ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: September 2012

[Circusgirl]

We have a Poly CL trip planned in two months. Our family would also like to do a Wishes Dessert party, but are the two redundant? Since we are able to see (and hear) Wishes from the CL lounge and enjoy desserts during the fireworks, is doing the Dessert party a waste of money? Or is the view and ambiance of doing the Wishes Dessert party at MK worth the money? Help!

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The dessert party features a vast array of desserts, and the proximity to the castle and fireworks along with seating to be comfortable while waiting for the fireworks to start made it worth doing. You will be able to see the castle projections, and when I did it a few years ago the desserts were generally outstanding. I got my reservation early and had a terrific table.

 

[sarahb74]

Based on just theme park view alone...is the view much better in Hawaii (I know it's Club Level) or is Tahiti's view just as good?

I have TPV booked and requested Tahiti but trying to decide if I should upgrade to Hawaii TPV CL... pictures of each view would be great also

TIA

This is our Tahiti view from last August

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[Cindie-rella]

Oh no. This has me nervous. We are not crowd people either. It's been 4 years since we have been, but we did notice you could no longer get dining reservations on our last trip. It was so annoying. To think that you have to wait hours for rides is insane! If that is what happens on our trip I know we'll be done too.

I wish you would have had a better experience. I feel bad for you. And super worried for us.

Well just be sure to plan things out. All the rain we had didn't help matters. I just remember other years it seemed we rode everything we wanted as much as we wanted with ease I might add. At that time we rode Soarin 3 times in a row w/o any fastpasses ! It might be a 15 min wait for test track. Never needed a fast pass for that. The crowds were so different this time. We just were not expecting it nor prepared for it. I kind of wish we would have stayed at a cheaper resort such as POP so that I didn't feel like we "wasted" so much money. We could have done this trip for probably 1/3 of the price if not less and maybe then our "disappointment" level wouldn't have been as bad . Yet I am so glad I got to stay at the POLY, esp. before DVC steps in. Just really feel it's all going to change the feel of these resorts. IMO CR looks much more "commercial" now more so than the look of old time Disney's Contemporary. It's going to "crowd" things up too. The main pool is already crowded, so sure hope there are plans to add at least 2 more pools! They're going to need a biggie for the DVC side and should definitely look into another quiet pool down by Rapa Nui and Tahiti somewhere. Well, now I know what to expect in the future I guess. Not sure if we'll be back or not. This all just left a sour taste in our mouths.

 

[HappyGrumpy]

Seriously thinking about biting the bullet for 3nights for the Poly Club,

can you bring guest to your room at club level? My 4 & 6 year old niece will in Disney for the first time if they need to come back to our room for a quick nap or quick dip in the pool will they allow it?

Is the lounge only in the Hawaii building or does Tahiti have one as well?

Do you need to request either building if you have a preference?

Thank in advance for the info!

 

[disneydreamin247]

Seriously thinking about biting the bullet for 3nights for the Poly Club,

can you bring guest to your room at club level? My 4 & 6 year old niece will in Disney for the first time if they need to come back to our room for a quick nap or quick dip in the pool will they allow it?

Is the lounge only in the Hawaii building or does Tahiti have one as well?

Do you need to request either building if you have a preference?

Thank in advance for the info!

The lounge is only in the Hawaii building. You can bring guests to your room, but if they aren't staying at the Poly they aren't allowed in the pool.

 

[3PrincessesDad]

Anybody have any construction updates on Tokelau? I think they have been running on schedule with the other longhouses so far. I was hoping to get one of the new rooms in Tokelau; we will be checking in on June 2nd. Any news would be helpful, Thanks!

 

[hebbynan]

Anybody have any construction updates on Tokelau? I think they have been running on schedule with the other longhouses so far. I was hoping to get one of the new rooms in Tokelau; we will be checking in on June 2nd. Any news would be helpful, Thanks!

I'm curious about this as well...would love to know if they're sticking to the schedule. This will tell me our chances of getting Tahiti on September 18th (which is only 4 days after the date they're scheduled to be finished). The cast member I talked to last week on the phone said she's 95% sure Tahiti will be done before the September 14th date.....but we all know how accurate THAT information is

 

[Polyonmymind]

Does anyone know if they serve Kona Coffee in the club level area or the Nescafe coffee?

 

[vicki_c]

Does anyone know if they serve Kona Coffee in the club level area or the Nescafe coffee?

Nescafé.

 

[DznyCrzy11]

Nescafé.

Eek, I would think staying CL they would at least serve the Kona blend, if they felt they couldn't serve the 100% Kona!!! That's a Hawaiian coffee and a great one at that!!

Sent from my GalaxyS II

 

[Circusgirl]

Does anyone know if they serve Kona Coffee in the club level area or the Nescafe coffee?

Disney's contract with Nescafe is over (thank goodness!) and now the coffee is by Joffrey. I haven't experienced the Joffrey coffee yet, but that is what will be in the lounge and at Captain Cooks. The Kona blend is available at the coffee bar in the GCH and at Kona Cafe.

 

[Polyonmymind]

Eek, I would think staying CL they would at least serve the Kona blend, if they felt they couldn't serve the 100% Kona!!! That's a Hawaiian coffee and a great one at that!!

Sent from my GalaxyS II

I agree and that is what I was hoping for.

thank you for the answer vicki_c!!

 

[Polyonmymind]

Disney's contract with Nescafe is over (thank goodness!) and now the coffee is by Joffrey. I haven't experienced the Joffrey coffee yet, but that is what will be in the lounge and at Captain Cooks. The Kona blend is available at the coffee bar in the GCH and at Kona Cafe.

Hopefully the Joffery is better than Nescafe. It has to be...right?
Good to know about the coffee bar, I always seem to forget about this.

Thanks!

 

[jenn-n-okla]

Hopefully the Joffery is better than Nescafe. It has to be...right?
Good to know about the coffee bar, I always seem to forget about this.

Thanks!

SOOO glad Nescafe is out! Kona is awesome coffee but pricey. I wonder if Starbucks is working on a contract since the MK bakery store switch.

 

[kcwdmd]

Ok, I'm 40, hubs is 43. Taking our 5 and 4 year old, all for our first Disney trip. Staying club level at the polynesian. In reading through this thread, a lot of people mention checking in online. We check in on Saturday, so five days away. I booked through a travel agent. I haven't gotten any emails or information about checking in online. Should I worry or just show up? I have a confirmation number so not too worried.

 

[jdd]

Ok, I'm 40, hubs is 43. Taking our 5 and 4 year old, all for our first Disney trip. Staying club level at the polynesian. In reading through this thread, a lot of people mention checking in online. We check in on Saturday, so five days away. I booked through a travel agent. I haven't gotten any emails or information about checking in online. Should I worry or just show up? I have a confirmation number so not too worried.

Online check-in isn't required, it just makes the onsite check in process faster. However, I've read in several places that you shouldn't do online check in if you're staying Club level Not sure if this is still true - maybe someone else can weigh in.

 

[kcwdmd]

Thanks so much for the fast response! Will just show up with bells on!

Online check-in isn't required, it just makes the onsite check in process faster. However, I've read in several places that you shouldn't do online check in if you're staying Club level Not sure if this is still true - maybe someone else can weigh in.

 

[HappyMomma]

Well just be sure to plan things out. All the rain we had didn't help matters. I just remember other years it seemed we rode everything we wanted as much as we wanted with ease I might add. At that time we rode Soarin 3 times in a row w/o any fastpasses ! It might be a 15 min wait for test track. Never needed a fast pass for that. The crowds were so different this time. We just were not expecting it nor prepared for it. I kind of wish we would have stayed at a cheaper resort such as POP so that I didn't feel like we "wasted" so much money. We could have done this trip for probably 1/3 of the price if not less and maybe then our "disappointment" level wouldn't have been as bad . Yet I am so glad I got to stay at the POLY, esp. before DVC steps in. Just really feel it's all going to change the feel of these resorts. IMO CR looks much more "commercial" now more so than the look of old time Disney's Contemporary. It's going to "crowd" things up too. The main pool is already crowded, so sure hope there are plans to add at least 2 more pools! They're going to need a biggie for the DVC side and should definitely look into another quiet pool down by Rapa Nui and Tahiti somewhere. Well, now I know what to expect in the future I guess. Not sure if we'll be back or not. This all just left a sour taste in our mouths.

Your experience is the same that I remember from four years ago. I'm trying to plan the best I can. We do hit the parks right when they open. So hopefully that helps a lot. I remember waiting no more than 20 mins for anything, ever. And we always went spring break even!

I am the type who will retreat to the hotel if the going gets too rough. And we have BBB and PL planned along with all our dining reservations set, so hopefully that will help make it seem we are doing what we want. Additionally, we will be in Orlando a few days before we are supposed to check in at the Poly so we can visit DTD then and have more days at the parks.

 

[jenn-n-okla]

I'm getting super excited about our upcoming trip. I have been looking at pictures for days. I'm dreaming of all the wonderful smells of the food and flowers. I can't wait for the Lapi Lui drink, the Kona Coffee, the Bannana pancakes, even the smell of our suntan lotion. My family thinks I need an intervention meeting for this serious addiction.
We've never stayed CL before. This year we are taking my in-laws (age 76 and 79) who have never been to Disney at all.
The only worry I have is getting through security at the airports with DD on oxygen. Last time coming home was horrible at the Orlando airport.

 

[Ferrentinos]

I'm getting super excited about our upcoming trip. I have been looking at pictures for days. I'm dreaming of all the wonderful smells of the food and flowers. I can't wait for the Lapi Lui drink, the Kona Coffee, the Bannana pancakes, even the smell of our suntan lotion. My family thinks I need an intervention meeting for this serious addiction.
We've never stayed CL before:

We are also staying CL for the first time this July! 57 days to go!! We did the online check in but found it a bit redundant with what I told the IPO. Did you do it as well?