ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: October 2013

[mystery222184]

Just checking in before I get to sleep as we have to be at CRT early tmrw. After prepping for the absolute worst from some reviews and pics over the last few months, I've been very happy with the first day. We had a great time in the volcano pool and it will be sad to see to go. Yeah there are walls around the lobby but they did a good job IMO hiding a lot of the construction. Can you see it if you look for it? Yes. But we have stayed at the Poly several times before and the only things that bother us is the pool being closed starting tomorrow and longer walks to get through the areas that are blocked off. It also helps that the Poly isn't quite as crowded as it normally would be in mid summer. Also, the Hawaii staff help to make the experience as relaxing as always.

Of course, my views may change for the worse as they block off the main pool area tomorrow. Is the Poly exactly the same as before with walls put up through parts of the resort? No. But is it a "war zone" that should be shut down as has been described, not at all. Just trying to give some info to those on the fence. Have a great night everyone!

 

[weesignlanguage]

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

Ok! Super! So the little shuttle boat and the big TTC ferry run at the same times then? Works for me! Thanks!

 

[Denise123]

Thank you for the info. I will be traveling with 2 family members who will be using power chairs. We will be staying at the Poly and I am trying to figure out the best way to get them around. Thank you again for the info.

 

[disny_luvr]

Just checking in before I get to sleep as we have to be at CRT early tmrw. After prepping for the absolute worst from some reviews and pics over the last few months, I've been very happy with the first day. We had a great time in the volcano pool and it will be sad to see to go. Yeah there are walls around the lobby but they did a good job IMO hiding a lot of the construction. Can you see it if you look for it? Yes. But we have stayed at the Poly several times before and the only things that bother us is the pool being closed starting tomorrow and longer walks to get through the areas that are blocked off. It also helps that the Poly isn't quite as crowded as it normally would be in mid summer. Also, the Hawaii staff help to make the experience as relaxing as always.

Of course, my views may change for the worse as they block off the main pool area tomorrow. Is the Poly exactly the same as before with walls put up through parts of the resort? No. But is it a "war zone" that should be shut down as has been described, not at all. Just trying to give some info to those on the fence. Have a great night everyone!

Thanks for checking in. We'll be checking in on Friday so I appreciate your update. Have a great trip!

 

[weesignlanguage]

Ok! Super! So the little shuttle boat and the big TTC ferry run at the same times then? Works for me! Thanks!

Ok so I'm thinking this out for our 8:20 am ressie at Crystal Palace and if the park opens at 9 and the water shuttle and ferry opens 30 min prior to opening, then none of those will be a good option for us. And busses only start an hour prior to opening which is 8:00. That seems like it would be really pushing it to get on a bus and 8 and have checked in to eat by 8:20. The monorail won't run till 8:30. So, what should I do?!!

 

[mickeynut1]

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. I'm glad you had a great stay and enjoyed the Poly through all of the construction. We've stayed in Samoa and loved it as the location is great. Have fun planning your next trip to the Poly .

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.

I can't answer your question, but hopefully someone else will be able to .

Just checking in before I get to sleep as we have to be at CRT early tmrw. After prepping for the absolute worst from some reviews and pics over the last few months, I've been very happy with the first day. We had a great time in the volcano pool and it will be sad to see to go. Yeah there are walls around the lobby but they did a good job IMO hiding a lot of the construction. Can you see it if you look for it? Yes. But we have stayed at the Poly several times before and the only things that bother us is the pool being closed starting tomorrow and longer walks to get through the areas that are blocked off. It also helps that the Poly isn't quite as crowded as it normally would be in mid summer. Also, the Hawaii staff help to make the experience as relaxing as always.

Of course, my views may change for the worse as they block off the main pool area tomorrow. Is the Poly exactly the same as before with walls put up through parts of the resort? No. But is it a "war zone" that should be shut down as has been described, not at all. Just trying to give some info to those on the fence. Have a great night everyone!

Thanks for checking in. Glad you enjoyed your first day at the Poly. I hope you have a great time for the remainder of your stay .

We'll be checking in on Friday so I appreciate your update. Have a great trip!

Have a great trip .

 

[Alabama Minnie]

I believe "Aristocath" answered my Samoa Question when he said those rooms are NOW not being booked.
Guess I will consider another regular room longhouse request. The other two I am considering is Aotearoa and Figi. Any opinions on those two? Thanks!

 

[OnceUponATime15]

I believe "Aristocath" answered my Samoa Question when he said those rooms are NOW not being booked. Guess I will consider another regular room longhouse request. The other two I am considering is Aotearoa and Figi. Any opinions on those two? Thanks!

Those are the two longhouses I've requested for our upcoming trip. They seemed to be the furthest from the majority of the DVC construction. Hoping for Fiji looking toward the beach & Grand Floridian

 

[emorin]

With, what I would imagine, lower than normal bookings at the Poly. Is anyone hearing reports of upgrades to CL?

 

[dansdad]

With, what I would imagine, lower than normal bookings at the Poly. Is anyone hearing reports of upgrades to CL?

None reported here on the DIS that I have seen.

 

[mystery222184]

Another day down. Boy, this heat takes some getting used to I still stand by my comments yesterday though I'll add that it certainly does take longer to get around now that the main pool is closed. You have to take long routes to the GCH, Gym, TTTC, etc. Definitely a bit frustrating, but not terribly so. Wishes was wonderful as always from the lounge, though it seems they don't dim the lights as much anymore like they did a couple of years back.

And I know there's been some conflicting info regarding what the CM's said about the Pool Closure. We have the Blizzard Beach and quiet pool access but we have not been told the GF pool was an option. Animal Kingdom tmrw morning!

 

[trishadono]

Another day down. Boy, this heat takes some getting used to I still stand by my comments yesterday though I'll add that it certainly does take longer to get around now that the main pool is closed. You have to take long routes to the GCH, Gym, TTTC, etc. Definitely a bit frustrating, but not terribly so. Wishes was wonderful as always from the lounge, though it seems they don't dim the lights as much anymore like they did a couple of years back.

And I know there's been some conflicting info regarding what the CM's said about the Pool Closure. We have the Blizzard Beach and quiet pool access but we have not been told the GF pool was an option. Animal Kingdom tmrw morning!

Glad you are having fun!

We prefer to stay poolside or nap in the afternoons and hit the parks early and late in August.

Are you going to HS for the frozen stuff? Ice skating sounds like fun.

 

[disny_luvr]

Another day down. Boy, this heat takes some getting used to I still stand by my comments yesterday though I'll add that it certainly does take longer to get around now that the main pool is closed. You have to take long routes to the GCH, Gym, TTTC, etc. Definitely a bit frustrating, but not terribly so. Wishes was wonderful as always from the lounge, though it seems they don't dim the lights as much anymore like they did a couple of years back. And I know there's been some conflicting info regarding what the CM's said about the Pool Closure. We have the Blizzard Beach and quiet pool access but we have not been told the GF pool was an option. Animal Kingdom tmrw morning!

Great update! I'm glad to hear, that despite the construction, you are still having a great time at the Poly. Only three more days...

 

[mickeynut1]

Another day down. Boy, this heat takes some getting used to I still stand by my comments yesterday though I'll add that it certainly does take longer to get around now that the main pool is closed. You have to take long routes to the GCH, Gym, TTTC, etc. Definitely a bit frustrating, but not terribly so. Wishes was wonderful as always from the lounge, though it seems they don't dim the lights as much anymore like they did a couple of years back.

And I know there's been some conflicting info regarding what the CM's said about the Pool Closure. We have the Blizzard Beach and quiet pool access but we have not been told the GF pool was an option. Animal Kingdom tmrw morning!

Sounds like you're having a good time. Thanks for checking in .

Only three more days...

Have a great trip .

 

[disneyAndi14]

Love the updates keep them coming. We check in 11/15 and despite the construction DD 15, and I have no regrets. We park hop and run around a lot so is it best to be by transportation center or ceremonial house? Suggestions would be appreciated, also can you take buses back to transportation center from HS and AK? Thanks!

 

[maiapapaya]

Love the updates keep them coming. We check in 11/15 and despite the construction DD 15, and I have no regrets. We park hop and run around a lot so is it best to be by transportation center or ceremonial house? Suggestions would be appreciated, also can you take buses back to transportation center from HS and AK? Thanks!

Yes, you can take buses to the TTC from HS & AK. Personally we've always preferred to be closer to the GCH than the TTC. We take the resort monorail for the MK (and sometimes the boat launch back), and the resort buses for AK & HS. While we walk to the TTC for the Epcot monorail it isn't that far of a walk even from the farther longhouses at Poly (we've stayed in Tuvalu twice and it was probably a 10 min walk). We'd rather be closer to the GCH for CC's and the shops. Proximity to the volcano pool is usually a consideration for us too, but obviously that is not the case for your trip in Nov. with the pool being closed!

 

[disneyAndi14]

Yes, you can take buses to the TTC from HS & AK. Personally we've always preferred to be closer to the GCH than the TTC. We take the resort monorail for the MK (and sometimes the boat launch back), and the resort buses for AK & HS. While we walk to the TTC for the Epcot monorail it isn't that far of a walk even from the farther longhouses at Poly (we've stayed in Tuvalu twice and it was probably a 10 min walk). We'd rather be closer to the GCH for CC's and the shops. Proximity to the volcano pool is usually a consideration for us too, but obviously that is not the case for your trip in Nov. with the pool being closed!

thanks for the great info, helps us for planning!

 

[maiapapaya]

thanks for the great info, helps us for planning!

No problem Good luck with your planning!

 

[soniam]

Here at the Poly too. We checked in Monday evening about 7pm. We didn't get our luggage from ME until about 10pm We're in Fiji looking onto the marina. Last night I don't remember hearing construction, but tonight at 9pm, I'm still hearing saws. There's also some really big, bright lights at Nanea. I guess for construction. The tree in front if our balcony is mostly blocking them. I bet the GF side is quieter. Get a Lapu Lapu or a Backscratcher; that will help to drown out the noise.

We went to Epcot this morning for RD during EMH. We went to the Poly bus stop before 7am, and buses for all of the parks came by. So, they seem to be coming a little more than an hour before opening, even for morning EMH. Epcot RD seemed to have less people than I remember.

An MK bus driver asked us where we were going, and we said Epcot. He said there was no bus from Poly to Epcot. That you had to take the monorail. We told him it wasn't running until 9am, and a bus ran before 9. He insisted on calling in and verifying. We were right, of course. Disney needs to educate their employees.

The lobby is really blocked off. We haven't tried the quiet pool but were told at Checkin, without asking, about Blizzard Beach. They gave us a pamphlet. No mention of using other pools.

Capt Cooks is beneath the stairs near Boutiki. It hasn't been as busy as I remember it. The whole resort seems to have fewer people. Boutiki and Samoa Snacks are in their regular spots, as well as the other restaurants and the carts with souvenirs by the Kona bar.

I can't think of anything else right now. I'll try to check back to this thread tomorrow, if anyone has any questions.

We did Epcot this morning and AK after lunch. Doing HS tomorrow morning and Epcot again tomorrow afternoon. No problems so far with our MB or FP+.

 

[soniam]

At poly. Just typed a long post on my phone and the app froze and lost the post. Maybe I'll try again on my laptop.