Just back from 7 night/8 day Polynesian stay

[Cindermommy]

We just got back from a 7-night, 8-day stay at the Polynesian. I booked it because we used the Fairy Tale vacation, or buy 4 get 3 free. We also used Disney Visa rewards to pay for approx. 25% of the vacation....long story short we got a great deal so we decided to try the Polynesian. http://www.wdwinfo.com/images/smilies/cool1.gif

We checked in on Sat. morning 8/1. The lines were not too long, and the cast members were not too friendly. I provided a cell phone number, but was not notified of our room number or if the room was ready. So, we had to schlep back to the Great Ceremonial house (the lobby/restaurants, shops, etc.) to find out our room number after 9 hours of hoofing it around Epcot in the blazing August heat and humidity. http://www.disboards.com/images/smilies/mad.gif

We were in Tokelau, 2nd floor. We had a "garden view." The rooms were very good sized, and we only had to call the front desk once for obnoxiously loud neighbors (they were hooting and hollering from 10:00 until well after midnight.) It was nice having a day bed, that way my college-bound, oldest teenager did not have to sleep on the floor. (BTW, he will be attending Bucknell in the fall, for all you Bucknellians out there, Go Bison!). Housekeeping was adequate, but never left any towel buddies. We had plenty of shampoo, soap, towels, etc. http://www.wdwinfo.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

The main pool was surprisingly small, shallow, and, therefore, always crowded. We used the quiet pool outside of our longhouse. We had an interesting incident on Tuesday afternoon. We came back from the park for an afternoon swim and some brilliant, customer-oriented Disney manager decided to close the quiet pool for maintenance around 4:00 p.m. on another blazing hot August afternoon. We were annoyed, but there were a few people that were outraged. I hope they complained. (I did my fair share of complaining about rude guests, rude cast members, etc. throughout the week). The quiet pool was closed from Monday until Wednesday. Funny, we never saw them do anything the pool or pool deck. I still am wondering why they closed the pool.http://www.wdwinfo.com/images/smilies/confused24.gif

We lucked out with the bus service, with the exception of returning from DTD. It took a good 45-50 minutes from the time our bus left DTD to the time it arrived at the Polynesian. We swung by Typhoon Lagoon (but did not pick up any passengers), the proceeded to the Contemporary, then on to the Polynesian. Needless to say that was our only trip to DTD this trip. We were lucky because three of the four times we took a bus, our bus was waiting when we arrived at the bus stop.

DME was fine as well. We arrived at MCO at approx. 9:50, and were able to make it to Epcot by noon. On our last day the DME bus arrived 3 minutes ahead of schedule. I was annoyed at having to leave so early to get to MCO, but I am glad we did. The check-in line for Southwest Sat. afternoon/evening was about 500 people long (I am not exaggerating on this, friends of our missed their earlier flight because the check-in lines were so long, but I don't think they used DME.)

All in all, we had a good vacation. We have been to Disney too many times to count, and have stayed at 8 different Disney resorts. I don't think I would return to the Polynesian, it didn't stand out as being anything fabulous. In my opinion it is not worth the premium to stay there. My son's favorite is Yacht Club, and my husband's favorite is Wilderness Lodge.

I was prepared for service cut back due to the economy, but the parks were reasonably clean (including most bathrooms.) We have been vacationing at Disney and the Orlando since the 1970's, and biggest change is in the park guest. We had the misfortune to run into more rude guests than I thought possible. People just cut in line (without even the obligitory 'scuse me!!!!!!), people talked through shows (like Impressions of France, the Canada movie, and the China movie). For goodness sakes, if you want to talk, stay out of the attraction!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, you ruin it for everyone who wants to enjoy it. People bumped, jostled, and shoved without saying "excuse me", or "I'm sorry." For example, at the Magic Kingdom a couple of larger teens were wrestling in the walkway and shoved me (I am 5 feet tall and weigh 110 pounds) almost to the ground. I said "Excuse Me!, and the equally jerky father said "get over it, it's a theme park." I'm sorry, when did being at a theme park give anyone the right to be rude?????

On the parks, we are very good at using the fastpass system, reading the times guides, etc. and knowing which rides you have to do first, and which rides/attractions you can use as "fillers" until your next fastpass is ready. So, our longest wait was 30 minutes at Toy Story despite the crowds. I heard a lot of people complaining about not getting to do anything, or waiting for 2 hours because of the crowds. When DHS closed at 7:00 on Friday, lots of people were surprised and angry. I don't know why, the hours for the day were clearly stated on the times guide. Disney is tough if you don't have a plan.

Anyway, we had a great vacation overall. We did everything we wanted to do, and had some quality family time. We would like to try the Animal Kingdom lodge on our next trip. Any thoughts/opinions/experiences anyone would like to share???? http://www.wdwinfo.com/images/smilies/thumbsup2.gif

[swald91]

Thanks for your update! We will be going next week-YEAH! Although we LOVE the Poly..sorry to hear your experience there wasn't all that great. We have from time to time run into the not too friendly CM but usually they are great. (It only takes one to ruin a good day though) I wonder what the story is with the quiet pool?? I like that one much better-last year my husband & daughter went back to MK for EMH so I took my son to the quiet pool-unfortunately we ran into some wild teens that decide to toss some chairs into the pool-I was about ready to get someone when security came by-we just pointed them in the direction of where they went....As far as the people...it never fails to be around rude people..I don't think that will ever get better-but glad to hear that overall you had some good family time & great memories!

[mobiana]

Originally Posted by Cindermommy

I was prepared for service cut back due to the economy, but the parks were reasonably clean (including most bathrooms.) We have been vacationing at Disney and the Orlando since the 1970's, and biggest change is in the park guest. We had the misfortune to run into more rude guests than I thought possible. People just cut in line (without even the obligitory 'scuse me!!!!!!) http://www.wdwinfo.com/images/smilies/thumbsup2.gif

I appreciated reading your report. We almost overlapped dates with you (staying at WL, 7/26-8/2) and also thought that same thing about rude guests. The Poly is one of those resorts I've dreamed about staying at too ... so this is kinda "eye-opening." We enjoyed out stay at WL and would stay there again.

[Haley]

We came back from the park for an afternoon swim and some brilliant, customer-oriented Disney manager decided to close the quiet pool for maintenance around 4:00 p.m. on another blazing hot August afternoon. We were annoyed, but there were a few people that were outraged. I hope they complained. .

They probably had to close it for a reason- like a guest went to the bathroom in it.

I doubt they would close it for maintenance just to "outrage" people or to be mean. They just say "maintenance" because it sounds nice than saying a child took a #2.

[Cindermommy]

You may be right, but the CM's putting up the ribbon were telling people they needed to work on the pool deck and had no prior notice either. They seemed just as baffled about closing the pool as the people they asked to leave.

[carmiedog]

Originally Posted by Cindermommy

We checked in on Sat. morning 8/1. The lines were not too long, and the cast members were not too friendly. I provided a cell phone number, but was not notified of our room number or if the room was ready. So, we had to schlep back to the Great Ceremonial house (the lobby/restaurants, shops, etc.) to find out our room number after 9 hours of hoofing it around Epcot in the blazing August heat and humidity.

We had the same problem at CBR this summer. We checked in around noon, and fully expected to wait for a room. But 5:00 came and went. 6:00 came and went. No phone call. And there's no phone number in the information folder they give you.

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thanks for posting your review.