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

[Venomhatch]

You could always ask to be upgraded... (Sorry couldn't resist)

Andre

Nope, I am good.

Unecessary. I saw you tried to stir the pot twice in the last 12 hours, and peole were encouraging you over on the POR thread. I thought we were all adults & moved on? Obviously not.

I didnt think it was a good call either so sent him a message in por thread.

 

[andrewilley]

Unecessary.

Sorry, I've just added a few extra smilies to my post to re-emphasise that it was intended humorously and not any kind of serious suggestion. I had hoped that was how it would have been read.

[Edit] On second thoughts, posting withdrawn due to the joke being well and truly missed.

Andre

 

[disneydreamin247]

207 days until I hear "Aloha" How will I ever pass the time?

 

[Venomhatch]

Sorry, I've just added a few extra smilies to my post to re-emphasise that it was intended humorously and not any kind of serious suggestion. I had hoped that was how it would have been read.

[Edit] On second thoughts, posting withdrawn due to the joke being well and truly missed.

Andre

Thanks kind sir.

 

[Carrie772]

207 days until I hear "Aloha" How will I ever pass the time?

Disboards? Overplanning? Adding more ressies? Making a pre-scrapbook? Youtube? Designing a post-trip scrapbook binder? Matching t-shirts? Pre-packing? Isn't this what we all do?

 

[jennyjinx3]

Disboards? Overplanning? Adding more ressies? Making a pre-scrapbook? Youtube? Designing a post-trip scrapbook binder? Matching t-shirts? Pre-packing? Isn't this what we all do?

Love it you have described me to a "T"!

DH loves Disney too but wonders how I can amuse myself DAILY with it all!

 

[disneydreamin247]

Disboards? Overplanning? Adding more ressies? Making a pre-scrapbook? Youtube? Designing a post-trip scrapbook binder? Matching t-shirts? Pre-packing? Isn't this what we all do?

I'm missing the Poly so much I can't even concentrate on that. I sat down to make my binder last night and couldn't even think of what to put in it!

 

[Venomhatch]

Disboards? Overplanning? Adding more ressies? Making a pre-scrapbook? Youtube? Designing a post-trip scrapbook binder? Matching t-shirts? Pre-packing? Isn't this what we all do?

Yeah I already want to drag the suitcases out of the attic. When is the earliest everyone else brings out theirs?

 

[i_heart_the_mouse]

Hello all! My family and I are making our first visit to the Poly in June We are a family of 5 (including 3 teenagers ), staying garden view. Since we are an older family of 5, we would like a longhouse with a good chance of a balcony for extra space, we would also prefer to have the double sinks, and we would like to be closer to the ttc than the pool. After much research on this thread as well as Tikiman's site, I think I should request Tahiti, 2nd or 3rd floor? I realize these are only requests Having never been there I'm not sure this is the best one to request. I would appreciate any advice the experts can give me Thanks!

Based on what you have said, I do think that request sounds perfect for your family. I hope you get it!

 

[i_heart_the_mouse]

Yeah I already want to drag the suitcases out of the attic. When is the earliest everyone else brings out theirs?

Well, you could do what I did and just leave them out in my bedroom since we got back in September. (In my defense we had a LOT of icky stuff going on that took up most of my free time)

I all seriousness though, I usually pull them out about a month in advance and start putting things in little by little.

 

[Carrie772]

Yeah I already want to drag the suitcases out of the attic. When is the earliest everyone else brings out theirs?

We (meaning I) actually keep a carry-on under my bed for incidentals like one load tide, handi wipes, throw away ponchos, or goodies that go on sale through the year. It keeps that fire burnin!

 

[maiapapaya]

Hello all! My family and I are making our first visit to the Poly in June We are a family of 5 (including 3 teenagers ), staying garden view. Since we are an older family of 5, we would like a longhouse with a good chance of a balcony for extra space, we would also prefer to have the double sinks, and we would like to be closer to the ttc than the pool. After much research on this thread as well as Tikiman's site, I think I should request Tahiti, 2nd or 3rd floor? I realize these are only requests Having never been there I'm not sure this is the best one to request. I would appreciate any advice the experts can give me Thanks!

I have never stayed in Tahiti myself, but based on other's reports for the criteria you listed it sounds like it's the right choice! There is also a beach infront of Tahiti that not many people use, so it's pretty private. Just make sure that you put "Tahiti" as the first thing when you list your preferences in your request, that way the room assigner knows what your priority is. Good luck!

 

[maiapapaya]

We (meaning I) actually keep a carry-on under my bed for incidentals like one load tide, handi wipes, throw away ponchos, or goodies that go on sale through the year. It keeps that fire burnin!

I keep a box in my closet for the same purpose!

I also bring the suitcases out about a month in advance (although discreet little piles of stuff may start to accumulate before that ... )

 

[PreacherMouse]

Just got my tickets. Found that the Annual Pass is a redemption card for an annual pass. Since I have to have the AP to check in and get my discount that means I need to redeem the card for the AP first. We are coming in on a car service around 7:30 on a Friday.
From what I read here I should be able to hop over to the TTC and get the AP? I hope its as easy as it sounds as we will be anxious to get checked in and then go enjoy the EM at Epcot.
What say ye?

 

[Stasieki]

Being able to stay in the resort of my dreams – went there in the early 80’s with my family, but have never managed to stay there. This includes sitting on the bench by the fountain with my little family for a picture. Same bench I sat on for a picture with my family (parents now divorced after 32 years of marriage)

Spending quality time with my family and our great friends that are coming with us. Our best friends from college - our daughters and thier daughters best of friends (we live in different states now). We have been working way too hard lately.

Trying to “go with the flow” for the first time – even though going the wrong week to do that (Presidents Week). I’m usually commando.

Some new restaurants… Ohana for breakfast and Kona for lunch

Drinking REAL coffee while at Disney

Drinking that REAL coffee hopefully on a balcony early morning while my husband and little girls sleep

Getting my 21 month old first hair cut at the Harmony Barbershop

Having tea at the Grand Floridian with my 6 year old

And, lastly trying a Lapu Lapu by the volcano pool if warm enough

 

[tinacaplan]

Being able to stay in the resort of my dreams – went there in the early 80’s with my family, but have never managed to stay there. This includes sitting on the bench by the fountain with my little family for a picture. Same bench I sat on for a picture with my family (parents now divorced after 32 years of marriage)

Spending quality time with my family and our great friends that are coming with us. Our best friends from college - our daughters and thier daughters best of friends (we live in different states now). We have been working way too hard lately.

Trying to “go with the flow” for the first time – even though going the wrong week to do that (Presidents Week). I’m usually commando.

Some new restaurants… Ohana for breakfast and Kona for lunch

Drinking REAL coffee while at Disney

Drinking that REAL coffee hopefully on a balcony early morning while my husband and little girls sleep

Getting my 21 month old first hair cut at the Harmony Barbershop

Having tea at the Grand Floridian with my 6 year old

And, lastly trying a Lapu Lapu by the volcano pool if warm enough

Hello! I just had to comment on your post, as we'll be at Poly that very same week! And I'm super excited about a lot of the same things. Its also going to be our first time staying at monorail resort. And...yes...real coffee sure sounds great!

Oh, and I've decided that it is going to be warm enough! We've been Pres. Week for the past two years and the first year we were a tad chilly (OK, we were downright cold, but the New Englander in me can't admit it) and the second year, it was in the low 80s and sunny all week. Ah-mazing.

As far as the crowds that week, two words: rope drop!

 

[DisMom72]

Based on what you have said, I do think that request sounds perfect for your family. I hope you get it!

I have never stayed in Tahiti myself, but based on other's reports for the criteria you listed it sounds like it's the right choice! There is also a beach infront of Tahiti that not many people use, so it's pretty private. Just make sure that you put "Tahiti" as the first thing when you list your preferences in your request, that way the room assigner knows what your priority is. Good luck!

Exactly what I was hoping to hear! Thanks so much

 

[OooDeLally]

Not sure if this is the place to post this, but

The past few years we have stayed at the Poly and loved it. We wanted to venture out this year, and we really excited to stay at the Contemporary. Minimalist decor, lots of time to chat due to the long walk to the monorail and MK (we stayed in the Garden Wing), awkard sliding doors in the bathroom which do not lock and give minimal privacy, a nice television you can only see from one of the beds. And if you like going to boring work conferences, you will love the non-Disney feeling of this resort!

But seriously, I didn't expect to miss the Poly so much. The staff are friendlier, the atmosphere was more exciting, the walk to GCH was prettier. And the GCH has so much to offer (beautiful scenery, pool-view/castle-view/fireworks view, all of which you can enjoy without having to eat at a restaurant), which you don't realize until you compare it to the Grand Canyon Snooze-course. At CR, I felt like I was staying in a Holiday Inn. The only plus for CR was two sinks in the bathroom, but using the two meant having zero counterspace, so we threw a towel over one of them to hold our toiletries. We did make it to Ohana for dinner one night, and it was so hard to leave the Poly that evening!

The Poly makes us feel like we were on a vacation-within-a-vacation.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

May I ask is there a master list of must have drinks and what they may taste like or your descriptions?

I really enjoyed the Island Sunset last time. It is a frozen drink but was nice to get at the bar and walk around the shops to drink it. The lapu lapus are a must to get - but only one! They are expensive and quite strong (so strong, I usually mix it with another drink). My favorite is the poolside lemonade with LIGHT lemonade, vodka, and a pomegrante liquor. It is a bit lower in calories than the other drinks and really sippable. Another favorite is the backscratcher. It's a tropical but strong drink and they give you a bamboo back scratcher with it! With two kids, you are obligated to get two drinks

Oh and by the way I've never done the luau, would love some comments on that as well. I've known a few people that said it was ok but wouldn't do it again, so looking for some better reviews!

Anyhow. Fellow members that have been to the luau show, is it good? How long is the show? Do they have more than one show per night?

On our last trip to the Poly, and our fourth trip, I finally tried the luau. It was not worth it to us. We were on the dining plan and were put in the 3rd category way in the back. It was difficult to see everything. While the dancers and fire thrower were good, the rest of the show was definitely cheesy and not worth it. The food was ok but the dessert was really bad. I also did not like how they made you wait to get in, wait for the bathrooms, wait to get out, etc. I have been to real luaus and shows in Tahiti and Hawaii so I think I am biased. IF I had category 1, I would probably have a better opinion of the show. But I didn't and I don't need to go back.

While certainly not the best show going (Hoop De Doo Revue, IMHO) the Luau is a really great show/dinner/thingtodoindisneyworld... that often gets overlooked. While we don't do it EVERY time we go, we do like to do it every couple of visits.

HI guitarob!!! I haven't seen you around. Are you going to get back to the Poly this year? With all the activity on the thread, it looks like we'll hit our mark not too much longer. So I wanted to say thanks again for this thread. Your descriptions and pictures are the BEST out of any resort thread (in my opinion of course) and I always refer back to it to show my friends and family.

Anyways... can someone give me insight on the Kids Club? Would the younger crowd (age 4-7) enjoy it? We really don't have any adult only nights planned so would they rather be in the parks with us or at the Kids Club?

Thanks!

My kids have done the Neverland club a few times. They have also done the Dens club at WL. The Dens club was fine but they definitely prefer the Neverland club. They ASK to go to this and now we build in two nights per vacation to go there (if we are staying at the Poly). It gives me and DH a nice evening on our own and the kids love it. They have dinner, video games, movies, dress up and they get to hang out with other kids. We use the 15% coupon that comes in the package but it is still pretty pricey - but sooo worth it. One of the few items at Disney I rate a 10!!!!

As I have said, we will be first timers at the Poly Jan 27 to Feb 1. I will have an ECV due to chronic knee issues. Any recommendations on that? Also, my DS14 will be with me and we are already going to The Spirit luau and have a ressie for Kona Cafe breakfast. Any other "musts" at The Poly?
My son is a teenage boy all the way but he is a Disney fanatic like myself so he would be the type that would be open to about anything there.

By the way we have GV and I already requested Tokelau (sp?) and 3rd floor.

Did I say I am really excited????

The Poly has a marina that you can rent boats and such. They also have bikes for rental. And they have volleyballs if you want to have a game on the beach - looking at Cindy's castle!!! Just use your keycard to 'check out' any sporting equipment.

If your family would like a day or half day at the pool, I highly recommend the cabanas!!!

And what is so cool about being on the monorail is that you can quickly get to GF or Contemporary to eat, shop, or hang out.

Have fun!

Ok - I have to know - is the Tonga Toast really all that people are saying it is and about the Kona coffee - is it a blend or is it straight Kona??

Tonga Toast is served at Kona cafe but also at the quick serve Captain Cooks. It is a huge piece of bread filled with banana and fried and topped with cinnamon sugar. I think it is just ok. It's certainly worth trying if the description sounds good to you. But I prefer my mickey waffles

Hi Poly folks - haven't stopped by lately!

Did anyone see/post the info Tikiman has on his update about new TV stations being added at the Poly (I'm guessing other deluxes will get some changes too). Now I don't go to Disney to watch TV, but this still makes me very happy. We usually go back to the room early-ish and I have always hated the TV choices.

He says these are being added, starting tomorrow, 1/13:
Fox News

· Bravo

· AMC

· National Geographic

· TBS &TNT

· Travel Channel

· WE tv

· Syfy

· Discovery

· Bio

· HGTV

· TLC

· History

· Food Network

· TV Land


And if someone already posted this, I apologize, but I didn't have time to read through the thread!

This is GREAT news! While we don't go to Disney to watch TV either, we do like to enjoy some different shows. I get a bit tired of all the Disney pre-teen shows I hope they put more channels in the other resorts as well!

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Not sure if this is the place to post this, but

The past few years we have stayed at the Poly and loved it. We wanted to venture out this year, and we really excited to stay at the Contemporary. Minimalist decor, lots of time to chat due to the long walk to the monorail and MK (we stayed in the Garden Wing), awkard sliding doors in the bathroom which do not lock and give minimal privacy, a nice television you can only see from one of the beds. And if you like going to boring work conferences, you will love the non-Disney feeling of this resort!

But seriously, I didn't expect to miss the Poly so much. The staff are friendlier, the atmosphere was more exciting, the walk to GCH was prettier. And the GCH has so much to offer (beautiful scenery, pool-view/castle-view/fireworks view, all of which you can enjoy without having to eat at a restaurant), which you don't realize until you compare it to the Grand Canyon Snooze-course. At CR, I felt like I was staying in a Holiday Inn. The only plus for CR was two sinks in the bathroom, but using the two meant having zero counterspace, so we threw a towel over one of them to hold our toiletries. We did make it to Ohana for dinner one night, and it was so hard to leave the Poly that evening!

The Poly makes us feel like we were on a vacation-within-a-vacation.

I completely understand what you mean! We stayed at VWL last May and I really missed the Poly. The only thing I liked better at VWL was the 1 bdr villa option. So I convinced my DH to go back to Poly last October. He loves the Poly too and the kids do too! I am upset they filled in the east pool though. We enjoyed the deep end. We still managed to enjoy it though