Just back from Polynesian LVC and GF- More Pics

[BCV23]

We've never stayed in Tahiti but I certainly believe that way is faster than going through the courtyard between the three new buidings. But there are a couple of other short cuts I would try if we are ever in Tahiit.

Of course, walking by the lagoon is such a lovely walk anyway.

 

[alohaguy]

Hi alohaguy,

Thanks for the review and the lovely pictures!

Was wondering if you could tell me if Polynesian LVC Room 3505 had a connecting door to another room. We have had other rooms further down the hall of the Hawaii building (3rd floor) that connected, but was wondering about 3505. We will be visiting shortly and will be needing two rooms. Thanks in advance for your reply!

Have a great day!

.....Kim

There was not a connecting door in 3505. I don't know exactly how many connecting rooms there are in Hawaii but I'm sure they'll do their best to accomodate you, especially if you are travelling with little children. Good luck.

 

[alohaguy]

Even without the construction, when the "regular" pathways are open, it is faster/shorter to walk down the beach to the GCH from Tahiti. It doesn't seem like it, but it is. Note, there isn't a path between Tahiti and the beach there, so you just pick it up at the end of the building going towards Sunset Point. Try it (time it, lol) and you will see.

We stayed in Tahiti several years ago. I don't remember exactly how we walked to the GCH, but in my opinion, no buildings at the Polynesian are a particularly long walk from the GCH ... everything is relatively short. I know people have said otherwise when coming home from a late night at the parks with small kids, but in our experience, the walk has never been a problem to any building (Tahiti, Tokelau, etc.)

The construction taking place currently shouldn't be much of a problem for those staying in the newer buildings (Tahiti, Tokelau, Rapa Nui). It wouldn't be difficult to find an alternate route, and walking along the beach (when it's not raining) is a great alternative. I don't think people will have trouble.

 

[chamonix]

But there are a couple of other short cuts I would try if we are ever in Tahiti.

If you mean cutting through Rarotonga (I think that's the building that "cuts off" the direct pathway towards the quiet pool and on to the GCH) I was already taking that into consideration. Even doing that (which we ALWAYS did) it is faster to go on the beach. I think we were even told by the Bellservices CM who drove us to our room to make the shortcut through that building.

Is there another shortcut I am forgetting? LOL We were in Tahiti for 15 days, I feel like we really got to know those paths to the GCH. Suffice to say we try to stay concierge now whenever possible to avoid that long walk! (although we do love the Tahiti location, and hope we get it when we are there next month for the first three days of our stay concierge will still be closed for rehab)

 

[alohaguy]

When coming back from Epcot, if we wanted to go to the GCH before heading to our room, we would cut through the center of Tokelau, walk right around the quiet pool, and take the path between Raratonga and Niue. I think that's a good route if you are staying in Tahiti as well. It seems pretty quick. Now that the path is blocked, you could just walk through Raratonga ... no big deal.

 

[BostonTink85]

Just wanted to add my input. We just got back the other day from the Poly and stayed in Rarotonga third floor almost dead center facing the quiet pool(Aug 24-29) The construction wasn't too bad. You did hear it walking around during the day, but you couldn't hear it from inside the rooms. The path being blocked off didn't really affect us.
One thing that we didn't expect was that you could see the fireworks from our balcony. (we had requested Samoa, but ending up loving our room ) Obviously you couldn't see ALLL of them but most of them AND you could hear the music being piped in Loud and Clear. It was really great! Also a great view of the pool and lovely landscaping.

 

[chamonix]

to go to the GCH before heading to our room, we would cut through the center of Tokelau, walk right around the quiet pool, and take the path between Raratonga and Niue

Ah! It must be Tokelau, not Raratonga that we cut through. Yes, that sounds like the way we went, but it is faster/shorter to go along the beach. Weird and counter-intuitive, but I think it's just a straighter more direct route--the other paths curve around buildings, landscaping, the quiet pool, etc. TBH, not sure which is more scenic, I love the lushly landscaped paths at the Polynesian, listening to the music as you stroll.......

 

[alohaguy]

Did you happen to hear when Captain Cooks might be finished?

Thanks

I heard that renovation would begin in January and last for approximately six months. But I wouldn't rely too much on that info since their rehab schedules change all the time. It is, however, definite that the current Captain Cook's will be open through the Christmas season. They are waiting until after the holiday rush to renovate.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

#3505 was the room I was upgraded to when I booked a GV!! I was in heaven when I opened the door . I slept with the drapes open so I could get up everyonce in a while & peek at the castle at night
I am going again for Christmas, I would love to have that room again Are all the smoking rooms still on the 3rd floor? My husband smokes & he will be with us. We don't like him to smoke in the room so we stick him on the balcony

 

[alohaguy]

These are more shots of the view from our balcony ...

You get the idea ... great for wishes and the electric water parade.

This is a view of Hawaii from the ferry to MK ... our room was the fifth from the right on the 3rd floor.

 

[alohaguy]

A Mickeyfan -
All of the smoking rooms are on the third floor, but only half of the floor. They are in the half of the building that is on the opposite end of the lounge.

 

[KrisTX]

I just booked the GF for December and now wish I had done the Poly instead. Those pictures are wonderful! Thank you for posting them.

Had you requested the main bldg at GF? I am going to fax ahead and see if that helps get a better room. Or I might just stay at the Poly. I read that the decorations at GF are more 'Christmas-ey' than Poly.

 

[alohaguy]

I just booked the GF for December and now wish I had done the Poly instead. Those pictures are wonderful! Thank you for posting them.

Had you requested the main bldg at GF? I am going to fax ahead and see if that helps get a better room. Or I might just stay at the Poly. I read that the decorations at GF are more 'Christmas-ey' than Poly.

We are going in December again as well and I had originally booked a portion of our stay at GF and the rest at the Polynesian but have since changed the entire stay to the Polynesian. This is only because of my family's personal preference. December is our favorite time of year at WDW ... the decorations at the GF are definitely more elaborate (huge life-size gingerbread house, giant - I mean enormous - tree in the lobby, etc.) but we find the Polynesian decorations to be very nice also. The whole resort takes on a different feel in December - they even pipe-in Hawaiian Christmas music instead of the usual soundtrack.

About our view at the GF - I was surprised that it was so heavily blocked by trees. We stayed in April in Sugarloaf and overlooked one of the pools, so we wanted to try LV this time and were definitely disappointed. I don't know as much about the GF as I do about the Polynesian, but it seems to me that you have a fairly good chance of having trees in the way of any lagoon view. I do think the GF is very nice, but we prefer the Polynesian for the theming and the transportation ... and in my opinion, there is no better view at a MK hotel than the views from LVC rooms.

The main building at the GF is the Royal Palm Club, which is concierge - Sugarloaf is concierge as well. Unless you book concierge you cannot request the main building. We got the building we requested - Boca Chica - but were just a bit disappointed with the view.

Good luck

 

[eclectics]

Thanks alohaguy for the report and the pics! Leaving on Sunday for 10 nights at the Poly (non-concierge) and hoping for Tahiti, but will be happy with anything. Glad the renovations aren't too intrusive. I hope it stays that way! Did you feel the resort had their share of guests or was it not crowded? Thanks also for your views on the GF. I have friends that refuse to stay anywhere else. Maybe I will try it someday, but for my first "deluxe" I'm glad it will be the Poly!

 

[alohaguy]

Thanks alohaguy for the report and the pics! Leaving on Sunday for 10 nights at the Poly (non-concierge) and hoping for Tahiti, but will be happy with anything. Glad the renovations aren't too intrusive. I hope it stays that way! Did you feel the resort had their share of guests or was it not crowded? Thanks also for your views on the GF. I have friends that refuse to stay anywhere else. Maybe I will try it someday, but for my first "deluxe" I'm glad it will be the Poly!

Occupancy was low when we were there - 23rd-31st - and crowds were down. I don't know when the food and wine festival starts, but I would bet that crowds will pick up again when it does.

I had always wanted to try the GF also - so we finally pried ourselves away from the Polynesian and tried it twice. It was very nice, we just enjoy the Polynesian more. Everyone has different tastes.

Have a great trip.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

A Mickeyfan -
All of the smoking rooms are on the third floor, but only half of the floor. They are in the half of the building that is on the opposite end of the lounge.

thanks......

 

[eeyoresmountainpals]

Thanks for sharing your experiences and pics, Alohaguy. We've got 50 days until our LVC stay and can't wait. Your posts and pics made me even more anxious to get there! Thanks again!

 

[maestroralph]

Alohaguy

Do you know if the Polynesian as high speed internet service installed inthe rooms yet? I have read it was scheduled for installation by 8/15/05. My wife and I are headed for a week at the Polynesian during the last week of October and was wondering if the service was in yet.

 

[BCV23]

Alohaguy

Do you know if the Polynesian as high speed internet service installed inthe rooms yet? I have read it was scheduled for installation by 8/15/05. My wife and I are headed for a week at the Polynesian during the last week of October and was wondering if the service was in yet.

Oh, good question. and welcome to the DIS!

chamonix, again I haven't stayed there but I would try the middle of Tokelau shortcut if I was in the far East part of Tahiti. Go out the South door of Tahiti and through the shortcut. On the Western side of the Tahiti, I would try entering the North doors of Tokelaui and then going out the middle doors and around Nuie as alohaguy said. Did you ever try skirting the South side of Hawaii and then going by the Volcano pool?

But really unless I was in a real hurry for some reason, I would follow the lagoon regardless. It is just such a lovely walk.

 

[alohaguy]

Alohaguy

Do you know if the Polynesian as high speed internet service installed inthe rooms yet? I have read it was scheduled for installation by 8/15/05. My wife and I are headed for a week at the Polynesian during the last week of October and was wondering if the service was in yet.

Yes, high speed internet access is now available in Polynesian rooms. There is a fee associated with this (I don't remember exactly what it is - I didn't have my laptop with me) but it is relatively minimal. The connection sits on the night-table between the beds and has some printed information attached to an ethernet cable.

Have a great trip in October.