ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: September 2012

[cricketgirl]

Woo hoo. We'll be at the Polynesian tomorrow. I so excited. Mom and son trip.

[lsg1]

Finally, the day is here. We are checking into the poly today! Woo hoo!

[HappyMomma]

Originally Posted by lsg1

Finally, the day is here. We are checking into the poly today! Woo hoo!

Woo hoo! Enjoy!

[sjs314]

Hello

New Here and reading through this thread now as I hope to stay at the Poly on our next trip. I have to read and soak up all the knowledge I can since I have only visited the Poly once many years ago when we went to the Aloha Dinner Show.

[Wanna be Ariel]

Originally Posted by Cindie-rella

When should I call to put requests on my reservation? Also, for online check-in, does it really speed up the process when you arrive? Reason I ask, our plane does not land until 6:25 p.m. and we made an ADR for O'hana's for 8:15. We'll be using ME. Will it actually be feasible to make dinner on time with having to check in 1st? Never had to arrive this late, always did early flights in so I'm kind of frantic getting in so late and wanting at least a nice dinner and fireworks from the beach at 10....just hope all goes well so I can avoid stroking-out !

I dont think that you will be able to make this ADR. There is alot of things that could go wrong. Plane could get delayed coming into MCO, the ME could be really full and you might have to wait. I would not chance making a ADR for this time. Cutting it REALLY close.

You could eat at Kona ( I think you could get a walk up) and then go watch WISHES on the beach. Or what about eating a dinner from captain cooks
on the beach while watching the fireworks.

I dont think you want to stress out the first day of vacation

[LowesChevy]

Officially booked for 10/4-10/7/13 for the end of our trip

Normally we stay in the TPV, but going Garden view to save a bit this year...buying APs hopefully. See you real soon!

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Originally Posted by sjs314

Hello

New Here and reading through this thread now as I hope to stay at the Poly on our next trip. I have to read and soak up all the knowledge I can since I have only visited the Poly once many years ago when we went to the Aloha Dinner Show.

Welcome Sheila!! You are going to LOVE the Poly!

[Carriesouthard]

Originally Posted by Wanna be Ariel

I dont think that you will be able to make this ADR. There is alot of things that could go wrong. Plane could get delayed coming into MCO, the ME could be really full and you might have to wait. I would not chance making a ADR for this time. Cutting it REALLY close.

You could eat at Kona ( I think you could get a walk up) and then go watch WISHES on the beach. Or what about eating a dinner from captain cooks
on the beach while watching the fireworks.

I dont think you want to stress out the first day of vacation

AGREE with this 100%

[pixarmom]

Originally Posted by BuzznBelle'smom

That's the thing--you can't make first and second choices. You can only check a box next to the longhouse name. And then, you can't un-check it. I'm going to try calling to see if I can clarify my patio/balcony situation.

P.S. My little guy will be wearing a rainbow tie-dye bathing suit, and would love to have a swimming buddy. Since we're from New Hampshire, any temperature above 50 is considered shorts and swimming weather to my kids.

Good to know - I'm about to check in online now, so I'll be careful about the check boxes. Good luck clarifying your patio/balcony situation - hope it works out!

See you soon!

Originally Posted by DisneyMomx7

OMG you are my twin sister! They are the same requests I always make when we stay gv at the Poly - Samoa first, Fiji second.

We had a great third floor Samoa room facing the volcano pool and a really nice Fiji third floor room facing the beach/GF. Can't wait to hear all about your trip!

Too funny! I thought those were good first and second choices! Was it quiet enough on the beach/GF side of Fiji? I saw a post recently regarding the Spirit of Aloha noise and was a little concerned.

Originally Posted by jenniferma

I think if you are on the other side of Samoa facing the pool you should be ok. We were facing the noise. I am sorry, we weren't in the resort yesterday and the construction worked stopped today for the weekend, so I cannot say for sure. Samoa is such a great location!

Thanks so much for the response! Hope you're continuing to enjoy your trip (and that your break from the construction continues today!)

Originally Posted by Megsie1000

We will be there at the same time, too. We check in on the 24th. We requested Samoa ground floor facing volcano pool. So hopefully the gods will be good to both of us and we will be right below you.

We have 3 kids. 4 year old boy, 7 year old girl and 9 year old girl. Our youngest boy (Jack) wears blue glasses. Wave at us if you see us!

Hopefully, we'll be waving to you from our 3rd floor Samoa room this weekend! Fingers crossed!

Originally Posted by Cindie-rella

When should I call to put requests on my reservation? Also, for online check-in, does it really speed up the process when you arrive? Reason I ask, our plane does not land until 6:25 p.m. and we made an ADR for O'hana's for 8:15. We'll be using ME. Will it actually be feasible to make dinner on time with having to check in 1st? Never had to arrive this late, always did early flights in so I'm kind of frantic getting in so late and wanting at least a nice dinner and fireworks from the beach at 10....just hope all goes well so I can avoid stroking-out !

I always call to add requests as soon as I make the reservation, and then call back a week or so before to make sure our requests are still there. I agree with the others regarding Ohana. That could be tough. But I should talk - we land at 4pm and have a 7pm Garden Grill ADR. I honestly would not recommend that to anyone, but it's an arrival night tradition, so we're taking our chances. I usually estimate 2 hours from landing to resort arrival. In reality, we usually arrive at our resort no later than 1.5 hours after arrival - and that's for the Epcot area resorts. Last time we stayed at Poly, it was only an hour - Poly was the first stop and it was value season.

So while it's possible that you could make an 8:15pm ADR, if you'll be stressed, Kona is a great alternative!

[DisneyMomx7]

Pixarmom - didn't have a problem with Spirit of Aloha.

Now we did hear it a lot when we had a TPV room in Tuvalu but you know what, it didn't bother us at all. I actually liked sitting out on the balcony and hearing it. Made me feel like I was really in Hawaii!

[hulagirl87]

We leave in 3 days and DD came down with a cold last night. Took her to the doctor this morning to make sure that her lungs were clear and that her ears were ok. They said that it was just a cold and to let it run it's course. Sigh. the timing on this is the worst! She hasn't gotten sick in over a year and now she gets sick! We'll be staying home until we leave Thursday morning and hopefully she will be 100% better!!! At least we can watch some Disney movies, this morning it was Tangled

Though I'm nervous about so many things (packing, flights, etc), I can't wait to walk through the doors and smell that amazing Poly smell!!!!

[sjs314]

Originally Posted by Momof2Disneyboys

Welcome Sheila!! You are going to LOVE the Poly!

Shelly I am getting very excited already just looking at all the possible "new expierences"

[jandkmom]

Originally Posted by hulagirl87

We leave in 3 days and DD came down with a cold last night. Took her to the doctor this morning to make sure that her lungs were clear and that her ears were ok. They said that it was just a cold and to let it run it's course. Sigh. the timing on this is the worst! She hasn't gotten sick in over a year and now she gets sick! We'll be staying home until we leave Thursday morning and hopefully she will be 100% better!!! At least we can watch some Disney movies, this morning it was Tangled

Though I'm nervous about so many things (packing, flights, etc), I can't wait to walk through the doors and smell that amazing Poly smell!!!!

Hope she feels better soon! If it's a cold, hopefully some rest and Disney movies will do the trick by the time you leave I've been dreaming of the Poly smell and the music!

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

Originally Posted by Cindie-rella

When should I call to put requests on my reservation? Also, for online check-in, does it really speed up the process when you arrive? Reason I ask, our plane does not land until 6:25 p.m. and we made an ADR for O'hana's for 8:15. We'll be using ME. Will it actually be feasible to make dinner on time with having to check in 1st? Never had to arrive this late, always did early flights in so I'm kind of frantic getting in so late and wanting at least a nice dinner and fireworks from the beach at 10....just hope all goes well so I can avoid stroking-out !

Originally Posted by Wanna be Ariel

I dont think that you will be able to make this ADR. There is alot of things that could go wrong. Plane could get delayed coming into MCO, the ME could be really full and you might have to wait. I would not chance making a ADR for this time. Cutting it REALLY close.

You could eat at Kona ( I think you could get a walk up) and then go watch WISHES on the beach. Or what about eating a dinner from captain cooks
on the beach while watching the fireworks.

I dont think you want to stress out the first day of vacation

I agree with Wanna be Ariel, that's cutting it awfully close - they say allow 90 minutes from the time you land until the time you reach your resort, so without any delays, that takes you to approximately 8:00 pm. The only way I could see you doing it would be to have one of you check in while the other went upstairs to O'hana's to check in for your ADR. Then comes the problem of getting your luggage to the room then back to O'hana's before they call you for your ADR.

I'd go with something quick at Cap't Cooks and then head on out to the beach to watch Wishes.

[coolbluewater]

I've stayed all over Disney, but never at the Poly - and now I know what the hype is all about. Best stay ever. Especially with my 3yo son who (on his third trip) now is really capturing the magic of Disney. And my 80 yo father who on his first trip, could not stop smiling (The minnie mouse at Chef Mickey's was phenomenal).

Asked for adjoining rooms and patio or balcony and were put in Tokelau, first floor, not facing the quiet pool. Honestly, the rooms weren't perfect (1929 is right next to the service entrance and the patio is not usable, it's tiny) - still, the size of the rooms more than made up for any momentary disappointment. And we were close to the main entrance, so that was a plus as well. We'd not ask for that room again, but we wouldn't be disappointed to have it again either.

Only flaw in service was a disagreeable person at Kona cafe - I wish people who actively hate helping people would not take service positions. She just could not be bothered and kept saying "no" over and over, until I asked to speak to a manager. Oh well! But made up for by the extremely competent manager at captain cook's who helped us out instead (running up to Kona to get it done, ). Also a night manager surprised me with a bit of Disney magic and a loaf of Kona bread!

All in all, I don't know how we'll stay anywhere else...and my husband wants to go back already!

Thanks again for your help and advice. I couldn't post before this because i was too sad not to be at the Poly - now I have another trip to plan, so I feel much better.