Back from AKL and Polynesian GV and LVC

[alohaguy]

I have thought about moving there but I love California too much. I also think if I went to WDW more often it would not be the same special feeling I get when not going multiple times a year.

Tikiman - I was worried about the same thing when we started going down to Florida more often, but I have to say, each and every time I walk through the doors to the GCH I have that 'special feeling'. In my experience, it hasn't faded at all.

I've always been curious, though, if it does fade for those that live within day-trip distance ...

Glad you had a good trip - and it does seem like your trip reports undergo a lot of scrutiny - I think it's just because people value your observations.

 

[Tikiman]

it does seem like your trip reports undergo a lot of scrutiny - I think it's just because people value your observations.

I appreciate that and I appreciate Lewisc’s additional information. I just did not expect it to become an issue or that I was being unfair in any way just by posting observations.

Aloha

Steve

 

[Lewisc]

Your trip reports are given much more credibility than almost any other poster. I certainly don't expect you to have to measure the rooms. I just think it's fairer to compare rooms in the same category. I wouldn't compare a suite in one hotel with a regular room in another. I wouldn't compare a value sized room in WL or AKL with a full sized room in another deluxe resort.

You chose to compare the most common room at the POLY with the most common room at the AKL. I think a fairer comparison would be to compare the rooms that are similarly priced.

AKL
standard rooms 344 sqft............$230--standard view room is 205
deluxe 381 sqft............$285

POLY 410 sqft.............$315
BC 380 sqft..............$305

Pool view for AKL, standard room for BC and GV room for POLY.

Not problem with any of your opinions, your opinions are most appreciated and looked for.

Lewisc,

That is a good point also but since the standard room at the Polynesian is the cheapest room and the majority of the rooms it seems like its comparison would be the standard room at the AKL. I do see your point that they offer a room with a better value. I did not my report on the size was a big issue. There are larger rooms available at all resorts that cost more but I am not going to compare a suite or deluxe room to a standard at the Polynesian but if you would like to post the price differences and size differences I am sure others might find that information useful.

Am I the only one who has to clarify their trip reports to this detail? I was just mentioning the rooms sizes. I was asked to take measurements and I am sharing my info.

 

[freediverdude]

Welcome back Tikiman!

Well I think comparing a savannah view room at AKL and a garden view at the Poly is a closer comparison pricewise than a standard at AKL, but really, comparing the Poly and AKL at all is apples and oranges. They have very different pluses and minuses. AKL features the animals and conservation, and the Poly features the convenience and the monorail and it's unique feel. But that being said, for what you pay for a savannah view there, I think you should get a little bit larger room than you do. Those rooms are more similar in size to a moderate.

I would be interested to hear what the view was from a garden view in Rapa Nui- is that the parking lot view?

And, I do live about an hour and half away from the Poly, and no, it doesn't lose it's special feel just because I live closer.

 

[NCombs]

Your trip reports are given much more credibility than almost any other poster. I certainly don't expect you to have to measure the rooms. I just think it's fairer to compare rooms in the same category. I wouldn't compare a suite in one hotel with a regular room in another. I wouldn't compare a value sized room in WL or AKL with a full sized room in another deluxe resort.

You chose to compare the most common room at the POLY with the most common room at the AKL. I think a fairer comparison would be to compare the rooms that are similarly priced.

AKL
standard rooms 344 sqft............$230--standard view room is 205
deluxe 381 sqft............$285

POLY 410 sqft.............$315
BC 380 sqft..............$305

Pool view for AKL, standard room for BC and GV room for POLY.

Not problem with any of your opinions, your opinions are most appreciated and looked for.

He's comparing rooms he stayed in on a trip, he is not writing a report on room size or price.

 

[TheRobbs]

Steve,

Wow!! It sounds like you had a really nice time. I can't wait to hear more about it!!

 

[Tikiman]

If the room I was in was not a deluxe AKL room that it would be considered a standard room, right? So am I not comparing a standard to a standard? I cannot compare by price since the Polynesian price is higher not because the rooms are larger but because of the location an resort offerings. It just happens to be that they constructed them larger. I do sort of see your point but I guess we will have to agree to disagree.

By the way Disney room square footage is way off. I discussed this with someone there and they were not surprised there is no accurate info out there.

The square footage of the AKL standard size savannah view room I was in measures out to be 339 sq-ft
The original longhouse rooms are 415 sq-ft
The newer construction in 1978 and 1985 rooms are 476 sq-ft

I was going to post this later in my report and make drawings of the rooms with all the dimensions but since we are on the subject I though I would share.

I know someone is working on getting all the dimensions for all the resorts as we speak. In fact the data I collected is for this organization. Hopefully they will have the true square footage on all the rooms since so far the data from Disney’s or who ever came up with the data posted on other web pages and here is incorrect. I will update it all on my page when I get some time this week.

[b[freediverdude[/b]

nice to hear from you. I did get photos of the view from Rapa-Nui on the second floor. I had some already of the parking lot view on my Rapa Nui page but I will add the shot from room 2125 looking toward Tahiti. I got to see inside the new rooms including a partial accessable room (not the roll in shower but a different layout with lots of support bars on the walls). I will have photos up soon.

 

[SeaSpray]

Welcome back, Steve! Glad you had a great visit once again, at the Polynesian Resort!

I have to say, last month was the first time we had stayed there, and the concierge CMs knew and remembered our names immediately! During our entire stay we were called by name. One time we had to stop at the desk for something and when we walked away, DH said that I should go back and tell her what my name is, because she didn't ask me (I don't remember exactly what the situation was, but it did require that she know our name and room #). I KNEW she knew my name, but to be certain, I did go back and ask. And sure enough, she knew it!

In my opinion, I don't think any resort on Disney property can beat the Polynesian concierge/Hawaii building. I know that a lot of resorts can come close (we loved the Wilderness Lodge), but Disney's "Flagship" resort really should be the Polynesian (and yes I've stayed at the Grand Floridian and loved it). Just my humble opinion

 

[SeaSpray]

Steve,

Wow!! It sounds like you had a really nice time. I can't wait to hear more about it!!

Hi Sean!!

 

[DonaldDuck523]

Glad you had a great stay, We returned from the poly in july and stayed in Samoa facing the Volcano pool, we really enjoyed the room. We used your site alot in the planning, and I am looking forward to read your report on the poly.

 

[johnsonet]

Welcome back Tikiman. I'm eager to read more about your trip.

I'm so sorry to hear you were disappointed in AKL. I must admit, it is my all-time favorite. It just goes to show how everybody's different. I was there July 26-August 2 and just wanted to say that I specifically was impressed by the lifeguards during our stay. It's amazing how different people's experiences can be! We were at the pool every day but one for hours and the lifeguards were kind, patient and enthusiastic and I was very impressed. My friend and I specifically discussed this. I hate that you experienced the opposite...
Anyway, I am enjoying your report and can't wait to read more. Thanks for taking the time to write it!

 

[Tikiman]

Ok where did I leave off?

So one other thing I did not like about the AKL pool was the zero entry spot (that we love to sit in and stay cool) was about half as wide as the Polynesian pool so it got very congested. I really wish I could say I loved the AKL like the first time I went but maybe I just liked it because we were not hanging around the resort all day and we had a suite.

Well enough about that.

So Saturday August 13th I stayed around the resort most of the day and than we went into MGM. It was very hot most of the trip but I myself never got rained on while I was there. MGM was not too crowded but we waited forever for the bus again. We ate at Boma that night and it was excellent as usual. I can’t see going to WDW and not going to Boma or Jiko. Someone ordered room service and they were making the plate up right at Boma.

So Sunday was finally here and it was like the day before Christmas but I was still hoping my request (yes first time I have requested a building) was honored and I was placed in Rapa Nui since it was closed before to have the new rooms added and now the 2nd floor was open. We got there very early and the room was ready. I went to the building and the first floor looked like the new design in the halls but the doors were closed and blocked off. No walls around the building but the floors were closed. You could only get to the room using the stairs. I opened up the room (2125) and it was the old design. The room was is great shape, no smell and even had a towel animal in the bathroom and on the table (lets not turn this into a debate about towel animals or room requests!!!). Since this was Rapa Nui there was a balcony on the 2nd floor and double sinks in the bathroom. I took photos of the room and the view looking toward Tahiti. Very nice view and the parking lot is right next to the building so you can park very close to the room. I also took measurements with a tape measure and a laser measure. I will put the detailed floor plans on my page at some point but the room was about 4 feet longer than an original longhouse room. The width was the same and the bathroom although laid out different with the double sink was the same exact dimensions. The only other differences were that the shower hear was 6 foot from bottom of head to bath floor and a normal shower head (concierge room was 5’ 8” and was a detachable massage shower head) and the ceiling fan was over the table instead of between the beds like in the original rooms. All the dimensions and details along with photos will go up on my “rooms” page but wait until I say it is there. If you go now you won’t see anything and you will use up the bandwidth that is going to run out again and I need it to load up the photos and info.

I went over to concierge lounge to visit some friends and when I was there I asked about switching over to a concierge room. They said I could and it would be ready in a few hours (about 3:00). We went to the pool and hung out for a while and talked with different CMs. 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. They mentioned this should be taken care of at some point by landscaping dept. so lets hope they cut these back. Also I went and checked out the view from Tuvalu and the view looks just like my photo from the rooms on the ground level towards luau cove but as you get a little more than half way over towards the marina the trees on the island block 90% of the castle just as freediverdude mentioned a while back. I took photos at different points down the building. I also took photos of some of the cool sitting areas in Tuvalu (upper floor overlooking the marina) and sitting areas in Fiji. I checked out the progress of the buildings and Fiji is going to be next as planned. The two upper floors were already closed off with things being removed and half the 1st floor was being torn up. Also in Aotearoa the test stuff is still in the hall and the test rooms are being torn up. They did have tikis on two of the doors in Aotearoa. Parts of Tuvalu were abandon also and it was scheduled to be started this month also.

The halls looked like they were in good shape as did the rooms but the elevators need a facelift. I walked the resort and than at one point I was given access to the new rooms in Rapa Nui but I will leave it at that. I got go inside 3 of the rooms. They look very much like the test room photos with different carpet and a very light tan on the walls accented in dark woods. The TV were in as well as the new dresser and desk area. There were a few chairs in the room, two beds and the fold out futon style day bed that will be almost as big as a queen when folded out but takes up less space when folded. One of the chairs had an autumn and I don’t know what the other chairs were for. There was a large Wyland picture on the wall in the bedroom and some artwork in the bathroom and the nook where the coffee maker and refrigerator are. That area is designed like the one ion the Honeymoon suite but looks different in the rooms. It all looks awesome and I think will be the best room in WDW when done. One of the rooms I went into was a handicap accessible room but there must be more than one design because this did not have the roll in shower. It had the toilet right near the doorway to the bathroom (I assume so it is closer and easier to get to) and the shower had grab rails all around it and near the toilet. The new shower had an arched curtail rail to give more room. The marble floor and counter were the same but looked new so either they are going to change them or they are staying the same. I believe they are going to stay since they had already painted around the whole bathroom and the new mirrors were added. I almost did not notice they were the same because everything else made it look different. Another thing they are waiting to get are new lights that are brighter. I guess someone who checks out rooms that are accessible tested the lighting and it was not bright enough so they are getting brighter lights. The photos will show more that I can say right now and see them while you can because you never know if Disney will ask me to remove them. I will tell you when they are up. The halls were very nice with the new lighting, carpet and wall treatment. The slate patios look nice with new furniture (very upscale) I also got photos of the bedspreads that were folded up because I guess they are replacing all the beds with some new design bed. I heard something about the new bedding and I believe our room in Hawaii already had one because I have never been in such a comfortable bed at the Polynesian. I have even been in the Westin Heavenly bed and liked this even better.I also was told by Magical Vacations that they were told that the Polynesian was receiving new bedding, that includes pillow-mattresses, and brand new ecology pillows that keep you cool in the summer, and warm in the winter. Someone that has been there before will have to get in the bed at Hawaii and tell me if they noticed the difference. I could not believe how nice it felt.

Well I will try to post more later.

 

[Tikiman]

Welcome back Tikiman. I'm eager to read more about your trip.

I'm so sorry to hear you were disappointed in AKL. I must admit, it is my all-time favorite. It just goes to show how everybody's different. I was there July 26-August 2 and just wanted to say that I specifically was impressed by the lifeguards during our stay. It's amazing how different people's experiences can be! We were at the pool every day but one for hours and the lifeguards were kind, patient and enthusiastic and I was very impressed. My friend and I specifically discussed this. I hate that you experienced the opposite...
Anyway, I am enjoying your report and can't wait to read more. Thanks for taking the time to write it!

You are so right that everyone can have a different experience. I myself could go back next week and maybe have a different feel for the lifeguards there. The rest of the staff including at the pool bar were great. Also everyone does enjoy different things so by no means should any one use my report and a reason to go or not go somewhere. People need to try it for them selves so it makes you wonder what good a report is. I guess it is just a sharing of an experience. I would not want anyone reading this to think they should not try the AKL. You might be missing out on discovering your favorite resort. Also by me telling you that the Polynesian was wonderful does not mean you cannot go there and hate it.

Aloha

Steve

 

[Tess]

I As I got to know the staff, yes I believe they went a little further to make my stay special and comfortable but I think it is more because of being a repeat guests than the web site because even the first few years of the web page they had not seen the site themselves. I also know the special things they have done for other repeat guests. Repeat guests that treat them with respect and friendliness are treated like family.

I concur with that statement and we've found that to be the same for our family as well. We've made it a point to get to know the concierge staff and even the bell staff--our family is remembered by one particular bell staff member [who coincidentally seems to transport our luggage and us on our visits] every year and we only visit once a year. . .he even knows our names! Ditto the longstanding CMs in concierge. When we meet someone new, we make an effort to introduce ourselves and are friendly to them as well. In return, we are treated like family. . . Obviously, not everyone at the resort knows our family, but the folks who have had longterm service in concierge do and a few others around the resort as well.

 

[jarestel]

What a great report, Steve! I love reading the details of these kinds of reports as I've been to the resorts and can actually visualize much of what is being described. I agree that nobody should ever take a poster's opinion on resorts as gospel since everyone is different and we all like different things. I don't care for the Epcot area resorts or restaurants, but that doesn't mean they aren't great places to stay or dine. Just not the ideal place for me.

As both a Polynesian Resort and Animal Kingdom Lodge lover, I appreciate the details you included in your report. Great job!

 

[lynr]

Steve:

Are any of the new rooms available at this point or are they still in progress?

Thanks,
Lyn

 

[Lowillian]

Tikiman,
Thank you so much for your information about the Polynesian. We are going in late Oct and I was hoping you could clear up something you said. Is Aotearoa open now? Was it just the test room stuff that was in the hallway? That is our favorite building and we're hoping to be able to stay there in Oct.

Thanks again,
Lowillian

 

[Tikiman]

Lynr,

There no new rooms available to stay in at this point and if I had to guess I would say they won’t be available until sometime in September.

Lowillian

There were people in all the Aotearoa rooms except the two test rooms. From the schedule I saw Aotearoa should be available in October.

 

[lynr]

Steve:

Thanks, we are going the end of September so hopefully some rooms might be done by then. I can't wait to see them.

Thanks for your help.

Lyn

 

[Lowillian]

Lynr,

There no new rooms available to stay in at this point and if I had to guess I would say they won’t be available until sometime in September.

Lowillian

There were people in all the Aotearoa rooms except the two test rooms. From the schedule I saw Aotearoa should be available in October.

Tikiman,
Thanks for responding. I know you're busy and probably tired!

thanks again,
Lowillian