ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: October 2013

[momamy]

9 days till we are at the poly! I will be taking pictures any requests? im hoping to get some different views from CL at poly!

 

[DznyCrzy11]

Would you guys recommend staying there in Oct. 2014 with the construction? I really want to stay there, but as travelers that stay at the resort for a majority of the day, I'm worried that the construction would, I don't know exactly, take away from the Disney magic? We're not worried about the pool, we're not really pool people, but I'm worried about the GCH and part of the beach not being open.

My Mom is a first-timer and I haven't been to Disney 10 years. I'm torn between GF and Poly. Poly just looks SO COOL!

That's good to know. Maybe we'll get our poly fix at the Spirit of Aloha. Would you guys recommend the show?

Since you like to stay at the resort the majority of the time, I would not recommend Poly in Oct, at least I wouldn't stay there, too much construction going on but I would stop over to check it out!!

My DH and I did SOA for the first time last year and we enjoyed it. If you can squeeze in a show, I would highly recommend it. But speaking of SOA, it seems like even before we went to it last year there was talk about the last show being November 2014 due to construction on a new building for them. Does anyone know if that's accurate?

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[trishadono]

We just returned from WDW. We went over to the Poly to check on how the new bungalows will effect the view from the Hawaii bldg. There is no pool construction as of 3/19. Captain Hook's is still in the same location as is has been so nothing has started there.



Kathy

Thanks for the info Kathy

Steve at Tikiman's said they are putting some GV CL people on the lagoon side down by construction. I think I would like that but after seeing it what do you think? I have stayed there both on GV side , 3rd floor and MKV side 1st floor.

9 days till we are at the poly! I will be taking pictures any requests? im hoping to get some different views from CL at poly!

Any pic would be great! I am not fussy, any poly pic will do

 

[pixarmom]

Thanks for the info Kathy

Steve at Tikiman's said they are putting some GV CL people on the lagoon side down by construction. I think I would like that but after seeing it what do you think? I have stayed there both on GV side , 3rd floor and MKV side 1st floor.

Oh no! We're staying GV CL at the end of the month, and I don't think I'd want an "upgrade" right now!

 

[tecdavidt]

I would hope the rooms do get reclassified as GV but after the email was answered back when we were booking our mini 4th of July trip it was typical Disney claiming there would still be lagoon and theme park views on the first level. We did see a sliver between two Bungalows and I mean sliver where the castle then a Bungalow on each side. As far as fireworks, only the very highest will be seen. The mid range and castle gone.

We have gone for several years and the great new year's show would be hidden completely from view. I would probably stay at one of the converted bldgs but already have a ton of points. To get the Poly we would have to book 11 mo. out just like we have to do at the Contemporary. We own 320 pts at the Contemporary and we have a hard time getting to use them there. Next NYE we have the Poly booked and the Contemporary Theme Park view. After the 4th trip we will decide which we will keep. I can only imagine how difficult the Poly will be to book. We also have 440 pts for Saratoga and we have no problems using those at Boardwalk or AK. Home resorts booking window is 11 mo. out and all other DVC is 7 mo. So adding Poly points would mean we would have to add exactly what we would need for NYE.

I love the resort, tropical plants the music, but the view was what drew us there,. I would stare at the castle no matter the time of day was, it was just special and now that peaceful view will be Bungalows pretending to be in Tahiti only it is over dark colored body of water.

I did tell my husband I would rather be on the pool side which is GV concierge. I just can't picture where even the Poly guests will go to see the fireworks over the castle view. It was clear in all of our past trips that in front of the Hawaii bldg was where to be to see the castle and the fireworks. If no view we might as well.be at Bay Lake. We did not like the view of the fireworks from there but at least it had the castle and the fireworks.

Kathy

 

[tecdavidt]

I should clarify, when I wrote Contemporary I was meaning Bay Lake Tower. Kathy

 

[tecdavidt]

Keep in mind, the construction runs the length of the rooms of the Hawaii bldg. Concierge lounge my husband tells me he thinks it also has construction obstructed views. I was paying attention to the room views. The construction is on the water and the old Sunset point area.

So, moving people up to Hawaii is an upgrade because of concierge. If you had GV Hawaii and get upgraded to "Lagoon" view I would not call that an upgrade. You will be seeing a construction site. Floors 2 and 3 have the castle firework views and that is an upgrade. No construction at night.

Kathy

 

[thisismyusername]

Keep in mind, the construction runs the length of the rooms of the Hawaii bldg. Concierge lounge my husband tells me he thinks it also has construction obstructed views. I was paying attention to the room views. The construction is on the water and the old Sunset point area.

Kathy

The construction does not actually run the entire length of the Hawaii building. I'd say it runs about 1/4 the length of the Hawaii building. I believe I posted some pictures from the lounge a few pages back… You can absolutely see some construction from the lounge, but it's not all that you see, and the castle is still very visible from the lounge.

I know that some people are very upset about the construction, which I understand. But, currently, I don't think that it's a huge disruption to guests at the Poly. When the GCH is being torn apart and the pool closes, yes. But right now, I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again, and happily booked two nights at the Poly in Hawaii this summer before the pool is scheduled to close.

 

[Mama Steph]

Please forgive me if this has already been addressed, I didn't read the whole thread. We are planning to watch the 4th of July fireworks from the beach at the Poly. We will not be at Disney this trip but in Tampa for a gymnastics competition. The plan was to go to Disney for a day. Breakfast at Kona, monorail resort hopping and relaxing and then back to Poly for fireworks. Is this not going to be a good option this year? We've watched fireworks from the beach many times and I love the view.

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[TaraPA]

Please forgive me if this has already been addressed, I didn't read the whole thread. We are planning to watch the 4th of July fireworks from the beach at the Poly. We will not be at Disney this trip but in Tampa for a gymnastics competition. The plan was to go to Disney for a day. Breakfast at Kona, monorail resort hopping and relaxing and then back to Poly for fireworks. Is this not going to be a good option this year? We've watched fireworks from the beach many times and I love the view.

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While I don't know what impact the construction will have on fireworks viewing (there was no impact 2 weeks ago), the only problem with that plan is that I think in prior years they've only allowed Poly guests to watch fireworks from the beach, on the 4th. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure friends of ours said they were checking room cards (which no longer exist if you have a Magic Band anyway) last year on the 4th.

 

[CaptainEO71]

I believe Tara is correct. I read somewhere - may have been this thread, that that whole week of the 4th they were checking every person & you had to be a Poly guest to get pool or beach access. I think on the 4th they were checking at the guard house & you couldn't even drive in without being a guest or having an ADR at Kona or Boma. But not sure how they'd monitor that coming off the monorail, boat or walkway from TTC.

Sounds like a good plan Mama Steph but I'd definitely have a PLAN B!

 

[Mama Steph]

Crap. I wonder if we have a dining ressie for dinner if that would work.

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[Mama Steph]

If not, does anyone have any other ideas of where to watch fireworks without being in the park?

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[monkyby87]

Hey all, I haven't been on in a while, but I realize there is quite a bit of construction planned and going on with the POLY. Any ideas, or timetable, for December of 2014? I know there will still be some sort of construction, but wasn't sure how much was scheduled to be done by then. Thanks all!

 

[trishadono]

If not, does anyone have any other ideas of where to watch fireworks without being in the park?

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What about taking bus to MK? Then from there you could sit on any of the benches around the entrance or walk to BLT/Cr and watch from parking lot. If not crowded 4th floor viewing area of CR.

Or book a dining res. at any of the mono resorts. You don't have to have a meal. You could just do apps or dessert and coffee but at least you could then park there and hang out. Keep your receipt.

Also take monorail from MK to GF. There are plenty of places there too to watch. The boat launch is one of my favs as well.

Just remembered that no one is ever of the beach that is in between Poly and VGF. That may be worth a shot.

 

[monorailsilver]

Crap. I wonder if we have a dining ressie for dinner if that would work.

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When we were coming back from Epcot last summer after Illuminations we usually watch Wishes before going to bed.

Usually we make it back to the Poly, the kids change into jammies & we walk out to the walkway & watch (now my favorite spot will have huts in front of it..sigh..). That that park visit, we were late getting back so we stayed at the TTC/Ferry entrance and watched from there. There were not a lot of people but it wasn't the 4th.

 

[PrincessV]

Crap. I wonder if we have a dining ressie for dinner if that would work.

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I came over here to check for info on construction because we watch the July 4th fireworks from the Poly beach every year - so I can tell you with assurance that I've never been booted from the beach for not being a resort guest! I do, however, always book dinner at the Poly and that's the only way to park; they do ask for my confirmation number at the guard house.

That said...

I'm really wondering how things will work this year. First, a HUGE chunk of the view is gone from the beach; I was there in late Feb. and the spot we usually select for fireworks viewing, just to the left of the volleyball net, will have NO view when the new buildings go up. That's a lot of beach no longer suitable for viewing, which means a lot more people crammed into smaller spaces that will still have a view. And that makes me wonder if there will be tighter restrictions on who will be allowed out on the beach.

Any ideas on this? I've got dinner booked at Kona, but am seriously considering jumping ship this year and moving to the GF, just in case...

 

[trishadono]

I came over here to check for info on construction because we watch the July 4th fireworks from the Poly beach every year - so I can tell you with assurance that I've never been booted from the beach for not being a resort guest! I do, however, always book dinner at the Poly and that's the only way to park; they do ask for my confirmation number at the guard house.

That said...

I'm really wondering how things will work this year. First, a HUGE chunk of the view is gone from the beach; I was there in late Feb. and the spot we usually select for fireworks viewing, just to the left of the volleyball net, will have NO view when the new buildings go up. That's a lot of beach no longer suitable for viewing, which means a lot more people crammed into smaller spaces that will still have a view. And that makes me wonder if there will be tighter restrictions on who will be allowed out on the beach.

Any ideas on this? I've got dinner booked at Kona, but am seriously considering jumping ship this year and moving to the GF, just in case...

Keep the Kona ressie to park and check out the beach. The path to GF May have a quiet spot ? There are lots of places at GF to watch.

Also dd and I used to stand on the balcony on top of the 3rd floor stair case at Tokelau. The view is amazing. Since stairs aren't locked why not pick a building and go up?

 

[Dis703]

Does anyone know if the temporary QS location at the Poly has Tonga Toast on their menu? I read they would be serving a "similar" menu but no dole whips. I'm just really hoping to try Tonga Toast when we are there next month but don't really want to have to make an ADR at Kona to do so.

Thanks!

 

[Kelly1971]

I emailed itinerary planner and her response led me to believe that all menu items are same except sole whip is unavailable.