Kids activities at the Poly

[jeankeri]

I know there are daily children's activities at the Poly and we will get a schedule when we arrive (first week of December- yea!). My DS8 and DS6 would like to know what a typical day at the Poly is like! (Unfortunately thay cannot wait until they arrive!!!) I am planning a rest day in the middle of our week. Any info would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Harambe]

Our kids were that exact age on our last trip to the Poly! The volcano pool is so much fun. The kids loved the slide and the "grotto" type area (I loved the pool bar - LOL!).

You can go down to the beach and play in the sand. At night, watch the MK fireworks and the Electric Water parade.

You can rent water mice (adults will need to drive, but you can fit two people in it).

My daughter loved getting her hair wrapped at the pool.

They stayed one night at the Neverland Club, and it was the highlight of the trip for them. The Club also has activities during the day, but a parent must accompany the kids.

DS loved the Arcade (Mona Minnie's - or something like that!). It was really big. After we checked out on our last day, we hung around in here waiting for our ride!

And last but not least! Jump on the monorail and do the whole loop - I love doing this in the evening! Ask the CM if you can ride in the front car. You might have to wait a little - but it is so worth it!

And yes - we love the Poly!

 

[joshua4]

Also, with regard to the arcade, there are certain times during the week where they advertise that they will give you one free game. We happened to be there then on a rainy day and the lifeguard who was stationed at the arcade let my son do as many free games as he wanted. Talk about kid heaven! He rode the wave runner, drove cars, etc all without any quarter drain on me.

Have fun.

 

[jeankeri]

My DS8 so wants ti go to DisneyQuest, and I am talking up the Poly arcade (and offering quarters!) so that he will pass on DisneyQuest till the next trip. What games are there currently? I know they may change before December, but details would help sway my guy! Thanks for all the info! I am so excited to be going to the Poly that I want down time to be spent there- not traveling the World trying to cram in extra parks!

 

[joshua4]

They seemed have a wide range of games - shooting things, racing things, jet ski, etc. If you want a really great arcade, I would take the monorail over to the CR though -- much bigger arcade with those tickets that shoot out so that you can claim prizes. The CR arcade has a lot more selection than the poly arcade which is only in two small rooms. To be honest though, neither compares with Disneyquest which has some really unique things in it (don't worry, I won't tell your son!). I would think that either arcade would be a two hour experience, tops.

 

[jeankeri]

Thanks for the arcade info!! This is our first trip, so we are trying to let our DS8 &DS6 guide the plans as much as possible. However, we have gotten to the point of more requests than days. I so do not want to be racing through the World to fit in every thing!!! I also know that once they get to the Poly it will be love at first sight with the pool!

 

[joshua4]

I have been to DW a number of time with my kids (DD 3 and DS 7), most recently this June when we stayed at the Poly. The best advice I can give you is to listen to what they want to do, but then get them to pick the three (or 5) things they really want to see or do and then make those a priority. It is, of course, impossible, to do everything. There were many rides that we got fast passes for which went unused, parades we wanted to see that we missed, PS that were made that we had to cancel because someone was napping, etc. I have been to DW at least 10 times and just saw Spectromagic for the first time this last trip. The important thing to remind them is the Disney World will always be there it is also fun to have some things left unexplored that you can look forward to doing on another trip. When my DS was bummed that we did not get a chance to do TOT, I reminded him of all the other new things we did on this trip, like RNR. Try to keep a somewhat relaxed pace and enjoy the things that you do try rather than squeeze in as much as possible. If they love the pool, then by all means, hang out there a bunch. Try to resist the temptation to go commando on them. I think you are right to stay "kid focused". You are going at a great time of year and the lines should be short. That will help you do a bunch of things without a lot of lines. Have I rambled on enough here?

Anyway, have a wonderful trip.

Lauren
(aka Joshua 4)

 

[rgoble5972]

There are also activities for kids in the Great Ceremonial House (the lobby) during the day.

We never saw a schedule for them (you might ask the Island Guide or Guest Relations), but usually just lucked into them as we walked through the lobby on our way back to our room.

We have seen a storyteller in the kids' area who read a book to the kids and then gave them cookies. (The cookies were delicious, too!) There has been a Cast Member who taught the kids how to hula dance with long strings with balls attached to the end (sorry, I should remember the name of them, but can't), and we have even seen Cast Members with a table set up with paper, markers, stickers, etc. for kids to color pictures.

Also, don't forget the Torch Lighting Ceremony which usually takes place at 6:00pm Tuesday - Saturday. An extremely nice looking man in native clothing (read "loincloth"!!) lights the torches right outside the Great Ceremonial House and twirls a fire baton. They usually pick a child out of the audience to help play the drums while the Cast Member is twirling the baton. My nephew (age 9) makes us watch this every time we're there.

Have a great trip!

 

[jeankeri]

Thanks for all the advice and info! I was so excited to have some down time in the schedule, I automatically thought of resort activities. Having their own planning books- my boys have other things in mind!! So, I feel inclined to listen to the requests, knowing that the parks close earlier, and I'm sure they'll take evening swims! I guess we'll save some $$ on water mice!