Just back from our BEST STAY EVER at the POLYNESIAN!! **ADDING PICS NOW!**

[pooksma]

SeaSpray,

I'm glad to hear you had a great time. The Polynesian has taken some harsh hits lately and I hope that future first time visitors and displaced AKL'ers will read your post and appreciate how beautiful and relaxing the Poly can be if you give it a chance.

The picture of those drinks is KILLING me! I also wish that I could bottle the smell of the GCH and bring it home with me...

We have been back from the Poly about four weeks and we are kicking around a long weekend between the holidays. I wanted to be at the Poly the same time you were there but I could not swing it (work wise). I still owe Tikiman a couple of Mai Tai's for a huge favor. (I'm still thinking about you Tikiman!) Glad you got back safely SeaSpray...

As a displace AKLer, I want to thank you Seaspray for the great picks. Makes me feel better about my choice!

 

[SeaSpray]

Mine are clipped to my bedside lamp as I write.

Welcome back and glad you had such a wonderful time! I am very pleased to hear the speakers are now functional. When we were there just a bit under 2 weeks ago--the only place you could clearly hear was in front of Hawaii and from the LV patio/balconies, etc. There was NO sound at the quiet pool and minimal sound at a handful of other places. We spoke with the great concierge folks and a work order was placed. . .maybe that's why the sound was back.

While we were visiting, we also took note at how wonderful the grounds looked. All of the buildings were in tip top shape and the landscaping crews were working all day replacing mulch, trimming, planting, and the like. When we left, it looked even better than when we arrived.

We're also planning our next visit! So happy that you enjoyed your trip and are looking forward to your next!

BTW, great photos!

Thanks for the nice comments, Tess! They did tell us that they just finished tweaking the new speakers around the resort and that the speakers themselves were new. We'd never heard "Wishes" so clearly and loudly as we did on this trip, it was really nice.

Your pics are great. We were at the CR this spring and popped over to the Poly about 3 different times for meals. We LOVE the Kona as well. If only I could make some of that pineapple salsa myself that goes on the Teriyaki steak, I'd be all set.



We've paid rack rate, AP rate, and AAA rate for our Disney trips; in the grand scheme of things the discounts are only a small bonus.

We couldn't book the dining plan with this discount. We bought APs on our first day and also purchased the DDE card (Disney Dining Experience), which is for Florida residents and/or AP holders, and gives you a 20% discount on all sit-down restaurants. It basically covers the tip. There's more info about the DDE card over on the Restaurants Board, too.

 

[SeaSpray]

As a displace AKLer, I want to thank you Seaspray for the great picks. Makes me feel better about my choice!

I can understand the disappointment of the displaced AKLers because I know what's it like to have your heart set on a particular resort (and we've stayed at AKL and loved it!), but I think you'll really like the Polynesian resort, if not fall in love with it. I'm looking forward to hearing how you liked it, when you get back.

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

Fantatic photos - am even more excited about staying at the Poly now and i didn't think that would be possible!!! Can't wait to show my husband when he comes home from work!!

 

[DeborahB]

Seaspray, welcome back! I'm glad you had a wonderful trip and even more that the Poly was all that it should be. Your pics are outstanding

I've been unsuccessfully trying to upgrade to CL for our trip next week. CRO tells me to keep calling back because you never know when there might be a cancellation.
But either way we are going to enjoy all that the Polynesian has to offer!
Look at my counter. I'm so excited I could scream!!!

Thanks for your wonderful report.

 

[Wish Upon A Star]

I always love reading your trip reports and looking at your pics . . glad you had a great time!!

Can you tell me where you got the Anniverary Pins from?

Thanks.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

Seaspray, thanks for the great Poly pics!

I pick up my Disney documents from my TA today for my Poly trip in 3 weeks! Your photos are making me even more excited to go!

 

[minnie mouse 45]

Sea Spray

Awsome pictures we stayed at the Poly last July 06 for the the first time and absolutely loved it. We are hopefully planning on July 08. Would love to see more pictures they bring back great memories.

 

[SeaSpray]

Seaspray, welcome back! I'm glad you had a wonderful trip and even more that the Poly was all that it should be. Your pics are outstanding

I've been unsuccessfully trying to upgrade to CL for our trip next week. CRO tells me to keep calling back because you never know when there might be a cancellation.
But either way we are going to enjoy all that the Polynesian has to offer!
Look at my counter. I'm so excited I could scream!!!

Thanks for your wonderful report.

I hope you're able to upgrade to CL, but even if you can't I know you'll still have an awesome time at the Polynesian. I know how you feel regarding wanting to scream; I was saying the same thing LAST week! LOL

I always love reading your trip reports and looking at your pics . . glad you had a great time!!

Can you tell me where you got the Anniverary Pins from?

Thanks.

We actually got 2 sets of Anniversary pins! LOL The woman at the very front of the GCH at the valet/bellman's desk (outside) gave them to us when I happened to mention that the trip was my DH's anniversary present to me (She was VERY nice, and we saw her on our last day too as we were leaving), and then concierge delivered a set of pins to our room along with an autographed picture of Mickey and Minnie From what I understand you can also get the pins at any Guest Relations at any of the parks. Have a great trip!

 

[HLAuburn]

Thanks so much for posting the pics! They're beautiful! Makes me even more excited about our Sept stay at the Poly, especially since you had a great stay!

BUT....
Now it makes me think we need to spend a whole day just to check out the resort! The pool and the beach look so cool! It is worth it to take a whole day just to do a resort day? I'm thinking about maybe going to TL for a few hours and speding the rest of the day at the resort.

 

[clairelly]

Wow!! We are heading off to the Poly, CL, next week from the UK, our first time (last year stayed at CL AKL and looooved it!). After seeing your photos, I just cannot wait. I don't know how I'm going to get through the next week!!

Thanks so much for sharing.

Claire xx

 

[clairelly]

Ooh, SeaSpray, just one quick question, what are the opening and close times of the pool please? Also, do you know what times the lifeguards are on duty and can you use the pool after they are off duty?

Thanks.

 

[ITmickey]

wooow awsome photos, awsome hotel!!!
Thanks so much for sharing, already looking for a job for my STBW so we can stay there for upcoming wedding


for all!!!

 

[Tess]

BUT....
Now it makes me think we need to spend a whole day just to check out the resort! The pool and the beach look so cool! It is worth it to take a whole day just to do a resort day? I'm thinking about maybe going to TL for a few hours and speding the rest of the day at the resort.

Our family does something about like that each year. We head to Typhoon around 7:30 a.m., return to the resort around 1:00 p.m., spend the day swimming/hanging around the resort, and then head out for an evening at one of the parks or DD/PI. It really makes for one lovely and somewhat relaxing day.

 

[Tess]

Ooh, SeaSpray, just one quick question, what are the opening and close times of the pool please? Also, do you know what times the lifeguards are on duty and can you use the pool after they are off duty?

Thanks.

I think the lifeguard times vary depending upon the season. In the summer months (we've been in June and July) the pools were open 24 hours, but lifeguards came on duty around 10:00 a.m. and they leave at 10:00 p.m. The volcano pool slide closes when the lifeguards leave. There are also times when the areas are being cleaned and, of course, there are the closures that occur due to inclement weather. Hope that helps in your planning!

 

[lovesdumbo]

Tery-once again really wonderful photos! You have a knack for really capturing the feel of a resort.

I loved your POR photos too as that is where I'm headed next.

Maybe someday we'll be at WDW at the same time. I'ld love to meet up with another MA Disney fanatic at the happiest place on earth.

 

[wdwmike59]

The resort looks awesome!! We are going to be there in 12 days for our first stay at the Poly. We can't wait. I'm glad to hear that you saw no maintenance problems that others have been posting lately. Thanks for posting all the pictures.

 

[ADP]

Hi Seaspray!

We are finally home.

Great photos!

What a great time we all had. It was soooo nice meeting you, John and everyone else. The Polynesian was in great shape and everything was just perfect. I hope we can all meet again sometime during another visit. As ConcKahuna said we want to see a pic of that awesome Tiki when it arrives!

 

[Nursejilly]

Thanks for the awesome report and beautiful pics of the Poly! Our next trip will be my second visit to the Poly and my DH's first ever disneyworld trip! I can't wait!!

 

[ashleypmo]

Hey SeaSpray! Glad you had such a fab trip!

From the looks of this pic, you & your hubby are as goofy in love as me & mine!

Just finished reading p. 1. Hopefully I'll finish the rest of your trippie before we leave town tomorrow (our trip to Fiesta Texas. yipee. hooray. Do I sound as underwhelmed as I really am?)

Check ya' later Minniesistah!