Well I was not going to post the trip report here but I have had quite a few emails to post it so here is what I wrote and posted when I got home. It is a little long.
July 23
We got to Orlando late and checked into the Dolphin for 4 nights paid for with our Starwood points we got from cashing in our condo in Maui. So far just about every place we have stayed in the Starwood system has been great and being Starwood Prefered Gold members usually gets us upgraded. The themeing of the resort was great and I was excited about trying it because I loved the location from when we stayed at the Yacht Club.
The staff was very friendly and the guy who took us to the room was great to talk to and gave us good information. The hallway carpet leading to the room seemed extremely dirty and had huge stains every couple of feet. In some areas the carpet was so loose it left a role sticking up about 1-2 inches. It was so big I almost took a photo because I figured no one would believe me. So far not a great impression. The room was nice but small and the beds were great. The bathroom had a sink outside the bathroom but it was a little cramped and the plug did not work over near the sink. The room hairdryer was mounted across from there over the food area where the coffee pot and refrigerator was. I thought that was an odd place to put it. There was paint all over the toilet area dripped on the tile and the top of the toilet that had never been wiped up and the bathroom could have used a better cleaning. Tara called up to the front desk about any Starwood benefits at this resort because every other one we stayed at had some kind of special. The front desk transferred her a few times and they transferred her back and no one had a clue. They also told us the gold member late checkout would not be honored. Well that is ok we are in WDW so lets head out.
We headed over to one of our favorites
the Flying Fish. Dinner was great as usual and it seemed extremely hot out for that late at night. We always come at the end of June into the beginning of July but the weather this trip was much warmer than I have felt even when I went in August in 1996. We walked back over to the Dolphin which would not be a long walk but you wave to walk around all the water areas and once you get inside we got lost 3 times the first night. I guess we are not use to a big resort like this. The Yacht Club could be a little confusing also but this was worse.
July 24
I coughed all night so I did not sleep well. Not sure why. My asthma has been much better the last few years and I dont have severe allergies. There did not appear to be any excessive dust in the room. So we got up and headed into Epcot. We went on Space first thing. Got a fast pass and got on in 5 minutes. It was a great ride and if it had lasted another 10 seconds I would have been using the bag. A few getting off had to sit down but I was fine in about 2 minutes. We headed into Mexico to eat at the restaurant. It was lunch hour and we had no P.S. but we only had to wait about 15 minutes. We went on the boat ride with the pager and we were seated shortly after we got off the ride. We went back to the Dolphin and got the car to drive over to the Animal Kingdom. Well as I approached the gate I forgot we did not get free parking like at a Disney Resort. Between that and not being able to charge back to the room from the park and have our packages taken to our room I am starting to feel like I am staying off property. After a few things at the AK we drove from there to Downtown Disney and went to Fultons The crab and lobster special was out of this world. The lobster was an Australian spiny lobster like what you usually get in Hawaii and it was so good and the service was beyond great. We headed back to the Dolphin and I dropped off Tara and Darby at the door and I went to park. After I found the self parking it was all coned off with signs that it was full even if I could see spots. So I had to valet at $14 a night and this was the case most nights we were there. The place was full because of a convention and because of the convention they had small bars set up all over the lobby, or I am assuming they dont do this on a regular basis. The place felt like a huge lounge with everyone drinking. You could hardly walk through the lobby and not get bumped into or a drink spilled on you. I would not have wanted to be there with young kids.
July 25
We headed over to Blizzard Beach and did all the slides and the lazy river. About noon or so we went and played Winter Summerland (both sides) which is always great. When we got back to the Dolphin we went to the pool since we were already in our suits and there were all sorts of games going on for the kids which was great. There was plenty of room in the pool and it was very nice. We asked where we could get a drink and we were directed in two directions, both of which were far enough that we had to put back on shoes and go on a walk. We than headed to the boat to MGM. We walked around and did a few things and than went to Sci Fi for dinner with no P.S. We got in with a 10 minute wait. The food was good as usual and the service was a little slow but it was still fun. We left and walked over to Fantazmic and it was standing room only so we skipped it and headed back to the Dolphin.
July 26
We went back into MGM and ate at Prime Time Café for the first time with no P.S. The food was great and the whole atmosphere was terrific and had you laughing the whole time. We would go back there on the next trip. Later we called and made a reservation for LOriginale Alfredo Di Roma and it was great but we had our first rain and it was a big one on the way over to Epcot. The rain lasted a few hours and when we left it was stopping just in time to go to our Illuminations Cruise. Well just as they were getting the boats ready lightning struck and they canceled the cruise but put us on a call back list for the rest of our stay if someone canceled. We walked into Epcot and watched Illuminations from the same bridge we would have been under.
July 27
I was told that the night before I was talking in my sleep and I was saying We get to start our vacation over and over. I just did not quite feel I was in WDW till I get to the Polynesian or at least a Disney resort. We went to Typhoon Lagoon till just before we needed to check out. At check out when they asked us how our stay was we told them it was not great and told them how we had to valet so they refunded the valet money. I may not love the Dolphin but the staff was good and the resort has a lot of things to offer. I dont believe it was lacing anything but it was just not in a good of condition as I would have expected and it was much too big. I would like to try the Swan someday and the Dolphin beats staying outside the property.
We arrived at the Polynesian at the gentleman who greeted us said he had good news and he had good news. He said our room was ready and our room was 1505. Tara has so far never been in any room other than 1505 but I have been in a few. They took us on an extra long tour in the cart around the Polynesian and than brought us to the Hawaii longhouse where Tara and Marilyn were there to greet us. That was perfect to be greeted by them and a surprise because Marilyn works in the Island Planning Office. There was no one else in the concierge desk area so we sat and talked a while. After a while Melissa and the new (since we have been there) manager Rich Matthews came in the door to greet us which was another great surprise. It had been too long since I had seen everyone so I felt I was home. I was sorry I was unable to meet the other manager but I believe Tara ran into her at the concierge desk and said she was very nice. So I had to let them all get back to work and off to our room we went. When I walked in I noticed not only was the carpet and things new but the wall paper was down (as I knew they were doing) and the walls were this great tan with a texture added to it. I later found out it was one of 3 rooms in Hawaii they used to test out the wall texture. I want them to come and do a room at my home. I took photos but I dont know if it will show up on the picture.
In the room was a big flower arrangement I ordered for Tara from the WDW Florist and it came with this great pot we had shipped home. There was also a baby Mickey and Minnie from Melissa and Marilyn that was so nice of them and they got both since we dont know what the baby is yet. There was also a great big gift basket from Mike and Eileen who had emailed me before their trip. They were still there and I wanted to meet them or at the least thank them but Melissa is not able to give out other guest information which I would not expect her to do otherwise even if she does know me but I had her call and tell them thank you. We also got a Hawaiian style gift basket full of Hawaiian goodies from the Polynesian. A thank you note tied to a couple of balloons was floating around from Michele (Tinkerbella22). It was not only nice to finally be at the Polynesian but we felt surrounded by friends. That night we got a call to go on the Illuminations Cruise but I was hoping we could get one when the Robbs (from California) got there so we could all go so we declined the invitation. We headed over to the MK for a few rides and it started to rain hard again so after Pirates we headed back to the Polynesian. The lounge was crowded and it was the first time I had seen a line like that but everyone was on their best behavior. The food the night before (Monday) was Sushi but this night (Tuesday) was fried rice, teriyaki chicken skewers and beef skewers which were great. Every night the warm items are along with vegetables with ranch dipping sauce, cheese and crackers and fresh cut up fruit with caramel sauce. There is still the kids area with the uncrustable PB&J sandwiches which even the adults love and other kid treats as well as the coffee, sodas and the dispensers with the ice tea, tropical juice and lemonade. The water is now in big glass bottles which you can ask to take one to your room but the small plastic ones are gone because of guest abuse. The management found out from the housekeeping staff that they were finding on average 6-8 unused bottles of water in the rooms after the guests check out and the lounge was going through 30 cases a day so they pulled the plug on the water which the Polynesian was one of the last concierge lounges to have the water out. This type of abuse and bad judgment on the part of guests will only reduce the amount of offerings and perks given to the concierge guests. It was even mentioned as a rumor that the hot items would be limited if people keep on hording the food the way we would see some nights. We would see people bring the ice bucket trays from the room and load up more than once a night. Some would even clean out a selection keeping the staff on their toes to refill and make more. That was besides the families that felt it was ok to show up in nothing but a bath robe or dripping from the pool. Dont get me wrong, most of the time the lounge was a peaceful and relaxing place to hang out and get some great offerings and many were on their best behavior but a few need to learn how to act. Also it only takes a few to ruin a good thing for everyone like the water. I dont blame the Polynesian management for one second. I would bet that many of the guests I have heard complaints about the water being gone are the same ones taking all the bottles. We always took some to the room but only a few at a time and only what we would use. Well now that I got that off my chest I will move on.
We ate at Ohana making reservations that day and it was great as usual. Terri was our server and she has been there for 7 years.
July 28
We went into the MK and Mickeys Philharmagic was closed do to some problems. We did a few other things and headed back to the Polynesian to enjoy the pool. The pool was not too crowded and there were still plenty of lounge chairs to be found. We went to Kona Café for lunch and Melissa brought the fresh flower leis we got from the Tiki Plan to us at the restaurant. They usually have them delivered the day you arrive but to get them there on a Tuesday meant they would have to ship them over the weekend and the lady at Gecko Farms did not want them sitting in a box over the weekend so they were send Monday for a Wednesday delivery. That was fine with me and I am glad she thought of that. They could have delivered them to our room even with us not in it but Melissa knew we were in Kona and was nice enough to bring them up. It was funny because everyone in Kona was watching them give us the leis and wondering how we got such beautiful flower leis. Melissa said the box was a little hot when they got them but a little sprinkle of water and they all perked right up. The leis actually lasted to the end of our stay there which was about a week and they were kept out. We had a great dinner that night with some friends of ours that may not want their names posted since they work for Disney but it was one of our favorite nights out. I found out a lot about how the resorts work and how upper Disney management is not letting the resorts do what they need to do the right way but most of what I was told I will not be sharing with anyone because I dont believe it was information given to me to post. I will tell you that since Disney contracts out for many things now that if something brakes in your room they have to call someone in from offsite instead of the good old days when Disney would pay to have staff onsite. Also if something breaks after midnight you are stuck till the next morning when someone can come in but dont go and blame the Polynesian staff because they have no control over this.
July 29
I met Dore at the concierge desk who knew me and we talked for a while. She was great to talk to and I was glad to have met her. John helped us at the desk with our tickets for the Spirit of Aloha Show. He was another new face to me. We headed upstairs to the lounge and finally got to see Chef Dick!!! It was so good to see him again and we talked about all sorts of things. He told Tara she was going to have a boy. That night was BBQ chicken and ribs that he worked on with the chef from Luau Cove. We put on our fresh flower leis and headed over to the show. We got many looks for having on real leis and the greeters with the plastic leis looked at us and said we must have come from the real islands. The show was great and so was the food. Some still say they only thought the food was ok but we had eaten nothing but the best places since we had been there and this was just as good. I think if you are not sure you should just try it for yourself and decide and not go by reports but that is just my opinion. We went to the early show so we had time after to go in the pool and relax before the Electrical Water Pageant and Wishes fireworks. They did have speakers on to hear the show but the speakers were louder near the pool than the ones near our room on the path next to the beach.
July 30
I took my walk around the entire Polynesian this day and took photos and had a note pad with me to write down details as I stood looking at views. Here are some of my notes:
The parking lot side of Rarotonga is actually not a bad view at all. I will have photos posted but the amount of garden area, paths and the monorail fill in a large area before you even get to the parking lot and from most rooms you would not even see any of the parking lot. Now that this building was redone I think it is a great location and either side would not be a bad view.
The new bus stop looks great and even have fans going under it. The grounds looked better than ever and the area around the East pool had new concrete done that is stamped like the walkways around the new pool. There were very few people even over at the East Pool and I saw that it goes from 3 deep to 7 8 deep. There are some nice covered sitting areas and plenty of lounge chairs.
Hawaii views have not changed much but this is what I wrote as I stood at each room and looked out. I also tried to figure out some of the upper views by lining up things that may be in the way of the view toward the castle.
Here are Hawaii views:
1518-3518 Has some small plants on the edge of the patio but do not block the view at all but the trees out on sunset point are surrounding the castle in the view but you can see the castle through them as well as fireworks and EWP.
1517-3517 have a clear view of the castle
1516-3516 have a clear view of the castle
1515-2515 look through many trees on the beach and garden area but 3515 may be up enough to see over these short trees.
1513-2513 is blocked by trees but 3513 may be up high enough to see over them
1512-3512 have a clear view of the castle
1511-3511 have a clear view to the castle
1510-2510 have a good view to the castle with some trees to the left
3510 may have more of the tree top blocking part of the view.
1509 looks at the castle through the tree trunks
2509 is blocked by more of the tree top
3509 may be high enough to be looking over the trees.
1508 is a good view through some trees. Not sure about 2508 and 2509 above it.
1507-3507 is a good view of the castle
1506 is a good view around some trees but the rooms above it (2506-3506) look blocked.
1505-3505 are good views of the castle
1504-3504 are good views of the castle with some trees to the left
1503-3505 are looking through trees
1502-3502 are looking through trees
1501-3501 are view through trees with the ground floor room having foliage next to the patio and partly in front of the patio.
The smoking rooms are only half the upper floor of Hawaii now and I looked to see which rooms were non-smoking. They start at the lounge end with 3501-3510 along the lagoon side and 3527 (right across from 3510) till the end 3534 on the garden side. The floor had no smoke smell what so ever and I was told the rooms that are non-smoking have no smell since they were redone before they opened back up as non-smoking.
Now I will keep helping with views as long as I dont find out people are driving the Polynesian crazy with room requests and getting upset if they do not get an exact room. It is very difficult to shuffle everything around there to get all requests honored and I supply the info to give you an idea of what to try for or see if it is available but not everyone will get the perfect view every time.
As I walked through the buildings I noticed not one had a musty smell or a bad smell of any type. The newly refurbished longhouses don now have automatic doors that you need a key to enter after a certain hour but Tokelau, and parts of Tahiti do not have the auto doors yet.
Over at Tahiti seems so nice to me and I remember loving staying over there. Now I have been told that some of the ground floor rooms had the musty smell so keep that in mind when requesting Tahiti before the rooms are done next year. I did walk the halls and all the patio areas. The second floor on the east half is smoking and there are doors just past the elevators that separate the floor from the non smoking rooms. The smoking area had a slight smoke smell to it. No other smells were noticed on any floors. Just about all but a handful of the lagoon views seemed great over at Tahiti.
These are my Tahiti lagoon view notes:
1038-3038 (end near TTC) seemed to have a great view of the castle
1037-3037 great view of the castle
1036-3036 great view of the castle
1035-3035 great view of the castle
1034-3034 great view of the castle
1033-3033 great view of the castle
1032-3032 great view of the castle (I have stayed in 2032 before)
1031-3031 great view of the castle
1030-3030 great view of the castle
1029-3029 (right next to the middle building entrance and there were many trees and bushes blocking most if not all the view.
Also remember there are some trees out along the beach which I can not tell it they block upper views but they did not appear to. You are also looking at the castle with the island in the middle of the view so you see the castle from about half way up it.
1028-3028 has a good view but has some foliage to the right of the patio of 1028
1027-3027 great view of the castle
1026-3026 great view of the castle
1025-3025 great view of the castle
1024-3024 great view of the castle
1023-3023 great view of the castle
1022-3022 great view of the castle
1021-3021 great view of the castle
1020-2020 has some tree bottoms to look through but 3020 looks at the tree tops.
1019-3019 seems to have a good view of the castle
1018-3018 great view of the castle
1017-3017 great view of the castle
1016-3016 great view with some trees off to the left
1015-2015 possible castle view with trees to the left 3015 looks like the tree tops may be in the way
I walked over to Rapa Nui and looked at the worst paring lot view you could get and it was not really that bad. I even took a photo I will post on the Rapa Nui page.
They seem to be busy cleaning all the longhouses during the day from walls to the glass doors to all the longhouses. Everything was very clean and in great shape and you could not go 10 feet with out getting an Aloha from some staff member.
So on my walk around the other longhouses I snuck around Tuvalu to the private area on the lagoon side of the longhouse and took a photo of the view and I noticed that the two trees that use to block two of the 3rd floor room views were taken out so now every room on the lagoon side of Tuvalu has an unobstructed view of the lagoon and castle. I also got some new shots of the Fiji views on both sides but mostly toward Luau Cove since the last time I was there the construction walls were up.
So during my walk around the Polynesian Tara and Darby went on a shopping tour to the GF, MK and Contemporary. I am surprised they did not head to the spa. We made reservations for Artist Point but we had headed over to Epcot and grabbed some fish and chips (GOOD STUFF) and we were not hungry enough to go so we headed to the lounge when we got back and talked with Dick for a while and he was pulling back the food and gave us what was left which was WAY TOO MUCH but it was SO GOOD!!! IT was pork fried rice with big pieces of the pork sausage used at Ohana breakfast and hot wings with Chef Dicks own lip tingling sauce. We finally met up with Sean and Becki Robbs with Megan and Kyle (aka Frog Man). They were such a fun couple and the kids were great. Good training for me being a dad soon. I could play with kids all day or till I passed out. I also did not realize that they both worked for Disney in California. I found out after they got there from the staff at the Polynesian. They ended up staying in Samoa on the ground floor but still kept their concierge status since they were checked into a concierge room but asked if they could move to Samoa. It worked out great for them with the kids because they could see the pool from the room and walk right over to it. I think I even took a photo from their patio before they even got there.
I did get to see some of the new test room stuff but I was asked not to take photos. I did video tape it so I could remember what it looked like but I will not be posting anything on the web page. Everything is going to change and some will like it but those who think the Polynesian is dark will think it is very dark now. Much like the AKL rooms. The chair rail I saw that is now I light bamboo rail will be dark brown and the big TV cabinet will be replaced with a lower longer dresser with a 27 TV (I am told) on top with a desk area. The over the bed mats will be gone to open up the room and the furniture will be a dark wood. The wall color I saw (subject to change) would be an orange and there were a couple of different carpet patterns, one I liked better than the other. I wish with my design background and my time in Hawaii I could have given some advise but I dont believe they were interested. I also know from a lot of feedback I get from guests what they would like to see and what I saw is not it. I am sure I would like it but I believe many will not. I do like the new light fixtures in the hall and in the room and the day bed will still be there but will fold into a sitting area when not being used to make more room. I have no idea about the bathroom but the curtains I like and the patios are slate tile that looks great. The door will be a 3 glass door with the middle sliding and I guess they have installed it in a room somewhere that needed a new door anyway. I think a change will be great and I would have liked to see more and had something to show you but I guess the only way anyone will see some of it will be from my tape of the Polynesian walk through I did but since making the tape takes a while and the cost of tapes and shipping are not free I dont know how many tapes will go out and be seen. I mostly use the tape to review areas of the Polynesian to refresh my memory or give to some who just are dying to see what the Polynesian is like. I wanted to get one of those recorders that puts it on DVD but dont have one yet. They are going to start doing the rooms a few at a time and the buildings will not be closed when they do this. I was at the Polynesian when they did the room changes in the 90 and it was not a problem and most did not know it was going on. There are rumors that the Concierge rooms will look even different than the standard rooms but only time will tell. Now do me a favor and dont go looking for these test rooms. They will not let you see them and dont drive them crazy!!!
July 31
Went to Epcot and Test Track shut down just as we got to the ride. We went to Boma with David and Karen that I had been in contact with via email before the trip. It was great to meet them and we all loved Boma. It is a must do when in WDW!! IT was great to finally meet David after we talked quite a bit about the Polynesian and the upcoming trip. In the lounge that night was spring rolls and a pulled pork that I was told was awesome!!
August 1
We went into Epcot in the morning and than over to MK where the park was way too full!!! Never seen it that bad. We headed back over to the Polynesian and the lounge had a great pasta salad (cold) with apple and pineapple and some sort of sweet cream dressing and hot pasta with marinara meat sauce that I could have eaten all night but we were going to the Rose and Crown with the Robbs. IT rained hard just as we got off the monorail at Epcot so we headed over to the Rose and Crown in England to meet up with the Robbs. We had a beer in the bar and than got seated inside because of the rain. The food was great and the service was slower than any place I have ever eaten but since we had great company and Illuminations was going to be soon it was not a big problem that our food took like an hour. We headed outside to watch from the restaurant and it was the best spot in Epcot. I have never been so close even with the Illuminations Cruise. We had desert and headed back to the Polynesian. I think we were the last to leave Epcot.
August 2
We headed over to World Of Disney for Tara to get her shopping in. When I got back to the Polynesian I finished filming around the resort and headed to the pool where the Robbs were already at. A little girl was talking to Darby and asked her if she was staying at the Polynesian. Darby said yes and the girl said her and her whole family were staying at another resort and just liked to use the pool. They not only were using the pool but once a few people found out they started to talk about them and glare at them. They soon left and we noticed they took up all the first row of lounge chairs. I have been told somedays they have started to check the resort IDs and I was told a story about a family that was beyond embarrassed when they were asked to leave and others were making comments to them as they were leaving.
I have to tell you that the lifeguards were better than ever this trip. They got people involved in pool games and the ones watching out for safety were very alert. I noticed they paid very close attention and even knew who to watch for. One kid who they noticed was not a good swimmer they watched like hawk and when he went down the slide and was not doing well they went to his father and told him that he will catch his son at the bottom of the slide!
The lounge had sushi and we got a beer from concierge as we sat with the Robbs and just talked and relaxed. Next thing you know a few people came over to the table and asked if I was Tikiman. The first lady (whose name I wish I could remember and she was a CM at a different resort) was so nice to talk to and while we were talking another lady (Tammy) who also chatted with Sean Robbs came over and we talked and met her husband. It was a nice little gathering in the lounge.
We headed for California Grill that night for dinner and the food was excellent but the service was not very good. Infact the food took a while and our server would not even say anything to us since he could tell we were wondering where are food was. Another server actually asked us how we were doing as our server eyeballed us from the corner. The second server actually brought our check and the first guy never returned. I wish I could have left the tip for the second guy.
When we got back we had desert with the Robbs up at Kona. The coffee from there and the lounge I could drink all day and I am not a regular coffee drinker. Even when it was hot I got coffee and watched the fireworks from the patio. We did see Wishes from inside the park and it was great but way too crowded.
Well the next day we relaxed at the Polynesian and checked out after Tara got her Tonga Toast. We got to see David and Karen at World of Disney before we headed out and we said good by to the Robbs as well as the staff at the Polynesian. We told the Robbs we would meet up with them at
Disneyland and if not, Maui next summer.
I just wanted to report what I saw and was told but my trip was one of the better ones and I am so glad I spend some days mainly hanging out at the Polynesian. I could easily just stay there and not go into the parks. The staff at the Polynesian was better than ever and the new CMs seem to fit right in with the friendly staff.
I did forget to mention one thing. There was an issue with Captain Cooks. Our last trip we had a very angry and rude CM at at Captain Cooks. This time a friend of ours had a very rude CM in Captain Cooks again but at least the manager got involved and did try to make the situation better. So it was a good sign that management is trying to resolve issues.
I also almost forgot some BIG NEWS!!!!
There are plans to totally redo and rearrange the GCH. They are planning on moving all the stores up to the front along the side across from the Front desk so all the shopping that is down near Captain Cooks will be up front. That they plan to expand Captain Cooks across that back wall. I have no idea when this will happen and I am sure there will be some changes in the idea they have but that was what I was told will happen.
Well it is late and I may have missed something but I will add it later. Sorry it is so long but I had to get it all down. I will be working on the photos and info for the site soon if not tomorrow.
Some of the photos from the trip.
http://picturecenter.kodak.com/guest....7CaLQ1a
Aloha
Steve
I saw something about the Poly putting refrigerators in every room. I haven't seen anything else about it. Have you heard when this might happen, if it is happening? Thanks!
