ALOHA! The Poly FAQ~ Spring 2010 Edition

[hstrickland]

So, I can do laundry while at the Poly? Where would that be located, are there certain hours and what is the cost?

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

I am interested to know this also (laundry). As far as the mugs go, we usually get one. I think they are around $13....some dining plans come with the mugs. You can refill at Captain Cooks.

 

[Aristocath]

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

Have a great trip! What did you decide to do about your rooms?

 

[Aristocath]

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?

The laundry room is near the Neverland Club. Loads are $2 to wash and $2 to dry so take a roll of quarters. The dryers are lousy and I have to split a wash load into two dryers. I think the laundry is open 24 hours. I usually do laundry one evening of our trip while my husband is at the pool with the boys.

We have always gotten the refillable mugs and used them daily. But we won't this trip because I gave up drinking all sodas (that eliminates a lot of the usefulness) and we are staying CL so I can get coffee and juice in the lounge.

 

[bethclayton]

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.

we went in dec 2007 and yes, it was plenty warm enough for them to swim every day we were there (dec 4-10). however, as others have said... the weather is totally inconsistent.

that said, if your kids are anything like mine they will swim no matter what. my kids swam when it was barely in the 50's our last two trips (one in jan/ feb, the other in march).

 

[mom2npr]

Our tradition is to check in, unload the car if the room is ready and head to the Magic Kingdom! It always seems to work out that our first night there is the least crowded, so the kids can ride their favorite things on our first day! We usually hit MK for a few hours on our check out day, but this trip I think we are going to pack up and head out early . Maybe a quick swim in the morning.

 

[hstrickland]

The laundry room is near the Neverland Club. Loads are $2 to wash and $2 to dry so take a roll of quarters. The dryers are lousy and I have to split a wash load into two dryers. QUOTE]


Are there change machines in the laundry, and is there a place to buy detergent? We are driving, so maybe I should just bring my own.

 

[tiggspring]

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.

The pool is heated to the perfect temp so if you dont mind getting out in the cold the swim should be fine.

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!

I seem to remember a change machine in the laundry. But those type of machines break all the time so you might want to bring your own. Like I said in an eairler post, I found the machines didnt get the stains out of our clothes but I have an HE machine at home which has spoiled me.

Also, what is the Poly beach area like?

I like the beach area but you cannot swim in the water. The beach down by Tahiti is very quiet the closer the GCH the busier it gets but you will also find more seating, piped in music etc there as well.

 

[DisneyFunx3]

Thanks for the laundry info! It might be nice to wash some shorts and maybe a load of whites while we are there.

I have a tipping question as well. Since we will be coming by ME and our luggage may arrive after we are out exploring ... how do you get the tip to the person that actually helped deliver your bags? What is the tipping range for transporting luggage?

 

[bluebonnetmama]

Hello, everyone!

It's 11:35 p.m. here in the Dallas area, and I just spent the last couple of hours going through this entire thread learning a ton about the Poly. Our family has never been to WDW before, and I am so excited but also nervous about making silly newbie mistakes. I've made ADRs for all the dinners during our stay, but should I make ADRs for breakfast as well? I keep hearing about that Tonga Toast and I didn't know if we'd need an ADR to have breakfast while at the Poly.

I really appreciate your help. I'll probably have a bunch more questions before we go on our June 8-14 vacation.

Thanks so much for all the info, advice and kindness in this thread!

Take care,
Shannon

 

[Kteacher]

Since I've started coming down in October our 1st day tradition has changed a bit. We take the first flight down, and are usually arriving at the Poly by 11:30 amCheck-in, then over to DHS for lunch and a walk around that park. We come back to the Poly to relax, go to the CL for a,then into our costumes and off to the MK for MNSSHP

 

[Tess]

Hello, everyone!

It's 11:35 p.m. here in the Dallas area, and I just spent the last couple of hours going through this entire thread learning a ton about the Poly. Our family has never been to WDW before, and I am so excited but also nervous about making silly newbie mistakes. I've made ADRs for all the dinners during our stay, but should I make ADRs for breakfast as well? I keep hearing about that Tonga Toast and I didn't know if we'd need an ADR to have breakfast while at the Poly.

I really appreciate your help. I'll probably have a bunch more questions before we go on our June 8-14 vacation.

Thanks so much for all the info, advice and kindness in this thread!

Take care,
Shannon

Glad you have "caught up" and hope you have a terrific stay!

 

[mamabright]

Hello, everyone!

It's 11:35 p.m. here in the Dallas area, and I just spent the last couple of hours going through this entire thread learning a ton about the Poly. Our family has never been to WDW before, and I am so excited but also nervous about making silly newbie mistakes. I've made ADRs for all the dinners during our stay, but should I make ADRs for breakfast as well? I keep hearing about that Tonga Toast and I didn't know if we'd need an ADR to have breakfast while at the Poly.

I really appreciate your help. I'll probably have a bunch more questions before we go on our June 8-14 vacation.

Thanks so much for all the info, advice and kindness in this thread!

Take care,
Shannon

Depends if you want to eat table service or counter service. I would def have adrs for table service but you can get tonga toast @ captain cooks and it is delish. My DH could not tell a difference between the tonga toast there or @ kona.
On a different note. Yeah I finally got to answer someones question. I'm always 2 pages behind!!

 

[BreezysMom]

59 pages in less than a month! You people are killing me

I know a few of you are leaving today and tomorrow so Happy Travels

I am off to work so I'll see you all 5 pages later

 

[SummerInTennessee]

Just read on the most recent All Ears newsletter that the concierge building is undergoing refurb beginning 4/15, and should last for only a couple of days. Curious to see the "after" pictures if anyone finds some! We'll be staying CL in October .

 

[momtolots]

Just read on the most recent All Ears newsletter that the concierge building is undergoing refurb beginning 4/15, and should last for only a couple of days. Curious to see the "after" pictures if anyone finds some! We'll be staying CL in October .

Somewhere on this thread, probably about 10pages back gretchen received an official response from the POLY saying it was only for 24hrs while they replace the beam on the roof of Hawaii.
When we get there next month, maybe I could get DH to climb up and get an up close pic. I could tell him that it is a new Disney Adventure!

 

[Nicole786]

Joining in! Staying with my brother August 22-30th at the Poly for his graduation!!! Never stayed here before and so excited! After reading all I can possibly read, I really hope we get the Tokelau building but I won't request it because more importantly than that, I want a balcony, and if I keep it vague, maybe we'll get our request!

One questions I couldn't seem to find answered was if the Poly has a running path? It seems you could potentially use the walkway to the GF but does anyone have any experience with how long that is?

Thanks!!

 

[Figment1990]

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

So jealous! I don't think I'm going to make it through the next 48 hours! doesn't it seem like the last few days before the trip take forever?!?!? Then, next thing you know, it's the day before you leave WDW and you're starting to feel like "I DON'T WANNA LEAVE!!!"

Thanks for letting me post everyone - I'm having a major downer day here at work and I cannot wait for Friday....

 

[bwolfe]

Just upgraded to the Poly for our 10th anniversary trip!! So excited...can we enjoy a glass of wine on the beach at night?

 

[iloveeeyore]

Just upgraded to the Poly for our 10th anniversary trip!! So excited...can we enjoy a glass of wine on the beach at night?

You can enjoy wine at the beach, but you can't drink it out of a glass or bottle (plastic only). For safetly reasons (to protect bare-footed guests from stepping on broken glass), there is a no glass rule at all of the pools and beaches. If you buy wine at Tambu Lounge, tell then you are taking it down to the beach. If you buy a bottle and pour it in your room, use a plastic cup.

Enjoy and congrats on your special anniversary!! DH and I (and our 2 teens) are celebrating our 20th at the Poly this summer!

 

[iloveeeyore]

So jealous! I don't think I'm going to make it through the next 48 hours! doesn't it seem like the last few days before the trip take forever?!?!? Then, next thing you know, it's the day before you leave WDW and you're starting to feel like "I DON'T WANNA LEAVE!!!"

Thanks for letting me post everyone - I'm having a major downer day here at work and I cannot wait for Friday....

I had one of those kind of work days yesterday. Have a wonderful, safe trip!!