ALOHA! The Poly FAQ: Winter 2011 Edition

[WDWKOOK]

You just can't leave!

Well, at least we still have her on the Resort Changers' thread, she could never leave that thread

 

[disneydreamin247]

Well, at least we still have her on the Resort Changers' thread, she could never leave that thread

Nope! We are bound by blood to that thread!

 

[2girlsR2good]

Back home today after 5 nights at the Poly and thought I would share a couple of thoughts.

First off--it was wonderful! I love the atmosphere there, the weather was perfect, the pool was busy, but to us it felt festive rather than crowded. We played the pool games a couple of afternoons and even won a free half hour on the little 2 seater boats. That was fun! There were guards checking for room keys every day, but not oppressively.

We splurged on a TPV room and I'm glad we did. My kidoodles went to bed exhausted by 8pm most nights and DH and I sat out on the balcony (Tahiti) and watched the water parade and fireworks while chatting and sipping wine. Heavenly! I don't think I'd pay the extra once the kids are able to stay up later--it's just too easy to walk over to the beach to view the fireworks.

The plusses of the Tahiti location were the ease of getting to the TTC for Epcot. We drove to Hollywood Studios. The minus was the distance from the pool and Capt Cooks--it's a long hike for coffee in the am (yes, there's a coffeemaker in the room, but it was blech). Oh--also the horn on the ferryboat from the TTC to MK blared regularly late into the night. We learned to ignore it after a bit.

We did the luau and it was an absolute hit. We sat in the very front row and my children were mesmerized the entire time. I made too many ADRs and we canceled a few because we just wanted to eat dinner by the pool and relax. We made rope drop most mornings--not so much because we insisted, but because we're up by 6:30 anyway, might as well go to the park uncrowded, right?

At 8am, we could ride anything we wanted, and started collecting fast passes and could accumulate enough for about 3 rides by 11am, when it was getting crowded and we needed to start using them. By 12:30, we left the park of the day and went back to hang out, swim, etc. Some evenings we went to dinner back in a park, others we just hung out at the Poly and enjoyed ourselves.

Something to note if you are headed there--even though we were there for 5 nights, two of those were Sun/Mon when there is much less "stuff" happening. So, we never caught the torch lighting ceremony or the hula lessons. Part of that was probably that they don't happen on Sun/Mon and we had ADRs Thurs/Fri that interfered. So--clearly we need to go back!!

 

[dizneechic]

Something to note if you are headed there--even though we were there for 5 nights, two of those were Sun/Mon when there is much less "stuff" happening. So, we never caught the torch lighting ceremony or the hula lessons. Part of that was probably that they don't happen on Sun/Mon and we had ADRs Thurs/Fri that interfered. So--clearly we need to go back!!

Sounds like you had a great trip! We vacation similar to yours... AM's in the park and most afternoons/evenings spent relaxing or enjoying an ADR out somewhere.

I had to laugh though at your comment in bold... this SO happened to us in Aug when we went, so we ended up back there in Jan.

 

[Tess]

Back home today after 5 nights at the Poly and thought I would share a couple of thoughts.

First off--it was wonderful! I love the atmosphere there, the weather was perfect, the pool was busy, but to us it felt festive rather than crowded. We played the pool games a couple of afternoons and even won a free half hour on the little 2 seater boats. That was fun! There were guards checking for room keys every day, but not oppressively.

We splurged on a TPV room and I'm glad we did. My kidoodles went to bed exhausted by 8pm most nights and DH and I sat out on the balcony (Tahiti) and watched the water parade and fireworks while chatting and sipping wine. Heavenly! I don't think I'd pay the extra once the kids are able to stay up later--it's just too easy to walk over to the beach to view the fireworks.

The plusses of the Tahiti location were the ease of getting to the TTC for Epcot. We drove to Hollywood Studios. The minus was the distance from the pool and Capt Cooks--it's a long hike for coffee in the am (yes, there's a coffeemaker in the room, but it was blech). Oh--also the horn on the ferryboat from the TTC to MK blared regularly late into the night. We learned to ignore it after a bit.

We did the luau and it was an absolute hit. We sat in the very front row and my children were mesmerized the entire time. I made too many ADRs and we canceled a few because we just wanted to eat dinner by the pool and relax. We made rope drop most mornings--not so much because we insisted, but because we're up by 6:30 anyway, might as well go to the park uncrowded, right?

At 8am, we could ride anything we wanted, and started collecting fast passes and could accumulate enough for about 3 rides by 11am, when it was getting crowded and we needed to start using them. By 12:30, we left the park of the day and went back to hang out, swim, etc. Some evenings we went to dinner back in a park, others we just hung out at the Poly and enjoyed ourselves.

Something to note if you are headed there--even though we were there for 5 nights, two of those were Sun/Mon when there is much less "stuff" happening. So, we never caught the torch lighting ceremony or the hula lessons. Part of that was probably that they don't happen on Sun/Mon and we had ADRs Thurs/Fri that interfered. So--clearly we need to go back!!

Sounds like a lovely vacation! All the reasons we love the Polynesian--if you feel like going out--go--and it is an easy get--if not, stay in and enjoy the ambiance. Welcome back--or not--I'm sure you would rather be there than home.

 

[Alli76]

Feeling much better now... computer was being service for a whole week - then I was entertaining all weekend. I was missing my Poly page (and seeing my ticker count down!!) Now off to catch up on all the posts I missed.

2girlsR2good - I am glad you had such a nice time. I am almost regretting booking the GV club room instead of TPV... I am hoping that the kids stay up at least one night to see the fireworks.. Of course I can dream about an upgrade to TPV!!!

 

[BreezysMom]

2girlsR2good thanks for the review. I am glad you had a nice time.

We realized on our first trip that the resort is much quieter on Sun and Mon nights because the Luau is dark. It is sort of nice to have less traffic throughout the resort but you are correct there is also no Torch lighting ceremony or hula lessons so you have to plan those things on other days.

Although I agree, seeing those is a nice excuse to go back Planning another trip also helps lessen the effects of Post Poly Depression Syndrome.

 

[2girlsR2good]

Planning another trip also helps lessen the effects of Post Poly Depression Syndrome.

OMG--that is exactly what I'm experiencing! Thanks for naming it. I'm feeling absolutely despondent about the fact that our trip is over

I do have a one day drive-by visit planned with my mom for June. We're going to take the girls to Epcot and try the Behind the Seeds tour--no overnight stay though.

Must find a way to get to work tomorrow and be productive enough not to get fired so I can earn enough to pay for another week in Disney soon

 

[msvlg]

Back home today after 5 nights at the Poly and thought I would share a couple of thoughts.

First off--it was wonderful! I love the atmosphere there, the weather was perfect, the pool was busy, but to us it felt festive rather than crowded. We played the pool games a couple of afternoons and even won a free half hour on the little 2 seater boats. That was fun! There were guards checking for room keys every day, but not oppressively.

We splurged on a TPV room and I'm glad we did. My kidoodles went to bed exhausted by 8pm most nights and DH and I sat out on the balcony (Tahiti) and watched the water parade and fireworks while chatting and sipping wine. Heavenly! I don't think I'd pay the extra once the kids are able to stay up later--it's just too easy to walk over to the beach to view the fireworks.

The plusses of the Tahiti location were the ease of getting to the TTC for Epcot. We drove to Hollywood Studios. The minus was the distance from the pool and Capt Cooks--it's a long hike for coffee in the am (yes, there's a coffeemaker in the room, but it was blech). Oh--also the horn on the ferryboat from the TTC to MK blared regularly late into the night. We learned to ignore it after a bit.

We did the luau and it was an absolute hit. We sat in the very front row and my children were mesmerized the entire time. I made too many ADRs and we canceled a few because we just wanted to eat dinner by the pool and relax. We made rope drop most mornings--not so much because we insisted, but because we're up by 6:30 anyway, might as well go to the park uncrowded, right?

At 8am, we could ride anything we wanted, and started collecting fast passes and could accumulate enough for about 3 rides by 11am, when it was getting crowded and we needed to start using them. By 12:30, we left the park of the day and went back to hang out, swim, etc. Some evenings we went to dinner back in a park, others we just hung out at the Poly and enjoyed ourselves.

Something to note if you are headed there--even though we were there for 5 nights, two of those were Sun/Mon when there is much less "stuff" happening. So, we never caught the torch lighting ceremony or the hula lessons. Part of that was probably that they don't happen on Sun/Mon and we had ADRs Thurs/Fri that interfered. So--clearly we need to go back!!

Glad you had a wonderful trip. We will be there in three weeks! One question: did they have the new refillable mugs at the Poly???

 

[BreezysMom]

OMG--that is exactly what I'm experiencing! Thanks for naming it. I'm feeling absolutely despondent about the fact that our trip is over

I do have a one day drive-by visit planned with my mom for June. We're going to take the girls to Epcot and try the Behind the Seeds tour--no overnight stay though.

Must find a way to get to work tomorrow and be productive enough not to get fired so I can earn enough to pay for another week in Disney soon

PPDS is common around here People also abandon the thread because it is just too painful to come look

A drive by visit will help but a planned extended stay is the best treatment.

 

[2girlsR2good]

did they have the new refillable mugs at the Poly???

Yep!

 

[kimgof]

Post Poly Depression Syndrome.

So that's what's been wrong with me for the past 18 months! Thanks for the diaganosis
My medicine will begin in 5 months!!!

 

[disneydreamin247]

We're finally down to under 6 months until our trip! IPO has been amazingly helpful so far. I can't say enough good things.

 

[tsme]

Question....the bands for the pool is it a band you keep on your entire trip or do you have to get a new one everyday you're at the pool? And I am totally for the wristbands will keep the pools less crowded.

I really hope they don't build anything between the Poly & GF. It's such a beautiful & peaceful walk way. That's part of the appeal of those two resorts & part of magic of DW, To have such a peaceful haven. A building would totally ruin that area.

 

[ProudMommyof2]

Question....the bands for the pool is it a band you keep on your entire trip or do you have to get a new one everyday you're at the pool? And I am totally for the wristbands will keep the pools less crowded.

I really hope they don't build anything between the Poly & GF. It's such a beautiful & peaceful walk way. That's part of the appeal of those two resorts & part of magic of DW, To have such a peaceful haven. A building would totally ruin that area.

When we stayed at the Beach Club the bands were for the day and it was a different color each day.

 

[BreezysMom]

We're finally down to under 6 months until our trip! IPO has been amazingly helpful so far. I can't say enough good things.

Totally envious...by mid week my ticker will be in the 6 month range...hopefully October hours will be out soon, then my ADR date will come and then MNSSHP tickets will go on sale after that so I can buy, then our 45 day mark will come and then the most anticipated piece of mail ever will come and then departure day

Not like I am counting down days to each of these things or anything

Glad the IPO is doing a great job for you! I them all!

 

[BreezysMom]

So that's what's been wrong with me for the past 18 months! Thanks for the diaganosis
My medicine will begin in 5 months!!!

I am sure it is some kind of medical journal. If not, I may have to do a study and get it published and approved by the AMA.

I believe it is a true illness or at least that is what I keep telling DH

 

[Missoutandabout]

*bites nails*

I'm sitting here trying to not think about the 2 ADRs I requested with Poly's IPO which I've seen available on the online dining reservation system.

So... Changing the subject...

Does anyone else scrape the inside of their Lapu-Lapus with the straw to get as much of the rum-soaked pineapple out as possible?

 

[BreezysMom]

*bites nails*

I'm sitting here trying to not think about the 2 ADRs I requested with Poly's IPO which I've seen available on the online dining reservation system.

So... Changing the subject...

Does anyone else scrape the inside of their Lapu-Lapus with the straw to get as much of the rum-soaked pineapple out as possible?

No, but know that you have given me the idea I may just grab a platic spoon from CC and keep it on me so I can really get the rum-soak leftover pineapple out.

 

[Missoutandabout]

No, but know that you have given me the idea I may just grab a platic spoon from CC and keep it on me so I can really get the rum-soak leftover pineapple out.

Hahaha, that's an even better idea. Wonder if CC's has sporks, we'd really be in business then.

I'm so looking forward to our lounging in the evening. I've noticed that there are some special juice concoctions offered on CL, could anyone share whether these are these "adult" or sans alcohol tropical juices?