ALOHA! The Poly FAQ: Winter 2011 Edition

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

Op, what a gorgeous thread!

My family is native Hawaiian and I am seriously contemplating switching from 2nt cabins to Poly GV CL for our upcoming stay. DH and I are paying for it so the cost *freaks* me out, but it's my parents 40th. They havent been home to HI in nearly 20 years.

We've been to the resort on 3 separate occasions to dine and have never walked out past the lobby. Will my Hawaiian born parents be happy with this resort? I know it's supposed to represent the "Polynesian" islands, not just HI (Fiji, huh? ). We will prob not do the Luau since we've grown up with the real deal.

What say ye, Poly lovers?!?

I am Samoan, and my family has lived in Samoa and Hawaii, and we LOVE the Poly!! Of course it's a little kitschy, but, hey, it's Disney! I am also half Native, and our family really enjoys the decor of WL and don't find any of it to be demeaning. The only thing that I think I'll avoid with them is Hoop Dee Doo, as I ran across the "Indian Brave" skit on YouTube...definitely offensive. Take a look at Tikiman's site...it does a pretty good job of representing the resort.

 

[cjgref]

What a wonderful effort on your part. The photos are as beautiful as everyone says. I am returning to the Poly for my 3rd visit in July, but the first as a newleywed.

I am reaching out to the DIS community for help with advice. My fiancee and I are getting married on a Saturday morning, having a brunch reception then heading to WDW later that day. We are on a 5:30 flight from New England scheduled to get in around 8:30. I really want to make an arrival at the MK for the 10pm Wishes display. With 90 minutes to get there can anyone offer advice or info on ways to make the speediest trip from "Deplaning" to Main St.

We are flying Southwest on a direct flight that has a pretty good ontime rating, renting from Hertz on site and using our Annual Passes. Since we are staying long enough for us to have to check some bags, baggage pick up is an issue.

Any help would be appreciated. My fiancee and I have waited a long time to be married...the least I could do is give her real fireworks for "Happily Ever After"

Thanks....looking forward to your replies.

 

[guitarob]

What a wonderful effort on your part. The photos are as beautiful as everyone says. I am returning to the Poly for my 3rd visit in July, but the first as a newleywed.

I am reaching out to the DIS community for help with advice. My fiancee and I are getting married on a Saturday morning, having a brunch reception then heading to WDW later that day. We are on a 5:30 flight from New England scheduled to get in around 8:30. I really want to make an arrival at the MK for the 10pm Wishes display. With 90 minutes to get there can anyone offer advice or info on ways to make the speediest trip from "Deplaning" to Main St.

We are flying Southwest on a direct flight that has a pretty good ontime rating, renting from Hertz on site and using our Annual Passes. Since we are staying long enough for us to have to check some bags, baggage pick up is an issue.

Any help would be appreciated. My fiancee and I have waited a long time to be married...the least I could do is give her real fireworks for "Happily Ever After"

Thanks....looking forward to your replies.

I say skip the MK and watch the fireworks from the beach at the Polynesian. I think that would be much more romantic.

Congratulations on your upcoming marriage! I hope your disneymoon is as magical as ours was!

 

[dizneechic]

What a wonderful effort on your part. The photos are as beautiful as everyone says. I am returning to the Poly for my 3rd visit in July, but the first as a newleywed.

I am reaching out to the DIS community for help with advice. My fiancee and I are getting married on a Saturday morning, having a brunch reception then heading to WDW later that day. We are on a 5:30 flight from New England scheduled to get in around 8:30. I really want to make an arrival at the MK for the 10pm Wishes display. With 90 minutes to get there can anyone offer advice or info on ways to make the speediest trip from "Deplaning" to Main St.

We are flying Southwest on a direct flight that has a pretty good ontime rating, renting from Hertz on site and using our Annual Passes. Since we are staying long enough for us to have to check some bags, baggage pick up is an issue.

Any help would be appreciated. My fiancee and I have waited a long time to be married...the least I could do is give her real fireworks for "Happily Ever After"

Thanks....looking forward to your replies.

How awesome!
When flying Delta and renting a car we tend to get to the resort right at the 1:30 mark after touchdown. We rent from Dollar and use Dollar Express so bypass the whole rental car pick up line and go straight to the kiosk in the garage and are on our way. As you mentioned though picking up bags can be speedy or somewhat time consuming...

The 1st thing that comes to mind is ship your suitcases down ahead of time. Fed Ex and UPS both offer this service, you do it a week ahead of time and include all of your reservation info on it. Then just pack 2 carry ons with essentials for that night and the next day *just in case*. This way you can go straight from the plane to the rental counter (does Hertz offer an express option?) and scoot straight on over to the MK. That should save you anywhere from 15-30 minutes, plus if Hertz doesn't offer express you'll be ahead of the lines making their way from your flight to the rental counter.

Also have your toll money ready, A few singles is all you need, and have your AP's easily accessible at the gate so you can just drive on through without much chit chat. Depending on how early you get there you may just want to park at the poly and take the resort monorail straight to the MK, otherwise you'll park in the MK lot and possibly end up on a tram and then have to hop that monorail into the MK... going to the resort could end up quicker or at least equal time wise. Worst case if you cut it a little too tight you can watch Wishes from the Poly beach.

 

[clanmcculloch]

What a wonderful effort on your part. The photos are as beautiful as everyone says. I am returning to the Poly for my 3rd visit in July, but the first as a newleywed.

I am reaching out to the DIS community for help with advice. My fiancee and I are getting married on a Saturday morning, having a brunch reception then heading to WDW later that day. We are on a 5:30 flight from New England scheduled to get in around 8:30. I really want to make an arrival at the MK for the 10pm Wishes display. With 90 minutes to get there can anyone offer advice or info on ways to make the speediest trip from "Deplaning" to Main St.

We are flying Southwest on a direct flight that has a pretty good ontime rating, renting from Hertz on site and using our Annual Passes. Since we are staying long enough for us to have to check some bags, baggage pick up is an issue.

Any help would be appreciated. My fiancee and I have waited a long time to be married...the least I could do is give her real fireworks for "Happily Ever After"

Thanks....looking forward to your replies.

CONGRATULATIONS!!! and welcome to the DIS.

For that first night, I think you'd be much more relaxed if you planned to watch Wishes from the beach rather than taking the time to go over to MK to watch. You're already pretty tight on time to get to Poly. There's no way to actually make it to MK in time. Wishes from the Poly beach is WONDERFUL!!! Just make sure you're near a speaker (green thing sticking up from the ground). If you sit near the Hawaii building then you should be able to hear the music.

DME will pick up your bags for you. I love this perk. Since you're arriving so late, just make sure that you have everything you may need for that night in your carryons (good advice for any time you travel actually) so you can request that your bags won't get delivered until morning.

 

[All American]

*subscribing*

Just cancelled our April trip and switched to June and added a day. Can't wait!

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

What a wonderful effort on your part. The photos are as beautiful as everyone says. I am returning to the Poly for my 3rd visit in July, but the first as a newleywed.

I am reaching out to the DIS community for help with advice. My fiancee and I are getting married on a Saturday morning, having a brunch reception then heading to WDW later that day. We are on a 5:30 flight from New England scheduled to get in around 8:30. I really want to make an arrival at the MK for the 10pm Wishes display. With 90 minutes to get there can anyone offer advice or info on ways to make the speediest trip from "Deplaning" to Main St.

We are flying Southwest on a direct flight that has a pretty good ontime rating, renting from Hertz on site and using our Annual Passes. Since we are staying long enough for us to have to check some bags, baggage pick up is an issue.

Any help would be appreciated. My fiancee and I have waited a long time to be married...the least I could do is give her real fireworks for "Happily Ever After"

Thanks....looking forward to your replies.

We agree with the others ... skip going to the MK and just head over to the Polynesian and watch the fireworks from the beach. Unfortunately with arriving at 8:30 pm, deplaning and collecting your luggage, then heading to the car rental and driving over to the Poly, you might be cutting it close for the 10 pm fireworks.

Personally I wouldn't chance it ... I'd suggest maybe just skipping the fireworks the first night and instead make arrangements to have a nice gift delivered to your resort for your wife. That way, you're not rushed and you're both not disappointed if you're not able to arrive on time for the fireworks. There are just so many variables you can't predict - like delays at the airport, your luggage taking a while to arrive at the baggage claim, problems with the car rental, accidents tying up traffic on the way to the Polynesian, not being able to find a place to park, etc - that can throw a kink into the best plans.

Wishes is shown every night, so if it were me, I'd plan to have a nice dinner one of the evenings we were in WDW, then head over to the Polynesian beach with plenty of time to spare.

Bonny
​

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

DME will pick up your bags for you. I love this perk. Since you're arriving so late, just make sure that you have everything you may need for that night in your carryons (good advice for any time you travel actually) so you can request that your bags won't get delivered until morning.

That's only if you are using Magic Express ... the OP indicated they were renting a car from Hertz

 

[clanmcculloch]

That's only if you are using Magic Express ... the OP indicated they were renting a car from Hertz

OP said they're renting from Hertz onsite so I figured that meant CCC (I've always taken onsite to mean somewhere within the boundaries of WDW) meaning that they'd need some other way to get there. If I misunderstood that then ignore my advice about DME.

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

OP said they're renting from Hertz onsite so I figured that meant CCC (I've always taken onsite to mean somewhere within the boundaries of WDW) meaning that they'd need some other way to get there. If I misunderstood that then ignore my advice about DME.

The Car Care Center is Alamo/National. The only Hertz location on Disney property is at the Shades of Green Resort.

 

[Aanna]

May I suggest planning a secondary layer of wonderfulness for your arrival in case you miss the fireworks? If everything goes perfectly the fireworks on the Poly beach will be very nice, but IMHO the stress level if something *is* late will be unpleasant.

Perhaps order flowers and a bottle of champagne to be in your room waiting for you arrival? A champagne toast in the moonlight on your balcony at midnight is extremely romantic... and an iced bottle of champagne won't mind so much if you arrive a few minutes later.

Then, if you arrive in time for the fireworks, great! If not, you still have something special to look forward to.

 

[mkbmom]

Hi everyone!!

I am a new poster but have been a reader for a long time. So here goes.

We are staying at Poly for the first time 2/26 - 3/4. This is our first time at Poly but have stayed at every other property except for Carribean Beach and Wilderness Cabins. I have been over 150 time to my "happy place" since I am a native Floridian but now live in Georgia with DH, DD11 and twin DD's who will be turning 7 during our trip.

So my question is how early do we need to be on the beach for Wishes? My hubbies question is can he use his refillable mug for Dole Whips like he can use them for frozen cokes at Pop Century.

Thanks for any help. I love this thread! It has been very helpful these last couple months.

 

[dizneechic]

I am a new poster but have been a reader for a long time. So here goes.

So my question is how early do we need to be on the beach for Wishes? My hubbies question is can he use his refillable mug for Dole Whips like he can use them for frozen cokes at Pop Century.

In high season IF you want a chair you should be there about 20 minutes before hand (or earlier). In moderate weeks we've gone to the beach about 5 minutes before hand and has no issues. It kind of depends on the crowd at the resort, I think it really can vary the amount of people who head to the beach vs the parks. In Jan when we were there the beach was for the most part empty every night, end of Aug was more crowded but heading out 5-10 minutes before hand was more than enough time to get a few chairs (3) for our family of 5 (although we watched from the CL lounge a lot that trip).

As for Dole Whips in the refillable mugs, I believe that is a no no, I think the mugs are solely for fountain types of beverages. The location of the 2 items is also separate, the fountain drinks are around the corner from the condiments, where the dole whips are against the wall with the fridges. When you purchase a dole whip they give you a special bowl to use, so it would be blatantly obvious you were using something unintended there. It would be fabulous if you could but it's probably better for all of our waistlines that you couldn't.

 

[autismmom1]

Thanks for the opinions on my bell services question! I can't quite figure out how to "quote" more than one response on the same quick reply and I have searched the "newbies" information post with no luck....but I just wanted to say I appreciate you guys and love the fact that the Dis board posters are so willing to help with even the smallest questions. You guys are awesome!

 

[shocky5]

Agree with everyone else! This is a wonderful thread!

I have a couple of questions - as a family, the Poly is the only resort we have stayed and will be staying there again this December. Maybe some of you will know these answers:

1) We are staying club level this time - but our plane will not arrive at the airport until 9:45 p.m. and club level check in ceases at 10 p.m. What does this mean exactly? Will we check-in as we have in the past in the GCH? I don't anticipate we will arrive until close to 11 p.m.

2) Those who have stayed club level - what are your thoughts about giving over the ADR's to be made to the IPO? Do you feel comfortable letting the IPO make them on your behalf or do you prefer to still make them yourselves? In what planning aspects of your trip do you commonly utilize the IPO's assistance?

TIA!!!

 

[guitarob]

Thanks for the opinions on my bell services question! I can't quite figure out how to "quote" more than one response on the same quick reply and I have searched the "newbies" information post with no luck....but I just wanted to say I appreciate you guys and love the fact that the Dis board posters are so willing to help with even the smallest questions. You guys are awesome!

Click the circled button (located near the bottom of the post) on each post you would like to quote, then click "Post Reply" at the bottom of the page.

 

[dizneechic]

1) We are staying club level this time - but our plane will not arrive at the airport until 9:45 p.m. and club level check in ceases at 10 p.m. What does this mean exactly? Will we check-in as we have in the past in the GCH? I don't anticipate we will arrive until close to 11 p.m.

Yes in this case (or anyone staying CL arriving after 10pm) you check in at the GCH. Ceases at 10pm just means that the CL staff goes home for the evening and are unable to take care of checking you in in the Hawaii building. The lounge also closes at 10pm meaning they bring in the desserts and cordials, but there will still be some fresh fruit, and sodas, and a little bit of water (those could end up empty though). So if there is anything you really want before bed you may want to hit CC's while your in the GCH.

2) Those who have stayed club level - what are your thoughts about giving over the ADR's to be made to the IPO? Do you feel comfortable letting the IPO make them on your behalf or do you prefer to still make them yourselves? In what planning aspects of your trip do you commonly utilize the IPO's assistance?

I'm a control freak so make my ADR's myself, mostly because I am indecisive and change them a lot until we get closer to our date. I would feel horrible having the IPO switch them up constantly, so I just email them once I've settled into our plan. We did have the IPO help us though this past trip when we got postponed due to a blizzard. We emailed and thy took care of canceling everything we would be missing (our trip was delayed a few days). It was fabulous having them worry about that than me finagling yet another set of calls. I use the IPO's when there for changing up ressies , we've had them book us appts at Harmony barber shop, they have called to check on ride statuses (TSMM was coming out of refurb and was delayed, we wanted to go the day it finally opened), we've had them check if certain characters would be appearing that my dd was obsessed with meeting and provide us with the info... so we get some help from them.

Many on here have had great luck with the IPO and ADRs.

 

[guitarob]

2) Those who have stayed club level - what are your thoughts about giving over the ADR's to be made to the IPO? Do you feel comfortable letting the IPO make them on your behalf or do you prefer to still make them yourselves? In what planning aspects of your trip do you commonly utilize the IPO's assistance?

Because I actually love to make the call myself and "talk to Disney World", (and, possibly because, I am a little bit of a control freak when it comes to such things) I never give my ADR's over to the IPO unless there's something that I can't get on my own. Every once in a while they come through for me.

I also use the Concierge at the Polynesian as a last ditch effort, which has worked twice, and failed many more times for those hard to get reservations (e.g., 'Ohana).

 

[shocky5]

Yes in this case (or anyone staying CL arriving after 10pm) you check in at the GCH. The lounge also closes at 10pm meaning they bring in the desserts and cordials, but there will still be some fresh fruit, and sodas, and a little bit of water (those could end up empty though). So if there is anything you really want before bed you may want to hit CC's while your in the GCH.



I'm a control freak so make my ADR's myself, mostly because I am indecisive and change them a lot until we get closer to our date. I would feel horrible having the IPO switch them up constantly, so I just email them once I've settled into our plan. We did have the IPO help us though this past trip when we got postponed due to a blizzard. We emailed and thy took care of canceling everything we would be missing (our trip was delayed a few days). Many on here have had great luck with the IPO and ADRs.

Great information!! Thank you! I am also a control freak and I 'unshamefully' admit that I get up at the crack of dawn to make ADR's on THE day they can be made. I would want the IPO to do the same. And by no means would I be upset if I couldn't get exactly what I had pre-planned out - it almost never works that way for me so I'm just torn on this portion of it. I wonder if they can work magic that I couldn't when making ADR's... Oh well... plenty of time to ponder that question. I would love to hear other's opinions, also!

Thanks so much!

 

[dizneechic]

Great information!! Thank you! I am also a control freak and I 'unshamefully' admit that I get up at the crack of dawn to make ADR's on THE day they can be made. I would want the IPO to do the same. And by no means would I be upset if I couldn't get exactly what I had pre-planned out - it almost never works that way for me so I'm just torn on this portion of it. I wonder if they can work magic that I couldn't when making ADR's... Oh well... plenty of time to ponder that question. I would love to hear other's opinions, also!

Thanks so much!

Ok here's the control freak in me talking...
You could give them the list of what you wanted as well as go ahead and book them yourself online. Then cancel the ones not needed as soon as you hear from them. That way if they can work some IPO magic and you miss what you want your covered, and you still get to go through the routine of booking so you KNOW your set and happy with what you got until you hear back and have to decide.