ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: October 2013

[mickeynut1]

Aotearoa room 3225

Love the pics, thanks for sharing .

Hi guys, we were thinking of staying at the Poly next August (2015) and I was thinking by then the construction should be well and done, but I noticed some other talk online that states that construction might not be done by that time frame. I know it greatly depends on loads of different factors, but what is the popular opinion on when the construction will be completely done at the Poly?

I want to book early for our trip, but I'm totally torn, if the construction is still going on in August of next year I will pick somewhere else to stay (as we did this year). I'd love to go back to the Poly though I'm just not interested in staying again until construction is complete.

I guess we could always book it and change if it gets closer and it looks like it will/won't be done in time, but I worry about losing my discount if I end up having to do that.

There will probably still be some stuff going on, but I think it will mostly be finish work as most of the major construction should be completed by next year. You could always book the Poly now and then change later if you see there will be more going on at that time than you'd like to see .

You're welcome, mickeynut1.

So we stayed 2 nights at the Poly with the Labor Day weekend deal that one of the unnamed travel agents had on special. We paid about $212 per night for our rooms and it was well worth it for us. We had 2 rooms, 9 people and spent one day at Blizzard Beach with our "free" tickets and one night at the Halloween party. The cost of one night's room alone was covered with the free tickets that we received at BB. A couple of things to note (apologize if someone else already posted-I haven't read through this whole thread and just got back home):

Blizzard Beach-there is a special table set up for Poly guest check in right in front of the entrance. They will provide you with free towels and sample sizes of Coppertone sunscreen spray or a full size bottle of Coppertone lotion. We were able to take as many as we thought we would need. The only think that I didn't really like about this was that we had to get our towels before we entered the park, which meant we had to make room in our lockers for them. You just scan one magic band and they hand you plastic card tickets to get into the park for free. You can also bring you Poly resort mug for free refills at BB but we didn't bother buying a mug so we didn't test this out.

Construction-yes it's everywhere but we did not hear any noise. We were in Aotearoa, first floor, monorail/garden view but never heard any noise while we were in our room. There are construction walls all around the paths and down by the marina but we never heard anyone working behind them. They are on both floors surrounding almost the entire lobby where the waterfall used to be (the walls took up more space than I expected), but it didn't seem to stop the people from going to the character breakfast and we even had Kona for breakfast one morning and did not hear a thing (the little coffee kiosk is closed though). I have to say though that we were not there to spend time at the hotel, so the construction did not bother me one way or the other. There was also construction outside under the monorail bridge as the water was drained and you could see where they were working on the gardens. The only noise that we did hear was on the day we checked out-right out front where you would pull up your car to drop off your luggage there was some type of work going on.

Rooms-we really liked the décor of the new rooms and would stay there again. We had a few minor housekeeping issues (hair on the bed inside the sheets, found clothing tags inside the daybed) but it wasn't anything horrible. The rooms were nice and clean for the most part.

For the most part-we would stay there again if the price was right.

Thanks for your review. Glad you had a nice trip .

I've been following this thread for a couple of years now, since our first stay at the Poly 2 falls ago and then the subsequent 2 more stays because we loved it so much! I got a lot of good information from this thread, I don't *think* I've even posted here before, but that's because most of the information I needed was right there! So thanks for that.

Anyway, I keep reading about this great rate, and I have to say it's much lower than I've ever seen. I think we could be persuaded to consider giving up the CL we love so much for that price . I gather from what I've read you can't post where you can explore this rate due to rules or something? Would someone be willing to send me that name of the travel agency or website or whatever by PM? I assume it's through an online travel agent but anyone can book it? Or is it something exclusive that random people can't book, like a returning customer special or something like that? I don't want to be out of line or ask for something inappropriate, but I would love to be able get that rate.

It is an agency exclusive that anyone can book. The dates and resorts are usually limited, but it's a great deal if it fits your schedule. They also offer discounts for other times of the year as well .

If you've never attended Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, you could consider going. It's fun for adults as well as kids. There's one on Thursday, November 20. It's a ticketed event with a separate price.

I agree, the parties are a lot of fun. We've been to 3 Halloween parties and 2 Christmas parties and we had as much fun at the last one as we did the first .

as for MVMCP...its always a fun event!

I agree .

 

[CheshireMelanie]

Hello everyone - long time reader of this thread and finally get to put some of this good advice to work. DH and I are going to extend our stay in Orlando after a conference at the Swan. Just booked a standard room and looking forward to enjoying the Food and Wine festival for a few days. Will be sure and post live updates while we are there. I'm not worried about the construction, just excited to get the chance to stay at the resort that has always been on my someday list. Thanks for all the info!

Mel

 

[trishadono]

Based on our past experiences at CL-Hawaii the week before Thanksgiving week - NO - tree lounge tree will not be up yet. Again, that's just how it was in past years.

If you've never attended Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, you could consider going. It's fun for adults as well as kids. There's one on Thursday, November 20. It's a ticketed event with a separate price.

I did do mvmcp with my dd back when she was 11 I am just not sure my mom can stay up that late? I figure I will ask her but I still haven't told her we are going. I am watching for airfare(cheap).

Thanks for the suggestion. It's always nice to know all of the options!

Looks like our trips will over lap Trish..and we may get to say HI to you and your mom in the lounge!



Thanks for that info..so prolly no tree..but the MK will be decorated in all of its Christmas finery to help us get into holiday mode........as for MVMCP...its always a fun event!

My mom wants to see the Osborne lights : Also the gingerbread house will be up at gf and that has been a must do for me for years.

That would be fun to say hello! I spend a lot of time in the lounge so I would be hard to miss. . My mom will love it! Pog juice, chocolate covered almonds, the "special" , pineapple with caramel! Oh now I want some

Hello everyone - long time reader of this thread and finally get to put some of this good advice to work. DH and I are going to extend our stay in Orlando after a conference at the Swan. Just booked a standard room and looking forward to enjoying the Food and Wine festival for a few days. Will be sure and post live updates while we are there. I'm not worried about the construction, just excited to get the chance to stay at the resort that has always been on my someday list. Thanks for all the info!

Mel

Kona cafe is a great place to eat. Dd and I go for lunch often. Also for quick service CC's is great! Lucky you will get to have dole whip since it just opened. It was closed my last 2trips and one of my favorite disney things.

How can you not love that view of the castle? The tiki lights at night? The lushness of the grounds? And especially the "aloha" as you pass by

You'll have a great trip!

 

[Esky]

After getting married in WDW in 2010 (10/10 no less) and spending Christmas 2011 in WL, we finally agreed to book for Poly Christmas 2016!

I know, is a long way off, but with an autistic then 10 yr old and a then 3 yr old, planning is key!

Just saying hi, and looking in on Poly news.

 

[TIME2DISNEY]

Hello everyone - long time reader of this thread and finally get to put some of this good advice to work. DH and I are going to extend our stay in Orlando after a conference at the Swan. Just booked a standard room and looking forward to enjoying the Food and Wine festival for a few days. Will be sure and post live updates while we are there. I'm not worried about the construction, just excited to get the chance to stay at the resort that has always been on my someday list. Thanks for all the info!

Mel

Looking forward to your updates, especially your poly observations and your food and wine adventures!

After getting married in WDW in 2010 (10/10 no less) and spending Christmas 2011 in WL, we finally agreed to book for Poly Christmas 2016!

I know, is a long way off, but with an autistic then 10 yr old and a then 3 yr old, planning is key!

Just saying hi, and looking in on Poly news.

Hello!
It is never to early to plan a Disney trip!

 

[mickeynut1]

Hello everyone - long time reader of this thread and finally get to put some of this good advice to work. DH and I are going to extend our stay in Orlando after a conference at the Swan. Just booked a standard room and looking forward to enjoying the Food and Wine festival for a few days. Will be sure and post live updates while we are there. I'm not worried about the construction, just excited to get the chance to stay at the resort that has always been on my someday list. Thanks for all the info!

Mel

Have a great trip. I'll be looking forward to your live reports .

After getting married in WDW in 2010 (10/10 no less) and spending Christmas 2011 in WL, we finally agreed to book for Poly Christmas 2016!

I know, is a long way off, but with an autistic then 10 yr old and a then 3 yr old, planning is key!

Just saying hi, and looking in on Poly news.

I agree with the pp that it's never too early to start planning .

 

[cgood]

After getting married in WDW in 2010 (10/10 no less) and spending Christmas 2011 in WL, we finally agreed to book for Poly Christmas 2016! I know, is a long way off, but with an autistic then 10 yr old and a then 3 yr old, planning is key! Just saying hi, and looking in on Poly news.

Traveling with my 11year old DS with autism this November. If I learn any tricks I'll let you know

 

[Esky]

Traveling with my 11year old DS with autism this November. If I learn any tricks I'll let you know

Thank you so much! I'll look out for your report. We had a GAC for him in 2010 +2011, which helped is immensely, but the DAS seems to need a little more work to get the best out of the parks for guests on the spectrum.

 

[SeaSpray]

Rob



Aotearoa:
Handicap Accessible rooms

Rooms with tub rails: 1221, 3206

Rooms for hearing impaired: 1210, 2228

Room size: 415 sq-ft

Fiji:

Room size: 415 sq-ft

Hawaii:
Handicap Accessible rooms

Rooms with roll-in showers: 1530

Rooms with tub rails: 1513 and 1514

Accessible features: 1517 and 1529

Rooms for hearing impaired: 2515 and 1521

Room size: 415 sq-ft

Nuie:

Handicap Accessible rooms

Rooms with roll-in showers: 1703

Rooms for hearing impaired: 2703

Room size: 415 sq-ft

Rapa Nui:

Handicap Accessible rooms

Rooms with roll-in showers: 1120, 1121, 1124, 1125

Rooms with tub rails: 1113, 1114, 1115, 1116, 1117, 1118, 1119, 1122, 1123, 1126

Room Size: 465 sq-ft

Not refurbished as it is becoming DVC

Rarotonga:

Handicap Accessible rooms

Rooms with roll-in showers: 1808

Rooms with tub rails: 1811, 1813

Accessible features: 1817, 2817, 3817, 3844

Rooms for hearing impaired: 1826, 3820, 3824

Room size 415 sq-ft

Samoa:

Handicap Accessible rooms

Rooms with tub rails: 1617 and 1618

Rooms for hearing impaired: 2617, 2618

Room Size 415 sq-ft

Tahiti:

Handicap Accessible rooms

Rooms with tub rails: 1016

Room with roll-in showers:101

Room size 465 sq-ft

Not refurbished due to becoming DVC

Tokelau:

Handicap Accessible rooms

Rooms with roll-in showers: 2944 and 2946

Rooms with tub rails: 1940, 1944 and 1946

Accessible features: 3944 and 3946

Rooms for hearing impaired: 2922

Room size 465 sq-ft

Tuvalu:

Handicap Accessible rooms

Rooms for hearing impaired: 1418 and 2412

Room Size 415 sq-ft



There is no charge for internet service

Hope this helps

Thank you SO MUCH for this information! We need a room with a roll-in shower, and this is the only place where I've been able to find the specific rooms in each longhouse that has it.

 

[BlueSkies]

Hello everyone - long time reader of this thread and finally get to put some of this good advice to work. DH and I are going to extend our stay in Orlando after a conference at the Swan. Just booked a standard room and looking forward to enjoying the Food and Wine festival for a few days. Will be sure and post live updates while we are there. I'm not worried about the construction, just excited to get the chance to stay at the resort that has always been on my someday list. Thanks for all the info!

Mel

How nice!! Looking forward to your live updates!!

My mom wants to see the Osborne lights : Also the gingerbread house will be up at gf and that has been a must do for me for years.

That would be fun to say hello! I spend a lot of time in the lounge so I would be hard to miss. . My mom will love it! Pog juice, chocolate covered almonds, the "special" , pineapple with caramel! Oh now I want some

Osborne Lights are wonderful...and oh the gingerbread house...I can almost smell that yummy gingerbread smell that takes over the GF lobby...

We love resort time too...and always plan lounge time into our trip itinerary!! Looking forward to meeting you and your mom too!

After getting married in WDW in 2010 (10/10 no less) and spending Christmas 2011 in WL, we finally agreed to book for Poly Christmas 2016!

I know, is a long way off, but with an autistic then 10 yr old and a then 3 yr old, planning is key!

Just saying hi, and looking in on Poly news.

HI!! and welcome!!!

MickeyNut How is the Poly planning coming???

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

Hi all! We'll be staying club level at the Poly for the TOT 10 miler race. I am trying to look up non-park activities because our APs run out before our vacation ends. I see on the Disney website that the Poly has sailboats to rent. Has anyone ever done this? I don't recall ever seeing sailboats out on the water. Thanks for any help!

 

[trishadono]

Hi all! We'll be staying club level at the Poly for the TOT 10 miler race. I am trying to look up non-park activities because our APs run out before our vacation ends. I see on the Disney website that the Poly has sailboats to rent. Has anyone ever done this? I don't recall ever seeing sailboats out on the water. Thanks for any help!

Wow, found this on Disney's site I had forgotten how many fun things there is to do!

Yep the sailboats show at Poly


https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/recreation/

 

[athyng]

.

 

[athyng]

Hi everyone! I just wanted to give a quick trip report. I am at the Poly now and am loving every minute of it! I was hesitant at first to stay here; I switched last minute from the Beach Club so my 2 year old could see the monorail everyday. I am so happy we did! We are in Tovalu, third floor with an amazing view of the castle. Every night we watch the water parade from our balcony, last night we watched the fireworks, my son loved that. First thing in the morning we sit on the balcony and watch the boats and monorails. Not to sound corny, but these are quiet moments I'll treasure forever. The grounds are beautiful and quiet, not a ton of people here. The lobby is cramped and busy most nights- but once you step outside, just peaceful. The quiet pools just that, quiet and mostly empty. This morning we took a park break so my son could play on the beach, which was lovely. We had our Dole Whip and dinner at Kona Cafe, both great. Staff is friendly, construction noise is low and not an issue. Overall, a wonderful stay!

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[athyng]

Hi everyone! I just wanted to give a quick trip report. I am at the Poly now and am loving every minute of it! I was hesitant at first to stay here; I switched last minute from the Beach Club so my 2 year old could see the monorail everyday. I am so happy we did! We are in Tovalu, third floor with an amazing view of the castle. Every night we watch the water parade from our balcony, last night we watched the fireworks, my son loved that. First thing in the morning we sit on the balcony and watch the boats and monorails. Not so sound corny, but these are quiet moments I'll treasure forever. The grounds are beautiful and quiet, not a ton of people here. The lobby is cramped and busy most nights- but once you step outside, just peaceful. The quiet pools just that, quiet and mostly empty. This morning we took a park break so my son could play on the beach, which was lovely. We had our Dole Whip and dinner at Kona Cafe, both great. Staff is friendly, construction noise is low and not an issue. Overall, a wonderful stay!

 

[athyng]

[URL=http://s86.photobucket.com/use.../k119/athyng/Mobile Uploads/image-1.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

sorry for the multiple posts- having trouble posting photos.

 

[trishadono]

[URL=http://s86.photobucket.com/use.../k119/athyng/Mobile Uploads/image-1.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

sorry for the multiple posts- having trouble posting photos.

Ya sometimes it doesn't work quite right.

Thanks for checking in!

No it is not corny either. Those ARE the moments we remember. Thanks for taking me down memory lane. My ds is 17 and he loved those things at that age too

Hope the fun continues.

 

[Goofy442]

It's the typical Joffrey's and Nescafé machine coffee. Nothing very good. I'd bring your machine if it matters to him.

Thank You!!

 

[emij]

thanks for the update athyng - what an amazing view!

 

[jcwishes]

Hello we are planning our fourth trip to Disney and the Polynesian for June 2015, according to our travel agent the refurbishment should be just about done. The unofficial guide gave a Fall 2015 end time. Any ideas what to expect.

Thanks, it's fun to be posting again. Our last trip was 2/2011