ALOHA! The Poly FAQ: Fall 2010 Edition

[BreezysMom]

Just saw your ticker & it looks like we will be arriving on the same day. Looks like the disboards will be taking over the Hawaii lounge

That is awesome! We all are taking advantage of the PIN codes I think

Maiapapaya and I were at Disney the same time in 2009 and we neglected to find each other...

Well at least since we have a bunch of DISers, plus I think there will be some tiki "party" people there for the Poly 40th anniversary

For some reason the DIS is not letting me post the Tiki party name...oh well, I guess it is a forbidden word so I am sorry mods

 

[tsme]

Woo Hoo!!!!!

I just called to book the Poly for our trip in August and was told that we had a 40% PIN CODE!!!!! We will be at the Poly Aug 24- Sept 2!!!!!

How did you find out about having a pin? Did you know before you called? Or did they tell you when you called to make reservations? We're dying to get one for September.

 

[BreezysMom]

How did you find out about having a pin? Did you know before you called? Or did they tell you when you called to make reservations? We're dying to get one for September.

Funny enough we had not recived a pin code in over a year after being very blessed with numerous e-mails with codes since our first visit. Then I booked our May trip with a free dining pin. It was not ideal but at least I figured it was better than nothing. Then I booked our October trip at rack rate a while ago and then in the last week, 2 of my 3 e-mail accts, DD's and DH's email all got the 40% off code for certain dates throughout 2011. Then I got a post card in the mail on Friday.

I have no idea why we were bombarded with pin codes since I am the only one that prices out trips or even browses the sites? Funny enough, the e-mail account that I use the most, the one that Disney has on file for the two trips that I have booked, was not one of the accounts that received a pin code offer??

I swear Disney PIN code distribution is one of the biggest secrets in history I wish I could share mine

 

[BreezysMom]

How did you find out about having a pin? Did you know before you called? Or did they tell you when you called to make reservations? We're dying to get one for September.

WDW has 30% off at the Poly certain dates in Spetember. Check out the web site and click on special offers.

 

[woodkins]

That is awesome! We all are taking advantage of the PIN codes I think

Maiapapaya and I were at Disney the same time in 2009 and we neglected to find each other...

Well at least since we have a bunch of DISers, plus I think there will be some tiki "party" people there for the Poly 40th anniversary

For some reason the DIS is not letting me post the Tiki party name...oh well, I guess it is a forbidden word so I am sorry mods

Oooh dying to know what kind of tiki party people will be there & what the tiki party is all about!

Funny enough we had not recived a pin code in over a year after being very blessed with numerous e-mails with codes since our first visit. Then I booked our May trip with a free dining pin. It was not ideal but at least I figured it was better than nothing. Then I booked our October trip at rack rate a while ago and then in the last week, 2 of my 3 e-mail accts, DD's and DH's email all got the 40% off code for certain dates throughout 2011. Then I got a post card in the mail on Friday.

I have no idea why we were bombarded with pin codes since I am the only one that prices out trips or even browses the sites? Funny enough, the e-mail account that I use the most, the one that Disney has on file for the two trips that I have booked, was not one of the accounts that received a pin code offer??

I swear Disney PIN code distribution is one of the biggest secrets in history I wish I could share mine

I ended up with a pin code in the same way you did. I called up and asked if there was a pin code with my name & I did have one but they wouldn't tell me what is was for (ie what % off etc -don't know why ). Anyway I had booked Oct. 10-16 and the next day I had the email pin code for 40% off in my email. I called up and by changing my dates to the end of Oct I was able to get a better level room for a much lower price. I don't know if my booking was a trigger for the pin code but I actually got 2 of the same pin code emails with 24 hours of each other!

 

[OhdahLolly]

I just wanted to give a quick report - the room is clean with no wear that I can see, mousekeeping has been prompt. No leis at check-in which was just fine with us. The food in the lounge has been replenished quickly so far - we are just at the start of our stay so I can't give a report on the offerings (other than the punch and chocolate ganache tarts which were excellent). The weather is great and the crowds have been light. The monorail was out of commission for a while the morning which was causing major issues for the marathon crowd but we chose the boat to MK and avoided the whole problem. This is our first visit and we are very impressed!

Thank you so much for checking in and giving an update!

Hope you do a TR so we all can read about it!

 

[PolynesianAlex]

Did the pool start construction yet??

 

[dizneechic]

Did the pool start construction yet??

I'm not exactly sure but I mentioned it to the IPO since were CLGV as of this Thurs and she said the noise during the day was fairly quiet and there is no construction going on at night. So if it hasn't already started it seems like it will be underway by this weekend (along with Ohana being closed a few days ).

 

[DrMomof3]

We just got back from staying CL at Poly. We had a great trip. It was my family of 5 and then my parents. We had adjoining rooms on the 1st floor of Hawaii. The rooms seemed to be in good repair and we had no issues.
We took a van from the airport and went to the CL check-in desk. They had the golf cart take us over to Hawaii. We were greeted at Hawaii with leis. The CM in the Hawaii building was an older woman who seemed to have NO idea what she was doing. Despite the fact that both my parents and I had already did online check-in, it took a solid 30 minutes to get checked in. It was a little frustrating! She was very nice but seemed a bit computer challenged. Another CM gave my children pails and shovels with coloring books during the wait so my DH took them out to dig in the sand....
Our rooms weren't ready yet (it was about 11am and we wanted adjoining rooms so it was understandable). My step-dad picked a voicemail and I picked a text message when the rooms were ready. We bought park tickets for my parents (we have APs) and headed to Epcot. Around 3pm my parents got their voicemail. I never got a text message. We finally got into our rooms after dinner (we had an early ADR at Chef Mickey's). No crib in our room yet and our carry-ons were still at bell services. My parents DME luggage was still missing (yes, we took a van and still used the DME for luggage - I know, I know but my DH doesn't understand that it's not totally "kosher"). I begged for a "real" crib and was told they are 1st come, 1st serve and since our room wasn't ready forever I was likely out of luck. About 10 minutes later Mousekeeping showed up with a real crib, an extra sheet, and an apology for taking so long (I couldn't believe how quick she was!). She was super helpful and showed us how to set up the sofa bed, too. Luggage came shortly thereafter and we were set.
The coffee in the lounge is VILE. The cafe mocha was even more vile than the coffee! Our experience in the lounge was great. One nice CM took extra good care of my kids - uncrustables, yogurts, boxes of apple juice. We loved the fireworks from the lounge.
Overall it was a GREAT experience and I would definitely stay there again!

 

[Tess]

We just got back from staying CL at Poly. We had a great trip. It was my family of 5 and then my parents. We had adjoining rooms on the 1st floor of Hawaii. The rooms seemed to be in good repair and we had no issues.
We took a van from the airport and went to the CL check-in desk. They had the golf cart take us over to Hawaii. We were greeted at Hawaii with leis. The CM in the Hawaii building was an older woman who seemed to have NO idea what she was doing. Despite the fact that both my parents and I had already did online check-in, it took a solid 30 minutes to get checked in. It was a little frustrating! She was very nice but seemed a bit computer challenged. Another CM gave my children pails and shovels with coloring books during the wait so my DH took them out to dig in the sand....
Our rooms weren't ready yet (it was about 11am and we wanted adjoining rooms so it was understandable). My step-dad picked a voicemail and I picked a text message when the rooms were ready. We bought park tickets for my parents (we have APs) and headed to Epcot. Around 3pm my parents got their voicemail. I never got a text message. We finally got into our rooms after dinner (we had an early ADR at Chef Mickey's). No crib in our room yet and our carry-ons were still at bell services. My parents DME luggage was still missing (yes, we took a van and still used the DME for luggage - I know, I know but my DH doesn't understand that it's not totally "kosher"). I begged for a "real" crib and was told they are 1st come, 1st serve and since our room wasn't ready forever I was likely out of luck. About 10 minutes later Mousekeeping showed up with a real crib, an extra sheet, and an apology for taking so long (I couldn't believe how quick she was!). She was super helpful and showed us how to set up the sofa bed, too. Luggage came shortly thereafter and we were set.
The coffee in the lounge is VILE. The cafe mocha was even more vile than the coffee! Our experience in the lounge was great. One nice CM took extra good care of my kids - uncrustables, yogurts, boxes of apple juice. We loved the fireworks from the lounge.
Overall it was a GREAT experience and I would definitely stay there again!

Thanks so much for your thoughts. I couldn't agree with you more about the Nescrape machine--vile is the correct word. We have found the coffee tolerable IF you get a double shot of espresso and then add a bit of the regular coffee. The rest of it is *blech*. Glad you enjoyed your stay.

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

So glad I'm not a coffee drinker!! I did get hot chocolate a few nights, but I had to mix in an extra packet of the hot chocolate to make it drinkable.


I think I remember reading on this thread (and maybe another) that it wasn't a time saver to use online check in when staying CL and it sometimes caused problems. I don't remember exactly what the circumstances were, but I remember a situation about this coming up before our December stay.

 

[dizneechic]

ACK! We're getting 12"-16" of snow tonight/tomorrow and are supposed to fly out 1st thing Thursday morning. I called the airline earlier and they already canceled our Thursday flight. Thankfully we were able to rebook for Saturday AM and extended our original stay by a day but overall we lose a day - at least we still get to go.

Time to re-work all the touring plans...

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

That totally sucks. I hope you get everything worked out and can get there Sat morning without delays. The weather this winter has been crazy. We have had very little snow here in WI but you guys in the Northeast have been pounded. Gosh--my family in SC has more snow on the ground right now than we do. So strange....

Crossing my fingers for your Sat flight.....maybe troubles b4 ur stay will mean pixie dust DURING ur stay Don't forget to spy on the quiet pool construction and report back to those of us going about our boring daily lives Have fun!

 

[BreezysMom]

ACK! We're getting 12"-16" of snow tonight/tomorrow and are supposed to fly out 1st thing Thursday morning. I called the airline earlier and they already canceled our Thursday flight. Thankfully we were able to rebook for Saturday AM and extended our original stay by a day but overall we lose a day - at least we still get to go.

Time to re-work all the touring plans...

That is such a bummer Way to be proactive and upbeat about it! I hope you have safe travels and look forward to hearing a full report upon your return

 

[kungaloosh22]

ACK! We're getting 12"-16" of snow tonight/tomorrow and are supposed to fly out 1st thing Thursday morning. I called the airline earlier and they already canceled our Thursday flight. Thankfully we were able to rebook for Saturday AM and extended our original stay by a day but overall we lose a day - at least we still get to go.

Time to re-work all the touring plans...

What I'm hoping is that something extra special will happen for you on that one extended day -- something that you wouldn't have experienced if everything stuck to the original plan.

In any case, I agree with BreezysMom -- I like your proactive and upbeat spirit! (And BreezysMom, I love your upbeat spirit all through this thread! )

 

[mommylovespoly]

I am posting this here because I trust this mini-community-- you guys have a lot of WDW experience AND obviously we are all of similar tastes when it comes to vacations because we all pretty much love the POLY and visit it repeatedly. So, I trust your excellent taste and judgment!

We have never done DTD. This trip the parks will be closing earlier, so I am considering an evening at DTD. We are on DXDP so we'd be looking for a somewhat low key but delicious dinner using one TS. The plan would be to head over there leaving the POLY between 5:30 and 6:30 (assuming DD23mo naps as usual.) Obviously the meal needs to be kid friendly. After the meal we'd hit one or two of the fun shops-- World of Disney for sure.

Also need transportation advice.

Thanks!!!!

Look at that ticker o' mine!

 

[mommylovespoly]

I have spoken to three completely different CMs at CRO this week and gotten the same answer all three times. They all seemed pretty knowledgeable and were very professional as well-- so I'd take this advice to the bank re: room requests:
They said that the room assigning software runs independently of the check in/ reservations process. Essentially, the room assigning program pulls BASIC data over from reservations in advance of the arrival date and makes room assignments. This program does NOT read the notes re: requests. It is entirely irrelevant when and how you do check in because the rooms are assigned before the check in is even done in most cases. Then, the front desk CMs get the days' assignments and make any changes that the computer did not know about. This would include looking at the guests' folios for requests and making any necessary changes. (Special needs are already accounted for ie: roll in showers.) They also might have to make last minute adjustments due to maintenance or guests extending their stays, etc.
From that, I gather that the busier things are when the front desk coordinator is reviewing this, the less likely requests would be noticed and honored up-front. You'll still be asking for a switch at the desk. Since you do have to go to the desk even with online check in, you might as well do that and deal with the room assignment when you do everything else. I asked the CMs I talked to and they said that yes, the front desk CMs can still make changes at the time you check in as needed based on availability!

Finally, when I booked the first time, the agent took my request and made the usual "its just a request" disclaimer. EACH CM I have talked to read back my request to me (and it was in the notes verbatim) when confirming the entire reservation for me.

My SIL is going the first week of March. She just booked on Monday, and she asked me for recommendations. I gave her a few ideas. She reported to me that the CM she talked to let her know that she should not expect anyone to recognize those requests in advance of check in... this is very different verbiage than what I heard when I booked: but I booked a couple of days before the most recent "upgrade" to their systems. YMMV-- could just be that one CM she talked to, or could be the new standard disclaimer.

 

[mommylovespoly]

I leave in 10.... that's right.... 10days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am more than happy to get answers for various Qs for you-- especially those of you wondering about how things work with very small kids. My youngest DD is turning 2 on the trip. Just PM me or reply here and I'll post my answers on return, probably that Monday the 31st of Jan.

I am also happy to do Fairy Godmailers from the POLY. I will get the postcards at the POLY and will do my level best to get something POLY specific! I have one person who has already PM'd me. I'm willing to do 5... so 4 more...

 

[SydandPaige'sMom]

I just had to come and post! We had a trip booked for May to POP Century. I called to make some changes and learned I had a PIN code. DH and I talked last night and today I called to change our stay to the Poly in October! I am SOOO excited and cannot wait. I have so much reading to do. Thanks for this thread!

 

[clanmcculloch]

I think I remember reading on this thread (and maybe another) that it wasn't a time saver to use online check in when staying CL and it sometimes caused problems. I don't remember exactly what the circumstances were, but I remember a situation about this coming up before our December stay.

I don't do online check-in when I'm staying CL. When you stay CL, a CM will bring you from the main entrance of the GCH where you're dropped off over to the Hawaii building by cart where you'll be checked in by the club CMs. If you do online check-in then you have to stand in in the online check-in line GCH to check in for your reservation. I personally prefer being able to sit down in the comfy chairs in the Hawaii foyer area rather than standing in line in the GCH. It's one of the many little intangible perks of staying CL. It's small, but we like it.