ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: October 2013

[mickeynut1]

Hi there! Good to see you here too! We talked a lot about GF or Poly, but the price at the Poly came in noticeably cheaper, otherwise we'd be talking about a totally different stay! Poly...you have a lot to live up to!

The GF is a great resort, but that Poly rate is hard to beat . We stayed at the Poly a few years prior to our GF stay and while I do love the GF, the Poly is still my favorite. I'm sure you will have a great time .

We are booked for 1 night at the Poly in December for the first time. We are just in a standard view. I read the info on the first page but didn't see standard view listed for any of the longhouses. Are the standard view rooms in every building? If so, any particular building I should request? It's just for one night so it probably doesn't matter. I see on the online check in it asks balcony or patio as requests. Is there any advantage of one over the other? I'm assuming patio is ground floor? It looks like the king beds are only in suites, so we'll have 2 queens? Does the resort have any actual cribs available? (not a pack n play) We are doing a split stay so renting a crib isn't going to work and nobody will sleep if the toddler doesn't have a crib Are they still doing Blizzard Beach passes because of the pool situation? If so, how does that work? We won't be able to go to BB on our check in or check out day because we have other plans, but could later in our stay. Sorry for so many questions!!

My favorite for standard view is Samoa. The Poly isn't that spread out to me and while some long houses are closer to the main areas than others, I don't think any of them are far away. With that said, we found Samoa to be very convenient as it was just steps to the GCH, Captain Cooks, and the beach .

We've never had the need for a crib, so I'm not sure if they are available or not. Hopefully others who have needed/used them will be able to give some input .

I don't think you would be able to use the water park ticket later in your trip as I think that is only good during your Poly stay. Hopefully someone will be able to verify that or correct me if I'm wrong.

Good morning!

We are looking to go to disney towards the end of April. Trying to decide between beach club and poly. We've stayed at beach club once and love it, particularly the pool of course! But I wanted to try something we haven't done yet.
One concern I have in considering the Poly is that the main pool is closed for refurb until "early 2015" according the the website. Does anyone have any concrete info on the reopen date? I don't want to shell out the $ for the Poly if the pool will still be closed.

I apologize if this has already been answered, I tried searching through the thread but didn't see this addressed.

We've stayed at both and my choice would be the Poly. I'm glad we tried the BC, but we weren't wow'd by SAB and the limited CS options just don't work for my family. I agree with the others that following Tikiman's pages is a great way to keep up to date on everything going on at the Poly .

 

[WOODY13]

Did I see back a few pages back that the quiet pool will be under constuction/renovations in 2015? Does anyone have an idea if this is the case and if it is when will it be going on? We prefer the quiet pool to the main pool.Thanks for any info.

 

[trishadono]

Did I see back a few pages back that the quiet pool will be under constuction/renovations in 2015? Does anyone have an idea if this is the case and if it is when will it be going on? We prefer the quiet pool to the main pool.Thanks for any info.

I don't think it has an official date or announcement yet. Also it would depend on when the feature pool actually reopens.

The pool itself was just done over not too long ago so maybe it will just be enhancements to the deck etc.

Keep an eye on Tikiman's sites for any announcements. He hasn't done an October update yet.

 

[MinnieF]

Does anyone know when the ceremonial house construction will be completed? Looking to go to the Poly January 24-30... Currently booked at WL. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[hsmamainva]

Does anyone know when the ceremonial house construction will be completed? Looking to go to the Poly January 24-30... Currently booked at WL. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Would love to know this as well!

Currently booked at POFQ but the Poly has been a dream of mine for years!! Dates are Jan 27 - Feb 5 for us.

 

[gamecock]

Take this for what it's worth (probably not a lot), but i just got off the phone booking our trip 1/18 - 1/24/15 and the CM told me the GCH will be completed by that time. Again, i know who this is coming from so the accuracy is not to be taken as definitive, and i'm not saying it will be done at that time. This will be our first Poly stay and we can't wait.

 

[BlueSkies]

Page two rescue...again!!!!??

Poly peeps..show some love to your fave resort....

Take this for what it's worth (probably not a lot), but i just got off the phone booking our trip 1/18 - 1/24/15 and the CM told me the GCH will be completed by that time. Again, i know who this is coming from so the accuracy is not to be taken as definitive, and i'm not saying it will be done at that time. This will be our first Poly stay and we can't wait.

Thanks for sharing the news! Poly happens to be a fave resort of ours to visit when we are at WDW...and I will be looking forward to seeing a new and improved??? (hopefully) lol...Poly in 2015....

 

[Tikiman]

Take this for what it's worth (probably not a lot), but i just got off the phone booking our trip 1/18 - 1/24/15 and the CM told me the GCH will be completed by that time. Again, i know who this is coming from so the accuracy is not to be taken as definitive, and i'm not saying it will be done at that time. This will be our first Poly stay and we can't wait.

Don't count on it.

 

[MinnieF]

Just switched over from the WL for Jan 24-30. Excited!!!

 

[ksueboo]

I read on the page 1 info that a microwave is available upon request. Does that mean some rooms have it and some don't? I just want to heat up some oatmeal for breakfast! Can I do that?

 

[gamecock]

Tikiman, I posted this on anther thread but what would you recommend for week of 1/18/15. Poly or CR tower lake view for approx $350 more? We r booked at Polly and are torn between these two choices. Thank you in advance.

 

[BlueSkies]

Don't count on it.

Thanks for the input Tikiman

Just switched over from the WL for Jan 24-30. Excited!!!

Congratulations!!!!

I read on the page 1 info that a microwave is available upon request. Does that mean some rooms have it and some don't? I just want to heat up some oatmeal for breakfast! Can I do that?

Don't think that microwaves are standard in any room..but are available on request....

Tikiman, I posted this on anther thread but what would you recommend for week of 1/18/15. Poly or CR tower lake view for approx $350 more? We r booked at Polly and are torn between these two choices. Thank you in advance.

Just adding my two cents gamecock..If the prospect of being at a resort that is under refurbishment is not bothersome to you (and thanks to Tikiman's site.. we really are able to follow just what state things are in at the resort) ..and only you know how that would impact your vacation... than I would say stick with the Poly and enjoy your stay....with that said though..we are long time CR fans..and that lake view is absolutely beautiful

 

[Tikiman]

Tikiman, I posted this on anther thread but what would you recommend for week of 1/18/15. Poly or CR tower lake view for approx $350 more? We r booked at Polly and are torn between these two choices. Thank you in advance.

I don’t know that I can recommend what would be good for you to do. I’m not really trying to get out of answering the question but what I like or my opinion about things does not match what everyone else thinks. I can tell you that chances are that the Great Ceremonial House will not be done, Trader Sam’s will not be open, the pool will not be completed and DVC will still be under construction based on the construction schedule I got a few days ago. If you want the Polynesian for its location and food then do it but if you want full use of the amenities, I would not go during that time.

 

[Nancyg56]

Tikiman, I posted this on anther thread but what would you recommend for week of 1/18/15. Poly or CR tower lake view for approx $350 more? We r booked at Polly and are torn between these two choices. Thank you in advance.

I know that you asked Tikiman, but I would like to chime in. I always ask people what they expect from the resort that they choose, and if they would be disappointed if the resort did not measure up. My family found out the hard way that we are not good with construction, and the construction at the Beach Club was minor in comparison to what the Poly is undergoing. WE had placed a great deal of expectations on that visit, and felt the disruption for a good portion of our stay, leaving with our first ever case of buyers remorse.

Now I know that not everyone felt the way we did, but I always warn folks to be really honest with themselves, especially if the resort stay is part of a bucket list stay.

 

[cocoabean1]

Hopefully Kona Café is still open in November. Not looking forward to finding breakfast reservations now if they close.

 

[gamecock]

I don’t know that I can recommend what would be good for you to do. I’m not really trying to get out of answering the question but what I like or my opinion about things does not match what everyone else thinks. I can tell you that chances are that the Great Ceremonial House will not be done, Trader Sam’s will not be open, the pool will not be completed and DVC will still be under construction based on the construction schedule I got a few days ago. If you want the Polynesian for its location and food then do it but if you want full use of the amenities, I would not go during that time.

thank you for the candid response. We have always wanted to stay at both resorts, so we switched to CR TPV for this trip. We decided that for our first stay at Poly, we would really like for it to be in all its glory. Plus this way we will get both resorts at their best, and we will not have to gamble on how the construction will effect the trip.

P.S. thank you for all the work you do keeping everyone up to date on all the goings on at Poly. It has really been informative for me the last few weeks of planning, and i will continue to keep up from now on.

 

[Lalalyn]

Please keep us updated on any restaurant closures!

We chose the Poly because we have three little kids under five and being on the monorail will make the trip easier. The other resort monorails would have been over $1000 more for the trip.

Plus, we aren't pool people. Probably wouldn't swim even if we were going in August.

A Kona Cafe closure would be tough as I anticipate eating a lot of dinners at the hotel. Having to do all of those quick service at Captain Cooks would be a bummer.

We will be there Feb. 1-7.

Thanks everyone, especially Tikiman, for the updates!

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Please keep us updated on any restaurant closures!

We chose the Poly because we have three little kids under five and being on the monorail will make the trip easier. The other resort monorails would have been over $1000 more for the trip.

Plus, we aren't pool people. Probably wouldn't swim even if we were going in August.

A Kona Cafe closure would be tough as I anticipate eating a lot of dinners at the hotel. Having to do all of those quick service at Captain Cooks would be a bummer.

We will be there Feb. 1-7.

Thanks everyone, especially Tikiman, for the updates!

I travel every other week (at least) for work. The hotel I stay at is remodeling. This hotel participates in my favorite rewards program and is walking distance from my office. This is a big deal as I spend every morning in their concierge lounge for breakfast before heading to work and it is closed for a few months. The refurb of the rooms doesn't bother me but having that lounge closed is big. And then they had the workout room remodeled which was horrible for someone that runs 6 miles a day and travels to Phoenix (110 to 120 degrees in the summer) and has the treadmill closed!!! The gift shop has been closed for months as well and the pool has been closed on and off. But what I found is that I WANTED to stay there. The biggest reason that overshadowed everything - LOCATION!

So I totally understand your thought - the LOCATION is key. And it can't be beat. It is the ONLY RESORT that you can take the monorail to MK and to EP (with minimum walking and no transfers).

And I...well...booked...the Poly Let's see what DH says when he finds out

 

[mickeynut1]

Poly happens to be a fave resort of ours to visit when we are at WDW...

Just wait until you stay there....it's amazing .

Just switched over from the WL for Jan 24-30. Excited!!!

Please keep us updated on any restaurant closures!

We chose the Poly because we have three little kids under five and being on the monorail will make the trip easier. The other resort monorails would have been over $1000 more for the trip.

Plus, we aren't pool people. Probably wouldn't swim even if we were going in August.

A Kona Cafe closure would be tough as I anticipate eating a lot of dinners at the hotel. Having to do all of those quick service at Captain Cooks would be a bummer.

We will be there Feb. 1-7.

Thanks everyone, especially Tikiman, for the updates!

I hope you have a great trip . The Poly is our favorite resort and while the pool closure would be a deal breaker for us in the summer months, I wouldn't hesitate to book it in the winter, even with construction. Have a great time .

 

[kiki02]

I travel every other week (at least) for work. The hotel I stay at is remodeling. This hotel participates in my favorite rewards program and is walking distance from my office. This is a big deal as I spend every morning in their concierge lounge for breakfast before heading to work and it is closed for a few months. The refurb of the rooms doesn't bother me but having that lounge closed is big. And then they had the workout room remodeled which was horrible for someone that runs 6 miles a day and travels to Phoenix (110 to 120 degrees in the summer) and has the treadmill closed!!! The gift shop has been closed for months as well and the pool has been closed on and off. But what I found is that I WANTED to stay there. The biggest reason that overshadowed everything - LOCATION!

So I totally understand your thought - the LOCATION is key. And it can't be beat. It is the ONLY RESORT that you can take the monorail to MK and to EP (with minimum walking and no transfers).

And I...well...booked...the Poly Let's see what DH says when he finds out

You can't take the monorail from GF or BLK to MK and EP? huh?