ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: October 2013

[Tikiman]

The main pool construction has always been scheduled to be from 8 months to a year. The latest schedule pushed the start date to August. No specific day in August has ever been mentioned. It could be August 1st or it could be the last day in August or it could be pushed out again.

If anyone (CMs or Travel Agents) tells you a specific date before Disney sends out official notice then they are making it up because those involved with the project do not even have a specific date yet.

 

[Skywise]

This is the first time I have heard the end of August, which would be perfect for my trip. I have only heard that it was moved to August, but not when in August. Has the 31st been specifically mentioned?

That was my assumption - My bad.

(Although I find it odd if they would do it at the end of summer season... You'd think they'd at least push it to just after Labor Day...)

 

[maddiebee]

That was my assumption - My bad.

(Although I find it odd if they would do it at the end of summer season... You'd think they'd at least push it to just after Labor Day...)

No worries! I've made my peace with the fact it may be under construction, but I was thinking the same thing. At least get a full summer out of it! Either way I'll just be happy to be at the Poly!!

 

[MissVeronica]

DH is at a conference in Orlando this week and just found out today that we are at the Polynesian due to someone else cancelling. I'm worried about all the closures I'm seeing in this thread. We will be there starting tomorrow. What can I expect to be closed?

 

[Skywise]

DH is at a conference in Orlando this week and just found out today that we are at the Polynesian due to someone else cancelling. I'm worried about all the closures I'm seeing in this thread. We will be there starting tomorrow. What can I expect to be closed?

Everything should be open except the art gallery store and the kids club.

I'm sure you'll be heartbroken.

 

[mommytoliandlu]

Am I understanding it correctly that if we were heading down August 25th - August 31st, the Volcano pool might be closed? My son says he'd love to go to Hawaii so I thought the Polynesian seemed perfect (if there's a room discount and we can afford it), but if there's going to be tons of construction, particularly the pool, we will just stick with AoA and try for the Poly another year.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Am I understanding it correctly that if we were heading down August 25th - August 31st, the Volcano pool might be closed? My son says he'd love to go to Hawaii so I thought the Polynesian seemed perfect (if there's a room discount and we can afford it), but if there's going to be tons of construction, particularly the pool, we will just stick with AoA and try for the Poly another year.

You are understanding it correctly.

There are no official dates for the pool closure but last word was that it was pushed off until August. (Don't know if that's the beginning or end of August).

It could certainly get pushed off again, but if the pool is important to you, you probably want to look elsewhere.

 

[elfhawk]

Question/s:

So, my sister, her boyfriend, and me are going to be staying at the Poly for the nights of March 11-12. I'm pretty excited despite the construction because I didn't think I'd even get a chance of staying there before all the changes. But I'd like to know what to expect. If I understand correctly, the pool won't close until August, but no one knows when the water feature in the GCH is going down? Where is the construction currently? I know there's some in front of parts of the beaches...

edit: did not realize I was using the same phrase and asking a variation on the same question as the previous question. That was weird.

 

[pixiedaisy]

This thread is starting to scare me. We will arrive at the Poly in 2.5 weeks. I didn't request a building this trip because I was attempting to be laid back and go with the flow. My parents are traveling with us and now I'm terrified that we'll be looking at and listening to construction equipment the whole time. Should I try to request a certain building or does it matter at this point?

 

[mommytoliandlu]

You are understanding it correctly.

There are no official dates for the pool closure but last word was that it was pushed off until August. (Don't know if that's the beginning or end of August).

It could certainly get pushed off again, but if the pool is important to you, you probably want to look elsewhere.

Thank you!!

 

[maiapapaya]

This thread is starting to scare me. We will arrive at the Poly in 2.5 weeks. I didn't request a building this trip because I was attempting to be laid back and go with the flow. My parents are traveling with us and now I'm terrified that we'll be looking at and listening to construction equipment the whole time. Should I try to request a certain building or does it matter at this point?

It's definitely not too late to put in request for a longhouse. Samoa and Figi (request Marina side) are great choices, near the GCH and away from the construction.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Thank you!!

You're welcome!

 

[AmyAnne]

It's definitely not too late to put in request for a longhouse. Samoa and Figi (request Marina side) are great choices, near the GCH and away from the construction.

What is the best way to make a room request?

Also, we will be at the Poly for the Princess half marathon. It starts at 5:30 am on Sunday morning so will be going to be about 8 pm on Saturday night. Are the rooms suggested (Samoa and Fiji - Marina side) away from the drum ceremony that happens at night?

Do you think I would have better luck requesting a specific room or asking for a quiet room (and explaining why we need one)?

 

[Jedimike]

I love the Polynesian!! We were going to stay there again this year but changed reservations due to the construction. We were there on 4th of July last year..it was beautiful watching the sunrise there...

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Thanks for sharing this picture -- LOVE it!!!!

 

[maiapapaya]

What is the best way to make a room request?

Also, we will be at the Poly for the Princess half marathon. It starts at 5:30 am on Sunday morning so will be going to be about 8 pm on Saturday night. Are the rooms suggested (Samoa and Fiji - Marina side) away from the drum ceremony that happens at night?

Do you think I would have better luck requesting a specific room or asking for a quiet room (and explaining why we need one)?

Just call the main reservation number (CRO) and tell them you would like to add a request to your reservation. They will likely say that they can't guarantee requests (which is true), but just say you realize that and they'll put it on. We've always had good luck with our requests.

If you mean the luau by the "drum ceremony", it is behind Figi (not on the marina side). You probably wouldn't hear it with the sliders closed. Samoa is definitely far enough away that you would hear nothing from the luau.

I think you're better off getting your request with something more general than a specific room. A particular longhouse is probably good enough. If you just say "quiet room" you may get put in a room off in the back of the resort, which you may be fine with. I just personally prefer to be close to the GCH.

 

[Kristina4109]

We're heading down in early June so I'm glad the pool construction was pushed until August. We know there's going to be construction around the resort but we're willing to go with the flow.

I think the drum ceremony that was mentioned is done on nights the luau is NOT presented. I read about it but cannot figure out where in the resort it happens.

 

[maiapapaya]

I think the drum ceremony that was mentioned is done on nights the luau is NOT presented. I read about it but cannot figure out where in the resort it happens.

That drumming is part of the "torch lighting ceremony" which happens right outside the main entrance to the GCH, on non-luau nights around 6:15 I think (it starts in the lobby - the fire dancer blows a conch and "calls" the guests to the ceremony which then takes place on the walk way leading up to the doors)

 

[MissVeronica]

Everything should be open except the art gallery store and the kids club.

I'm sure you'll be heartbroken.

Thanks! Everything was open that we wanted. We were in Fiji so we weren't bugged by any construction. It was a pain that the monorail was down for most of the day, but that had nothing to do with the Polynesian itself. We had a nice stay.

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

Just thought I would rescue this thread before it hit page 4

We currently have GF booked for our late July trip but I think we are going to switch to the Poly if we can get a good discount when(if) they are released at the end of March/beginning of April (crossing fingers). We had decided on GF because of the construction but since the photos of the GF refurb emerged.....we are so put off that we would rather have the inconvenience of construction than pay extra for a resort room that is not as comfortable as our beloved Poly. Even though CC may be closed and the alternative CS will have a limited menu, we will work around it by eating a few CS at Gaspie's back at the GF and ordering a few extra items from GG for DD13 with her food allergy issues.

 

[blackmamba10000]

CS at GF! Hadn't thought of that! Good idea. We love Captain Cooks, but I think between Kona Island and GF CS, we'll be alright! Staying at the Poly in May. Can't wait!