ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: October 2013

[Sue M]

I don't think anyone has an issue with non Poly guests sitting at Captain Cooks or the lounge, etc. or strolling along the beach. I believe the issue is them actually using the pool and blocking stairwells, patios, etc. of paying guests to watch the fireworks.

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Exactly. It's very disappointing to come back to your resort for a rest, only to find there are no pool lounges, swings or hammocks to relax on.
I enjoy grabbing a snack, drink, etc at another resort as much as anyone. I don't see any problem using a resorts public areas.

 

[EveClark]

Hi everyone!
We're currently booked at the Contemporary, but with all the talk of possible discounts at the Poly, we're thinking about switching... We've always dreamed of staying there but it's usually out of our budget. We don't get to WDW very often and each time we do, we'd like to stay at a new resort, so we thought this might be the time that we could try to make it work at the Poly...
Our vacation is Sept 14-19... I know that there isn't any way of knowing what will be happening at that time, but are there any possible ways to know what "probably" will be going on then? I've tried reading all of the posts on here as well as researching other places, but I'm afraid I'm a little overwhelmed with information and I may have missed something...
I know Capt Cook's has moved and I know the main pool will be closed, but neither of those are deal breakers for us.
I guess I'm just wondering how the rest of the resort will look and how much it will impact our stay there. I know that's very subjective since each person's threshold for what they can deal with is different, but I'd just be disappointed if we "wasted" our one Poly trip that we've always thought about because we tried to go this time with the possibility of discounts to make it fit in our budget...
Admittedly, I've never done any research on the Poly in the past because we've always had other hotels booked and I didn't want to spend time wishing for the Poly when I knew we weren't going to stay there. It's always been on our dream list and I thought with some of the other chatter about lots of people switching, lots of availability, and possible discounts, it might just be the time we can swing it. We would probably just go with a GV room since that's at the lower end of the rack rates. Even with a discount, we'd still probably stay with those... I'm sure that will set us up for some construction views but we're ok with that since we spend a lot of time in the parks during the day.
And and all help is greatly, greatly appreciated.
Thanks!!!

 

[TJA]

with all the talk of possible discounts at the Poly, we're thinking about switching... Our vacation is Sept 14-19... I know that there isn't any way of knowing what will be happening at that time, but are there any possible ways to know what "probably" will be going on then?

Can I ask what/where you have read about all the talk of possible discounts at Poly?

An excellent source of current up-to-date info is Tikiman's facebook page. He also has a website but I don't think I'm allowed to post the link. If you go to his facebook page, though, you can get to his website from there. He is very current on info and also has people post current pictures as they are there.

From recall, I think the main pool will be closed during your dates. There is a quiet pool there, and also there will be shuttle to the GF pool.

 

[TwoAtDisney]

Will be at WDW in May. Is Capn Cook's still there? Has it moved to another location? Is the Dole Whip machine still available? If not, is Dole Whip from the counter available? Not going to parks this short trip, but would still like some Dole Whip!

 

[horse11]

R/E Christmas pics. My favorite picture card of all time is one from some friends of ours who are a family of four. The wife, husband and older child look PERFECT with smiles and then the toddler is sitting on the mom's lap screaming with a squished up red face. They titled it "Merry Christmas from Mary, John, David and Mr Happy. It was the best Have a great vacay [/QUOTE]

That is too funny! I know this is getting off the subject of this thread but I have to share this because it is a hoot! The above reminds me of a Christmas card my best friend got from her sister in law. In the card was a picture of her sister laws preteen son and preteen daughter sitting on a picnic table. She happened to snap the picture just as the boy was reaching back to punch his sister who from the looks of picture has no idea he is about to do this. Now here is the best part: Inside the card it says, "Sending you joy,love and peace this Christmas season!" OMG I was on the floor I was laughing so hard. I would love to recreate that with my own kids for our Christmas card some time. Hey thanks for the laughs.

 

[Kristina4109]

Captain Cook's has moved to another location and alas, there are no Dole Whips available there.

 

[TwoAtDisney]

Thank you Kristina. How sad. Will miss the Dole Whip next month!

 

[Kristina4109]

And I'll miss them in June! WAH!

 

[Koh1977]

When will the Dole whips be back?

What long houses are closed then due to construction/DVC? (Or what will be closed this summer, specifically early July) I couldn't find specific closures on Tikiman's site for some reason...?

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[trishadono]

When will the Dole whips be back?

What long houses are closed then due to construction/DVC? (Or what will be closed this summer, specifically early July) I couldn't find specific closures on Tikiman's site for some reason...?

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Rumor no dole whips ever Actually I just came back to add I think there might be an ice cream shop in the lobby that serves Dole Whips. That is a rumor not fact at this point.

The 3 buildings on side towards TTC. Tokelau , Tahiti and RapaNui.

 

[Aristocath]

Rumor no dole whips ever Actually I just came back to add I think there might be an ice cream shop in the lobby that serves Dole Whips. That is a rumor not fact at this point.

The 3 buildings on side towards TTC. Tokelau , Tahiti and RapaNui.

I believe they are saying self serve Dole Whips won't be back- in the new Captain Cooks you will order them from a person like at Aloha Isle. Maybe we will be able to get a Dole Whip Float at CCs!

 

[dansdad]

What long houses are closed then due to construction/DVC? (Or what will be closed this summer, specifically early July) I couldn't find specific closures on Tikiman's site for some reason...?

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From Tikiman's April 14 update Tokelau, Tahiti and Rapa Nui.

It seems that Disney is getting much more interest in the new Disney Vacation Club part of the property than they have with any other DVC property. With this increase in interest they are now saying that they will convert Tokelau into DVC units along with Tahiti and Rapa Nui. This is the first I have ever heard them mention doing this so it seems that the increased interest is now driving decisions to change the plan. I was very surprised but I guess it makes sense to convert Tokelau since it has the larger rooms like Tahiti and Rapa Nui. With the rooms in these 3 longhouses at 465 sqft it would make them the largest studios in all of the DVC collection. If I did my math right, the Polynesian studios should be 90 sqft larger than the Grand Floridian studios. It will be interesting if they change their plan and make some of the Tokelau rooms one bedrooms since so far the new walls up in Tahiti and Rapa Nui look like they are all studios. The only problem I see is you would never have the option of a one bedroom with a lagoon or Themepark view. With those 3 longhouses out of the main inventory, this will leave 486 rooms available to non-DVC owners. This would be the same amount of rooms that were at the resort when it opened in 1971.

 

[Sue M]

I read that too about Tokelau. it was my fav longhouse.

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

I read that too about Tokelau. it was my fav longhouse.

This! After reading about Tokelau closure, it made me so sad. I was already bummed over Tahiti being taken over by DVC and the general view for about half of the beaches being ruined by those water bungalows. But Tokelau was our favorite building too! With the large rooms, the proximity to the TTC and the bust stop as well as the great views from either side, it was awesome.

I just find it ridiculous that they have put DVC on this end of the resort. It would have made so much more sense to put DVC on the Luau end. It would have been closer to the VGF and would not have impacted the TPV rooms for Tahiti and Hawaii. The marina would have been a natural split between the two sides. It seems they are actually giving the DVC owners/renters the premium locations while putting the hotel guests in a lesser category.

Sorry to be so negative but this Tokelau closure really puts it over the edge for me......

 

[LoveMickeyMouse]

Does anyone have a picture of the temporary Captain Cooks? How about a picture of the menu? I don't have access to facebook to see what is out there from Tikiman.

 

[Mommy2TwoMickeys]

Does anyone have a picture of the temporary Captain Cooks? How about a picture of the menu? I don't have access to facebook to see what is out there from Tikiman.

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2014/...porary-location-at-disneys-polynesian-resort/

 

[Mommy2TwoMickeys]

Unfortunately, I will not be staying at the Polynesian this year BUT on a happier note, I will be stopping at the Poly in 36 days for some sushi and a Lapu Lapu! I will try and post pics here

 

[Sue M]

This! After reading about Tokelau closure, it made me so sad. I was already bummed over Tahiti being taken over by DVC and the general view for about half of the beaches being ruined by those water bungalows. But Tokelau was our favorite building too! With the large rooms, the proximity to the TTC and the bust stop as well as the great views from either side, it was awesome.

I just find it ridiculous that they have put DVC on this end of the resort. It would have made so much more sense to put DVC on the Luau end. It would have been closer to the VGF and would not have impacted the TPV rooms for Tahiti and Hawaii. The marina would have been a natural split between the two sides. It seems they are actually giving the DVC owners/renters the premium locations while putting the hotel guests in a lesser category.

Sorry to be so negative but this Tokelau closure really puts it over the edge for me......

I agree. I would have liked that location for DVC too, and don't understand the reasoning for putting the DVC in the existing resort. It's the only DVC that has intruded like this

 

[DisneyChristmas]

Sorry if this offends anyone, but I am glad. I spent a bundle to stay at the Poly and when we went to the pool there were only a few table with chairs and we could not find even a single empty chair. As I was standing beside a group of people I overheard laughing about those who pay so much to stay at poly when they just come over on the monorail for the day! They were using an umbrella table and taken additional chairs as well that just had shoes or towels on them.
Also when we went to beach to watch fireworks same people were there taking up "prime" space in an area where there is limited space for Poly guests to begin with! I have seen a post on these boards suggesting that non-guests actually go up stairs on sides of long houses and watch fireworks from there. Why should these people be able to enjoy for free what the rest of us have to pay for?!

Thank you! My thoughts exactly.

 

[Circusgirl]

This! After reading about Tokelau closure, it made me so sad. I was already bummed over Tahiti being taken over by DVC and the general view for about half of the beaches being ruined by those water bungalows. But Tokelau was our favorite building too! With the large rooms, the proximity to the TTC and the bust stop as well as the great views from either side, it was awesome.

I just find it ridiculous that they have put DVC on this end of the resort. It would have made so much more sense to put DVC on the Luau end. It would have been closer to the VGF and would not have impacted the TPV rooms for Tahiti and Hawaii. The marina would have been a natural split between the two sides. It seems they are actually giving the DVC owners/renters the premium locations while putting the hotel guests in a lesser category.

Sorry to be so negative but this Tokelau closure really puts it over the edge for me......

I'm right there with you. It seems like so many rooms going out of inventory! I don't understand why they didn't build a tower at the back of the property in addition to the existing resort, as they did at the Grand. I'm shocked that the DVC has taken so much priority. It has had so much more impact here than anywhere else.

With Aulani and Disney Springs they've released concept art and plans in a positive and anticipatory way. I wish they would just reveal the design for whatever the Poly is going to be when they get done. Maybe then we would at least have something to look forward to.

I've been in mourning for a place that I know will never be the same. Kevin Yee has a poignant and interesting article up at MiceChat.com that talks about this on a World-wide scale.

I send you a hug!