ALOHA! The Poly FAQ: Winter 2011 Edition

[disneydreamin247]

Well...according to tikiman...the East pool renovation has been postponed again. It is now scheduled for Feb 21 - Apr 8. Wonder why it keeps getting bumped Labor taking longer at another site or materials on backorder? HHmmmm....make a gal think....anyone have a theory? I know I am one of the few on here excited about the reno. I look forward to the pool possibly taking away some of the crowds from the volcano pool. More room for my family at our favorite table near the bar for quick refills

I always pick a table based on its proximity to the bar. If all goes according to plan DD will be napping in her stroller, DS will be playing in the shallow end of the pool, and I will be in the deep end of a drink...or 3.

 

[The crowd]

Well poop. We're gonna be there from 2/25-3/4 so no quiet pooll for us

 

[rcsilverspring]

Well...according to tikiman...the East pool renovation has been postponed again. It is now scheduled for Feb 21 - Apr 8. Wonder why it keeps getting bumped Labor taking longer at another site or materials on backorder? HHmmmm....make a gal think....anyone have a theory? I know I am one of the few on here excited about the reno. I look forward to the pool possibly taking away some of the crowds from the volcano pool. More room for my family at our favorite table near the bar for quick refills

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Maybe they heard all the negative feedback and have reconsidered. Yeah, riiight.

 

[cmcinc]

Great new thread with some great pics. We will be back again in late October.

 

[autismmom1]

Hi!

Long time lurker here, and I probably won't post very much because I haven't taken the time to read the etiquette.

We're staying at the Poly for the very first time after staying at POFQ two years in a row and I'm very excited, but we're trying to save some money where we can....is it possible to take your own luggage to your room instead of having bell services lug it there? I guess I'm cheap, but I have no problem hauling my suitcase myself and would rather do that than pay someone else to...is this terribly rude?

Thank you in advance!

 

[pigletto]

Tell me if you all think I am making a mistake here. I am seriously considering not making any room or longhouse requests. I have never stayed at the Poly so I don't have any really specific idea of where I want to be. I think the only thing that might disappoint me is having no blacony or patio but if that is the case I could always ask while I was there if anything else was available right?
I think I just want to enjoy whatever happens and not worry about it too much. Is that nuts?

 

[soarinup]

Tell me if you all think I am making a mistake here. I am seriously considering not making any room or longhouse requests. I have never stayed at the Poly so I don't have any really specific idea of where I want to be. I think the only thing that might disappoint me is having no blacony or patio but if that is the case I could always ask while I was there if anything else was available right?
I think I just want to enjoy whatever happens and not worry about it too much. Is that nuts?

I think its a great idea! That way you won't be disappointed! Make it an adventure.....

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

I think its a great idea! That way you won't be disappointed! Make it an adventure.....

Agreed. Unless absolutely necessary, I'd say avoid disappointment and make no requests. I like a little surprise.

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

Hi!

Long time lurker here, and I probably won't post very much because I haven't taken the time to read the etiquette.

We're staying at the Poly for the very first time after staying at POFQ two years in a row and I'm very excited, but we're trying to save some money where we can....is it possible to take your own luggage to your room instead of having bell services lug it there? I guess I'm cheap, but I have no problem hauling my suitcase myself and would rather do that than pay someone else to...is this terribly rude?

Thank you in advance!

You can absolutely take your own luggage. We usually have bell services take our carry-on items when we deboard DME, but when the gparents arrive with the big bags, my gpa prefers to handle the bags himself. It's the USMC Captain in him...hates to give up control. Well, until we get into the parks, then it's all me, he says.

 

[Lehuaann]

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?!?

 

[carlnix30]

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 would say that Hawaii is actually very modern with a culture built in. The poly is set in the days of old Hawaii. They could find it charming or they could find it demeaning their culture. I would maybe present it to them.. Like you are thinking about the Poly for you and your family. Since they have all this hawaiian experience they could give you some advice about the resort.

 

[carlnix30]

Hi!

Long time lurker here, and I probably won't post very much because I haven't taken the time to read the etiquette.

We're staying at the Poly for the very first time after staying at POFQ two years in a row and I'm very excited, but we're trying to save some money where we can....is it possible to take your own luggage to your room instead of having bell services lug it there? I guess I'm cheap, but I have no problem hauling my suitcase myself and would rather do that than pay someone else to...is this terribly rude?

Thank you in advance!

You can carry your own bags. But those bell carts are the bell mans lifeblood. Getting one in busy times may be difficult. Your going deluxe. Let em carry your stuff. Give em what you feel you can. Smile and save your back. it's nice to have them run up to get your bags. Makes you feel like a rockstar!
Congrats on you and your families first stay at the poly. My son stayed in POFQ last year. He loved his resort but wanted to stay in our room when he came to visit us.

 

[disneydreamin247]

You can carry your own bags. But those bell carts are the bell mans lifeblood. Getting one in busy times may be difficult. Your going deluxe. Let em carry your stuff. Give em what you feel you can. Smile and save your back. it's nice to have them run up to get your bags. Makes you feel like a rockstar!
Congrats on you and your families first stay at the poly. My son stayed in POFQ last year. He loved his resort but wanted to stay in our room when he came to visit us.

Oh you make me so jealous. I can't wait until my son can stay in a different resort.

 

[Luvamouse]

In the car on the way to our first stay at Poly. Literally 4hr 45 min away from my Disney birthday celebration. Any last min advice?

Have fun!! And relax Oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!

So many of you with trips coming up
We are excitedly counting down the days to our first Poly visit. I am so excited. ......
I just can't wait to watch Wishes from the Poly. So so excited today

We'll be there with you! Enjoy-- we so love the Poly!!

The dates for the pool renovation had me concerned as well.... We are headed down 4/17-21.
I am surprised that they would plan this so close to the Spring Break crowds.

That's how I feel We love the quiet pool-- even if "quiet" can be a relative term...

Hi!

Long time lurker here, and I probably won't post very much because I haven't taken the time to read the etiquette.

We're staying at the Poly for the very first time after staying at POFQ two years in a row and I'm very excited, but we're trying to save some money where we can....is it possible to take your own luggage to your room instead of having bell services lug it there? I guess I'm cheap, but I have no problem hauling my suitcase myself and would rather do that than pay someone else to...is this terribly rude?

Thank you in advance!

We had the luggage brought to the room the first time, but now we just lug it ourselves. We have been lucky enough to be in Tahiti, so we park in the lot in front of Rapa Nui and it's not too bad of a hike. Personally, it's just easier since we drive and have lots of little things to gather from the truck and the Bell Services guys are usually "speedy" .

 

[carlnix30]

Oh you make me so jealous. I can't wait until my son can stay in a different resort.

the only problem is I still have the teens to deal with... My other two have moved out. They are dd21 and ds20. This trip we have to get 2 rooms at the Poly. Why can't kids get cheaper. They just cost more. Why didn't we just start our Disney vacations staying at a moderate resort. Noo we started taking the kids to the most addicting resort in Disneyworld!

 

[disneydreamin247]

the only problem is I still have the teens to deal with... My other two have moved out. They are dd21 and ds20. This trip we have to get 2 rooms at the Poly. Why can't kids get cheaper. They just cost more. Why didn't we just start our Disney vacations staying at a moderate resort. Noo we started taking the kids to the most addicting resort in Disneyworld!

I've taken DS to all categories, and he asks to go back to Pop. I swear sometimes I want a maternity test! Who asks that when told they're staying at Poly for 9 nights?!

 

[mom2travel]

Just wanted to say "hi" and great job Guitarob!! The new thread looks wonderful!

After a wonderful stay Poly CL a few months ago, I am doing a split stay surprise "girls trip" with DD at WL/BWI in March. Very much looking forward to venturing outside of my monorail-resort safety zone but also contemplating if I am crazy! Anyway, needed a Poly fix so here I am My parents will be staying at the Poly, so I guess we can visit them to take in the Poly atmosphere

Everyone with a trip coming up... Have a great time!

 

[housetomouse]

I was wondering, if one of the pools is closed for renovations at the Poly, do they give you privileges to use a pool at another resort? One of my concerns about the Poly (haven't stayed there yet) is that the pool will be overcrowded. If the quiet pool is closed, then the volcano pool will probably be more crowded than I expected. I expect if the volcano pool were the one closed for renovations, that they'd let you swim somewhere else, but I wonder what happens if the closed pool is the quiet pool. Does anyone know? Thanks

 

[mdrob214]

Beautiful new thread! I have been freezing and looking back over my pictures from last July. I never thought I'd do a repeat visit to any WDW resort (until I've stayed at them all!) but I'm seriously thinking Poly again for next time. It just makes me feel warm!

 

[sandym718]

Well...according to tikiman...the East pool renovation has been postponed again. It is now scheduled for Feb 21 - Apr 8.

Bummer!! We'll be there the end of March. I'm already worried about crowds (we usually go in May) and now I worry that the Volcano pool is going to be overwhelmingly crowded.

I was wondering, if one of the pools is closed for renovations at the Poly, do they give you privileges to use a pool at another resort? One of my concerns about the Poly (haven't stayed there yet) is that the pool will be overcrowded. If the quiet pool is closed, then the volcano pool will probably be more crowded than I expected. I expect if the volcano pool were the one closed for renovations, that they'd let you swim somewhere else, but I wonder what happens if the closed pool is the quiet pool. Does anyone know? Thanks

Wondering as well, especially since they've pushed this into Spring Break times. During slower times of the year, it might not be necessary, but spring break? It very well may be! Pools have occupancy limits. If it gets too crowded, would they really just tell people they can't swim??

My only saving thought is that my sister and her boyfriend will be at CSR. We had already planned to go there for lunch one day and ASK if we could swim with them for awhile (assuming it's not too crowded, and we would definitely ASK the lifeguards first). My kids adore that Volcano pool though, and for the prices we're paying to stay at the Poly, I sure hope they can use it!!!