LIVE! from the Poly

[Cathy baby RN]

Checked in today after a loooong drive from Chicago.
Had to wait until 4p.m. for room, but that's o.k.,we just spent the time out by the pool.

I have a tipping question?? What's the protocol for bell services? I know you tip the guy who brings the bags to the room. I also tipped the guy taking the bags from the car.
He made it known he would not be the person taking the bags to the room, but the person responsible for storing the bags.
We're moving to WL next week and having the bags sent, so I can see alot of $ spent in tipping this week.

We got into Orlando late last night and stayed at the Days Inn right off of I-4 on 535(right by Downtown Disney). It was only $42.95 with coupon out of the travel guide. It was nice and clean.


Any questions????

 

[Tinky]

ohhh Cathy!! Tell us how beautiful it is and how much fun your having! Please go have some Tonga Toast for me, I'm really hungry for that. Oh oh and a pina colada by the pool too!
Have a wonderful time!

 

[Gail T AGAIN]

Cathy, Glad to here you arrived safely, have a GREAT trip and a few extra drinks for me, I have one more week to go and I'll be there

 

[Cathy baby RN]

Gail and Tinky,
This is a wonderful resort!!!! I went back and forth between staying here or at the CR(which I also love and is less expensive). This is one of those vacations where we plan to spend lots of time at the resort and pool(because it's so hot in the parks!!), so we went with the Poly. The atmosphere just can't be beat!!!
I'm going to go have one of those pineapple drinks in your honor!!
Cathy from Illinois

 

[Tikiman]

That is great Cathy!!!

I usually tip the guy who takes the stuff out of the car $5 and you usually tip the bell service $2 per bag. As far as when you have them take your bags to switch resorts (WHY ARE YOU SWITCHING ANYWAY!!!! ) I would tip him when he takes them. Many years ago I did not tip the guy when he took them and they some how ended up being dragged through some water. Yes even I have had bad experiences with CMs.

Have a great time and keep the light on for us. We will be there in 3 weeks.

Be carefull with the Lapu Lapu (pineapple drink). It will sneak up on you.

Aloha

Steve

 

[cottontail]

Hi: We were just there a month and a bit ago, and I think Steve's answer above explains something.

When we arrived at the poly grand ceremonial house, to stay concierge, the bellman came over with the cart, my hubby and son put four of the bags on the cart and the bell man put two bags on, and my hubby put our styrafoam cooler on, we were not sure if hubby and son did alot of the work whether we should tip, well we didn't cause we thought it really was the fellow who brought the bags to our room who would get the tip.

Anyways when the fellow brought our bags to our room our cooler, just a cheapie , had been smashed thru the top, like someone had put their fist thru it, lol,

I made a joke with my hubby and said it was cause we did not tip the first fellow (hubby said if he and son did most of the work so what is he tipping for ?) Now hubby is the type of guy who does everything for himself, so this is new to us.

The next bellman who brought the bags to the room asked politely if that cooler was in that condition when we left it, without us even having to say anything about it, and we said no, and he said I will be right back folks and brought us another larger one from somewhere at the poly concierge. So I think that might answer our question about our cooler.

It has been something that I often wondered about, so next time we will let the fellow do all the work and give him 5 bucks.

If the rate goes up let me know, lol

I love the poly, don't forget to walk on the "named special occasion bricks" to the grand fl, one evening. It is quite a peaceful walk with some stately palms along the way.

Deb.

 

[Cathy baby RN]

Thanks for your reply Tikiman. That's exactly how much we tipped the guy taking the bags out of the car. We actually have a motorhome and had put all the bags on the sidewalk ourselves.

We had a wonderful first day. My husband left for Ft. Lauderdale to go fishing for a few days. I made sure we were at the parks at opening! It's really hard for me to do this......I'm a nurse and am use to late nights and sleeping in. But this is absolutely necessary if you are going to get on the rides without a long wait and to avoid the heat of the day. We were back to the room by noon and swimming in the Volcano Pool within minutes!Housekeeping had finished the room and made a little display with the Lilo and Stitch Dolls the kids had bought. She even left a little coloring book so they looked like they were coloring.
She was out in the hall so we thanked her. Her name is Minnie!
I asked if she would be here for the rest of our trip and she said she doesn't work Saturdays and Sundays and was going on vacation starting Monday. This is why it's important to tip each day and not at the end (different housekeepers).

Tikiman....the reason we're changing resorts is $$$ ! We're staying for 14 days. We got a great deal at the WL, so we're spending 7 days here and 7 at the WL.

I promise I will take it easy on the pineapple drinks! With the price of them, I make them last a long time!!!!

 

[princess angel]

oh, I can just picture you there at the Polynesian!!!
isn't it just the most relaxing and tropical atmosphere!!!?!!
make sure to spend some time laying in the hammocks late at night, and gaze at the castle changing colors! I dont think there is a more relaxing pasttime!!!

I hope you have a wonderful 14 days at WDW!!! I love those long stays! it makes it so much more fun!!!
have fun at the WL too!!!

oh, how I wish I could have a Lapu Lapu right now!!!

what longhouse are you in???

and about the tipping, being that I once survived on tips, I just tip everyone, just to be safe! I dont want to short change anyone out of what they're working for!!!

Laura

 

[wdwnutze]

Isn't the Poly the most amazong? The views from the beach can't be beat and walking around on the grounds is amazing. We love the Poly and after reading your posts, I really miss it!!

Enjoy yourself and the resort! 14 days..........oh, I'm so jealous!

 

[Gail T AGAIN]

5 more days, I can't wait after reading the reviews. I am moving to the BWI after one night at the Poly, I hope I don't regret the move. I can't wait!

 

[BCV23]

16 days until my son and I go !Have you tried the mai tais? Yum! How crowded are the parks in the am? Have a great time. By the way, you missed a rainy, cold week up here.

 

[IAMaGR8DISMOM]

Could you tell us if the pools and the parks are crowded? I was a little concerned about getting a chair by the pool close enough to see the kids!!!

What is the weather like right now?

I am debating on going in Summer due to the heat?

Thanks

 

[DIXIEDAYS]

Glad you’re having a great time. Don’t forget to visit our brick. It is located on The Luau Walkway (P06555)…......I think it is also featured on the Resort Tour…LOL.

If you get a chance, can you inquire on the length of stay for renting the mouse boats? We are heading back down in April, and possible a long weekend in October. We stayed at Riverside last vaca, but went to The Poly to rent the boats. My kids (and I) will certainly benefit from a length of stay.

Thanks and ENJOY!!

 

[BCV23]

DIXIEDAYS...we did the length of stay marina package at the end of March at the Poly. My son and husband used the water mice quite often. It was $199, I think, for four people. There were only four of us on that trip so that worked out. We took out a pontoon boat one afternoon, too, which is always fun and relaxing.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

BCV23, could you please explain the length of stay marina package thing a little more? How exactly does it work? If I wanted to take a boat out for like 3 hours every afternoon, could I do that?

Thanks!

 

[BCV23]

Cali...I asked my husband at dinner if they had any restrictions when they took out the mice. He said nope, 10 minutes or 5 hours..it was unlimited. So yes, you could take one out for three hours every day. At least, that was his experience in March. We were there the week before Easter. As I mentionned we used a pontoon boat and the sailboats are included, too, as I recall. We didn't use those however on this trip. Have fun! I thought you were going to be at the GF?

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Thanks BCV23. Yes, I'll be at the GF, and they also offer the $199 marina plan. I'm so glad it truly is unlimited!!! I'll do it every afternoon!!! Now I'll just have to decide which type of watercraft to take out!!!

Thanks again!

 

[DIXIEDAYS]

Thanks BCV23. On our last trip we used our flex and then some to rent the boats. With the kids we total five, but mom usually would prefer to shop alone while we are boating!

 

[Cathy baby RN]

Hi! We're still here enjoying ourselves!!

To answer a few questions:
Yes, it is hot, but like I said before, you have to plan your
day around the heat. We go to the parks in the morning and at night, and swim and rest during the day.
My kids have closed the pool every night. In contrast, we were here the first week of January and it was FREEZING and rainy.
I'd rather have it hot and rainy(if it has to rain).

Everything at the Poly is perfect except for one thing.....the hassle of getting to Downtown Disney. It takes forever. The bus stops at CR, Poly, GF ad Typhoon Lagoon,PI and Marketplace.
I like to shop at World of Disney because of the Disney Club discount. It's nice to go down there by myself so I can shop in peace and quiet without the kids. It just takes too long to get there and back!

Tonga Toast: Now, no one has a bigger sweet tooth than me.....but even for me this stuff was SWEET. DO NOT pour syrup all over it until you test it first. I also advise sharing the Tonga Toast and having an egg to balance things out!
The kids had the childrens pancakes and the give you 3 huge pancakes (shaped into Mickeys face). No one cleaned their plates.


We went to Epcot yesterday and went on the newly reopened JIYI. Lots of Figment on this ride, along with all the Figment merchandise$$$$$$.


Tomorrow we're sleeping in........all this vacationing is catching up with us

Cathy

 

[cottontail]

Hi Cathy: We also love the downtown disney stores, when we were there april 21, 2001, they were trying out a new bus schedule for a couple of weeks.

My daughter and I walked over to the transportation centre to catch the downtown bus, as 6 years ago that is where you had to catch it not in front of the poly, well I guess we should have asked, cause we were told there was no bus to downtown dis from the trans center, so back we walked to the poly and waited out front. It came on we got and it only stopped at typhoon lagoon then onto downtown dis, next the p I, so it was pretty good. Coming home we must have sat and waited about 30 to 40 min as every bus was either to the allstars or port orleans.

By the way we love shopping there as well, we kinda get a shopping high in that store. lol Sounds strange but we bought our xmas gifts. Those 100 yr mugs are so pretty, to me they are a collectors piece as well I bought the beach towel to match.

But that is way better than driving and trying to find a parking space. Check your merchandise if you send the packages back to your room, somewhere along the way one of the mugs was cracked.

Deb.