ALOHA! The Poly FAQ: Fall 2010 Edition

[bluejasmine]

Happy labor day my poly peeps! Look how close I am! Lol

 

[TheNewMrsB]

DrDisneyMD, believe me, you are not alone in loving the sound of the boats! You had such a great view!

Thank you for the great review and I'm so glad you enjoyed your stay! You've reminded me of so many of the things I love about the Poly and have made me even more excited about our trip (as if that's even possible!).

 

[disneymumma]

Happy labor day my poly peeps! Look how close I am! Lol

I love LOVE it! Travel safely - hope to see you there!

 

[PolyAddict]

We just returned from the Polynesian not to long ago, we had a wonderful time! It was a magical vacation. Our flight landed around 11AM and we walked right on to the Magical Express bus. Actually, I think they may have been waiting on us, because as soon as we were seated the bus took off.

We originally booked a Garden View Club level, I checked in online 10 days prior to our arrival date, I also made requests for a balcony or patio room when I booked the reservation. Check in was a breeze, it just took a matter of minutes. I asked what floor we on and the hotel clerk informed us that we would be on the second floor. We inquired as to whether or not they got our request, she said yes, and told us we would be on the second floor for just one night, and bell services would move us in the morning. I thought that was very kind of them, I know requests are just that -- requests. I was very pleased with the smooth check in process. We left our carry on bags at the luggage desk and hopped on the monorail to MK!

So after after a nice dinner at CRT and riding a few rides. On a side note, I just love Disney's Philharmagic. Our room was ready, so we headed back. I open the window and saw this.

And this.

Space Mountain to my right.

Boat dock to my left.

And this.

And this.

Sorry for the large pictures, I don't how to make them smaller. The pictures give the view no justice. It was so beautiful. DH went down and thanked the front desk and asked not to be moved. They laughed said no problem, they expected that response.

At night, the lagoon was lit up. We could see the castle turning different colors and Space Mountain. The Contemporary and Grand Floridian looked beautiful from across the lagoon. And of course, all of the beautifully lit torches and lights along the paths and the music made it so special.

We did not miss the balcony or patio at all. There are great perks to being on the second floor, as we were just steps away from the lounge. DH devoured the Kona coffee. He said it was SO good. Every morning, he was the first one in the lounge to get coffee.

The lounge offerings were wonderful. DH loved getting a cold beer in the evening. They always had cold chocolate milk on hand for the children. Everything was clean and fully stocked.

Mousekeeping was wonderful and we received turn down service each night, the children loved the chocolates that were left on their pillows.

We loved the wonderful scents and sounds. I may be in the minority here, but I love hearing the boat horns in the morning. And I loved listening to the soothing Polynesian music they piped throughout the resort.

The pool was amazing and never overly crowded. It was never empty for the most part either. We had Ohana's for dinner and it was wonderful. Those Pina Colada's are so good.

Our room is categorized as a lagoon view, but as you can see, if you peek through the gorgeous palm trees you can see the castle clearly, but it is not a true theme park view. I think I will book a lagoon view room in Hawaii for our next visit. I really didn't think we would enjoy it that much.

Needless to say, no one was ready to leave. We had an amazing time. On a side note, it was brought to our attention more than a few times that we had "gold keys". I didn't know CL guest had different color keys. Just about every time we used them, someone would say something like, "Oh that's cool, you guys have gold keys." I thought they were just yellow.

We took a tour of the resort, the entire place is gorgeous. I saw so many beautiful butterflies and they were HUGE. I don't think there is a bad view on the property. I don't know how they do it, but the garden views are just as beautiful and very tranquil. We cant wait to return to the Polynesian.

Thanks for your review, we have booked GVC twice and i always secretly dreamed of an upgrade but was very happy with our 3rd floor GV rooms. When did the lounge get Kona coffee, in my 2 visits it was the nescafe machines?

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

DrDisneyMD, believe me, you are not alone in loving the sound of the boats! You had such a great view!
Thank you for the great review and I'm so glad you enjoyed your stay! You've reminded me of so many of the things I love about the Poly and have made me even more excited about our trip (as if that's even possible!).

Thanks Mrs B! Please, next time just remind me to open the window when I take pictures. I'm glad I am not alone about loving the sound of the boats. You are going to have an amazing vacation. It's good to be you right now!

Happy labor day my poly peeps! Look how close I am! Lol

Have a wonderful time! I know you are so excited!

We haven't been to the Poly in FAR too long-- our last trip was June 2008.

So... Questions...

thanks!!

I am by no means an expert, just wanted to wish you happy planning and a great trip.

Thanks for your review, we have booked GVC twice and i always secretly dreamed of an upgrade but was very happy with our 3rd floor GV rooms. When did the lounge get Kona coffee, in my 2 visits it was the nescafe machines?

Hi PolyAddict! I originally booked a GV and requested a balcony room first or patio second. I would love to have a balcony room. Those third floor balcony rooms are highly coveted!

You are probably right about the coffee, I didn't bother to check because I am not a coffee drinker. I am so embarrassed because DH swears that was the best coffee ever, even better than Tim Hortons. He always make me look bad when given the opportunity. Seriously, I was telling everyone about this Kona coffee in the lounge. Thanks for letting me know, now I get to burst his bubble and inform him that he was drinking Nescafe. The same awful Nescafe, he cant stand anywhere else.

Happy Labor Day and Poly Dreams to everyone!

 

[Tess]

Thanks for letting me know, now I get to burst his bubble and inform him that he was drinking Nescafe. The same awful Nescafe, he cant stand anywhere else.

Kind of like that old commercial where Nescafe instant is substituted at Tavern on the Green and people were raving about the coffee. It must have something to do with the surroundings to make it taste better than Tim Horton's. Trust me, that coffee is not in the same league with Timmy Ho's. Glad your husband enjoyed it though.

Thanks for your review and welcome back!

 

[bethclayton]

for anyone going soon (well, except for kdunkle... you have enough on your plate and i hope dh feels better soon!)... would one of you mind taking pics of each of the menus at CC's? dh cannot have gluten and i am wondering what foods he can eat there. i know i can contact special diets but they always give us these really short lists of gluten free foods that are better suited to people who cannot have any contact with gluten whatsoever. dh seems to be able to have very small amounts and we can usually tell what will be ok by looking at the menu and asking the chefs a few questions. i have seen a pic of one of the menus there, but would love to see the rest. thanks in advance if anyone can help!

 

[gatordawgfamily]

I'm so excited! I just changed our December reservations from the Fort Wilderness Cabins to the Poly! I surprised my DH and DS's this morning with the news. I have been calling every morning for two months and finally one opened up.

I love this thread, and there is so much information. I would like to know where would a good area to request, we have garden view booked. My sons are 14 and 13 and will really be excited anywhere on property.

Thanks!

 

[vinotinto]

for anyone going soon (well, except for kdunkle... you have enough on your plate and i hope dh feels better soon!)... would one of you mind taking pics of each of the menus at CC's? dh cannot have gluten and i am wondering what foods he can eat there. i know i can contact special diets but they always give us these really short lists of gluten free foods that are better suited to people who cannot have any contact with gluten whatsoever. dh seems to be able to have very small amounts and we can usually tell what will be ok by looking at the menu and asking the chefs a few questions. i have seen a pic of one of the menus there, but would love to see the rest. thanks in advance if anyone can help!

I'll be happy to take a pic. Of course, then I'll have to figure out how to post it here but really it's time that I figure it out anyways.

 

[chamonix]

for anyone going soon (well, except for kdunkle... you have enough on your plate and i hope dh feels better soon!)... would one of you mind taking pics of each of the menus at CC's? dh cannot have gluten and i am wondering what foods he can eat there. i know i can contact special diets but they always give us these really short lists of gluten free foods that are better suited to people who cannot have any contact with gluten whatsoever. dh seems to be able to have very small amounts and we can usually tell what will be ok by looking at the menu and asking the chefs a few questions. i have seen a pic of one of the menus there, but would love to see the rest. thanks in advance if anyone can help!

Captain cooks menu here:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?Restaurant.ID=22

WDW menus are available on this site at:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningmain.cfm

 

[maiapapaya]

We loved the wonderful scents and sounds. I may be in the minority here, but I love hearing the boat horns in the morning. And I loved listening to the soothing Polynesian music they piped throughout the resort.

Thanks for the review - glad you had a great trip! I love the sound of the boats too! We were in Tuvalu last October and loved the sounds of the little shuttle boats at the dock beside us (oh and DD5 & I love Philharmagic too!)
Congrats on the lovely upgrade!

We haven't been to the Poly in FAR too long-- our last trip was June 2008.

So... Questions...

do they do the movie thing on the beach in late September? Is it worth scheduling into our trip?

how is the character breakfast? (we are going with a 2.5 year old and I want to do sit down AYCE or buffets as much as possible) any feedback on that meal?

can any of you bend time and space and make Sept 29, 2011 arrive in about 14 days?

thanks!!

We were there in October & the movie was playing on the beach. I had to take DD5 back to our room, but DH & DD7 really enjoyed the bonfire & movie.

We also had the character breakfast and had a lot of fun. The character interaction was great. The family-style service is great too. They brought lots of food to the table with refills if you need/want it. Kind of like a buffet without having to get up and going through a line!

Sorry, no time bending skills here.

Happy labor day my poly peeps! Look how close I am! Lol

Have a great time bluejasmine! And disneymumma too!

 

[disneymumma]

Have a great time bluejasmine! And disneymumma too!

Thank you, maiapapaya! Totally excited to go!

 

[kdunkle904]

Well DH is now on antibiotics and DD is spening another night at Gammas just to be safe. So I think we are back on track to leave for WDW bright and early Wednesday morning!

 

[disneymumma]

Well DH is now on antibiotics and DD is spening another night at Gammas just to be safe. So I think we are back on track to leave for WDW bright and early Wednesday morning!

Glad to hear your DH is on the mend. We leave Wed am also. Travel safely, kdunkle904!

 

[TheNewMrsB]

Glad to hear your DH is on the mend. We leave Wed am also. Travel safely, kdunkle904!

OMG you leave Wednesday morning, you must be ready to burst from excitement!!!!!

 

[disneymumma]

OMG you leave Wednesday morning, you must be ready to burst from excitement!!!!!

Yes, completely! The kids are already doing the I'm too excited to sleep routine! ...honestly? Me and DH, too!

 

[kdunkle904]

Glad to hear your DH is on the mend. We leave Wed am also. Travel safely, kdunkle904!

You too disneymumma! Have a great time and who knows, we might see each other down there!

 

[SeaSpray]

Well DH is now on antibiotics and DD is spening another night at Gammas just to be safe. So I think we are back on track to leave for WDW bright and early Wednesday morning!

This is good news! I hope he is 100% soon!

Glad to hear your DH is on the mend. We leave Wed am also. Travel safely, kdunkle904!

I hope that you all have a wonderful trip!

 

[logpey]

Glad to hear your DH is on the mend. We leave Wed am also. Travel safely, kdunkle904!

Have fun!

 

[logpey]

We just returned yesterday from our first trip to the Poly! We loved Poly so much that I just had to come out of lurkerdom to post a mini-review of our stay. Reading this thread over the past few months helped me out so much in planning our trip. Thanks so much to all you Poly Pros for the helpful advice and tips. Hope you don't mind if I share a few of our experiences with you!

:

Thank you for the lovely trip report! Thanks for sharing..