ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: October 2013

[flip526]

Sorry if it has been mentioned before, but if guests are allowed to use the GF pool once the Poly main pool closes, how would that work? Swipe your band and you're good to go?

 

[trishadono]

Sorry if it has been mentioned before, but if guests are allowed to use the GF pool once the Poly main pool closes, how would that work? Swipe your band and you're good to go?

It has been reported that poly guests can't use the pool at gf.

Guests are given a one day pass to a water park with a dedicated line at the park and free towels.

Once they announced that many moved to cr or gf.

Tikiman's facebook page and his site has more info if needed.

 

[maiapapaya]

If we were to stay at the Poly this October, what should we expect? Will the quick serve restaurant be open by then? Are they planning on closing 'Ohanas at all? Will the entire resort be under construction?

I would love to stay there, the closing of the main pool really doesn't bother me but I just haven't really seen a comprehensive timeline of what will be open/closed at what times of the year.

Thank you!

By October CC's is supposed to be reopened. I don't know what the schedule is for the other restaurants (I don't think that's been reported yet). Otherwise, there will pretty much be construction everywhere. There will be construction going on in the GCH (walls currently up in the lobby, around the old arcade & CC's, and upstairs), on the beach for DVC (not very intrusive, since it's off to one side), construction walls up around the longhouses that are being converted to DVC (the walkway through the resort to the TTC is being closed off, although you can still walk over via the roadway I believe) and there will be construction walls up around the volcano pool. There are some good pictures on Tikiman's facebook page that people have been posting of the current state of things. The resort basically looks like a big construction site IMO (with the exception that the walls aren't up yet around the pool, but they will be by October)

Again, wrt timelines, more info can be found on Tikiman's facebook page or website.

 

[cindilou1977]

We just got back from the Polynesian. We didn't find the construction to be too bad during our visit (we stayed in Hawaii). However, I would not stay here during the pool closure. Already, the one whole side of the resort is under construction. I cant imagine adding the pool to that.

At least it was quiet, there did not appear to be many people at the resort (although club level was full).

 

[MomofDisneyLoversx3]

Hi Poly People!
I'm Heather! I'm a Disney vet but have never stayed at the Poly. Planned to stay here during the Wine & Dine half marathon weekend, however due to a big family drama I have completely replanned our August trip. I currently have the clan booked in two CL rooms at the Poly, but also booked an executive suite at the Dolphin. I plan on watching the construction process and decide how much inconvenience it will be for our trip. I am trying to read the entire thread and apologize if I ask questions that have already been asked!

The crew for this trip includes myself, my DD 13, DD 8, DS 4, my mom and dad, and my baby brother and his best friend. My kids are frequent WDW guests and within the past 18 months I have introduced both my brother and mom to the wonders of kids in WDW, deluxe hotels, and CL. My dad has only been to WDW once, years ago. He is always working, volunteering, traveling for work, etc; I want to really make this trip magical for him. I want him to have a relaxing, pampering trip. Super nervous about the construction interfering- hence the back up resort. Not an over-planner :

I had planned to rent a cabana for out last day; are they still available with the pool construction?

Sorry this is long winded!

 

[BelleinPA]

cindylou1977, We are thinking about staying CL at the Poly in August. How was the noise level in the Hawaii building from the construction? Where you facing the lagoon or quiet pool? How is the view from the lounge?

 

[dmetcalfrn]

cindylou1977, We are thinking about staying CL at the Poly in August. How was the noise level in the Hawaii building from the construction? Where you facing the lagoon or quiet pool? How is the view from the lounge?

We just stayed 5/22-5/26 in Poly CL on 3rd floor facing east pool. We did not hear any construction noise. The view from the lounge was the same from the pictures with the bungalow construction on the right.

 

[ElenaJane]

Aloha! We got back from Poly last week. This thread (and of course Tikiman!) had us very well prepared! THANK YOU!

I have started a trip report that has a lot of Poly photos in it, in case you wanted to see some of the latest.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3281899

 

[cindilou1977]

cindylou1977, We are thinking about staying CL at the Poly in August. How was the noise level in the Hawaii building from the construction? Where you facing the lagoon or quiet pool? How is the view from the lounge?

We specifically requested the quiet pool and heard zero construction noise from our room. We had originally asked for the first floor but they had no rooms except those facing the construction and even the conceirge said he would not want to be in those rooms and suggested that we didn't change.

The view from the lounge is nice although you can see part of the bungalows in the right corner. During the weekend, there is no construction going on but it was weird seeing the construction during the weekdays. I don't know why they pushed the bungalows that far into Hawaii's viewing area unless they are planning to change which building is their conceirge.

I will say if the pool is closed you will be surrounded by construction. The main walkway to the building is right by the pool area from the GCH. All of the buildings on the other side of the quiet pool are closed off.

 

[mathdisney]

We have decided not to switch to another resort. The main pool will be open the week we are there. I was wondering what room requests are recommended. This is our first trip to the poly, and any tips are greatly appreciated.

 

[Aristocath]

We have decided not to switch to another resort. The main pool will be open the week we are there. I was wondering what room requests are recommended. This is our first trip to the poly, and any tips are greatly appreciated.

It's really up to you but I recommend going to Tikiman's website and reading about the longhouses. Are you standard view or lagoon view or theme park view? Three of the longhouses are closed to turn into DVC and half of two others will close due to pool construction. Read up on this thread to see about that.

Since the pool will be open for our trip I'm not too concerned about construction. Have a great trip!

 

[c3ltspirit]

I am new to the DIS boards and would appreciate any advice you all have. My husband and I are signed up for Dopey 2015 and are currently booked at POR for 1/6-1/16. We want a few days after the race craze to enjoy the parks -admittedly I am trying to extend it a couple more days so we might be there until 1/18. It will be just our second trip to WDW and we want to make the best of it (we spent last Christmas there at CBR). We both would love to try a deluxe and Poly has always looked so beautiful. We did the Luau when we were there and my husband asked why we weren't staying at Poly instead. I have poured over Tikiman's thread and still have a few questions:

1. Since we will be there for the marathon, which longhouse would be ideal (closest to the bus/monorail, etc)? We love walking but don't want to be so far out that the mornings of the races that it would be an insane walk. We are not pool goers and have no problems walking to/from dining places. The race is our main concern.

2. I would love a lagoon view but I have to be honest -a castle view seems tempting. With all of the construction -which longhouse still provides the best views? And what would I request for my reservation? I would also want a patio (first floor is preferable).

3. Since we haven't been to Poly before -how much would the construction affect our enjoyment of the resort? We are pretty laid back but I don't want it to be a frustrating experience.

I might have more questions later. I still feel so new to all of this. I love planning (that is a huge part of the enjoyment for me) and want to make sure I don't miss anything. Thanks

 

[Tikiman]

I am new to the DIS boards and would appreciate any advice you all have. My husband and I are signed up for Dopey 2015 and are currently booked at POR for 1/6-1/16. We want a few days after the race craze to enjoy the parks -admittedly I am trying to extend it a couple more days so we might be there until 1/18. It will be just our second trip to WDW and we want to make the best of it (we spent last Christmas there at CBR). We both would love to try a deluxe and Poly has always looked so beautiful. We did the Luau when we were there and my husband asked why we weren't staying at Poly instead. I have poured over Tikiman's thread and still have a few questions:

1. Since we will be there for the marathon, which longhouse would be ideal (closest to the bus/monorail, etc)? We love walking but don't want to be so far out that the mornings of the races that it would be an insane walk. We are not pool goers and have no problems walking to/from dining places. The race is our main concern.

2. I would love a lagoon view but I have to be honest -a castle view seems tempting. With all of the construction -which longhouse still provides the best views? And what would I request for my reservation? I would also want a patio (first floor is preferable).

3. Since we haven't been to Poly before -how much would the construction affect our enjoyment of the resort? We are pretty laid back but I don't want it to be a frustrating experience.

I might have more questions later. I still feel so new to all of this. I love planning (that is a huge part of the enjoyment for me) and want to make sure I don't miss anything. Thanks

The whole resort could be walked from end to end in less than 8 minutes. No longhouse is more than a 3 or 4 minute walk to the bus stop. I can’t imagine that if you are doing a marathon that there is a walk at the Polynesian that will be too far but on each of my longhouse pages is a map of the resort showing the longhouse. If you click on it you will get walking times and to be honest those walking times are if you were walking very slowly.

http://www.tikimanpages.com/poly/the-resort/longhouses

There are only two longhouses outside of club level that have lagoon or Themepark View rooms. Out of the two (Aotearoa and Tuvalu) there are only 5 rooms on the first floor that have Themepark View rooms so you would be very limited. Second floors have no balconies.

The beginning of 2015 will still have the middle of the resort where the pool is under construction but construction inside the lobby should be done or close to done by then.

 

[TaraPA]

Just back from a long weekend at Poly. Trishadono - we never ran into you LOL!! We were 3rd floor Samoa, the last room on the end right by Hawaii. Had a great view of GF.

This was my 2nd trip to Poly during the construction (was also there in March) and I have to say I will be waiting to book again until its done. The lobby is just a sad shell of its former self. I'm wishing for better things to come when its done! I'm so tired of seeing construction walls & construction workers after this trip! I didn't notice any construction noise while in the room, but I spent 90 min. at the quiet pool yesterday morning from 10-11:30 and it was very loud & noticeable. I couldn't hear the beautiful Polynesian music that is usually playing, and that really adds to the ambiance of the resort. I did notice the beep beep beep of construction equipment in reverse a few times when walking the grounds during the day.

They did a great job with Captain Cook's. The temporary location is plenty big & set up just fine. The staff there (and at the front desk) were awesome as usual.

While my next few trips will be elsewhere, I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that the improvements will be astonishing! And of course I will visit my beloved Poly while on property, to check on the progress, and to enjoy Kona Café & Ohana.

 

[trishadono]

For those of you arriving soon:

Noise level is tolerable. Probably less so for repeat guests since we have seen it "whole" before.

It really doesn't look too bad now. The construction is contained so really you don't notice unless walking to/from TTC.

The pool is EMPTY!! There has only been about 20-25 people in there when we have been there. Mind you, it's June!! We have been beach/pool 11am-1pm.
I finally talked dd into going on pool slide today and only 2/3 people in front of us both times

For CL :

No yogurt
No paper products out , have to ask.
I stayed CL twice last year but this time very busy. 8am and 5pm tables are full.

We booked GV CL and given 1511. That is 1st floor lagoon side. Watched wishes from bed last night(door open to hear music piped in from outside)

I did see hair wrap station, fire at night with marshmallows, and pool party 1-6pm today.

We check out tomorrow am so any questions I will try to check back later.

Love our view! When sitting in lounge chair in room the gf is straight ahead

 

[trishadono]

Tara we were posting same time!

I found you on Tikiman's so I knew what you looked like but weather kept us off beech sat and sun

We cheated, we got CC's to go and ate in the CL lounge with view of castle

 

[Manicgamer]

My wife, my son and I are planning a trip to Disney in September of 2014. Curious as to thoughts on the progress of the construction at that time and what may be open in September that is not open currently. Any help would be much appreciated!

 

[NicoleLarson]

For those of you arriving soon:

Noise level is tolerable. Probably less so for repeat guests since we have seen it "whole" before.

It really doesn't look too bad now. The construction is contained so really you don't notice unless walking to/from TTC.

The pool is EMPTY!! There has only been about 20-25 people in there when we have been there. Mind you, it's June!! We have been beach/pool 11am-1pm.
I finally talked dd into going on pool slide today and only 2/3 people in front of us both times

For CL :

No yogurt
No paper products out , have to ask.
I stayed CL twice last year but this time very busy. 8am and 5pm tables are full.

We booked GV CL and given 1511. That is 1st floor lagoon side. Watched wishes from bed last night(door open to hear music piped in from outside)

I did see hair wrap station, fire at night with marshmallows, and pool party 1-6pm today.

We check out tomorrow am so any questions I will try to check back later.

Love our view! When sitting in lounge chair in room the gf is straight ahead

I am wanting to eat at kona for lunch in 2 weeks. How's the construction in the GCH? Will we be hearing hammers and saws all lunch long?

 

[Aristocath]

For those of you arriving soon:

Noise level is tolerable. Probably less so for repeat guests since we have seen it "whole" before.

It really doesn't look too bad now. The construction is contained so really you don't notice unless walking to/from TTC.

The pool is EMPTY!! There has only been about 20-25 people in there when we have been there. Mind you, it's June!! We have been beach/pool 11am-1pm.
I finally talked dd into going on pool slide today and only 2/3 people in front of us both times

For CL :

No yogurt
No paper products out , have to ask.
I stayed CL twice last year but this time very busy. 8am and 5pm tables are full.

We booked GV CL and given 1511. That is 1st floor lagoon side. Watched wishes from bed last night(door open to hear music piped in from outside)

I did see hair wrap station, fire at night with marshmallows, and pool party 1-6pm today.

We check out tomorrow am so any questions I will try to check back later.

Love our view! When sitting in lounge chair in room the gf is straight ahead

So is the path to the TTC rerouted by the parking lot?

Also, my son is a runner and was planning on running the path to the GF- I told him the whole path by Sunset Point is out. Do you think he will have a lot of trouble running around the resort in the wee hours of the morning?

Thanks!

 

[Angieandsteve]

I am wanting to eat at kona for lunch in 2 weeks. How's the construction in the GCH? Will we be hearing hammers and saws all lunch long?

We have been here since Sunday and eaten at Kona once and been to the GCH at least 10 times. Haven't heard any construction noise at all!