Just back from the Poly - a great resort!

[mermaidwannabe]

Hi, I just got back from staying at the Poly for a week, and it was fantastic. I was a bit nervous from all the varying reports, but we had a great experience. The staff was friendly and prompt. We couldn't get the building we requested as the resort was at full capacity, but they put us in the Rarotonga building. We couldn't get a balcony because we were on the 2nd floor, but it had a view of the "quiet pool" which was lovely. We couldn't have been more pleased. I thought the room was adequately cleaned, and it was plenty spacious for the five of us. There wasn't a refrigerator there when we checked in, but one was delivered 10 minutes after calling the front desk.
Ohana's and Kona's were both wonderful. If you are a creme brulee fan, you must try them at both restaurants. I had banana creme brulee at Kona's which was the best I've ever had, and Kona coffee creme brulee at Ohana's which was excellent as well. The servers at Ohana's were really friendly. The Kona server we had for dinner was great, but the one we had for breakfast there was just okay. Oh, and we used the dining plan and made out like bandits.
The monorail was worth the price of the resort. With 3 DDs (8,5 and 2), it was SO worth it, and we don't normally pay a lot on our vacations. The bus to the AK was okay, but I was happy to not have to rely upon buses only because my DD2 was a nightmare on it. The water taxi was great too. We always got there right when the boat arrived. We really liked taking it "home" from the Magic Kingdom.
There were no towel animals, but they did leave crayons and books one morning which was nice.
The zero entry pool was SO PERFECT for my DD2. They all loved that pool. And the slide was fun. Even my DH and I took turns going down. My DD8 rode it over and over and ...well you get the picture. There were always a lot of people in the pool, but it didn't feel crowded when you were in it.
My kids among many others played at the beach and right at the water's edge while I sat in a hammock drinking a pina colada. Oh Yeah.
We watched the fireworks from the beach which was nice, but there was no music (maybe that's just supposed to be at Ohana's where they pipe it in).
You HAVE to try the wasabi bloody mary at Kona's or Ohana's. YUM.
OH, and I wanted to address the whole "70's decor" discussion. Yes, the buildings are brown, but I appreciated that because it made the lush foliage just stand out. The accent colors on the buildings are orange, yellow and red, which were very fitting I thought. I DID NOT think it looked 70's at all - outside OR inside. It was truly polynesian all the way. I LOVE the Poly, and now, I don't think I could ever try another WHEN we go back. Yes, we got hooked on our first trip. Even my DH loved it, which I'm truthfully surprised about.
I'd be happy to answer any questions. Just let me say that the Poly is a WONDERFUL resort!!!!!! I almost didn't stay there because of negative reports. Don't make that mistake! We all miss it - it really was relaxing there, which I think is important after a full day at the parks. Or even after a half day there. My kids liked the volcano pool more than the parks!!

Okay, ask away if you like!

 

[Frances999]

Welcome Home

I'm so glad you had a such a wonderful trip.....it's great reading +ve reports

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Thanks for sharing and welcome home. Looks like we have another Polynesian convert here, hooray!! It doesnt take long to realize that the Polynesian is pure disney paradise!!

 

[Leota]

Thanks for the report. Glad you had a great time.

 

[DJmommy]

Thanks for the great review. I have booked the Poly for our first big family vacation for the week after Thanksgiving. This will be the 1st trip for the kids, 6 and 2 and we haven't been to Disney since 1997. I have never stayed in a deluxe but wanted to splurge for this one ( will be using some $400 + in Disney reward dollars to justify the cost ). Glad to hear that you thought that being on the monorail was worth the cost. I have been second-guessing myself since I made the reservation. We plan on returning to the resort most days for naps for my dd, and I am sure that it will be worth it when you factor in the transportation in that regard, plus will probably park hop on most days.

How was the bus transportation to and from MGM and AK? I have heard not so good things. How long did you have to wait? Were the buses really crowded? ( not too much fun having to stand with 2 kids and an umbrella stroller in tow, I would imagine). How long did it take to get to these parks via bus? Did you venture to Downtown Disney and how did that go?

We will probably eat at both Ohana and Kona, so I am glad to hear you liked that.

How was Captain Cook's? I have heard there are not too many offerings and it is not really like a food court. If you can give me a little idea as what they have as offerings I would appreciate it.

And lastly, did they offer any kid's activities during the day? When my dd is napping it would be fun to take my 6 yr old out to do something different besides the pool.

Sorry I was so long winded but any info would really be appreciated.

Glad you had such a wonderful trip!

Jacqueline

 

[3lilmcs]

I have been reading these board for months as I planned my family's 1st ever trip to WDW--We are staying at Poly GVC in June and I have been biting my nails as I read all the conflicting posts about the Poly. Reading your post was so reassuring and I am so happy you had a great time!

I have a 10 & a 7 yr. old son and a 3yr old daughter and I am so looking forward to their first trip to WDW being as special as possible--Heck, it's even my husband's and my first trip to WDW--After reading your post, I'm feeling even more excited about our trip! Thanks for the post!!

 

[scanne]

Yay! I am anticipating our upcoming stay there even MORE after your review. Thanks!

 

[ctrabada]

I totally agree with mermaidwannabe. I am writing this from my palm pilot on our drive home and my DH & I have a new favorite resort: the Poly! We loved everything about it. I also was a little nervous after reading the conficting reports on it, but I'm glad we stuck it out and stayed there.

 

[susy]

Yeah! We will be there in a couple of weeks!!!!!! Glad to hear the good reports!!!!!!

 

[mermaidwannabe]

Thanks for the great review. I have booked the Poly for our first big family vacation for the week after Thanksgiving. This will be the 1st trip for the kids, 6 and 2 and we haven't been to Disney since 1997. I have never stayed in a deluxe but wanted to splurge for this one ( will be using some $400 + in Disney reward dollars to justify the cost ). Glad to hear that you thought that being on the monorail was worth the cost. I have been second-guessing myself since I made the reservation. We plan on returning to the resort most days for naps for my dd, and I am sure that it will be worth it when you factor in the transportation in that regard, plus will probably park hop on most days.

How was the bus transportation to and from MGM and AK? I have heard not so good things. How long did you have to wait? Were the buses really crowded? ( not too much fun having to stand with 2 kids and an umbrella stroller in tow, I would imagine). How long did it take to get to these parks via bus? Did you venture to Downtown Disney and how did that go?

We will probably eat at both Ohana and Kona, so I am glad to hear you liked that.

How was Captain Cook's? I have heard there are not too many offerings and it is not really like a food court. If you can give me a little idea as what they have as offerings I would appreciate it.

And lastly, did they offer any kid's activities during the day? When my dd is napping it would be fun to take my 6 yr old out to do something different besides the pool.

Sorry I was so long winded but any info would really be appreciated.

Glad you had such a wonderful trip!

Jacqueline

Believe me, we went back and forth on whether to do it. After five minutes at the Poly, you will be SO glad you did. We ended up not doing MGM as the kids wanted to go back to Epcot if you can believe that, but we did take a bus to the AK. We waited at the Poly for about 10-15 minutes. We got seats but barely as there were several other people going. The bus ride was only 15-20 minutes and going there was great. Coming home, on the other hand, wasn't as great as everyone seemed to leave at 5pm (closing). We had to wait 20 minutes for a bus and when we did it was CROWDED. Only one of us got a seat and my DD2 was tired and CRRRANKY. I guess my advice would be to leave before closing! We couldn't believe we spent the day there since I had heard it was only a 1/2 day park. We liked it and spent the whole day. Or you could wait for another bus, I suppose so that you are the first ones in line. We also didn't go to Downtown Disney. We only had 5 days and we spent 2 days each at MK and Epcot and one day at AK.
We wish we would've had one more night at Ohana's, but we couldn't get in the whole week we were there. We did have one more night at Kona's, but we ended up getting pizzas from Captain Cooks because we wanted to swim and not "waste" the time eating. We ate breakfast there ONCE because it was pretty...well, just not healthy, but that's what WE got. We ordered waffle sticks and they were good, but they were more like deep-fried doughnuts. My DH did get an egg and bacon croissant that wasn't bad. They DO have cereals there you can buy. The coffee in the rooms and there is not very good, but you can get coffee on the second floor by Kona's from a coffee stand that is really good. Plus you can get milk and muffins from there. The pizzas from there were okay. We also ordered chicken strips and burgers one other night that we couldn't tear ourselves away from the pool too long and it was okay. Not great but not nasty.
I had planned on the kids doing activities during the day but we never did. If we weren't at the parks, we were swimming. I never did see any activites though.
If you have any more questions, please ask. I don't mind answering!

 

[cdpa4d]

I agree with the Op completely on this. We just returned from the Poly as well. It was fantastic! Everything was great. We were in Rarotonga as well, room 2826 with a view of the monorail. It was magical seeing the monorail from our room everyday. The resort was great from the restaurants to the pool.

We are considering joining DVC, but I must say that after our stay at the Poly we may opt away from DVC. The points you need to stay at the Poly are off the charts. After staying there I can understand why.

The Poly is mine and DW new FAV!

If you are booked for a future trip you will love it!

Aloha,
ADP

 

[Frances999]

We are considering joining DVC, but I must say that after our stay at the Poly we may opt away from DVC. The points you need to stay at the Poly are off the charts. After staying there I can understand why.

Big Ditto!! We considered DVC, but I want to stay at The Poly every trip!!

 

[lklasing]

We just got back from a 4 night stay (too short!) at the Poly Concierge - Hawaii. We couldn't have been any more pleased. The check-in was seamless, with the room ready even though we got there at noon. Everyone we dealt with was fabulous, from the Concierge staff to the people in the lounge to Mousekeeping. We only had one towel animal left for us, but most days they would rearrange all the animals and dolls my two DDs brought into cute arrangements. The kicker, though, was when my DD (8) figured out that she just HAD to have the Koda stuffed Brother Bear she had seen in AK that day, but we wouldn't be able to make it back to AK during the trip. She looked and looked and couldn't find it anywhere else. I talked to the staff about it, but didn't think they would be able to do anything about it. But, low and behold, on our last night we got back to the room and there was Koda waiting on her. A total surprise. She actually got tears in her eyes - she was so surprised and happy.

So, all that is to say, we couldn't have had a better trip. We will definitely stay Poly Concierge every trip, even though that means we might not be able to go as often as we would like. It's so worth it to stay in such a wonderful place.

Leslie

 

[jlowejd5]

I like reading good reviews, because I've got a lot riding on our March trip. We've talked a number of friends into coming along (including one who's never been to WDW, and he's 31). It's one of those things where DW and I picked the vacation we wanted and now are trying to bribe and cajole people into coming. So if it stinks, it's our fault.

We've never stayed at the Poly, but after seeing Tikiman's site and reading some of the reviews, we were very excited to try it. I love the fact that I'll be on the monorail, because I think we've got two little ones coming. And the fact that this is on the front end of a Land/Sea, I couldn't think of a better place to get into the swing of an ocean cruise.

We just broke the 300-day line, and we're picking up speed!!

 

[PolyHereWeCome]

Aloha and glad you had a nice trip! Always nice to hear good things about the Poly -- we, too, had a wonderful time there!

 

[mermaidwannabe]

I also wanted to add that the torch lighting ceremony at 6:00pm every night was really neat. It lasts about 5 minutes but it's worth seeing.

 

[Miller1412]

I'm so glad to hear good reviews of the Poly! My DH and I just yesterday booked a trip October 2006 and we chose the Poly mainly for the monorail and close proximity to MK. My question is...I assume you had a garden view...did you ever wish you got the lagoon view? We are steering away from it, only because the main reason to get it would be to see fireworks and we figured that we would either watch from the beach, or more likely, actually be in the park. I'm not sure what to do on that one...


Also...did the resort feel "tired" at all? I was wondering since it was older if would have an older feel about it?? I am so nervous...we decided on the Poly and I just hope it will be worth the extra money!!

 

[mermaidwannabe]

I'm so glad to hear good reviews of the Poly! My DH and I just yesterday booked a trip October 2006 and we chose the Poly mainly for the monorail and close proximity to MK. My question is...I assume you had a garden view...did you ever wish you got the lagoon view? We are steering away from it, only because the main reason to get it would be to see fireworks and we figured that we would either watch from the beach, or more likely, actually be in the park. I'm not sure what to do on that one...


Also...did the resort feel "tired" at all? I was wondering since it was older if would have an older feel about it?? I am so nervous...we decided on the Poly and I just hope it will be worth the extra money!!

Yes, we had a GV but we had a view of the quiet pool. I never regretted not getting a lagoon view. It was fun walking down to the beach to see the fireworks. I did not feel like it was "tired". The GF is definitely brighter, but we just felt at home in the relaxed atmosphere. Really, the brown buildings just fit the polynesian feel; it made the foliage stand out. I know people's opinions are varied, but if you are looking for a "Hawaii" feel, you'll get it there IMO.

 

[Miller1412]

Thanks for your input! I'm sure it will be great!

Honestly...I could stay in a shack and still have a great time at Disney! I'm more excited than ever! Thanks again!!!

 

[goodferry]

Thanks for the report, we love the Poly too! I don't think pictures can really do it justice, there is a wonderful but almost indescribable feeling to the resort.