Just back from Poly - Info for all

[RayJay]

Aloha everyone,

Ok, I had to start with that because that's all I heard all week. We just got back from a 10 night stay and had a fabulous time.

I do believe we've found our resort after staying at almost all others, we finally got to the Poly, and we are hooked. It was the most relaxing experience yet, and we have been 12 times, 6 with the kids.

It all started with us requesting "Samoa" but they only had bottom floor quiet pool side, so I started asking about other buildings, so I said how about "Concierge's" got any Garden or Lagoon views, let me check says Lawrence. Got both he replies, I say your kidding me, "How much? $70 more a night for Garden, $130 for Lagoon. I'll take the Lagoon, and OMG. Got room 3506 which is castle view for 10 nights, let me just say now we'll never go back to anything but concierge's.

Chef Dick made me a different sugar free dessert every night as I am Diabetic, you should have seen these things, people thought I was special.

Here's some more thoughts of what I experienced the last 10 days - hopefully it'll give you folks going down soon what to expect.

1. Resort - What can I say, upgraded to Concierge's Lagoon View, the food, the room and the view was awesome, watched Wishes and the Electric Water Pagent every night from room, this was a tremendous advantage because we had little ones that went right to bed 30 seconds after the fireworks.

2. Parks - Believe it or not we only made Epcot and AK 1 day, the rest was at MK, just taking our time, both DD and DS got first haircuts on main street. Parks were "HOT" and "Crowded"

3. People - Same as every other trip, some really courteous people and then some rude people, let me just say to the men out there "who can't get off their you know what" to offer a lady, never mind a lady with a baby their seat, I'm not impressed. I don't care how long your day was, unless your handicapped, get your butt up and give it to a lady or child. Enough said.

4. Buses - Hate em, glad I had my MIL's truck. Monorail is the way to go except for the one pilot who closed the door on my wife while she was getting on with the baby.

5. Food - O'hana's #1 followed by Castle Breakfast, then Kona and Crystal Palace, the rest was Concierge's.

6. Fireworks - Plenty of room at the Poly beach from what I could see each night. Plenty of room for all to enjoy.

7. Volcano Pool - Crowded but still plenty of room to swim. Love the zero entry. Never had a problem with finding at least a couple of chairs.

8. Boats - You gotta rent these, they are awesome and they move pretty good, had a blast.

Well I'm sure I left some things out but I went on long enough.
Thanks again to Tikiman Man site and others for all previous info.

Please feel free to ask any questions and I'll try to answer.

Happy 4th
RayJay

 

[Minnie Mi]

Thanks for the report RayJay. We are staying at the Poly for the first time and your comments reinforce our belief that we picked the right resort.

 

[BCV23]

Ahhh, nothing like the Polynesian is there? Glad you found the magic!

 

[Marty Joe]

Hello RayJay,
We just got back from a 10 day stay. We stayed in Samoa - 2nd floor Valcano pool side - loved it! Sounds like we should have crossed paths. My daughter and I just love those boats. The Kona breakfasts knock me out. The bay breezes from that little bar knock my wife out. What's a fireworks show on the beachwithout a mai tai?

 

[treehugger]

Aloha Cousin!

Yay, another convert! We also love this place. And to think I almost didn't try it because one of the "Unofficial Guides" gave it poor reviews. I'm glad you found your home. BTW, myself and DH always give up our seats for not only woman with children but also elderly and physically impared guests and anyone else who looks like they need a rest. Needless to say we stand alot! We'll be there in September, bring on the magic!

 

[RayJay]

tree hugger,

Yes, Thank You, always will stand for elderly and Physically Impared.

Marty - We probrably did pass, I was the one with the whining 6 year old, and screaming 18 mo old.

Oh yeah, I also had the Back Scratcher in hand.

RayJay

 

[corvair]

we were also there from June 21-25.... we were in samoa... gournd floor facing the volcano pool..... I love the poly.....watched the fireworks 2 nights on the beach and one time from ohannas...what could be better....we also always have to go on the boats.... amy

 

[tiggersmom2]

Poly = Heaven, IMHO!

Sorry you had to deal with jerks that wouldn't give up a seat to your wife and child. I must say that I have been very fortunate, I have ALWAYS had some nice gentleman give up a seat for me either on the bus or monorail.

I remember going when my youngest son was an infant - we were on a CROWDED bus on July 4 and I was standing with a squirming infant . Well, I had the most wonderful teenager offer me his seat! We started talking with him and his family and they were military and staying with SOG at the Contemporary. His mom even entertained my son by letting him play with her jewelry They were just the nicest and most genuine family! I just had to share!

 

[RayJay]

Tiggersmom

Thanks for the reply, we too had many wonderful people offer thier seats and many times we didn't even need to as we basically used monorails.

But as you know with a 18 mo son, they get cranky, it's just the few guys that really stick out that really urk me, but we really had a great time, won't let that stuff get to us.

RayJay

 

[decker96]

Thanks for the info RayJay! We are staying at the Poly on our next trip, not until Oct. 2005, but I can't wait!! It will be our first stay there as well, but hopefully not the last!
I totally agree about people not giving up their seats to those that really need them! It is so RUDE! Also, what about those that have their 2, 3 or 4 year old next to them in a seat when the bus is PACKED and there are many other parents of babies and toddlers standing with them because you can't put your kid on your lap?! This happened to us many times on our last trip when our DS was 2. He was never a hand-holder (too independent!) and was very heavy and squirmy to hold onto. He didn't understand that he needed to hold on to mom or dad or a pole when standing on the bus and took quite a few tumbles. Some parents would totally see him do it, one lady even gasped and asked me if he was okay when he fell, but she still wouldn't put her kid on her lap so I could sit in a seat with him! Clueless! I even put both my DS and DD5 in my lap a few times so another mom could sit in DD's seat. I think DH sat down on the bus about 3 times our whole trip because he would always give up his seat.

 

[GlennandAnn]

RayJay, welcome to the ranks of the DIS POLY LOVERS!!!! We stayed there for our trip this June and we are converted. I don't think we'll stay in another resort ever!!

VIVA POLY CONCIERGE!!



Ann

 

[TBLaube]

O'hana's question
I have seen the menu on allearsnet.com and it said something about alternate food for the kids. My kids are terribly picky and don't eat much of anything remotely tasty or healthy...lol
Anyone know about this?

 

[dutch63]

Dear Ray Jay

So glad everything worked out, I hope this isn't stepping over the line of propriety but what did you end up spending a night for your lovely lagoon view room( If I am out of line for asking please ignore the question) Did the lounge ever get really busy and crowded. We were at the Poly Concierge last year and while they did a great job I felt the staff really had to work hard to keep up with the crowds in the Tahiti Bldg, just wondering if there is a difference being back in the Hawaii? Again I am so glad to here things worked out and any info would be appreciated we are going in August(Chef Dick is quite the host I believe, he could write the book on gracious hospitality)

 

[Bracho]

Thanks for the report RayJay.. It's great to see we have another Polynesian Family member. It's a great place to stay and I understand about the concierge service, once you enjoy that service it's hard to go back... Glad you had a wonderful time and welcome back...

 

[CamColt]

Thanks for the review! Even though we have been to the Poly a few times, just hearing about it is getting me more excited for our visit there in a few weeks.
I agree with some of your picks for restaurants...Ohana and Kona are my favorites!

TBLaube, just ask your server and they will offer the kids any thing on the Kona Cafe menu. It has the usual kids staples of mac & cheese, chicken fingers, hot dogs, grilled cheese....

 

[PamNC]

Thanks RayJay! We went to the Poly for the first time in February and fell in love with it as well. In fact, so much so that we're going again, and this is the best part, in 4 days!

Enjoyed reading your post.

PamNC

 

[TWOOD]

Hey Ray Jay!
I have to comment on the getting up for elderly on the buses... - I'm a 39 yo woman & my DD is 13 - we were @ CSR where a convention for ladies clubs was taking place during our stay. There were many senior ladies, but were the MEN getting up for them? Nope! Did my DD & I? Of course! It's how we were raised... I was incensed at the men & their teenage sons who stayed seated on the buses as these ladies (dressed in heels for their convention) had to stand. Just had to vent about that. So glad to hear you are a gentleman!

 

[tammy]

Ray Jay,

Thanks for sharing your wonderful experience. We are too staying at the Poly CGV in August for the 1st time. We are beside ourselves with excitement.

Here's the best part, my DH is seriously thinking about joining us this time. WooHoo!!

 

[2dogmom]

Thanks for the report. We will be staying at Poly for the first time in Oct with a 4yo and 17mo old. I know all kids are different, but how was it at WDW with an 18mo? DH is expecting the worst. I guess better to expect the worst and be pleasantly surprised than the other way around. One more question... do they have vests at the pool small enough for a 1yo? I can't remember back to my last trip.

 

[Tikiman]

Aloha RayJay,

Yeah the sugar free stuff Dick makes taste as good as the full of sugar deserts and it is nice that he keeps those in mind who can not have sugar. Glad you got to upgrade but quiet pool Samoa would have been nice too. Not that it is better than LVC.

It is funny what you say about giving up your seat. I was getting up to give a lady my seat but she refused but she was surprised I would even ask. She and her family ended up being our neighbors at the Polynesian every 4th of July. They go every year and stay two weeks.

Glad you had a good stay. We will be there in 25 days.

Aloha

Steve