The Poly & stuff

[Marty Joe]

Just back from the Polynesian. We got the longhouse we requested. You can’t go wrong with Samoa/patio/volcano pool side for a garden view. The Poly is still, as always, very beautiful and relaxing. The Tambo Lounge still has the best Mai Tai’s on the planet! ‘Ohana is still the best and Kona is a very close second. One small personal downer for me was the good folks at the Poly (or where ever) decided to change the back ground music. The smell of the Great Ceremonial House and the “old” background music are two heavy hitters for me. Both of those things (however small) tell me I’m HOME!! I have all the old songs on my ipod. When I’m having a bad day at work (most days), I pull out my pod, thumb through my Disney pix and listen to the Poly music during break while making new vacation plans in my head. I tried to give the new stuff a chance but it is very generic and extremely non-memorable. In the Poly’s defense, my wife did not hate the new music, but she was downing NyQuill smoothies. Someone could have farted something Hawaiian and she would have liked it!

It was a so-so trip because my wife’s aunt passed away on the second day. Her boss kept calling and wanting info and adding stress for her. She also got sick the last four days. We were there for ten days and part of me was glad to be on the plane going home. The heat and humidity was incredible. It also seemed that no matter where we went, we were in the middle of a tour group. Most of the tour groups were very polite and well mannered young men and women, but we weren’t around them. Fantasmic was frightening.

We discovered Coral Reef (after 12 years) – loved it. Went on the orange side of Mission to Mars (for the first time) - not a big deal. Went on Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain for the first time because of prodding and teasing from DW/DDs/SIL and questioning my membership to the “man club” and knowing full well that I hate roller coasters. Did not hate Big Thunder Mountain – did not care for Space Mountain – said no thank you to Splash Mountain. I took pictures of everyone on Everest. I love to take pictures. I had a candy apple and watched the parade while everyone went on ToT and Rock & Rollercoaster. I love candy apples. I will stick with Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion. I love walking around the countries in EPCOT at night. Discovered a Grey Goose/orange flavored drink in France – loved it. Went in Raglan Road at DTD for the first time and had a couple of Harps – loved it. I have to learn how to dance like that – on not.

Went to Planet Hollywood before Cirq and the food was great but it took over two hours! The waiter/kitchen was very slow. We had to hustle to get to Cirq on time. I DID NOT want to get hassled by the clowns. It’s funny when it happens to someone else, though. Cirq had a couple of changes for the better- The normal opening act (the two guys riding the big round things) and the chair climbing guy are out. They now have as the opener a couple of guys jumping rope and a juggler later in the show. I cannot do the rope jumpers any justice in words! You have to see it to believe it. It is wild! The juggler is awesome. I don’t know how to describe him either. I kept waiting for him to knock himself out! I pointed out a couple of outfits that some ladies had on at DTD that I asked DW to consider – got a NO-CAN-DO out of that. Seriously, what are some people thinking when they are choosing outfits to wear in public/Disney. Must have been a hooker tour group…

The only souvenirs I brought home was a cool Mickey shirt and my DW’s cold – sorry if I rambled or took sudden left turns in my post – I have a Nyquill smoothie buzz…

This was our first trip in July. I don’t think we will try July again.

[shyjade]

Originally Posted by Marty Joe

Someone could have farted something Hawaiian and she would have liked it!

OMG, I almost peed my pants laughing at this! I shouldn't have so much fun while at work!

Glad you had a mostly great time, sorry for your wife's loss. I agree about the heat...couldn't pay me to go to Disney in July!

[heidijanesmith]

We just got back from the Poly too Niue, ground floor facing the volcano pool. 7/14-7/21

I could not agree more with you about the heat and tour groups. No matter what park we were at, even park hopping, there was a tour troup. Tremenous heat and crowds!

I will not go in July again! Still had a great time and loved the Poly!

[bluejasmine]

Sorry your wife got sick...A cold in the heat is the worst! Im hearing alot of complaints on the new music at the Poly.. Is it still hawaiin music or something totally different?

Sounds like you still had a good time, I cant wait until our trip!

Are you posting any pics?

[hannaconda]

WE to just got back 7/17-7/25 at ALK Jamba House. The heat didn't bother me as bad as the tour groups did. Everwhere you went yellow flags, red flags, green flags, very crowded. We ate at the poly and it was good. I also agree this is my last July trip. I will pull the kids out for a week from school before I have to deal with the Tour groups again.

[Little Bit]

Thanks for the review, it was fun to read I try to avoid July, but I figure any day at WDW is better than a day in Michigan

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thanks for posting your review.

[Marty Joe]

yes bluejasmine - the background music is Hawaiian. I know there are some who will say that I'm opposed to change at the Poly, and they my be right to some extent. Maybe the music needed to be upgraded/changed... But I LOVED the old stuff. They could have added to the old stuff or they could have found better stuff. Don Ho (or his brother Stinky) is better than the stuff they play now! It is unlikely they will change it back so I will stay hammered on Mai Tai's while I'm at the Poly and listen to the good stuff on my ipod - with buds jammed in all the way.

[figmentgirl]

We stayed at Samoa last March. Our favorite (apart from Hawaii obviously, but we didn't win the lottery this year
Thanks for the trip report and congrats on riding Mission Space orange team AKA original ride. As a person who hates rollar coasters, do you feel Mission Space is easier than a coaster?

[1971DBday]

Great post and reminder as to why we pull our kids out of school and go in November! You still have a few random tour groups, but it is not frequent.

Next time you go, however, use my excuse for work. My cell phone does NOT work down in WDW, if they know what is best for them. My DH unfortunately is self-employed and needs to continue to take calls. My rule with this is I just don't want to see it. If he wants the ulcers that is his issue. Our last trip I was just recovering from a sinus infection, followed by my first case of vertigo, followed up by a second sinus infection/bronchitis....I needed to relax and avoid the stress.

By the weather in November is usually high 60s (only two days last trip of 9 days) with a max of low 80s (unfortunately only one day last trip). We swam every day though! This may be our last year though since DD14 is now in high school - her new school is okay with it this year, but does not recommend it for sophmore year and beyond.....we're thinking, but not fully decided...what do they know?!

[BABY_EINSTEIN'S_MOM]

So, does the music have a pop vibe like something from a Lilo and Stitch movie or still more classic Hawaiian?

[Marty Joe]

Figmentgirl - To me Mission to Mars was more like Tea Cups on steroids. Easier than coasters for me...

BABY_EINSTEIN'S_MOM - No pop vibe, just not very good or relaxing. Nothing that will stick in your head. The first time I stayed at the Poly, the old stuff stood out and took hold immediately. I may be biased and others may disagree...