Aloha! ***Welcome to the NEW Poly FAQ***

[BreezysMom]

Thank you all

It was practically the only good shot I got the whole trip, haha. That was after being chased by a duck - it was quacking, so I decided to quack back at it.

Was it a funny looking mean duck? There was one there in the fall that was just nasty!! It was amazing how he terrorized guests so much. Poor DD was petrified of him.

Maybe you should get chased by ducks more often if it will help get more photos like that

 

[PolynesianLily]

Was it a funny looking mean duck? There was one there in the fall that was just nasty!! It was amazing how he terrorized guests so much. Poor DD was petrified of him.

Maybe you should get chased by ducks more often if it will help get more photos like that

That looks like an evil duck!

And now they scare me, haha. Never mind the "don't feed them", I'm going to now say "Don't mock ducks"

My mom keeps bugging me with the "hey remember when you got chased by that duck?"

 

[BreezysMom]

Maxsmom...here are your pictures. BTW...they are beautiful

To post them just copy the picture link and then click on the insert image (looks like Mountain on a postcard) icon above and paste the link in the box and it will post your pic!

 

[carlnix30]

Great pics everyone thanks!

 

[Wee Annie]

Hi all!

We are going to the Poly in April -- April 23 - 29th, and are beyond excited to be going! We were actually supposed to be going last April around this time, but my youngest daughter was diagnosed with leukemia, was very very ill, and we were in the midst of very intensive treatments. We have received medical clearance for her to go this April, though, and will actually be there (staying off site) on her Make a Wish trip starting 4/17. We are extending our trip and staying on our own dime (clearly) at the Poly on the above dates.

We want this to be a once in a lifetime trip for us because, not to be depressing, but we have no assurances that we will ever be able to return with my youngest (but then again, who of any of us have any assurance that we will be here tomorrow?). So we are splurging galore and are staying CL TPV!!!

So, after this extremely lengthy intro, here's my question: which would you recommend for us to request, a 3rd floor room or a 1st floor room?

We anticipate spending more time in our room (and at our resort in general) than the average family, as our youngest daughter has serious stamina issues (she is on daily chemo meds, among other things). So we want to be able to step out on a patio or balcony while she is resting. The idea of a 1st floor room appeals to me somewhat, as it might be cool for her and my other daughters to be able to just step out the patio doors and walk out (I know someone would have to lock up inside and go out the front door), but I worry about noise levels, especially at night when I understand people accumulate on the beach to watch Wishes. Also, with lower level rooms you can get noise from up above (people clomping around, kids jumping, etc) -- has anyone found this to be a problem?

I'm not unrealistic re expecting that there will be no noise, but if a 3rd floor room has the potential to be less noisy than a 1st floor room, that's what I'd request (and I understand requests are never guaranteed). I just want to have the room be a place where she might be able to get some rest.

We are SO excited to be going (truly an understatement!). I don't get tons of time to read these boards, what with her medical care and other family obligations, and spend time on the MAW thread, but I have already learned a lot about the Poly from this thread. Thanks!!

(PS: I stayed at the Poly for one night with my family in the 1970s -- I know, dates me.... I would guess it has changed a little.)

 

[twinmum]

Hi all!

We are going to the Poly in April -- April 23 - 29th, and are beyond excited to be going! We were actually supposed to be going last April around this time, but my youngest daughter was diagnosed with leukemia, was very very ill, and we were in the midst of very intensive treatments. We have received medical clearance for her to go this April, though, and will actually be there (staying off site) on her Make a Wish trip starting 4/17. We are extending our trip and staying on our own dime (clearly) at the Poly on the above dates.

We want this to be a once in a lifetime trip for us because, not to be depressing, but we have no assurances that we will ever be able to return with my youngest (but then again, who of any of us have any assurance that we will be here tomorrow?). So we are splurging galore and are staying CL TPV!!!

So, after this extremely lengthy intro, here's my question: which would you recommend for us to request, a 3rd floor room or a 1st floor room?

We anticipate spending more time in our room (and at our resort in general) than the average family, as our youngest daughter has serious stamina issues (she is on daily chemo meds, among other things). So we want to be able to step out on a patio or balcony while she is resting. The idea of a 1st floor room appeals to me somewhat, as it might be cool for her and my other daughters to be able to just step out the patio doors and walk out (I know someone would have to lock up inside and go out the front door), but I worry about noise levels, especially at night when I understand people accumulate on the beach to watch Wishes. Also, with lower level rooms you can get noise from up above (people clomping around, kids jumping, etc) -- has anyone found this to be a problem?

I'm not unrealistic re expecting that there will be no noise, but if a 3rd floor room has the potential to be less noisy than a 1st floor room, that's what I'd request (and I understand requests are never guaranteed). I just want to have the room be a place where she might be able to get some rest.

We are SO excited to be going (truly an understatement!). I don't get tons of time to read these boards, what with her medical care and other family obligations, and spend time on the MAW thread, but I have already learned a lot about the Poly from this thread. Thanks!!

Hello...or shall I say ALOHA!!! I recognize you from over on the Wish Trippers thread. I haven't posted there much lately, but I do keep in touch since our son's Wish Trip in Nov 2008. As it turns out, we just came back several days ago from a wonderful trip to the Poly. We stayed in Hawaii as well, and we had a GV 1st floor room. Others can confirm the size of the balcony and how much room you'd have for sitting out etc. My vote is for the 3rd floor room. I think the view would be wonderful from either floor, but perhaps a bit better on the 3rd. It would certainly be quiet with no one above you. The 3rd floor also gives you ready access to the upper lounge. My boys really enjoyed taking their snacks etc up there and watching TV. It was a fairly quiet week amd rarely was anyone else up there. They are 11 year old twins, and they tired of the younger cartoons/shows typically being shown in the 2nd floor lounge. You can consider it an extension of your room, and it would be much more convenient for you than it was for us (we were on the 1st as far away from the lounge as it gets! Not so convenient for our son who is physically disabled, but it certainly gave him some exercise! Our weather wasn't great, so on the one night we were on the beach it seemed a bit crowded to me (there's a speaker right outside Hawaii FYI). There were families with coolers of beer etc...not as magical as I was hoping for...and it might make me think twice about a 1st floor patio near right near the pool.

You'll love Hawaii - great CMs , yummy food, right near the volcano pool etc. If you have other questions, especially anything I might know re: special needs etc, please let me know. We also extended our Wish Trip (we stayed at the Grand Floridian...we splurged too!), so ask away about that if you like (you can also PM me, although I am not on here every day).

Hope this helps!
Alison

 

[Wee Annie]

Alison,

thanks so much for the info -- about as recent an update as I could hope to get! Never thought about the fact that there was 3rd floor access to the lounge, that might definitely tip things in favor of a 3rd floor request. I also do really worry about noise at night from the Wishes crowd on the beach. If anyone who has stayed in a CL LV room on the 1st floor reads this, please chime in and let me know how bad the beach noise is for those rooms in the evenings.

Thanks!

 

[BCV23]

Wee Annie, to you and your entire family.

We've stayed on the first floor of Hawaii a number of times and have never had problems with noise from the beach. If it were to be noisy, that would carry to the third floor as well. We've also not had problems with noise from above. I suppose that could happen if there was a very rowdy family above you but we've not had an issue in many stays at the Polynesian.

There is also access to the lounge from the first floor. The stairwell runs from the first to third floors. The concierge desks are on the first floor, the main part of the lounge with food and beverages is on the second and there is a loft with 2-3 tables and a sitting area with TV on the third. There is also an elevator right next to the area making access easy for everyone.

We've always requested first floor and been very pleased with it. My DH and son love to walk out to the beach. The other floors would be great, too.

Happy planning....you've chosen wisely.

 

[johnsonet]

We've stayed on the first floor of Hawaii a number of times and have never had problems with noise from the beach. If it were to be noisy, that would carry to the third floor as well. We've also not had problems with noise from above. I suppose that could happen if there was a very rowdy family above you but we've not had an issue in many stays at the Polynesian.

First off, WELCOME HOME, BCV23!! Thank you for the live updates while you were away.

And thanks for the Hawaii longhouse info. We've only stayed on the lagoon side once and were on the 3d floor. No problems at all with noise but I would've thought 1st floor might be a different story since there were lots of people on the beach watching... Good to know I know we'd enjoy 1st floor b/c of the patios

Happy planning....you've chosen wisely.

So funny This reminds me of "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade." "You have chosen... wisely."

 

[BCV23]

Thanks, johnsonet! We had a great time and it was wonderful to stay at the Polynesian again.

We'll have to see if other people have had problems with noise from the beach. We haven't. Most people that come for Wishes leave right after it.

I do remember that Tikiman had a problem one 4th of July but I think they tightened things up after that year. And it was just that one night.

Oh, I forgot.....I did steal the "chosen wisely" from IJ. It's a favorite of our younger son.

 

[mmmears]

Wee Annie -- Welcome to the Poly thread!!!

How lovely for you to be able to extend your MAW trip and have some time at the Poly, too!

We stayed in a (now) TPV CL room in Hawaii last year, on the 3rd floor. While we were there during spring break, the beach wasn't really all that crowded during Wishes. I was going to recommend you request the 1st floor, since you'd really have the patio and the whole grassy area as an extension of your room. The balcony is very nice, but with 3 small children, I would prefer the 1st floor, especially if I were planning to spend a good deal of time in our room. That way, the other kids can run around and play outside your room while your little one rests.

Either way, I think you'll love having a TPV room in the Hawaii building -- and you'll have the convenience of being close to both pools, the boat to the MK, and the GCH.

 

[Ricklg3]

Just got back from Poly and was ordering in-room service and they surveyed me about two new items. Pizza and Sushi. I said yes to both. Word is they will be adding Pizza for sure, and perhaps adding Sushi for 2 on the in-room service menu. WHOA!!!!

 

[eeyorepixie]

Wee Annie welcome to our POLY club we are so glad that you are here!

Now I want to know the answer to the question, can you fit chairs out on a 3rd floor balcony or is it as it looks...kind of like a fake balcony? Now I will NOT be lucky enough to be in the Hawaiian building, but thought I would mention is should impact the answer...


Is it me or should we have had a few people returning from the POLY this week???

 

[taylor3297]

Wee Annie welcome to our POLY club we are so glad that you are here!

Now I want to know the answer to the question, can you fit chairs out on a 3rd floor balcony or is it as it looks...kind of like a fake balcony? Now I will NOT be lucky enough to be in the Hawaiian building, but thought I would mention is should impact the answer...


Is it me or should we have had a few people returning from the POLY this week???

You can fit chairs on the balcony.

 

[carlnix30]

Wee Annie welcome to our POLY club we are so glad that you are here!

Now I want to know the answer to the question, can you fit chairs out on a 3rd floor balcony or is it as it looks...kind of like a fake balcony? Now I will NOT be lucky enough to be in the Hawaiian building, but thought I would mention is should impact the answer...


Is it me or should we have had a few people returning from the POLY this week???

third floor balcony has two chairs and a table! last time we went we put our desk pullout table and used the chairs that were out there to have a nice wishes room service meal! on the second floor in select buildings there is no balcony just a fake thing with patio doors! we dont mind either way!

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Wee Annie - can't answer your question regarding the 1st floor rooms in Hawaii (TPV) - but I can tell you that the 3rd floor rooms are the bomb!
You can leave your drapes open and watch the EWP, see the fireworks at MK, and watch the castle change colors all night long!
Whatever you choose, I truly hope you and your family have a most wonderful stay at the Poly. You're all in my prayers. And - I know that if you can all make it to the lounge to watch "Wishes" with the sound piped in - you can rest assured that everyone here on these boards is also wishing that all your wishes come true!
Love,
Gretchen

 

[spacy9]

Here is one of my favorite pictures. Doesn't show much of the resort, it's more of the memory itself. February 2009 was quite cold and it was below freezing on a couple of the nights we were there. My wife and I were bundled up, but not our girls. They are swimming in the background. It just kept getting colder and windier as the sun set.

 

[Veals_Family]

Here is one of my favorite pictures. Doesn't show much of the resort, it's more of the memory itself. February 2009 was quite cold and it was below freezing on a couple of the nights we were there. My wife and I were bundled up, but not our girls. They are swimming in the background. It just kept getting colder and windier as the sun set.

I LOVE THIS PICTURE!!! What a GREAT memory!!!

 

[taylor3297]

I want to know how they were able to swim when it was that cold out?

 

[johnsonet]

...Now I want to know the answer to the question, can you fit chairs out on a 3rd floor balcony or is it as it looks...kind of like a fake balcony?

Here are a couple of pics from the 3d floor of Hawaii:

Super cool pic, spacy9

I want to know how they were able to swim when it was that cold out?

No kidding! The temp would need to be at LEAST 20 degrees higher for me to even SIT by the pool