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

[tiggspring]

We are staying at POFQ 4/21 - 4/27 on the military offer; me, dh, DS4 & DS9. I was happy with this resort, it is small, has a good pool/slide, etc. Well today the thought of changing to the Poly popped into my head (aaahhhh ). Me an DH stayed there for three nights in Sept and I LOVED it! It was so nice to be on the monorail.

Now I'm thinking of changing back to the Poly and I'm trying to justify the extra money. We are only going to MK (2x), EP and AK (4 day tickets), so being on the monorail would be so convenient of not having to rely on buses, which means we could sleep in a little later........... They have a cool pool which the kids would enjoy........... the kids could play on the beach (sand, not the nasty water)............... If Disney does't offer military deals after this year, we may not get a chance to stay there as there is no way I would pay rack rate (I'm telling myself better do it while I can with the kids ). Our trip in Sept was so relaxing and the Poly just makes me think that this trip will also me more relaxing............

Give me some more reasons why we should change................. has anyone stayed at both and likes POFQ better than the Poly?? (is that even possible? he he)

FYI the 30-40perct off is going on until June 3rd would this save you more than the military discount? If you stay at the Poly, one of our favorite memories was watching wishes on the Tahiti beach. DH and I in hammock kids playing in the sand and we were totally alone. No music but it was a quiet way to end a very busy day with no meltdowns .

 

[Momtomouselover]

I really, really, really want to upgrade to CL at the Poly...someone talk me out of it! It is just so much more money than the standard priced rooms. I love being able to eat bfast without leaving the building though since I'm traveling with a young one not so fond of restaurants, I love the key lock entry, I love the location, I love having drinks available when needed, I love.... alas, it just doesn't seem worth the extra this time.

Anyone know if you try to upgrade when you get there can you get discounted upgrade rates?

Ha, maybe I'll get a magical upgrade but since I know these are rare I certainly don't expect it. I haven't even put in a building request since I'm not sure where to request to go...near TTC, near the CS area?? near the beach for the Fireworks? I hate decisions so maybe I'll leave it all up to chance and hope for a bit of magic with a nice view, or location

 

[tiggspring]

I really, really, really want to upgrade to CL at the Poly...someone talk me out of it! It is just so much more money than the standard priced rooms. I love being able to eat bfast without leaving the building though since I'm traveling with a young one not so fond of restaurants, I love the key lock entry, I love the location, I love having drinks available when needed, I love.... alas, it just doesn't seem worth the extra this time.

Anyone know if you try to upgrade when you get there can you get discounted upgrade rates?

Ha, maybe I'll get a magical upgrade but since I know these are rare I certainly don't expect it. I haven't even put in a building request since I'm not sure where to request to go...near TTC, near the CS area?? near the beach for the Fireworks? I hate decisions so maybe I'll leave it all up to chance and hope for a bit of magic with a nice view, or location

I received an upgrade 15yrs ago at PO byou from parking lot to pool view.didn't think views mattered but loved the garden/pool location. If you want a chance at a CL upgrade I would assume your best chance would be if you had a MKV or Lagoon view. If I were Disney uprading a MKV to CL would make that family happy then they could move two other families up the chain making them happy too. BTW the MKV is amazing and worth the extra even without the upgrade. I was wrong sometimes the view does matter

 

[eeyorepixie]

o.k. I am in the 50's now of the thread, so here is my first question (of a million, I am sure)

So my head is hurting because I am going to make my reservations in Feb.
I am trying to figure out what room request I should make

so here is what I think what is important to my family

To be near the volcano pool
I would be heart broken if I got a parking lot view this trip(last trip at POR we had a view of the parking lot)

I would love a balcony to have my morning coffee on.


Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Pamela

 

[BreezysMom]

o.k. I am in the 50's now of the thread, so here is my first question (of a million, I am sure)

So my head is hurting because I am going to make my reservations in Feb.
I am trying to figure out what room request I should make

so here is what I think what is important to my family

To be near the volcano pool
I would be heart broken if I got a parking lot view this trip(last trip at POR we had a view of the parking lot)

I would love a balcony to have my morning coffee on.


Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Pamela

Third floor Samoa might be a good request. It is adjacent to the pool and there is no parking lot around to be seen

Or you can just request "third floor close to pool".

Here is a map of the Poly, it may help you with some decisions along with Tikimans site. Poly Map

Have fun planning

 

[tiggspring]

o.k. I am in the 50's now of the thread, so here is my first question (of a million, I am sure)

So my head is hurting because I am going to make my reservations in Feb.
I am trying to figure out what room request I should make

so here is what I think what is important to my family

To be near the volcano pool
I would be heart broken if I got a parking lot view this trip(last trip at POR we had a view of the parking lot)

I would love a balcony to have my morning coffee on.


Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Pamela

IMHO the longhouses with the most views of the parking lot would be RapaNui
Rarotonga, Tonga of monorail over head and Aotearoa with monorail. It seems impossable that the other Longhouses would have that kind of view because of their location. If you look at pg 98 post 1461 one of our posters had a FANTASTIC garden view overlooking the marina and pool from Fiji. This would be a Garden view to die for! Check out the Tikiman web site if you want to see views from every Longhouse

 

[lissiesmum]

You sure can My only suggestion is that is you want it daily, you should call every day and request it. I have heard that it is spotty otherwise.

/QUOTE]

Thank you all for your repsonses, this is a great thing and I will be sure to call each day to request it. Someone mentioned tipping for this...when, where, and how much would you tip for this service?

Give me some more reasons why we should change................. has anyone stayed at both and likes POFQ better than the Poly?? (is that even possible? he he)

I have almost stayed at POFQ three times...but have never made it there as I've ended up at deluxes instead. I agree with a PP that the discounts are so good to pass up right now, and who knows if and when they will be offered again. I have been scrimping all year, because I knew if there was a theme park view available at the Poly during the 4/3 deal, I was going to be all over it because I would never be able to afford it at the rack rates. When I booked, there were no rooms avail at the Poly except garden view, so I booked at another hotel and kept looking and a few days ago, TPV opened up so Poly here we come! It is an opportunity I will probably not have for many years to come, so I am taking advantage of it while I can, and making our dreams come true. If you can afford it, do it now while you can, because you never know what the future holds...

 

[Therinian]

I read in that FANTASTIC info packet at the beginning of this thread that Dole Whips are served at Captain Cook's. This is fantastic news for me; I like them immensely, yet sometimes visit WDW and don't go to the parks (I like sight-seeing in the resorts because it's less crowded).

I've always thought that if I wanted a delicious Dole Whip, I'd have to go into Magic Kingdom. Glad to know that's not the case!

Which leads me to my question: Does anyone know how much the Dole Whips at Captain Cook's are?

 

[tiggspring]

You sure can My only suggestion is that is you want it daily, you should call every day and request it. I have heard that it is spotty otherwise.

/QUOTE]

Thank you all for your repsonses, this is a great thing and I will be sure to call each day to request it. Someone mentioned tipping for this...when, where, and how much would you tip for this service?



I have almost stayed at POFQ three times...but have never made it there as I've ended up at deluxes instead. I agree with a PP that the discounts are so good to pass up right now, and who knows if and when they will be offered again. I have been scrimping all year, because I knew if there was a theme park view available at the Poly during the 4/3 deal, I was going to be all over it because I would never be able to afford it at the rack rates. When I booked, there were no rooms avail at the Poly except garden view, so I booked at another hotel and kept looking and a few days ago, TPV opened up so Poly here we come! It is an opportunity I will probably not have for many years to come, so I am taking advantage of it while I can, and making our dreams come true. If you can afford it, do it now while you can, because you never know what the future holds...

EXACTLY!!!

Glad you got your MKV when we stayed last May in Tahiti if felt like we had the castle all to ourselves in our back yard. It was magical espcially at night with the kids trying to sleep and DH and I on the balcony watching the castle change color til 2am or so. mmmmmm cant wait to do it again!!!!!! Never had a room with a view before now I'm spoiled. At CR the views also show the parking lot and at GF the castle is off at an angle and the Fireworks show up at its side. Only at Poly do you have that fantastic view with fireworks behind right from your balcony.

We enjoyed POFQ as a couple. We loved strolling throught the gardens at night. Very romantic. I think those rooms would be very crowded with kids espcially with the trundle..not much of a vaca if you are tripping over kids. Thats why we stayed home past several years. Dont want to spend money and fight the whole time because we had to cheap out on the hotel. Would rather camp and be outdoors with DD,DS,DD.


Have a great trip!

 

[tiggspring]

I read in that FANTASTIC info packet at the beginning of this thread that Dole Whips are served at Captain Cook's. This is fantastic news for me; I like them immensely, yet sometimes visit WDW and don't go to the parks (I like sight-seeing in the resorts because it's less crowded).

I've always thought that if I wanted a delicious Dole Whip, I'd have to go into Magic Kingdom. Glad to know that's not the case!

Which leads me to my question: Does anyone know how much the Dole Whips at Captain Cook's are?

We loved them too and thought they were only at the Poly. Now we will look in MK too!

 

[tiggspring]

Try the menues at allears.net or the snack thread. Both try to post prices.

 

[mmmears]

We loved them too and thought they were only at the Poly. Now we will look in MK too!

You can find Dole Whips in Adventureland...

 

[eeyorepixie]

ok I have read every page and devoured the tikiman site.

Here is what I am thinking...

I think Samoa is the longhouse I would pick, but I am woried to request this because tikiman said this is the most requested building and there probably a good chance I may not get it.

so maybe I should pick tokeleau (spelling?) and increase my chances of getting my request met.

or should

I just say 3rd floor Samoa or Tokeleu?

I do have 3 kids so to much walking would be a pain and I know my kids will live at the volcano pool or at least want to live there.

is my logic off? any opinions?

 

[BCV23]

ok I have read every page and devoured the tikiman site.

Here is what I am thinking...

I think Samoa is the longhouse I would pick, but I am woried to request this because tikiman said this is the most requested building and there probably a good chance I may not get it.

so maybe I should pick tokeleau (spelling?) and increase my chances of getting my request met.

or should

I just say 3rd floor Samoa or Tokeleu?

I do have 3 kids so to much walking would be a pain and I know my kids will live at the volcano pool or at least want to live there.

From what you've described, I think I would request balcony near the pool or vice versa depending on which is more important to you. But the Polynesian is not too spread out. We've been in Rapa Nui quite a few times and don't find the walk to the volcano pool long at all.

When I've requested turndown, I have just made one call at the beginning of the trip and had good luck.

 

[eeyorepixie]

From what you've described, I think I would request balcony near the pool or vice versa depending on which is more important to you. But the Polynesian is not too spread out. We've been in Rapa Nui quite a few times and don't find the walk to the volcano pool long at all.

When I've requested turndown, I have just made one call at the beginning of the trip and had good luck.

the #1 thing I do not want is a parking lot view for me. secondary is a balcony to have coffee on.

for my kids near the pool would be great.

If it was just me and DH I would pick Figi 3rd floor because it looks like all the views are pretty. Drat those darn kids!

 

[BreezysMom]

ok I have read every page and devoured the tikiman site.

Here is what I am thinking...

I think Samoa is the longhouse I would pick, but I am woried to request this because tikiman said this is the most requested building and there probably a good chance I may not get it.

so maybe I should pick tokeleau (spelling?) and increase my chances of getting my request met.

or should

I just say 3rd floor Samoa or Tokeleu?

I do have 3 kids so to much walking would be a pain and I know my kids will live at the volcano pool or at least want to live there.

is my logic off? any opinions?

My understanding is that is you put the most important request 1st i.e., third floor and then the two longhouses that it gives them more options to work with.

I am planning our fourth trip to the Poly and it is still my biggest "worry" if you will, and that is location I should know better! For our first trip I drove myself nuts and in the end decided to just ask for a third floor and let the Tiki Gods take it from there. We had a fabulous third floor room in Figi. Now we stay CL so I know where I will be, now I just fret about my third floor request...

I think if you make sure "third floor and near the pool" is a priority you will get something nice. Also, when you get there and you get your assignment, if it is a location you really are not happy with ask if there is anything else available? It never hurts to ask. I have always found the check in CMs to be very helpful.

 

[BreezysMom]

the #1 thing I do not want is a parking lot view for me. secondary is a balcony to have coffee on.

for my kids near the pool would be great.

If it was just me and DH I would pick Figi 3rd floor because it looks like all the views are pretty. Drat those darn kids!

Actually, Figi is a nice location near the pool and Captain Cooks. It is a farther walk to the TTC but I liked it's short proximity to all the action. I Figi a lot!

I too am a lover of my coffee on the balcony and reading in the evenings. The Poly is so lovely that any walking that you may have to "endure" will beautiful and tranquil.

 

[eeyorepixie]

Thanks, I swear I live and breathe to fret over these matters and the fact that it is the POLY my dream resort my fretting is heightened!

My husband was ribbing me last night saying I have gone off the deep end

But he knows there is no stopping me... the good thing is he knows it is my dream resort so he has been telling me to crunch the numbers again and see if we can stay longer

I hope this will result in him giving me more money at tax time, but the flights this year are much higher so for me it is up in the Air (pun intended)

So as it stands minimum 4 days with the hope of 7 days.

I have decided to do what has been suggested, I will ask for a 3rd floor near volcano pool.

The good thing is I go during value season so hopefully if I really was unhappy I could get another location.

Thanks so much for this thread!!!!!!!!!

 

[BCV23]

the #1 thing I do not want is a parking lot view for me. secondary is a balcony to have coffee on.

for my kids near the pool would be great.

If it was just me and DH I would pick Figi 3rd floor because it looks like all the views are pretty. Drat those darn kids!

Someone posted on the DIS not to word a request in the negative as the assignors have so many to read that a "not" might be missed. When you check in, just ask about your view. If it's of a parking lot, they will do their best to move you. We spent one night in a room in Raratonga that faced the parking lot but we couldn't even see it for all the lovely vegetation on the hill. There are some views from Rapa Nui that I would not want but the other side of Rapa Nui has lovely courtyard views. Every view we've had at the Polynesian has been beautiful.


BTW, second floor rooms in Tokelau, Tahiti and Rapa Nui all have balconies. Since the first two are vary large buildings, just asking for a balcony not specifically third floor opens up more possibilites.

Thanks so much for this thread!!!!!!!!!

Hasn't BreezysMom done a fantastic job with this FAQ?

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

Give me some more reasons why we should change................. has anyone stayed at both and likes POFQ better than the Poly?? (is that even possible? he he)

I've stayed at POFQ (twice) and at the Poly (3 times) and I prefer the Poly *hands down*! While POFQ is nice, and you are the first pick up on the bus to the parks, that bus has to make all the stops in POR before going. There are no on-site sit down restaurants, just the food court which I wasn't very impressed with. The Poly has 2 pools instead of the one POFQ has, plus you can see Cinderella's castle from the Volcano pool. And with a discount the Poly is even better.

That was one thing I had overlooked with the CL. We had never had it so I didn't even consider it-when we walked back into our room I was startled a bit & then I realized...it is a nice service-something else to tip for too. (well, we do)

We had that during our CL stay as well. At first I didn't think it was a big deal but DD10 LOVED it and had a ball *crashing* into her sleep-prepared bed after the holiday hustle and bustle in the parks. Now I love turndown service!