ALOHA! The Poly FAQ~ Spring 2010 Edition

[Minnie&Nana]

I love hearing the different traditions of what guests do when they arrive and check-in. We like to eat at the resort, explore the shops if at the Poly, GF or CR. If at an EPCOT resort would do the same, but might well take a stroll through International Gateway in the evening. We used to go to Disney Village for the afternoon, but after it became DTD we haven't enjoyed it as much - we still might go for the afternoon if at a value or mod though.

Our first morning is almost always bright and early at the Magic Kingdom. It is our first and last park every visit.

I'm sooo ready for the Polynesian in December!

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

We also usually don't get there until early afternoon too, but we always have to hit MK first - even if it's just for a couple of hours. We don't feel like we're officially at Disney until we look down Main Street & see the castle.
(seeing the castle across the lagoon doesn't count! )

I would like to hit a park that evening, but it's just not right unless I see an empty Main Street at the "beginning" of our vacation.

And we'll need to stop talking about this soon because it's making me pine for December!!!!!

 

[sandym718]

I love hearing the different traditions of what guests do when they arrive and check-in. We like to eat at the resort, explore the shops if at the Poly, GF or CR. If at an EPCOT resort would do the same, but might well take a stroll through International Gateway in the evening. We used to go to Disney Village for the afternoon, but after it became DTD we haven't enjoyed it as much - we still might go for the afternoon if at a value or mod though.

Our first morning is almost always bright and early at the Magic Kingdom. It is our first and last park every visit.

I'm sooo ready for the Polynesian in December!

Pretty much the same here. Upcoming trip our plan is: check in (if room is ready, quick stop there, if not, next step), lunch at Captain Cook's, swimming, unpacking, settling in the room, DD and I over to the GF salon to get her hair braided, monorail ride to Chef Mickey's for dinner. Relax around the resort for the evening, watch the EWP, Wishes and then straight to bed for MK in the AM. Last trip we did all of this except ate dinner at Kona (loved it in 2007, not so much in 2009), I think we want to do CM's the first night this trip.

There are no buses to DTD from the TTC unfortunately. When we go to DTD, we drive.

Does anyone else think the commute time to Epcot is way too high? It looks like the time might reflect taking the resort monorail all the way around to the TTC and transferring even though the route listed is walking to the TTC.

I agree. I'd say approx. 5 minute walking time to the TTC depending on where you're at at the Poly, and then about 15 minute monorail ride. So depending on wait time for the monorail. More like 20-30 minutes, or a 25 minute average.

 

[Anna114]

I love hearing the different traditions of what guests do when they arrive and check-in. We like to eat at the resort, explore the shops if at the Poly, GF or CR. If at an EPCOT resort would do the same, but might well take a stroll through International Gateway in the evening. We used to go to Disney Village for the afternoon, but after it became DTD we haven't enjoyed it as much - we still might go for the afternoon if at a value or mod though.

Our first morning is almost always bright and early at the Magic Kingdom. It is our first and last park every visit.

I'm sooo ready for the Polynesian in December!

Our tradition started by accident, we were hungry when we got to the Poly 22 years ago. So we went to Captain Cooks (I'm fairly sure that was then name back then, that it hasn't changed) and went to get cheeseburgers once we settled in. To this date it is what our family does. The only difference is our sons get a double as opposed to our singled patty burger

 

[Minnie&Nana]

I would like to hit a park that evening, but it's just not right unless I see an empty Main Street at the "beginning" of our vacation.

And we'll need to stop talking about this soon because it's making me pine for December!!!!!

I know just what you mean - nothing equals walking down Main St when the park opens...nothing...sigh..

We're in a sticky situation - talking about it is what gets us through, yet talking about it makes us want to be there now!

Pretty much the same here. Upcoming trip our plan is: check in (if room is ready, quick stop there, if not, next step), lunch at Captain Cook's, swimming, unpacking, settling in the room, DD and I over to the GF salon to get her hair braided, monorail ride to Chef Mickey's for dinner. Relax around the resort for the evening, watch the EWP, Wishes and then straight to bed for MK in the AM. Last trip we did all of this except ate dinner at Kona (loved it in 2007, not so much in 2009), I think we want to do CM's the first night this trip.

This year I'm considering a manicure at GF the afternoon we arrive, but don't really want to wait until we arrive. I like CM for dinner...then again, would love to take the water launch over to FW , via CR, and have dinner at Trail's End. Decisions, decisions!

Anna114 posted:Our tradition started by accident, we were hungry when we got to the Poly 22 years ago. So we went to Captain Cooks (I'm fairly sure that was then name back then, that it hasn't changed) and went to get cheeseburgers once we settled in. To this date it is what our family does. The only difference is our sons get a double as opposed to our singled patty burger.

What a fun tradition!! Do you remember when Capt Cooks was at the end of Tokelau (think laundry and Neverland Club may be in the area now, not sure) and had a screen door? I still miss that beachy feeling back then.

 

[i_heart_the_mouse]

Bad news.

I just had to downgrade from TPV-CL to GV. DH originally agreed to splurge since GV-CL was unavailable, but he is now pretty against it. Better to keep the peace, ya know?

Good news.

I had it booked with the 40% off PIN for the 1st week of December. I thought I remembered at least one of you needing another TPV-CL room around that time. Call today! It may be available for you

Good luck!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Bad news.

I just had to downgrade from TPV-CL to GV. DH originally agreed to splurge since GV-CL was unavailable, but he is now pretty against it. Better to keep the peace, ya know?

Good news.

I had it booked with the 40% off PIN for the 1st week of December. I thought I remembered at least one of you needing another TPV-CL room around that time. Call today! It may be available for you

Good luck!

Aw, I'm sorry. Will it be GV CL or GV? Either way, it will be wodnerful. Personally, I'd rather a GV than GVCL because the some of the regular GV rooms have such a fabulous views. I know it's disappointing, but once there, the lovely Poly atmosphere will sooth the disappointment.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

As a major shopaholic, what did you think of Tren-D?

Tren-D was the only thing that salvaged our trip to DTD. Seriously--we had such a lousy time at DisneyQuest I was praying Tren-D would be better and it was. Lots of great, trendy merchandise, especially jewelry. It reminds me of the little boutique shops on Melrose Ave or Robertson Blvd. in LA. Take some time to look at all the creative displays...even those on the walls and ceiling! I was good and limited myself to a goldtone necklace that had 'Sassy' on it with Tinkerbell. My tween DD adored the place!

 

[mickey2minnie1]

I originally booked for Nov (see my sig), but now with work I may have to move to beginning of Dec for 4/5 days instead. You know how heartbreaking rescheduling is.

I want to surprise my kids and upgrade to our fav- the Poly.

I have a code and I think it is value season, but a big part of our little mom/kids get away (because we have never seen the decorations) is that the kids have to swim in the volcano pool. Will it be too chilly the first or second weekend in December? Be honest.

Thanks!

Any further comments appreciated.

 

[Tess]

What a fun tradition!! Do you remember when Capt Cooks was at the end of Tokelau (think laundry and Neverland Club may be in the area now, not sure) and had a screen door? I still miss that beachy feeling back then.

That was either Moana Mickey's or Aloha Isle. . .I'm drawing a blank, but it was next to Tangaroa Terrace which was a nice restaurant too.

 

[916chipndale]

I love hearing the different traditions of what guests do when they arrive and check-in. We like to eat at the resort, explore the shops if at the Poly, GF or CR. If at an EPCOT resort would do the same, but might well take a stroll through International Gateway in the evening. We used to go to Disney Village for the afternoon, but after it became DTD we haven't enjoyed it as much - we still might go for the afternoon if at a value or mod though.

Our first morning is almost always bright and early at the Magic Kingdom. It is our first and last park every visit.

I'm sooo ready for the Polynesian in December!

my family usually checks in at around 130 we check out the room unpack and then we go over to the magic kingdom do a couple of rides then go to cyrstal palace for dinner after that we usually go back to the hotel and chill in 2008 we watched wishes from the poly beach wat a perfect ending to the first night

 

[i_heart_the_mouse]

Aw, I'm sorry. Will it be GV CL or GV? Either way, it will be wodnerful. Personally, I'd rather a GV than GVCL because the some of the regular GV rooms have such a fabulous views. I know it's disappointing, but once there, the lovely Poly atmosphere will sooth the disappointment.

Thanks for the hugs

As long as we're at the Poly, all is good! The money saved amounts to quite a few Lapu Lapus too, I might add. Hey, this might not be so bad after all!

 

[BreezysMom]

I originally booked for Nov (see my sig), but now with work I may have to move to beginning of Dec for 4/5 days instead. You know how heartbreaking rescheduling is.

I want to surprise my kids and upgrade to our fav- the Poly.

I have a code and I think it is value season, but a big part of our little mom/kids get away (because we have never seen the decorations) is that the kids have to swim in the volcano pool. Will it be too chilly the first or second weekend in December? Be honest.

Thanks!

Any further comments appreciated.

Early December is very unpredictable...when we went in 2008 we were able to swim during the day a few times.

It would be chilly in the morning, so we would wear layers and then some evenings it also got chilly so we would need sweatshirts. The first evening we were there we had our winter coats and gloves that we came with from cold Chicago, but then it warmed up the next day for the rest of our trip.

The night we went to MVMCP and it was so hot and muggy that I had to buy DD at t-shirt to wear because I dressed her for the chilly evening weather. It was close to 80 degrees when we left the party at midnight

So bottom line, it could swing from 40s to 80s!

Sorry about the date change...I know how you feel. Hopefully things work out. The holiday decorations are worth the wait to get to Disney!

 

[carlnix30]

I missed a lot since I was gone!

 

[rmjkharrisfam]

Thank you for that chart, Ginnymack. It will really come in handy.

Have a wonderful vacation and a safe trip, rmjkharrisfam. Can't wait to hear all about it when you get back.

Gretchen

Thanks! This time tomorrow we'll be soaking up the Disney magic!!!

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

WooHoo!!
We'll be right behind you - arriving on the 15th!
Can't wait!
Gretchen

 

[BreezysMom]

I'll play

Our Poly arrival tradition is we usually get to the Poly via ME in the mid to late afternoon and check in. We check out the room and change our clothes we brought in our carry on luggage. After a quick snack in the lounge or CC we head to the MK boat launch and go to the MK no matter what time it closes, which all of our trips happen to be at 7pm because it has always been a party night wheather MVMVP or MNSSHP. The last trip we arrived at the resort at 5pm but we had to go to the MK!!! I have to walk Main Street and see the castle!

We take our time strolling down Main Street with big smiles on our faces and taking our traditional castle pics. After that we head to Dumbo and ride it. Then we just wander and ride a few rides that have fairly short waits.

Usually by then we need to leave because the park is closing to non party guests so we monorail back to the Poly, stop in the lounge for some food and drinks and then head back to the room where our luggage is waiting for us from ME, I unpack and get the room sqaured away while DD and DH explore the Poly (and usually set up DDs "welcome gift from Mickey and Minnie"

I meet up with them we hit Boutiki and check out all their fabulous goods and then Trader Jacks and then we watch fireworks and then head to bed to get a good night sleep so we can start our first full day fresh

Our last day is basically the same but in reverse...we pack up, check or baggage in at RAC and then head to the MK once last time. We usually race back to the resort to grab our carry on luggage and catch ME back to the airport. It is always the same, we are all tired and crabby and beyond sad to leave the Poly

 

[BreezysMom]

Thanks! This time tomorrow we'll be soaking up the Disney magic!!!

WooHoo!!
We'll be right behind you - arriving on the 15th!
Can't wait!
Gretchen

That is awesome! So excited for you both!!

Her is hoping for lots of Pixie Dust

We want full trip reports upon your return

 

[hstrickland]

I originally booked for Nov (see my sig), but now with work I may have to move to beginning of Dec for 4/5 days instead. You know how heartbreaking rescheduling is.

I want to surprise my kids and upgrade to our fav- the Poly.

I have a code and I think it is value season, but a big part of our little mom/kids get away (because we have never seen the decorations) is that the kids have to swim in the volcano pool. Will it be too chilly the first or second weekend in December? Be honest.

When we lived in Orlando, I can remember laying by the pool on Christmas Eve, then a few days later wearing a sweater. Who knows about the weather??? I know that's not much help....it's just so unpredictable.

 

[DisneyFunx3]

So, I can do laundry while at the Poly? Where would that be located, are there certain hours and what is the cost? That would be great, especially with 3 kids!

Also, what is the Poly beach area like?

For those that have been, do you find the travel mug worth purchasing? How much are they and where can you actually get refills?