ALOHA! The Poly FAQ~ Spring 2010 Edition

[Anna114]

Does anyone know what kind of work is being done in the Hawaii bldg/CL? I read a couple of posts that said work was being done in this bldg and I was concerned about whether or not there was lots of noise, scaffolding, etc. vs. minor work?

Of course, it is nice to fix things up but just don't want it to impact our stay.

To the best of my knowledge it was a one day work thing. Sadly, it had to displace everyone in the building, for the day, but I think it took place on 4/15.

 

[sandyneck]

We are just back from the Poly and you will all be happy to know I posted a glowing report on the Resorts Board. We had a wonderful time and did not encounter any troubles.
I can report that they were working on the roof of the Hawaii building on 4/21 and 22. They banged on it for two days. I felt terrible for people who had payed for CL and wanted to take naps during the day, but they have to do it sometime I guess. There was also scaffolding set up at the end of the building and some big machines doing tree work. I did not affect our stay at all.
Everything was clean and service was great.

 

[livie1205]

What upsets me most about the negative Poly reviews is that people aren't getting them resolved on their trip. If I have a problem and a CM doesn't get it fixed, I speak in person to a manager. I had to do that at POR. If I hadn't spoken to a manager, I'd probably still be upset four years later!

Please, if you have issues, take the time to get them resolved so it doesn't ruin your vacation. (And potenially other people's vacations as well!)

THIS is the main issue with poly...the mang. will not take care of the problems...its bad mang. not a bad resort.People get upset because their issue CANT be worked out while they are there so it stays with them.

 

[sandym718]

Having read the other thread(s), I agree that it seems to be a managment issue. Anything that was a concern (and some I would be very concerned about as well), could happen at any resort. The fact that it wasn't taken care of properly- that's the big problem. But I also agree that it seems to be "pick on the Poly" week and that with larger price tags comes more reason to be dissatisfied. Less complaints about values, perhaps, because it's "easier" to get your money's worth!!

And many of the concerns seem to be personal preference type things - layout of the resort, pool feels too crowded (there is another!), too much walking, etc. Those are personal things, not a problem with the resort.

One thing I decided not to post about but bugs me....comparing the Poly CC "food court" to the POP actual food court. CC's is not designed to be a food court with many, many offerings. It is a QS location. Poly doesn't have a food court because in addition to CC's, it also has Ohana, Kona, the Lounge and the Sushi bar. Values don't HAVE table service restaurants. It's comparing apples to oranges!!!

Oh, and yes, I also agree with all of you who say the Poly cost is definitely NOT just for the room. The location and transportation options are HUGE!

 

[sandyneck]

I agree with the fact that the price of the Poly is not for the room, although I have no complaints about that. It is the proximity to the MK, monorail access, ability to see the fireworks from the beach, and the overall high magic meter for feeling like you are somehow inside the magic. You Poly nuts will know what I am describing. SO, people who do not have the true Disney personality, may well be disappointed to find their $450/night hotel room doesnt live up to similar rooms at other hotels.
I also agree some people's personalities are such that every little thing bothers them, which is fine, but it comes thru loud and clear when they post a review and scares others away from the resort. Hmmm, frogs and bugs by the pool?? Sorry, Disney has not yet figured how to fit a big plastic bubble over all their properties so none of the local critters get in. That is one of the things we loved about the Poly--we loved looking for the permanent guests that live there! Complaints about Ct Cooks??? Tonga Toast for 5 bucks and all the Dole Whip you can squeeze into that little plastic cup??? I do believe this place was fashioned in Heaven!!!!

 

[sandym718]

LOL, we love CC's and all the wonderful animal life at the Poly too!!! DS's favorite part is chasing the lizards around. Our first trip, DH swore there was a bobwhite (?) quail in one of the trees, he recognized the call - he's a hunter. And we all love the ducks!! After seeing a post on this thread, DH and DS are hoping to spot a turkey next trip!! We've seen them from the monorail going to Epcot, but not AT the Poly yet!

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

I agree with the fact that the price of the Poly is not for the room, although I have no complaints about that. It is the proximity to the MK, monorail access, ability to see the fireworks from the beach, and the overall high magic meter for feeling like you are somehow inside the magic. You Poly nuts will know what I am describing. SO, people who do not have the true Disney personality, may well be disappointed to find their $450/night hotel room doesnt live up to similar rooms at other hotels.
I also agree some people's personalities are such that every little thing bothers them, which is fine, but it comes thru loud and clear when they post a review and scares others away from the resort. Hmmm, frogs and bugs by the pool?? Sorry, Disney has not yet figured how to fit a big plastic bubble over all their properties so none of the local critters get in. That is one of the things we loved about the Poly--we loved looking for the permanent guests that live there! Complaints about Ct Cooks??? Tonga Toast for 5 bucks and all the Dole Whip you can squeeze into that little plastic cup??? I do believe this place was fashioned in Heaven!!!!

Amen! Took the words right out of my head. I realize this isn't the way everyone vacations, but once we decide to go to Disney, we are resigned to the fact that we will be spending money. After that, we aim to get the best experience (in our opinion). So, if that means $$$ a night so we can be in MK in five minutes or watch the fireworks in our PJs, so be it. Disney deluxe isn't real world deluxe. You know what, though, that's ok. I LOVE being immersed in the theming of the deluxes, so the extra pennies ( or $100s, whatever) are well spent.

I've mentioned this before, but I always go in expecting a nasty room, horrible crowds and the service to suck. Amazingly, once we get there, well...

The Poly is our Disney home, but I'm not going to rush to defend her each time she gets bashed. More Dole Whip and lounge chairs for us!!

 

[Sunshine1987]

I have nothing to contribute here except that I AM SO STINKIN EXCITED for our trip that I cannot concentrate on anything else!! I am mostly posting so I can see my ticker !!!

This will be our first stay at the Poly and I am over the moon that we are staying TPV! How does anyone stay focused on work, school, and ANYTHING these last couple of weeks!!!

I have read all the "issues" and while it does raise a bit of concern, I don't want to be super worried. I am glad people are raising their issues with mgmt because the ONLY way things are resolved is if they are addressed! (and yes sometimes it takes a few whacks!)

My biggest concern really is the weather! Last year, we went to WDW the 2nd week in May and had lovely weather (and missed an inland hurricane at home) BUT the poor folks who went the 3rd week received RECORD rainfalls! That is when we are going this time around!

Overall though I am just mostly excited!!! I cannot wait to try the Lapu Lapu! I have been eyeballing that drink on the Dis Boards for over 1 1/2 years now. I couldn't get myself to spend the money last time but I am going to do it this time!!!!!

Yay! Polynesian Lily you are up right before us! Hope you have a great trip!!!!

 

[vinotinto]

I admit it. I'm a little concerned and puzzled about the negative reviews. The issues about the Tonga Toast, or Captain Cook's or the spreadness or whatever - who cares? But, I do expect all hotels, regardless of price, to be clean, to have things working properly, and to address issues within a reasonable time frame after being brought up to management's attention. Finding a dirty toilet is not acceptable, whether it's a $60 Days Inn or a $500 Four Seasons or a $100 Disney Value or a $400 Disney Deluxe.

I emailed disney about the Poly pool since it seems that many people "crash" or "pool hop" into it. Their response was that they check ID (maybe in theory, it sounds like in practice it's not very consistent). I asked about implementing armbands - like at Stormalong Bay at BC/YC (where we stayed last year). Perhaps I need to email them again. Perhaps if we all email them, they will make sure these things get addressed. With the floppy economy, they may have fewer personel working to address maintenance and housekeeping issues and this may help them realize they cannot cut back on regular maintenance and housekeeping.

 

[Veals_Family]

Hmmm, frogs and bugs by the pool?? Sorry, Disney has not yet figured how to fit a big plastic bubble over all their properties so none of the local critters get in. That is one of the things we loved about the Poly--we loved looking for the permanent guests that live there! Complaints about Ct Cooks??? Tonga Toast for 5 bucks and all the Dole Whip you can squeeze into that little plastic cup??? I do believe this place was fashioned in Heaven!!!!

OH How this made me laugh!

All I know is that I can't wait for the pool, the fireworks on the beach, Kona, CC & Ohana.....Oh and the DRINKS!

We are down to SINGLE digits POLY people!

 

[maiapapaya]

I emailed disney about the Poly pool since it seems that many people "crash" or "pool hop" into it. Their response was that they check ID (maybe in theory, it sounds like in practice it's not very consistent). I asked about implementing armbands - like at Stormalong Bay at BC/YC (where we stayed last year). Perhaps I need to email them again. Perhaps if we all email them, they will make sure these things get addressed. With the floppy economy, they may have fewer personel working to address maintenance and housekeeping issues and this may help them realize they cannot cut back on regular maintenance and housekeeping.

That's hooey, using a nice term since there's been too much Poly poop talk on the board the last couple of days! We were never approached once by a life guard in our 8 day stay last fall, nor did we see them approach anyone else.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Wow, sure has been a busy day around here! Have not received one email notification.

I also posted on the "Poly Face-lift" thread and agree with the management issue. It's sad to see this happening because we love the Poly so much. I did not mention our last stay on that thread - our room in Tokelau was in good condition, but the balcony was covered in heavy spider webs (with spiders). Maybe some will find that a minor complaint, but in all our previous Poly stays, never did we even find a single spider web, never mind a thick covering. Hey, a spider web can happen overnight, but not the kind we had on that balcony. We called maintenance - when he finally arrived two days later (and multiple calls as we wanted to enjoy the balcony), he laughed at us! I'm serious, he actually laughed that we called for someone to clean off the webs. Housekeeping should have noticed had bad it was and notified maintenance.

Was check-in great - no. Did we have to change rooms - yes. Was it easy - no. Were the CM's at the front desk helpful - no. But we've had at least 10 stays at this resort and 2 bad experiences. It makes me sad to read so many issues these days - especially maintenance and CM's.

As many have already said, poor housekeeping can happen anywhere - our first stay at the GF our bathroom didn't appear to have been vacuumed or even lightly wiped down. Pretty gross.

Don't even get me started comparing the Polynesian to POP! It's just silly! We've stayed there too - a few times - while the food court may be good, over the few yrs since the resort opened, the place is always dirty, rooms were in truly awful condition by 2005 - well, twice in a row for us and it was bad - feces all over the toilet...and worse.

Yes, we pay a whole lot more for the Poly for location, but at any resort, the rooms should be in excellent condition, housekeeping excellent, as well as guest service. All has changed drastically since our first stay in 1981 - sadly, I don't think we will see that level of guest service again.

Sorry to go so...this is a topic that gets me going!!!

 

[sandyneck]

Overall though I am just mostly excited!!! I cannot wait to try the Lapu Lapu! I have been eyeballing that drink on the Dis Boards for over 1 1/2 years now. I couldn't get myself to spend the money last time but I am going to do it this time!!!!

Actually, you may save money--I only drank half and passed out under a palm tree on the beach!! I didn't need to order another drink all day

 

[carlnix30]

I have been reading all the pros and cons of the poly! Poly lovers defend and poly newbies complain..

This subject is cut and dry!
I agree that our room should be clean and all maintenance issues resolved!
If you were to pay $500 a night staying anywhere but Disney you would never settle for issues that have been mentoned! The reviews and the hotel would be horrendous!

On the other hand, if you stayed anywhere else besides poly. The service could be worse! Some of us love the poly because of the monorail.some of us love the poly because of the staff. Some love the poly because that was the first resort they stayed in as a child. The list goes on and on!

anyone That has stayed at a four seasons will tell you... The poly is not a 5 star hotel by any means! Disney gets to charge that rate because people want to stay there and pay that price.

It's my poly leave it alone! It's magical for some and horrible for others.

I know that if I have an issue while I am staying there it will be resolved.

 

[mickey2minnie1]

I am rescheduling my Nov trip at the CBR to stay in Dec at the Poly. It is value season and we can do it. My kids were begging me, even if it means no swimming. We have had two fabulous stays there and they just love it.

I thought I could do it and settle for the CBR, but I can't. CBR is beautiful, but it is not the Poly. I hope early Dec turns out to be great for a long weekend. We are going to Disney to enjoy the Christmas decos!

 

[BreezysMom]

I am rescheduling my Nov trip at the CBR to stay in Dec at the Poly. It is value season and we can do it. My kids were begging me, even if it means no swimming. We have had two fabulous stays there and they just love it.

I thought I could do it and settle for the CBR, but I can't. CBR is beautiful, but it is not the Poly. I hope early Dec turns out to be great for a long weekend. We are going to Disney to enjoy the Christmas decos!

YEA!!! You are going to have a wonderful time!

 

[momtolots]

I have nothing to contribute here except that I AM SO STINKIN EXCITED for our trip that I cannot concentrate on anything else!! I am mostly posting so I can see my ticker !!!

This will be our first stay at the Poly and I am over the moon that we are staying TPV! How does anyone stay focused on work, school, and ANYTHING these last couple of weeks!!!

I have read all the "issues" and while it does raise a bit of concern, I don't want to be super worried. I am glad people are raising their issues with mgmt because the ONLY way things are resolved is if they are addressed! (and yes sometimes it takes a few whacks!)

My biggest concern really is the weather! Last year, we went to WDW the 2nd week in May and had lovely weather (and missed an inland hurricane at home) BUT the poor folks who went the 3rd week received RECORD rainfalls! That is when we are going this time around!

Overall though I am just mostly excited!!! I cannot wait to try the Lapu Lapu! I have been eyeballing that drink on the Dis Boards for over 1 1/2 years now. I couldn't get myself to spend the money last time but I am going to do it this time!!!!!

Yay! Polynesian Lily you are up right before us! Hope you have a great trip!!!!

Hey, maybe we will see you there. We leave 2wks tonight. We are taking our time, and hope to do outlet shopping before checking in on the 13th. Our first time at CL. And we still haven't told the kids we are going. Hoping we can keep it a surprise until the end!

 

[auntie]

I'm sticking with our plans for our stay at the Poly next month. We had such a lovely time in Oct. '08. The resort was beautiful, and the room was meticulously clean. Staff was incredibly friendly. Check in went smoothly. I hope for a repeat experience.

 

[momtolots]

Ok...what happened to my ticker?? I only had 2wks and 3 days to go!!!

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

I hope these come thru. I'll try posting one & if it works, I'll do more. Otherwise, it's back to the drawing board...

Volcano Pool & Slide:
albums/xx119/gretchenohar/Poly%202010/2010WDW006.jpg[/IMG]

OKAY - it didn't work.
Any suggestions?
I uploaded them to photobucket then copied the bottom link then pasted here. I must be missing a step or something...
TIA
Gretchen