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

[Tinkerbellie16]

So I have been keeping my eye on the cancellation threads for Ohana ADRs and saw that someone was going to cancel. What I find really disturbing is that this person has 2, 3, or even 4 ADRs for each evening (all for a party of 4). I did not ask and I make an assumption that they were 'back up' ADRs so they could be more flexible with their plans. I could be wrong - maybe it's a group of 16 people eating at 4 different places... Anyway, it bothers me that people do this. I know I'm not on a dining thread but I thought the fellow Poly DISers would understand more than anyone because when you stay at the Poly, you want to enjoy your own resort!

 

[hannahdrewmom]

So I have been keeping my eye on the cancellation threads for Ohana ADRs and saw that someone was going to cancel. What I find really disturbing is that this person has 2, 3, or even 4 ADRs for each evening (all for a party of 4). I did not ask and I make an assumption that they were 'back up' ADRs so they could be more flexible with their plans. I could be wrong - maybe it's a group of 16 people eating at 4 different places... Anyway, it bothers me that people do this. I know I'm not on a dining thread but I thought the fellow Poly DISers would understand more than anyone because when you stay at the Poly, you want to enjoy your own resort!

I agree... although I'd give them a little grace... cause at least they ARE canceling which I think is something alot of people don't do until the day of or not at all.

The dining situation is frustrating as a whole though! It kind of takes away from the resort accommodations when you can't just walk up to a restaurant in your own hotel. It's not like we are talking fine dining either! It's fun but not gourmet!

 

[WJD2011]

I agree that it can be frustrating to book a few ADRs when there are people out there with multiple ADRs within a two or three hour window. Disney needs to fix this as I am sure that they are losing potential sittings.

I would recommend Ohana for dinner. We ate there last Thursday night, got plenty of food and our two sons (7 and 17 months) had a lot of fun with the coconut races, limbo contast and hula dancing. It was a great way to finish our last night at the Poly, especially since it was raining like a monsoon that night.

 

[princssdisnygina]

I agree that it can be frustrating to book a few ADRs when there are people out there with multiple ADRs within a two or three hour window. Disney needs to fix this as I am sure that they are losing potential sittings.

I would recommend Ohana for dinner. We ate there last Thursday night, got plenty of food and our two sons (7 and 17 months) had a lot of fun with the coconut races, limbo contast and hula dancing. It was a great way to finish our last night at the Poly, especially since it was raining like a monsoon that night.

Disney has tried to limit the multiple reservations. If you book under the same user name and try to book within the 2 hour time frame of another reservation you either have to cancel the old one or get rid of the new one. It doesn't allow you to keep both.

 

[WJD2011]

Disney has tried to limit the multiple reservations. If you book under the same user name and try to book within the 2 hour time frame of another reservation you either have to cancel the old one or get rid of the new one. It doesn't allow you to keep both.

Unfortunately people find ways to work around that by using a different user name. Perhaps if they required a credit card and charged a fee (say $25 which would be applied to your check) to book ADRs people would be less likely to book multiple ADRs in the same dining period.

 

[princssdisnygina]

Unfortunately people find ways to work around that by using a different user name. Perhaps if they required a credit card and charged a fee (say $25 which would be applied to your check) to book ADRs people would be less likely to book multiple ADRs in the same dining period.

I am not sure that would work. But, I do think reservations need to be applied to resort reservations. The only problem would be with those staying off property.

There has to be a better way.

 

[maryj11]

You will be there before you know it !!! Have fun !! I cant wait til I will be saying that its only 3 days I have a couple more weeks and I need to start packing and getting ready. The pressure is on now for me to get it in gear and figure out what to take

So I have been keeping my eye on the cancellation threads for Ohana ADRs and saw that someone was going to cancel. What I find really disturbing is that this person has 2, 3, or even 4 ADRs for each evening (all for a party of 4). I did not ask and I make an assumption that they were 'back up' ADRs so they could be more flexible with their plans. I could be wrong - maybe it's a group of 16 people eating at 4 different places... Anyway, it bothers me that people do this. I know I'm not on a dining thread but I thought the fellow Poly DISers would understand more than anyone because when you stay at the Poly, you want to enjoy your own resort!

Yes that is something that bothers me too. There are so many people trying get reservations for Ohana and it is just unfair to hold several at a time But at least they did cancel, I'm sure some people dont even cancel them I think people should be guaranteed a reservation at the resort they are staying at lol

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

I agree... although I'd give them a little grace... cause at least they ARE canceling which I think is something alot of people don't do until the day of or not at all.

The dining situation is frustrating as a whole though! It kind of takes away from the resort accommodations when you can't just walk up to a restaurant in your own hotel. It's not like we are talking fine dining either! It's fun but not gourmet!

Unfortunately people find ways to work around that by using a different user name. Perhaps if they required a credit card and charged a fee (say $25 which would be applied to your check) to book ADRs people would be less likely to book multiple ADRs in the same dining period.

Yes that is something that bothers me too. There are so many people trying get reservations for Ohana and it is just unfair to hold several at a time But at least they did cancel, I'm sure some people dont even cancel them I think people should be guaranteed a reservation at the resort they are staying at lol

Thanks for making me see the positive - you are so right, they could have not canceled in advance. In addition, they even posted it so others could take advantage. Now I feel bad...well, a little. I still don't like that folks book several ADRs knowing full well they will only use one of them!

 

[maryj11]

We have a reservation for Ohana at 7:50 pm, the earliest I could get and I was wondering how long do you think the meal will take ? The reason I wanted to know was I was hoping we could get to the beach to watch the water parade and wishes. Wishes will start at 10:00 that night and the water parade I think 9:00. My guess is we probably wont get to see the parade.

 

[princssdisnygina]

We have a reservation for Ohana at 7:50 pm, the earliest I could get and I was wondering how long do you think the meal will take ? The reason I wanted to know was I was hoping we could get to the beach to watch the water parade and wishes. Wishes will start at 10:00 that night and the water parade I think 9:00. My guess is we probably wont get to see the parade.

You may miss the water parade but you could for sure see Wishes! However, you could show up early and see if they can get you in earlier. I typically show up 30 mins before my reservation in hopes to be seated early. It may or may not happen.

 

[maryj11]

You may miss the water parade but you could for sure see Wishes! However, you could show up early and see if they can get you in earlier. I typically show up 30 mins before my reservation in hopes to be seated early. It may or may not happen.

Yes maybe if we show up early. Anyone know how fast they are about seating people. As of right now there are no other reservations available. So Im guessing it will be packed.

 

[princssdisnygina]

Yes maybe if we show up early. Anyone know how fast they are about seating people. As of right now there are no other reservations available. So Im guessing it will be packed.

You can count on it being packed. Like I said... they may or may not seat you early. If you can get in at least 10-15 mins early you should be able to make the parade.

 

[maryj11]

You can count on it being packed. Like I said... they may or may not seat you early. If you can get in at least 10-15 mins early you should be able to make the parade.

Ok maybe we can get in early but I know Ohana is very popular and it will be a full house lol So I wont plan on it. Are they pretty good at getting you seated at your reservation time ?

 

[princssdisnygina]

Ok maybe we can get in early but I know Ohana is very popular and it will be a full house lol So I wont plan on it. Are they pretty good at getting you seated at your reservation time ?

From my experience yes as long as you check-in before you reservation time. I have heard very few stories of them running behind. You could always request a window seat.

 

[rcsilverspring]

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Thanks to your screen name, I can't get that darn song out of my head!! And it's nowhere NEAR winter!!

 

[princssdisnygina]

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Thanks to your screen name, I can't get that darn song out of my head!! And it's nowhere NEAR winter!!

 

[DT83097]

I have 1 more week to get through and then I can actually start focusing on packing!!

 

[rcsilverspring]

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Whoops. I THOUGHT I was quoting "Susiesnowflake".

 

[Dizneefamily+4]

Just wanted to post a couple pictures of our lapu lapus on the beach during Wishes. Not only have I joined the "Poly's biggest fans" club after this last stay (got back 8/10), I'm also a member of the I Lapu Lapu's club as well! YUM!

 

[pink5683]

Just got back yesterday from our stay at the Poly!

It was GREAT! Everything I was hoping for, for sure. I jsut wish I could have stayed longer and played at the resort more.

We were staying in Hawaii and found the Club Level staff to be courteous and helpful. I don't have a bad thing to say about any of them. The food offerings were what I expected and were perfect for what we needed. DS loved the lounge and when it was time to leave he started crying and saying "I just want to go back to the lounge!" (He's 3 )

We were in room 1519, which is the last room at the end of the hall furthest from the lounge. It was SUPER quiet! I have never been in a quieter room at a Disney resort. The room was clean, and there were no maintenence issues, other than the lock on our door stuck a little bit, so you had to make sure to pull the door closed. We let the CL cast members know, and later that day there was someone going around to all the doors and checking them.

We did eat at Ohana for both breakfast and dinner, and both were great. Lilo was fantastic at breakfast, giving my son hugs and kisses, and she went wild over the autograph book I had made.

Ohana dinner was delicious! My son would only eat the steak and the bread, which was fine as he had eaten some at the lounge before we came. The waitress did offer to go get him something else if I wanted, and did it very discreetly, so that my son never knew she asked/that there was another option, which I appreciated. He is one of those kids who is adventurous as long as he doesn't know there is a "fall back" option, so that was perfect.

I had my Lapu Lapu and I loved it! They are DANGEROUS though. I really wanted to have more than one, but I didn't want to be invisible for late night EMH at MK.

My son absolutely LOVED the Neverland Club! We put him in for one night, and he kept asking to go back! The staff there was super friendly, and told him he could come back whenever he wanted. He ended up going back a second night because he was refusing to go to dinner, and rather than us all be miserable, I let him go there again. It worked out great!

Overall the parks were HOT but not as crowded as I was expecting. We made it on all the rides we wanted to with minimal waits, and some more than once. (DS rode Nemo 7 times over the course of the trip!!!!!!) I think it was a combination of luck and a good plan that made everything go so smoothly.

If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask, I will be happy to answer them!