Driving in, staying at Polynesian...

[Skjhjb]

We're Disney newbies (ok, I was there when I was six, DH in his teens) as a family.

We're driving from Ontario and staying at the Polynesian resort - SO excited!

But I have some questions (that might seem a tad simple to most!)

We've got a cheaper hotel 5 minutes away, booked for the night before we check in at Disney - we aim to arrive around 5 or 6pm, stay at our hotel and have a quiet evening, get up early and head to Disney.

Here come the questions:

Because we are driving, are we best to head straight to Polynesian at 8am to leave the car, drop our stuff and then head to the park via Disney transport?

NO clue what the easiest way to do this is!

 

[Polydweller]

If you mean going to MK then absolutely go to the Poly directly. The parking for MK is the TTC lot and is of no use to people staying at the Poly. You have to go past that parking to get to the Poly.

Checkin and get your KTTW cards (room and tickets are on those). You have to get that at the Poly. Then head over to MK via the resort launch or monorail. I really encourage the launch. It's a fun way to get there.

You'll love it I'm sure.

 

[Skjhjb]

Thanks!

A good friend is a Disney nut, and has been tons of times. She said we can check in super early, and they'll take our bags to our room for us.

So I assumed parking at the resort was the best plan, but really had no idea.

We're getting so excited!

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

Your plan sounds like a good one, but a few minor things to be aware of.
1. Allow more than 5 minutes to get from your first night hotel to the Polynesian ... The only hotels within a true 5 minutes of the Polynesian are the Grand Floridian, Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness. If you're coming from an off-site hotel, I'd allow probably 20-25 minutes to get to the Poly, depending on where you're staying.
2. You can check in early, and store your luggage with bell services. They won't bring it to your room automatically, you'll have to ask once you get back from your day at the park. Not a big deal at all, just don't want you to be waiting forever for your bags and end up starting your trip disappointed.

 

[Seahunt]

2. You can check in early, and store your luggage with bell services. They won't bring it to your room automatically, you'll have to ask once you get back from your day at the park. Not a big deal at all, just don't want you to be waiting forever for your bags and end up starting your trip disappointed.

ITA with SyracuseWolvrine and just wanted to add that bell services will expect a tip for that service when they bring your luggage to your room. Of course it's totally up to you whether you do or do not tip them, but just FYI if you do you might have a little $$ ready and set aside for them.

 

[Skjhjb]

1. Allow more than 5 minutes to get from your first night hotel to the Polynesian ... The only hotels within a true 5 minutes of the Polynesian are the Grand Floridian, Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness. If you're coming from an off-site hotel, I'd allow probably 20-25 minutes to get to the Poly, depending on where you're staying.

Thanks for the tip!

When the Expedia site says "2.64 kilometres" from Disney, you just assume it's a 5 minute drive!

2. You can check in early, and store your luggage with bell services. They won't bring it to your room automatically, you'll have to ask once you get back from your day at the park. Not a big deal at all, just don't want you to be waiting forever for your bags and end up starting your trip disappointed.

Good to know. It wouldn't be a huge deal to us anyway - we're quite happy to grab it ourselves before heading up to our room!

 

[B-Ride]

Ahhh, so much in common yet so different.

We are also from Ontario but you are much braver that us as we would never consider driving all the way to Disney.

We are hardly newbies, having visited WDW 9 times since 2002 but we too are staying at the Polynesian after staying offsite the first night (we do it for cheaper flights during the week).

We have done this the last 3 years and have always found it easy to check into the Poly at around 8AM and be at MK via the monorail in time for the opening cermonies and the rope drop. Twice our room as been ready for us and the other time bell services stored our bags and delivered them to us we returned from the park.

Enjoy your trip and your stay at the Poly. I am sure both will be fabulous.

 

[Skjhjb]

We are also from Ontario but you are much braver that us as we would never consider driving all the way to Disney

I see Toronto in your profile - we're about an hour away from you - Fergus (north of Guelph).

Did I mention we're driving in a Mazda 6 with 3 kids?

They are 16, 14 & 11, so either DH and I will do a lot of drinking to forget the day's drive, or it will go fairly well!

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

Thanks for the tip!

When the Expedia site says "2.64 kilometres" from Disney, you just assume it's a 5 minute drive!

It could very well be 2.64 km from Disney property ... what most people fail to take into account is that "Disney property" covers roughly 45 square miles of space, or an amount of space just slightly smaller than the city of San Francisco (If I'm remembering my math correctly, that translates to roughly 115 square kilometers)

Enjoy your trip, let us know if you have any other questions. There's a lot of folks around here that know a lot about Disney, and are more than willing to help.

 

[xipotec]

It late so I cannot recall her name, but there is a Polynesian woman working at the POLY who has been there for like 20 years, she makes the lays (flower necklaces) that they give you on arrival. She has a desk to the immediate left when you enter the hotels main house.

She is wonderful and really makes everyone feel welcome.

See her!

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

It late so I cannot recall her name, but there is a Polynesian woman working at the POLY who has been there for like 20 years, she makes the lays (flower necklaces) that they give you on arrival. She has a desk to the immediate left when you enter the hotels main house.

Auntie Kaui is her name. She's an icon at the Polynesian, and still teaches the daily hula lesson in the lobby.

 

[bethclayton]

i am no help because we always stay onsite for the whole duration, but i just wanted to say ENJOY YOUR TRIP! :good vibes

we love the poly. we have only stayed there once but the next time we go, we plan to stay at the poly. we cannot wait to go back.

 

[DznyCrzy11]

We're Disney newbies (ok, I was there when I was six, DH in his teens) as a family.

We're driving from Ontario and staying at the Polynesian resort - SO excited!

But I have some questions (that might seem a tad simple to most!)

We've got a cheaper hotel 5 minutes away, booked for the night before we check in at Disney - we aim to arrive around 5 or 6pm, stay at our hotel and have a quiet evening, get up early and head to Disney.

Here come the questions:

Because we are driving, are we best to head straight to Polynesian at 8am to leave the car, drop our stuff and then head to the park via Disney transport?

NO clue what the easiest way to do this is!

Yes, it would be best to head straight to the Poly and check in first, especially if you plan on taking Disney transportation.

 

[xipotec]

Auntie Kaui is her name. She's an icon at the Polynesian, and still teaches the daily hula lesson in the lobby.

Ah thanks for that, can't wait to see her again. My kids sat with her for 3 hours due to our room not being ready on time. They helped her make lays and it was a highlight of our long first day.