Just back from 2 week 1st time trip to Poly

[Sweet Pea UK]

We've just got back from 2 weeks at the Poly. It was the first time we had stayed here and I used this site so much before we went to gain as much info as possible that I wanted to give something in return to those people who are lucky enough to be heading there soon.

The Poly was amazing from the moment we checked in. We had 3 rooms booked as there were 8 in total in our party. Myself, DH and DD who is 6. DM and DD and MIL, FIL and 7 yr old nephew.

We had been moved to the Poly from the AKL due to construction so as we had already received such an amazing upgrade I wasn't expecting our rooms to be together or a balcony or a decent view or anything like that. I was wrong. We were in Rapa Nui Rooms 2120, 2121 and 2122 - altogether, with balconies and not overlooking the parking lot - super! We were given leis and then all driven to Rapa Nui on a golf cart. We arrived later than expected so pratcially missed our Kona reservation - they got that moved at the front desk without any problems. Not easy I am sure with 8 people! On arrival in our room I was overwhelmed. I didn't expect Disney rooms to be large but it was huge. Double sinks and 2 towel animals - a holiday dream already fulfilled and we hadn't even unpacked. Once our luggage arrived the gentleman then offered to take us all back to GCH for our Kona reservation on the golf cart. WOW - he took us all round the resort to try and get our bearings (quite difficult at 9 at night) but we managed to see the Electrical Light parade as we drove past the beach. We then knew we really were at the Poly.

Kona was fantastic - but that's for another thread.

All in all I could not fault one thing about the resort. We were there for 2 weeks and not once did I encounter a problem. Our room was cleaned early and very well. We got towel animals on another occasion as well. The pool was lovely, watching Wishes from the beach was incredible, Kona was lovely and Captain Cooks extremely good for what it was. I made good use of the refillable mugs and it was perfect for grabbing something quick in the mornings.

I have to say the most incredible thing about the Polynesian was the monarail. It was amazing to be that close to the Magic Kingdom and with a 6 year old daughter we went in 8 times!! Some evenings we went in just for an hour to get a few character autographs - something we would never have done at another hotel.

We have now decided that no way could be stay anywhere else but a monrail resort. It will take us an extra year to save to go back there but it will be well worth the wait. I can not praise it higher.

As for all the comments about rubbish over flowing and dirty rooms - I was kind of preparing myself for that - but we saw nothing like it. At all times of day I saw maintenance people painting wood, cleaning, sweeping etc. It really couldn't have been more perfect.

I will be happy to answer any questions anybody may have.

 

[SeaSpray]

Wow, 2 weeks at the Polynesian!! Now THAT'S a vacation!

Welcome back, and thanks for the review. I'm glad you had a wonderful stay there! Let me know when your Kona review is done, I'd love to read it - Kona Cafe is our family's all-time favorite WDW restaurant

 

[Cinders Mum]

glad you had a great time. You certainly got into the Poly spirit, and it's great to see another UK convert

Val
xx

 

[mickey2minnie1]

I am glad that you had such a nice time. We did too. We were there until the 4th. What were your dates? Dis you just miss the crazy weather with the rain and wind? The kids did use the pool and loved it even in the cold rain and wind.

I cannot wait to go back either. It was awesome in every way!!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thanks for you're review and it's great you enjoyed the Polynesian.

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

We arrived on the 2nd November and had really great weather for the 2 weeks. Not one drop of rain - a first for us in November. We usually have the odd little shower. We had 2 cooler days, one where we went to Blizzard Beach and the other when we went to Discovery Cove - typical!! Can't complain though. In hindsight I think if it had been much warmer at Discovery Cove the Dolphin water would have felt even colder

 

[frdeb1999]

Glad you had such a wonderful time. We love the poly!! It's addicting!!

 

[cara loves the poly]

Thanks for the review - WOW two weeks!

 

[TJA]

Thanks for the report and I'm very happy you had such a great time at Poly! Hearing you say you can't imagine staying at a resort not on the monorail reminds me of myself. I said that a couple years ago until we tried the Epcot resorts -- now I'm sold on both the Epcot resorts and the monorail resorts, LOL. So when you feel like you're ready to venture away from the Poly, there is always BC.......

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

Wow, 2 weeks at the Polynesian!! Now THAT'S a vacation!

Welcome back, and thanks for the review. I'm glad you had a wonderful stay there! Let me know when your Kona review is done, I'd love to read it - Kona Cafe is our family's all-time favorite WDW restaurant

Hi Seaspray.

May I just say that I read your reviews before visiting the Poly and they made me even more excited about our trip as you had such nice things to say about the resort.

I have now done a review on the Kona Cafe and it is posted in the Dining Reviews section of the Restaurants Forum

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

Thanks for the report and I'm very happy you had such a great time at Poly! Hearing you say you can't imagine staying at a resort not on the monorail reminds me of myself. I said that a couple years ago until we tried the Epcot resorts -- now I'm sold on both the Epcot resorts and the monorail resorts, LOL. So when you feel like you're ready to venture away from the Poly, there is always BC.......

Thanks TJA. Stayed at BC in 2000. Did really enjoy it for things to do at night but now having a young daughter, being that close to Magic Kingdom was priceless. I think when she is older the EPCOT resorts will have more appeal and we may venture back there then.

 

[GailT]

Like you I loved the poly also, for the original hotel it is keep clean, I'm glad you had a great experience.

 

[kirbydog48]

I'm so delighted you experienced the magic of the Poly. There is nothing like Watching Wishes and the EWP at night on the beach (with a fruity rum drink, lol!). What a wonderful experience for your child. I grew up on Cape Cod (in Massachusetts) and we have a town called Yarmouth; there is also one in Maine. Maybe some of your ancestors! I'd love to know if you enjoyed DC..I'm thinking of going there in April for my bday trip. Glad you had a wonderful stay.

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

I'm so delighted you experienced the magic of the Poly. There is nothing like Watching Wishes and the EWP at night on the beach (with a fruity rum drink, lol!). What a wonderful experience for your child. I grew up on Cape Cod (in Massachusetts) and we have a town called Yarmouth; there is also one in Maine. Maybe some of your ancestors! I'd love to know if you enjoyed DC..I'm thinking of going there in April for my bday trip. Glad you had a wonderful stay.

Discovery Cove was amazing. Well worth the money. It was the second time for us and it hadn't lost any of it's magic - in fact it is even better now as it is an all inclusive day.

Very cold here now in our Yarmouth - in fact really wishing I was sitting on the Poly beach (with a fruity rum drink!!) watching wishes. They are memories that will last forever!

 

[fizz13]

Hi Sweet Pea,
ahhhh the Poly, my little piece of paradise So glad you had a good time, I felt exactly the same way about it last year and never wanted to stay anywhere else. Rapa Nui was also where i stayed and the convenience of the ttc next to the longhouse can't be beat. Thanks for posting such a positive review, too often all we hear is the negative. heres to the next visit

 

[Roan'sMom]

We've just got back from 2 weeks at the Poly. It was the first time we had stayed here and I used this site so much before we went to gain as much info as possible that I wanted to give something in return to those people who are lucky enough to be heading there soon.

The Poly was amazing from the moment we checked in. We had 3 rooms booked as there were 8 in total in our party. Myself, DH and DD who is 6. DM and DD and MIL, FIL and 7 yr old nephew.

We had been moved to the Poly from the AKL due to construction so as we had already received such an amazing upgrade I wasn't expecting our rooms to be together or a balcony or a decent view or anything like that. I was wrong. We were in Rapa Nui Rooms 2120, 2121 and 2122 - altogether, with balconies and not overlooking the parking lot - super! We were given leis and then all driven to Rapa Nui on a golf cart. We arrived later than expected so pratcially missed our Kona reservation - they got that moved at the front desk without any problems. Not easy I am sure with 8 people! On arrival in our room I was overwhelmed. I didn't expect Disney rooms to be large but it was huge. Double sinks and 2 towel animals - a holiday dream already fulfilled and we hadn't even unpacked. Once our luggage arrived the gentleman then offered to take us all back to GCH for our Kona reservation on the golf cart. WOW - he took us all round the resort to try and get our bearings (quite difficult at 9 at night) but we managed to see the Electrical Light parade as we drove past the beach. We then knew we really were at the Poly.

Kona was fantastic - but that's for another thread.

All in all I could not fault one thing about the resort. We were there for 2 weeks and not once did I encounter a problem. Our room was cleaned early and very well. We got towel animals on another occasion as well. The pool was lovely, watching Wishes from the beach was incredible, Kona was lovely and Captain Cooks extremely good for what it was. I made good use of the refillable mugs and it was perfect for grabbing something quick in the mornings.

I have to say the most incredible thing about the Polynesian was the monarail. It was amazing to be that close to the Magic Kingdom and with a 6 year old daughter we went in 8 times!! Some evenings we went in just for an hour to get a few character autographs - something we would never have done at another hotel.

We have now decided that no way could be stay anywhere else but a monrail resort. It will take us an extra year to save to go back there but it will be well worth the wait. I can not praise it higher.

As for all the comments about rubbish over flowing and dirty rooms - I was kind of preparing myself for that - but we saw nothing like it. At all times of day I saw maintenance people painting wood, cleaning, sweeping etc. It really couldn't have been more perfect.

I will be happy to answer any questions anybody may have.

Great review! I think the 2 week thing has caught the attention of everyone! Wow, I can only dream...

P.S. I love the term "rubbish" that you use. So British! Sounds so much more pleasant than "garbage"!

 

[BCV23]

I'm with everyone else...two weeks at the Polynesian sounds like heaven.

The courtyard views in Rapa Nui are lovely aren't they?

Did 2 or all three of your rooms connect?

 

[WoodysRoundup]

I could feel the joy coming through your post. We've stayed at all the monorail resorts for many years since the 70's. We love them all. CR was our first and holds many wonderful family memories. The Polynesian is my favorite though. It is true Disney to me. I'm glad you enjoyed yourself. Here's to your next trip!!

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

I'm with everyone else...two weeks at the Polynesian sounds like heaven.

The courtyard views in Rapa Nui are lovely aren't they?

Did 2 or all three of your rooms connect?

2 of the rooms connected and our's the third, was next to them. We didn't all expect to be in the same longhouse so to be all next to each other was just great. Rapa Nui was also good because we were all going out in the one vehicle so we could pull it up to the front of the longhouse. Especially good when arriving back late at night.

I noticed in my report that I didn't say too much about the Volcano Pool. We only used that pool and I thought it was perfect for children. My daughter had been practising her swimming extremely hard before we left but the pool was still slightly too deep for her so the fact that we could rent the life vest for the 2 weeks was excellent. Gave a great piece of mind.

I thought before we left that I would be disappointed that the resort doesn't have a jacuzzi but to be honest if there had been one we wouldn't have had time to use it!

 

[Poppinsme]

Thank You Sweet Pea!
In 7 days we will be sitting on the beach sipping on a delicious tropical drink
with happy smiles on our faces.
I'm so excited!
Your review was great and much appreciated and isn't Seaspray a great reviewer to learn from?
Glad you had such a fabulous time.