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

[maiapapaya]

OMG, Breezy looks so little!

You can always start little discreet piles of clothes etc. tucked away in the closet .... I also have the Disney box that I've been putting stuff away in. And of course there is also the packing list and the to-do list etc.

Eight weeks really isn't that long considering how fast the summer flew by! I'm going to slip into panic mode soon (anal planner who is paranoid that I am forgetting something!)

Happy planning everyone. Looking forward to meeting some fellow DISers very soon!

 

[SoScary'09]

Agreed! Here's to us late October Poly stayers! IT'S ALMOST HERE PEOPLE!

Our balance is going to be paid off within the coming week. Then there's no more group planning or fidgeting with the ADRs or itinerary. Just a bunch of sitting around and waiting for those silly luggage tags to arrive!

On the other hand though, I am working on a secret Halloween suprise with Gifts of a Lifetime! Keeping quiet about it has been soooooooo difficult! I'm going to have our room decorated and have some snacks set up on the 30th while we're out at the parks. Jane is a real pleasure to work with, so if anyone is considering using their service I highly reccomend it so far!

Funny thing is last night my Mom was asking if we should bring decorations down. I sort of freaked out and was like NOOOOOO!!!! I told her that we would be too busy anyway... I hope they didn't notice how weird I was acting!

 

[Divaofdisney]

Agreed! Here's to us late October Poly stayers! IT'S ALMOST HERE PEOPLE!

Our balance is going to be paid off within the coming week. Then there's no more group planning or fidgeting with the ADRs or itinerary. Just a bunch of sitting around and waiting for those silly luggage tags to arrive!

On the other hand though, I am working on a secret Halloween suprise with Gifts of a Lifetime! Keeping quiet about it has been soooooooo difficult! I'm going to have our room decorated and have some snacks set up on the 30th while we're out at the parks. Jane is a real pleasure to work with, so if anyone is considering using their service I highly reccomend it so far!

Funny thing is last night my Mom was asking if we should bring decorations down. I sort of freaked out and was like NOOOOOO!!!! I told her that we would be too busy anyway... I hope they didn't notice how weird I was acting!

Awe! Sounds like a great idea....what other types of things does she do? We are celebrating a college graduation as well our 25th anniversary. Was just wondering...was thinking of taking out a boat one night for our anniversary to see and watch the fireworks...but anyone else have any better ideas??

 

[maiapapaya]

We will be celebrating our 10th anniversary on our trip. DH will also be having his birthday while we are there. I have a few surprises planned ... balloons from Disney Florist on DH's b'day, a custom cake, etc. We are also taking an Illuminations cruise (with my sis & BIL and BreezysMom & her family )

Awe! Sounds like a great idea....what other types of things does she do? We are celebrating a college graduation as well our 25th anniversary. Was just wondering...was thinking of taking out a boat one night for our anniversary to see and watch the fireworks...but anyone else have any better ideas??

Have you checked out the cake thread? WDW makes some beautiful cakes! We are also planning a half day cabana rental. What about a cabana with some lunch delivered from private dining? or some special treats ordered for a cruise? You could also get a gift basket from Disney Florist (though a bit pricey) or Memories by Betsy (I've never used her, but she gets good reviews).

Good luck with your planning & Happy 25th!

 

[disneydreamin247]

23 days!

 

[DebbyLof428]

Really wishing we were at the Poly right now. Hurricane Irene has left us without power so I am at my office getting my Disney fix. Hope everyone in Irene's path is safe.

 

[maryj11]

Im getting anxious and nervous I only have 1 week before we leave. Im kind of worried the flights might be over booked because of all the cancellations from Irene. I hope that they dont have all the flights so messed up that when we go to get on the plane they will say, Im sorry we cannot find your reservations ! LOL I know Im being silly I still dont have everything packed, I have my stuff packed but I need to get my little girls stuff organized next. I always start racking my brain before I leave trying to make sure I have remembered everything and writing down a bunch of stuff to remember. I have 2 or 3 list right now, 1 is things to take,1 things to buy, and 1 things to do before I leave

 

[princssdisnygina]

Have you checked out the cake thread? WDW makes some beautiful cakes! We are also planning a half day cabana rental. What about a cabana with some lunch delivered from private dining? or some special treats ordered for a cruise? You could also get a gift basket from Disney Florist (though a bit pricey) or Memories by Betsy (I've never used her, but she gets good reviews).

Good luck with your planning & Happy 25th!

Just to chime in.... I have used Memories by Betsy MANY times and love her! She does a great job! I have all the pics of the baskets she has done for me if anyone is interested in seeing them. She will customize anything you want except she can't include food items, only Disney Florist can do that.

 

[Divaofdisney]

Just to chime in.... I have used Memories by Betsy MANY times and love her! She does a great job! I have all the pics of the baskets she has done for me if anyone is interested in seeing them. She will customize anything you want except she can't include food items, only Disney Florist can do that.

Thanks everyone for all the great ideas, they gave me lots to think about. I will all let you know what I decide t do. This thread is just great. Happy travels to all those heading to WDW this week and in weeks to come.

 

[cmesq61]

23 days!

24 for us! Working on my LGMH as we speak!! See you there!

 

[ShepFam]

We just returned on August 23rd from a week at the Poly (and survived Irene here in the Hudson Valley!). We try to do Disney ever two years and our first trip was in 2007 at the Poly, 2011 at the WL, and back home this year at the Poly...and it was incredible! I think my family finally got sick me saying "ahhh I love that smell" everytime we walked into the GCH (I know I'm not crazy right? that smell is so good I wish they bottled it as cologne)! One of the things we loved that didn't exist back in 2007 (to my knowledge anyway) was the entertainment at the volcano pool each day in the form of dance, and hula hoop, and trivia games for all ages. They even have a "dunk tank" that utilizes water balloons instead of a tank. We stayed in Samoa on the ground floor facing the quiet pool and it was wonderful to be just steps from both pools and the GCH. Aside from a problem with the game room being shut down (the kids loved hopping the monorail to the Contemporary game room anyway) everything was perfect. Just about everyday we were there someone came around politely asking to see our "keys to the world" and giving us wrist bands to wear which I thought was great...not a fan of pool hoppers. For all of you going soon, or not so soon, I hope you have just as magical a time as we did at the Poly, it is truly a special place for our family.
Aloha

 

[BeeBeeCee]

Getting close for us too

Just sitting here remembering when my two daughters were little and i would pack each of their outfits, socks, ribbons, etc. into a large ziplock to save time in the mornings....just grab one bag....even the hubby could dress them without a problem

Gosh...all those plans I use to be in charge of

this trip ...they will be 22 and 27....much easier ....they will probably be the leaders now

 

[maryj11]

Getting close for us too

Just sitting here remembering when my two daughters were little and i would pack each of their outfits, socks, ribbons, etc. into a large ziplock to save time in the mornings....just grab one bag....even the hubby could dress them without a problem

Gosh...all those plans I use to be in charge of

this trip ...they will be 22 and 27....much easier ....they will probably be the leaders now

Yeah you can take it easy on the planning now lol. My hubby is not going this trip but I have packed his bag too last time he went Thats not a bad idea packing each outfit in a bag lol, just grab a bag ! I might have to do that

 

[scjo68]

We stayed at the Poly for the 1st time 8/20-23 (then we transferred to AKV for 3 nights). I won this trip on a sweepstakes so I could not request anything. Well, we were so excited when we got a Theme Park View room in Tahiti!!! Huge room, double sinks in BR and such a gorgeous view of the castle and Space Mountain! We watched wishes every night from our patio or a swing right outside our room on the beach. SO convenient to walk to TTC.

TO everyone concerned about rain- it did rain late each afternoon for about an hour. We never got caught in it, but on our arrival day there was an intense thunder storm and the monorail broke down and stayed down for the night. It must of been fun to empty MK that night! THe rain was never a surprise, you could always see the clouds forming.

I loved every minute at the gorgeous Poly and can't wait to go back!!!!

We just got back too! We arrived the same day you did, but we stayed the whole week at the Poly.

We did go to MK that night the monorail was down, and, you are right, it was fun leaving MK after closing that night (NOT!) LOL. I guess it turned out OK, just very disorganized, because when we saw the line for the boat was hugely crowded, we asked if there was a bus back to the Poly. We were told there was, but we were told the wrong loading stop number. There was no sign indicating where the Poly bus would load. So we walked around, trying to find the Poly bus stop, when we saw a bus pull up and it had a sign for the Poly. We were able to get to that line quickly, and got on that bus, because not that many people were in that line (maybe cause it wasn't labeled.....) so we got back fine after some initial confusion.

We were in Tahiti, too, and we were upgraded to a lagoon view! In fact, were really got two upgrades because we had actually booked POFQ for the first night. This was because I couldn't get my 40% code for the Poly till the 2nd night, but we were fine with it, we do really like POFQ. But when we checked in to POFQ, we found out they upgraded us to the Poly for that first night, as well.

THen, when we got to the Poly, we were upgraded to the lagoon view. I didn't ask- in fact I had requested Rarotonga because it is so close to GCH. But we enjoyed the lagoon view. I would'nt call it a full theme park view, due to the palm trees in front of the castle . But if you positioned yourself just right, nice and low, you could see the castle and some fireworks.

But the best part was that I could see the castle from my bed at night. I watched it change colors till I went to sleep. Priceless!

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I'm excited to see other late October DIS peeps staying at the Poly!!! We definitely need to plan a meet-up at the Tambu Lounge one night!! We arrive 10/25 for six nights. It has been 3 years since our last Poly stay, and I can't wait to get there!!!!

 

[jdd]

one month......woo hoo

Us too -

My sister called yesterday - she told her daughter we're going, and the three of us are getting excited planning! The trip is a birthday surprise for my son, but I'm having such a hard time keeping quiet!! I even borrowed WDW dvds from the library and we've been watching them - and he keeps talking about what to ride when we go back next summer - little does he know....

 

[woodkins]

I'm excited to see other late October DIS peeps staying at the Poly!!! We definitely need to plan a meet-up at the Tambu Lounge one night!! We arrive 10/25 for six nights. It has been 3 years since our last Poly stay, and I can't wait to get there!!!!

We are arriving on the 23rd and staying till the 28th!

 

[rao363]

I had requested Tokelau building on ground floor about a month ago and I just had a feeling that I should call and double check that . The reason I thought I should double check was because when I added the request, I had gotten a lady that talked fast and when I said Tokelau it sounded like she said Tuvalu. Anyway I just called to double check and the building request was not on my reservation only ground floor. The lady said she put the Tokelau in 2 different places for me. So now Im glad I called to check and make sure it was on there. So it may be a good idea to call and double check if location means a lot to any of you

How far in advance did you call and double check? 10 days before vacation?

 

[lmc318]

I'm excited to see other late October DIS peeps staying at the Poly!!! We definitely need to plan a meet-up at the Tambu Lounge one night!! We arrive 10/25 for six nights. It has been 3 years since our last Poly stay, and I can't wait to get there!!!!

We're there the 23rd through the 29th!! Cannot WAIT!!!

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Lets start a list!!!

TigrLvsPooh 10/25-10/31
Imc318 10/23-10/29
woodkins 10/23-10/28
BreezysMom -
maiapapaya -
soScary'09 -

Once we get everyone's dates we can choose a date to meet! I can PM you guys my cell # and we can meet in the lounge. I love meeting DIS people in person!!!! Looking at my itinerary we should be around the resort several nights, we are at MNSSHP on 10/27, the Luau on 10/29, our first night 10/25 might be good. Even if we all just meet quickly and take a picture it would be cool.