ALOHA! The Poly FAQ: Winter 2011 Edition

[crostorfer]

So Sat night we took the monorail over to the Poly from CR after having dinner at CM. The moment we stepped off I was so excited to be "home" but so dissapointed that we werent staying there that night. We were staying in a pirate room at CBR for my step sons first visit.

It was really nice to walk around and know we would be back in Sept.

I really appreciated your honest review of the the CBR. We couldn't do the Poly in Sept. because they didn't have any rooms with my military discount left, so I chose the CBR because I thought it was the closest in theme and would help with some of the shock of not being at the Poly for my daughter. (It's the only place she's ever stayed and isn't really interested in staying anywhere else except for a Royal Room at the POR when those come online next year.) We aren't in a Pirate room though, just a regular room. We were going to eat at Ohana but I changed my mind because I was afraid if we went there to eat it would just make us too sad that we weren't staying there.

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

I really appreciated your honest review of the the CBR. We couldn't do the Poly in Sept. because they didn't have any rooms with my military discount left, so I chose the CBR because I thought it was the closest in theme and would help with some of the shock of not being at the Poly for my daughter. (It's the only place she's ever stayed and isn't really interested in staying anywhere else except for a Royal Room at the POR when those come online next year.) We aren't in a Pirate room though, just a regular room. We were going to eat at Ohana but I changed my mind because I was afraid if we went there to eat it would just make us too sad that we weren't staying there.

Can totally relate to this. Last year, we decided to change things up and stayed at YC given so many people say the Epcot resorts are the bomb. Well, while the hotel was lovely, it wasn't the Poly. We did not care for the LONG walk from the hotel to the front of Epcot for morning rides. Also didn't find SAB to be relaxing...fun but not relaxing. When we visited MK, I couldn't bear looking accross the lagoon at the Poly from the entrance gates. Made me sad we weren't staying there.

In Oct, we are staying at CSR for the first time due to budget. I purposely haven't made any Poly ADRs until the last full day because I don't want to have the "wish we were staying here" feeling at the beginning of the trip. I hope we have fun at CSR and I know it will be very different--esp since we have never stayed at a mod. Actually very excited about the cool slide and the pepper market variety. I am going into the trip knowing it will be a new adventure. Also figure a trip to Disney at a mod is better than NO Disney because our next chance for a Disney trip won't be until summer 2013 given oldest DD will be entering high school fall of 2012. That trip would be Poly for sure

 

[logpey]

on being able to answer most people's questions about WDW, and I was stumped on such a silly question the other day, it just goes to show you, someone can always learn something new!

 

[rcsilverspring]

on being able to answer most people's questions about WDW, and I was stumped on such a silly question the other day, it just goes to show you, someone can always learn something new!

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Me, usually, too! So what was the question?

 

[logpey]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Me, usually, too! So what was the question?

It was about the second floor rooms at POLY CL level, I didn't know if windows opened like windows or sliding doors! We stayed GV CL last July on 1st floor, I requested ground level again but I'm trying to prepare myself if I receive a 2nd floor room, which would be closer to Lounge anyway!

It seems like it would feel like a balcony, just can't walk out on it!

 

[WDWKOOK]

In today's issue of the Disney Parks Blog, they have a feature on the new SHAG (he's the artist) merchandise debuting at WDW for the 40th anniversary. The merchandise features retro depictions of WDW as it was in 1971. They have some neat merchandise featuring the Poly and they may be purchased beginning June 24 at the Uptown Jewelers in the MK. SHAG will host the event.

 

[crostorfer]

I am so ridiculously in love with that SWAG set. If it all sells out over the summer I will cry. I want a set of prints and the t shirt so bad my palmaare tingling.

 

[carlnix30]

A review of my experience with the premium cabana is posted on another website. If interested here is the link. my review of the premium cabana

 

[kaysmommie]

I really appreciated your honest review of the the CBR. We couldn't do the Poly in Sept. because they didn't have any rooms with my military discount left, so I chose the CBR because I thought it was the closest in theme and would help with some of the shock of not being at the Poly for my daughter. (It's the only place she's ever stayed and isn't really interested in staying anywhere else except for a Royal Room at the POR when those come online next year.) We aren't in a Pirate room though, just a regular room. We were going to eat at Ohana but I changed my mind because I was afraid if we went there to eat it would just make us too sad that we weren't staying there.

I can totally relate. In 2008 we stayed at CBR since Poly wasn't in the budget that year. We did have a nice stay at CBR and my kids loved the pool and the slides. We loved the theme and it was truly a realxing resort. We had a preferred location room close to the foodcourt/main pool. But if you are able to get Jamaica or Aruba then you will have a short walk over the bridge. Ialso didn't make an ADR at 'Ohana that trip since I thought I would miss Poly too much. it was fine though and this is our first time back to Poly since 2007. We wanted to try a few other resorts first, such as AKL, WL, YC and Beach Club first. Loved all of them! Now we are finally going back to Poly in 39 days

A review of my experience with the premium cabana is posted on another website. If interested here is the link. my review of the premium cabana

I can't wait to read your review. I think I have decided to book a Cabana if they have any available. I'm trying to keep up with this thread since we are checking into Poly July 30.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

A review of my experience with the premium cabana is posted on another website. If interested here is the link. my review of the premium cabana

Going to read it right now. Loved your webcam!

 

[lmc318]

I really appreciated your honest review of the the CBR. We couldn't do the Poly in Sept. because they didn't have any rooms with my military discount left, so I chose the CBR because I thought it was the closest in theme and would help with some of the shock of not being at the Poly for my daughter. (It's the only place she's ever stayed and isn't really interested in staying anywhere else except for a Royal Room at the POR when those come online next year.) We aren't in a Pirate room though, just a regular room. We were going to eat at Ohana but I changed my mind because I was afraid if we went there to eat it would just make us too sad that we weren't staying there.

I can totally relate. In 2008 we stayed at CBR since Poly wasn't in the budget that year. We did have a nice stay at CBR and my kids loved the pool and the slides. We loved the theme and it was truly a realxing resort. We had a preferred location room close to the foodcourt/main pool. But if you are able to get Jamaica or Aruba then you will have a short walk over the bridge. Ialso didn't make an ADR at 'Ohana that trip since I thought I would miss Poly too much. it was fine though and this is our first time back to Poly since 2007. We wanted to try a few other resorts first, such as AKL, WL, YC and Beach Club first. Loved all of them! Now we are finally going back to Poly in 39 days

We haven't stayed at the Poly yet, but I have stayed at CBR and AK and I will say CBR was quite a shock after staying at AK in 2006. CBR is HUGE and I didn't enjoy having to walk so far to the main pool and the food court or to wait so long for the busses just find them full. It has turned DH and I off anything but deluxe resorts from now on. Now I've heard people complain about AK and I know we were lucky and got a room fairly close to the lobby without being too close, but we found the busses were much better there and the walking distance wasn't nearly as far as with CBR. I don't want to walk 20 minutes in the morning to get my tea! (and you can't make tea in the coffee maker or it tastes like coffee!! )

 

[Missoutandabout]

Quick drive-by hello and ticker check.

 

[logpey]

A review of my experience with the premium cabana is posted on another website. If interested here is the link. my review of the premium cabana

I read it last night on Tikimans site, thanks for honesty! I would like the cabanas more private!

 

[sandym718]

In Oct, we are staying at CSR for the first time due to budget. I purposely haven't made any Poly ADRs until the last full day because I don't want to have the "wish we were staying here" feeling at the beginning of the trip. I hope we have fun at CSR and I know it will be very different--esp since we have never stayed at a mod. Actually very excited about the cool slide and the pepper market variety.

My sister and her boyfriend stayed at CSR during our trip this past March. We visited one afternoon and it was VERY nice. I actually loved the set-up and design of their room (esp. the sliding doors by the sink). Only drawback I saw was that the room was smaller and no outdoor space. For the 2 of them, it was more than fine. For the 4 of us, I think it would have felt small after a few days.

The grounds are beautiful! Pepper Market has a HUGE selection, we had a great lunch there. DSis and DSB ate several meals there and enjoyed them all.

The pool is VERY nice. Hot tub, so that's a big plus. Kids said the slide was just OK, they love that volcano slide. But I love how HUGE the Dig Site pool is, much less crowded than the Poly pool. Tons of lounge chairs too. We swam with them that afternoon (lifeguard approved) and it was great.

You'll have a GREAT Trip!!

 

[Tess]

A review of my experience with the premium cabana is posted on another website. If interested here is the link. my review of the premium cabana

Nice review Carl! While I wouldn't pony up the money for the non-premium version either, I certainly could find a better way to spend my money than on a premium cabana. Thanks for sharing.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

OMG!!! Seeing this art brought back childhood memories of visiting WDW. Most notably, cutting my father's head off in a pic and instead focusing on 'Space Mountain--Coming Soon' and pressing my face against the monorail window when we passed the Poly and told myself one day I'd stay there.

9 more days till I'm back home...and I'm tearing up just thinking about it.

In today's issue of the Disney Parks Blog, they have a feature on the new SHAG (he's the artist) merchandise debuting at WDW for the 40th anniversary. The merchandise features retro depictions of WDW as it was in 1971. They have some neat merchandise featuring the Poly and they may be purchased beginning June 24 at the Uptown Jewelers in the MK. SHAG will host the event.

 

[alex9179]

I love that anniversary artwork. I started kindergarten in Orlando (1975, yikes!) when my dad got a job there. He got free tickets to MK through work and I was IN LOVE with that place. We didn't live there long, maybe a year, but I was spellbound. He said he thought tickets were about $8 for the park, can you imagine?

I had a chat with DH about how much it may cost if we didn't get some kind of pin next year and, to my astonishment, he said we should do it up when we go. Take advantage of CL at the Poly, DDP, V&A's... pin or no pin. I'm so excited! We've been saving for a vacation for a couple of years and when we found out we would be adopting our children I insisted on a Disney vacation for our family. I'm almost glad we've had to delay it a year, since I'll have time to save even more for their trip of a lifetime. They will be 8,7, and 5 when we go. Wonderful ages for magic. I wish it could coincide with WDW's anniversary, but that's just greedy We're so lucky we get to go, the perks are the cherry.

Just had to share with fellow WDW lovers. My friends would not understand and see a theme park vacation as a downgrade. "Why wouldn't you go to Europe?" one friend asked. Because my children wouldn't appreciate it! They are all about WDW, though!

 

[KathleensKid]

Love that art work too! I'll be calling to order some next week!

prices here:
http://psc.disney.go.com/eventservices/artofdisneyparks/event/wdw_shag40thevent.html

 

[crcurton]

We will be there in a couple of days! I hope to see some of the SHAG mdse!!!

 

[WDWKOOK]

I love that anniversary artwork. I started kindergarten in Orlando (1975, yikes!) when my dad got a job there. He got free tickets to MK through work and I was IN LOVE with that place. We didn't live there long, maybe a year, but I was spellbound. He said he thought tickets were about $8 for the park, can you imagine?

I had a chat with DH about how much it may cost if we didn't get some kind of pin next year and, to my astonishment, he said we should do it up when we go. Take advantage of CL at the Poly, DDP, V&A's... pin or no pin. I'm so excited! We've been saving for a vacation for a couple of years and when we found out we would be adopting our children I insisted on a Disney vacation for our family. I'm almost glad we've had to delay it a year, since I'll have time to save even more for their trip of a lifetime. They will be 8,7, and 5 when we go. Wonderful ages for magic. I wish it could coincide with WDW's anniversary, but that's just greedy We're so lucky we get to go, the perks are the cherry.

Just had to share with fellow WDW lovers. My friends would not understand and see a theme park vacation as a downgrade. "Why wouldn't you go to Europe?" one friend asked. Because my children wouldn't appreciate it! They are all about WDW, though!

to the DIS and the Poly thread and congratulations on your adoption! You really do have much to celebrate (don't forget to mention that when you book).

Love that art work too! I'll be calling to order some next week!

prices here:
http://psc.disney.go.com/eventservices/artofdisneyparks/event/wdw_shag40thevent.html

Thanks for posting the link. Do you think they offer the Passholder discount on the 20k original piece? I love the charm bracelet, but I wonder if it comes in sterling silver? The SHAG items combined with the 40th anniversary items will make for some great shopping

We will be there in a couple of days! I hope to see some of the SHAG mdse!!!

How exciting! We leave 4 weeks from today, but we're making stops in Boca Raton and the CR first. Are you going to do a live report?