Just back from POLY w/ mixed review

[MickeyNicki]

We stayed at the Poly for 4 nights this past Oct, we have always wanted to stay there so we were uber excited! It was just ok. The noise from Ohana was insane and traveled all over the top and bottom lobbies, Capt Cooks was just plain nasty and the smell coming from that place was gross and the housekeeping was not that great (never vacuumed or dusted and the mirrors were horrible)

 

[NJPluto]

I agree about the non-guest crowds at the Poly. It's understandable why so many people want to enjoy the great restaurants. Like the OP said, it's not the peoples fault but it can be frustrating to navigate the GCH at busy times.

I also agree about Mousekeeping. It was less than stellar on our last stay. Not bad, just not what I'd experienced in the past.

 

[ekball]

I agree. Staying at the Poly has changed as non resort guest are increasingly flooding into this resort throughout the day in greater numbers. It is like the population of two resorts are using the PR...to a point of abuse of paying resort guest. Our post trip survey response identified their shortcomings in this area along with other ones.

Yup - agreed. We had our first stay at the Polynesian in Sept., and I'm pretty sure it will be our last. There was a lot that we loved about the resort (monorail and location were tops, room size being a close second), but this (above) is why we will not stay there again. The flood of visitors gave it a feel...one that I can't adequately explain, but a feel that we did not like at all. Not a 'deluxe' feel to us. It almost felt like we were at a 5th park with all of the visitors. Next trip we are back to the WL, where it feels more secluded, more quiet...and to us, where you get more of what you are paying for at deluxe prices.

 

[NJPluto]

It almost felt like we were at a 5th park with all of the visitors. Next trip we are back to the WL, where it feels more secluded, more quiet...and to us, where you get more of what you are paying for at deluxe prices.

I'm seriously considering the same thing for the same reason.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

My family and I just had our very 1st stay this month at the Polynesian, from the 15th - 25th and we thought everything was great. Like I said in my trip review the only problem we had was it took a Maintenance Cast Member 3 days to fix a light in our bathroom, however things could have been worse. Now we did not have any problems like you mentioned, so I guess everyone will have different experiences when staying at any WDW Resort.

 

[jaygatz]

I would have to agree with the OP's experience at the Poly. We stayed there in 2004, and the experience with Captain Cook's was terrible. Maybe I am an oddball, but the Deluxe Resorts, while great for having wonderful sit-down offerings, are severely lacking when you want something quick, hot, and good (is that an oxymoron?) before running to a park in the morning.

Also, has anyone gotten towel animals at a deluxe lately? Every time we stay at a value, we have been blessed with mousekeepers who provide towel animals daily and who arrange our souvenirs in wonderfully silly tableau vivants, but never at a deluxe. Shouldn't this be the other way around?

 

[ObsessedwiththeMouse]

We just got back from the Poly and stayed there Dec. 16th-Dec.25th.

I love the Poly and have pretty much always stayed there with my family.

We stayed in the Rarotonga building and loved it. We always request it.

We had no issues with not having towels and our only issue with housekeeping is that they kept coming too early while we were still in the room. Definitely not their fault, we're just slow!

We ate at Captain Cooks several days out of our trip. I like the new area, because it seems more "open" than the old Captain Cooks, but have to agree with you about the layout. I was pretty confused as to why the touch screen ordering was even there. You had to touch screen order, THEN go to the register, THEN wait for your food. Why can't you just order at the register?

The only thing I loved on the menu was the Tonga Toast and kids grilled cheese.

All in all, I will definitely stay there again. My brother drives the monorail, so we get rooms 50% off. Can't beat that!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Also, has anyone gotten towel animals at a deluxe lately? Every time we stay at a value, we have been blessed with mousekeepers who provide towel animals daily and who arrange our souvenirs in wonderfully silly tableau vivants, but never at a deluxe. Shouldn't this be the other way around?

Last August at the Contemporary we got a towel animal, however it was only 1 time and at the Poly we did not get any. Personally I don't care if we get them or not, because it does not make or break our time at WDW.

 

[ekball]

10 nights at the Poly in Sept. and no towel animals.

7 nights at the WL in Sept. 06 and got 4 or so towel animals.

They don't make or break our time at WDW either (that would be ridiculous), but they are a fun little bit of pixie dust that the kids enjoy.

 

[ConcKahuna]

My challenge at Poly was trying to find a lounger on the beach that the seagulls hadn't left their mark on, and don't plan to snack on the beach or you will have about 100 new best bird friends. I like the birds, but they had taken over the beach area when we were there.

Between Seagulls, Ravens, and Ducks the Poly can feel like an Alfred Hitchcock resort sometimes

I would have to agree with the OP's experience at the Poly. We stayed there in 2004, and the experience with Captain Cook's was terrible. Maybe I am an oddball, but the Deluxe Resorts, while great for having wonderful sit-down offerings, are severely lacking when you want something quick, hot, and good (is that an oxymoron?) before running to a park in the morning.

Captain Cooks has been completely remodeled in the past year or so. The menu is a LOT different, with a variety of Polynesian themed items now (I'm a fan of the chicken stir-fry and the Aloha Pork sandwich). The seating area is also about 3x bigger than it used to be.

 

[mma800]

I am another who won't rush back to Poly. The location and views were great. Mousekeeping was pretty shoddy- most days they never got to us until we were back for the kids naps and we had to turn them away. Despite daily calls for early service, it never happened. We had to call for extra towels and have them just take the trash.
The whole resort seemed dated, especially the Hawaii rooms and common areas. The pool was packed by noon. Capt. Cooks was pretty bad, too. We ended up taking a cab to everyplace but MK.
All in all we had a great time, but for the nightly rate, we found it WAY overpriced.

 

[ConcKahuna]

One thing to remember with Mousekeeping is that they will always try and do checkouts before regular servicing of rooms. If you want early service, make sure to request it. Just remember that if you're late getting into a room because it's not ready, Mousekeeping may have had a lot of early service requests for that day.