Back from the Polynesian

Poly Pal

DIS Veteran
Joined
Apr 9, 2001
Messages
827
We're just back from another great stay at the Polynesian! We were in Tokelau, second floor with a great view of the Quiet Pool. We checked in at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, 4/16. No lines at reception, yippee!

Had dinner at Kona and then went for a swim in the Volcano Pool which was practically empty (maybe 10 others in the pool) despite the resort being sold out (or so the CM at check-in said). We watched the ELP and Fantasy In the Sky from the pool - best view in all of WDW!

Had a minor housekeeping snafu when someone (maybe one of MY kids!) put the "Privacy Please" hang tag outside our door one morning as we left for the parks. Got back to an unmade room with kids needing a nap. While the rest of the family napped, I went to Captain Cook's for a snack. While in the GCH, I spoke with "Becky" at Guest Services to ask if we could have the room made up after 5:30 p.m. since we would be heading out to dinner. She typed a minute on her computer and said, "No problem." Later as we headed out to the Valet Stand, I saw Becky again at Guest Services and told her I forgot to mention a burned out bulb in the bathroom that needed replacement. Again, "no problem." When we returned to the room at 11:00 p.m. the room was still not made up. Called housekeeping for towels, which they brought within a few minutes. Housekeeping said Becky gave them the wrong room number! Arrggh!

There is construction going on on the parking lot side of Raratonga that extends from the GCH down toward Rapa Nui. There is a construction fence painted dark brown that hides the view. The sidewalks by the Neverland Club and Guest Laundry are torn up and covered with plywood painted gray. It looked like they were repairing the landscape sprinklers around Samoa on the Quiet Pool side. All of the landscaping on that side of the building has been removed including the lawn.

My wife says we're not going back to Disney World for 4 or 5 years when our youngest will be 9 or 10. :( :( :( But, we're planning on a Disney Cruise for summer next year, so we'll all get our Disney fix!

I'm happy to answer any questions.

Aloha!
 
Welcome back Poly Pal. The construction you saw is the new bus stop and the reason for the landscaping pulled up around Samoa is because it just went through the rehab with them fixing the foundations and all the dranage.

Glad you had a good time.

Aloha

Steve
 
poly pal... thanks for the report..how did you like your room location? Did your request Tokelau..thanks..amy
 
Sounds like you had a great time. We're following the same general arrival/dinner schedule as you are. We too requested Tokelau after reading Tikiman's site. Did you request Tokelau? Was there anything about it that wasn't what you expected - or would make you change your mind it you had it to do over? What room were you in.

Just second guessing myself - that's what happens when I obsessively plan ;-)
 

We were also on the second floor of the Tokelau blds. Unfortunately, our room had a horrible smell - not the mildew smell that we have all debated. It smelled like the carpet had been cleaned and never dried. The front desk would have moved us but once my husband is in the room, he doesn't want to have to leave again. Anyway, the condition of the carpet was horrible. There were numerous large stains all over the room. This building is in need of a total rehab.
We also had a very strange experience when we checked in. I gave the CM my new Disney Visa card. He looked at the computer screen, said "I'll be right back" and came back with a manager. She asked if we had ever been there before to which I replied that we have been there many times before. She then said that if we needed anything to please let them know. She walked away. I don't know what prompted a visit by a manager but I started to worry that maybe they have me in their system as the one who complained about housekeeping at Animal Kingdom Lodge two years ago. Do you think that they note things like this in their system.. It was one of the reasons I was reluctant to complain about the stinky room and the filthy carpet. I would be interested in knowing if anyone else ever had an experience like this.
 
Can you tell me why you think the whole building is in need of rehab just because your carpet had stains? I saw the longhouse last summer and it looked like it was in great shape. Other people who have just stayed in Tokelau said there room looked great. I am just wondering why that makes you say the whole building needs rehab.

As far as sharing notes between resorts, yes they do keep records on guests. How and why I do not know but they do.
 
Steve ....

I have a question, we are scheduled for the Poly gv concierge in mid-June. I'm wondering if I should skip the concierge and go for a better garden view in another building, or do you think the garden views in Tahiti will be okay. After reading Erika's reports, would Fiji provide more to look at? We've stayed in many of the longhouses prior, but never Tahiti.

Grant it, the lagoon view would be the ideal spot, but there were no lagoon views available, and those in the concierge are another $700.00 I just couldn't justify that much more for the view.

I'm just wondering if the Tahiti view will be a "bad" one.

Your thoughts?
 
There were other things about the room that I didn't mention because for me the carpet was the main item that I found to be in bad shape. Two of the three lamps in the room were not working well, you needed to jiggle the knob in order to get them to stay on. My husband also felt that the bed was very uncomfortable. However, I feel that the condition of the carpet is important. Maybe at the very least the carpeting needs to be replaced. While I understand the the prices are higher during holiday weeks, we paid over $400 per night for this room. For that kind of money, I expect everything to be in great shape. I don't understand why on these boards someone needs to be defensive about their favorite resorts. Most people who complain probably have legitimate complaints. It certainly doesn't make me want to ever post my opinions. The last time I posted I stated that I liked the Yacht Club Concierge better than the Animal Kingdom Lodge concierge because i felt that the Cms were friendlier. You should have seen the responses I got from that post. I was told that my demeanor was probably responsible for the AKL Cms being aloof and unhelpful. Sorry everybody. I won't comment on anything again.
 
I have personally been in the tahiti building 3 different times (maybe I could help) although not with the concerige. :( Had the garden view once. It was a second floor room, and all room in tahit i have either a balcony or patio :D and come with the 2 sink set up bathrooms. These are also supposed to be the largest rooms (i think) at the polynesian, available ( of course, not a suite). We really like Tahiti, the location although may be a little bit of a walk, it is really not that far, you are right on the beach, close to another parking area (if you have your car), and not that far from the pool area! We actually would figure out "short cuts" to get to the GCH or pools, take this path, turn here, cut through this building, and your here, etc.... Not a problem. Our GV over looked a beauitful palm and floral area landscaping is great and had rapa nui in background but not close enough to see in there rooms, or anything like that, very private. Our GV room was also near the end toward TTC, and we never heard any noise from the TTC! We did have a LV near the TTC also and would wave at the ferry going by from the balcony, you could hear the horns, though! With the concerige offered there and the food (we stayed concerige last year, in hawawii) you can save on snack, and beverage walks to GCH! :D

MKY :wave:
 
Thanks MKY!

We did stay in Hawaii concierge in January (garden view) and enjoyed it. I was just a little nervous about Tahiti. Your comments put my mind to ease and I think we will stick with our plans.

We love the Polynesian so much that no matter where we are, it's great, but I just wanted to make sure I wasn't spending the extra money for concierge and have a view of the parking lot.

Have a great day!

Aloha!
 
DisneyPoly,

I think Tahiti with concierge would be a great experience and the garden views are nice. I will admit that Fiji garden views will give you more to look at and are a nicer view but there is nothing bad about Tahiti’s garden views.

Disney Freak Numero Uno,

I don’t know what all the drama is all about. All I was doing was asking a question about the condition. I am interested in the condition so I can report it when asked. Where in my post am in defending the Polynesian or telling you that your opinion does not matter? This is why I don’t post here much anymore. Everyone takes things the wrong way.

Now I am going to defend the Polynesian. I don’t think a whole building is in need of rehab just because your room had some issues. It the stairs were falling apart of the hallways had holes in the walls than I would agree but it just sounds like your room was in need of attention. Saying the whole building needs rehab would turn people away from a great longhouse when there are rooms that are not in poor condition.

That is why I asked.
 
Hi again!

No we did not request Tokelau. This trip I made no special requests and just decided to go with the flow. We've stayed in Fiji, Aotearoa, Tuvalu and Tokelau before. When we checked in the CM asked, "Is this your first stay with us?" I said, "No, this is our 8th trip to the Polynesian...so put me in a good room!" The CM did some typing on his computer and said, "You're all set in Tokelau on the second floor with a view of the pool. I've had to put people in bad rooms all day and you're the first person I've checked in that hasn't had a view of the construction!"

We were happy with our room. We've always found the beds to be very comfortable at the Polynesian. The room had a great view of the Quiet Pool. Room was clean and there were no smells. I think I noticed one small stain, about the size of a coffee cup on the rug. That didn't keep me from exercising on the floor. Other than that the room was in good shape and seemed brighter to me than other rooms we've been in. Perhaps that is because we typically request the first floor and this time we were above alot of the landscaping.

When we got to our room we had gifts waiting for us. The people in my company's Orlando Office knew how much we were anticipating this vacation and sent a tote bag full of goodies through the Disney Florist. My two boys also got personalized, autographed pictures of Mickey and cellophane wrapped gift baskets with leis, sand pails, cookies, candies, and coloring books with markers. I am not sure if those were from the hotel or part of the gift from the office. In any event, it made our stay extra special.

Tikiman, you are correct about the new bus stop construction. also on the pool side of Raratonga they were installing new lawn sprinklers while we were there.

I want to go back! And someday we will!

Aloha!
 
The Poly was at 45 percent on Saturday, which is pretty sad but the rate changed on Sunday so who knows.
 
Poly Pal thanks for posting. Sounds like a great trip to the Polynesian. I find it very refreshing that you gave the benefit of the doubt on the Do Not Disturb sign. I hope you get back sooner than you think!

When I checked in about amonth ago there was no wait either. That contrasted with a 40 minute checkin at AKL two days earlier!

DisneyPoly although we've never been in GV Tahiti we've been in GV Rapa Nui many, many times and I can second what MKY said. The views are lovely and it is very peaceful and private feeling. Very few people wandering around. I prefer that to the action around Fiji but each to their own.
 
A question for Tikiman about the Hawaii building rehab. We plan on staying LV concierge once again this year in November.

What kind of shape do you think the Hawaii building and surroundings will be in November, after this summer's rehab???

Thanks!
 
We were just at Tokelau end of March. My husband and our 4 boys had two joining rooms same view of the quiet pool, From the balcony you could see the pool to the left. The room was fine. We have stayed at the Polynesian numerous times, I can't get the boys to go anywhere else. They love the volcano pool!! The rooms were bigger than the ones in Hawaii.

We really enjoyed our stay and our room.
 
Like Tikiman said, every complaint or for that matter compliment, that you register is kept on record that is shared "World" wide. I know that part of the reason is to try to discern a pattern (where applicable) of complaints by someone who may be looking for something in the way of a freebie or rate reduction simply by complaining.
 
Originally posted by DisneyPoly
Steve ....

I have a question, we are scheduled for the Poly gv concierge in mid-June. I'm wondering if I should skip the concierge and go for a better garden view in another building, or do you think the garden views in Tahiti will be okay. After reading Erika's reports, would Fiji provide more to look at? We've stayed in many of the longhouses prior, but never Tahiti.

Grant it, the lagoon view would be the ideal spot, but there were no lagoon views available, and those in the concierge are another $700.00 I just couldn't justify that much more for the view.

I'm just wondering if the Tahiti view will be a "bad" one.

Your thoughts?

Not Steve, but I can share my thoughts on your question.

Tahiti has the same garden view as does Tokelau on that side. I think it is a very good garden view. It is also a quiet, peaceful location. While Fiji is a good garden location it can get busy due to marina traffic and the Luau. Also Tahiti is one of the buildings built in phase two and is much larger than the buildings such as Fiji. Also if you give up concierge there is no guarantee you will get Fiji even if you request it.

I would never give up concierge for a view. :)
 
Thanks Sammie (and everyone else)!

We are going to stay with the concierge and enjoy any view that we get!

I appreciate your comments.
 














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