ALOHA! The Poly FAQ: Fall 2010 Edition

[monkeybug]

We are staying at the Poly in May and my friend got me to thinking about club level. (they are going too and thinking about upgrading)
Is there any reason besides the food offerings to upgrade?
I've already made my adr's and I don't think we would use the food or drinks much. Any other perks that I'm not thinking of? We are using a 40% off discount so I just keep thinking that if I'm going to try it, now's the time.

 

[carlnix30]

Just be careful Carl, some of those cooler carrying, kids changing folks are guests who either (a) arrived early and are awaiting a room assignment or (b) have checked out, checked their luggage, and are killing time around the pool until flight/departure time. Both are totally acceptable practices.

We have been both (a) and (b) at times, but did our changing in the third floor of Hawaii. If you aren't staying CL, you do not have the luxury of a private restroom.

Now, obviously, if folks brag about not being guests. . .. . .all bets are off.

Awwwe.. Tess I would never mistaken your for a non guest!! You have a permanent room reservation at the Poly

But your right some do have coolers, waiting for room or departure.. I just get aggravated when we pay for deluxe resort and can't find a chair to sit in at the pool.. Last time we were there, a family of six was living out of a cooler all day.

Some think that it is perfectly fine to pool hop from one resort to another and do not know that it is unacceptable and against Disney policy. Unless you are a DVC member.

 

[minniebeth]

The wristbands were being used during very busy times at the resort, e.g., Christmas/New Year, but I'm not sure how often they would use the system otherwise. I haven't really seen anyone who has recently returned (within the past couple of weeks) who has had to use a wristband.

Us! We were there 3 weeks ago and it was pretty chilly. There was no one in the pool and a few people sitting around the volcano pool (during the day) including my DH and DS. A lifeguard came and asked to see their resort keys and gave them wristbands. DH had a whole conversation about it and the lifeguard said it is a new policy that is now being implemented. We just thought it kind of odd that it 1. seems sporadic, not consistent and 2. there was hardly anyone there! Why bother. I could see if it were crowded.

So...we are really curious to see if this is something that will become consistent and how it will be handled along with the beach...

 

[disneydreamin247]

Awwwe.. Tess I would never mistaken your for a non guest!! You have a permanent room reservation at the Poly

But your right some do have coolers, waiting for room or departure.. I just get aggravated when we pay for deluxe resort and can't find a chair to sit in at the pool.. Last time we were there, a family of six was living out of a cooler all day.

Some think that it is perfectly fine to pool hop from one resort to another and do not know that it is unacceptable and against Disney policy. Unless you are a DVC member.

I've never really understood why people would even want to pool hop. It just seems so inconvenient to me. We've stayed at all levels of resorts and it never appealed to me to travel out of our way to another resort to use their pool knowing full well I'd have to make the trip back carrying wet suits and clothes. If I'm putting that much effort into it I'd rather just do a water park.

 

[minniebeth]

Well Stromalong Bay at the Yacht Club and Beach Club is the only pool that requires their guests to wear wrist bands and doesn't even allow DVC members to pool hop over there, along with the pools at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and Bay Lake Tower. So based on that if the Polynesian was giving wrist bands to their guests I assumed they would follow the same rules.

Now from what I know when DVC members want to pool hop the dates during their stay can't be blacked out and they need to call the resort they wish to swim to see how busy they are, because guests staying there should have access to pool chairs and etc. Plus they also need their DVC member cards if asked for ID since they won't have a KTTW card of the resort they want to swim at.

Thanks so much for explaining this...I knew that DVC members have some pool hopping priviledges, but didn't know what the parameters were.
Thanks!

 

[dizneechic]

We are staying at the Poly in May and my friend got me to thinking about club level. (they are going too and thinking about upgrading)
Is there any reason besides the food offerings to upgrade?
I've already made my adr's and I don't think we would use the food or drinks much. Any other perks that I'm not thinking of? We are using a 40% off discount so I just keep thinking that if I'm going to try it, now's the time.

We're ones who don't use the IPO for much but they do come in handy during your stay. A few little examples... Our Aug trip TSMM was closed for refurb but was supposed to open on our 3rd day (of 6) so we planned that day for HS. Go and TSMM is still closed and still being painted, maybe tomorrow. Next day (and the one after that) we asked the concierge to check to see the status and the ride remained closed (and saved us from another day of HS since it's all we wanted to do there at this point). Finally on our last day we walked into the concierge area and they already had checked and let us know it would be opening that day so we changed our plans and got on over to HS. Another day that trip I decided I was tired of DS's hair all puffy (he gets crazy hair when it's too long) and they called and booked us for Harmony Barber Shop the next day. We got to Harmony on time and the standby line was well out the door, we walked up to the front w/ our appts (both the boys same time ) and were seated right away. This trip (well a week or so ago) we ended up arriving a few days late because of snow cancellations, we contacted the IPO and they handled canceling and changing some ADRs around for us, one less thing for me to stress about after having to re book flights, car etc. They are also great for last minute changes, if you decide to go elsewhere for a particular day (say weather changes your plans) you can have them find you a reservation and they will contact you and let you know the time to arrive so your not hunting around trying to get seated somewhere decent for dinner.

As for the lounge, we use it a lot for breakfast. Wake up, shower and head on down for something light before hitting the parks. No crowds to contend with, no waiting for something to be prepared, a few steps from your room, a few minutes to eat and your on your way (big time saver!). We also loved it on hot summer nights for wishes, after your back, showered and refreshed we didn't feel like sitting outside again. We'd grab a drink/dessert and sit there and ohh and ahh in our beautiful, quiet (except for wishes music), climate controlled environment and watch wishes and then head down the hall to bed (we stayed GV so couldn't see from our room). In the winter we loved being in the lounge to watch because it was warm.
Each night and each morning we'd get a fresh bottle of water from the lounge staff and have it back at our room as well... we are not fans of Disney tap water! We just found the lounge convenient to have, even though it wasn't something we NEEDED, it certainly was nice to have!

As for traveling with your friends, it would be a nice space to get together if you needed to meet up and make plans vs hanging out in rooms. Your also both guaranteed to be in Hawaii and the longhouses location can't be beat!

 

[gypsydoodlebug]

I'm going into panic mode. We leave Saturday for the Poly and I've literally been having dreams about not packing ... having absolutely nothing. And ... I travel for a living. Sigh.

We got snow today and school was shut down (no work!) so I did every scrap of laundry and ran to the grocery for bagels and beef jerky. (Our room staples. I know. So. Very. Random.)

 

[minniebeth]

I'm going into panic mode. We leave Saturday for the Poly and I've literally been having dreams about not packing ... having absolutely nothing. And ... I travel for a living. Sigh.

We got snow today and school was shut down (no work!) so I did every scrap of laundry and ran to the grocery for bagels and beef jerky. (Our room staples. I know. So. Very. Random.)

I'm sure you'll get everything done in time! Enjoy your trip!

 

[mickeysmyboy]

I'm going into panic mode. We leave Saturday for the Poly and I've literally been having dreams about not packing ... having absolutely nothing. And ... I travel for a living. Sigh.

We got snow today and school was shut down (no work!) so I did every scrap of laundry and ran to the grocery for bagels and beef jerky. (Our room staples. I know. So. Very. Random.)

I'm sure everything will get done and you'll have a great trip! I have similar dreams before vacations too! I think it's because of all the planning!

 

[phinz]

Quick question:

We reserved standard/garden view. Where is going to be the best place/building which has been recently refurbished and won't have the issues I read about on Trip Advisor? I know most reviews are good, but some sound absolutely disgusting. I like quiet, though I realize that will be hard at the Poly with it being so close to the TTC and hosting a lot of families. But I would like a room that's been refurbished in the last year or so. Convenience isn't that big a deal because, heck, it's the Poly and everything's convenient.

So, what building for the best rooms, and if you have a specific room to recommend, which one?

TIA!

 

[minniebeth]

Quick question:

We reserved standard/garden view. Where is going to be the best place/building which has been recently refurbished and won't have the issues I read about on Trip Advisor? I know most reviews are good, but some sound absolutely disgusting. I like quiet, though I realize that will be hard at the Poly with it being so close to the TTC and hosting a lot of families. But I would like a room that's been refurbished in the last year or so. Convenience isn't that big a deal because, heck, it's the Poly and everything's convenient.

So, what building for the best rooms, and if you have a specific room to recommend, which one?

TIA!

This past summer we had a room in Aotearoa, GV on the first floor that faced the lagoon. The room had to have been newly refurbed, it was one of the nicest, freshest Poly rooms we've stayed in. We loved the location, very convenient to everything and had a partial view of the GF, fireworks at night, etc. The rooms that are in that block are 1223-1226. There was a lot of foliage in front of the patio but it was nice, as it provided privacy and a lush garden feel.
Of course, what appeals to you may be different, but we ended up loving the room we had!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thanks so much for explaining this...I knew that DVC members have some pool hopping priviledges, but didn't know what the parameters were.
Thanks!

You're welcome.

 

[carlnix30]

I've never really understood why people would even want to pool hop. It just seems so inconvenient to me. We've stayed at all levels of resorts and it never appealed to me to travel out of our way to another resort to use their pool knowing full well I'd have to make the trip back carrying wet suits and clothes. If I'm putting that much effort into it I'd rather just do a water park.

I don't think it's soo much the guest as it is the locals or off property day guests that park at the ttc and either walk or ride monorail into the resort to use the pool. Same problem with wishes. We get inundated with people that aren't paying $500 plus a night. I actually had people sitting on my first floor Hawaii room patio last year! They were waiting for wishes to start..

 

[disneydreamin247]

I don't think it's soo much the guest as it is the locals or off property day guests that park at the ttc and either walk or ride monorail into the resort to use the pool. Same problem with wishes. We get inundated with people that aren't paying $500 plus a night. I actually had people sitting on my first floor Hawaii room patio last year! They were waiting for wishes to start..

Classy! Don't people have any sort of dignity anymore? I would be SO embarrassed to do such a thing!

 

[mickeysmyboy]

I don't think it's soo much the guest as it is the locals or off property day guests that park at the ttc and either walk or ride monorail into the resort to use the pool. Same problem with wishes. We get inundated with people that aren't paying $500 plus a night. I actually had people sitting on my first floor Hawaii room patio last year! They were waiting for wishes to start..

NO WAY!? I would be sooooo mad! What in the world is wrong with people?!

 

[Luvamouse]

I don't think it's soo much the guest as it is the locals or off property day guests that park at the ttc and either walk or ride monorail into the resort to use the pool. Same problem with wishes. We get inundated with people that aren't paying $500 plus a night. I actually had people sitting on my first floor Hawaii room patio last year! They were waiting for wishes to start..

That's why the second or third floor is my favorite! I can't anyone imagine thinking that was OK????

 

[bluejasmine]

Last Sept DH and I were on the monorail coming back from a park and a mother with two kids got on at the CR they had towels and bathing suits on, we looked at them but of course didnt say a word, they got off the monorail at the Poly and as we walked to the Hawaii building we noticed they went straight to the pool. Then later after we showered and dressed and were getting back on monorail to go to dinner, the family was back on the monorail and got off at MK and headed for the bus loop!

I remember thinking wow that seems so weird! Just the thought of walking all over in just my bathing suit makes me uncomfortable! LOL

I did notice several ppl who came to the Poly just for the fireworks, a family who said they just moved to Celebration from our home town, two CMs that worked in Emporium, and a family who said they were staying off site! My DH and I were sitting in the grass at look out point waiting for the fireworks to begin when they came up and sat with us, I will say they did ask nicely. Still when your staying at the Poly and paying such high prices for the luxury and cant find a chair on the beach or near the pool its very frustrating. Ok Ill quit beating that poor horse to death.. It has been a topic discussed many many times over the years..lol

 

[disneydreamin247]

The extra 14 inches of snow I woke up to really makes me wish I was waking up to tonga toast instead. I don't remember ever getting this much snow in one winter. It figures it would be the winter I'm pregnant!

 

[Tisha_PA]

Each night and each morning we'd get a fresh bottle of water from the lounge staff and have it back at our room as well... we are not fans of Disney tap water!

The bottles of water in the lounge - are they plastic water bottles that you can take to the park or are they glass water bottles? I'm trying to decide if we need to order water for our room so that we have it in the parks. Thanks!

 

[dizneechic]

The bottles of water in the lounge - are they plastic water bottles that you can take to the park or are they glass water bottles? I'm trying to decide if we need to order water for our room so that we have it in the parks. Thanks!

They are glass. We have sport bottles we use in the parks (color coded by child ) so we would fill them up before leaving with the water from the glass bottles and then top them off through the day with bottled water from the parks.