Back from AKL and Polynesian GV and LVC

[Tikiman]

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!

If it looks like the type of theme you like that I am sure you won't be disappointed.

Aloha

Steve

 

[goofyfordisney]

Tikiman-

Thanks for all of the great info about the Polynesian--I love your website! My husband's favorite vacation spot is Maui--he only puts up with the disney trips because he know that his family loves it!

I have been thinking about staying at the Polynesian for our next trip-- thinking that I could sell the husband on the idea of another WDW trip sooner if he thinks it's "like being in Maui"!

I have a comparison question for you...What resort in Maui would you compare the Polynesian to? We have stayed at the Hyatt, the Marriott and the Westin in Maui. We've also stayed at the Hilton on Oahu. Would you say that the Polynesian is along the same type of accommodations? When we are in Maui, we pretty much hang out by the pool and relax--I know we won't be doing much of that in WDW But, is the overall feel of the Polynesian similiar to Maui?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Tikiman]

Tikiman-

Thanks for all of the great info about the Polynesian--I love your website! My husband's favorite vacation spot is Maui--he only puts up with the disney trips because he know that his family loves it!

I have been thinking about staying at the Polynesian for our next trip-- thinking that I could sell the husband on the idea of another WDW trip sooner if he thinks it's "like being in Maui"!

I have a comparison question for you...What resort in Maui would you compare the Polynesian to? We have stayed at the Hyatt, the Marriott and the Westin in Maui. We've also stayed at the Hilton on Oahu. Would you say that the Polynesian is along the same type of accommodations? When we are in Maui, we pretty much hang out by the pool and relax--I know we won't be doing much of that in WDW But, is the overall feel of the Polynesian similiar to Maui?

Thanks in advance!

Wow that has to be the best question I ever had. It will also take the most thought. The Ka’anapali Beach Hotel was brought in to help with the redesign in the 90’s. It is located next to the Sheraton at black rock but I don’t believe I can compare any Hawaiian resort to the feel of the Polynesian. First of all the Polynesian is supposed to portray more than just the Hawaiian islands. Also it has a little more of an Adventure land feel to it than a Hawaiian resort would and how many Hawaiian resorts have a fireworks view every night at the pool? I will say that when we were in one of the new rooms at the Sheraton Maui a few years ago there were many things that reminded us of the Polynesian. Also the long windy paths at the Sheraton and the quiet feel of the resort reminded us of the Polynesian. There are some things about the Hilton on Waikiki Beach that remind me of the Polynesian but I can’t say that I have the same exact feeling at the Polynesian as I do at one of the islands. I will say it is a good mix of a Disney vacation and a Hawaiian vacation. The music, food and atmosphere are very much like some things found in Hawaii. I will tell you the Polynesian is one of the few WDW resorts I can spend the whole day just hanging around the resort and not even want to leave. When we go to Maui we do a day of sightseeing or hiking and a day of just relaxing. You could do that at the Polynesian. Some families even find that since going to MK or Epcot is so easy and quick that they sometimes have part of the group pop into a park while the others stay at the resort and meet up in a little while.

I am sure there is more I could say but I have guests coming over in a few minutes and I could talk about this for hours.

I hope this helped.

Aloha

Steve

 

[Marthasor]

This is the best thread! Tikiman, I need your help! I know you are busy packing for Maui, but I just switched on Dec. 14 - 18 res. from offsite to Poly because I read nothing but GREAT stuff about it!! Please put your site back up!! I currently have 2 GV rooms booked - have requested adjoining, and based on my limited knowledge asked for either 1st or 3rd floor Volcano poolside rooms at Samoa, but now am wondering if I should request a refurbished room - can't wait to see your site and all of your valuable info. Thanks for providing it for all of us!

 

[goofyfordisney]

Tikiman,

Thanks so much for the reply. I think that we would really like the Polynesian. It sounds like the best match for our family (especially my husband!) Now, the hard work begins...convincing my husband that we need another trip to WDW in 2006!

Wish me luck!

 

[jjohnson]

Hi Tikiman,

I actually spotted you taking notes in Hawaii but you looked very busy at the moment. I was hoping to see you at another time but it didn't happen. I agree on the beds. So comfortable! We liked them more than the heavenly beds.

My DS12 said something amusing during our stay that I think you would find funny too. He came out of the bathroom & told me the walls say "H I" all over the place.

Joyce

 

[milmore104]

Great report glad you havd a great time!

 

[Tikiman]

Hi Tikiman,

I actually spotted you taking notes in Hawaii but you looked very busy at the moment. I was hoping to see you at another time but it didn't happen. I agree on the beds. So comfortable! We liked them more than the heavenly beds.

My DS12 said something amusing during our stay that I think you would find funny too. He came out of the bathroom & told me the walls say "H I" all over the place.

Joyce

Aloha Joyce,

You should have said hello. I don't mind if I am taking notes. I just needed to update my view list. Some of the bushes have grown very tall but they are planning on chopping them back.

So what is this about the walls saying "H I"? Oh do you mean the print on the wallpaper?

Aloha

Steve

 

[jjohnson]

Aloha Joyce,

You should have said hello. I don't mind if I am taking notes. I just needed to update my view list. Some of the bushes have grown very tall but they are planning on chopping them back.

So what is this about the walls saying "H I"? Oh do you mean the print on the wallpaper?

Aloha

Steve

Yes it was the wallpaper. Take a look next time. You will never be able to look at it the same way again.

We had room #3513 & it was just perfect. Nothing blocked out view.

Aloha

Joyce

 

[Tikiman]

Yes it was the wallpaper. Take a look next time. You will never be able to look at it the same way again.

We had room #3513 & it was just perfect. Nothing blocked out view.

Aloha

Joyce

Yeah I remember it but next time it will be gone. By the time we return all the rooms will be new and the wallpaper will be gone.

 

[princessesrule4]

I'm sorry for asking this if someone else already has! I was trying to get on your website but it keeps saying to try back later. I tried yesterday throughout the day but kept getting the same message! Mabye you are updating from your recent trip? Or mabye it is just me!! I'm not very computer savvy! Just wanted to let you know!
Thanks!

 

[Tikiman]

The site is down because of increased traffic. I hit a new record high which you would think would be a good thing but it is not when it uses up all the bandwidth. I upgraded twice last month the bandwidth ($45 for each upgrade) and it is still going over. Some people have been nice enough to donate to help with the cost but I might have to upgrade again. I tripled my visitor count this month and it was only half the month. It will be back up on the 4th of September but I will be gone when it comes back up so I can’t finish the updates unless I upgrade again before I leave for vacation. The problem is that the amount of people visiting is increasing. The amount of photos is increasing and so the cost is increasing. I considered linking to sponsors but the DIS already had me remove my link from my signature because of the links I have now even though my links now do not pay for my site. I just have links to places I feel are good places to visit or offer a good product. If I get to commercial I am afraid it will change the feel of the site. I will do what I can and maybe get it up for a little while before I leave for vacation but I will have to see what I have the time and money for right now.

Sorry about it being down.

If anyone out there is still using my index page for a homepage please change to something else. That uses up the bandwidth.

Aloha

Steve

 

[DisOrBust]

Hi Steve ,
AKL had been our families favorite until our last (4th) visit there. We had always loved it and never had Cm problems etc.. Last trip our rooms were filthy and I personally had an experience that left a bad taste in my mouth for the place. Having been on the DIS you will hear constantly ever changing opiions on the resorts. They all have advantages and disadvantages...its all whats important to you.....

The slide at the Poly is definitely better but...no hot tub!!

The Monorail is great to MK...but I found it a pain getting to EPCOT and waiting and changing monorails...

Restaurants...love all of them however the Mara is superior to Captain Cooks. When you have kids that need to be fed ever 2 hrs,lol, it becomes an issue.

Cost. Last January we took a quickie surprise trip and stayed at PO-R and left wondering why are we spending so much on a deluxe?? Love the boat to DTD. Rooms pretty much same size. Food court decent. Pool decent. On average, 125$ less the a deluxe at the AP rate. I have to say, IMHO, some of the Deluxes are just overrated. 500$ rack rate for GF they can keep it, .....


Now having stayed at "most" of the deluxes, (minus BW and CR) I think WL is the best. There I said it outloud, no longer faithful to my beloved AKL . WE loved the courtyard, restaurants, pool gyser and location. The bonus is Frontier Wilderness next door with pony, horse and carriage rides.
etc....

Just IMHO!
Sue

 

[Tikiman]

I totally agree. I do love many things about the AKL but I just can’t hang around there for that long again.

The Polynesian does not have a hot tub because of abuse of the rules (pertaining to kids) at the other resorts and upper resort management (outside the Polynesian) decided to remove it from the design of the new pool. The did not want to pay for the extra staff to police the hot tub (this was the answer I got from my last visit).

I totally agree with The Mara being better than Captain Cook’s but I will wait and see what the new larger Captain Cook’s with the new menu and full kitchen is like before I vote.

As far as the monorail to Epcot, you never ride the monorail around to get to the Epcot monorail. Just walk over to the TTC and get on. The time from my room in Hawaii to the middle of Epcot was the same as going from my room at the Yacht Club. The ride over on the monorail only takes 8 minutes and the walk over to the TTC is even less. I actually go to Epcot more than the MK and I rather do it from the Polynesian than any other resort because if it is going to take me the same time I rather spend some of that time riding the monorail than walking or taking a bus.

It is a good thing that not everyone likes the same place. Thanks for your input Sue.

Aloha

Steve

 

[Lewisc]

Steve--It's nice that your able/willing to pay most of the cost of hosting your website but the companies you're linking to really should be paying you something for the promotion. At a minimum you might see if you can use the sponsors servers to host some of your pictures.

Your site seems to be over your bandwidth quoto almost every month. You might consider rotating some of the pictures on a month to month basis.

 

[Tikiman]

I have a program that will reduce the size without reducing the quality or at least it is not visible but it take time and with a baby time is something I don’t have a lot of so I just load them up when I can. I went and reduced the file size of photos on one page and it took 2 hours. I need to find time to do some more and to increase the bandwidth. If I was getting normal traffic I would be ok but with the increased traffic (mostly because of the new room stuff) I just can’t keep up with the demands. As far as the links, I can’t imagine any of them are going to give me anything for having them on there. I know the DIS would not and I don’t want to remove links that are helpful to the readers.

 

[BCV23]

Haven't been on the boards for a couple of weeks because of a vacation and our son's wedding but between those two events, I read part of this thread a week ago. I'll have to finish it later but it is great to read your report, Steve.

I glanced at your pictures a week ago and am glad I'm not going nuts. When I peeked at the test room several months ago, I saw colors like those used in the logo for the past few years...not rusts and browns and oranges. I was glad to see those logo colors are being used in the new rooms.

Also the Tiki on the door I saw in May was different than the one I saw posted on your site last week. It was smaller, higher and an actual wooden piece or perhaps a composite material.

Thanks for the accurate measurements. It has long driven me crazy that the UG reports the Polynesian to have some of the smallest deluxe rooms on property! So untrue. Aren't the rooms in Rapa Nui nice?

Thanks for all your research for those of us who are fellow Polynesian lovers.

Aloha!

 

[Tikiman]

Aloha BCV23,

The actual rooms being finished don’t have the Tiki on the door or the Orange colors. They just have dark brown doors. I am glad you enjoyed the photos.

The funny thing is that the UG is the place that wanted the room info. They are collecting more data on every resort than has ever been collected before so it should be a welcome addition. I also helped them with information on the Polynesian for the 2006 guide book and I believe they are going to have a link to my web page in the book.

Well I only do all this for those who love the Polynesian and I rely on all of you for info also.

Aloha

Steve

 

[BCV23]

I'm glad to hear that the UG is updating the resort info. Very wise of them to use your expertise and that will help so many more people if there is a link to your site.

Every fall I look for the new edition, turn to the Polynesian section and then put the book back in disgust. But then most years I weaken and buy the UG anyway. It does have lots of good info on touring. Maybe next it can develop a better way of judging WDW dining.

Aloha.