ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: June 2013

[mirage0306]

I have a split stay question, too. We're moving FROM Poly TO AKL, Savanna View. (Even with the savanna view, I'm a little worried we'll be let-down after Poly! ) Anyway... we have a pre-rope-drop reservation at Akershus and have plans to be busy in Epcot all day, not getting out of the park until after Illuminations. I have heard that the later you check in to your resort, the lower your chances are at getting a good room. DH is a morning person. Do you think it's worth it for him to maybe take a taxi over to AKL very early - like at 6am - to get us checked in and then come back to get us all checked out of Poly before heading to Epcot?? Can we even check into AKL before checking out of Poly? I know one (or a couple) of us could leave Epcot mid-day to go check-in but I don't know how long it would take and we don't really want to miss out on much of our one Epcot day.

First of all, this is exactly the split we did! We did 3 days Poly CL and then 5 at AKL CL. I think I was the only one out of my family who truly missed Poly--and it wasn't because there was anything bad about AKL; I just loved Poly that much, KWIM? My kids loved the resort, LOVED the pools, and everyone was enamored of the savanna view. The rooms are somewhat smaller at AKL, so if you are aware of that, I think you'll be fine. And of course it's bus service only everywhere. We are kind of annoyed with Disney bus service after this trip (a tale for another time) but it's true that even though there are no alternate transport methods to the parks, the bus rides are pretty short. I don't think it was more than 15 min to MK, which I believe is the farthest park. It's very nice that you don't have to stop at other resorts to pick up guests (aside from kidani, which drops off before jambo).

Now I don't know for sure about checking out of Poly, but I am thinking it wouldn't be a problem. When you check out of a resort, you don't actually do anything. You don't pay anything, turn in keys, etc. You just pack up your luggage and leave. I don't think it matters when you check in to your new resort. The only thing that will change is where your room charges will go to (before you check into AKL, they will still go to your Poly room). You can still use all the Poly's amenities that day, too.

Hope that helps (and makes sense!).

When you have bell services do it how long does it normally take for bags and did you have to set it up in advance? I'll put everything I need in my carry on and bring that with me personally. I just don't want to come back from Animal Kingdom and end up with out my luggage because it is still at Pop.

You need to assume that you won't have your luggage until at least 3 pm. We usually get to the new resort between 4 and 5, get checked in, go up to our room and when we call the bags are waiting for us. The *only* hassle is packing up mid-vacation, and it's really not that bad.

 

[mirage0306]

Wow. I wasn't happy about going to Universal for two days but DH just did something awesome. He told me to book both nights at Universal at club level at the Portofino Bay. We couldn't get the Royal Pacific at club level but I will keep checking. I still would rather just be at Disney but at least this change does make me feel better.

Aw. I'm so glad to hear that this makes you feel a little better. I hope it turns out even better than you're expecting.

We're here! We're here! Got out request - Tokelau 1st floor. Room was ready at 1:30 when we checked in. And we have a working fridge! Yay!!!

Yay! Have a BLAST!!!!

 

[bluejasmine]

We're here! We're here! Got out request - Tokelau 1st floor. Room was ready at 1:30 when we checked in. And we have a working fridge! Yay!!!

Awesome!!!! Have a great time!!

Sept 2013 Poly, 2012 Disney Fantasy, BC CL, GF CL, POR, 2011 Poly CL, CR, Poly CL, AKL, 2010 Poly CL, ASMu 2009, SSR 2008, Pop 2006, POR , Asmo 2005, Asmo 2003, offsite 2000, 1999,1989, Poly 1980, offsite 1979

 

[Day-Day]

Wow. I wasn't happy about going to Universal for two days but DH just did something awesome. He told me to book both nights at Universal at club level at the Portofino Bay. We couldn't get the Royal Pacific at club level but I will keep checking. I still would rather just be at Disney but at least this change does make me feel better.

We really enjoyed the Express Pass privileges and early entry that come with staying at Universal. Also, we like having the room nearby so we can do the water rides at Islands of Adventure and return to our room for a break and change of clothes.

We will be doing Disney-only at the Poly in September.

 

[karriealex]

We really enjoyed the Express Pass privileges and early entry that come with staying at Universal. Also, we like having the room nearby so we can do the water rides at Islands of Adventure and return to our room for a break and change of clothes.

We will be doing Disney-only at the Poly in September.

How close are the resorts to Universal? Are you able to walk back to them or do you have to take a bus? We are staying at Portofino Bay.

 

[wilkeliza]

You need to assume that you won't have your luggage until at least 3 pm. We usually get to the new resort between 4 and 5, get checked in, go up to our room and when we call the bags are waiting for us. The *only* hassle is packing up mid-vacation, and it's really not that bad.

Ok I'll pack a small bag with all our park needs and a change of clothes just in case (I always do this just in case luggage gets lost airplane, train, etc anytime my luggage isn't with me) and then ill let bell services deal with the rest.

I am going straight to Poly to meet the rest of my group so I'll check in and if the room isn't available just leave my bag with bell services or front desk there. We will be out all day so does anyone know how late the bell services guys are available? We won't make it back to poly until 11:30pm at the earliest.

Also if I want to be at Poly at 10:30 am is an hour enough time? How far in advance should I call bell services?

 

[Aristocath]

I have a split stay question, too. We're moving FROM Poly TO AKL, Savanna View. (Even with the savanna view, I'm a little worried we'll be let-down after Poly! ) Anyway... we have a pre-rope-drop reservation at Akershus and have plans to be busy in Epcot all day, not getting out of the park until after Illuminations. I have heard that the later you check in to your resort, the lower your chances are at getting a good room. DH is a morning person. Do you think it's worth it for him to maybe take a taxi over to AKL very early - like at 6am - to get us checked in and then come back to get us all checked out of Poly before heading to Epcot?? Can we even check into AKL before checking out of Poly? I know one (or a couple) of us could leave Epcot mid-day to go check-in but I don't know how long it would take and we don't really want to miss out on much of our one Epcot day.

Unless things have changed, I believe the earliest you can check in is 7 am. And as a pp said, there really isn't anything to do when checking out.

 

[4Joyces]

I saw that too. I think Tikiman said on his website that the pool will no longer be closed in Sept, they are just going to wait until Jan to close it for major refurbishment.

Sent from my Galaxy SII

Whew! Thank goodness! We're added a 1 night room-only at the Poly for the end of our Sept trip and I almost cried when I saw that the pool would be closed!

 

[karriealex]

Whew! Thank goodness! We're added a 1 night room-only at the Poly for the end of our Sept trip and I almost cried when I saw that the pool would be closed!

The pool rehab has been cancelled indefinitely. IPO called the marina who oversee's that and that is what they told her.

 

[mickeynut1]

For those of you who are referencing requesting specific buildings at the Poly, does Disney do that? Can you arrange that ahead of time? I thought I read that you can request something when you arrive, but its up to them based on their availability and the staffer you're talking to at the time.

As the pp's have said, you can make a request when you book. It's just a request and is not guaranteed, but as the others have said, Disney will do everything they can to accommodate you .

When you have bell services do it how long does it normally take for bags and did you have to set it up in advance? I'll put everything I need in my carry on and bring that with me personally. I just don't want to come back from Animal Kingdom and end up with out my luggage because it is still at Pop.

Any time we have had luggage transferred, we have been given a time between 1-3 pm that it would arrive at the 2nd resort. Sometimes it can get there earlier or later as it depends on how busy the resorts are at the time.

I have a split stay question, too. We're moving FROM Poly TO AKL, Savanna View. (Even with the savanna view, I'm a little worried we'll be let-down after Poly! ) Anyway... we have a pre-rope-drop reservation at Akershus and have plans to be busy in Epcot all day, not getting out of the park until after Illuminations. I have heard that the later you check in to your resort, the lower your chances are at getting a good room. DH is a morning person. Do you think it's worth it for him to maybe take a taxi over to AKL very early - like at 6am - to get us checked in and then come back to get us all checked out of Poly before heading to Epcot?? Can we even check into AKL before checking out of Poly? I know one (or a couple) of us could leave Epcot mid-day to go check-in but I don't know how long it would take and we don't really want to miss out on much of our one Epcot day.

We have checked in at all times of the day from early morning to very late at night and we have always gotten great rooms. For our Poly stay (which was a 1 a.m. check in), I made 3 requests and the first 2 requests were met, with the 3rd being met if we wanted to change rooms the next day. So, in our experience, we have gotten great rooms even with a late arrival/check in .

Wow. I wasn't happy about going to Universal for two days but DH just did something awesome. He told me to book both nights at Universal at club level at the Portofino Bay. We couldn't get the Royal Pacific at club level but I will keep checking. I still would rather just be at Disney but at least this change does make me feel better.

Yay for CL . I'm sorry CL isn't available at RP, but glad you were able to get it at Portofino Bay .

We're here! We're here! Got out request - Tokelau 1st floor. Room was ready at 1:30 when we checked in. And we have a working fridge! Yay!!!

Have a great time .

How close are the resorts to Universal? Are you able to walk back to them or do you have to take a bus? We are staying at Portofino Bay.

I'm not the one you quoted and we haven't actually stayed at a Universal resort, but have visited City Walk a few times and we have taken a boat to visit the resorts . I can't remember if the resorts are within walking distance, but the boats were convenient and didn't take long getting from City Walk to the resort(s).

 

[wilkeliza]

As the pp's have said, you can make a request when you book. It's just a request and is not guaranteed, but as the others have said, Disney will do everything they can to accommodate you .

Any time we have had luggage transferred, we have been given a time between 1-3 pm that it would arrive at the 2nd resort. Sometimes it can get there earlier or later as it depends on how busy the resorts are at the time.

We have checked in at all times of the day from early morning to very late at night and we have always gotten great rooms. For our Poly stay (which was a 1 a.m. check in), I made 3 requests and the first 2 requests were met, with the 3rd being met if we wanted to change rooms the next day. So, in our experience, we have gotten great rooms even with a late arrival/check in .

Yay for CL . I'm sorry CL isn't available at RP, but glad you were able to get it at Portofino Bay .

Have a great time .

I'm not the one you quoted and we haven't actually stayed at a Universal resort, but have visited City Walk a few times and we have taken a boat to visit the resorts . I can't remember if the resorts are within walking distance, but the boats were convenient and didn't take long getting from City Walk to the resort(s).

Thanks. So is transfers like magical express meaning I don't have to be in the room for the bags to arrive? If that is the case then that is awesome and I'll just take my extra clothes and park stuff with me.

 

[trishadono]

Thanks. So is transfers like magical express meaning I don't have to be in the room for the bags to arrive? If that is the case then that is awesome and I'll just take my extra clothes and park stuff with me.

When I transferred my bags from CSR to poly CL in Aplril I had to call bell services when I got back to my room and they brought them right over. Mine arrived at 1pm.

 

[wilkeliza]

When I transferred my bags from CSR to poly CL in Aplril I had to call bell services when I got back to my room and they brought them right over. Mine arrived at 1pm.

So my question is what time does bell services leave for the night? We aren't going to get back to the resort until 11pm at the earliest and can't go back early. I guess I can always ask luggage in the morning and if they say I have to be present just take the cab.

 

[mistyfountain]

Can anyone tell me if all the longhouses have been refurbished yet? We are going in 22 days and will need a wheelchair accessible room with roll in shower. As we are celebrating my 50th birthday and I have wanted to stay at the poly ever since I first visited over 30 years ago, I just wanted it to be as perfect as possible. I really don't want to be put in an old style room. Any idea which longhouse to request/avoid?

 

[BigTex71]

BigTex71 Your room sounds great well worth the wait! Have a great time! Would love to see pics of your view if you get the chance.

Here is a panorama shot from our balcony:

 

[karriealex]

mickeynut1 How did you get two tickers side by side? I have been trying to do that all afternoon with no luck.

 

[Disneyfun67]

Ok its one day and then we leave just wanted to thank all of you for the great info. I am sure we will love it as much as all of you.

 

[Jrabbit910]

Great pic tex!!!! Hope ur having a blast!!!

 

[karriealex]

Ok its one day and then we leave just wanted to thank all of you for the great info. I am sure we will love it as much as all of you.

Have an awesome and safe trip sweetie!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

BigTex71 Your room sounds great well worth the wait! Have a great time! Would love to see pics of your view if you get the chance.

Sheila, I think this is the same room we had in December! Loved it!!

Here is a panorama shot from our balcony:

Great picture, enjoy your trip!