ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: October 2013

[AquaDame]

Since Trader Sam's looks like it will be open when I get to Disney (end of April) how big is the patio? I'm hoping to sit inside, but is the patio a good size just in case?

They are having their first soft opening right now - its a 3 hour wait to get in. The bar seats 50, and the patio is a good size, but it will remain incredibly popular. If you can't sit right away they have pagers for you so you can wander while you wait.

 

[LoveMMC]

I'm am beyond excited we are going to get to stay in poly for the first time.
I'm am trying to figure out room requests. I understand the east pool will be under construction in August. I have looked over this thread and Tikiman.
I couldn't find the online check in screen shot of the room request options.

• We have a baby who will be napping midday so I would like to try to find a room that won't have construction noise.
• We have a standard view
• I would really like a balcony or first floor so we can put baby down and sit outside to read and relax rather than stay quiet on the bed.
• Being close to transport is good.

What building should I request?
fax, call or online?
Is it impossible to get balcony or patio?

Thank you

 

[maiapapaya]

I'm am beyond excited we are going to get to stay in poly for the first time.
I'm am trying to figure out room requests. I understand the east pool will be under construction in August. I have looked over this thread and Tikiman.
I couldn't find the online check in screen shot of the room request options.

• We have a baby who will be napping midday so I would like to try to find a room that won't have construction noise.
• We have a standard view
• I would really like a balcony or first floor so we can put baby down and sit outside to read and relax rather than stay quiet on the bed.
• Being close to transport is good.

What building should I request?
fax, call or online?
Is it impossible to get balcony or patio?

Thank you

It is definitely not impossible to get a patio or balcony! Two-thirds of the rooms have either one or the other. It's only the second floor rooms that don't.

We always call and have CRO add our request to our reservation. We then do online check-in and indicate our request again on there.

On the request form with the online check-in you can choose two items between a specific longhouse, ground floor, patio, balcony, or second floor.
The longhouses on the side of the resort closest to the ticket & transportation centre are all DVC now. However, if you are close to the GCH you will have easy access to the monorail, boat launches to the MK and the buses. I would suggest Figi. It's very close to the GCH and will be completely removed from the east pool construction.

 

[LoveMMC]

Thank you so much! That was exactly what I was looking for.

 

[Sue M]

I think there will be a lot of us requesting Fiji

 

[HappyMomma]

I have some questions about how Trader Sams is affecting the resort. Can you hear all that noise from TS in the lobby? The pool area? How is it affecting people who are in the long houses on the west side? Can you get back and forth to your room easily? Or is the door/path area to that side going to be slammed with people?

I have to say, I am fearful Trader Sams has ruined the tranquility of the Poly. I swear, if I have to deal with loud, clogged pathways, filled with drunk ppl, I'm going to be PO'd.

 

[Traveliz]

I have some questions about how Trader Sams is affecting the resort. Can you hear all that noise from TS in the lobby? The pool area? How is it affecting people who are in the long houses on the west side? Can you get back and forth to your room easily? Or is the door/path area to that side going to be slammed with people?

I have to say, I am fearful Trader Sams has ruined the tranquility of the Poly. I swear, if I have to deal with loud, clogged pathways, filled with drunk ppl, I'm going to be PO'd.

I was at the Poly last night. I did not go in but walked down the hall and around the outside several times. I also sat in the lobby for about an hour.

The lobby was definitely hustle bustle but none of that noise came from Trader Sams....it was the restaurants, the music and the many people in the lobby that were generating that noise.

The hallway where the entrance is is definitely small but they only allowed a small amount of people to line up there and then had the others outside against the marina rope (which I guess would be distracting if you were sitting there).

The patio noise was minimal except for the music. It sounded live but I do not know if it was or not. I don't know how far that music carried but probably no more distracting than the luau music. The pool area is of course now closed but I would imagine you could hear some of the music there...however pool noise might drown that out.

Liz

 

[HappyMomma]

Thanks Liz. I requested Aotearoa for our long house. I hope we can get back and forth without issues.

 

[huntconn]

I have some questions about how Trader Sams is affecting the resort. Can you hear all that noise from TS in the lobby? The pool area? How is it affecting people who are in the long houses on the west side? Can you get back and forth to your room easily? Or is the door/path area to that side going to be slammed with people?

I have to say, I am fearful Trader Sams has ruined the tranquility of the Poly. I swear, if I have to deal with loud, clogged pathways, filled with drunk ppl, I'm going to be PO'd.

I completely understand your concerns. However, I think the some of the "tranquility" of the Polynesian disappeared years ago when they started having the afternoon pool party. Whoever it was who had the bright idea to blast god awful pop music like Cotton Eyed Joe during the prime swimming afternoon hours should be drawn and quartered IMO! Lol

 

[cbellasmomma]

I am SO lost. Could someone tell me if Trader Sams is near Aotearoa? I am reading that people are concerned about noise from the bar. Is there a map somewhere?

 

[ckelly14]

I am SO lost. Could someone tell me if Trader Sams is near Aotearoa? I am reading that people are concerned about noise from the bar. Is there a map somewhere?

Yes: http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/polymap.htm

I believe Trader Sam's in on the West Side of the GCH near where it says Moana Mickey's Arcade

Can't imagine there would be a ton of noise at Aotearoa

 

[cbellasmomma]

Yes: http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/polymap.htm

I believe Trader Sam's in on the West Side of the GCH near where it says Moana Mickey's Arcade

Can't imagine there would be a ton of noise at Aotearoa

Thank you!!!!

 

[maiapapaya]

Yes, Trader Sam's in exactly where the arcade used to be and I agree, I don't think Aotearoa will be affected by any noise from there.

 

[LSpell619]

Do you guys think Niue on the side facing away from construction would be an okay longhouse to request. We are going in May so the East pool will be in the middle of being worked on, but I love the location, near the GCH but also not too far of a walk to the TTC. We have a standard room.

 

[huntconn]

Do you guys think Niue on the side facing away from construction would be an okay longhouse to request. We are going in May so the East pool will be in the middle of being worked on, but I love the location, near the GCH but also not too far of a walk to the TTC. We have a standard room.

I think Niue is a great longhouse to request. Very conveniently located to the GCH and the main pool! It's the only longhouse with only 2 floors and does not have an elevator. There is an elevated walkway connecting Niue to Raratonga so you can use that elevator if need be. Our family always requests Niue. We call it our "secret" because it is rarely mentioned as a longhouse to request.

 

[thornton0511]

I'm not sure if this has already been said or not but I am wondering if staying at the Poly will give a benefit for getting into Trader Sam's or not. Not trying to ask if being a resort guest would give priority access or anything (although that would be a cool bonus to staying there) but I am curious as to how it will differ for a resort guest having the access to just walk to the bar as opposed to someone driving/parking at the resort or by means of monorail or boat from another location. Also I am sure it will die down somewhat after it is open for a bit longer, but it seems that for someone staying there, the pictures of people waiting that had a line snaking all the way around the marina for hours seems like it would make it a bit unpleasant for resort guests. Does that make sense?

 

[Traveliz]

I don't think Poly resort guests will getting any special treatment regarding Trader Sams. None has been given for reservations at the restaurants and Trader Sams doesn't even take reservations as it's a first come first served establishment.

Liz

 

[thornton0511]

I don't think Poly resort guests will getting any special treatment regarding Trader Sams. None has been given for reservations at the restaurants and Trader Sams doesn't even take reservations as it's a first come first served establishment.

Liz

that's a good point.

 

[PolyAddict]

DH and I are headed down May 15-18th for a 3N 4 day getaway! His bday is the 18th! Have not made any requests and I probably won't. Booked at SV room. All I really want is a balcony to chill on while DH sleeps a bit later than me in the morning. Other thing is our flight gets in at 8:20am so I'd rather get in a room after breakfast at Kona then wait for one I have asked for. How is Kona for breakfast? Do we need a ressi? I'm imaging we should be there by 10am using MDE. I'm sure we will be hungry.

 

[trishadono]

DH and I are headed down May 15-18th for a 3N 4 day getaway! His bday is the 18th! Have not made any requests and I probably won't. Booked at SV room. All I really want is a balcony to chill on while DH sleeps a bit later than me in the morning. Other thing is our flight gets in at 8:20am so I'd rather get in a room after breakfast at Kona then wait for one I have asked for. How is Kona for breakfast? Do we need a ressi? I'm imaging we should be there by 10am using MDE. I'm sure we will be hungry.

My dd and I eat lunch at Kona several times a year.(her fav) we have NEVER been unable to get a table. Sometimes we get right in up to 20-30 mins.

I have never had breakfast there but I have read over the years that many do and love it.

Have you used disneys site to book reservations? My dd and I will book same day ones right from our phone. It wouldn't hurt when you land or on ME to try booking then. If you can't get it then do stand by.

Poly is great trying to honor requests so if they a balcony available they will try to get it for you at earliest time. However, I have never been a fan of a patio vs balcony until I got one at poly. It is not a bad option for your second choice.