Official Poly construction update thread **updated video page 103(2/17/15)**

[pixarmom]

I'm so torn. I understand why everyone is jumping ship. I think I'll hold out for a bit longer. Partly because we're a party of five now. So my options for one room that sleeps five are limited. We're only staying three nights at the Poly before we move to the BC. I really want an MK resort for those nights, so it's Poly, CR, or the WL. I don't think GF would be anyone's cup of tea, so I'm not considering that one. My preference is the Poly, then WL. WL would require two rooms, or a deluxe room. So for now, I'll stick with the Poly and see how the construction progresses. Without a main pool, we'll switch. But I'm like Scott. If my view is going to be just construction, I'm not interested, no matter how good the deal. View is important to me.

I know, it's such a tough call. We just stayed at Poly last month for five nights - had a great time and did not regret our decision at all. We were having such a great time at Poly that while staying there, we called to switch our Easter Weekend reservation from CR garden wing to Poly. But this time, we really do need that pool. And then the other factor is the additional construction. We saw the walls go up outside of Samoa near the east pool and the report that Tokelau isn't going to be finished until summer. Even if the main pool is open, that other construction will remain. And as much as we loved our stay last month, we're ready to not worry about construction schedules.

WL sounds like a great Plan B! We're staying there for the start of spring break - regular CL room because my husband won't join us until we head to the beach. Considering a deluxe room next year!

 

[The Rovang 5]

Given the fact that Poly has NEVER been cheaper than Beach Club (we've stayed at BC 3x, but pined for Poly), and now all of a sudden I'm getting a cheaper rate for November, 2015- I'm wondering if it's been reduced based on construction/pool? The pool is kind of a deal-breaker for us too, which is why we usually stay at BC....awesome pool.

 

[WDWOswald]

Anyone have a stay booked at the Polynesian Villas? I just booked for April 13-20th at a studio standard view. How is the construction on that side of the resort (Pago pago and Moorea?). I have decided that construction won't ruin our stay because the great ceremonial house is basically done and we can still go to the beach and use the quiet pool. Not sure what things will be like but I'm excited about Trader Sam's, Captain Cook's, Pineapple Lanai, Kona, O'hana, monorail access, tiki torches, and staying in a brand new room!

 

[glohoffman]

We check in September 6th, and while I am not too concerned that the main pool won't be done, I am a little nervous about getting a quiet pool view room and seeing tons of mess. We are booked for standard view, and we have no preference as to which longhouse we stay in, we just don't want to view the construction from our balcony/patio. Do I have a pretty good chance of requesting any room with a patio/balcony AWAY from quiet pool view? I would love monorail view, but I don't want to request that and then not be granted anything due to being too specific. Right now the only request I have is that we have a room with a patio/balcony. HELP!

ETA: We will more than likely check in early, and head to water parks while we wait for our room if that helps...

 

[jakeybake]

We had the Poly booked for one night before our BC Bounce Back kicked in on 8/20. My wife is a BC only lady but I have always wanted to try the Poly so I figured it would be the perfect opportunity to give it a shot without having to commit to it for an entire vacation. After reading up on the construction I decided to bail and we snagged the BC for the first night. I just didn't want to be surrounded by construction, regardless of how minor it may or may not be. Even the smallest bit of construction can take away from the beauty and ambiance of a resort.

Jay

 

[texasgingerbread]

Anyone have a stay booked at the Polynesian Villas? I just booked for April 13-20th at a studio standard view. How is the construction on that side of the resort (Pago pago and Moorea?). I have decided that construction won't ruin our stay because the great ceremonial house is basically done and we can still go to the beach and use the quiet pool. Not sure what things will be like but I'm excited about Trader Sam's, Captain Cook's, Pineapple Lanai, Kona, O'hana, monorail access, tiki torches, and staying in a brand new room!

FYI - some have reported no tiki torches due to construction. I have no idea if this is true but I have read several places now.

 

[pixarmom]

FYI - some have reported no tiki torches due to construction. I have no idea if this is true but I have read several places now.

We stayed Poly CL for five nights last month - I don't think the tiki torches were lit. That's one of my favorite things about Poly - missed it.

 

[elizabethswan]

can someone confirm , is pineapple lanai open and if so do they have those tiki sipper mugs and bowls?

 

[texasgingerbread]

can someone confirm , is pineapple lanai open and if so do they have those tiki sipper mugs and bowls?

Here's Tikiman's post https://www.facebook.com/Tikimanpag...6549335056416/928098600568148/?type=1&theater

 

[Jennygt]

podcast will release there recent trip review tomorrow here on the dis and you tube, i will post it here...........

 

[kungaloosh22]

I don't think the tiki torches were lit.

Yikes, tiki torches set the mood! What would construction in one area have to do with tiki torches in another area?

This had better be temporary and not another cost-cutting move, or I might have to rethink my Poly devotion.

 

[elizabethswan]

Here's Tikiman's post https://www.facebook.com/Tikimanpag...6549335056416/928098600568148/?type=1&theater

thank you!

 

[Jennygt]

podcast has review and video up today.................here is the link
http://www.disunplugged.com/

 

[Jennygt]

So I just watched the review from Pete and the podcast team and I agree with them, for now we are going to skip the Poly but feel it will be great when ALL done. I am not confident it will be done this summer so we will stay elsewhere, but look forward to returning in a few years.

 

[texasgingerbread]

I just watched the podcast too...I'm there first week in May. It's borderline for me...still haven't made a decision.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I will watch the podcast when I get home from work. I originally had BC for 10 nights because I was afraid of Poly construction. Then I contemplated a split with CR/BC because I want to be at a MK resort and a EP resort. After reading a lot of threads I decided the Poly would work because the main pool will be open by Spring but now I'm not so sure. We will be there 8/26-8/31 at Poly. The main pool is a MUST for us. As for our view..........I really don't want a view of the east pool construction. I was going to request Figi or another longhouse on that side of the resort but it seems like everyone is doing that. Now I'm second guessing my decision.

 

[Fºoºz]

Will everything be done by the end of summer then?

 

[Tikiman]

I don’t usually listen to the DIS podcasts. Probably just my issue with listening to Pete after some issues we had in the past (someday I hope we get along) but he had some good people on the show to back him up. This must have been a young cast because of the way they acted like the old room design had been around forever. The last room design did not even make it 10 years.

Let’s start with his comment about not staying at the resort until it is totally done with construction. Well I agree and I don’t. My recommendations to people that are going to the Polynesian for the first time would be to not go during the construction because it would not be a good first impression. I don’t think I could make such a blanket statement and tell all not to go because there have been some people that have gone and enjoyed it despite the construction. I would suggest that it is not worth full price with having so much of the resort walled off.

Also his statement about the amount of construction, well the resort has actually seen a few other times in its history where it has had about this much construction going on in the past so I don’t think Disney figured it was any worse than before. The difference is back during those other large projects there was no internet and people were not Tweeting about everything detail every day.

Another correction from the show is the plunge pools on the deck of the bungalows are not hot tubs.

The other correction is that the Polynesian rooms are not all glass on one wall and they were never slid into place. They were stacked. You can see construction photos on my Facebook and my web site showing the stacking. I spoke to someone on the project that confirmed they were never intended to be slid in and out. That is just a false rumor that has gone on forever. Even the Contemporary Garden wing rooms were stacked and not slid in and the structures of the buildings were built around the stacked rooms. The Contemporary tower rooms were slid into place so that maybe where the rumor came from.

There was mention of moving the pool to the left and that is not a true statement either. Unless they are speaking of reducing the size of the volcano to allow for a better view and people and Cast Members have said how much they love to see the castle glowing and the fireworks from the lobby.

The mention of the arcade being moved is also wrong. The arcade is gone and not coming back. It is not moved to another building near the luau.

The mention that you will be fine with construction after Summer 2015 is not correct also. There will be major construction going on at the east pool and will be going on until late 2015 or maybe 2016.

I think it is great to hear some observations and opinions from the podcast crew. I don’t agree with all their opinions but then who is to say my opinion is right. I did agree that ‘Ohana breakfast is just ok and service that I have experienced was never very good. I just wanted to correct some of the wrong facts stated but it was not a bad podcast to listed to.

I had to laugh a little when it was suggested that John Lennon signed the paperwork to leave the band in 1970 at the Polynesian but Jenny was smart enough to figure out that the Polynesian was not open until 1971. It actually happened in 1974 in the Samoa Longhouse. You can see more about this in my history section.

Best statement Pete made was if you are going to stay at the Polynesian, “go in with your eyes wide open” and understand what is going on at the resort. I got news for you, the resort is not done growing.

 

[Tikiman]

Will everything be done by the end of summer then?

No

 

[Sue M]

Thanks for your clarifications Steve. I was wondering about those glass walls, since I didn't see any in January. I assumed they may be for the remodel DVC.
Still keeping my Aug res. even with East pool construction. And just pray I'm not put in one of the long houses around it.
But I'll be watching your updates when East Pool construction begins.
I sure wouldn't pay rack rate though to stay at any resort undergoing this much construction.