confused about Poly

[sandymac]

Everyone here has been so helpful with our plans for our first trip to Disney.

But...I am still not sure where to stay - We booked the 7/4 deal at the Poly for July3-July11. We requested a lagoon view, 3rd floor balcony, in the Tahiti building. I was satisfied with that until I started reading about the concierge level at the Poly. Now, I want the concierge.

However, reading about the different longhouses in the Poly it seems that Tahiti is larger than Hawaii. Also I believe (again from what I have been reading) that Hawaii doesn't have a balcony on the second floor which it really important to us. We have three small children and I think that when they fall asleep at night Dh and I would love to be able to go out to the balcony and enjoy the view.

The money isn't the issue - we will be celebrating our 10 year anniversary in disney so DH wants to go all out - I am just afraid that the rooms in Tahiti are nicer than Hawaii - any suggestions or advice will gladly be welcomed. The most important thing for us is to have a balcony with a view of MK.

Thanks

 

[LorieDisneyLover]

Wellll.... if money isn't an issue I would DEFINITELY go for concierge at the Hawaii building. The rooms are not any better in Tahiti than Hawaii. In fact, Hawaii just went through a rehab last summer so the rooms should be in very good condition. We've stayed at both buildings (last year Tahiti was concierge while Hawaii was being redone) and I MUCH prefer Hawaii, esp. with kids. Hawaii is right next to the pool ... and very centrally located to everything. You are correct in that the 2nd floor does not have balconies. We usually stay on the first floor with the patio. My kids love to be able to walk out and play in the sand and we can watch them from the room. Also, the hammocks are so comfty ... they too are steps away.

I'd stay Hawaii any day given a choice. When we stayed in Tahiti last year we thought the rooms were run down and needed rehab.

You'll love it.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Visit Steve's Polynesian Resort website, at www.tikiman2001.homestead.com. It is has great info. on the Poly.

I would go for the Concierge just for the convenience of it.

Lori

 

[Disneyhappy]

I believe both longhouses have recently been refurbished. Personally, I would prefer a smaller longhouse as it feels more intimate. (Unless if you are talking about the room sizes - that I don't know the answer to but I know Hawaii rooms are quite roomy compared to the other deluxes I have stayed at.) Other than a different bathroom set-up, I think the only other construction difference is no balconies on the 2nd floor. I would make sure you put in a request to the concierge staff that you want a first or third floor room and why. The first floor rooms have nice patios that open up onto the lawn/beach. Concierge is wonderful- espceially with three small chidren! I cannot place a value on the convenience of concierge with a family of little ones. Hawaii is in a great location. I think your odds are good of getting on the first or third floor in Hawaii, but booking a non concierge LV should guarantee you a balcony if Tahiti has balconies on all floors. Also this may ply a part in your decision. Part of third floor Hawaii is smoking. Most people have reported that they could not smell any smoke and some of those same people were asthmatic.
Fellow DISers - please help out if I misprepresented anything.

 

[johnvree]

I believe that the rooms in the Tahiti may be a little larger. Keep in mind that, although you requested the Tahiti, you are not guaranteed that longhouse. The resort will do the best it can to accomodate you, but there is no guarantee. BTW, I suspect that Tahiti is the most requested lagoon view because the views are great. If you go concierge, you are guaranteed to be in the Hawaii since that is the only longhouse with non-suite concierge rooms.

If money is no issue, than do the concierge. You will not regret it.

 

[Parrothd]

I agree with everything that everyone else said. If you simply book a Lagoon-View room, you could be "stuck" in any of 4 different longhouses (Tahiti, Tokelau, Tuvalu or Aetearoa). The "best" lagoon views of those 4 are from Tahiti.......so it's typically the most requested. You might get it (if you're lucky), you might not.

If you book Conceirge Lagoon-View, you will be guaranteed a room in Hawaii (views just as good as Tahiti). There are 54 Lagoon-View rooms in the Hawaii longhouse. 18 of these have no balconies or patios......those are the 18 on the second floor.
1501 - 1518 have patios,
2501 - 2518 simply have a rail on the outside of the sliding glass door,
3501 - 3518 have balconies.

There are 72 Lagoon-View rooms in Tahiti (18 more than Hawaii - 6 per floor).
1015 - 1038 have patios,
2015 - 2038 have balconies,
3015 - 3038 have balconies.

The rooms in the Tahiti longhouse are slightly larger. However, the few extra square feet are negligable.......and only noticed in the bathroom area.

Good luck in getting what you request. I never seem to able to. In fact, I've been "stuck" in (what is now) Rarotonga, parking lot side more than any other.

Note that being "stuck" is a realative term. I'd rather be "stuck" anywhere at the Polynesian over any other resort.

 

[sandymac]

Thank you for all your replies - you definitely convinced me to stay in the concierge. Unfortunately when we called to switch our ressie, there were no rooms available for our dates.

But we will keep trying - if it doesn't happen, that is fine also. I am sure anywhere in the Polynesian will be beautiful.

 

[PamNC]

You've picked a wonderful resort. Hawaii does have 2nd floor rooms without balconies. That would bother us too! We just got back about 1 month ago and we specifically requested a room with a balcony when we made the ressie and 3 days prior to our arrival. And, guess what? We got it! We don't do concierge, so I'm thinking if you must do concierge you have no choice but Hawaii - so be sure and make your request known. The Poly staff is wonderful and they aim to please. I think you'll be okay. If, when you check in you find that you have been given a room without a balcony - just politely ask if there is a room available with a balcony and let them know you don't mind waiting.

Have fun

PamNC