Lots of insignificant questions about the Poly

[mermaidwannabe]

1. Where do you get pool towels for the Poly (or do you?) and should I just take my own? It's just that they take up so much room in luggage.

2. Should I take dresses for my 3 DDs and me to wear to Ohana's and Kona's at night?

3. Is it okay for toddlers to play around in the water at the beach (as long as they aren't swimming) or is that a no-no?

4. Does the water taxi to the MK open early (for EMH? We also have early PS at Crystal Palace one am).? Also, does anyone know when it stops running at night for coming back to the Poly from the MK?

5. Should I take bug spray?

6. Do I have to be worried about snakes or big bugs (just want to prepare myself if there are)

7. Is there a store on the premises where I can get milk, beer and/or snacks?

8. Do most of you wear tennies or sandals around the Poly and the parks?

Thanks to anyone who replies to this annoying post!

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

1. Where do you get pool towels for the Poly (or do you?) and should I just take my own? It's just that they take up so much room in luggage.

Towels are available poolside, or you can always request extra from Mousekeeping.

2. Should I take dresses for my 3 DDs and me to wear to Ohana's and Kona's at night?

No need, unless you want them to be dressed up.

3. Is it okay for toddlers to play around in the water at the beach (as long as they aren't swimming) or is that a no-no?

I'll let others answer this one.

4. Does the water taxi to the MK open early (for EMH? We also have early PS at Crystal Palace one am).? Also, does anyone know when it stops running at night for coming back to the Poly from the MK?

Yes, and usually an hour or so after the MK closes.

5. Should I take bug spray?

Yes.

6. Do I have to be worried about snakes or big bugs (just want to prepare myself if there are)

Maybe.

7. Is there a store on the premises where I can get milk, beer and/or snacks?

Yes, every resort has a store like this.

8. Do most of you wear tennies or sandals around the Poly and the parks?

Yes.

 

[copper68]

1. you can get towels by the pool..
2. if you'd like to get dressy one night..
3. i think that it's ok to stick your feet in there.. not positive tho'
4. yes monorail is up and running for emh, and shouldn't be a prob for your ps
5. yes, i would take bug spray
6. i've personally never seen a snake @ wdw, and not many on here have.. but, it's always possible to run into one..
7. yes there is a store to get those items..
8. i personally usually will wear tennis shoes in the morning to the parks, and then at night will wear sandals.. but definitely comfortable sandals..

 

[Chicago526]

1. Where do you get pool towels for the Poly (or do you?) and should I just take my own? It's just that they take up so much room in luggage.

You can get towels by either of the pools

2. Should I take dresses for my 3 DDs and me to wear to Ohana's and Kona's at night?

They are not required, but if you want to look spiffy, go for it!

3. Is it okay for toddlers to play around in the water at the beach (as long as they aren't swimming) or is that a no-no?

I'm not sure on this one.

4. Does the water taxi to the MK open early (for EMH? We also have early PS at Crystal Palace one am).? Also, does anyone know when it stops running at night for coming back to the Poly from the MK?

I think the boats run 1 hour prior to park opening. I know it runs until 1 hour after park closing.

5. Should I take bug spray?

I've never needed it in all of my visits to WDW, but others swear by it. It doesn't take up that much space, so bring it and then you'll have it if needed.

6. Do I have to be worried about snakes or big bugs (just want to prepare myself if there are).

I've never seen a snake OR big bugs there, myself. The seagulls can be aggresive though, they've been known to steal food out of peoples hands!

7. Is there a store on the premises where I can get milk, beer and/or snacks?

Yup.

8. Do most of you wear tennies or sandals around the Poly and the parks?

I usually wear sneakers in the parks. In the parks, you need REALLY good footwear or you'll regret it. Around the resorts, I've seen everything from flip-flops to high heels.

 

[goofy4tink]

1. Where do you get pool towels for the Poly (or do you?) and should I just take my own? It's just that they take up so much room in luggage.

A nice towel shack by the each pool.

2. Should I take dresses for my 3 DDs and me to wear to Ohana's and Kona's at night?

Nope, not needed at all..very informal.

3. Is it okay for toddlers to play around in the water at the beach (as long as they aren't swimming) or is that a no-no?

Well, the water is pretty murky and alligators have been known to frequent the area. We walk beside but not in the water.

4. Does the water taxi to the MK open early (for EMH? We also have early PS at Crystal Palace one am).? Also, does anyone know when it stops running at night for coming back to the Poly from the MK?

I really can't remember exactly. But, they do run pretty frequently..both early and latish.

5. Should I take bug spray?

Yep, always a safe bet, especially if you are planning on watching the fireworks from the beach area.

6. Do I have to be worried about snakes or big bugs (just want to prepare myself if there are)

Never ran into any, but I'm sure they are there. Gotta love the little gecko type guys.

7. Is there a store on the premises where I can get milk, beer and/or snacks?

Yep.

8. Do most of you wear tennies or sandals around the Poly and the parks?

I wear a combination of them..switch during the day and then at night.

Thanks to anyone who replies to this annoying post!

Not annoying in the least. Everyone has questions about something!!!

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[yogibigdog]

1.

3. Is it okay for toddlers to play around in the water at the beach (as long as they aren't swimming) or is that a no-no?

Due to high bacteria counts do not go in the water. You could develop a rash or worse. Stick to the pools. It is a zero clearance pools so little ones can play in two inches of water if they wish.

 

[vossjemi]

Alligators? Bacteria? Ok, I'm confused! I watched the Disney DVD a few weeks ago, and the relaxation guy was skiing in the water at the resorts. I thought they had all kinds of water sport activities, so if there is a danger in the water, why would they let us do this stuff?

 

[Traveliz]

At the Poly they will allow you to step out a bit into the water for play. They have signs so you don't go to far but often little ones are playing there with buckets etc.

Liz

 

[rcraw45425]

We actually saw a snake in the bushes at AK right next to a busy walkway

 

[Tess]

1. Where do you get pool towels for the Poly (or do you?) and should I just take my own? It's just that they take up so much room in luggage.

At the volcano pool you can get towels next to the pool bar in the little hairwrapping cabana. Be sure to bring your room key if you are there during the morning or afternoon. They guard the towels and check resort keys before they permit you to take them. At the quiet pool there is a large towel cupboard on the restroom building.

3. Is it okay for toddlers to play around in the water at the beach (as long as they aren't swimming) or is that a no-no?

Around the water, as in on the beach, is OK--stay out of the water.

5. Should I take bug spray?

I've, personally, never needed it when we visit in the summer. None of us have ever had the first bite EXCEPT by sand fleas at night.

6. Do I have to be worried about snakes or big bugs (just want to prepare myself if there are)

Worried might be too strong a word. I, personally, have seen two snakes around the Polynesian and one at GF. The Polynesian snakes were at night slithering across the sidewalk from bushes to bushes. The GF snake fell from a tree as I sat on the patio and nearly landed in my lap! I was dancing around the furniture that night! Bugs---yep, there are some large ones--they don't give me the heebies like snakes though. Some people never see the snakes--I'm just lucky I guess.

8. Do most of you wear tennies or sandals around the Poly and the parks?

I'm a tennis shoe (walking shoes actually) gal--sandals around the pool though.

As to your question about the dresses--when my daughter was young--she wore sundresses almost exclusively. She just liked them better than shorts and, frankly, she was pretty cool in them. Neither Kona nor 'Ohana are particularly dressy--you would not, however, be out of place dressed up though. At Disney you pretty much see it all. . .and that's not necessarily a good thing!

 

[goodferry]

1. I am going to echo what Tess said about the towels. Make sure you have a room key with you. My daughter got hurt on the volcano slide and DH took her to get a towel and clean up the blood (the end of the world for a 5 year old) the towel natzi running the joint refused to give him a towel. He told her that we were staying in Hawaii and what room we were in and she told him THERE WAS NO SUCH BUILIDING AT THE POLY. The towels by the quiet pool are unguarded.
2. We did get dressed in tropical sundresses for OHana, you can also purchase really cute ones in the Poly gift shops
3. The water is definitely off limits. The sand is not
4 For EMH you have to take the monorail, the boats do not start that early. We learned this the hard way, walked all the way to the end of the Pier with a still groggy Cinderella only to find a sign. They start one hour before normal park opening.
5. Up to you, we have never used it, but I always bring it.
6. I did see a simple garden snake slither into the bushes when sitting at one of the tables near the bar. I didn't notice any big bugs, though.
7. I alternate between tennis shoes and Teva sandals. Definitely bring some easy to slip on sandals for the pool (for DH too) the concrete gets very hot.

 

[mermaidwannabe]

Tess, your picture is so funny. I laugh every time I see one of your posts. And the Virgo in me LOVES details! Thanks.

Goodferry, ooh, thanks for the info especially about the EMH and the water taxi! That would REALLY start my morning out lovely to have to turn around and go back to the monorail.

 

[JKW]

Let me tell you about our experience at the Poly beach. Last year November, we were staying at the Poly. Our kids (11,10,4) wanted to build a sandcastle on the beach. So DH and I grabbed a drink and a chair on the beach to watch the kiddos. As kids will with water, they started splashing and going into the water up to their knees/hips area. A boat caming speeding in from the middle of the lake. The castmember asked the kids to not go into the water past their ankles. "There are animals in the water that will not like it if you come in any deeper." Yes those are quotes. We have it video-ed since we were video-ing the kids. At that we promptly moved the kids to the pool. There were several other kids playing in the water and the beach. They were also notified. I would stick to the pool and leave the beach for the relaxing.

 

[skiwee1]

I have never been asked for ID for a pool towel and we are always there in the morning and afternoon. There are always two towel bins when we go, which is May and October, so it isn't busy season. Maybe that matters. One shed is by the hairwrap cabana which no one patrols. The hairwrap people won't ask you for ID because they are independant contractors and couldn't care less! The other is on the side by the fountain play area. It is just a wooden shed with doors that stand open. We grab an arm load of towels and never had a problem. Another place that no one is around to ask for ID. The only Disney person around is the lifeguard and bartenders. A rare CM strolls by on their way somewhere else but that's it. I doubt that my experience with the towels is rare. We are at the Poly around 30 days a year for the last 3 years and have never been ID'd for a towel. Maybe they do in busy season but not when we go. I do always bring a large Disney towel with us for DD. It is nice to wrap her up in it and let her walk back to the room if she is chilly, Now there are alligators in that water because I saw a small one sunning itself half in and half out the water. That was last year. My DD, now 6, is allowed to play on the beach and build sandcastles. She steps into the water ankle deep to get a good bucket of water, as she calls it, but that is it. It amazes me how many parents let their kids actually swim in that water , head going under and everything else, when there are 3 signs right in the water telling you not to. I've seen a snake or two at the Poly walking the grounds. They are more afraid of you then you are of them. Someone at TTC tried to pick one up at the monorail station and the snake bit him. The CM said he couldn't believe how stupid some people are! The snake, the CM, said was poisonous so an ambulance was dispatched. Never knew what happened to that guy. I take bugspray because I was eaten alive out on the beach one time waiting for the fireworks to start. Some days were fine but some were horrible. Bring the spray. When we go to Kona's and Ohana DD usually likes to wear a cute sundress and sandels. Since she wears mostly tennies and shorts in the parks, she jumps at the chance to dress a bit for dinner. I still wear shorts though! You will ove the Poly. It is our absolute favorite resort. We are going back in October and cannot wait!

 

[Tikiman]

I have seen snakes in the bushes at the Polynesian but the type I have seen are not poisonous. Also the water bacteria are not so bad that contact with it will be harmful but they don’t want kids in there swallowing it. Mostly there is no longer swimming because of the boat traffic. If the water was that harmful they would not still have water skiing and wakeboarding or even jet skiing. The other thing to remember is the lake does have gators. We have seen them and especially keep the kids out of the edge water at night. There was a gator lounging on the beach one night a few years ago. That is rare but you never know. That is why I can’t believe parents let their kids play in the water during the electric water pageant.

 

[mermaidwannabe]

Thanks for the info. I will NOT be letting my DDs play in the water at the beach. It's going to be hard explaining that to my DD2. I don't want to play the alligator card because we'll be going to the coast after the Poly and I don't want them being scared of the water there! For the EWP and Wishes, I'll just make them stay where we are sitting and I'll make sure it will be far enough from the water to not be too tempting. Thanks for the snake stories too as my DD8 loves to play with garden snakes (she did NOT get that from me). She has no fear so I'll instruct her NOT to play with the snakes!!

 

[vossjemi]

OMG! I simply cannot believe that WDW would sell you a waterskiing or wakeboarding package when you could be attacked by an alligator! Who in their right mind would even risk it? I have a boat and love to water ski, but you wouldn't catch me in the same lake with alligators. Do they make people sign waivers or something? I think that would be a huge liability risk.

 

[Tikiman]

Having had an alligator as a pet for a short time I can tell you they won’t hang out where there is as much activity as there is in the middle of Bay Lake or even the Seven Seas Lagoon. With that said the gators in the lake are not large and when found are taken elsewhere in most cases. There is not much danger in the middle of the day in an active area for there to be an attack. They do lurk around at night and may be closer to the resort shores when it is dark but they also are not going to go cruising through the resort. There would be no reason to sign a waver to do water activities. This is why no one has been bitten in WDW by a gator. I just would not have my kid down at the waters edge at night even if the chances were slim.

 

[YCFAN]

Another bit of advice. On mornings when MK doesn't have EMH but you have an early PS for breakfast (i.e. 8:00 am, etc.) the monorail doesn't run to the MK. We were told by a concierge staff member in Hawaii that yes the monorail runs. We walked all the way there from Hawaii thinking it would be the quickest transportation only to be told when we reached it that it doesn't start running until 8:00am. We had to turn around and walk all the way back to the boat dock. The monorail guy said only the boats ran that early.

 

[anne]

Can anyone clear up the monorail vs boat issue for emh - 2 posters have had 2 opposite experiences/answers from cm's??