Just got back from POLY!

[tb3kids]

Just got back from a week at the Poly.
Such an awesome trip. Still floating. Stayed in Samoa. Requested Fiji or Samoa. Beautiful third story room with at view of the quiet pool. We did get a few bathroom surprises from mousekeeping too! Staff was amazing.

Used Quick Transportation for airport shuffle. Fabulous.

Loved the Liberty Tree Tavern, Wispering Canyon Cafe, Spirit of Aloha, Kona 's, Storybook at Norway, Cindy's was awesome too! Counter Service is horrid!

All the parks were amazing. The shows made us Disney dreamy. Monorail is the best way to get around.

If you have any questions, let me know.
TB3Kids

 

[PJV57]

Welcome back! So nice to hear you enjoyed your stay. We're staying at the Poly in less than 2 weeks (requested Samoa, Tokelau, or Tahiti).

 

[DJmommy]

Glad you had a great trip.

I'm assuming you used Magical Express. How long did it take for you to get to the Poly and check-in from the airport? Was trying to estimate the time for a potential lunch ADR for our trip next month.

Is it best to avoid Capt. Cook's completely?

 

[Ladyhawke10]

Glad you liked the Poly! I was thinking of avoiding counter service as well, considering we definitely want to hit Kona for breakfast and Ohana for dinner (probably enough food for a day with that combo!).

Were you referring to Captain Cook's when you said CS was horrid? Just wondering, since we have never tried it and are probably going with the Poly on our next stay.

 

[pepe of ohio]

We are back from 10 nights at the Poly and 3 nights, due to Wilma at Pop century. This being our 35 trip to Disney we had way too many issues with the system. Poly check in was terrible, asked for a certain longhouse and was told if we were willing to wait a little while we will be accommidated. That was at 11am and by 3 pm no room and was told to call every 15 minutes to secure room. We called every 15 minutes, no reasons was given for delay, check out is 11 am and check in is 3 pm so whats the hold up?? By 5:30 pm I had enough and a manage came out to find us and gave no reason for delay, apologized and up graded us to Hawaii, conceirge, new remodeled room. That was nice and surprising but if I had to pay for conceirge, with the minimal offerings and limited supply I would have been steamed. We have stayed conceirge in the past and noticed the limit of food and drink and have since quit using and paying for these services and now experiencing them at the Poly for free, glad I have stopped using conceirge. Not woth the extra money for what you receive. Other issues at dining and hats delivered to honeymoon suite we neglected, had no reasons and just didn't care to hear our problems but too CM's at conceirge Hawaii went far the call of duty, Tony and Tara, were the best, helpful and caring of all the other Poly staff, the rest should find employment elsewhere or work on their people skills when dealing with paying guests.

This trip has made me rethink our trips to Disney, over 35 stays, where we stay and for how long and I believe the magic really has started to fade just a bit from past years.

 

[afcgirl]

Thanks for the review!

One question. You said you loved Spirit of Aloha. Do you have kids, and did they like it? I keep reading terrible reviews of it but since we are staying at Poly I wonder if we should try it.

 

[oots]

we will be at poly 11/8-11/13-counting down the days. we did not make any room requests-is it advisable? do you call the poly direct to do this?

thanks

 

[JCTurner]

Thanks for posting - we'll be at the Poly in 4 weeks !

 

[Tikiman]

We are back from 10 nights at the Poly and 3 nights, due to Wilma at Pop century. This being our 35 trip to Disney we had way too many issues with the system. Poly check in was terrible, asked for a certain longhouse and was told if we were willing to wait a little while we will be accommidated. That was at 11am and by 3 pm no room and was told to call every 15 minutes to secure room. We called every 15 minutes, no reasons was given for delay, check out is 11 am and check in is 3 pm so whats the hold up?? By 5:30 pm I had enough and a manage came out to find us and gave no reason for delay, apologized and up graded us to Hawaii, conceirge, new remodeled room. That was nice and surprising but if I had to pay for conceirge, with the minimal offerings and limited supply I would have been steamed. We have stayed conceirge in the past and noticed the limit of food and drink and have since quit using and paying for these services and now experiencing them at the Poly for free, glad I have stopped using conceirge. Not woth the extra money for what you receive. Other issues at dining and hats delivered to honeymoon suite we neglected, had no reasons and just didn't care to hear our problems but too CM's at conceirge Hawaii went far the call of duty, Tony and Tara, were the best, helpful and caring of all the other Poly staff, the rest should find employment elsewhere or work on their people skills when dealing with paying guests.

This trip has made me rethink our trips to Disney, over 35 stays, where we stay and for how long and I believe the magic really has started to fade just a bit from past years.

Let me say that I am glad the DIS is here for you to share your experience and voice your opinion for all to read. Good and bad our valuable.

Now for my opinion and I hope it does not start something but remember I am free to my opinion also.

I checked into the Polynesian in 2000 and they over booked rooms so they told us we were upgraded to concierge for free. We were there about 11:00 and we had to wait until 5:30 (basically sit around the GCH all that time). Sounds like a similar story except the fact that I was a more than happy to wait for the upgrade. Some times things happen and I have to be patient. Since there was a room for you and the only reason they upgraded you was because you were upset you didn’t get your request I see that as an incredibly nice thing for them to upgrade you for free. Do you have any idea how many people do not get their request and nothing is given to them for their disappointment? The even apologized to you for the delay. Not sure what you expected. I don’t believe they need to give you a reason why the room was not ready if they are making up for it.

Now onto the concierge. Lets start by restating the fact that the extra you pay (well you did not pay) for concierge is for the service, location and preplanning. It is like flying first class or coach. Either way you are on the plane but if you pay the extra you get a few extras. No one ever looks at first class tickets as a good value and concierge is the same case. It is not that you pay the money so you can have all the food offerings you want, it is just an added perk by having the lounge there and offering snack and drinks. By the way I have seen the offerings for the last 5 years and seen the list of what has been offered through out the life of the concierge and the offerings while different in some ways now are not minimal compared to what has always been offered. Most of the items are the same with some that have changed and a few that have been removed. Again the added cost does not mean you make up for it in food. The cost is for the locations of the room, and the staff to assist you with things. Now you know that it is not for you.

I don’t mind reading a reasonable bad review and many times I try and pass these reviews onto the Polynesian so they can fix the problem but with statements like “the rest should find employment elsewhere” when you didn’t even come in contact with every Polynesian employee and that you need to rethink your trips to Disney after what in my opinion was not what I would call a bad stay, it is hard to take this report seriously. That is just my opinion and you are still free to have yours.

Maybe I am crazy and I am missing something in that report.

Brink on the bashing. I am ready for it.

 

[tb3kids]

Glad you had a great trip.

I'm assuming you used Magical Express. How long did it take for you to get to the Poly and check-in from the airport? Was trying to estimate the time for a potential lunch ADR for our trip next month.

Is it best to avoid Capt. Cook's completely?

Hi
We did not use Magical Express. We used an independant transportation company called Quick Transport. They were waiting for us at Baggage, helped get our bags and literally whisked us by the folks in line for MExpress. Thirty minutes to the Poly. Took a 20 minute grocery trip to Publix also.
Captain Cooks has the best tasting/best quality of counter service food ! Sorry to mislead about CS, I meant the theme parks only.
Must also note that the Disney Dining Plan saved us hundreds!

 

[tb3kids]

[QUOTE=oots]we will be at poly 11/8-11/13-counting down the days. we did not make any room requests-is it advisable? do you call the poly direct to do this?

thanks[/QUOTE]

Hi,
We made requests for longhouses only. Your reservationist, or TA can note your preferences with your reservation. Have a wonderful trip!

 

[tb3kids]

Thanks for the review!

One question. You said you loved Spirit of Aloha. Do you have kids, and did they like it? I keep reading terrible reviews of it but since we are staying at Poly I wonder if we should try it.

Hi,
We have three kids, DS 12, DD 9, DD 5, they loved it! It was a fun show, food was good and it took you away from <Disney> for awhile. The fire performer was excellent. All the performers were exceptionally good. My DD 5, answered the <casting call> and did the hula onstage! A wonderful family show. I must recommend the Whispering Canyon Cafe also for families at the WL. We never stopped laughing. The servers are hilarious. Have your kids ask for ketchup and see what happens. Have a great trip.

 

[tb3kids]

Thanks for posting - we'll be at the Poly in 4 weeks !

WOW! Poly and the GF Concierge! What a great vacation. How long at the GF? We killed an hour there on a travel day. So beautiful! Is the Poly or GF your favorite?

TB3kids

 

[Ladyhawke10]

Let me say that I am glad the DIS is here for you to share your experience and voice your opinion for all to read. Good and bad our valuable.

Now for my opinion and I hope it does not start something but remember I am free to my opinion also.

I checked into the Polynesian in 2000 and they over booked rooms so they told us we were upgraded to concierge for free. We were there about 11:00 and we had to wait until 5:30 (basically sit around the GCH all that time). Sounds like a similar story except the fact that I was a more than happy to wait for the upgrade. Some times things happen and I have to be patient. Since there was a room for you and the only reason they upgraded you was because you were upset you didn’t get your request I see that as an incredibly nice thing for them to upgrade you for free. Do you have any idea how many people do not get their request and nothing is given to them for their disappointment? The even apologized to you for the delay. Not sure what you expected. I don’t believe they need to give you a reason why the room was not ready if they are making up for it.

Now onto the concierge. Lets start by restating the fact that the extra you pay (well you did not pay) for concierge is for the service, location and preplanning. It is like flying first class or coach. Either way you are on the plane but if you pay the extra you get a few extras. No one ever looks at first class tickets as a good value and concierge is the same case. It is not that you pay the money so you can have all the food offerings you want, it is just an added perk by having the lounge there and offering snack and drinks. By the way I have seen the offerings for the last 5 years and seen the list of what has been offered through out the life of the concierge and the offerings while different in some ways now are not minimal compared to what has always been offered. Most of the items are the same with some that have changed and a few that have been removed. Again the added cost does not mean you make up for it in food. The cost is for the locations of the room, and the staff to assist you with things. Now you know that it is not for you.

I don’t mind reading a reasonable bad review and many times I try and pass these reviews onto the Polynesian so they can fix the problem but with statements like “the rest should find employment elsewhere” when you didn’t even come in contact with every Polynesian employee and that you need to rethink your trips to Disney after what in my opinion was not what I would call a bad stay, it is hard to take this report seriously. That is just my opinion and you are still free to have yours.

Maybe I am crazy and I am missing something in that report.

Brink on the bashing. I am ready for it.

Thank Goodness for your response, Tikiman. I tried to respond to an unhappy post about GF once and got bashed for apparently not letting someone write a negative response--but what about a response to what might be read as an unreasonable set of expectations or assumptions about a resort, such as the GF--or Poly, as is the case here? I completely agree with your stance about the circumstances, and while I feel it is everyone's right to complain if necessary, sometimes it is helpful to offer an alternative point of view on that person's perceptions of their circumstances--if nothing else for the benefit of those who tried to help that person and still got a bad review for coming up short, or else just showing another way those same set of circumstances could have been experienced. I, for one, don't really understand the unhappy reviews that are written after someone has received a fantastic and free upgrade. It makes me relieved to see the kind of reasoning in your post on here (sigh). Since you're popular on DIS, so I hope you fare better than I did

 

[eclectics]

Let me say that I am glad the DIS is here for you to share your experience and voice your opinion for all to read. Good and bad our valuable.

Now for my opinion and I hope it does not start something but remember I am free to my opinion also.

I checked into the Polynesian in 2000 and they over booked rooms so they told us we were upgraded to concierge for free. We were there about 11:00 and we had to wait until 5:30 (basically sit around the GCH all that time). Sounds like a similar story except the fact that I was a more than happy to wait for the upgrade. Some times things happen and I have to be patient. Since there was a room for you and the only reason they upgraded you was because you were upset you didn’t get your request I see that as an incredibly nice thing for them to upgrade you for free. Do you have any idea how many people do not get their request and nothing is given to them for their disappointment? The even apologized to you for the delay. Not sure what you expected. I don’t believe they need to give you a reason why the room was not ready if they are making up for it.

Now onto the concierge. Lets start by restating the fact that the extra you pay (well you did not pay) for concierge is for the service, location and preplanning. It is like flying first class or coach. Either way you are on the plane but if you pay the extra you get a few extras. No one ever looks at first class tickets as a good value and concierge is the same case. It is not that you pay the money so you can have all the food offerings you want, it is just an added perk by having the lounge there and offering snack and drinks. By the way I have seen the offerings for the last 5 years and seen the list of what has been offered through out the life of the concierge and the offerings while different in some ways now are not minimal compared to what has always been offered. Most of the items are the same with some that have changed and a few that have been removed. Again the added cost does not mean you make up for it in food. The cost is for the locations of the room, and the staff to assist you with things. Now you know that it is not for you.

I don’t mind reading a reasonable bad review and many times I try and pass these reviews onto the Polynesian so they can fix the problem but with statements like “the rest should find employment elsewhere” when you didn’t even come in contact with every Polynesian employee and that you need to rethink your trips to Disney after what in my opinion was not what I would call a bad stay, it is hard to take this report seriously. That is just my opinion and you are still free to have yours.

Maybe I am crazy and I am missing something in that report.

Brink on the bashing. I am ready for it.

No bash from me. ITA

 

[Kata]

We are back from 10 nights at the Poly and 3 nights, due to Wilma at Pop century. This being our 35 trip to Disney we had way too many issues with the system. Poly check in was terrible, asked for a certain longhouse and was told if we were willing to wait a little while we will be accommidated. That was at 11am and by 3 pm no room and was told to call every 15 minutes to secure room. We called every 15 minutes, no reasons was given for delay, check out is 11 am and check in is 3 pm so whats the hold up?? By 5:30 pm I had enough and a manage came out to find us and gave no reason for delay, apologized and up graded us to Hawaii, conceirge, new remodeled room. That was nice and surprising but if I had to pay for conceirge, with the minimal offerings and limited supply I would have been steamed. We have stayed conceirge in the past and noticed the limit of food and drink and have since quit using and paying for these services and now experiencing them at the Poly for free, glad I have stopped using conceirge. Not woth the extra money for what you receive. Other issues at dining and hats delivered to honeymoon suite we neglected, had no reasons and just didn't care to hear our problems but too CM's at conceirge Hawaii went far the call of duty, Tony and Tara, were the best, helpful and caring of all the other Poly staff, the rest should find employment elsewhere or work on their people skills when dealing with paying guests.

This trip has made me rethink our trips to Disney, over 35 stays, where we stay and for how long and I believe the magic really has started to fade just a bit from past years.

.
Sorry to hear about you bad experience.I think the fact that you arrived 4 hours prior to the actual checkin time added to your frustration,I personally would not arrive at 11am at one of the most popular resorts at WDW and actually expect to get the longhouse of my choice,I would have left my bags at the resort and asked them to please assign me in a room in the longhouse of my choice when it became available if possible since we all know there is no guarantee with our requests,I definetely wouldn't have called them every 15 minutes to check on my room status,I would have proceeded to enjoy me vacation.That being said I think once they reached the 3pm checkin time if my room was not available I too would have been irritated, but I think the free upgrade to conceirge(even though you didn't seem to appreciate it) more than compensated for technically a 2 1/2 hour delay in room assignment.I hope I have the same problem when I go to the Poly in December because if the upgrade me to conceirge for free I may have to kiss somebody.

 

[PJV57]

we will be at poly 11/8-11/13-counting down the days. we did not make any room requests-is it advisable? do you call the poly direct to do this?

thanks

I asked my TA to make the request for me. But I've read that you can also fax your request a few days before arrival.

I wouldn't say it's advisable to make a room request -- it's really up to you. There is no guarantee that you'll get what you requested.

 

[edingerc]

Several things about the negative post:

1. Checkout is 11AM, Checkin is 3PM so that they can get the room cleaned with a diminished Mousekeeping staff. Almost all hotels and motels are doing the same with their staffs. Wilma has made the Poly quite full and they were certainly waiting for rooms to get cleared.

2. The desk staff will take care of you. You could've left your bags with the handlers and they would've been delivered to your room when it was ready. Standing in front of the desk isn't going to get it ready any faster.

3. Disney does NOT guarentee any request except nonsmoking. If you have stayed onsite that many times, you should know that, and this should've been a nice surprise, not a bad thing.

4. If you had house/business damage from Wilma, I feel sorry for you. However, a Disney experience is mostly about what you bring to the table. If you hope for it to cheer you up, that only happens when you invest energy into the magic.

5. Concierge isn't about free food. It's about a little more magic at a very premium price. If you had let the staff know about Wilma, they might have done something to make you feel a bit better. Or was upgrading you, how they tried to make you feel special?

 

[MOMOFMNM]

We are back from 10 nights at the Poly and 3 nights, due to Wilma at Pop century. This being our 35 trip to Disney we had way too many issues with the system. Poly check in was terrible, asked for a certain longhouse and was told if we were willing to wait a little while we will be accommidated. That was at 11am and by 3 pm no room and was told to call every 15 minutes to secure room. We called every 15 minutes, no reasons was given for delay, check out is 11 am and check in is 3 pm so whats the hold up?? By 5:30 pm I had enough and a manage came out to find us and gave no reason for delay, apologized and up graded us to Hawaii, conceirge, new remodeled room. That was nice and surprising but if I had to pay for conceirge, with the minimal offerings and limited supply I would have been steamed. We have stayed conceirge in the past and noticed the limit of food and drink and have since quit using and paying for these services and now experiencing them at the Poly for free, glad I have stopped using conceirge. Not woth the extra money for what you receive. Other issues at dining and hats delivered to honeymoon suite we neglected, had no reasons and just didn't care to hear our problems but too CM's at conceirge Hawaii went far the call of duty, Tony and Tara, were the best, helpful and caring of all the other Poly staff, the rest should find employment elsewhere or work on their people skills when dealing with paying guests.

This trip has made me rethink our trips to Disney, over 35 stays, where we stay and for how long and I believe the magic really has started to fade just a bit from past years.

Wow...

we had a magical time at the Poly...it was fabulous!! All but the bartender at the pool were VERY VERY happy and friendly!!! And even he was OK, just not as chipper as I would like...I am a happy talkative kinda gal~~Have no opinions as to concierge, I paid for and recieved a garden view and it was breathtaking!!! Maybe the same place for 35 years or more than a week might make someone a bit more picky than say, someone like me who gets to go once a year (twice MAYBE...)...I never once ran into any CM any where and thought they should have a carreer change Sorry you did not find the Poly as magical and beautiful as we did...

 

[Tinkerchele]

We just returned last night from our stay at the Poly! It was wonderful. I can't believe it is over already. I did not request a longhouse and we were given a room in Rarotonga, room 1824. I was definitely more concerned with location rather than view, so this location was perfect...close to everything! Both pools, the GCH was literally steps away, close to the bus stop, etc...I have heard some negative things about this longhouse considering one side faces the parking lot...I didn't even notice the parking lot...we had beautiful landscaping right outside our window and a view of the monorail going by. It was very convenient having the monorail outside of our window since the parks were closed on Monday morning....we were looking out the window Monday around 12:30 and saw the monorail going by and knew the parks must be opening!

My birthday dinner at Ohana's was wonderful...sat near a window and we saw Wishes. I thought Captain Cook's was good too. Even if it was very busy, they had quick, polite service and there was always a table available inside or outside.

The one complaint I have is to the people who left their trays and their trash all over their table and under the table Captain Cooks. It made me so mad...who do they think they are? I guess they thought they had personal maid service or something. There was a trash can a few feet away!! I saw this more than once while I was there. But, a castmember always came out to clean up quickly. I saw this in the parks as well...a huge pet peeve of mine.