Back from AKL and Polynesian GV and LVC

[clombardi]

We later checked into the room. It was Lagoon view room 1518. It was the room at the very end of Hawaii and it was very nice. We had a choice of another room but I wanted to try this room. It was a reverse of the room we usually stay in so it seemed different. The view was good and you could see the castle. I did take photos. I also have an updated list of the views from the ground level. Someone mentioned the bushes over in the middle being tall and could not see over them. Well when I was last there in August 2004 there were no issues but thanks to the Florida weather these things have grown like crazy and are taller than me in spots. You could see the castle if you were tall and standing but not if you were sitting on your patio.

Steve- Great report! We stayed in room 1517 in July and loved the location! It was a quick walk to the bus stop and quiet pool! That view of the castle was the view of a lifetime!

 

[Tikiman]

I just got an email that says that Rapa Nui new rooms might be open by tomorrow. I will let you know if I find out more later.

By the way if you run into Sandy at the front desk make sure you say Aloha. She is one of the nicest CMs at the Polyensian. You may see her at the lobby Concierge desk where you get your tickets and make Advanced Reservations.

Aloha

Steve

 

[Lewisc]

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.

EXCELLENT POINT. The EPCOT resorts have crescent lake and guests can walk to EPCOT and Disney studios. POLY guests can walk to the GF, Contemporary guests to the MK and even WL guests can walk to FW. The All-star guests can walk to the sister resorts. AKL is really the only resort with no place to walk.

Disney should have located AKL so they could have a walkway and possibly a canal to the AK.

 

[Tikiman]

They planned on using the Friendship boats and run them to the resort but the budget for that was cut. That would ahve been a nice addition.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Steve, Thanks for all the info!

On your site I am guess TBD = to be done? To be announced? I was checking where you list building and tenative dates. I was thrilled my 3 favorites (cause they surround the quiet pool, for location) (s, r, & t) are listed as tbd? So I'm guessing they are not set with a date yet?

I will certainly say aloha to "sandy" if we run in to her in the lobby. The pic's and news about rapa nui are really great. I am so excited about are room, and vacation. I don't really have a request other than NS and high floor.

Well better get packing! Just stopped to see if you had time to post.

Mky!

 

[Tikiman]

Steve, Thanks for all the info!

On your site I am guess TBD = to be done? To be announced? I was checking where you list building and tenative dates. I was thrilled my 3 favorites (cause they surround the quiet pool, for location) (s, r, & t) are listed as tbd? So I'm guessing they are not set with a date yet?

I will certainly say aloha to "sandy" if we run in to her in the lobby. The pic's and news about rapa nui are really great. I am so excited about are room, and vacation. I don't really have a request other than NS and high floor.

Well better get packing! Just stopped to see if you had time to post.

Mky!

TBD=To Be Determined

Have a great trip.

Aloha

Steve

 

[alohaguy]

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?

In my experience, many many hotels above mid-range rack rates publish square footages. Mid-range and economy often do not. And what I see as a common practice when rooms have differing square footages is that both are listed: for instance the Polynesian rooms could be said to be 410-475 sq.ft. - or whatever the exact numbers are. This is a simple thing to do.

And there are many people out there who have been going for decades and already know that some buildings have larger rooms than others. I think it would clear up some frustrations that new guests have about different buildings if Disney published accurate square footages. Not all of us break out the tape-measure on vacation - but apparently Steve does - so now we know the true dimensions.

I think that publishing these figures is important when deciding upon a resort. For instance, many people may not know that the Poly standard rooms are the biggest on the property, and that AKL and WL are the smallest deluxe rooms. If people don't avidly read boards like this they may show up and be disappointed. IMHO that's why disney should publish accurate numbers - but I'll stop rambling because it's a minor point.

 

[alohaguy]

Tikiman -

I just noticed in your pictures that there is a smaller pull-out table beneath the desk next to the tv. I assume this would be used as a table for room service since they have removed the larger tables from the old room design?

Great pictures.

 

[freediverdude]

Well I guess that makes up my mind where not to stay next time, if I have dollars like that again. But I'll leave you guys alone from now on......happy concierging everybody.....

 

[Tikiman]

Not all of us break out the tape-measure on vacation - but apparently Steve does - so now we know the true dimensions.

Just to clear this up. The point of this trip was for a few reasons but one of them was to get into the new room and also to take data on the rooms. I got measurments on both sizes of rooms and other info like counter space, what type of sheets, towels, ect are used, prices of phone calls....the list goes on but this is an effort that the Unofficial Guide to WDW is doing on each and every resort room. The list is 3 pages long of data to collect so when you want accurate info on resorts you will be able to get it from thier web page or the Unofficial Guide book. They go above and beyond to get the right info and I was trying to support that effort as well as have that info for myself. I will have detailed drawings of the room floorplans soon to add so you can see the rooms side by side but I won't have time to work on it until this weekend. I have lots of other work to do and I need to pack for Maui.

Aloha

Steve

 

[magicmouse2]

Thankyou TIKIMAN I appreciate the detail you go into. I love the new rooms and our xmas 2006 plans are for the Poly. Maui - would appreciate tips on it .planning an extended vacation to Maui and Oahu early 2007. Thankyou.
Poly/Hawaii lover

 

[JulyGirl]

I like the old room look better overall. The new tv and daybed are cool though.

 

[Tikiman]

You can email me anytime about Maui or Oahu. We will be back there again in 2006.

Aloha

Steve

 

[alohaguy]

Just to clear this up. The point of this trip was for a few reasons but one of them was to get into the new room and also to take data on the rooms. I got measurments on both sizes of rooms and other info like counter space, what type of sheets, towels, ect are used, prices of phone calls....the list goes on but this is an effort that the Unofficial Guide to WDW is doing on each and every resort room. The list is 3 pages long of data to collect so when you want accurate info on resorts you will be able to get it from thier web page or the Unofficial Guide book. They go above and beyond to get the right info and I was trying to support that effort as well as have that info for myself. I will have detailed drawings of the room floorplans soon to add so you can see the rooms side by side but I won't have time to work on it until this weekend. I have lots of other work to do and I need to pack for Maui.

Aloha

Steve

I know your whole purpose was for info ... was just teasing about the tape-measure thing - and thanks for the work you do.

 

[Tikiman]

I know your whole purpose was for info ... was just teasing about the tape-measure thing - and thanks for the work you do.

I know it was a joke. I just though the rest should know why I was getting all the measurements.

Aloha

Steve

 

[JulyGirl]

I know it was a joke. I just though the rest should know why I was getting all the measurements.

You crack me up with the tape measure. They need you on that show Travel Spies. I'd watch that.

 

[Tikiman]

You crack me up with the tape measure. They need you on that show Travel Spies. I'd watch that.

You know I sort of felt like Travel Spies when I was walking the resort and taking notes. I had a few people wondering why I was crawling around their patio. I guess that is a good reason to not get a ground level room...I may be peeking in.

 

[sungoddess]

tikiman,

wow, you are so lucky to live in maui...our favorite place on earth! we are hoping to visit oahu in 2007...can't wait!

anyway, i have so enjoyed all your information about the poly and AKL. i had planned a 4 day stay next spring at AKL. then, i considered doing the first 2 nights at GF and remaining at AKL. we will be celebrating our 15th anniversary and thought the GF would be special. after reading many, many posts, i am thinking the poly may be a better choice. after reading, i am thinking we are more poly people than GF people. how much extra is the concierge level and what do you get for the money? is it worth it? we will need 2 rooms as we have 4 kids. thanks for all your great information!

 

[Tikiman]

tikiman,

wow, you are so lucky to live in maui...our favorite place on earth! we are hoping to visit oahu in 2007...can't wait!

anyway, i have so enjoyed all your information about the poly and AKL. i had planned a 4 day stay next spring at AKL. then, i considered doing the first 2 nights at GF and remaining at AKL. we will be celebrating our 15th anniversary and thought the GF would be special. after reading many, many posts, i am thinking the poly may be a better choice. after reading, i am thinking we are more poly people than GF people. how much extra is the concierge level and what do you get for the money? is it worth it? we will need 2 rooms as we have 4 kids. thanks for all your great information!

I don’t live in Maui our Vacation home is in Maui.

You can visit my site for concierge details and I don’t have the current rates but I will post a link to Deb’s site that does.

http://www.tikiman2001.homestead.com/

http://allearsnet.com/acc/faq_poly.htm

 

[sungoddess]

tikiman,

sorry...i thought you lived in hawaii. how wonderful to have a vacation home there!

i checked out your website. it is awesome! i think you sold me! the poly looks more our style.

thanks again!