ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: June 2013

[karriealex]

I am a happy girl. I just rebooked the Poly for December with the dining plan. They just added it to my already discounted room. I know most say the dining plan is not worth it but for us it really is. I have 3 big eaters and all of us like steak and seafood which are usually the most expensive things on the menu. I am really looking forward to trying some restaurants we haven't because of price.

Wow I did not realize the other things that come with a package plan with dining. There are tons of freebies for stuff my kids have wanted to do and a lot of discounts too. I think more than ever this was worth it.

 

[DebbyLof428]

I am a happy girl. I just rebooked the Poly for December with the dining plan. They just added it to my already discounted room. I know most say the dining plan is not worth it but for us it really is. I have 3 big eaters and all of us like steak and seafood which are usually the most expensive things on the menu. I am really looking forward to trying some restaurants we haven't because of price.

Wow I did not realize the other things that come with a package plan with dining. There are tons of freebies for stuff my kids have wanted to do and a lot of discounts too. I think more than ever this was worth it.

Enjoy!! I love trying new restaurants at Disney. Which ones are you thinking about?

 

[karriealex]

Enjoy!! I love trying new restaurants at Disney. Which ones are you thinking about?

Coral Reef, The Wave, Saanan. LOL still looking at the menus and the credits. For once we will go and my kids should get full LOL. I swear they have hollow legs!

 

[Abbey213]

Okay so I'm going 11/13-11/20 staying at poly for me and DH honeymoon. I'm finding all these pictures of construction and closings and I have to say I am a little upset. I'm paying close to 520 a night and disney has not mentioned one thing to me about any construction. Is it worth changing hotels? I know you don't spend the whole time at the resort but its our honey moon we do want to spend half days lounging and relaxing at the resort too. It's DH first time and i want it to be magical not full of fences. What are your thoughts on staying at the poly with construction?

 

[maiapapaya]

Shameless ticker posting

I am just hoping that I stay healthy! EVERY vacation I get sick the first couple of days or right before. DH says I stress out too much and he's right. Just got to get through next week - an entire week in Phoenix for work. No matter how much I disinfect the area around me on the plane, or cover my mouth with a scarf as to not breath in the germs, I will end up next to the person with the nasty cough. And of course I need to sort out all the transportation for the kids for school and sports so DH doesn't worry. And load up the house with food and prepared meals. And get all the laundry done and the house clean and the cat shampooed and the litter box cleaned. And that last minute rescheduled soccer game on Sunday night that I got asked to bring snacks to at the last minute. And just got a call from my son's teacher - 3rd call this week. Ugh...yup, might get sick again...

"Cold-FX" is your friend! Do they sell that in the US? If so, it helps!

 

[karriealex]

"Cold-FX" is your friend! Do they sell that in the US? If so, it helps!

Airebourne is also another good product to keep you from getting sick. I know several people who swear by it.

 

[karriealex]

I was also told today by two CM's that magic bands would be available in November and December. I was told once a resort tests it it stays on it. I am so excited as this will make our trip just that much easier. She also said the whole magic band project may be totally live to all resorts by then. They don't have specifics yet but the talk is that it will.

I am also having a BLAST picking out places for the dining plan. When I told my kids about the extra's like Disney Quest, Mini Golf, and the arcade card they got wicked excited. They have always wanted to go to Disney Quest and of course what boy doesn't like video games LOL. With all the extra's and the ability to eat whatever we want, the dining plan really does make sense for us.

 

[buckeyecinderella]

Okay so I'm going 11/13-11/20 staying at poly for me and DH honeymoon. I'm finding all these pictures of construction and closings and I have to say I am a little upset. I'm paying close to 520 a night and disney has not mentioned one thing to me about any construction. Is it worth changing hotels? I know you don't spend the whole time at the resort but its our honey moon we do want to spend half days lounging and relaxing at the resort too. It's DH first time and i want it to be magical not full of fences. What are your thoughts on staying at the poly with construction?

I was just there this morning and I don't think the current construction fences are that bad at all. They are covered with green screening material and I think it looks much better than the big walls around the Grand Floridian DVC construction area! I'm not sure what November will bring, but IMO what I've seen so far is not worth changing hotels for. Just keep your eye on new posts and pics so you know what to expect.

 

[buckeyecinderella]

I was also told today by two CM's that magic bands would be available in November and December. I was told once a resort tests it it stays on it. I am so excited as this will make our trip just that much easier. She also said the whole magic band project may be totally live to all resorts by then. They don't have specifics yet but the talk is that it will.

I am also having a BLAST picking out places for the dining plan. When I told my kids about the extra's like Disney Quest, Mini Golf, and the arcade card they got wicked excited. They have always wanted to go to Disney Quest and of course what boy doesn't like video games LOL. With all the extra's and the ability to eat whatever we want, the dining plan really does make sense for us.

We loved our magic bands! Didn't think I would at first but they were great! And being able to make ride ressies was great!

 

[karriealex]

We loved our magic bands! Didn't think I would at first but they were great! And being able to make ride ressies was great!

I am so looking forward to not having to pull out ten thousand cards ever time we do something and risk losing them. The FP+ is so great because you can pre-plan your most important rides and you don't have to get there at the crack of dawn just to be able to ride or get the fast pass for the ride.

 

[buckeyecinderella]

I am so looking forward to not having to pull out ten thousand cards ever time we do something and risk losing them. The FP+ is so great because you can pre-plan your most important rides and you don't have to get there at the crack of dawn just to be able to ride or get the fast pass for the ride.

Agree. However a couple of times the MB "readers" were not working so we had to pay the old fashioned way using our KTTW card. We still carried that, our park pass, Cc, and ID "just in case" but 99% if the time MB worked fine.

 

[karriealex]

Agree. However a couple of times the MB "readers" were not working so we had to pay the old fashioned way using our KTTW card. We still carried that, our park pass, Cc, and ID "just in case" but 99% if the time MB worked fine.

I plan on bringing our cards too 'Just in Case" but the less I have to pull out the cards the happier I will be. I wonder what people do if they don't bring their cards because they are relying on the system??

 

[buckeyecinderella]

I plan on bringing our cards too 'Just in Case" but the less I have to pull out the cards the happier I will be. I wonder what people do if they don't bring their cards because they are relying on the system??

It was so nice to not get into our wallets! I have no idea what wdw would do if you didn't have backup. They must have some system...I hope.

 

[michellerh1324]

My family will be at Poly the week of Thanksgiving for our first ever trip to Disney. I was able to make Fastpass+ reservations yesterday & also customize Magic Bands. So exciting!!!!!

 

[DznyCrzy11]

I plan on bringing our cards too 'Just in Case" but the less I have to pull out the cards the happier I will be. I wonder what people do if they don't bring their cards because they are relying on the system??

Yes, it was nice not having to pull cards out before entering the parks. We used our cc for making purchases because there have been reports of people being charged twice for purchases when using their MB so we didn't want to risk it. We were using the BB offer of FD, our first time on the dining plan and we liked it. For some reason, GS was not quite sure why, when we using pts from the dining plan, we had to use my DH's MB, mine would not work. Also, we had PH option. I had no problem getting into the 1st park of the day but had problems when trying to get into another park. I explained this to a CM at the entrance and they made a note of it. Since its still in the testing stage, there are still issues they have to work out.

Sent from my Galaxy SII

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

I'm getting stressed just reading this lol - I know we women think we have to do it all, but get the kids/hubby to help with the prepared meals, it could be fun. Don't know what the 3rd teacher call is about, but if he's in trouble, cleaning the cat box seems fitting

I like that idea! He IS helping today - a LOT! The call is about his forgetfulness about his homework - nothing horrifying but just another one of those things you have to deal with you know? He has ADHD and ODD (like me, go figure) but I refuse to let him use it as an excuse because it isn't like at work I get to say, hey, I have oppositional defiance disorder so you better just suck it up that I will disagree with you. I turned it into a positive and now find myself in high demand at work because I am the person that will always find every point of view and solution and drill into it rather than being the 'yes' person. I'm TRYING to teach my son that but alas, I am his mother and his ODD comes out most with me!

Oh, he's already cleaned his room, done the dishes, made dessert, prepped dinner, and is now cleaning the basement. TVs have all been turned off and locked for 2 weeks.

"Cold-FX" is your friend! Do they sell that in the US? If so, it helps!

I have never heard of Cold-FX - tell me more!

Airebourne is also another good product to keep you from getting sick. I know several people who swear by it.

I have tried Airborne and have some as well. I sincerely think it is the stress that I let get to me because other times when I fly for business, I don't get sick at all (and I fly a lot). It seems to be right before a vacation or the first couple of days. But I figure sick in Disney is better than well at work

 

[karriealex]

I like that idea! He IS helping today - a LOT! The call is about his forgetfulness about his homework - nothing horrifying but just another one of those things you have to deal with you know? He has ADHD and ODD (like me, go figure) but I refuse to let him use it as an excuse because it isn't like at work I get to say, hey, I have oppositional defiance disorder so you better just suck it up that I will disagree with you. I turned it into a positive and now find myself in high demand at work because I am the person that will always find every point of view and solution and drill into it rather than being the 'yes' person. I'm TRYING to teach my son that but alas, I am his mother and his ODD comes out most with me!

Oh, he's already cleaned his room, done the dishes, made dessert, prepped dinner, and is now cleaning the basement. TVs have all been turned off and locked for 2 weeks.



I have never heard of Cold-FX - tell me more!



I have tried Airborne and have some as well. I sincerely think it is the stress that I let get to me because other times when I fly for business, I don't get sick at all (and I fly a lot). It seems to be right before a vacation or the first couple of days. But I figure sick in Disney is better than well at work

Are we living the same life?? LOL!! I have gotten 2 calls this week on my ADHD son's missing homework.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Okay so I'm going 11/13-11/20 staying at poly for me and DH honeymoon. I'm finding all these pictures of construction and closings and I have to say I am a little upset. I'm paying close to 520 a night and disney has not mentioned one thing to me about any construction. Is it worth changing hotels? I know you don't spend the whole time at the resort but its our honey moon we do want to spend half days lounging and relaxing at the resort too. It's DH first time and i want it to be magical not full of fences. What are your thoughts on staying at the poly with construction?

Check out Tikiman's page and the construction thread for recent construction updates. As for what to do, you have to decide what you want out of the resort. If you are planning on staying in the Honeymoon suite, I believe that the building will not have affected views or construction around it. And if the restaurants, GCH, and pool are still open and not under construction at that time, will it really bother you that there is construction at the other end of the resort where you might only walk once or twice when you walk to the TTC to get the monorail to Epcot?

As for Disney notifying you, when did you book? Disney didn't even confirm the construction until just recently and they are sending letters. If you booked through a TA, perhaps the TA got the letter? Or perhaps they just haven't sent the letters to the November folks yet?

If it were me and the GCH, pool, restaurants, and monorail were still open, I would still go. BUT the pool is important to me so if it was closed, I would switch. Again, you have to decide what is right for you!

I was also told today by two CM's that magic bands would be available in November and December. I was told once a resort tests it it stays on it. I am so excited as this will make our trip just that much easier. She also said the whole magic band project may be totally live to all resorts by then. They don't have specifics yet but the talk is that it will.

I know you've been hoping that so this is great news!

I am so looking forward to not having to pull out ten thousand cards ever time we do something and risk losing them. The FP+ is so great because you can pre-plan your most important rides and you don't have to get there at the crack of dawn just to be able to ride or get the fast pass for the ride.

Totally agree!!!! I am so happy to have our fastpasses done! DH is happy we don't have to boogie in the AM just to get a fastpass for Soarin' and we can take our time instead!

It was so nice to not get into our wallets! I have no idea what wdw would do if you didn't have backup. They must have some system...I hope.

Yes, it was nice not having to pull cards out before entering the parks. We used our cc for making purchases because there have been reports of people being charged twice for purchases when using their MB so we didn't want to risk it. We were using the BB offer of FD, our first time on the dining plan and we liked it. For some reason, GS was not quite sure why, when we using pts from the dining plan, we had to use my DH's MB, mine would not work. Also, we had PH option. I had no problem getting into the 1st park of the day but had problems when trying to get into another park. I explained this to a CM at the entrance and they made a note of it. Since its still in the testing stage, there are still issues they have to work out.

Sent from my Galaxy SII

Thanks for that info! We aren't doing DDP this time (even the KTTW cards had issues!) so I'm glad not to stress about which meals we use and when and if they over 'charged' us. I was planning on using the MB for resort charges for all of us though so I'll be sure to save receipts and check the bill (I do that anyway but will be extra cautious). Like you said, it is still a 'test' so we are the guinea pigs

 

[karriealex]

Check out Tikiman's page and the construction thread for recent construction updates. As for what to do, you have to decide what you want out of the resort. If you are planning on staying in the Honeymoon suite, I believe that the building will not have affected views or construction around it. And if the restaurants, GCH, and pool are still open and not under construction at that time, will it really bother you that there is construction at the other end of the resort where you might only walk once or twice when you walk to the TTC to get the monorail to Epcot?

As for Disney notifying you, when did you book? Disney didn't even confirm the construction until just recently and they are sending letters. If you booked through a TA, perhaps the TA got the letter? Or perhaps they just haven't sent the letters to the November folks yet?

If it were me and the GCH, pool, restaurants, and monorail were still open, I would still go. BUT the pool is important to me so if it was closed, I would switch. Again, you have to decide what is right for you!



I know you've been hoping that so this is great news!



Totally agree!!!! I am so happy to have our fastpasses done! DH is happy we don't have to boogie in the AM just to get a fastpass for Soarin' and we can take our time instead!





Thanks for that info! We aren't doing DDP this time (even the KTTW cards had issues!) so I'm glad not to stress about which meals we use and when and if they over 'charged' us. I was planning on using the MB for resort charges for all of us though so I'll be sure to save receipts and check the bill (I do that anyway but will be extra cautious). Like you said, it is still a 'test' so we are the guinea pigs

We are doing the dining plan in December and when you said overcharged you that has me concerned. How did they overcharge you so I know what to look out for?

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Are we living the same life?? LOL!! I have gotten 2 calls this week on my ADHD son's missing homework.

DS is in 6th grade now and the middle school posts all attendance and assignments online - including missing assignments. This has been GREAT but we actually got calls from one of the teachers that doesn't seem to be using the online functionality - which is fine too. I'm just glad we can figure this out now. The worst is when the teacher lets it go for too long and then it is a much bigger 'thing' to deal with. We had that happen in the 3rd grade and when we got to 4th grade, the teacher identified it all up front and that's when we went through the whole thing to get the testing done for ADHD. Of course - his is inattentive like most boys. I'm the hyperactive type like most girls. I don't think DH would be happy with a phone call from my boss though