ALOHA! The Poly FAQ~ Spring 2010 Edition

[916chipndale]

We will be staying in a TPV room (nothing else available). I have a few questions:
Are all of these rooms in the Hawaii building?
How far is the Hawaii longhouse from the main building and monorail to MK?
If you have a TPV do you also have a lagoon view? What about a balcony-That's a must for us?
If TPV rooms are in other longhouses which one would be the closest to the main building, have a balcony as well as a water view?
I'm hoping for that kind of money we can have those three things, but I know that nothing is quaranteed. Thanks!

only theme park club level rooms are in hawaii building with a theme park view you wil also have a lagoon view tuvalu and aotearoa are the closest TPV to the GCH but aotearoas TPV are not the besttuvalu has pretty good TPV's but you would have to request a 3rd floor room because the 2nd floor rooms dont have balconies in tuvalu but there is tahiti wich is a little farther but not that far from the GCH and is close to the TTC also tahiti has larger rooms and all rooms have balconies

 

[vinotinto]

Aristocath, Minnie&Nana and iloveeeyore:

Thanks! Monorail or walk to GF, then walk back from GF. To HDDR, take boat or monorail to MK and then take the boat from there.

Thanks for humoring my control freakness and my need to have a specific plan.

 

[Aristocath]

Aristocath, Minnie&Nana and iloveeeyore:

Thanks! Monorail or walk to GF, then walk back from GF. To HDDR, take boat or monorail to MK and then take the boat from there.

Thanks for humoring my control freakness and my need to have a specific plan.

My family humors my control freakness all the time. I'm just paying it forward!

 

[taylor3297]

Our beloved Poly is taking a bashing on another thread. One poster made the comment about broken windows in 'Ohana and another posted that the lobby roof had a major leakage problem.

 

[vicki_c]

Hi Breezy's Mom & other Poly lovers - I haven't popped in here for quite a while.

So this may be old news - but did you all know Chef Dick in the Hawaii lounge is retiring this summer? I had just been on the Tikiman site looking something up for someone and I saw that announcement. Steve had posted it in January but I guess I hadn't been over there since then.

So if anyone's going to be staying CL, make sure to send Chef Dick my best wishes!

(PS - now there are 2 Poly bashing threads going on- LOL - I don't know I don't see it - that it needs a major overhaul - I think the rooms look beautiful since the last rehab a few years ago. I also haven't had housekeeping issues but we did stay in Hawaii on both of our last trips. Even Tikiman has mentioned housekeeping problems, so that's probably true, but I haven't experienced it myself).

 

[maiapapaya]

(PS - now there are 2 Poly bashing threads going on- LOL - I don't know I don't see it - that it needs a major overhaul - I think the rooms look beautiful since the last rehab a few years ago. I also haven't had housekeeping issues but we did stay in Hawaii on both of our last trips. Even Tikiman has mentioned housekeeping problems, so that's probably true, but I haven't experienced it myself).

Might have to find these threads and run some d-fence (unless it's some Poly-lovers using ghost nics and trying some reverse psychology to keep our beloved resort from getting too crowded! )

 

[carlnix30]

Hi Breezy's Mom & other Poly lovers - I haven't popped in here for quite a while.

So this may be old news - but did you all know Chef Dick in the Hawaii lounge is retiring this summer? I had just been on the Tikiman site looking something up for someone and I saw that announcement. Steve had posted it in January but I guess I hadn't been over there since then.

So if anyone's going to be staying CL, make sure to send Chef Dick my best wishes!

we will be there during chef Dicks last few days there! We are planning something for him from us to say he will be missed!

 

[Figment1990]

Thank You!!

The Polynesian is by far my most favorite resort. The most magical moment is walking through the sliding glass doors into the GCH.

We are just back from our trip - 9 nights at the POLY! I was catching up on my DIS (have to do something to deal with the withdrawal pain) and saw this post. My son (who is 2), found the sliding glass doors to the GCH to be great entertainment when "mommy and grandpa" checked in at the front desk. By the time we left today he figured out that the doors will open if he steps right on the "Polynesian" imprinted on the mat in front of them. Seriously though - I know what you mean - I love the feeling of walking in those doors when you first arrive... ahhhhh...

FWIW regarding the other posts right now about the Poly - We had a great stay at the Poly and had no maintenance issues. We were in Tokelau (got my request!) and found the walk to the GCH and the TTC to be very very quick. I can't see how someone would think that the Tahiti building would be too far from the TTC.... It's about as close as you can get and still have a beautiful view of the lagoon and castle!

Oh well, more hammocks for us! That's what makes Disney so awesome - the variety so everyone can find something they like!

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

Might have to find these threads and run some d-fence (unless it's some Poly-lovers using ghost nics and trying some reverse psychology to keep our beloved resort from getting too crowded! )

NOOOOO!!! Keep 'em out so we can enjoy empty beaches (and maybe that second TPV CL room will open up for me!!).

If anyone's browsing...the Poly is horrible. Don't stay there, don't even come to the beach to watch Wishes. Horrible. Just terrible!!!

 

[livie1205]

NOOOOO!!! Keep 'em out so we can enjoy empty beaches (and maybe that second TPV CL room will open up for me!!).

If anyone's browsing...the Poly is horrible. Don't stay there, don't even come to the beach to watch Wishes. Horrible. Just terrible!!!

no not poly-lovers... there really has been some service issues there lately...we will be glad to give up the hammocks on the beach.We went hoping some of the reviews were wrong but we had some big issues and I think mang. really needs to be looked at there.I know every resort has issues but its the way they handle them.They were pretty rude and we were VERY VERY nice in the way we took it to them.I emailed when we got home and got a very fast call back from a lady that said there have been a few emails about poly lately and gave us back about 570.00 to put towards our AKL trip.
I am glad you have not had a issue there but for people that do it is not easy because all they want is a great trip. I hope you continue to get great service there

 

[BreezysMom]

hi Vicki C! Yes, Chef Dick is leaving I wish him the best in his life after the Poly.

As far as the negative threads....

The poster had a bad stay and she did not find the Poly as magical. I respect that. I understand her frustration with feeling like she had to keep lodging complaints for maintenence issues. I hope she writes a letter with her issues. It does sound horrible and even I, a Poly lover would be frustrated with all the issues she experienced.

There are always going to be people who just don't get the Poly allure. Disney really does not have an issue filling Poly rooms. While the Poly is the most loved, it tends to get the most negative reviews here on the DIS. I personally would not change my reservation because of a negative review on the DIS, but people are spending lots of money to stay at the Poly, they don't want to be disappointed.

I respect everyones opinion good or bad. It will not sway how I feel about the Poly. I tend not too get involved in negative Poly threads because I know there will be lovers and haters and I certainly don't want to argue what I cannot control. More room for us at the Poly is how I see it

Happy Monday

 

[maiapapaya]

I did reply to the one thread where the OP asks if the Poly needs an overhaul. I mentioned that we didn't have any problems with our room in October - that it seemed like it had been redone at some point fairly recently and it was clean. Of course if there are maintenance issues they should be fixed.

Honestly, though, I didn't really have anything to say in reply to the other, more critical thread. There were a lot of people who seemed to have similar issues to the OP. It actually had me wondering what the heck is going on. I hope all of those who have had issues with the Poly and concerns about the supposed state of disrepair have complained to higher up management. These things won't be fixed if TPTB are not made aware that they are turning off their clientele.

 

[Missus Toad]

While I've never had a bad experience at the Poly (on the contrary, I've been over the moon on each of countless visits), I am always slightly troubled when I read a cluster of negative reviews. Not that it will keep me away, but I do think management needs to be aware of what is happening so that it doesn't happen to me/us. FWIW, I've sent an email to wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com with a link to the most recent thread. I know, a few reports out of so many other raves, but still, if I can help raise awareness with management, I up my chances of avoiding a similar incident, and it couldn't possible hurt. I would hate to have my good Poly visit record tarnished by an epic service fail. Just a thought. Aloha!

 

[PolynesianLily]

We have never had any serious problems at the Polynesian. We have had smaller problems, but again they occurred in years previous and we have never had the same problems since. The only "issues" that we have had were with the cleanliness of the room, but on our last trip everything was fine.

I'm sorry that some people had negative experiences. I guess it is unfortunately just hit and miss.

 

[donnajean17]

hi Vicki C! Yes, Chef Dick is leaving I wish him the best in his life after the Poly.

As far as the negative threads....

The poster had a bad stay and she did not find the Poly as magical. I respect that. I understand her frustration with feeling like she had to keep lodging complaints for maintenence issues. I hope she writes a letter with her issues. It does sound horrible and even I, a Poly lover would be frustrated with all the issues she experienced.

There are always going to be people who just don't get the Poly allure. Disney really does not have an issue filling Poly rooms. While the Poly is the most loved, it tends to get the most negative reviews here on the DIS. I personally would not change my reservation because of a negative review on the DIS, but people are spending lots of money to stay at the Poly, they don't want to be disappointed.

I respect everyones opinion good or bad. It will not sway how I feel about the Poly. I tend not too get involved in negative Poly threads because I know there will be lovers and haters and I certainly don't want to argue what I cannot control. More room for us at the Poly is how I see it

Happy Monday

Well said!

 

[Princess_K]

Hi, everyone! I'm getting so excited...we are exactly 2 weeks from our Poly stay! I've never stayed at a deluxe, and I'm looking so forward to it. Now, if only I can get through 3 more individual papers, 2 group papers, 1 presentation, and i final, I'll be good to go

 

[maiapapaya]

While I've never had a bad experience at the Poly (on the contrary, I've been over the moon on each of countless visits), I am always slightly troubled when I read a cluster of negative reviews. Not that it will keep me away, but I do think management needs to be aware of what is happening so that it doesn't happen to me/us. FWIW, I've sent an email to wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com with a link to the most recent thread. I know, a few reports out of so many other raves, but still, if I can help raise awareness with management, I up my chances of avoiding a similar incident, and it couldn't possible hurt. I would hate to have my good Poly visit record tarnished by an epic service fail. Just a thought. Aloha!

Fantastic idea Missus Toad! I can't really complain right now (haven't got much to base it on!) but I would really like management to address these problems so that I don't have to complain after our next visit.
I went back to the other thread and added my 2 cents. I will admit I am somewhat concerned about these negative reviews. Management doesn't have a lot of control over someone's problems with the resort's layout or decor, but maintenance, cleanliness and customer service should be a top priority, no matter where you are staying. It can make a huge difference in your vacation experience. I will be keeping my eye on reviews over the next couple of months. This all makes me a little less excited about our next trip. Hope I'm worried about nothing.

 

[PolynesianLily]

Hi, everyone! I'm getting so excited...we are exactly 2 weeks from our Poly stay! I've never stayed at a deluxe, and I'm looking so forward to it. Now, if only I can get through 3 more individual papers, 2 group papers, 1 presentation, and i final, I'll be good to go

Congratulations!!!
Just last week I was thinking the exact same thing, but with different assignments. I was like "Oh please I have to get through 5 exams then it's the Poly". It is all worth it.

 

[BCV23]

Hi, everyone! I'm getting so excited...we are exactly 2 weeks from our Poly stay! I've never stayed at a deluxe, and I'm looking so forward to it. Now, if only I can get through 3 more individual papers, 2 group papers, 1 presentation, and i final, I'll be good to go

Sounds like our DD's agenda before our trip in May. Good luck with it all!

All this negative talk reminds me of a minor annoyance during our stay in Feb.. It was definitely minor but speaks to service. We were very lucky that our room was ready when we checked in mid morning. My son and I preceded to unpack before heading off to lunch. There were two sets of blanket and pillow for the daybed in the closets. I find storage to be lacking compared to the original closet setup so wasn't happy that both top shelves of the closet were full. There was a magickeeper in the hallway so I took one set to her. She seemed to understand what I was saying but told me to call housekeeping. I did so and to the best of my memory was told there were supposed to be two?!?!? Have any of you encountered that lately? At any rate, I told her we would like one set to be picked up. No problem....leave it on the bed. We came back later in the day and it was still there. It never was picked up. My son ended up wanting to sleep in the daybed instead of the other queen so I put two blankets and two pillows on his bed and solved it myself. Still it was not the kind of service I'm used to at the Polynesian. Very minor, of course.

Everything else was magical as ever. The room was neat and pretty. CMs were wonderful. Room service was fast and good as always.

 

[PolynesianLily]

I was reading that thread and the amount of people who were complaining about the theming was shocking. I find the Polynesian to be a beautiful resort, while others do not. I guess it's just a matter of opinion. All in all, after reading that thread I still love the Poly.