ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: Summer 2011 Edition!

[nklooz]

I know that there is no way to guarantee a longhouse. However, I'm just wandering with the number that there are and the amount of people that probably don't even submit specific requests, is it fairly easy to get the longhouse you request? Are there some buildings that are easier/more difficult to get? We are booking garden view. I want to try REALLY HARD to get a balcony or patio. Thanks!

Just bumping this up. Wandering about the likelihood that a room request will be granted. Thanks!

 

[goofybabe]

I think the new coffee makers take k-cups .If so I'm a very happy girl I'll just throw a box in suitcase .Thanks for posting picture much appreciated

 

[logpey]

I took a picture while I was there, but I don't drink coffee - so I can't tell you anything about the packets.

Yep, new since I was there! Looking good!

 

[logpey]

I gotta do the 45 day dance!

Luckily I get to take a cruise on the Disney Wonder to the Mexican Riviera and go to Disneyland for 5 nights first so it makes it easier to wait! Once I get back it will be the 30 day mark!

Can't wait to come back to my Poly! I treated my family to TPV CL as a surprise! Then we are taking a Wishes Cruise from the Poly on arrival night as well as a private dinner party for Fantasmic! and a private dessert party for Illuminations! Hey... may never have that kind of money again so I had to splurge! But ssshhhh.... its all a surprise!

You only live once, GO FOR IT!

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

You are so right.....I'd take a bad day at Disney over being home anyday . I'm sure you will have a fabulous time. My DS16 loves the Poly over any of the other deluxes we've stayed at.....it's just an awesome resort .

Even though we are not going until June 2012, we are really looking forward to staying there. Normally the not so good reviews would bother me but not this time. I don't know what it is. Very strange.

I'm a little more with it today. Thanks.

So glad to hear that. Hope you have a great day.

 

[maiapapaya]

Just bumping this up. Wandering about the likelihood that a room request will be granted. Thanks!

Once we got the building we requested, once we didn't, although we got third floor, which was the most important thing for us.

If you really don't care about the specific longhouse, but moreso about having a balcony or patio I would make that my request - that gives the room assigner a lot more leaway when putting you somewhere. Say for example you request Tahiti and they have no room for you there they could put you on the second floor of another random longhouse that doesn't have balconies on the second floor. But if you request "balcony or patio" they will have many more options for finding you that room.

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

Here are some pictures from my Oct 1-9th stay at the Poly!

We're "home"!

The Hawaii longhouse from my friend, Belle_373's, room at the GF (Big Pine Key 9147).

GF just before sunrise from 3504 in Hawaii

Cinderella Castle & Space Mountain just before sunrise

Sunrise!

Hawaii sign

Completely empty lounge at 11:30 a.m.

First snacks of the week!

Perfect view from the lounge

Surprises in our room! (Not from CL, From DDad and from a CM friend )

A few early morning shots around the grounds

View from 3504 by day

My flowers & my bouquet from Belle_373's Disney Fairytale Wedding!

Continued in next post!

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

Cabana Day!

Mauna Kea!

Comfiest chaise loungers in the world! Wish they could have these all around the pool.

Chairs with foot rests. Also very comfy!

LCD TV

Couch, Table, Chairs & Towels

Looking towards Mauna Loa

You've got to love that you can call the pool bar directly!!

Fridge stocked with coke, diet coke, sprite, and dasani

Fruit platter

View!

REVIEW

We have absolutely fallen in love with the cabanas! We are hooked!

DMom & I went to check-in at 10 a.m. and had to wait about 5 minutes for the marina desk to open. From there, it was smooth sailing. Our cabana attendant, Seth, stopped by to take us to our cabana. I had requested Mauna Kea and it was granted.

Seth explained that he would bring us towels, restock the fridge, bring by the fruit plate and stop in every 30 minutes to see if we needed anything. He also pointed out that there was a pager on the table and if we needed him to simply press it and he would be there in a few moments. He went above and beyond and was efficient, polite and friendly.

In fact, shortly after noon I asked him if the pool bar could make Lapu Lapu's and he offered to go check. He returned 15 minutes later with a Lapu in a pineapple and another in a plastic cup. He said there had been a miscommunication, so now I have two! He handed me the bill, and it was only $8.50 (the charge for a lapu w/o the pineapple). What a great deal!!

The padded chaises are so comfy that I almost fell asleep. The fan in the cabana keeps it nice and cool. The TV was nice but it was more fun to people watch.

The pool itself was FREEZING that day! Seth explained that there had been a problem with the heater and they were still trying to fix it. Regardless, I plunged in a few times and it was warm enough out that it only took a few minutes to warm up after I left the pool.

We grabbed breakfast from Captain Cook's at about 10:30 (I tried Tonga Toast for the first time! It's heavenly) and then we grabbed lunch at about 12:30.

We felt the 4 hour rental was totally worth it and we can't wait to try the cabanas again!

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

TinkerBelle_325 thanks so much for the wonderful pictures. We are staying at the Poly for the first time for 2 nights next June as a surprise for our DS (Poly is his favorite resort) and we can't wait. Just seeing your pic's makes me want to leave today. Was there a specific reason why you requested the Mauna Kea cabana? We are renting a cabana on our trip and any information would be greatly appreciated. Glad you had a wonderful time.

 

[maiapapaya]

Thanks for the pics Tinkerbelle_325. If you don't mind me asking how did you tip Seth? As he brought you drinks etc, or in one lump sum at the end of your rental?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

TinkerBelle_325,
Those pictures look great and thanks for posting them.

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

TinkerBelle_325 thanks so much for the wonderful pictures. We are staying at the Poly for the first time for 2 nights next June as a surprise for our DS (Poly is his favorite resort) and we can't wait. Just seeing your pic's makes me want to leave today. Was there a specific reason why you requested the Mauna Kea cabana? We are renting a cabana on our trip and any information would be greatly appreciated. Glad you had a wonderful time.

Glad you liked the pictures! We requested Mauna Kea as we felt it was a bit more private than Mauna Loa. Mauna Loa is right at the top of the stairs to the cabana area, whereas Mauna Kea is off to the left side.

Thanks for the pics Tinkerbelle_325. If you don't mind me asking how did you tip Seth? As he brought you drinks etc, or in one lump sum at the end of your rental?

We tipped Seth at the end of the rental. I did add a tip to my bar bill, but as it was being delivered back to the bartender I assumed that tip was for him/her.

 

[DebbyLof428]

TinkerBelle - thanks for the great pictures. I can't wait to get there

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

OMG those pics are GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't wait to be there in 12 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[poohluvrs]

Glad you liked the pictures! We requested Mauna Kea as we felt it was a bit more private than Mauna Loa. Mauna Loa is right at the top of the stairs to the cabana area, whereas Mauna Kea is off to the left side.



We tipped Seth at the end of the rental. I did add a tip to my bar bill, but as it was being delivered back to the bartender I assumed that tip was for him/her.

Good to know as we are renting a cabana and were wondering. Having done the cabana experience, do you mind giving a ballpark idea how much you felt was appropriate to tip the cabana attendant? Just trying to approximate our cash expenditures! Thanks for the info!

 

[maiapapaya]

Good to know as we are renting a cabana and were wondering. Having done the cabana experience, do you mind giving a ballpark idea how much you felt was appropriate to tip the cabana attendant? Just trying to approximate our cash expenditures! Thanks for the info!

I was just going to ask the same thing! I don't want to cheap out on our cabana boy/girl. From all reports I've read they are very attentive & do a great job!

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Me too! I am assuming you run a tab for food and drinks then pay at the end? So there would be a bar bill and tip then a separate cabana boy/girl tip? Is that right???

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Tinkerbelle_325, Thank you so much for the pictures!
They were just what I needed after a long day at work and renewed my excitement for our first stay at the Poly in April. 5 more days until I make ADRs!!

 

[Divaofdisney]

Tinkerbelle--Thank you so much for your beautiful pictures, they are awesome!!! What type of camera do you have?? Those cabanas look incredible too...we might have to book one on our trip next year, they look so amazing!!

Any more news on the "major announcement"? Its been kind of quiet lately on that front. I am so excited to be going to the Poly for our first time next June....we can't wait!!!

 

[jandkmom]

Great photos! Thanks for sharing. Isn't the Tonga Toast one of the best things in WDW?! I can't wait for breakfast at the Poly!