Just Back from Poly Club Level room 1502 - Questions?

[LisaDKG]

This was our third stay at the Poly, first stay in club level. My Dh stated a few days into our trip, "Well, I guess there is no going back, is there?" We had a fabulous time from Oct. 11-20 and I would really have to dig to find anything negative to report about the whole trip!
When we booked there was only lagoon view available which I don't normally think is that big of a deal since in most longhouses you just take a few steps and can see water anywhere you go BUT we were blown away with the view just outside our drapes. I emailed my room requests 2 days before (asked for first floor closest to the concierge desks or third floor) and although they said I probably should have emailed a little earlier as room assignments had already been made, I was shocked that we got exactly what I had requested.
We made lots of use of asking for bottles of water for our room and that was probably worth the price of club level alone. Ok, that is stretching it a bit I guess but we drank a lot of water, juices and cappuccino (the Nescafe nearly did me in but the machine is fun!). I don't drink beer or wine and would have only had a liqueur at night had they had Bailey's (they didn't) but my Dh had a bit of wine on the nights that we did visit the lounge. I thought the service was awesome and the CMs of Hawaii and the Poly in general very accommodating and friendly.
We didn't take the dining plan this trip b/c it was last minute and it was really tricky to get the ressies we wanted online. 'Ohana never came up once in the 2 weeks I tried online before the trip and we thought we would just see how much we actually spent on the food we really wanted to eat this time. We ate the hot apps in the lounge a few nights, which would have sufficed as a meal but if we went to the parks or DTD after that we would inevitably have a late meal there as Dh and DS9 and DD6 always seemed to need to eat again. It seems a shame that the club level CMs can only access the same computer system to make reservations as the general public uses because I think in the past that would have really been the real value in staying CL. Aside from one time, each time I asked a CM to check on an ADR availability I was met with disappointment and the thought "I could be checking this myself on my laptop in my room instead of taking up this person's time". I did really want to get into an 'Ohana dinner sometime during our trip and one CM, Nina, somehow made that happen for us. I don't know if she just kept trying on the computer all day (no one else offered to try this for any other request) or knew who to talk to but we got in and it was a fabulous dinner. We did try a lot of walkups as soon as restaurants opened and got in almost everywhere we wanted to. I don't know if this would be possible at say, Le Cellier or CRT but I did get into BBB at the castle at the exact time in the late afternoon that I wanted before a MNSSHP by being there first thing in the morning.
We probably came out about the same when I totaled up our dining charges but I have to say it is way more fun paying for your meals in advance and not worrying about the prices of entrees and every box of popcorn. We would probably spring for the dining plan next time even though it was nice to be a little footloose and free and not worry about getting to an ADR on time. I think it just makes for a different kind of trip that isn't food centered. Not sure if that's better or not.
Anyways if you have any questions about anything I'd be happy to answer you!

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thanks for posting your review.

[MickeyNicki]

Thank you for your report! We have stayed at the Poly many times and love it and next month we will stay Poly GV CL and cannot wait.

I have heard that they are rationing out the food in the lounge so the guests cannot "hog" all the food...did you notice this?

Any pics or a list of the food offerings? How about the night time alcohol..do you have a list of the cordials, wines and beers?

[LisaDKG]

I too heard about rationing but I seriously cannot imagine a CM saying a word or giving any indication that a guest might be enjoying the offerings a little too "heartily". Everything was out in abundance and refilled quickly. I have no experience as to what the offerings USED to be but to me, the nightly-changing hot apps were great: wings, pot stickers, skewers/salad etc. The carrots/celery/cucumber and cheese trays seemed a little monotonous but what can you do? Sorry, I didn't take any photos of food this trip as my Dh would have thought I was really going too far (he doesn't get Disboarding like I do but man, he sure reaps the benefits of all my research here!)
They had at least 2 beers, maybe 3 available. Heineken and something called Longboard for sure. At least 3 types of wines too. Liqueurs seemed to be Kahlua, Amarula and about 3 others that I can't remember but know I don't like. If I recall, they still had the wine out during dessert and I heard one guest ask for a beer at this time. Anything but tequila and gin give me migraines - although I take my chances at 'Ohana for their piña coladas. Worth any pain it might bring.
I've read of the stories of guests going to town at the lounge. I can't say that anyone, be it CM or other guest, took note of the number or how high I piled my plate and I sure didn't give a hoot how much my fellow guests enjoyed either. Everyone was respectful, calm and enjoying themselves and the lounge added a really nice convenience to our vacation.

[vicki_c]

Nice review - we've stayed in 1501 and 1503 so I totally know about that wonderful view!

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Did you think the Kona Sticky Wings tasted a little soggy or something? Personally that's what I thought after trying them, so just wondering what you thought of them?

[mousefan1972]

Thanks for the review. We are staying CL at the Poly for the 1st time in December and can not wait! So far I have been very impressed w/ the IPO. I have a feeling once we experience CL, there will be no "going back", lol.

[LisaDKG]

Originally Posted by CR Resort Fan 4 Life

Did you think the Kona Sticky Wings tasted a little soggy or something? Personally that's what I thought after trying them, so just wondering what you thought of them?

Well, I think most wings you get that are not hot out of a fryer are not going to be as crisp. These were hot but I'm not sure that they were fried and immediately served - probably kept warm? They weren't crisp but I really liked them and didn't find them soggy. Yummy sauce!

[loperella]

Originally Posted by LisaDKG

This was our third stay at the Poly, first stay in club level. My Dh stated a few days into our trip, "Well, I guess there is no going back, is there?" When we booked there was only lagoon view available which I don't normally think is that big of a deal since in most longhouses you just take a few steps and can see water anywhere you go BUT we were blown away with the view just outside our drapes.

Thanks for the report & glad you had a nice time. We recently got back from our 1st Poly CL (and 1st WDW) stay & I know what you mean about just being steps away... BUT that view right outside your room!!!--- [sigh] ...spoiled us for sure & "no going back" for us either.

Originally Posted by MickeyNicki

Thank you for your report! We have stayed at the Poly many times and love it and next month we will stay Poly GV CL and cannot wait.

I have heard that they are rationing out the food in the lounge so the guests cannot "hog" all the food...did you notice this?

Any pics or a list of the food offerings? How about the night time alcohol..do you have a list of the cordials, wines and beers?

You'll love it! Didn't notice any "rationing" but I don't have anything to compare it to. There was always plenty & it was replenished quickly. No one ever looked at us strange if we went back for more nor did I notice it to be a problem.

There are lots of pics on the Poly FAQ 1st page & post #6 thanks to BreezysMom.

[BCV23]

Ah, your report makes me really, really miss first floor lagoon view in Hawaii. It's magical, isn't it?

[BreezysMom]

WOW! Thanks for the great report.

I am getting more excited now for our stay!

[sherry8253]

Thanks for your great report. We are staying Poly CL for the first time in Jan. I am so excited. How was the view from your room? Did you like being on the ground floor or was there alot of traffic in front of you when you were out on your patio?

[purpliequeen]

Great review! We're going in January and are not on the dining plan. We have been in the past, but this time around we decided to just wing it. We got some excellent restaurants though so now I'm wondering if we should do the DDP. We'll be making use of the continental bfast in the morning, most likely buying small snacks in the parks, and then eating big table service meals for dinner. I just don't see us all spending $40/pp x 4 people x 6 nights + the snacks/bfasts available at the CL. I'll have to post a review and let everyone know how it balances in the end.

Glad you had a great time!

[ols386]

Thanks for the nice trip report! Sounds like you had a very good time.

We'll be staying at the Poly Dec 9-12. Can't wait!!

Any pics you can post?

[traylorc]

Originally Posted by CR Resort Fan 4 Life

Did you think the Kona Sticky Wings tasted a little soggy or something? Personally that's what I thought after trying them, so just wondering what you thought of them?

CR I know you directed your question at the OP but....

We dined on sticky wings four times during our August trip (2 times at Kona & 2 times at Ohana). Personally I never found them to be soggy...in fact I thought they were fantastic.