ALOHA! The Poly FAQ: Fall 2010 Edition

[MMrules]

Bluejasmine, Happy to hear you had a great anniversary!!! I have been following your questions on here for a while as I will be going to the Poly for the first time in July 2011. Always great to hear a fellow dis'er had the wonderful trip they deserve!!!

 

[PamelaKay]

We always have a balloon in the room because of my kiddo so I really don't know about if it keeps the a/c running. There also is a ceiling fan that does a good job of cooling down the room once you get back into it. We always buy the balloon the first night of the trip so DD has it the whole time we are there. They are $10 on Main Street and are a nice addition to the Decor in your room

My big beef is the fan in the bathroom that is activated by motion. So when I take a shower I have an extra towel handy and I literally snap it towards the door a few times while I am showering to trip the sensor for the fan to go back on. It is totally ridiculous but it is the only way I can keep the fan running. My DH laughs when he hears the towel snap

The image in my head of being in a shower and snapping a towel at a fan in the ceiling

 

[dizneechic]

We always have a balloon in the room because of my kiddo so I really don't know about if it keeps the a/c running. There also is a ceiling fan that does a good job of cooling down the room once you get back into it. We always buy the balloon the first night of the trip so DD has it the whole time we are there. They are $10 on Main Street and are a nice addition to the Decor in your room

My big beef is the fan in the bathroom that is activated by motion. So when I take a shower I have an extra towel handy and I literally snap it towards the door a few times while I am showering to trip the sensor for the fan to go back on. It is totally ridiculous but it is the only way I can keep the fan running. My DH laughs when he hears the towel snap

You take some awfully long showers then, LOL! Either that or I take really quick ones! But yes, the bathroom fan was one of my quirks as well.

As for the in room AC we didn't need to buy a balloon and actually ended up waking up a few nights because our room was TOO cold! So I think the AC stays at what ever temp you set it to unless mousekeeping adjusts it when they clean.

 

[disneymumma]

Done Booked FINALLY

Yes we are totally booked, room, air, tickets. I am about ready to shoot an e-mail off to the IPO to get my dining done and some other requests. It is weird because this is the first time we are going when there is not a party going on, i.e., MNSSHP & MVMCP unless they decide to bring Pirate and Princess back or something new Anyways, it feels so good to finally planning another return!

While I really wanted to go in early December DH and I decided that the trip might get spoiled by the fact that we are still in such a funk from My Mom passing away. Between Thanksgiving, her b-day 12/6, Christmas and that my parents would have celebrated 40 years of marriage on 1/9, it will be a tough holiday season. I want to go to Disney with all that behind us!

I am so happy right now

BreezysMom, I am SOOOOO so happy for you! Hoping Joy just seeks you out this holiday season. I'm going to picture Joy gliding like an angel through your hometown just looking for you.

 

[LowesChevy]

9 days to go for us! Next Friday we will be strolling into the GCH around 2 PM!

 

[book_junkie]

9 days to go for us! Next Friday we will be strolling into the GCH around 2 PM!

We'll be neighbors for three nights! We're there October 1-4!

 

[sandym718]

9 days to go for us! Next Friday we will be strolling into the GCH around 2 PM!

OMG, just the thought of that sets my heart aflutter, LOL. Walking in to the GCH for the first time on the trip.....aaaah....6 months for me!

 

[Diznotyzed]

Aloha everyone!

We're back from an absolutely lovely stay at the Poly all last week. It was my third stay there, my husband's 2nd, and the best yet. We spent tons of time at the pool and on the beach just relaxing. It was always easy to find chairs, and we spent one late morning/early afternoon under a sun shade looking out over the lagoon - aaahhh. We especially enjoyed watching Hallowishes sitting on a bench at the end of the boat dock - spectacular! There was a perfect breeze blowing out there.

We'd booked a great room only deal through Southwest Airlines, and didn't make any location requests. We were assigned a 2nd floor room in Fiji and this was our garden view:

We loved it!

The room was clean, in fact the carpet looked new, but did show a bit of wear and tear. We did occasionally hear our neighbors through the connecting door (especially the crying baby) but overall things were reasonably quiet. We didn't mind not having a balcony, but we did hear a lot of tromping around, and probably what was kids jumping off the beds, from the room above us. There was also a metal rattling sound in the ceiling, like a loose pipe, whenever someone was walking around up there. None of this was a major problem for us, but I mention it for those trying to decide what floor to request.

Ate breakfast at Captain Cook's most mornings, finding a table was easy. When there was a line to pay most people were confused by both cashiers working from both sides, but everyone did their best to be polite and not try to jump ahead.

The few buses we rode were more hit than miss. When the first bus for Downtown Disney was already too full for all those waiting, another showed up quickly. When we'd just missed one to the Studios, we walked over to the TTC and got right on one there. We mostly had very lucky timing.

One of our favorite things to do was watch the vintage Disney cartoons on channel 96 after we climbed in bed each night!

We had such a great trip overall, and really felt the Poly was a huge part of that. You can probably see how happy and relaxed we were in this picture!

Joan and Gordon

 

[coopersmom]

Umm, I'm back. After dithering and dallying, worrying and wondering, then flirting with the idea of just about every conceivable deluxe resort, then actually changing to the Yacht Club after the discounts came out, I finally found a room for our dates back at the Polynesian under the room-only discount and now we are, for sure this time, staying at the Polynesian, club level, December 9-15. For really, really sure this time.

 

[chimo2u]

Umm, I'm back. After dithering and dallying, worrying and wondering, then flirting with the idea of just about every conceivable deluxe resort, then actually changing to the Yacht Club after the discounts came out, I finally found a room for our dates back at the Polynesian under the room-only discount and now we are, for sure this time, staying at the Polynesian, club level, December 9-15. For really, really sure this time.

YEAH Coopersmom!! I'm right there with ya, having waffled from POLY, to Beach Club....and back again (POLY CL FEB 5-10) DEFINITELY staying put, as I feel a real sense of excitement when I think about our upcoming stay here.....it will be lovely to see first hand why so many love the POLY! I'm not changing again
I am so glad you found a resort you feel excited about and it feels lovely to be at peace with the decision, doesn't it! The problem with Disney is there is just too many beautiful resorts that it really does make it hard to choose and stay put.....especially when there are so many months between trips to drool/read and dream about all those beautiful resorts!!

Welcome Home...

 

[Tess]

Umm, I'm back. After dithering and dallying, worrying and wondering, then flirting with the idea of just about every conceivable deluxe resort, then actually changing to the Yacht Club after the discounts came out, I finally found a room for our dates back at the Polynesian under the room-only discount and now we are, for sure this time, staying at the Polynesian, club level, December 9-15. For really, really sure this time.

Yes, but are you really, really, really sure? I'm glad your qualms have been quelled and you are happy with your choice. We have been staying at the Polynesian CL since 1995 and stayed in a LV the year prior to that. We've stayed GF, CBR, POR, AKL, BC, YC, and BWI--the Polynesian is still our favorite since our first stay there. I'm just sad it took us several years to discover it.

Just don't let the negative reports jaundice your view. In all the years we've been staying, I can't think of a single year where there were issues that could not be resolved quickly while there or prior to arrival, except the cruddy weather on occasion. Was every stay perfect, no--but we have always had a great time. I hope you find the resort lives up to all your expectations!

 

[coopersmom]

Yes, but are you really, really, really sure?

You'd understand the comment if you realized I have now been booked at three resorts since July (four, if you count the Poly twice) and came thisclose to at least three others. (I should change my DISboard identity to hide the evidence.

A Disney newbie, I originally, naively, started with the Animal Kingdom Lodge, because the animals looked fun. Then I got the Unofficial Guide and started worrying about the location/transportation. Decided on Polynesian and then discovered these boards. Started reading some really distressing reviews and then SERIOUSLY started second-guessing. Upgraded to club level and then started hearing bad reviews about that too, which brought me to a full-on panic. (Well, not really "panic," but it WAS occupying a good junk of my time.)

Considered switch to just about every resort but didn't pull the trigger until discounts came out and no Poly available for our dates. Then, ever since the switch (to Yacht Club), worried about no monorail resort/fireworks viewing for my son, who is very excited about both. Stalked discount website daily (OK, let's face it, multiple times per day) and finally found availability at both Grand Floridian and Polynesian, then went into another tizzy again about which one of those was "best" choice for our family.

In the end, the recent good reviews--some from people who expressed the concerns as I did--the overall theme of Polynesian (kid-friendly), the location/fireworks viewing options and, in no small part, the almost $500 lower price tag of the Poly won me over and I actually feel good about the choice.

So, you know, it's no small thing.

As I said on another thread ... I've got my dining set (overhauled, again, when we changed resorts, again), flights secured and finalized, itinerary pretty well filled in (or as filled as I want it, which is still probably more filled than we'll actually end up doing) and it's starting to feel real that we're going. Now I've just gotta make it through the 2-1/2 month wait to actually get there.

Oh and, yes, I am anal retentive, thanks for asking, but this is a vacation over-planning first for me. I've always been a researcher, but never to this extent. Disney just brings it out in me, I guess ... Wanna see my color-coded daily itinerary for the trip? (And, yes, I am kidding about sharing it, but, umm, yeah, I really do have one.)

 

[PixiePoppins]

... Wanna see my color-coded daily itinerary for the trip? (And, yes, I am kidding about sharing it, but, umm, yeah, I really do have one.)

Mine are color-coded, pocket-sized, laminated and put on a key ring......seriously

Relax now and enjoy preparing for the Poly!

 

[coopersmom]

Mine are color-coded, pocket-sized, laminated and put on a key ring......seriously

Thanks that actually makes me feel better for some odd reason. I've yet to break out the laminator, though the list is on my iPhone

Now to actually add something of potential value ...

From my understanding is that the convention resorts charge. But the way things are these days, it could have changed. On all three trips I have had stuffed shipped ahead of time. I have shipped water from Costco and boxes via UPS and have not incurred a charge. That being said, when I shipped the box via UPS, we were staying Club level so they had the box there when we arrived. I guess I would call the resort directly (or call center) and ask? The Poly number is (407) 824-2000. If you could let us know what they say? I would appreciate it just in case someone else is considering doing the same thing.

I was told the following by IPO via email this morning in response to my question to them yesterday about shipments arriving at the Polynesian via UPS or Fed Ex for guests and the possibility of shipping items, if need be, back home ...

"In regards to shipping, you may have things delivered to our resort for
your stay and there is no fee. We also can have things shipped from our
resort to your home if you would like. To ship from the hotel, however,
there is a $5 Resort Handling Fee per box. We use UPS and FedEx as our
shipping partners."

 

[dizneechic]

Oh and, yes, I am anal retentive, thanks for asking,

Thanks for the chuckle!!! (and it's nice to know I am not alone)

 

[Tess]

Yes, but are you really, really, really sure? I'm glad your qualms have been quelled and you are happy with your choice. We have been staying at the Polynesian CL since 1995 and stayed in a LV the year prior to that. We've stayed GF, CBR, POR, AKL, BC, YC, and BWI--the Polynesian is still our favorite since our first stay there. I'm just sad it took us several years to discover it.

Just don't let the negative reports jaundice your view. In all the years we've been staying, I can't think of a single year where there were issues that could not be resolved quickly while there or prior to arrival, except the cruddy weather on occasion. Was every stay perfect, no--but we have always had a great time. I hope you find the resort lives up to all your expectations!

You'd understand the comment if you realized I have now been booked at three resorts since July (four, if you count the Poly twice) and came thisclose to at least three others. (I should change my DISboard identity to hide the evidence.

A Disney newbie, I originally, naively, started with the Animal Kingdom Lodge, because the animals looked fun. Then I got the Unofficial Guide and started worrying about the location/transportation. Decided on Polynesian and then discovered these boards. Started reading some really distressing reviews and then SERIOUSLY started second-guessing. Upgraded to club level and then started hearing bad reviews about that too, which brought me to a full-on panic. (Well, not really "panic," but it WAS occupying a good junk of my time.)

Considered switch to just about every resort but didn't pull the trigger until discounts came out and no Poly available for our dates. Then, ever since the switch (to Yacht Club), worried about no monorail resort/fireworks viewing for my son, who is very excited about both. Stalked discount website daily (OK, let's face it, multiple times per day) and finally found availability at both Grand Floridian and Polynesian, then went into another tizzy again about which one of those was "best" choice for our family.

In the end, the recent good reviews--some from people who expressed the concerns as I did--the overall theme of Polynesian (kid-friendly), the location/fireworks viewing options and, in no small part, the almost $500 lower price tag of the Poly won me over and I actually feel good about the choice.

So, you know, it's no small thing.

As I said on another thread ... I've got my dining set (overhauled, again, when we changed resorts, again), flights secured and finalized, itinerary pretty well filled in (or as filled as I want it, which is still probably more filled than we'll actually end up doing) and it's starting to feel real that we're going. Now I've just gotta make it through the 2-1/2 month wait to actually get there.

Oh and, yes, I am anal retentive, thanks for asking, but this is a vacation over-planning first for me. I've always been a researcher, but never to this extent. Disney just brings it out in me, I guess ... Wanna see my color-coded daily itinerary for the trip? (And, yes, I am kidding about sharing it, but, umm, yeah, I really do have one.)

I totally get your anxiety coopersmom (and have followed you through the angst you've experienced in prior posts here and on the concierge thread). . .these boards are filled with hyper planners (I prefer the term proactive ) and I count myself among them. Thankfully, we have been so many times that my planning notes now consist of a one page layout minimally outlining our day, e.g., meals and parks for each day along with ADR #s.

I was simply hoping to help you lighten your mood and reaffirm your final decision. . .I hope you took it in the spirit of fun it was intended.

 

[disneymumma]

Aloha everyone!

We're back from an absolutely lovely stay at the Poly all last week. It was my third stay there, my husband's 2nd, and the best yet. We spent tons of time at the pool and on the beach just relaxing. It was always easy to find chairs, and we spent one late morning/early afternoon under a sun shade looking out over the lagoon - aaahhh. We especially enjoyed watching Hallowishes sitting on a bench at the end of the boat dock - spectacular! There was a perfect breeze blowing out there.

We'd booked a great room only deal through Southwest Airlines, and didn't make any location requests. We were assigned a 2nd floor room in Fiji and this was our garden view:

We loved it!

The room was clean, in fact the carpet looked new, but did show a bit of wear and tear. We did occasionally hear our neighbors through the connecting door (especially the crying baby) but overall things were reasonably quiet. We didn't mind not having a balcony, but we did hear a lot of tromping around, and probably what was kids jumping off the beds, from the room above us. There was also a metal rattling sound in the ceiling, like a loose pipe, whenever someone was walking around up there. None of this was a major problem for us, but I mention it for those trying to decide what floor to request.

Ate breakfast at Captain Cook's most mornings, finding a table was easy. When there was a line to pay most people were confused by both cashiers working from both sides, but everyone did their best to be polite and not try to jump ahead.

The few buses we rode were more hit than miss. When the first bus for Downtown Disney was already too full for all those waiting, another showed up quickly. When we'd just missed one to the Studios, we walked over to the TTC and got right on one there. We mostly had very lucky timing.

One of our favorite things to do was watch the vintage Disney cartoons on channel 96 after we climbed in bed each night!

We had such a great trip overall, and really felt the Poly was a huge part of that. You can probably see how happy and relaxed we were in this picture!

Joan and Gordon

Thanks for the TR, Joan! AND for posting the lovely pictures of our (collective) beautiful Poly...ahhhhh

 

[coopersmom]

I totally get your anxiety coopersmom (and have followed you through the angst you've experienced in prior posts here and on the concierge thread). . .these boards are filled with hyper planners (I prefer the term proactive ) and I count myself among them. Thankfully, we have been so many times that my planning notes now consist of a one page layout minimally outlining our day, e.g., meals and parks for each day along with ADR #s.

I was simply hoping to help you lighten your mood and reaffirm your final decision. . .I hope you took it in the spirit of fun it was intended.

No worries. I absolutely did. (If I couldn't laugh at myself, I'd be in big trouble.) I kinda felt like I returned to the thread like a dog with my tail between its legs, hence the explanation.

By the way, "hyper-planner" sounds way better than, "total nutball."

And, while indeed color-coded, my itinerary is pretty basic. Park times, notable set-time/date things, like parades/fireworks, I don't want to miss and ADRs (two-a-day, max, and usually just dinner) along with a smattering of other appointment events (Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and Wildlife Excursion being the only ones). And, yes, I know it's all very rough and I'm perfectly willing to throw it out the window once we get there if need be. But it does make me feel better to have a plan and potentially not use/follow it, then need it and not have one at all.

 

[iluvwdw4ever]

Do all rooms have a balcony???

 

[DebbyLof428]

Umm, I'm back. After dithering and dallying, worrying and wondering, then flirting with the idea of just about every conceivable deluxe resort, then actually changing to the Yacht Club after the discounts came out, I finally found a room for our dates back at the Polynesian under the room-only discount and now we are, for sure this time, staying at the Polynesian, club level, December 9-15. For really, really sure this time.

You won't regret it - the Poly is magical