ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: October 2013

[Brandee23]

Great! I was hoping the new Captain Cooks will be open before we arrive. We'll be there for 4th of July.

 

[Aristocath]

Great! I was hoping the new Captain Cooks will be open before we arrive. We'll be there for 4th of July.

Me too! I'm very hopeful it will open during our stay. What can I say, I'm an optimist!

 

[CaptainEO71]

Sorry if its right in front of me - but I don't see an activities guide for May or June posted - is there one? Can anyone there now tell me what movies are playing on the beach - if they're still doing that? Thanks!

 

[TJA]

We are in hawaii concierge 1st time stay at poly and the construction is not bad IMO. We have visited the resort many times while eating at Ohana and kona several times, and honestly feel like there is a lot of hype about how bad the construction is.

This is exactly how we felt about our recent stay there -- I think most of the hype comes from people who aren't up to speed on all the construction there. When we arrived, everything looked exactly like all the pictures I've seen posted, so no surprises there! Have fun! We'll be back there in Hawaii over July 4

Just an FYI, it is now being reported that guest staying at the Poly will NOT have use of the GF pool. They will have their one day at Blizzard Beach and then be able use the East Pool for the remainder of their stay.

I think this is for the best. I know Disney has used this procedure in the past, and while it's a nice gesture, I think it creates inconveniences for the other resort's guests. One time when we were at BC, the slide was closed so they shuttled us over to BWI pool. The lifeguards ended up walking around asking to see everyone's keys because of the numerous complaints by BWI guests who couldn't find any chairs at the pool. We ended up using just one chair for our family of 4. All in all, it was a nice gesture of Disney, but I do think a lot of BWI guests voiced complaints on a daily basis (which I understand....). I think the complimentary passes to BB is great and sounds like a good plan for any future pool closures

 

[Aristocath]

This is exactly how we felt about our recent stay there -- I think most of the hype comes from people who aren't up to speed on all the construction there. When we arrived, everything looked exactly like all the pictures I've seen posted, so no surprises there! Have fun! We'll be back there in Hawaii over July 4

Sounds like a number of us will be at the Poly over the July 4 holiday. So excited!

 

[Sue M]

Just an FYI, it is now being reported that guest staying at the Poly will NOT have use of the GF pool. They will have their one day at Blizzard Beach and then be able use the East Pool for the remainder of their stay.

So disappointed in no GF pool. While BB comp is nice, it's only 1 day. We have a 14 day stay in August, and take mid day breaks to cool off in the pool. The east pool just isn't big enough IMO.

Maybe instead of just funnelling all guests to GF, they could have given an option of GF or CR, since it's all connected by monorail, and would take the burden off GF solely.

I would consider changing resorts but feel this is my last chance to stay at Poly. I think once construction is done the price will go up even more, and I'll be priced out.

I hope they come up with another pool option.

 

[AladdinToMy4YO]

My family and I had a magical stay at the Poly 10 years ago - discount code and "garden view" room in Tokelau that actually had side view of the lagoon (panoramic photo off the deck was on tikiman's page for longest time). My DW has started to run/walk so she can do the half marathon with me in 2015 while I then finish "being Goofy" Sunday. I was hoping they would have some discount codes so we can stay at the Poly. I'm wondering now that 3 long houses are going to be DVC what that will mean? I know long way out but, fellow dis planners, speculation on availability and rates for non-DVCers in January? I'm wondering if the smaller inventory will lead to rare discounts in the future? Not worrying, just playing around - love the idea of monorail to starting line and my DW could roll out of bed Sunday and come watch me on Main Street for the full.

 

[Sue M]

Of course it's all speculation, but in think pricing at Poly will go up, from already high rates to higher!
We stayed in Tokelau too with that view! We could watch Wishes from our balcony if we leaned out a bit.

I did read on Tikiman that people (non DVC) will be able to book Poly DVC, but don't hold your breath on a good discount!

Last time we stayed at Poly I had a 45% AP discount haven't seen that discount in a long time!

 

[julluvsdisney]

IMO, Samoa, 3rd floor is great.

I like that location!! seems to be in the middle of it all!!Thank you!!

 

[wendow]

We are supposed to be staying at the Poly in mid-December. Am I understanding correctly that we will NOT be able to use the GF pool?? The other half of our family will be at the GF...including two of my dc...I chose the Poly, despite the construction, b/c of being able to use the pool at GF. It may not be warm enough to swim but if it is, I want to be able to swim with my kids. Not happy here if that is the case that we cannot use GF pool

 

[lala5176]

Does anyone know if the monorail will be down once the lobby starts its renovation. Also does anyone know when they will be breaking ground on that project?? TIA

 

[blackmamba10000]

We are supposed to be staying at the Poly in mid-December. Am I understanding correctly that we will NOT be able to use the GF pool?? The other half of our family will be at the GF...including two of my dc...I chose the Poly, despite the construction, b/c of being able to use the pool at GF. It may not be warm enough to swim but if it is, I want to be able to swim with my kids. Not happy here if that is the case that we cannot use GF pool

While I think Blizzard Beach passes are an excellent gesture, I feel many families use the pool multiple times within their stay and the quiet pool will not be sufficient space for everyone. Hopefully Disney can figure something out.
And hopefully, you and your family won't have any problems going to the pool together!

 

[OfTheWind]

Of course it's all speculation, but in think pricing at Poly will go up, from already high rates to higher!
We stayed in Tokelau too with that view! We could watch Wishes from our balcony if we leaned out a bit.

I did read on Tikiman that people (non DVC) will be able to book Poly DVC, but don't hold your breath on a good discount!

Last time we stayed at Poly I had a 45% AP discount haven't seen that discount in a long time!

I've never had the 45% discount but I do miss the 40-42% discounts. Those were definitely the days. I don't think that will ever happen again unless there's another financial crisis or terrorist attack. I don't feel as if Disney has weaned people off well. To go from 40% off at Bay Lake 3 years ago to 0% today, that's not a wean. That's a famine.

Does anyone know if the monorail will be down once the lobby starts its renovation. Also does anyone know when they will be breaking ground on that project?? TIA

Good questions. This will more than likely be my last monorail resort stay. I would hate to be bussed to Magic Kingdom.

 

[lala5176]

I've never had the 45% discount but I do miss the 40-42% discounts. Those were definitely the days. I don't think that will ever happen again unless there's another financial crisis or terrorist attack. I don't feel as if Disney has weaned people off well. To go from 40% off at Bay Lake 3 years ago to 0% today, that's not a wean. That's a famine.



Good questions. This will more than likely be my last monorail resort stay. I would hate to be bussed to Magic Kingdom.

I agree taking the bus to Magic Kingdom can be very time consuming. Being on the monorail is very convenient.

 

[Skywise]

Does anyone know if the monorail will be down once the lobby starts its renovation. Also does anyone know when they will be breaking ground on that project?? TIA

AFAIK - the monorail service/connection should be uninterrupted and you'll be able to get to the monorail regardless of construction.

Annnnd it's already started - See Tikiman's facebook page

 

[OfTheWind]

AFAIK - the monorail service/connection should be uninterrupted and you'll be able to get to the monorail regardless of construction.

Annnnd it's already started - See Tikiman's facebook page

Why thank you Skywise. I'm a little disappointed with the looks of the new kids club, but maybe these aren't the best pics at the best angles. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=764761740235169&set=pcb.764761806901829&type=1&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=764761780235165&set=pcb.764761806901829&type=1&theater

 

[TJA]

Regarding the pool closure, I do think the BB passes are a great idea and a better alternative to over-crowding the GF pool. I think Disney should consider adjusting the # of days for the BB passes, maybe even add in TL as an option too. Example being if the length of stay is 1-4 nights, then give 1-day pass. 5-7 days then give a 2-day pass, and so on. I will say that my family likes to swim for short periods each day, and a quiet pool would be too much like home, so we would not stay at any resort during a main pool refurb. So even with the current BB offer, we'd stay somewhere else.

 

[lala5176]

AFAIK - the monorail service/connection should be uninterrupted and you'll be able to get to the monorail regardless of construction.

Annnnd it's already started - See Tikiman's facebook page

Thank you for your response. So Have they already started tearing down the waterfall then?

 

[trishadono]

Thank you for your response. So Have they already started tearing down the waterfall then?

So far they are putting up walls on the 2 nd floor but currently the waterfall is still running.

 

[lala5176]

So far they are putting up walls on the 2 nd floor but currently the waterfall is still running.

I did see pictures of the walls... too bad they aren't a little nicer looking!! We were considering switching the first few days of our trip to Poly next month because we have always wanted to stay there and I'm not sure we will be able to go after all the renovations. Not sure if we should take the chance. I wonder if the staff is a little" cranky" and it shows? I would only stay club level though and I wonder if that would make all the renovations a little less noticeable??