ALOHA! The Poly FAQ: Winter 2011 Edition

[minniebeth]

My Poly friends I need you advice. There is a chance I can do a mother/daughter trip in Sept with my dd8. Since this would be a Sun-Thur trip and sort of a last minute plan, I probably can only justify staying at a value. I know some of y'all have stayed at a value, which one won't totally put me into culture shock. I have only stayed at the Poly.

Also, I am only looking at doing the quick service dining plan, so I don't have to worry about ADR's.

We are a poly family too, I took my dd on a solo trip when she was 7 & we stayed at the Pop Century. It was fine, she really liked it. We fly so transportation was an issue which is why we chose Pop. It is the only value with its own bus, the All Stars share. The food court was large and clean. My dd7 loved the theming, it was very cute. We were in the 50's building on the lake which was a nice & quiet location. I did find myself longing for the Poly, but being in Disney World sometimes has to be enough!

Our "home" resort is the Polynesian as well, and we still like Pop too!
We stayed at Pop for one night before our stay at the Poly this past January because we added another night on. My DD9 loved Pop so much, she was disappointed to be leaving for the Poly! It is very different, but perfect for a mother/daughter trip, I think! It's fun~ The rooms have recently been refurbed, and while more minimal compared to the Poly, clean and comfortable which matters most to me. The bus service is pretty good in my opinion! We like the food court as well, scores for us over the Poly. (Based on other trips to Pop as well.)
We have not stayed at any of the other values, but have been to All Star Movies for a day to visit friends and we just love Pop so much more.
Hope that helps! Have fun with whatever you decide!

 

[Tess]

My Poly friends I need you advice. There is a chance I can do a mother/daughter trip in Sept with my dd8. Since this would be a Sun-Thur trip and sort of a last minute plan, I probably can only justify staying at a value. I know some of y'all have stayed at a value, which one won't totally put me into culture shock. I have only stayed at the Poly.

Also, I am only looking at doing the quick service dining plan, so I don't have to worry about ADR's.

You're kidding right? While I have never had the pleasure of a stay at one of the values--although I have considered it a time or two--my husband has made that trip with the band. His words of wisdom are "if she's only stayed at the Polynesian, be prepared for a huge culture shock".

We are only kidding--if it meant I could make an extra trip--I would bite the bullet too! From what I hear, I would go with Pop Century simply because it doesn't share buses with the others. A major benefit if you ask me! I hope you get to make the trip with your daughter--sounds wonderful!

 

[camsmomE]

You're kidding right? While I have never had the pleasure of a stay at one of the values--although I have considered it a time or two--my husband has made that trip with the band. His words of wisdom are "if she's only stayed at the Polynesian, be prepared for a huge culture shock".

We are only kidding--if it meant I could make an extra trip--I would bite the bullet too! From what I hear, I would go with Pop Century simply because it doesn't share buses with the others. A major benefit if you ask me! I hope you get to make the trip with your daughter--sounds wonderful!

I was thinking the same thing... just didn't want to speak first! thanks!
We stayed at POP after staying at WL, and (let me preface by saying I am NOT PICKY)... NEVER AGAIN. NEVER ...ever... AGAIN!!! It wasn't "bad" ...just not an experience I'd be willing to repeat. I did like the food at the Everything Pop food court. That's it. That's all I've got.

Service was the WORST- Attitude like you would not believe. I was put in the 80's, so I felt separated from everything... It took FOUR phone calls, two verbal threats, and FIVE HOURS for them to bring my luggage from bell services to my room. The room was not bad, but certainly not comfortable. The bathroom was, well, horrible (water pressure, size, cleanliness, etc...) On another perspective, my DH is a resort front office manager in Daytona, and he says it "wasn't that bad." so I guess you get a 50/50 from this family- he'd stay again. (but he'd be staying alone.)

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

My Poly friends I need you advice. There is a chance I can do a mother/daughter trip in Sept with my dd8. Since this would be a Sun-Thur trip and sort of a last minute plan, I probably can only justify staying at a value. I know some of y'all have stayed at a value, which one won't totally put me into culture shock. I have only stayed at the Poly.

Also, I am only looking at doing the quick service dining plan, so I don't have to worry about ADR's.

We are a poly family too, I took my dd on a solo trip when she was 7 & we stayed at the Pop Century. It was fine, she really liked it. We fly so transportation was an issue which is why we chose Pop. It is the only value with its own bus, the All Stars share. The food court was large and clean. My dd7 loved the theming, it was very cute. We were in the 50's building on the lake which was a nice & quiet location. I did find myself longing for the Poly, but being in Disney World sometimes has to be enough!

We also love Pop ... for many years before finally trying the Poly, Pop was the only Disney resort we stayed at. The theming is awesome and I much prefer the food court at Pop over Captain Cooks at the Poly. The service we received at Pop has always been top notch and our room was always clean and tidy. Yes the room is smaller than a mod or deluxe, but if it's just the two of you, there will be plenty of room. We didn't notice any real noise issues, other than hearing the turbo flush toilets LOL. We haven't been back since the refurb, but if you're looking for a cheap clean place to sleep and shower, you can't go wrong with Pop.

B

 

[taylor3297]

Thanks for all the input. I will take a look at the Pop and see what I can find.

 

[Tess]

I was thinking the same thing... just didn't want to speak first! thanks!

I have broad shoulders and can take the heat!

 

[camsmomE]

I have broad shoulders and can take the heat!

GOOD. ('cause I can't! I melt like an itzakadoozie in July!!!)

 

[Missoutandabout]

Happy Saturday to all.

Wowzers, Bolebrothers -- that is a massive savings. Great going. How long is the flight from Norway anyhow? We never attempted to do Disney when we lived in Europe; not sure I could manage to sit through that many hours of suspense -- especially not with a 4 year old in tow.

I went and checked on the prices of the room types we booked for our Sept. trip since the sale ended on Monday and I'm psycho like that ... holy "shnikies" (insert ruder word to sound more like me). I then promptly called my mother -- who will be joining us for a couple days at the beginning of our stay -- and mentioned how much their room went up from when we booked it last week. Thought I'd rub it in a bit, since she balked at how much it cost on sale.

LSSSG Update: I'm now torn as to whether I should plunk down a tenner and buy a Titanium Spork from ThinkGeek or whether I should search for one of those sharp, serrated grapefruit spoons as was previously recommended... decisions, decisions. Any opinions on this most serious of matters?

 

[Tess]

GOOD. ('cause I can't! I melt like an itzakadoozie in July!!!)

Or a Mickey Ear Bar on a 5 year old in 90º heat? (I have pictures somewhere of a 5 year old with that chocolate mess. He turned 23 this week.)

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

Hey Poly peeps!

I've got a ton of posts to catch up on so I'm going to grab a virtual LapuLapu and try to stretch it out. Wanna save scraping that pineapple out w/ the spork for last

Quick question while I'm catching up. DD and I are going to do the Hoop De Doo Revue during our trip (she *still* remembers how blah the luau was). Is the quickest way there still to take the monorail to the MK (or the boat launch) then take the boat launch to Ft. Wilderness? I will have a car but I think it'll be much more of a hassle to drive over there than just to take WDW transportation.

This is probably old news by now but Disney came out with a discount code for the Poly! When my TA e-mailed me Friday morning saying I'd saved over 1K I almost passed out. More $$$ for the APs, meals and souvies.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

I can only imagine. Y'all must be a total riot.

We were absolutely crazy nuts. The CMs got a real kick out of us. "Seriously, how many times do you get asked when the 3 'o clock parade is? Does the monorail levitate?"

You inspired the creation of the LSSSG with your tales of invisibility.

Wow, I'm so honored...and have no shame whatsoever about my LapuLapu addiction. It's just so great to meet so many other people who worship the 'spork'

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

Do they sell sand toys (pails,shovels etc) at the Poly? I won't be able to bring them from home and the kids would probably like a few items to play with when we are at the beach. Does anyone know if they sell the castle shaped sand molds? THANKS!!

Not sure if anyone has answered but yes, the Poly does sell sand toys. They're sold at BouTiki the gift shop on the first floor of the GCH. Here's a photo I took last year.

Hope that helps!

 

[disneydreamin247]

My Poly friends I need you advice. There is a chance I can do a mother/daughter trip in Sept with my dd8. Since this would be a Sun-Thur trip and sort of a last minute plan, I probably can only justify staying at a value. I know some of y'all have stayed at a value, which one won't totally put me into culture shock. I have only stayed at the Poly.

Also, I am only looking at doing the quick service dining plan, so I don't have to worry about ADR's.

We are a poly family too, I took my dd on a solo trip when she was 7 & we stayed at the Pop Century. It was fine, she really liked it. We fly so transportation was an issue which is why we chose Pop. It is the only value with its own bus, the All Stars share. The food court was large and clean. My dd7 loved the theming, it was very cute. We were in the 50's building on the lake which was a nice & quiet location. I did find myself longing for the Poly, but being in Disney World sometimes has to be enough!

I have to second the Pop rec! DS still asks to go back. We love it there. Rooms clean, food court large and clean with great options (we still visit even when we aren't staying there). When it was just DS and I it was perfect. I may even try to get in a few days there once DD is older just to appease DS.

I was thinking the same thing... just didn't want to speak first! thanks!
We stayed at POP after staying at WL, and (let me preface by saying I am NOT PICKY)... NEVER AGAIN. NEVER ...ever... AGAIN!!! It wasn't "bad" ...just not an experience I'd be willing to repeat. I did like the food at the Everything Pop food court. That's it. That's all I've got.

Service was the WORST- Attitude like you would not believe. I was put in the 80's, so I felt separated from everything... It took FOUR phone calls, two verbal threats, and FIVE HOURS for them to bring my luggage from bell services to my room. The room was not bad, but certainly not comfortable. The bathroom was, well, horrible (water pressure, size, cleanliness, etc...) On another perspective, my DH is a resort front office manager in Daytona, and he says it "wasn't that bad." so I guess you get a 50/50 from this family- he'd stay again. (but he'd be staying alone.)

I had the complete opposite experience. The WL was AWFUL (it was the second part of our split stay). They downgraded us at checkin without notification, gave us the wrong keys multiple times, didn't transfer dining credits over, and gave us a complete nightmare experience that was so awful we requested to go back to Pop. Pop even sent us a gift basket when we got there. I think that was really nice of them, especially since there was absolutely no error on their end. IMO it should have been WL that tried to make up for the issue.

 

[brunette8706]

Hi! Stayed at the Poly back in September 2010 had a patio room right next to the pool. Great VIEW and it was recommended by the posterMs. Tinerbell! So thank you!

May question, though, is the Concierge Lounge worth it? Just curious because someone mentioned that all the CL services/food had been really cut back. Is that true?

Thanks again!
Brunette

 

[Tess]

Hey Poly peeps!


Quick question while I'm catching up. DD and I are going to do the Hoop De Doo Revue during our trip (she *still* remembers how blah the luau was). Is the quickest way there still to take the monorail to the MK (or the boat launch) then take the boat launch to Ft. Wilderness? I will have a car but I think it'll be much more of a hassle to drive over there than just to take WDW transportation.

Our preferred route is to take the monorail to (or boat to MK) MK and the Ft. Wilderness boat (large boat) to Ft. Wilderness. We have typically left for the show around 4:00 or 4:30 p.m. If everything is working our way and the timing is good--we have a drink (or when the kids were little) played on the playground area or wandered around the petting area until the bell call for dinner.

When returning to Polynesian, we chose to take the small boat back to Contemporary and the monorail to TTC and walk from there. It really depends on which show you are attending.

We have always gone to the early (5:00?) or 7:30 shows. The route works with both of those. If you go to the 9:30 presentation the boat routes don't work so well and the bus stinks.

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

Wow, I'm so honored...and have no shame whatsoever about my LapuLapu addiction. It's just so great to meet so many other people who worship the 'spork'

OMG I absolutely love that ... I'm going to have to steal that saying!!!

B

 

[BreezysMom]

Wow, you guys and these sayimgs and graphics are killing me

I love the new one!! Did you make that Cdn Friends of Pooh?

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

Wow, you guys and these sayimgs and graphics are killing me

I love the new one!! Did you make that Cdn Friends of Pooh?

Yep ... feel free to steal it for your siggie

 

[disneydreamin247]

Yep ... feel free to steal it for your siggie

Love it!

 

[Bolebrothers]

Happy Saturday to all.

Wowzers, Bolebrothers -- that is a massive savings. Great going. How long is the flight from Norway anyhow? We never attempted to do Disney when we lived in Europe; not sure I could manage to sit through that many hours of suspense -- especially not with a 4 year old in tow.

Yes we kinda liked the savings as well..... From we leave our home to get to the airport (2,5 hour drive) and to we arrive at the Poly we are looking at 22-23 hours of travel, (but only 13 hours in air) if the connection in Newark are nice to us... But going anywhere from here outside of Europe is time consuming and manageable as long as one plan a little. Our youngest is 7 and a trooper, so normally we do good on long hauls. But I think the first night we will skip doing much...