Just Booked Poly-A Few Questions...

[MJwritestuff]

Hello all,
To make a long story short, we were supposed to go on DCL in November but the price was just too much, so at final booking we saw the rates for Winter Dream Maker and booked 11/16 - 11/22 at the Polynesian - far from disappointed, I am thrilled!
I stayed here in 1971 as a kid, visited last year at O'Hanas, and have been in love with this place ever since. Don't even ask me why, but I smell the lobby and it takes me back to 1971 again (in a good way!)
So my questions are, can you swim on the beach? The resort facts don't mention it. Also, in mid-November, can we swim at all? Seems like it's possible.
Last but not least, we're driving down from South Jersey Saturday morning and staying over the night in SC. I've heard it's about 6 hours from there.
Any advice you could give regarding our trip is so appreciated - I've convinced our three kids (7, 8, and 8), that they'll have a ball. Any tips for getting the most out of the Polynesian?
Thank you in advance, MJ

 

[Pluto]

You will have a great time there! No you are not suppose to swim in the water, there is a sign posting so, but you do see people wadding outin the water. Unless there is a freak cold snap you should be able to swim in November. Tell the kids they will love the pool with the volcano slide that is red inside and there is also surrey bikes you can rent and ride around the resort. Sometimes we liked just riding the boat, the one that goes from Poly to GF, to MK, around for no reason what so ever! Hope you can a great time!

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

I'm sure you'll have a great time. The resort is really a special place, I guess it's the magic of the South Seas. Haven't stayed there in a few years, but I'm anxious to return sometime.

 

[ksmg]

We were there in Nov last year and my kids were 5, 7 & 9. They loved the pool but weren't so keen on the slide (none of them like to be enclosed in the dark) and we spent most of our time in the quiet pool, which was never crowded and seemed much warmer. If you want a night out or time alone without the kids, I strongly suggest the Neverland Club. All 3 of my kids say that experience was one of their favorites.

We ate at Ohanas which was good but if you are not big eaters, I'd pass. We were full before the meat even arrived. We had breakfast and lunch at the Kona Cafe and it was very good. Kids loved the desserts.

Make sure you watch the fireworks from the beach and catch the electric water parade. We stayed in the Tokelau bulding which was pretty centrally located.

Hope you have a great time!

 

[BCV23]

Be sure to ride the launch to or from the MK at least once. It is a a very cool mode of transportation. We usually hop the monorail to the MK and return by launch.

I think your children will love the Polynesian. Our children have loved it since they were toddlers right through to the young adults they are now. It is magical.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Our family loves the Poly and just got back 2 weeks ago. One year we even stayed there 3 times. I would say make sure to get the refillable mugs and take advantage of all the free activities the Poly has to offer. I think they have the best. I dont have my resort newspaper in front of me but I think sun and thurs is the arcade challege. Its 1 hour of free video games from 3-4. Then they have arts and crafts at the neverland club plus movies from like 12-4, free and must be accompanied by an adult and I think the hula lessons are on sat. and the other days are the torch lighting and pool games. If you go near the marina you can get fish food for like 25 cents and feed the fish. You can enjoy the bunnies and ducks. They are everywhere. I know they will just want to feed the ducks. A word to the wise. DON'T. We had a 1st floor pool view by the volcano pool. Little ds11 decides to feed them. We are resting on the bed and hear ds screaming. Why? He was being swarmed by many nasty hungry ducks. DH had to come and rescue him. The neverland club is the best. A little pricey but worth it. They get movies, games, video games, pillows for relaxing and a buffet dinner etc. Themed like peter pan they get sprinkled with pixie dust when they walk in. Our little guy was the spinner for mickey bingo once and they didnt want to leave. You get a beeper. We had gone to the luau. You could also go to ohanas alone or kona. Its worth it for some parents quality time alone. Good luck. You will just love the Poly.

 

[MJwritestuff]

I can't wait !!!

With three, I'm not sure if we can do the Neverland Club, but it's worth discussing if it's that enjoyable. We're really looking forward to Kona, already loving O'Hana's from last year.

All in all, I think I'm more excited about the hotel than the rest of the vacation.

Thanks for all of your help! MJ

 

[Lisa3]

I know just how you feel! Last Dec. was like a dream come true for me. I have wanted to stay at the Polynesian since I first layed eyes on the place in 1976 (visiting with my parents for the first time).

Our kids at that time were DS (9), DD (7) and DS (6) loved it as much as I did. They couldn't wait to "open" the slide at the volcano pool in the morning even though last Dec. was a little chilly. We will be there Nov. 7th to Nov. 17th this year and thanks to the "Come Back Rate" we were offered on our last trip we will once again be enjoying the Polynesian for our 20th Anniversary trip.

This will be the 3rd time we are driving from northern NJ. Our first trip started off with many mishaps and we never left NJ until almost 1:00 PM. We stayed in Florence, SC and unfortunately hit alot of traffic in Orlando the next day (Fri. afternoon). We never checked in until 9:00 PM.

Last Dec. the trip started off much better. We left our house at about 4:30 am (put the kids to bed in sweats and then just put them in the car). We drove to Kingsland, GA by about 10:00 PM. The next day we checked in at about 1:30 PM.

This trip we are planning on leaving at 3:00 am and driving to Jacksonville, FL (we have found the kids travel better the first day). From there we hope to check in at around 12:00 PM and spend some time relaxing by the pool (I will pack a "pool" bag in case our room is not ready). From our experience, SC is more than 6 hours from Disney. When we stopped at the Welcome Center in FL last time they told us Disney was 4 hours from that point.

Have a great time!

 

[MJwritestuff]

Another Jersey driver!
We'll be leaving from South Jersey on the 15th in the wee hours of the morning and as of last night, it looks like we'll be driving through to Bushnell Florida (about 30 minutes from Orlando) and staying the night with old friends of ours. If all works to plan, we'll be somewhat refreshed in the AM check-in at the Poly and hit one of the parks while our room is getting ready.
I didn't realize so many drove from this area, but it is so much more affordable with five of us. I'm planning on getting some books on tape, and maybe they'll even do some of their homework on the way down. We'll all be too depressed on the way home to be civil to each other (lol).
Maybe we'll see you by the pool! Just listen for the loudest kids there and they'll be mine! Glad to hear good things about the Poly because to me, it doesn't get any better than that, but I haven't stayed there since 1972, so go figure.
Hope you vacation is fantastic, and thanks for the advice!

-MJ