Back from the Poly - No Dreams but lots of pixie dust!

[DisneyMomx7]

Hi we're back from our marathon stay at the Polynesian. We checked in Thursday, January 4 and checked out Tuesday, January 9. This is our short trip. As soon of you may remember we had a less than magical stay at the Poly last summer and really only booked it again because we wanted a monorail resort for the marathon and by the time we made up our mind to go that was all that was left.

All I can say is what a difference 6 months makes! Our magic started at check in. We had just booked a gv room because I think that in January the view doesn't matter as much as its usually so much cooler than our July trip. We were upgraded to a MK view! Now I've had a MK view twice at the GF but we've always paid for it. We've never been upgraded, nor have we ever asked to be upgraded. This was a great surprise and a great way to start the vacation.

Our room was 3405 (3rd floor Tuvalu) and it had a dead on view of the castle. We could also see Space Mountain and the kids were definitely loving watching Wishes and and EWP from our balcony. Since the weather was unseasonably warm (high 70's to mid 80's!) we definitely took advantage of the balcony.

THe CMs seemed so much friendly than in July. They all went out of their way to say Aloha every time we saw them. The last room we stayed in hadn't yet installed the bedpost lights and they were a welcome addition. I still like the sinks outside the bathroom (YC and GF) but overall we didn't have any issues at all. Mousekeeping was very good and was always finished by 12:00. No towel animals in the room (didn't expect any) but room was cleaned well and they actually were making towel animals in the kids section of the lobby the giving them away to the kids.

We had some special pixie dust - we were the family to open the Liberty Tree Tavern, 2 kids were picked to be in Belle's Fairy Tale Garden Show and we had a special pre-arranged private meeting with the characters. A friend of mine daughter works at Disney and was able to arrange this for us. The kids met Peter Pan, Wendy, Snow White, Brer Bear and Brer Fox in a private room. The characters were great and spent a lot of times with the kids. It was a once in a lifetime occasion. We were celebrating DH's 50th birthday and dd's 8th birthday so I had arranged a Mickey's Chocolate Head cake at CP and the mini castle cake at GFC and the kids loved them. I also had ordered some baskets from Disney FLorist and was well satisfied with them also.

We had such a good time at the Poly that we're wavering for the second week of our July vacation. First week is at YC and second week is booked at GF. However we're debating whether we should change second week to the Poly or wait and see who has the better AP rates (if any) for July. Any questions?

 

[sherry]

Hello, Thank you for sharing. We leave for the Polynesian tomorrow. It is our dd's (20,24) first trip there and we are hoping for some pixie dust ourselves. I'm glad to hear that the magic was back.

 

[WDWBetsy]

Thanks for posting! So glad you received the special upgrade!

Sounds like your trip did have lots of pixie dust!

Hopefully we'll have some as well.

 

[KSoda]

Hello everyone! I'm new to these boards but I've written a few times. It's so great to hear about other families experiences at Disney World. This June 27th through the 4th of July week, my three daughters and I head to the Polynesian for our sixth trip to WDW, but second stay at the Polynesian and now with my brand new six month old grandson. On our last trip at the same time of the year in 2001, we stayed in the Samoa longhouse, but were placed in a garden view room facing the back. I want to ask if anyone can recommend a room in the same building on the third floor or even the first floor facing the volcano pool that I can request? What are the pro's and cons? This will be a ten night stay this time. Also, what do you thing is the best park to be in for the 4th of July?

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Looks like we'll be there the same time. We're at Disney June 28-July 12th! We've been at Disney on the 4th of July before and the best advice I can give you is stay out of MK on the 4th! We always do EPCOT on the 4th during the day because its so spread out it doesn't seem nearly as crowded as the other parks. Since you're staying at the Poly I would suggest not going anywhere the night of the 4th. Just stake out your spot on the Poly beach and watch the spectacular fireworks from there. We stayed at the GF on the 4th of July 2005 and just watched the fireworks from our room - no craziness, no pushing, no trying to get out of that mess! Have fun.

 

[KSoda]

Thats good advise! But, I think we'll make dinner reservations for Mexico at Epcot, that seems to be the best spot. I would still like to see the display for the MK though. My experience is for whatever event is going on such as a parade or fireworks, make reservations at a restaurant where you want to be located for the events. Look forward to saying hello to you while there! Have a great time.

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

Thats good advise! But, I think we'll make dinner reservations for Mexico at Epcot, that seems to be the best spot. I would still like to see the display for the MK though. My experience is for whatever event is going on such as a parade or fireworks, make reservations at a restaurant where you want to be located for the events. Look forward to saying hello to you while there! Have a great time.

Have you eaten at San Angel (Mexico's TS restaurant)? It is the one located indoors. The cantina (CS restaurant/no ADRs) is the one located outdoors, where you could have a view of Illuminations. If you knew this please disregard this post

 

[Lives4Disney]

Thats good advise! But, I think we'll make dinner reservations for Mexico at Epcot, that seems to be the best spot. I would still like to see the display for the MK though. My experience is for whatever event is going on such as a parade or fireworks, make reservations at a restaurant where you want to be located for the events. Look forward to saying hello to you while there! Have a great time.

Last year the MK showed their fireworks on July 3rd, too. We sat on the Poly beach and watched after our dinner at O'Hana.

DisneyMomx7 - Glad it was a much better stay this time. I have always liked the Poly resort, but didn't feel the magic there. Sounds like there is some attitude improvement in the CMs and that makes a lot of difference.

Thanks for the great review.

Lives4Disney

 

[java]

CHANGING!!! AGAIN!!! LOL
I am so glad you loved the poly this time. We really had a great stay last July. We had all the aloha's and kindness the whole trip- We couldn't get a AAA rate during April for it that is how we ended up at the GF(Rack rate! can't do it... so I'll take that little AAA discount) What kind of baskets did you get for the kids. I am going to need to order something for Easter(I miss feralpeg!) I have heard about someone else doing it too- suzanne I think?
Well welcome back and keep planning........

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I'm so glad you decided to give it another try! The Poly is our favorite non-DVC resort and one of these days we may have to either spend the points or go back on cash. Welcome back!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Java - did you decide on the GF for April? Are you still thinking about going in July?

The rates will do it for us. I have AAA rate right now for GF, I'll see if the Poly is open for those dates with AAA and make a decision (LOL). Then I'll see what happens if AP rates open up.

I was thinking of Java the whole time because I remembered you stayed in the same building with a castle view too! I ordered the kids kool snacks (beware the cooler is MUCH smaller than the picture) and a big one - I can't remember the name but it was "healthy" and cost $70.00. It had water, fruit, cheese, crackers, pretzels, dipping sauce etc. They had Happy birthday ballons attached (extra). I didn't want to order the chocolate bars cake (way too much sugar for three kids). The chocolate Mickey head cake was an even bigger hit than the mini castle cakes or even the slippers I ordered in the past. HTH.

 

[KSoda]

Yes I have eaten at San Angel, I'm glad you told me about the out door area though. It is true that Disney dining does not take reservations for that area, it's only walk up, I just found that out from them as I read your post at the same time. Thank you!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

During the first part of our summer trip we'll be at the Yacht Club for the 4th. We made reservations at Rose and Crown for 7:30 and are hoping to get lucky for a patio table. If not we'll probably just watch them from a nearby area. We'll watch MK's 4th of July on the 3rd. If I was staying at the Poly for that part of the trip I would definitely watch the 4th of July fireworks from the Poly beach, JMHO.

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

Glad to hear you had a great trip! I am getting so excited for our first Poly trip in April! We have requested Tokelau but would gladly accept a MK view upgrade as long as we have a balcony. No balcony...I would sadly have to decline the upgrade.

 

[bawsmom]

We stayed in Tokelau and loved it- GV 3rd floor- could look off the balcony and see the Castle and fireworks. It was great!!

 

[mt mommy]

Thanks for your great review of the Poly. We leave at the end of the month for the Poly. I am so glad to hear you had some great pixie dust thrown your way. I debated for months between Poly and GF. No you have made me even more excited.

Thanks for the great review!!

 

[MHTeacher]

We stayed in Tokelau and loved it- GV 3rd floor- could look off the balcony and see the Castle and fireworks. It was great!!

Do you remember the specific room number you had ? We're staying at the Poly (GV) for the first time in March. I've looked at Tikiman's website quite a bit, and have decided to request Tokelau 3rd floor, because I read that you can still see the castle from some of these rooms.

Thanks !