mamateacher
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2010
- Messages
- 192
Hi all,
This was our second trip as a family and I have some observations to post. We stayed at the Polynesian for 8 days and had park hoppers. My party consists of my Dh and my two sons (8 and 10). Feel free to ask any questions. Some quick observations are below:
1) We stayed in the Rarotonga longhouse. I didn't make any special requests because I felt I didn't know the property well enough to do so. We stayed on the third floor so we had a balcony. I cannot say enough how this was the BEST location for my family. We couldn't have been more happy here. It was next door to the lobby (Great Ceremonial House/Restaurants) and VERY close to the volcano pool, laundry room, bus station, and TTC. After reading many posts about the Poly, this longhouse seems to be mentioned the least, but it was perfect. Simply perfect! We had a garden view. Our room was on the end so it overlooked the walkway, beautiful gardens and we had a small view of the monorail.
2) One of our favorite rides was Test Track. On one occasion, we had a fast pass but couldn't make it in time. Two hours after it had expired, I figured I'd kindly ask the CM if we could still use it. Much to my surprise, he let us right in! On another day, a fast pass we held was during a thunderstorm so we couldn't use it. We were on our way out of the park for the day and would have lost it, but I decided to ask the CM if we could use it tomorrow. She told me to "hold on" and came back with fast passes for any day with an expiration date past our trip.
3) I must have overlooked our dining plan and forgot to book one Table Service (I thought I only had 7, but it turns out we actually had 8 per person). Two days before we left I figured this out and booked a reservation for Ohana breakfast on Saturday at 10:50! We got there a half hour early and they seated us within 10 minutes!
4) Many people here say they have had a long wait time even with a ressie at Ohana. We ate here 3 times (once for breakfast and the other two times for dinner). We never waited more than 10 minutes each time.
5) With everyone's recommendations on where to see Illuminations, we did the bridge between France and UK. It was a phenomenal place to view this show! It became crowded early but we had "front row seats" along the railing over the bridge.
6) I couldn't believe this, but people started finding spots to sit for MSEP at 6:45 when it began at 9:00. I am not kidding here, folks. I couldn't believe it, but I decided to find a place to sit and wait while DH took the boys on a few rides. It filled up fast!!
7) While not a Starbucks fan, I was pleased that I could use my snack credits for an iced coffee (the largest size they have!). I was pleasantly surprised at how good it was! I got one every afternoon before we left the park.
8) The monorail broke down during our visit---I think someone on Disboards actually posted about it. We were at Epcot and had to take a bus back to the Poly. It wasn't that bad, just very crowded! The monorail seemed to have to reset itself several times while we were on it.
9) Since we took the train to FL, we used Tiffany Towncar to and from the hotel. They were inexpensive, included a a trip to Publix, and always punctual. I would highly recommend their service.
Ok, I think that is it for now. Ask any questions you wish!
This was our second trip as a family and I have some observations to post. We stayed at the Polynesian for 8 days and had park hoppers. My party consists of my Dh and my two sons (8 and 10). Feel free to ask any questions. Some quick observations are below:
1) We stayed in the Rarotonga longhouse. I didn't make any special requests because I felt I didn't know the property well enough to do so. We stayed on the third floor so we had a balcony. I cannot say enough how this was the BEST location for my family. We couldn't have been more happy here. It was next door to the lobby (Great Ceremonial House/Restaurants) and VERY close to the volcano pool, laundry room, bus station, and TTC. After reading many posts about the Poly, this longhouse seems to be mentioned the least, but it was perfect. Simply perfect! We had a garden view. Our room was on the end so it overlooked the walkway, beautiful gardens and we had a small view of the monorail.
2) One of our favorite rides was Test Track. On one occasion, we had a fast pass but couldn't make it in time. Two hours after it had expired, I figured I'd kindly ask the CM if we could still use it. Much to my surprise, he let us right in! On another day, a fast pass we held was during a thunderstorm so we couldn't use it. We were on our way out of the park for the day and would have lost it, but I decided to ask the CM if we could use it tomorrow. She told me to "hold on" and came back with fast passes for any day with an expiration date past our trip.
3) I must have overlooked our dining plan and forgot to book one Table Service (I thought I only had 7, but it turns out we actually had 8 per person). Two days before we left I figured this out and booked a reservation for Ohana breakfast on Saturday at 10:50! We got there a half hour early and they seated us within 10 minutes!
4) Many people here say they have had a long wait time even with a ressie at Ohana. We ate here 3 times (once for breakfast and the other two times for dinner). We never waited more than 10 minutes each time.
5) With everyone's recommendations on where to see Illuminations, we did the bridge between France and UK. It was a phenomenal place to view this show! It became crowded early but we had "front row seats" along the railing over the bridge.
6) I couldn't believe this, but people started finding spots to sit for MSEP at 6:45 when it began at 9:00. I am not kidding here, folks. I couldn't believe it, but I decided to find a place to sit and wait while DH took the boys on a few rides. It filled up fast!!
7) While not a Starbucks fan, I was pleased that I could use my snack credits for an iced coffee (the largest size they have!). I was pleasantly surprised at how good it was! I got one every afternoon before we left the park.
8) The monorail broke down during our visit---I think someone on Disboards actually posted about it. We were at Epcot and had to take a bus back to the Poly. It wasn't that bad, just very crowded! The monorail seemed to have to reset itself several times while we were on it.
9) Since we took the train to FL, we used Tiffany Towncar to and from the hotel. They were inexpensive, included a a trip to Publix, and always punctual. I would highly recommend their service.
Ok, I think that is it for now. Ask any questions you wish!
Sounds like you and your family had a wonderful time We need to hear that 
the whole world is documented on youtube
