ALOHA! The Poly FAQ: Fall 2010 Edition

[BreezysMom]

So.... when we last went to the Poly (June 2008) they were testing the sushi bar. And it was very good then, we were very very happy with it. We were on the DxDP at the time and we were able to eat either a roll or a set number of pieces of suchi/ sashimi as our Dining Plan app OR we could order a sushi meal for the dinner. This was ONLY at Kona, the sushi bar themselves did not take DDP. But the Kona servers could get you things from the menu as I described. This was a major highlight of the trip as our whole family absolutely loves sushi-- it is our go-to dinner out.

On that same trip there was a coffee bar in the same spot as the sushi place-- might have actually been the same physical location, with coffee in am and sushi in pm. They served espresso drinks. DH and I cannot agree on if it was on DDP. He remembers paying cash for lattes, I don't. It was super handy for grabbing a cup of good coffee before the catching the monorail, except that you weren't actually supposed to take it *on* the monorail. (They never cared if it was in my refillable mug tho!)

SO: any of this still true?

Not a Sushi fan..so I can't help you. But someone may...TESS, CR fan are you out there? I can't even remember about the Coffee since we did not use the dining plan our last stay

 

[OhdahLolly]

Caravarela - thanks for the pics! I love them!

All my poly friends out there - thanks for the help on the pin code question yesterday. I called Disney last night and changed my room only reservation to a package with dining plan and was still able to keep my 25% discount. (wish I had the 40 too)... I am not sure how much it will save us - probably not too much - but every little bit will help. Plus now we won't be constantly thinking about our food choices on vaca... Always helps to relax!

Awesome!

Have you thought about visiting the Discount codes and rates? They have some great information on Pins and how to get more. You never know. 40 percent might be in your future!

 

[kayleesmom2]

Last year was our very first visit and we stayed at the Poly theme park view room. We requested the Tahiti building because I had read it was newer, however at check in we did not get our request and was in the Tuvulu (sp?)building. At first I was a little upset,but when we got to the room we really liked how close it was to everything and the view was great. The room had a few minor issues of showing wear, but not too bad. Anyway we are heading back to Disney in May this year and again staying at Poly in a theme park view room. My question is which longhouse would you request Tahiti or Tuvulu? To any or you who have stay in both, please tell me the pros and cons. The distance is not a real issue, we don't mind the walk, just wondering which building is better for the view and the condition of the room/building? We love to watch the fireworks and especially the Electric Water Parade from our room as we have 2 small children who cant stay up long enough to go to MK to watch them. Thanks to all!

 

[robeck]

We have only stayed in Tahiti and Hawaii. We preferred Tahiti because of proximity to TTC and most of all 2 sinks in the bathroom. We've had lagoon view in both and again IMO Tahiti's view/beach was nicer.

 

[MagicStitch]

MagicStitch~
My vote is for Tahiti Longhouse....but only with the TPV. I stayed there last February and loved the short walk to TTC as well as the empty beach. We are balcony people so I requested third floor and had an AMAZING view every morning of MK and could actually hear the music from rope drop

Thanks I can't even wait!! Especially as I sit here watching the snow fall out my window.. ugh!! Thanks for the tip! I only ever stayed in the Hawaii building as last time I stayed CL but I was really considering Tahiti because I had heard so many nice things.... but then I got nervous because I had also heard that some of the rooms hadn't been updated as well as other longhouses... did you find this to be true when you were there last? Thanks for your help!

If you are anything even close to a foodie, you're unlikely to enjoy much about dining at Disney. The food--less so in the so-called 'signatures,' but it's still not actual fine dining by any stretch of the imagination--is highly processed, much of it pre-cooked in a central location, wildly over-priced and generally mediocre, at best.

Thanks for the heads up! I am sad to hear that it was so dissappointing. The last time I was down I don't remember it being that bad but I do know some of the restraunts had slipped a bit from what they were when I was younger... I will def check out some of the other restaurants in the Orlando area. Thanks for the advice!

We also booked CL with the 40 percent discount. The first time that's been available to do that for us!

We are currently waffling back and forth if we want to downgrade the room and do the Deluxe Dining Plan, or if we want to keep our CL and do the regular. The difference is little under 100 bucks.

I really waffled too but since I had stayed CL before I knew what to expect and I honestly thought that the DDD would be more valuable to us and I wouldn't get much use out of CL... I am not much of a breakfast eater and I found that was really the best use of it last time.. I would rather go get a yummy treat at the Main Street Bakery Now that being said, it is also just the two of us. If you are a larger group or have little ones it might benefit you as it is a nice break during the day and a chance to have a little space to hang out aside from your room. I will say though the view of the fireworks from the lounge is lovely and if you happen to get a third floor balcony TPV.... it is amazing! Best of luck on your decision! When are you going down??

 

[cinmell]

For those who stay club level at the Polynesian, do you book your own adrs or do you have concierge book them for you. I always book my own but wasn't sure if I wanted to pass it off to ipo for our upcoming trip.

 

[robeck]

For those who stay club level at the Polynesian, do you book your own adrs or do you have concierge book them for you. I always book my own but wasn't sure if I wanted to pass it off to ipo for our upcoming trip.

I had IPO book all my ADR's and tours and cruises last February without any incident. I did the same this time.

 

[weHEARTmickey]

Tuvalu #3414-Thanksgiving night
Looking towards the GF

Looking straight ahead

 

[OhdahLolly]

I really waffled too but since I had stayed CL before I knew what to expect and I honestly thought that the DDD would be more valuable to us and I wouldn't get much use out of CL... I am not much of a breakfast eater and I found that was really the best use of it last time.. I would rather go get a yummy treat at the Main Street Bakery Now that being said, it is also just the two of us. If you are a larger group or have little ones it might benefit you as it is a nice break during the day and a chance to have a little space to hang out aside from your room. I will say though the view of the fireworks from the lounge is lovely and if you happen to get a third floor balcony TPV.... it is amazing! Best of luck on your decision! When are you going down??[/QUOTE]
TPV CL would be amazing! Unfortunately we so don't have the money to splurge on that though!

We do have two "little" ones. We would mostly use it for breakfast I think too. My kids are HUGE breakfast eaters, but they get sick easy of the waffles and pancakes.

I am still on the fence. Man, why does this have to be so hard?

We are going down in April. Peak season. It is going to be my daughters 3rd birthday.. so the last time she'll be "free"!

For those who stay club level at the Polynesian, do you book your own adrs or do you have concierge book them for you. I always book my own but wasn't sure if I wanted to pass it off to ipo for our upcoming trip.

This is my first time staying at CL.. but I book all my own ADRs. If I need to change or cancel one, I don't find it any big deal. I'd hate to bug another person to do that when I can do it right online.

Tuvalu #3414-Thanksgiving night
Looking towards the GF

Looking straight ahead

That is amazing!!!!

 

[Tess]

Not a Sushi fan..so I can't help you. But someone may...TESS, CR fan are you out there? I can't even remember about the Coffee since we did not use the dining plan our last stay

Kona coffee is still available on the second floor of the GCH. While I have never done the dining plan, I have read others using snack credits at both sushi and coffee bars for various items.

For those who stay club level at the Polynesian, do you book your own adrs or do you have concierge book them for you. I always book my own but wasn't sure if I wanted to pass it off to ipo for our upcoming trip.

I always hand over my requests for dining to the capable hands of the IPO folks. They have never (or at least from 1995 to 2010) let me down. For the first time in a very long time, I do not have a Polynesian stay planned for 2011.

 

[MinandBills]

OK, so I know that is a wacky title... Our next trip to the poly is getting so close! My two year old has become a very picky eater lately and one of the few foods she will eat is cut up string cheese. I was wondering if any of you that have visited recently know if they sell it at Captain Cooks?

Also, I have read where some people have put requests in for "full" balconies. I only asked for a balcony in my request. Can someone please let me know what the difference is?

Thanks for the help!

 

[weHEARTmickey]

...That is amazing!!!!

Thank you! You can definitely call us "POLY ADDICTED" now

 

[pixarmom]

OK, so I know that is a wacky title... Our next trip to the poly is getting so close! My two year old has become a very picky eater lately and one of the few foods she will eat is cut up string cheese. I was wondering if any of you that have visited recently know if they sell it at Captain Cooks?

We're leaving for the Poly early tomorrow morning! It's an extended weekend trip to celebrate our pre-schooler's birthday and take full advantage of our APs! So I'm happy to check out the string cheese situation and report back early next week.

 

[Tess]

OK, so I know that is a wacky title... Our next trip to the poly is getting so close! My two year old has become a very picky eater lately and one of the few foods she will eat is cut up string cheese. I was wondering if any of you that have visited recently know if they sell it at Captain Cooks?

Also, I have read where some people have put requests in for "full" balconies. I only asked for a balcony in my request. Can someone please let me know what the difference is?

Thanks for the help!

I have never seen string cheese at Captain Cook's nor at the sundries store on the 2nd floor.

No need to request a "full" balcony. All of those rooms with balconies have "full" balconies.

 

[sonjaandsue]

We're leaving tomorrow for our first Disney vacation (and then obviously) first stay at the Poly! I just wanted to thank all of the Poly DISers for the great advice and photos. I will give a report when I can! (The icon is for my DS who insists on it).

 

[ktlm]

So.... when we last went to the Poly (June 2008) they were testing the sushi bar. And it was very good then, we were very very happy with it.
SO: any of this still true?

I don't know about the DDP, but I can tell you the sushi bar was definitely still there a month ago when we were there. I was wandering the Grand Ceremonial House while DH and DD were in the room and noticed it. I didn't try it, but based on the number of happy looking people over there enjoying it, I am guessing it is still good if you like sushi.

 

[BreezysMom]

Kona coffee is still available on the second floor of the GCH. While I have never done the dining plan, I have read others using snack credits at both sushi and coffee bars for various items.

I always hand over my requests for dining to the capable hands of the IPO folks. They have never (or at least from 1995 to 2010) let me down. For the first time in a very long time, I do not have a Polynesian stay planned for 2011.

That is just blasphemous

Thanks for the info about the Sushi/coffee bar

We're leaving tomorrow for our first Disney vacation (and then obviously) first stay at the Poly! I just wanted to thank all of the Poly DISers for the great advice and photos. I will give a report when I can! (The icon is for my DS who insists on it).

Have a great time!


weHEARTmickey...thos pics are amazing! Thank you for sharing

 

[BreezysMom]

double post....ooops!

 

[pixarmom]

We're leaving tomorrow for our first Disney vacation (and then obviously) first stay at the Poly! I just wanted to thank all of the Poly DISers for the great advice and photos. I will give a report when I can! (The icon is for my DS who insists on it).

Travel safe and have a great time! Funny to see your note about the icon! My oldest son always insists on this one:

 

[dizneechic]

Some Kona dessert porn

This one is pretty much standard everywhere - the freebie treat that my dd received for her b-day at Kona