ALOHA! The Poly FAQ: Fall 2010 Edition

[Alabama Minnie]

We were only able to watch them one night from the beach. It was on a Hallowishes night and there was no music but it was still "magical".

 

[PixiePoppins]

Thanks, PrincessBelle and MrsB! We plan on watching wishes and Hallowishes several nights from the Poly beach on our upcoming trip...I would have been very sad without the music. I wonder why it is not there on some occasions??

 

[woodkins]

Just got back last night from 5 nights LV at the Poly. We requested a first or third floor room and were assigned room 1025 in the Tahiti building. It was amazing!! This was our 3rd stay at the Poly and by far our favorite room. We felt like we had a private beach outside our room & our 8yr old dd loved going out to play on the grass and the sand while she was waiting for us to get ready. We had a view of the castle and space mountain & watched the fireworks from our patio and the beach swing as well.

We caught wishes on Monday night from the main beach and the music was piped in that night, so I hope this helps those with questions.

We took part in many of the poolside activities and loved the bingo games each afternoon. DD even won time on a sea racer in Bingo. She also had her charicature done in the upstairs of the GCH & the artist was sooo wonderful to my daughter. He really took his time to capture her personality and he even put our dog in the picture when he saw their photo on my phone's screen wallpaper! I highly recommend this as a souvenier.

Capt. Cooks was good for us. We used it for lunch 1x and breakfast 3x plus occassional snacks. We like the ordering kiosk process and the food came out quickly and was good. It was busy but we always found a seat inside and never felt too crowded.

Mousekeeping did a great job and was efficient and fast in doing their job. No towel animals, but that wasn't a big deal for us.

All in all another wonderful stay at the Poly & we will be counting the days until our next polynesian adventure.

 

[disneymumma]

Thanks, PrincessBelle and MrsB! We plan on watching wishes and Hallowishes several nights from the Poly beach on our upcoming trip...I would have been very sad without the music. I wonder why it is not there on some occasions??

We were at the Poly from 9/8-9/14 and there was music piped in for Wishes every night. I did, however, notice music during the day was piped in at the beach in front of Hawaii, but not in front of Tahiti. Hmmm...maybe they were watching the fireworks from Tahiti's beach?

 

[Bean Counter]

The only complaint we've ever had about the Tahiti building is that the music for the fireworks isn't played on the beach.

So, we've upgraded to the Hawaii building. What a shame.

 

[guitarob]

The only complaint we've ever had about the Tahiti building is that the music for the fireworks isn't played on the beach.

So, we've upgraded to the Hawaii building. What a shame.

Sounds heartbreaking.

 

[Poppinsme]

Counting down?



YES.......let's dance!

 

[JerseyGirl]

I have my list of questions for you Poly experts, any help would be appreciated. Thank you so much

We will be arriving early to the Poly, around 9:30am, we plan on eating breakfasts there, then heading over to MK. If we put in a room request, (a specific house, 3rd floor) is there a better chance of getting it if we tell them we’re willing to wait for what we’re requesting.

And I know someone asked if a child is allowed to go down the slide with a life jacket on and the answer was yes, does the Poly have life jackets available for that or do you have to bring your own?

And as far as the pool goes, will it even be warm enough to get in the pool the first week of December, is the pool heated?

I see that the Main Street Electrical parade starts at 7pm and Wishes start at 8pm. How long does the parade typically run, is there time to get back to resort in between?

Is there any rhyme or reason to who gets a bounceback offer?

Can you ride the bicycles rented from Poly, over to GF?

Are there adjoining rooms in every long house and on each floor?

Do they give you lei’s when you check in?

What are the check in lines like at 9-9:30am?

 

[EmCredible]

Just booked the Poly for Feb 10-13. Going to be GV CL this time. Never stayed CL before and I am so excited to be in the Hawaii building! Now what to do until then........

 

[sandym718]

I have my list of questions for you Poly experts, any help would be appreciated. Thank you so much

We will be arriving early to the Poly, around 9:30am, we plan on eating breakfasts there, then heading over to MK. If we put in a room request, (a specific house, 3rd floor) is there a better chance of getting it if we tell them we’re willing to wait for what we’re requesting.

I'd say yes. See if they assign your request and if not, ask if you can get it and let them know you're willing to wait. This worked for us once, the other time, there was no availability for the first night, but for the rest of the trip, so we switched rooms.

And I know someone asked if a child is allowed to go down the slide with a life jacket on and the answer was yes, does the Poly have life jackets available for that or do you have to bring your own?

They are available at the Marina. You can sign one out for your entire stay!

And as far as the pool goes, will it even be warm enough to get in the pool the first week of December, is the pool heated?

Not sure on this

I see that the Main Street Electrical parade starts at 7pm and Wishes start at 8pm. How long does the parade typically run, is there time to get back to resort in between?

Depends. If you watch the Parade from where it starts and ZOOM out of there after the last float, you may be able to make it back. Will depend on boat/monorail availabilty as well. If you're towards the middle or end of the parade route - don't think so.

Is there any rhyme or reason to who gets a bounceback offer?

Not sure on this either - but we had them in our rooms both times.

Can you ride the bicycles rented from Poly, over to GF?

yes, I believe so.

Are there adjoining rooms in every long house and on each floor?
Do you mean connecting? I think so, but not sure.

Do they give you lei’s when you check in?
yes! We also got some at the Torch Lighting ceremony and they're often just available in the lobby.

What are the check in lines like at 9-9:30am?

Haven't checked in at that time, but have walked through and they have not looked bad at all. Maybe just 1 or 2 people in line in addition to those being helped.

 

[BreezysMom]

And as far as the pool goes, will it even be warm enough to get in the pool the first week of December, is the pool heated?

Is there any rhyme or reason to who gets a bounceback offer?

Can you ride the bicycles rented from Poly, over to GF?

Do they give you lei’s when you check in?

?

We were there the first week of Dec 2008 and we were able to swim 4 out of the 9 days we were there but others were swimming all the time. Except the first night when it was like 50 degrees and windy, it was cooler in the am and pm but very nice, low 80s during the day.

No you cannot ride the bicycles to the GF. They have signs that say you cannot go beyond certain points. It was fun to ride around but you really cannot go too far. Basically around the Poly property.

As far as bounceback, ask, ask, ask if there is not a promotion in the room. I asked 3 people last trip until I finally found someone. Also, you can call the reservation line and if they see you are currently a guest at a resort they can tell you what the offer is too.

If you don't get a lei, ask for one. Sometimes they have people standing there to give you one, or the check in person will give it to you but sometimes they do forget.

Happy planning

 

[BelleRocks]

To get from Poly to MK, should you take the monorail from the GCH or walk to the TTC? Or does it matter?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

To get from Poly to MK, should you take the monorail from the GCH or walk to the TTC? Or does it matter?

I say it depends which Longhouse you stay in because some are closer to the GCH and others like Tahiti are right next to the the TTC. However they also have a boat which goes directly to the Magic Kingdom from the Polynesian boat dock, so that's another option.

 

[Missoutandabout]

I say it depends which Longhouse you stay in because some are closer to the GCH and others like Tahiti are right next to the the TTC. However they also have a boat which goes directly to the Magic Kingdom from the Polynesian boat dock, so that's another option.

Aye, this. We were in Tokelau and never walked back to the GCH to catch the monorail... though arrived back via this method a couple times and the boat once. Each time we went to MK, it was via the express at the TTC.

 

[mdrob214]

To get from Poly to MK, should you take the monorail from the GCH or walk to the TTC? Or does it matter?

We found that the launch was more enjoyable. You go straight to the MK and it's so enjoyable! The launch goes Poly-->Mk-->GF-->Poly.... and starts 30 minutes prior to park opening.

 

[DisneyDoc5]

Oh wow..we are surprising our DD6 the same way! We will be there 10/14 - 10/24..CANT WAIT! If you see a girl at the pool with LONG brown hair and a front tooth-less smile, that will be her!!

we will be at the pool 10/16 - 10/23, long brown hair, 6 years old, no teeth! (me, Mom, long blond hair, teeth!)

 

[maiapapaya]

As far as bounceback, ask, ask, ask if there is not a promotion in the room. I asked 3 people last trip until I finally found someone. Also, you can call the reservation line and if they see you are currently a guest at a resort they can tell you what the offer is too.

Surprisingly the word in the discount codes & rates forum is that they are phasing out bouncebacks. Many people who have spoken to CM's are reporting this, their reasoning being that they are already offering FD to the public well into 2011. According to people who have visited recently the BB being offered right now is identical to the current FD being offered to the general public, right down to the same blackout dates. Someone said you had to book by December 4. I don't know what will happen then, if a new offer will come out or if that will be it for bouncebacks.

I'm actually really disappointed with this news. We were planning on booking a bounceback while we are there. Unfortunately we are hoping to travel in October or November of 2011. The FD is only until the end of September. It will probably get extended at some point, but we really wanted to have something set and booked. I always thought the bounceback was meant as a perk to guests. Apparently it is a perk no more. Of course I am hoping the CM's are wrong (because we all know how accurate their info can be ). I still plan on calling when we're there (extension 8844), before and after December 4 just to see what they say.

 

[DebbyLof428]

I am hoping for a BB offer when we go in November. For us this is a much better offer than free dining. If not, we'll just have to hope for a good AP rate

 

[mdrob214]

we will be at the pool 10/16 - 10/23, long brown hair, 6 years old, no teeth! (me, Mom, long blond hair, teeth!)

 

[JerseyGirl]

Thank you all for your quick and helpful answers.


I have one more question (for now)
How quickly can I get to the Boardwalk from Poly and what do I have to do to get there?