Just Back from Poly.....

[catnik]

And am missing it already! We had a terrific stay (9 nights) LVC room 3507. I had requested a 3rd floor non smoking room and both were granted. Our room was ready on arrival (approx 2 p.m.) and had a wonderful view of the lagoon and castle. I had arranged with IPO for a special treat for one of my sons (he was invited to join a select traveling choir and we wanted to celebrate his achievement); we had a balloon arrangment, cookie cake and signed picture of Mickey and the gang waiting for us on arrival. The concierge lounge was handy and had lots of snacks/drinks available throughout the day/evening. We did not get towel animals but our mousekeeper was very creative with posing our younger son's stuffed animals. We only had turn down service 2 or 3 times as they would come 4ish and often we were not ready to leave the room yet (we'd go to the parks at opening, be back to the room 1ish so our little one could nap/older kids could swim and would be gone again 5-6 p.m. for dinner/more parks/etc). The pool was great and was truly crowded only Sat/Sun of Memorial Day weekend (even so, we were able to score a couple of chairs for our stuff and that was fine with us). Watching Wishes and the Electric Water Pagent from our balcony was a great way to end the day (especially after my duaghter bought the Wishes CD so we could "hear" as well as see the show). We also watched both fom the beach and the lounge but preferred watching from our balcony (less bugs and no one talking thru the show). Did not ride the SeaRacers due to the change in age requirements (older kids did not want to ride with us old folks!). Took the monorail to MK and Epcot, drove to AK, MGM and BB (with 4 kids, stroller, etc. it was easier for us to drive than wait on buses). Did e-night one night....few folks with the biggest wait (20 min) being for Space Mtn. Kids got to ride on Splash and Buzz several times in a row due to no one waiting in line. Weather was HOT, especially over the weekend (95 degrees with high humidity...phew!). Had room service one night and found the food to be decent, correct temperature and reasonable cost. All but one of the CMs we came in contact with seemed to enjoy their job and had a cheerful disposition (one of the concierge CM did not know how to cancel a Specialty cruise and had difficulties changing one of our PS...maybe new on the job/having a bad day but definitely needed some pixie dust attitude adjustment). We went on an Illuminations cruise with another DIS family and had a relaxing and enjoyable time. The kids took a joy ride on Breathless the next afternoon (very reasonable cost and they rated THAT the best ride in WDW!!). I'll try and post reviews on the restaurant board once I can get caught up with all the post trip "stuff". We looked around at some of the DVC properties and are thinking about taking the plunge...so hopefully we'll be going back real soon! Feel free to ask any questions and for all of you who are going to the Poly in the near future.....I so want to go with you!

 

[ugadog99]

Sounds like a great trip! Thanks for posting such a positive thread!

 

[BCV23]

Sounds like a great trip. Good to know that Wishes is out on CD...hadn't heard that.

Also haven't heard about the spin on the Breathless. Is this a children's program? Not the pirate cruise??

 

[Threehearts]

BCV23- Sounds like your trip was fantastic. I'm curious as to how they granted third floor LVC non-smoking when the third floor is smoking optional. We stay Poly LVC several times a year and I would be interested if they have now made the entire concierge building non-smoking.

-I am aware that many feel that the whole of Disney should be non-smoking and I am not a smoker so let's please not start a pros and cons discussion- again. Thanks. Threehearts

 

[BCV23]

Threehearts, were you asking me about 3rd floor? We've never been on the third floor in Hawaii or any longhouse at the Polynesian?

But I bet catnik received her request because a number of people have reported that 3rd floor in Hawaii is now non-smoking in the rooms closest to the lounge and smoking optional in the rooms closer to Tahiti. Although I think someone said that even the non-smoking rooms on 3rd floor could be smoking if necessitated by demand.

 

[Threehearts]

So sorry BCV23! I meant to address my question to catnik. I think the idea of cohorting the smoking and non-smoking rooms is a good one and is helpful to both groups. Take care. Threehearts

 

[Pink Flamingo]

Great post! We'll be heading back to the Polynesian next summer & I can hardly wait ~ I'm worse than a child when it comes to Disney excitement.

I have a question about driving to the parks. We've never rented a car & have always relied on Disney transportation. We're considering renting a car for our next trip. How much does it cost to park at the parks? Were you able to park close enough to the front gate that it wasn't too long of a walk or did they have a tram to take you to the front gate?

Thanks!

 

[Frances999]

Glad you had a great trip!

Originally posted by Pink Flamingo
Great post! We'll be heading back to the Polynesian next summer & I can hardly wait ~ I'm worse than a child when it comes to Disney excitement.

I have a question about driving to the parks. We've never rented a car & have always relied on Disney transportation. We're considering renting a car for our next trip. How much does it cost to park at the parks? Were you able to park close enough to the front gate that it wasn't too long of a walk or did they have a tram to take you to the front gate?

Thanks!

Car parking is free for Disney Resort Guests! Plus, if you're staying at The Polynesian it would be just as easy to take the monorail to MK and Epcot and only rely on the car for the other parks. They have trams to the front gate from the parking lot at virtually all of the parks.

 

[Pink Flamingo]

Woohoo ~ free parking! That's great. I would definately use the monorail for MK & Epcot - we love the monorail. Was thinking of the car for Blizzard Beach & maybe AK. Is it easy to find your way around WDW property when driving?

 

[Frances999]

It couldn't be easier! IMO Disney have better signpostign than anywhere over here.

Have a wonderful trip - The Poly is amazing!

 

[catnik]

Sorry for the delay in answering....got tied up trying to catch up in the "real world"

BVC23: The Breathless can be rented in 30 minute increments in the afternoon as long as no one hs rented her for a day cruise. I think it was $75 and they had us out for easily 30-40 minutes. The captain took us all around the waterfront at Boardwalk and Dolphin/MGM and would drive the boat fast, quickly turn/cut so that the wake would wash over the kids (they sat in the back). I took several pix and hope they come out. Even my 16 year old "too cool" son was whooping and hollering! THe kids enjoyed the Illumination cruise but have unanimously requested another spin on the Breathless for our next visit. The Wishes CD was $12.98 for the entire Wishes program (approx 20 min) plus and added song. Kind of pricey to me but my daughter was determined to get it and to be honest,, we really enjoyed it on the balcony so in hindsight it was worth the $$$!

Threehearts: We are not smokers and do not enjoy the smell of smoke. Our room was approx midway down the hall give or take and it was a dedicated no smoking room. We sat out on the balcony in the early am and in the evenings to watch the fireworks, relax, etc and never smelled any smoke from adjourning balconies. I would ask for rooms 3501 thru 3507 or 8...those are dedicated non smoking rooms closest to the lounge so you would have less chance of getting drifting smoke from an ajdourning smoking balcony. There was absolutely no smoking allowed anywhere else in the building (concierge CM had to tell one man to step outside when he tried to light up after breakfast in the lounge).

Pink Flamingo: Frances999 did a good job of answering the car question.....it is free to park in any of the theme park lots if you are staying on site (they give you a pass that you put on your dash). I like the convenience of leaving when I want and knowing I will have a seat, especially when we are all tired and cranky returning! We used valet parking to give my husband a treat (he is the "official driver" in the family). It was $6 per day and they would bring the car up for us, have the air turned on, etc. Very nice perk especially when it was 95-96 degrees and we were melting. One other perk with valet is that you can valet park at any other resort for free. When my husband and I drove around looking at other properties for vacation club, we used the Wilderness Lodge and Baordwalk valet parking for free (other than tip, that is!). Also agree with Frances that signage at Disney is aweome....you simply can not get lost as they give you ample warning of upcoming exits and easy to read signs.

Pink Flamingo: We used the monorail exclusively for MK and Epcot....it is a 5 minute walk from the Poly to the transportation center to catch the Epcot monorail. You can catch the "local" monorail in front of the Poly, but it stops at GF, MK and CR before getting to the transportation center, so it is quicker to walk. We found the best time for the kids to be able to ride in front with the monorail driver was first thing in the a.m. on the way to Epcot. Seems there were not as many people going that early so we had a good chance of getting to ride up front (max 4 people). A bonus is that the ride to Epcot is longer so you get to see alot more from your birdseye view on that route vs. the monorail to MK. Hope you have a terrific trip and feel free to ask any other questions.........

 

[PamNC]

I have a question - are they through with refurbishments? We were there in Feb and they were working on the quiet pool and a couple of longhouses...I think Nuie and Roratonga. We especially want to know if the quiet pool is finished.

Thanks - I enjoyed your post.

PamNC
32 days and counting!

 

[Pink Flamingo]

Thanks catnik! Great info. from you & Frances999. The Breathless sounds really fun. Might have to look into that for our next trip.

 

[catnik]

PamNC:
The quiet pool is completed and no other refurb was being done while we were there. In talking with one of the CMs, my understanding is that they have 2 more longhouses to go with minor refurbishments but will wait until after the summer season as they expect high occupancy thru August. Have a great trip!

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

Thanks for the great trip report..hope you go with DVC we love our membership plus free valet parking every stay.

 

[catnik]

MagicMyHeart:
We are seriously considering DVC....really liked the Wilderness Villas and BCV. Still plan to stay at resorts from time to time but like the idea of a 2 bedroom villa for our crew of 6 (especially the 2nd bathroom ) By your signature I can tell which you prefer!!!!

 

[BCV23]

Thanks for the reply, catnik. It does sound like the $$ on the Wishes CD was well spent. Breathless in the day sounds like fun.

Threehearts, I agree that the new configuration for 3rd floor sounds like a good idea.