ALOHA! The Poly FAQ~ Spring 2010 Edition

[Tinkerbellie16]

I had to post here, on my favorite thread, with my 1000th POST!!!!!! I'll log off now so I can enjoy the "1000" number for a little bit

Ok, back to your regular Poly programming!

 

[maiapapaya]

I had to post here, on my favorite thread, with my 1000th POST!!!!!! I'll log off now so I can enjoy the "1000" number for a little bit

Ok, back to your regular Poly programming!

Congrats on 1000 posts Tinkerbellie! I'm probably only about a week behind you 'til I hit that landmark too (depending on how much time I spend hanging out here & procrastinating with packing -we're moving houses next week! )

 

[Diznotyzed]

Okay, I just have to join the fun going on in this thread. Here I sit, a 53 year old woman, with butterflies in my tummy thinking about our upcoming trip to the Poly, Sept 11 - 19. My husband is just as excited, and we've been giggling together every night since we booked our trip a couple weeks ago. It will be his 2nd Poly stay, and my third. We've loved every resort we've stayed at but are especially thrilled to be going back to the Poly!

Joan

 

[MissLiz]

I have to admit that everytime we start thinking about a WDW trip, Poly has not been at the top of my list. We eat there every trip, but I've always been a little sad that you can't stay at the GCH.

But, then, when DMIL started talking about going in September and I really started looking at pictures and stuff, I started getting all excited. We love WDW in September! It's our usual time for trips, but we weren't planning on going in Sept because of DH's school schedule, so we did our trip in May.

Now, I can't stop looking at pictures and I'm getting so excited to stay there!!! We spend the most time at MK and Epcot and this is going to be great for both! I can't wait to not have to take a bus everywhere!!!

Sorry for the overuse of !!! in this post. I'm just a little bit excited or something.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Now, I can't stop looking at pictures and I'm getting so excited to stay there!!! We spend the most time at MK and Epcot and this is going to be great for both! I can't wait to not have to take a bus everywhere!!!

My kids LOVE LOVE LOVE the monorail and think of it as a ride! I actually don't mind the buses but the monorail is so much fun. The location of the Poly is the number 1 reason I like it (but numbers 2 through 5 are really close behind ).

 

[sandym718]

My kids LOVE LOVE LOVE the monorail and think of it as a ride!

Same here! That was the first thing they wanted to do last trip (and we did, rode the resort loop all the way around) and it's never hard to get them to leave the MK or Epcot - all I've gotta say is "Monorail!" (oh, and volcano pool) That gets them moving!

 

[kdunkle904]

I love this idea about why everyone loves The Poly!
Her are just some of my reasons (I say some because I could prattle on for hours):
No particular order:
1. The location. The beach for the fireworks and Cindys house, The boat for the MK, and the monorail for EPCOT, MK, and some great resturants on the monorail line.
2.The Great island feel that the Poly has to offer. 1st thing in the morning, it is so quiet and all you see is the beautiful landscaping and you hear all the birds waking up. So peaceful and relaxing.
3.The Staff. We have stayed at a number of different Disney Resorts and always had good service but the Poly staff went above and beyond even going so far as to teach my husband how to tie a tie.( He had never worn one before.)
4. The island pool bar. Nuff said.
5. The size of the rooms. They are humongous.
6. I dont think there is a bad view in this hotel. Even the garden view rooms are great.
7. I am with you on the dbl. closets. I dont have to share!

 

[maiapapaya]

Ok, that was just a TASTE of what I like about the Poly. Anyone else???

Definitely the location is #1 for me. To us it just feels like the Poly is in the heart of WDW. You can see the castle & space mountain off in the distance while watching the monorail circle the lagoon. We also like how it is set between the GF - beautiful view - and the CR - classic Disney! Off in the distance you can also hear the sounds of the MK (ferry boat horns, the train whistle ...) and of course the EWP & fireworks!

Access to the monorail is also a huge bonus. Our kids are at the age where the MK is still their favorite park, so we spent a lot of afternoons/evenings on our last trip just popping over when we didn't have anything in particular planned.

Love the food.
Love the theming.
Love the zero entry pool for DD5.

Really appreciate the size of the rooms - we have 3 kids, including an 18 year old and we actually fit quite comfortably and don't all hate each other by the end of the trip!

 

[michygoomy]

Definitely the location is #1 for me. To us it just feels like the Poly is in the heart of WDW. You can see the castle & space mountain off in the distance while watching the monorail circle the lagoon. We also like how it is set between the GF - beautiful view - and the CR - classic Disney! Off in the distance you can also hear the sounds of the MK (ferry boat horns, the train whistle ...) and of course the EWP & fireworks!

Access to the monorail is also a huge bonus. Our kids are at the age where the MK is still their favorite park, so we spent a lot of afternoons/evenings on our last trip just popping over when we didn't have anything in particular planned.

Love the food.
Love the theming.
Love the zero entry pool for DD5.

Really appreciate the size of the rooms - we have 3 kids, including an 18 year old and we actually fit quite comfortably and don't all hate each other by the end of the trip!

Have you found a lot of activities for the teens at the Poly? Last year my older two really enjoyed the activities by the pool at All-Star Music, and I was hoping for some similar experiences this year.

 

[kaffinito]

The folks who do the PassPorter are from Michigan too I like seeing their weekly newsletters about the weather in Michigan. I'm not sure if they are fanatic about Poly or any other resorts but they did give it a good review

Hey I didn't know that! I like that newsletter too.

Oh, and congrats on your 1000 posts!

 

[kaffinito]

Top reasons that I like the Poly.

1. The over all atmosphere. The landscaping, the music, the lobby (and that wonderful smell) and the Tikis.

2. Convenience. I like being able to take the monorail or walk to the TTC.

3. The rooms. I love the room decor. And for some reason I really love the fact that you can leave the lights on in the closets and the light shines through leaving a cool looking glow. I even like the midget sized showers.

4. The pools. I love that even when the Volcano pool is crazy crowded I can still go over to the quiet pool and find a nice lounge chair. I also like how close the main pool is to CC's for a quick snack or drink refill.

5. The beach. I love watching Wishes from the beach. It's my absolute favorite place to watch it from. The EWP too.

6. The service. The friendly Alohas from all of the CM's there, and the level of service you get from staff.

7. The gift shop. It's my third favorite resort gift shop. Sorry but POP still takes first place and AKL still has second in my books.

8. The food. I love eating at all three places at the Poly.

And that's all I can think of right now!

It's going to kill me staying at the GF this August and looking at the Poly and not being able to stay there.

 

[DeborahB]

I received my Disney Dream Rewards card in the mail earlier today!!

We are really getting close now. Tomorrow we'll be 10 days out!!!!

 

[maiapapaya]

Have you found a lot of activities for the teens at the Poly? Last year my older two really enjoyed the activities by the pool at All-Star Music, and I was hoping for some similar experiences this year.

DD18 really enjoyed the sea raycers and we spent some time in the arcade. Although we never made time for them, there are also daily activities by the volcano pool - games, beach volleyball etc. There's also a bonfire & outdoor movie most nights on the beach between the Poly & GF (they sell marshmallows for toasting & s'more kits). Oh, and of course DD18 loved shopping in the GCH!

 

[eeyorepixie]

Okay, I just have to join the fun going on in this thread. Here I sit, a 53 year old woman, with butterflies in my tummy thinking about our upcoming trip to the Poly, Sept 11 - 19. My husband is just as excited, and we've been giggling together every night since we booked our trip a couple weeks ago. It will be his 2nd Poly stay, and my third. We've loved every resort we've stayed at but are especially thrilled to be going back to the Poly!

Joan

Oh I know just how you feel Joan, that is how I felt when I booked with a 40% off pin in February, I was just beside myself with glee that I was finally going to my dream resort.

Every time we passed the POLY on the monorail or went eat at the POLY my family hears me say “ this is my dream resort (insert sigh) someday I want to stay at the POLY”. pathetic, I know

After I booked I read the previous POLY thread it was a 100+ pages I believe and now that I think of it I think I started reading it while I was praying for a PIN in January ... then I learned how to search all forums for POLY related threads, went on the DISign board and got me all my POLY designs for our stay, got lost in the Tikiman site, obsessed about my longhouse request, planned out my POLY ADR's, planned out my POLY wardrobe, planned out my own POLY IMMERSION program for our 5 night stay. I have been scrimping and saving and will have my room only paid of next paycheck!!!!:

sorry, not good with the multi quote posting

Tinkerbellie- Thanks sooo much and yes this is my first time and everyone on this thread has been super patient and kind to me in answering all my obsessive questions. It just seems that we are always saying good bye to people going to the POLY but they do not all post their reviews…KWIM? I am asking them to take pity on me, the obsessive gal that I am. Love what you have begun, just what the Disney Dr. ordered!

HSstrickland & LowesChevy- Thanks a bunch it will help with my sickness!

Jetskigirl- I know ya feel my pain

 

[916chipndale]

doing my single digit dance!

i cant wait. i love the poly and cant wait to go back. we requested a balcony or a patio and requested not to be in rapa niue dont want that parking lot view lol. well soon were going to go to bjs and pick out the snacks for the drive down and take down the suitcases. i cant wait.

 

[YanksWinAgain]

Kids are singing the Monorail Song (from the Simpsons).... we must be getting close...

 

[5inwonderland]

I have a question about ADRs and Poly - we'll be staying at Poly, but have an ADR for breakfast at AK. I think our breakfast reservation is for 8:30, so will the monorail be running at 8:00 am or should we plan to drive to AK? We are driving down, so will have a car!
Also, in the same vein - are transportation hours posted somewhere so we will know when we should plan to take a different form of transport? We would rather take Disney transport than drive our car around!
Thanks everyone!
k

 

[916chipndale]

I have a question about ADRs and Poly - we'll be staying at Poly, but have an ADR for breakfast at AK. I think our breakfast reservation is for 8:30, so will the monorail be running at 8:00 am or should we plan to drive to AK? We are driving down, so will have a car!
Also, in the same vein - are transportation hours posted somewhere so we will know when we should plan to take a different form of transport? We would rather take Disney transport than drive our car around!
Thanks everyone!
k

if you have an ADR at AK why would you need to take the monorail to the MK? there is no direct bus from MK to AK, you would have to take the polys bus to AK. they should be running because of breakfasts.

 

[Diznotyzed]

Aloha again, fellow Poly vacationers!

planned out my own POLY IMMERSION program

Love this! My own Poly Immersion program definitely involves being immersed in the pools and tropical drinks!

we requested a balcony or a patio and requested not to be in rapa niue dont want that parking lot view lol.

My husband actually loves this view! He'd rather see the Monorail out our window than most anything else!

Kids are singing the Monorail Song (from the Simpsons).... we must be getting close...

My husband and I hum Disney's own Monorail song (from the early days of Disneyland) every time we see a monorail and all the time at home, too!

Joan

 

[hstrickland]

I have a question about ADRs and Poly - we'll be staying at Poly, but have an ADR for breakfast at AK. I think our breakfast reservation is for 8:30, so will the monorail be running at 8:00 am or should we plan to drive to AK? We are driving down, so will have a car!
Also, in the same vein - are transportation hours posted somewhere so we will know when we should plan to take a different form of transport? We would rather take Disney transport than drive our car around!
Thanks everyone!
k

When you arrive at the Poly, I would ask about monorail, bus, boat times. Usually, the monorail runs an hour prior to park opening. Were you planning on taking the monorail to MK, then catching a bus to AKL?? When we stayed at the WL, we had ressies at AKL for breakfast, too. We actually drove over...much quicker!!! Maybe 10 minutes. Sometimes the buses at the Poly can be a bit slow. We ate at Yachtman's Steakhouse one night and took the monorail to MK, then caught the YC bus.

Just ask a CM when you get there and they will be happy to assist you.

Happy Planning!