ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: June 2013

[Jrabbit910]

OK, now that I re-read my post above, I think a lot of CMs would refuse to wear a button like that.

Still, I think the flower leis need to be mandatory and consistent. I can't WAIT to get ours and I DON'T WANNA HAVE TO ASK!!

I thought the button idea was hysterical!!! Lol good idea

 

[karriealex]

OK, now that I re-read my post above, I think a lot of CMs would refuse to wear a button like that.

Still, I think the flower leis need to be mandatory and consistent. I can't WAIT to get ours and I DON'T WANNA HAVE TO ASK!!

ROFL Too funny. We have always gotten them on check in. This time we got real ones because it was our anniversary. We got the silk ones too.

 

[cart-mom]

Made the move today. just changed our BC reservation to the Poly - 8/31-9/7. DH asked last night if it was even possible. Thought there would be no rooms left. The kids were kinda bummed. They wanted SAB but I think they will enjoy the volcano slide and how can you go wrong with the Poly? Now to change my mindset from being walking distance to Epcot to being back at the Poly with all it has to offer. Done.

 

[karriealex]

Made the move today. just changed our BC reservation to the Poly - 8/31-9/7. DH asked last night if it was even possible. Thought there would be no rooms left. The kids were kinda bummed. They wanted SAB but I think they will enjoy the volcano slide and how can you go wrong with the Poly? Now to change my mindset from being walking distance to Epcot to being back at the Poly with all it has to offer. Done.

Congratulations on the move to the Poly!! Once the kids get into the volcano pool, use the slide, and participate in the games, SAB will be a distant memory. LOL

 

[karriealex]

Well our next stay at the Poly will be a much quieter one. My DH snores like a freight train. I just bit the bullet a few minutes ago and bought him one of those Pure Sleep things for snoring. I really hope it works. The kids even said to me on this last trip that they could see why I sleep on the couch a lot. DH was keeping them up too. Now I will hopefully have peace and quiet at home and we will all have a much more peaceful vacation.

 

[Wanna be Ariel]

Steve just posted some major new about the construction that is starting this September. It will affect the beach areas and some views In current longhouses. One of those is Hawaii. I am not a happy camper right now

 

[monorailsilver]

Well our next stay at the Poly will be a much quieter one. My DH snores like a freight train. I just bit the bullet a few minutes ago and bought him one of those Pure Sleep things for snoring. I really hope it works. The kids even said to me on this last trip that they could see why I sleep on the couch a lot. DH was keeping them up too. Now I will hopefully have peace and quiet at home and we will all have a much more peaceful vacation.

I am laughing at this!

My dh snores too but at home I can kick him since he is in bed next to me. On vacation last week he slept in one bed and me in the other and we rotated the 3 kids. There were nights I had to stop myself from kicking a kid!

 

[Carriesouthard]

Here at the Poly now! Samoa 1st floor facing the volcano pool...PERFECT location!!! They were checking IDs and giving wristbands out today at the pool...happy to see this being done!

 

[Dominion]

Steve just posted some major new about the construction that is starting this September. It will affect the beach areas and some views In current longhouses. One of those is Hawaii. I am not a happy camper right now

So I just read the update on his FB page...my interpretation is that starting in September, its the beach in front of Tahiti, Sunset Pointe, and part of a nearby parking lot that will be closed. And views in Hawaii, Tokelau, Rapa Nui and Tahiti may be affected - apparently Disney is changing some of room designations accordingly. It seems like mainly the lagoon-facing views would be affected at that point, based on the other information??

It did say that GCH, pools, restaurants, etc... would all be open and unaffected for the time being.

Steve, if you see this, does this sound right??

 

[Dominion]

Are there coffee machines in the guest rooms at Poly? If so, what kind of coffee is in the room? My mom NEEDS her coffee first thing and if they still have Nescafe in the CL, that probably isn't going to cut it! Just curious what our other options may be...I may just bring Starbucks VIA...

 

[Tikiman]

So I just read the update on his FB page...my interpretation is that starting in September, its the beach in front of Tahiti, Sunset Pointe, and part of a nearby parking lot that will be closed. And views in Hawaii, Tokelau, Rapa Nui and Tahiti may be affected - apparently Disney is changing some of room designations accordingly. It seems like mainly the lagoon-facing views would be affected at that point, based on the other information??

It did say that GCH, pools, restaurants, etc... would all be open and unaffected for the time being.

Steve, if you see this, does this sound right??

Yes that is how I interpret but something missing from that posting from the travel site that I was told about was that some rooms will be taken out of inventory because of this construction. To me I would think that would at a minimum be the ground floor lagoon side rooms of Tahiti because the new paths run feet from those patios and maybe some ground floor rooms at Tahiti and Tokelau for the same reason. I could even see them taking all the lagoon side rooms out of circulation with the equipment that will be out on that side of the building. Hawaii I believe will be affected with some room view changes because the rooms from about the middle to the east end look right at that area off Sunset Pointe so they will no longer be Themepark view category (that is my guess). I will still be surprised if Tahiti does not close totally since they don’t seem to be planning on renovating the rooms. Maybe they are just going to do the path construction and grading and keep it open until they decide to gut it for DVC. As you can see it was stated that the pool will be open so I hope people can now believe me when I say that the September closure dates for the pool is outdated info but I guess we all have to wait for September to be convinced.

 

[Tikiman]

Are there coffee machines in the guest rooms at Poly? If so, what kind of coffee is in the room? My mom NEEDS her coffee first thing and if they still have Nescafe in the CL, that probably isn't going to cut it! Just curious what our other options may be...I may just bring Starbucks VIA...

Its a Cuisinart pods

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

We are headed to Disney in 3 weeks before my DH deploys. We are booked at PO Riverside with free dining. I really want to switch to a monorail resort--and my kids want to stay at the Polynesian for something different since we have usually stayed at CR.

Is it wrong that my biggest problem with the upgrade is that I hate the thought of making the call and being on the phone with the CM forever??? LOL

If that is your biggest problem, then you are going to have some smooth sailing - yahoo!!! Congrats on the switch and the monorail is so awesome!!!

LOVE the pictures, Tinkerbellie - what a cute family!

I can't believe the leis are scented - how FUN! It doesn't make sense that the Poly isn't consistent with handing them out. Maybe they need to give CMs buttons like they do at restaurants, "If I fail to suggest dessert, it's free!". How about, "If I don't give you a lei, you get a free Dole Whip!"

OK, now that I re-read my post above, I think a lot of CMs would refuse to wear a button like that.

Still, I think the flower leis need to be mandatory and consistent. I can't WAIT to get ours and I DON'T WANNA HAVE TO ASK!!

Hmmm, I think I would choose the free dole whip...but we do like our leis!

Made the move today. just changed our BC reservation to the Poly - 8/31-9/7. DH asked last night if it was even possible. Thought there would be no rooms left. The kids were kinda bummed. They wanted SAB but I think they will enjoy the volcano slide and how can you go wrong with the Poly? Now to change my mindset from being walking distance to Epcot to being back at the Poly with all it has to offer. Done.

We actually prefer the Poly pool to SAB. I don't like how widespread SAB is and how difficult it is to get from one area to another. And I hate that you have to cross a 'public' sidewalk to get to the slide. And then when you pop out of the slide, you have to get out of the pool to go to another area. Anyway, we like the volcano pool and the east pool too! Gotta love those shaded tables that you can easily score at the east pool

Steve just posted some major new about the construction that is starting this September. It will affect the beach areas and some views In current longhouses. One of those is Hawaii. I am not a happy camper right now

While I'm not geeked to have construction, I rarely find it an issue. And even then, my DH is a contractor and he loves to talk to the crews working around the resorts. He's fascinated by the codes, the changes, and the how-tos. Gives him something manly to do

Here at the Poly now! Samoa 1st floor facing the volcano pool...PERFECT location!!! They were checking IDs and giving wristbands out today at the pool...happy to see this being done!

Nice!!! Send lots of live reports (well, if you want!) - have fun!

Are there coffee machines in the guest rooms at Poly? If so, what kind of coffee is in the room? My mom NEEDS her coffee first thing and if they still have Nescafe in the CL, that probably isn't going to cut it! Just curious what our other options may be...I may just bring Starbucks VIA...

Yes, there are coffee makers.

Info here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=47956985&highlight=coffee+maker#post47956985

Photo here: (This is a YC review but the picture of the coffee maker - scroll down till you see it- is the same as the Poly coffee maker.)
http://www.disunplugged.com/2012/05/19/review-disneys-yacht-club-resort/

 

[monorailsilver]

Here at the Poly now! Samoa 1st floor facing the volcano pool...PERFECT location!!! They were checking IDs and giving wristbands out today at the pool...happy to see this being done!

I am glad they did it on a Friday. The CMs that were wrist banding said they were only doing during the w/e. I could see a noticeable difference in crowds or lack of and more pool space during the weekend then during the week.

 

[karriealex]

There was a crash between a Mears bus and a car outside Epcot. One person was killed. Very sad.

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

There was a crash between a Mears bus and a car outside Epcot. One person was killed. Very sad.

It was a Disney Magical Express bus. Lots of coverage here. Prayers to all involved.

 

[Dominion]

Yes that is how I interpret but something missing from that posting from the travel site that I was told about was that some rooms will be taken out of inventory because of this construction. To me I would think that would at a minimum be the ground floor lagoon side rooms of Tahiti because the new paths run feet from those patios and maybe some ground floor rooms at Tahiti and Tokelau for the same reason. I could even see them taking all the lagoon side rooms out of circulation with the equipment that will be out on that side of the building. Hawaii I believe will be affected with some room view changes because the rooms from about the middle to the east end look right at that area off Sunset Pointe so they will no longer be Themepark view category (that is my guess). I will still be surprised if Tahiti does not close totally since they don’t seem to be planning on renovating the rooms. Maybe they are just going to do the path construction and grading and keep it open until they decide to gut it for DVC. As you can see it was stated that the pool will be open so I hope people can now believe me when I say that the September closure dates for the pool is outdated info but I guess we all have to wait for September to be convinced.

I can't thank you enough for all of this information. Its so much less anxiety to know what we can reasonably expect during our trip! I feel lucky that we are going in December....I can't imagine how the people going in 2014 feel while trying to plan that far out with all the uncertainty!

 

[karriealex]

It was a Disney Magical Express bus. Lots of coverage here. Prayers to all involved.

Sorry. I was going by what was posted on my facebook page which said Mears but I saw another post besides yours that also said Magical Express bus. I should have changed my post.

 

[wilkeliza]

It was a Disney Magical Express bus. Lots of coverage here. Prayers to all involved.

DME is actually still Mears. The DME drivers are Mears employees not CMs most of the time. They answer to Mears who are contracted by Disney to offer DME so yes DME takes you to Disney and is set up by Disney but isn't owned or operated by them except the loading part.

 

[Dominion]

Does anyone have a picture of the in-room safes or know the dimensions (or better yet, both?) I'm trying to decide if I'm going to bring my DSLR camera, but I won't if there's no way it will go in the safe. I want to bring it for character meal dinners and maybe our morning at MK when we do BBB and CRT, but I don't want to carry it around the parks for 7 days.

Thanks!