ALOHA! The Poly FAQ~ Spring 2010 Edition

[toddd]

Can anyone comment about the resort activities. Its only going to be dh and I May 18-23. We stayed there 2 years ago.If our 2 ds didnt have finals I am sure they would be tagging along too.

luvmarypoppins - I can't remember where I got it (probably somewhere in this thread) but I do have an activity schedule from November - I don't think they change too much. If I can figure out how to post it I will but you might want to scan through this thread (or the last one).

Some examples of activities...

Pool deck games
Bingo
Flag football
Disney trivia
etc.

There seems to be stuff going on from 11 am till 6:30 pm then the campfire and dance party at 7 pm and movies on the beach at 8 pm.

Cheers!

 

[Veals_Family]

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.

Thanks.....UGH....
Do buses go from the parks? If so, does it take less time??


THANKS

 

[BCV23]

Thanks.....UGH....
Do buses go from the parks? If so, does it take less time??




THANKS

No, there aren't buses to DTD from the parks either. Sorry.

 

[ginnymack]

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 felt like I had to cite the source exactly, but I did notice that other resorts on the monorail had shorter commute times - which would include the longer monorail ride to the TTC over the shorter walk! My guess it that the author had one or two crazy long waits that skewed the results and it *happened* to be when they were timing from the Poly. Based on the other times listed, it has to be a transportation fluke, not a Poly fluke.

That being said, not only did I feel like I had to quote the source correctly, but it also serves as a good reminder that even very consistant, reliable transportation still has delays from time to time and if you need to be somewhere for rope drop or an ADR be sure to allow LOTS of time! Better to be early and enjoy the atmosphere while you wait than be late and miss your plans!

 

[BCV23]

I agree! I felt like I had to cite the source exactly, but I did notice that other resorts on the monorail had shorter commute times - which would include the longer monorail ride to the TTC over the shorter walk! My guess it that the author had one or two crazy long waits that skewed the results and it *happened* to be when they were timing from the Poly. Based on the other times listed, it has to be a transportation fluke, not a Poly fluke.

That being said, not only did I feel like I had to quote the source correctly, but it also serves as a good reminder that even very consistant, reliable transportation still has delays from time to time and if you need to be somewhere for rope drop or an ADR be sure to allow LOTS of time! Better to be early and enjoy the atmosphere while you wait than be late and miss your plans!

My guess would be that the route (walk to TTC) was edited but the times weren't!

You are so right about allowing extra time for delays.

 

[Melknor]

I'm down to the single digits.............8 more days!! I did the online check in this morning. When I booked, I requested Tokeleu so I REALLY hope we get our request. I'm sooo excited! My kids have no idea we are staying there. I even bought a couple of sand pails and shovels to bring along for them to play on the beach.

I'm debating on packing less and doing laundry on our "off day". How busy is the laundry during the mornings or evenings? Do you put your stuff in and leave/come back later or do you stay and wait there with it?


Melanie

 

[maiapapaya]

I'm down to the single digits.............8 more days!! I did the online check in this morning. When I booked, I requested Tokeleu so I REALLY hope we get our request. I'm sooo excited! My kids have no idea we are staying there. I even bought a couple of sand pails and shovels to bring along for them to play on the beach.

I'm debating on packing less and doing laundry on our "off day". How busy is the laundry during the mornings or evenings? Do you put your stuff in and leave/come back later or do you stay and wait there with it?


Melanie

I did laundry in the afternoon (while DH had the kids in the pool). There was only one other person there, but initially there were no machines available. Someone had loaded their stuff & left - it was finished washing, and taking up a couple of machines, but the owner was no where to be found - sooo annoying!! Once I finally got some freed up machines I stayed (didn't want to do the same thing to someone else). I slipped over to CC & refilled my mug and then sat and watched the tv in the waiting area. It was actually a nice relaxing break.

 

[tiggspring]

I went late after wishes on a wed or thur last May and I took the last washers. The washers are small and if you have a good HE washer at home you will be dissapointed in how clean your clothes really get. My kids had chocolate stains on almost every piece of clothing they had and the stains did not come out until I washed them at home. I am planning to wash everything when I get home this year. Everyday we are going to put our dirty clothes in a lg ziplock and then put that bag in an empty suitcase left in the trunk of our van. Hopefully the extra steps on the way to the ttc will make packing day much less overwhelming. Since everthing we already used will be in the van

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

I couldn't agree more.

Once Disney closed PI, we have no reason to go to DTD. I think the 54 minutes listed in the chart is fairly spot on give or take 5-10 minutes either way. It has always taken us an hour, sometimes longer, to get to DTD and the return trip equally as long. So not worth the trip out there unless you are a major shopaholic.

Even as a self-admitted major shopaholic, I'd still avoid DTD at all costs. Went there last June on a bus (insert curses here) to do DisneyQuest and shop at Tren-D and honestly it was the biggest waste of time. We'll have a car this year but have no plans to go there.

All of the major shopaholics in the 'know' know EPCOT's World Showcase is the place to shop till ya drop. I barely made it out of Mitsukoshi alive!

 

[Tess]

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 do--even if you just missed a monorail--it isn't long before another arrives. I'd say walking from Polynesian to TTC and riding to EPCOT can't take longer than 30 minutes, tops. Now, if there are monorail issues--.

Personally, I've never found getting to EPCOT to be an issue and it's fairly quick too. Could it be the high end time is returning after Illuminations? That could take longer, but we've still made it back from EPCOT to Polynesian for desserts after Illuminations.

 

[tiggspring]

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.

Yes that epcot time sees really high. Seemed like it was about 10-15 min from ttc.

How long does it take to drive to DDT we are going there our first day then to check in. I want to have plenty of time at the resort that afternoon.

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

Even as a self-admitted major shopaholic, I'd still avoid DTD at all costs. Went there last June on a bus (insert curses here) to do DisneyQuest and shop at Tren-D and honestly it was the biggest waste of time. We'll have a car this year but have no plans to go there.

All of the major shopaholics in the 'know' know EPCOT's World Showcase is the place to shop till ya drop. I barely made it out of Mitsukoshi alive!

Hey, now!! I need an Earl fix at least once a trip!!!

I've done DTD one time via bus, and it was kind of a hassle, but I think the buses are a hassle anyway. We usually drive to and walk around DTD on our arrival day. I don't know why, but I have to hit a park before opening to properly start the trip, so we do this instead of a park. Don't do a lot of shopping, but the kids like the Lego sculptures and water play area.

 

[Tess]

Even as a self-admitted major shopaholic, I'd still avoid DTD at all costs. Went there last June on a bus (insert curses here) to do DisneyQuest and shop at Tren-D and honestly it was the biggest waste of time. We'll have a car this year but have no plans to go there.

All of the major shopaholics in the 'know' know EPCOT's World Showcase is the place to shop till ya drop. I barely made it out of Mitsukoshi alive!

You got that right Ms.Stinkerbelle! EPCOT can be dangerous. . .

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

Hey, now!! I need an Earl fix at least once a trip!!!

I've never been to that restaurant. Keep getting sidetracked by that Giardelli chocolate place.

I've done DTD one time via bus, and it was kind of a hassle, but I think the buses are a hassle anyway. We usually drive to and walk around DTD on our arrival day. I don't know why, but I have to hit a park before opening to properly start the trip, so we do this instead of a park. Don't do a lot of shopping, but the kids like the Lego sculptures and water play area.

The DTD buses seem to be the biggest hassle because it seems to take forever for them to arrive then you have to stop at the GF, then go on from there. When DD was smaller we did do DTD quite a bit because of the Bibbidy Bobbity Boutique (before the MK location) and World of Disney and the water play area. Gotta love the Lego dragon.

Totally understand about hitting the park. We used to do that too. It just feels magical to us. Now because we've been flying in the early afternoon now to arrive, we still go to the park first. Usually it's the MK but this year DD10 has declared EPCOT to be the 'first day' park of choice.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

You got that right Ms.Stinkerbelle! EPCOT can be dangerous. . .

The 'alcohol sold round the world' just makes it even more so!

 

[Tess]

The 'alcohol sold round the world' just makes it even more so!

A conspiracy theorist would say that is why EPCOT has alcohol--it loosens purse strings and clouds judgment.

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

I've never been to that restaurant. Keep getting sidetracked by that Giardelli chocolate place.



The DTD buses seem to be the biggest hassle because it seems to take forever for them to arrive then you have to stop at the GF, then go on from there. When DD was smaller we did do DTD quite a bit because of the Bibbidy Bobbity Boutique (before the MK location) and World of Disney and the water play area. Gotta love the Lego dragon.

Totally understand about hitting the park. We used to do that too. It just feels magical to us. Now because we've been flying in the early afternoon now to arrive, we still go to the park first. Usually it's the MK but this year DD10 has declared EPCOT to be the 'first day' park of choice.

Actually, one year we did AK first , but we were attending the Christmas parade taping and MVMCP and had a day planned at MK, so we didn't want to have MK overload. I felt a little off the whole trip.

We usually can't get a flight that arrives before 1:30 or so, so we just unpack, relax, go for a swim then hit DTD on our arrival days. Then I try to sleep in anticipation of the first day at the parks, but I never do!

 

[Aristocath]

Even as a self-admitted major shopaholic, I'd still avoid DTD at all costs. Went there last June on a bus (insert curses here) to do DisneyQuest and shop at Tren-D and honestly it was the biggest waste of time. We'll have a car this year but have no plans to go there.

All of the major shopaholics in the 'know' know EPCOT's World Showcase is the place to shop till ya drop. I barely made it out of Mitsukoshi alive!

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

We are staying at the Doubletree DTD for three nights before we check into the Poly. (For Harry Potter and the trip to Kennedy Space Center.) I've told the boys that any time at DTD is to be spent during those three days because I cannot bear the bus ride to DTD! Tren-D is the one shop I was looking forward to visiting.

 

[maiapapaya]

We usually can't get a flight that arrives before 1:30 or so, so we just unpack, relax, go for a swim then hit DTD on our arrival days. Then I try to sleep in anticipation of the first day at the parks, but I never do!

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! )

 

[Stitch'sCousin]

We're back at the Poly this summer but we are flying this time and won't have a car. Taking the bus to DTD sounds like a bad idea. Any idea of how much it costs to take a cab for 5 one way from the Poly to DTD?