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

[padawans]

How is the polynesian at Christmas time? I guess I am referring to the decorations.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

50 days from today we will be checking in to the Polynesian for the first time since... 1983!!! Our original reservation was at WL CL but when the AP rates came out in August I wasn't able to get the rate for WL CL and the rate was so good at Poly... But alas no CL there either. Only able to get GV. My parents are coming with us and they have the free dining promotion. We are celebrating their 50th Anniversary! I did not put any room request on our reservation...so confused as to what to request. Would really like a room with balcony or maybe on the first floor. I think we should be near the TTC to take advantage of the monorail to Epcot but close to GCH and Capt Cooks but near to the Volcano Pool - my son is 10 and my sister is 7. I am so confused as to what to request! Thought about leaving it up to chance, but don't know how I feel about that! Any suggestions??
Looking forward to staying at Poly. In our past visits we have stayed at WL 2x (CL), Coronado (upgraded to Jr. Suite), and AKL.
Debbie

Everyone has their favorite longhouses but you will get varied responses on this question. I suggest you take a look at tikiman's website for some really good information on the longhouses to start:

http://www.tikimanpages.com/tiki/quick-longhouses

You can also find a hotel map on the first page of this thread to see the layout of the resort and longhouses.

I wouldn't worry too much though, there isn't really a horrible longhouse in the bunch! As for a higher floor or lower floor (or balcony/patio), that's personal preference. We like a ground floor with a patio to be able to walk out to the grassy area or feel like we have a bit more 'room' to spread out.

I personally like Tokelau because all rooms have a balcony or patio and they all have a decent garden view. I like the location too because it is right next to the east pool where we like to swim and yet it is just around one more building to get to the GCH or volcano pool and a short walk to the TTC.

 

[mickeynut1]

I thought I would share this with the Poly Peeps

My DDs are on the Disney "Let the memories begin" site

http://memories.disneyparks.disney.go.com/detail/41168/

Very cool.....what a great memory .

Woo Hoo!!! Tomorrow I will be checking into the Polynesian!!

Hope you have a great trip......the Poly is an awesome resort .

We'll be there tonight See you around the volcano pool!

Have fun .

My parents have both decided that they agree with my son when he said from now in we will only stay CL at the Poly. We check out of the Grand tomorrow. Time to start planning for next year!

The Poly is a fabulous resort and it's hard to beat . Glad you had a great stay.......hope next year's trip planning is going well .

Only 29 more days until we return to the Poly. We cant wait!

Back at work after a delightful week at the Poly. The Poly is just so lovely--the atmosphere, the CMs, all just so great. I hope everyone there is having a wonderful time!

Glad you had a great trip. Now it's time to start planning the next one .

Wow, all this gushing about the Poly is making me so excited for our first trip to WDW in three weeks. So glad I picked the Poly as our place of stay.

What a great resort for a first stay......you will have a great time. We loved the Poly the minute we checked in .

Less than 46 hours until I arrive at the Poly

Well the Poly gods are messing with me....6 days to go and I am just trying to get through my last 3 days of work. Well wouldn't you know it major flood (I work in a hospital) into the Information Services department and a few other areas. Thank God it missed the servers!!!!! My feet hurt and it's pouring rain here.

Hope work goes fast for the next 6 days.......the Poly will be a great place to relax .

50 days from today we will be checking in to the Polynesian for the first time since... 1983!!! Our original reservation was at WL CL but when the AP rates came out in August I wasn't able to get the rate for WL CL and the rate was so good at Poly... But alas no CL there either. Only able to get GV. My parents are coming with us and they have the free dining promotion. We are celebrating their 50th Anniversary! I did not put any room request on our reservation...so confused as to what to request. Would really like a room with balcony or maybe on the first floor. I think we should be near the TTC to take advantage of the monorail to Epcot but close to GCH and Capt Cooks but near to the Volcano Pool - my son is 10 and my sister is 7. I am so confused as to what to request! Thought about leaving it up to chance, but don't know how I feel about that! Any suggestions??
Looking forward to staying at Poly. In our past visits we have stayed at WL 2x (CL), Coronado (upgraded to Jr. Suite), and AKL.
Debbie

Congratulations to your parents on 50 years. You will find yourself checking in to the Poly before you know it .

 

[mickeynut1]

How is the polynesian at Christmas time? I guess I am referring to the decorations.

The decorations at the Poly are so-so, IMO. We've never stayed there during the holidays (are booked CL this December), but we have visited that time of year and there are not near the decorations as other resorts. I have debated whether or not to switch to the GF or back to the WL for the decorations, but we love the Poly and can't wait to go back .

 

[1971DBday]

Yikes! Just keep chanting "3 more days", "3 more days" ... then you can put work behind you and start gettin' ready for the Poly!

So ready....and still can't shake this cough.....warm Florida weather should do the trick!

Okay silly question and I think I know the answe, but is there any type of blow dryer in the bathroom at the Volcano pool? Last day we don't catch the Magical Depress until 5 pm and we may want to take a quick dip before heading off. Heading back to colder weather we are going to need to blow dry our hair and I may just pack a blow dryer for this....

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

Two more sleeeeeeps 'til WDW!!! More like 1.5, I'm sure. Gotta love all those last minute details.

 

[padawans]

The decorations at the Poly are so-so, IMO. We've never stayed there during the holidays (are booked CL this December), but we have visited that time of year and there are not near the decorations as other resorts. I have debated whether or not to switch to the GF or back to the WL for the decorations, but we love the Poly and can't wait to go back .

Thanks thats what I thought. We are currently booked at Poly in May and yc in Dec so I guess I will leave it alone for now. If I could get the GF with an Ap discount in Dec I would be all over that. I think I am just missing the poly. I haven't been there in like 4 months lol.

 

[maiapapaya]

The decorations at the Poly are so-so, IMO. We've never stayed there during the holidays (are booked CL this December), but we have visited that time of year and there are not near the decorations as other resorts. I have debated whether or not to switch to the GF or back to the WL for the decorations, but we love the Poly and can't wait to go back .

I don't think the Poly's decorations are that bad. They are not the massive trees that you see at GF or WL or AKL, but scale-wise the GCH just couldn't accommodate that. They do have the building decorated though and what is there is appropriate to the theming of the resort. If you're looking for Victorian Christmas or mountain lodge Christmas you're not going to get it at Poly. I guess it's just a matter of preference & what you're looking for.

I don't have a great picture, but they also have hundreds of pointsettias filled in around the edges of the central folliage display in the GCH.

 

[mickeynut1]

Thanks thats what I thought. We are currently booked at Poly in May and yc in Dec so I guess I will leave it alone for now. If I could get the GF with an Ap discount in Dec I would be all over that. I think I am just missing the poly. I haven't been there in like 4 months lol.

The BC/YC is beautiful at Christmas. Our favorite is the WL during the holidays, but the GF runs a very close second . We stayed at the GF this past December and loved it, but I did find myself missing the Poly . The one thing I could do without at the GF is the VERY crowded lobby .

I don't think the Poly's decorations are that bad. They are not the massive trees that you see at GF or WL or AKL, but scale-wise the GCH just couldn't accommodate that. They do have the building decorated though and what is there is appropriate to the theming of the resort. If you're looking for Victorian Christmas or mountain lodge Christmas you're not going to get it at Poly. I guess it's just a matter of preference & what you're looking for.

I don't have a great picture, but they also have hundreds of pointsettias filled in around the edges of the central folliage display in the GCH.

Great pics....thanks for posting them . We were just there in December and I don't remember a tree with the chair....not sure how I missed that . I don't think the Poly decorations are bad, I just meant that they're not as abundant as other resorts .

 

[maiapapaya]

Great pics....thanks for posting them . We were just there in December and I don't remember a tree with the chair....not sure how I missed that . I don't think the Poly decorations are bad, I just meant that they're not as abundant as other resorts .

Oh, I didn't think you were saying they are bad ... my comment was like "ya, (IMO) they're not bad ..." , not like I was saying "well, I don't agree with your thoughts that they are bad." I'm sure that's a clear as mud! It's hard in print to convey inflection & tone!

The tree with the chair was on the upper level straight ahead as you come in through the doors from the monorail. They advertised that at certain times there would even be their Poly "Santa" (that wasn't what they called him, but I can't remember) would be there to greet the kids, though we never saw him.

 

[mickeynut1]

Oh, I didn't think you were saying they are bad ... my comment was like "ya, (IMO) they're not bad ..." , not like I was saying "well, I don't agree with your thoughts that they are bad." I'm sure that's a clear as mud! It's hard in print to convey inflection & tone!

The tree with the chair was on the upper level straight ahead as you come in through the doors from the monorail. They advertised that at certain times there would even be their Poly "Santa" (that wasn't what they called him, but I can't remember) would be there to greet the kids, though we never saw him.

Oh no, I wasn't thinking you said it like that......I agree.....it is hard to convey tone in print. I just wanted to clarify myself so others wouldn't read it as me thinking the decorations were horrible .

That is cool about the Santa . We did take the monorail from there....not sure what I was doing to have missed that . I think it's a cute idea for the kids......as well as us adults .

 

[MamaToDavis]

I just booked our Poly stay for Jan. 8-15!! I am really hoping that an AP rate comes out and we can get it a little cheaper because those rates have gone way up in 3 years . Even with the AAA rate, it still stings. Oh well, I'm sure that I will forget all about that once we check in. It will be the first trip for my youngest and I can't wait to see the look on his face when he sees the castle for the first time!!

I'm sure there are lots of new things to know since our last visit so I'm looking forward to being a part of this thread!

 

[disneydreamin247]

The Poly is a fabulous resort and it's hard to beat . Glad you had a great stay.......hope next year's trip planning is going well .

When even my dad (not the hugest fan of Disney) said the resort was extraordinarily amazing and he really enjoyed himself there I knew it was a hit! My plan to get them hooked with a CL stay at the Poly worked. I even caught him saying "next year..." at the airport yesterday.

So ready....and still can't shake this cough.....warm Florida weather should do the trick!

Okay silly question and I think I know the answe, but is there any type of blow dryer in the bathroom at the Volcano pool? Last day we don't catch the Magical Depress until 5 pm and we may want to take a quick dip before heading off. Heading back to colder weather we are going to need to blow dry our hair and I may just pack a blow dryer for this....

Better to be sick before than during! I came down with a sinus infection that turned into bronchitis during our trip. at least I still have another 5 days off from work to recover. I hope you are in tip top shape for your trip!

Two more sleeeeeeps 'til WDW!!! More like 1.5, I'm sure. Gotta love all those last minute details.

how exciting!!!

 

[pas130]

When even my dad (not the hugest fan of Disney) said the resort was extraordinarily amazing and he really enjoyed himself there I knew it was a hit! My plan to get them hooked with a CL stay at the Poly worked. I even caught him saying "next year..." at the airport yesteday

Great job Dani Welcome home! Sorry those storms held you up. Feel better

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

10 days from today we'll be checking into our CL TPV room ...

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

We're leaving our house in 2 1/2 hours! (I'm leaving work in about 20 minutes). We're off to Buffalo tonight (yum, Cracker Barrel for dinner) and then we're flying out bright and early! I'll be arriving at the Polynesian at 10:30 a.m. for our 3rd Club Level stay

 

[disneydreamin247]

Great job Dani Welcome home! Sorry those storms held you up. Feel better

We made it home safely and that's what really matters! Now, to plan next year's trip.

10 days from today we'll be checking into our CL TPV room ...

We're leaving our house in 2 1/2 hours! (I'm leaving work in about 20 minutes). We're off to Buffalo tonight (yum, Cracker Barrel for dinner) and then we're flying out bright and early! I'll be arriving at the Polynesian at 10:30 a.m. for our 3rd Club Level stay

Have a safe trip!

 

[maiapapaya]

OK kids hold onto your hats!!! Over on FB Tikiman is dropping massive hints about a BIG Poly announcement coming. He said it is "the biggest news in Poly history" and that our days "enjoying the Poly as it is are numbered!"
hmmmmm
I will keep you posted if he spills.
I wonder if it's DVC or the old rumour that they are going to shut the resort down to flatten & rebuild the GCH?!

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

OK kids hold onto your hats!!! Over on FB Tikiman is dropping massive hints about a BIG Poly announcement coming. He said it is "the biggest news in Poly history" and that our days "enjoying the Poly as it is are numbered!"
hmmmmm
I will keep you posted if he spills.
I wonder if it's DVC or the old rumour that they are going to shut the resort down to flatten & rebuild the GCH?!

I'll be sure to take a TON of pictures while we're there just in case it's a massive change next time we're home.

 

[Aristocath]

I just saw Steve's tease about a major Poly announcement. If they close it down for a major rehab/teardown/rebuild that could make the decision for us of a BC or Poly stay on our next big trip.