A few Poly questions

[onceuponadream]

Trying to narrow a building to request (GV) .

1. Is there much difference between rennovated rooms and non-rennovated rooms (would you discount a building because it hasn't been newly renovated)?

2. Can you see the monorail from any building besides Aotearoa?

3. Better choice to walk to TTC to get to Epcot or take the monorail to TTC (time wise)?

4. To get an idea of how "big" the resort is how long does it take to walk from one end to the other?

It seems that there are a lot of winding paths so I'm guessing it takes some time to get from place to place (and lots of beautiful scenery to take in ). We really would like to be:

-fairly close to TTC
-Not TOO far from GCH and Volcano pool
-a big plus would be the viewing the monorail from our
patio/balcony (kids would LOVE it).

Any suggestions?? We currently have CR garden wing rooms reserved but IF AP rates or codes come out I have the green light to book the Poly..I've dreamed about this since I was 9 so I'm sure ANYTHING would be magical..I'm just an obsessive planner .

 

[mirlow]

It sounds like you want the Raratonga longhouse. This was the first longhouse we stayed at. We had a ground floor room that had a great view of the monorail. All of the kids just loved to look out the window and watch it go by. If you get the first floor you don't see the parking lot due to the lush vegetation. I think it's a great location being right next to the GCH. It's also close to the pool and not to far of a walk from the TTC. The laundry is next door too. I love the Polynesian because it is one of the smaller resorts. It really doesn't take that long to walk around the resort. I just prefer to be as close to the GCH so that when we do get stuck in a major downpour (and it happens a few times every summer) we won't get too wet. I have 3 young kids and they can walk slooooooooooow, so the closer to the pool, GCH and the boat the better. The longhouse's on the other side of the marina aren't far, but it's a little longer walk to the TTC. You could always take the monorail from the Poly all the way around if you don't feel like walking.
The Polynesian is one of our favorite resorts. Our trip in January was the first time we didn't stay there

 

[zulaya]

Originally posted by onceuponadream
Trying to narrow a building to request (GV) .

1. Is there much difference between rennovated rooms and non-rennovated rooms (would you discount a building because it hasn't been newly renovated)?
Haven't been in newly renovated, but from what I understand, there wasn't a major theme change, just fresher, newer looking stuff. If I was able to get a newly refurbbed room in a location I like, I'd certainly take it.


2. Can you see the monorail from any building besides Aotearoa?

I don't think any other buildnig has such a good view.


3. Better choice to walk to TTC to get to Epcot or take the monorail to TTC (time wise)?
I think walking to TTC is faster.


4. To get an idea of how "big" the resort is how long does it take to walk from one end to the other?
Literally, 5 minutes if you don't stop at a nice strolling pace


It seems that there are a lot of winding paths so I'm guessing it takes some time to get from place to place (and lots of beautiful scenery to take in ). We really would like to be:

-fairly close to TTC
-Not TOO far from GCH and Volcano pool
-a big plus would be the viewing the monorail from our
patio/balcony (kids would LOVE it).


Close to TTC is Rapa Nui and Tahiti. We stayed in Rapa Nui in Dec and loved the convenience to TTC. Plus, Rapa Nui has it's own parking lot right next to the building. Nice on the long days. But it is about a 2.5 minute walk to the GCH and VOlcano Pool. Not bad, and a nice stroll, but not right outside your patio. Aotearoa might be your best bet, but it is farther from the TTC, but still about the same distance, maybe a bit closer, to the Volcano Pool and GCH. But again, it would be a bit of a walk to the TTC, but not worth griping about.


Any suggestions?? We currently have CR garden wing rooms reserved but IF AP rates or codes come out I have the green light to book the Poly..I've dreamed about this since I was 9 so I'm sure ANYTHING would be magical..I'm just an obsessive planner .

 

[Tikiman]

1. Is there much difference between rennovated rooms and non-rennovated rooms (would you discount a building because it hasn't been newly renovated)?

Answer: there will not be a huge difference between the new rooms and old and some of the old rooms are not in bad shape. They were just done in 2001 and the main reason for the rehab is not the rooms but redoing the foundation to eliminate moisture.

2. Can you see the monorail from any building besides Aotearoa?

Answer: You can see it from Rarotonga and Tonga (concierge suites).

3. Better choice to walk to TTC to get to Epcot or take the monorail to TTC (time wise)?

Answer: it would be faster to walk to the TTC. To ride the monorail to the TTC from the GCH would mean you would stop at the GF, MK, Contemporary and than the TTC.

4. To get an idea of how "big" the resort is how long does it take to walk from one end to the other?

Answer: depending on your stride it could take from 5-8 minutes to walk from one end (luau cove) to the other (TTC path)

It seems that there are a lot of winding paths so I'm guessing it takes some time to get from place to place (and lots of beautiful scenery to take in ). We really would like to be:

-fairly close to TTC
-Not TOO far from GCH and Volcano pool
-a big plus would be the viewing the monorail from our
patio/balcony (kids would LOVE it).

Rarotonga is between the quiet pool and the monorail. It is a short walk to the TTC and next to the GCH and volcano pool. The rooms facing the monorail are X815-X830 (put in the floor number for the “X”)
There are winding paths but you can learn the direct paths easily. If you are in a longhouse near the beach you can walk the beach to get to locations to save time and distance.

Aloha

Steve

 

[onceuponadream]

Thanks for the help! As Aotearoa is refurbed and Rarotonga not we may request Aotearoa. Especially if the extra distance to TTC is just a matter of a minute or two further than Rarotonga. Either looks awesome though .

 

[chris44]

Just puttiing in my two cents - I would suggest avoiding Rarotonga until it is refurbished. Although it is in a great location, we stayed there in Oct. 2002 and our room had a very musty smell as well as bedspreads with large holes. The elevator was out of order frequently, too. None of these things ruined our trip, and we loved the Polynesian. I just wanted to make you aware of what you might get at Rarotonga.

I think you might enjoy Aetoroa for the monorail view, or Tokelau which is closer to the TTC. And I agree with the posters above that it's faster and less hassle to walk to TTC than take the monorail. Have a great trip!

 

[chris44]

Just puttiing in my two cents - I would suggest avoiding Rarotonga until it is refurbished. Although it is in a great location, we stayed there in Oct. 2002 and our room had a very musty smell as well as bedspreads with large holes. The elevator was out of order frequently, too. None of these things ruined our trip, and we loved the Polynesian. I just wanted to make you aware of what you might get at Rarotonga.

I think you might enjoy Aotearoa for the monorail view, or Tokelau which is closer to the TTC. And I agree with the posters above that it's faster and less hassle to walk to TTC than take the monorail. Have a great trip!

 

[onceuponadream]

Thanks Chris44! That is definitely the info we're looking for as spending as much per night as we will for the Poly we would rather have a refurbed room. Has Tokelau been refurbed as the only buildings that I have listed with refurb are Somoa, Tuvalu, Fiji and Aotearoa? Thanks!

 

[Tikiman]

Tokelau has not bee refurbished. All the longhouses had some refurbishment part of last year and a larger one in 2001. The main reason for these longhouses going down for rehab is because of the older construction. While doing the construction they are gutting the rooms. This will not be done to the newer constructed longhouses (Tokelau, Tahiti and Rapa Nui) and there is no schedule for the rooms to have any further rehab. Samoa is just finishing up and Niue and Tonga will be done in September.

Aloha

Steve

 

[onceuponadream]

Thanks Steve! Which GV would you recommend between Aotearoa, , Tokelau or Rapa Nui?

We're leaning towards Aotearo as I think the monorail view would be great for the kids and it's been refurbed as well as being close to the GCH and the Volcano Pool. Only a short walk to TTC right?

However, Tokelau looks a little more centrally located and has slightly bigger rooms (we'll have 5 in the room) but isn't newly refurbed (surely the bedspread don't have holes here too??). chris44 has me a little nervous . We don't ever look for problems in a room and will be thrilled just to be there but.... Which building would you pick (I think Tahiti is your favorite but it will be housing concierge in June when we're going and Hawaii will be closed). I really appreciate your response as I know you're busy ..and welcome back from Hawaii !

 

[Tikiman]

I think Aotearoa is nice but it would be my second choice over Tokelau. Tokelau is just in a better location and the rooms are larger with balconies on both upper floors. The rooms should not be in bad shape. They were worked on not very long ago.

Lets just say either would be great but I myself would go for Tokelau first.

Aloha

Steve

 

[jmkst58]

I just stayed in Tokelau at the beginning of this month. There were NO signs of wear & tear that I could see at all. The elevator worked fine. No smell whatsoever. The location was nice. Our view was strictly garden view though.

I would just decide between location of longhouse vs. possible monorail view.

 

[onceuponadream]

Thanks! Maybe we'll list both as a request and hope to get one of them .