Got back from Poly 8/29

[NYDisGuy]

My DGF and I just got back from the Poly after a week stay (8/22-8/29). It was good but not what I expected. The volcano pool was always crowded, even at 11:30 p.m. there were no chairs available. It seemed you had to wake up at 8 a.m. and run down to the pool in order to get a chair. The other pool was never filtered, everytime we went down there were leaves and bugs in it. The monorail was always crowded as well. This had alot to do with Ohana's. That is another problem we had....In order to get to the monorail from our room (located in Fiji) we had to walk up the steps through a bunch of children everyday, I wish they had more seating for people who are waiting. We also thought that Captain Cook's was way too small. We never could get a table unless we went there at 6 a.m. The dole whip machine was also broke and they never restocked any of their drinks (we were on the dining plan but we had to save our snack creds for the park and buy a mug). The soda machine constantly ran out of syrup so some of the soda's and iced tea's tasted like water.

We were assigned to Rapa Nui the first day which I knew would happen so I asked the CM right away if they had anything closer and they gave me the marina view in Fiji which was great. We had the second floor but I wasn't going to be greedy and ask for a balcony. Housekeeping was good to us, no towel animals but it was OK. The cm's around the grounds were always friendly as well. My DGF and I both thought that the Boardwalk was better, but that may be because we are younger and there seems to be more things going on there then the Poly. Any questions feel free to ask!

 

[mom22boys]

Thanks for your honest review. We are debating about staying at the Poly in May 2008. We were already questioning if $399/night plus tax was worth it for the Poly. Honest reviews will help us make our decision.

 

[corndog]

I have read conflicting statements as to the hours of the Volcano pool. Some say it's closed at midnight, others say it's open 24 hours.

I think I remember some confusion like this on our last trip to the WL. Maybe the sign said it closed at midnight (or sometime) but the front desk person said you can use it 24 hours if you're not rowdy or loud.

 

[NYDisGuy]

I have read conflicting statements as to the hours of the Volcano pool. Some say it's closed at midnight, others say it's open 24 hours.

I think I remember some confusion like this on our last trip to the WL. Maybe the sign said it closed at midnight (or sometime) but the front desk person said you can use it 24 hours if you're not rowdy or loud.

The pool closes at 12 a.m. I always am told though that if your quiet then it won't be a problem. The sign is there just incase people complain, security can point to the sign and get people out.

 

[NYDisGuy]

Thanks for your honest review. We are debating about staying at the Poly in May 2008. We were already questioning if $399/night plus tax was worth it for the Poly. Honest reviews will help us make our decision.

No problem We got the postcard for 40% off so that is the only reason why we went. Otherwise we probably wouldn't have tried it. I'm glad I did though because we definitley had a better time when we rented points from the DVC boards.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

I have read conflicting statements as to the hours of the Volcano pool. Some say it's closed at midnight, others say it's open 24 hours.

The pool at the Polynesian is open from 7am until midnight--at least that is what was stated on the pool sign when I was there 8/22 - 8/29. The kids swam until around midnight two nights and while they were pretty quiet, I didn't let them stay in past that time.

NYDisGuy, I guess my family and I must have hit Captain Cooks at the right times because we were always able to select from quite a few tables. I did notice later on in the evenings that the place looked really crowded.

 

[bassetgirl]

Well, I have to throw in my 2 cents on this one. We just got back last Saturday from 11 days at the Poly and I can say I love this resort. Yes, it was hot, yes, the resort was crowded. Yes, the volcano pool was full and there was never a chair to be found. I did find, however that the quiet pool was just that, quiet, chairs available and clean - as far as I could tell. The staff were great, no towel animals, but I can't complain. Everything was pretty close to perfect. The food at Kona's was first rate - I would go back in a heartbeat -- but probably can't afford that for a while. This resort is the place to be especially for families - very friendly.

 

[uconn01001]

My DGF and I just got back from the Poly after a week stay (8/22-8/29). It was good but not what I expected. The volcano pool was always crowded, even at 11:30 p.m. there were no chairs available. It seemed you had to wake up at 8 a.m. and run down to the pool in order to get a chair. The other pool was never filtered, everytime we went down there were leaves and bugs in it. The monorail was always crowded as well. This had alot to do with Ohana's. That is another problem we had....In order to get to the monorail from our room (located in Fiji) we had to walk up the steps through a bunch of children everyday, I wish they had more seating for people who are waiting. We also thought that Captain Cook's was way too small. We never could get a table unless we went there at 6 a.m. The dole whip machine was also broke and they never restocked any of their drinks (we were on the dining plan but we had to save our snack creds for the park and buy a mug). The soda machine constantly ran out of syrup so some of the soda's and iced tea's tasted like water.

We were assigned to Rapa Nui the first day which I knew would happen so I asked the CM right away if they had anything closer and they gave me the marina view in Fiji which was great. We had the second floor but I wasn't going to be greedy and ask for a balcony. Housekeeping was good to us, no towel animals but it was OK. The cm's around the grounds were always friendly as well. My DGF and I both thought that the Boardwalk was better, but that may be because we are younger and there seems to be more things going on there then the Poly. Any questions feel free to ask!

Did you like anything at all about your vacation. Also remember its Disney so kids are going to be everywhere. Monorail is always crowded so that should not have been an issue.

 

[NYDisGuy]

Did you like anything at all about your vacation. Also remember its Disney so kids are going to be everywhere. Monorail is always crowded so that should not have been an issue.

Yes, I loved my vacation, I was giving a review about the hotel because alot of people have been complaining about the price hike for next year and for me it would not be worth it. I understand Disney has alot of kids, I was just saying that they do a poor job of a "waiting" area since that hall between the stairwell and the monorail has alot of traffic going through it and everyday it was extremley difficult to get through. The lines for the monorail extend to Kona cafe most mornings I was there, we don't wake up at 5:30 to go to the parks since we have no children, I was just suprised at this since this a major perk of the hotel.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Do you think that the Monorail being crowded did not have anything to do with guests who were already on from the Contemporary, TTC and others going back to the Grand Floridian? Maybe another reason is because it was free dinning, so they were going to the restaurants in the Polynesian? I am sorry you had problems at Captin Cook's, so I hope that when my parents and I stay at the Polynesian this December everything there will be a lot better.

 

[simonkodousek]

Thanks for the review! I'm sorry to hear the Polynesian wasn't what you expected; we had an excellent time there in July. I am very surprised about your experience at Captain Cook's. We always found it quite clean, and were always able to find a table, even at 8-9 AM.

 

[NYDisGuy]

Do you think that the Monorail being crowded did not have anything to do with guests who were already on from the Contemporary, TTC and others going back to the Grand Floridian? Maybe another reason is because it was free dinning, so they were going to the restaurants in the Polynesian? I am sorry you had problems at Captin Cook's, so I hope that when my parents and I stay at the Polynesian this December everything there will be a lot better.

It has alot to do with the character dining at each reastaurant. People who don't stay at the resorts will hop on the monorail along with the rest of the people who are staying at the resort. We walked to the TTC most mornings because the lines to get on the monorail at the Poly were ridiculous. The only reason that I am bringing it up is because it is a huge selling point of the resort, but in most instances we couldn't even use it.

 

[NYDisGuy]

Thanks for the review! I'm sorry to hear the Polynesian wasn't what you expected; we had an excellent time there in July. I am very surprised about your experience at Captain Cook's. We always found it quite clean, and were always able to find a table, even at 8-9 AM.

It could of been a product of free dining since it was happening more often at the tail end of our vacation. I would of liked to take advantage of it more but suprisingly the counter service locations at the parks were generally empty.

 

[Tinks]

Thank you for your report! All of your "issues" were things I've experienced myself at the Polynesian. The "kids" at and around 'Ohanas---I think the OP means the crowds of people. That area of the GCH really does get congested! I haven't had monorail lines that long, though. Yuck!
I do need to report that I too was given Rapa Nui and wasn't too thrilled about the location *until I stayed there*! Rapa Nui turned out to be great! Larger rooms with a better bathroom layout and very very close to the TTC. I wouldn't want a parking lot view from Rapa Nui, but I wouldn't hesitate to stay GV here again.

I do wish the pool were larger and monitored a bit more closely for the dreaded pool hoppers.

Otherwise, the Polynesian is my favorite resort.

 

[Poly Pal]

The solution to the crowding outside Ohana would have been to use the other staircase or elevator on the east side of the GCH.

I was initially disappointed to be assigned Rapa Nui but we ended up really liking it even with the parking lot view (which actually wasn't bad).

We've never had a monorial line extend from the platform into the GCH. How may trains went by before you were allowed to board?

 

[sotoalf]

Yes The lines for the monorail extend to Kona cafe most mornings I was there, we don't wake up at 5:30 to go to the parks since we have no children, I was just suprised at this since this a major perk of the hotel.

Right, but at what time were you headed for the parks? The later you rise, the worse the lines. Basically, before 7 am and after 11 am are the best times to arrive at the parks on any days except major holidays like 4 July and Christmas.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

Right, but at what time were you headed for the parks? The later you rise, the worse the lines. Basically, before 7 am and after 11 am are the best times to arrive at the parks on any days except major holidays like 4 July and Christmas.

Exactly. Usually the monorail line is pretty long between those times. Even when it is, the resort monorails come frequent enough to alleviate the lines. I've never ever seen a monorail line extend into the GCH though.