ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: October 2013

[MinnieF]

She mentioned that it was *supposed* to be done by Thanksgiving but that it might be a bit longer. I'd defer to Tikiman for all things related to up-to-date completions, but just wanted to pass on what she said Honestly, I peeked in a few times when construction workers were going in or out of the GCH interior wall doors and it didn't look like it would be done in a couple weeks but who knows! There was one day, maybe Thursday night, where we got a message saying the GCH was going to be closed from midnight-5:30 am due to construction. Must have been doing something big that night...

Thanks for the info! We're going in late January 2015... getting excited! I really appreciate your and everyone else's updates!

 

[WOODY13]

Nice job! You covered almost everything

One question, was the tiki lights around the resort lit at night? Some earlier trips had reported them off at times.

My guess is with summer over they didn't need a dedicated bus for a water park. Good to know about table and stuff still available. Thanks!

I was there a little over a week ago and the torches were not lit. Also no music playing except by the beach in front of Hawaii. I didn't walk the whole property but where I did no music.

 

[Tikiman]

Sounds like y'all had an awesome trip! Did she or anyone else anything as to when the grand ceremonial house might be done?

By April the east pool redesign will not have even started yet. They just went out for bid on that work along with some work on Tangaroa Terrace. That work will probable go through next summer and start around May.

 

[mickeynut1]

Hi!

We arrive at the Poly on Wednesday! So excited!!

Have a great trip .

Stopping in to do the trip is almost here dance!!!!

10 days !!!!

It's looking a bit chilly for Orlando when we arrive in 11 days!

Hope all 3 of you have a great time and get a chance to meet .

Hi all! We just got home last night from a 9 day stay at the Poly. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to try and answer them but here's a general run down of my thoughts:

I'm sure there's lots more, but I feel like this is getting a bit long…but to sum it up, we had an awesome time this trip! Can't wait to go back once it's all finished! And as frame of reference for our expectations…this was our 6th trip to WDW with 5 of those stays at the Poly. (Once at Yacht Club for a short business trip). So we have definitely seen Poly as it was compared to what's going on there now.

If you have any questions about the resort or the parks, I'll do my best!

Thanks for your review and I'm glad you had another great Poly stay . LOL about your kids now wanting BB to now be a regular thing . Glad you were able to take advantage of the free tickets and try it out, BB is our favorite water park .

Just switched my end of October Poly stay early December. Halloween just didn't extend to enough of the parks (could they really not put some pumpkins out at Epcot, they grow them at the Land ride) and the F&W Fest lacked places to eat at. Every time I saw one of the way out of season Xmas displays going up I kept thinking "I really wish the Xmas stuff was up." So I made the swap.

My question now is, what does the Poly do in the way of decorations?

The Poly doesn't seem to have as many decorations as the other resorts, but they are still nice to see . I'm not sure what will be done with the new lobby, but here are some pics from our December trip a few years ago to give you an idea of what's been done:

We're going in late January 2015... getting excited!

Hope you have a great trip .

 

[trishadono]

Thanks Mickeynut for posting the holiday pics!

Any picture requests for you while we are there?

Moms MB arrived last night so I am taking it to her today. She picked her favorite color...BLUE!

I have every color but my PINK is my favorite, it matches my vera "mousing around" bag, also in pink.

Can't wait to show mom all the holiday stuff!

 

[Aerinha]

Thanks for the Xmas pics!

 

[mickeynut1]

Thanks Mickeynut for posting the holiday pics!

Any picture requests for you while we are there?

Moms MB arrived last night so I am taking it to her today. She picked her favorite color...BLUE!

I have every color but my PINK is my favorite, it matches my vera "mousing around" bag, also in pink.

Can't wait to show mom all the holiday stuff!

You're welcome on the pics . (sorry they're so big)

Any pics of the GCH or bungalow progress would be great, thanks for asking .

Yay for your Mom's MB arriving . I'm sure she's going to have a great time as Disney is wonderful any time of year, but especially so during the holidays .

Thanks for the Xmas pics!

You're welcome . (sorry they're so big)

 

[Cluelyss]

Mickeynut (or anyone else!) how soon are the resorts decorated for Christmas? We are arriving 12/5/15 and hoping to see all the MK resorts in their holiday finest!

 

[trishadono]

Mickeynut (or anyone else!) how soon are the resorts decorated for Christmas? We are arriving 12/5/15 and hoping to see all the MK resorts in their holiday finest!

You are good to go! Resorts done by Thanksgiving (usually earlier).

Enjoy

 

[wendow]

We arrive at the Poly on Dec 10th (one night before at ASMo). In MDE, it gives me a button to do online check-in. Can I really do that already?

I am stressing over what kind of room request to make. We want to be as close to the GF as possible b/c the other half of our party is there (including two of my kids) but I'd also love a balcony so dh & I can sit out there while our boys are going to sleep. Any advice?

Oh and we have a garden view.

 

[trishadono]

We arrive at the Poly on Dec 10th (one night before at ASMo). In MDE, it gives me a button to do online check-in. Can I really do that already?

I am stressing over what kind of room request to make. We want to be as close to the GF as possible b/c the other half of our party is there (including two of my kids) but I'd also love a balcony so dh & I can sit out there while our boys are going to sleep. Any advice?

Oh and we have a garden view.

Online check in is 60 days prior so go ahead

Look at the poly map(Google it or just go disney.com) really none of the buildings are that far from GF since the other side is closed for DVC construction. If you pick 2 things for Checkin they try to give at least one so if want balcony pick that.

The walk is not too bad either. I go from gf/poly now every trip just for the view of the resorts. When you arrive you can ask if any chance they have a room close to gf and 3rd floor.

3 of us from this thread all there next week so anything else just ask.

 

[BlueSkies]

Just switched my end of October Poly stay early December. Halloween just didn't extend to enough of the parks (could they really not put some pumpkins out at Epcot, they grow them at the Land ride) and the F&W Fest lacked places to eat at. Every time I saw one of the way out of season Xmas displays going up I kept thinking "I really wish the Xmas stuff was up." So I made the swap.

My question now is, what does the Poly do in the way of decorations?

I know that MickeyNut did a fine job of showing you how the Poly looks in all of its Christmas finery... Just wanted to say congrats on booking for December...the world really is so beautiful during the holidays!

I was there a little over a week ago and the torches were not lit. Also no music playing except by the beach in front of Hawaii. I didn't walk the whole property but where I did no music.

Thanks for the info!

By April the east pool redesign will not have even started yet. They just went out for bid on that work along with some work on Tangaroa Terrace. That work will probable go through next summer and start around May.

Thanks for keeping of of us inquiring minds up to date on the resort happenings Tikiman

Thanks Mickeynut for posting the holiday pics!

Any picture requests for you while we are there?

Moms MB arrived last night so I am taking it to her today. She picked her favorite color...BLUE!

I have every color but my PINK is my favorite, it matches my vera "mousing around" bag, also in pink.

Can't wait to show mom all the holiday stuff!

What a fun trip for you and your mom... .... yay for getting your MBs... blue..what a great color...to which I am particularly partial...lol...

We have every color too........lol...really wish that there was a way to decline them...

DD and I got red in the spirit of the season..well a little ahead of the season...since its not even Thanksgiving yet....

jalaine Thank you for the detailed review...

MickeyNut My persuasive Poly pal... Posting pics!! WTG ....and such very niceones too....Thanks!!! Getting me even more excited for our trip!

 

[ksueboo]

I did the online check-in and choose two requests, balcony and
Fiji. In reality, I don't care if we are in Fiji or Aotearoa but we would
like to face the luau cove if possible (we are garden view). It's our
first stay at Poly, I am wondering if I should just call to clarify the online
request and when? I have read conflicting reports on sending a fax.
I realize nothing is guaranteed, but does anyone have any advice
or experience?

 

[trishadono]

I did the online check-in and choose two requests, balcony and
Fiji. In reality, I don't care if we are in Fiji or Aotearoa but we would
like to face the luau cove if possible (we are garden view). It's our
first stay at Poly, I am wondering if I should just call to clarify the online
request and when? I have read conflicting reports on sending a fax.
I realize nothing is guaranteed, but does anyone have any advice
or experience?

I have been pretty lucky at poly. At checkin at the resort if I didn't get what I wanted I ask nicely if what I want is available. Sometimes it is ready right away or they will ask if you want to wait?

I did send a fax back in 2009 or 10? I just don't know if they look at them. Calling CRO and adding requests certainly would not hurt. That you can do anytime.

Enjoy your stay!

 

[wendow]

Online check in is 60 days prior so go ahead

Look at the poly map(Google it or just go disney.com) really none of the buildings are that far from GF since the other side is closed for DVC construction. If you pick 2 things for Checkin they try to give at least one so if want balcony pick that.

The walk is not too bad either. I go from gf/poly now every trip just for the view of the resorts. When you arrive you can ask if any chance they have a room close to gf and 3rd floor.

3 of us from this thread all there next week so anything else just ask.

Thank you! Gonna go ahead then and do our check-in. I am so stinking excited We have never gotten to stay at the Poly but always head over there for a meal. Can't wait to actually stay there!!!!

 

[Cluelyss]

I did the online check-in and choose two requests, balcony and Fiji. In reality, I don't care if we are in Fiji or Aotearoa but we would like to face the luau cove if possible (we are garden view). It's our first stay at Poly, I am wondering if I should just call to clarify the online request and when? I have read conflicting reports on sending a fax. I realize nothing is guaranteed, but does anyone have any advice or experience?

I called about 3 days before our arrival just to confirm our requests.

 

[5bound4wdw]

I was just thinking about our reservation for next August, and was wondering if I am going to be limited to the longhouse that we are placed in. We have a standard view. Can I still request Aotearoa or Fiji? I was hoping to be away from any possible construction, and would love if the kids could see the monorail

 

[OnceUponATime15]

I was just thinking about our reservation for next August, and was wondering if I am going to be limited to the longhouse that we are placed in. We have a standard view. Can I still request Aotearoa or Fiji? I was hoping to be away from any possible construction, and would love if the kids could see the monorail

We were at the Poly on the Magical deal, standard view, this past August.

We were 3rd floor Aotearoa facing the Luau Cove/Grand Floridian. I had requested 3rd floor Fiji (via my TA & online check in). Was told at check in that Fiji was full and that it is/was the most requested longhouse since the DVC construction began.

We loved our location so much that it will be our request again next August

 

[rosiebean]

I was just thinking about our reservation for next August, and was wondering if I am going to be limited to the longhouse that we are placed in. We have a standard view. Can I still request Aotearoa or Fiji? I was hoping to be away from any possible construction, and would love if the kids could see the monorail

You can request longhouses by checking in online if you have a res linked to a MDE account. I've done this twice: once requesting Fiji during Christmas week, the busiest time of year; and the second time, last October, asking for a specific floor in Aotearoa. Both times, I was granted my room requests via online check in. Christmas, we checked in very, very late at night. This past October, I checked in around noon. As I said, I got my room req both times, AND my room was ready during this past October's early check in.

You can also call or fax with longhouse/floor requests. And many others have mentioned that if you are 1) disappointed with the room assigned upon check in and 2) willing to wait until something else opens...the resort cast members will work to grant your requests.

That said...by next August, the vast majority of construction should be done, so it should not affect nearly as many longhouses as it has this past summer and fall.

If you want a room with great monorail views, my suggestion is to request GV Aotearoa with a balcony, which will put you on the third floor. The monorail facing rooms in Aotearoa are great, AND if there is construction going on in the middle of the resort (as we saw in October), Aotearoa is away from it. We were there in the middle of the construction when they were tearing down the volcano by the pool...and we were totally unaware of any of that construction while in our room or on our balcony in Aotearoa this past October. The room had great views of the monorail AND was removed from middle-of-the-resort renos.

Good luck!

 

[wendow]

If you want a room with great monorail views, my suggestion is to request GV Aotearoa with a balcony, which will put you on the third floor. The monorail facing rooms in Aotearoa are great, AND if there is construction going on in the middle of the resort (as we saw in October), Aotearoa is away from it. We were there in the middle of the construction when they were tearing down the volcano by the pool...and we were totally unaware of any of that construction while in our room or on our balcony in Aotearoa this past October. The room had great views of the monorail AND was removed from middle-of-the-resort renos.

Good luck!

This sounds perfect for us cause our two boys are obsessed with the monorail. It's my 3yo's 'favorite ride' LOL. Anyways, are their elevators in the building? If we have one asleep in a stroller, be nice not to have to carry all that up three flights