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

[Tikiman]

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.

The sliding glass door is not floor to ceiling and not wall to wall but they are large. The curtains hide the small walls on the sides. The DVC studios are the same way. I should have more information next week. I might stop over at the resort this weekend. Keep an eye on my facebook page for updates.

 

[merdie]

I am doing the same, Sue. I feel like the main pool will be open in August when we go, so if that's open we will be happy. I hope we don't get a construction view, but my kids would probably be fascinated by it! We got a great deal and it will still be a great vacation We don't spend a ton of time at the resorts when we go to WDW, so I feel like it will be fine.

 

[Sue M]

So it seems like once the main pool is done, the East pool, or quiet pool will be a big mess. This makes me very nervous as I am planning a "magical" vacation at the end of August, and I fear that because I have such a "magical" deal, the "deal" Will be a view of that construction. I'm guessing that everyone and their brother will request to not be looking at that, and understandably guests paying full price or closer to it will probably have a better shot at getting their requests met. Sadly, I think it might be time for us to jump ship to another resort.

*and yes, I am a "view" guy. Call me shallow. I have a standard view booked, so I do not expect to be looking at the castle, but I would prefer not to look at a giant mess either. For some people view doesn't matter, for me it does.

I can understand your view (no pun intended lol) of being given a less then desirable room when booking a magical deal. We had that experience at YC, given the garbage dump room but I went back to front dest and asked to be moved. My girlfriend who was checking in a few days later was (same deal) was given a pool view.
You may remember I jumped ship last Aug to GF, first 2 days booked Sugar Loaf and was upgraded to RPC. Then we had a standard room GF booked and was upgraded to lagoon view. However they gave me a king room for me and my daughter. Ugh. Bell service was with me and had front desk # and called for me. Told them I booked 2 beds. Got the tude, but I was moved to another room with 2 beds. Still lagoon view!

So, yes & no with getting bad rooms booking magical deal. I'm still waiting and watching. There are 3 longhouses I think will be affected, I'm not counting Hawaii or DVC, because I haven't booked either.

 

[Sue M]

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.

Tiki torches were lit in January around Fiji, Aotearoa area. We were walking around resort before dinner scoping it out for august stay and checking out new lobby!

 

[calismic]

I've been hearing conflicting reports that the TTC walkway is closed. Does anyone have a definitive answer? Thanks! =)

 

[Tikiman]

I've been hearing conflicting reports that the TTC walkway is closed. Does anyone have a definitive answer? Thanks! =)

Access to the TTC from the Polynesian was never closed. They closed off the east side of the resort for DVC but the walk to the TTC was rerouted to the front of the resort. It is still accessible from that walkway at the front of the resort. The old path is still closed off from DVC construction.

 

[calismic]

tyvm that makes sense! =)

 

[Jennygt]

Those are my dates as well, I just cant be bothered stressing out about this construction, (fp+ is stressful enough lol) so I am just skipping it this trip, very sad to do it, but we only go every 3 years or so and I don't want to be around construction site on my vacation.

 

[EagleG17]

Tikiman, I've discovered you know a ton about the Polynesian. We are staying there in a few weeks in the club level with our 2 kids (4 & 1), and are curious if the construction will be an issue (noise, etc.) with afternoon naps in the Hawaii building? Any thoughts?

 

[Jennygt]

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.

my post above was in response to your post, I goofed up when I posted.

 

[Tikiman]

Tikiman, I've discovered you know a ton about the Polynesian. We are staying there in a few weeks in the club level with our 2 kids (4 & 1), and are curious if the construction will be an issue (noise, etc.) with afternoon naps in the Hawaii building? Any thoughts?

The noise from the work around the bungalows is not so bad with the doors closed. I think having the lounge will be great with little kids. I took my son there when he was 22 months and it was great to get stuff for him at the lounge and just relax there.

 

[JoeyEmmaMomma]

We stayed at the Poly for the first time 2 weeks ago. We have 3 children (8, 5 and 1). We had a fabulous time. Loved the resort, loved the crazy convenience of hopping on the monorail! We did not have a problem with the construction or the noise at all. The staff we encountered was very friendly.
We switched the reservations we have in March and May to come back to the Poly instead of the other resorts we were booked at.

 

[EagleG17]

Glad to hear some positives about the Poly. We decided that we are 'all in' with or without the construction at this point. I'm just trying to make this the most magical vacation ever for my family.

 

[HappyMomma]

Mahalo, Tikiman! Your assessment is always spot on. We appreciate your honest, well researched, factual information. Additionally, your humility, acceptance of all opinions, and respect for the people and history of the Polynesian are like no other.

 

[DeeCeeSW]

So would it be foolish to request a room in Samoa for an August trip if the East pool is being renovated? Was hoping for a King room. Do any of these face the Lava Pool? What longhouses are furthest from the East Pool? I always stayed in Tahiti or Tokelau (now DVC).

 

[patster734]

We stayed at the Poly back in October. At that time, construction was really bad with construction occurring to the Great Ceremonial House and the Volcano Pool. We also walked to the TTC to purchase our APs, and that was rerouted because of construction. I'd be lying if I said that it didn't distract from our trip.

As for what we liked:

1. The monorail access is awesome. We never experienced a large crowd waiting to board the monorail from the hotel.
2. Boat transportation to MK. Although it is shared with the GF, the boats are very relaxing.
3. Kona Cafe. Ate here for lunch and thought the food and drink were very good.
4. Wishes fireworks. We found a bench near the dock and had a good view of the fireworks.
5. Pineapple Lanai. We had to stop here once to get a dole whip.

Our room was in Aoteroa on the second floor. It faced south and so we had a view of the monorail.

We still enjoyed our stay, and having monorail access to MK and EPCOT made the stay worth it even with the construction. If I could get a cheaper room at either the Boardwalk, Beach Club or Yacht Club, I'd probably book them first, but don't regret staying at the Polynesian.

 

[Sue M]

The sliding glass door is not floor to ceiling and not wall to wall but they are large. The curtains hide the small walls on the sides. The DVC studios are the same way. I should have more information next week. I might stop over at the resort this weekend. Keep an eye on my facebook page for updates.

Thanks! our last stay was before the recent remodel. In Tokelau! It was in winter and ever since I've wanted to return in summer! Can't wait to see the new (to me) rooms! Hope I get Fiji. Marina view would be cool, but even the other side is pretty.

 

[kungaloosh22]

Tiki torches were lit in January around Fiji, Aotearoa area. We were walking around resort before dinner scoping it out for august stay and checking out new lobby!

Thanks for sharing, Sue, this is good to hear.

 

[Tikiman]

So would it be foolish to request a room in Samoa for an August trip if the East pool is being renovated? Was hoping for a King room. Do any of these face the Lava Pool? What longhouses are furthest from the East Pool? I always stayed in Tahiti or Tokelau (now DVC).

Samoa king rooms only face the east pool. Fiji king rooms only face the luau and Rarotonga has king rooms on both sides.

 

[momofmaz]

We are staying at the Poly using a convention rate March 22-27. What should I put on the room request, there are a ton of options. I have never been other than to eat at Kona one morning.