ALOHA! The Poly FAQ~ Spring 2010 Edition

[iloveeeyore]

What's the fastest way to be there as early as possible?

Since we'll be in Hawaii, do you suggest taking the monorail usually to get to MK or the monorail?

Any tips on what times of day are faster for which type of transportation?

As you're leaving Hawaii, look over to the dock to see if the resort launch is running yet. If it is, and it is docked or between GF and Poly, get on it. It is a beautiful ride, especially early morning and late night (in nice weather), and very quick. If no launch, walk to the GCH and grab the resort monorail. The resort transportation runs earlier than the TTC transportation on EMH mornings (non-resort guests not eligible for EMH), but I think the launch usually starts later than the monorail.

Coming back from MK, we have always found the launch to be quickest. It stops at GF on the way back, but nobody seems to use it (shhh), so there have never been any crowds in our experience. The ride is GORGEOUS at night and so peaceful!

Enjoy EMH! I recommend planning to be at the turnstiles no later than 20-30 minutes before opening so you can be close to the front of the line. If not, it's hard to get the most out of EMH.

 

[Spaceship Tigger]

We will be driving to HS due to what we have heard. I'm surprised we have to share with all 3 Lagoon resorts! Thanks for the tip to head over to TTC. I think the only time we might bus is to AK anyway.

We drove to HS and AK both pretty quickly. We never spend time waiting for Disney busses to go anywhere.

Honestly, I think it might have even been better for us to drive to Epcot this time. There were numerous monorail issues it seemed. One time we sat on the Epcot monorail waiting to go but there was a maintenance issue with another monorail on the track. We sat for 20 minutes and were a little late for our ADR. Every time we left to go to Epcot we needed to make sure and give ourselves about 30 minutes to get into the park due to having to wait on the next monorail. It seems driving there and taking the tram to the front is just as efficient.

 

[DisneyBarlans]

Just got back from the Poly and it was AWESOME!!!! DH surprised me with MK view!! We were in Tahiti in room 1018 on the ground floor. We had a perfect view of the castle and MK. We went to sleep with the castle as our night light and that was the first thing we saw every morning. We had a great time!!! The only thing that we weren't happy about was the bus service. We usually drive, but this trip we flew since it was just for a long weekend. Anyway, on Sunday we waited almost 1 HOUR for a bus to Hollywood Studios, and by the time it finally came there were about 200 other people waiting for it and we couldn't even get on. We ended up taking a cab.

Anyway, the resort itself was beautiful. everything about it! We liked it so much that we changed our resort to the Poly for the first 2 days of our next trip. Can't wait!!!

 

[Anna114]

Just got back from the Poly and it was AWESOME!!!! DH surprised me with MK view!! We were in Tahiti in room 1018 on the ground floor. We had a perfect view of the castle and MK. We went to sleep with the castle as our night light and that was the first thing we saw every morning. We had a great time!!! The only thing that we weren't happy about was the bus service. We usually drive, but this trip we flew since it was just for a long weekend. Anyway, on Sunday we waited almost 1 HOUR for a bus to Hollywood Studios, and by the time it finally came there were about 200 other people waiting for it and we couldn't even get on. We ended up taking a cab.

Anyway, the resort itself was beautiful. everything about it! We liked it so much that we changed our resort to the Poly for the first 2 days of our next trip. Can't wait!!!

I'm so glad you had such a good time. We were at the Poly at the beginning of the month. Disney sent me a card to do a survey (I think because we stayed CL) I happen to mention the problem with the HS bus. It was just terrible. How did you like those wonderful gardenias? I can still smell them

 

[DisneyBarlans]

We just got the survey today and I'm definately going to mention the bus service.

The gardenias smelled SO good!!! All of the plants at the Poly were beautiful, I took tons of pictures that I'll post on here as soon as I get them all downloaded & edited.

 

[PamelaKay]

9 more days for us! Suitcases are out and the pre-trip laundry has begun.

I am jealous! I am sure you are doing the happy dance!

 

[mdrob214]

I love the Poly, it is my favorite place on property. I stay there 9 out of 10 trips. It's fantastic, amazing, beautiful.....but for the price you pay, their bus service is ridiculous. Not only does it seem to take FOREVER for a bus to come, but you share that bus with GF and Contemporary. (can someone tell me why, a $400+ a night rack rate has to share a bus, but an $89 POP Century does not?). We always try the bus, to see if it has improved, but it never does. Spend the few min. extra and walk to the TTC. It might take 5 mins to walk there, but you save 15+ mins of waiting for a bus and multiple stops.

We will be driving to HS due to what we have heard. I'm surprised we have to share with all 3 Lagoon resorts! Thanks for the tip to head over to TTC. I think the only time we might bus is to AK anyway.

Last summer we stayed at CR and shared buses with Poly and GF for HS, AK, and DTD/Waterparks. We were there in July(9-16) and never were on a bus that was crowded. Of course, we don't go to EMH parks, so that has a lot to do with it. It did add a little time to our trip to have to stop at 2 other resorts, but, knowing that, we just planned accordingly. It really wasn't an issue.

 

[BabyFu18]

Hi everyone, we just booked our first trip to the Poly and I am super excited! Last year we booked the Poly and cancelled at the last minute opting for SOG instead to save money. This year we were booked at SOG and cancelled that to opt for the Poly! We are not canceling anymore that's for sure, I never really thought we'd be able to stay at the Poly but thanks to the military 40% off rate we are able to do it.

I'm going to be reading this thread and hopefully not annoying anyone if I have questions.

Hope everyone going soon has a wonderful trip!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

We're baack! Nope haven't been to our much loved Poly, but had decided to stay at GF Sugarloaf this visit. As much as we love the GF, it did not feel right staying there for our December trip.

So we are booked for Poly TPV, possibly switching CL TPV should it become available with our pin code or AP rate.

Really missed this thread and all the nice folks here(nice folks over on the GF too).

For those leaving soon - have a fabulous trip and safe travels!

Now need to go catch up on the happenings around here.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Just got back from the Poly and it was AWESOME!!!! DH surprised me with MK view!! We were in Tahiti in room 1018 on the ground floor. We had a perfect view of the castle and MK. We went to sleep with the castle as our night light and that was the first thing we saw every morning. We had a great time!!! The only thing that we weren't happy about was the bus service. We usually drive, but this trip we flew since it was just for a long weekend. Anyway, on Sunday we waited almost 1 HOUR for a bus to Hollywood Studios, and by the time it finally came there were about 200 other people waiting for it and we couldn't even get on. We ended up taking a cab.

Anyway, the resort itself was beautiful. everything about it! We liked it so much that we changed our resort to the Poly for the first 2 days of our next trip. Can't wait!!!

Sounds heavenly! So glad you had a wonderful trip and that the view was perfect!

My friends and I have booked TPV for a Girls Only trip and cannot decide which Longhouse to request - Tahiti or Tuvalu. We love the view from both, but thinking we might enjoy the beach by Tahiti. Were you able to see the Electrical Water Pageant from your room? Thanks!

Welcome back and happy planning for your next trip!

 

[Tess]

I'm so glad you had such a good time. We were at the Poly at the beginning of the month. Disney sent me a card to do a survey (I think because we stayed CL) I happen to mention the problem with the HS bus. It was just terrible. How did you like those wonderful gardenias? I can still smell them

We just got the survey today and I'm definately going to mention the bus service.

The gardenias smelled SO good!!! All of the plants at the Poly were beautiful, I took tons of pictures that I'll post on here as soon as I get them all downloaded & edited.

I've been filling out those surveys for 20 years and the bus service from Poly remains my biggest gripe. While I really can't complain about the parks themselves; the trip to DTD is ridiculous! Maybe someday things will change in the bus operations--given the track record, however, I doubt it.

Those gardenias were heavenly in May 2009. . .

 

[carlnix30]

All our bags are packed!! Kids are jumping off the walls!! After waiting six months, these last few days feel like a million months!

Only 61 hours or 222,280 seconds!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

All our bags are packed!! Kids are jumping off the walls!! After waiting six months, these last few days feel like a million months!

Only 61 hours or 222,280 seconds!

 

[maiapapaya]

All our bags are packed!! Kids are jumping off the walls!! After waiting six months, these last few days feel like a million months!

Only 61 hours or 222,280 seconds!

Ah, you found the elusive suitcases!
Have a fantastic trip!

 

[maiapapaya]

Hit our 180 mark today! ADR's made, flights booked, MVMCP tix in hand ... now we only have just under six months to wait.

 

[disney pro]

Hit our 180 mark today! ADR's made, flights booked, MVMCP tix in hand ... now we only have just under six months to wait.

we hit our 180 day today as well and we got all the ADR's we wanted, I can't make up my mind if I want to do MVMCP or not I'm with you on the waiting, it seems like it will never get here.

At least we have alot of company while we wait.

 

[hstrickland]

Returned from our 9 day CL stay on Sunday....will try and post a mini trip report within the next few days. Had a fabulous stay!!!!! Here are a few of the 1500 pictures we made while on vacation no lie....who knows how I'm going to narrow them down for a photo album

Poly Pictures

Can't wait to return!

 

[DVC Mary]

Thanks for all the transportation info!

I will be at the Poly in approximately 31 hours!!!!!


Entering last set of final exam grades next & then meeting tomorrow. The only real packing I have left is to pack up my classroom more. I'm getting close to the neat dump into a box & come back to file it in the summer on a cool day. It's humid here--getting me ready for FL.

 

[Zuzu03]

Thanks for all the transportation info!

I will be at the Poly in approximately 31 hours!!!!!


Entering last set of final exam grades next & then meeting tomorrow. The only real packing I have left is to pack up my classroom more. I'm getting close to the neat dump into a box & come back to file it in the summer on a cool day. It's humid here--getting me ready for FL.

HAHAHA! I've done that neat dump into a box too (usually it's not so neat and it's in about 15 tubs)! You guys are LUCKY to be done so soon! We go until June 24! My students are c-r-a-z-y right now and I'm trying to get them focused for exams starting on the 16th! Have a WONDERFUL time and a safe trip!!!!

 

[SeaSpray]

Returned from our 9 day CL stay on Sunday....will try and post a mini trip report within the next few days. Had a fabulous stay!!!!! Here are a few of the 1500 pictures we made while on vacation no lie....who knows how I'm going to narrow them down for a photo album

Poly Pictures

Can't wait to return!

Great pics, thanks for sharing! Please post more. Would also love to read a trip report!