ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: October 2013

[tim123]

Yes, we did end up booking at the Poly. This will be our first stay there. It was really hard to pass up the "MAGICAL" deal. I really wanted to stay at the GF, but the party we are traveling with wanted to stay at the Poly. Hoping everything goes well. We couldn't request a room, but did ask for a third floor balcony.

You can most certainly request a room. Tell your magical agent what you want, and she will note it on your reservation. Then do online check in and request your floor, building (you can't request a specific room on line..but do what they ask)…THEN about 6 days out send a fax to the Poly and request the exact room location you desire. (include your reservation number, time of arrival, be brief and polite).. Include a second choice (in the fax and with your agent) in case your room is unavailable.
I was given the exact room upon check in that I requested by following the above. The Poly is very good about trying to give the quest what they ask for room/location wise.
Tim

 

[tim123]

Does anyone know if with this deal if your tickets are linked to your magic bands or not? I'm just trying to figure out what is different between what my other TA can get and what I may be missing with a new agency. Thanks!

This particular agency is giving you a group/convention rate from a block of 50 rooms a day they reserve. Everything is the same ticket wise, magic band etc…when you go online MDE…
The special is an agency exclusive for late August to Labor Day and the only way you will find that rate anywhere. You can not get or add free dining with this offer. You do get a slight discount on a magic my way ticket and they throw in a free fun day (free one day at water park or disney quest).

 

[jandkmom]

We have always used this TA in our trips to Disney and have gotten exactly what we requested every time. It doesn't matter if you book directly through Disney or not.

I have exactly 100 days to go until our Poly trip! I hope GCH is done by then

 

[RedheadRinger]

I will be checking into the Poly in 26 days. I will be there for 7 nights, the first 5 days I am booked in a standard view and the last 2 are in theme park view. I added the last 2 nights and the standard view was not available. I will be traveling with my daughter and grand daughter. We'd like to be close to transportation but really don't want to look at the monorail. Which long houses are the most effected by the construction? Please help me make a request for my Longhouse. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

 

[OnceUponATime15]

I will be checking into the Poly in 26 days. I will be there for 7 nights, the first 5 days I am booked in a standard view and the last 2 are in theme park view. I added the last 2 nights and the standard view was not available. I will be traveling with my daughter and grand daughter. We'd like to be close to transportation but really don't want to look at the monorail. Which long houses are the most effected by the construction? Please help me make a request for my Longhouse. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Fiji, Aotearoa & Tuvalu are all located on the "quiet" side of the Resort, closest to the GF. With Fiji you could end up facing the Marina - and the construction on the Volcano pool. So if Fiji is your choice you will want to request a room facing Luau Cove. Aotearoa is very close to GCH & transportation by boat or monorail - again, request a Luau Cove facing room or you will be facing the Monorail. Tuvalu is furthest from GCH but next to both the Marina & Luau Cove Beach, of the three west end longhouses - Tuvalu has both standard & theme park views.
On the other side, Rarotonga facing the quiet pool will also put you right next to GCH but is closer to the DVC construction. We were there in August & didn't find construction noise to be a problem. The odd drill or jack hammer - not an all day thing.

 

[RedheadRinger]

Fiji, Aotearoa & Tuvalu are all located on the "quiet" side of the Resort, closest to the GF. With Fiji you could end up facing the Marina - and the construction on the Volcano pool. So if Fiji is your choice you will want to request a room facing Luau Cove. Aotearoa is very close to GCH & transportation by boat or monorail - again, request a Luau Cove facing room or you will be facing the Monorail. Tuvalu is furthest from GCH but next to both the Marina & Luau Cove Beach, of the three west end longhouses - Tuvalu has both standard & theme park views.
On the other side, Rarotonga facing the quiet pool will also put you right next to GCH but is closer to the DVC construction. We were there in August & didn't find construction noise to be a problem. The odd drill or jack hammer - not an all day thing.

Thanks so much for your help.

 

[tim123]

I will be checking into the Poly in 26 days. I will be there for 7 nights, the first 5 days I am booked in a standard view and the last 2 are in theme park view. I added the last 2 nights and the standard view was not available. I will be traveling with my daughter and grand daughter. We'd like to be close to transportation but really don't want to look at the monorail. Which long houses are the most effected by the construction? Please help me make a request for my Longhouse. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Here is a run down on longhouse construction and hopefully this will help you. I will be there at the same time. Oh and by the way just a cursory look shows standard rooms available on those last two days so check again if you don't want to switch. I assure you the resort is not sold out. Its a ghost town. They have done a good job of keeping construction and views very un- disturbing. You can stay pretty much anywhere and you will be fine so don't sweat it.
Central:
Roratanga…north has great views of trees and plants and the open pool. From the third floor if you look right (west) you will see a green fence protecting Tokelau. It is no big deal and there is very little noise so this is a fine choice. In fact just about anywhere is a fine choice but I will give you more details.
Roratanga south faces the monorail but you can't really see it because of all the trees and planting. Nice location to pathways and to GCH. Its near the entrance/ parking lot but there is plenty of greenery.

Niue and Somoa are both fine choices as well. Niue has only two stories. The west side is closed so you will face east towards the open pool. Great greenery, Great location. All is fine. From the third floor of Somoa you will see the green fence protecting Tokelau. No big deal. You won't even notice it. So these longhouses are a fine choice. Not to worry.

That leaves the West side of the resort, the furthest away from construction.
Fiji west has great views of the beach, the water, the GF villas and the MONORAIL way in the distance which is really really cool to watch and enjoy. And they are all standard rooms. This is my favorite location at the Poly. So don't be down on seeing the monorail. From Fiji it is beautiful and what makes WDW so special. There is noise from the Luau but I love it too. No construction evidence at all. Fiji east faces the marina and the printed fence and all the construction and noise of the pool area.

Tuvalu north is theme/laggon view…no construction evidence unless you look way right and see and hear the bungalows and pool action. Tuvalu south is cold and dreary with very little exposure to the sun. a no no in my opinion.

That leaves Aotearoa…north is lagoon view..beautiful location with a huge lawn and views. Noise from the Luau but its part of the charm. South is very quiet and sort of isolated. From this part you will see the monorail and hear it too. Depends on what you like.

Hawaii ironically enough is the most expensive longhouse and the rooms facing the park are the most effected by building and noise. Don't know why anyone would stay there now but to each his own.

Hope this helped. Pretty much any building you request is just fine so don't sweet it. They have done a very good job of keeping the transformation hidden. Its just that so much of the resort is walled off and out of action so I hope you got a good rate for your stay. Thats the only thing that bothers me.. is paying regular rates at a hotel that is 50% and more out of action. But you will have a great time with the right attitude and open mind. Great staff. See you there. Shall we meet at Tambo Lounge. PM me if you want to know about anything more about your upcoming stay.. I was just there a few weeks ago and will be there soon!
tim

 

[trishadono]

Hawaii ironically enough is the most expensive longhouse and the rooms facing the park are the most effected by building and noise. Don't know why anyone would stay there now but to each his own.

I love staying there and have a 2nd "construction" trip planned soon.

You have to remember, Disney doesn't do construction during the night

I actually think staying at Hawaii now is the best option. Getting to hang out in that beautiful lounge is great vs the construction in the lobby.

The perks of Hawaii . That castle view from the lounge, breakfast, snacks, apps, "the special" etc!

Some of us enjoy watching the progress of construction. To me it's an "attraction" of it's own.

I guess that's why so many enjoy the Poly, something for everyone

 

[tim123]

I love staying there and have a 2nd "construction" trip planned soon.

You have to remember, Disney doesn't do construction during the night

I actually think staying at Hawaii now is the best option. Getting to hang out in that beautiful lounge is great vs the construction in the lobby.

The perks of Hawaii . That castle view from the lounge, breakfast, snacks, apps, "the special" etc!

Some of us enjoy watching the progress of construction. To me it's an "attraction" of it's own.

I guess that's why so many enjoy the Poly, something for everyone

Yes yes. I get it. And totally understand loving Hawaii! A bit pricey for me but I like that we all have our favorite location. My point to the poster was to help her understand that from Hawaii you will see the most construction taking place..but she was staying standard so it doesn't apply to her. It will all be done soon and it should be really nice even though I don't like the bungalows…and the death of sunset point…Change is what it is and there is no going back.

 

[danjoan14]

You can most certainly request a room. Tell your magical agent what you want, and she will note it on your reservation. Then do online check in and request your floor, building (you can't request a specific room on line..but do what they ask)…THEN about 6 days out send a fax to the Poly and request the exact room location you desire. (include your reservation number, time of arrival, be brief and polite).. Include a second choice (in the fax and with your agent) in case your room is unavailable.
I was given the exact room upon check in that I requested by following the above. The Poly is very good about trying to give the quest what they ask for room/location wise.
Tim

Thanks for the information. We have never stayed at the Poly. Any recommendations of where to stay on the property?

 

[tim123]

Thanks for the information. We have never stayed at the Poly. Any recommendations of where to stay on the property?

See my lengthy comment just above or PM me for more info.

 

[danjoan14]

Yes, reading it now. Sorry for sending a repeat question. I'll let you know if I have any other questions. We're not going until mid August 2015. I'm hoping a lot of the construction will be completed. Thanks!

 

[BlueSkies]

tim123 Thanks for the detailed info!

I love staying there and have a 2nd "construction" trip planned soon.

You have to remember, Disney doesn't do construction during the night

I actually think staying at Hawaii now is the best option. Getting to hang out in that beautiful lounge is great vs the construction in the lobby.

The perks of Hawaii . That castle view from the lounge, breakfast, snacks, apps, "the special" etc!

Some of us enjoy watching the progress of construction. To me it's an "attraction" of it's own.

I guess that's why so many enjoy the Poly, something for everyone

I agree....on all points ..but as I have said before enjoy watching things as they progress..

 

[mhconley]

Yes, reading it now. Sorry for sending a repeat question. I'll let you know if I have any other questions. We're not going until mid August 2015. I'm hoping a lot of the construction will be completed. Thanks!

Also check out the Tikiman pages - specifically this one: http://www.tikimanpages.com/poly/the-resort/planning/item/60-which-longhouse? He has the information updated based upon current construction and DVC changes.

I've not stayed at Poly as an adult and will be there next August on the magical deal in a standard room. (My only stay at Poly was almost 40 years ago as a teenager.) I requested Fiji or Samoa based upon what I've read.

Martin

 

[dchi]

We visited the poly a week ago Sunday and went to the tambu lounge. My husband asked the bartender if the lounge is part of the renos, bartender said not in the beggining as they service both kona and ohana. I have no been reading as much here lately, so I appologie if this is old news.

 

[Eastern]

I will be checking into the Poly in 26 days. I will be there for 7 nights, the first 5 days I am booked in a standard view and the last 2 are in theme park view. I added the last 2 nights and the standard view was not available.

Did you price out Garden View Club Level vs TPV for those last 2 nights? price might be similar.

 

[yce22princess]

Booked our magical deal for August 11-17 at the Poly!!!! We stayed at the GF this past July, but the Poly remains our favorite!

 

[danjoan14]

Also check out the Tikiman pages - specifically this one: http://www.tikimanpages.com/poly/the-resort/planning/item/60-which-longhouse? He has the information updated based upon current construction and DVC changes.

Great stuff! Thanks for the link.

Booked our magical deal for August 11-17 at the Poly!!!! We stayed at the GF this past July, but the Poly remains our favorite!

Great to hear that. We were going to stay at the GF, but decided to switch to the Poly. Actually, I was the one that wanted to stay at the GF, but was voted out by everyone else traveling with us.

 

[trishadono]

Yes yes. I get it. And totally understand loving Hawaii! A bit pricey for me but I like that we all have our favorite location. My point to the poster was to help her understand that from Hawaii you will see the most construction taking place..but she was staying standard so it doesn't apply to her. It will all be done soon and it should be really nice even though I don't like the bungalows…and the death of sunset point…Change is what it is and there is no going back.

Ya, I miss that too

 

[Eastern]

For some reason there was no lagoon view available in either std or CL when I looked at my dates. Is there a reason for this?