ALOHA! The Poly FAQ~ Spring 2010 Edition

[dfarner]

Yes, do tell. Mine have used the water to pack sand to make castles on the beach. No skin-eating diseases yet.

I have to agree with you. If the water was as bad as this urban legend suggests, there would be no beach access allowed that close to the water. I may be wrong here, but if it were that dangerous, I believe Disney would do more than post signs to discourage people from swimming. I think there are other factors that come into play here: boat traffic, gators, etc...that warrant the "No swimming" signs. JMO

 

[luvthemouse71]

Not really bacteria that is a concern here, but an amoeba. Several childen have died from swimming in Florida lakes-I believe it attacks the brain. Seems like it's rare and I don't think too many kids stick their heads under water, but why take a chance over a fake beach?http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/10/04/amoeba.lake/index.html

 

[carlnix30]

so I don't take the greatest pictures haha but here they are

inside the room after mickeys grand welcoming

everything was great and beautiful.

looks like you guys were ready to hit the parks! Great pictures! How was the grand welcome? Was it expensive?

 

[taylor3297]

Not really bacteria that is a concern here, but an amoeba. Several childen have died from swimming in Florida lakes-I believe it attacks the brain. Seems like it's rare and I don't think too many kids stick their heads under water, but why take a chance over a fake beach?http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/10/04/amoeba.lake/index.html

That is the one.

If I understand my cousin correctly, the amoeba lives in the silt. So when you are swimming and playing in a shallow area, you stir up the silt and then you some how have to injest via your nose. I had asked him because I know people use water craft and at times may fall in. When you are out that deep you don't stir up the silt.

 

[jkstewart1800]

Well tell that to my cousin who has done testing for water quality in Florida. He has participated in testing the water at Disney for quite awhile.

People water ski and Parasail in that water on disney property... just until a few years ago people were swiming it in at River Country.... I don't doubt that there is bacteria in it, and I don't doubt that it could possibly make someone sick... but I can tell you that it's not going to burn your toes off if you walk through it.

 

[BCV23]

The last I knew, people were still swimming on the Bay Lake side during triathlons. The water is not that dirty. I think it's fine for filling sand buckets. If I still had small children, I wouldn't let them wade around for fear that they could trip and their heads could become submerged. But to fill a bucket and get out....


It is not a fake beach IMO. The beaches at the Polynesian are wonderful.

 

[danyella522]

Danyella,

LOVE your pictures! Your princesses are adorable! Hope you had (or are still having) fun! I have missed a couple days on the thread so I can't remember when/if you are back.

Was your room TPV?

We arrived back home on Thursday and we did indeed have TPV. It was beautiful

looks like you guys were ready to hit the parks! Great pictures! How was the grand welcome? Was it expensive?

the grand welcome was... okay. I ended up paying over $350 for it. I added an extra autograph book and pen. And then with taxes and everything else. I was a tad disappointed because they were supposed to come between 7-9pm on the day of our arrival. The front desk told me at 1030am that our room wasn't quite ready but it wouldn't be much longer. We went to magic kingdom and arrived back at poly around 3pm figuring my room would be ready. We also really wanted to shower and change out of our flight clothes before dinner reservations. Well my room wasn't ready. And it wasn't ready until 4:45pm. I later found out it was because they were setting up the grand welcoming. They also spelled my daughters name wrong on the blanket and never returned my phone call. The girls loved it though and that's all that matters.

 

[danyella522]

most importantly there wasn't a rat, snake, or bed bug encounter

 

[carlnix30]

We arrived back home on Thursday and we did indeed have TPV. It was beautiful



the grand welcome was... okay. I ended up paying over $350 for it. I added an extra autograph book and pen. And then with taxes and everything else. I was a tad disappointed because they were supposed to come between 7-9pm on the day of our arrival. The front desk told me at 1030am that our room wasn't quite ready but it wouldn't be much longer. We went to magic kingdom and arrived back at poly around 3pm figuring my room would be ready. We also really wanted to shower and change out of our flight clothes before dinner reservations. Well my room wasn't ready. And it wasn't ready until 4:45pm. I later found out it was because they were setting up the grand welcoming. They also spelled my daughters name wrong on the blanket and never returned my phone call. The girls loved it though and that's all that matters.

wow, that sounds really bad! But it sounds as if you took it in stride! That was arranged through the Disney florist? You still haven't recieved a phone call back? When your daughter is 20 and she looks at that blanket with her name spelled wrong will probably bring all those memories back! All is not lost it will put a smile on her face! those are the good, bad things that happen!

Post more pics! We have 27 days left! Anything helps.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

The last I knew, people were still swimming on the Bay Lake side during triathlons. The water is not that dirty. I think it's fine for filling sand buckets. If I still had small children, I wouldn't let them wade around for fear that they could trip and their heads could become submerged. But to fill a bucket and get out....

I don't know about the triathlons. I did see some small children playing in the water. I didn't let mine there because she wanted to play in the pool. The water is fine for little kids to stick their feet in and get water for making sand creations and critters but definitely not swimming. It's just like what my relatives let their kids do around some of the lakes in Florida.

It is not a fake beach IMO. The beaches at the Polynesian are wonderful.

They are absolutely gorgeous. It isn't their fault they're man-made. Now 'fake' would be plastic sand and PVC palm trees but I digress...

most importantly there wasn't a rat, snake, or bed bug encounter

Or ducks pecking on your window to 'shake you down' for food. Seriously, so sorry to hear what happened with your Grand Welcome. You'd think for that much money, they'd get it right.

 

[danyella522]

yup! it was through disney florist. I called them as soon as I got to the room but I think they were maybe closed? I couldn't get through for the rest of the night I eventually was able to leave a message. I got over it though and decided it wasn't worth the effort of calling a bunch and being upset. Her name is Ava and they spelled it Eva. She still hasn't noticed haha My name is spelled Danyel so I know all too well what it is like to have my name spelled wrong on everything. Like you said, it's a good-bad thing. I just laugh when I see it

 

[danyella522]

we did have two ducks that sat outside our sliding door every morning. I blamed my daughter who left remnants of pizza on the ground outside.

 

[msvlg]

We arrived back home on Thursday and we did indeed have TPV. It was beautiful



the grand welcome was... okay. I ended up paying over $350 for it. I added an extra autograph book and pen. And then with taxes and everything else. I was a tad disappointed because they were supposed to come between 7-9pm on the day of our arrival. The front desk told me at 1030am that our room wasn't quite ready but it wouldn't be much longer. We went to magic kingdom and arrived back at poly around 3pm figuring my room would be ready. We also really wanted to shower and change out of our flight clothes before dinner reservations. Well my room wasn't ready. And it wasn't ready until 4:45pm. I later found out it was because they were setting up the grand welcoming. They also spelled my daughters name wrong on the blanket and never returned my phone call. The girls loved it though and that's all that matters.

Your pictures are really beautiful. We are taking our soon to be 2 year old grandson to the Poly in Nov. We are staying in a TPV room, were you club level (we are not) or just theme park view? What building were you in? Your location looks fantastic. I have been thinking about ordering the grand welcome can you modify it (for less money) or is it a standard package that can't be revised? Your children are beautiful. I hope you had a magical time!

 

[danyella522]

Your pictures are really beautiful. We are taking our soon to be 2 year old grandson to the Poly in Nov. We are staying in a TPV room, were you club level (we are not) or just theme park view? What building were you in? Your location looks fantastic. I have been thinking about ordering the grand welcome can you modify it (for less money) or is it a standard package that can't be revised? Your children are beautiful. I hope you had a magical time!

we were not club level, just TPV. The building we were in was Tahiti. I loved it down there at the end. There was hardly anyone on the beach infront of our building at any given time. The walk to TTC was very short. Which was so convenient. We spend majority of our time at MK and Epcot.

I don't believe they allow you to take things out of the package to make it cheaper. They do let you add onto it though.
They do offer "mickeys welcome" which is a bit cheaper:

Mickey’s Welcome - $205

A smaller package from Mickey Mouse is also available. It includes:

* A festive “surprise” door sash.
* A colorful Mickey & Friends jumbo balloon*
* A welcome banner to set the stage for your celebration.
* An autograph book with a personalized Mickey Mouse signature.
* Inside the large, personalized Mickey Mouse-themed gift box on the bed, you’ll find Mickey mitts and a photo album so that you have a place to keep snapshots of your treasured moments together.
* A picture frame featuring Mickey Mouse and the gang with a welcome message personalized to your family.
* And don’t forget Tinker Bell - if you take a peek around, you’ll find Tinker Bell’s shadow twinkling with pixie dust in celebration of your arrival.

 

[BelleRocks]

Not really bacteria that is a concern here, but an amoeba. Several childen have died from swimming in Florida lakes-I believe it attacks the brain. Seems like it's rare and I don't think too many kids stick their heads under water, but why take a chance over a fake beach?http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/10/04/amoeba.lake/index.html

This is kind of freaking me out! My family swims in Texas in the summer in alot of freshwater pools/lakes. (We live in Colorado now but visit fam in the summer.) It sounds like it could be anywhere, not just certain marked areas. Or are the marked area where they have actually found it for certain?

 

[dizneechic]

Hi everyone! After weeks of lurking on this thread I figured I should jump in and say hi! We'll be going for our 1st Poly stay at the end of August, club level garden view room. I'm a little nervous about 5 of us in 1 room though but hopefully the space in the CL lounge will come in handy if we need to separate for a few.

I still need to get in contact with our IPO but figured I would ask here 1st. We're still a little far out time wise for me to start bugging them I think.

We're contemplating bringing an air mattress for one of the kids to sleep on while there. Typically my kids can't even sleep in the same room as someone else (yes even when dog tired from the parks) so yes we have 3 "beds" at the poly but that still leaves us 1 bed short (so they don't have to share, I'm already pushing it with the same room). What I want to know is if anyone has done this and if the Poly has twin sized sheets for us to borrow for the air mattress while we are there. I'm thinking an extra set of daybed sheets will work, but figured I should double check. If not I can do one of the smaller "kids" ones with the bedding built into it, I think either of my younger 2 would be fine with that as well.

Also if anyone is arriving soon after us (we leave 08/30) and wants an air mattress for their room I have no problem leaving it behind. 1 less thing to worry about bringing home!

 

[parkers218]

This is kind of freaking me out! My family swims in Texas in the summer in alot of freshwater pools/lakes. (We live in Colorado now but visit fam in the summer.) It sounds like it could be anywhere, not just certain marked areas. Or are the marked area where they have actually found it for certain?

OK guys I am a Pediatric nurse who works in an ICU so I tend to be paranoid anyway BUT my opinion on this is just why take the risk? The articel does NOT say that the child needs to be submerged just that the water needs to get into your nostrils which can happen just from them wading and the water splashing up just as they inhale. I don't know about Colorado but we DO know that it HAS been found in FL for sure. When I lived in Fl I took care of a child who exhibited these symptoms and they couldn't figure out what the problem was... they later suspected he might have had this Guys it was one of the most horrible times in my career. Like I said I know I see alot and I am paranoid but I truly feel if you can prevent something that-- may be rare yes-- but is sooo devastating why wouldn't you? I know you are on vacation and you want your kid to have fun but to me the WORST thing that I can imagine is knowing that I could have prevented something hurting my child and didn't do it. Everyone always thinks that it won't happen to them until it does...

Anyway sorry for the long thread but the memory of that child has stuck with me all these years later

So back to happier topics I LOVE the POLY and can't wait for our second stay in August!!

 

[mickey2minnie1]

I have a code and the only availability for the Poly is Nov 30-Dec 5. I want to go to see all the Christmas decos. Now staying at the Poly is always the best so I will take what I can get.

People on another thread show the week before the December taping (Dec 4th) was soooo crowded.

Touring Plans show all the days prior a 4. Yikes, maybe they are not updated.

This is the schedule I was thinking. Let me know your thoughts, especially if you were there last year at this time.

Tues 30th arrive late
Wed 1st MK
Thurs 2nd DHS
Fri 3rd Pool/resort day, MVMCP that night
Sat 4th Pool/resort day
Sun 5th Home

Thank you!

 

[msvlg]

we were not club level, just TPV. The building we were in was Tahiti. I loved it down there at the end. There was hardly anyone on the beach infront of our building at any given time. The walk to TTC was very short. Which was so convenient. We spend majority of our time at MK and Epcot.

I don't believe they allow you to take things out of the package to make it cheaper. They do let you add onto it though.
They do offer "mickeys welcome" which is a bit cheaper:

Mickey’s Welcome - $205

A smaller package from Mickey Mouse is also available. It includes:

* A festive “surprise” door sash.
* A colorful Mickey & Friends jumbo balloon*
* A welcome banner to set the stage for your celebration.
* An autograph book with a personalized Mickey Mouse signature.
* Inside the large, personalized Mickey Mouse-themed gift box on the bed, you’ll find Mickey mitts and a photo album so that you have a place to keep snapshots of your treasured moments together.
* A picture frame featuring Mickey Mouse and the gang with a welcome message personalized to your family.
* And don’t forget Tinker Bell - if you take a peek around, you’ll find Tinker Bell’s shadow twinkling with pixie dust in celebration of your arrival.

Thanks for the feedback! I think I will order the smaller package (as my grandkids have almost everything Disney already!). We have taken his siblings for the last five years-this time it's his special time at Disney with just Nonnie & Papa and I wanted to do something special for him. Thanks again. PS: Is it a far walk to the main building from the tahiti longhouse?

 

[woodkins]

This is kind of freaking me out! My family swims in Texas in the summer in alot of freshwater pools/lakes. (We live in Colorado now but visit fam in the summer.) It sounds like it could be anywhere, not just certain marked areas. Or are the marked area where they have actually found it for certain?

The marked signs simply say no swimming, when we inquired if it was okay for our dd to wade in and get buckets we were told by the lifeguard and pool staff that it was fine, the reasons for the signs were because the beach area is close to where the boats come in and where the sea racers go as well. He said that there are also sometimes snakes or a potential gator that could wander over so that was the reason for the sign. At the time we allowed her to wade in no one had ever spoken of any amoeba born disease so we had no ideas, no saying you should let kids do it, just letting you know what the Poly staff was offering as an explaination.