ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: October 2013

[WDWHarpua]

Any chance to get some more updated construction photos? I've heard that Sunset Point is gone, Say it ain't so! That's where we got married!

 

[margaret07013]

I will take pics tomorrow in the evening - PM your email and I will send you pics.

I mean it looks ugly and resort more and more reminds of a construction zone than a deluxe resort. But at the same time - we are here for time in parks than spending time at GCH.

It still great place and I would and will come back to Poly in 1-2 yrs but you will get a sense that the place is going through changes and lacks the "focus". I will provide more details once I get home in 3 days. I get it why people fall in love with the place - and definitely I like the hotel, but you must be blind not to see the short comings on staff count, lack of amenities listed as provided but not present and to say mildly lack of staff focus on customer service - nothing big but one would expect basic stuff.

Noooooooo! Heading there in 10 days. Was so hoping it would be pushed back. If someone is there and can take a pic, I would appreciate it! Maybe it won't look as bad as I have pictured in my mind....I hope!

 

[pixarmom]

Sadly, we give up. We finally made our decision today to cancel our December 2014 week that we'd booked for CL-TPV. With the loss of TPV, the GCH construction, pool closing, blocked walkways, and what appears to be drawn-out construction period, we're just going to let our reservation go. We've spent many wonderful Christmas times at the Poly since 1998, but this is all too discouraging.

We decided to go with GF instead of Poly for the MK area portion of our January trip for the same reason. Just stayed at Poly end of March / beginning of April and it was fine then for a short stay, but we'll wait until the construction is finished for our next stay.

I know I'm really in the minority here, but I just had to mention that I'm excited about the changes. My first stay at Poly was over 30 years ago, and it's very sentimental to me. I have super funny memories (and photos!) of my little brother and me in front of that waterfall in all our early 80s glory! But I'm fine with the changes and it could be beautiful looking straight through the lobby to the pool and lagoon. From now to then will be a while, but we're planning to return to our regularly scheduled Poly stays in 2016.

 

[Darth Hideous]

Is the pool closed during our stay of June 11-16th? I'm starting to regret this. We saved up for two years for a club level stay. No mention of this when we booked thru Disney a couple of weeks ago.

 

[trishadono]

Is the pool closed during our stay of June 11-16th? I'm starting to regret this. We saved up for two years for a club level stay. No mention of this when we booked thru Disney a couple of weeks ago.

My trip just before yours. Pool open!!!

People are reporting the pool is much quieter due to less traffic

The restaurants are all open. (CC's is in a temp location though)

The lobby water fall coming down now but the beach and view of the castle

The rooms were just refurbished last year too

I have stayed in Hawaii before and from there the construction will feel minimal. You will enjoy breakfast from the lounge and watch wishes in the airconditioned comfort at night too.

Only you can decide but how much time do you spend in the lobby on a hot summers day? Me , I'll be on the beach with a rum drink

 

[Aristocath]

Frankly, I'm getting more excited about our Poly stay because it sounds like no one wants to stay there. Should be nice and quiet!

I hope the Poly staff keeps all the people who don't want to pay to stay at the Poly during construction off the beach for fireworks during the 4th of July. I'm sure that sounds mean but I hope they do.

 

[Gillespiedisney]

If I request Fiji marina side in November will that be an issue if the volcano pool is closed?? It looks right at the volcano? If so should I request another longhouse for standard view?

 

[Darth Hideous]

My trip just before yours. Pool open!!!

People are reporting the pool is much quieter due to less traffic

The restaurants are all open. (CC's is in a temp location though)

The lobby water fall coming down now but the beach and view of the castle

The rooms were just refurbished last year too

I have stayed in Hawaii before and from there the construction will feel minimal. You will enjoy breakfast from the lounge and watch wishes in the airconditioned comfort at night too.

Only you can decide but how much time do you spend in the lobby on a hot summers day? Me , I'll be on the beach with a rum drink

Thanks for the info. I don't know where else we would go at this late in the game. We will overcome! Don't know how many B-fests we'll get. Going to be getting up pretty early

 

[trishadono]

Thanks for the info. I don't know where else we would go at this late in the game. We will overcome! Don't know how many B-fests we'll get. Going to be getting up pretty early

They put the food out at 7am. There are plenty of to-go containers. Put some fruit or danish in the oatmeal to -go cups and eat them later. They are excellent there about having things available to take with you. Don't forget your flatware and napkins

 

[Darth Hideous]

Well aren't you the best. We will try that. We never got the "call" for the help planning and ADRs. I've been scrambling, trying to get things taken care of . Downloaded Darth Vader's voice for the GPS as a surprise on the way. Have some SW figures to dole out every once and a while during the 10 hour ride. Bought new sunscreen(s) and other supplies. Made the doggie reservations.
GETTING EXCITED? I am!

 

[trishadono]

Well aren't you the best. We will try that. We never got the "call" for the help planning and ADRs. I've been scrambling, trying to get things taken care of . Downloaded Darth Vader's voice for the GPS as a surprise on the way. Have some SW figures to dole out every once and a while during the 10 hour ride. Bought new sunscreen(s) and other supplies. Made the doggie reservations.
GETTING EXCITED? I am!

That sounds like fun

That gps sounds awesome

Back to the food in the lounge. I often fit 3 cookies in the oatmeal cups and take with me for waiting in lines. I love fruit in the afternoon so I pack some either in morning or evening and put away in frig in our room. I also grab a wine at night and put in frig for when we get back late.

I have 3 weeks but couldn't take it and did most of my packing yesterday! dd home from college today and I know I will be busy with her so I got it done.

 

[horse11]

Yes

I'll keep an eye on it for ya and let ya know if anything else comes up. I am watching too since my trip just after yours.

Just an FYI. I went on Tikiman's Facebook page. As others have said the walls are now up and the waterfall is shut down. IMOP this is the end of the waterfall. I doubt they would start it back up again. I hope I am wrong. It really stinks to have come so close to being able to see it and have our picture taken in front of it. We leave for our trip this Tuesday and will be at the Poly for the Aloha Dinner Show on Wensday. So close but so far. Such a shame. I am not going to let it bring me down. I spoke with Disney Fine Art Photography today and choose to still keep our Photo session at the Poly. We have made a plan to have the pictures taken by with the Wedding Chappel and the beach in the background. We may take a few by the Luau area as well. All will work out but man to have come soooooo close.

 

[IDreamofPoly]

Is there a scheduled date that they will close the pool? We will be at Poly on June 18-24 and I'm just trying to mentally prepare myself for what I will see.

 

[trishadono]

Is there a scheduled date that they will close the pool? We will be at Poly on June 18-24 and I'm just trying to mentally prepare myself for what I will see.

July 28.

 

[blackmamba10000]

Frankly, I'm getting more excited about our Poly stay because it sounds like no one wants to stay there. Should be nice and quiet!

I hope the Poly staff keeps all the people who don't want to pay to stay at the Poly during construction off the beach for fireworks during the 4th of July. I'm sure that sounds mean but I hope they do.

That's a positive way of thinking about it! I like your thinking. 9 more days!! Sooo excited!

 

[IDreamofPoly]

July 28.

Thank you Trishadono! Seems like we always miss each other at WDW by 2 weeks or so! Last year you were at GF 2 weeks before us and now Poly 2.5 weeks before us. lol

 

[trishadono]

Thank you Trishadono! Seems like we always miss each other at WDW by 2 weeks or so! Last year you were at GF 2 weeks before us and now Poly 2.5 weeks before us. lol

Maybe next time

 

[jimmytammy]

My DW and I are staying at the Poly this Wed-Sun for our 24th anniv. This will be our 1st trip without kids. We have always wanted to stay at the Poly, though we have visited many times at Ohana and Kona, never really hung out at the resort. So, is there anything we should be sure to do, see, etc. that will make our time there all the more memorable?

We are aware of the construction, but I am in construction, so I understand the necessity.

 

[mom2jcg]

July 28.

Where did you find this? I have called and spoken to two different CMs, one in reservations and one at the Poly and both said they saw nothing on the agenda for the pool. I am so frustrated! We are going in September and it's hard to imagine paying those prices and not having the volcano pool. Is it one of those things where it's "not official" but seems to be fairly common knowledge?
Thanks!

 

[maiapapaya]

My DW and I are staying at the Poly this Wed-Sun for our 24th anniv. This will be our 1st trip without kids. We have always wanted to stay at the Poly, though we have visited many times at Ohana and Kona, never really hung out at the resort. So, is there anything we should be sure to do, see, etc. that will make our time there all the more memorable?

We are aware of the construction, but I am in construction, so I understand the necessity.

I would suggest the torch lighting, on non-luau nights around 6:15 (check the activity listings), the EWP from the beach, hula lessons in the lobby ... have a magical anniversary trip!

Where did you find this? I have called and spoken to two different CMs, one in reservations and one at the Poly and both said they saw nothing on the agenda for the pool. I am so frustrated! We are going in September and it's hard to imagine paying those prices and not having the volcano pool. Is it one of those things where it's "not official" but seems to be fairly common knowledge?
Thanks!

Tikiman had that date posted, and there was somewhere else, maybe a TA confirmed? I can't remember specifics, but there's been more than one source. Most phone CM's (don't have updated info on stuff like that unless it's already underway. I'm surprised the Poly CM you spoke to didn't know about this. As I've mentioned in previous posts, a friend spoke to a customer service CM from the Poly a few months ago and she told her that by the fall the resort is "going to be a mess."