ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: October 2013

[Bamagirl43]

For those who haven't seen what the new Poly lobby will look like. Thoughts?

Quite a downsize on the waterfall. If all of it comes to pass, I'm not sure how I will feel about the wicker furniture and junk hanging from the ceiling. I will keep the faith and trust they know what they are doing.

 

[mickeynut1]

For those who haven't seen what the new Poly lobby will look like. Thoughts?

I don't like it as I don't care for how open it is compared to what it was and I loved the old waterfall and will definitely miss that. I'm sure it will be beautiful when everything is done, but I loved the lobby the way it was .

 

[KonaKaiTom]

I don't like it as I don't care for how open it is compared to what it was and I loved the old waterfall and will definitely miss that. I'm sure it will be beautiful when everything is done, but I loved the lobby the way it was .

Change is hard to accept -- I'm never getting over Mr. Toad's Wild Ride going dark and we never mention the Norway fiasco!

I have yet to stay at Poly, once the construction is done we will. I love Kona's Cafe (my dog is named Kona but for other reasons) and the Tambu Lounge is a must when walking to/from the TTC back to the GF.

Tom

 

[starousse]

I actually like the new look of the Poly lobby. It's fresher, more open and I think it gives a more richer and elegant look. I always felt that the old lobby looked a little too cluttered and artificial. I can't wait to see the final product.

 

[Skywise]

I actually like the new look of the Poly lobby. It's fresher, more open and I think it gives a more richer and elegant look. I always felt that the old lobby looked a little too cluttered and artificial. I can't wait to see the final product.

I'll agree that the old lobby waterfall felt like a 1970's shopping mall waterfall. But I disagree the new look is better - If anything all they've done is give it a 2000 shopping mall feel (no frills, easy maintenance, don't ogle here kid, go shop somewhere else).

Resort-wise it doesn't make any sense - The Grand Floridian has an open-air lobby like this because that's what all the old "grand" hotels had. Likewise, the WL and AKL all have rooms that look out over the lobby. The GCH doesn't have any rooms inside of the building and if the issue is one of space then why keep the skylights and openair design when you're not going to fill it with anything? Better to extend the 2nd floor all the way over and put in a new restaurant or shop and then turn the lobby into the stylish but functionally sterile area like the CR (whose lobby design also makes absolutely no sense - although I suspect it did at one time!)

 

[nanhol]

I will miss the old waterfall and lush greenery...

(view from 2nd floor)

but I'm prepared to like the new lobby--I think the new lobby will feel lighter, brighter, more open & airy.
It won't be the old Poly, but it might be okay. I'm not going to say it will be better--but I'm hopeful that it will be lovely, albeit in a different way.

I started wondering if the new Poly lobby is at all inspired by the lobby of Aulani (the Disney resort in Hawaii). I googled it and found these images of the artist concept & actual lobby in Aulani:

copyrights provided on images

I have *not* visited Aulani, but I really like the look of the actual lobby, as compared to the artist concept. I'm hopeful that I'll like the new Poly lobby more than the artist concept's drawing!

 

[kiki02]

Quite a downsize on the waterfall. If all of it comes to pass, I'm not sure how I will feel about the wicker furniture and junk hanging from the ceiling. I will keep the faith and trust they know what they are doing.

Hmmmmm - Imho, from the drawing, looks like they cut corners, had a budget. Bit cheap.

 

[MikeRx]

I will miss the old waterfall and lush greenery...

(view from 2nd floor)

but I'm prepared to like the new lobby--I think the new lobby will feel lighter, brighter, more open & airy.
It won't be the old Poly, but it might be okay. I'm not going to say it will be better--but I'm hopeful that it will be lovely, albeit in a different way.

I started wondering if the new Poly lobby is at all inspired by the lobby of Aulani (the Disney resort in Hawaii). I googled it and found these images of the artist concept & actual lobby in Aulani:

copyrights provided on images

I have *not* visited Aulani, but I really like the look of the actual lobby, as compared to the artist concept. I'm hopeful that I'll like the new Poly lobby more than the artist concept's drawing!

Just returned from the Aulani and the lobby is beautiful, but not as wide open as the pictures may suggest. Other properties in Hawaii have open-air lobbies where you can see to the Pacific from the front entrance. The pool and volcano slide take the view away a bit at the Aulani, but it is still wonderful. The art is great and the history portrayed on the walls is magnificent. I'd like to see the Poly have the same openness and island coast feel as opposed to the tropical rain forest of the old waterfall. Maybe it will smell like the Poly and not a musty wet Poly of old.

Mike

 

[splashmt]

I hope they can find some way to get the tropical smell back into the lobby!!

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I hope they can find some way to get the tropical smell back into the lobby!!

I was there two weeks ago and I'm pretty sure the "tropical smell" was 1960's panel board and asbestos.

Since it has been highlight In recent months...I snooped around the corners and edges of the place a good bit...
Like contemporary...and old hotel is just an old hotel...refurbs and refreshes are warranted and needed.

 

[Eastern]

Like you said, it's still the Poly and still WDW .

That's what I think

 

[CynBeth]

In one year we will be there!!!

 

[mickeynut1]

Change is hard to accept -- I'm never getting over Mr. Toad's Wild Ride going dark and we never mention the Norway fiasco!

I have yet to stay at Poly, once the construction is done we will. I love Kona's Cafe (my dog is named Kona but for other reasons) and the Tambu Lounge is a must when walking to/from the TTC back to the GF.

Tom

I hope you enjoy the Poly when you stay there as it really is a great resort . I love the GF, but the Poly will always be my favorite.

That's what I think

In one year we will be there!!!

The time will go fast .

 

[disneyAndi14]

At the Poly now and we have loved our stay. The construction is very evident but the positives of this wonderful resort outweigh the construction. The room we have is super quiet, on the lake, facing MK, and beautiful. The construction noise during the day is noticeable especially since we are close to the volcano pool. I have not found much other than noise and barriers around to cause concern for us. The staff have been excellent, the monorail service so great and the bus service has been top notch. The resort is quite quiet at this time except for evenings, the restaurants and lounge areas are very busy. The Capt. Cooke QS was good for choices and never real busy. Dole whips close at hand as well. The weather has been on the cooler side so we did not take advantage of the quiet pool or Blizzard Beach. So if you have a trip coming up in the next month or so don't fret to much the Poly was a great place for vacation! I did notice the DVC bungalows do block some beach view for the Hawaii long house and the beach has a different look now with the bungalows there. FYI, the noise from construction is totally gone by the evening and nights were very quiet.

 

[mickeynut1]

At the Poly now and we have loved our stay. The construction is very evident but the positives of this wonderful resort outweigh the construction. The room we have is super quiet, on the lake, facing MK, and beautiful. The construction noise during the day is noticeable especially since we are close to the volcano pool. I have not found much other than noise and barriers around to cause concern for us. The staff have been excellent, the monorail service so great and the bus service has been top notch. The resort is quite quiet at this time except for evenings, the restaurants and lounge areas are very busy. The Capt. Cooke QS was good for choices and never real busy. Dole whips close at hand as well. The weather has been on the cooler side so we did not take advantage of the quiet pool or Blizzard Beach. So if you have a trip coming up in the next month or so don't fret to much the Poly was a great place for vacation! I did notice the DVC bungalows do block some beach view for the Hawaii long house and the beach has a different look now with the bungalows there. FYI, the noise from construction is totally gone by the evening and nights were very quiet.

Thanks for your report. Glad you're enjoying the Poly and having a great time .

 

[wendow]

At the Poly now and we have loved our stay. The construction is very evident but the positives of this wonderful resort outweigh the construction. The room we have is super quiet, on the lake, facing MK, and beautiful. The construction noise during the day is noticeable especially since we are close to the volcano pool. I have not found much other than noise and barriers around to cause concern for us. The staff have been excellent, the monorail service so great and the bus service has been top notch. The resort is quite quiet at this time except for evenings, the restaurants and lounge areas are very busy. The Capt. Cooke QS was good for choices and never real busy. Dole whips close at hand as well. The weather has been on the cooler side so we did not take advantage of the quiet pool or Blizzard Beach. So if you have a trip coming up in the next month or so don't fret to much the Poly was a great place for vacation! I did notice the DVC bungalows do block some beach view for the Hawaii long house and the beach has a different look now with the bungalows there. FYI, the noise from construction is totally gone by the evening and nights were very quiet.

Thank you! We'll be there in a little over 2 weeks and I really appreciate your report

 

[OnceUponATime15]

Headed down to the World on a pre Christmas trip that I impulsively booked very last minute! Leaving in 18 days, staying at WL (after all this trip is all about all things Christmas and WL just feels like Christmas to me)

Just booked our arrival day breakfast at 'Ohana!! I'm travelling with my GS who loves Stitch - I can't wait to be back at the Poly again, I've been missing it since we left after an amazing stay last August. Looking forward to showing him where we will be spending 9 days next August with the whole family!

 

[Sue M]

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 are booked for August too, have the same longhouse requests, Fiji or Aoteraroa. To be away from East pool construction. I see no reason why you still can't request those longhouses. If at checkin they give you something else, you can always enquire if there is something else that is available.

 

[5bound4wdw]

Headed down to the World on a pre Christmas trip that I impulsively booked very last minute! Leaving in 18 days, staying at WL (after all this trip is all about all things Christmas and WL just feels like Christmas to me)

Just booked our arrival day breakfast at 'Ohana!! I'm travelling with my GS who loves Stitch - I can't wait to be back at the Poly again, I've been missing it since we left after an amazing stay last August. Looking forward to showing him where we will be spending 9 days next August with the whole family!

that's so awesome! Enjoy your trip!!

 

[5bound4wdw]

We are booked for August too, have the same longhouse requests, Fiji or Aoteraroa. To be away from East pool construction. I see no reason why you still can't request those longhouses. If at checkin they give you something else, you can always enquire if there is something else that is available.

The cold weather here in Jersey is making me wish it was August already! I am anticipating this trip so much!! .