Back from AKL and Polynesian GV and LVC

[*Fantasia*]

Aloha Steve!

Thanks for sharing the pixs!! I can't wait to stay in on e of the new rooms! And thanks for sharing the latest! Nite!!

Mahalo!
Telly

 

[alohaguy]

I doubt that when Disney lists the square footage for the rooms at the Polynesian they are going to list them by building. So yes each room in a particular building are going to be the same, but each room is not going to be the same for the entire resort which was my point.

So I still stand by my belief that the rooms listed on Disney.com are an average of what is available. If one wants the exact measurement of the rooms by building they will have your site for the correct info.

If they were to list exact square footage measurements by building there would only be two different figures. I don't see why this would be difficult. There are only three 'newer' buildings which -as Steve has recently found out through manual labor - have rooms of approx. 475 sq. ft. , and the rest are smaller - roughly by 60 sq. ft. Would this be difficult to list?? I don't see the need for 'averaging' in terms of the Polynesian.

In another thread, Tikiman and I went back-and-forth about needing more room tiers at the Polynesian - partially because of the disparity in room size he so recently measured by hand. Why doesn't Disney publish this?? I don't know.

Every hotel I have ever done business with puts a fine point on publishing it's square footage - this is a figure many travelers base arrangements upon. I think Steve has actually done Disney a favor by pointing out to them what their true square-footages really are (in my business, this measurement is called an 'as-built')

Disney should have gotten it right from the start. JMHO

 

[Tikiman]

Do only the Concierge rooms have the "new" beds at the moment? Staying Poly Standard GV in three weeks and requesting Tahiti. I'm assuming even the old beds must be better than say, POFQ (before the rehab)? They were hard as a rock! Anybody have any comparisons with other resorts? Thanks

I did not check the bed in Rapa Nui and I don't know what others have been changed out but I am sure there are others. The old one was not bad at all but this one was a big improvement.

 

[bdlily]

Steve-
Thanks so much for all you do to help those of us who don't have a clue. I am, of course, hoping for a remodeled room when we go the last week of September. But I'm not going to cry if I don't get one. Do you have any suggestion which would be the best (read least annoying) way to request a remodeled room? Thanks!

 

[MNmom]

Thank you so much for all of your insight and information We are heading down to the Poly GVC in 12 days. I know we will miss the refurbishment of Hawaii but I am thrilled that there are new (newer) beds. My DH will also be very happy!!!

Thanks again!!!

 

[scoutsmom99]

Tikiman,

Thank-you for taking the time to share your reviews and new information with us I'm hoping to try out the Poly next year!

 

[disnemimi]

Thank you Steve,
What wonderful pictures......makes me rethink about requesting Samoa for our Sept 10-17th trip. But like my daughter says, new rooms will make us want to return for them next trip! I so appreciate all your help on your website and this discussion board. Do you think they are planning new beds in all the rooms eventually, or just in concierge?
Thanks again,
Disnemimi

 

[Julia M]

I liked seeing the pictures of the new stuff for the rooms. I don't have a comparison (having never stayed at the Poly before) but it looks like it will be comfortable for a family of five!

Thanks!

Julia

 

[magicmouse2]

I would love to stay in a remodeled room. It is totally my cup of tea! Thanks for the photos Tikiman.

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

Welcome back!

We must have similar taste in resorts, because as cool as AKL is, I just didn't love it. The animals are neat, the archetecture is nice, but it just doesn't make me want to spend all my time there like other resorts (WL, and a place called the Polynesian, you may have heard of it.) I might give AKL another chance on my next trip, just because I really want to like it.

I was interested to read your report on Rapa Nui. I was there in December, and the room seemed huge! (I still prefer buildings closer the GCH though. I'm lazy.) Glad that Aotearoa will have the new rooms soon, I'm looking forward to seeing them!

Love the new bathroom mirrors, and it looks like they kept the green tile in the showers (I love that! Makes me feel like I'm showering in a jungle or something. Or maybe I'm just odd.) Love the new artwork, too! The reddish colored doors are the only thing I'm not sure about yet.

It looks like your room was in a similar location to where I was last time (3101, so up one floor and the other side of the hall.) Did you hear any noise from the elevators or CM storage room? That was my only complaint last time- something over in that area started beeping around 7am, and wouldn't stop!

Thanks for the report and the photos! I'd love to hear more about the concierge part, since I'm still yet to drum up enough cash to stay there

 

[johnsonet]

WOW! The new rooms look gorgeous! Lots of nice details and a much higher-end look. I can't wait to stay there once all the renovations are complete
WDW Poly Princess - your cat is awesome!

 

[erikthewise]

Welcome back, Steve, and thanks for the photos and in general for your continuing effort on the website.

I have mixed emotions about AKL. We stayed there in Dec 2002 for 3 nights, following our first BCV stay in a 1BR. Moving to a room less than half the size of our 1BR was tough enough, but we also had torrential rains that night continuing to noon the next day. Combined with a burned-out lightbulb and two active boys, it felt dark and cramped. It really got to DW and she asked to go to dinner at DTD to escape for awhile.

I'd like to go back sometime and try it again. With a deluxe room (or less than 4 in a standard room) and sunshine, it might seem much better. I have to agree with you about running out of things to do though. At AKL you can't really go outside and walk around like you can at most other resorts. You can walk to the pool area and the parking lot, period.

The room changes at the Polynesian are exciting, but I'm disappointed to hear they apparently will not be remodeling Captain Cook's, or at least not as originally planned.

 

[Tikiman]

disnemimi
The new beds will be in all the rooms and for all I know are already in some of the other longhouses besides Hawaii. In fact I saw photos a few months ago of beds being delivered to I believe it was Tokelau but it was a while ago and I can’t remember. The funny part is someone here was spreading a rumor that the Polynesian was getting the GF’s old beds when they got new ones. Shortly after that I asked and I remember them saying the Polynesian would be getting new beds but I thought they would just be new ones of the same bed. I never realized they would be so comfortable.

WDW Poly Princess
The door that looks red is actually a redish orange but that is the old test room. If you look at the photo of Rapa Nui the doors are dark brown so no worries about the red. The rooms I took photos in were 1112, 1111 (parking lot side) and 1113 (garden side). Even the older Rapa Nui room and the Hawaii room were in excellent shape. Rapa Nui room was 4 foot 3 inches longer than the Hawaii room. The last time I stayed in a larger room was Tahiti back when it was Moorea in 1996.
Concierge was great and everyone seemed to behave in the lounge and all the staff was helpful and friendly. I did not notice many changes in the offerings at all and the new coffee drink machine was a big hit. My friend had a great idea to take a cup of ice and pour a cappuccino or mocha into the ice to have an iced coffee. There was plenty of food. The staff downstairs was very helpful to us and everyone I saw come in. The buckets for the kids are behind the desk and if you have a kid and want one just ask and they will be happy to give you one.

erikthewise
They will be expanding Captain Cook’s as planned just not as originally scheduled. I was not allowed to discuss the changes to the GCH any further at this point but it will all turn out fine. I believe myself that it will go past next Summer that they planned to finish but I guess we will see.

 

[erikthewise]

It's no surprise that Disney doesn't bother to publish details about room sizes. What's surprising is that they give any information at all -- most hotels don't. And if they did officially announce that certain longhouses have larger rooms than other ones, it would just be one more reason for a certain type of guest to make requests/demands and become upset when they don't get what they want. Who needs more of that kind of trouble?

 

[Pattymouse]

Good morning Tikiman,

I am glad I am not the only one who does not LOVE Animal Kingdom Lodge. Yes it is nice, I do not find the rooms to be too dark, and I am okay with the room size. The resort is pretty and interesting.

What I do not like is the fact that there is no place to "walk around". At the Poly you can go for an evening stroll around the grounds. You can walk over the the GF. Can you tell I like to walk? The AKL only has paths to lead you to the pool. I also agree that the zero entry part of the pool is too small. I feel "boxed in" at the AKL. This has nothing to do with transportation, but simply where I can "just walk around". I guess I just not happy unless I am at the Polynesian.

Thank you for all of the wonderful information and opinions that you graciously share with us. You hard work and continued updates are greatly appreciated.

Pat

 

[Tikiman]

Good morning Tikiman,

I am glad I am not the only one who does not LOVE Animal Kingdom Lodge. Yes it is nice, I do not find the rooms to be too dark, and I am okay with the room size. The resort is pretty and interesting.

What I do not like is the fact that there is no place to "walk around". At the Poly you can go for an evening stroll around the grounds. The AKL only has paths to lead you to the pool. I also agree that the zero entry part of the pool is too small. I feel "boxed in" at the AKL. This has nothing to do with transportation, but simply where I can "just walk around". I guess I just not happy unless I am at the Polynesian.

Thank you for all of the wonderful information and opinions that you graciously share with us. You hard work and continued updates are greatly appreciated.

Pat

That was sort of my feeling. I love the theme of the AKL. Everything in the design is great. It is just the location and there is no place to walk to or around. I got tired of walking to the pool area or the small animal viewing area. The room being small was the least of my issues, that was just an observation. I would not change a think about the way the place looks. If there were other resorts to walk to or other areas or maybe even a lake it was connected to with some boat rental than I think it would be perfect.

 

[alien]

Hi Steve,
Thanks for all of your info - just don't make the Polynesian TOO appealing or the rooms will get booked too fast and I won't be able to stay there (LOL)!
Since they changed the closet area, do they still have the same size room safe? I loved the size of it.
Thanks, Cindy

 

[Tikiman]

There was no room safe install in the room yet but it should be just like the one shown here in the Honeymoon suite.

 

[princessesrule4]

Thanks for the report and the new info on your site! We have pretty much decided that is where we are going to stay!

 

[balletgirl33]

Will anyone miss the old rooms? I think the new rooms look great and I love the new tv, built in fridge and the slate patio is very upscale. I think I will be a little nostalgic (sp?) for the old rooms. I know this is a very minor thing but I really liked those canopys over the bed. I wish they had updated those and included them in the new rooms. I am sure after a stay in the new rooms those canopys will be a distant memory.

Thanks for the pictures and all the information!