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

[Susiesnowflake]

What is your experience using RAC during the early morning hours at the Poly? My bags need to be checked by 6:35 am. If I get in line by 6:00, do you think I will get my bags checked by 6:35 am? I've never used the RAC in the early am, so I am not sure how busy it is during that time.

 

[BreezysMom]

Thanks for all the info about the Poly. We leave in 3 days for our first trip and I am suddenly realizing I have to so much to do beforehand. We did book a garden view but as a "newbie" I didn't realize I could request a specific location. I do think we want a balcony and as our kids our 8 and 10 I think we will be spending some time near the pool. I know we aren't guaranteed a specific request but could anyone give me some pointers on what longhouse(s) to request?

We will be there at the same time and I also have a DD who is 10 I am a fan of Figi, third floor. Either side of the Longhouse is a great view! Plus it is close to the GCH and the pool.

We have a thread here on the DIS Last week of October at the Poly and a FB page Live from the Poly October 2011, come join us


I am officially off work for the next two weeks! I have lots to do to keep me busy until the car comes to get us at 5am on Sunday!

 

[mom2randj]

We will be there at the same time and I also have a DD who is 10 I am a fan of Figi, third floor. Either side of the Longhouse is a great view! Plus it is close to the GCH and the pool.

We have a thread here on the DIS Last week of October at the Poly and a FB page Live from the Poly October 2011, come join us


I am officially off work for the next two weeks! I have lots to do to keep me busy until the car comes to get us at 5am on Sunday!

Great! I will check it out. Thanks for the info!

 

[mariamouse]

I can't even get my head around the possibility of tearing my beloved Polynesian Village down. Honestly, I get a pang in my heart at the thought. I'm sure whatever they would put in its place would be magnificent, but there is something wonderful about our ceremonial house with 3 story island longhouses.

My fear is that we will end up with a Polynesian take on the WL or AKL, and although those resorts are beloved too, I am not a fan of endless hallways that take you out of your natural environment. There is so much beauty and enjoyment in a winding garden path. Yes, I even enjoy running through a downpour to get to my room. I also don't want a superhotel environment, where they build way up like Aulani to maximize revenue. I would miss the soul and intimacy of a small village setting.

I could not agree more with everything you said. The Poly should be a sprawling property with low-to-the-ground longhouses. The look of Aulani seems sort of tacky to me and just does not look authentically Hawaiian. And, while I love the WL/AKL, I agree that the Poly should still have those winding garden paths.

I am hopeful that, if a massive renovation does take place, Disney will do it right. I guess we'll just have to wait and see!

 

[tinacaplan]

Subbing....just switched our February reservation from the Contemporary to the Poly! And I'm so excited!!!

 

[tonga]

I can't even get my head around the possibility of tearing my beloved Polynesian Village down. Honestly, I get a pang in my heart at the thought. I'm sure whatever they would put in its place would be magnificent, but there is something wonderful about our ceremonial house with 3 story island longhouses.

My fear is that we will end up with a Polynesian take on the WL or AKL, and although those resorts are beloved too, I am not a fan of endless hallways that take you out of your natural environment. There is so much beauty and enjoyment in a winding garden path. Yes, I even enjoy running through a downpour to get to my room. I also don't want a superhotel environment, where they build way up like Aulani to maximize revenue. I would miss the soul and intimacy of a small village setting.

I know there are bigger problems in the world, but a major change to my happy place means a lot.

Agree with this 100%. I've loved the Polynesian Village since my first visit in 1976. My family always stayed there when I was a kid, but DH and I haven't been able to stay there yet. I need to make sure he gets to experience it at least once as it is now!

 

[cricketgirl]

Okay, I read through all 145 pages. Goodness gracious.
We are heading to the Poly for the first time Jan 27-Feb 1. Taking my niece 12 and nephew 16. We just got back from a September 19-27 trip at CBR. Kinda got tricked into the Jan. Disney Trip, but it is Disney so I am happy.
I am torn between GV CL or just Garden view. Is it worth the extra $787.50 for the trip. We arrive in Florida at 9:45 pm so really we are only there 4 1/2 days. We leave at 3pm on the 1st.

The heater in the pool is now working right? Please oh please say yes, my niece and nephew are basically fish on vacation. Haven't told them about the pool yet.

I feel very luck, I got every reservation I had hoped to get with no problems. Hopefully it won't rain the whole time this trip. Last trip in september was rain everyday and the parks were PACKED. Even the Halloween Party was a packed nightmare.

Any advice for going with kids is appricated.
Thanks,
Lori

 

[tinacaplan]

Okay, I read through all 145 pages. Goodness gracious.
We are heading to the Poly for the first time Jan 27-Feb 1. Taking my niece 12 and nephew 16. We just got back from a September 19-27 trip at CBR. Kinda got tricked into the Jan. Disney Trip, but it is Disney so I am happy.
I am torn between GV CL or just Garden view. Is it worth the extra $787.50 for the trip. We arrive in Florida at 9:45 pm so really we are only there 4 1/2 days. We leave at 3pm on the 1st.

The heater in the pool is now working right? Please oh please say yes, my niece and nephew are basically fish on vacation. Haven't told them about the pool yet.

I feel very luck, I got every reservation I had hoped to get with no problems. Hopefully it won't rain the whole time this trip. Last trip in september was rain everyday and the parks were PACKED. Even the Halloween Party was a packed nightmare.

Any advice for going with kids is appricated.
Thanks,
Lori

TWO WORDS: Rope drop. You can get more done by eleven than you can for the rest of the day. Seriously.

 

[Missus Toad]

Okay, I read through all 145 pages. Goodness gracious.
We are heading to the Poly for the first time Jan 27-Feb 1. Taking my niece 12 and nephew 16. We just got back from a September 19-27 trip at CBR. Kinda got tricked into the Jan. Disney Trip, but it is Disney so I am happy.
I am torn between GV CL or just Garden view. Is it worth the extra $787.50 for the trip. We arrive in Florida at 9:45 pm so really we are only there 4 1/2 days. We leave at 3pm on the 1st.

The heater in the pool is now working right? Please oh please say yes, my niece and nephew are basically fish on vacation. Haven't told them about the pool yet.

I feel very luck, I got every reservation I had hoped to get with no problems. Hopefully it won't rain the whole time this trip. Last trip in september was rain everyday and the parks were PACKED. Even the Halloween Party was a packed nightmare.

Any advice for going with kids is appricated.
Thanks,
Lori

I'd stick with straight up GV, but I know there are many CL devotees. I just don't use the lounge nearly enough to justify the extra $.

Last I heard, the heater's working again.

And yes, rope drop will save you a lot of crowd angst.

 

[sandym718]

I didn't stay at the Poly until 2007...stayed at FW and then offsite as a child. But, we instantly fell in love and we're currently planning our 4th return visit for March. I agree with so many of you that the low buildings, spread-out resort, winding garden paths really make the Poly what it is. Walking those paths, amid the lush landscaping, torches at night...THAT is the Polynesian to me. Yes, we love the transportation convenience and location, the larger room sizes, and everything else. But if they'd go to any sort of high-rise, I would be so disappointed. I stay in plenty of massive hotels, where you wander down hallways. That's fine, we have a trip in a few weeks to one in Frankenmuth, MI. But the OUTDOOR feel is what makes the Poly special!

 

[cricketgirl]

Thanks everyone. The rope drop won't work as I made first thing reservations for all they character breakfast. Before Park opens.

I've never been in Jan. actually this will only be my 4th trip.
Dec 2007 All Star Movies
Sept 2009 All Star Movies
Sept 2011 Caribbean Beach Resort.
Then this up coming trip in Jan.

Booked the flight yesterday. Saved a bundle. Plus had tons of credit because Southwest had Shreaded a piece of my luggage on this last trip on the way to DiSney World.
4 Round trip tickets with Early bird Check in for all was $293. out of pocket. Rest was credits and LUV voucher.

Glad to hear heater is working. I'm seeing my niece and nephew on Sunday and paln to share all this with them.

 

[TwoIfBySea]

TWO WORDS: Rope drop. You can get more done by eleven than you can for the rest of the day. Seriously.

is that just as important and true in a slow period as it is during vacation weeks?

 

[Tess]

is that just as important and true in a slow period as it is during vacation weeks?

That depends, what do you consider the "slow" season. I know our family has visited in early May which is supposed to be "slow". Rope drop was just as important then as it was in June and July. Ditto August and October on prior visits. At around 10:30-11:00 a.m., a sea of humanity will be descending upon the parks, even in "slow" months. Your mileage may vary, but this has been our experience.

If you are talking about January and February, I can't speak to those months.

 

[tinacaplan]

Thanks everyone. The rope drop won't work as I made first thing reservations for all they character breakfast. Before Park opens.

I've never been in Jan. actually this will only be my 4th trip.

Even better! There's nothing like walking up an empty Main Street on the way to an 8:00 ADR at Crystal Palace. You're usually out by 9 and ahead of even the rope drop crowd!

is that just as important and true in a slow period as it is during vacation weeks?

Don't know about this, as we've only been in July and in February for Pres. Week.

 

[esmerelda51]

1.How are the new coffee makers working out? Do all the Poly rmms have them now?How good or bad is the coffee supplied?If bad, what brand goes in them?

2. How is the wireless project going?Do they have a charge in mind for this after the 24th?

3.I think I'm up to date with the rumors anyone heard any new rumors about the Poly?

 

[goofybabe]

Was wondering the same thing about the coffee situation.I'm wondering k-cups or the pods?

 

[travelforfun]

I'd stick with straight up GV, but I know there are many CL devotees. I just don't use the lounge nearly enough to justify the extra $.

Last I heard, the heater's working again.

And yes, rope drop will save you a lot of crowd angst.

We had our first experience with Poly CL (14 nights) this past Summer. We had stayed Poly Garden View rooms (20 nights) past years. CL was nice but would not do again. It just depends on how you utilize. Every morning I would go to Captain Cook's and bring food back to lounge as I can't get start the day with sugary cereal, danish, or oatmeal. I need scrambled eggs for protein. My kids like Tonga Toast and Mickey Waffles. We would use the Mickey Milk, OJ, Coffee, and other beverages from the lounge. We would also eat the fresh fruit. However, we stlll spent at least $25.00 a day in Captain Cook's. We also did Character Breakfast's other mornings. It was nice having an area to bring our food back to though and relax looking at the view of the castle.

The entire resort provides a wonderful vacation. Don't feel like you are missing anything if you do not choose CL.

 

[logpey]

Getting closer to my Aulani Hawaii trip in February & also my WDW POLY trip for Spring break with kids! HOORAY!! Safe travel to all who are leaving shortly! Be safe....

 

[Maddie's Nana]

1.How are the new coffee makers working out? Do all the Poly rmms have them now?How good or bad is the coffee supplied?If bad, what brand goes in them?

2. How is the wireless project going?Do they have a charge in mind for this after the 24th?

3.I think I'm up to date with the rumors anyone heard any new rumors about the Poly?

We are in Tuvalu and have the new coffee maker - the coffee is cusinart and I think it is quite good. We are getting free wireless - they say it will be free until 10/24 but doesn't say what the price will be.

We leave tomorrow but have had a great time and made a lot of nice memories.

Have a great vacation.

 

[Pluto1976]

1.How are the new coffee makers working out? Do all the Poly rmms have them now?How good or bad is the coffee supplied?If bad, what brand goes in them?

Aw man I had not heard they were replacing the coffee makers. I am always in the minority on our trips and will probably be here too, but I LOVE the coffee from the perculator style coffee makers in the room! The pod thingies are just horrible. Perhaps if they tear the place down they will leave the pod-style coffee makers in the building before demolition.

I have not heard anything new on the rumors. I think the next possibility of news will be on 10/24. From what I understand a few folks from this board will be there and be kind enough to report.