ALOHA! The Poly FAQ~ Spring 2010 Edition

[SurfinTX]

A picture of the Pool from last week to wake up by.

and staying on topic...It was very crowded in the pool by mid-afternoon until early evening but we expected that. It was very hot and nearly unbearable inside the parks during the second half of last week. One big plus was there seemed to be plenty of lifeguards watching as the pools got fuller.

I've started my post-trip report about the Poly if anyone wants to see more soon.

 

[hstrickland]

You are welcome to take sodas from the lounge and have them in your fridge. Bottled water is in glass bottles. If you would like bottled water for your room, simply ask one of the CL CMs in the lounge for one or two.

As for tips, I always tell people to let the CMs at CL do the work for you. If you need to change ADRs while there, ask them to help. Relax and let the CMs do what they do best. Be friendly and outgoing, strike up conversations with the folks in Hawaii--some of our best times have come about as a result of building relationships with the CMs.
Hope you enjoy your stay!

Great advice!!! I always find it interesting when people say that the Poly has rude CMs at CL. In 9 days, we didn't run into any "not so friendly" CMs. They ALL went out of their way to make us feel at home. The very first morning, the kids were acting CRAZY....running around yelling while checking in, and Nancy was so polite to us and the children. I'm someone who ask a 1000 questions, so I became very familiar with the CMs at CL.....again, Tess, great advice!

Y'all have a fabulous trip!!!!

 

[hstrickland]

A picture of the Pool from last week to wake up by.
and staying on topic...It was very crowded in the pool by mid-afternoon until early evening but we expected that. It was very hot and nearly unbearable inside the parks during the second half of last week. One big plus was there seemed to be plenty of lifeguards watching as the pools got fuller.

You are sooooo right about the pool being crowded! WOW! But.....this still would not deter me from going back to the Poly....fell in love with the Poly. Going to check out your TR!

 

[SurfinTX]

Great advice!!! I always find it interesting when people say that the Poly has rude CMs at CL. In 9 days, we didn't run into any "not so friendly" CMs. They ALL went out of their way to make us feel at home. The very first morning, the kids were acting CRAZY....running around yelling while checking in, and Nancy was so polite to us and the children. I'm someone who ask a 1000 questions, so I became very familiar with the CMs at CL.....again, Tess, great advice!

Y'all have a fabulous trip!!!!

As did we in 6 days not run into anyone rude. They might have been busy but when they had finished with thier current task they went out of thier way to solve any problems we had. If you have a question or concern do not hesitate to ask.

 

[jdd]

So excited! We just upgraded our week at the Poly to CL (8/28 to 9/4).

Hey, these are our dates too We're actually at POR for the first three nights (did the kids stay/play/eat free thing to get some TS meals), and then we check in to the Poly CL on 8/31 until 9/4. I'm sure we'll see you around Hawaii!! I'll be the one with three crazy boys running around! Not sure which backpack we're taking this year, but I hope to have my LGMH on it. Be sure to say hi!

 

[carlnix30]

It sucks to hear about the pool hopping it's one thing I am very concerned with for our upcoming trip, it's so saddening to me that people think it's okay to just drop bags off to hold your place at the pool of a resort that they aren't even staying at!

I'm just hoping that the pool hopping and over-crowded pool isn't going to ruin our trip, it seems to be such a big problem at the poly, but I've still always wanted to stay there so I'm giving it a shot for the first time.

I will have to agree with the pool crowded from pool hoppers! several times I saw this happen! we just got back and really enjoyed the Poly as always.

The other two problems I noticed on this trip was the mass amounts of people on the beach to watch wishes of whom were not staying at the Poly. (they filled two monorails after wishes!) also the monorail back to the resort after MK closing. It appears that the staff running monorail was diverting the guest going to TTC to the resort monorail if the wait for the express monorail was packed. We actually had to walk to Contemporary from MK if we wanted to get back to our resort. (my wife was in a scooter and could not take the boat back)

Sad to be back I give you guys a full TR soon!

 

[Capt. Barbosa]

I'm not sure why the MK monorail resorts and BW resorts all dont have the same wristband system the BC does it would cut way down on the amount of people just coming over to cool down in the middle of the day from the parks.

 

[DreamnDisney]

Hello everyone! Just wanted to give a review on my first stay at the Poly from 6/3-6/10. I requested a 3rd floor balcony and was given one in Raratonga facing the monorail. The room smelled very musty and moldy and there were fingerprints all over the glass sliding doors. The room faced the parking lot/monorail. I went to the desk after our day at the MK and explained to the CM how my DBF suffers from severe asthma and we asked if we could be changed to a different building because the musty smell was very overpowering. The CM was very kind and moved us to a 3rd floor balcony in Tuvalu facing Figi and the marina! The view was beautiful, the room was very clean and didn't smell. The Poly was beautiful and watching the Summer Nightastic fireworks from the beach was amazing. The few times we did eat at Captain Cooks I found the service to be horrible. The CM's at the register were extremely slow and disorganized, the food took forever and everyone's orders were getting all mized up. Other than that, we had an incredible stay! The parks weren't too busy at first, but as we got further into the week the busier it got. It was also very HOT! we spent a lot of afternoons by the volcano pool on the beach!

 

[taylor3297]

It is now really feeling like our trip is actually going to happen. Since we started planning in March of 2009 it seemed like December 2010 was so far away.

All of our ADR's are booked. I managed to get everyone we wanted and at the times we wanted.

A little while ago I booked our plane tickets via Southwest.

I am so wanting to go on vacation and of course stay at the Poly!

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

I am so thrilled to be here on this thread and getting all the insider info on the Poly! I will be visiting my dream hotel in November with my 2 year old daughter and my Mom.
Last year we stayed at CSR and loved it, but I got a PIN and had to book the Poly...I am jumping out of my skin with excitement.

I know everyone has their favorites...and sometimes don't want to give away their "secret spot"...but I'd love to hear your thoughts on which Longhouse would be the best for us to request. I have booked a GV room. We will only be going to MK and Epcot this time since we're only there for 4 nights.

Thank you all for being so helpful and friendly!

This is the most asked question I think about the Poly and it is also something you will get varied answers for!

I like Tokelau because of the location (between TTC and GCH), all of the rooms have a balcony or patio (although I request a patio), and all of the 'garden views' are just fine (no parking lot views). Of course, I've never stayed in another longhouse...

 

[TheNewMrsB]

I went to the desk after our day at the MK and explained to the CM how my DBF suffers from severe asthma and we asked if we could be changed to a different building because the musty smell was very overpowering. The CM was very kind and moved us to a 3rd floor balcony in Tuvalu facing Figi and the marina!

I just love how accomodating and sweet the Poly CM's are. Last year we stayed in Hawaii for our first anniversary, having stayed there on our honeymoon as well. This time around we couldn't afford the extra $ for a TPV so got GV instead. We were so excited to get there and hear the CM tell us that they had a room for us, but another one was already open so we could go up to it right away, rather than wait.

But when we entered the room we found that the balcony was completely blocked by a tree - the room was really dark, no sunlight, and there was no view as a result. I didn't want to say anything, but DH called down and asked politely if we could wait for the room which was originally supposed to be ours but wasn't ready yet, and explained why. After a few minutes of waiting, the CM came back on and said that the porter had our bags outside of our new room and we could walk down the hall to meet him.

The kicker: They upgraded us to the room we had on our honeymoon! I thought DH would do a cartwheel or cry or both. It was magical, and we practically fell over ourselves thanking the CM who upgraded us.

The lesson: I shouldn't be so afraid to bring up a complaint - who knows what will happen?

 

[TheNewMrsB]

I always tell people to let the CMs at CL do the work for you. If you need to change ADRs while there, ask them to help. Relax and let the CMs do what they do best.

So true! We've managed reservations at completely booked restaurants with their help - never could have done it on our own. They're awesome!

 

[barbeml]

DH and I will make our 4th visit to the Poly this November celebrating our anniversary. Last December, my co-workers surprised us by arranging for "milk and cookies" to be delivered to our room on our first night. It was all set up when we came back from dinner: the cookies were huge Mickey chocolate chips dipped in excellent chocolate. It took us 5 days to finish them.

I want to order something special to surprise DH, but my friends can't remember who they ordered from: they called a general WDW number and were transferred around. I have to assume it came from Polynesian Private Dining.

Just wondering what things others have ordered for special celebrations at the Poly and what number you called.

Thanks for any and all suggestions!

Barbe

 

[FanO'TheMouse]

Hey, these are our dates too We're actually at POR for the first three nights (did the kids stay/play/eat free thing to get some TS meals), and then we check in to the Poly CL on 8/31 until 9/4. I'm sure we'll see you around Hawaii!! I'll be the one with three crazy boys running around! Not sure which backpack we're taking this year, but I hope to have my LGMH on it. Be sure to say hi!

We will be watchin for you! We start off for a week at AKL then move over to the Poly. Excited to stay CL as we are trying to really relax that week after going strong to the parks etc.. the first week. Would be really cool to meet some Dis'ers!!

 

[Christine9125]

Do you have to pay for parking at the Poly?

 

[WDWBarb]

Do you have to pay for parking at the Poly?

Nope!

 

[Christine9125]

Nope!

Thank you!

 

[WDWBarb]

Thank you!

Just another thing to love about The Poly!

 

[abline]

I agree. For the money we are spending they can pay some to ID and wristband you like they do at the SAB. To me people using pools at hotels they are not staying in is like stealing. Did you make a complaint?

 

[Minnie&Nana]

I know I'm getting really for our trip. I just wish we knew if we were traveling by plane or by car--hopefully Spirit and it's pilots can resolve their dispute before we are scheduled to fly on Saturday. It has sure been stressful trying to pack not knowing whether we are traveling by air or car.

Tess, I can't even begin to imagine the stress of not knowing! The news today did not sound hopeful, but will keep fingers crossed and sending lots of dust for you!

Keep us posted, if possible.