ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: June 2013

[karriealex]

"I just wanted to say that I felt the same exact way as you prior to my first GF stay. We have visited the GF many, many times over the years and every time I felt it was "stuffy". I actually made a comment once to my DH that as pretty as the resort is, I'd never stay there because it seemed too "uppity". With that said, I went on a girls trip in January 2010 (the GF was the majority vote) and I have to say that I did not have the same feeling staying there as I perceived when visiting. The resort is truly beautiful and I did not feel out of place while staying there. After that first trip, I ended up booking 4 nights of our family trip there so my DH and DSs could experience it. Everyone enjoyed their stay and although it's not our favorite (our favorite is the Poly ), they would stay there again. So my point of this is, experiencing a resort by actually staying there might give you a different feel for it vs just visiting ."

Thank you for telling me this. I also made the same comment to dh when we were there last. He very much wants to try it so maybe on a future trip we will. As you said if we hate it we could always try and get moved to the Poly. Although I can't imagine hating any of the deluxe resorts, they are just different. We can always go back to the Poly on the next vacation.

The fact that we are headed in the direction of family vacations being a thing of the past does make me sad but it also makes me want to make this trip the absolute best. I know my kids too and their love of being with us and their love of Disney. I know in the future they will at least try to do at least one family vacation with us a year.

 

[mickeynut1]

Thank you for telling me this. I also made the same comment to dh when we were there last. He very much wants to try it so maybe on a future trip we will. As you said if we hate it we could always try and get moved to the Poly. Although I can't imagine hating any of the deluxe resorts, they are just different. We can always go back to the Poly on the next vacation.

The fact that we are headed in the direction of family vacations being a thing of the past does make me sad but it also makes me want to make this trip the absolute best. I know my kids too and their love of being with us and their love of Disney. I know in the future they will at least try to do at least one family vacation with us a year.

You're welcome . I agree about not hating any resort. We love the Poly and it's our favorite, but we also like trying other ones. We have stayed at all of the deluxes except YC, BWI, & CR and we have loved all of them for different reasons and wouldn't hesitate to go back to any of them.

For our December trip, we are taking our first DCL cruise with WDW stays before and after and I, too, am wanting to make this trip extra special as I don't know how many more family trips are going to take place. My oldest is going to college locally so he's still home (as will be my 18 yo that just graduated), so that's one positive for me right now .

 

[karriealex]

You're welcome . I agree about not hating any resort. We love the Poly and it's our favorite, but we also like trying other ones. We have stayed at all of the deluxes except YC, BWI, & CR and we have loved all of them for different reasons and wouldn't hesitate to go back to any of them.

For our December trip, we are taking our first DCL cruise with WDW stays before and after and I, too, am wanting to make this trip extra special as I don't know how many more family trips are going to take place. My oldest is going to college locally so he's still home (as will be my 18 yo that just graduated), so that's one positive for me right now .

Thankfully my eldest is going to an awesome college that is local also so he will be at home for at least the next three years. My youngest is a sophomore in high school this year so he wont graduate for another three years then also plans on going to a local school. We have really good local colleges here and my boys are very much homebodies. I don't know however when each of them will start working so that plays into family vacations. We told each boy they are welcome at home after graduating from high school as long as they are either in college, trade school, or working. What I wont allow is them to just sit at home and do nothing. We have also told them that they do not have to work if they are going to school as we want them to concentrate on their studies. Dh and I are not rich people and sure we could use a little help with bills sometimes but their schooling comes first as it means their future.

 

[karriealex]

I would love to take a DCL cruise but I get seasick so that worries me a bit.

 

[karriealex]

Well it is a good thing I went back to show my youngest ds the camera I bought. I found the same make camera only better for just a tiny bit more. Cancelled the first order and got the new one. Somehow ended up with 2 SD cards but they are only charging me for one. This will allow us to really document our vacation with beautiful pictures. I don't want to forget even one moment of this trip.

 

[mickeynut1]

Thankfully my eldest is going to an awesome college that is local also so he will be at home for at least the next three years. My youngest is a sophomore in high school this year so he wont graduate for another three years then also plans on going to a local school. We have really good local colleges here and my boys are very much homebodies. I don't know however when each of them will start working so that plays into family vacations. We told each boy they are welcome at home after graduating from high school as long as they are either in college, trade school, or working. What I wont allow is them to just sit at home and do nothing. We have also told them that they do not have to work if they are going to school as we want them to concentrate on their studies. Dh and I are not rich people and sure we could use a little help with bills sometimes but their schooling comes first as it means their future.

My DH and I are the same way. Neither of our boys have worked as I feel high school should be enjoyed (especially senior year) and college needs too much concentration to try and juggle work and classes. Our boys are free to stay home through college and then after that while working to save money and then eventually move out on their own. As long as they are saving and not just blowing their money, I will support them until they have a good enough savings to get out on their own and be comfortable without having to worry about money.

I would love to take a DCL cruise but I get seasick so that worries me a bit.

I can understand that. My oldest was very hesitant when we started talking about a cruise last year, although has since gotten used to the idea and is willing to give it a try. We are only taking a 3 night cruise to see how the boys like it. My DH and I have cruised before, but never with Disney, so the Disney part will be new for all of us .

Well it is a good thing I went back to show my youngest ds the camera I bought. I found the same make camera only better for just a tiny bit more. Cancelled the first order and got the new one. Somehow ended up with 2 SD cards but they are only charging me for one. This will allow us to really document our vacation with beautiful pictures. I don't want to forget even one moment of this trip.

Have fun and enjoy the new camera .

 

[karriealex]

mickeynut1 I like the idea of a 3 day cruise. I can hack anything for 3 days even if I do get seasick. I would also probably go to the doctors and get the patch too. I was worried when we took a boat out to spread my parents ashes out at sea but I got the patch and didn't get sick.

I agree with you also on allowing them to save after they start working. We will do this also. I don't want them starting out the way dh and I started out worrying about every penny.

 

[mcjingles]

What is the definition of the CL "cordials"?

 

[karriealex]

What is the definition of the CL "cordials"?

There are different types of liqueurs, wines, and beers. Some I can remember was Kahlua and Grand Mariner (may have spelled that one wrong) I loved the second one in coffee at night watching the fireworks. Yum!

 

[mcjingles]

There are different types of liqueurs, wines, and beers. Some I can remember was Kahlua and Grand Mariner (may have spelled that one wrong) I loved the second one in coffee at night watching the fireworks. Yum!

Thanks! Thinking of changing to CL.

 

[karriealex]

Thanks! Thinking of changing to CL.

Plus you also get breakfast, snacks at lunch, appetizers at 5, and desserts and the cordials at 7. You can also get soda and water at any time. It really is worth it to go CL. We keep going to book just a regular room but then add up what CL saves us and add in all the niceties of CL and and always end up booking CL.

 

[Koh1977]

We check in on 7/31 and will be there till 8/8!

We check I on the 1st and staying until the 9th

 

[mariamouse]

What if you book Poly for one date in your name and GF for a few days later in your Spouse name and before your 45 day mark cancel one? That way you won't have to worry about no availability...

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

So is the reservation name the only thing that matters (not the identical home address)? We (mom, dad, sister, me) want to stay at the Poly in January, but would be nice to have an alternate reservation in case the construction ends up posing an issue during our dates...

On a separate note, does the Hawaii CL lounge serve the same yummy 100% pressed coffee that is served at Kona or is it the cheap stuff?

Thanks!

 

[karriealex]

So is the reservation name the only thing that matters (not the identical home address)? We (mom, dad, sister, me) want to stay at the Poly in January, but would be nice to have an alternate reservation in case the construction ends up posing an issue during our dates...

On a separate note, does the Hawaii CL lounge serve the same yummy 100% pressed coffee that is served at Kona or is it the cheap stuff?

Thanks!

You can book as many rooms as you want even in different hotels and then just cancel the ones you don't want before the 5 day window. Only problem with doing this is you have to pay one nights room cost for each hotel and room you book.

I am not sure if the coffee is the same as Kona as I have never been to Kona but the coffee at the CL lounge is really good in my opinion.

 

[mickeynut1]

mickeynut1 I like the idea of a 3 day cruise. I can hack anything for 3 days even if I do get seasick. I would also probably go to the doctors and get the patch too. I was worried when we took a boat out to spread my parents ashes out at sea but I got the patch and didn't get sick.

I know some people will feel movement on a ship no matter what, but with the sizes of ships today, it's hardly even noticeable, IMO. Getting something for sea sickness is always a good idea if you have experienced it before or have a feeling you will experience it....that way you have something just in case . But honestly, the ships are so large now a days that you really don't feel a lot of movement.

Thanks! Thinking of changing to CL.

If it's doable, I'd definitely try CL. We haven't stayed CL at the Poly, but have experienced CL at other resorts and it is a nice perk, IMO. With that said, I have heard nothing but great things about Poly CL lately and I am excited to try it in December .

 

[karriealex]

I know some people will feel movement on a ship no matter what, but with the sizes of ships today, it's hardly even noticeable, IMO. Getting something for sea sickness is always a good idea if you have experienced it before or have a feeling you will experience it....that way you have something just in case . But honestly, the ships are so large now a days that you really don't feel a lot of movement.



If it's doable, I'd definitely try CL. We haven't stayed CL at the Poly, but have experienced CL at other resorts and it is a nice perk, IMO. With that said, I have heard nothing but great things about Poly CL lately and I am excited to try it in December .

Thanks for the info about the ship. I got seasick on a sailing yacht but we were in rough seas and again on a boat that was taking us out to see an aircraft carrier. I did however only get seasick on that when we started dieseling back and forth trying to pull along side the ship. Told dh either he parks or I puke LOL.

You are going to adore CL at the Poly in December. I have been there during that time and it was as always pure magic but even more so with the decorations up.

 

[Dizneefamily+4]

We check I on the 1st and staying until the 9th

See you there!

 

[karriealex]

See you there!

We will be there at the same time. It would be cool to all get together for a short Dis meet either at Tambu if you want a drink or Kona if you want to do non alcoholic.

 

[mickeynut1]

Thanks for the info about the ship. I got seasick on a sailing yacht but we were in rough seas and again on a boat that was taking us out to see an aircraft carrier. I did however only get seasick on that when we started dieseling back and forth trying to pull along side the ship. Told dh either he parks or I puke LOL.

You are going to adore CL at the Poly in December. I have been there during that time and it was as always pure magic but even more so with the decorations up.

Yeah, being on a large cruise ship will definitely be different, especially if it's a newer ship like the Dream or Fantasy . I am so excited about trying Poly CL. We've been to Disney twice in December (stayed at BC and GF), but I have seen pics of the Poly lounge all decorated and I can't wait to see it in person as it looks gorgeous .....and then to check out the view from the lounge.....I've heard there's nothing like it .

 

[mariamouse]

You can book as many rooms as you want even in different hotels and then just cancel the ones you don't want before the 5 day window. Only problem with doing this is you have to pay one nights room cost for each hotel and room you book.

I am not sure if the coffee is the same as Kona as I have never been to Kona but the coffee at the CL lounge is really good in my opinion.

Thanks so much for the information! Very relieved to hear that about multiple reservations. Would this also work if we wanted to book two different room categories at the same resort (i.e. Poly GV and Poly CL GV) with a discounted rate before making a final decision? All four of us are over 18, so would our maximum number of reservations be four or can one person make multiple reservations?

Can anyone else confirm the coffee type? Glad to hear that it tastes good regardless!