My polly visit...no flames please

[eeyoresmountainpals]

Tikiman ~ I understand completely about not repeating anything you've been asked not to repeat!!! That's one of those things that we learn (or should learn) as kids...if someone tells you not to repeat it and you do then nobody will tell you the good stuff anymore! Thanks, anyway!

mlwear ~ We were at the Poly last October and stayed in the Hawaii building. None of us (myself, DH and 3 DSs) noticed any smell. As for the drinking water, it tasted "different." By different all I mean is that it's what we consider city water. We live in the county and enjoy our mountain water. As for the running water in the sink and shower, it was perfectly clear and no odor.

 

[STEVEMED]

I don't want to start a panic about the Polly...I'm just reporting what we found.I can tell you the staff was great and the resort is beautifull.So try it for yourself.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Hoping more will post that the smell and water taste isn't bad. If you did NOT notice a bad smell or taste bad water please post. We are staying LVC in August and I always get very nervous about my choice when I read these threads. This is our first family trip to Disney So far reviews of the view and ease of transport seem to be consistently good. I know everyone has a different opinion and that's fine, I am glad to read them all. But, when I read a bunch of posts about terrible smell and dirty rooms with only a smattering of "I didn't experience that" I wonder if I chose the right resort. DH isn't that picky, but if something is really really bad, he won't be thrilled with my planning and having a second trip will be less likely. (BTW, I don't want to split trip by going to two resorts. Son is autistic and that is just too much change.) Does anyone else get this nervous about their choice or did you when planning your first trip?

I first stayed at the Polynesian when I was 6 months pregnant with baby #3 and very sensitive to smells. I never noticed any smells in the room. I had a brita water filter with me and thought the filtered water was fine but my DH said it still tasted funny to him and would only drink bottled water so on our last trip we did a grocery stop and purchase a case of water-easier than filling our bottles with the glass ones from concierge. I too read lots of negative reviews and was worried that I wouldn't be happy but decided the location was worth a try due to my "condition". I fell in love with the place and can't imagine staying anywhere else now. Even my 3 1/2 year old was taken in by the magic of the place-especially at night with the music and tiki torches and castle changing colors. My DH isn't a real Disney fan so I sent him on a garden tour at Epcot on our last trip and it really helped him to gain a better appreciation for the whole Disney experience. He actually said "this is kinda sad" as we waited for the limo to pick us up to go to the airport and fly home. He's definately going on another tour on this trip! I will say that I've never gotten any towel animals but I'm still in love with the Poly. Now I'm nervous about what to do for our trip though if they will be renovating....

 

[mlwear]

Thanks for the assurances. I feel better now.
SteveMed, no way were you starting a panic Your report wasn't outrageous. I'm just a little neurotic.

 

[Sammie]

The water at the Polynesian tastes like all the water in the Orlando area. When water quality tests are done, Orlando repeatedly gets very low scores on taste, but high scores on purity.

So the water is good water, just does not taste good. Eventually you get used to it, unless you travel somewhere else and taste better. It bothers the tourists much more than the locals.

As to the smell at the Polynesian we have stayed many times and all I ever noticed was the "tropical" smell of dirt, plants, humidity, etc. It is a very lush landscaped property with lots of plants with unusual smells. Many find this adds to the theme of the property. Just as some find a particular perfume offensive some find the tropical smell the same way.

 

[Harryo]

We'll be staying at the poly for the last three nights of our vacation. Can anyone direct me to thread on adjusting the AC in the room. Thanks HarryO

 

[lovesdumbo]

Lovesdumbo,

As of right not (subject to change) Hawaii is supposed to get all the room interiors done in the new decore and the halls and lounge redone in September. They are still saying it might be later and they are not sure what will happen with concierge or if it will move. When I get a firm answer it will be posted to my web page (sorry can’t give the link because someone in here complained to the webmaster and I was asked to remove it). As the time gets closer I should know and if it is closed then I would suggest saving your money and staying non-concierge or moving to another resort concierge.

Aloha

Steve

Steve,
I understand that you can't tell me any rumors right now and I'll keep an eye out for news on your web page (which I love!!!) but I'm getting myself in a tizzy now....so let me ask you this: how well did they stick to the schedule the last time? Don't they have to keep pretty tight so they know how many rooms they'd have available? Also how did folks feel the last time when they got bumped out of Hawaii? Thanks so much for your help. We are a party of 5 plus 1 under 3 so are options are somewhat limited. I really like the convenience of concierge and love the Poly atmosphere. And it would be perfect if all went as planned and we got to stay in a great new room in Hawaii but of course I want to get my AP discount if I can so I'm thinking I need to have my decision pretty well finalized by the time rates come out this summer....

SteveMed-maybe I should try GF!

 

[RichKoster]

When I get a firm answer it will be posted to my web page (sorry can’t give the link because someone in here complained to the webmaster and I was asked to remove it).

I know how you feel, because it happened to me, too, apparently at just about the same time as you... Or perhaps it is just the moderators on top of things.

But folks can find your website link listed if they search for a topic with the title of "Tikiman"

Oh, and isn't it interesting that if someone clicks on a person's name over to the left of their reply, that one of the choices is (in your case) to "Visit Tikiman's homepage"... That's an interesting thing you might want to look into.

 

[tnkrbell]

Thank goodness we all do not like the same resorts dont you agree???
Well I also did not "love" the poly. The great thing about these boards is we get lots of different views and opinions. Tell me about you stay at the Grand I have only visited and never have stayed how do you compare it to staying at the Beach. thanks!!!

Hey Steve(tikiman) We are even closer in Age my birthday is July 15 1970!!! WOW and now I pay attention Stevemed you and I are even closer in Birthdays!!!

 

[STEVEMED]

tkrbell: as for the gf it just felt so magical from the time I entered,and that was surprising to me because I had visited in the past and read the posts about it being "stuffy" and not a place for the kids and that could not be further from the truth.Imho.
Different people have different tastes and all I can say is the gf is for me.As for the beach club it was also very nice but I can't get the gf out of my mind.....(do you think I'm hooked)lol

 

[tnkrbell]

That nice huh??!! We are going bAck in july for mine and my hubbys birthdays. (yacht club) and was just thinking should we try the Grand we are planning on doing allot of pool time what do you think????????

 

[STEVEMED]

storm along bay is a great pool.The only problem I found was it was very crowded when we visited.The gf pool didn't seem to be as crowded and was also a nice pool.With the nod going to storm along bay.

 

[colleen costello]

We stayed at the Poly a year ago this week and I worried after reading "musty" reports. We stayed in the newly-renovated Raratonga and never smelled anything musty. My Mom was in an adjoining room and she suffers with asthma but we had no problems. Her A/C was a bit sluggish when we checked in and after calling for help it was adjusted within minutes and performed beautifully for the extent of our stay.

Our room had just been redone and everything was spotless and nice. I couldn't believe it when I read they are about to re-do it all, because so much had obviously been done the first time! Everything in the building, even the hallways, was newly painted and so fresh and colorful. We have DVC and enjoy all it has to offer, but the Poly will always be closest to my heart. I wonder if the occassional musty smells are the result of some certain weather condition?