Just returned from Polynesian...loved it

[Mum2monsters]

My DH, 3 year od, 10 month old & myself spent 4 wonderful nights in Aotearoa @ the Polynesian Resort. We had a garden view (monorail) 1st floor patio. The rooms had been renovated in the last year. VERY Clean, still new looking. The rooms haven't changed much. Still have the bamboo chair rail & bed canopies. Similar bedding & same furniture as far as I can tell. The bathroom looked exactly the same from when we last visited 11/01.
When we got to the resort, we were quickly checked in. The bellhop on the golf cart was nice enough to show me to a good parking spot, then picked me up and proceeded to the room. He was good... I tipped him $10. When we entered the room, balloons, party favors and a delicious cake awaited for my birthday. I must have given them my birthdate at some point in the reservation process because it was a total surprise. It made my husband feel guilty that he didn't call in advance and do something more. I was happy with what they did.
My husband and I were on the Gold Plan. So cool! It was mostly worth it because my DH loves to bass fish. So he went out every day on a guided tour, which normally would have cost about $200 a shot. That was about $1000.00 right there and we only spent $1112 extra for the plan. We also ate 3 meals per day (we were SO full) at nice sit down restaurants...Teppanyaki in Japan, Ohana for dinner once and breakfast twice, Chef Mickey for dinner, Crystal Palace, Norway (princess Breakfast), Coral Reef, Rainforest Cafe, Boma, and Kona Cafe, of course. We ate A LOT! Would have spent over $800.00 if not on the plan. Tax and Tip WERE INCLUDED! NO alcohol though. We would normally get a beer or 2 and pay seperately, then leave a tip that would boost the included tip to 20%. They all deserved it. Wait staff in Disney is phenomenal.
And we rented water mice a few times, got free tix to see La Nouba (never went though)...there was so much that was included that we never did, BUT it was still worth it!!!
Our mousekeeper was fantastic, left us washcloth creatures daily. I tipped $10/day...a bit steep, but she appeciated it (I came to the room a few times and she always was thanking me...it's a good feeling).
I wouldn't change a thing, except maybe to extend our stay. Oh and we did REQUEST Niue 1st floor (Samoa was our 1st choice but it was being renovated), but we didn't get it. No Big Deal.

Oh and another thing (this is getting lengthy), we had a couple we knew stay in our room 1 night. "Legally" you need to report them and pay an additional 25.00 per person for that night. When I went up to report them (I needed a parking pass for them to park there) the lady at the front desk was SO awesome. She didn't charge me AND she gave me 2 new key cards for our friends to use AND said not to worry, "they are all set". They ended up staying another night. It was tight, but we all had fun.

Anyhoo, feel free to ask any questions...we are planning another trip in a year or so.
BTW, the weather was great when we were there 70-78 mostly.

TTFN,
Erin & Family

Polynesian 2x 1970's
Off site many times 1980's & 90's
Polynesian 11/01
Polynesian 02/03

 

[DramaTech]

Thanks for the report...I'm glad to hear all the wonderful service you received. Also happy to hear you say you got your money's worth from the Gold plan. It's so nice to be able to go somewhere and not worry everytime you pull out your wallet...

 

[corvair]

Thanks for the great report...just wondering why you might not of got your request? I requested the same thing. I did not think that Niue was requested much, because it has not been renovated. Did they give you a choice at check in... thanks...amy

 

[Mum2monsters]

I kind of wondered that too. Niue is a small building, so it probably fills up quicker. And since Samoa is under construction, it is probably more popular because of the pool locations.
I did ask again when I checked in and they looked for availability for me but said nothing was available there. Nothing else was offered. Our only "requirement" was to be on the 1st floor and have a patio (DH smokes, sorry folks).
We are not very picky people. We could have cared less on the day we arrived where they put us. We were just thrilled to be there! We had just flew out of sub zero temps, so we were in paradise!!

Last time we went, we requested Samoa 1st floor w/ ajoining rooms facing the lagoon pool. We got it.
I think they try their best. Odds are you'll get what you requested.

Hope that answers your question!

Erin

 

[vbfamily]

Glad you had a good time. It's always nice to read a great trip report.

 

[CuteKatCar]

Erin,

So glad to hear that you were a big tipper. I often say to my husband that if we could afford it, or if we ever won the lottery, I would be a big tipper because service people certainly can use the money.

Loved your report and can't wait to stay there, first time coming up in June.

Anna

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

You didnt go see La Nouba?? *GASP* I love that show so much... seen it 3 times so far

Care to send me the unused tickets? I'll go for ya!!!! LOL

 

[Mum2monsters]

Normally we tip 15-20%. But since everything was paid for in advance we felt like we could afford to be a bit more generous. It was hard not to. Everyone is so attentive. My DH tried to tip the guides. Some took it, some didn't. Needless to say, we were a bit cash starved by the end of the trip
I know, I know, we should have seen La Nouba. Shame on me. NEXT TIME. We still have the tickets, but I think to redeem them you need to show a valid Gold plan pass or something. I'll try to use them the next trip. It really is remarkable the stuff we could do with the Gold plan. I HIGHLY recommend it if you can budget for it.

Erin

 

[Misti]

Welcome back and thanks for the wonderful report!

The Gold Plan is a nice splurge. And, it sounds like you really got your money's worth!

 

[vbfamily]

Mum2monsters:

Can you give some information on the Gold Plan? I have read about it and have seen what you get but I'd like to hear from someone who has actually used it.

You said you only paid $1,000 more for the Gold Plan. Did this include any discounts on your room?

Did you book this yourself or through a travel agent?

I would appreciate it if you could provide any details.


Thanks

 

[Mum2monsters]

The Gold Plan costs an ADDITIONAL $139.00 per person PER NIGHT. It's less for children 3-11. I got a discount on our room rate via Disney Club and when I booked the entire package, I got an additional $100 off for taking the gold plan.
We got the plan just for DH & I since the kids were to young to enjoy the benefits. It was an additional $1112 above our room rate ($139x2x4nights). On our key card/admission ticket it said GOLD plan right on it. The deal with the meals are you get 3 meals per day per night. They called the meals "coupons". So we had a total of 24 coupons between the two of us. It didn't matter who ate with you though. For example, a friend and myself got up early one morn to bring the girls to the Princess Breakfast in Norway. The "boys" slept in. I used my gold card for both adult meals. So it counted towards the coupons. My DH just had a snack that morning. Also, if you missed a meal one day, you didn't lose the coupons. You could use it later. We actually had 1 coupon (meal) left when we left. But it was still worth it.
You can really get you moneys worth by using certain facilities. Like the unlimited fishing my DH did or unlimited Golfing (even lessons). Also we had unlimited use of the water equipment (mice, sailboats, even pontoon boats). We could have gone parasailing free too. Too much to do. Of course, if we stayed longer to do those things it would have cost 139.00 more for everyday extra. It also included The Neverland Club for kids 4-11.
It doesn't include room service or alcohol (Platinum plan does 199.00/day PP).
It was really easy. Never had to worry how much we were spending. I will do it again, even though I'll have to save for a while to accomplish that!
Highly recommended.

Erin

 

[vbfamily]

Mum2monsters

If you wouldn't mind answering a couple mor questions

Is there a limit on how much each meal can cost?

Was it awkward not having the plan for the children, did that cause any problems in any way?

If your spouse can't go with you to a meal one day, can one of the children use the coupon?

It sounds like you had a really great time.

Thanks in advance for any info.

 

[awdwnut]

Hi Mum,

As a fellow bass fishing nut, I have to ask how your husband did on the fishing trips? I have been dying to book one myself, but never seen to be able to find the time when we are in WDW.

Thanks,

awdwnut

 

[ducklite]

Just want to say I LOVE your name!

Anne

 

[Mum2monsters]

vbfamily: Of course I don't mind answering your questions.
There is NO limit on the cost of the meal. One meal, I think it was @ the Concourse Grill, we spent 115.00 on lunch! We had an appetizer each, both had filet mignon and desserts & coffee. At the Japanese steakhouse we also spent over 100.00 and we didn't even get desserts.
And yes, you can have anyone use the meals as long as one of the gold member cards are there. I suppose as long as someone shows the card, none of the actual paying gold plan members needs to be there at all.
It wasn't hard not having the kids on it, but my kids are young so they don't eat much. We just shared. If my kids were older, I don't think I would have them on it. It would be cheaper to just buy them their meals. No one gave us any problems.


awdwnut: First day out, Dh got skunked! He was really bummed out, as was the guide (he'd never gotten skunked either). But everyday after, he caught between 5-10 each time. Nothing too big 2-3 lbs. The lakes are suppose to be the best around. It wasn't a great season for fishing and it had been cold before we got there. BUT, my husband is itching to go back already! I guess any fishing is Good fishing!

TTFN,
Erin