ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: September 2012

[Happyjen27]

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

I usually don't feed the trolls, but I'll bite.

Yeah I'm a millionaire!!​

Not dollars, but millions of lots of other things. I've got millions of blessings, and millions of brain cells that tell me that I deserve every single second of a posh vacation. I've also got a million ounces of good sense to know that living well doesn't require a million dollars, just a million creative ways to cut back on unnecessary things in order to enjoy what I consider necessary, like vacations.

 

[Masonmj84]

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

I value experiences and memories more than things (not that you have to spend $$$ to have great experiences & memories - but we spend more on vacations than clothes, electronic gadgets, furniture, and home decorations combined).

That being said, we're more of a moderate family but decided to splurge this time. Even then, we're using 35% AP discounts (don't think I could ever justify paying Poly rack rates, even during value season).

 

[smiths02]

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.

Although we have yet to stay at Poly...we do prefer deluxe.
We don't go every year...we don't go on any vacation every year (many people we know travel over Xmas, memorial day, etc) and we do not.
We also drive which makes a huge difference in price.
We also have had a discount every time we went.
We have also had Christmas where our gift was saving for vacay (son got Mickey suitcase, etc.)

 

[i_heart_the_mouse]

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!

Bolding above is mine

I agree that that location will be your best bet for a LV CL room. I had 1505 which is TPV and it was an excellent unobstructed view. It looked like rooms 1501-04 which are LV would have very similar views. The next group down which are 1508-10 have large bushes in front that look like they would totally block the view of the castle from the patio. I don't remember what the rooms further down looked like.

I have also stayed in 2503 which is LV. This room had an unobstructed view of the castle and partially blocked fireworks view. The big downer on the 2nd floor rooms is the no balcony. I did like being on the same floor as the lounge though, so that was nice.

I hope you both have great trips!

 

[i_heart_the_mouse]

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

Millionaires are so 1990's. We are billionaires!

 

[NicoleK1974]

I usually don't feed the trolls, but I'll bite.

Yeah I'm a millionaire!!​

Not dollars, but millions of lots of other things. I've got millions of blessings, and millions of brain cells that tell me that I deserve every single second of a posh vacation. I've also got a million ounces of good sense to know that living well doesn't require a million dollars, just a million creative ways to cut back on unnecessary things in order to enjoy what I consider necessary, like vacations.

By far the best reply to any post....EVER!!!!

 

[ScotsMinnie]

Just booked to stay at the Poly next summer for the first time! So excited! In fact this is the first time we will have stayed at a Disney Resort and it will be perhaps my 10th trip (I think!). We are thinking about which longhouse we would like to request.

We have 2 children and would like to be close to the main pool. We have booked a garden view room. We would like to be close to the GCH as well if possible. Don't mind the view as garden is garden I suppose but we really don't want to be looking over the monorail. If there is the chance we could see something else like the marina then that would be a bonus but as I said as we have booked the garden view that is what we are expecting.

Any thoughts are welcome!

Thanks!

 

[gaildmoody]

Just booked to stay at the Poly next summer for the first time! So excited! In fact this is the first time we will have stayed at a Disney Resort and it will be perhaps my 10th trip (I think!). We are thinking about which longhouse we would like to request.

We have 2 children and would like to be close to the main pool. We have booked a garden view room. We would like to be close to the GCH as well if possible. Don't mind the view as garden is garden I suppose but we really don't want to be looking over the monorail. If there is the chance we could see something else like the marina then that would be a bonus but as I said as we have booked the garden view that is what we are expecting.

Any thoughts are welcome!

Thanks!

Samoa Volcano Pool Side is a great location for just that.

 

[jenniferma]

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

To be honest.. we would never pay for rack rates. We planned our trip and then waited and waited and jumped on the Disney Visa discount the very morning it was released. The 35% off room rate made our trip similar in price to a Mod.

Last time we were lucky enough to get GF at 40% off rate.

good luck to you!
jen

 

[ljmclin]

I usually don't feed the trolls, but I'll bite.

Yeah I'm a millionaire!!​

Not dollars, but millions of lots of other things. I've got millions of blessings, and millions of brain cells that tell me that I deserve every single second of a posh vacation. I've also got a million ounces of good sense to know that living well doesn't require a million dollars, just a million creative ways to cut back on unnecessary things in order to enjoy what I consider necessary, like vacations.

LOVE THIS!! I'm a millionaire too!!!! I get to enjoy my vacation that my family saved for (and definitely deserves) in less than 2 weeks!!!!!

 

[mjl1969]

There is no way a 35% discount will make the Poly the same price as a mod, Especially when you apply a discount to the mod ..

That being said, the Poly is truly unique in its appeal - transportation convenience, ambience, etc, etc

 

[ScotsMinnie]

Samoa Volcano Pool Side is a great location for just that.

Thank you!

 

[Mousemommy1]

There is no way a 35% discount will make the Poly the same price as a mod, Especially when you apply a discount to the mod ..

That being said, the Poly is truly unique in its appeal - transportation convenience, ambience, etc, etc

It actually can be the price of a moderate...if you get 35% off a POLY garden view room in value season costing $415, you would be paying $269.75. A POR Royal Room river view rack rates is $275/night....so similar in price, as PP said, not the same...and even a little less.

But you are correct, if you apply a discount to the mod, no comparison. If you are like myself, and it wouldn't kill you to pay rack rate on a moderate, then a 35-40% discount is a great deal and like a deluxe at a mod price.

 

[pixarmom]

There is no way a 35% discount will make the Poly the same price as a mod, Especially when you apply a discount to the mod ..

That being said, the Poly is truly unique in its appeal - transportation convenience, ambience, etc, etc

Not sure how the previous poster intended it, and this isn't apples to apples, but I'm paying about the same for Poly in January with the AP discount as I was for POFQ last April. And the February before, I spent WAY less for BC (again AP discount) than for that rack rate POFQ room. Again, not a direct comparison, but funny! Just shows that deluxe resorts can be available at what we consider decent rates (between $200 and $300/night) at certain times.

 

[Happyjen27]

9 days!!

In one week, we will be in the air on the way to Florida! My 5 yo twins' first plane ride. Then 2 days at Grandma and Grandpa's then the POLY!!! The very first Disney trip for me and my twins, DH has been a few times as a kid.

I have on my "nice to have" packing list some sand toys for the poly beach. Considering the weather in Orlando in a week, is this something I should pack, or something I should ditch. I'm thinking it may not be warm enough to play in the sand.

Is anyone currently swimming in the pools? I know my pair would love to, but not if it's too chilly.

I also have on my list some febreeze in case the room is stinky. Does the Poly launder their bedspreads enough where I shouldn't need this? In general, I don't like any artificial scents of any kind, and I hate to spray anything in a public space because it can trigger migraines for people. At the same time, I won't be able to sleep well in a stinky bed.

I've heard of FW having S'mores at their campfires. Do they do that at the fires between the GF and Poly? Is it possible to bring our own S'Mores kits or should we shell out the big dollas?

Some people have recommended over the door shoe hangers to keep all the stuff in the bathroom organized. If I'm reading the floorplans right, there should be a fair amount of space on the bathroom counter. None of us are overly high maintenance with tons of products. Should I forget about this idea, or persue it?

Thanks in advance!! We got out the suitcases last night and made sure all systems were a GO.

Now, how will I think about a Turkey in 2 days when I've got a Mouse to think about???

 

[hulagirl87]

There is no way a 35% discount will make the Poly the same price as a mod, Especially when you apply a discount to the mod ..

That being said, the Poly is truly unique in its appeal - transportation convenience, ambience, etc, etc

Actually with the room only discount that came out, we are only paying $300 more than our package deal at AoA. So clearly we switched While it means cutting back on some things, it's our first trip back to the world in over 3 years and it will be DD's first trip. We wanted it to be special and being on the monorail definitely will help. She will be a month shy of 3, so still free. Definitely something we considered when booking our trip. Anywhere to save money! So we are certainly not millionaires, the Polynesian just makes it feel like we are


I'm still debating about requesting a certain building though. I've never done that before and just always left it up to chance. Not sure...

 

[jenniferma]

There is no way a 35% discount will make the Poly the same price as a mod, Especially when you apply a discount to the mod ..

That being said, the Poly is truly unique in its appeal - transportation convenience, ambience, etc, etc

You are right... Our POR trip was 4083, while the the POLY with 35 percent off is 5100 ( with dining and 5 day park hoppers). But it did make the POLY within our budget so I jumped on it! We did the same our last trip to GF. We are not big spenders and only do a big vacation every other year.. Definitely not millionaires, but happy.

 

[KingSpeedy]

Not to disrupt the discussion of whether or not Deluxe resorts are worth it or not...

Can anyone roughly estimate the walk from the GCH to the TTC? It's difficult to gauge the distances in walking time just from the map.

 

[Peaseblossom]

It couldn't have been more than 5 minutes. Correct me if I'm wrong...

 

[gaildmoody]

4 DAYS FOR ME!