ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: October 2013

[trishadono]

Thanks Trish...and the bolded above got me thinking about all of our past stays.

While we've always enjoyed our CL stays, we've equally enjoyed our non-CL stays as well. And as I look at the "magical" quote I'm getting for next August (it's going to run us over $1300 more for CL), the more I'm thinking to go with the standard vw & skip CL all together. $1300 savings is HUGE & I'm thinking with that money I could either order water/snacks from GG or make a quick grocery run for snacks /water, rent a car, order apps each night & still have $$ left over .

So...standard view it will be (now to figure out which bldg. to request . Very excited for our first Poly stay next summer . Off to go read Tikiman's suggestions and if anyone else would like to share their experiences & suggest a longhouse...I'm all ears

Oh that reminds me allears.net is my other favorite site for info!

 

[mommyrosa2]

We stayed in a standard room last month and loved the location. We were in Samoa, third floor facing the quiet pool. That location is close to everything and the view was quite lovely outside our room; very tropical and lush.

That being said, after walking around the resort and getting a better feel of the layout, we didn't find a longhouse we wouldn't stay in. All of them were in good walking distance to the GCH. I think it depends if you want to be closer to the TTC vs. marina vs. luau cove/GF side.

Have a great trip. We hope to return to the Poly next summer, too.

Thank you!

Mommyrosa - what are your dates?


I went through same decision. CL or non CL
Going to go with a "magical" non CL room too

We are booking. August 16 to 26. Maybe we will meet up again!

Nice....We'll be there 8/12-8/20!!

We have so much going on next year that it only made sense we take the extra savings. Really hoping that most of the construction will be done too as my youngest wants to take her senior pictures at the Poly when we go.

Oh that reminds me allears.net is my other favorite site for info!

I'll check them out too.

DH & I will be at the world next month and since I'm more of a visual person, I think we'll pop over to the Poly, walk around and check it out firsthand. Hey, I like to think it's never too late to plan .

 

[mickeynut1]

While we've always enjoyed our CL stays, we've equally enjoyed our non-CL stays as well. And as I look at the "magical" quote I'm getting for next August (it's going to run us over $1300 more for CL), the more I'm thinking to go with the standard vw & skip CL all together. $1300 savings is HUGE & I'm thinking with that money I could either order water/snacks from GG or make a quick grocery run for snacks /water, rent a car, order apps each night & still have $$ left over .

So...standard view it will be (now to figure out which bldg. to request . Very excited for our first Poly stay next summer . Off to go read Tikiman's suggestions and if anyone else would like to share their experiences & suggest a longhouse...I'm all ears

We are the same way. We don't stay CL every trip and although we do love our CL stays, our non-CL trips are just as great. Our stay at the Poly was in a GV room in Samoa, first floor, facing the quiet pool and we loved it. The location was great and the view was pretty. I can't comment on Poly CL from experience as we've never tried it (we are hoping to try it next summer), but I think you will have a great time without it as the Poly is an overall amazing resort (IMO) .

That being said, after walking around the resort and getting a better feel of the layout, we didn't find a longhouse we wouldn't stay in. All of them were in good walking distance to the GCH. I think it depends if you want to be closer to the TTC vs. marina vs. luau cove/GF side.

Same here. I don't think there are any bad rooms/views at the Poly. The grounds are so lush and beautiful and the resort isn't that spread out, so nothing is really far from the main areas. There are some longhouses closer to certain things than others, but I don't think anything is a far walk .

 

[SeaSpray]

Hi everyone!

I'm so excited! We just booked a room at the Polynesian for next July, for our 15th anniversary.

This is the first time that we're booking a non-CL room, but with all of life happening this year ($$$$) we had to cancel the Disney 2-week Panama Canal cruise that we had booked, and change to something more affordable. And as much as we LOVE our Disney cruises, I am not sad to change to WDW/Polynesian

So, since we need a room with a roll-in shower, this kind of limits longhouses and even rooms, for us. A PP had listed all of the rooms with roll-in showers, so we pretty much know which longhouses we might end up in, and we're fine with that, although we do prefer to be in the middle of things, so to speak, which is why we always loved the Hawaii building.

From what I've read here on the DIS and also on Steve's (Tikiman) site, most if not all of the construction should be done by next July.

At first upon hearing about DVC going in at the Polynesian I felt very disappointed that this beautiful, tranquil resort was going to be changed so much.

But, just like in previous years when they made major changes, it all worked out well in the end, so now I am very optimistic that we will still love the Polynesian and I'm sure we'll still feel that feeling of excitement when we first step foot in to the GCH next year.

Our last stay at the Polynesian was in 2010 for our 10th anniversary. And in 2012 we had dinner at 'Ohana while on an excursion from our NYC-Bahamas Disney cruise, so I am so happy at the thought of going back again.

A lot has changed since 2010 but this will give me a chance for a lot of fun research regarding Magic Bands, FP+, new restaurants, and all the changes at the Polynesian.

Anyway, just wanted to introduce myself since I'll probably be asking questions as people return from their trips between now and July.

 

[trishadono]

Hi everyone!

Anyway, just wanted to introduce myself since I'll probably be asking questions as people return from their trips between now and July.

Hi

I love your signature!

 

[mickeynut1]

Hi everyone!

I'm so excited! We just booked a room at the Polynesian for next July, for our 15th anniversary.

This is the first time that we're booking a non-CL room, but with all of life happening this year ($$$$) we had to cancel the Disney 2-week Panama Canal cruise that we had booked, and change to something more affordable. And as much as we LOVE our Disney cruises, I am not sad to change to WDW/Polynesian

Anyway, just wanted to introduce myself since I'll probably be asking questions as people return from their trips between now and July.

Welcome back to the Poly thread .

I'm glad you are able to get back to the Poly next summer. We might be there around the same time. We don't have specific dates yet, but we are planning on a trip sometime July 2015 and we are headed back to the Poly as well and I can't wait. We have loved all of the resorts we've stayed at, but the Poly will always be our favorite. Hope you have fun planning your Poly anniversary trip .

 

[BlueSkies]

Hi from me too SeaSpray

What a nice way to celebrate your anniversary!!

We will be at the Poly in just 2 months and will be happy to answer any questions that I can ...lol.....and if I you would like to know anything specific just let me know... I will be happy to be a roving reporter!!

 

[SeaSpray]

Hi

I love your signature!

Thanks!

Welcome back to the Poly thread .

I'm glad you are able to get back to the Poly next summer. We might be there around the same time. We don't have specific dates yet, but we are planning on a trip sometime July 2015 and we are headed back to the Poly as well and I can't wait. We have loved all of the resorts we've stayed at, but the Poly will always be our favorite. Hope you have fun planning your Poly anniversary trip .

We've stayed at several other resorts too, and enjoyed each one of them, but the Polynesian is our "home" while we're at WDW.

Hi from me too SeaSpray

What a nice way to celebrate your anniversary!!

We will be at the Poly in just 2 months and will be happy to answer any questions that I can ...lol.....and if I you would like to know anything specific just let me know... I will be happy to be a roving reporter!!

Thanks!!! I always love to know what kind of Polynesian logo merchandise they have.

 

[disny_luvr]

So, it's looking like we'll be booking the Poly for June 27-July 6 (or around those dates - just trying to figure out DH's vacation time). We'll definitely be there over July 4th. I'm a little concerned about watching the MK fireworks from the Poly beach on July 4th. Will we have to contend with the masses or do they section off a part of the beach for Poly guests only? I know with construction there may be some unknowns yet but I'd like to have a game plan for July 4th. Anyone ever been at this time and have any comments/thoughts to share? TIA!

 

[mickeynut1]

We've stayed at several other resorts too, and enjoyed each one of them, but the Polynesian is our "home" while we're at WDW.

There's just something about the Poly that says "home" to me as well as the tropical surroundings are so calm and relaxing that it's hard not to love everything about it .

So, it's looking like we'll be booking the Poly for June 27-July 6 (or around those dates - just trying to figure out DH's vacation time). We'll definitely be there over July 4th. I'm a little concerned about watching the MK fireworks from the Poly beach on July 4th. Will we have to contend with the masses or do they section off a part of the beach for Poly guests only? I know with construction there may be some unknowns yet but I'd like to have a game plan for July 4th. Anyone ever been at this time and have any comments/thoughts to share? TIA!

We've never been over July 4th so I can't answer from experience, but I think they try to limit the beach area to Poly guests on the actual day. I'm not positive that they do (or that they are successful, if they do) since we've never been at that time, but hopefully others who have experienced the Poly over the 4th of July will be able to give some insight .

 

[Cluelyss]

There's just something about the Poly that says "home" to me as well as the tropical surroundings are so calm and relaxing that it's hard not to love everything about it . We've never been over July 4th so I can't answer from experience, but I think they try to limit the beach area to Poly guests on the actual day. I'm not positive that they do (or that they are successful, if they do) since we've never been at that time, but hopefully others who have experienced the Poly over the 4th of July will be able to give some insight .

I saw a post this 4th where there were signs on the beach that said reserved for Poly guests only, so assume they try to limit anyone else crashing that area. But not sure how or how successfully (tho MB may make this easier?) Enjoy your stay!!!

 

[disny_luvr]

We are officially booked for next summer and we can't wait!

We're doing a split stay this trip, which I'm not looking forward to, but my kids really want to stay at the BC again. We'll be at the BC from June 27-June 30 and then the Poly from June 30-July 6.

 

[disny_luvr]

I saw a post this 4th where there were signs on the beach that said reserved for Poly guests only, so assume they try to limit anyone else crashing that area. But not sure how or how successfully (tho MB may make this easier?) Enjoy your stay!!!

Thanks for the info. I'm hoping the MB will make it easier to limit access to only those staying at the Poly. I guess I'll find out next year. Thanks again.

 

[trishadono]

Has anybody used the Blizzard Beach freebie?

Was there any info we need to know?

Thanks!

 

[Tikiman]

For anybody that has been to Poly since the pool has been closed and got the Blizzard Beach passes.

Are the tickets actual tickets like you buy in the park? Can they be used anytime(a different trip)?

Or are they dated for that specific time only?

I am going with my mom and it would kind of be a waste. Yet if we HAVE to use them then she might like the lazy river or zero entry pool.

They scan your magic band or room key and they can only be used through the special Polynesian entrance at Blizzard Beach during the dates you are staying at the Polynesian Resort.

 

[trishadono]

They scan your magic band or room key and they can only be used through the special Polynesian entrance at Blizzard Beach during the dates you are staying at the Polynesian Resort.

Thanks Steve!!! I was having a hard time finding more recent info. Everything I found was from May- July and wasn't sure if anything different or new.

 

[mickeynut1]

I saw a post this 4th where there were signs on the beach that said reserved for Poly guests only, so assume they try to limit anyone else crashing that area. But not sure how or how successfully (tho MB may make this easier?) Enjoy your stay!!!

Thanks for this info .

We are officially booked for next summer and we can't wait!

We're doing a split stay this trip, which I'm not looking forward to, but my kids really want to stay at the BC again. We'll be at the BC from June 27-June 30 and then the Poly from June 30-July 6.

Sounds like a great trip. Splitting between a MK resort and an Epcot resort is the best of both worlds .

 

[BlueSkies]

Thanks!!! I always love to know what kind of Polynesian logo merchandise they have.

I am equal to the task SeaSpray Shopping is a fave pass time of mine... I will return with a thorough report!! lol...

So, it's looking like we'll be booking the Poly for June 27-July 6 (or around those dates - just trying to figure out DH's vacation time). We'll definitely be there over July 4th. I'm a little concerned about watching the MK fireworks from the Poly beach on July 4th. Will we have to contend with the masses or do they section off a part of the beach for Poly guests only? I know with construction there may be some unknowns yet but I'd like to have a game plan for July 4th. Anyone ever been at this time and have any comments/thoughts to share? TIA!

Congrats on booking your next stay!!! I read the same thing that Cluelyss just posted...hopefully you will have a nice place to watch those spectacular fireworks...with not too much of a crowd!

I saw a post this 4th where there were signs on the beach that said reserved for Poly guests only, so assume they try to limit anyone else crashing that area. But not sure how or how successfully (tho MB may make this easier?) Enjoy your stay!!!

I read about that too...

We are officially booked for next summer and we can't wait!

We're doing a split stay this trip, which I'm not looking forward to, but my kids really want to stay at the BC again. We'll be at the BC from June 27-June 30 and then the Poly from June 30-July 6.

Sounds like a terrific split..best of both worlds!!

Has anybody used the Blizzard Beach freebie?

Was there any info we need to know?

Thanks!

I am curious about this too....although I am thinking it might be a bit too chilly when we are there...

They scan your magic band or room key and they can only be used through the special Polynesian entrance at Blizzard Beach during the dates you are staying at the Polynesian Resort.

Thanks for the info Tikiman !

 

[Tikiman]

Thanks Steve!!! I was having a hard time finding more recent info. Everything I found was from May- July and wasn't sure if anything different or new.

It is easier for me to do those details on my Facebook page (because I can do it mobile) but a few people have reported about using it and shared photos of the special entrance at Blizzard Beach. The offer officially is to be able to go any day you are booked at the Polynesian and use of the Grand Floridian pool is not permitted but some Cast Members have been telling guests that they can use the GF pool because they are tired of upset guests. I would suggest that no one does. Also at check in some have been told the Blizzard Beach offer is only one day but I confirmed it is for length of stay and many people have already used it more than once.

 

[trishadono]

Hey Blue!

I go in November often. One year I went on two different trips in the month!

Weather can be cool to HOT!!!

It can be 80-85 for a few days then drop to 72-75 or even a day or two in the 60's.

We will just have to wait and see!

If it is hot and you go you will need 4 people to ride Teamboat Springs so maybe you can adopt me?