My thoughts on our first Poly stay

[rileyroosmom]

Just returned from our first stay (9days/8nights) and I have to say I'm torn about wether I'd return our not.

Check in was speedy and friendly, we all got leis (as did all guests I saw all week). I was given Samoa longhouse (which I wanted) but 2nd floor, no balcony. When I asked for a different room, the CM said they were completly booked. He assured me I'd love the view (he said only 30 out of 900 rooms had this view). I took the room and he was right, beautiful room 2607 looking directly at the Volcano pool (no loud noise at night, which I was concerned about) and the lagoon to our right where we could watch the EWP. A tree blocked the way to see Wishes.
It was a large, clean room. The 5 of us were comfortable. Mousekeeping was ok, nothing special, ie: no towel animals or cute set up of stuff animals. I did appreciate the vacuuming everyday (lots of sand was brought in by kids from beach) and the replenishing of coffee/soaps etc. I was relieved that there was no orange/brown 70s feel. It was a beautiful resort.
What I was dissapointed about
- no balcony, for that price I think every room should have one
- no towel animals or special treatment, again for the price I kinda expected it (I did tip)
- staff (excluding the front desk) were not friendly. My dh says it's due to a language barrier, but I think it's universal to smile and say hi!
-Captain Cooks selection was small and food took forever!!!! By 2:00 they were out of sandwiches.
-bus service was slow. We used our car after our first bus experience. You also share a bus with Contemporary and Grand Floridian, again for the price, you'd think there would be less sharing and more buses running.
- No fridge in room. Although one was brought up in 10 minutes, I don't understand why they aren't in the room already. Disney says they are in all mods and deluxes. Just a small inconvience
- line for pool slide was so long, my kids only went down once. Lucky we spent some time at the pool in the rain on a different day and it was empty and they had it almost to themselves.
- had to overide the AC system. Again just a small inconvience

Nothing major to complain about, I just felt that when you spend a lot of money, you expect certain things, maybe my expectations were too high. I don't know.

On the positive side
-Room size was great! And clean, no mold and stuffy smell
-Mousekeeping did keep the room clean
-Grounds were beautiful. Especially the lobby. A man was playing the ukle(spelling?) at check in which just added to the beauty.
-Samoa is a great longhouse. Pool is steps away and very close to the GCH and the boat launch
-The monorail spoils you very quickly!! It is great access the MK and Epcot
-Ohana's was great food and the kids loved the games

One night we went to Pop Century to try a different food court. The selection was 10X that of Captain Cooks and the kids loved the frozen slushies. The CMs were much friendlier. We walked around a little and the kids went crazy for the towel animals and stuffed animals in the windows of the rooms. This annoyed me a little because if Pop can do it, why not the Poly? We also noticed it was almost 9 pm and the lifeguards were still on (they leave at 8 at the Poly and close the slide, but you can swim till 12) again, I was bothered, for the price, the slide should be open longer. And the pool bar was still open (closes at 8 at Poly).

I loved the Poly and enjoyed my stay, but I'm torn wether I'd stay again or not. When you are paying top dollar, to me, it's the little things that make a difference.
Any questions?

 

[milmore104]

Welcome Back Sorry it wasn't the best but hey you still had fun!

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

Thanks for your honest review.

The last time we were at the Poly we asked for and received the Samoa, ground floor, and even got our room request of 1608.
You are right...great location and view.

 

[MOMOFMNM]

Hi!! Thanks for sharing your story!! I just upgraded to the Contemporary and I have to agree with you...for the money the little things make a big difference!! The cute animal towels I have been hearing about would be so special to our little girls, something you know they will remember forever. I am sorry this was not the case for you, I would've probably asked someone because that is how I am...I also paid extra for a water view and requested a ground room because I want a patio. I too was concerned that the balconies are not REALLY balconies, I feel that they should be. Of course things like crowds can never be really controlled and that is understandable but service is B I G for my husband and I and it needs to be good and very friendly and efficient. I agree with you on that. It sounds like your room was very nice and that is good...the location sounds great too, I am so happy to be on the monorail and able to walk to MK!!! BIG PLUS for me as we are a very active family and like to walk and bike everywhere, even my 5 yo How was the visit to the parks?? Were they crowded as well?? How was the magic express for you?? If I were you I would just try different resorts until you find the one that is home for your family!! I am glad it all went pretty good though!!

 

[Tess]

Despite your ambivalence it sounds as if you had a nice time at Polynesian? In all the years we've stayed there, I have received a "towel animal" exactly once. These things just aren't an issue for me, but I do understand that some people enjoy them. From your post, it sounds as if mousekeeping was on the job and your room was neat and tidy.

As loyal a fan of the Polynesian as I am, I do have to agree with you about Captain Cook's. It is sorely lacking in choices and, it's my understanding, that will soon be remedied with the remodel.

Ditto agreement with your complaint about the bus system and sharing. Every year I note that complaint in my post-visit survey that Disney sends. It makes absolutely no sense to me that three of the highest priced resorts share a bus. The ride to DD is interminable and the wait to return absolutely intolerable. We always do a taxi on our return. We've spent, on most occasions, nearly 1.5 hours getting there! Ridiculous to go a few miles. I will note that last year we seldom did the "shared thing". If we did we made a stop at GF, space permitting, but never on the return trip did we go to contemporary. I know in years past, all three were lumped together and at one time it was WL and Polynesian which made more sense. Anyway--totally agree with you on this point. We've gotten more "creative" in traveling around the world to attempt to circumvent some of the bussing issues. Much more fun than standing around waiting even if you do sometimes spend more time doing it.

I also agree with you on the pool bar closure. While it does stay open later in the busier months, it's not much later. I think this is a huge mistake because so many people are around the pools during the evening hours in summer. There could be a sizeable chunk of change to reap by remaining open longer in the evening. The slide and lifeguards also do not (or at least in years past have not) leave at 8:00 p.m. in the busier seasons. Last visit I believe they were on duty until 10:00 with the slide shut-down at the same time. The pool doesn't close, but it is no longer guarded.

No resort is for everyone--I would HATE not having a balcony too! Overall, however, your report seems more positive than negative--but, I do agree it's most often the "little things" that win over loyal guests.

BTW, how was your weather?

 

[DZNYMGCFAM]

One night we went to Pop Century to try a different food court. The selection was 10X that of Captain Cooks and the kids loved the frozen slushies.

I have found (just by walking through and checking out the food courts and staying at some of them) that it seems the Value and Moderate resorts have better selection of food and bigger food courts (counter service) than the Deluxe resorts. Which I do not mind, but I just happen to notice that. I guess they figure if you can afford to stay at a Deluxe you can afford more sit-down meals. Who knows!! I am fine with it though, my kids are not too picky when it comes to eating at disney....only at disney can I get them to try new things!!

Glad that in general you had a nice stay at the Poly...we are headed there next week...Yikes!!!!

 

[Jackie H.]

I agree with you on several issues. It had been my 'dream' to stay at the Poly since I was a kid and saw it from the Monorail

We stayed there and really liked the place. But there was not much worth eating at Captain Cooks - we did eat at Ohana's and Kona Cafe...they were great but sometimes you just want a quick bite. We ate at Captain Cooks once and that was enough. And CC was dirty! All the tables were disgusting. My husband was like "this place needs a food court".

The room was great (Tokelau building), the location can't be beat right next to the TTC and the grounds were lovely. We did not experience rude cast members - everyone we passed on the pathways said "Aloha" and sounded like they meant it.

I can't say we won't ever stay there again, but the place definately needs something like a food court and better bus service. I agree that a place this expensive shouldn't have to share with GF & CR (and they shouldn't have to share either!)

 

[rileyroosmom]

Thanks for the responses. It is a great resort, maybe not all that I thought it would be but I guess does any place really live up to their expectations? I'd love it if Captain Cooks got a makeover, it would really help!
The parks were not nearly as crowded as predicted. We arrived when they opened, did Fantasyland in about 1 1/2 hours used fastpass when needed. We avoided the EMH in the evening (at MK) went the next morning instead and it was dead till about 1:00.
Didn't use Magical Express, we drove down. Did see the buses, they are blue and yellow with characters on them. They looked nice. Saw people coming and going on them a lot.
The weather wasn't great. First 3 days hot, hot, hot! Next 5 days it rained everyday on and off and was cloudy - this turned out to be good, kept the heat and humidity away and last day sun and heat were back. Think it wil be a hot summer!

 

[susy]

Hey! What dates were you there???? We were there May 26-30. We we right down the hall from you (room 2602) with pretty much the same view. Our room was directly in front of the elevator. Yes, I can relate with the same concerns you had-sounds like we had the same mousekeeper, too. We enjoyed our stay, but some of the resorts we've stayed at seemd to be better for what you are paying.

 

[Tikiman]

Great report. Well done. Thanks for posting it.

Now I have some responses but remember it is just my observations and experience and hopefully this will not turn into another one of those discussions gone bad.

I think your observations were very valuable to anyone reading and I agree with some of them.

Captain Cook’s has always been small and limited selection. I almost never eat in there other than a quick bite in the afternoon if I don’t want to go sit down somewhere or a late night pizza on the way back from a park. They are going to expand Captain Cook’s and I believe expand the offerings…..lets hope. But I don’t believe most deluxe resorts have a good food court type of eating.
Staff not being friendly…well that seems to be a mixed review. Some say they were very friendly and others say they were not but that could be the case at any resort.

The refrigerators are sometimes in the room but they do not have enough for every room until they do the redesign of the room and the new one is added (Permanent version), so it will be that way for another year or until the remodel gets to the point where the amount of old rooms equals the amount of refrigerators they have.

The busses are bad every resort I have been to (including AKL) and when we were at the YC they also shared a bus and it took even longer. All I can say is bring a car (my opinion). I just thank God for the monorail at the Polynesian and the boat. This is nothing the Polynesian resort can control but it is good info for others that will stay there.

I have seen a big line at the Polynesian (while there in the middle of July) but it has never taken very long to get through it and every kid (and adult) I see goes down it multiple times because I keep seeing them in line.

As for the towel animals I am not sure if you have ever seen to post from me or anyone else that talkes about them not being part of Disney policy and they are done by the housekeepers all on their own. Some like to do something extra and others do what their job is supposed to be and that is all. Giving a tip or a large tip does not make them leave towel animals (not that you said it does) and it will not happen every time. They cannot and should never be expected but I am sorry you were not one of the lucky ones to get one. Just remember this has nothing to do with the Polynesian.

Thanks again for the well done report.

Aloha

Steve

 

[caribear]

Seems like you had a great time even though you aren't in love with the Poly. We had the same exact room about a month ago and I posted a thread with the picture of the view! Too funny!! Anyway, we always saw a long line for the slide, never ate at Captain Cook's and we did not use the buses.....but we loved the convienence of the monorail and boat launch....plus the view of Wishes and the EWP each night. We live here in Florida, but we enjoy the lush tropical foliage of the resort. Wish my backyard could look like the grounds at the Poly!!

 

[Rozzie]

I love the poly. We won't be staying there on our august trip, they were out of AP rates when I finally decided on our budget for our "unplanned" trip.
I have never received towel animals either, but I really don't ever think about it. I am so happy to come home to a clean room. If I can figure out a way to have mousekeeping clean my own home while at work

I really think Poly is a bargain (again AP rate) for what you get. The monorail and boat are invaluable to DH and I. We love the grounds, and the beach and hammocks. We have always had good experiences with CMs, minus a few, but I try very hard to overlook it, especially when I read how much they really make an hour!

thanks for the trip report, can't wait till' our oct trip! glad you had a great time!

 

[Lives4Disney]

RILEYROOSMOM Thanks for your review. I think it was very fair. You gave some positives as well as listing your concerns. We stayed there last summer and I know what you mean & agree with you on several of your issues. (pool crowded, unfriendly CMs, bus problems....) We stayed concierge so I never stepped into Captain Cooks, but my son really likes to play arcade games in the evening and the Poly arcade is OLD and run down with broken games. That was kind of a bummer for him.

The buses are terrible and Steve is right, though, that they are pretty bad from just about all of the deluxe resorts. It has taken me 1 hour and 45 minutes to get to AK from the SWAN!! (really less than a 10 minute car ride)

As far as towel animals......we have stayed about 30+ times in deluxe Disney resorts and received them one time at the GF. While they are cute, the are NO BIG DEAL!! I don't get the obsession with the towel animals. Just wanted to let you know they are OK, but you're not missing much.

We will probably be returning in August to give the Poly another go. My girls liked a lot of things about it - especially the Orange Guava juice, O'hanas and the pool slide. I enjoyed the atmosphere a lot.

Thanks sharing your stay!! (I also read your other post on the other thread - and thought it was funny and gross!! no flames here - I would have felt the same way - when we were at WDW in May, I saw lots to write home about, but didn't because I had an idea of how it would go over!! People do like to be so PC it is no fun )

Lives4Disney

 

[heather360]

Thanks for your report of the Polynesian. I'll be there in December and I'm getting very excited.

I was curious about your opinion of the room quality. Did it look run down at all or in need of renovation? My personal pet peeve is mattress quality. It seems like no matter where I stay whether Disney or non-Disney I always get a sagging mattress.

 

[MOMOFMNM]

hi steve!!! Just a newbie here to say...I have seen pics of the towel animals in the room and though it might not be big to some, where else can you go and get towel animals made for you??? The Holiday Inn??? No!!
Being a SAHM who has had to save save and save money for this trip, a towel animal would make our stay feel more special, and personalized you know???? I am a firm believer in going above and beyond and appreciate anyone willing to do the same for me...I won't expect the animals for my trip but it would be magical....IMHO It would just be one more reason to justify not going offsite at the Travelodge!!! and no I am not comparing that to a Disney resort!!! Just saying it is the magic some of us are looking for.

 

[BostonRob]

As for the towel animals I am not sure if you have ever seen to post from me or anyone else that talkes about them not being part of Disney policy and they are done by the housekeepers all on their own. Some like to do something extra and others do what their job is supposed to be and that is all. Giving a tip or a large tip does not make them leave towel animals (not that you said it does) and it will not happen every time. They cannot and should never be expected but I am sorry you were not one of the lucky ones to get one. Just remember this has nothing to do with the Polynesian.

Well said, Tikiman. This should be posted as a sticky in bold print, unerlined and italicized at the top of the resorts board.

 

[MOMOFMNM]

don't want to be rude...sorry if that came across that way, I won't expect the towel animals but would love to get one!! thanks everyone

 

[rileyroosmom]

Susy - we were there 5/28-6/5. Probably past one another! That's how I felt about the hotel, for the money, you just expect a little more. It was a great time though!

 

[rileyroosmom]

Steve - glad to see you are posting again! We really enjoyed your site and referred to it a lot before our trip.
You are right about most deluxe food courts. We stayed at WL last year and Roaring Forks was not that much better - faster yes - but not big selection! Hope they can really do something with Captain Cooks.
Thanks for giving the heads up on the fridges. It wasn't a big deal that it wasn't in the room. We were out Coronado Springs at Thanksgiving and the fridge was in the room in a cute cabinet. I just assumed it would be there - we all know what happens when we assume!
I've seen and been lucky enough to get towel animals last year at WL (6 out of our 7 nights). They are cute and certainly don't make or break a trip. My kids enjoyed coming to the room to see what was there- they were a little dissapointed not to receive any this trip. When we took a visit to Pop and saw most of the rooms window's decorated with TA and guest's personal toys, it made me a little mad that when you pay all that money for a deluxe, there certainly could be a little "magic". When I tip the mousekeepers it's not to receive something, it's thanking them for doing a hard job although some do it better than others!
We did love the resort. Especially my dd4. She kept telling the CMs in the lobby what a beatutiful hotel it was. She had told everyone at home how she got pink flowers from the hotel and she is constantly yelling, "AAAlohhha!"

 

[rileyroosmom]

Heather360 - I thought the rooms were fine. Our rug had a few pulls but no big deal. There were no ripped or peeling wallpaper, no mold, no musty smell. It had a nice tropical feel - bamboo as the chair rail around the room and bamboo up the back of the beds with the mat as a canopy (Does that make sense?). The matresses weren't the best. Mine at home is very firm. These were soft. I have a bad back and one morning woke up with it out! I switched to the other bed for the rest of the nights and had no more problems. My husband even slept on the day bed 2X and said that was a firmer mattress.