ALOHA! The Poly FAQ: Fall 2010 Edition

[MinandBills]

Daisey Mae

I must admit that I have also been getting a little worried reading all the bad reviews, but when I looked at things objectively I realized that a lot of the things being complained about are not that big of a deal. Don't get me wrong, a dirty room would make me very upset, but I know from past experience that if a concern is mentioned to Disney, it will be taken care of. I have noticed that a lot of the concerns are crowds (it's Disney and it will be crowded), food choices (it's one meal out of your life so not too big a big deal), parking (CMs were offering free valet). I know I am rambling, but I guess my point is, you are going to Disney World!! That can't be a bad thing. . Just try to enjoy the anticipation and If a problem arises when you are there be sure to say something. Our last visit to the Poly was wonderful and I wouldn't have changed a thing about it.

 

[paras4ri]

Daisey Mae

I must admit that I have also been getting a little worried reading all the bad reviews, but when I looked at things objectively I realized that a lot of the things being complained about are not that big of a deal. Don't get me wrong, a dirty room would make me very upset, but I know from past experience that if a concern is mentioned to Disney, it will be taken care of. I have noticed that a lot of the concerns are crowds (it's Disney and it will be crowded), food choices (it's one meal out of your life so not too big a big deal), parking (CMs were offering free valet). I know I am rambling, but I guess my point is, you are going to Disney World!! That can't be a bad thing. . Just try to enjoy the anticipation and If a problem arises when you are there be sure to say something. Our last visit to the Poly was wonderful and I wouldn't have changed a thing about it.

I totally agree with your feelings. This will be our first Poly stay and I can't wait - despite some negative reviews.

 

[cmcinc]

This time tomorrow, Ill be checking in!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[MrsDef]

This time tomorrow, Ill be checking in!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have a great time!~!

 

[DebbyLof428]

This time tomorrow, Ill be checking in!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hope you have a magical vacation.

 

[mickey2minnie1]

To all of you heading down this weekend, enjoy the Poly. It is awesome and enjoy the magic you make with your family at the resort. I was there in 2007, 2009, and summer 2010. The Poly is wonderful!

 

[Bean Counter]

I fell in love with this tree:

Thanks for your review! The floss silk trees, despite their trunks, are beautiful when they bloom.

 

[DISNEY1975]

Daisey Mae

I must admit that I have also been getting a little worried reading all the bad reviews, but when I looked at things objectively I realized that a lot of the things being complained about are not that big of a deal. Don't get me wrong, a dirty room would make me very upset, but I know from past experience that if a concern is mentioned to Disney, it will be taken care of. I have noticed that a lot of the concerns are crowds (it's Disney and it will be crowded), food choices (it's one meal out of your life so not too big a big deal), parking (CMs were offering free valet). I know I am rambling, but I guess my point is, you are going to Disney World!! That can't be a bad thing. . Just try to enjoy the anticipation and If a problem arises when you are there be sure to say something. Our last visit to the Poly was wonderful and I wouldn't have changed a thing about it.

I did complain on this thread about parking and crowds, but please dont take it to mean the Poly isnt a fantastic place to stay. My room was spotless. Mousekeeping was great..room always cleaned as soon as we left the room. My concern re: parking was addressed by a manager. Staff was always friendly, an "Aloha" from every CM that passed by. I cant say enough about the lifeguards at the Poly and waterparks. They are on their A game at all times. Fortunately we didnt need to be rescued, but there was a guard every 10 feet or so, always looking directly at the water/swimmers. Once on the monorail, I cant recall ever a delay or being stuck. All CMs had nametags with place of origin. I loved asking what brought them to Orlando and they were more than happy to answer. I got some really interesting answers. The shops at the Poly offered great merchandise and saundries. Captain Cook was never overly crowded, though I only went in to fill mugs when we were at the pool. The entertainment by the pool was fun for kids and adults. The craft area on the first floor was fun for my daughter, who made several flower bracelets. We watched the fireworks from the beach one night and the torch lighting ceremony a couple of times. Duane at the front desk is AWESOME!! I wanted to hug him! There is a hostess on her 3rd week of working at Ohana who was more than excited to start working the dinner shift! She was really sweet! Our waiter at Konas was nice too. Forgot his name, but he is a student at a neighboring community college, happy to be a Disney! Freda at reception at Ohana is about to graduate from a Virginia University. She was helpful and kept the long crowd moving along! The landscape was beautiful, the hawaiian background music was nice to hear..made you feel like you were somewhere tropical in the Polynesian! It really is a great resort.

The only thing I wasnt a huge fan of is thats its a really really popular resort and always busy with guests. Thats not a bad thing, its just not for me. Some people wouldnt even notice, but I was there for 12 days and spent a few just at the Poly. I know everyone who goes there will have a wonderful time, just as we did.

 

[DISNEY1975]

We got our room request (we requested 3rd FL Rarotonga). 10 second walk to elevator then another 10 second walk to GCH. 1 minutes walk to parking lot and bus stop. 1.5 minute walk to Volcano pool. 3 - 4 minute walk to TTC, Epcot monorail at the far right. 1.5 minute walk to Captain Cooks

This was our view. Over the top of the building on the other side of the quiet pool, we could see the fireworks at night.

Here is the chief!

Fireworks from pool

Kona Breakfast

Ohana Dinner

Ohana Breakfast

Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show

Volcano Pool

Other Resort Shots..

Thats it!

 

[micknme]

Just got back this week after 13 days at the Poly. I've stayed at all the deluxes and this is my second stay at the Poly

We stayed in the Hawaii building, had an immaculate room, can't say enough about the cm's there who cleaned my room. I had towel animals on a daily basis along with extra towels and toiletries.

Eugene from the club lounge went out of his way to get us anything we wanted and is trying very hard to come up with appetizers that everyone will enjoy.

Sure, Capt Cooks could get busy but we never had a problem with getting a table. Monorail was so convenient, but then so were the buses.

Don't worry if you are going soon, the complaints from others are pretty small and are basically those which can and do apply to any resort!!!!

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I have got to say I have been reading on this board for years and have never posted. I have found it very helpful however with an upcoming trip planned to the Poly in 29 days I have been reading many negative posts. I understand that this is just a small percentage of those who stay but Yikes! I have actually talked with my Travel agent to see if we could move. I have stayed at the Poly before and didn't see nearly the room problems that people are reporting. That said I also have the mindset that its only a room and very small percentage of time is spent in it for us and its about the location. I hope we still feel the same way after this years trip. But feel like I am now going thinking I am going to be upset with our room and haven't even got there=(

I am here at Poly now. I was also very nervous after reading all the negative reviews on here. Our stay has been lovely.
The only complaints I have are that they do not enforce the smoking policy, capt cooks is too small and not enough variety, and the halls/elevators/sitting areas need updating. None are reasons we would not return, just observations. I will write a more detailed report when we get home in a few days.

 

[Bean Counter]

There was a term some pages back: Poly Plummet.
I'm glad to know what I'm suffering from now has a name!

For those who may be worried about the rooms, I was glad to see that 3508 was in much better shape this trip than it was in December 2009.

My biggest complaint this trip was the flyer that was shoved under our room door on Friday night for a local Italian restaurant. Hawaii is supposed to be a secure building, but obviously it is not. A CM blew it off when I asked about the lack of security and stated that "those people get in all the time and it is a constant problem." It made me wonder just how many people who should not be there are gaining access and roaming the building.

We will be staying CL TPV in two weeks! I'm getting so excited about our trip and especially about the TPV room. I hope we get third floor. What was your room number? Take lots of pictures!!!

We were in 3508 again this trip and the view of the castle is amazing. This is a connecting room with the bathroom on the left as you walk in. From the balcony (depending on where you sit), the wedding chapel at the Grand can be seen from the far left to parts of the Wilderness Lodge roof on the right. The top of Splash is easily seen and the view of Space Mountain is great. There is also a light/speaker post in front of this room which makes the fireworks music nice and clear.

We have also stayed in 3503 which is a non-connecting room with the bathroom on the right as you walk in. I think this room has the best balcony view of the two. From the far left you can see all of the wedding pavilion buildings, the tops of Splash and Big Thunder, the castle, Space Mountain, the fountain that sprays up near the BLT, and the Contemporary.

Both views are great, and the sight lines depend on the vegetation growth. For example, we could see the top of Big Thunder from 3508 the last time we were in that room but couldn't really see it this time.

I hope you have a wonderful vacation!

 

[MickeyMinnie1971]

I had towel animals on a daily basis along with extra towels and toiletries.

/QUOTE]

We were in Hawaii from the 16th-23rd. I couldn't believe all the towel animals we had! We had a monkey hanging on a coat hanger, a huge crocodile in the floor, and one that we think was supposed to be Stitch, just to name a few. One day there were several all over the room. It was fun coming back to the room each day to see what mousekeeping had created.

 

[DebbyLof428]

Down to single digits
Happy Halloween everyone!

 

[BarbP]

5 more nights. Friday morning will take forever to get here!!!!!

 

[Kurby]

we're going in 5 nights too....... unfortunately we're staying in Niagara Falls for the weekend not WDW..... oh well LOL

 

[Daisey Mae]

I am here at Poly now. I was also very nervous after reading all the negative reviews on here. Our stay has been lovely.
The only complaints I have are that they do not enforce the smoking policy, capt cooks is too small and not enough variety, and the halls/elevators/sitting areas need updating. None are reasons we would not return, just observations. I will write a more detailed report when we get home in a few days.

Thanks so much for all the encouraging words. I am getting really excited to go again. My husband who I had to almost drag our very first time 8 years ago as he thought it was a place only for kids is very excited too. Can't wait to get there, with my color coded excel spreadsheet lol!

 

[Daisey Mae]

I have stopped reading those reviews myself. We stayed at the Poly in 2007 and didn't have any problems. Also, after some looking around on the boards, I have found negative reviews on every resort.

Thanks for the support got to keep remembering very low % to those who are actually there and like I stated we love it for the location and as long as its clean I don't care.

 

[Daisey Mae]

I did complain on this thread about parking and crowds, but please dont take it to mean the Poly isnt a fantastic place to stay. My room was spotless. Mousekeeping was great..room always cleaned as soon as we left the room. My concern re: parking was addressed by a manager. Staff was always friendly, an "Aloha" from every CM that passed by. I cant say enough about the lifeguards at the Poly and waterparks. They are on their A game at all times. Fortunately we didnt need to be rescued, but there was a guard every 10 feet or so, always looking directly at the water/swimmers. Once on the monorail, I cant recall ever a delay or being stuck. All CMs had nametags with place of origin. I loved asking what brought them to Orlando and they were more than happy to answer. I got some really interesting answers. The shops at the Poly offered great merchandise and saundries. Captain Cook was never overly crowded, though I only went in to fill mugs when we were at the pool. The entertainment by the pool was fun for kids and adults. The craft area on the first floor was fun for my daughter, who made several flower bracelets. We watched the fireworks from the beach one night and the torch lighting ceremony a couple of times. Duane at the front desk is AWESOME!! I wanted to hug him! There is a hostess on her 3rd week of working at Ohana who was more than excited to start working the dinner shift! She was really sweet! Our waiter at Konas was nice too. Forgot his name, but he is a student at a neighboring community college, happy to be a Disney! Freda at reception at Ohana is about to graduate from a Virginia University. She was helpful and kept the long crowd moving along! The landscape was beautiful, the hawaiian background music was nice to hear..made you feel like you were somewhere tropical in the Polynesian! It really is a great resort.

The only thing I wasnt a huge fan of is thats its a really really popular resort and always busy with guests. Thats not a bad thing, its just not for me. Some people wouldnt even notice, but I was there for 12 days and spent a few just at the Poly. I know everyone who goes there will have a wonderful time, just as we did.

Thanks so much, feeling much better now. We just loved it last time however have loved every resort we have stayed at. I am sure we will have a magical stay no matter what. It's DISNEY and it will be decorated for Christmas how can it be bad. Maybe you could send me a message of your favorites at Contemporary had talked about going there at some point as well.

 

[Eponine1]

11 more days for me!!!!

I'm looking forward to the Poly. Unlike most people on the boards here, I'm probably one of the few not requesting Tokelau. I requested Niue instead. I wanted something closer to the GCH.

Has anyone stayed in this building lately???

Thanks!!