ALOHA! The Poly FAQ: Fall 2010 Edition

[PolynesianAlex]

I agree. The rates are too high not to have some exclusivity. On that note, do others feel deluxe resort guests should be granted unlimited use of fastpass lines like at Universal?

YES! I mean deluxe resorts cost way more money then moderates and values. deluxe resorts should have some benefits that mods and values dont.

 

[dizneechic]

Ok I am SO sad. From the Disney Parks Blog...
And some of you may have already heard about some downtime scheduled for “it’s a small world.” The attraction will be closed for refurbishment this Sunday, August 1 through Friday, October 22.

My dd loves this and while we hit it several times on the last trip she'll miss it terribly when we're down there. Bah! My boys on the other hand...

Ohh and I have a ? for anyone currently there. Is the TRON monorail still running (used to be the Epcot loop only)? Has anyone seen any Tron monorail merchandise? We do pictures in front of every monorail to track the colors (the kids have only missed blue so far) and we thought it would be cool to grab a pic in front of Tron if it's still around.

 

[YanksWinAgain]

My kids don't go back until Sept 8th, but then were in school until June 24th!! Yep, summers seem much shorter now then they were when we were kids.

That's closer to our schedule in NJ...

 

[buckeyecinderella]

For those of you how love to listen to the Poly Music Loop (the old one)

http://www.mediafire.com/file/qdm5nqcjmnj/polynesian resort - area music loop - complete loop__157.mp3

When did Disney change the Poly music? For some reason, I can't listen on the link you sent, but will keep trying. I hope the new music is just as nice!

 

[kdunkle904]

I agree. The rates are too high not to have some exclusivity. On that note, do others feel deluxe resort guests should be granted unlimited use of fastpass lines like at Universal?

I dont think Disney would ever do something like that. But on the beach and pool thing, my husband and I save ALL year to be able to afford the Poly and I feel like I shouldnt have to fight for a spot on the beach to watch the fireworks or to make a mad dash for a lounge chair by the pool because some daytrippers wont stay at their own pool. If you want the view and the perks of the pool, pay for them!


38 days til our Poly vacation!!

 

[CapeCAD]

in the Hawaii building. I can't remember.

There is a bathroom on the third floor, above the lounge.

 

[Missoutandabout]

The beach seems to get worse every year in terms of how many people show up to watch. If I had to go by the times in the past 4 years that I have been there, I would say to either get there early, or bring a blanket.

We were returning from the TTC last year and Wishes was just ending. The amount of people on the path to the TTC heading towards it was almost shocking. Especially considering the time of year (mid September).

I don't mean to sound like the Poly is overrun, but the "secret" is definitely out, hehe.

Ouch and yikes! We'll be there a couple days after you! Keeping my fingers crossed. Reminds me I should definitely bring a blanket though -- thanks.

Yeah, I hate to sound "elitist" especially considering I haven't stayed at the Poly before but you'd think they would be more strict considering the dosh people are shelling out to stay at these Deluxe resorts. "Play where you pay", as some other wiser-than-me soul mentioned in one of the pool threads. *rabblerabble*

 

[Zuzu03]

Ouch and yikes! We'll be there a couple days after you! Keeping my fingers crossed. Reminds me I should definitely bring a blanket though -- thanks.

Yeah, I hate to sound "elitist" especially considering I haven't stayed at the Poly before but you'd think they would be more strict considering the dosh people are shelling out to stay at these Deluxe resorts. "Play where you pay", as some other wiser-than-me soul mentioned in one of the pool threads. *rabblerabble*

I don't think it sounds elitist at all - if you're paying to stay at the Poly, that should be your beach. In other resorts worldwide it's like that.

 

[EmCredible]

Just wanted to say Hi to everyone! My DH and I are taking our first trip to WDW and to the Poly in September, and I have learned SO much on here from you guys! We are staying GV and I requested either Tahiti or Tuvalu. I'm excited to see which of those, if either, we end up getting. It seems like such a beautiful resort though so I will be happy with anything!

 

[guitarob]

Just wanted to say Hi to everyone! My DH and I are taking our first trip to WDW and to the Poly in September, and I have learned SO much on here from you guys! We are staying GV and I requested either Tahiti or Tuvalu. I'm excited to see which of those, if either, we end up getting. It seems like such a beautiful resort though so I will be happy with anything!

To the DisBoards, and to the Poly thread.

I'm sure you'll love the Poly!

 

[foreverprincess91]

Just returned form the Poly last Monday from a 7 night stay. I was so excited to stay there. Mistake number one forgot to request a Longhouse. Got put in Rapi Nui at least a 10 minute walk to the Great Ceremonial House. Dresser drawer was broken and they never came to fix it. I notices some paint peeling between the beds. All in all the room was in good shape and a bit of a smell in the hallways. I read a lot of negative reviews on the Poly before I left and said people were just exaggerating. I now see some truth to their complaints. Would I stay there again? Yes, as long as I don't get put back in the boondocks. I think when people pay a premium price they expect more. I am also a travel agent so I am aware of the high price to stay on the monorail but will return to my favorite Contemporary at Christmas time. Not to discourgage anyone form staying there just request a Long House and don't expect a new resort.

 

[Missoutandabout]

I don't think it sounds elitist at all - if you're paying to stay at the Poly, that should be your beach. In other resorts worldwide it's like that.

Thanks, Zuzu03. It is a bit strange that there doesn't seem to be rules about it at the Disney resorts. Just glad someone didn't that that sounded pompous!

Just wanted to say Hi to everyone! My DH and I are taking our first trip to WDW and to the Poly in September, and I have learned SO much on here from you guys! We are staying GV and I requested either Tahiti or Tuvalu. I'm excited to see which of those, if either, we end up getting. It seems like such a beautiful resort though so I will be happy with anything!

Yay! Here too! Will be our first family trip to WDW in September (hubby and girlie's first time ever and my first to Poly). This board and this thread in particular (old and new) have been an invaluable source of information. Of course, I have no clue how our trip will go in September but this group of Poly-addicts are certainly enough to make you biased before you even check in! They're like the Poly-Enablers.

 

[Teeks]

How soon are you allowed to make your specific requests for your stay? Do you have to wait until you can do the online pre-check in stuff, or can you send requests before that?

 

[PolynesianAlex]

Disney is getting so close!! I arrive August 6th . but my main concern is how are the crowds?

 

[eeyorepixie]

just read a live report of Epcot yesterday and the crowd level was low

 

[bluejasmine]

Just wanted to tell my Poly loving DIS family good morning!

Noticed alot of us going in mid Sept!

 

[Missoutandabout]

Just wanted to tell my Poly loving DIS family good morning!

Noticed alot of us going in mid Sept!

Good morning!

 

[dizneechic]

It's August... I officially go THIS month!!!!

 

[maiapapaya]

I don't think it sounds elitist at all - if you're paying to stay at the Poly, that should be your beach. In other resorts worldwide it's like that.

ITA. I guess because all the resorts are on one big WDW property some guests feel all of the resorts are "fair game". What I don't understand is why there only seems to be strict enforcement at BC and no other resorts. I've heard management is hesitant to offend guests & be confrontational, not wanting to "ruin anyone's magic", but what about the magic being ruined for those guests who have paid to stay at a deluxe only to have the resort obviously over utilized by people not staying there?

How soon are you allowed to make your specific requests for your stay? Do you have to wait until you can do the online pre-check in stuff, or can you send requests before that?

You can make requests anytime. Just call CRO and have them noted on your reservation. You cannot make requests wrt specific longhouse, floors etc. with the online check-in. All of those requests need to be made through CRO or your travel agent if you used one.

 

[coopersmom]

Just returned form the Poly last Monday from a 7 night stay. I was so excited to stay there. Mistake number one forgot to request a Longhouse. Got put in Rapi Nui at least a 10 minute walk to the Great Ceremonial House. Dresser drawer was broken and they never came to fix it. I notices some paint peeling between the beds. All in all the room was in good shape and a bit of a smell in the hallways. I read a lot of negative reviews on the Poly before I left and said people were just exaggerating. I now see some truth to their complaints. Would I stay there again? Yes, as long as I don't get put back in the boondocks. I think when people pay a premium price they expect more. I am also a travel agent so I am aware of the high price to stay on the monorail but will return to my favorite Contemporary at Christmas time. Not to discourgage anyone form staying there just request a Long House and don't expect a new resort.

These kind of reports, which are not isolated, is what scares the beejus out of me about staying at the Polynesian. I've been lucky enough to stay at a lot of nice hotels in my life, for work and play, but the Poly is just about the most expensive I've ever paid out of pocket for and, at those prices, I'm certainly expecting more than Motel 6-level upkeep.

Not to be a drag, it's just (as I said in another thread and therefore won't rehash at length here) our first-ever "family" vacation, our first-ever stay at Disney and a great deal of money. Something we won't be able to repeat for three or four years, at least. As it's my idea, and I have a reluctant hubby on this deal (he wanted to wait a few years to take our son, who will be almost 4 when we go), I feel a lot of (self-imposed) pressure to get it "right."