ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: October 2013

[TIME2DISNEY]

One year we had an evening flight arriving around that time. Not wanting to spend Poly rates for that night we booked Pop Century. We rode DME to Pop that night (brought our own bags from the airport since we didn't want to wait too late for them to be delivered). In the morning we took our bags to bell services to have them transferred to the Poly. We then hopped the bus to Epcot and got on the monorail, rode to the TTC, then switched to the resort loop and arrived at the Poly via monorail. The kids loved it! Maybe not as efficient as just riding to WDW on DME in the morning, but it was fun!

Love this idea! You are saving big bucks, but are still getting the Disney magic by staying on site.

I just convinced my SIL to book the Poly at the end of October(free dining). Now I'm worried that they will be disappointed due to the construction. I will feel horrible if they don't like it. Good news is they have never been there, so no comparisons to how it use to be!

I wonder if there is any way that we can change the Polynesian 2013 thread title? I think the date discourages readers? I mean wouldn't you rather read,
"Polynesian total destruction, should I stay there?" Or "Polynesian total refurb-it is now avatar themed!" A lot more catchy! Lol

 

[Polyonmymind]

Anyone there now? Curious as to the crowd at the Poly.

We will be there Labor Day weekend. From reading all of the Poly threads, I am beginning to wonder if it will feel like we have the whole place to ourselves?

 

[slzer0]

We are staying at CSR in November but have dinner booked at the Poly on a Monday night when MK closes early (cm event, not MVMCP).

Our dinner is booked for 7 so I was hoping to walk down to the beach and catch the boat parade/fireworks (if they happen during that cm event).

I know there's no pool-hopping, but does that apply to movies/campfires? I was thinking if we are already down there and it's going on we could join in?

 

[Cluelyss]

We are staying at CSR in November but have dinner booked at the Poly on a Monday night when MK closes early (cm event, not MVMCP). Our dinner is booked for 7 so I was hoping to walk down to the beach and catch the boat parade/fireworks (if they happen during that cm event). I know there's no pool-hopping, but does that apply to movies/campfires? I was thinking if we are already down there and it's going on we could join in?

Guests from other resorts are welcome to attend movies/campfires/etc. anywhere. Enjoy!

 

[maiapapaya]

Love this idea! You are saving big bucks, but are still getting the Disney magic by staying on site.

I just convinced my SIL to book the Poly at the end of October(free dining). Now I'm worried that they will be disappointed due to the construction. I will feel horrible if they don't like it. Good news is they have never been there, so no comparisons to how it use to be!

I wonder if there is any way that we can change the Polynesian 2013 thread title? I think the date discourages readers? I mean wouldn't you rather read,
"Polynesian total destruction, should I stay there?" Or "Polynesian total refurb-it is now avatar themed!" A lot more catchy! Lol

It was also nice to check out another resort that we normally wouldn't visit (we are spoiled and like to stay on the monorail loop). And the kids loved that we arrived at the Poly for our holiday to the announcement "we are now stopping at Disney's Polynesian Resort"!

As far as the name of the thread ... although you've got some awesome suggestions, the only way to change it is for Guitarob to edit it. We normally would have been on a new thread by now, but with the construction it's been kind of slow around here ... Rob's passed the tikitorch on to me to start the new thread when it's time, but I think we're going to be ready for the 2015 thread by the time we hit the page limit!

 

[slzer0]

.

 

[Kristina4109]

And when the new thread starts, it's going to be the Polynesian Village Resort!

 

[slzer0]

Guests from other resorts are welcome to attend movies/campfires/etc. anywhere. Enjoy!

Thank you. I thought I'd heard otherwise so I wasn't sure.
I wanted to check out Ft Wilderness campfire also, just to see the resort, but not sure I'll have the time.
I'm looking forward to Poly Beach after Kona dinner.
When is the movie/campfires usually? I read that the parade/fireworks are around 9.

Anything else we should check out on our way down to the beach?

 

[BlueSkies]

Hi Everyone!

We are getting so excited for our trip! I just realized we're doing the double digit dance! (OK - I'm the only one dancing. DH does not like to dance and DD would prefer the double digit cartwheel.)

OK, here goes. We're flying in the night before our trip (arriving around 8pm) and we plan to stay at the MCO Hyatt and jump on Magical Express bright and early. Our room will likely not be ready so we're hoping to leave our luggage with Bell Services and head to Magic Kingdom as soon as we can.

Can you think of a better/more efficient plan?

Have a great day everyone!!

sounds like a good plan...

One year we had an evening flight arriving around that time. Not wanting to spend Poly rates for that night we booked Pop Century. We rode DME to Pop that night (brought our own bags from the airport since we didn't want to wait too late for them to be delivered). In the morning we took our bags to bell services to have them transferred to the Poly. We then hopped the bus to Epcot and got on the monorail, rode to the TTC, then switched to the resort loop and arrived at the Poly via monorail. The kids loved it! Maybe not as efficient as just riding to WDW on DME in the morning, but it was fun!

And yet another good idea...

We are doing the same thing, we are getting in late and don't want to waste a night at the Polynesian. So we are staying at Pop Century, but we had to change our flights and now we get in at 11:30 am instead of 8:30 pm.

Seems like this is a popular plan...lol...

I'm probably in the minority, but I would book another night at the Poly if it's available. It would cost more than staying at the MCO Hyatt or a cheaper Disney resort, but there's nothing like checking in late, unpacking, and waking up the next morning ready to go instead of checking out of one resort and checking into another. We do it every trip as we add an extra night and take an evening flight and although our arrivals are more like 11 pm-midnight and our room that night is just for sleeping, it's great to know once we check in, we're there to stay until it's time to go home. Another plus is you know your room will be ready, so there's no being "home less" for part of the day.

Yet another god plan...

Love this idea! You are saving big bucks, but are still getting the Disney magic by staying on site.

I just convinced my SIL to book the Poly at the end of October(free dining). Now I'm worried that they will be disappointed due to the construction. I will feel horrible if they don't like it. Good news is they have never been there, so no comparisons to how it use to be!

I wonder if there is any way that we can change the Polynesian 2013 thread title? I think the date discourages readers? I mean wouldn't you rather read,
"Polynesian total destruction, should I stay there?" Or "Polynesian total refurb-it is now avatar themed!" A lot more catchy! Lol

congrats on your trip!! I agree about the thread title needing updating.. lol..but I think Polynesian Village Resort would be more welcoming...lol...

It was also nice to check out another resort that we normally wouldn't visit (we are spoiled and like to stay on the monorail loop). And the kids loved that we arrived at the Poly for our holiday to the announcement "we are now stopping at Disney's Polynesian Resort"!

As far as the name of the thread ... although you've got some awesome suggestions, the only way to change it is for Guitarob to edit it. We normally would have been on a new thread by now, but with the construction it's been kind of slow around here ... Rob's passed the tikitorch on to me to start the new thread when it's time, but I think we're going to be ready for the 2015 thread by the time we hit the page limit!

Guess there will be a bit of a wait for the updating...lol..

And when the new thread starts, it's going to be the Polynesian Village Resort!

 

[TIME2DISNEY]

congrats on your trip!! I agree about the thread title needing updating.. lol..but I think Polynesian Village Resort would be more welcoming...lol...

Sorry about my weird humor, they weren't suggestions for new thread names, I was poking fun of all the other threads that have popped up about poor Poly. Yes, the Polynesian Village Resort would be more inviting...

 

[maiapapaya]

Sorry about my weird humor, they weren't suggestions for new thread names, I was poking fun of all the other threads that have popped up about poor Poly. Yes, the Polynesian Village Resort would be more inviting...

Well, they were still pretty eye-catching names though! Once we're getting towards the new year or once some of the new changes are starting to be revealed and things are beginning to turn around for our Poly I will probably go ahead and start the new thread if we still aren't hitting the page limit on this one. The info on the first page will be needing updating and there's nothing like a fresh start to get people excited about the Poly again!

 

[Cluelyss]

Thank you. I thought I'd heard otherwise so I wasn't sure. I wanted to check out Ft Wilderness campfire also, just to see the resort, but not sure I'll have the time. I'm looking forward to Poly Beach after Kona dinner. When is the movie/campfires usually? I read that the parade/fireworks are around 9. Anything else we should check out on our way down to the beach?

EWP passes by the Poly at 9 pm most nights. I heard that they were limiting firework viewing from the beach to Poly guests over July 4th weekend, but I don't think that's was a permanent change, just due to high crowds during the holiday. Perhaps someone who's been there recently can confirm?

 

[keahgirl8]

Hello Poly thread! I am going to be at WDW in February 2015, and I am thinking about eating at the Poly. Do we know how torn up it will be by then?

 

[PolyAddict]

I am thinking of holding out for our next trip until the Poly is done the rehab.

we will see if that happens

Are we thinking end of 2015 that things are going to be in up and running? I am not interested in the bungalows. just looking for the pool and lobby rehab to be done.

thanks

 

[BlueSkies]

Sorry about my weird humor, they weren't suggestions for new thread names, I was poking fun of all the other threads that have popped up about poor Poly. Yes, the Polynesian Village Resort would be more inviting...

There are some good ones out there right now thats for sure!

Well, they were still pretty eye-catching names though! Once we're getting towards the new year or once some of the new changes are starting to be revealed and things are beginning to turn around for our Poly I will probably go ahead and start the new thread if we still aren't hitting the page limit on this one. The info on the first page will be needing updating and there's nothing like a fresh start to get people excited about the Poly again!

Sounds good maiapapaya...

keahgirl I think that the most up to date information can be found on tikiman's facebook page...

 

[TIME2DISNEY]

Well, they were still pretty eye-catching names though! Once we're getting towards the new year or once some of the new changes are starting to be revealed and things are beginning to turn around for our Poly I will probably go ahead and start the new thread if we still aren't hitting the page limit on this one. The info on the first page will be needing updating and there's nothing like a fresh start to get people excited about the Poly again!

That makes perfect sense. Thank you!

 

[maiapapaya]

I am thinking of holding out for our next trip until the Poly is done the rehab.

we will see if that happens

Are we thinking end of 2015 that things are going to be in up and running? I am not interested in the bungalows. just looking for the pool and lobby rehab to be done.

thanks

By the end of next year you should be good The pool is supposed to be done in the spring and I think the GCH by the summer? There's so much going on it's hard to remember everything, but the pool is definitely the spring.

 

[mickeynut1]

Hello Poly thread! I am going to be at WDW in February 2015, and I am thinking about eating at the Poly. Do we know how torn up it will be by then?

It's pretty torn up right now with the pool closed and parts of the GCH blocked off. The pool is scheduled to reopen sometime in March and I'm not sure about the GCH. From what I understand, DVC construction could run through most of 2015.

I am thinking of holding out for our next trip until the Poly is done the rehab.

we will see if that happens

Are we thinking end of 2015 that things are going to be in up and running? I am not interested in the bungalows. just looking for the pool and lobby rehab to be done.

thanks

I agree with maiapapaya that you should be good for end of 2015 .


Hi BlueSkies

 

[keahgirl8]

It's pretty torn up right now with the pool closed and parts of the GCH blocked off. The pool is scheduled to reopen sometime in March and I'm not sure about the GCH. From what I understand, DVC construction could run through most of 2015. I agree with maiapapaya that you should be good for end of 2015 . Hi BlueSkies

Well okay! Maybe I will make different dining choices this trip!

 

[Tikiman]

Nanea pool construction is scheduled to be done late March but more like April.
East Pool construction will start when Nanea pool reopens and could last through much of the Summer but no dates are given.
GCH should be done by February or early March.
Part of DVC should be handed over to the resort by March with the rest later 2015.
Captain Cook's should open this week and the walls near Tambu Lounge are down after the completion of the work on the air handlers.

At some point the temporary check in will be available and walls will have to go up around the current check in desk.