Just Back From The Poly... Loved It!!!!!!

[eclectics]

Just back from 10 wonderful nights at the Poly and I have a question. How can I ever possibly stay anywhere else now? I am so spoiled. What a beautiful place! I am SO glad I decided to say here. A pleasure from begining to end. ME was flawless (back and forth). We (DSO and I) arrived at check-in around 3:00. I decided not to say a word about building requests. Senior CM was assisting a newbie. He was the one that mentioned that I had requested Tahiti (staying GV non-concierge by the way). He said sorry, but he was placing me in Tokelau because they were starting to rehab Tahiti next. This seemed strange because they were working on 3 buildings already and not a sign of work at Tahiti my entire stay, but actually I'm very glad we ended up at Tokelau. We were in room 3911 with what seemed to me to be a lagoon view worthy room as we could see Hawaii beach just a few feet away, great view of the GF and even a direct view of the Castle (even though it was through a palm tree). Resort seemed quite busy over the holiday weekend but slackened off a bit during the week. Almost every CM I encountered was pleasant and smiling with a "Aloha". Even the hard bitten workmen would give you a nod of the head. We had a great mousekeeper who took the time to figure out our likes and dislikes. No towel animals but she did some towel fans for us a few times. Loved having morning coffee on the balcony looking at the beach. Loved Kona and Captain Cooks was about what I expected (I will do a free dining report soon). Rehab work being done was, for the most part, non-obtrusive. When we arrived Niue, Tuvalu, and Fiji were closed with wooden barricades around the entrance stairs and brown nylon type fencing around the first floors. When we left, Fiji looked done with no fencing and the path around Niue was open again but Niue and Tuvalu are still closed. Also some ugly canvas around the corner of Captain Cooks. Couldn't take a peek inside to see any of the new rooms but there was a 18 wheeler chock full of new flat screen TV's in the parking lot. Monorail service was nice but seemed to be very busy and we had to stand quite a bit. Bus service was okay (not terrific but not terrible either). We had some extra time so we checked out the other Deluxes and the only other one we might consider staying at was the WL. We LOVED the Poly so much! Only little nit pick would be the gift shop. It doesn't have a lot of Poly merchandise at all. Very poor selection (especially clothing). Entire 1/2 of the new store is expensive Tommy Bahama stuff. I couldn't even get a Poly tee shirt. AKL on the other hand is FULL of their logo merchandise. Oh well. Not a huge deal. Can't wait to plan our next Poly trip! Sorry this went a bit long. I'll be happy to answer any questions I can, if you have any.

 

[alohaguy]

Glad you had a good trip. Also glad to hear that the renovations weren't very intrusive. I know many are worried that when they arrive during this period of rehab that they will be staying in something resembling a war zone. When we were there Aug. 24-31st, the renovations were not a problem either.

Thanks for the report.

 

[Tikiman]

Welcome back. Glad you got such a great spot. My opinion is for a garden view room the west side of Tokelau down toward the beach is one of the best spots in all of the Polynesian. I won’t start the debate about the Polynesian logo merchandise again but they must be out of stuff because when I was there in August there was plenty of Polynesian logo clothes and gifts (including t-shirts) so they must just run out because someone else was saying the same thing.

Thanks for the report.

Aloha

Steve

 

[Bride In The Attic]

Only little nit pick would be the gift shop. It doesn't have a lot of Poly merchandise at all. Very poor selection (especially clothing). Entire 1/2 of the new store is expensive Tommy Bahama stuff. I couldn't even get a Poly tee shirt. AKL on the other hand is FULL of their logo merchandise. Oh well. Not a huge deal. Can't wait to plan our next Poly trip! Sorry this went a bit long. I'll be happy to answer any questions I can, if you have any.

So glad you've fallen in love with the Poly - it's our favorite hands down!

I absolutely agree with you about the lack of Poly merchandise. It seems the other resorts are full of their logo-wear but we had a really tough time at the Poly. I was hoping with the new store opening this would change....darn it. I'm sure I'll still find things to spend my $$ on in the gift shop in November but I really want a Poly sweatshirt!

 

[Bride In The Attic]

I won’t start the debate about the Polynesian logo merchandise again but they must be out of stuff because when I was there in August there was plenty of Polynesian logo clothes and gifts (including t-shirts) so they must just run out because someone else was saying the same thing.

Please restock before November!!

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

Glad you had a great time. I would love to stay at the POly sometime when it's just DH and me.

That's too bad about the gift shop. That's one of the things I love about WL........we went crazy with all of the stuff in there!! Got stuff for everyone including a hand painted water color of the WL that hangs on my living room wall to remind me of one of my favorite places.

 

[skiwee1]

I'll be at the Poly in 13 days and will be sure to update everyone on the logo supplies. I know every time I've been to the Poly they never had a decent selection. Mind you I am not there as much as Tikiman but I do stay there about 30 days a year for the last 4 years. I would think in that timeframe they would have had more but I must be ulnlucky! LOL! The WL has probably the most expansive logo souveniers of any resort. I just wish Poly has half as much.

 

[smfnj]

Just back from 10 wonderful nights at the Poly and I have a question. How can I ever possibly stay anywhere else now? I am so spoiled. What a beautiful place!

Glad you enjoyed the Poly. We said the same thing after our first stay there in '91 and have returned 17 times. We've also had 1 trip to DL and 6 or 7 to BWI.

steve

 

[MOMOFMNM]

thanks for the review...we can not wait, 13 days away!!!!!!

Are the new rooms available to guests at this point??

Did they provide coffee, filters, sugar and spoons for the coffee? My dh is a BIG coffee drinker so I am trying to figure out the what to bring/buy becuase we are flying and I don't plan on bringing a lot with us. How is the volcano pool?? Were the parks crowded?? How long did you wait for rides? How was the weather? Was there already a fridge in your room or did you have to request one??

thanks!!!

 

[skiwee1]

thanks for the review...we can not wait, 13 days away!!!!!!

Are the new rooms available to guests at this point??

Did they provide coffee, filters, sugar and spoons for the coffee? My dh is a BIG coffee drinker so I am trying to figure out the what to bring/buy becuase we are flying and I don't plan on bringing a lot with us. How is the volcano pool?? Were the parks crowded?? How long did you wait for rides? How was the weather? Was there already a fridge in your room or did you have to request one??

thanks!!!

See you there! I'll be there Sept 30-Oct 10. If you see two plump ladies and a 6 y/o girl that is us!

 

[Pau]

Glad you enjoyed your trip! Thank you for your report. We have stayed in Tokelau 3 times and have always had a nice stay there. Can't wait to go back next week!

 

[eclectics]

thanks for the review...we can not wait, 13 days away!!!!!!

Are the new rooms available to guests at this point??

Did they provide coffee, filters, sugar and spoons for the coffee? My dh is a BIG coffee drinker so I am trying to figure out the what to bring/buy becuase we are flying and I don't plan on bringing a lot with us. How is the volcano pool?? Were the parks crowded?? How long did you wait for rides? How was the weather? Was there already a fridge in your room or did you have to request one??

thanks!!!

Not sure about the new rooms. I'm sure they should be coming available soon. I would think installing the new TV's would be one of the last things to do and like I said, there was a huge truck full of them in the parking lot. Coffemaker (4 cup type) came with reg and decaf coffee/filter pouches. Very easy and fast. We love coffee 24/7 also and mousekeeper always kept us with plenty of both. Just leave her a note. Also pouches with sugar, splenda, stirrers, and coffee mate packets (yuk). We "stole" some of those liquid half and half minis from Captain Cooks every day. They kept fine in the cool room for a couple of days. Both pools were pretty crowded during the day but quiet pool was pretty dead after dinner time. Parks were not too crowded at all. We never had to use fast pass even once, but we got to the popular rides early. Crowded up a little (at all the parks) toward noon but still only 20 minute or so wait time. Weekends at MK are still crowded though. No fridge in room. You have to ask for one. Have a great trip!!

 

[MOMOFMNM]

thanks for the creamer ideas~~~~I may even go to get some french vanillas for myself at my local QT before we go I will probably bring a small container of sugar as my dh likes a little coffee with his sugar and cream!! LOL
I am happy to hear they have splenda thanks@!!

 

[MOMOFMNM]

See you there! I'll be there Sept 30-Oct 10. If you see two plump ladies and a 6 y/o girl that is us!

wow you are staying a lot longer than we are...lucky~~~

we are a family of 5, three girls a young mom and a really funny, happy, talkative guy...(if you are in line behind us at WDW I appologize, see my dh LOVES to talk to everyone and get their "story"!) and learn all the names of all the employees...etc. I am sure the cast members will LOVE him...

 

[smfnj]

My dh is a BIG coffee drinker so I am trying to figure out the what to bring/buy becuase we are flying and I don't plan on bringing a lot with us.

If he's a big coffee drinker he'll love the kona press pot at Kona Kafe or even the kona blend from the cart, grab a cup on your way to the monorail.

steve

 

[*Fantasia*]

What a very long paragraph! Welcome Back! And thanks for the trip review. Glad you enjoyed your stay at the Polynesian... I know what you mean... how can we stay anywhere else ... (and the WL and the POFQ!)! I found paradise at the Polynesian! Can't wait to go back... whenever that may be.

 

[maryfree]

I will be staying at the Polynesian in early Dec. (have only stayed at GF most recently) But after reading some of the loyal followers posts over the past few years I decided it was time to change resorts. Im extremley excited to stay at this wonderful resort with my son,his wife and children for the Christmas season...

 

[Davefrompgh]

wow, sounds like you had a great time...We also love the Poly and were there in August...I, too, was bummed about the about of Poly logo merchandise....I hope they get more....My whole family would be parading around in Poly stuff....glad to hear you had a nice time....We are thinking about heading back again next year, but I think we "might" try a Mod...maybe POR...but like you I am spoiled for the Poly..I think my kids are too...too funny

 

[goodferry]

Glad to hear you loved the Polynesian, we love it too! I have to wait until December to go back, though . My family is totally addicted. We stayed at the BWI in August and we loved it there, but DH kept saying, "The staff is wonderful, but the resort doesn't have the same magic the Polynesian does"

 

[WDW Here we come!]

Hi,

Our first trip to the Poly will be in January. Can't wait!!

Are the rooms in the Tokelau renovated yet?

What did you think of the walk to the monorail/"noisy pool" and GCH? We will be pushing two strollers all day and don't want to walk too far at the resort if we can help it!

Thanks for the great update!