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

[logpey]

*SIGH* Just wanted to check in and say I wish I was there, am jealous of those there now, (logpey, I'm looking at you here, LOL), and am jealous of those going soon. I just keep repeating to myself like a new mantra....

"The Boardwalk will be ok....The Boardwalk will be ok...."

Then you would really be green today----Spa, shopped at Grand Floridian (every shop) got awesome scrub at Basin mad and sad Summer Lace did not have 40th Anniversary Dooney just Magic Kingdom and Tren D (?) at DTD, lunch at Kona with PINA COLAVA, cabana (but rained 1 hr later but had lapu,lapu) shopped at Contemporary, ate appetizers in CL lounge then Luau (weather cleared, close call)fireworks from beach---WOOT r u a shade of army green right now? LOL, jk!!

 

[logpey]

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!
QUOTE]

Mauna Kea best, I promise, I watched my kids all day! I will post pics when I get home.. alot of cabanas...Better view, a bit more room.

 

[logpey]

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.

Actually sitting in our chairs at the Mauna Kea I leaned forward sitting in chair and took pics of Castle, I will look through photos and post when I return, not the best view but u can see it, I also noticed daily they rearranged the chaise and chairs/ottomans.

 

[logpey]

Hi! We are checking into the Poly tommorrow! We have a cabanna reserved for Thurs and are wondering where do we go? Lifeguard? Any info appreciated!

You go to Mikala Canoe Club and just tell them you have ressies and they will take your payment and the attendant maybe (Heather) will come right there to you to show u to your cabana! You might also have your name waiting in a sign when u arrive, they do sometimes and sometimes not...

 

[logpey]

I didnt even know these existed! My question is do you need to book right at the 180 mark like dining?

And I assume I would have to have my room reservation at the time of booking?

Yes about 12 months ago on my last trip they started ripping up landscaping to make room for cabanas. I only booked mine three weeks before trip and at that time none were booked 2 regular cabanas or premium. I enjoyed the cabana so much I rented right there on spot (phone in cabana) another day (half) and was able to get in no prob. You can't reserve at Mikala Canoe Club for cabanas just pay, they will tell u to call normal WDW number or from cabana to recreation.

 

[princssdisnygina]

Then you would really be green today----Spa, shopped at Grand Floridian (every shop) got awesome scrub at Basin mad and sad Summer Lace did not have 40th Anniversary Dooney just Magic Kingdom and Tren D (?) at DTD, lunch at Kona with PINA COLAVA, cabana (but rained 1 hr later but had lapu,lapu) shopped at Contemporary, ate appetizers in CL lounge then Luau (weather cleared, close call)fireworks from beach---WOOT r u a shade of army green right now? LOL, jk!!

Boo on the no Dooney... however they probably didn't have it because on the 23rd they had a HUGE sale and had 40% off all Disney Dooney... I can imagine they were wiped clean.

 

[logpey]

Grand Floridan Spa, Amazing (Firm Pressure massage) Kona Island Chicken sandwich, great with my Pina Colava, stores at POLY have Polynesian merchandise. I bought on clearance a Poly photo book 5.99 yeah & Mickey Mouse Flatware 49.95, Hubby bought new Oakleys (sunglasses) I bought swim suit shorts with Mickey on them at Boutiki 20.00, of course I bought a Coconut to send to my parents right then and there, etc. SOA was cute, a little cheesey but I expected that, first time going, I personally didn't enjoy the food and the wine was nasty, Im a Moscato drinker normally and the beer was Bud products and another one I can't pronounce much less spell, you can also buy specialty drinks for extra moolah, I had pretty good, Cat one seats dead center, the crowd of people at the show were soooo boring, my family tried to liven them up, but not enough alcohol in world would have done that, it rained a little during show, but they said lightening would be the only thing to stop the show.
I was at Epcot yesterday till 12:20am (EMH) of course no monorail and the busses literally took 25 minutes to get there ( POLY & Grand share), when you have had a long, long day, you don't want to stand any longer, a few other resorts had busses. It has been extremely crowded every park, more so than I've ever seen it, even at EMH last night 80 minutes waits for Test Track and Soarin' tomorrow we will be at Animal Kingdom so I will let you know later. Alot of tour groups. CL level appetizers today green bean type cold salad (OK) pork potstickers (good) cheeses, crackers, fruit dip, PB&J, hummus/pita, it seems like less food, yogurt balls, gold fish, gummy bears, I miss gummy sharks. Breakfast the same, bagels, yogurt (upon request) oatmeal, dry cereals, little buttery croissant (yum) cinnamon rolls one day (ummm) fruit, brand mini muffin and chocolate chip mini muffin. I'm trying to remember... Any questions, I will try to get on tomorrow, we've been so busy till late night.


Hawaii Longhouse extremely cold, and toilets still scare the p-ss out of me and the quiet pool is as it should be quiet with people reading books, I like the quiet pool better more shallow-- what a differece a year makes. The shower head raised, quiet pool changed, cabanas.

Mousekeeping great, from room cleaning when your gone to turn down service, FABULOUS, my daughter has collected quite a few chocolate mints, they replace coffee extremely well, (not just decaf) and toiletries. Its just a shame the mud puddles around the garden view rooms, one room literally has orange cones around it, I wouldn't be happy if my CL room had cones like test track around it, the ducks sure do like the puddles though. Also isn't it neat when you notice someone or a family that stayed at POLY last yr when you did, Ok I'm really done now.

 

[logpey]

Boo on the no Dooney... however they probably didn't have it because on the 23rd they had a HUGE sale and had 40% off all Disney Dooney... I can imagine they were wiped clean.

That ok, I saw the sale online but I didn't think it applied to the 40th anniversary style. Im just going back to DTD to get it before we leave, I should have grabbed it when I saw it, but hubby said just wait and get it at the Grand Floridian. The counter girl at Summer Lace acted as if they never carried that one style, also the counter person at Magic Kingdom said Epcot did, I think at MouseGears. Well I won't go home empty handed, oh and there are no 40th anniversary wallets anywhere, haven't seen them except online. I also heard a girl say they are or have plans to build a WDW Dooney store at DTD. GREAT!

 

[princssdisnygina]

That ok, I saw the sale online but I didn't think it applied to the 40th anniversary style. Im just going back to DTD to get it before we leave, I should have grabbed it when I saw it, but hubby said just wait and get it at the Grand Floridian. The counter girl at Summer Lace acted as if they never carried that one style, also the counter person at Magic Kingdom said Epcot did, I think at MouseGears. Well I won't go home empty handed, oh and there are no 40th anniversary wallets anywhere, haven't seen them except online. I also heard a girl say they are or have plans to build a WDW Dooney store at DTD. GREAT!

WHAT? THERE GOES MY SAVINGS! A WDW Dooney store! Holy cow! I would SO love that! I one of the 55th Anniv bags from Disneyland and I love it! Not to mention all the other Disney Dooneys! Now if Coach would join the bandwagon I'd be set!

 

[Dalpal]

Joining in on thanking Rob for the new thread! It just keeps getting better and better!

I can't believe how close we are getting to our trip! I still have so much to do!

I can't wait until I can be relaxing at the Poly drinking my first ever Lapu Lapu!

Also joining in on thanking Rob!
and Just wanted to say hey to Pink!
We will be there at the same time!... We arrive on the 15th...Maybe we will bump into each other...I will have a husband and three little ones in tow...A boy 8YO, and two girls, a 7YO, and a 5YO. I hope to be by the pool most of the time we are not in the parks...by the zero entry end if we can swing a table/chairs there. Probably drinking something frosty! I will also have a lime green Mickey on my hip-bag!
Come on over if you see us...Id love to say Hi to a Diser, and fellow WDW/Poly lover!

Getting very excited here!

TTFN

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

I went to Grand Floridian Spa today and the only construction I saw was a construction wall, I think blue and it started right past the wedding pavillion going towards the Grand Floridian, you can not see it from the Poly, also you really don't notice from monorail either because it is directly under you.

Thanks so much! I have been wondering if the construction would spoil views. Sounds like things look OK from the Poly side. Wonder how it will look from Big Pine Key once things get rockin

Sounds like you are having an awesome vacation. So jealous of your cabana days. Sounds so relaxing.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Mauna Kea best, I promise, I watched my kids all day! I will post pics when I get home.. alot of cabanas...Better view, a bit more room.

Thank you! Enjoy the rest of your vacation and thanks for all the updates!

 

[bgenew1]

After reading all the posts about the cabana, I must treat myself for my bday!

I think I will wait to make my room/cabana reservation till after our trip to the Wine & Dine in case there is a bounceback in the room. But that still gives me plenty of time for the 180 day mark since we are going in May.

 

[bgenew1]

Can you bring your own beach chairs and umbrella to sit on the sand?

 

[Dizneefamily+4]

6 more days! 6 more days! ! I feel like I'm going to jump out of my skin! I want to be there now!!!

 

[logpey]

WHAT? THERE GOES MY SAVINGS! A WDW Dooney store! Holy cow! I would SO love that! I one of the 55th Anniv bags from Disneyland and I love it! Not to mention all the other Disney Dooneys! Now if Coach would join the bandwagon I'd be set!

I know I have more Coach than Dooney's!

 

[logpey]

Can you bring your own beach chairs and umbrella to sit on the sand?

I'm sure you can, but there are plenty of lounge chairs available all the time.

 

[woodkins]

Can you bring your own beach chairs and umbrella to sit on the sand?

I would think you can, but have never seen anyone do so. The beach near the volcano pool is very full with lounge chairs hammocks etc. so not much room for you to set up your own stuff. The beach behind the Tahiti building is usually fairly empty and has more space so you could probably set up there more easily.

 

[bgenew1]

If we decide to go to Cocoa Beach for a few days we would have them with us. If not then I didnt want to pack them and waste the space in the car if it wasnt allowed.

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

Grand Floridan Spa, Amazing (Firm Pressure massage) Kona Island Chicken sandwich, great with my Pina Colava, stores at POLY have Polynesian merchandise. I bought on clearance a Poly photo book 5.99 yeah & Mickey Mouse Flatware 49.95, Hubby bought new Oakleys (sunglasses) I bought swim suit shorts with Mickey on them at Boutiki 20.00, of course I bought a Coconut to send to my parents right then and there, etc. SOA was cute, a little cheesey but I expected that, first time going, I personally didn't enjoy the food and the wine was nasty, Im a Moscato drinker normally and the beer was Bud products and another one I can't pronounce much less spell, you can also buy specialty drinks for extra moolah, I had pretty good, Cat one seats dead center, the crowd of people at the show were soooo boring, my family tried to liven them up, but not enough alcohol in world would have done that, it rained a little during show, but they said lightening would be the only thing to stop the show.
I was at Epcot yesterday till 12:20am (EMH) of course no monorail and the busses literally took 25 minutes to get there ( POLY & Grand share), when you have had a long, long day, you don't want to stand any longer, a few other resorts had busses. It has been extremely crowded every park, more so than I've ever seen it, even at EMH last night 80 minutes waits for Test Track and Soarin' tomorrow we will be at Animal Kingdom so I will let you know later. Alot of tour groups. CL level appetizers today green bean type cold salad (OK) pork potstickers (good) cheeses, crackers, fruit dip, PB&J, hummus/pita, it seems like less food, yogurt balls, gold fish, gummy bears, I miss gummy sharks. Breakfast the same, bagels, yogurt (upon request) oatmeal, dry cereals, little buttery croissant (yum) cinnamon rolls one day (ummm) fruit, brand mini muffin and chocolate chip mini muffin. I'm trying to remember... Any questions, I will try to get on tomorrow, we've been so busy till late night.


Hawaii Longhouse extremely cold, and toilets still scare the p-ss out of me and the quiet pool is as it should be quiet with people reading books, I like the quiet pool better more shallow-- what a differece a year makes. The shower head raised, quiet pool changed, cabanas.

Mousekeeping great, from room cleaning when your gone to turn down service, FABULOUS, my daughter has collected quite a few chocolate mints, they replace coffee extremely well, (not just decaf) and toiletries. Its just a shame the mud puddles around the garden view rooms, one room literally has orange cones around it, I wouldn't be happy if my CL room had cones like test track around it, the ducks sure do like the puddles though. Also isn't it neat when you notice someone or a family that stayed at POLY last yr when you did, Ok I'm really done now.

How is the crowd level at the Volcano Pool? Are they wrist-banding?

Also, are they still showing the movies on the beach near Hawaii?

Enjoy your trip!