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

[logpey]

This time next week I will be about an hour and a half away from Orlando!! So excited!

So my DS almost 18 came to me and is waiting until Thurs NIGHT to do his laundry and pack! We are loading up the car Fri night so we can get up and leave by 430 am.. I have a feeling I will be stuck doing the laundry and packing for him, otherwise it wont be done in time..Teens..

Been arguing back in forth with DD almost 15 about wearing sundresses for our dinners.. I did get her to agree to a sundress for ohana and CG.. Wish I could get that child to dress girly!!

Im feeling very very grateful that Irene isnt hitting Charleston, I remember in 89 how we lived without electricity and water for 2 weeks! Not fun! Praying that the rest of the east coast avoids damage and stays safe..

I'm sure you will do laundry also, smart boy. I'm glad Irene was downgraded to cat 1. Your trip is really close now!

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

So sorry to hear about your grandmother Tinkerbellie. My condolences to you and your family. Your words are so true ... not to take things for granted, but to cherish every minute with our loved ones.

I'm so sorry to hear about your grandmother's passing. My thoughts are with you and your family.

Very sorry to hear about your grandmother. Time is definitely precious!!
I've been thinking alot about our upcoming trip and have been more excited than normal because I'm looking forward to really spending TIME with my husband and children - you know without all the other stuff that gets in the way on a daily basis!

I'm so sorry for your loss! You're right and I definitely do.. God bless....

Thanks everyone I'm heading to Michigan for the funeral. On the brighter side, my DH came home yesterday from harvest so he could go to the funeral. The kids have only seen him once in the past 4 weeks so we all had fun hanging out with dad. And I dreamt of the Poly last night.

To those there or going there, I hope you have safe travels and that Irene doesn't upset plans too much. I'll be back in a few days and I'm sure I'll be more than ready to talk POLY!

 

[KAA1972]

Ok, so I don't have Irene level problems and for that, I am thankful -- and praying for all those affected by the storm.

We are headed to Poly next Friday -- my first trip to Poly in 34 years -- yep, I'm that old! I just pulled up the forecast and it is RAIN every single day. I keep telling myself that it might be just showers -- but I'm really starting to panic and wondering if we should move our reservations to save some $$$. I really wanted to spend some time at the Volcano Pool -- we have a lot of downtime built into this vacation. And, I think I'm just over-reacting. We do go to WDW about 4 times a year -- but the Poly is a definite splurge for us and I want it to be good....

We have a room-only reservation because we are AP holders so we can move our ressie up until the day of check-in.

Going to WL saves us 400.00
Going to Coronado Springs saves us 800.00
Going to Riverside - saves us 900.00 -- not really into this resort.

What would you do????

 

[maryj11]

I wish I could focus on Disney but all I can think about is this hurricane making her way up here.

So far its not to bad, hang in there it may just be a lot of rain. I hope !

 

[cmesq61]

So excited...just received our documents! The first time docs have ever said "Theme Park View"!! Pixiedust for 3rd floor Tahiti. 25 days, baby!

 

[maryj11]

Ok, so I don't have Irene level problems and for that, I am thankful -- and praying for all those affected by the storm.

We are headed to Poly next Friday -- my first trip to Poly in 34 years -- yep, I'm that old! I just pulled up the forecast and it is RAIN every single day. I keep telling myself that it might be just showers -- but I'm really starting to panic and wondering if we should move our reservations to save some $$$. I really wanted to spend some time at the Volcano Pool -- we have a lot of downtime built into this vacation. And, I think I'm just over-reacting. We do go to WDW about 4 times a year -- but the Poly is a definite splurge for us and I want it to be good....

We have a room-only reservation because we are AP holders so we can move our ressie up until the day of check-in.

Going to WL saves us 400.00
Going to Coronado Springs saves us 800.00
Going to Riverside - saves us 900.00 -- not really into this resort.

What would you do????

Same here, we arrive next Monday and I have been checking the forecast too. It is showing rain all week . I hope it is only showers every now and then. We always have only stayed at the values and moderates,once we stayed at WL. So this is a splurge for us too ! We had reservations at POFQ and decided I really wanted to stay at the Poly and I always have wanted to. But didnt want to spend that much, well I changed my reservations to Poly and it is costing 900.00 more. So I will be really disappointed if it rains all week I just checked the weather and our first day is saying 60% rain,which is more than what they are having this week with Irene passing through !

 

[cmesq61]

This time next week I will be about an hour and a half away from Orlando!! So excited!

So my DS almost 18 came to me and is waiting until Thurs NIGHT to do his laundry and pack! We are loading up the car Fri night so we can get up and leave by 430 am.. I have a feeling I will be stuck doing the laundry and packing for him, otherwise it wont be done in time..Teens..

Been arguing back in forth with DD almost 15 about wearing sundresses for our dinners.. I did get her to agree to a sundress for ohana and CG.. Wish I could get that child to dress girly!!
..

LOL. I have DS18 & DD 17. I SOOO feel your pain!! Next trip no kids for us = no arguing pre-trip!!

 

[maiapapaya]

This time next week I will be about an hour and a half away from Orlando!! So excited!

So my DS almost 18 came to me and is waiting until Thurs NIGHT to do his laundry and pack! We are loading up the car Fri night so we can get up and leave by 430 am.. I have a feeling I will be stuck doing the laundry and packing for him, otherwise it wont be done in time..Teens..

Make him well aware that if this is his decision it is his responsibility to do the laundry/pack & if he doesn't you aren't doing it for him. Come Friday night if he has nothing to put in the car it will be a hard lesson learned. That sounds so harsh, but DSD19 has been living with us for 18 months (heading back to college next week) and she does this all the time. Our trip 2 years ago she threw her stuff in her bag practically on the way out the door and arrived at the Poly without a bathing suit. She didn't like anything they had for sale there (or probably more like she didn't want to spend the $100 and we weren't going to spring for it for her!). Anyways, it was a long week with no pool time, but the next trip there were 2 suits in her bag! I guess I'm fed up with this & am becoming a bit of a hard a$$!

Anyways ... hope you have a great trip! I know you are very ready for it.

 

[HallsofVA]

Just returned home yesterday from 5 nts at the Poly. (We're in the DC area, so glad we flew home yesterday than this weekend!) We had a great time! We'd booked the Poly on a 40% off PIN code, paying for the cheapest category of room. It turns out our room had a great view for the MK fireworks every night at 10pm. That was a bonus! We also got to see the light parade one evening.

We only got to use the pool one afternoon, and had to leave it early because of a huge rain storm that came up. Luckily the darkening clouds and winds were enough indication that the storm was coming that we were able to make it back to the room before the storm hit. The volcano pool was extremely crowded, and while we didn't have to get wristbands, I noticed everyone coming into the pool in the last 30 minutes we were there had wristbands.

My favorite part - Dole whips! Also liked the Tonga Toast at Kona. And I didn't really realize the "day bed" was the same sort of couch bed they have on the Disney cruise ships, so it was great the DD and DS didn't have to share a bed for 5 nights.

Downside - The arcade was closed the first few days of our stay, but reopened on Wednesday. They put in new carpeting, so there was a heavy new carpet smell as you passed the arcade. There was also a large group of conference attendees which added to some of the traffic leaving in the morning and returning in the afternoon. We also realized that the luau filled up lots of the parking spaces close to the door, which then opened up again after 9pm. They were also painting in the great house, which led us to dodge wet paint signs. Be prepared if you have a sensitivity to smells, though it wasn't very "smelly" paint.

 

[princssdisnygina]

Just returned home yesterday from 5 nts at the Poly. (We're in the DC area, so glad we flew home yesterday than this weekend!) We had a great time! We'd booked the Poly on a 40% off PIN code, paying for the cheapest category of room. It turns out our room had a great view for the MK fireworks every night at 10pm. That was a bonus! We also got to see the light parade one evening.

We only got to use the pool one afternoon, and had to leave it early because of a huge rain storm that came up. Luckily the darkening clouds and winds were enough indication that the storm was coming that we were able to make it back to the room before the storm hit. The volcano pool was extremely crowded, and while we didn't have to get wristbands, I noticed everyone coming into the pool in the last 30 minutes we were there had wristbands.

My favorite part - Dole whips! Also liked the Tonga Toast at Kona. And I didn't really realize the "day bed" was the same sort of couch bed they have on the Disney cruise ships, so it was great the DD and DS didn't have to share a bed for 5 nights.

Downside - The arcade was closed the first few days of our stay, but reopened on Wednesday. They put in new carpeting, so there was a heavy new carpet smell as you passed the arcade. There was also a large group of conference attendees which added to some of the traffic leaving in the morning and returning in the afternoon. We also realized that the luau filled up lots of the parking spaces close to the door, which then opened up again after 9pm. They were also painting in the great house, which led us to dodge wet paint signs. Be prepared if you have a sensitivity to smells, though it wasn't very "smelly" paint.

Sounds like an overall great trip!

So... you paid for a garden view and got a theme park view?

 

[guitarob]

Ok, so I don't have Irene level problems and for that, I am thankful -- and praying for all those affected by the storm.

We are headed to Poly next Friday -- my first trip to Poly in 34 years -- yep, I'm that old! I just pulled up the forecast and it is RAIN every single day. I keep telling myself that it might be just showers -- but I'm really starting to panic and wondering if we should move our reservations to save some $$$. I really wanted to spend some time at the Volcano Pool -- we have a lot of downtime built into this vacation. And, I think I'm just over-reacting. We do go to WDW about 4 times a year -- but the Poly is a definite splurge for us and I want it to be good....

We have a room-only reservation because we are AP holders so we can move our ressie up until the day of check-in.

Going to WL saves us 400.00
Going to Coronado Springs saves us 800.00
Going to Riverside - saves us 900.00 -- not really into this resort.

What would you do????

Personally, I'd stick with the Poly. The weather forecast usually predicts rain daily, especially this time of the year. It usually manifests itself as a shower for an hour or so in the mid-late afternoon. That's just how the weather is down there.

I'll take a rainy day in Disney over a sunny day here any day of the year

Enjoy your trip!!!

 

[princssdisnygina]

Ok, so I don't have Irene level problems and for that, I am thankful -- and praying for all those affected by the storm.

We are headed to Poly next Friday -- my first trip to Poly in 34 years -- yep, I'm that old! I just pulled up the forecast and it is RAIN every single day. I keep telling myself that it might be just showers -- but I'm really starting to panic and wondering if we should move our reservations to save some $$$. I really wanted to spend some time at the Volcano Pool -- we have a lot of downtime built into this vacation. And, I think I'm just over-reacting. We do go to WDW about 4 times a year -- but the Poly is a definite splurge for us and I want it to be good....

We have a room-only reservation because we are AP holders so we can move our ressie up until the day of check-in.

Going to WL saves us 400.00
Going to Coronado Springs saves us 800.00
Going to Riverside - saves us 900.00 -- not really into this resort.

What would you do????

I would personally just stay at the Poly. I would hate for you to regret not staying there if you chose to move. However, the WL is my second favorite deluxe so IF you truly felt like you need to move that is the way I would go... HOWEVER, I would stay at the Poly!

 

[ProudMommyof2]

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!!!!

 

[woodkins]

Ok, so I don't have Irene level problems and for that, I am thankful -- and praying for all those affected by the storm.

We are headed to Poly next Friday -- my first trip to Poly in 34 years -- yep, I'm that old! I just pulled up the forecast and it is RAIN every single day. I keep telling myself that it might be just showers -- but I'm really starting to panic and wondering if we should move our reservations to save some $$$. I really wanted to spend some time at the Volcano Pool -- we have a lot of downtime built into this vacation. And, I think I'm just over-reacting. We do go to WDW about 4 times a year -- but the Poly is a definite splurge for us and I want it to be good....

We have a room-only reservation because we are AP holders so we can move our ressie up until the day of check-in.

Going to WL saves us 400.00
Going to Coronado Springs saves us 800.00
Going to Riverside - saves us 900.00 -- not really into this resort.

What would you do????

It's summer in Florida, it always rains every day, you will be fine. As fast as he rain comes in it goes back out. We had a forecast for one of our trips like that and ended up not getting even one sprinkle. Keep the Poly!!

 

[HallsofVA]

Sounds like an overall great trip!

So... you paid for a garden view and got a theme park view?

I asked when I checked in if they had any "upgraded" rooms, and was told that they didn't have any upgrades available, and that our room was a regular garden view room. We did have a view of a grassy area, and were right off the path that everyone walks to get to the luau, but our room looked out toward water. While we could only see the very top of the castle because of some trees (we were on the 2nd floor), we had a perfect break in between the trees to see the fireworks.

 

[princssdisnygina]

90 DAYS!

 

[Slatas]

one month......woo hoo

 

[bluejasmine]

I always worry about the weather right before my trips too but here in the south it rains on and off during the summer, most times(not all) its a short shower.. I try not to put too much stake in the forecast b/c its wrong alot of the time..

I also hope for few showers b/c I have alot of pool time scheduled for afternoon breaks but it will all work out Im sure!!

 

[logpey]

Ok, so I don't have Irene level problems and for that, I am thankful -- and praying for all those affected by the storm.

We are headed to Poly next Friday -- my first trip to Poly in 34 years -- yep, I'm that old! I just pulled up the forecast and it is RAIN every single day. I keep telling myself that it might be just showers -- but I'm really starting to panic and wondering if we should move our reservations to save some $$$. I really wanted to spend some time at the Volcano Pool -- we have a lot of downtime built into this vacation. And, I think I'm just over-reacting. We do go to WDW about 4 times a year -- but the Poly is a definite splurge for us and I want it to be good....

We have a room-only reservation because we are AP holders so we can move our ressie up until the day of check-in.

Going to WL saves us 400.00
Going to Coronado Springs saves us 800.00
Going to Riverside - saves us 900.00 -- not really into this resort.

What would you do????

Hello,

We went late July and a tropical storm was making its way thru Orlando, It originally said rain everyday as well, so I was bummed. It turns out that it only rained one afternoon, period the whole trip, my DH said he thought the weather report meant it would just rain in afternoon. Either way, I wouldn't trust and base anything off a weather report because most of the time, its incorrect (very fickle), that was the place & week you were suppose to go! What if you switch to other week and it rains all that week, what if you switch resorts --all on your mind will be the POLY,! I would rather be rained on at the POLY than anywhere else. WL would be a good alternative if you decide to switch, because IF it did rain, your within one building, the other two you would really be walking around in a mess (distance from main building) Whatever you decide, have a great trip & enjoy! After all you're still going to WDW!

 

[BreezysMom]

I love all the dancing!!! I hope your trips are magical

I hope all the Poly lovers in the path of Irene are doing OK?

I guess I am at 8 weeks from departure myself. DD and I are trying to figure out a countdown calender.

I was browsing our Disney pics from past trips and I have to share my walk down Disney memory lane. Our tradition is to take a picture with Tiki Dude, as we refer to him, outside the Figi Longhouse heading to the Luau cove. I just can't believe how quickly these kiddos grow up! I am looking forward to taking another one this year

Oct 2007

Dec 2008

Oct 2009

I have said this before...planning a Disney trip is like planning a wedding. It is decisions after decisions, discussions on top of discussions...then you finally make reservations, wait for hours to be released, get your plan together, make your lists, read the boards, then pay off the balance milestone hits and then screeeeech!!!!! You wait....... The mailbox gets more attention in the last 45 days of waiting then it does all year

For me it is 7 weeks of waiting to start to pack (DH would commit me if I touched the suitcases one day before a week prior ) Oh sure, there is picking stuff up at the store here and there that you will need for the trip. Maybe placing items in the "Disney Box" so I don't forget to pack but we wait.

So here is to all the late October Poly guests Here is to waiting for our trips!

Happy planning all