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

[3KidletsMom]

May I ask why you did this? I'm considering scheduling a split-stay between Poly & BC; so if there's some reason you decided against BC, I'd love to know what it is...

No real specific reason really. We all loved the Poly and while the Beach Club looked great we just weren't "feeling it".

If anything I did have some concerns about the pool because with 3 kids and 2 parents it might have been a challenge, especially since my kids aren't the strongest swimmers.

Whatever you end up doing, have a great vacation!

 

[J'aime Paris]

Wow! How nice. Are you staying CL there?

8 more days for me.

Yes, we are staying CL.

Are you as well?

(Looks like we're arriving same day. Have a magical time!)

 

[J'aime Paris]

I know there is no hot tub at the Poly. Someone tell me about this little jetted cove in the main pool I have heard about. Is that part heated? How does that work, being jetted yet part of the pool?
Looking at the current forecast, it looks like it might be pool weather after all during part of my stay.

I'm not all that great with explanations, but here it goes.

The volcano that is part of the pool has an area where a waterfall dumps water into the pool. It's NOT separate from the pool in any way. The water is not a trickle, but massive amounts of water! If you stand under it, you definately get "massaged". There could be jets there as well, not 100percent sure on that. I don't remember that area being more heated that the rest of the pool.

Also, it has been a couple of years since we've been to Poly, but music had been piped in underwater. DD thought this was way cool! Not sure if it still is, maybe someone knows?

Hope I've helped a bit......have a great trip with your wife!

 

[mom2mek]

Sorry for this somewhat of a dumb question, but bear with me. As our trip gets closer and closer, I'm trying to get the nitty gritty sorted out in my head!

My husband and I stayed at the Poly in May. We arrived via Magical Express, got checked in really quick, walked to our room in Tahiti, and then later our bags arrived from Magical Express. This time we are driving from VA, we will have all 3 kids with us, and lots of luggage. Do we check in, then go back to the car to get out our bags, and get a luggage cart to walk our bags over to our longhouse? What if we are in a really far out longhouse again, like Tahiti (which we loved, BTW, but it would be a hike if we were pushing a cart full of luggage and 3 kids). Or are there golf carts and things that people take you to your longhouse in?

Tikimans’ website says “After you check in you will be given your lei at the Island Guide desk and directed back outside to the valet station and then on to your awaiting cart and island guide.” Does that mean we go back out to our car, get out all of our stuff, and load it onto a golf cart to be brought around?

I'm only asking because I don’t believe I saw this going on when we were there in May. Maybe I just didn’t notice. I thought the golf carts were only for club level guests. Any help is appreciated. I just want to know what to expect when we pull up at the Poly in a little more than 3 weeks!!

Thanks!

Sara

 

[ConcKahuna]

I had requested a pack n play when the reservation was made and the CM said they are in every room in the closet. Is this true? I hadn't hear it before.

I know it's not true at the Poly, I think that's only the case in Vacation Club villas.

I know there is no hot tub at the Poly. Someone tell me about this little jetted cove in the main pool I have heard about. Is that part heated? How does that work, being jetted yet part of the pool?
Looking at the current forecast, it looks like it might be pool weather after all during part of my stay.

There are heated jets that shoot into a little cove on the south-most side of the pool (right near where the "stream" that runs along the path dumps in).

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sou...351,-81.584945&spn=0.000557,0.000849&t=h&z=20

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

No real specific reason really. We all loved the Poly and while the Beach Club looked great we just weren't "feeling it".

If anything I did have some concerns about the pool because with 3 kids and 2 parents it might have been a challenge, especially since my kids aren't the strongest swimmers.

Whatever you end up doing, have a great vacation!

Thank you. And you too!

 

[jandkmom]

Okay - another question for the Poly pros:

My DS has pneumonia and he's been sick for 2 weeks (despite lots of meds and 2 rounds of antibiotics). He's feeling better physically other than a wicked cough. We are trying everything we can to get him better by our trip, but I was worried about accessibility to a drug store while at Poly just in case. Anyone know about drug stores nearby, particularly for those who don't have a car? Any of them deliver? Just want to be prepared.

Thanks.

 

[scanne]

My DS has pneumonia and he's been sick for 2 weeks (despite lots of meds and 2 rounds of antibiotics). He's feeling better physically other than a wicked cough. We are trying everything we can to get him better by our trip, but I was worried about accessibility to a drug store while at Poly just in case. Anyone know about drug stores nearby, particularly for those who don't have a car? Any of them deliver? Just want to be prepared.

I hope your son is feeling better soon!!!

As far as drug stores, my family and I have needed a drug store on two different trips. One was my DS's first trip. He was one and was super, duper "backed up!" I called his pediatrician and they recommended a gently baby laxative thing that could only be purchased at a drug store. We were at AK (park) and the CM's there contacted a local drug store and the items were delivered within an hour. It sure helped my little guy!

The second time we were staying at the WL and my dad got really sick. We think it was food poisoning. Well, the CM's at WL arranged for my dad to be taken to a local clinic to get checked out then they made arrangements with a local drug store to have meds he needed delivered.

The gift shops at the resorts, including the Polynesian, sell items like Pepto, cough meds, tylenol, etc., but if you need a script and it's an emergency, WDW CM's will take care of things and help you out!

I'm sure there are Walgreens, Target and supermarket pharmacies as well around WDW. I'd google "pharmacies around WDW or Lake Buena Vista" and see what you find out.

Again, hope your son feels better soon! Have a magical trip!

 

[Joyciemc]

Don't leave it up to chance. Do a google search for tikiman and you will be led to his website about the Poly. He has a section on each longhouse, with pros and cons for each. Do your research and then put in your request....realizing that of course, it is only a request, nothing is guaranteed.

Personally, we love Tokelau. Oh, and BTW, congrats on your upcoming wedding and honeymoon....and now that I think about it, will it really matter which longhouse you're in???

From one Poly noob to another...
I went round and round wondering the same thing about longhouses. The pics of each look fantastic, and they all seem to shine for various reasons. I studied the Tikiman site for weeks. I had just about decided to just not request anything, then wound up requesting 3rd floor Fiji (marina side). I just loved the views I saw in pics on thread here at the DIS and and elsewhere. Having said that, if I don't get it I won't be disappointed. I just don't want an asphalt parking lot view or an up-close view of a HVAC unit, and apparently the Poly has very few of those.
My suggestion would be to study that Tikiman site, and view all the pics here and on the Poly pic thread. If proximity to any certain feature is going to be important be sure to factor that in your decision making.
I'll let you know how the 3rd floor Fiji thing works out...soon.

We've always left it up to the Tiki gods other than when we're staying club level and also our very last stay. That time I did request Rapa Nui since we were going to be in an accessible room. I wouldn't even do that again.

I think there are two good reasons for not making a request. First of all, every longhouse has its advantages....and fans. Secondly, if the longhouse requested just isn't available it would be a shame to begin a Polynesian vacation feeling disappointed.

Thanks for the suggestions! I'm about to check out the Tikiman site (I have a feeling that's what I'll be doing the rest of this evening )

If we do decide to request a specific longhouse, it'll probably be based on convenience rather than views. DFi could care less what's out the window, and I'd like to see something pretty, but it wouldn't ruin our stay. Last trip we spent more than one evening hanging out on the beach admiring the castle.. how cool will it be to actually have a ROOM there?

On an unrelated note, can I just say how much I love the tiki torches? They are a huge part of why I want to stay at the Poly so badly.. is that odd?

 

[jandkmom]

I hope your son is feeling better soon!!!

As far as drug stores, my family and I have needed a drug store on two different trips. One was my DS's first trip. He was one and was super, duper "backed up!" I called his pediatrician and they recommended a gently baby laxative thing that could only be purchased at a drug store. We were at AK (park) and the CM's there contacted a local drug store and the items were delivered within an hour. It sure helped my little guy!

The second time we were staying at the WL and my dad got really sick. We think it was food poisoning. Well, the CM's at WL arranged for my dad to be taken to a local clinic to get checked out then they made arrangements with a local drug store to have meds he needed delivered.

The gift shops at the resorts, including the Polynesian, sell items like Pepto, cough meds, tylenol, etc., but if you need a script and it's an emergency, WDW CM's will take care of things and help you out!

I'm sure there are Walgreens, Target and supermarket pharmacies as well around WDW. I'd google "pharmacies around WDW or Lake Buena Vista" and see what you find out.

Again, hope your son feels better soon! Have a magical trip!

Thanks so much - it's a relief to hear that the CMs are so helpful if we need something. I'm hoping that we won't have to use any pharmacy, but you never know with my DS lately!!

 

[tiggspring]

I know there is no hot tub at the Poly. Someone tell me about this little jetted cove in the main pool I have heard about. Is that part heated? How does that work, being jetted yet part of the pool?
Looking at the current forecast, it looks like it might be pool weather after all during part of my stay.

I think what you are talking about is a small shelf or seating area on the GCH side of the pool. It has several jets and is heated to the same temp as the rest of the pool which I would say was 98-99 degrees because it felt like body temperature whenever we swam in it.

 

[jtaylor3404]

Sorry for this somewhat of a dumb question, but bear with me. As our trip gets closer and closer, I'm trying to get the nitty gritty sorted out in my head!

My husband and I stayed at the Poly in May. We arrived via Magical Express, got checked in really quick, walked to our room in Tahiti, and then later our bags arrived from Magical Express. This time we are driving from VA, we will have all 3 kids with us, and lots of luggage. Do we check in, then go back to the car to get out our bags, and get a luggage cart to walk our bags over to our longhouse? What if we are in a really far out longhouse again, like Tahiti (which we loved, BTW, but it would be a hike if we were pushing a cart full of luggage and 3 kids). Or are there golf carts and things that people take you to your longhouse in?

Tikimans’ website says “After you check in you will be given your lei at the Island Guide desk and directed back outside to the valet station and then on to your awaiting cart and island guide.” Does that mean we go back out to our car, get out all of our stuff, and load it onto a golf cart to be brought around?

I'm only asking because I don’t believe I saw this going on when we were there in May. Maybe I just didn’t notice. I thought the golf carts were only for club level guests. Any help is appreciated. I just want to know what to expect when we pull up at the Poly in a little more than 3 weeks!!

Thanks!

Sara

We had this question last year and got 0 responses. But I found the general answer on a seemingly unrelated thread. Basically you just pull up as far as you can - near the valet area. Get out of your car and when the CM comes over tell them you will be self-parking (or valet). They will unload your vehicle onto luggage carts (you can unload yourself but you can't take the cart) and after you check in you give them your room info and they will bring it. Last year after they put everything on the cart I parked the car quickly and then went back and checked in. Then walked back out and gave them the room info and they arrived at the room shortly after we did.

Jeff

 

[mom2mek]

We had this question last year and got 0 responses. But I found the general answer on a seemingly unrelated thread. Basically you just pull up as far as you can - near the valet area. Get out of your car and when the CM comes over tell them you will be self-parking (or valet). They will unload your vehicle onto luggage carts (you can unload yourself but you can't take the cart) and after you check in you give them your room info and they will bring it. Last year after they put everything on the cart I parked the car quickly and then went back and checked in. Then walked back out and gave them the room info and they arrived at the room shortly after we did.

Jeff

Thanks Jeff - that is very helpful!

Sara

 

[tiggspring]

Last May when we arrived we drove up to the entrance where cm helped us unlaod our van onto luggage carts and once we knew where we were staying delived it to our room about fifteen minutes later. We did not need to use Valet but Dh used vallet that night because our 16 hour drive turned into 20 when Georgia police colided while chasing a motercycle causing 95 to close for more than 3hrs. We did not want to do anything but take our showers and get to the Luau!

 

[twinmum]

Hello! I am heading to WDW in late February, staying at the Poly for the first time with our twin sons and one of their friends...a Mum and the boys trip!

I have 2 questions I hope you can help with:

1. We're having dinner at Whispering Canyon Cafe one night (my hubby nixed this one on our last trip, just wasn't "in" to it!). Can we take a boat directly there, or what is possible? What boats are used - if it's the smaller ones, we won't be able to use our son's wheelchair, so important to find out. He can use his walker, which folds up better.

2. The boys are very keen to know whether the Poly rooms have iPod docks - very keen to be able to charge those babies up for the flight home...I told them I did not want to see them in use while we have so much to do at WDW!

Thanks!

 

[Stefy]

Out of those two I prefer Fiji mainly because there's a 50% chance you can get a water view for the price of a garden view, it's right near the boat launch to the MK, and very close to the GCH.

Aotearoa is nice too but I just love Fiji more.

So excited for all the folks headed to the Poly soon. I sure wish I was.

Thanx for that. I have two LH requests on my booking, Fiji being No. 1 and Aotearoa No. 2. It was originally just Aotearoa, but after seeing other Diser's pics from Fiji I just loved the look and location. Although I have just realised I forgot to mention Marina side (does that count as LV or GV?). I just requested third floor with balcony.

 

[Tess]

Thanks so much - it's a relief to hear that the CMs are so helpful if we need something. I'm hoping that we won't have to use any pharmacy, but you never know with my DS lately!!

Turner Drugs delivers to the resorts and does it pretty quickly too! A couple of years ago, I contacted my family doctor and a script was phoned in for me from my home pharmacy. The pharmacy also delivered Gatorade and other nonprescription items the doctor requested. It was delivered later that morning. It is a great service for those in need.

 

[kandt]

Hi,
Do the Poly busses to HS and AK share with the GF and CR in the morning? We have requested to be near the TTC, so I was wondering if I should use the TTC busses to those parks because it might be more direct, but I wasn't sure when the TTC busses start running. Also, is the monorail at the Poly stop crowded in the morning? Would it be any better to board the monorail, or take the ferry at the TTC instead? Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[mullii5]

We are going to WDW in late May...I have booked the Poly but I have not told my family that we are staying at the Poly. I'm trying my hardest to wait until we roll up to the resort to surprise them but the stress of keeping the secret is unbearable. I have to tell someone so I could not think of a better place to unburden my conscience than a bunch of Poly fans!!! This is our first time to stay at a deluxe (let alone a monorail resort) and I am beyond excited but I'm also weak ...please, help me to stay strong!!!

 

[jkstewart1800]

Hello! I am heading to WDW in late February, staying at the Poly for the first time with our twin sons and one of their friends...a Mum and the boys trip!

I have 2 questions I hope you can help with:

1. We're having dinner at Whispering Canyon Cafe one night (my hubby nixed this one on our last trip, just wasn't "in" to it!). Can we take a boat directly there, or what is possible? What boats are used - if it's the smaller ones, we won't be able to use our son's wheelchair, so important to find out. He can use his walker, which folds up better.

2. The boys are very keen to know whether the Poly rooms have iPod docks - very keen to be able to charge those babies up for the flight home...I told them I did not want to see them in use while we have so much to do at WDW!

Thanks!

1. Take the boat from the Poly to the MK. Get off and transfer to the WL boat and it will take you directly there. It is fun trip, it takes about 30 minutes or up to 40 if you have to wait for any of the boats.

2. Yes, I believe there are ipod stations built into the clocks on the night stands.... can any one else confirm this?