ALOHA! The Poly FAQ~ Spring 2010 Edition

[MsStinkerBelle]

Thanks!

Yeah Philly! (Can't front though...Only came here for school I'm still a New Englander at heart...a Mass. Girl to be exact!) Ps. Sry if I'm getting a little carried away w/ the smileys...but they are wicked cool lol

Hey, I won't tell! The smileys are *very* cool. Sometimes when DD sees I'm posting to the DIS she makes me expand the smileys list just so she can watch them. I want a Lapu-Lapu 'passing out' smiley.

Quick Question: Any reviews of the In Room Dining for Breakfast from the Poly?

Everything I've had I loved, especially the macadamia nut pancakes. My only complaint is sometimes I've eaten so much, I don't feel like going to the parks.

 

[maiapapaya]

I read that as "each of us." I thought...she'll never even make it to a park!!

I had just meant one for all of us collectively, but hey, if Dotsie has enough staying power to have one for each of us

 

[Anna114]

breakfast inroom is most excellent! We have ordered breakfast 6 times and Have never had anything that we were dissapointed with! Do it!

OK so this is a funny story, or it is for my husband and I. Here we are at the Poly, our first time away, just the two of us, on our honeymoon. We think we are going to treat ourselves to something really special and have mimosa's and steak and eggs. To this day we can't eat steak and eggs, it was so gross! We have pictures in our photo album and every time we talk about how disgusting it was Not the idea of steak and eggs but the meat was a poor representation of beef and my scrambled eggs were runny. Mimosa's were great! This was 22 years ago so hopefully they have improved

 

[grecorj]

Quick Question: Any reviews of the In Room Dining for Breakfast from the Poly?

Just an aside, we've done in-room for dinner twice; it was a nice change of pace for the kids + adults. It was pretty good, but don't expect table service quality! Go basic, we usually just order a bunch of apps.

 

[FanO'TheMouse]

Hip hip hooray!! We got a coveted pin code and just booked our first trip to the Poly. Like most of you I am an obsessive Disney planner but this is our first monorail resort (stayed AKL before).

I AM SO EXCITED!! Thanks to all of you for the info. I am reading the thread a page at a time. Here is what I learned so far...

1. Every longhouse is the best. You should request it.
2. Once you have a favorite longhouse tell everyone else it is the worst.
3. Don't close the doors on the fridge.

I welcome all advice and insider tips. We are staying GV for 7 nights starting 8/28. We got reservations at Ohana but none yet for Kona.

THANKS so much for all the info and pics!! I am going back to reading so I can request the right room.

 

[iloveeeyore]

Hip hip hooray!! We got a coveted pin code and just booked our first trip to the Poly. Like most of you I am an obsessive Disney planner but this is our first monorail resort (stayed AKL before).

I AM SO EXCITED!! Thanks to all of you for the info. I am reading the thread a page at a time. Here is what I learned so far...

1. Every longhouse is the best. You should request it.
2. Once you have a favorite longhouse tell everyone else it is the worst.
3. Don't close the doors on the fridge.

I welcome all advice and insider tips. We are staying GV for 7 nights starting 8/28. We got reservations at Ohana but none yet for Kona.

THANKS so much for all the info and pics!! I am going back to reading so I can request the right room.

You learn well, FanO'TheMouse!!! Welcome, and congrats on your PIN! I'm especially enjoying your lesson #2! BYW, Rarotonga is TERRIBLE! VERY FAR from everything!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Hip hip hooray!! We got a coveted pin code and just booked our first trip to the Poly. Like most of you I am an obsessive Disney planner but this is our first monorail resort (stayed AKL before).

I AM SO EXCITED!! Thanks to all of you for the info. I am reading the thread a page at a time. Here is what I learned so far...

1. Every longhouse is the best. You should request it.
2. Once you have a favorite longhouse tell everyone else it is the worst.
3. Don't close the doors on the fridge.

I welcome all advice and insider tips. We are staying GV for 7 nights starting 8/28. We got reservations at Ohana but none yet for Kona.

THANKS so much for all the info and pics!! I am going back to reading so I can request the right room.

Gee, you fit right in around here!!! So happy you have a pin (we do too, going again early Dec).

Even though the end of August is hot, it's one of my favorite times to go - and nostalgic because our first trip ever, back in 1981, was August 27th for 6 ngts. Now this will sound absurd, but we love the way the FL morning heat and humidity hits you when the sliding doors open to the Longhouse and we walk outside on our way to a park. I connect that more with the Poly than any other resort...and love it. We still say on mornings like that here, "It smells like vacation today!".

Happy planning!!! (the right longhouse is whichever one appeals most to your family - have you checked out Tikiman's site? http://www.tikiman2001.net/tiki/quick-longhouses )

 

[rezmommy]

We are going to the Poly for our first vacation in July. I have been searching for trip reports of families who have been to WDW in July and stayed at the Poly. So far, I have not found any.

I really would like to get an idea of this time of year. The only indication that I get from the guide books is that it will be HOT and CROWDED. I kind of already figured on that part but would like to hear the rest.

Thanks ~ Melanie

 

[parkers218]

Hip hip hooray!! We got a coveted pin code and just booked our first trip to the Poly. Like most of you I am an obsessive Disney planner but this is our first monorail resort (stayed AKL before).

I AM SO EXCITED!! Thanks to all of you for the info. I am reading the thread a page at a time. Here is what I learned so far...

1. Every longhouse is the best. You should request it.
2. Once you have a favorite longhouse tell everyone else it is the worst.
3. Don't close the doors on the fridge.

I welcome all advice and insider tips. We are staying GV for 7 nights starting 8/28. We got reservations at Ohana but none yet for Kona.

THANKS so much for all the info and pics!! I am going back to reading so I can request the right room.

...I love #2 also!!! We are going at the end of August ....Can't wait!! We went in August of last year too and stayed in Tahiti...Had the AWESOMEST (is that a word??) time!!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

...I love #2 also!!! We are going at the end of August ....Can't wait!! We went in August of last year too and stayed in Tahiti...Had the AWESOMEST (is that a word??) time!!

Haven't heard many good reports from a Tahiti stay in awhile - how was your stay? Any room issues? (GV or LV?)

Thanks!!

 

[parkers218]

Haven't heard many good reports from a Tahiti stay in awhile - how was your stay? Any room issues? (GV or LV?)

Thanks!!

Our stay was great!! We were in garden view but we watched the fireworks from the beach EVERY night. To be COMPLETELY honest we were there for 7 days. Our room was cleaned exceptionally well for the first 4. The last 3 I could tell that we had a different mousekeeper...It wasn't horrible but we could definitely tell the difference. I think like anything else it comes down to a person's work ethic. Our first mousekeeper was VERY detail oriented you could tell that she did the mirrors--the patio doors --(we have 3 kids so fingerprints are our friends) we got extra shampoo/soap/ and fresh towels even when we hung them over the shower curtain rod (in case you don't know this means that you do not need new towels--it's disney's way of being eco friendly) The one at the tail end of our vacation vacuumed and straightened the beds but that was about it We did not have any issues with broken fixtures or mold. The room did not seem dark to us but then again our furniture at home is mostly chocolate colored so our opinion may be biased Captain cooks was good...pretty clean although at PEAK times the area where the drinks and ketchup are kept could get a little icky...but again this was PEAK lunch and dinner times..Any other time it was clean and well kept. We really had a wonderful time. I have to admit to having some doubts too after reading some of the recent reports but we had such a great experience we are going back

 

[danielle782001]

Why so many bad reviews

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Why so many bad reviews

You can't just give rooms to guests without cleaning them.

 

[grecorj]

Can you see/hear Wishes from the Poly volcano pool? We've watched from the marina & the beach, but it has been too cold to swim in at night when we've been @ the Poly our last 2 trips ...

 

[Aristocath]

You can't just give rooms to guests without cleaning them.

Her question was about the Spirit of Aloha show.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Our stay was great!! We were in garden view but we watched the fireworks from the beach EVERY night. To be COMPLETELY honest we were there for 7 days. Our room was cleaned exceptionally well for the first 4. The last 3 I could tell that we had a different mousekeeper...It wasn't horrible but we could definitely tell the difference. I think like anything else it comes down to a person's work ethic. Our first mousekeeper was VERY detail oriented you could tell that she did the mirrors--the patio doors --(we have 3 kids so fingerprints are our friends) we got extra shampoo/soap/ and fresh towels even when we hung them over the shower curtain rod (in case you don't know this means that you do not need new towels--it's disney's way of being eco friendly) The one at the tail end of our vacation vacuumed and straightened the beds but that was about it We did not have any issues with broken fixtures or mold. The room did not seem dark to us but then again our furniture at home is mostly chocolate colored so our opinion may be biased Captain cooks was good...pretty clean although at PEAK times the area where the drinks and ketchup are kept could get a little icky...but again this was PEAK lunch and dinner times..Any other time it was clean and well kept. We really had a wonderful time. I have to admit to having some doubts too after reading some of the recent reports but we had such a great experience we are going back

Thanks so much! We've stayed at the Poly 10/12 times, but never Tahiti, so it is good to know you didn't have any serious issues.

I find the Poly a little dark, but keep the drapes pulled back and always be sure to have a room with a lot of light, so it's worked fine for us. Bathroom is a bit dark if applying make-up - I use the mirror over the desk. Wear so little anyway, especially on vacation!

Thanks again and glad you had a great stay!

 

[Jasmine12]

Are people still faxing in requests for longhouse or 'balcony' preferences? If so, what number should I use and how close to my arrival should I do this?

Random question... after Illuminations, what is the best way to avoid the huge crowd heading to the monorail? Do any past POLY folks know of a shortcut through Int'l Gateway and taking a bus instead? It seems you can wait over an hour and I'm not crazy about the thousands of people waiting on those ramps for the monorail!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Are people still faxing in requests for longhouse or 'balcony' preferences? If so, what number should I use and how close to my arrival should I do this?

Random question... after Illuminations, what is the best way to avoid the huge crowd heading to the monorail? Do any past POLY folks know of a shortcut through Int'l Gateway and taking a bus instead? It seems you can wait over an hour and I'm not crazy about the thousands of people waiting on those ramps for the monorail!

Welcome to the DIS!

We have never faxed in a request in over 25 yrs - now that so many resorts ask guests not to fax, don't think it would help. We add our requests to our reservation, then at check-in before keys are made up, ask where our room is and request a change then, if necessary. Sometimes we may not get the longhouse requested, but are surprised by another great location to ask if they have a room available in the longhouse we requested. Never had a problem.

As for the IllumiNations crowds, the best would be to leave a bit early or take your time afterward. There would not any buses by going through International Gateway since resort buses do not go to other resorts. If it was a late night at MK, you could walk to one of the resorts and take an MK bus, then monorail or water launch to the Poly from there, but the time it would take would not likely be any less - even you there happened to be a bus waiting, it would make other stops before heading to the MK and then you'd hit the evening crowds leaving MK.

We have never waited an hour for an monorail after IllumiNations - 20 mins at the most. Those monorails come pretty much one right after the other.

 

[iloveeeyore]

We have also never had a problem catching a monorail after IllumiNations.

 

[carlnix30]

OK so this is a funny story, or it is for my husband and I. Here we are at the Poly, our first time away, just the two of us, on our honeymoon. We think we are going to treat ourselves to something really special and have mimosa's and steak and eggs. To this day we can't eat steak and eggs, it was so gross! We have pictures in our photo album and every time we talk about how disgusting it was Not the idea of steak and eggs but the meat was a poor representation of beef and my scrambled eggs were runny. Mimosa's were great! This was 22 years ago so hopefully they have improved

Aaaag!!! They must have improved! Eggs hot and delicious! your muffins Or toast come with their own toaster! The steak!! Yummy but it's just sirloin! juice yuuumeeee!