ALOHA! The Poly FAQ: Winter 2011 Edition

[WDWKOOK]

Is the Poly closing sections at a time for a rehab? New buildings to be erected in place of old buildings. Rumor has it it may be true. Entire resort may close for a time while GCH is redone.

http://www.disneygossip.com/

Here is the text. Thanks for posting the link, Capt. Barbosa. Since AoA opens in 2012, I assume the slated Poly rehab. start date (if this rumor is even true) would be late 2012? Has anything been filed with the county yet?

TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2011

A few Walt Disney World hotel Rumors

As the Art of Animation Resort opens look for some of the other resorts that offer 5 person rooms to stop making those rooms available. I'm not sure why they would want to force all larger families to AoA when they can offer different experiences and different price points at resorts like Port Orleans French Quarter. But that's what hotel managers were told at a recent meeting.

Another function of the Art of Animation coming online, is that the extra capacity will allow Disney to close down parts of the Polynesian hotel for a long needed upgrade. Apparently construction in the 70s still used Asbestos and Disney needs to address this. Due the way the Poly was constructed, they won't be able to refurbish in place and instead will be erecting all new buildings.

The plan was to do this over time, but the whole resort might close down while they work on the main building with Ohana's and check-in. Look for Disney to shift as many existing reservations as they can to DVC properties like OKW and Saratoga Springs which are always under booked. Work continues on a new pool for Saratoga which should help it attract a few more guests. A new night-show at Downtown Disney could also help Saratoga, as long as you don't mind fireworks going off at 11pm nightly.

 

[taylor3297]

Is the Poly closing sections at a time for a rehab? New buildings to be erected in place of old buildings. Rumor has it it may be true. Entire resort may close for a time while GCH is redone.

http://www.disneygossip.com/

Thanks for sharing. The whole article was an interesting read.

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

Is the Poly closing sections at a time for a rehab? New buildings to be erected in place of old buildings. Rumor has it it may be true. Entire resort may close for a time while GCH is redone.

http://www.disneygossip.com/

Read the gossip and..... I am hoping this is just a partially "right" rumor. I mean....dare I say if they were going to rebuild each longhouse some would be converted to (gulp)....DVC? Ugh....I hope not. I mean....why wouldn't they have done something during the last major refurb a few years ago? I hope it is only the GCH that would have to be rebuilt.sigh

 

[guitarob]

Here is the text. Thanks for posting the link, Capt. Barbosa. Since AoA opens in 2012, I assume the slated Poly rehab. start date (if this rumor is even true) would be late 2012? Has anything been filed with the county yet?

TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2011

A few Walt Disney World hotel Rumors

As the Art of Animation Resort opens look for some of the other resorts that offer 5 person rooms to stop making those rooms available. I'm not sure why they would want to force all larger families to AoA when they can offer different experiences and different price points at resorts like Port Orleans French Quarter. But that's what hotel managers were told at a recent meeting.

Another function of the Art of Animation coming online, is that the extra capacity will allow Disney to close down parts of the Polynesian hotel for a long needed upgrade. Apparently construction in the 70s still used Asbestos and Disney needs to address this. Due the way the Poly was constructed, they won't be able to refurbish in place and instead will be erecting all new buildings.

The plan was to do this over time, but the whole resort might close down while they work on the main building with Ohana's and check-in. Look for Disney to shift as many existing reservations as they can to DVC properties like OKW and Saratoga Springs which are always under booked. Work continues on a new pool for Saratoga which should help it attract a few more guests. A new night-show at Downtown Disney could also help Saratoga, as long as you don't mind fireworks going off at 11pm nightly.

It'll be interesting to see if this comes to fruition. That seems like a lot of work. I've seen asbestos removed from existing buildings in the past... I wonder why that isn't possible with the existing Poly buildings.

These are interesting rumors for sure.

 

[Alli76]

Ali if you cant come to an agreement with your neighbor I would call your local code enforecement.. I know here in city limits you cant have animals like that..

and may I add..EWWW!! LOL

yeah - this could get interesting. It is against our Homeowners Assoc rules - but nobody pays a lot of attention to them. But there are farms around us - so I am not sure if it would be against code. The annoying thing is that I know somebody who would love to have it and raises chickens. But that was denied!

Happy Tuesday, Poly Frea... I mean Lovers! Hope everyone's well. I'll have to go look up what a guinea hen is now... yikes. Maybe exotic roast fowl for dinner is in order?

My husband does love to use the smoker... Hmm I wonder

Is the Poly closing sections at a time for a rehab? New buildings to be erected in place of old buildings. Rumor has it it may be true. Entire resort may close for a time while GCH is redone.

http://www.disneygossip.com/

Gasp!!! This will probably happen when we want to go next. I was thinking of trying the WL or YC this trip .. but I just wanted this trip (my first in a LONG time) to be at the resort I LOVED when I was a child. guess next time I will have to be up for trying something new!

 

[Capt. Barbosa]

It'll be interesting to see if this comes to fruition. That seems like a lot of work. I've seen asbestos removed from existing buildings in the past... I wonder why that isn't possible with the existing Poly buildings.

These are interesting rumors for sure.

I was wondering the same thing and had a thought that is my own, that maybe there is a mold problem that others have reported smelling (I've never noticed it) and they figure it would be easier to replace then to try to defeat both those problems.

 

[WDWKOOK]

If the mold/mildew is the impetus, personally, I think a top to bottom Poly longhouse rehab. is looooong overdue. Many guests have complained over the years about the mold and mildew, both seen and smelled and the lack of "freshness" and the need for some "freshening."

Grace&Carolinesmom speculated that a DVC building might be erected on Poly property. If the rumor turns to reality and they in fact actually raze the existing longhouses and start fresh, then I think her speculation is valid. Especially considering the recent filing for permits for what is suspected to be a DVC addition to the GF. The Poly would logically follow both the CR and the GF as the last MK/monorail resort to add a DVC element.

I am a little perplexed as to the speculation that asbestos is involved. If so, wouldn't the CR have the same issue? It was also built by US Steel in 1971, in a modular fashion, off-site (and much over-budget at about $100,000 each) and then each room was positioned by crane into place.

 

[maiapapaya]

Really hoping this rumour isn't true!! I find it hard to believe that WDW would close down the entire resort - a deluxe on the monorail loop - and hope that guests would be content to shift to a new value and some not so central DVC sites. One of the biggest selling features of the Poly is the location (proximity to MK = unbeatable atmosphere, and the monorail). I hope this is only partially true. I know if we were booked in Poly and our reservation was shifted to SS or AoA we would cancel or try to rebook to CR or GF.

ETA: Maybe this is the carry over from a really cruel April fool's joke by some of the Poly-haters out there?! (grasping at straws here! LOL)

 

[taylor3297]

From what I heard the DVC will be built at GF. Which means more crowds.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

If the Poly needs to replace longhouses, I'm sure they will only do that if a rehab is more expensive than actually replacing them - if that even happens!

I might be in the minority here, but I would love to see the Poly get DVC - more so than GF! But I wouldn't mind seeing it at GF too.

Perhaps I'm being fundamental, but if you increase supply, you lower the price Ok, that's just wishful thinking! But I'd still adore some 1 BDR villas at the Poly - that would be ideal

 

[disneydreamin247]

I'm hoping if this is true that it will start in 2012. If this does end up happening, I guess I'll be booking at the Grand or CR for our next trip.

 

[WDWKOOK]

I'm hoping if this is true that it will start in 2012. If this does end up happening, I guess I'll be booking at the Grand or CR for our next trip.

Well, if that does happen, you know what thread to go to

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

Interesting rumors!! I guess it would allow us to try CR of GF. I'm dying for an MK view room at CR but can't seem to make the switch.

 

[disneydreamin247]

Well, if that does happen, you know what thread to go to

I'm already there planning for September!

 

[Capt. Barbosa]

I would think if they did a building or two at a time they would do the same as they did during the "soft rehab" just reduce the bookings well ahead of having to relocate anyone. The problem would be when they did GCH.

 

[sandym718]

Wow!! That's quite a rumor!! It will be interesting to see if it comes to pass. I would love to see some DVC at the Poly, we might even buy then! If this happens when we plan our next trip, I definitely would not be at a value of OKW or Saratoga, though. Probably BLT - BIL and SIL loved it and it still has all the convienence (almost all!)

 

[sandym718]

Hi everyone!! We left the Poly on Saturday, April 2 (arrived on Saturday, 3/26). I'll be working on my trip report soon, and I'll link it here, but I wanted to share a few things.

First of all - wristband were being issued every "nice" day of our stay, in the afternoons at least. 2 days were complete rainouts, swimming-wise, and one day was kind of cool and it wasn't crowded. They used the same color wristband each day, so we just reused.

Secondly, here's a photo of the East Pool rehab:

I wasn't able to read all the posts from when I was gone, so maybe there's been more up-to-date info. But based on what I saw (this pic was taken Tuesday, March 29th, but it looked the same through April 1), I really don't think they're adding a zero entry. If it's supposed to reopen soon, wouldn't one whole part of the pool been demolished/revamped by now?

What else??? Had a short wait at Ohana's - maybe 10 minutes for dinner, and only a line of about 3 groups to check in.

Everything was wonderful, as usual and of course!!! Our room was well-maintained, a little wear and tear, nothing horrible. We requested 1st floor Tokelau, East Side. We got all but the East side - BUT we got the end room (1914), that is essentially lagoon-view!!!!!!! That was nice, but I'll be honest I still prefer the East side, where the patio opens onto a grassy area. Our patio had foliage in front of it, making it hard to enter or exit that way (though we, and our neighbors, did).

If anyone has other questions, I'd be glad to answer!!

Can any recent Poly visitors tell me whether or not there is still a ping pong table and/or foosball table near the volcano pool?

Thank you!

Didn't notice ping pong, but I did see a foosball table in near the little kids' spray area.

 

[Tess]

Hi everyone!! We left the Poly on Saturday, April 2 (arrived on Saturday, 3/26). I'll be working on my trip report soon, and I'll link it here, but I wanted to share a few things.

First of all - wristband were being issued every "nice" day of our stay, in the afternoons at least. 2 days were complete rainouts, swimming-wise, and one day was kind of cool and it wasn't crowded. They used the same color wristband each day, so we just reused.

Secondly, here's a photo of the East Pool rehab:

I wasn't able to read all the posts from when I was gone, so maybe there's been more up-to-date info. But based on what I saw (this pic was taken Tuesday, March 29th, but it looked the same through April 1), I really don't think they're adding a zero entry. If it's supposed to reopen soon, wouldn't one whole part of the pool been demolished/revamped by now?

What else??? Had a short wait at Ohana's - maybe 10 minutes for dinner, and only a line of about 3 groups to check in.

Everything was wonderful, as usual and of course!!! Our room was well-maintained, a little wear and tear, nothing horrible. We requested 1st floor Tokelau, East Side. We got all but the East side - BUT we got the end room (1914), that is essentially lagoon-view!!!!!!! That was nice, but I'll be honest I still prefer the East side, where the patio opens onto a grassy area. Our patio had foliage in front of it, making it hard to enter or exit that way (though we, and our neighbors, did).

If anyone has other questions, I'd be glad to answer!!






Didn't notice ping pong, but I did see a foosball table in near the little kids' spray area.

Thanks for the picture of the "quiet pool". One would think that if they were on schedule AND a zero entry was going in, the steps would have been removed immediately since it appears they poured the concrete to fill the deep end. Then again, I don't build pools for a living.

 

[lindsroc]

5 weeks!!!!!

We made a request over the phone, Tokelau with a balcony. What are the odds of getting a request? We will be checking in and out on a Tuesday (may 10th). Our backup was for Fiji, but not Im 2nd guessing that since it seems pretty far and no balcony. What would be a good runnerup if Tokelau is unavailable?
Thanks!!!
We are very excited. This is our dream resort- and such a huge price diff from a moderate that Im really just wanting everything to go smooth. I.E husband not to complain that we have a view of a parking lot or have to walk far etc... lol.

 

[Disneyfreak616]

^^^ When will the rehab be done???