ALOHA! The Poly FAQ~ Spring 2010 Edition

[mdrob214]

The Orlando Sentinel today has an article on how great it is to watch the July 4th fireworks from the Poly beaches WITHOUT HAVING TO PAY PARK ADMISSION, & especially for seasonal FLA passholders who might be blacked out of the MK for the holiday.

Sooner or later, the POLY is going to have to limit this practice so the paying POLY guests can better enjoy this experience at THEIR resort.

I don't know if anyone else has posted about the July 3 and 4 fireworks, but the POLY DID use wristbands at the pool on July 4--they handed them out that morning and warned us all to keep a room key with us. Also, on both July 3 & 4, they had ropes up at the entrance to the beach from the pool, and a sign stating that the beach was for the use of Poly guests. They also had a large tent set up both days. We did not watch the fireworks from the beach either day, as we went into MK on the 3rd and Epcot on the 4th (neither were very crowded, thanks to rain), but saw on the 3rd at 5pm (ish) that they were selling food and drink from the tent. The tent was gone when we got "home" on he 4th at 12am.

We just returned last night and had a great stay. I will post a report, but now I'm still working on that post-trip laundry. I still have to upload a ton of photos, too! We did encounter pool-hoppers--they admitted it when asked--but really the pool was never so crowded that we couldn't comfortably use it--even on those days that were 95 but felt like 108! The biggest problem is that there aren't enough tables around the pool and that people stake out chairs at 8am and don't come back til late afternoon. That's just plain rude. My DD and I used a hammock on the beach the other night--It had been empty for quite some time (I had my eye one it!) but there was a pair of shoes and a beach blanket under it. When I hadn't seen anyone in it for a couple hours, we went and lounged--only to be rudely yelled at because some woman said she left cups there and "didn't you see that meant it was taken?" There were no cups there, so I have no idea what she was talking about. Then she swore at me, called me a name and insulted my bathing suit, followef by a pbbbbtt--I thought there was a child with her, but nope--that was a 40ish adult woman! Other than that our experience was great.

DH and I did laugh at the 'vultures' who were lined up daily before 5pm, just so they could get to the food at the CL first. There was always plenty, even as late as 7pm. I guess they were hungry!

 

[weHEARTmickey]

The biggest problem is that there aren't enough tables around the pool and that people stake out chairs at 8am and don't come back til late afternoon. That's just plain rude. My DD and I used a hammock on the beach the other night--It had been empty for quite some time (I had my eye one it!) but there was a pair of shoes and a beach blanket under it. When I hadn't seen anyone in it for a couple hours, we went and lounged--only to be rudely yelled at because some woman said she left cups there and "didn't you see that meant it was taken?" There were no cups there, so I have no idea what she was talking about. Then she swore at me, called me a name and insulted my bathing suit, followef by a pbbbbtt--I thought there was a child with her, but nope--that was a 40ish adult woman! Other than that our experience was great.

This is SO rude!! So, people actually put their stuff down to hold tables/chairs/hammocks & aren't even around??? I was really looking fwd to one of those hammocks Hopefully they won't be so full in November.

OT, but I your siggie The Princess Bride is probably my ALL-TIME favorite movie! Wuv, TWUE wuv......

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

I don't know if anyone else has posted about the July 3 and 4 fireworks, but the POLY DID use wristbands at the pool on July 4--they handed them out that morning and warned us all to keep a room key with us. Also, on both July 3 & 4, they had ropes up at the entrance to the beach from the pool, and a sign stating that the beach was for the use of Poly guests. They also had a large tent set up both days. We did not watch the fireworks from the beach either day, as we went into MK on the 3rd and Epcot on the 4th (neither were very crowded, thanks to rain), but saw on the 3rd at 5pm (ish) that they were selling food and drink from the tent. The tent was gone when we got "home" on he 4th at 12am.

We just returned last night and had a great stay. I will post a report, but now I'm still working on that post-trip laundry. I still have to upload a ton of photos, too! We did encounter pool-hoppers--they admitted it when asked--but really the pool was never so crowded that we couldn't comfortably use it--even on those days that were 95 but felt like 108! The biggest problem is that there aren't enough tables around the pool and that people stake out chairs at 8am and don't come back til late afternoon. That's just plain rude. My DD and I used a hammock on the beach the other night--It had been empty for quite some time (I had my eye one it!) but there was a pair of shoes and a beach blanket under it. When I hadn't seen anyone in it for a couple hours, we went and lounged--only to be rudely yelled at because some woman said she left cups there and "didn't you see that meant it was taken?" There were no cups there, so I have no idea what she was talking about. Then she swore at me, called me a name and insulted my bathing suit, followef by a pbbbbtt--I thought there was a child with her, but nope--that was a 40ish adult woman! Other than that our experience was great.

DH and I did laugh at the 'vultures' who were lined up daily before 5pm, just so they could get to the food at the CL first. There was always plenty, even as late as 7pm. I guess they were hungry!

I'm glad to hear that the paying guests had dibbs on the Poly beach

And at the risk of starting a big argument here on the DIS, I'm with you on the hammock thing (or the chair thing). I don't understand why people leave stuff for more than a few minutes and think they can save it. When we snag a table (and we HUNT for one at the volcano pool), we always have at least ONE person sitting there so we are actively using it. I hate to see all the empty tables and chairs with towels everywhere

I've been screamed at myself for grabbing one dinky chair at the volcano pool when I couldn't see anything that was 'saving' it. I was by myself with 2 kids and needed a spot to watch the kids from. I didn't realize it was being 'saved' and the worst was that the supposed 'owner' of this chair treated me like some criminal by yelling at me and nobody even thought to give me one chair for me and my two kids. I didn't let it ruin my time, but it took a bit for me to get over it (and not cry because of people's cruelty). But the only saving grace is that once it happens, those people will sit in their chair until you are out of sight to prove that it is theirs and they are actively using it. So I make sure to stare at them so they are stuck in that chair until I decide to leave

 

[DebbyLof428]

We already have 2 Polynesian resort drawings, and we bought a new one the other day! It's so cute! It shows the backs of Mickey and Minnie, they're in Adirondac chairs, and they're on the beach, facing the castle. There's a tiki in the sand, and a coconut drink in the sand next to Mickey and the coconut has the Polynesian resort logo on it. I love it and can't wait to hang it.

Speaking of merchandise, we bought 2 of the Mickey/sandcastle beach towels that cost $10 each with a $25 purchase, and we also bought the 2-piece carryon luggage set for $16 with $40 purchase.

We have that print too! I think we have around a dozen in various sizes which are hung in the masterbath/bedroom. It is so nice to wake up and go to sleep with our Poly pics.

 

[auntie]

I don't know if anyone else has posted about the July 3 and 4 fireworks, but the POLY DID use wristbands at the pool on July 4--they handed them out that morning and warned us all to keep a room key with us. Also, on both July 3 & 4, they had ropes up at the entrance to the beach from the pool, and a sign stating that the beach was for the use of Poly guests. They also had a large tent set up both days. We did not watch the fireworks from the beach either day, as we went into MK on the 3rd and Epcot on the 4th (neither were very crowded, thanks to rain), but saw on the 3rd at 5pm (ish) that they were selling food and drink from the tent. The tent was gone when we got "home" on he 4th at 12am.

We just returned last night and had a great stay. I will post a report, but now I'm still working on that post-trip laundry. I still have to upload a ton of photos, too! We did encounter pool-hoppers--they admitted it when asked--but really the pool was never so crowded that we couldn't comfortably use it--even on those days that were 95 but felt like 108! The biggest problem is that there aren't enough tables around the pool and that people stake out chairs at 8am and don't come back til late afternoon. That's just plain rude. My DD and I used a hammock on the beach the other night--It had been empty for quite some time (I had my eye one it!) but there was a pair of shoes and a beach blanket under it. When I hadn't seen anyone in it for a couple hours, we went and lounged--only to be rudely yelled at because some woman said she left cups there and "didn't you see that meant it was taken?" There were no cups there, so I have no idea what she was talking about. Then she swore at me, called me a name and insulted my bathing suit, followef by a pbbbbtt--I thought there was a child with her, but nope--that was a 40ish adult woman! Other than that our experience was great.

DH and I did laugh at the 'vultures' who were lined up daily before 5pm, just so they could get to the food at the CL first. There was always plenty, even as late as 7pm. I guess they were hungry!

We were there in May and the Volcano themed pool was pretty crowded. We didn't even attempt to sit pool side. Then again, it was just my husband and myself, and we prefer the quiet pool. I know our next visit we plan to go with kids..(ages 19 - 29 will be joining us)...and they would most definetly want to use the themed pool. I'm glad to see that they are implementing the same policy the Beach club uses as far as wrist bands for the pool
As far as people saving seats/lounge chairs. We had that happen a number of times at the WL. People would go out early on their way to the water launch to the MK. They would put towels and on the lounges so as to save them for their return from the MK. I have to say, the pool staff did a pretty good job of removing them. They would walk around and ask if anyone was using the chair..and if there wasn't anyone visable..they're remove the towels so that other guests who were actually at the pool could use them.
I can NOT believe the woman who yelled at you for using the hammock.
Let me tell you. What a whack job! I tell ya..she's lucky she didn't mouth off to the wrong person. You never know who you might encounter in a situation like that.

 

[916chipndale]

well we had to cancel our poly vacation due to family issues. we were supose to leave on sunday and arrive monday only a week away, but you gotta do what you gotta do.well hopefully everything gets straightend out and we can go during christmas.

 

[mdrob214]

Just back from a WONDERFUL Polynesian vacation! I'm exhausted (got home at around 1am) but I'll write more tomorrow!

In a nutshell, the grounds were beautiful, the pool was great as always, the room was clean and in great shape, the CMs that we encountered everywhere were very nice and very helpful. The CMs at the desk in the Hawaii building were very nice, especially a guy named Wes. He's great, and I remembered him from our 2008 trip.

The weather was surprisingly not bad at all, and some days were actually "perfect weather". I was expecting bad heat and humidity.

Ok I'll finish the review in the morning!!

Wes really was fantastic, wasn't he? He really helped us when our camera broke. He (and Barbie, too)called all around at WalMarts and Targets (while we went to our ADR) and finally found one, sent out a runner, and the new camera was in our room by the time we returned. Thanks, Wes!

 

[kdunkle904]

well we had to cancel our poly vacation due to family issues. we were supose to leave on sunday and arrive monday only a week away, but you gotta do what you gotta do.well hopefully everything gets straightend out and we can go during christmas.

Sorry to hear that you had to cancel your trip. I hope everything is ok. But look at the bright side... Now you get to see the beautiful xmas decorations!

 

[Diznotyzed]

well we had to cancel our poly vacation due to family issues. we were supose to leave on sunday and arrive monday only a week away, but you gotta do what you gotta do.well hopefully everything gets straightend out and we can go during christmas.

Gosh, that's too bad, and so close, too. I hope you get to have a wonderful trip at Christmas.

Joan

 

[weHEARTmickey]

great report seaspray. i can now finally say "next week ill be at the poly" i cant wait

well we had to cancel our poly vacation due to family issues. we were supose to leave on sunday and arrive monday only a week away, but you gotta do what you gotta do.well hopefully everything gets straightend out and we can go during christmas.

I'm so sorry! Hopefully you'll be able to come around Christmas & you can have an extra special trip.

 

[maiapapaya]

I don't know if anyone else has posted about the July 3 and 4 fireworks, but the POLY DID use wristbands at the pool on July 4--they handed them out that morning and warned us all to keep a room key with us. Also, on both July 3 & 4, they had ropes up at the entrance to the beach from the pool, and a sign stating that the beach was for the use of Poly guests. They also had a large tent set up both days. We did not watch the fireworks from the beach either day, as we went into MK on the 3rd and Epcot on the 4th (neither were very crowded, thanks to rain), but saw on the 3rd at 5pm (ish) that they were selling food and drink from the tent. The tent was gone when we got "home" on he 4th at 12am.

So happy to hear this! Your report has restored some of my faith in the management (I wonder if they caught wind of the article and were worried about being swamped by locals). Now if only they would implement the wrist band policy all of the time, not just on the 4th!

well we had to cancel our poly vacation due to family issues. we were supose to leave on sunday and arrive monday only a week away, but you gotta do what you gotta do.well hopefully everything gets straightend out and we can go during christmas.

Sorry to hear you had to cancel. Hope everything turns out ok and you can rebook for the holidays.

 

[SeaSpray]

well we had to cancel our poly vacation due to family issues. we were supose to leave on sunday and arrive monday only a week away, but you gotta do what you gotta do.well hopefully everything gets straightend out and we can go during christmas.

I'm so sorry to hear this. I hope that everything gets straightened out and that you can reschedule your trip.

Wes really was fantastic, wasn't he? He really helped us when our camera broke. He (and Barbie, too)called all around at WalMarts and Targets (while we went to our ADR) and finally found one, sent out a runner, and the new camera was in our room by the time we returned. Thanks, Wes!

That's too funny! We were at the concierge desk re-planning a few of our ADRs when I heard Wes on the phone calling around! I didn't know exactly what he was calling for, but I heard him discussing which Walmarts and Targets to call before they closed!! I'm so glad they were able to get the camera for you.

When we were there in 2008 we had a problem with our room (a ceiling tile got wet from the condensation of the a/c unit and literally was crumbling and falling apart, down into the room) and Wes handled it professionally, got the repair people in quickly, even offered us compensation, and still asked if there was anything else he could do. I was so glad to see him again this time, especially since some of our other favorite concierge CMs are no longer there.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

well we had to cancel our poly vacation due to family issues. we were supose to leave on sunday and arrive monday only a week away, but you gotta do what you gotta do.well hopefully everything gets straightend out and we can go during christmas.

Oh, I am so sorry. Do hope all will be well and there wil be a holiday trip.

 

[phphantom]

We just returned home after 10 days in Orlando. The first week off site at a 2 bedroom condo and then three days at the Poly. This was my first stay at the Poly since I was a kid in the early 70's when my parents took us there.

We had a tremendous 3 days. DD13, DD11 & DS8 loved the volcano pool and the entire Poly atmosphere (as did DW & I).

When we checked in we were initially assigned a GV 2 floor non balcony room. I inquired about the possibility of a balcony as with 5 of us and children going to bed earlier than DW & I a balcony would be a good place to relax for an hour or two before going to bed ourselves. Without any difficulty we were switched to FIJI 3302. This room faces the Grand Floridan and it was a beautiful view.

The weather Saturday was hot, humid and sunny. The pool was busy but not overwhelmingly so. We were able to get a table on the upper patio a very short distance from the pool without any great difficulty. It was a wonderful afternoon.

Saturday night we went to HDDR and returned just in time to watch the fireworks from the beach. Again, there were people around but it didn't seem overly crowded. We sat on the sand directly in front of the pool.

On Sunday we went to HS first thing. It was a planned short stay. We rode Toy Story, RocknRoll, TT, StarTours watched the 11:30 HSM3 show and left. Again it was hot, humid and the place was packed.

We had lunch at Capt Cooks. It was good, quick service with no waiting, although timing is everything. Just after we sat down with our food a very large group of 20 or so people seemed to be in line. I'm assuming they had all arrived on one of the buses from a Park.

Unfortunately intermittent thunder (with very little rain) interrupted our use of the pools. So after lunch and briefly wandering around the resort & the arcade room we headed to Downtown Disney for a couple of hours.

A quick dip in the pool on our return rejuvenated us enough for our final night dinner at O'hana's. This was our first dinner there, although we've been to the character breakfast in the past.

The food was good & servicewas good and i have no real complaints about it. For our family though it was probably not worth the $$. I knew going in it was family dining (we experienced that at the character breakfast). It wasn't until i saw the quantity of food being delivered to our table and how little of it our family was able to actually eat (especially DS8 & DD 10) that I realized this probably wasn't the best choice for our family. I liked the food, I liked the atmosphere and DS8 LOVED the audience participation entertainment. Having said all of that I'll wait until the kids a much older (with bigger appetites) before we'll go back to Ohanas for dinner.

All in all we loved the Poly and can't wait to go back. If I can figure out how to download pictures I'll post a view from Fiji3302

 

[iloveeeyore]

When we checked in we were initially assigned a GV 2 floor non balcony room. I inquired about the possibility of a balcony as with 5 of us and children going to bed earlier than DW & I a balcony would be a good place to relax for an hour or two before going to bed ourselves. Without any difficulty we were switched to FIJI 3302. This room faces the Grand Floridan and it was a beautiful view.

All in all we loved the Poly and can't wait to go back. If I can figure out how to download pictures I'll post a view from Fiji3302

Thank you so much for posting your report. So glad you had a wonderful time. We will be checking into the Poly in only 17 days!! I'm curious about your initial room assignment and then about how you switched. Did you originally request a balcony? When you were given your initial assignment, did you realize at the desk that the room didn't have a balcony, or did you not realize it until you were in the room? Had you done on-line check-in? What time did you arrive, and what time were you able to switch? Thanks in advance!

And how did you enjoy HDDR? It's one of our favorites!

ETA: There are simple instructions for downloading pictures on the technical support board. Here's a link: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=4886029

 

[phphantom]

Thank you so much for posting your report. So glad you had a wonderful time. We will be checking into the Poly in only 17 days!! I'm curious about your initial room assignment and then about how you switched. Did you originally request a balcony? When you were given your initial assignment, did you realize at the desk that the room didn't have a balcony, or did you not realize it until you were in the room? Had you done on-line check-in? What time did you arrive, and what time were you able to switch? Thanks in advance!

And how did you enjoy HDDR? It's one of our favorites!

I did the on line check in so when i got to the front desk they essentially had a package ready for me. while the CM was looking at my credit card i simply asked whether it was possible to get a balcony room (at that point I did not know what room they had assigned me or which lodge it was in). The CM looked at the initial room assignment and knew it did not have a balcony.

We arrived at the Poly about 2pm. I told the CM I was happy to wait for a balcony room if one was not available but that didn't seem to be a problem. She made a phone call (presumably to mousekeeping) to verify what rooms had been cleaned. The room was ready then and we went immediately to our room.

I didn't make any specific room request in advance. I had meant to but quite frankly never got around to it, despite the fact i made this reservation 4-5 months ago

We all loved HDDR. I realize it might seem contradictory given my earlier comments about Ohanas and that both are family style dining. However the entertainment factor (and maybe that beer is included) made this a much better fit for our family.

 

[Mai Ku Tiki]

well we had to cancel our poly vacation due to family issues. we were supose to leave on sunday and arrive monday only a week away, but you gotta do what you gotta do.well hopefully everything gets straightend out and we can go during christmas.

So sorry!
But, Xmas will be here before ya know it! ! Til then, at least we can all stay happy reading everyone's TRs & seeing their pix !!!

 

[DisneyDoc5]

So far all of our stays at the Polynesian have been CL, but we'd definitely stay non-CL too. We just love the overall theme and feel (and location!) of the resort.

The hula lessons were in the Great Ceremonial House, yesterday morning. There was a large group participating.



I still have NOT seen the torch lighting ceremony! We just always happen to be someplace else at 6pm. I guess this means we have to go back again some time. (You reading this, John??? LOL)

Thank you for your response and all of your input on this thread!

 

[eeyorepixie]

We just returned home after 10 days in Orlando. The first week off site at a 2 bedroom condo and then three days at the Poly. This was my first stay at the Poly since I was a kid in the early 70's when my parents took us there.

We had a tremendous 3 days. DD13, DD11 & DS8 loved the volcano pool and the entire Poly atmosphere (as did DW & I).

When we checked in we were initially assigned a GV 2 floor non balcony room. I inquired about the possibility of a balcony as with 5 of us and children going to bed earlier than DW & I a balcony would be a good place to relax for an hour or two before going to bed ourselves. Without any difficulty we were switched to FIJI 3302. This room faces the Grand Floridan and it was a beautiful view.

The weather Saturday was hot, humid and sunny. The pool was busy but not overwhelmingly so. We were able to get a table on the upper patio a very short distance from the pool without any great difficulty. It was a wonderful afternoon.

Saturday night we went to HDDR and returned just in time to watch the fireworks from the beach. Again, there were people around but it didn't seem overly crowded. We sat on the sand directly in front of the pool.

On Sunday we went to HS first thing. It was a planned short stay. We rode Toy Story, RocknRoll, TT, StarTours watched the 11:30 HSM3 show and left. Again it was hot, humid and the place was packed.

We had lunch at Capt Cooks. It was good, quick service with no waiting, although timing is everything. Just after we sat down with our food a very large group of 20 or so people seemed to be in line. I'm assuming they had all arrived on one of the buses from a Park.

Unfortunately intermittent thunder (with very little rain) interrupted our use of the pools. So after lunch and briefly wandering around the resort & the arcade room we headed to Downtown Disney for a couple of hours.

A quick dip in the pool on our return rejuvenated us enough for our final night dinner at O'hana's. This was our first dinner there, although we've been to the character breakfast in the past.

The food was good & servicewas good and i have no real complaints about it. For our family though it was probably not worth the $$. I knew going in it was family dining (we experienced that at the character breakfast). It wasn't until i saw the quantity of food being delivered to our table and how little of it our family was able to actually eat (especially DS8 & DD 10) that I realized this probably wasn't the best choice for our family. I liked the food, I liked the atmosphere and DS8 LOVED the audience participation entertainment. Having said all of that I'll wait until the kids a much older (with bigger appetites) before we'll go back to Ohanas for dinner.

All in all we loved the Poly and can't wait to go back. If I can figure out how to download pictures I'll post a view from Fiji3302

Thanks soooo much for your review, it really helps with the countdown to our trip. My kids were not into Ohanas that much either, but we go during FD so it does not hurt as much when they do not eat Thanks again, for posting and I am glad you had a wonderful time

 

[heidijanesmith]

I am so excited! We check into the Poly tomorrow and I can't wait.

I am glad to hear that the pools at this time of year are not crazy, wall to wall crowded. We plan on using them every afternoon for a break.

I will post a report when we get back