ALOHA! The Poly FAQ: Fall 2010 Edition

[MissLiz]

Yay! We are down to the teens!!!

If I wasn't antsy before, I'm really antsy now!!! I'm starting to get my packing together. My lists are made, but I'm actually starting to lay things out now.

Of course, we are going out of town this weekend, so I have to separate all of that stuff, but that's okay. It's like a test to make sure we have all of the toiletries that we need for WDW.



Thanks to everyone for their reviews/reports!!! I just can't wait to get there!!!

 

[leane]

We are finally here!! Checked in yesterday to CL and it was great. Our room wasn't ready (they had one on 2nd floor but we wanted to wait for 1st or 3rd) so we chilled in the lounge. Then the concierge came upstairs and said - "do you feel that on your shoulders? It's pixie dust" and sent us to our room. 3515 - a beautiful theme park view upgrade from our garden view room!! We ate at Ohana's and then watched Wishes from our balcony.

Have to say that I didn't think the extra money was worth it for the TPV but I might never want to watch the fireworks from the park again! MAGIC!!

If anyone has any questions I will try to find out answers. We are here for a week! Everyone on this board is so friendly and helpful when we were planning!
Aloha!

Congrats on the upgrade!!! Makes me feel good to hear you say you may not go back we are booked in a TPV CL room.

 

[TheNewMrsB]

Yay! We are down to the teens!!!

Teens teens teens! Yay! I can't believe it.

Here's something that occured to me today: As I walked to work this morning, I thought "Hmm, 3 weeks from now, at this time, we'll probably be getting ready to go to Epcot since we have lunch there later on..." -

- and then I thought "Yeah, and 4 weeks from now I'll be heading this way again...back to work..."

Just a reminder to me, to relish every moment before and during!

 

[Missoutandabout]

The 3 year old is going through an "I'm going to drive my parents to the crazy house" phase along with a "mean and ornery as a rattlesnake with nubby dentures" period. I'm so inventing Preschooler Midol.

With fingers and other various appendages crossed, it'll be through by check-in... which I'm going to be brave and try the online thing. Can't wait

 

[TheNewMrsB]

I'm so inventing Preschooler Midol.

You'll make millions and millions of $$$!!!

With fingers and other various appendages crossed, it'll be through by check-in... which I'm going to be brave and try the online thing. Can't wait

Just don't cross your eyes - they may stick that way!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Earlier this month my family and I went to twice to the Kona Island Sushi Bar and on our 2nd visit they were a lot more busy, although I would say that was because of free dining. Anyway we mentioned to the server that they should have at least 2 or 3 others helping him because he was going back and fourth, along with doing take out orders. So during the busy times of the year that's something they should look into. In fact this woman who was sitting there by herself had waited 30 minutes just to give her order after we started talking to her.

 

[cmcinc]

Back late last night and still recovering. The Poly was beautiful as ever. We had an immaculate, well-maintained room (Samoa 3614). You could smell that the mousekeeper had cleaned with bleach before we checked in and everything was ship shape, even behind the beds, etc.-- I know because I turned the room upside down looking for my son's lost stuffed animal.

We requested (and got) turndown service every night, and early cleaning every day. Our room connected with my parents' (3615), and I noticed that while they had the usual push button flush on the toilet, we had a front flush lever, which I liked so much better. Also, we got channel 96 (old Disney cartoons "secret" channel) and they didn't. It's the little things... LOL

Check in was a challenge, not because of anything the Poly staff did but because of DVC (long story). Poly staff were excellent and worked hard to rectify the situation they didn't create. Special note: Be kind to your CMs and they will go above and beyond for you, as they did for me. Be mean, and well... good luck to you. I had a great conversation about this with a CM as we worked on my issue. Nuff said.

Lots of "Aloha"s throughout our stay, and the front desk CM remembered me and my room number whenever I saw her during the week. She was very sweet, and I'll be sending some praise about her and her managers to TPTB.

Captain Cook's was a bit more chaotic than I've ever experienced, and they need to stay on top of table clean-ups. I'm not fussy, but I never saw anyone doing this.

Kona was very nice. They were training someone in at my table, and didn't miss a beat. No Ohana this trip.

The pool did get busy yesterday afternoon before we left. I'll try to post a picture once I download them, but it's the first I've seen it that crowded. Otherwise, it was great, and we always managed to find a place to park and drink! LOL I noticed they re-opened the smokers' poolside area on Sat., although there wasn't much furniture up there yet. Wishes while swimming was a regular thing for us, and we enjoyed it as ever.

Rapa Nui roof was being worked on, but other than that, not much going on in the way of construction/refurb.

Monorail service was good, although Friday night it was very slow when a downpour struck and everyone fled. 4 TTC monorails passed before the resort one arrived. I'd have gone to the express, but didn't want to fight the crowd in back of me to exit the resort line.

Bus service was surprisingly right on! Never waited more than 15 to get to TL, DHS, or AK. I say this as someone who has fully loathed the bus transport for some time now. My mom and sis had a looooong wait and ride getting back from DTD, but I don't think anyone has a good time getting to and from the bus Bermuda Triangle that is DTD.

Boat service was lovely as usual and is such a peaceful way to travel. Don't overlook it.

Anyway, those are the things that jump to mind. More later, if I think of it. I'll post some pics soon. Hope the mini-review helps, and I'll try to answer questions, if any. Aloha!

ETA: OMG, how could I forget the loop music? As someone who is in lovelovelove with the old loop, I may be biased, but the new loop was meh. Felt pretty generic Polynesian if that makes sense. Didn't bum me out but also didn't give me that good vibe the old one did. Anyway, JMO, YMMV.

Great review. We had those exact two rooms (in Samoa) this past December. Would love to have them again when we go at the end of October.

 

[disneymumma]

Good afternoon, everyone! I have been waiting to post this for months..."single digit dance!" Just over a week and lots to keep us busy till then.

 

[taylor3297]

Good afternoon, everyone! I have been waiting to post this for months..."single digit dance!" Just over a week and lots to keep us busy till then.

Congrats! I am envious of those who are going soon, but then I realize that it really won't be too long before we go.

 

[disneymumma]

Congrats! I am envious of those who are going soon, but then I realize that it really won't be too long before we go.

Thanks, taylor3297! Yep; it'll be here before you know it!

 

[Missoutandabout]

Just don't cross your eyes - they may stick that way!

When you're there, if you see a woman with crossed-eyes, wandering about the Poly lobby looking prematurely aged to this extent:

That'd be me. You can then scold me for forgetting and accidentally crossing my eyes whilst doing the "Please Be Good at Disney" dance.

On a more serious note, I can't believe how CLOSE it is NOW!

 

[bluejasmine]

OMG missoutandabout can you pls make something for teenage boys while your at it to cure attitude and laziness? Pls? Ill pay well!

 

[buckeyecinderella]

Just back from a week at the Poly (August 15th - 22nd) followed by a 4 night Wonder cruise. We had a fantastic time. The weather was hot and we didn't get any real rain until the afternoon of the 21st. We really liked our first floor CL GV room in Hawaii. Our kids liked all of the ducks that came around to visit the patio. The lounge was great for breakfast, a quick snack or a drink. I didn't get a chance to read through all of the other pages so I don't know if it has been reported or not, but on August 19th or 20th there was a survey crew making measurements around the quiet pool. I asked them if they knew what the plans were for the pool. They said that their job was just to take measurements so that the management could figure out what they could do.

Do you think the pool changes will be extensive? I really like the size now and the nice "tiki huts" that sit off to the side around the pool (great shade). I hope they don't demolish the "tiki huts"!!!

 

[Missoutandabout]

OMG missoutandabout can you pls make something for teenage boys while your at it to cure attitude and laziness? Pls? Ill pay well!

From the inventor of Preschooler Midol, try new Teenager Midol.

Can you imagine the sheer wealth that would generate? Watch out Gates and Buffett!

 

[DebbyLof428]

Just back last night after an awesome stay. Not sure I'll stay anywhere else. We were in Hawaii in a TPV room on the 2nd floor which I was dreading. I so wanted a balcony but my DD just wanted a room that was ready so I went with it. Turned out great and I really didn't miss the balcony. Housekeeping was fantastic. Room made up by 9:30 every morning. A/C broke one afternoon and someone was sent up immediately. Buses ran great. Couldn't ask for a better vacation and I"m starting to save this morning for next year!

We will be in Hawaii TPV in November thanks to a bounceback from our April trip. Was there a bounceback offer in the room for next year yet?

 

[scarlett24]

Well we had to cancel our October trip to the Poly today = Our little, sweet dog is having issues and is going to have surgery in a few weeks, so Disney is going to have to wait. This trip was a bounceback from our May '10 trip, so it was really a great deal. Oh well, now I can start obcessively planning a spring trip instead, lol.

 

[guitarob]

Well we had to cancel our October trip to the Poly today = Our little, sweet dog is having issues and is going to have surgery in a few weeks, so Disney is going to have to wait. This trip was a bounceback from our May '10 trip, so it was really a great deal. Oh well, now I can start obcessively planning a spring trip instead, lol.

I am so sorry to hear that. I hope the little guy/girl is doing better soon!!

 

[Alli76]

Well we had to cancel our October trip to the Poly today = Our little, sweet dog is having issues and is going to have surgery in a few weeks, so Disney is going to have to wait. This trip was a bounceback from our May '10 trip, so it was really a great deal. Oh well, now I can start obcessively planning a spring trip instead, lol.

That stinks!!! I can't imagine getting so close and then having to cancel....

Thanks for all the welcomes everyone! Waiting for my quote from the TA so that I can finally book this vacation!

 

[Chelley00]

Today is our 45 day mark. Since I had already paid the balance, it doesn't seem like a big milestone, but it just makes it seem like it's finally getting closer!

 

[mom2travel]

Woo hoo!! Under 3 weeks until we are immersed in the Poly and Disney magic


So DH needs to rent a car for a day while we are at WDW. Years ago we rented for a day while staying at CR and someone (shuttle?) came and picked him up and drove him to go pick up the car. We don't recall what company that was. Has anyone rented a car from somewhere onsite while staying at the Poly? My brother told me SoG has a Hertz desk - would DH be able to get over there to pick up a car - or not, because he's not military? I think there are 2 other rental companies onsite (maybe Alamo and National?) - I'll try them if Hertz doesn't work (we can get a discount w/ them). Thanks for any suggestions you may have.