ALOHA! The Poly FAQ: Winter 2011 Edition

[dfarner]

We're heading down to WDW in June, the 3rd-12th, and I would like some advice from all of you Poly vets. DH and I have been playing with numbers and this is what we've come up with. Having never stayed at the Poly, I'm thankful just to be going, but would like some opinions on what everyone would do in this situation.

~9 nights Garden view and pocket lots of extra cash!
~9 nights Lagoon view and hope, hope, hope we get our request of Tahiti
~8 nights Club level and a moderate for the first night we're in town

Which would you choose?

Have you ever made just a general building request (no specific floor or anything) and NOT get your request? We would really like Tahiti if we choose LV.

 

[carlnix30]

Here are more pics of the cabanas at the poly courtesy of steve's website.
posted with his permission.

These look great.

Has anyone actually rented one?

 

[rcsilverspring]

And on a total different topic, it was so fun when I discovered WDW new webpages today, all of a sudden i got a great big picture of the poly, and the text "Soon you´ll be here at Disney´s Polynesian Resort"
And Donald stating, 71 days to your vacation.
Kinda geeky and cool, I just had to share the fun

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Could you please share the link to this webpage?
I'd love to send it to my DDs who we are taking to the Poly in May?
Thanks in advance.
BTW, 96 days, 5 hours and 15 min!!!!! WooHoo!!

 

[Bolebrothers]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Could you please share the link to this webpage?
I'd love to send it to my DDs who we are taking to the Poly in May?
Thanks in advance.
BTW, 96 days, 5 hours and 15 min!!!!! WooHoo!!

The webpage is the normal Disney one: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/
You need to log in with your user name and PW. Then retrive your reservation from the menu on the left, you will have "Price your vacation" and"My reservations" on the left there. Choose My reservations.
The next time you access the site (at least that was how it worked for me)
You will se the Poly picture and the welcome frontpage.
It is the normal Disneyworld front page, it is just the picture and information on there that changes.

 

[mrsswat]

do they sell the Poly music anywhere? Thanks

 

[cinmell]

Hi there, we actually initiated contact, since we booked online, and do live in a land far,far away. One or the other was the reason they did not initiate first contact.. Since then they have been fabulous they have helped us with special arrangements, spa appointments, Chef´s wine tasting dinners and Fantasmic packages. And since we live where we do, it was real nice to get help via e-mail instead of several long distance calls. And always quick to reply.

If they haven't contacted you yet, I would go ahead and contact IPO with any requests you may have. There is no point in waiting. Just be sure to include your reservation # and dates in your e-mail and IPO will handle arranging your plans from there. Guests slip through the cracks all the time and better to be proactive than upset IF you happen to be one of those missed guests.

They contacted us, and sent us a form to fill out with all of our requests (dining, tours, etc.). I would send an email to the IPO and just say that you haven't heard anything from them yet and you would like to have them make your dining reservations.

Thanks for the replies! I'll send an email today. It finally feels like it's getting a little bit closer.

 

[rcsilverspring]

do they sell the Poly music anywhere? Thanks

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Google it. A couple years ago I was able to download all kinds of WDW music & sounds (free), but cannot remember the exact site. I have Poly music, MK music, monorail loop including "¡Por favor manténgase alejado de las puertas!". It's great to play them all on my computer or iPod when I need a Disney "fix"!

 

[alala]

Thanks for this great thread!!

We are staying at the Polynesian for the first time this April for spring break and my daughter's 5th birthday! We were originally planning to do a shorter, low-budget trip, but it looks like this will be our "big" vacation for the year, so we upgraded and can't wait!!!

 

[cmac609]

subscribing. Hello fellow Poly lovers!!

 

[oceangirl]

Thanks for all the great info on (and photos of) the Poly cabanas! Something more to consider....

 

[Tess]

do they sell the Poly music anywhere? Thanks

Are you asking about the "old" loop or the "new" loop that was introduced last summer? For my money, the old loop is better. Neither is available for purchase although many of the songs can be purchased on a variety of CDs. I used to have the list which I received from Disney. There are some copies of the old loop floating around. . .

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

We're heading down to WDW in June, the 3rd-12th, and I would like some advice from all of you Poly vets. DH and I have been playing with numbers and this is what we've come up with. Having never stayed at the Poly, I'm thankful just to be going, but would like some opinions on what everyone would do in this situation.

~9 nights Garden view and pocket lots of extra cash!
~9 nights Lagoon view and hope, hope, hope we get our request of Tahiti
~8 nights Club level and a moderate for the first night we're in town

Which would you choose?

Have you ever made just a general building request (no specific floor or anything) and NOT get your request? We would really like Tahiti if we choose LV.

I would choose garden view for 9 nights and use the extra money to plan a few date nights for the adults and Neverland Club for the kiddos. Garden views are lovely and you can watch the castle, fireworks, and EWP from the beaches. IF you could swing TPV, that would be the best. I just think lagoon view may be a disappointment for the money because you aren't guaranteed a castle view. It is lagoon view with a most likely obstructed view of the castle...otherwise it would be TPV category. IF you wanted to do 8nts TPV and 1 night moderate---go for it---esp if you are arriving late in the day anyway. You can just pack your overnight and 1st day clothes in the carry-ons to make moving resorts a breeze,

It is tough to request a certain longhouse in the garden view category because you aren't really saying "what" is really important and it is the biggest pool of rooms. If Tahiti isn't available, they have nothing else to base your request on. If staying garden view, request the area you want or floor...like... near TTC, or 3rd flr near TTC. *if* you are staying TPV, I would definitely say Tahiti please. There are only 3 longhouses for TPV(non-concierge) and the request will be a little easier to understand and accomodate.

I personally don't think club level is "worth" it for our family but others do see value. I would rather have a specific view or spend my money on extra made-to-order food vs snacks and apps laid out on a table. We order our beer, wine, water, and breakfast/snack items from gardengrocer to enjoy at our leisure without worrying about the time and sharing with other guests. IPO services--I make my own ressies(read control freak here) and don't need their assistance while on vacation either. Lobby concierge can help/answer any questions. Some like knowing their exact location/longhouse. I actually am in the minority here as I do not like that location. I would rather not be right on the busiest beach and next to the busiest pool. Again--personal preference here. For the money I would do either extra food(room servie/ Narcoose's/ blue zoo/ Artists Pt) or better view--TPV-- with a little extra food

Anyway you slice it, it will be a great trip. Have fun.

 

[dfarner]

I would choose garden view for 9 nights and use the extra money to plan a few date nights for the adults and Neverland Club for the kiddos. Garden views are lovely and you can watch the castle, fireworks, and EWP from the beaches. IF you could swing TPV, that would be the best. I just think lagoon view may be a disappointment for the money because you aren't guaranteed a castle view. It is lagoon view with a most likely obstructed view of the castle...otherwise it would be TPV category. IF you wanted to do 8nts TPV and 1 night moderate---go for it---esp if you are arriving late in the day anyway. You can just pack your overnight and 1st day clothes in the carry-ons to make moving resorts a breeze,

It is tough to request a certain longhouse in the garden view category because you aren't really saying "what" is really important and it is the biggest pool of rooms. If Tahiti isn't available, they have nothing else to base your request on. If staying garden view, request the area you want or floor...like... near TTC, or 3rd flr near TTC. *if* you are staying TPV, I would definitely say Tahiti please. There are only 3 longhouses for TPV(non-concierge) and the request will be a little easier to understand and accomodate.

I personally don't think club level is "worth" it for our family but others do see value. I would rather have a specific view or spend my money on extra made-to-order food vs snacks and apps laid out on a table. We order our beer, wine, water, and breakfast/snack items from gardengrocer to enjoy at our leisure without worrying about the time and sharing with other guests. IPO services--I make my own ressies(read control freak here) and don't need their assistance while on vacation either. Lobby concierge can help/answer any questions. Some like knowing their exact location/longhouse. I actually am in the minority here as I do not like that location. I would rather not be right on the busiest beach and next to the busiest pool. Again--personal preference here. For the money I would do either extra food(room servie/ Narcoose's/ blue zoo/ Artists Pt) or better view--TPV-- with a little extra food

Anyway you slice it, it will be a great trip. Have fun.

Thank you so much for your input! You make some very good points that we need to consider. We stayed CL at The Grand last year and really enjoyed it, but I've already made all of our ADRs so IPO wouldn't even be a huge help to us at this point in time. DH enjoyed grabbing snacks and a beer/tea in the afternoon or evening, but we especially liked knowing exactly what building we'd be in (insert control issues here, too )
I do like the idea of a night or two out with DH. We talk about doing it every visit, but never follow through
Thank you again for taking the time to comment!

 

[Luvamouse]

The webpage is the normal Disney one: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/
You need to log in with your user name and PW. Then retrive your reservation from the menu on the left, you will have "Price your vacation" and"My reservations" on the left there. Choose My reservations.
The next time you access the site (at least that was how it worked for me)
You will se the Poly picture and the welcome frontpage.
It is the normal Disneyworld front page, it is just the picture and information on there that changes.

Thanks for posting about this... I saw your first comment on the WDW site and zipped over to plug in my ressie number Exciting!! We are watching the Bud Shootout on TV right now-- heading to the Daytona 500 and then directly to the Poly to relax..... Need it so badly after this insane winter!

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

Thank you so much for your input! You make some very good points that we need to consider. We stayed CL at The Grand last year and really enjoyed it, but I've already made all of our ADRs so IPO wouldn't even be a huge help to us at this point in time. DH enjoyed grabbing snacks and a beer/tea in the afternoon or evening, but we especially liked knowing exactly what building we'd be in (insert control issues here, too )
I do like the idea of a night or two out with DH. We talk about doing it every visit, but never follow through
Thank you again for taking the time to comment!

You and DH should TOTALLY do a date night! The Neverland Club is wonderful. My girls loved it so much they begged us for a second night. SO...we cancelled our ressies 2 nights later, sent them to the club again, and got new ressies for the 2 of us. DH was in heaven having 2 date nights and the girls were happy playing in the club. win-win When I think of how worried we were the first time we left them at the club only to go pick them up later that night and have them disappointed to see us We were such suckers thinking THEY would miss US--HA!

 

[pigletto]

We'll be moving over from CSR very early in the morning to start our stay at the Poly. Our plan is to check in, leave our bags with Bell Services and head to Epcot for the day. My question.. will we need to call to see when our room is ready or can they text us? I will have my cellphone with me. Not a big deal either way, I am just curious

 

[minniebeth]

We'll be moving over from CSR very early in the morning to start our stay at the Poly. Our plan is to check in, leave our bags with Bell Services and head to Epcot for the day. My question.. will we need to call to see when our room is ready or can they text us? I will have my cellphone with me. Not a big deal either way, I am just curious

You can leave them a cell number and they can text you~ it works out great.
Just be aware, one thing we learned from our last stay is that 1. luggage from another resort doesn't even START to be transferred until around 1pm and that 2. you have to be in your room for bell services to receive it.
We were misinformed on both these things when we were there in January. So just plan accordingly.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[pigletto]

You can leave them a cell number and they can text you~ it works out great.
Just be aware, one thing we learned from our last stay is that 1. luggage from another resort doesn't even START to be transferred until around 1pm and that 2. you have to be in your room for bell services to receive it.
We were misinformed on both these things when we were there in January. So just plan accordingly.

Enjoy your trip!

Thank you minniebeth. That is helpful to know. Maybe we'll bring it with us and take a cab then? At least we'll know it's there. Something to think about that I wouldn't have known until I got there!

 

[minniebeth]

Thank you minniebeth. That is helpful to know. Maybe we'll bring it with us and take a cab then? At least we'll know it's there. Something to think about that I wouldn't have known until I got there!

pigletto, I went back and re-read your post, and I guess I assumed that you would be transferring your luggage in-between resorts. Are you aware you can do this? If you do know, sorry, disregard! If not, you can check your luggage in with bell services at CSR early in the morning and they will transfer it to the Polynesian for you. You could, go right to Epcot and check in to the Poly later and then have your luggage delivered to your room from bell services there.
Or, like you said, you can take a cab with your luggage and check it in with bell services at the Polynesian and have it delivered after you return when your room is ready or when you are done for the day.
If I'm giving you information you already know, sorry! I've done WDW lots of times and never knew I could do this

 

[maiapapaya]

You can leave them a cell number and they can text you~ it works out great.Just be aware, one thing we learned from our last stay is that 1. luggage from another resort doesn't even START to be transferred until around 1pm and that 2. you have to be in your room for bell services to receive it.
We were misinformed on both these things when we were there in January. So just plan accordingly.

Enjoy your trip!

Not necessarily! On our last trip neither we nor my sister & BIL received a text when our rooms were ready (even though the CM at check-in confirmed our phone #'s and very enthusiastically told us we'd get a text as soon as our rooms were available). When we returned to the resort that evening after dinner we had to go to the front desk to get our room numbers. When we told the CM that we had never received a text & needed to know where to go she didn't even apologize, just wrote our room numbers down & handed them to us.