Hi everyone... we're back from our Poly CL stay and it was wonderful as expected for the most part.
First I've read several asking about the quiet pool rehab that was supposed to be under way as of now and so far nothing is going on. People were swimming and it was fully set up, no signs of construction or even work being done.
We stayed GV CL, put in a request for 1st or 3rd floor (same routine as last time) and this time ended up on the 1st floor, room 1502. We quickly realized this room wasn't the ideal location for us as we were the complete opposite end of the lounge and we like to spend a lot of time there, lesson learned. We also realize that 2nd or 3rd floor (even giving up that extra patio/balcony space) is much more suited to us, we didn't like walking past the main lobby area to get back to to the room. As for the room itself, this one was definitely in need of work, there was ripped wallpaper as soon as you walked in, the toilet ran unless you jiggled and lifted the handle, and when they replaced the shower heads the new caps for the part that meets the wall doesn't cover the big hole where the pipe goes into the wall so it just looks like shoddy workmanship. We also noticed that the sheets weren't changed on the daybed when we opened it and there was a muddy shoe print on the bed, quickly resolved by a call to mouse keeping but was kind of icing on the cake in our realization we weren't as excited about the room this time. Mousekeeping and turndown were much earlier this time for us though usually done by 11 & 6 where when we were 3rd floor near the lounge were always very late (3:30ish and 7:30-8). Overall mousekeeping was great but one day dropped the hairdryer and left it running !! all day and one day left the toilet running, frustrating, but not deal breakers, and they always replaced our soaps, toiletries and left extra towels etc so overall did a decent job in the room.
Ok frustrations out of the way
the lounge service was fantastic. The menu was the same as it has been but we spent quite a bit of time chatting with people there and found out that Kim will be rolling out a new menu starting on Feb 8th. The other chef will be on leave for 16 days so during that time the staff will be training on the new items (lounge and concierge staff will start sampling them on 02/02). She has a few new salads planned (I recall an asparagus star salad which sounded delish), and some hand rolled meatballs in a homemade sauce, she was running through a bunch of things that just sounded like a great refresh to the CL evening food offerings. I didn't ask about an update to the mornings since she is only there from 2:00 on, and this time they had white cheddar popcorn out along with the standard afternoon fare (popcorn was never there in Aug).
We also finally got to see the torch lighting ceremony, that was fantastic and left my kids awestruck (and us with the speech that your not supposed to eat or play with fire, its dangerous
). Ohana was closed for most of our stay but because of this Lilo and Stitch did character meet & greets each morning from 8-11 outside in that area. We loved stopping by each day and saying hello, playing games, etc because no one was in GCH until 8:45ish, so you had unlimited character interaction, lots of fun!
Monorail and ferry service were perfect, no delays, and just before opening each day it seemed like monorails were coming back to back. On Weds we literally watched 3 different ones come in the span of 6 minutes while making coffee at Kona and we finally got on the 3rd one (no one was left to get on at the GF stop at 8:50
). The kids were disappointed there are no more monorail/transportation cards but did get the scoop it was because they are being revamped and the new monorail color (we had fun speculating the whole trip) is being added to the batch and once the new monorail comes out the next set of cards will too.
Park crowds were what we expected for Jan, and following TGM sticking with green parks each day we had fairly light crowds.
Overall it was a great trip and outside of a few minor room issues we had a great time. The Poly was beautiful and as relaxing as always, to the point we were arguing with 2 of my kids to stay in the parks because all they wanted to do is go back to the resort. They love it there as much as we do!
The other way is uhhhm hectic especially if the monorail is full and your standing with your little ones. 
as she is doing the Escape wedding and can only book 8 months out. I am so excited to not only be attending, but to be involved in a DFTW!
We did have one day at 64 and torrential rain in which we attempted to do WS in Epcot and there was no one around and nothing going on... it left the shops and buildings wide open for easy browsing! 
Guess someone is trying to tell me something about a June trip. 
