ALOHA! The Poly FAQ~ Spring 2010 Edition

[Tess]

Do tell why you'd not pay for CL TPV? We want that fabulous view from Hawaii bldg and CL comes with it!

For us, the additional cost for TPV in Hawaii just isn't worth it. Our kids are older and if I want to watch Wishes (or this summer Nightastic), I prefer to view from outside where I can hear the music, etc. The bottom line is the TPV pricing is too out of line when compared to the GV CL and GV CL is pricey enough.

Now, if I'm upgraded without cost--as has happened many times--I won't refuse it. The view is nice, but for newbies I think the zoomed in pictures of the view from TPV give an unrealistic view of how close the Castle is to the Polynesian.

Just my personal opinion--others can't live without the TPV (or LV as all those rooms were classified until Disney found a way to eek out more $$ from the guests ).

 

[figment82]

I'm here in Tokelau 3948 - and I'm relaxing long enough to have time to post to the Dis while on vacation! I've NEVER done that before!
Anyways, you can't ever have this room because I'm staying here for the rest of my life
I didn't put any requests on (I figured it was just my husband and I and we were only going to be here a few days, so I'd let the picky people have a better shot at their choices!) Then yesterday I was reading through Tikiman's site and made up my mind that I wanted Tokelau but it was too late. I got down here, and we got this room that is absolutely perfect!

So my very important question is - we want to watch the fireworks from the beach tonight. I know they pipe in the music down by the marina, but do they do the same on the beaches over here? (I'm right by sunset point) I don't want to have to run all over the place to find a spot right as they're starting!

I'll post more of a review when I get home. But this room is right at the end of the hall, right by the elevator (kind of in the middle of the building - right where it makes the elbow-thing) and the lounge. I've had no noise at all from the elevators. My actual room view is of the quiet pool (in fact, I can walk down the steps and be at the quiet pool) but all I have to do is turn the chairs to the right and I have a perfect view of the castle!

Also, we didn't get to the hotel until 12:15 am last night. So I came over to the room, set my stuff down, and got my 1 AM dole whip. It's all about priorities!

 

[figment82]

For the marina pricing go to tikiman's website (search "tikiman pages" and you should find it - I don't think we're allowed to actually put the link on here) You should find the marina pricing under "activities" (click on "amenities" then "activities"). You can find the room service menu on allears, though I don't know how current it is.
http://allears.net/menu/men_polr.htm

I hope you & your cousins have a blast. What an awesome gift to them!

p.s. you need to update your signature! oops ... apparently you were doing that while I was typing!

I double checked and the allears menu is exactly the same as what's in the room!

 

[outahere]

So my very important question is - we want to watch the fireworks from the beach tonight. I know they pipe in the music down by the marina, but do they do the same on the beaches over here? (I'm right by sunset point) I don't want to have to run all over the place to find a spot right as they're starting!

There are some speakers near the beach in front of the Hawaii building. When we stayed there last April, we just walked out of our room (CL Lagoon View) and over to the walkway by the beach and could hear everything perfectly.

Enjoy!!

 

[Zuzu03]

I'm here in Tokelau 3948 - and I'm relaxing long enough to have time to post to the Dis while on vacation! I've NEVER done that before!
Anyways, you can't ever have this room because I'm staying here for the rest of my life
I didn't put any requests on (I figured it was just my husband and I and we were only going to be here a few days, so I'd let the picky people have a better shot at their choices!) Then yesterday I was reading through Tikiman's site and made up my mind that I wanted Tokelau but it was too late. I got down here, and we got this room that is absolutely perfect!

So my very important question is - we want to watch the fireworks from the beach tonight. I know they pipe in the music down by the marina, but do they do the same on the beaches over here? (I'm right by sunset point) I don't want to have to run all over the place to find a spot right as they're starting!

I'll post more of a review when I get home. But this room is right at the end of the hall, right by the elevator (kind of in the middle of the building - right where it makes the elbow-thing) and the lounge. I've had no noise at all from the elevators. My actual room view is of the quiet pool (in fact, I can walk down the steps and be at the quiet pool) but all I have to do is turn the chairs to the right and I have a perfect view of the castle!

Also, we didn't get to the hotel until 12:15 am last night. So I came over to the room, set my stuff down, and got my 1 AM dole whip. It's all about priorities!

Awesome!!!! It sounds as if your room is perfect! Lordy I can't wait to get down there! Now don't be breaking the dole whip machine before I get there!

 

[time4Mickey]

So excited it's July. We will be at the Poly in 25 days. I was so lucky to get a discount, so we will be staying at Hawaii again this year. I hope the next couple weeks fly by.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

For us, the additional cost for TPV in Hawaii just isn't worth it. Our kids are older and if I want to watch Wishes (or this summer Nightastic), I prefer to view from outside where I can hear the music, etc. The bottom line is the TPV pricing is too out of line when compared to the GV CL and GV CL is pricey enough.

Now, if I'm upgraded without cost--as has happened many times--I won't refuse it. The view is nice, but for newbies I think the zoomed in pictures of the view from TPV give an unrealistic view of how close the Castle is to the Polynesian.

Just my personal opinion--others can't live without the TPV (or LV as all those rooms were classified until Disney found a way to eek out more $$ from the guests ).

Yes, that is true for newbies and it does bother me the way Disney changed the view category and upped the price. Some trips I prefer knowing we'll have a full the lagoon view so LV is worth the extra cost...but not every time. We've had many fabulous GV rooms over the many years and in Tokelau several stays, with lovely views of the end of the lagoon and seeing/hearing the MK Ferry go by. As you know, Figi is another longhouse with fabulous marina and partial lagoon view for a GV price.

We are all so different and that's what is nice about Disney resorts, something for everyone. I would never pay for CL GV because for me, those are some of the worst views the Poly has to offer for GV and would rather spend the same or less for a non CL LV.

In December we are doing a Girls Only trip and decided to go all out just for the fun of it.

 

[disneymumma]

Oh, I am so glad you answered, MaiaPapaya!! Thanks for sharing with me that you wished you had made more time for relaxing at the resort; that's exactly my concern. Some resorts lend themselves to being stop overs for sleeping and a possible swim, but it seems when you're staying at a resort like the Poly, it kinda becomes a destination in its own right. I'd hate to miss any of the fun. So, fingers crossed, I think we're gonna go ahead and add the extra day - after we double-check with the airline that we won't get soaked for switching a day.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

http://thedailydisney.com/blog/2010/07/kona-salad-from-the-kona-cafe-at-the-polynesian-resort/

The Kona Café serves breakfast, lunch and dinner at Disney’s Polynesian Resort. The restaurant has an open pastry kitchen that prepares divine desserts daily. Breakfast, lunch and dinner tabs run $15 to $35.99 per person. For reservations or more dining information, call 407-939-3463.

Kona Salad
Serves 8

3 unpeeled Asian pears, cored and thinly sliced
9 cups (1-pound bag) spring mix or gourmet lettuce mix
1 cup crumbled blue cheese
1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
3/4 cup smoked almonds, chopped into large pieces
6 tablespoons orange juice
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 cup canola oil
1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1. In a large bowl, gently toss pears, salad greens, cheese, onions and nuts.
2. Mix orange juice, rice vinegar and sugar. Whisk in oil, salt and pepper.
3. Pour liquid over salad, toss and serve.
Recipe note: If the pears are not available, substitute fresh peaches, strawberries or whatever is in season.

 

[disneymumma]

Wow, you have read the entire thread! Impressive, but did you read the retired version as well. There will be tests later you know.

Seriously, I would go for the 7d/6n if you are able. This year we did just that and it is the shortest stay we have ever had. Our usual visits are around 10-12 and I'm still not ready to go.

This year, however, we had to take only a week due to the various schedules in our family. While I wasn't ready to leave, we had the perfect balance of resort time and park time. It is very hot down there this year and even the locals are melting by 11:00 a.m. We were at the pool every afternoon (heck, we do that when it isn't hotter than Hades) and back out by around 6:00 p.m.

I'm sure you will have a wonderful family visit regardless of the number of days.

Thanks so much for replying, Tess! I really enjoyed reading your recent report and smiled when you mentioned Romulus. We're in Michigan, too, and will be taking off from Metro in September! And, well, yes, I did start reading the retired thread before I realized it was the older one. Thanks so much for pretty much confirming what I was thinking - we could use the extra time at the resort. Like I mentioned to MaiaPapaya, I'll have to double-check with the airline to make sure we won't encounter trouble for changing days, but looks like we'll be adding one more glorious September day at the Poly! Thank you, thank you!!

 

[maiapapaya]

Oh, I am so glad you answered, MaiaPapaya!! Thanks for sharing with me that you wished you had made more time for relaxing at the resort; that's exactly my concern. Some resorts lend themselves to being stop overs for sleeping and a possible swim, but it seems when you're staying at a resort like the Poly, it kinda becomes a destination in its own right. I'd hate to miss any of the fun. So, fingers crossed, I think we're gonna go ahead and add the extra day - after we double-check with the airline that we won't get soaked for switching a day.

ITA! It's too bad WDW gets in the way of enjoying the Poly! Actually I think the perfect vacation is a good balance between the parks & Poly time.
I hope you can switch your flight! Good luck!

 

[mickey2minnie1]

So, first and foremost I really must thank everyone who has posted to this thread. I have ready each post [no, seriously ] in an attempt to gather as much information possible to make our first trip to the Poly the very best. "Hi, my name is Colleen. I am a zealous WDW vacation planner." And, I really feel confident, thanks to your input, that it's gonna be great! We have decided on longhouse & view preference, have made all of our ADRs, and plotted out which days we will visit which parks. I know, as my fellow thread mates, you feel me.

We honeymooned at the POFQ in 1995 and are headed to the Poly in September for our 15 year anniversary. We have visited WDW with our kids before and this trip, of course, is about their fun, too. We were hoping, however, to be able to at least carve out time for ourselves at the beginning and end of each day. Near the top of our list for this trip is going at a moderated pace. Currently we have 6d and 5n planned. We are park veterans and know what we do and don't want to do and see, but as Poly veterans, do you think 6d/5n would be enough time to experience all the parks AND the resort have to offer or should we add an extra day for 7d/6n? Thanks MUCHLY in advance!

Welcome! If you have the time and money, I would stay an extra day. We did an 8 night stay and did every thing we wanted to do and had two resort days built in. There is soooo much to enjoy at the Poly. It also gives you an extra day if you encounter some weather that might not allow you to enjoy the resort as much. I can never get too much of the Poly.

 

[Zuzu03]

That's also why we put the Poly portion at the end of our split stay because we want some serious resort time!!! Can't wait!!!

 

[eeyorepixie]

That's also why we put the Poly portion at the end of our split stay because we want some serious resort time!!! Can't wait!!!

we are doing the same, we have a minimum 2 full days of POLY resort days for our 6 day stay, and scheduled MK/Epcot days for easy breaks in the middle of the day. Our ADR's are centered around the POLY too. I can not wait to enjoy this beautiful resort!

 

[FanO'TheMouse]

Hello my Poly friends. I am so excited to be staying at the Poly very soon!! We even upgraded to CL! We are just a little confused about what the IPO's really do. We of course are massive planners and have ADR's all set. Should I still email them and tell them we are coming as advised? New to CL (thank to the 40% off gods) so we just don't get it.

Also, are the pools open 24 hours at the Poly. I know there is no life guards but at the AKL we have been known to go swimming late at night when it is quiet and empty. A nice relaxing way to end a long park day.

THANKS for this thread and the great answers and photos. I am so excited I can't stop myself from reading it everyday!!

 

[Stefy]

I was wondering if anyone has taken an iPad with them to the world and if so when staying at the Poly how did you connect to the net?

 

[maiapapaya]

Happy 4th to all of my Poly peeps south of the border. Hope everyone has a fantastic holiday! (there wasn't a fireworks smilie, so just pretend Tink is holding sparkler! )

 

[BreezysMom]

Happy 4th of July to all my Poly freinds

 

[taylor3297]

I was wondering if anyone has taken an iPad with them to the world and if so when staying at the Poly how did you connect to the net?

We will be taking our Ipad in December and will use the 3G network to connect. Do you have the 3G on your Ipad?

 

[disneymumma]

Welcome! If you have the time and money, I would stay an extra day. We did an 8 night stay and did every thing we wanted to do and had two resort days built in. There is soooo much to enjoy at the Poly. It also gives you an extra day if you encounter some weather that might not allow you to enjoy the resort as much. I can never get too much of the Poly.

Thanks, mickey2minnie1! That's good thinking about the weather - I hadn't considered. Sounds crazy, I know, but we've never encountered a weather issue at WDW so it never crosses my mind. Thank you so much for reminding me! It's really great to hear how well the the 8 night stay worked for your family. I think the extra day is going to make all the difference!