ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: September 2012

[bonjovi]

woohooo, it's official, our flights our booked! got airfare for all 4 of us for $647!!!! going from apr 23-29.

as far as PP requesting a longhouse, I would. our first time at the poly was apr. 2012. i was so happy to be there, I only wanted 3rd floor. well, we got the absolute worse view. Rapa Niue , facine the parking lot. while we did love the convenience to the TTC, this time, I am going to be a bit more specific, especially because we are paying more this time, due to lesser discounts and I do think the rooms/carpeting/soft goods need work.

 

[whiporee]

Just wanted to let folks know that we just got back, and Hawaii is definitely under renovations. Either that, or they've REALLY let it go to h***.

Had housekeeping and room service issues in Tahiti, but otherwise a great stay.

 

[aboveH20]

I love the way everyone is so passionate about the Poly and I can't believe I'll be there for the first time next month.

Without boring you with the details, I'm going to be doing a split stay with my son at the Poly and then I'll move to a different resort when he leaves. (I just can't justify the cost of the Poly for one person.)

His return flight leaves at 8:30 PM so I assume he'll need to get ME about 5:30. If I don't get to see the Electrical Parade while I'm actually staying there I thought I'd see it the night he leaves. Two questions, 1. Any suggestions for where to hang out or what to do between 5:30 and 9? (He and I have reservations for Ohana the night before, so I think I'll just do a quick dinner). 2. I've never taken a taxi while at WDW, and I think that would be the best way to get to my new-not-improved resort . Where do I get a taxi from the Poly? If I have someone "call" it for me, who do I ask, and do I tip the "caller"?

Thanks.

<---- CL sounds divine. Maybe someday???? (Cost aside, it sounds perfect for a solo traveler.)

 

[pixarmom]

I love the way everyone is so passionate about the Poly and I can't believe I'll be there for the first time next month.

Without boring you with the details, I'm going to be doing a split stay with my son at the Poly and then I'll move to a different resort when he leaves. (I just can't justify the cost of the Poly for one person.)

His return flight leaves at 8:30 PM so I assume he'll need to get ME about 5:30. If I don't get to see the Electrical Parade while I'm actually staying there I thought I'd see it the night he leaves. Two questions, 1. Any suggestions for where to hang out or what to do between 5:30 and 9? (He and I have reservations for Ohana the night before, so I think I'll just do a quick dinner). 2. I've never taken a taxi while at WDW, and I think that would be the best way to get to my new-not-improved resort . Where do I get a taxi from the Poly? If I have someone "call" it for me, who do I ask, and do I tip the "caller"?

Thanks.

<---- CL sounds divine. Maybe someday???? (Cost aside, it sounds perfect for a solo traveler.)

Hello! Just a few thoughts regarding your questions:

1) What to do between 5:30pm and 9pm. So many choices and depends on so many factors. Will you have energy at that point, or will you want to relax? Will you have park admission? Have you explored the monorail resorts yet? But first, dinner. I'd probably grab appetizers and a drink for my dinner at Tambu Lounge. After dinner, if you have energy and park admission, I'd do some shopping on Main Street in MK. (I rarely have the opportunity to do that and if I were on my own and that close to MK, that sounds nice.) If you have energy but no park admission or are interested in touring the monorail resorts, I'd hop on the monorail and explore GF and CR. (When staying at Poly, we like to hop over to GF, even though we've walked through many times before.) But without energy, I'd probably sit out by the pool or on the beach with a book until it gets too dark to read, do some final shopping at the Poly and then watch the parade.

2) Which resort? If not on the monorail, I'd say cab. Just go to the front where your son caught ME and the CM at the desk there should be able get a cab for you. When we do this, they rarely have to call - there are often cabs stopping by looking for passengers. And if they do need to call, it's usually just a few minutes.

Have a great time!!!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Honestly, I would not do this. Last trip I thought to myself I would do the same thing at the GF. We got the absolute worst room in the entire resort - first floor looking right smack into the back of the pool house vents. Did it ruin our trip - no, but I will never do it again! You have nothing to lose by requesting.. And there is a huge difference between the pool view rooms and the ones overlooking the parking lot. Same price. Just my 2 cents.. After last time, I will always request.

OMG - I think we had the same room! It really is the worse view room at the GF.


Pixarmom - we are thinking of switching our resort for the beginning of our July trip from GF to Poly. Can't wait to hear your reviews! Have a magical trip.

 

[pixarmom]

Pixarmom - we are thinking of switching our resort for the beginning of our July trip from GF to Poly. Can't wait to hear your reviews! Have a magical trip.

Hello Robyn!! So happy to see you here!!! We LOVE Poly. It was my original "home" resort beginning in 1983 and my absolute favorite until BC replaced it in 1992. But I'd say Poly is a close second to BC and so much fun! Our most recent Poly stay was in 2011 and we still love it. It's definitely a different feeling from BC and GF (although GF is the only deluxe we haven't stayed in yet - just walked around when staying at Poly.) But if you're thinking fun and tropical, Poly is your place.

The other things I love about it:

1) Dining. For a self-contained resort (in other words, no "walk around the lake" and into Epcot like at BC) it offers great dining options. I'm sure that over time, you've become familiar with all of them. Just have to say that the convenience of Captain Cook's is wonderful - it's my favorite resort CS. And last time we stayed there, it was open 24 hours.

2) Transportation. I love that we can catch the monorail direct to Epcot from TTC and direct to MK from either TTC or GCH. So no transfers to Epcot, like when staying at CR or GF. It's so convenient.

3) Views. You might be thinking CL, so this may not apply to your stay. (We were going to book CL, but it's down for rehab during our upcoming stay - boo!) But if you book a standard view, even the standard view at Poly can be of the lagoon or pool. I think it offers some of the best standard views around.

 

[Abbyj]

Hi Everyone! This thread (and this whole board) has been wonderful. We are planning our first trip to Disney since I was a kid in 1985!

We are staying at the Poly in late April/early May and have theme park view rooms. All I requested was a room with a balcony and to have connecting rooms with my parents. Should I be more specific about where I want to be? Although I have no idea where that is!

 

[maiapapaya]

Hi Everyone! This thread (and this whole board) has been wonderful. We are planning our first trip to Disney since I was a kid in 1985!

We are staying at the Poly in late April/early May and have theme park view rooms. All I requested was a room with a balcony and to have connecting rooms with my parents. Should I be more specific about where I want to be? Although I have no idea where that is!

It depends on if there is something else that you would like in a longhouse. The majority of TPV rooms are in Tahiti & Tuvalu. Of the two I would say Tahiti is more popular, but Tuvalu is a bit of a hidden gem. We've stayed in it twice. There is really no beach between Tuvalu & the lagoon, so when you're in your room it feels like you're right out over the water. It is very close to the GCH (restaurants, shops, monorail platform) & the volcano pool. If you sit out at night you can often hear the music from the luau (but it's never loud enough that you can hear it in your room if the patio doors are shut). Tahiti, on the other hand, is on the other side of the resort, and is just a short walk to the TTC. It is bigger than Tuvalu, and has a nice beach along the lagoon.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Hello Robyn!! So happy to see you here!!! We LOVE Poly. It was my original "home" resort beginning in 1983 and my absolute favorite until BC replaced it in 1992. But I'd say Poly is a close second to BC and so much fun! Our most recent Poly stay was in 2011 and we still love it. It's definitely a different feeling from BC and GF (although GF is the only deluxe we haven't stayed in yet - just walked around when staying at Poly.) But if you're thinking fun and tropical, Poly is your place.

The other things I love about it:

1) Dining. For a self-contained resort (in other words, no "walk around the lake" and into Epcot like at BC) it offers great dining options. I'm sure that over time, you've become familiar with all of them. Just have to say that the convenience of Captain Cook's is wonderful - it's my favorite resort CS. And last time we stayed there, it was open 24 hours.

2) Transportation. I love that we can catch the monorail direct to Epcot from TTC and direct to MK from either TTC or GCH. So no transfers to Epcot, like when staying at CR or GF. It's so convenient.

3) Views. You might be thinking CL, so this may not apply to your stay. (We were going to book CL, but it's down for rehab during our upcoming stay - boo!) But if you book a standard view, even the standard view at Poly can be of the lagoon or pool. I think it offers some of the best standard views around.

No CL this time! We had a great gv room a few years ago - Samoa, third floor volcano pool side. Hope for the same one or Fiji third floor! Can't wait to hear all about your trip.

 

[pixarmom]

No CL this time! We had a great gv room a few years ago - Samoa, third floor volcano pool side. Hope for the same one or Fiji third floor! Can't wait to hear all about your trip.

Of course, you've stayed at Poly three times before - it says so right in your signature! And that was our most recent room, too! Samoa, third floor, volcano pool side. That's our request this time, too. I think our backup will be either Tokelau 3rd floor facing quiet pool or Fiji 3rd floor marina side. My only concern about Fiji is the Spirit of Aloha noise, but that marina view is amazing - can you believe it's "standard?"

Are you considering Poly because of the DVC construction over at GF?

 

[polyfor4]

I have a few CL questions! How strict is CL with guests coming over? We have a friend staying at a different resort who always comes to see us at the Poly. And is it possible to eat only one counter service and snack in the parks and rely on CL snacks for the rest? And last question (I promise ) does the IPO help with getting tough to get reservations? In other words, is there a chance the IPO reservation could get a reservation I can't get over the phone?

 

[maiapapaya]

I have a few CL questions! How strict is CL with guests coming over? We have a friend staying at a different resort who always comes to see us at the Poly. And is it possible to eat only one counter service and snack in the parks and rely on CL snacks for the rest? And last question (I promise ) does the IPO help with getting tough to get reservations? In other words, is there a chance the IPO reservation could get a reservation I can't get over the phone?

The Hawaii building is secured & only a CL key card will let you in (although I think all of the longhouses are like this now with the RFID cards?) Someone in your party would have to let your guests in. I don't think there is an issue with someone visiting you in your room, however the lounge & the food/beverage offerings there are meant strictly for paying CL guests. There is no one enforcing this, it's on the honour system.

We try to eat our big meal of the day at lunch (we aren't big eaters) and then breakfast and dinner time "snacks" in the lounge. We manage pretty well with this. We do have a few TS meals during our week, but that's more because of preference than need. I think we could do it just on CS. BTW, there are snacks out in the afternoon when the actual food service isn't on - gold fish crackers, homemade cookies, fruit (apples, bananas), soda, etc. - so you don't have to do all of your snacking in the park. Of course we always have to have our Mickey bars & a dole whip or two

We have used the IPO for our ADR's for our last two trips and have always gotten the reservations we've wanted, within 15 min. of our requested time, including CRT & 'Ohana. Mind you we book at 180 days. I don't know how much pull they have if you are trying to book something last minute, although I think they would have a better chance of success than someone just calling up on their own.

 

[polyfor4]

Thank you maiapapaya- that completely answered all of my questions! We will have a few TS throughout the week but will be without the dining pan. If all goes according to plan- a GV CL and no dining is cheaper or equal to GV with dining. We have always wanted to stay CL and since we are going in May CL also ensures we will have a remodeled room- it's a win win.

 

[aboveH20]

Hello! Just a few thoughts regarding your questions:

1) What to do between 5:30pm and 9pm. So many choices and depends on so many factors. Will you have energy at that point, or will you want to relax? Will you have park admission? Have you explored the monorail resorts yet? But first, dinner. I'd probably grab appetizers and a drink for my dinner at Tambu Lounge. After dinner, if you have energy and park admission, I'd do some shopping on Main Street in MK. (I rarely have the opportunity to do that and if I were on my own and that close to MK, that sounds nice.) If you have energy but no park admission or are interested in touring the monorail resorts, I'd hop on the monorail and explore GF and CR. (When staying at Poly, we like to hop over to GF, even though we've walked through many times before.) But without energy, I'd probably sit out by the pool or on the beach with a book until it gets too dark to read, do some final shopping at the Poly and then watch the parade.

2) Which resort? If not on the monorail, I'd say cab. Just go to the front where your son caught ME and the CM at the desk there should be able get a cab for you. When we do this, they rarely have to call - there are often cabs stopping by looking for passengers. And if they do need to call, it's usually just a few minutes.

Have a great time!!!

Thanks for the reply. I like the idea of checking out Tambu Lounge. I hadn't thought about checking out another resorts or going to MK! I was thinking of staying at the Poly but you've given me something to think about.

Have you ever seen the parade? Any suggestions of where to be?

 

[hulagirl87]

I can't believe that we leave in 11 days! My friend is there right now and ran the full marathon this morning and has been sending me pictures. I'm so anxious to go!

My question is this, to anyone that might know... Does Samoa Snacks sell a 1/2 gallon of milk? DD is definitely a milk drinker and I would love to be able to purchase a 1/2 gallon and keep it in our room fridge. Thanks!

 

[Traveliz]

I have a few CL questions! How strict is CL with guests coming over? We have a friend staying at a different resort who always comes to see us at the Poly. And is it possible to eat only one counter service and snack in the parks and rely on CL snacks for the rest? And last question (I promise ) does the IPO help with getting tough to get reservations? In other words, is there a chance the IPO reservation could get a reservation I can't get over the phone?

You will have to let them in - mention to the concierge that your friends are visiting and they will likely offer to allow them use of the lounge while they are there. That is exactly what hooked us - we visited a friend in the lounge one evening/were invited to stay for dessert and ended up staying many times in CL Lagoon View at Hawaii. I know of many repeaters who ended up as visitors of guests.

Liz

 

[maiapapaya]

Thank you maiapapaya- that completely answered all of my questions! We will have a few TS throughout the week but will be without the dining pan. If all goes according to plan- a GV CL and no dining is cheaper or equal to GV with dining. We have always wanted to stay CL and since we are going in May CL also ensures we will have a remodeled oom- it's a win win.

You're welcome! The last two years we have stayed CL with no DP. If you calculate in costs for extras for the 5 of us (eg. alcohol - our oldest is 21, so for 3 adults, snacks & soda, etc) it works out to about the same or actually less for us to do CL with one daily out of pocket meal, including a few TS, than to do the dining plan and stay non CL.

We can't wait to see the new rooms & lounge too! You'll have to post pics!

Thanks for the reply. I like the idea of checking out Tambu Lounge. I hadn't thought about checking out another resorts or going to MK! I was thinking of staying at the Poly but you've given me something to think about.

Have you ever seen the parade? Any suggestions of where to be?

We watched the parade last fall from a porch over in the Liberty Square area (I think it may have been part of the Liberty Tree Tavern building?) and the view was nice - it was a bit elevated, and away from the crowds!

 

[aboveH20]

We watched the parade last fall from a porch over in the Liberty Square area (I think it may have been part of the Liberty Tree Tavern building?) and the view was nice - it was a bit elevated, and away from the crowds!

Thanks for the reply. I was actually referring to the Electrical Parade. I'm hoping to see it for the first time since I'll be at the Poly.

 

[maiapapaya]

Thanks for the reply. I was actually referring to the Electrical Parade. I'm hoping to see it for the first time since I'll be at the Poly.

haha, sorry! I thought you meant MSEP since the pp had mentioned hitting the MK, although I wondered how you were going to manage that and see the EWP!
Any where along the main Poly beach is great. In February there shouldn't be a ton of competition for a chair. You could even get a drink from the Bare Foot Bar and take it down to the beach with you (or sit at one of the tables on the patio by the bar)

 

[aboveH20]

Any where along the main Poly beach is great. In February there shouldn't be a ton of competition for a chair. You could even get a drink from the Bare Foot Bar and take it down to the beach with you (or sit at one of the tables on the patio by the bar)

That sounds real good right about now!

not

(I live in New York -- weather hasn't been horrible, but not drink on the beach either)