29th. I would like to request Rarotonga. I am guessing that it should be ready by then. I would also like Samoa, but I am seeing that Samoa is a popular longhouse. I would like to increase my chances of getting a refurbished room, so I am a choosing Rarotonga. My question about Rarotonga is are the rooms that are on the monorail side noisy? That is my only concern with that longhouse. The reviews that I've seen for Rarotonga have been positive. I do know that all requests don't get granted, so I will be happy with whatever I get.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

03-19-2013, 09:39 AM	#2180
kpitarresi Earning My Ears Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 70	I just went to My Disney Experience and on the lower right hand side there is a little blue box and it says Get Set! Click on pre-arrival check list and at the bottom it should say, "Guests at Walt Disney World Resort hotels may also: Check-in online up to 60 days before arrival". I got 17 more days __________________ DH Me DS (6) DS (2)

03-19-2013, 10:04 AM	#2182
kpitarresi Earning My Ears Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 70	Hi Polys! This is our first time going to Disney as a family and we have decided to stay at Poly (So Excited!!!!). Are there any beachside standard rooms? Also, what longhouse would you recommend for two young boys (2 & 6)? TIA __________________ DH Me DS (6) DS (2)

03-19-2013, 03:46 PM	#2187
PixieMama DIS Veteran Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: the good ol' South Posts: 1,937	We will be staying at the Poly for the first time in October... since I've never stayed there I've been doing lots of reading up on the resort. Forgive me if this has already been asked/addressed: I think I want to request Rapa Nui or Tokelau for our stay. The info I found regarding the renovations has Rapa Nui scheduled to start Aug 11, and that makes me nervous they won't be done in time for our trip (if there are any delays, that is). But with 5 people (3 of which are adults!) I'm thinking not a good idea to have just one sink, as I've read Tokelau has. Once the room renovations have been done, will there still be only one sink in Tokelau? Or will there be two? TIA! __________________ October 2012 PTR - September 2011 TR - Sept 2011 Dining Review - September 2011 PTR 1987 & 1988 Off-site, 2007 All-Star Movies, 2010 All-Star Movies, 2011 POP Century/Off-site, 2012 POR, 2013 AKL Club Level, 2013 Polynesian

03-19-2013, 04:27 PM	#2190
Lita Mouseketeer Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 152	I will be able to check in online for my first Poly stay in 5 days! I will be there from May 23-29th. I would like to request Rarotonga. I am guessing that it should be ready by then. I would also like Samoa, but I am seeing that Samoa is a popular longhouse. I would like to increase my chances of getting a refurbished room, so I am a choosing Rarotonga. My question about Rarotonga is are the rooms that are on the monorail side noisy? That is my only concern with that longhouse. The reviews that I've seen for Rarotonga have been positive. I do know that all requests don't get granted, so I will be happy with whatever I get. Sent from my iPad using DISBoards __________________

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03-19-2013, 08:59 AM	#2177
welvWDW Earning My Ears Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 5	Regarding the online check-in: if the reservation was made by a travel agent, do they need to write in? [I thought I read that somewhere in the past]. Our check in at Poly is in 70 days!! Have stayed at other onsite resorts, but this is our first time at Poly! VERY excited!!

03-19-2013, 09:01 AM	#2178
Elinor Dashwood DIS Veteran Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 1,143	Checked in at my 60 day mark, today! It worked and I was able to request the building I wanted, etc. Super easy to do.

03-19-2013, 10:06 AM	#2183
Elinor Dashwood DIS Veteran Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 1,143	Is the walkway from the Polynesian to the Grand Floridian open with all of the construction now? We have a breakfast planned for the Grand Floridian and prefer just walking the path there.

03-19-2013, 02:19 PM	#2186
KingSpeedy Earning My Ears Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: MD Posts: 52	My online checkin went fine on the new site. Requested Samoa (for May). Was hoping to request a King room as well (the renovated Samoa is rumored to have them), but that might just be something I have to ask for at the desk.

03-19-2013, 04:06 PM	#2189
princessap DIS Veteran Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 1,355	We stayed at Tokelau and it was a great location and the room was very spacious....my first choice would have been Samoa but it was under renovations...we will request Tokelau again next year...my girls loved seeing the CR and space mountain from our balcony and I cannot count how many times we walked to the stairs at the end of the hallway outside to look at the castle!