tiggrsbride
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2004
- Messages
- 244
We returned on 12/23 from an 8 night stay at the Polynesian. We had a magical trip! We utilized Magical Express for our arrival and departure. It was quick and easy, with little wait for our busses. At check in we were greeted with flower leis. The resort was beautiful, with holiday accents throughout. Intially we were put in Aotearoa, but since I had requested Tokelau for our Garden View room, the front desk folks happily moved us. Very warm staff was a great start to our stay! Our room, 3993 was on the third floor of Tokelau, was ready at 11:30 am. Yeah! We were pleased with the condition of the room. It was very spacious and clean. Each day the room was cleaned, and the bathroom was left spotless. The beds were really comfortable, and the towels were the new, soft ones. On Sunday 12/16, the room wasn't made up until after 3:30, which bothered me a bit, but after that, the room was cleaned promptly each morning. DD got conjunctivits on day 3 of our vacation. Concierge helped me to arrange quick prescription delivery, and mousekeeping changed all of the bedding in the room to prevent us sharing her eye infection. We didn't receive any towel animals, but a few times mousekeeping arranged DD's stuffed animals. We did tip daily for our clean room.
The resort was full during the week, but didn't feel packed. One day we had a hard time finding a seat at the volcano pool, but normally we did not. DD swam most days, but found the quiet pool warmer than the volcano pool, so she used that a few times. I didn't find any warm jets in the volcano pool, so I stayed out. I did really miss the hot tub with the cool nights, and some cool days. The lifeguard staff at the pool was stellar. One guard jumped in after a little boy who was struggling. They played games with the kids each afternoon. DD got a hair wrap at the pool with only a small wait. Again, the CM was friendly and kind.
DS went over to the fitness center at the GF several times and was pleased with the facillities. It was a five minute walk, which he enjoyed.
We ate at Captain Cook's for breakfast and lunch. The food was excellent! I got fresh steamed veggies with my pulled pork sandwich, super! We devoured Tonga Toast, and slurped Dole Whips. Yum! The staff was very helpful and nice, even the gentlemen trying to keep the mug refill area clean. We got coffee each morning from Kona Coffee bar. Sometimes there was a line, other times, no line. The kids loved the croissants that we got there. The coffee was better than the Nescafe served at Captain Cook's. I felt like after what we had paid for our room, the five bucks for good coffee was a splurge I could live with. We had dinner one night at Kona Cafe. It was fabulous! I had my best meal of the stay there, and we had many great meals! I had the Ahi Tuna with Tempura Crab and Wasabi Hollandaise. Outstanding! I will do a dining report later with the gory food details.
Transportation was great on the monorail. We regularly walked to the TTC to monorail to Epcot. The boats to MK were slower, since the GF shared with the Poly. One night after the 9 pm Wishes fireworks, we waited about 20 minutes for the boats. We should of taken the monorail. Live and learn! The busses were hit or miss. One day we waited 40 minutes for a bus to MGM. While we waited, 3 busses came and went for AK/BB. Buses were generally a longer wait than the monorail, and we shared with either the Contemporary or the GF so the trips were not quick.
I used the laundry facillities twice. Both times I got washers immediately. The dryers were nice and hot, and dried everything within one cycle, which lasted about 40 or so minutes. The second time I did wash, I tried to use a machine that had been out of order earlier in the week. The sign was removed, so I loaded it up and put in my money. It didn't work. I used the house phone to call the front desk to report the problem, and they said they would send someone over. I waited for about 10 minutes, and no one came, so I left. I was annoyed for a minute, then I got over it, thinking that this was one small blip. I didn't want anyone else to have the same problem, but I am not sure that the issue was addressed.
We watched Wishes from the beach. It was magnificent!
The kids went to the arcade a few times and really enjoyed it.
We shopped at BouTiki, Samoa Snacks and Trader Jack's. I received a Poly sweatshirt for my birthday, and exchanged it easily for a smaller size. They run really big! Staff was very accomodating and friendly each time we were in.
We thoroughly enjoyed our first stay at the Poly! It was a relaxing respite from the busy parks. The grounds were gorgeous! Our room was wonderful! Each day we savored our time at the resort. We planned a magnificent trip to remember and the Poly played a major part in our happiness. DS doesn't want to stay any place else after being at the Polynesian. That is a pretty big endorsement from a 15 year old boy!
Sorry for rambling...If you have any questions, I would be happy to answer! Merry Christmas!
The resort was full during the week, but didn't feel packed. One day we had a hard time finding a seat at the volcano pool, but normally we did not. DD swam most days, but found the quiet pool warmer than the volcano pool, so she used that a few times. I didn't find any warm jets in the volcano pool, so I stayed out. I did really miss the hot tub with the cool nights, and some cool days. The lifeguard staff at the pool was stellar. One guard jumped in after a little boy who was struggling. They played games with the kids each afternoon. DD got a hair wrap at the pool with only a small wait. Again, the CM was friendly and kind.
DS went over to the fitness center at the GF several times and was pleased with the facillities. It was a five minute walk, which he enjoyed.
We ate at Captain Cook's for breakfast and lunch. The food was excellent! I got fresh steamed veggies with my pulled pork sandwich, super! We devoured Tonga Toast, and slurped Dole Whips. Yum! The staff was very helpful and nice, even the gentlemen trying to keep the mug refill area clean. We got coffee each morning from Kona Coffee bar. Sometimes there was a line, other times, no line. The kids loved the croissants that we got there. The coffee was better than the Nescafe served at Captain Cook's. I felt like after what we had paid for our room, the five bucks for good coffee was a splurge I could live with. We had dinner one night at Kona Cafe. It was fabulous! I had my best meal of the stay there, and we had many great meals! I had the Ahi Tuna with Tempura Crab and Wasabi Hollandaise. Outstanding! I will do a dining report later with the gory food details.
Transportation was great on the monorail. We regularly walked to the TTC to monorail to Epcot. The boats to MK were slower, since the GF shared with the Poly. One night after the 9 pm Wishes fireworks, we waited about 20 minutes for the boats. We should of taken the monorail. Live and learn! The busses were hit or miss. One day we waited 40 minutes for a bus to MGM. While we waited, 3 busses came and went for AK/BB. Buses were generally a longer wait than the monorail, and we shared with either the Contemporary or the GF so the trips were not quick.
I used the laundry facillities twice. Both times I got washers immediately. The dryers were nice and hot, and dried everything within one cycle, which lasted about 40 or so minutes. The second time I did wash, I tried to use a machine that had been out of order earlier in the week. The sign was removed, so I loaded it up and put in my money. It didn't work. I used the house phone to call the front desk to report the problem, and they said they would send someone over. I waited for about 10 minutes, and no one came, so I left. I was annoyed for a minute, then I got over it, thinking that this was one small blip. I didn't want anyone else to have the same problem, but I am not sure that the issue was addressed.
We watched Wishes from the beach. It was magnificent!
The kids went to the arcade a few times and really enjoyed it.
We shopped at BouTiki, Samoa Snacks and Trader Jack's. I received a Poly sweatshirt for my birthday, and exchanged it easily for a smaller size. They run really big! Staff was very accomodating and friendly each time we were in.
We thoroughly enjoyed our first stay at the Poly! It was a relaxing respite from the busy parks. The grounds were gorgeous! Our room was wonderful! Each day we savored our time at the resort. We planned a magnificent trip to remember and the Poly played a major part in our happiness. DS doesn't want to stay any place else after being at the Polynesian. That is a pretty big endorsement from a 15 year old boy!
Sorry for rambling...If you have any questions, I would be happy to answer! Merry Christmas!
. Can't wait to hear your dining details!
