ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: September 2012

[Chavaleh]

My husband and I are planning to take a trip to WDW the last week in Aug to celebrate our 20th anniversary. I'd been looking at some of the other deluxe resorts but he's really decided he loves the look of the Poly the best and has his heart set on a Theme Park View room. I'd really love to be in one of the refurbished longhouses but from the Tikiman page it looks as though the buildings with TPVs are further down the list for rehabs? I might be wrong on that. We're contemplating splurging on club level rooms mostly because I know they were the first to be redone but $200 more a night seems like an excessive amount to make sure we get a refurbed TPV and a few snacks. Still, I'm tempted. Is there more to CL than some snacks and a lounge? If you've stayed at both CL and standard do you feel like the overall experience was more indulgent or has it mostly been just that the CL lounge was a nice thing to have?

I'm sure I'm making my husband nuts going back and forth about this.

 

[jdd]

My husband and I are planning to take a trip to WDW the last week in Aug to celebrate our 20th anniversary. I'd been looking at some of the other deluxe resorts but he's really decided he loves the look of the Poly the best and has his heart set on a Theme Park View room. I'd really love to be in one of the refurbished longhouses but from the Tikiman page it looks as though the buildings with TPVs are further down the list for rehabs? I might be wrong on that. We're contemplating splurging on club level rooms mostly because I know they were the first to be redone but $200 more a night seems like an excessive amount to make sure we get a refurbed TPV and a few snacks. Still, I'm tempted. Is there more to CL than some snacks and a lounge? If you've stayed at both CL and standard do you feel like the overall experience was more indulgent or has it mostly been just that the CL lounge was a nice thing to have?

I'm sure I'm making my husband nuts going back and forth about this.

I make my husband nuts constantly

I know it seems like a lot of extra cash (though I think it's more like $150 than $200/night?) Here's what I figure you get:

1)Breakfast - if you don't need a hot breakfast, this is great. Bagels, muffins, fruit, cereal, yogurt - more than enough for our family. And it's quick and easy - some people are eating while others are getting ready,etc.
2)drinks throughout the day
3)though it's probably not enough for dinner for everyone, the evening appetizers are generally enough for me. Then the "boys" split a couple of quick service meals, and we've saved money there too!
4)evening desserts and - an evening cocktail . Something we normally wouldn't spend the money on, but it's really nice to have. Love, love, love getting a few desserts and a glass of wine, and sitting on the beach to watch Wishes
5) location - you can't beat the location of the Hawaii building - right next to the volcano pool, right on the beach and what a fantastic view! I'm smiling just thinking about it

I don't actually use the IPOs to make my ressies - I like having control of that myself - but I'm sure that's a great perk for people who have it done.

So, all in all, we're now spoiled, and it's hard to stay anywhere else! Good luck with your decision!

 

[croach]

So, from what I hear Tahiti is hardly but a few steps away from the TTC, so we can actually head to TTC grab the "resort" monorail to the GCH if we need? I really don't mean to sound lazy b/c I am not. I'm just concerned about my pain, and what a place to visit with the ailments I have right now! I have yet another doctor appt., so hopefully this one will be able to help me with my sciatica It's gotten so bad it's affecting my walking. That isn't good news for someone heading to WDW.

I stayed in Tahiti in January and while it is close to the TTC, I honestly think It's not really that much closer than the GCH. You kind of are right between the two in my opinion. Seems like you would be better to be as close the GCH as possible and just take the monorail from the resort. Hope you are feeling better before you trip.

 

[singastory]

I am anxiously awaiting some refurb pics. I saw a few pages ago that someone said 3/12 was when they were re-opening reservations for CL... Only a few days left! I won't be staying at Poly for my next trip but it's on the wish list for the following trip. Haven't stayed at the Poly in 15 years, but have visited many times for Kona! Hopefully will make it to 'Ohana for the first time in January, so excited

 

[jw50]

Is there more to CL than some snacks and a lounge? If you've stayed at both CL and standard do you feel like the overall experience was more indulgent or has it mostly been just that the CL lounge was a nice thing to have?

To me one of the biggest advantages to CL is that you have the services of the Itinerary Planning Office (IPO). You tell them what reservations you want and they make all of them for you. It save you spending alot of time online or on the phone making your ADRs and other reservations that you may want. If you provide them with the info before your 180 day mark you pretty much get exactly what you want pretty close to the time that you want. Since you are inside the 180 day mark for the end of August there may be some reservations they will not be able to get or not real close to the time you wanted but they can still save you the time on the phone or online.

They will also give you a printed itinerary when you arrive with all your ADRs and other reservations and will assist you with any reservations you want to make or change after you arrive.

Is CL worth the additional cost? Most of the people that stay CL think that it is but only you can decide if it is worth it to you.

 

[Chavaleh]

To me one of the biggest advantages to CL is that you have the services of the Itinerary Planning Office (IPO). You tell them what reservations you want and they make all of them for you. It save you spending alot of time online or on the phone making your ADRs and other reservations that you may want. If you provide them with the info before your 180 day mark you pretty much get exactly what you want pretty close to the time that you want. Since you are inside the 180 day mark for the end of August there may be some reservations they will not be able to get or not real close to the time you wanted but they can still save you the time on the phone or online.

They will also give you a printed itinerary when you arrive with all your ADRs and other reservations and will assist you with any reservations you want to make or change after you arrive.

Is CL worth the additional cost? Most of the people that stay CL think that it is but only you can decide if it is worth it to you.

I've already made our adr's though I'm sure I'll keep tinkering with them and changing things up.

Yes, I know that only I can decide if its worth it for me which is why I'm asking more questions! If the advantageous are simply a lounge with snacks/drinks/treats and someone to make adr's then it might not be.... but if for instance the service is a step up from standard or the TPV is considerably better from Hawaii than the other TPVs at Poly, added to the fact that I know the rooms will have been renovated it might tip the scales to worth it for us. Otherwise I'm looking at Tuvalu which if the schedule I've seen holds up -should- be done by the last week in Aug. Thanks!

 

[mickeynut1]

When you stay at the Poly do you rent a car or are you satisfied with the bus, monorail, boat service? I'd prefer to rely on Disney transportation but was wondering if that would be wise.

We always use Disney transportation and we think the buses/monorail/boat are great from the Poly.

My husband and I are planning to take a trip to WDW the last week in Aug to celebrate our 20th anniversary. I'd been looking at some of the other deluxe resorts but he's really decided he loves the look of the Poly the best and has his heart set on a Theme Park View room. I'd really love to be in one of the refurbished longhouses but from the Tikiman page it looks as though the buildings with TPVs are further down the list for rehabs? I might be wrong on that. We're contemplating splurging on club level rooms mostly because I know they were the first to be redone but $200 more a night seems like an excessive amount to make sure we get a refurbed TPV and a few snacks. Still, I'm tempted. Is there more to CL than some snacks and a lounge? If you've stayed at both CL and standard do you feel like the overall experience was more indulgent or has it mostly been just that the CL lounge was a nice thing to have?

I'm sure I'm making my husband nuts going back and forth about this.

We haven't stayed CL at the Poly, but have stayed CL at other Disney resorts and we love it not only for the snacks/drinks throughout the day and the lounge, but for the overall experience and feeling pampered. I love having the lounge for somewhere to sit and relax other than being in the room or somewhere else around the resort. I don't use IPO for ADRs as I like doing that myself, but they will help in any way they can if you need them. Poly CL is on our list to try as the location of the Hawaii building is convenient to the volcano pool (and we loved staying in Samoa, which is also right by the pool) and I have read that the view from the lounge can't be beat. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

We haven't stayed CL at the Poly, but have stayed CL at other Disney resorts and we love it not only for the snacks/drinks throughout the day and the lounge, but for the overall experience and feeling pampered. I love having the lounge for somewhere to sit and relax other than being in the room or somewhere else around the resort. I don't use IPO for ADRs as I like doing that myself, but they will help in any way they can if you need them. Poly CL is on our list to try as the location of the Hawaii building is convenient to the volcano pool (and we loved staying in Samoa, which is also right by the pool) and I have read that the view from the lounge can't be beat. Good luck with your decision.

We ♥ Poly CL!! And yes - pampered is exactly how we feel. We also make our own ADRs but there were times when we weren't able to get an ADR for a restaurant we wanted and while we were in the World, we were able to have the CL CMs check daily for us.

 

[Chavaleh]

We ♥ Poly CL!! And yes - pampered is exactly how we feel. We also make our own ADRs but there were times when we weren't able to get an ADR for a restaurant we wanted and while we were in the World, we were able to have the CL CMs check daily for us.

That might come in handy, I have ADRs but we wanted to play this trip a little more free than the trips with kids which I have completely scheduled so help making ADRs on the fly or for things I can't get would probably come in handy! The website has been making me a little insane lately.

We plan on spending a lot more time at the resort and we certainly have a good excuse for splurging. Can you tell I'm leaning towards CL?

 

[mickeynut1]

We ♥ Poly CL!! And yes - pampered is exactly how we feel. We also make our own ADRs but there were times when we weren't able to get an ADR for a restaurant we wanted and while we were in the World, we were able to have the CL CMs check daily for us.

This is good to hear as I've read some not-so-good reviews of Poly CL (which has made me hesitant to book it), but I really want to give it a try since we love everything else about the Poly .

We plan on spending a lot more time at the resort and we certainly have a good excuse for splurging. Can you tell I'm leaning towards CL?

The Poly is a great resort for relaxing and enjoying some down time and I think staying CL is a great splurge .

 

[samacita]

It's official! We have FINALLY committed to a plan and booked our trip. Nov 6-11 at the Poly. Can't wait!!!

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

Is there a monorail directly from the TTC to MK ? I'm just trying to decide if my Tahiti request will be best for my situation. I have feet and back trouble right now and am having a hard time deciding whether it will be more important to be closer to transportation or to pools and GCH

Given your situation, I would suggest Rarotonga, Niue, or Samoa first floor. This will put you close to GCH for monorail, food, and shopping as well as both pools and the bus stop. While Tahiti is a wonderful location, it is a longer walk for everything except TTC. Hope your doctor's apt brings you some relief

 

[sjs314]

My husband and I are planning to take a trip to WDW the last week in Aug to celebrate our 20th anniversary. I'd been looking at some of the other deluxe resorts but he's really decided he loves the look of the Poly the best and has his heart set on a Theme Park View room. I'd really love to be in one of the refurbished longhouses but from the Tikiman page it looks as though the buildings with TPVs are further down the list for rehabs? I might be wrong on that. We're contemplating splurging on club level rooms mostly because I know they were the first to be redone but $200 more a night seems like an excessive amount to make sure we get a refurbed TPV and a few snacks. Still, I'm tempted. Is there more to CL than some snacks and a lounge? If you've stayed at both CL and standard do you feel like the overall experience was more indulgent or has it mostly been just that the CL lounge was a nice thing to have?

I'm sure I'm making my husband nuts going back and forth about this.

I have wanted to stay at the Poly for many years(early 90's when we went to the Luau) I have been saying when I did stay at the Poly I was going with CL mainly because I would know what longhouse my room would be in.
We will be staying in at the Poly this fall and I changed my mind and will be booking a Std view(Garden). The are just two of us and the difference is roughly $150 a night plus tax that can buy an awful lot of food, I enjoy making my own ADRs plus. I think CL is a very personal choice based on many factors.

I know your trip will be awesome, afterall your staying at the Poly

 

[latexscooter]

Our family actually enjoys the disney transportation. Honestly sitting on a bus is often the only time you get to SIT. We spend most of our time at MK so Poly works well for us. When leaving Ak or Hs we will take the first of these busses back to hotel. CR/Poly GF/WL or TTC. Those are usually the hotels that are put together but not always. 1st bus choice goes directly back but dd and I may get off at CR to shop first and guys go back to Poly. 2nd choice get off at GF and either take boat or monorail back( you can walk but I have not tried it). Choice 3 we take pathway from TTC to poly. So if you see a bus pull away we don't panic we take which ever shows up next. Also to get to Epcot at busy times we walk to TTC and get mono to Epcot there vs taking mono all the way around.

I think Poly has the best transportation options of all the resorts.
For fun we have taken bus to WL, then boat from there to CR and mono there to Poly. Exploring is fun too especially after lunch if weather too hot or cold to swim.

I am staying there in less than 30 days and looking forward to the boat ride to /from MK. Also a monorail ride at sunset is priceless

I'm glad to hear this. I live in a big city where traffic and driving is everyday chaos and I'd prefer to turn the responsibility over to someone else. I like your creative idea for getting home via other resorts. I like that way of exploration.


Do you have any clue on the surrey bikes?

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[maiapapaya]

I'm glad to hear this. I live in a big city where traffic and driving is everyday chaos and I'd prefer to turn the responsibility over to someone else. I like your creative idea for getting home via other resorts. I like that way of exploration.


Do you have any clue on the surrey bikes?Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Yes, you can rent surrey bikes at the Poly. They are available down at the marina.

 

[latexscooter]

Yes, you can rent surrey bikes at the Poly. They are available down at the marina.

Thank you! My daughter recently saw an episode of 19 Kids and Counting where the Duggars rode surrey bikes and she's made that priority 1 this trip.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[MikeRx]

We received a bit of pixie dust today! I checked on the AP rate for the Poly (standard room) for my dates in April and it was available, I called the AP number and waited all of 10 seconds to be connected. In less than 5 minutes we saved an additional $180! The standard room at the AP rate for April 12-18 was not available from the first day of the offer until today. This was additional savings over the Disney Visa rate we initially booked. I’m glad I kept checking back every few days.

Mike


Mike DW DS (5 ) DMIL

First visit 1976, Pre-2010 too many off sites to remember, WDW 2/2010 BC CL, Disneyland GC 12/2010, WDW 4/2012 POLY TPV, WDW 7/2012 (off site), WDW 12/12 POP and 4/2013 POLY with Disney Dream cruise!

 

[jdd]

We received a bit of pixie dust today! I checked on the AP rate for the Poly (standard room) for my dates in April and it was available, I called the AP number and waited all of 10 seconds to be connected. In less than 5 minutes we saved an additional $180! The standard room at the AP rate for April 12-18 was not available from the first day of the offer until today. This was additional savings over the Disney Visa rate we initially booked. I’m glad I kept checking back every few days.

Hey, can you share what the % off was with the AP? I'm considering getting an AP, but it would only be worth it if it's a better % off than the general public rate. I think the current GP rate is 20%. Thanks!

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

Hey, can you share what the % off was with the AP? I'm considering getting an AP, but it would only be worth it if it's a better % off than the general public rate. I think the current GP rate is 20%. Thanks!

It all depends on the time of year and what category of room you are looking at. As an example, for our upcoming dates in May, for a Garden View Club Level Room, the AP discount is only 5%. However, for a standard room for our same dates, the AP discount is 20%. Sadly, the AP discounts have been decreasing steadily each year.

 

[mickey2minnie1]

We love Poly GVCL! We will end our trip with CL. June 28-July 2 is a surprise for my family. We did it once back in 2009. I have a ressie for Ohana for breakfast , but feel guilty since we are paying for CL. Anyone else feel that way. I already have Ohana for dinner planned. I just cannot get enough!!