ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: September 2012

[clanmcculloch]

We're in the same boat - wanted to book CL for January, but not available. We'd like something close to GCH with a nice view and a balcony, but not too far from TTC. I would just describe my requests without asking for a specific longhouse, but I think "nice view" is too subjective, so I identified a building. For now, we requested third floor Samoa with a volcano pool view. But if I read that Samoa is actually down before we leave in January, I'll call to request Tokelau, balcony, quiet pool view. Otherwise, I'll just talk with the CM at check-in and see what's available. We're going during a slow week and we're heading to Epcot right after check-in, so we are entirely willing to wait for our room.

The tikiman info is still there, just have to click on each longhouse individually to see the possible refurb schedule for that building. Here's what I found:

Aotearoa: 2013
Fiji: 2013
Hawaii: Jan-March 2013
Niue: Jan-March 2013
Rapa Nui: April-June 2013
Rarotonga: Feb-April 2013
Samoa: Jan-March 2013
Tahiti: March-May 2013
Tokelau: March-May 2013
Tonga: 2013 (new lounge)
Tuvalu: 2013

Thank you!

Well this stinks. So basically, everything around the pools will be closed during my stay late February. OK, Tokelau will be open so not EVERYTHING at the quiet pool but pretty darned close. What's that say about the pools?

 

[sherekhan]

Spending a week at Poly for the Princess Half Marathon with DW, DD(4) & DS(2).

Right now I've asked for Tokelau because it seems centrally located to GCH and TTC and the rooms might be bigger than others? Staying in a standard/garden view. Any suggestions on what "asks" I should include with the reservation? Any reasons to pick a different longhouse?

Also, has anyone stayed here for the Princess Half Marathon? It looks as though the route map passes by the resort twice. Suggestions for viewing locations? Does the monorail open early for the race?

Got this answer from the PHM thread:
"I have not stayed at the Poly, but have run the race four times and it doesn't pass right in front, but after the MK it does come close. If you walked out the front door of the Poly through the parking lot and turned left you would be close. Hopefully some one has some better info will help out."

Sounds like maybe just going to the viewing area in the MK is a better plan, esp with little kids. The monorails should be running by then.

 

[princessap]

Thank you!

Well this stinks. So basically, everything around the pools will be closed during my stay late February. OK, Tokelau will be open so not EVERYTHING at the quiet pool but pretty darned close. What's that say about the pools?

I am worried about this too as we are there march 3-6....I am considering switching resorts due to refurbs and pool being out of commission, it is a lot to spend and not get the full enjoyment! how will we know for sure when refurb are being done?? I asked the CM once and she said there are none in the works so not sure if she knows or not..

 

[pixarmom]

Thank you!

Well this stinks. So basically, everything around the pools will be closed during my stay late February. OK, Tokelau will be open so not EVERYTHING at the quiet pool but pretty darned close. What's that say about the pools?

I haven't seen anything regarding pool rehabs at all - hope not! I recall they did some work on the quiet pool after our January 2011 stay.

 

[DebbyLof428]

I am worried about this too as we are there march 3-6....I am considering switching resorts due to refurbs and pool being out of commission, it is a lot to spend and not get the full enjoyment! how will we know for sure when refurb are being done?? I asked the CM once and she said there are none in the works so not sure if she knows or not..

It surprises me that those of us on the Disboards know more than the people that work at the Poly do sometimes

 

[denisekayt]

We stayed in Figi two years ago and LOVED IT close to anything you needed and quiet enough for down time!!! about a 5 minute walk to GCH!

That's where my husband and I have stayed the past 3 times we have been. That is a great location and view!!!! I can't think of any cons except you will not want to stay at any other resort, lol. It is further from TTC, we walked there a couple times instead of riding the monorail around to TTC for the EPCOT monorail but we found that the walk is not bad at all, maybe 10 minutes max, and it's a great way to enjoy the rest of the resort.

Sent from my GalaxyS II

Thanks for the feedback, I'm glad to see some Figi lovers out there! Sounds like it will be a good fit for us. Can't wait to be there!

 

[gaildmoody]

I need some help... I leave in 10 days and we have a LV CL room (Hawaii bldg) and I was trying to decide which rooms to request but tikimans site doesn't really help because the pics are so old.

I only see one room that is LV on the 3rd floor? We really want the best possible view of the MK. We couldn't get a TPV CL room so I am hoping for a little magic.

Do you have LV CL Suggestions?

 

[homer2210]

How can people afford to stay here?? There must be alot of millionaires out there.

 

[DznyCrzy11]

How can people afford to stay here?? There must be alot of millionaires out there.

Oh yeah, I wish! Even more so I wish I was one of them, lol. We stay here by saving and watching our spending like crazy, oh and using discounts that Disney offers.

Sent from my GalaxyS II

 

[gaildmoody]

How can people afford to stay here?? There must be alot of millionaires out there.

we are hardly millionaires. Speaking for myself, I own my own Disney Travel Agency so we are always locating the specials and deals for our clients, and for ourselves! Getting 35% off rack rate makes it quite a bit more affordable!

 

[Wanna be Ariel]

How can people afford to stay here?? There must be alot of millionaires out there.

No millionaire here. We have been saving and waiting for a good % off. It is hard to spend that kind of money, but we will have a 2.5 year old at the time we will be going there. We know that we will be spending a lot of time at the resort. So being that close to MK is worth every penny to us.

 

[NicoleK1974]

Lol! Millionares....?
Far from it....and we are affording to stay Club Level this trip after staying just Theme Park View last time...

Watch for pin codes....I saw one not too long ago for 35% off and in my case I got a great 40% discount with the military salute discount!

Of course, I only have one child, which cuts Disney costs by a TON....
Which was the reason I stopped at one....
I wanted to be able to afford the nicer things for her, even on a meager military family budget....
If we had 2 or more, we would DEFINITELY be moderate or value resort people.

I feel very lucky to be able to stay at the Poly as it is truly amazing, but "millionaires"????? FAR from it are we....!

 

[NicoleK1974]

I need some help... I leave in 10 days and we have a LV CL room (Hawaii bldg) and I was trying to decide which rooms to request but tikimans site doesn't really help because the pics are so old.

I only see one room that is LV on the 3rd floor? We really want the best possible view of the MK. We couldn't get a TPV CL room so I am hoping for a little magic.

Do you have LV CL Suggestions?

Unfortunately, I don't have any suggestions, but when you get a good look at them first hand, will you let me know which is best?
We are staying LV in Hawaii in 3 weeks and would love to know which is best.

An "insider" suggested a first floor close to the concierge desk is a great option....but I am always up for more opinions!

 

[Turtlegirl]

We LOVE the Poly but I do agree that the cost to stay there is getting out of control! But we're doing it anyway

On a different note, I was under the impression that a jacuzzi is being added to the pool area, and would be ready this Fall. Now I've read, though, that construction hasn't even started yet.

Can anyone comment on when and if a jacuzzi will be added at the Poly?

I did search this thread and the resorts forum but couldn't glean an answer.

Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving, fellow DISers!

 

[sandym718]

There's extra space in the first floor?

. I'm sorry, I didn't say that clearly. What I meant was that having the patio and lawn area (most of Tokelau's rooms open onto grassy areas), made it Feel like we had extra space.

How can people afford to stay here?? There must be alot of millionaires out there.

Definitely not. We live fairly frugally in our daily lives and splurge on vacations. We've decided to pass on things like new furniture, fancy electronics, and other things for now. I figure that eventually our kids (10 and 8) won't want to travel with us all the time, so for this time in our lives, we're making wonderful family memories. I figure I'll get new furniture when they're older

 

[tinkermommyof3]

How can people afford to stay here?? There must be alot of millionaires out there.

You don't have to be a millionaire to stay at ANY of the WDW resorts. There are many room levels (standard, garden, water, etc.) to choose from at all of the resorts as well as discounts from time to time.

 

[VeroBeachGirl]

We switched from AKL to the Poly for our early December trip! It'll be our first time staying there! Will the pools be okay to use (weather wise) the first week in December?
Also, we requested Fiji, third floor…is that a good spot?

 

[DznyCrzy11]

We switched from AKL to the Poly for our early December trip! It'll be our first time staying there! Will the pools be okay to use (weather wise) the first week in December?
Also, we requested Fiji, third floor…is that a good spot?

The weather can be iffy in December. Yes Fiji 3rd floor is a great location!!! There's the Marina view side which I love!

Sent from my GalaxyS II

 

[TXPyroMom]

We are looking at staying here in December 2013 and I had a few questions.

We travel with my parents and they get a lot of use out of a balcony, so that is a must for us. I know that most of the longhouses don't have balconies, but we would be booking two MK view rooms and I was wondering what our chances are for getting balconies.

We stayed in MK rooms at CR in January and the view was amazing. DD could lay in her bed and watch the castle change colors and my parents would sit on the balcony and drink coffee in the mornings.

Any tips or recommendations you all can offer would be great

 

[uagirl]

How can people afford to stay here?? There must be alot of millionaires out there.

We love to stay deluxe, but typically go 2-3 years between visits. It takes us that long to save up enough to do it again.

Not millionaires, just penny pinchers.