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

[karriealex]

Seems unusual that they would have the pool out of action during peak summer months?? maybe the upgrade in march will not take too long??

well that's my wish anyway

One can only hope. They do run a shuttle boat between the Poly and GF so you can use their pool during work on the Poly's and you don't have to traipse through the GF lobby in your swimsuit.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Reporting from the field: Construction at poly currently is very minimal and not affecting our stay. We shall see what Monday morning brings but still only the low silt retaining walls. No machinery or anything going on this weekend. I will take a walk around the area later too and report back if anything changes tomorrow.

Thank you for posting!!

 

[Amunet]

So, we've always liked the Poly. We were a bit underwhelmed when it was crowded for our reservation at Ohana (there was something going on though) ... but DH and I keep thinking about it and loving the pictures ^_^
We've never stayed because it is a bit out of our price range.

BUT with the DVC coming, we are SO EXCITED! Because this means that we can rent points and finally stay (been a dream for a bit) AND when we finally can, we can purchase DVC for the Poly.
I understand how those of you that frequent are a bit apprehensive with the new construction, but for those of us that have only wished are ecstatic

 

[Tikiman]

Kona is the most underrated restaurant in WDW. Great place for food and not too expensive. Its out favorite little secret, so do not tell anyone.

I totally agree.

 

[Jennygt]

Kona Island closed.

 

[OKW Lover]

Kona Island closed.

I believe that's the coffee place near the monorail entrance - right? Its not the actual Kona restaurant that is closed.

 

[disneydreamin247]

I totally agree.

I also agree with this, wholeheartedly. I have never had a bad meal there. It's even better as room service.

 

[Tikiman]

Kona Island closed.

It will be back open in a week. It is not part of the GCH refurb.

 

[ninafeliz]

It will be back open in a week. It is not part of the GCH refurb.

Thank goodness! We go in 3 weeks, and even though there is coffee in the rooms and the club lounge, my DH had me walk there every AM last year to get him "good coffee"! I secretly liked the walk, though. He would have been disappointed if this were gone.

 

[SlightlyocdDisneyfan]

It will be back open in a week. It is not part of the GCH refurb.

Oh good!! Sounds like it should be open by the time we arrive. Grabbing a cup of coffee from there is part of my daily plan! They also have sushi in the evening, correct?

 

[xipotec]

I believe that's the coffee place near the monorail entrance - right? Its not the actual Kona restaurant that is closed.

Kona Island served coffee during the day and pretty good sushi at night. It is a small bar next to Kona. Kona is alive and kicking.

 

[Ellielovesdisney]

10 more days to Hawaii bld!!! We have just a garden view...but I hope the view from the lounge is still great! Its our first ever CL.

 

[SlightlyocdDisneyfan]

Kona Island served coffee during the day and pretty good sushi at night. It is a small bar next to Kona. Kona is alive and kicking.

Thanks for the info on the sushi. Last time we were there, I don't believe that was an option. Or if it was, we missed it. Between the coffee and the sushi we'll have a happy family!

 

[buckeyecinderella]

Hello. (Or should I say Aloha!)

Checking in with all if you. Took a walk around Sunset Point and Tahiti beach today. Still nothing going on. Only the small silt fences. If I didn't know a major construction project was about to begin, the fences and little blue flags would be barely noticeable. I walked through Rapa Nui yesterday. Nothing appears to be happening there yet either. However the parking lot in front of Rapi Nui appears to be closed and blocked off. I'll try to see if anyone might be guests at RN or Tahiti still.

And a poster mentioned in this thread or another about all of the grasses etc overtaking the beach. Well the Tahiti beach looked kind of overgrown and not being taken care of. There was one swing on the beach and there was even grass growing under it. Grass was still growing on the beach over on the Luau Cove side but not as bad as Tahiti side.

Crews seem to be doing a lot of landscape clean up in the beds around the hotel though, just in general, not construction related.

 

[Circusgirl]

Kona Island served coffee during the day and pretty good sushi at night. It is a small bar next to Kona. Kona is alive and kicking.

I believe there have been some posts that the sushi service has been moved into Kona and that dinner is no longer served at Kona Island. Can someone confirm this (or better yet, tell me I'm wrong)? It was great to have the option of ordering dinner at the Island as a walk up when Kona was busy, or to get food to go, but I think it is only coffee and pastries in the morning now.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Hello. (Or should I say Aloha!)

Checking in with all if you. Took a walk around Sunset Point and Tahiti beach today. Still nothing going on. Only the small silt fences. If I didn't know a major construction project was about to begin, the fences and little blue flags would be barely noticeable. I walked through Rapa Nui yesterday. Nothing appears to be happening there yet either. However the parking lot in front of Rapi Nui appears to be closed and blocked off. I'll try to see if anyone might be guests at RN or Tahiti still.

And a poster mentioned in this thread or another about all of the grasses etc overtaking the beach. Well the Tahiti beach looked kind of overgrown and not being taken care of. There was one swing on the beach and there was even grass growing under it. Grass was still growing on the beach over on the Luau Cove side but not as bad as Tahiti side.

Crews seem to be doing a lot of landscape clean up in the beds around the hotel though, just in general, not construction related.

Thanks for the update!

I believe there have been some posts that the sushi service has been moved into Kona and that dinner is no longer served at Kona Island. Can someone confirm this (or better yet, tell me I'm wrong)? It was great to have the option of ordering dinner at the Island as a walk up when Kona was busy, or to get food to go, but I think it is only coffee and pastries in the morning now.

As of my last visit, we were able to get sushi in the evening to go. Not sure if something has changed but I would suggest posting your question on the Poly thread rather than the construction thread. It is at: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3129647

 

[polyfor4]

Thanks for all the updates! Our Poly family has decided that regardless of what is going on we will be there next June! All I need is the club level lounge and maybe a lapu lapu Has there been any rumors about discounts due to construction?

 

[buckeyecinderella]

Update: walked back from TTC tonight after EMH at EPcot. There are more little utility marker flags. There is an 8-10 foot chain linked fence in front of Tahiti (beach side) right along the building. I still noticed guests going back to their rooms in Tahiti. On beach side possibly only 3rd floor is occupied. It also appears guests are still in Rapa Nui - lights and televisions on, etc. will see what next day or so brings.

 

[CaptainKat]

Just finished most of the thread (started about halfway in because I knew most new info would cancel out what was in the first few pages). I'm excited to see more updates from 'on the ground'. We'll be there Nov. 3-7, not at the Poly, but I will try to fit in some resort hopping on our MK day and get some pics for those of you who are heading there shortly after.

I may have the very unpopular opinion of being excited about the supposed plans, since my parents are DVC members I've wanted to stay at the Poly since the first trip to WDW I can remember, but for years we couldn't afford it, and then once we bought into DVC, the conversion rates to points for the two rooms we need just weren't feasible. So now I may finally get to stay at this beautiful resort!

I do see where the Poly regulars are coming from though. It's a lot of time to have construction disruptions, and the loss of rooms, especially TPV, is frustrating for those who don't care about, or dislike, DVC. I'm kind of iffy about the bungalows myself. It could be nice if they keep them small and low, something nice looking but not ostentatious. If they're low, it won't affect so many of the views from Hawaii, and could just add to the effect of looking out onto a beach, with little thatch roofed huts out on the water? I'm just afraid they'll just stick a bunch of two story Grand Villa monstrosities in the middle of the Lagoon I also echo the sentiments about being out on the water in those- the Lagoon is gorgeous from the balcony of a longhouse, but up close, that water is pretty gross. Much better suited for somewhere with clear water! Really, why didn't they just build those at Aulani?

I'll stop my rambling now, and go back to lurking

 

[Jennygt]

Morning all, some new photos up on tikiman fb page today. Thanks for all the updates everyone!