ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: October 2013

[texasgingerbread]

Thinking of switching to Animal Kingdom Savannah View...but the only reason I would be doing this is because of the main pool closure. I don't really care about construction zones, etc. I will be spending most of my time at Magic Kingdom though. And now WL is not available. GF and Contemp are both crazy high for my dates (over $1000/night). Thoughts? I have 2 six year old boys.

 

[MonorailJunkie]

Thinking of switching to Animal Kingdom Savannah View...but the only reason I would be doing this is because of the main pool closure. I don't really care about construction zones, etc. I will be spending most of my time at Magic Kingdom though. And now WL is not available. GF and Contemp are both crazy high for my dates (over $1000/night). Thoughts? I have 2 six year old boys.

That is actually exactly what we did once we arrived on Thursday last week. We were placed in Rarotonga and it was a mess. Loud construction, smokey, loud DJ in the pool and just a pain to get to the longhouse in general due to paths being blocked. I am 6 months pregnant so I may have been more irritable than most but I couldn't handle all the noise so we called and switched to AKL savannah view. It was the best decision we could have ever made, it's amazing here

 

[texasgingerbread]

That is actually exactly what we did once we arrived on Thursday last week. We were placed in Rarotonga and it was a mess. Loud construction, smokey, loud DJ in the pool and just a pain to get to the longhouse in general due to paths being blocked. I am 6 months pregnant so I may have been more irritable than most but I couldn't handle all the noise so we called and switched to AKL savannah view. It was the best decision we could have ever made, it's amazing here

So what is realistic travel time to Magic Kingdom...from when you leave your hotel door to Main Street?

 

[jennyjinx3]

Excited to be coming back to the Poly in late August / Early Sept!! Hawaii bldg here we come! Whoot!!

 

[think-like-tink]

So what is realistic travel time to Magic Kingdom...from when you leave your hotel door to Main Street?

We stayed at AKL past July and the wait for buses seemed to take a while. That part sucked. However, We loved it so much we bought DVC there. I think you will be very happy with your room choice. NOTHING beats that view.

 

[WDWOswald]

Thinking of switching to Animal Kingdom Savannah View...but the only reason I would be doing this is because of the main pool closure. I don't really care about construction zones, etc. I will be spending most of my time at Magic Kingdom though. And now WL is not available. GF and Contemp are both crazy high for my dates (over $1000/night). Thoughts? I have 2 six year old boys.

Go on orbitz and book using promo code travelhappy. It's 15% off WDW best rates and the GF and CR are both available as well as the beach club and Boardwalk villas.

 

[WDWOswald]

Just booked a Villas studio for April 13-20th. The only options are standard view and lake view and we went with a standard view. Keeping my fingers crossed I do not end up with a view of the parking lot. The two DVC buildings that will be completed are Moorea and Pago Pago. Anyone have a preference between those two?

Also- is there a hot tub available anywhere on property while the main pool is closed? Where is the majority of construction work at currently? What portion of the beach is open? Where can you go outside right now at the poly that is "construction free" ? I'm very excited to try the new DVC but not expecting much in terms of ambiance because of the ongoing construction situation.

 

[The Sasquatch]

Are the bungalows and the deluxe studios the same thing? It's a little confusing as they are listed under "villas and bungalows". We have never stayed at the poly and I thought the only villas they have are the new bungalows. Can anyone clarify? There is some availability showing up for our dates. We are currently in a 1 bed at BCV and trying to decide if we switch. Would the current construction be enough to deter anyone away?

 

[WDWOswald]

Are the bungalows and the deluxe studios the same thing? It's a little confusing as they are listed under "villas and bungalows". We have never stayed at the poly and I thought the only villas they have are the new bungalows. Can anyone clarify? There is some availability showing up for our dates. We are currently in a 1 bed at BCV and trying to decide if we switch. Would the current construction be enough to deter anyone away?

The deluxe studios are not the bungalows. The studios are in regular long houses that were converted into vacation club rooms. The studios sleep 5 and have two showers. Construction on the main feature pool should be done by June or earlier, but construction is still going to be visible around the resort all year. I'd choose poly over the BC because you will be on the monorail.

 

[Davie Business]

Is the walk to TTC open? We're going in May and last May we were able to use it, but heard they closed it a few days later.

We were at Poly in Jan. The TTC path was closed but you could walk along the sidewalk under the monorail. Only adds about 50yards.

 

[texasgingerbread]

Go on orbitz and book using promo code travelhappy. It's 15% off WDW best rates and the GF and CR are both available as well as the beach club and Boardwalk villas.

Would this cancel all my dining res since I have a package booked?

 

[dansdad]

Would this cancel all my dining res since I have a package booked?

Nope.

 

[Cluelyss]

Would this cancel all my dining res since I have a package booked?

No, ADRs have their own confirmation numbers and are not linked to your room reservation.

 

[Wills Mom]

We are contemplating changing resorts. We have the Poly booked for 3 nights for Labor Day weekend under the "magical" deal so obviously its a standard room. Its our first time onsite so I want to make sure DH falls in love with onsite and now I'm worried the construction going on at the Poly may turn him off. I was thinking it should be mostly finished by the time we travel but recent findings are making me question it. Should I change it this time and go to Poly next time we go back when contruction won't be an issue?

 

[think-like-tink]

When should this construction be complete?

 

[dansdad]

When should this construction be complete?

Now THAT is the million dollar question.

 

[Cluelyss]

When should this construction be complete?

Keep an eye on Tikiman's site for the most current updates. I think the general consensus is still that most of the work will be done by the end of the year. Now that the lobby is open, the next big thing is getting the main pool finished. Those have been the most disruptive changes.

 

[typhoonlagooner]

The two DVC buildings that will be completed are Moorea and Pago Pago. Anyone have a preference between those two?

Also- is there a hot tub available anywhere on property while the main pool is closed? Where is the majority of construction work at currently? What portion of the beach is open? Where can you go outside right now at the poly that is "construction free" ? I'm very excited to try the new DVC but not expecting much in terms of ambiance because of the ongoing construction situation.

If you're trying to avoid a parking lot view, I'd request Moorea, formally Tahiti. I don't think there's any advantage/disadvantage to either buildings as they share a similar location. Staying in Pago Pago gives you a 50/50 chance of a parking lot view.

Construction feels like it's everywhere at the moment, but mostly East of the Marina (towards the TTC). There's construction at the main entrance to the Grand Ceremonial House, Trader Sams within the GCH, the entire Main Pool area stretching from GCH to the Beach, walkways closed/fenced off around the East Pool, and fences present along the entire beach area from Hawaii to the TTC for the Bungalows Construction. Even if you can't see it... you can hear it.

No spa on property until the Main Pool re-opens... though it will be a raised, infinity style overlooking the lagoon once it does.

There's a small portion of beach opened in front of Hawaii where they still play nightly movies. Another option would be the small beach in front of Luau Cove, on the west side of the Marina, towards the Grand Floridian.

I'm hoping, for the sake of many travelers, including yourself... Disney pulls it all together for the DVC opening April 1st. That would include the main entrance to the GCH, Trader Sams, and the Main Pool. There's been a huge construction push in these last few weeks... the progress is quite impressive, though the reality is, they're still behind.

*fingers crossed*

We are contemplating changing resorts. We have the Poly booked for 3 nights for Labor Day weekend under the "magical" deal so obviously its a standard room. Its our first time onsite so I want to make sure DH falls in love with onsite and now I'm worried the construction going on at the Poly may turn him off...

We're booked as well... 8/27 to 9/5... we're hanging onto the reservation.

I'm also traveling with a 'first timer' on site and am painstakingly stalking construction updates. I'm slightly torn as to if we should change to the BC, but the room refurbishment timeline has me concerned there as well (don't want to risk a non-refurbished room.)

The only construction I'm expecting for our dates is the closing of the East Pool. It will most likely be fenced off, with construction noise during their usual working hours. It's not nearly as 'invasive' as the Main Pool... but construction no less.

We've requested Fiji and feeling comfortable with being on 'that side' of the resort.

I can't seem to 'give up' the Poly's location and amenities... Trader Sams and the new Main Pool were huge deciding factors for us, not to mention the monorail and overall MK resort area. Throw in that magical rate and it almost seems foolish to question it.

I'm feeling confident that the current state of the Polynesian is nowhere NEAR what we're going to experience in September. All DVC bungalows/buildings will be completed, the Main Pool will be completed, Trader Sams and the entire beach open.

 

[think-like-tink]

Okay! We are going in December and swimming is not on my list of things to do.

 

[Wills Mom]

If you're trying to avoid a parking lot view, I'd request Moorea, formally Tahiti. I don't think there's any advantage/disadvantage to either buildings as they share a similar location. Staying in Pago Pago gives you a 50/50 chance of a parking lot view.

Construction feels like it's everywhere at the moment, but mostly East of the Marina (towards the TTC). There's construction at the main entrance to the Grand Ceremonial House, Trader Sams within the GCH, the entire Main Pool area stretching from GCH to the Beach, walkways closed/fenced off around the East Pool, and fences present along the entire beach area from Hawaii to the TTC for the Bungalows Construction. Even if you can't see it... you can hear it.

No spa on property until the Main Pool re-opens... though it will be a raised, infinity style overlooking the lagoon once it does.

There's a small portion of beach opened in front of Hawaii where they still play nightly movies. Another option would be the small beach in front of Luau Cove, on the west side of the Marina, towards the Grand Floridian.

I'm hoping, for the sake of many travelers, including yourself... Disney pulls it all together for the DVC opening April 1st. That would include the main entrance to the GCH, Trader Sams, and the Main Pool. There's been a huge construction push in these last few weeks... the progress is quite impressive, though the reality is, they're still behind.

*fingers crossed*



We're booked as well... 8/27 to 9/5... we're hanging onto the reservation.

I'm also traveling with a 'first timer' on site and am painstakingly stalking construction updates. I'm slightly torn as to if we should change to the BC, but the room refurbishment timeline has me concerned there as well (don't want to risk a non-refurbished room.)

The only construction I'm expecting for our dates is the closing of the East Pool. It will most likely be fenced off, with construction noise during their usual working hours. It's not nearly as 'invasive' as the Main Pool... but construction no less.

We've requested Fiji and feeling comfortable with being on 'that side' of the resort.

I can't seem to 'give up' the Poly's location and amenities... Trader Sams and the new Main Pool were huge deciding factors for us, not to mention the monorail and overall MK resort area. Throw in that magical rate and it almost seems foolish to question it.

I'm feeling confident that the current state of the Polynesian is nowhere NEAR what we're going to experience in September. All DVC bungalows/buildings will be completed, the Main Pool will be completed, Trader Sams and the entire beach open.

Thank you for that. I am similarly minded. Hanging on in the hopes there will be minimal construction. My main concern is being placed near the construction as we will have to bring the boys back to our room for day time naps and if they see/hear anything it would be nigh impossible to get them to nap. DS1 is the fussiest napper, entirely my own fault!! I'm presuming if they roomed us in a less than desirable location (I mean I'm not hoping for an ideal room/view etc but as we booked that "magical" deal perhaps those room allocations will purely be near construction) and we explained the napping issue and they had anything else available they would surely try to accommodate us. Our other option is to move to either CR Garden wing or YC, neither of which appeals hugely!