Loved the "new" Hawaii building

[BCV23]

We were in Hawaii last week in a brand new room. It was beautiful and it was fun being the first guests to stay in a new room.

Phil checked us in around 11:30 and was wonderful. The room wasn't ready because they had to do a TV check but he didn't think it would be long. He took our hand baggage and put it in the room for us and even put the insulins in the refrigerator. Well above and beyond and a great start to our short stay there.

We went to lunch at Kona which was great as always. When we were finished, we looked briefly for a house phone to check on the room but didn't see one. I'm used to the one that was in the corridor by the downstairs restrooms before the recent changes. Does anyone know where one is now? Anyway, my husband walked over to check while our son watched cartoons and I checked out Boutiki again. Lots of Polynesian stuff there I thought as well as articles evocative of the Pacific Isles. A really nice mix of WDW and non Disney wear. I am a traditionalist and was sorry to hear that the old shops were closing. But this was our second or third trip back since Boutiki opened and I'm a fan.

Anyway, our room was ready and we moved in. Beautiful, beautiful. Warm and cozy feeling. There are deep cubbyholes beneath the vanity on either side which was great for vanity kits...no walking back to stash them in the closet.
The shower rod is now a bowed style and the shower head is oversized. A shelf that runs the width of the vanity has been added above the sink as well. Think someone else reported about that.

The butler's pantry area is great with built in refrigerator. No little freezer area in this one which leaves more room for everything else. Overall it will take me a while to organize differently in the new rooms as there just isn't the floor space for empty suitcases that existed in the old closet. However one closet has a double rod and the other a single so no lost hanging space. the new safe is the electronic type and is wider but not as high. A laptop fits easily and it is very roomy....maybe 20x8x16 or so.

The daybed is spiffy and the little table on wheels is slick. Our son enjoyed it very much for watching his DVD player and drawing. More later.

 

[SeaSpray]

welcome back! Thanks for the report. Do you have any pictures?

 

[Tikiman]

Glad you had a good time. Thanks for the report. I am with you, I like Boutiki. Not sure where they moved the phone in the lobby. So what room were you in?

Aloha

Steve

 

[BCV23]

Thanks, Terry and Steve. Sorry for the abrupt ending there...my computer wasn't charging for some reason.

No digital photos, sorry. But we'll all enjoy yours soon Terry.

We were in 1503. At first he thought we were in 1505 and I thought of you, Steve. We had requested first floor and were grateful to get it. Loved the room and it was the first time we had that one at least in recent years.

I do still miss the full size table although it did feel awfully nice to put my feet up on the ottoman after our first full day.

The lounge is gorgeous. There are nine big round tables now. It should be clear to everyone now that the big TV is intended for little ones as the kiddie furniture is located there. There is a smaller square table behind the kiddie area. No two seater tables downstairs anymore but two are located upstairs along with a flat screen TV by those couches.

Be glad to answer any questions. I'm sitting here letting my nails dry from a manicure/pedicure.

 

[goodferry]

You must have read my mind, I have been searching for reviews of the new rooms! What did you do with your luggage since there was no closet space for it?

 

[BCV23]

Since we were just there for two nights, I kind of "hid" it behind the new lounge chair. There is a luggage rack that you could use but I don't like having those out in the room although I used it as part of my system in the old closets. I think in the future, I will probably store them in the car and use one at a time on its side in the closet for dirty clothes. But if anyone figures out a good way, please post it.

 

[eeyoresmountainpals]

Thanks for the review! We check in Sunday and can't wait!

Was there any difference in the food offerings in the lounge? I heard they have a new serving island. How does that work out???

 

[Tikiman]

So how was the view from 1503? I know some of those trees out on the beach start to get in the way. They just opened the 1st floor since only the 3rd floor opened in the 10th. So how do you like the patio? I like having the room more than being on a balcony myself.

I did put photos of the new lounge and the areas you are describing on the web page if anyone wants to see. I like the new set up so far. How was the food offerings?

 

[BCV23]

Back from Beaches and Cream.

The food island looks very nice although it does block the view of Dick and crew somewhat. It holds the kids stuff, bottles of water, pitchers of tea, etc.. The food offerings were the same. Dick did mention that the menu will be changed in a few months. A couple of hot items each night but no rice or pasta. My husband will miss that rice but I'm sure whatever Dick makes in its place will soon make him forget about the rice.

The desserts have been a little different that last two times we've been there. A wider variety I would say although we always enjoyed the other ones as well. Didn't see any filled chocolate cup things at all this time although it was only 2 nights.

Steve, we liked 1503 just fine. We've only ever stayed in first floor rooms at the Polynesian and that is our only request besides nonsmoking. There are tree trunks in front of the room of course but some feet away on the beach. Didn't impact the view for us.

BTW, I could hear the music from Wishes from our lanai this trip. Also saw a suit type apparently adjusting something in the bushes during the show. Also the Hawaiian music was playing from the lights in front of Hawaii this trip. However, none of the Tiki lights in front of Hawaii on the lagoon side were lit our two nights. I did see a bird monkeying around in one so maybe there is a nest in there and they are waiting until the eggs hatch?

I think both first and second floors opened on the 12th. Maybe 1/2 to 2/3 of the first floor rooms had newspapers in front of the doors early on the 13th. I also saw papers on the 2nd floor but am not sure of that was the 13th or 14th.

One nice thing in the lounge is a little partially enclosed cabinet with a tray for setting dirty dishes and even a hole for disposing of napkins, leftovers, etc.. Looks neater and not as precarious as the old tray.

 

[lisareniff]

Thanks for the review. I love reading them. I just made our ressies for Feb. at the Poly (then on to VB). I'm already excited to go! It will be GV. I'm hoping for a quiet pool view room with a balcony or patio.

 

[eeyoresmountainpals]

Thanks for the food review, BCV23! I can't wait...I can't wait!

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Sounds great! Thanks for letting us know about it! I really hope we'll be able to stay at the Polynesian next year!

 

[chamonix]

Ah, BCV, we should have met up! I couldn't remember who was going to be there when last week, lol. We were in rooms 3508 and 3509 (we always request third floor, we love it). Boy, I really really missed the tiki torches on the beach too!

By the time we left on the 16th, all three floors were open. It was kind of nice though, early in the week when only third floor was open with 15 families. The lounge was very peaceful, LOL! We didn't see the chocolate filled cups any night last week, but I didn't really miss them. I did think there wasn't much for the kids at night though, dd would have liked something not so fancy for her bedtime snack/dessert. Something like a plain ole brownie or cookie or whatever. Overall we were very happy with the lounge offerings, although the coffee machine broke down by the end of the week, and we really missed the blueberry muffins in the morning.

We also had issues with what to do with our luggage in the room. We had 6 suitcases plus carryons to fit in that room!

Glad you had a good trip, and sorry we missed you!! What nights were you there?

 

[SeaSpray]

BCV23 and chamonix:

What are the recent food offerings that you remember? Last time, we never were in the lounge for the dessert offerings, so this time I really want to make an effort to at least get back to take some pictures. lol What are the recent breakfast offerings?? Thanks! 10 days and counting...!

 

[BCV23]

Hi chamonix. We were there the 12 & 13. I was thinking of you because I remembered you had a large party checking in. Aren't we all glad Hawaii was done on time and everything was in such great shape?!

Seaspray, I had tea in the lounge each am and an orange one day but that was it in the am for me. The breakfast offerings looked the same but then I didn't notice the missing muffins so I'm obviously not the best observer. Wednesday the sppetizers were hot wings and rice. Ribs and cold pasta salad with fruit on Thursday. Desserts I can recall included petit fours, different tarts and little cheesecake squares. I know there were more however.

One thing I forgot to mention was that I couldn't get internet access. I talked with a help desk for the provider. He thought the problem was with the wiring not my computer and said someone would be out the next am. I know someone did come because they switched the connecting cable from the desk plug to one in the wall but I still couldn't get on. After we moved to OKW and I had the same problem, my son was able to help me by switching my browser. I had told the guy at the help desk that I wasn't using Internet Explorer but he said that should not matter. Well, it does for my computer anyway. So if you have trouble, switch your browser.

eeyoresmountainpal, lisareniff and seaspray, I hope you all have magical stays. Looking forward to reading your resort reports.

 

[tinknsnow]

So nice to read your review. I am so excited to stay there I can hardly contain myself!

 

[SeaSpray]

Hi chamonix. We were there the 12 & 13. I was thinking of you because I remembered you had a large party checking in. Aren't we all glad Hawaii was done on time and everything was in such great shape?!

Seaspray, I had tea in the lounge each am and an orange one day but that was it in the am for me. The breakfast offerings looked the same but then I didn't notice the missing muffins so I'm obviously not the best observer. Wednesday the sppetizers were hot wings and rice. Ribs and cold pasta salad with fruit on Thursday. Desserts I can recall included petit fours, different tarts and little cheesecake squares. I know there were more however.

One thing I forgot to mention was that I couldn't get internet access. I talked with a help desk for the provider. He thought the problem was with the wiring not my computer and said someone would be out the next am. I know someone did come because they switched the connecting cable from the desk plug to one in the wall but I still couldn't get on. After we moved to OKW and I had the same problem, my son was able to help me by switching my browser. I had told the guy at the help desk that I wasn't using Internet Explorer but he said that should not matter. Well, it does for my computer anyway. So if you have trouble, switch your browser.

eeyoresmountainpal, lisareniff and seaspray, I hope you all have magical stays. Looking forward to reading your resort reports.

Thank you!!!!

 

[BCV23]

We're finally home tonight and I remembered something I meant to post. There is a new room service menu as of last week. Many of the same favorites although the BBQ chicken quesadilla that someone loved...was it Skiwee?...is no longer on the menu. Tonga Toast is a bit more expensive, I could not find the chocolate strawberries that some had reported to be on the menu over the summer, and kids meals do not come with a beverage anymore. I'm sure there are other changes but that's all I noticed. The menu also is different physically which probably matters to absolutely no one but me. Again I liked the change.

 

[WIDisneyFan]

Sounds like they have done a wonderful job on the new rooms! I know we can't wait until we get back there next July With that in mind i do have one question about the new room design - we (myself, wife, and son who will be 16 months old during our visit) are spending 7 nights at the Polynesian Concierge and I am curious as to how / where a Pack-n-Play would fit in the new rooms - we used one for him during our trip in June at the WL and are planning to do the same next year. Any thoughts on this?

Thanks in advance

 

[Tikiman]

Sounds like they have done a wonderful job on the new rooms! I know we can't wait until we get back there next July With that in mind i do have one question about the new room design - we (myself, wife, and son who will be 16 months old during our visit) are spending 7 nights at the Polynesian Concierge and I am curious as to how / where a Pack-n-Play would fit in the new rooms - we used one for him during our trip in June at the WL and are planning to do the same next year. Any thoughts on this?

Thanks in advance

Well now with the table out there is all that room between the bed and the sliding glass door. I know there is a chair there now but there was more room that before with the new design when I checked out the new rooms.