ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: October 2013

[disny_luvr]

We loved our stay in Samoa. There are no balconies on the 2nd floor so 3rd floor balcony would have to be a request if you wanted a balcony, but we loved the central location .

I am soooo glad to hear this! I've been to the Poly many times to eat/visit but I've never stayed there. I didn't know what to request so after looking at a map and reading Tikiman's website, I had my TA request Samoa, third floor.

 

[mindy20]

So after the fall discount came out and I couldn't get anything at GF, I'm thinking if switching to poly GVCL, how near Hawaii is the Construction ? Our trip is Oct. 28-Nov. 3 will Captain Cooks be open ? I was told yesterday by a CM that Poly guests would be shuttled to GF for pool. Is that right ? We stayed here last Sept and loved it but I am worried about staying again for the construction. I'm just wondering for those who have been there is the construction tolerable ? Is the walkway to Ticket Transportation still open ?

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

So after the fall discount came out and I couldn't get anything at GF, I'm thinking if switching to poly GVCL, how near Hawaii is the Construction ? Our trip is Oct. 28-Nov. 3 will Captain Cooks be open ? I was told yesterday by a CM that Poly guests would be shuttled to GF for pool. Is that right ? We stayed here last Sept and loved it but I am worried about staying again for the construction. I'm just wondering for those who have been there is the construction tolerable ? Is the walkway to Ticket Transportation still open ?

This is what I know from reading Poly updates on this site and Tikiman's site:
1-Hawaii LV is close to the DVC bungalow construction. Also, the volcano pool is pretty close to Hawaii and major work in that area starts soon. From what I've read the entire resort is pretty much a construction zone.
1-Captain Cook's was supposed to open next month but is delayed and is scheduled to open is September.
2-Poly guests won't have use of the GF pool. The Poly east (quiet) pool will be available and Poly guests are receiving a complimentary one-day ticket to Blizzard Beach.
3-The old walkway to the T&TC is closed but there is an alternative walkway that goes in front of the Polynesian by the parking lot.

We love the Poly and usually stay there. However, personally for our family, the construction was just too extensive so we decided to stay at the GF for our Oct 18-24 trip.

 

[mickeynut1]

I am soooo glad to hear this! I've been to the Poly many times to eat/visit but I've never stayed there. I didn't know what to request so after looking at a map and reading Tikiman's website, I had my TA request Samoa, third floor.

I hope you have a great time and get your requests met .

So after the fall discount came out and I couldn't get anything at GF, I'm thinking if switching to poly GVCL, how near Hawaii is the Construction ? Our trip is Oct. 28-Nov. 3 will Captain Cooks be open ? I was told yesterday by a CM that Poly guests would be shuttled to GF for pool. Is that right ? We stayed here last Sept and loved it but I am worried about staying again for the construction. I'm just wondering for those who have been there is the construction tolerable ? Is the walkway to Ticket Transportation still open ?

Unless it's changed, Poly guests get a 1 day Blizzard Beach ticket rather than the use of another resort's pool. The original plan was to allow Poly guests to use the GF pool (with a shuttle provided), but from what I understand, that has been taken away and only the water park ticket is being offered. I can't answer about Captain Cooks or whether or not the construction is tolerable as we haven't been since this all started, but hopefully someone who is there now or has been recently will be able to give some input .

 

[mystery222184]

Good Morning everyone!

Even while planning forever, we are running out of time to pack! With a wedding to go to tonight, and a 6am flight Sunday, it's down to tmrw!

Funny how I always try to book the earliest flight to get to the resort as quickly as possible and make the tail end of breakfast in the lounge ... Even tho I quickly regret it when waking up at 4am for our flights! Lol

I hope everyone currently at the Poly is having a fantastic trip. Construction aside, it's still the Poly, and it's still Disney right!!

 

[Aristocath]

Well, I'm really late getting back but I did want to give a report on our Poly stay from June 28-July 8. We got our room request of Samoa, third floor and our room overlooked the volcano pool. It was a great location! I understand it has now been taken out of inventory because of construction but we loved the location. Mousekeeping was excellent for our ten night stay.

We found the Poly staff to be extremely helpful and fun during our stay. My husband is wheat free and the Captain Cook's staff was super helpful about accommodating his needs and the manager remembered him each time he went in. We had a great lunch at Kona one day and made several trips to Kona Island for coffee and they even had shaved ice on July 4th. We did not eat at 'Ohana this trip.

The resort was very quiet and not crowded at all until July 3 and especially July 4. If I could have Disney do anything different, it would be to reserve beach areas for the fireworks for all guests staying at the Poly and make the visitors scramble for the leftover beach space. They did this for guests staying in Hawaii.

One morning as we were walking to the GCH I noticed a wall that hadn't been there the night before. I mentioned it to my son and a front desk manager happened to be walking by at the time. We visited and he explained where the new Dole Whip location would be and about the CC remodel.

The construction on the bungalows did not affect us at all. We watched remodeling occur at Tangoroa Terrace since we walked by every day on our way to the TTC or bus stop. The walk to the TTC wasn't bad, it just wasn't as pretty as before. The boat to MK ran early since the monorail hours are shortened but we never found transportation to be a problem.

We had a lovely stay but I'm glad we went when we did. I know a lot more has been torn up since our visit and I imagine it isn't as serene with the center of the resort a mess. I'll admit I wouldn't want to stay there in the heat of the summer without the main pool. We used it almost every day for our afternoon break. We visited several other resorts on this trip and I can say that the Poly has great transportation options.

We won't be back at Disney for probably another 4 years since we have some other vacation plans and our next visit probably won't be for ten nights. But I think we will stay at the Poly then, too. Even with construction everywhere it was such a great feeling and the people are fabulous. Anyway, I hope this helps someone!

 

[mystery222184]

Well, I'm really late getting back but I did want to give a report on our Poly stay from June 28-July 8. We got our room request of Samoa, third floor and our room overlooked the volcano pool. It was a great location! I understand it has now been taken out of inventory because of construction but we loved the location. Mousekeeping was excellent for our ten night stay. We found the Poly staff to be extremely helpful and fun during our stay. My husband is wheat free and the Captain Cook's staff was super helpful about accommodating his needs and the manager remembered him each time he went in. We had a great lunch at Kona one day and made several trips to Kona Island for coffee and they even had shaved ice on July 4th. We did not eat at 'Ohana this trip. The resort was very quiet and not crowded at all until July 3 and especially July 4. If I could have Disney do anything different, it would be to reserve beach areas for the fireworks for all guests staying at the Poly and make the visitors scramble for the leftover beach space. They did this for guests staying in Hawaii. One morning as we were walking to the GCH I noticed a wall that hadn't been there the night before. I mentioned it to my son and a front desk manager happened to be walking by at the time. We visited and he explained where the new Dole Whip location would be and about the CC remodel. The construction on the bungalows did not affect us at all. We watched remodeling occur at Tangoroa Terrace since we walked by every day on our way to the TTC or bus stop. The walk to the TTC wasn't bad, it just wasn't as pretty as before. The boat to MK ran early since the monorail hours are shortened but we never found transportation to be a problem. We had a lovely stay but I'm glad we went when we did. I know a lot more has been torn up since our visit and I imagine it isn't as serene with the center of the resort a mess. I'll admit I wouldn't want to stay there in the heat of the summer without the main pool. We used it almost every day for our afternoon break. We visited several other resorts on this trip and I can say that the Poly has great transportation options. We won't be back at Disney for probably another 4 years since we have some other vacation plans and our next visit probably won't be for ten nights. But I think we will stay at the Poly then, too. Even with construction everywhere it was such a great feeling and the people are fabulous. Anyway, I hope this helps someone!

Thanks for your review and glad you had a good stay! It's nice to see a positive review, even if it's from a few weeks back. We arrive Sunday morning

 

[trishadono]

Well, I'm really late getting back but I did want to give a report on our Poly stay from June 28-July 8. We got our room request of Samoa, third floor and our room overlooked the volcano pool. It was a great location! I understand it has now been taken out of inventory because of construction but we loved the location. Mousekeeping was excellent for our ten night stay.

We found the Poly staff to be extremely helpful and fun during our stay. My husband is wheat free and the Captain Cook's staff was super helpful about accommodating his needs and the manager remembered him each time he went in. We had a great lunch at Kona one day and made several trips to Kona Island for coffee and they even had shaved ice on July 4th. We did not eat at 'Ohana this trip.

The resort was very quiet and not crowded at all until July 3 and especially July 4. If I could have Disney do anything different, it would be to reserve beach areas for the fireworks for all guests staying at the Poly and make the visitors scramble for the leftover beach space. They did this for guests staying in Hawaii.

One morning as we were walking to the GCH I noticed a wall that hadn't been there the night before. I mentioned it to my son and a front desk manager happened to be walking by at the time. We visited and he explained where the new Dole Whip location would be and about the CC remodel.

The construction on the bungalows did not affect us at all. We watched remodeling occur at Tangoroa Terrace since we walked by every day on our way to the TTC or bus stop. The walk to the TTC wasn't bad, it just wasn't as pretty as before. The boat to MK ran early since the monorail hours are shortened but we never found transportation to be a problem.

We had a lovely stay but I'm glad we went when we did. I know a lot more has been torn up since our visit and I imagine it isn't as serene with the center of the resort a mess. I'll admit I wouldn't want to stay there in the heat of the summer without the main pool. We used it almost every day for our afternoon break. We visited several other resorts on this trip and I can say that the Poly has great transportation options.

We won't be back at Disney for probably another 4 years since we have some other vacation plans and our next visit probably won't be for ten nights. But I think we will stay at the Poly then, too. Even with construction everywhere it was such a great feeling and the people are fabulous. Anyway, I hope this helps someone!

I was wondering how your trip made out. I'm glad it worked out for you.

Thanks for checking in with us.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

Hello Poly thread goers

I am running the TOT 10 Miler in October and at the last minute we booked a one night stay at the Poly for Oct. 3. I apologize if this question has been asked a million times, but I see that the Poly is giving out a one day admission to Blizzard beach because of the Poly pool closure. Does anyone know if I'll have to use this ticket during the exact day of my stay, or could I perhaps use it a few days after I check out (we'll be moving to a Saratoga DVC).

 

[dansdad]

Hello Poly thread goers

I am running the TOT 10 Miler in October and at the last minute we booked a one night stay at the Poly for Oct. 3. I apologize if this question has been asked a million times, but I see that the Poly is giving out a one day admission to Blizzard beach because of the Poly pool closure. Does anyone know if I'll have to use this ticket during the exact day of my stay, or could I perhaps use it a few days after I check out (we'll be moving to a Saratoga DVC).

It's only good on days you are staying at the Poly. So you'd only be able to use it on the 3rd or 4th.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

It's only good on days you are staying at the Poly. So you'd only be able to use it on the 3rd or 4th.

Thanks for the quick response!

 

[Alabama Minnie]

Does anyone know when they will close-off the rooms on the west side of Samoa for the construction? I was afraid that would really limit any request there.

 

[weesignlanguage]

What are the hours for the ferry? And what stops does it make...is it straight to MK and back or does it go to other resorts first?

 

[dansdad]

What are the hours for the ferry?

A half hour before MK opens until an hour and a half after MK closes.

And what stops does it make...is it straight to MK and back or does it go to other resorts first?

Straight to MK and back.

 

[maiapapaya]

What are the hours for the ferry? And what stops does it make...is it straight to MK and back or does it go to other resorts first?

Straight to MK and back.

You can also take the small shuttle boats from the dock at the Poly to the MK. They go directly to the MK and stop at the GF first on the return trip to the Poly.

 

[Denise123]

Will scooters or power chairs fit on the ferrys or shuttle boats?

 

[Goofy442]

I have a reservation for November and after reading some of these posts I'm wondering if I show rethink staying there. I have a friend who has never been to WDW and she is 55, so I invited her to come with my family. First impressions are everything, and this resort my not do that. I want her to love it.

 

[maiapapaya]

Will scooters or power chairs fit on the ferrys or shuttle boats?

On the large ferries yes, but not on the small motor launches that go between the resorts and the MK.

I have a reservation for November and after reading some of these posts I'm wondering if I show rethink staying there. I have a friend who has never been to WDW and she is 55, so I invited her to come with my family. First impressions are everything, and this resort my not do that. I want her to love it.

In my personal opinion, if it's possible, I would change resorts if it's your friend's first time and you want her to love it. By all accounts the Poly is a mess right now and it will be getting worse with construction walls going up around the volcano pool. We have stayed at the Poly for our family vacation five years in a row (love it) and had booked a BB for this October. Unfortunately with the construction in the lobby, so many construction walls around the grounds of the resort and more going up around the pool, which is the centre of the Poly, it became too much for us. We were able to switch to the GF, a resort with no construction for basically the same price with our BB. Our reasoning was why stay in the middle of a construction zone for the same money as it would cost us to stay at a lovely resort with no construction? (we are hoping we will love the new Poly when we return sometime after the work is done)

 

[weesignlanguage]

You can also take the small shuttle boats from the dock at the Poly to the MK. They go directly to the MK and stop at the GF first on the return trip to the Poly.

Ahhhh!! That is what meant...not the big ferry...the one that comes to the Poly!! So, the small shuttle leave Poly and goes to MK straight? What time does it run?? Thank you!!

 

[dansdad]

Ahhhh!! That is what meant...not the big ferry...the one that comes to the Poly!! So, the small shuttle leave Poly and goes to MK straight? What time does it run?? Thank you!!

A half hour before MK opens until an hour and a half after MK closes.