First time at Polynesian and Cruise

triplovinmom

Earning My Ears
Joined
Aug 21, 2003
Messages
7
We are going on a 4 night land/3 night cruise on November 2.
We are very excited as we are staying at the Polynesian and have never been on a cruise before. We have only stayed in Disney for 1 night a few years ago, so we can use any and all information we can get.
What type of room should I request? We would like to see fireworks from room, if possible.

Also, it will be son's birthday. Any ideas on how to celebrate?
Which character meal would be best for a boy? (not into princesses)

Thanks for any information.
 
Welcome to the DIS! I haven't stayed at the Poly (yet!), but in order to see the fireworks from your room, I think that you need a lagoon view room. I'm not sure if you can upgrade to this being that you are part of a package deal - it can't hurt to try though! Even if you can't see the fireworks from your room, you can head out to the beach and watch from there.

As far as character breakfasts are concerned, there's one at ohana, which is one of the restaurants at the Poly. I don't think it has the princesses, but you can double-check that on the Restaurant Board. You should let everyone know it's your sons birthday - when you book your priority seatings, when you check in at the hotel, when you check in at the hostess stand of the restaurants that you go to. There's no guaruntee that you'll get anything more than a "happy birthday", but that's special in itself! You can also order a birthday cake for your room.

As far as the cruise part goes, let them know that you are celebrating a birthday as well. You can choose a night to celebrate, and they will bring you a special cake at dinner. You can also check out the DCL website and order birthday decorations for your cabin!

Have a wonderful vacation!

Erin :D
 
Yes, welcome triplovinmom!

The best site for Polynesian info is Tikiman's.

mrsltg is correct, you'll need a lagoon view room to see the fireworks from your room (or one of the two or three garden views where you can see them from your balcony).

Have a great trip!
 
I haven't stayed at the Poly, but I have cruised twice on Wonder. She's a beautiful ship. If they know that you're celebrating a special event, they MAY provide you with a cake. We celebrated our anniversary (a few months late) on our first cruise, and we were surprised with a cake on our second night at dinner. Actually, we were shocked by the cake, because I don't remember telling anyone (even our TA) that it was our anniversary cruise! DH says he didn't tell either. I guess that was pixie dust in action!

Beth
 

We did the same trip a few years ago. The Poly is nice when traveling with kids because the rooms are so large. We had a balcony while we were there. That allowed my husband and I to sit outside and talk while our daughter fell asleep.

Breakfast at O'Hanas is a character meal. I think it is Chip and Dale, maybe Goofy and Minnie? Don't remember. It is convenient and tasty. This is the first character meal my five year old (at the time) had ever been to. Fond memories for us.

We also have enjoyed the Pooh characters (and the food) at all three meals served at the Crystal Palace. I think it is one of Disney's best family meals.

Are you familiar with the Pirate Cruise at the Grand Floridian? You did not mention your sons age. I think they can do the Pirate Cruise through age ten. It is a favorite in our house and it gives you time to go the Grand Floridian Cafe for a late and very relaxing breakfast.

My daughter loves The Neverland Club at the Poly. We have trouble dragging her out of there. This also gives you a few hours to have an "adults only" time and I think the kids really appreciate the break from us! This is always well worth the cost to us.

Don't forget to be out on the beach to watch the electric water parade. I love to watch the fireworks and parade from the beach and in a hammock!. It is romantic.

My daughter refused to leave the kids club on the Wonder. I kept saying things like,"Daddy and I are going to the fancy restaurant for dinner, don't you want to come?" The answer was always "no". I would try and try to get her out of that club. I was driving my husband crazy. Finally I surrendered.

We had a good time. The problem with this vacation is that it is too short (and we added two days at the Poly). It seems like you just board the ship and it is time to get off. There is plenty of room on this vacation for kids and parents to have a wonderful time both together (in the parks and on Castaway Cay) and seperately (pirate cruises, ship's kids clubs). Plan well before you go and you will have a blast.

Enjoy!

Gina
 
Thanks for all the information. Did you get to request a room when you had the land/cruise package?

Also, any suggestions on what to do when you get off the ship at Nassau or Castaway Cay.

Thanks again
 
You can always request a room. No guarantees though that you will get what you want. If it is important to you to be beach front, you should book a beach front room. It is very unlikely you will be upgraded to that type of room without paying for it. You certainly can request non-smoking, a certain building, a certain floor, or a balcony without an extra charge. Sometimes you get them and sometimes you don't. If you must have a water view or concierge, my recommendation is that you book them now.

We did not have a beach front room at the Poly. We did not need one. The balcony overlooked the quiet pool and the Poly is beautifully planted. At night the tiki torches are lit and the beach is only a few steps away. We would just head outside in the evening to watch the water pagent. Most nights we are not in our room in time for the fireworks. I don't think we have ever been in our room in time for fireworks! So a room's view of the fireworks is not important to me. We have made multiple trips to onsite Disney properties and we don't spend that much time in our room. We really use the room to change and sleep. There is so much else to do!

Disney's private island, Castaway, offers quite a bit to do on the day you are there. My family's favorite thing was snorkeling. They paddled the snorkeling trail for hours. Lunch will be served to you on the island, buffet style. If the weather is good, you will have a fun and relaxing day there.

We have taken two different cruises that stopped in Nassau. Quite honestly our second cruise there was the Disney cruise and we did not get off the ship. It is not our favorite cruise destination. Head to the library and get a travel guide. You can pay cab drivers with American money and there are things to do that you will enjoy. We visited the straw market on our first journey there. I know there was a fire there since then and I am not sure what they have done to rebuild it. I am sure others on the board can guide you on the fun stuff to do better than I can.

Do your research, make your priority seatings and reservations and your trip will be just wonderful!


Gina
 
triplovinmom - we are doing your vacation, only we leave Dec 3! We added one night at the beginning at the Poly (still hoping for codes or something!!) Our TA did request a buidling for us and I left it up to her on the stateroom

As for character meals - how about Chef Mickeys?? You will be so close and as it's the only one I've ever been to I may not be good to give an opinion, but my DDs really enjoyed it and it is usually reviewed favorably. Is there any characters meals at Wilderness Lodge? I don't think you'll be far from there, since time IS of the essence on a land/sea trip! I'm already wondering how we'll have enough time to do everything!

Have a great trip - post a trip report as I'll be less than a month out when you return :)
 
We too... never get off the ship at Nassau! We've been there so many times on cruises, so we don't bother unless we plan on going to Paradise Island. Most choose to site see or shop...which translates to "a ship all to ourselves!":D
 
Welcome to the DIS!

What a wonderful first resort...the POLY! You will have the time of your life. DS will be elated with the Volcano Pool, Monorail, and yes even the GCH!

Lagoon view is what you will need to book for an in room view of the fireworks. However, we have stayed in the Samoa building more than once and had a great view of the Volcano pool...and in a few short steps we are on the Beach watching the fireworks.:)

Have a great time!

:bounce: :Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc
 














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