Just back from the Polynesian.

[palmtreegirl]

First we stayed at Old Key West in a huge 1 bedroom DVC unit for the first 2 nights. After staying in that room and reading some really bad reviews about the Poly(one from my sister) we we're really nervous about switching to the Polynesian for the last 2 night especially since we were staying on our much valued DVC points.. Well...............

We had no reason to worry because we just loved the Polynesian! We were in Tokelau room 3904 which was a garden view room, it was huge, it seemed as big as our studio rooms are in DVC. There wasn't a fridge so we called down and requested one, they brought it right up for us, no charge.

We went down to watch the fireworks from the beach and watched the water parade both nights. Oh and YAY the whole parade is now working again! The tiki torches, the palm trees it was just so pretty, we loved every minute there.

Any questions just ask!

 

[Ducky4Disney]

I ate at Ohana's on my last trip and walked around the grounds for a bit. I have been told that it's over rated, but I'd love to find out for myself! It looked like a great place to stay! Being a DVC owner myself, it's nice to hear your review!

D4D

 

[Asil65]

Hi Cate, My family of four and Mom will be at the Poly in April for the first time. How did you like Tokelau? Another poster dad mentioned that it was noisy and that there was a stong gas smell. Any problems for you? I had also heard that they will be renovating Tokelau early 2005.The Tikiman site seems to really like that Longhouse as well.We have a garden view room booked but are hoping to have a room where we can see a little of the water. Was the service good? Did you try any of the restaurants? We are planning on going to the Luau but now have some reservations about going.Read some lousy reviews. Any advice or suggestions would be great. Thanks, Lisa

 

[*Fantasia*]

Did you get the chance to swim? If so... How was the pool? Was the water cold? Did you miss the hot tub? Thanks!

 

[TLinden16]

Glad you had a nice stay, Cate! We had a great stay in Tokelau in August of 2003. It is a great resort. Thanks for posting!

Karen

 

[corvair]

palmtree girl....I love the poly my favorite...and we are thinking of buying DVC but I don't think I could give up the poly...just wondering how many points it cost you...thanks..amy

 

[jjohnson]

I love reading positive Poly reports. Glad you had a good time!

 

[palmtreegirl]

Hi Cate, My family of four and Mom will be at the Poly in April for the first time. How did you like Tokelau? Another poster dad mentioned that it was noisy and that there was a stong gas smell. Any problems for you? I had also heard that they will be renovating Tokelau early 2005.The Tikiman site seems to really like that Longhouse as well.We have a garden view room booked but are hoping to have a room where we can see a little of the water. Was the service good? Did you try any of the restaurants? We are planning on going to the Luau but now have some reservations about going.Read some lousy reviews. Any advice or suggestions would be great. Thanks, Lisa

We loved Tokelau, it was close to everything, the Transportation center, main Poly building beach and volocano pool were all a short walk and there's a quiet pool right near by.

I thought it was a very quiet building and I'm a light sleeper, I did actually request the top floor for this reason. No smells what-so-ever and I usually pick up on the slightest scents too. The only gas type smell I dectected was outsuide near some of the tiki torches and it wasn't bad and certainly nothing I could smell from inside. If you want to try for a peak at water try requesting the side of Tokelau opposite the quiet pool(we were on the quiet pool side).

The service was excellent, everyone was very friendly, aloha's at every turn. Since we were only there 2 nights we only ate at the snack bar and it was very good. On previous trips we've eaten at 'Ohana for both breakfast and dinner and it was very good although I preferred the breakfast.

Personally if you're staying at the Poly I'd skip the Luau you'll get enough atmosphere just staying at the resort itself, they even had free hula lessons in the lobby.

The best advice I can think of is not to over plan or get your heart set on a certain view/building etc...because then you'll set yourself up to be disappointed if the requests aren't met. the only requests we made were for non-smoking and a balcony, we left the rest up to fate. Enjoy yourself, take time to relax and soak up the atmosphere, watch the fireworks and water parade from the beach & stroll the grounds at night.

Hope that helped!

 

[palmtreegirl]

Did you get the chance to swim? If so... How was the pool? Was the water cold? Did you miss the hot tub? Thanks!

We swam both days, the pool was great. There's a zero entry side which my kids loved and as you walk out of the pool you have a view of the castle, Grand Floridian and CR, it's a very Disney view. There's also a great slide my 8 year old loved. The water was nice and warm and I didn't miss the hot tub at all.

 

[palmtreegirl]

palmtree girl....I love the poly my favorite...and we are thinking of buying DVC but I don't think I could give up the poly...just wondering how many points it cost you...thanks..amy

It was a lot, I think around 90 points because it involved a weekend night but it was worth it. Using points at non-Disney resorts isn't the best way to go because it does cost a lot more then DVC resorts. I use to be stingy with our points, always trying to figure out ways to save them and stretch them to the limit but I finally said forget it and this trip we splurged. We booked a 1 bedroom instead of a studio at OKW and then booked the Polynesian and we have no regrets, it was really great. Good luck with your decision on buying!

 

[Ladyhawke10]

I want to stay in the Poly at least just to see what all the rave reviews are about....its hard to forgo the GF for the Poly next door though, when I think GF is just heaven . Glad you liked the POly!

 

[trappednabox]

SOOOO GLAD YOU HAD A GOOD TIME! we're going to be staying at the poly in july for the 1st time and I've seen sooo many negative post about it I was worried! Hope it's worth my $$$ It has to be it's Disney!

 

[glencoe]

I too am going but in Feb for the first time. I can't wait! I have read about 98% positive reviews, so I am pretty sure I will be pleased at the poly. I am so stuck on room request so I too might just ask for balcony and non smoking and let them decide,one moment I want the Samoa because it is close to the pool and the next I want Tokelau I can't make my mind up what would be best for our family. Oh well enjoy your stay, when I get back I will give a detailed review for those of you who still have your trip ahead of you!

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[goofydad621]

We splugred this trip and staying nine nights at the Poly starting next Thursday and requested Tokelau longhouse. This will be my first stay at the Poly since it first opened.

 

[Tikiman]

Thanks for the report. I was worried when I saw the sad face on the report. You should have been able to look off the side of your balcony and see the castle from that room. That is why the quiet pool side is better at Tokleau. It is the only garden view rooms that you could see the castle and fireworks from. Glad you got such a good room and had a good visit.

Aloha

Steve

 

[crazy4dizney]

Sounds like you had a wonderful trip.I have a couple questions.1st. are there any microwaves available to the guest.2nd Is there anywhere to buy fresh salads and sandwiches togo to take poolside? Does Capt.cooks serve other items then whats on menu @allears? Thank you Its our familys first trip to the Poly. can't wait...

 

[PolyHereWeCome]

So glad you had a nice time! We'll be going in a few months and are looking forward to enjoying all that the Poly has to offer.

 

[palmtreegirl]

Thanks for the report. I was worried when I saw the sad face on the report. You should have been able to look off the side of your balcony and see the castle from that room. That is why the quiet pool side is better at Tokleau. It is the only garden view rooms that you could see the castle and fireworks from. Glad you got such a good room and had a good visit.

Aloha

Steve

That was a sad to be back face We couldn't see the castle because there was a tree in the way, I joked with my DH and told him to climb it and trim a few branches so we could see.

 

[palmtreegirl]

Sounds like you had a wonderful trip.I have a couple questions.1st. are there any microwaves available to the guest.2nd Is there anywhere to buy fresh salads and sandwiches togo to take poolside? Does Capt.cooks serve other items then whats on menu @allears? Thank you Its our familys first trip to the Poly. can't wait...

Hi, I didn't take note of a microwave but there might've been one in the snack bar, hopefully someone else can help you with that. Captain Cooks had all kinds of things you could get to go, there was also an eating area outside of it. CC had lots of other items like fresh donuts, crossiants, muffins, fruit, other desserts and things like that other then the main grill menu. I think there were some cold sandwich type stuff too.

You're gonna have a great trip, have fun!

 

[crazy4dizney]

Thanks