ALOHA! The Poly FAQ: Winter 2011 Edition

[camsmomE]

What are your park plans for Saturday? Will it be a rope drop day or more relaxed and casual? Are you planning a specific park for certain days?

Friday we'll be resort wandering until 4-ish so I see first CS at Captain Cook's for lunch, then Epcot (EMH for the moms; I might catch the mono back to Poly with Cam after late dinner at Beirgarten)

Saturday we will stay put at the Poly. Wishes from the beach with my new tripod!

Sunday we check out, then head to Wave for brunch.

Yes you sure can! I would suggest Kona right at the Poly!!! The food and the service are wonderful! Ohana is another option. Such good food. The bread pudding makes you want to never eat another dessert but that for the rest of your life. It's that good. (IMO)

I adore 'Ohana, but i can't get in. I'm thinkin' Kona sounds pretty good for a 6-ish dinner... but then which meal would you pay OOP tiW???

 

[Disneyfreak616]

I adore 'Ohana, but i can't get in. I'm thinkin' Kona sounds pretty good for a 6-ish dinner... but then which meal would you pay OOP tiW???

I would pay OOP w/ TIW at Kona. It's a family favorite and a must-do every trip! I recommend the teriyaki steak and the pomegranate pork chop, delish!!! If you're in the mood for dessert, the creme brulee is wonderful!

 

[camsmomE]

I would pay OOP w/ TIW at Kona. It's a family favorite and a must-do every trip! I recommend the teriyaki steak and the pomegranate pork chop, delish!!! If you're in the mood for dessert, the creme brulee is wonderful!

ever have the Tuna?

 

[Disneyfreak616]

ever have the Tuna?

YES! I forgot to mention that!! SOOO good! And I LOVE fried green tomatoes, so those are like a bonus with the awesome tuna.

 

[dizneechic]

I adore 'Ohana, but i can't get in. I'm thinkin' Kona sounds pretty good for a 6-ish dinner... but then which meal would you pay OOP tiW???

I would cost out your Sunday brunch and your potential meal at Kona and then decide which to use for the DP. The DP meal will cover the meal, a non alcoholic beverage and dessert for each person where TiW you get 20% off your entire check (including alcohol and apps). Typically dinner is more costly than breakfast (brunch I'm not sure of) so financially your better off using the DP for your dinners and paying OOP (-20%) for breakfast. However if your more interested in a variety of apps, desserts and drinks at Kona vs a full fledged meal that night your better off using your TiW discount since none of those items are included with the DP. Of course if you do use your DP credit at Kona and order drinks or apps in addition to dinner you can use your TiW on those items too. Clear as mud?

The good thing is you can also decide on the fly. If your not overly hungry Kona night, use TiW and snack between there and the CL apps and then you can use the DP credit at the Wave.

 

[camsmomE]

I would cost out your Sunday brunch and your potential meal at Kona and then decide which to use for the DP. The DP meal will cover the meal, a non alcoholic beverage and dessert for each person where TiW you get 20% off your entire check (including alcohol and apps). Typically dinner is more costly than breakfast (brunch I'm not sure of) so financially your better off using the DP for your dinners and paying OOP (-20%) for breakfast. However if your more interested in a variety of apps, desserts and drinks at Kona vs a full fledged meal that night your better off using your TiW discount since none of those items are included with the DP. Of course if you do use your DP credit at Kona and order drinks or apps in addition to dinner you can use your TiW on those items too. Clear as mud?

The good thing is you can also decide on the fly. If your not overly hungry Kona night, use TiW and snack between there and the CL apps and then you can use the DP credit at the Wave.

Clearest mud I've ever seen
No really. I totally get'cha. I cannot use the TiW card at the Wave brunch though because it states on the card paperwork envelope thingy that you can't use it on Mother's Day. So... I guess that settles that. I use it at Kona. Can I use it for sushi too?? So maybe hmmmm... appies at the CL lounge, then straight up entrée and drinks at Kona, then back to the lounge for dessert. thanks!

 

[BreezysMom]

^^^^ NOOOO!! Do not wish away the summer! LOL.

I agree! I need spring and summer!! I wish they would come now. So far our "spring break" stinks!!! It is cold here

One of the reasons I love going in October. Once spring hits, school is suddenly over, summer will fly by, school will start and then we will be ready to go

 

[crostorfer]

A couple of weeks ago on the podcast Corey mentioned that he was hearing that they were now wristbanding at the volcano pool. Can anyone confirm this? I hope they are, the pool gets way too crowded.

 

[WDWKOOK]

A couple of weeks ago on the podcast Corey mentioned that he was hearing that they were now wristbanding at the volcano pool. Can anyone confirm this? I hope they are, the pool gets way too crowded.

I have seen posts (last week or maybe the week before that?) that they are in fact banding (makes guests sound like birds). Seeing that the "quiet" pool is closed for a rehab, this is much needed, like at SAB.

 

[rcsilverspring]

I have seen posts (last week or maybe the week before that?) that they are in fact banding (makes guests sound like birds). Seeing that the "quiet" pool is closed for a rehab, this is much needed, like at SAB.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Great! I just hope it keeps up, even after the rehab is finished! Haven't these non-resort guests who come to use our pool ever heard of "Theft of services"? I also don't think non-Polynesian guests should be on the beaches to watch the fireworks/electric water pageant either IMHO!

 

[Missoutandabout]

I agree! I need spring and summer!! I wish they would come now. So far our "spring break" stinks!!! It is cold here

One of the reasons I love going in October. Once spring hits, school is suddenly over, summer will fly by, school will start and then we will be ready to go

Haha, my kiddo is just starting school in Autumn. I spoke with the preschool director about her missing some days in September for our vacation and she said "Go for it!" I was a bit worried because I'd read horror stories about parents not being able to take their kids out of school for vacations or giving a rash of stuff from the teachers/administrators -- probably much older kids but it still had me worried! I prefer going in the Autumn and as long as we're able, we'd rather be going during "low season."

Now onto a question...

Can anyone who has stayed CL recently -- like within the past two years -- comment on the "freshness" of the food offerings? There's a post in another thread that's got me a bit concerned over the quality of the Poly CL food (with words like "stale", "left over from a function" and "same stuff put out every morning" ). TIA!

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

Now onto a question...

Can anyone who has stayed CL recently -- like within the past two years -- comment on the "freshness" of the food offerings? There's a post in another thread that's got me a bit concerned over the quality of the Poly CL food (with words like "stale", "left over from a function" and "same stuff put out every morning" ). TIA!

We stayed CL in October (and are again for our trip in May) and yes, the morning offerings are the same each day (muffins and pastries, tropical fruit, cereal, milk, orange juice, pineapple guava juice, ice tea, coffee drinks and hot chocolate), but the evening offerings are different each day and the food was always excellent.

One thing you have to remember is these offerings are mostly finger food types and aren't meant to be a meal. At the bottom of this post you can see the types of offerings available - http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=39848882&postcount=10

 

[Missoutandabout]

We stayed CL in October (and are again for our trip in May) and yes, the morning offerings are the same each day (muffins and pastries, tropical fruit, cereal, milk, orange juice, pineapple guava juice, ice tea, coffee drinks and hot chocolate), but the evening offerings are different each day and the food was always excellent.

One thing you have to remember is these offerings are mostly finger food types and aren't meant to be a meal. At the bottom of this post you can see the types of offerings available - http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=39848882&postcount=10

Thanks. That's great to know. I could've been misinterpreting what I read but I took the "same every day" from that review to mean "same food put away and brought back out the next day" i.e., leftovers used day after day. She had mentioned the food as being stale, as well. I've read over the menu and perused the pictures (like in the link you posted) and it sure looked fine to me so figured I'd ask for some recent opinions! Either I misinterpreted what I read or maybe the CL staff were having an off week when the reviewer had stayed. At any rate, nice to hear from someone who thought the food was excellent.

We were just looking forward to having a light breakfast during our stay and some nibbles in the evening -- with our wine, of course.

 

[mdrob214]

Thanks. That's great to know. I could've been misinterpreting what I read but I took the "same every day" from that review to mean "same food put away and brought back out the next day" i.e., leftovers used day after day. She had mentioned the food as being stale, as well. I've read over the menu and perused the pictures (like in the link you posted) and it sure looked fine to me so figured I'd ask for some recent opinions! Either I misinterpreted what I read or maybe the CL staff were having an off week when the reviewer had stayed. At any rate, nice to hear from someone who thought the food was excellent.

We were just looking forward to having a light breakfast during our stay and some nibbles in the evening -- with our wine, of course.

I have found that some people just can't be pleased.

We enjoyed the CL last July. Yes--the same items (not leftovers--just more of the same) were at breakfast most mornings, but I don't recall anything being stale--it's always possible, of course. If it is, say something nicely to a CM and grab something else--there's plenty.

 

[Missoutandabout]

I have found that some people just can't be pleased.

You're tellin' me; I've got my very own one of those... I call her "mother-in-law."

I was getting a bit of a "damned if ya do, damned if ya don't" vibe; you've read my mind.

We enjoyed the CL last July. Yes--the same items (not leftovers--just more of the same) were at breakfast most mornings, but I don't recall anything being stale--it's always possible, of course. If it is, say something nicely to a CM and grab something else--there's plenty.

Thanks for your opinion and for the tip!

 

[bluejasmine]

OH no I stayed Sept 2010 CL and I didnt have any complaints about the food or service! Everything was fresh, tasted wonderful and was constantly replenished..

Now my complaint was parents who didnt look after the children in the lounge, kids would dip their hands into the food, scream and run around, had one family even get into a screaming match with their son (id say he was between 4&6 yrs of age) eventually dad carried kicking and screaming boy out after a good 5 min or so of the screaming and the mom looks at the other son and said " Dad is gonna be mad b/c he didnt get to drink his beer!"

WOW! Is all I can say..

Anyway I think CL is great, we felt spoiled, so we are doing it again this Sept with our two teens..

 

[bluejasmine]

You're tellin' me; I've got my very own one of those... I call her "mother-in-law."

I was getting a bit of a "damned if ya do, damned if ya don't" vibe; you've read my mind.



Thanks for your opinion and for the tip!

 

[BreezysMom]

Now onto a question...

Can anyone who has stayed CL recently -- like within the past two years -- comment on the "freshness" of the food offerings? There's a post in another thread that's got me a bit concerned over the quality of the Poly CL food (with words like "stale", "left over from a function" and "same stuff put out every morning" ). TIA!

No, not stale or left over. Ever! Geez! I wonder why there are so many Poly haters? I wonder if it is the little green monster.

Not everyone finds CL appealing. I like the location and convience of the lounge. We are not big meal eaters but more like grazers which makes CL so perfect for us. We also like to siesta during the afternoon at the resort so the lounge is nice to have beverages and lite snacks. As far as evening offerings, they are always made fresh each evening by a chef.

I have found that some people just can't be pleased.

We enjoyed the CL last July. Yes--the same items (not leftovers--just more of the same) were at breakfast most mornings, but I don't recall anything being stale--it's always possible, of course. If it is, say something nicely to a CM and grab something else--there's plenty.

I will agree that the morning offerings get boring day after day. So because of this we do plan a breakfast ADR after a few days. In the morning there is fresh fruit, oatmeal and then at least two pastries such as muffins, bagels or cinnamon rolls. You can ask for yogurt and they are happy to give it to you. They also have a variety of juices, milk and cereals.

The main thing is to not make Poly CL a bigger deal than it is. They can not magically get you into the castle for an ADR the day before. The offerings are nice and plentiful. If you go during busier seasons, you are going to run into crowding and lines of people to get food but one person's annoyance could be no big deal to the individual behind them.

Like I said, the location of Hawaii can't be beat. It is nice to be in a secured Longhouse and I love being able to wander into the lounge in the afternoon for a little snack of Goldfish and and get DD an uncrustable and cookie (and possibly an adult beverage ) and wander back out to the pool.

We also are not big pre-planers so I also find the CL CMs great for getting us dining ressies on certain days that we have no plan. We give them a few favorites and they let us know what is available.

I also enjoy the the daily turndown service (I would also utilize turndown service radomly when I stayed standard garden view). It is a fabulous perk to come back to the room all clean and ready for you to fall into bed

 

[bluejasmine]

I agree they could add some eggs every once in awhile to the morning offerings at the CL just to change it up a bit.

Im use to having fruit, oatmeal for breakfast or fruit and yogurt so Im ok with it Im thrilled to add in the danish or croissant sometimes but DH loves bacon, eggs and potatos so we eat breakfast in CL but we do get CS breakfast atleast once during our trip in which he gets eggs, meat and potatos and I get TONGA TOAST!

 

[bluejasmine]

Guess what guys?! DH and I have decided to do a vow renewal @ Poly in Sept 2013 on our 5th anniversary so I have been looking at the disney wedding website and Im so excited! We agreed to not do any vacations in 2012 to save for that..Im a little sad to not go in 2012 BUT I think the ceremony will be amazing!

We are keeping it small, my two kids, the two moms, my BFF and her hubby and my SIL her husband and two kids..

I think we will do room only for 2 days, if they want to go to the parks they pay their own admission which I will give them the info to get cheaper..

We will pay for dinner night before at Ohana and for a dessert party after ceremony..

DId I tell you how excited I am????