ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: June 2013

[nfrank]

I'm so excited! We leave in 5 days for our first trip to the Poly! It's my dream resort.... I'm hoping it won't let me down, but I honestly doubt that it could.

 

[katiebear]

Thinking of staying at the Poly for our upcoming trip, however I'm nervous the pool refurb will take longer and extend into our trip. Pool refurb is supposed to finish 9/20. Trip dates are September 28th-October 5th. My kids would be crushed if they didn't get to swim in the Volcano Pool. I'd probably stay elsewhere. Do the refurbs usually finish within the expected time frame?

 

[bluejasmine]

Thinking of staying at the Poly for our upcoming trip, however I'm nervous the pool refurb will take longer and extend into our trip. Pool refurb is supposed to finish 9/20. Trip dates are September 28th-October 5th. My kids would be crushed if they didn't get to swim in the Volcano Pool. I'd probably stay elsewhere. Do the refurbs usually finish within the expected time frame?

Did I miss something I dont see anything about a pool refurb at the Poly?

 

[sandym718]

I was thinking about reserving a cabana, but I'm thinking just spending time on the balcony will be good enough.

Does anyone know if (and how) I could go about just ordering a fruit tray for the room, rather than a cabana?

I don't know about the fruit tray, sorry, but here's another nice "no added cost" spot to relax poolside.


There's a few of these around the quiet pool. I took refuge under one with my book during a light rainshower (kids kept swimming). We enjoyed "pre-dinner cocktails" here a few times as well while the kids swam.

 

[bluejasmine]

In room dining has a " fruit tray" of sorts for breakfast.. Or you could just get some fruit from capt cooks in fridge section or order fruit basket from Disney florist

ASMU/POR Dec 16-22, 2012 & CR Sept 8-15, 2013

 

[Violet Parr]

I had bookmarked a link of the movie list for the month but I can't seem to find it. Does anyone have the list of movies for July?

Thanks!

 

[bluejasmine]

So googling I do see where a few sites are reporting volcano pool closed 9/9-9/20! Why would they let me book a cabana & not tell me????

ASMU/POR Dec 16-22, 2012 & CR Sept 8-15, 2013

 

[bluejasmine]

Called Disney Recreation about the pool closure since I rented a cabana during the time of the rehab and was told that if there was a rehab scheduled, their system wouldn't allow the cabana rental, but she said she would put me on hold and double check.

She came back and said the only refurb scheduled for the Poly is to the longhouses. I noticed both this site and Intercot has the pool listed for refurb in Sept but no where else not even the Disney site reports that..

I guess Ill find out if they decide to b/c she said they will have to call me to let me know cabana will be canceled if so..

ADDED: apparently the rehab has been pushed to Jan!

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Called Disney Recreation about the pool closure since I rented a cabana during the time of the rehab and was told that if there was a rehab scheduled, their system wouldn't allow the cabana rental, but she said she would put me on hold and double check.

She came back and said the only refurb scheduled for the Poly is to the longhouses. I noticed both this site and Intercot has the pool listed for refurb in Sept but no where else not even the Disney site reports that..

I guess Ill find out if they decide to b/c she said they will have to call me to let me know cabana will be canceled if so..

ADDED: apparently the rehab has been pushed to Jan!

I think a pool rehab during free dining is a mistake. Maybe they realized that. January is a perfect time to rehab , only a fraction of the people swim during that time. Last January at the GF the pool was empty almost every day due to freezing cold temps in the 30's.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[sjs314]

I don't know about the fruit tray, sorry, but here's another nice "no added cost" spot to relax poolside.


There's a few of these around the quiet pool. I took refuge under one with my book during a light rainshower (kids kept swimming). We enjoyed "pre-dinner cocktails" here a few times as well while the kids swam.

Had no idea these existed at the quiet pool, good to know.

 

[kmermaid]

I had bookmarked a link of the movie list for the month but I can't seem to find it. Does anyone have the list of movies for July?

Thanks!

http://dvcnews.com/forum/showthread.php?11646-WDW-Resort-Activity-Guides

 

[Koh1977]

Has anyone been *pixie dusted* upon check-in with an upgrade? If so, what was it?

 

[bluejasmine]

Has anyone been *pixie dusted* upon check-in with an upgrade? If so, what was it?

Oh I love these stories!!

ASMU/POR Dec 16-22, 2012 & CR Sept 8-15, 2013

 

[USCAnna]

I have never done online check-in. Is there an advantage to doing this? We will be arriving in Orlando super early in the morning and plan on checking in right at 7 am so we can head straight over to start enjoying the parks. We leave in 19 days!!! Our first time at the Poly...after reading all of the comments I'm afraid we are going to be spoiled for every other resort!

 

[bluejasmine]

I have never done online check-in. Is there an advantage to doing this? We will be arriving in Orlando super early in the morning and plan on checking in right at 7 am so we can head straight over to start enjoying the parks. We leave in 19 days!!! Our first time at the Poly...after reading all of the comments I'm afraid we are going to be spoiled for every other resort!

Faster Check in & a good chance your room may be ready when you check in, I've had 50/50 success with it, you can let them know what time to expect you as we'll as make requests.. No guarantee with request but they are normally pretty good about it if there is any way possible.

Poly will spoil you, every other Disney resort gets compared by us & never compares! It's absolutely our happy place!!

ASMU/POR Dec 16-22, 2012 & CR Sept 8-15, 2013

 

[CT Disney]

Just thought I'd pop in quickly as we have been at Poly since the 10th. We are staying GV CL and are enjoying the lounge and the CMs so much!! They have been so helpful and welcoming! Food has been delightful and during the rain yesterday it was nice I have the lounge as an option to relax in! DD2 loves the little table and chairs and calls all other kids in the lounge her friends! We do have a fridge in our room that has worked quite well and have not been told that it is being removed. We love the renovated room - although our balcony doesn't have the best view - I can't complain with seeing palm trees on a daily basis! Crowds have been quite manageable - we found it to be so quiet here! Pool has not been too crowded when we've been at it - trying out a cabana tomorrow for the morning and I'm looking forward to that! Overall our stay here has been a dream and we are loving every second of it!!!

So nice to hear that you are enjoying CL! We will be there in 2 1/2 weeks!

If you get a chance, can you report back on what kinds of beer they are serving in the lounge? Thanks!

I have to say, I am a little nervous about visiting in the heat of August. We've been in April the last few years and have had the best luck with weather at that time.

I'm sure it will be great though!....HOT, but great!

 

[CT Disney]

One more thing...

Our plane doesn't land on Thursday evening until 6:17 pm, so we probably won't get to the Poly until 8:00 or so. Our only request is 3rd floor because we would love a balcony (we will be in the Hawaii building, TPV).

Does anybody have any experiences to share in terms of getting to the hotel late in the day and still having your requests met?

I don't want them to give all the good rooms away before we get there

 

[Missus Toad]

Faster Check in & a good chance your room may be ready when you check in, I've had 50/50 success with it, you can let them know what time to expect you as we'll as make requests.. No guarantee with request but they are normally pretty good about it if there is any way possible.

Poly will spoil you, every other Disney resort gets compared by us & never compares! It's absolutely our happy place!!

ASMU/POR Dec 16-22, 2012 & CR Sept 8-15, 2013

Having never done online check in, I'm wondering if a request isn't met, is there a way to go chat with someone at the desk to see if you can get a different room? I ask because my father recently had back surgery, and we'd prefer whatever the longhouse, that it be close to GCH to save him some steps. I'm tempted by online check in, but worry that once you're assigned, you're assigned and that's it.

 

[dansdad]

One more thing...

Our plane doesn't land on Thursday evening until 6:17 pm, so we probably won't get to the Poly until 8:00 or so. Our only request is 3rd floor because we would love a balcony (we will be in the Hawaii building, TPV).

Does anybody have any experiences to share in terms of getting to the hotel late in the day and still having your requests met?

I don't want them to give all the good rooms away before we get there

All rooms are assigned 1-2 days prior to your arrival. So if they were able to meet your request, you should still have it when you arrive. Unless somebody who checks in before you throws a hissy fit about the room they were assigned, demands a 3rd floor and your room is the only one available you should be fine.

 

[dansdad]

Having never done online check in, I'm wondering if a request isn't met, is there a way to go chat with someone at the desk to see if you can get a different room?

Absolutely. Even if you do online check-in, you still have to interact with the CM. The only difference with online check-in is that your KTTWs and your information packet are already printed and put together for you. If after they show you where your room is located, you can ask if there is something available to meet your request.