Back From Poly 9/5 - 9/8(mini-report). Any Questions?

[Ozymandias]

We're just back from our 2nd trip to the Poly. We arrived early on Thursday but were dissapionted that our request for Tokelau could not be met. Actually none of my requests were met but we got into a room at Raratonga around 10:30 am. At first I was upset (and we had a second floor, no balcony room) but grew to enjoy the very close proximity to the GCH. We were on the end in 2380 less than 30 feet from the GCH. Not off to a great start but when we got back from the MK we had a surprise birthday cake for my 2 year old son delivered from housekeeping. Now that's a greeting! We were thrilled and happily ate our Mickey cake!!

The parks were empty all week-end. The longest wait was 15 minutes standby for Space Mountain. We did Ohana's Character breakfast Friday morning and it also was largely empty. Had a great table right at the window and had lots of extra time with the characters. Too bad my 2 year old was scared to death of the Big, Bad mouse.

We enjoyed the pool immensley as it was pretty uncrowded. We also got to see the character caravan on Sunday morning. It was Minnie, Rafiki, Baloo and the Jungle Book Orangutan. Were dissapointed not to see Lilo and Stitch but were told they only come to the Poly on Tuesdays.

We're still big fans of the Polynesian and can't wait to go back.

Any questions about the Poly or the parks just let me know!

 

[scrapper]

I am glad to hear you had a great vacation.
We are planning a stay @ the Poly in Oct. Can you please give me some details about the pool(s)? I have 3 boys 1,5,& 9 yrs old. Can they swim in the same area? I am a little nervous as this is the 1st time we will be going to Disney w/ the 3 kids. We have stayed at WL & YC with just the 2 kids. Our fav. is the YC. So, I am somewhat hesitant about the Poly.
Thanks so much for your thoughts.
Diane

 

[Ozymandias]

There are two pools there a main Volcano themed pool and a quiet pool. They are both within a 3 minute walk from each other. The Volcano pool has a great slide inside the volcano that my 11 year old daughter loves. It's awesome to climb the stairs to the slide and have a great view of the Magic Kingdom, the Grand and Contemporary. The main volcano pool also has 2 lifeguards and is a zero entry pool. Your little ones will love it as they can walk right in and splash around in just a foot of water. The quiet pool is just that. A pool, nothing more but it is not staffed with a life-guard.

The pools aren't as big as the YC/BC but we really enjoy it. I think the view is worth the price of admission alone. You've got the beach and the 7 Seas Lagoon just steps away. The close proximity of the pools to the rooms is also a big plus.

I highly recommend checking out Tikiman's Polynesian Site

http://tikiman2001.homestead.com/

for more information on anything to do with the Polynesian.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

How did you do your request? Through a travel agent? Cro? fax? or call? did they offer to move you after a day or two or not at all? How important was it for you to have that building choice?

What construction is going on now? Which buildings? Any resturant info?

Thanks for your help, MKY

 

[Ozymandias]

I faxed my request 2 days before our arrival. You can find the fax #'s on

http://www.wdwinfo.com

I have always had great success faxing before and always had most of my requests granted. Last year, I requested Tokelau at the end of the building facing the Lagoon and got room 3913, exactly what I wanted. This year I sent the same request but they couldn't accomodate it. I'm not sure why. Of course, the standard line you'll get if you ask is they cannot guarantee a room request. You're just asking nicely for something special.

As for construction, I heard that Aotearoa and Fiji are being refurbished currently. Although, I was offered Aotearoa when I checked in. I honestly didn't walk over that direction so I'm not sure.

There are three restaurants:Ohana, Kona Cafe and Captain Cooks Snack Bar. We have done the character breakfast at 'Ohana and thoroughly enjoyed the Kona Cafe a very unique restaurant. Capt. Cooks is just hamburgers, hot dogs, salads, pastries, nothing fancy at all.

For more detail, check out Tikiman's web site at:

http://tikiman2001.homestead.com/

 

[l_czepe]

We have ressies for 5/1/03 - 5/8/03 for Poly GV. It's me and hubby going for a 2nd honeymoon. We've been a bit concerned over the amount of money the trip will cost - is the Poly worth it?
We asked our AAA lady to request Tahiti-3rd floor for us, and will follow up on that request. We've been considering switching to POFQ since it's so much cheaper. I guess what I'd like to know is this: is the Poly really worth the big bucks? We haven't been to DW since 1993, and although we want to see a lot of the parks, we also plan to relax at the resort, swim, rent watermice, etc.
Thanks for any advice!
~Lisa

 

[Ozymandias]

Is it worth it? That's a question you really have to ask yourself. Everyone's answer will be different. In my opinion however, the Polynesian is a wonderful resort and is absolutely worth the extra money. I have stayed in all of the Moderate resorts but now that I have moved up to the Deluxes I can't imagine going back to "just" POFQ. Two years ago I thought POFQ was heaven so I guess it's all a matter of perspective.

What you're paying for perhaps to justify it to yourself would include : Deluxe resort with all the amenities and services, bigger rooms, lush tropical theming unlike anything else, a great location, awesome transportation options and Concierge services and food. Is that worth the extra $150 a night over POFQ? Again that's entirely up to you. I love the Polynesian but I've never built up the nerve or justification to move up the the concierge level. To each his own. I do know that you will have a lovely and memorable vacation and in the end, isn't that what it's all about?

 

[zulaya]

One of the reasons you may not have gotten Tokelau is that all the advice I have read is to fax 4 days ahead, not 2. Perhaps by the time they received your request, they had no other rooms to fit your request.

For another poster...if you are going concierge, that's only in the Hawaii building until June 2003. Then Tahiti will house concierge.

 

[jeank74]

Hello Ozymandias,

Since Raratonga is close to the monorail track, did you hear any noise from the monorail, especially at night?

Thanks.

 

[Tikiman]

Welcome back. You should have gone for Aotearoa when offered. Some of the garden view rooms face the lagoon and the rooms are all new inside. I am glad you had a good time.

Steve

 

[PRINCESS Ariel34]

Hi Ozymandias happy you had a nice trip
I have a few questions if you don't mind answering

Can you tell me which building I would want to be in. This is my first time staying at the PoLY. My mom is going with us so I would like to stay close to the monorail. I requested a gv room already. We are not due there until june03. I also want to know if which building is closest to the restaurants. Any info you give me is appreciated being that I have no idea about this resort. I wanted to stay at CBR but, after riding the monorail last year I crave not having to drive as much as we did last July. Thanks

 

[Ozymandias]

To jeank74:

No noise at all from the monorail. Even when the sliding glass door was open you could barely hear it. When it was shut at night it was very quiet.

To PRINCESS Ariel34:

If being close to the monorail and the restaurants which are in the GCH is your biggest priority I would say Aotearoa is the building you would want. Rarotonga where I stayed is a little bit closer but the location and rooms aren't quite as good. Take a look at Tikiman's site

http://tikiman2001.homestead.com/

for a map and aerial view. Aotearoa is on one side of the GCH and Rarotonga is on the other. On that site you will find EVERYTHING you want to know. It is an awesome site.

To Tikiman:

I completely blanked that Aotearoa was freshly renovated otherwise I would have jumped on it in a second. Now as a Polynesian geek I'm kicking myself for not being one of the first to stay in the brand new digs and take lots of pictures to share.

D'oh!

 

[Ozymandias]

To jeank74:

No noise at all from the monorail. Even when the sliding glass door was open you could barely hear it. When it was shut at night it was very quiet.

To PRINCESS Ariel34:

If being close to the monorail and the restaurants which are in the GCH is your biggest priority I would say Aotearoa is the building you would want. Rarotonga where I stayed is a little bit closer but the location and rooms aren't quite as good. Take a look at Tikiman's site

http://tikiman2001.homestead.com/

for a map and aerial view. Aotearoa is on one side of the GCH and Rarotonga is on the other. On that site you will find EVERYTHING you want to know. It is an awesome site.

To Tikiman:

I completely blanked that Aotearoa was freshly renovated otherwise I would have jumped on it in a second. Now as a Polynesian geek I'm kicking myself for not being one of the first to stay in the brand new digs and take lots of pictures to share.

D'oh!

 

[Trish Bessette]

I will be making my first trip to the Poly (and Disney for that matter) in December. I will need a smoking room for my husband. Do you know where we should stay and do they have a balcony? Also, do you know if the room will stink? My husband doesn't smoke around me or our girls so I am hoping for a balcony. Thanks for your help and for getting me excited to go.

 

[LeslieKrb]

Hey I am going to the Poly on 9/29 I just want to know are the rooms pretty big. I know the measurments but I just want to know from another woman. Will I feel smothered?

Thanks Leslie