just back - Poly ok, loved the AKL

[anne]

We are just back from our 2 week trip.

Really loved the location of the Poly. We enjoyed the grounds, Kona Cafe was excellent, and my 5 year old loved the volcano pool. Extremely disappointed with the room, though. Not the decorating, just the cleanliness. We got in really late at night and check in wasn't too helpful. He did not even give us a map to find Tokelau, let alone any other information - had to ask. Went to climb into the bed in our room, and I will just say it was not clean. When I called the desk they switched us to another room. It was 3: 30 am so we just checked the bed and went to sleep. Overall not impressed with housekeeping - room was not very clean - guck all over the phone pad, carpets very stained, stuff on the walls. A wipe down with some cleaner would have solved the problem. I would definitely spend the $$ to be on the monorail again - the convenience cannot be beat, but I would try the Grand Floridian next time. In our minds the room was not up to standard for the price we paid. Obviously I know all the rooms would not be like this, just our luck!

Switched to AKL for last 6 nights and absolutely loved it. Check in was great - the woman who helped us spent time looking for a great room for us, gave us a packet on the parks and resort (unprompted) and a run down on all the activities. Our room was excellent. Very clean!!! We loved the atmosphere, and we were on 2nd floor arusha savannah, zebra trail. We were a little over half way down the hall but the giraffes were right outside our window!!! House keeping was excellent. Every day she arranged my sons Mickey and Pluto - one day they were watching tv, another sitting in a chair looking out the window. This wasn't something I needed done but it sure added to the 'wow' factor. She even wrote us a note thanking us for the tips and came by to say goodbye on our last day. I spoke to the housekeeping manager about her and he was wonderful as well. Even arranged a little surprise for us. I would stay here again in a heartbeat. Bus transportation was good. Only thing we missed was a restaurant like Kona Cafe, but room service was really good.

Any questions please ask!!

 

[noseybuddy]

We are just back from our 2 week trip.

Really loved the location of the Poly. We enjoyed the grounds, Kona Cafe was excellent, and my 5 year old loved the volcano pool. Extremely disappointed with the room, though. Not the decorating, just the cleanliness. We got in really late at night and check in wasn't too helpful. He did not even give us a map to find Tokelau, let alone any other information - had to ask. Went to climb into the bed in our room, and I will just say it was not clean. When I called the desk they switched us to another room. It was 3: 30 am so we just checked the bed and went to sleep. Overall not impressed with housekeeping - room was not very clean - guck all over the phone pad, carpets very stained, stuff on the walls. A wipe down with some cleaner would have solved the problem. I would definitely spend the $$ to be on the monorail again - the convenience cannot be beat, but I would try the Grand Floridian next time. In our minds the room was not up to standard for the price we paid. Obviously I know all the rooms would not be like this, just our luck!

Switched to AKL for last 6 nights and absolutely loved it. Check in was great - the woman who helped us spent time looking for a great room for us, gave us a packet on the parks and resort (unprompted) and a run down on all the activities. Our room was excellent. Very clean!!! We loved the atmosphere, and we were on 2nd floor arusha savannah, zebra trail. We were a little over half way down the hall but the giraffes were right outside our window!!! House keeping was excellent. Every day she arranged my sons Mickey and Pluto - one day they were watching tv, another sitting in a chair looking out the window. This wasn't something I needed done but it sure added to the 'wow' factor. She even wrote us a note thanking us for the tips and came by to say goodbye on our last day. I spoke to the housekeeping manager about her and he was wonderful as well. Even arranged a little surprise for us. I would stay here again in a heartbeat. Bus transportation was good. Only thing we missed was a restaurant like Kona Cafe, but room service was really good.

Any questions please ask!!

Don't count on the Grand Floridian being any cleaner. We stayed there for 7 nights. We we checked in and went to our room it hadn't even been cleaned. Food laying around, clothing that was left behind, etc. Went to the front desk to tell them, they didn't really seem to care, did give us another room. It was cleanier then the first, but still not good enough. The whole week we were there it didn't even look like the carpet had been vaccumed. Was not impressed with this resort at all. Even the little lobby at our building was dirty everyday. I guess this happens to everyone at sometime at the resort they pick. But I didn't really care for the GF, so I know I will not be staying there again.

 

[kandeebunny]

Do you have any photos from inside your room at either resort? I have looked at all-ears but I always love to see more! We visited AKL whiled there his past trip, but were not impressed by the lobby, but I've heard wonderful things. I'm debating on trying it!

 

[noseybuddy]

Sorry double post again. I seem to have a problem with this web site. Very slow!

 

[Frances999]

Glad you had a good trip

I'm sorry to hear about your room at The Polynesian. Luckily the rooms are all being renovated this year, but it sounds like Mousekeeping needs to be sorted out, too!

Thanks for the report

 

[diathoney]

I've noticed a decline in the cleaning standards at Disney. I think they are short staffed, plus they try to turn around the rooms quickly so early check-ins can get in.

We drive and I usually take a few cleaning supplies myself just in case. I'm not obsessive, but I hate seeing gunk in the corners, on the tables, etc. Ew!

I think I've had the best luck at AKL. Even the balcony area was nice and clean.

 

[Denmark]

Hmm, yeah i know, ill get flamed for this !

I doubt that those hotels/resorts is dirty, you guys sounds to me, like you will never be satisfied with ANY resort you stay at. You will always find something to complain about, usualy how clean it is.

Just go ahead, flame away, i can take it !!

 

[noseybuddy]

Hmm, yeah i know, ill get flamed for this !

I doubt that those hotels/resorts is dirty, you guys sounds to me, like you will never be satisfied with ANY resort you stay at. You will always find something to complain about, usualy how clean it is.

Just go ahead, flame away, i can take it !!

Well, I am not that way. As you can see in my signature I have stayed in several different Disney resorts. This is the first time I had a dirty room. I also have noticed that the Disney parks are NOT as clean as they used to be. I think there were many cutbacks after 911 and it is showing. But this will not stop me from visiting WDW. I love it there.

 

[Denmark]

Sorry, i was just making fun of you guys !!

Btw. all the hotels i have stayed in at Disneyland Paris (i know this forum is about WDW resorts) has always been well kept, with nice clean rooms.

The only thing i noticed, regarding how clean it is, was in the main park (same as MK in WDW) last year, and i noticed LOTS of spots around the park, where there were all kinds of stuff on the grounds.

People tosed cardboard boxes (those that contains 30 coca-cola cans) on the ground. All kinds of paper/plastic from candy and so on ...

First, i think the first one to blaim on this is not Disney, but those who do it !.

But what can i do about it, i dont work in Disneyland Paris, im just an ordinary disney nut. And secondly, what if i saw someone doing it, and i tried to tell them to pick it up, and toss it in the garbage bin.
This guy would probarly be a french dude, and i tell you, most french people young or old, dont speak a word of english. Would just turn around, and say: bla bla bla, no habla english i only talk french fries !!

Sorry, lots of europeans dont like the french, atleast i dont !

 

[Violetx3]

I stayed at the Poly a few weeks ago and had a very similar experience as the OP. The grounds are beautiful, but the 2 rooms I looked at were not very clean. I am not exceptionally picky. There was sticky "gunk" on the door trim, our refrigerator was smeared up. The doorwall glass wasn't well-cleaned. Carpet stained, etc. I think the rooms are definitely ready for a rehab. We had a good stay, but nothing exceptional. I received a survey to fill out on-line, and I felt happy to be able to provide feedback. (Does everyone get this?)

Also, I noticed a used room service tray in the hallway 2 or 3 days!! Come on!

My other small complaint is that when I called to request a fridge, the CM answered the phone laughing and talking to a co-worker. I had to listen to her conversation for a few seconds. That kind of thing is no big deal but a little unprofessional and it kind of rubbed me the wrong way.

I liked what was posted about AKL. I would love to experience something extra-special. I know Disney wants to give that feeling because there were 2 questions about it in the survey. Unfortunately, I couldn't respond that I had felt anything that made me feel, "Wow, that was great service!"

 

[CaipiraBob]

I doubt that those hotels/resorts is dirty, you guys sounds to me, like you will never be satisfied with ANY resort you stay at. You will always find something to complain about, usualy how clean it is.

Not a flame.

I've been to WDW about 40 times. The Polynesian is wonderful as far as location, but depending on the cleaning staff it can be horridly filthy. Our last Christmas trip in 2004 was wonderful but our Christmas trip in 2003 we had major problems with room cleanliness in the Hawaii building of all places.

Prior to that we had been at the AKL concierge and it was wonderful.

The Boardwalk Inn Concierge was immaculate and our stay at the Yacht Club concierge last week topped all of them.

In comparison, the Polynesian places last as far as cleanliness. The monorail makes up for the problems with the basics.

When Mousekeeping keeps pace with expectations, it's a wonderful hotel. Seemingly they more often rely on location and name rather than the performance of it's CM's with respect to basics. I find that sad.

 

[2minny]

When you're paying that kind of money, I expect clean...no doubt!

 

[stonecreekboys]

Glad you had a good trip

I'm sorry to hear about your room at The Polynesian. Luckily the rooms are all being renovated this year, but it sounds like Mousekeeping needs to be sorted out, too!

Thanks for the report

Frances 999,
How can I find out which rooms have already been renovated? We are set to travel to the Poly in three weeks. I don't want to be disappointed, plus now have a 9 mos old crawler on my hands. tks.
Has anyone spoken to a general manager at Poly about the problem?

 

[Frances999]

Frances 999,
How can I find out which rooms have already been renovated? We are set to travel to the Poly in three weeks. I don't want to be disappointed, plus now have a 9 mos old crawler on my hands. tks.
Has anyone spoken to a general manager at Poly about the problem?

Hi

I don't think any rooms will be renovated in three weeks. Apparently they have started working on one longhouse but it won't be ready until late August/September.

 

[Suzanne74]

I agree with the OP. I really loved the Polynesian - the atmosphere, theming, restaurants, pools, lagoon etc.. - all wonderful but our room was not up to normal standards as far as cleanliness.

Our last Christmas trip in 2004 was wonderful but our Christmas trip in 2003 we had major problems with room cleanliness in the Hawaii building of all places.

We were in the hawaii building as well and our first room didn't looked vacuumed plus there were multiple stains on the carpet, gunk around the sink faucet and in the creases of the shower. The fridge smelled and worst of all brown smudges on the wallpaper in the bathroom near the toilet - EW! We were being moved though and the next room was better but a week after we came back from Disney we stayed at Harrah's in Atlantic City overnight while visiting family and as soon as we walked in DH said, this is how a hotel room is supposed to look and smell - CLEAN. He was right. We paid a pretty penny and really overlooked shoddy housekeeping because of where we were - Poly right across from the castle. It is a shame, they do need to work on Mousekeeping

 

[anne]

kandeebunny - re: AKL, I did take room pictures but don't know how to post them. I will say the photos don't do the room justice as they wash it out a bit, and I really loved the rooms!!! The minute I stepped into it I thought...this is what I was hoping for. If you want to try the resort maybe just stay a couple of nights and see if you like it.

Re: Poly, the other posts as far as dirty walls around toilet, thick white stuff around sink faucets and carpet stains were exactly what we experienced in the room we stayed in, but at least the bed was clean, unlike the 1st room we were put in .
Oh well - still had lots of fun!!

 

[lmhall2000]

Welcome Denmark you're lucky you didn't get flamed! I think many of the Dis'ers are developing such tough skins that you were lucky this time!
I have a question about Disney Paris, though...have you stayed at WDW resorts? We are thinking of going to Disney Paris next year...are the rooms that much smaller than the rooms in Orlando? And on the size of the park is it equivalent to Magic Kingdom or smaller?
Thanks for any help!
Tara

 

[Frances999]

Welcome Denmark you're lucky you didn't get flamed! I think many of the Dis'ers are developing such tough skins that you were lucky this time!
I have a question about Disney Paris, though...have you stayed at WDW resorts? We are thinking of going to Disney Paris next year...are the rooms that much smaller than the rooms in Orlando? And on the size of the park is it equivalent to Magic Kingdom or smaller?
Thanks for any help!
Tara

I hope you don't mind me commenting! The hotel rooms are typically smaller at Disneyland Paris, particularly in the "value" and "first class" resorts. However, the "deluxe" resorts (Hotel New York and The Disneyland Hotel) have much larger rooms similar to the sizes of rooms at WDW deluxe resorts. The Disneyland Parc (I would guess) is about the same size as Magic Kingdom. The park is much more beautiful than the US counterparts, with many newer and improved attractions, too. Pirates of the Caribbean and Big Thunder Mountain are amazing in comparison with the MK versions. Another great point about DLRP is how everything is within walking distance of each other. You can walk from any of the 6 onsite hotels to both The Disneyland Parc and the Walt Disney Studios (both parcs are right opposite each other).

 

[Leota]

CaipiraBob summed up my experience with the Poly - I love to visit the resort & eat at Kona & Ohana's. It is a beautiful resort with amazing landscaping. The location is one of the best on property - Good thing because our experience with housekeeping was seriously lacking & our rooms were a bit shoddy, damp & odiferous - this was in Hawaii also. We also saw a dirty room service tray in the hall for several days....

I have stayed in several resorts on property & the Poly was the worst experience we had with cleanliness/service, and it was the most expensive....

 

[Denmark]

Hehe, well was just making fun of you guys as i said!
I have been 15 years in the danish Navy, so im used to a little flaming every now and then !!

Back to topic, regarding Disneyland Paris:
I have been staying in: Hotel New York, Sequia Lodge and Newport Bayclub.

Hotel Newyork is very nice, large rooms, nice decor.
Hotel Sequia Lodge is almost the same as Wilderness Lodge in WDW, very nice.
Newport Bayclub is almost like the Yacht Club in WDW.

Disneyland Parc (same size as MK). A park very similar to MK, but a bit nicer.
Walt Disney Studios (somewhat like MGM in WDW) has its own style/theme compared to MGM. I personaly dont think its as fun as MGM.

I have been 6 times to Disneyland Paris, and enjoy it there every time.

I have been 4 times in WDW, but never stayed on-site there, but am going to stay at Wilderness Lodge and Beach Club this July 2005.

I have been 2 times in Disneyland California, very nice place.