ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: January 2012

[iRy]

According to various sources that claim confirmation from Disney, the Monorail will be operating on a limited basis beginning April 29th.

Does anybody have an approximation as to when the Monorail will return to normal operating hours, without the downtime between 11:30 and 5:30/6ish?

We will be arriving at the resort on Thursday, May 24th, and we do hope that this monorail downtime will not undermine the resort's value for us

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Hi all!

I hope it's ok if I just barge in here with a question!! We're staying at the Poly next month. Does anyone know the depth of the pools?

Also, are the pools open (with lifeguards) until 12am in May??

Welcome! It's not barging at all There are two pools at the Poly. The main pool (volcano pool) has some depths to 4' 6" (I'm approximating here based on what I remember seeing and how tall I am which is 5' 4" and I've never had to go on tip toes to keep my head above water but I am up to my shoulders). The East pool (some people call it the quiet pool) was recently made more shallow. It is not over 5'. Again, I'm using my own experience in the pool as a guide. It felt deeper than the volcano pool but not by much.

The volcano pool is the only pool with a lifeguard but they go off duty anywhere from 8 - 10 pm based on the season. The east pool has no lifeguards. I've swam in both pools late in the evening - they stay open even without lifeguards. I'm not sure about official closing times. We've swam in the east pool at 1 am but we were quiet and there were other people there. But I imagine you would get kicked out if you were loud that late at night.

Hi everyone! I am arriving at the Poly on May 28th and I was looking into booking a cabana for my mom for the Friday we will be there! I was wondering where I should call to make that reservation? Do I call the reservation line? Or is there a number to the resort I could call and book it in advance?
Thanks!

Call the Disney 'play' line at 407-wdw-play. You can reserve them up to 180 days in advance but you need to have your Poly reservation already booked. Once you know the date/time you'd like, make your reservation! I called and my first choice was booked which they found a little odd but I did manage to get a reservation for another day of my stay (this was back in October and I made the cabana reservation in August).

 

[stefani_]

The sink situation is an inconvenience for some--yes(we actually like the one sink cuz it makes for lots of counter space) but there is always a work-around To increase your chances of getting two sinks, I would definitely suggest requesting Tahiti. Distance is really not an issue at Poly. Compared to mods and values, it is quite compact. On the map it may seem far away from the GCH but in reality, the walk is about 4 minutes tops. The walkways are so beautiful with all the tropical foliage and tiki torches.

Regarding balconies, the older longhouses have patios first floor and balconies on the 3rd floor. Nuie is the exception as it is only 2 floors so no thrird floor balcony--LOL. Tokelau, Rapa Nui, and Tahiti have patios first floor and balconies on the second and third floors. These longhouses also have slightly larger rooms that accomodate an extra padded armchair as well....which is awesome The garden views(GV rooms are what you are terming standard I think) at Poly are really lovely so you should have no trouble. If you are wanting a GV room with balcony and hopefully 2 sinks, definitely request Tahiti.

Good luck with your decision. I know what a disappointment it is for everyone who wants to stay at GF but the construction is getting too intrusive. If the roles were reversed and Poly were under construction, GF would be my first choice alternative

Hmm... for size, would you be able to do a comparison to POFQ? Is it as compact as FQ? I stayed at POFQ last year so I know how compact of a resort it is. If the size were similar then I would certainly have no problem with a room at Tahiti if it meant double sinks The walk is more of an issue when we are returning to the resort after a tired night and just want to get to our room quickly, but I suppose if we're only staying one night it won't really matter!

Can you advise which other longhouses have double sinks besides Tahiti? A balcony isn't that important to us - we can always go outside!

Thanks for all your advice, it was very helpful!

 

[1971DBday]

I can say that at no time has it taken us 1-3 hours to get to the poly from the airport! Magical express is really great! To save lots of time make sure you use the magical express for your bags!(put the little colorful bar code tags that came with your package on your bags) you will not have to claim your bags when you arrive and they will be in your room when your done with the BBQ! We use a limo service when we go now but magical express is really seemless! It will take you probably a max of one hour to get to the poly..

I would agree up until our experience last year in October. We arrived in the early evening and it took us over 2 hours to get to the Poly. Every other visit the Poly was the first stop and this year we were the last. My niece who came the next evening was the same problem (however she didn't get in to almost 10:45 p.m. and finally got to the Poly by almost 1 a.m.!) I think our total trip was 2 hours and 15 minutes....we were upset because it was an already long day and weren't expecting this change to our routine.

On a happier note! My work's craziness is calming down and I got past two HUGE projects. I am now recupping with a long weekend, but trying to get over a sinus infection and bronchitis. What better healing method then some positive time on the DIS!!!!

Only 47 days until I have a Lapu Lapu in my hands!!!!!

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

Hmm... for size, would you be able to do a comparison to POFQ? Is it as compact as FQ? I stayed at POFQ last year so I know how compact of a resort it is. If the size were similar then I would certainly have no problem with a room at Tahiti if it meant double sinks The walk is more of an issue when we are returning to the resort after a tired night and just want to get to our room quickly, but I suppose if we're only staying one night it won't really matter!

Can you advise which other longhouses have double sinks besides Tahiti? A balcony isn't that important to us - we can always go outside!

Thanks for all your advice, it was very helpful!

Unfortunately, I have never been to POFQ but maybe someone else can chime in on that one. There are some double sinks in Rapa Nui but it is my understanding it is very few rooms. Your best chance at double sinks is Tahiti. Regarding the walk, it really depends on where you are coming from. If you are coming back from Epcot, Tahiti is the closest longhouse to the TTC(direct Epcot monorail). If you are coming back from MK via monorail or boat, it will be about 4 minutes from GCH or 3 minutes from the boat dock. If you are coming back via bus from AK or DHS, it is about a 2-3 minute walk from the bus stop. HTH

 

[mamatobbg]

According to various sources that claim confirmation from Disney, the Monorail will be operating on a limited basis beginning April 29th.

Does anybody have an approximation as to when the Monorail will return to normal operating hours, without the downtime between 11:30 and 5:30/6ish?

We will be arriving at the resort on Thursday, May 24th, and we do hope that this monorail downtime will not undermine the resort's value for us

Eek. I hadn't heard about this. Hopefully someone will know the answer! I did do a quick search and read the folks affected received a letter from Disney and it would be similar amount of time to the one in March? I'm going at a similar time to you and this concerns me, too! Hopefully someone will have more info!

 

[iRy]

Eek. I hadn't heard about this. Hopefully someone will know the answer! I did do a quick search and read the folks affected received a letter from Disney and it would be similar amount of time to the one in March? I'm going at a similar time to you and this concerns me, too! Hopefully someone will have more info!

Let's cross our fingers! Maybe they will resume normal operations by Memorial Day weekend

 

[crostorfer]

I wouldn't panic about the monorail, not staying at the Poly. 9 out of 10 times we take the boat to the MK and walk to the TTC to catch the EPCOT monorail anyway, it's usually faster.

 

[mamatobbg]

I wouldn't panic about the monorail, not staying at the Poly. 9 out of 10 times we take the boat to the MK and walk to the TTC to catch the EPCOT monorail anyway, it's usually faster.

Thanks for this info! Worse case we could do monorail in the am and at night. Then boat the other times-which my boys are excited about using anyway. How long of a walk is it from the Somoa to the TTC? I bet (hope) the monorail will be running normally by mid/late May.

 

[Dizkneegrl]

We are arriving tomorrow, and we received a letter on April 13th that said the monorail would be operating on a shortened schedule. There was no beginning or ending date for the rehab. Guess I'll wait and see.

 

[carlnix30]

Hmm... for size, would you be able to do a comparison to POFQ? Is it as compact as FQ? I stayed at POFQ last year so I know how compact of a resort it is. If the size were similar then I would certainly have no problem with a room at Tahiti if it meant double sinks The walk is more of an issue when we are returning to the resort after a tired night and just want to get to our room quickly, but I suppose if we're only staying one night it won't really matter!

Can you advise which other longhouses have double sinks besides Tahiti? A balcony isn't that important to us - we can always go outside!

Thanks for all your advice, it was very helpful!

POFQ is much larger and layed out a lot further apart.
No matter where you are in the poly it would take a maximum of 10 minutes walk to the GCH. and a lovely walking it is.. Enjoy!! Don't stress be happy!

 

[iRy]

What would the best route be to get from the Polynesian to the Contemporary without a monorail? Boat to Magic Kingdom and walk to Contemporary?

 

[stefani_]

Unfortunately, I have never been to POFQ but maybe someone else can chime in on that one. There are some double sinks in Rapa Nui but it is my understanding it is very few rooms. Your best chance at double sinks is Tahiti. Regarding the walk, it really depends on where you are coming from. If you are coming back from Epcot, Tahiti is the closest longhouse to the TTC(direct Epcot monorail). If you are coming back from MK via monorail or boat, it will be about 4 minutes from GCH or 3 minutes from the boat dock. If you are coming back via bus from AK or DHS, it is about a 2-3 minute walk from the bus stop. HTH

Sounds pretty compact. Thanks for the advice!

POFQ I much larger and layed out lots further apart.
No matter where you are in the poly it would take a maximum of 10 minutes walk to the GCH. A a lovely walking is.. Enjoy!! Don't stress be happy!

Oh wow, OK then! Yes I am sure the walks are very pleasant.

Thanks to everyone for the advice!

 

[PHLtoMCO]

What would the best route be to get from the Polynesian to the Contemporary without a monorail? Boat to Magic Kingdom and walk to Contemporary?

Yes

 

[carlnix30]

What would the best route be to get from the Polynesian to the Contemporary without a monorail? Boat to Magic Kingdom and walk to Contemporary?

You can do that but the walk is a LOT further than people think. If you want to enjoy the ride you can take the boat to MK then walk over to the next dock and take the CR boat.

 

[carlnix30]

Yes

Judging by your dates we are going to miss each other by a couple of days! strange! We are both in philly.. We live in center city. Do you live in the city? Carlnix30 on Facebook

 

[cobbler]

What would the best route be to get from the Polynesian to the Contemporary without a monorail? Boat to Magic Kingdom and walk to Contemporary?

That would be good. The walk isn't that far, you walk past the bus drop off area, cross the street and then you are in the parking lot of the Contemporary. 5 - 6 min at the most.

I check in 6 days from now and have not received this monorail letter. I would assume this is only impacting the MK line and not the Epcot line which will be fine as we are only going to Epcot on this trip.

 

[iRy]

You can do that but the walk is a LOT further than people think. If you want to enjoy the ride you can take the boat to MK then walk over to the next dock and take the CR boat.

Oh that's a great idea- I did not realize that there is a boat that leaves the Magic Kingsom and goes directly to the Contemporary. Thanks!

I check in 6 days from now and have not received this monorail letter. I would assume this is only impacting the MK line and not the Epcot line which will be fine as we are only going to Epcot on this trip.

From the small amount of information I have read online regarding the alleged closure, it would only be the MK lines. But the fact that you haven't received a letter is encouraging!

But should there be a monorail delay, there other means of transportation. I was reading about the boat services and people have noted that traveling by boat is great!

 

[HiHoOffWeGo]

I believe the footprint for POFQ to be similar to POLY if not smaller but POR is much larger. I understand POFQ to be the smallest resort at WDW. If I understand the question correctly.

 

[princssdisnygina]

POFQ is much larger and layed out a lot further apart.
No matter where you are in the poly it would take a maximum of 10 minutes walk to the GCH. and a lovely walking it is.. Enjoy!! Don't stress be happy!

I actually disagree with this Carl. I have stayed here several times and I am also a travel agent and moderate resorts who are "Large" and have a larger layout offer preferred rooms such as CBR, CSR and POR but POFQ does not. It is the smallest resort on property and from a building farthest out it would be a max 5 minute walk.