ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: September 2012

[1971DBday]

Aloha everyone! I've been off for awhile; I think I peeked in one day between our June trip and now. I've been sad not having another trip planned for next year yet and after a trip with 20 family members I needed a little break. But I cannot stay gone to long and we were all getting the Disney Bug over here.

After four years in a row at the Poly the kids wanted to try something different so we are trying the BCR. I know I will have my doubts here and there since the Poly is like a second home to us but it's good to try something new here and there. We will stop by for a cocktail or two when we head out to the MK...but please tell me we are not going to regret this decision?!?

We still love the Poly!

 

[mickeynut1]

What a great thread! I'm so happy to have been directed to it! My family of 5 will be staying there for the first time next year and this will be my kids first resort experience as we have stayed off-site for our two previous trips. Can anyone tell me what room areas I should request - standard room with a patio/balcony that would be a good location with kids? Thanks!

And what about Club Level - worth it with the kids, food, etc.?

You will LOVE the Poly....it's an amazing resort . We stayed in Samoa and loved the location. It is conveniently located to everything as it's just steps from the GCH, volcano/quiet pool, the beach, and Captain Cooks . We love everything about the Poly and can't wait to return in July 2013. I can't help with CL as we haven't tried CL at the Poly (yet), but we are excited to be giving it a try next summer .

After four years in a row at the Poly the kids wanted to try something different so we are trying the BCR. I know I will have my doubts here and there since the Poly is like a second home to us but it's good to try something new here and there. We will stop by for a cocktail or two when we head out to the MK...but please tell me we are not going to regret this decision?!?

We still love the Poly!

Even though we like trying new resorts, I totally understand about having second thoughts and wanting to stick with the Poly. We've only stayed at the Poly once, but that was enough to get us to fall in love with the resort. We have also stayed at the BC and while the Poly (as well as the MK area) is our absolute favorite, we did very much enjoy our BC stay. The BC is a beautiful resort and it is great being within walking distance to Epcot and DHS, and the boardwalk is fun for nightly entertainment. For something different, I think the BC is a great choice with SAB, and the whole Epcot resort area is beautiful to walk around at night .

 

[cheryterese]

Thanks! That's very helpful, both of you!

And I'm afraid we'll love it too much!!

 

[xipotec]

Mickey Mail arrived today!!!! 33 days!!!!!

 

[mickeynut1]

And I'm afraid we'll love it too much!!

That's what happened to us . I knew I would like the Poly, but I didn't expect to love it as much as I do. The grounds are just beautiful and the pool is great (we even like it better than SAB at the BC/YC ). We love everything about the Poly, but I especially love how the pool backs up to the beach with the castle in the distance.....very magical . We have stayed at other resorts since the Poly, but the Poly will always be our favorite and we can't wait to return next summer and give CL a try .

 

[ocalla]

Aloha everyone! I've been off for awhile; I think I peeked in one day between our June trip and now. I've been sad not having another trip planned for next year yet and after a trip with 20 family members I needed a little break. But I cannot stay gone to long and we were all getting the Disney Bug over here.

After four years in a row at the Poly the kids wanted to try something different so we are trying the BCR. I know I will have my doubts here and there since the Poly is like a second home to us but it's good to try something new here and there. We will stop by for a cocktail or two when we head out to the MK...but please tell me we are not going to regret this decision?!?

We still love the Poly!

I think you picked a GREAT resort for something new!! We have done the YC/BC for the past 3 years and LOVE it there................but next year we think we want to try the Poly. Like you said, sometimes a change is nice.

 

[TIME2DISNEY]

Mickey Mail arrived today!!!! 33 days!!!!!

Lucky you!
I have never been to the world in November. Is it still swim weather? Will Christmas decorations be up yet?
Anyways, your trip will be here before you know it! Have fun!

 

[Wanna be Ariel]

Lucky you!
I have never been to the world in November. Is it still swim weather? Will Christmas decorations be up yet?
Anyways, your trip will be here before you know it! Have fun!

To me November is one of the best times to go. It is hit or miss with being able to swim. Sometimes the weather is great other times it could be a little on the cool side. Yes, Christmas decorations will go up after the last MNSSHP and the MVMCP will start the week after that.

 

[cheryterese]

That's what happened to us . I knew I would like the Poly, but I didn't expect to love it as much as I do. The grounds are just beautiful and the pool is great (we even like it better than SAB at the BC/YC ). We love everything about the Poly, but I especially love how the pool backs up to the beach with the castle in the distance.....very magical . We have stayed at other resorts since the Poly, but the Poly will always be our favorite and we can't wait to return next summer and give CL a try .

I am working my way through this thread but haven't read all of it yet - can you actually swim in the beach?

 

[dansdad]

I am working my way through this thread but haven't read all of it yet - can you actually swim in the beach?

No. Swimming is prohibitted at all of the beaches in WDW. Except Blizzard Beach of course.

 

[TandLMommy28]

Hello!

Have to start by saying I'm a mod girl all the way. I'm cheap and would rather not shell out the $$$ for deluxe when the mods are perfectly wonderful.


Just returned from a great stay at POR. We love POR in every way... Except the transportation. I think it was at 12:30am after mnsshp when I was squashed into a bus standing up holding my 7yo and hanging on to our broken double stroller that wouldn't latch closed that I finally said to myself "ok. I get it. We are trying a monorail resort!"

I have stayed at Contemporary and didn't care for it. I've eaten at GF and that was enough to know I wouldn't want to stay. Formal doesn't suit me. So I think Poly might work for us. We like all the landscaping at POR and I feel like we'd get that at Poly more than the other two. It seems like the most peaceful of the three.

It'll be either two or three years. In two years we are supposed to do a huge family trip (we would rent two houses offsite) but my family usually flakes on me so I'm not banking on it. If it falls through, we'd do Poly for that trip instead.

So I'll be around reading up on all the happenings at Poly and trying to adjust to the idea of spending so much more on a vacation. But I know now. For sure. That a monorail resort is 100% going to be worth the money!

 

[Wanna be Ariel]

Hello!

Have to start by saying I'm a mod girl all the way. I'm cheap and would rather not shell out the $$$ for deluxe when the mods are perfectly wonderful.


Just returned from a great stay at POR. We love POR in every way... Except the transportation. I think it was at 12:30am after mnsshp when I was squashed into a bus standing up holding my 7yo and hanging on to our broken double stroller that wouldn't latch closed that I finally said to myself "ok. I get it. We are trying a monorail resort!"

I have stayed at Contemporary and didn't care for it. I've eaten at GF and that was enough to know I wouldn't want to stay. Formal doesn't suit me. So I think Poly might work for us. We like all the landscaping at POR and I feel like we'd get that at Poly more than the other two. It seems like the most peaceful of the three.

It'll be either two or three years. In two years we are supposed to do a huge family trip (we would rent two houses offsite) but my family usually flakes on me so I'm not banking on it. If it falls through, we'd do Poly for that trip instead.

So I'll be around reading up on all the happenings at Poly and trying to adjust to the idea of spending so much more on a vacation. But I know now. For sure. That a monorail resort is 100% going to be worth the money!

We are mod people too! But this time around we are going to do the Poly. I know that with our 1.5 year old(2.5 when we go) it will be both every extra penny we spend to stay there. I hate to spend the extra $$$ and I know once we stay we might never want to mod again But knowing that it will be sooooooo easy to get to the MK and Epcot it is going to be great!

 

[TIME2DISNEY]

We are mod people too! But this time around we are going to do the Poly. I know that with our 1.5 year old(2.5 when we go) it will be both every extra penny we spend to stay there. I hate to spend the extra $$$ and I know once we stay we might never want to mod again But knowing that it will be sooooooo easy to get to the MK and Epcot it is going to be great!

I promise you won't regret it! Like a lot of families we started at value,moved up to moderates than found the holy grail, I mean the monorail!
Lets face it, Disney is an expensive vacation, whether at a value or deluxe. But the ease and peaceful feeling you get after a full day at the parks is just priceless. That being said,I will only go when free dining or room discounts are offered.
My best advice is if you choose deluxe, don't look back! After you make your final payment, don't think about the dollar amount again! That's what I do!

 

[boundfordisney]

we are taking my stepsons family to disney in 2013, the grandkids will be 2 and 1, even though I love cbr as a moderate and it would be soo much cheaper to book the stay there , with the little ones Im thinking the poly is really the best option. Stepson and his wife have never been so its a first trip for them, I want it to be a little more of a relaxed pace and I guess the monorail would help out with that. We are looking at either late September or middle of November, hopefully we can get a room only discount so that would help big time with the cost, since we are booking 2 rooms and the trip is bieng paid for by us. Keeping my fingers crossed for some discount disney magic!

 

[mickeynut1]

I am working my way through this thread but haven't read all of it yet - can you actually swim in the beach?

As dansdad posted, no swimming is allowed at any of the resort beaches, but it is very relaxing sitting on the beach or lying in a hammock during the day or at night watching the fireworks .

Hello!

Have to start by saying I'm a mod girl all the way. I'm cheap and would rather not shell out the $$$ for deluxe when the mods are perfectly wonderful.


Just returned from a great stay at POR. We love POR in every way... Except the transportation. I think it was at 12:30am after mnsshp when I was squashed into a bus standing up holding my 7yo and hanging on to our broken double stroller that wouldn't latch closed that I finally said to myself "ok. I get it. We are trying a monorail resort!"

I have stayed at Contemporary and didn't care for it. I've eaten at GF and that was enough to know I wouldn't want to stay. Formal doesn't suit me. So I think Poly might work for us. We like all the landscaping at POR and I feel like we'd get that at Poly more than the other two. It seems like the most peaceful of the three.

It'll be either two or three years. In two years we are supposed to do a huge family trip (we would rent two houses offsite) but my family usually flakes on me so I'm not banking on it. If it falls through, we'd do Poly for that trip instead.

So I'll be around reading up on all the happenings at Poly and trying to adjust to the idea of spending so much more on a vacation. But I know now. For sure. That a monorail resort is 100% going to be worth the money!

Glad you had a great stay at POR, but sorry the transportation wasn't the greatest for you. The Poly is on the expensive side, but we think it's definitely worth the extra cost (especially when there's a discount to offset the rate ). Being on the monorail isn't only convenient for getting to MK and Epcot, but it's great having so many dining options between all 3 resorts .

We are mod people too! But this time around we are going to do the Poly. I know that with our 1.5 year old(2.5 when we go) it will be both every extra penny we spend to stay there. I hate to spend the extra $$$ and I know once we stay we might never want to mod again But knowing that it will be sooooooo easy to get to the MK and Epcot it is going to be great!

The CR, YC, & BWI are the only deluxes we haven't tried yet, and while we did like our BC, AKL, & WL stays, there's nothing like being on the monorail for us and being able to see the castle from just about anywhere on the Poly grounds .

Lets face it, Disney is an expensive vacation, whether at a value or deluxe. But the ease and peaceful feeling you get after a full day at the parks is just priceless. That being said,I will only go when free dining or room discounts are offered.
My best advice is if you choose deluxe, don't look back! After you make your final payment, don't think about the dollar amount again! That's what I do!

I agree completely .

we are taking my stepsons family to disney in 2013, the grandkids will be 2 and 1, even though I love cbr as a moderate and it would be soo much cheaper to book the stay there , with the little ones Im thinking the poly is really the best option. Stepson and his wife have never been so its a first trip for them, I want it to be a little more of a relaxed pace and I guess the monorail would help out with that. We are looking at either late September or middle of November, hopefully we can get a room only discount so that would help big time with the cost, since we are booking 2 rooms and the trip is bieng paid for by us. Keeping my fingers crossed for some discount disney magic!

We love the relaxing feel of the Poly. The tropical atmosphere is beautiful and you can't beat having the beach for watching the fireworks with a short walk back to your room afterwards, especially with little ones in tow . Plus the beach is also great if the kids just want to play in the sand. The Poly is our favorite for so many reasons .

 

[sherekhan]

My best advice is if you choose deluxe, don't look back! After you make your final payment, don't think about the dollar amount again! That's what I do!

This is wise advice.

Here are my own justifications to staying at the Poly over the mod resorts (which are really nice resorts):
- monorail...of course...it has to be said
- the festive Lapu Lapu pineapple drink made with 2 kinds of rum in a fresh pineapple heavy enough to call it arm strength cross training. Perfect on your balcony with kids sleeping inside http://www.acupofdisney.com/747
- Excuse for my girls and I to wear polynesian dress up clothes and not be out of place
...but the real reason that makes it a total value:
- No irritation from my husband about how long transportation is taking

 

[mariamouse]

I promise you won't regret it! Like a lot of families we started at value,moved up to moderates than found the holy grail, I mean the monorail!
Lets face it, Disney is an expensive vacation, whether at a value or deluxe. But the ease and peaceful feeling you get after a full day at the parks is just priceless. That being said,I will only go when free dining or room discounts are offered.
My best advice is if you choose deluxe, don't look back! After you make your final payment, don't think about the dollar amount again! That's what I do!

GREAT advice! So often, the reason new deluxe guests may feel underwhelmed is because they have built it up SO much in their minds due to the extra cost. Just make the decision and own it!

 

[polyfor4]

We were there in May when they were switching over to the new resort soaps. We had the new sea salt bar soap and then all of the H2O products we had seen in previous trips. Did all of the soaps switch the spa H2O eventually at the Poly? Sorry, I know this is a random detail but we're trying to find new things to get excited about for our next trip!

 

[jenniferma]

Sorry if I missed it, but is there a site with any updated info on the Poly 2013 refurbishments? We are going Jan 15-21 and I am thinking ahead to which longhouse to request.

thanks! Jen

 

[vicki_c]

Sorry if I missed it, but is there a site with any updated info on the Poly 2013 refurbishments? We are going Jan 15-21 and I am thinking ahead to which longhouse to request.

thanks! Jen

Last I read was starting in January in the Hawaii (CL) building. So unless you are planning on CL, I don't think you will be affected.