ALOHA! The Poly FAQ: Winter 2011 Edition

[kayjaybe]

If they truly dropped the ball, I could see complaining, but if it's something that needs to be fixed to keep the pool functioning and safe, I wouldn't be asking for anything. Every day is someone's "once in a lifetime" at WDW, whether it's the hotel they booked, the ride they hoped to ride, the pool they wanted to use or even the trip itself.

If it were a ride or a restaurant closed, I wouldn't care. But the large, themed pool with a slide is one of the things that makes a Deluxe resort a Deluxe. It is one of the things you are paying the bigger price tag for. So, yes, if it is closed the entire time, even if it was unplanned, I would ask for some sort of compensation. I'm not going to throw a hissy fit in the lobby, but if I paid for something and didn't get it, I'm going to raise the issue.

To me, it would be no different than booking a suite and when you get there, all the suites are under construction, so you must stay in a regular room. You wouldn't still expect to pay for a suite, would you? Or going to dinner at Cinderella's castle and none of the princesses are there. I would definitely want some of my money back.

The pool is a HUGE feature for this resort and one of the big reasons why we chose it, along with location.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

Will be at Poly 6/25 with 3 families. Thanks to a daughter-in-law who knows what she wants we booked the Poly. Nothing but the best!

Wow, 3 families? You guys are going to have a blast at the Poly! Will you be staying through the July 4th holiday? Several folks here (myself included) will be there at that time.

Well we arrived here at about 3:30 pm and got a snack at Capt Cooks. We are so pleased with the weather! 10x better than last July and this evening there was a breeze and I wasn;t hot at all. We are in Tokelau but DD remembered seeing the castle last year o well. We had dinner at Liberty Tree and rode a few rides.

So glad to hear you arrived safe. We like to hit Captain Cooks first as well after getting checked in. What side of Tokelau are you on?

It's a sad sad night. After being here a week we are checking out tomorrow and heading home. What a WONDERFUL stay in Hawaii! I am definitely spoiled with the CL now and enjoyed every minute of it! If funds allow it again I will DEFINITELY stay CL again! My next trip isn't until November... BUT, on the positive side... it will give me plenty of time to save for the TPV CL instead of GV CL!

I will post a trip report when I get home!

CL makes you feel soooo pampered! I still have fond memories of the special 'punch' and making my lattes w/ Grand Mariner. Plus the view from the lounge for the fireworks is amazing. Can't wait for the trip report!

Oh, PolyndianPrincessJes, how did you get the rotating pics in your sig? I am in love with that idea as I have so many family pics from the Poly I'd like to use.

I just picked up some big Ziploc bags to start packing things for our Poly trip already. Is it too early to do something like this? Nah! If I get the time I might start my Pre-Trip report this weekend.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

The GF's pool is huge and has a great slide and splash area for the kids. Not ideal but would be an okay alternative. I'd be bummed too if the volcano pool is closed when we go, that was one of my selling points on getting the kids to be excited about the Poly.

Yep, the GF main pool is *huge*! When we stayed there DD and I kept remarking about how large and uncrowded it seemed. Even with all that, it wasn't the Volcano pool. Even the pool w/ the waterslide wasn't the same. Something about all that pool themeing with the castle in the background makes it so special.

 

[crcurton]

Will be at Poly 6/25 with 3 families. Thanks to a daughter-in-law who knows what she wants we booked the Poly. Nothing but the best!

We arrive 6/25 too...also a grand gathering!

 

[tinkerLA]

Cant wait till I go to my fave place in the world! feels so long from now.... Has poly added anything since last august?

 

[crostorfer]

Ok, we're back.

(Cue the BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO'S).

Our stay was WONDERFUL! The first half of the week the weather during the day it was perfect, but the evenings were actually chilly enough to need a jacket. We were in Samoa, third floor, Room 3610 which is the last room on the end, closest to Hawaii and farthest from the elevator, and facing the Volcano pool and the Wedding Pavillion. The noise from the pool was only bothersome once, on our first night there when there were loud kids swimming until well after midnight. (Did I mention it was chilly? I have no idea what they were doing there.) Other than that is was quite pleasant to sit on the balcony and listen to the Hawaiian music in the mornings and evenings. I'm in the process of getting my pics on photobucket, I'll post them as soon as I get them up. One benefit to staying in Samoa, at least on the volcano pool side, is that you can hook up to the wifi from the pool area for free and get a great signal! While I was happy with the location, I SWEAR our room in Aotearoa last September was larger. Bathroom area the same, but the room itself was bigger. I kind of prefer it over there as well, just for the peaceful factor. Next time, it's Aotearoa or Fiji for sure.

I had sushi from the Kona Sushi Bar and a Lapu Lapu on the first night and both were PHENOMINAL!!! The Kona Crab Cake Roll is amazing. If you have never tried one, it's fantastic!!! And the sushi chefs at the bar are really great too, very friendly and fun to talk to.

Aside from the obvious Lapu Lapu, my new favorite poolside drink is the Banana Cabana. I had one. Or two. Or four, I don't know, I lost count after a while, LOL.

The pool area was really crowded every day we were there, especially in the hours between 3 and 6. After 6 it clears out quite a bit, I'm assuming because people are heading to their dinner reservations.

The movie was held on the beach in front of the pool every night, and each night was pretty crowded as well, even though people were bundled up the first night.

We attended the Luau on Wednesday and it was so much fun. The first part is a little too much Disney cheese, but the second half with the traditional dancing was amazing. I can't even describe the fire dancer, if you've never seen him it's worth the price of admission alone. The food was way better than I thought it would be. My chicken and ribs were both moist and tender and the pineapple cocount welcome bread was so delicous we ate three loaves between my daughter and I. Dessert left a lot to be desired though, I wasn't impressed.

Every castmember we encountered, from the front desk staff to the mousekeepers was extremely friendly and helpful and all said "Aloha" and called Kassidy "Princess". No problems whatsoever to report. Everything in the room was in working order and was clean. Is it expensive? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely!!! I can't wait to go back. I'm booking for the week after Thanksgiving on Friday!!!

 

[crostorfer]

Here are some pics from our balcony...

Looking down towards the cabanas

Looking to the right towards the wedding pavillion and the Grand Flo

 

[crostorfer]

I know there was someone who was begging for some pics of the premium cabana, I snapped some. For the record I never, once, saw anyone in there the whole week.

 

[crostorfer]

And my favorite new pic ever...

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

crostorfer,
Thanks for posting you're review and those pictures which look great.

 

[maiapapaya]

Beautiful pics crostorfer! (especially the one of you & your DD!)
And wow, that premium cabana looks pretty swanky!

 

[jdd]

Beautiful pictures! Thanks for posting - putting me so in the mood to go back....

 

[1971DBday]

Ok, we're back.

Aside from the obvious Lapu Lapu, my new favorite poolside drink is the Banana Cabana. I had one. Or two. Or four, I don't know, I lost count after a while, LOL.

I love the Banana Cabana....I try to make it at home, but not quite the same recipe!!!!!

 

[MaggieMoo'sMom]

We have rented a cabana for the full day on June 4th. After the reports of the pool being so crowded, I am wondering if I should make our ressie from 10-2 instead of all day. I hate to rent it for the whole day and not be able to enjoy the pool.... what do you guys think?

 

[carlnix30]

I know there was someone who was begging for some pics of the premium cabana, I snapped some. For the record I never, once, saw anyone in there the whole week.

Thank you!! Thank you! it was me!! I was the begger!! Those pics are gorgeous! Exactly what I was looking for! That shaded table on The beach looks very inviting!

Thank you for your mini trip report! It was great to hear you had a good time and didn't let the little things ruin your trip! Hakuna matatada is what I always say when I am on vacation ! Absolutely love the mother/daughter photo that is a pic that you will look at 10 years from now and cry! remembering fondly!

 

[momtobrynncess]

Wow!!! Thanks so much for the review, and for the photos!! We also requested Samoa for the first time (we stayed in Tahiti, Tokelau and Rarotonga so far). The views are fabulous! Did you like the location? I know you said you liked Fiji or Aotearoa for the quietness, just wondering how you liked this location. How about the checking of id's? Did you encounter that alot or at all? Thanks also for the photos of the cabanas. I am contemplating one for this trip if we can swing it.

Thanks also for the review of the SOA show. We have that reserved also this year. We have not done that yet. Apparently we did it when I was 8 years old, but the recollection of that is gone sadly. Sorry you ran into chilly weather in the evenings, but super glad you had a wonderful trip!

 

[Missus Toad]

Wow, seeing those pictures makes me realize how much space those cabanas take up. What's the table situation like these days? Enough to go around?

 

[1971DBday]

We have rented a cabana for the full day on June 4th. After the reports of the pool being so crowded, I am wondering if I should make our ressie from 10-2 instead of all day. I hate to rent it for the whole day and not be able to enjoy the pool.... what do you guys think?

My vote is to keep it. If it is crowded at least you have a protected and private area and don't have people on top of you. You can gaze into the crowd and sigh in relief.

 

[BreezysMom]

crostorfer thank you so much for the pics and the review!

I love the pic with you and DD in front of Tiki Dude which is what my family and I call him. We take one every year. It has become a tradition

I am glad you had a nice vacation

 

[carlnix30]

Anyone else rent a cabana on June 3rd? It would awesome to know who the family is next door to us!! long shot but hey!!