ALOHA! The Poly FAQ~ Spring 2010 Edition

[Sunshine1987]

But after being out there for 15 minutes they wanted to go back to captain cook for more fries!

That sooo sounds like my middle son!!!

Originally posted by maiapapaya
DH took each of the kids out separately (he split 2 rental periods between the three of them)

Yeah, I was wondering about that b/c we have 3 kids. Too bad you can't put three in one and two in another!

Thanks for the tips. My dh spends alot of the summer on a boat for his job so he probably won't want to spend the money to do this.

But the kids and I would probably love it! I will have to wait and see, I guess...

As for parasailing... that looks soooo fun!!! Not in the cards for this trip but someday......

 

[kaffinito]

Has anyone ever rented the Sea Racers? I think my kids would LOVE those but there is very little info on the Disney site about them. Are they fun? Are they worth the money? (we did MYW package so we have the coupon) Would renting some other type of boat be a better experience? But please don't suggest the canoe, we are not going to do the canoe! We would be the laughing stock of the Poly!!!

We rented them last April and loved them. We've never done lake boating, so the Sea Raycers were our first boating experience. They were fast enough for me! I loved going out in one. DS17 had his own and DS9 and I were in the other one. It's great because you get a different perspective on the resorts - we even went over to FW and WL to check them out, and looked at the old Discovery Island. I thought they were worth the money we spent on them.

We also rented a Whaler and hated that. Now that was sloowww. This time we're doing the Sea Raycers again.

You might want to try a pontoon boat - they look like they'd be fun too!

 

[mhanback]

How much are the SeaRacers? I honestly have never thought about doing it because my parents live on the lake and we can do that at home. But, the idea of seeing the area from the lake perspective sounds tempting. DH would probably love it! Could he take one kid out and them come back and get the other, using the same rental?

 

[maiapapaya]

How much are the SeaRacers? I honestly have never thought about doing it because my parents live on the lake and we can do that at home. But, the idea of seeing the area from the lake perspective sounds tempting. DH would probably love it! Could he take one kid out and them come back and get the other, using the same rental?

I can't remember the cost, but yes, you can switch out riders on the same rental. DH did it with our kids.

 

[BCV23]

Here's an informative post about the Sea Raycers:

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=31014629&postcount=36

As you can see, it's nearly a year old so prices may have gone up a bit.

When our children were young, the boys loved them. The less weight in a boat, the faster they go so it can give the illusion of fun speed to children.

We also used to take out a pontoon. Still do that on occasion these days. Lots of fun to have a picnic on a pontoon.

You can take the boats in most areas of Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake.

 

[BCV23]

The Island Palm Press appears to be a thing of the past. At least we didn't get one when we checked in a few weeks ago.

The info is now contained in a handy dandy little brochure that folds into pocket size. I think most if not all WDW resorts are moving to this format. It is actually quite handy.

Still it''s always hard to say goodbye to a Polynesian tradition.

 

[sandym718]

That's a great idea! Let's see if I can make it work....How long will it take us to eat at Ohana? If I get a 6:15 ressie at Ohana, could we make it to MK in time to see Spectro at 8 pm? Or would that be cutting it too close to Spectro?

Hmmm....Well, I would think you could make it TO the MK for Spectro - but finding decent seating? That I don't know about. You can almost set your own pace at Ohana. They'll bring the apps/sides out, just go ahead and get started with the meat as soon as you're ready. Even if you don't get seated until 6:30 (there is a wait sometimes), I would think you should be done by 7:30. That's enough time to catch the monorail and get to the MK, but you'll be arriving just before 8. People will be lined up all over for Spectro. If you don't mind not having the best viewing area, you should be OK. Another idea - if Ohana looks like a wait (or ask) - maybe you can check in for your ADR just BEFORE the Torch Lighting, then go and see it, come back and maybe your table will be ready?

Oh, another option, not sure if this will work with your day plans - but could you do an Ohana ADR for 5? That might work. If that's the first seating (I think it is) there shouldn't be any wait. If you eat at a fairly decent pace, you should be done by 6. Go watch the Torch Lighting and then hop the monorail to the MK. You should be there around 6:30-6:45, perfect timing to get a great spot for Spectro! That's definitely an early dinner - but you can always grab a snack between Spectro and Wishes (if you're staying for that) if you're hungry again.

Just some thoughts!!

 

[BCV23]

Oh, one more thing....if flying Southwest, you can now check your bags through Resort Airline Checkin right at the Polynesian according to this thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2423456

You do not need to use Magical Express to take advantage of this service. It is for domestic flyers only though.

 

[BreezysMom]

The Island Palm Press appears to be a thing of the past. At least we didn't get one when we checked in a few weeks ago.

The info is now contained in a handy dandy little brochure that folds into pocket size. I think most if not all WDW resorts are moving to this format. It is actually quite handy.

Still it''s always hard to say goodbye to a Polynesian tradition.

Typical....

I hope most of the information is still the same? I can understand new marketing and streamlining for different resorts but like you say, another Poly tradition gone

Thanks for the info

 

[SnowWhite33]

I have not stayed there, but I think Tokelau is a good choice I don't ever recall reading about any complaints.

We love our Tokelau- a few minutes walk to anywhere. We tried Fiji and just didn't like it-we moved to Tokelau after the first night. I think it's what you get used to.

Gosh I just want to go, go, go...c'mon June!

 

[Tess]

Gosh I just want to go, go, go...c'mon June!

I second that thought. . .I'm freezing today!

 

[abline]

I requested Figi for our August trip. Why is everyone bashing this longhouse? When I made the reservation the CM recommended this building.

 

[BreezysMom]

I requested Figi for our August trip. Why is everyone bashing this longhouse? When I made the reservation the CM recommended this building.

I apologize for that! We are kidding around... We are kidding about being teritorial about our favorite Longhouses so no one else requests them to give us a greater chance at our requests. It is all in good fun!

Figi is a fabulous Longhouse. My absolute favorite! The views on either side are incredible for garden view rooms and the location is great for proximity to the GCH and the pool. I hope you get your request

Happy Planning

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

In the last three days, we've had 70 degrees and gorgeous, thunderstorms, snow and icy roads...wish I was at the Poly.

 

[mamabright]

I am here and loving it. We went to AK today and left when it started monsoon raining. We were soaked and came back to our fabulous room in Tokelau which is far enough from everything to be super quiet but a super short walk (even in the rain). We may have to order roomservice tonight because I'm not going back out in the rain.

 

[sandym718]

We love our Tokelau- a few minutes walk to anywhere. We tried Fiji and just didn't like it-we moved to Tokelau after the first night. I think it's what you get used to.

I completely agree!! We requested Tokelau first trip, based on research, and fell in love. 2nd trip requested same location - Tokelau, first floor, east side. We were put in Fiji, 2nd floor, no balcony..hmmmmmm...... I asked and she checked, but nothing available for our first night, but we could then move for the rest of the trip. I said yes, hesitantly, I kinda just wanted to get settled. After we got to the room, I was SO glad I agreed. I think having no balcony was a BIG part of it, we would've felt way to confined for 7 nights with no outdoor space. We were on the side facing the Luau - could definitely hear it. We also just didn't find the location very convenient for us. We were so happy to get "home" the next day!! I think it IS what you get used to and also personal preferences. I know a lot of people LOVE Fiji!

 

[sandym718]

Thanks. We got DD's hair done last year in Jamaica and it was wonderful. we had the whole head done and it lasted close to 2mos. No daily hair battles. Of course, it cost very little there($40Us) but I would pay just about anything for how neat it stays.

How long did it take to do? DD7 would love to get her hair braided (and it would eliminate the daily battle to brush it for a while!) I'm just not sure about where I could squeeze it into our jam-packed schedule!

I remembered something else about this. Our first trip, DD was just barely 3, didn't do BBB. I had grudgingly sort of planned to do this our 2nd trip (just turned 5). We saw a Disney show on Travel channel and DD and I both agreed - those BBB hairstyles look like they HURT!! And not really "pretty". I was secretly SO happy she didn't want to go. We brought her princess dresses from home (we drive, so not a big deal at all), I painted her nails, and we agreed she'd get the braids done our first day (she had them done at the beach in 2008, so she knew about that and that they feel a little tight at first). The $55 (plus tip) for something SHE and I both really liked, and that LASTS was definitely a compromise that worked in my favor It's also something probably more appropriate for older girls who may not be into BBB.

 

[maiapapaya]

... those BBB hairstyles look like they HURT!! And not really "pretty". I was secretly SO happy she didn't want to go. We brought her princess dresses from home (we drive, so not a big deal at all), I painted her nails, and we agreed she'd get the braids done our first day (she had them done at the beach in 2008, so she knew about that and that they feel a little tight at first). The $55 (plus tip) for something SHE and I both really liked, and that LASTS was definitely a compromise that worked in my favor It's also something probably more appropriate for older girls who may not be into BBB.

DD4 got the BBB hairdo with the little crown and she looked like a doll. DD7 got the "diva". OMG!! It was horrible!!! I didn't mind the hair piece so much, but they pulled all of her hair off of her face into a ponytail on the top of her head, attached the hair piece and then teased the top up. I just sat there the whole time muttering to my sister. It was such a severe/trampy look on my little baby! I love the look of the braids though and so does she. I think it will suit her so much more!

 

[maiapapaya]

I found the pic. Ugh. Sorry to highjack the thread! We now return you to much more pleasant Poly dreaming ...

 

[MarieTheCat24]

I requested Figi for our August trip. Why is everyone bashing this longhouse? When I made the reservation the CM recommended this building.

Don't worry, Fiji is my favorite longhouse at the Polynesian. We've stayed there twice, twice in Aeotearoa, and once in Samoa. I love the semi-isolation that Fiji/Aeotearoa/Tuvalu have from the rest of the resort. They're not far from the Volcano pool and boat dock, and in case of rain, both Fiji and Aeotearoa are a quick straight-shot to the GCH.

Some people don't like that you can hear music from the luau, but I thought it added to the ambiance. The only bad part was that our room in Aeotearoa was ground floor and only a few feet off of the path that luau-goers line up on to check in. So for about an hour, we had tons of people standing directly outside of our room. It was a little awkward. But other than that time of day, there was rarely any foot traffic on that path. It was quiet and calm.