ALOHA! The Poly FAQ: Fall 2010 Edition

[maiapapaya]

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

We were hoping for a room discount. From what I understand during Nov/Dec last year the BB offered was 40% off deluxe resorts for all of 2010 (with certain blackout dates of course). We were hoping a similar BB would be offered this year. It's not sounding hopeful. FD is not really the best discount for those wanting to stay deluxe, especially CL for a special anniversary trip ... . Without the kids we probably wouldn't bother with the dining plan if we stay CL, so FD means no discount for us (that is if FD is even eventually offered for post-September travel in 2011). I'm not quite understanding why the change, but if it's true it's very disappointing.

 

[LaniesMom]

For people who have just returned...

Did you have lots of issues with the monorail? One of the reasons we picked to stay at the Poly this time was because of my 2 year old and the monorail and proximity to MK. After reading another thread regarding monorail issues, I am starting to panic a little....

TIA for any insight.

 

[Kteacher]

One week to go.I'm loving all the pictures and reviews from people just back.

 

[guitarob]

For people who have just returned...

Did you have lots of issues with the monorail? One of the reasons we picked to stay at the Poly this time was because of my 2 year old and the monorail and proximity to MK. After reading another thread regarding monorail issues, I am starting to panic a little....

TIA for any insight.

Just back last weekend. We didn't have or notice a single issue all week. As a matter of fact, I commented to MrsB a couple of times that it felt like the monorails were running much smoother than usual. The ride didn't feel nearly as bumpy. We hardly ever waited long for a train either.

 

[vinotinto]

For people who have just returned...

Did you have lots of issues with the monorail? One of the reasons we picked to stay at the Poly this time was because of my 2 year old and the monorail and proximity to MK. After reading another thread regarding monorail issues, I am starting to panic a little....

TIA for any insight.

We used the monorail all week long and we had 3 MINOR issues. ANd when I say all week long, I mean it. We went back to the resort for rest/pool in the afternoon, we moved to get to ADRs, and we sometimes went back to the park later. The issues were certainly not enough for us to consider the monorail inconvenient (it isn't), but I'm mentioning them so you always build more than 10-15 extra minutes into your transportation plan timing. I would say to build an extra 20-25 minutes and if you don't need them, then even better.

1) The MK monorail broke once. We were waiting at MK to get back to the Poly, change and then grab the MR to GF for our ADR at Narcoossee. They got the monorail working again in less than 15 minutes and we were late for Narcoossee only 10 minutes - and we didn't have a problem getting seated.

2) The Epcot monorail broke once. This one took a little longer to get fixed. maybe 15-20 minutes. It seemed like a long time at the end of the day with the kids, but again, it wasn't a long time.

3) The Epcot monorail is advertised as starting to work at 7:30 am. However, at that time they start the testing of the monorails. We were at the MR station since 7:25 am with another family who was staying at the Poly and also had 8:05 am ADRs at Akershus and we weren't on our way until 7:55 am. By the time we got to Epcot, got through security, and ran to Akershus, it was 8:25 am.

 

[mom2travel]

Just back last weekend. We didn't have or notice a single issue all week. As a matter of fact, I commented to MrsB a couple of times that it felt like the monorails were running much smoother than usual. The ride didn't feel nearly as bumpy. We hardly ever waited long for a train either.

We were there at the same time and had no issues with the monorail. The only wait we had was one day (maybe Thursday evening) we were stopped between GF and MK; were told the back-up was due to the filming of a commercial at CR

 

[Alabama Minnie]

Sadly, not ALL of us can afford to stay in Hawaii Bldg. I was just so excited to be able to stay at the Poly at all.

We did have a monorail issue when we were there. The night we were leaving Epcot it broke-down and they had to call buses to take everyone back to the TTC. We felt the procedure could have been a little more organized at the Epcot end.

 

[MissLiz]

We didn't have any monorail issues at all. Of course, we didn't have any early ADRs to worry about and we were just kind of relaxed the whole trip, so nothing was too pressing.

We met some friends from home at Epcot on Sunday for IllumiNations and we considered going to MK for EMH together, but since they parked at Epcot, we weren't sure if the monorail would run there that late. So, instead of ending up with a problem, we just passed on going.

We were supposed to meet up with them Monday afternoon or evening, but the Poly pool distracted us.

 

[woodkins]

For people who have just returned...

Did you have lots of issues with the monorail? One of the reasons we picked to stay at the Poly this time was because of my 2 year old and the monorail and proximity to MK. After reading another thread regarding monorail issues, I am starting to panic a little....

TIA for any insight.

Just got back Tues night. No monorail issues at all. We hardly ever had to wait for one, always got a seat & the monorail staff was super nice to my dd and gave out lots of trading cards!

 

[DaisyD]

We are here now at the Poly and have had no issues to speak of. One day at the TTC the monorail took over 40 min to get there but that's it. We are in MK view CL for this trip. Though we always stay at the Poly, this is our first and probably last in concierge. When we stay concierge other places they generally can get you in places with last minute reservations. They were unable to do one simple time change. Not complaining, jut realizing it is very different from normal concierges we have used. The concierge at Disney seems to be for preplanning mostly and not something I need. I enjoy the preplanning myself. LOL We will be going back to garden view standard rooms in the future. Other then that the Poly is as wonderful as usual and we are enjoying being here!

 

[TheNewMrsB]

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?

Dh and I took the bus from the Magic Kingdom. It didn't take us long at all, but we had great luck with timing (boat was already there when we went to the dock, bus was there when we got to MK). The ride itself isn't long at all, maybe 15 minutes tops. So I guess it wouldn't hurt to plan a little extra time in case you have to wait.

 

[PixiePoppins]

The Epcot monorail is advertised as starting to work at 7:30 am. However, at that time they start the testing of the monorails. We were at the MR station since 7:25 am with another family who was staying at the Poly and also had 8:05 am ADRs at Akershus and we weren't on our way until 7:55 am. By the time we got to Epcot, got through security, and ran to Akershus, it was 8:25 am.

We too have 8:05 Akershus ADRs. Should we drive? I'd prefer to monorail, but I also want to be there close to on time. Suggestions?


I little woohoo dancing for leaving 2 weeks from today!!!

 

[PamelaKay]

We too have 8:05 Akershus ADRs. Should we drive? I'd prefer to monorail, but I also want to be there close to on time. Suggestions?


I little woohoo dancing for leaving 2 weeks from today!!!

Would you consider taking a taxi to the beach club resort and then entering Epcot through the international gateway? That way you don't have to drive. You don't have to worry about getting up extra early to allow for long travel times and you enter Epcot in the world showcase.

I think the most expensive taxi ride I have taken in all my trips to WDW was $17 and that was in a fancy car from the Dolphin to the GF.

 

[Missoutandabout]

All this talk of buses reminded me of our trip to Beach Club for our Cape May Cafe breakfast reservation. We were already at MK and we waited and waited over at the bus-stops. And waited. Then the driver of a bus, a couple stops down from where we were standing, that had just dropped off passengers a few minutes before motioned us over. We had our own personal bus to take us to the Beach Club.

 

[MissLiz]

We always drive to our early ADRs at Epcot. We like it because you park really close and you don't have to worry about the stress of waiting for WDW transportation.

I've had too much of the "waiting for the bus/monorail" stress in my time.

 

[hstrickland]

We too have 8:05 Akershus ADRs. Should we drive? I'd prefer to monorail, but I also want to be there close to on time. Suggestions?


I little woohoo dancing for leaving 2 weeks from today!!!

When we stayed at the Poly, we had an 8am ressie for breakfast at Akershus...we drove over....take a look...we were literally the second car in the parking lot!

We could not have been any closer to the entrance. The drive was very short because there was no traffic at all!!! Maybe a 5 minute drive. I think we left the Poly around 7:25ish. I'm a big monorail fan, but I will say...when our day was over, it was really nice to NOT have to wait in a line to go back to the resort...we jumped in our "closely" parked car and left.

 

[PamelaKay]

Have you ever started a load of laundry and then visited either the lounge or pool bar?

 

[DISNEY1975]

Fantastic photo! I bet not too many people get a chance to take that picture!!

 

[dizneechic]

Have you ever started a load of laundry and then visited either the lounge or pool bar?

I've left laundry in and ran to get food for the family. They were at the quiet pool, so I went and put in our 2 loads, then went to CC's and got our dinners, and brought it over to them and ate. A load of wash takes about 35-40 minutes (depending on what you select for wash options - colors, whites etc). I got back and the whites were done, colors had a minute or so left. I swapped them all into the dryer and then headed back to the pool. I went back 30 minutes later for those and they were also just finishing up. So we didn't necessarily go to the lounge but did have plenty of time to get to GCH and have some food while letting the laundry run.

FYI when I was starting my wash someone had told me the top dryers are hotter and dry better than the bottom ones. I of course used the top (so don't know how well the bottom ones worked) but all the clothes were nice and dry when they were done.

 

[PamelaKay]

I've left laundry in and ran to get food for the family. They were at the quiet pool, so I went and put in our 2 loads, then went to CC's and got our dinners, and brought it over to them and ate. A load of wash takes about 35-40 minutes (depending on what you select for wash options - colors, whites etc). I got back and the whites were done, colors had a minute or so left. I swapped them all into the dryer and then headed back to the pool. I went back 30 minutes later for those and they were also just finishing up. So we didn't necessarily go to the lounge but did have plenty of time to get to GCH and have some food while letting the laundry run.

FYI when I was starting my wash someone had told me the top dryers are hotter and dry better than the bottom ones. I of course used the top (so don't know how well the bottom ones worked) but all the clothes were nice and dry when they were done.

Thank you for the information and the tip about the dryers!