ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: October 2013

[emij]

Wow, you're going to have so much fun! Have you started packing already? I don't know, but I'm so excited for you--gotta love the disboards for vicarious Disney vacations!


Just give a thought to the rest of us next week--we'll be while you're experiencing the magic of Disney!

Have fun getting ready this week and then have so much fun next week!!!

Oh, yes, I have TOTALLY started packing! My lists of things to buy and find is shrinking, thankfully, but my "to do" list seems to stay stagnant no matter how many times I cross things off, I keep adding to it! Can't wait until it all pays off!

And yes, we will certainly have a moment of silence for those who are unable to be at Disney!

 

[JoAnna525]

Our October trip last year was at the Poly, and it was seriously one of the best vacations I have EVER had (and I've been a LOT of places!!). We are one week out from our 2014 trip, which will be at the Beach Club because I just can't deal with the construction at Poly. I am looking forward to trying the BC, especially during F&W. But I have to say that I am already missing the Poly.

So to ease my longing, I just booked an early deal at Poly for December 2015, LOL!!! Hoping that the construction is almost complete by then

 

[LUVDisney1975]

Oh, yes, I have TOTALLY started packing! My lists of things to buy and find is shrinking, thankfully, but my "to do" list seems to stay stagnant no matter how many times I cross things off, I keep adding to it! Can't wait until it all pays off! And yes, we will certainly have a moment of silence for those who are unable to be at Disney!

Have a wonderful time!!!!! We'll be at the Poly in 297 day but who's counting? Can't wait to hear about your trip!!!!!!!!

 

[Ambrose the kitten]

I love the BC.. POOL is my favorite.. Leave Halloween for Disney for 2 weeks with 1 night at WL then 12 days at Music and then are last night trying out Yacht club!

 

[Aerinha]

It is official, I will spend 9 days at the Poly in October 2015! Just made a magical booking today at lunch. So excited.

 

[LUVDisney1975]

It is official, I will spend 9 days at the Poly in October 2015! Just made a magical booking today at lunch. So excited.

Congratulations!!!!!!! Let the planning begin!!!!

 

[Aerinha]

Congratulations!!!!!!! Let the planning begin!!!!

Thanks. I haven't even left for the current visit and here I am booking and planning for a year away. First Poly stay. Looks great.

 

[Ntrain]

Thanks. I haven't even left for the current visit and here I am booking and planning for a year away. First Poly stay. Looks great.

You are not the only one. We have a trip to WDW next month but I already booked my first stay at the Poly next August.

 

[Aerinha]

You are not the only one. We have a trip to WDW next month but I already booked my first stay at the Poly next August.

I leave on 10/26 for my next stay, first food and wine fest. Sort of assumed I would enjoy it what with the food and all so I planned to be there next year too

 

[Stasieki]

Was just at the World and did a bounceback for next Labor Day week at the Poly. I'm so excited. As much as I loved AOA and Yacht Club, Poly feels like "home" to me. I missed it!!!!

 

[Stasieki]

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.

What "magical deal"?

booked a bounceback and want to make sure it's the best deal out there at this time. Thank you

 

[delyrium]

With all the construction going on at the Poly, I've not heard that much positive info to get me excited for the trip I'm planning. It's for next August, so I think most of the walls should be down by then. I honestly don't know very much about the Poly to get me excited, aside from that it's on the monorail (very excited about that- we've been once before and stayed at POR, where the transit was just this side of acceptable) and that it has lots of Tiki theming (DH is excited about that, he loves that sort of thing).

Anyway, I loved the soothing environment at POR, and the boat ride to DTD, the lush greenery, and the night-time views of the river and the buildings and waterwheel. I didn't like the long walks back to our room at the end of the night, the waits for the buses, or how tightly packed the buses were. I could also have done with some better onsite dining.

Given all that, can anyone tell me what I will love about the Poly? I really want to love it.

 

[maiapapaya]

With all the construction going on at the Poly, I've not heard that much positive info to get me excited for the trip I'm planning. It's for next August, so I think most of the walls should be down by then. I honestly don't know very much about the Poly to get me excited, aside from that it's on the monorail (very excited about that- we've been once before and stayed at POR, where the transit was just this side of acceptable) and that it has lots of Tiki theming (DH is excited about that, he loves that sort of thing).

Anyway, I loved the soothing environment at POR, and the boat ride to DTD, the lush greenery, and the night-time views of the river and the buildings and waterwheel. I didn't like the long walks back to our room at the end of the night, the waits for the buses, or how tightly packed the buses were. I could also have done with some better onsite dining.

Given all that, can anyone tell me what I will love about the Poly? I really want to love it.

I think you are right and the majority of the construction will be done by your trip next August.

What we love about the Poly is it feels like you're right in the heart of WDW. You are directly across the lagoon from the MK. The view is the castle peeking up above the trees. To your left is the GF, to your right the CR. You can watch the monorail travelling around the lagoon through these resorts. You can see the ferry boats and hear the whistles (but not in your room!), hear the horns from the small shuttle boats that come directly to the resort and the train whistle from the MK.

We really enjoy Captain Cook's, the counter service restaurant, and 'Ohana & Kona (hopefully no work going on in them by next August).

What really adds to the atmosphere there is that, at least in the past & hopefully after the construction, Polynesian music is softly piped in throughout the grounds.

The transportation is great ... on the monorail line so just a short ride to the MK, a short walk to the TTC to catch the Epcot monorail or ferry to the MK, and there are the small shuttle boats that take guests back and forth to the MK.

We love the Poly. Our upcoming trip will be at the GF because of the construction, but we are already missing the Poly and hoping to go back when there is less construction and more to enjoy again.

ETA: forgot to mention the fireworks! Watching the fireworks from the Poly beach is fantastic. They pipe in the music too.

 

[nanhol]

Anyway, I loved the soothing environment at POR, and the boat ride to DTD, the lush greenery, and the night-time views of the river and the buildings and waterwheel. I didn't like the long walks back to our room at the end of the night, the waits for the buses, or how tightly packed the buses were. I could also have done with some better onsite dining.

Given all that, can anyone tell me what I will love about the Poly? I really want to love it.

Oh, how do I love the Poly? Let me count the ways...

• Shuttle boat rides from Poly to MK (& to GF) (Sometimes I think that little boat is my favorite ride at Disney!)
• Monorail rides to Contemporary, MK, GF and TTC/Epcot
• Wonderful dining options--Kona, Ohana, Captain Cook's...
• Great dining options at GF & Contemporary, just a boat ride or monorail ride away!
• Beach-front location--a great place for a morning walk, to play during the day or to watch the fireworks at night
• Fun volcano pool (I hope there's still a volcano, but whatever it becomes--it will be great!)
• Compact resort--nowhere near as much walking as mods or values
• A friendly & casual but definitely deluxe resort atmosphere
• Pretty, pretty grounds to walk around in--I'm looking forward to seeing how it's changed!

The walls should be down by then--I guess there is a chance that the Quiet Pool won't be done, but I hope it is--because I'll be there in August, too! I wouldn't worry too much about the construction for next summer--Disney is doing it all right now so it will be fabulous for us to go next summer.

 

[Aerinha]

Haven't stayed Poly before, but happy to have the monorail for two parks. I have stayed monorail resort before and it really is the most convenient. What made me book Poly and has me excited to stay there:

Pretty grounds
Recently renovated
Tropical theme
Great food options
Watching the water pageant at night
Seeing the fireworks from MK

BTW, can anyone tell me if the Kileaua torte at Kona is as much like the much missed Varlhona lava cake from Cali Grill as the pic on allears makes it seem? The Cali Grill's was a paper thin, melt in the tongue choco crust with a truly liquid (no cakeiness at all) center.

 

[starousse]

Just booked that "magical" deal at the Poly for next August as well. I'm optimistic that the majority of the construction be done by then. This is our first time staying at a monorail resort, so we're very excited.

 

[kiki02]

Just booked that "magical" deal at the Poly for next August as well. I'm optimistic that the majority of the construction be done by then. This is our first time staying at a monorail resort, so we're very excited.

Pardon this ? as I'm sure it's been asked over and over.. Where do i find the 'magical ' deal?

 

[mickeynut1]

Today marks our one week until our first ever WDW and Poly trip! We told our kids on Saturday about the trip and now they are GIDDY about the monorail.

How exciting, have a great time .

gotta love the disboards for vicarious Disney vacations!

I AGREE! I was so hesitant. I hate releasing control.. LOL! But I called her and we talked dates/prices, she gave me my confirmation number less than an hour after booking and now I do the rest myself!

Yeah, lots of hesitation on my part too as giving up control was something I really had to think about .....but the rate can't be beat and I'm sure it will be well worth it .

Our October trip last year was at the Poly, and it was seriously one of the best vacations I have EVER had (and I've been a LOT of places!!). We are one week out from our 2014 trip, which will be at the Beach Club because I just can't deal with the construction at Poly. I am looking forward to trying the BC, especially during F&W. But I have to say that I am already missing the Poly.

So to ease my longing, I just booked an early deal at Poly for December 2015, LOL!!! Hoping that the construction is almost complete by then

I'm sure you will have a great time at the BC, especially if you will be spending a lot of time at Epcot as you can't beat being within walking distance . We enjoyed our BC stay and while it's not the Poly, it is a nice resort. With that said, you will be back at the Poly next year when all of the construction is done .

We'll be at the Poly in 297 day but who's counting?

It's never too early to start a count down .

I love the BC.. POOL is my favorite.. Leave Halloween for Disney for 2 weeks with 1 night at WL then 12 days at Music and then are last night trying out Yacht club!

Sounds like a nice trip, have a great time .

It is official, I will spend 9 days at the Poly in October 2015! Just made a magical booking today at lunch. So excited.

I haven't even left for the current visit and here I am booking and planning for a year away. First Poly stay. Looks great.

That's the best way to do it .

Was just at the World and did a bounceback for next Labor Day week at the Poly. I'm so excited. As much as I loved AOA and Yacht Club, Poly feels like "home" to me. I missed it!!!!

Hope you had a great time. I agree about the Poly, just something about it that makes it feel like "home" .

With all the construction going on at the Poly, I've not heard that much positive info to get me excited for the trip I'm planning. It's for next August, so I think most of the walls should be down by then. I honestly don't know very much about the Poly to get me excited, aside from that it's on the monorail (very excited about that- we've been once before and stayed at POR, where the transit was just this side of acceptable) and that it has lots of Tiki theming (DH is excited about that, he loves that sort of thing).

Anyway, I loved the soothing environment at POR, and the boat ride to DTD, the lush greenery, and the night-time views of the river and the buildings and waterwheel. I didn't like the long walks back to our room at the end of the night, the waits for the buses, or how tightly packed the buses were. I could also have done with some better onsite dining.

Given all that, can anyone tell me what I will love about the Poly? I really want to love it.

I agree that most everything should be complete by next August. There might be a little construction still going on, but if I had to guess, I think it would be more finish work than major construction (just my opinion, though). With that said, the Poly is amazing and we love it for a variety of reasons:

~ beautiful tropical atmosphere
~ relaxing in a hammock on the beach while watching Wishes
~ large, spacious rooms
~ walking around at night under the lit tiki torches is relaxing
~ within walking distance to the TTC to catch the Epcot monorail
~ 2 monorail stops from MK
~ convenient to GF and CR for a variety of dining options
~ Captain Cooks is great for quick CS meals/snacks
~ volcano pool is great as it backs up to the beach with a distant view of the castle
~ Ohana and Kona

BTW, can anyone tell me if the Kileaua torte at Kona is as much like the much missed Varlhona lava cake from Cali Grill as the pic on allears makes it seem? The Cali Grill's was a paper thin, melt in the tongue choco crust with a truly liquid (no cakeiness at all) center.

I can't answer your question, but hopefully others will be able to help .

Just booked that "magical" deal at the Poly for next August as well. I'm optimistic that the majority of the construction be done by then. This is our first time staying at a monorail resort, so we're very excited.

.

 

[delyrium]

Thank you guys! This is all such great info. I don't know how I'm going to make it to next August...

 

[danjoan14]

I agree that most everything should be complete by next August. There might be a little construction still going on, but if I had to guess, I think it would be more finish work than major construction (just my opinion, though). With that said, the Poly is amazing and we love it for a variety of reasons:

~ beautiful tropical atmosphere
~ relaxing in a hammock on the beach while watching Wishes
~ large, spacious rooms
~ walking around at night under the lit tiki torches is relaxing
~ within walking distance to the TTC to catch the Epcot monorail
~ 2 monorail stops from MK
~ convenient to GF and CR for a variety of dining options
~ Captain Cooks is great for quick CS meals/snacks
~ volcano pool is great as it backs up to the beach with a distant view of the castle
~ Ohana and Kona

I'm hoping it's completed. Been tossing around the idea of that "Magical Deal" too. Haven't decided where to stay just yet.