Just back from Poly--Mixed reviews

[BamaTigger]

For the most part, the Poly was alright. Very pretty grounds, loved the plants, the tiki lights at night, the quietness. We had a garden room at Tokelau (sp?) and it was a ground floor with a patio. Room 1924.

THE GOOD
the grounds. Very nice and lush
the quietness of the walking along the pathways.
The size of the rooms. Very spacious
The snack bar--plenty of offerings
The view of the MK from the beach--EXCELLENT view
Walk to the TTC Kennel 5 minutes!
Macadamia-Pineapple Pancakes---TO DIE FOR!! VERY GOOD!


THE NOT SO GOOD
Check-In and Out was very slow...only 2 CM's for a line of guests!
Mousekeeping was very lack. Restocking of glasses were dirty.
No restocking of toiletries.
No turn down service (unless only concierge gets that)
The AC was LOUD in the room!
Hallways kinda had a funky odor to them
Gift shops could of been better.
Bus transportation EXTREMELY SLOW. (or it was to DD and DS)
TONGA TOAST---highly overrated!
Grounds spread out

I liked the Poly, but I just dont like the "Hawaii-South Seas" theming...never have. DH wanted to stay there, so we did. I am glad we got to stay there for him, but I dont want to again. DH does, but I would much rather stay at the GF.

The Poly was nice, the GCH is really small with that big waterfall in the middle...I thought it was pretty, but everything was all kinda dark with the dark wood and all....(I know...it was supposed to be like that, but I just dont like the theming) So it just didnt float my boat! Im just a sucker for the style and the brightness of the GF!

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I know what you mean. If you just don't like the theme of a certain resort it can kind of put a damper on your whole trip. But at least now you know the Poly isn't for you. I hope you enjoyed the parks!

 

[KatMark]

For the most part, the Poly was alright. Very pretty grounds, loved the plants, the tiki lights at night, the quietness. We had a garden room at Tokelau (sp?) and it was a ground floor with a patio. Room 1924.

THE GOOD
the grounds. Very nice and lush
the quietness of the walking along the pathways.
The size of the rooms. Very spacious
The snack bar--plenty of offerings
The view of the MK from the beach--EXCELLENT view
Walk to the TTC Kennel 5 minutes!
Macadamia-Pineapple Pancakes---TO DIE FOR!! VERY GOOD!


THE NOT SO GOOD
Check-In and Out was very slow...only 2 CM's for a line of guests!
Mousekeeping was very lack. Restocking of glasses were dirty.
No restocking of toiletries.
No turn down service (unless only concierge gets that)
The AC was LOUD in the room!
Hallways kinda had a funky odor to them
Gift shops could of been better.
Bus transportation EXTREMELY SLOW. (or it was to DD and DS)
TONGA TOAST---highly overrated!
Grounds spread out

I liked the Poly, but I just dont like the "Hawaii-South Seas" theming...never have. DH wanted to stay there, so we did. I am glad we got to stay there for him, but I dont want to again. DH does, but I would much rather stay at the GF.

The Poly was nice, the GCH is really small with that big waterfall in the middle...I thought it was pretty, but everything was all kinda dark with the dark wood and all....(I know...it was supposed to be like that, but I just dont like the theming) So it just didnt float my boat! Im just a sucker for the style and the brightness of the GF!

When we were there in 2004 we noticed that odor in the hallways. We were in the same building, but we were on the 3rd floor with a balcony. We had no trouble with mousekeeping or air though. Turn down service is not a given--it is concierge and if you request it, I believe. Sorry you didn't enjoy it as much, but glad you did it for your DH (we like it, my DH hates the GF).

 

[BamaTigger]

I know what you mean. If you just don't like the theme of a certain resort it can kind of put a damper on your whole trip. But at least now you know the Poly isn't for you. I hope you enjoyed the parks!

oh yea! The parks were great.....The MK alone had 93,000 folks in it on the 4th, but the FIREWORKS WERE AMAZING!!! The crowds didnt bother us, after Christmas, that was nothing, so we just knew what to do and where to go to avoid the crowds!!!

 

[Karlzmom]

I noticed some hallway funk when we were there in 2006! Nice to know my sniffer wasn't nuts, as DH claimed he couldn't smell anything....

 

[Shell54]

Thanks for your thoughts on the Poly OP, we're staying there for the first time in Sept. I dislike funky odors and have a sensitive sniffer so I hope I don't encounter that hallway odor. On the other hand you said<< ""Macadamia-Pineapple Pancakes---TO DIE FOR!! VERY GOOD!>> that sounds delish. Which place had them on their menu?

 

[jeffbear]

As noted ... I think all Disney resorts pretty much require you to "get it" in terms of the theme. The Poly might be king of the hit or miss on the theme since it's so "out there" compared to the more mainstream theming at the CR and the GF. When it clicks, it seems to click hard and when it doesn't it seems to lead to one being aware of stuff that you'd otherwise not notice ... like the selection at the gift stores, which as far as I've ever been able to tell is pretty standard ... although CR always has a bigger range of stuff. More room dontcha know?

I've stayed at the Poly 5 times now and the one consistent thing I'd mark the resort down for is front desk service. Even when it's not busy the check-in process seems to take longer there than at the other Disney resorts where I've stayed.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thank you for your honest review.

 

[BamaTigger]

Thanks for your thoughts on the Poly OP, we're staying there for the first time in Sept. I dislike funky odors and have a sensitive sniffer so I hope I don't encounter that hallway odor. On the other hand you said<< ""Macadamia-Pineapple Pancakes---TO DIE FOR!! VERY GOOD!>> that sounds delish. Which place had them on their menu?

At the KONA cafe! I wanted to try the Tonga Toast first, but for some reason, I got these pancakes and they were THE BEST PANCAKES on the planet! With a hint of macadamia nuts mixed inside the pancakes and then they toped it with this medley of small diced pinapple into the pineapple syrupy-sauce stuff....OMG! They were so darn good.

The 2nd morning we ate there again so I could get the famous Tonga Toast....and (ok POLY lovers....dont flame me... LOL) to me, the TT was not THAT good at all. Severly sweet and it was just ok, but just not what I thought. Too much brown sugar or something...I just ate a little bit and munched on the ham I got with it...but boy, was I wishing I woulda got those dern pancakes! !!!!

 

[ntsammy5]

I'm not a big Poly fan either. I like South Seas themes, but not at Disney. If I want that I'll go to Hawaii where it's more authentic. As for tonga toast .

 

[polineedyan]

That was a pretty unemotional review, and very fair. If you dont like the theme, the whole thing will rot for you.
Honestly, we were there, in tokelau 1st floor at the end of june. Im a sucker for smells, and didnt smell anything out of the ordinary. Kinda glad the ac was louder, it helps me sleep. Tonga toast was a bit rich. The room WAS huge, we had 5 plus a toddler and had NOO problems. Honestly, I hung up my privacy sign for the whole time we were there but one day. I didnt WANT anyone in my room. Gift shop, youre right,small..Kept us OUT. (notso bad) As for the grounds being spread out, I really didnt think so. Try the POR, now THERES some walkin'!
But all in all, youre right. just okay, when you look at the price. Youre paying for location. You CANNOT beat going over in the boat, or the monorail.

 

[mmmears]

Thank you for your well thought out review of the Poly. It's really helpful to read your review, especially when we've been debating about staying at the GF or Poly on our next trip! (We love Hawaii, in fact we go there much more often than WDW. Just not sure about a Disney Hawaii trip!).

 

[BamaTigger]

But all in all, youre right. just okay, when you look at the price. Youre paying for location. You CANNOT beat going over in the boat, or the monorail.

Totally....just like the GF, the monorail resort is THE WAY TO GO! We kennelled our dogs, and we walked right over to the TTC Kennel in FIVE MINUTES as well...location is awesome! (much better than the GF when you are kennelling pets at the TTC)!! We are so spoiled by the monorail resorts now! I guess we have to stay at the CR now....such a shame to plan another trip! (thats wher DH wants to stay, but Im gonna stay at the GF...he will get over it!)

 

[Honeychild]

We just returned after a 5 nights stay at the Poly and our reviews are mixed too. We were in Tahiti, room 2025 with a castle view.

I agree with all of your "good" remarks; the grounds were lush, it was very quiet and relaxing, the view spectacular, and the rooms were very spacious. We were fortunate to have a quick check-in, but I did notice one night that the line wrapped around for some distance.

As for the "bad"...the odor was so bad in our hallway that I constantly called housekeeping to make them aware of it. When we originally arrived and went to get ice I thought someone had urinated around the ice/beverage machines. It was awful. It never got any better and I refused to use the elevators because the smell was so bad. Housekeeping didn't replace our toiletries either...we ran out of soap and I had to go hunt someone down to get more.

The "neutral"... we were there celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary and it was noted on our reservation. I had hopped for the buttons to wear to the parks, but had to get my own the next day. It wasn't a big deal, however I had wished for a joyful "Aloha! and Happy Anniversary" when we arrived.

Overall my family and I agree that the good far out weighed the bad and we will stay at the Poly again. It was an amazing trip, full of happy memories for my family.

 

[TinkerPooh1979]

That is too bad. Maybe you will find your magical place next time.

 

[xmas16]

For the most part, the Poly was alright. Very pretty grounds, loved the plants, the tiki lights at night, the quietness. We had a garden room at Tokelau (sp?) and it was a ground floor with a patio. Room 1924.

THE GOOD
the grounds. Very nice and lush
the quietness of the walking along the pathways.
The size of the rooms. Very spacious
The snack bar--plenty of offerings
The view of the MK from the beach--EXCELLENT view
Walk to the TTC Kennel 5 minutes!
Macadamia-Pineapple Pancakes---TO DIE FOR!! VERY GOOD!


THE NOT SO GOOD
Check-In and Out was very slow...only 2 CM's for a line of guests!
Mousekeeping was very lack. Restocking of glasses were dirty.
No restocking of toiletries.
No turn down service (unless only concierge gets that)
The AC was LOUD in the room!
Hallways kinda had a funky odor to them
Gift shops could of been better.
Bus transportation EXTREMELY SLOW. (or it was to DD and DS)
TONGA TOAST---highly overrated!
Grounds spread out

I liked the Poly, but I just dont like the "Hawaii-South Seas" theming...never have. DH wanted to stay there, so we did. I am glad we got to stay there for him, but I dont want to again. DH does, but I would much rather stay at the GF.

The Poly was nice, the GCH is really small with that big waterfall in the middle...I thought it was pretty, but everything was all kinda dark with the dark wood and all....(I know...it was supposed to be like that, but I just dont like the theming) So it just didnt float my boat! Im just a sucker for the style and the brightness of the GF!

OK Bama, so the big question, I've seen you've been to lots of resorts......what's you're favorite?

 

[johnsonet]

I'm sorry you didn't love the Polynesian. But at least now you know

Sounds as though you had a fun trip though. Thanks for posting your review.

 

[1GR8DISNEYFAN]

I think that you are either a Poly person or your'e not. Our first trip we stayed at the YC and I wishd the whole time we had stayed at the Poly. Second trip we stayed at the Poly and I don't care to ever stay anywhere else. I knew as soon as I walked in the Poly I loved it. Slow service, musty smell, it does't matter. Just being there is such a magical feeling.

 

[Amy&Dan]

We stayed at the Poly in May and while I loved our stay I have to say: Our hallway smelled funky too! We were in Tahiti and I especially noticed it one day when coming back to the room with my dd from the pool. I kept thinking my poor kid smelled funny, but it was the hallway. It must be some sort of rug shampoo or cleaner they use. The hallway was very clean, just smelled weird.

We loved the resort however. I do agree, the theming of a resort can make or break you. But you never know until you try!

 

[piratemom07]

I have never stayed at the POLY but my sister and her family and my cousin and family will stay there in 5 weeks we are staying at POP cant afford the POLY. Many years ago we were able to stay at the GF my dad loves the GF. Myself and my family and my mom, dad and sister were going that time and dad thought we were all together and when he realized we were not he paid the difference of the package for us to stay with them at the GF that was wonderful. Noting wrong with the value resorts since I stay in them each time but staying at the deluxe resort was very nice so one day when only my dh and myself go we will upgrade to a monorail resort.

I will pass the info on to my sister and family this will be her second time at POLY but cousins first time to DISNEY they are very excited