ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: October 2013

[Cluelyss]

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

I think she was saying that Poly is the only resort you can get to both MK and Epcot direct another reason we love the Poly!

 

[Kristina4109]

This is the reason the Poly is the only WDW resort I've stayed at twice. The location is hard to beat. We were there in June, when the pool was still open but Captain Cook's was closed. Even with all the construction, it was amazing.

 

[MillauFr]

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

It is a much slower trip from the Grand Floridian or the Contemporary. The walk to the Epcot Monorail stop is much longer from these resorts. The Poly has the best logistics of any resort at Disneyworld.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

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

Thanks to the other posters for their answers!

In order to take The monorail to Epcot from grand Floridian or contemporary, you have to take the resort monorail to the transportation and TicketCenter and then switch monorails and get on the Epcot monorail. At the Polynesian, you can take the resort monorail from the great ceremonial house to Magic Kingdom. And you can also walk to the transportation and TicketCenter to take the direct monorail to Epcot. You could walk from GF to TTC but you would be walking through the Polynesian resort and a very long distance. You cannot walk from the contemporary to the TTC.

So the Polynesian location is excellent because you can walk to one monorail to Magic Kingdom and you can walk to another monorail that goes to Epcot and you do not have to transfer to another line or bus/boat.

 

[WDWKOOK]

The Magic Kingdom hotels will be testing a new bus route from 10/12-10/25/14. The bus will run between the Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian Resort, the Polynesian and Typhoon Lagoon. This will fix the problem of all Typhoon Lagoon guests having to transfer at Epcot after 2:00pm.
~DIS Updates

 

[mickeynut1]

The location is hard to beat.

The Magic Kingdom hotels will be testing a new bus route from 10/12-10/25/14. The bus will run between the Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian Resort, the Polynesian and Typhoon Lagoon. This will fix the problem of all Typhoon Lagoon guests having to transfer at Epcot after 2:00pm.
~DIS Updates

Hi KOOK, thanks for the bus information .

 

[AliceIn]

Greetings, Poly Lovers! I just booked our vacation for next year (September 18-27) for a Club Level Garden View room. I know about all the construction, and I'm aware of the various changes going on at the resort right now. I just got back from a week long trip at the GF, and I had a chance to see things at the Poly.

I believe the quiet pool will start renovations in the early 2nd quarter in 2015. What are the chances that it will be done by September? We're hoping that it will be open by then, though it isn't a deal breaker if it is not. Any idea of what they are doing with the pool, or if there will be a lot of construction noise in September?

 

[BlueSkies]

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.

Not directed to me..but I wanted to respond..sage advice Nancyg56 Thanks for posting your two cents..I did too...

This is the reason the Poly is the only WDW resort I've stayed at twice. The location is hard to beat. We were there in June, when the pool was still open but Captain Cook's was closed. Even with all the construction, it was amazing.

Glad to hear that!

The Magic Kingdom hotels will be testing a new bus route from 10/12-10/25/14. The bus will run between the Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian Resort, the Polynesian and Typhoon Lagoon. This will fix the problem of all Typhoon Lagoon guests having to transfer at Epcot after 2:00pm.
~DIS Updates

Thanks KOOK

 

[WDWKOOK]

Hi KOOK, thanks for the bus information .

You're welcome, mickeynut1

BTW, TL will close 10/26 - 1/3/15 for its seasonal rehab so that's why this "test" ends 10/25.

Thanks KOOK

You're welcome, BlueSkies. Your trip is coming up soon

 

[kiki02]

You're welcome, mickeynut1

BTW, TL will close 10/26 - 1/3/15 for its seasonal rehab so that's why this "test" ends 10/25.


You're welcome, BlueSkies. Your trip is coming up soon

What is TL

 

[WDWKOOK]

What is TL

Typhoon Lagoon

 

[mickeynut1]

Greetings, Poly Lovers! I just booked our vacation for next year (September 18-27) for a Club Level Garden View room. I know about all the construction, and I'm aware of the various changes going on at the resort right now. I just got back from a week long trip at the GF, and I had a chance to see things at the Poly.

I believe the quiet pool will start renovations in the early 2nd quarter in 2015. What are the chances that it will be done by September? We're hoping that it will be open by then, though it isn't a deal breaker if it is not. Any idea of what they are doing with the pool, or if there will be a lot of construction noise in September?

Congrats on booking for next September . We are headed back in August to try Poly CL and I'm excited as it's been on my list of clubs to try.

I can't answer about the quiet pool, but Tikiman's pages are a great place for up to date information .

You're welcome, mickeynut1

 

[LifeontheDrupe]

I believe the quiet pool will start renovations in the early 2nd quarter in 2015. What are the chances that it will be done by September? We're hoping that it will be open by then, though it isn't a deal breaker if it is not. Any idea of what they are doing with the pool, or if there will be a lot of construction noise in September?

I'm under the same impressions... the quiet pool would go 'down for refurb' once the Main Pool opened in March.

Been lurking Tikimans site for ANY details of either pool project... with little success. We're planning to arrive 8/27 and was also curious about the quiet pool.

I did notice a comment posted on his FB though... asking if any construction was expected in Aug 2015... to which he responded 'I don't believe so'. That would lead me to believe that the quiet pool will be open well before your late September arrival.

Fingers crossed... we're anxiously awaiting what these areas will look like!

 

[LifeontheDrupe]

Had somehow missed a recent update from Tikiman's site... he has this to say about the pools:

Although the pool area was going to be a much grander design than what we will see, I still think it will turn out to be a great new area with many new amenities to enjoy. We can now see them starting the process as they begin taking the top of the volcano apart. This will be made into a smaller rock formation that surrounds the existing slide and pool. That change along with the new kids wet play area (similar in looks to the one in Aulani), the new hot tub area and larger pool deck will make this area a much more enjoyable spot to relax. Reading the construction schedule, there seems to be some sort of kid’s play waterfall and kiddy pool as part of it also. I keep getting asked if there are renderings of the new pool area and I can tell you that DIsney has renderings for everything but I have shared all that I can for now. All that I can share has been posted to my Facebook page.

Once they are done with the Nanea pool (main pool) area they will start an extensive redesign of the East pool and Tangaroa Terrace building. The redesign of the East pool will be amazing but I don’t know how far into next summer this work will go. I was told that both pool areas will be fenced off and access will be with a room key only.

I found this little nugget of info tucked in after the construction timeline:

All projects finish date is mid June 2015 but we know that can change in the next 8 months.

Thanks to Tikiman as always

 

[AliceIn]

Thanks for the info! I will keep my fingers crossed for everything to be complete by our end of September visit!

 

[patman2011]

Well finally took the plunge and booked for next August with that "magical deal" everyone was talking about. We are a family of 4 and normally only do Pop and other value resorts but this deal we figured was our chance to actually try a MK resort. My wife and daughters are excited and I am looking forward to days that we go to Epcot or Magic Kingdom being able to go from the monorail straight to the hotel rather then getting on a bus or taking a tram to our car. Thanks to all who talked about that great deal so I could find it. See you all next year.

 

[FantasiaMagic]

I am very excited to see the full renovation complete at the POLY!

I heard they put a DoleWhip stand by the pool. Anyone have a picture of it?

 

[Kristina4109]

It's called the Pineapple Lanai and the Dis Unplugged actually has a video of it somewhere. Try searching on YouTube for it.

 

[OnceUponATime15]

I am very excited to see the full renovation complete at the POLY! I heard they put a DoleWhip stand by the pool. Anyone have a picture of it?

Not by the pool... it's just outside the back exit at GCH off the back lobby area. It's like a covered patio with a service/ordering window & several patio tables & chairs.

 

[mickeynut1]

Well finally took the plunge and booked for next August with that "magical deal" everyone was talking about. We are a family of 4 and normally only do Pop and other value resorts but this deal we figured was our chance to actually try a MK resort. My wife and daughters are excited and I am looking forward to days that we go to Epcot or Magic Kingdom being able to go from the monorail straight to the hotel rather then getting on a bus or taking a tram to our car. Thanks to all who talked about that great deal so I could find it. See you all next year.

Congrats on getting that great deal . You are going to LOVE the Poly!! We've only stayed there once, but that was enough for us to fall in love with it. Sounds like there are going to be alot of other Disers there around the same time. We are also returning next August under that great deal as it was too hard to pass up .

I am very excited to see the full renovation complete at the POLY!

Me too .