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

[Tinkerbellie16]

I'm also interested in knowing which cabana is the 'better' cabana. Out of the two regular ones (not the deluxe), which one has the better view of the pool? That is what I am more concerned about - keeping an eye on the kids!

I'm aware of the general location (we used to pop a squat at one of the umbrella tables that was in that location - precabana!) but am not clear on which one is where and if one opens up with a better view to the pool or the castle.

And I don't want to jinx anything but I MIGHT be going to the Poly this fall. I have to wait just another 2 weeks to figure some things out with work and determine what time is the best. BUT the good news is that DH backed out on our 10 year anniversary trip. Good news, yes! Because he OWES me Actually, the harvest in Montana is going to be really good this year but later than usual so he'll have to be up there to work during our anniversary. This is totally acceptable - it's the family farm - but he's going to owe me for it I was thinking of a weekend by myself for food & wine festival but if we can't go on our anniversary trip, I'm going to drag him and the kids to Disney. Well, if we stay at the Poly, I don't have to drag DH at all - he loves it there! And it's never difficult to get the kids to go to Disney and they ADORE the Poly!!

Sorry for rambling, I'm excited but trying to keep it to a normal level until I am actually able to book it (and that horrible 'IF' I am able to book it!)

 

[crostorfer]

I'm also interested in knowing which cabana is the 'better' cabana. Out of the two regular ones (not the deluxe), which one has the better view of the pool? That is what I am more concerned about - keeping an eye on the kids!

I'm aware of the general location (we used to pop a squat at one of the umbrella tables that was in that location - precabana!) but am not clear on which one is where and if one opens up with a better view to the pool or the castle.

And I don't want to jinx anything but I MIGHT be going to the Poly this fall. I have to wait just another 2 weeks to figure some things out with work and determine what time is the best. BUT the good news is that DH backed out on our 10 year anniversary trip. Good news, yes! Because he OWES me Actually, the harvest in Montana is going to be really good this year but later than usual so he'll have to be up there to work during our anniversary. This is totally acceptable - it's the family farm - but he's going to owe me for it I was thinking of a weekend by myself for food & wine festival but if we can't go on our anniversary trip, I'm going to drag him and the kids to Disney. Well, if we stay at the Poly, I don't have to drag DH at all - he loves it there! And it's never difficult to get the kids to go to Disney and they ADORE the Poly!!

Sorry for rambling, I'm excited but trying to keep it to a normal level until I am actually able to book it (and that horrible 'IF' I am able to book it!)

I honestly think the regular cabanas each give an equal view of the pool, they are in the same spot, they are just both angled differently. The one is angled better to see the slide, and the other is angled better to see the grotto area. Neither has a view of the castle, you have to pay for the premium for that.

 

[crostorfer]

Just don't look at "It" and all will be good!

I keep saying "They all float down here" in a whispery, throaty voice and shuddering....

 

[disneydreamin247]

I keep saying "They all float down here" in a whispery, throaty voice and shuddering....

I thank you in advance for the nightmares.

 

[Missus Toad]

The new one isn't bad, just not as good.

My thoughts exactly!

I get that they want to update things now and again, but I don't see why they couldn't put all of the songs, old and new, on a longer loop.

 

[marlaine8]

The music in the 2nd utube video-is that the old music or the new music? That first song is my absolute favorite! Can't wait until Sept!

 

[BeeBeeCee]

I can't wait till September either! ....i wish it would hurry up and get here

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

I get that they want to update things now and again, but I don't see why they couldn't put all of the songs, old and new, on a longer loop.

I agree! I like both loops! (maybe the old slightly better!)

Guitarob - are you and TheNewMrsB going back again in September??? I'm trying to swing an October trip - we will see!

Ok, question...don't laugh but I've never been to the Spirit of Aloha show I've been to a luau in Hawaii and I've been scared to go to the show because of the 'cheesy' comments but I really want to go, even if it is a little corny! Does it matter if you sit in category 1, 2, or 3?

 

[Missoutandabout]

I keep saying "They all float down here" in a whispery, throaty voice and shuddering....

I thank you in advance for the nightmares.

Add me to the "will have nightmares" list. But beforehand, I'm seriously at you both. Whoever built that pool is clearly an avid Stephen King fan.

I can't wait till September either! ....i wish it would hurry up and get here

Let us do the "Please September, PLEASE?" dance together. It's vaguely reminiscent of the pee pee dance...

 

[crostorfer]

I agree! I like both loops! (maybe the old slightly better!)

Guitarob - are you and TheNewMrsB going back again in September??? I'm trying to swing an October trip - we will see!

Ok, question...don't laugh but I've never been to the Spirit of Aloha show I've been to a luau in Hawaii and I've been scared to go to the show because of the 'cheesy' comments but I really want to go, even if it is a little corny! Does it matter if you sit in category 1, 2, or 3?

I actually love the SoA show. Only the first half is cheesy, and it is REALLY cheesy, but the second half is amazing. And the food was delicious, and it's the only place on property outside of club level where you can get free beer and wine.

We sat in Cat 1 seats, but we were at the end of the Cat 1 tables, so our view wasn't all that great, I think Cat 2 seats, closest to the railing would be best. If you pay for Cat 1, insist on being seated right in front.

 

[disneydreamin247]

Add me to the "will have nightmares" list. But beforehand, I'm seriously at you both. Whoever built that pool is clearly an avid Stephen King fan.



Let us do the "Please September, PLEASE?" dance together. It's vaguely reminiscent of the pee pee dance...

Welcome to the Creepy Clowns club!

As much as I want it to be September, I'm in no rush for my princess to grow up so quickly. She's already 4 months.

 

[guitarob]

The music in the 2nd utube video-is that the old music or the new music? That first song is my absolute favorite! Can't wait until Sept!

The 2nd video is the old loop, and that is my favorite song as well. That's my "Music Video" for that song.

 

[guitarob]

I agree! I like both loops! (maybe the old slightly better!)

Guitarob - are you and TheNewMrsB going back again in September??? I'm trying to swing an October trip - we will see!

Ok, question...don't laugh but I've never been to the Spirit of Aloha show I've been to a luau in Hawaii and I've been scared to go to the show because of the 'cheesy' comments but I really want to go, even if it is a little corny! Does it matter if you sit in category 1, 2, or 3?

I definitely like the old loop better. It just seems more... I dunno... authentic? Less generic? Maybe it's just the fact that I have it memorized after hearing it for so many years... The new loop just doesn't "feel" the same, but I don't dislike it.

We're not going to be able to get back this year. We're holding out hope for a trip in 2012.

I've always had category 2 seating (I think... whatever they give you when you use the dining plan) at the Luau and have always been able to see fine. It's a tad cheesy, but it's fun.

 

[Missus Toad]

I agree! I like both loops! (maybe the old slightly better!)

I definitely like the old loop better. It just seems more... I dunno... authentic? Less generic? Maybe it's just the fact that I have it memorized after hearing it for so many years... The new loop just doesn't "feel" the same, but I don't dislike it.

Yes, I'm definitely a bigger fan of the old loop, and Rob, I'm totally with you on your reasons. The old loop somehow had more soul, if that makes sense. It felt special-- not like songs you'd get on a Party City CD for a luau. I felt transported when it would waft across my path, to far Polynesia, but maybe also to another time, other visits when so many happy memories were built. I just don't get that feeling from the new loop. Like you, I don't dislike the new, but the sound experience is not enhancing my visit as it used to, and it was once a big part of my enjoyment. I still hear the old loop when I think about the Poly. I wonder if those of us who are so inclined might be able to gently bring this to the attention of Poly management somehow.

 

[nala1128]

On past trips, we have always requested and were placed in a 3rd floor room in Hawaii. For our upcoming trip, I requested 1st or 3rd floor for the possibility of something a bit different (just don't want to have nothing to walk out onto). Staying in Hawaii building which floor would you prefer and why??? My kids are 10 & 11 if that makes any difference! Thanks

 

[nala1128]

So jealous of logpey right now.. LOVING her pics and updates on twitter tho!

Can yall believe the lady that punched her child last week in MK? My heart goes out to that child, hoping he is safe now and stays safe!

Wishing I was in the quiet pool right now..

I saw that news story.. they say she repeatedly punched and kicked that little boy. He was 1 or 2 I think.. disgusting!!!

You will be in the pool soon enough!!! Just keep counting down

 

[dizneechic]

On past trips, we have always requested and were placed in a 3rd floor room in Hawaii. For our upcoming trip, I requested 1st or 3rd floor for the possibility of something a bit different (just don't want to have nothing to walk out onto). Staying in Hawaii building which floor would you prefer and why??? My kids are 10 & 11 if that makes any difference! Thanks

We've stayed on both, and very much preferred 3rd floor over 1st. A few of our reasons were with CL, we liked exiting through the 3rd floor and walking to our room vs past the desks and feeling compelled to chat or even say hello. Sometimes we just wanted to duck back to the room sight unseen. Outside of feeling like we were noticed every time we passed the desks, we liked tossing wet swimsuits on the balcony to dry, we didn't feel comfortable putting them out on the chairs on the patio. One last thing I would do is put my camera out on the balcony while I showered in the morning so the lenses would come up to temp, I would never do this in a 1st floor room. Granted this was only an issue in the hottest months so isn't a compelling argument all the time. On the flipside in the 3rd floor room (we had GV) there were lots of tops of palm trees, some rooms were more obstructed than others, ours wasn't too bad. In the 1st floor room you have the wildlife you get to peep at and many times they walk right up on your patio which can be great entertainment for kids.

So those were our experiences. We liked 3rd for all reasons stated, and even though the ducks were cute we didn't enjoy the presents they would sometimes leave behind.

 

[TinkPirateMom]

So I just officially booked the Polynesian Resort for 8 nights in a GV-CL for my family of four
We are not traveling until November 2012. We will be there from the 3rd to the 11th. So it will be Jersey Week (my DD will have most or possibly all those days off from school) and while there we will be celebrating our 5th Wedding Anniversary
I know I should be jumping for joy but I'm feeling apprehension about a few things and even though it's booked it's so far away that I feel like it really may not happen. DH has to request the week off during their vacation bidding in January so that is something that could fall through. Also I booked using a travel agent rate (I'm a travel agent but not a Disney Specialist just to be clear in case you wonder why I may have so many Disney questions, lol). So the other problem is there is a possibility that I won't be with this agency (or possibly with any agency) by the time our trip rolls around. If that is the case, and I'm no longer entitled to the discount we may have to downgrade substantially to a moderate or possibly the Dolphin.
So with so many unknowns, I'm finding it hard to get overly excited. What's wrong with me? DH told me to book for April 2012 (just not Easter week) because my TA ID will still be valid then (expires June 2012 and can obviously only be renewed if I'm still in the industry), but I do not feel right taking my daughter out of high school for a full week.

 

[Dizneefamily+4]

Someone posted a pic of a lapu lapu with the ingredients listed as well. I can't find it - could anyone re-post?? TIA!!!

 

[dizneechic]

Someone posted a pic of a lapu lapu with the ingredients listed as well. I can't find it - could anyone re-post?? TIA!!!

I bookmarked it!!
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=41959203&postcount=226

And if you really want to go all out and drink it "poly style" here's a pineapple corer that is fab!
http://www.amazon.com/Vacu-Vin-4882...E4FZ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1311686488&sr=8-1
We have the one with 3 "blades" at home and it's amazing.