Just back from Polynesian LVC and BCV

[BCV23]

Back last night from four nights at the Polynesian and four nights at Beach Club Villas.

We were in Hawaii this trip and I just want to reassure everyone that concierge at the Polynesian is still wonderful. Marilyn checked us in with friendliness and leis to boot. If someone forgets the leis, just ask.

We loved Dick's evening appetizers as always and there is a greater variety of little desserts from 8-10 although the old ones were fine with me.

When we were checking in we saw Donna! Steve arrived a couple of days later. We were there at the same time in October as well. Hi, steveanddonna!

We had a wonderful lagoon view room on the firs floor. Housekeeping was great, everyone was friendly in the lounge and office.

I asked Eileen about the possibility of accessible rooms in Hawaii and she told me that it had been considered but nothing was planned at the time but she would also ask a manager. After we checked out and moved to BCV, she called with the GREAT news that there are now plans to make some rooms accessible!

Our stay at Beach Club Villas was wonderful too. Hanane checked me in there. Our studio portion was ready by 1:30 and the rest of the lockout was ready by 3, I think. We had a huge balcony off the studio and another long balcony that stretched from the living room to the master bathroom.

We love splitting our stays between the Polynesian and BCV but moving this time got to me because it was so hot!!!

Anyway we're home and won't be back until October. Came home with all clean clothes but mountains of mail, putting away those clothes, etc. await.

I'd be happy to answer any questions.

 

[helenk]

Glad you had a great time.....were you able to see if any of the Poly long houses are closed for refurbishment?

 

[BCV23]

Tonga was still closed when we arrived on the 18th. It started reopening on the 19th. Early that morning I was out for a walk. I walked up to the door of Tonga to peek in and see the hall decor. Just as I got to the door, it opened. I jumped back! It really startled me, LOL. I didn't walk in but could see that the decor is like that in the test hallway...or what is left in that hallway as a couple of trips back for us, there were several different things up.

Anyway, no other longhouses were closed. I think it may be done floor by floor. At least that it what someone in Hawaii told me would be happening there.

 

[hiwaygal]

Thanks for posting the info on the Poly concierge!

My DH2B and I will be there in September, neither of us has ever been before. I keep hearing mixed review (most are good though) about the Poly concierge...I figure it's such a treat for us anyway, that almost anything will have a big WOW! factor for us.

I gather from your post that they are getting ready to do re-furbishing on Hawaii building? Any idea when?

Thanks again for your review and for any other info you can pass along!

 

[Tikiman]

Welcome back and thanks for the report. I think an accessible room or two in Hawaii is a great idea. I am happy to tell you that one of the Ambassador suites was redone to be completely accessible.

Aloha

Steve

 

[BCV23]

Thanks for posting the info on the Poly concierge!

My DH2B and I will be there in September, neither of us has ever been before. I keep hearing mixed review (most are good though) about the Poly concierge...I figure it's such a treat for us anyway, that almost anything will have a big WOW! factor for us.

I gather from your post that they are getting ready to do re-furbishing on Hawaii building? Any idea when?

Thanks again for your review and for any other info you can pass along!

hiwaygal, at first I heard the refurbishments in Hawaii were going to start very soon...a couple weeks I believe. Later, I heard it would not be until I think October finishing by Christmas or the holidays. Sorry I can't remember the exact wording....I was so surprised about the accessible rooms news that I was almost in shock!

Have a great honeymoon. It's a magical place.

 

[BCV23]

Welcome back and thanks for the report. I think an accessible room or two in Hawaii is a great idea. I am happy to tell you that one of the Ambassador suites was redone to be completely accessible.

Aloha

Steve

Thanks, Steve.

Eileen told me about the suite but a suite is something that I don't think we "should" afford. I'm sure my husband would never agree to it.

I'm very glad the Polynesian is doing this. I guess my "cover" is blown now though. Maybe I shouldn't have posted about it. But I really appreciate that Eileen asked about it and was good enough to tell us about the plans they have.

Aloha!

 

[Tikiman]

What cover is blown???

Oh the things I could tell you about Hawaii...or the things I wish I could tell you.

Glad you had a good time.

 

[BCV23]

LOL, just my "cover" of BCV23 for the Hawaii staff. Since my conversation was so specific, if the concierge CMs read this it is pretty obvious who I am.

I'm sure you could tell me lots about the Polynesian. Would love to hear it!

 

[Tikiman]

Any good photos from the trip?

 

[BCV23]

No. I tried to get a picture of the Boutiki as well as the new hallway decor but just with a disposable camera. I doubt they will turn out well especially the hallway shots. My husband finally had sometime to play around a little with his digital camera so maybe one of these trips I wiil.

Someday, I have to figure out how to send you a picture of our first character meal in the South Seas Dining Room in 1983. The decor is so different from that on your web site. It is bright and light. Always puzzles me.

 

[Juliah]

Thanks so much for posting about the accessible rooms! We love staying in Rapa Nui, but it would be nice to have options.

Glad you had a good trip.

 

[BCV23]

Julia, we love Rapa Nui too. Beautiful garden views from the accessible rooms we've had and you can't beat the convenience of that parking lot. It is also great for access to the TTC for the Epcot monorail or the MK ferry. And our daughter loves the extra room.

But it is also nice to have options as you said. We left the choice up to her this trip as she was the one who would have to cope. She loves the guava juice in the concierge building. I think that was the deciding factor.

 

[eeyoresmountainpals]

This may be a little off subject... but someone in an earlier post brought up the question of when Hawaii was scheduled for refurbishment. Does anyone know how the refurbishment is done? Do they close the entire building, or a floor at a time? I'm just wondering if they close the entire building what would be done with guests who have lagoon view concierge reservations? And if they don't close the entire building does it interfere at all with the other guests in the building? Isn't Hawaii the concierge building? Thanks for any insight.

 

[BCV23]

Yes, Hawaii is the concierge building. Tonga is concierge too but is suites.

I was told by a CM that the plans were to keep Hawaii open during the refurbishment and just close one floor at a time. The work is cosmetic so no real construction noise, etc.. Of course, with the accessible rooms there will be some construction I imagine but I think the Polynesian always manages that type of thing so well that it doesn't intrude on guest experience. Really, WDW in general manages that so well.

 

[eeyoresmountainpals]

Thanks! I got a little worried there for a minute, since our ressies are for October when you had said you heard refurbishment may start. For the cost of POLY I couldn't imagine WDW doing anything that would interfere with the rooms that were still open! You're right, WDW usually does it right!

Can't wait 'til October!