ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: Summer 2011 Edition!

rao363 · Sep 22, 2011

woodkins said:
If you are staying Club Level you don't check in at the desk in the GCH, you are escorted to the Hawaii building for check in.

Thanks, So if your NOT staying CL I can just walk right in, correct?

TinkerBelle_325 · Sep 22, 2011

rao363 said:
Thanks, So if your NOT staying CL I can just walk right in, correct?

I read recently that there is a new policy if you are taking Disney's Magical Express to arrive at your resort. Apparently you are supposed to wait out front of the bus until a CM comes to get you.

I have no experience with Magical Express, so don't quote me on it, but I know I read it somewhere on the boards within the last day or so.

Tinkerbellie16 · Sep 22, 2011

HunnyJar said:
We were there on the 16th and the ferry ran all throughout the party. Monorail stopped running at 10:00 or 10:30. The ferry stopped at the Grand Floridian first and then the Poly and was packed to the max. We waited for 2 ferries before being able to board one. We didn't bother to check on the bus since the ferry was right there as we were leaving.

Thank you for this information! I've found that the boat to the Poly is always packed in the evenings so I don't like taking it for that reason (waiting for 3 boats is ridiculous when they could have the monorail running).

Does anyone know if they have a bus from MK to the Poly as well on MNSSHP nights?

cmesq61 said:
Arrived today. As wonderful as we remembered it. TPV 2nd floor Tahiti-couldn't have asked for more perfect room! Wishes tonight from our balcony. No housekeeping issues. Room perfect. No maintenance issues so far. CM at check in lovely. Bell services was great-held our carryons since room not ready. We committed inadvertent faux pas-didn't know about the new procedure where you get off DME & wait to be escorted in by a CM. We had no idea why everyone was just standing there so we went around & just walked in. I'm sorry if we offended anyone. Anyway, quick buzz around MK, bite to eat at Pecos Pete's, nap, dinner at the Wave.

TinkerBelle_325 said:
I read recently that there is a new policy if you are taking Disney's Magical Express to arrive at your resort. Apparently you are supposed to wait out front of the bus until a CM comes to get you.

I have no experience with Magical Express, so don't quote me on it, but I know I read it somewhere on the boards within the last day or so.

It appears that the poster was not staying in Hawaii so it must be this 'new' procedure. But WHY??? How silly is that? I started sweating thinking about this but then I realized we are renting a car so I don't have to worry about it...this trip!

maine girl · Sep 22, 2011

The bus only runs when the monorail is not in service and it is shared by the GF, Contemporary, Poly, and ticket center. It was a little upsetting when you had to take the bus from the Poly to the MK and it took an hour to get to a park you can see out your window. They really should have individual buses for the 3 monorail resorts at the prices we are paying to stay there :confused:

HunnyJar · Sep 22, 2011

maine girl said:
The bus only runs when the monorail is not in service and it is shared by the GF, Contemporary, Poly, and ticket center. It was a little upsetting when you had to take the bus from the Poly to the MK and it took an hour to get to a park you can see out your window. They really should have individual buses for the 3 monorail resorts at the prices we are paying to stay there

I totally agree. Transportation was really iffy this past trip (9-18th) for us. Lots of problems with the monorail where we would just end up walking back to the Poly from the TTC. At least that walkway is there, but after a long day in the park the last thing I want to do is push that stroller from the TTC to the Poly.

I'm still not sure as to why they are not running the monorails longer in the evening. With the party and the EMH those monorails are one of the best things about staying at the Poly. The boat is nice, but not when you have to wait for multiple boats and people are still on top of one another.

Don't get me wrong, I love Disney transportation and I think it's amazing how they run so well with all the people they transport, but it was just particularly bad during our visit. One monorail ride from Epcot stopped four times on the rails. Not sure what the problem was. Hopefully, they are able to sort it out soon.

cmesq61 · Sep 22, 2011

TinkerBelle_325 said:
I read recently that there is a new policy if you are taking Disney's Magical Express to arrive at your resort. Apparently you are supposed to wait out front of the bus until a CM comes to get you.

I have no experience with Magical Express, so don't quote me on it, but I know I read it somewhere on the boards within the last day or so.

We arrived yesterday on DME & the procedure is you wait out on the sidewalk & wait for a CM to escort into the lobby. I was unaware & walked around everyone waiting. (apologies to those waiting). There was no announcement on the bus. If they made an announcement outside I did not hear it. I am handicapped & slow to get off the bus.

Had Kona coffee & strawberry cheese Danish from the Kona Isle this A.M. I highly recommend. As good as I remembered.

PolyndianPrincessJes · Sep 22, 2011

TinkerBelle_325 said:
I can finally post this.....

I'm doing the single digit dance!!

At this time, 9 days from now, our plane will be descending into Orlando and shortly after that we will be checking-in to Poly CL!

This will be our 3rd stay at the Poly in CL, our 5th stay there overall. Can't wait!!

How did I miss you??? We're TPV CL in just over nine days. We're at WDW in nine days, but we're doing two nights at WL CL at the beginning of our trip. Maybe we'll run into you in the lounge!

Oh, and...

SINGLE DIGIT DANCE!!!!!!!!

:banana:

cmesq61 · Sep 22, 2011

TinkerBelle_325 said:
I can finally post this.....

I'm doing the single digit dance!!

At this time, 9 days from now, our plane will be descending into Orlando and shortly after that we will be checking-in to Poly CL!

This will be our 3rd stay at the Poly in CL, our 5th stay there overall. Can't wait!!

Hope you have a great time!

rao363 · Sep 22, 2011

cmesq61 said:
We arrived yesterday on DME & the procedure is you wait out on the sidewalk & wait for a CM to escort into the lobby. I was unaware & walked around everyone waiting. (apologies to those waiting). There was no announcement on the bus. If they made an announcement outside I did not hear it. I am handicapped & slow to get off the bus.

Had Kona coffee & strawberry cheese Danish from the Kona Isle this A.M. I highly recommend. As good as I remembered.

Are you staying club level?? Just want to make sure I am not rude and walk in front of people. TIA

tigeramy75 · Sep 22, 2011

I've been trying to stay off this thread to stave off my post-Poly depression, but I am delighted to say that I am BACK! We just booked! It's gonna be a long 10 months...and it's gonna be HOT while we're there. But I don't care!!! I am so EXCITED! This one is a surprise for the kiddos if I can keep it that way. YAY!

Bibbidi · Sep 22, 2011

Oh my gosh--tomorrow is our last school/work day and then we fly out Saturday morning to arrive in Orlando around lunchtime. We have been so busy since school started that I haven't had as much time to get into vacation mode yet--but now that it's upon us I can't believe it. Can't wait.

Kteacher · Sep 22, 2011

I think this is our 3rd or 4th CL stay at the Poly, and we've never been escorted back to the Hawaii building :confused3

. Every trip we've checked in at the desk outside and we've been told othat they're waiting for us in the Hawaii building.

TigrLvsPooh · Sep 22, 2011

Bibbidi said:
Oh my gosh--tomorrow is our last school/work day and then we fly out Saturday morning to arrive in Orlando around lunchtime. We have been so busy since school started that I haven't had as much time to get into vacation mode yet--but now that it's upon us I can't believe it. Can't wait.

Have a great trip!!!!!!!!!!!

1971DBday · Sep 22, 2011

dizneechic said:
Ugh, hope your feeling better soon!!

FYI the shirt you got does run *super* small. I got the 7/8 for my dd who at the time was in a 5 and she couldn't even get it over her shoulders. We made lemons into lemonade though and turned it into a pillow and now she gets to sleep with it every night.

They do run small. She has one in a size 4/5 and she is squeezing into it. so now I got a 6/7 and it looks good. She is on the small size (5th percentile for weight - I don't know where she puts it.) I LOVE the idea about making it into a pillow...now to find someone who sews!

hthrbells said:
You will feel better!!
BTW I NEED that Jack scarf!!

My DD15 will be the nut walking around with this on in 85 degree weather!!!

cmesq61 said:
We committed inadvertent faux pas-didn't know about the new procedure where you get off DME & wait to be escorted in by a CM. We had no idea why everyone was just standing there so we went around & just walked in. I'm sorry if we offended anyone.

What????

Why??? What would be the reason for this? Trying to avoid a stampede??? So much for my tactics of ditching the family while they get the bags while I get in line.

TinkerBelle_325 said:
I read recently that there is a new policy if you are taking Disney's Magical Express to arrive at your resort. Apparently you are supposed to wait out front of the bus until a CM comes to get you.

I have no experience with Magical Express, so don't quote me on it, but I know I read it somewhere on the boards within the last day or so.

This is the first time we are arriving in the evening. After a long day....I don't know if I will have the patience to wait.

cmesq61 said:
We arrived yesterday on DME & the procedure is you wait out on the sidewalk & wait for a CM to escort into the lobby. I was unaware & walked around everyone waiting. (apologies to those waiting). There was no announcement on the bus. If they made an announcement outside I did not hear it. I am handicapped & slow to get off the bus.

Let's see if they can catch me.....hopefully since we are arriving at 8 p.m. this won't be a big issue. :thumbsup2

cmesq61 · Sep 22, 2011

Wondering if anyone has had a problem with people smoking on their patio/balcony & is management responsive to complaints? It's really nasty. At least my asthmatic DD is not with us.
BUT Wishes from my balcony is awesome!!