6 nights Poly. - not overly impressed

[Justicegang]

Hi everyone, we're just back from 6 nights at the Poly. We arrived on Sat. morning at 9 AM. I had requested a Somao room with a veiw of the volcano pool. Realizing that a request is just that and that it is first come first serve. Well upon arrival the man told me they had some rooms ready but not the one we had requested. So, I said that I would like to wait for the one I requested. He gave me our cards and said that a room was reserved just for us and would be ready by 3. I called several times during the day to see if it was ready and was told no, because we were waiting on a requested room. Finally at 2:30 it was ready and boy was I disappointed that I had waited all day for a room on the back side of Somoa. The bell hop made some calls but they were booked to capacity!!!!!!! No one did anything for us!!!!!

The bus service is my second issue, it was terrible. The Poly shares buses with the Cont. and the Grand. We took the bus approx. 10 times and maybe got to sit down 2 times. We were the last on the route. Also, you waited at the bus stop sometimes 30 or 40 minutes for a bus. I have stayed at mod. resorts and paid $90 a night and we had wonderful bus service. You would think that when you pay $250 a night (discounted) you would get great bus service!!!!!!!!!! We drove to FL so my husband ended up driving us to the parks just so we didn't have to deal with the bus service and the bus service is part of the reason I stay in a Disney property.

The Poly. was beautiful and had many pluses (monorail and beatiful grounds) however no one did anything magical for us. I would not pick this as my next deluxe stay. I would consider giving them another chance later down the road. But for that kind of money I want a more memorable stay.

OUR TRIP WAS FABULOUS, LIGHT CROWDS, GREAT WEATHER LOADS OF FUN!!!!!!!!! HOPE EVERYONE HAS FUN WHEN THEY GO!!!!!

Sandy

 

[bunnyfoo]

Thanks for the review Sandy! I was considering the Poly as a possibility for my next trip and I appreciate the comments. This gives us something to think about

Funny you should bring up the transportation issue... We were coming out of the Poly after dinner at 'Ohana and noticed a Downtown Disney bus that we wanted to catch. I swear the driver must have seen us running and yelling because he could not have dropped off the passengers faster ... he let them out and immediately took off (there was no one in the bus either)... Oh well I guess that gave us more time to walk around the resort.

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by Justicegang


The bus service is my second issue, it was terrible. The Poly shares buses with the Cont. and the Grand. We took the bus approx. 10 times and maybe got to sit down 2 times. We were the last on the route. Also, you waited at the bus stop sometimes 30 or 40 minutes for a bus. I have stayed at mod. resorts and paid $90 a night and we had wonderful bus service. You would think that when you pay $250 a night (discounted) you would get great bus service!!!!!!!!!! We drove to FL so my husband ended up driving us to the parks just so we didn't have to deal with the bus service and the bus service is part of the reason I stay in a Disney property.

Hello, Sandy. Sorry your stay lacked the "magic" you dreamed about. The BUS service (or LACK there of) is my biggest contention with this resort. We have not stayed at the Poly in years, but have visited to enjoy the Luau show. Last summer, we attended the early show, and waited more than "70" minutes in the heat/humidity for a bus. There are NO BENCHES and NO SHADE at the Bus stop. It was NOT FUN...and seemed to DAMPEN the MOOD of all standing with us. By the time the bus arrived, everyone wanted to persecute the driver. He was NOT FRIENDLY, and informed us the buses were BUSY that day. (LOL).

I recall the days we stayed in Dixie Landings, and used the EAST DEPOT near our Mansion building (OAK MANOR). We never waited more than 15 minutes for a bus...under a "Covered area, with ceiling fans and water fountains...and AMPLE seating!" All this luxury in a Moderate resort. The same experience at the CBR, etc.

In the same breath...we've had wonderful bus service at the CR (nice bus stop area with seating and shade), and the GF (same). We LOVE the bus service at the Dolphin (never more than 15 minutes, under a canopy of shelter with lovely wood-carved benches) too.

I wish the Poly would attend to this issue, and perhaps BUILD a nice bus-stop area (as most of the other resorts have in place). Standing in the sun, on some wooden plank steps is not fun (nor safe, with so many little children around.) I'm glad you were able to side-step this problem by driving to the parks. Many others, (like us) fly in from other states, and are dependent on the Disney Transportation.

Sorry for all the problems you incurred. Hope you have a better time on your next visit.

 

[wedindisney2002]

I just wanted to say that when we stayed there last year we didnt have this problem at all. The few times that we took the bus service from the Poly the most that we waited was about 10mins. There were alot of people on it but we did get a seat. A few other times we just hopped on the monorail and went over to like epcot did some walking around and then took a bus from there and went somewhere else.

With reguards to the room request like you said that is just what it is a request doesnt mean that you are going to get it. When you told them that you were going to wait did he say that a "poolview" would be available or just a room in the certain building that you wanted. Once again we didnt have any problem in this area at all. We wanted a lagoon view by the marine and that is what we got and it was AWESOME. The CM were always wonderful to us. Anything that we needed during our stay they helped us with. We were even lucky enough to get a few surprises in our room a couple of times.

Im really sorry that you didnt like the POLY......Its our most favorite resort.

 

[goofy4tink]

For those of you who might not know at this point....Polynesian is in fact building a new bus stop. As we speak in fact. Hopefully it will be ready in July. At least that's what the buzz is. Hoping our trip in August is a good one.

 

[gottaluvpooh]

We just got back from the Poly late Sat night.

I have to say it was beautiful. We requested Somoa and got a view of the quiet pool and it was very beautiful. We even got a balcany. It only took a moment or two to walk to the volcano pool or the quiet pool.

We decided to try the transportation, since we usually have a rental car - and I have to say we were impressed. We never waited more than 5 minutes. Our car stayed in the parking lot from the time we arrived till we left to go home.

I am sorry you didn't have the same experience.
Ours was a trip we will never forget.

 

[Justicegang]

The whole issue I have about the room is the man told me that if I waited we would get the room we wanted. (I ask him if it was a volcano pool view and he said yes) If I had of known that it was not the room I requested I would have taken any room at 9 AM. And would not have been upset. I would have figured that there just were'nt any available. But when he had us wait all day to get just any room that upset me!

Yes, I am aware of the new bus stop they are building, my complaint is not about the bus stop area itself, it is about the lack of bus service they offer. If you are heading out to the Animal Kingdom who wants to go to the Epcot to catch a bus???

The moderate resorts offer much better bus service.

Sandy

 

[DisneyLisa]

We stayed at the GF last year (& shared a bus with the CR & Poly) and the service was poor then as well. We were the last to be picked up and the last to be dropped off. We often waited over 30 mins. for a bus only to get on & find it packed (standing room only) or no room at all (and then we'd have to wait again for another bus) . We found the bus service at the BC (& even the ASMu) to be much better. My feeling is that bus service at monorail resorts is not up to par with other resorts that rely on buses only.

 

[*Fantasia*]

no one did anything magical for us.

No expectation...no disappointment. And sometimes "magic" happens to those who least expect. And sometimes the more you expect...the more disappointment it will be.

It is only a request and unfortunately they are sometimes not granted and it surely is not guaranteed. Sorry that you have to wait so long to get the room that you didn't want. Sorry that the CM wasted your time. The CM should have just told you that all the rooms that you would like to be in is solid booked and that there is no way of getting any room there. Instead he made you think that you will get one there.

We will have fun when we go!! We will have a "magical" time!! "Magic" is what you make of it...and we are going to make it!! WooooHoooo!! 8 more days!!

 

[miko]

We will have fun when we go!! We will have a "magical" time!! "Magic" is what you make of it...and we are going to make it!!

This couldn't be more true! If you want to have a good time you will (even with some issues).
Lot's of posts on these boards of how guests have been upgraded, or received other perks. These can be very misleading and sometimes cause dispointments if you expect the same.
I have stayed at Poly several times and plan a visit every year. I have not experienced poor bus transportation but also use rental car for AK and Studios. A lot depends on the time of year you are there. At high season crowds are greater but more Disney support is operating, at low season support may be cut back. Like any other major sevice provider, Disney will experience times where anything that can go wrong will, they also have times when they will add some magic to your vacation, but it still comes down to your own attitude and expectations.

 

[BurleyGirl]

We're staying at the Poly in October.

After reading this post, just wondering, what are the alternatives for AK and MGM? If we assume that bus service will be slow, what alternative could we plan on, in order to minimize any possible frustrations?

Thanks!

 

[drizzt117]

As far as AK, the only other way to get there is by car. MGM can be reached by boat from one of the Epcot resorts (BC/YC) if you go from there. I would try to catch the buses from the TTC if you are staying at the Poly. I'm not sure if it's the same bus that goes to the other deluxes, but I would assume it wouldn't be as crowded b/c most people parking at the TTC are heading to MK.

Thomas

PS - There is a guy on the Transportation forum that works for Disney Transportation, so you might want to look there.

 

[Seahunt]

Hmmm...I agree with Thomas. When we stayed at the Poly we never used the Poly bus stop, always took the path and the couple of minute walk over to the TTC. Just walk over to the TTC bus stops, there are busses to EVERYWHERE with a very short wait - the longest we had was on the bus going to AK when it malfunctioned after loading a wheelchair (door stuck) and they had to call another bus, about 10 min wait. I would use the TTC busses until they get a better Poly stop up and running.

 

[callaghan]

"Magic" is what you make of it...and we are going to make it!!



THis is wonderful. I agree 100%.

 

[KathyTX]

Another option if you're having problems with bus service from the Poly (I've never had to wait very long there):

You can take the launch to the MK (a very relaxing and pleasant ride), and then catch your bus there.

 

[palmtreegirl]

The whole issue I have about the room is the man told me that if I waited we would get the room we wanted. (I ask him if it was a volcano pool view and he said yes) If I had of known that it was not the room I requested I would have taken any room at 9 AM. And would not have been upset. I would have figured that there just were'nt any available. But when he had us wait all day to get just any room that upset me!

That would've bummed me out too!

The best bus service we ever had(have stayed at all levels) was at the AKL by far. We loved that it didn't share busses with another resort. All those stops at different resorts make the trip seem longer, I think. I wish all the deluxes had there own bus lines but they don't, oh well.

 

[Tess]

It's a hit or miss kind of situation where the bus system is concerned. We stay at Polynesian on every trip and have sampled the other resorts as well. Without question, we've been most disappointed with bus service at GF/Polynesian. When it's working well, it works very well--when it's not, it's awful!

Unless things have changed over the year, Polynesian is the 2nd (or middle) stop of the CR/Polynesian/GF route to AKL/MGM/DD. We've been very luck to have seats while staying at Polynesian. The folks at GF are not so lucky--nearly every bus we've ever taken is full after the Polynesian stop which leaves those at GF standing or waiting for another ride. I know when we stayed at GF, it was a major gripe considering the cost of these hotels.

Returning from parks is very hit and miss. It just depends on the weather at the time you leave OR the time of day you are returning to your resort. We will frequently board another resort bus, e.g., BC/YC/Swan/Dolphin/BWI and got to EPCOT from AKL and have lunch. We will then monorail back. When returning from MGM we will often walk to EPCOT (again for lunch/touring) and monorail back.

There is NO good way to get to and from DD. The bus is packed both ways and the trip is interminably LONG! You need to allow at least an hour each way. I know that Chip 'N Dale says that isn't so--but, I've done it enough times and never beaten the hour time frame in June. (This includes the waiting for the bus time as well as the ride itself.)

We've had truly wonderful bus service and truly horrible bus service at all the resorts we've stayed--you just have to enjoy the moments and not let yourself become frustrated. Creativity in getting from point A to B can be as much fun as the visit--it may take longer, but it can be a great time too!

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by Tess
It's a hit or miss kind of situation where the bus system is concerned. We stay at Polynesian on every trip and have sampled the other resorts as well. Without question, we've been most disappointed with bus service at GF/Polynesian. When it's working well, it works very well--when it's not, it's awful!

I agree 100+%, Tess. I am THRILLED to read they are building a new bus stop, and perhaps will add a few more buses to the route. I believe Disney thinks most folks either use the monorail/walk (TTC), so the buses are a bit lacking. There were associates at the Bus Stop area earlier last summer (on another visit to the Poly), and they were "SURVEY-TAKERS" questioning us on the Bus Service. At least Disney is aware of the problem.

I NEVER let these little problems bother me, not one iota. I am a very relaxed and low-key person....Happy all the time. So...waiting for the bus gives me more time to do other things. I also believe there are "reasons for EVERYTHING', and perhaps the WAIT at the bus stop was to my advantage (for reasons unknown). I would PREFER the bus operate more consistently, but am not upset when it does not.

I am, however, in agreement with the OP regarding the ROOM TYPE/WAIT. If this room was NOT available...she should NEVER have been made to wait all day...making calls to check on the status, believing it was all worth while. When it was discovered to be in vain, this was extremely upsetting and disappointing. I wish she would have contacted the management of the Poly, and described in detail the events of her check-in/day. Perhaps they would have done the "right thing", and placed her in the accomodations she was informed (by the front desk associate) she would receive. This issue is black/white. Very easy to understand and amend.

The bus issue...is one we could debate forever. One poster mentioned the season being part of the problem. Of course, this is true as well. I have no trouble with these problems, and enjoy our sojourn to the fullest. The MAGIC is inside of me...it's something I make sure to bring! I also expect "nothing" more than what I reserve, and am always pleasantly surprised when anything is offered above this level. Yet, if someone told me to "wait" all day for the room I desired...and then placed me in another room? I'd be a little ruffled...and rightly so.

 

[ljsmom]

My husband and I were also disappointed with the Poly. last July. It was our first deluxe stay and I don't think I was expecting too much, but the staff left a lot to be desired. The transportation was terrible. We waited to go downtown for almost 45 minutes - no exaggeration. Also, while I was showering the water was turned off. No notice given, just shut off for repairs. Our digital camera was also stolen while we were there, after the front desk said they had it in their possession. The place is pretty and monorail access nice, but we will not stay there again.