ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: January 2012

[carlnix30]

Subbing to this thread.

My DH has surprised me with a resort change from the Yacht Club to the Poly! Couldn't be more thrilled! We will be there in May for our DD's 5th Birthday and I am sure that we will all enjoy the resort. Especially me, as I spent a large chunk of my childhood living on Oahu! Ahhhh...Dole Whips, Polynesian Atmosphere...it will be like "going home"

Can't wait!

Congrats on the "upgrade" in my eyes it is!

 

[cassiopia419]

Can anyone that is there now (or in the next few weeks) confirm whether Captain Cooks is still serving hot breakfast or if the menu here - http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?Restaurant.ID=22 - is actually correct?

We're arriving March 8th and it would be super helpful for my obsessive planning if I know the breakfast options

Thanks!

 

[MHTeacher]

SO HAPPY to be headed back to the Poly in May! I got a PIN resort offer by email last week. I was able to change from Beach Club (booked with the spring room only offer) to Poly for only about $100 more!

Very excited!

 

[princessbride6205]

Thanks for the answers on the DVD player.
Less than 3 weeks!

 

[204charity]

Can anyone that is there now (or in the next few weeks) confirm whether Captain Cooks is still serving hot breakfast or if the menu here - http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?Restaurant.ID=22 - is actually correct?

We're arriving March 8th and it would be super helpful for my obsessive planning if I know the breakfast options

Thanks!

I would also like to know this! Anyone???

 

[Venomhatch]

We will be there in around two weeks, and I'll see if I see anything about hot breakfasts. If someone hasn't already answered it by then.

 

[meterman19]

Arriving mar4-8 I called Captain Cooks last week and spoke to a very nice CM and she told me there have been no changes with the food there. They still serve there same hot breakfasts everyday. Tonga toast still there as well as egg breakfast. And there are no plans to change.

 

[tinacaplan]

I would also like to know this! Anyone???

The menus on on wdwinfo are often incomplete. Look at allears if you want the most extensive, accurate menus.

 

[204charity]

Arriving mar4-8 I called Captain Cooks last week and spoke to a very nice CM and she told me there have been no changes with the food there. They still serve there same hot breakfasts everyday. Tonga toast still there as well as egg breakfast. And there are no plans to change.

Thank you!

 

[31sdad]

Just got back... They are serving hot breakfast items. Its ALL good!

BTW - I may have missed an earlier post, but the Volcano Pool Slide is now closed. It closed on 2/6. However, the pool itself does remain open... and if you want to use the pool slide at the GF, that is open.

 

[iloveeeyore]

I made all our ADRs today, including 2 'Ohana dinners...and my mom is asking for a 3rd.

Congratulations!

We actually considered skipping 'Ohana in favor of a new signature this trip since we have deluxe dining, but we quickly dismissed that crazy notion! We missed 'Ohana last trip because we booked our trip within 90 days and weren't able to get 'Ohana, no matter how many times I called or loged on. We can't stay at the Poly and NOT have dinner at one of our all-time favorites! The good signatures will still be there next time!

 

[auprincess]

Just got back... They are serving hot breakfast items. Its ALL good!

BTW - I may have missed an earlier post, but the Volcano Pool Slide is now closed. It closed on 2/6. However, the pool itself does remain open... and if you want to use the pool slide at the GF, that is open.

Thanks for posting! Glad the hot breakfast is still there. I'm not much of a big breakfast eater, but DH sure is! Glad to know about the slide, too. I guess that means that it "should" be ready to go by the time we are there in April.

 

[kimberwee]

Thanks for the warm welcome!

I have some silly and completely non-important questions.

Is the refillable mug specific to the Poly? Meaning, does it have a Poly theme/design on it?

How fast can you get to the MK via monorail from the Poly? What about Epcot?

What is the height requirement for the Volcano Slide?

What kind of snacks do they serve at the Barefoot Pool Bar?


Thanks in advance!

 

[sandym718]

Thanks for the warm welcome!

I have some silly and completely non-important questions.

Is the refillable mug specific to the Poly? Meaning, does it have a Poly theme/design on it?

How fast can you get to the MK via monorail from the Poly? What about Epcot?

What is the height requirement for the Volcano Slide?

What kind of snacks do they serve at the Barefoot Pool Bar?


Thanks in advance!

Let's see...last I knew (and I don't think the mugs have changed) is that the mugs are NOT Poly specific. Just WDW, same as in other resorts

Monorail times depend on how long you have to wait for one and whether they need to stop due to "traffic" or not. For MK, if you walk up and one is right there, less than 10 minutes, if the only stop is to pick up at the GF. I'd say average with waits/stops is about 15 mins, what does everyone else think?

To Epcot, the ride itself is about 10 minutes I think, so average 15 mins or so, once you're at the TTC.

No height restriction for the Volcano slide. My little one had just turned 3 the first time she did it! They do allow life vests - they have them there for free or you can use your own Speedo-style. They do also allow parents to help at the bottom as long as you stay out of the way for others. The "current" at the bottom can make getting away from the slide difficult for a non-swimmer, so if you have a little one, you probably want to be there to assist.

Not sure on the snacks - I've only gotten drinks!!

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Thanks for the warm welcome!

I have some silly and completely non-important questions.

Is the refillable mug specific to the Poly? Meaning, does it have a Poly theme/design on it?

How fast can you get to the MK via monorail from the Poly? What about Epcot?

What is the height requirement for the Volcano Slide?

What kind of snacks do they serve at the Barefoot Pool Bar?


Thanks in advance!

I'll add to what has already been posted -

The refillable mug is the standard WDW resort mug now. They had pink, blue, and black tops when I was there a couple months ago.

Depending on where you are at the Poly will depend on how quickly you get on the monorail. The entrance is located on the 2nd floor of the great ceremonial house. But it just takes a couple minutes to get there from your room. Once you are there, you might wait for a monorail depending on how busy it is and when the last one just went - I've only waited 5 minutes or so. After the accident with the monorails, they have a built in 'stop' so that the monorails do not get within a certain distance. It's a good safety feature so don't be surprised if you are paused while another monorail up ahead unloads.

While there is no height requirement at the volcano slide, if your little one has trouble, you may reconsider. The person must walk up steps, have the patience to wait in line, and go when the light turns green. If your child needs help with that and with someone at the bottom, you'll need two people to help with the process. There are also complimentary life vests available for the day if someone needs one.

The only snacks they serve at the pool bar are chips. But Captain Cooks is very close to the pool area. You can EASILY get food there and bring it to the pool area (just no drinks/food in the pool or on the edge of the pool). It is absolutely allowed.

Have fun planning!!!

 

[kimberwee]

Thanks for the quick responses!

More questions:

Will Kona do "to go"? One big thing for me in Hawaii was eating rice with EVERYTHING and especially with Macaroni Salad and Chicken!!! I noticed that Kona has a "Plate Lunch" but don't think we will do a TS meal for lunch. Could I do that "to go"...wonder if they would just let me order that Mac Salad separately...

Do they ever have Lilo & Stitch in the Lobby or in front of Ohana or is that strictly a breakfast character experience?

And, I notice that the pool hours state that they are open until "dusk" but if you wanted to "swim at your own risk" after dark, is that allowed?

 

[maiapapaya]

Thanks for the quick responses!

More questions:

Will Kona do "to go"? One big thing for me in Hawaii was eating rice with EVERYTHING and especially with Macaroni Salad and Chicken!!! I noticed that Kona has a "Plate Lunch" but don't think we will do a TS meal for lunch. Could I do that "to go"...wonder if they would just let me order that Mac Salad separately...

Do they ever have Lilo & Stitch in the Lobby or in front of Ohana or is that strictly a breakfast character experience?

And, I notice that the pool hours state that they are open until "dusk" but if you wanted to "swim at your own risk" after dark, is that allowed?

Sorry I don't have a definite answer on the Kona question, but I seem to remember that someone posted a long time ago that Kona & 'Ohana don't do take-out. Kona does provide the meals for in-room dining though, so maybe you could order some Mac salad up to your room (although for a premium!)

Generally speaking Lilo & Stitch don't hang out in the lobby and just appear in the restuarant for the meal.

I believe you can swim in the pool when there is no guard on duty, but as you said, at your own risk.

 

[TinkPirateMom]

I have another question for the Poly experts.

What type of coffeemakers are in the rooms now (we are in a GV not CL)?

TIA

 

[31sdad]

Thanks for the quick responses!

More questions:

Will Kona do "to go"? One big thing for me in Hawaii was eating rice with EVERYTHING and especially with Macaroni Salad and Chicken!!! I noticed that Kona has a "Plate Lunch" but don't think we will do a TS meal for lunch. Could I do that "to go"...wonder if they would just let me order that Mac Salad separately...

Do they ever have Lilo & Stitch in the Lobby or in front of Ohana or is that strictly a breakfast character experience?

And, I notice that the pool hours state that they are open until "dusk" but if you wanted to "swim at your own risk" after dark, is that allowed?

Not sure about Kona to go... Captain Cooks is the Quick Service/Snack Place. They have burgers, salads, Hawaiian Pork Sandwiches... I thought the stir fried noodles were really good. Plus, they have a seperate bakery section with muffins, brownies, cookies, etc... not to mention Dole Whips! Additionally, there is a Kona Island Sushi Bar if you like that sort of thing. We liked Captain Cooks quite a bit.

The characters pretty much stayed in the Ohana Restaurant for breakfast from what I could tell.

Also, the lifeguards will tell you that the pool is open until midnight. Though, it never really closes as long as late night swimmers aren't making a ton of noise. My boys were in the pool until around 1a one night.

 

[kimberwee]

Not sure about Kona to go... Captain Cooks is the Quick Service/Snack Place. They have burgers, salads, Hawaiian Pork Sandwiches... I thought the stir fried noodles were really good. Plus, they have a seperate bakery section with muffins, brownies, cookies, etc... not to mention Dole Whips! Additionally, there is a Kona Island Sushi Bar if you like that sort of thing. We liked Captain Cooks quite a bit.

The characters pretty much stayed in the Ohana Restaurant for breakfast from what I could tell.

Also, the lifeguards will tell you that the pool is open until midnight. Though, it never really closes as long as late night swimmers aren't making a ton of noise. My boys were in the pool until around 1a one night.

The pool staying open so late means we wont feel so rushed to get back to the resort before a certain time so that DD can swim! Love it!

Thanks for the info!