We just returned from 7 nights at the Polynesian, in Theme Park View CL. Below you will find my review:
IPO: We had great experiences with the IPO! While I made the majority of our ADRs before we upgraded to CL, they were able to assist us in organizing a Disney Florist delivery (from DDad to DMom for their 30th anniversary), as well as a Private Dining delivery of champagne and chocolate covered strawberries (from me to DMom and DDad for their anniversary).
ARRIVAL: We received a letter from IPO a few days prior to our arrival, and we were instructed to present it to valet upon arrival. When we pulled up to the security booth, we were also handed a yellow card to hand to the valet. We ended up just handing over the card.
When we pulled into the portico there were 3 Cast Members waiting to assist us. Hidalgo, Mark and Matt. Hidalgo appeared to be the valet manager on duty, and quickly went to check on the status of our room. Matt and Mark unloaded our bags from the car. We were informed that our room was not yet ready (not surprising! It was 10am!) so we stored some of our baggage and kept our carry on bags with us. Hidalgo assured us that he would call CL and let them know we had arrived, but were going to return in a few hours to check-in.
CHECK-IN: When we returned to the Polynesian, about 3 hours later, Hidalgo met us once again, and remembered us! He offered to drive us over to Hawaii, but the weather was so lovely that we decided to walk.
Nina greeted us and said she was glad we had arrived; she had been worried as they expected us hours ago. (Seems valet didnt communicate that we had arrived earlier). She told us that our room was not ready yet, but that we had been upgraded from Lagoon View to Theme Park View and that we had a lovely room on the third floor.
She asked if I would like to receive a text message alert when the room was ready and I said that would be fine. We relaxed in the lounge for about 45 minutes and then received a text message that our room, 3507, was ready.
ROOM: All I can say is What a view!! I thought the view from 3501 last year was amazing, but this was even better. The castle was practically dead center across the lagoon. We could see the Wedding Pavilion, the boat dock, the GF, a bit of Thunder Mountain, the Castle, Space Mountain, the Contemporary and the TTC!
The room was spotlessly clean, and we had a Mickey towel with lei on the bed. I didnt see any wear and tear to speak of. No dents or dings, no scratched furniture.
We absolutely loved our balcony and spent a great deal of time out there! We watched Wishes from the room at least 5 of the 7 nights.
CLUB LEVEL DESK CMs: All the staff that we encountered were wonderful, in particular Nina, Shannon and Alicia (I believe, sorry!). We were always greeted with an Aloha as we entered and any time we dealt with them for last minute ADRs etc. they were above and beyond helpful.
CLUB LEVEL LOUNGE CMs: Again, fantastic experiences here. Each time we would thank one of the cast members the response was always It is my pleasure!
CLUB LEVEL LOUNGE: The lounge was clean, and the food and drinks were constantly being replenished. We found that the majority of guests were respectful and cleaned up after themselves. We did not see dishes or food left on tables or in the hall. We also didnt experience anyone who seemed to take advantage of the offerings.
As an aside, one experience that irked me: There were two families in CL the week we were there that were so rude and intrusive it was unpleasant. Their children constantly dominated the childrens section downstairs AND the TV area upstairs, often at the same time. They also seemed to consider the couch and table closest to the windows as theirs because they told off other guests sitting in those sections more than once. They were also fairly loud and obnoxious, shouting things like Hey, beer me! across the lounge, taking 3 and 4 beers at a time (each!!) etc. They were also very derogatory of the CL and recreation CMs, complaining about the pool activities etc. Ok, vent over.
CLUB LEVEL FOOD OFFERINGS:
Breakfast basic offerings were bagels, croissants, cinnamon rolls or mini muffins (bran, blueberry and chocolate chip). Cereals included corn flakes, frosted flakes, raisin bran and fruit loops. There was 2% and skim milk available, along with Orange Juice, Cranberry Juice and Orange Passion Fruit Guava Juice. Apple Juice, Chocolate Milk, Soy Milk and Yoghurt were available on request. DMom raved about the oatmeal, which was offered with various dried fruits, brown sugar and cinnamon.
Afternoon One salty snack (trail mix, tortilla chips and salsa, popcorn etc.), Chocolate Chip Cookies, Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, Yoghurt Covered Raisins, Goldfish, Gummy Sharks etc were the snacks each day. Lemonade, Iced Tea, Water, Orange Passion Fruit Guava Juice and various sodas were also available.
Evening I had the opportunity to speak with Chef Eugene, the new CL chef. He was formerly at Boma as their soup and saucier chef. He has worked at 7 resorts and is enjoying Poly CL so far. He has only been there a month and a half and said he looks forward to changing up the menu in the coming months.
The offerings were fairly in line with the list provided by the IPO, with a few new additions. One night there were Samosas (potato and pea, or spinach and feta). These were sooo yummy! They had a good amount of kick to them as well.
There was also a raspberry baked brie (a bit too sweet for my taste).
The cheeses alternated each night, with the standout favorite being the herb and garlic boursin!
In terms of portions, the items were more bite sized than in Sept 2009, but they were constantly being replenished. We often arrived at 6 or 6:30 and found there was still more than enough of each offering to go around.
Sodas in the fridge were always stocked, I even stopped by at midnight and there were all types available. We took at least 1 if not bottles of Evian a day, and often when we asked for 1, the CM would bring us 2.
The only issue we had with the lounge was on Friday the 10th. We were at the pool and DMom and DDad wanted beer, and when they checked at 11:00 there was no one in the lounge (knocked on the door, no answer). At 11:30 and at 12 this remained the case and one of the Front Desk CMs went up to get the beer for them.
MOUSEKEEPING: We had a fantastic Mousekeeper, Awinda (I believe I may have spelled this wrong). She vacuumed, changed the sheets, dusted and even polished the windows every day. The room always smelled fresh and clean. We received two towel animals (swans and an alligator). Every day she left a note thanking us for our tip. Whenever we ran into her in the halls she gave us extra towels and toiletries.
TURN DOWN: This seemed to be hit and miss this trip. Not that we really cared as we often nap from 3 till 5 and we dont feel the need for turn down, but we would have appreciated the towels etc.
PHONE: We had the most bizarre issue with our phone! For the first 3 days, any key we would press, whether it was Valet, Mousekeeping, even Wake Up Call, directed us to the front desk, where they asked if we were the Sims family in 6547. Well, the Poly doesnt even have a room 6547 and we are not the Sims family. The issue was corrected after a few days, but it was certainly odd!
POOL: We never found either pool to be overly crowded and the only day we saw a lot of seat saving was our arrival day. I may get flamed for this, but when we arrived at 1pm, there were 3 towels on the table at the top of the Volcano Pool (near the slide). When DMom and I went to the pool at 3, those towels were still there, dry as could be and not a personal item in sight. Who goes to the pool without sandals, a bag, a book, a room key! Etc. We asked the people at the next table if they had seen anyone recently, they said not since they had arrived an hour and a half ago. We removed the towels and took the table. When we left at 5, no one had claimed the table was theirs. I dislike this type of saving.
A word about the pool activities, we never found them distracting. Sure, there was some Disney Channel music playing, or kids were answering trivia or dancing the Macarena, but it was fun! And not intrusive in the least!
RESORT CAST MEMBERS: Each and every one said Aloha! Many would even start conversations (such as the valet while you waited for your car or a taxi, the cast member in the store checking out your purchases etc.)
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!
I will be posting pictures later tonight.
bday tirp. I'm leaning toward AKL CL but those can be hard to book with a dsicount. I would really love to do the Sunset Safari so maybe I'll even consider a non CL room at AKL.
