just back from the Polynesian

[crickee]

Hello everyone,

My family and I got back on Friday from our stay at the Polynesian (12/27/2002 - 1/2/2002) and did we have a wonderful time. We were in Hawaii, room 3524 (garden view - quiet pool area) which was fine ( we didn't have much time to look out our window though. Our first night was great - after dinner at the luau show (ok food show was pretty good but I've seen better) the kids got into their pjs and we went to the concierge lounge to watch the MK fireworks and the electiric water parade. We had a great view of the fireworks and I believe there was music playing that went along w/ the show. So nice to be able to walk a few yards to our rooms and tuck the kids in bed.

Food in the concierge loungs was fabulous and plentiful. We had breakfast there everymorning and always picked up our water and a couple boxes of fruitloops for the kids to snack on in the park. We usually weren't around for midday snacks, but my daughter found buckets of m&m and gummy worms one day. We made a meal out of most the evening snacks (especially loved the chicken ceasar salad and the spring rolls). We were so tired by the end of the day we usually didn't feel like eating out and there was always a wide variety of items to try, and it was so nice to have a glass of wine at the end of the day. The evening desserts were also quite nice; small items, so you could sample a few different items and not feel the guilt. The staff in the lounge were wonderful and very efficient. We found the lounge a very warm and inviting place.

We did not use the concierge staff for making ps arrangements for us. But the few times we had questions they were very friendly and helpful. The jogging stroller we were able to borrow were great; my husband loved it and he usually hates most stroller designs. You do need to give a $200 deposit (by credit card) in case it's lost or damaged.

Our room was very clean and didn't seem worn at all. There was a peculiar smell when we first entered the room, which I think might have been the disinfectant/deodorant they use in the cleaning the rooms - didn't notice it after the first day. The room was not as sound proof as I would have liked, and I mean this for other guests, not our family. One day as I was walking to the lounge I could hear my son screaming all the way down the hall (disney overload) To all of you within earshot of room 3524 (probably the entire building) I sorry for the noise!

I didn't mean to sound as though I was bad mouthing the luau; my daughter had a great time. It's just that my husband and I visited Hawaii several years ago really enjoyed the show at the Cultural Museum run by the LDS university and church on Oahu.

I've probably left out lots of stuff. Let me know if you have any questions.

This trip has definitely spoiled forever and we will never go moderate again.


The grounds were lovely and the Christmas decorations were very nice and in keeping with the polynesian theme. I never did seem the gingerbread longhouse.

 

[>>^..^<<]

Hi there...

I am booked at AKL concierge for August - but I was considering trying something different like Poly or BC concierge.

Did you hear anyone mention anything about rennovations to start on Hawaii in the summer or how the temp lounge might be set up?

How was the Volcano pool?... I hope the weather was nice enough for you to use it.

Disney is for the kid in all of us and I'm sure everyone is used to squealing kids all over the place! Don't worry about it!

Thanx for the trip report!

 

[Misti]

Welcome home and thanks for the detailed review.

 

[mommyto3]

Welcome home!

I was wondering how the bathroom set up worked for your family. My family of 5 will be at Disney World for two weeks this August and the Polynesian sounds awesome, but I am hesitant because there is only one sink and it's inside the shower area.

I'm worried it will be a hassle, since three of us are girls. Prissy, primping girls who take long showers...take forever to fix their hair...........ect.

Thanks!

 

[Gottalovedisney]

Welcome Home! We were neighbors (room 3522). Don't worry, we never heard anything from next door. But I feel I must apologize for my three! They got a little wild a few nights and I'd be shocked if they didn't make their presence known!! I totally agree about the concierge. It was wonderful and everyone was so nice! I even enjoyed the Polynesian Christmas carols, although we still can't figure out their version of the 12 days of Christmas We too are now spoiled, in fact we've already got ressies for October!

Mommyto3,

I wouldn't worry too much about the sink set up. There were also 5 of us (my husband & 12 yr old son are the primpers!!!) and we only bumped into each other once or twice! We're used to one bathroom at home so it wasn't a problem. You'll have a great time!

 

[crickee]

There were a number of days warm enough that we could have used the pool (we were very lucky with the weather, upper 60s to mid 70s, rained New Years Eve, but for us not a problem as we were back at the room with very tired kids). We only managed to make the pool once and it was great. My daughter and I loved the the zero entry (like a beach) and the water was quite warm. DD, age 5, even tried the water slide and liked it. The patio area around the pool is quite nice w/ plenty of tables, chairs and lounge chairs. There is also a bar right next to the pool, one of the fountain things in the ground that Disney does so well and a shower area. The volcano is impressive and the other landscaping in the area is beautiful also, with a stream and waterfall, wood and rope bridge. There also was a handicap walkway to the pool area. The only thing I missed was a spa tub (you can go to GF for that I think).

We had no problem with the bathroom, although none of us in the family are what I would call primpers. We also had a 3 and 5 yo with us so there was alot of bathroom sharing.

 

[Tess]

The rehab of Hawaii is scheduled for 6/23/03 through September--date uncertain. With WDW, one never knows the exact start and completion date--it has been known to change.

The sink thing really isn't an issue--at least it's not been for us--a teen and a tweener in the family, too. Depending upon your arrival date, you could be in Tahiti. This building has a double sink inside the bathroom--a large bathroom! The rooms are also a bit larger than those in Hawaii.

So many Polynesian converts--oh my--there might not be room for us! I'm happy so many other people are enjoying the resort as much as our family. Word of warning--the concierge level at the resorts is a spoiler though--you won't want to go back!