ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: September 2012

[Mainemama]

I am checking in tomorrow! I had a heartwarming consultation with Carol about the Aloha dinner. Although I was impressed last year with WDW accommodations for my odd with multiple food allergies, the Poly lady went above and beyond. Dinner shows provide very limited options for my girl, and she has planned a multi dish special meal for her. We love HDDR, but no one calls to pre-plan choices for that meal, where my odd can eat the salad (but doesn't eat salad), and ribs (but doesn't do spicy), and that is it. Carol is accommodating for picky and allergy needs. Poly comes through on top again!

[sjs314]

Originally Posted by disneydreamin247

'Ohana on our first night is a tradition. In fact we already changed our plan to eating there on our arrival night!

Love it! I can not wait to try it!

[glass half full]

Originally Posted by glass half full

What will be the best way to get to BBB or a 8 am at the castle? How early should we head out? This will be first trip into the parks so we will probably be walking around a little wide eyed and not moving as fast as possible :lol

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[GeorgiaHoo]

We took the monorail for an 8AM breakfast (9AM park opening) at Crystal Palace a few years ago. The ride is pretty quick - I think we got on around 730 and that left time to get the train, ride and walk through security to the restaruant (though not a ton of time). You might want to leave a bit earlier, say around 715.

But make sure to confirm when you check in that it will be running at that time and how often.

[glass half full]

Originally Posted by GeorgiaHoo

We took the monorail for an 8AM breakfast (9AM park opening) at Crystal Palace a few years ago. The ride is pretty quick - I think we got on around 730 and that left time to get the train, ride and walk through security to the restaruant (though not a ton of time). You might want to leave a bit earlier, say around 715.

But make sure to confirm when you check in that it will be running at that time and how often.

Thanks!

[psac]

Originally Posted by GeorgiaHoo

We took the monorail for an 8AM breakfast (9AM park opening) at Crystal Palace a few years ago. The ride is pretty quick - I think we got on around 730 and that left time to get the train, ride and walk through security to the restaruant (though not a ton of time). You might want to leave a bit earlier, say around 715.

But make sure to confirm when you check in that it will be running at that time and how often.

Also when you get to MK, there will a turnstyle and/or roped entrance specifically for early morning restaurant reservations. If it's not clear, just ask a cast member. Usually it works on honor system, but it might also be good to print out a copy of your reservation just in case. For a 9am MK opening, the monorail should start running at 7am, but it's good to ask people (Poly concierge) the day before.

[Tinkerbellie16]

Originally Posted by Tinkerbellie16

I will be at WDW (POR) for a conference and I will have a rental car. I would like to pick up a case of water and some other items and leave it at the Poly for my return trip 8 days later. I am not planning on having a rental car for the Poly trip. I've read on the 'shipping to resorts' sticky that the resorts will hold packages (sounds like up to 2 weeks) but what about me giving it to Bell services for them to hold for 8 days (I'd drop it off on a Friday and then check in the following Saturday)? And how does it need to be packaged? I was hoping just to hand over the case of water and then two bags worth of stuff (nothing refrigerated though) with my name and 'be back in 8 days' sort of thing. Is that possible?
Thanks!

I ended up calling bell services at the Polynesian directly to get this answered. Since no one responded on the thread, I thought I would let you know what they said in case you were also wondering!

Bell services said they could accomodate holding my items for 8 days and they did not need to be in any special bags or packaging I just need to go to Bell services and they will store it for me. So yeah!

[Tinkerbellie16]

I have rented a cabana for the full day before (10 am - 7 pm) and I was able to check in early but only as early as the attendant was at the window (about 9:40am)!

On our next trip, I am renting a cabana for a half day in the evening which is 3 pm - 7 pm. How early can I check in? Has anyone done this and been able to check in at 2:30? Or if the cabana is not rented from the 10 - 2 slot, has anyone been able to check in really early (1:30 even??) We are going to a park in the morning and I anticipate that we wouldn't even get back to the resort until 2 but I know we'll want to go straight to the pool. I'd rather not fight for a chair for a half hour, or even an hour, if I have a chance to get into our cabana sooner. I realize that past experiences do not indicate future conditions but I wondered if there was even a chance!

Thanks for any information anyone has!

[1971DBday]

Originally Posted by Tinkerbellie16

I have rented a cabana for the full day before (10 am - 7 pm) and I was able to check in early but only as early as the attendant was at the window (about 9:40am)!

On our next trip, I am renting a cabana for a half day in the evening which is 3 pm - 7 pm. How early can I check in? Has anyone done this and been able to check in at 2:30? Or if the cabana is not rented from the 10 - 2 slot, has anyone been able to check in really early (1:30 even??) We are going to a park in the morning and I anticipate that we wouldn't even get back to the resort until 2 but I know we'll want to go straight to the pool. I'd rather not fight for a chair for a half hour, or even an hour, if I have a chance to get into our cabana sooner. I realize that past experiences do not indicate future conditions but I wondered if there was even a chance!

Thanks for any information anyone has!

In June we checked in at 2 p.m. for our 3 p.m. just in case it opened up earlier. We told them where we were sitting so they could find us when it was ready. However, they start the four hours from whenever you enter the cabana area. One year we checked in at noon because we saw no one was in the cabana for the morning. It was our checkout day so it really helped because we were leaving at 4:30 that day on the magical depress. I think they are very flexible. I hope this helps! (We are trying the BC this year for a little change, but plan on having some cocktails at our favorite resort at least once! Last June was CRAZY at the Poly - way to crowded at the pool and at the GCH!)

[Tinkerbellie16]

Originally Posted by 1971DBday

In June we checked in at 2 p.m. for our 3 p.m. just in case it opened up earlier. We told them where we were sitting so they could find us when it was ready. However, they start the four hours from whenever you enter the cabana area. One year we checked in at noon because we saw no one was in the cabana for the morning. It was our checkout day so it really helped because we were leaving at 4:30 that day on the magical depress. I think they are very flexible. I hope this helps! (We are trying the BC this year for a little change, but plan on having some cocktails at our favorite resort at least once! Last June was CRAZY at the Poly - way to crowded at the pool and at the GCH!)

This is great to hear! I won't plan around going early but if we do get there earlier, it's good to know I could check in if it is available and have the 4 hours start earlier. Thank you!!

[Stasieki]

Does anyone have an email to Poly Mgt? A CM went above and beyond making my daughter feel so special last week. I want to notify her supervisor in writing.

[psac]

Originally Posted by Stasieki

Does anyone have an email to Poly Mgt? A CM went above and beyond making my daughter feel so special last week. I want to notify her supervisor in writing.

I don't have it, but glad to hear you had a special experience!

[Tinkerbellie16]

Originally Posted by Stasieki

Does anyone have an email to Poly Mgt? A CM went above and beyond making my daughter feel so special last week. I want to notify her supervisor in writing.

Allears has a direct phone number and the mailing address for the Poly but I didn't see an email address.

[lnhstl]

I have couple of questions about boat transportation:

How late do the boats to and from MK run? We are staying May 15-21 if that makes a difference.

Along with that, do the boats run during Wishes? I know they don't during the Electrical Water Pageant, but we were planning on watching the EWP from the Poly beach then head to MK for EMH on one of our nights, and if we could take the boat during Wishes that would be awesome.

[S'sMom]

Do the rooms have an exterior or indoor access point? In other words, are the room similar to the value / moderate resorts with the exterior entry?

Thanks,