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

[DisneyMomx7]

Steve - your posts and information are invaluable!

We are thinking of staying at the Polynesian next summer. I am not "freaking out" just watching carefully. All your information on the Polynesian makes my planning so much easier - thanks!

OP - I completely understood the title of the thread. Thank you.

 

[*~PrincessBelle~*]

harsh? How about lively conversation? Just an observation I made from the numerous panicky posts from people asking about changing resorts... Take from it what you will... Never did I once discount info from Tikiman in fact I referenced using his site myself for information...

Oh well you can never win on the Dis... Happy planning folks!

 

[wdwrich]

PrincessBelle- I think the statement below was what triggered much of the disagreement:

I like how this thread is called the "OFFICIAL" Poly construction thread when Disney hasnt even OFFICIALLY announced anything happening....a bunch of Poly fanboys reporting from second hand CMs constitutes OFFICIAL here I guess

This thread never purported to be the bearer of official Disney information. It was meant to be the official DIS thread for info, rumors, etc. about the potential Poly construction.

 

[LiveToTravelNicely]

Tikiman does an incredible job with all of the information that he provides. Since there is the chance of construction next year, I have been researching GF as an alternate (just in case). I don't mean to be negative about the unofficial website for the GF, but Tiki's Poly site has so much more information. I have to admit that I'm spoiled when it comes to all information Poly! Keep up the great work!!!

 

[pixarmom]

Agree!

The information Tikiman provides is appreciated and valuable in that it gives us all a heads up to think in advance about alternatives (as opposed to being blindsided at the last minute).

For example, in my case, I went ahead and booked Poly for spring of 2014, knowing full well that, in view of Tikiman's information, there's some risk involved in doing so. But, thanks to that information, I've been given the opportunity to think through alternative strategies in the event of various refurb scenarios (e.g., Volcano Pool, GCH, restaurants, etc.). And should any of those come to fruition, I'll handle the disappointment better.

Agreed! We booked Poly for the Princess Half Marathon weekend in February 2014. We have GV at rack rate for now, but CL GV would be our first choice. So we'll need to wait to see if 1) discounts become available, because I think $913/night for GV CL is unreasonable; and 2) how much Poly construction will actually occur during our stay. We agreed that GCH construction would be OK if we're staying CL, and that DVC construction would likely be OK, too. As for the volcano pool, that might have more of an impact for our boys (ages 7, 13 and 14 at time of travel.)

But tikiman's info allows us to give some thought to the alternatives - we might change our reservation to BWI CL if the Poly construction is just too much. Based on many years of WDW resort experience (30 at Poly!), we know that Disney doesn't always broadcast resort rehabs/construction - so I appreciate any information available here and on tikiman's site.

Steve I am the OP, I never meant to imply that I was adding "Official" information, just sharing reliable info that we all had, I figured going forward it would be nice to have one thread where people could update from onsite etc.

Thank you, Jennygt!

Steve - your posts and information are invaluable!

We are thinking of staying at the Polynesian next summer. I am not "freaking out" just watching carefully. All your information on the Polynesian makes my planning so much easier - thanks!

OP - I completely understood the title of the thread. Thank you.

Of course, agreed! And hello Robyn!

 

[sandym718]

While it's true that nothing official has been announced by Disney, I can understand the concern given that Disney has a track record of not making an official anouncement until the construction is almost imminent (a recent example is the GF courtyard pool refurb, which took about 8 months but Disney didn't make an official announcement until something like 6-8 weeks before they closed the pool).

Along thoses lines, people are concerned that if they wait for an official announcement, they won't be able to change their plans to an acceptable substitite (and for many, acceptable substitute = Monorail resort).

I personally believe these changes are coming, but that as far as the Volcano Pool and GCH are concerned, major refurbs will happen slower than what everyone is speculating (I'm thinking fall of 2014 or later). For that reason, I've gone ahead and booked Poly for May of 2014.

Well said!

That was harsh. I agree that information should never come second hand from some CMs because most that work at the Polynesian aren’t given any information as to the future plans. Good thing I did not get my information that way

I would not expect for anything Official to be announced until the very last minute if at all. You never saw an announcement of the new rooms going in and even know when you call Disney some will tell you nothing is going on at the resort with the new rooms and we all know they are almost done without officially saying anything.

I agree that you should book the Polynesian if that is where you want to go because maybe the work going on will not bother you but just don’t complain that you were not given a heads up. If everyone might feel better if I keep my fanboy information to myself I can do that. It will give me more time to spend doing other things.

Tikiman, your site and information has been invaluable to me over the years. Don't let the naysayers get you down.

There are 2 reasons we booked our back-up instead of the Poly. First, I'm not really worried about availability of a standard room at the Poly. But if Disney doesn't announce anything until late in the game, very good possibility that 2br villas at BLT would be gone. And secondly, I know from personal experience that Disney does not like to be upfront with construction/resort rehab info. In 2011, quiet pool closed. In 2012, the pool slide was down until our departure day and the monorail was running a quite limited schedule. Never once, at any point, did Disney notify us of these, not in advance, not even at check-in. I knew about them from Tikiman and from the Dis. Those were not deal-breakers, but no Volcano pool and/or major GCH construction and/or Tahiti construction (esp. More than one of those) probably is for us. I like to think of this not as "panicking" but as thinking ahead and smart planning!

 

[smelton521]

Subscribing to this thread! Planning a spring 2014 trip with small kids who will need afternoon naps and want to stay at Poly but not sure what to do in light of construction!

 

[Jennygt]

Subscribing to this thread! Planning a spring 2014 trip with small kids who will need afternoon naps and want to stay at Poly but not sure what to do in light of construction!

We are all in that same boat! Good thing that there are so many places to choose from if the construction would be something that keeps you away from the poly.

 

[momtobrynncess]

I don’t mind keeping up the info on what is happening right now but maybe I should just keep my inside info to myself. I would never want it to cause people stress or frustration and it seems like for some people it is.

We can just wait to see what Disney says when they are ready.

Steve, please know that many of us enjoy not only your site, but your updates. Please do not let the rants of some prevent you from sharing what information you get. IMO, yours is the most relevant and most accurate, and I think most of us know that you don't get your info from random cast members. Personally, I feel that the info you pass along is the only really dependable information there is. Whether or not Disney's plans change is out of all of our hands.

Hopefully most people know this:

1) Disney is going to do whatever Disney wants to do, whenever they want to do it, however they want to do it. Whether or not we Poly lovers want these changes or not has little if any impact on their plans.

2) Whatever changes are made to the resort, we will either live with, or we will change resorts. No amount of ranting and raving will change anything. Many of us are passionate about this place, I know, but there is nothing we can do to change any of it.

I am really looking forward to seeing what they do with it. I LOVE this resort more than any other on Disney property, and I have to trust that the changes will only enhance an already beautiful and magical place. Bring it on!

Steve, thanks for all you do!!

 

[mom2travel]

Steve, please know that many of us enjoy not only your site, but your updates. Please do not let the rants of some prevent you from sharing what information you get. IMO, yours is the most relevant and most accurate, and I think most of us know that you don't get your info from random cast members. Personally, I feel that the info you pass along is the only really dependable information there is. Whether or not Disney's plans change is out of all of our hands.

Hopefully most people know this:

1) Disney is going to do whatever Disney wants to do, whenever they want to do it, however they want to do it. Whether or not we Poly lovers want these changes or not has little if any impact on their plans.

2) Whatever changes are made to the resort, we will either live with, or we will change resorts. No amount of ranting and raving will change anything. Many of us are passionate about this place, I know, but there is nothing we can do to change any of it.

I am really looking forward to seeing what they do with it. I LOVE this resort more than any other on Disney property, and I have to trust that the changes will only enhance an already beautiful and magical place. Bring it on!

Steve, thanks for all you do!!

Well said! I agree completely

 

[CanadaluvsDisney]

Subscribing - we are planning a trip in Nov 2014 and were planning on staying at the Poly for the first time but if there is going to be construction, I would rather wait and stay when all is completed. We will either stay at BWI or AKL if the Poly is under construction.

 

[White Rose]

Tikiman,

You have a passion. That passion is a wonderful thing. Without your zest for knowledge, we would all be in the dark. Your information has helped so many countless people. Every day people are sending people to your site because of it's complete dedication to getting it RIGHT. The passion you feel rubs off on us all.

Don't stop sharing your passion with us.

 

[leannak]

Tikiman,

You have a passion. That passion is a wonderful thing. Without your zest for knowledge, we would all be in the dark. Your ifnormation has helped so many countless people. Every day people are sending people to your site because of it's complete dedication to getting it RIGHT. The passion you feel rubs off on us all.

Don't stop sharing your passion with us.

Yeah... What SHE said!!!!

(Or "he", if you're a guy, White Rose... no offense. )

 

[White Rose]

Yeah... What SHE said!!!!

(Or "he", if you're a guy, White Rose... no offense. )

LOL!!

I'm a she

 

[makclair]

I

 

[fauntleroy53]

Just for what it's worth..

Last time we stayed at the Poly was in 2000,in the Moorea bldg., which I think is now called the Tahiti (?).
DH & I, now retired, have purchased AP's and are looking forward to spending lots more time at WDW. But let's face it, it's still an expensive proposition,so we do want our time there to be as free from regrets as possible.
We were so loving the idea of staying at our Happy Place, The Poly, 2/2-2/9/14...but......

Thank goodness for these boards, giving us a heads up at the POSSIBILITY of construction right around the time of our stay.
DH & I made the decision to stay, instead at WL. Believe me, it was a tough decision, but even if we show up and there's no construction yet, we will have no regrets. We made the best decision we could at the time with the info we had, and really, even though we've never stayed at the WL before, it'll be a new experience AND we'll be in a beautiful resort at WDW!!!!!!
There will be future visits for us, so it won't be our beloved Poly this time, but how excited we'll be for our next Poly visit!!!!!!
So, I guess what I was getting at......Thanks to ALL for keeping us informed, both of what MIGHT be and what will be.

 

[DznyCrzy11]

Just for what it's worth..

Last time we stayed at the Poly was in 2000,in the Moorea bldg., which I think is now called the Tahiti (?).
DH & I, now retired, have purchased AP's and are looking forward to spending lots more time at WDW. But let's face it, it's still an expensive proposition,so we do want our time there to be as free from regrets as possible.
We were so loving the idea of staying at our Happy Place, The Poly, 2/2-2/9/14...but......

Thank goodness for these boards, giving us a heads up at the POSSIBILITY of construction right around the time of our stay.
DH & I made the decision to stay, instead at WL. Believe me, it was a tough decision, but even if we show up and there's no construction yet, we will have no regrets. We made the best decision we could at the time with the info we had, and really, even though we've never stayed at the WL before, it'll be a new experience AND we'll be in a beautiful resort at WDW!!!!!!
There will be future visits for us, so it won't be our beloved Poly this time, but how excited we'll be for our next Poly visit!!!!!!
So, I guess what I was getting at......Thanks to ALL for keeping us informed, both of what MIGHT be and what will be.

I think you will be happy with WL. From the pictures I've seen it is a beautiful resort!! My DH and I are thinking of staying there next year because I want to try a new resort, although I love Poly! We'll see when we get there in the 4 wks if I change my mind about staying there next year, lol.

Sent from my Galaxy SII

 

[Fantasia79]

Steve, please know that many of us enjoy not only your site, but your updates. Please do not let the rants of some prevent you from sharing what information you get. IMO, yours is the most relevant and most accurate, and I think most of us know that you don't get your info from random cast members. Personally, I feel that the info you pass along is the only really dependable information there is. Whether or not Disney's plans change is out of all of our hands.

Hopefully most people know this:

1) Disney is going to do whatever Disney wants to do, whenever they want to do it, however they want to do it. Whether or not we Poly lovers want these changes or not has little if any impact on their plans.

2) Whatever changes are made to the resort, we will either live with, or we will change resorts. No amount of ranting and raving will change anything. Many of us are passionate about this place, I know, but there is nothing we can do to change any of it.

I am really looking forward to seeing what they do with it. I LOVE this resort more than any other on Disney property, and I have to trust that the changes will only enhance an already beautiful and magical place. Bring it on!

Steve, thanks for all you do!!

Completely agree! New to tikiman's site, but totally love it. Keep the updates coming.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[fauntleroy53]

Dear DZNYCRZY11,
Please report back when you return!
Have fun!!!!

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

We are in the same boat as many of you here. We are planning a trip for late July/early August 2014. I probably will not make ressies until the Fall.

For our family, the biggest concerns are GCH rehab and lots of noise from possible water bungalow construction. We eat lots of meals at the resort and my youngest DD has many food allergies. *IF* GCH rehab were to close or relocate with limited menu, either CCs or Kona, it would dramatically affect her ability to have varied meal options. I also would be very disappointed to have the beautiful sights and sounds at Poly interrupted by pounding, sawing, beeping, etc. that comes along with major construction in such a compact resort layout.

My plan is to stay at GF with CR as a back-up. IF we get close to our vacation dates and the construction issues are not an issue, I will switch my ressie to Poly. Because we stay GV, it isn't likely to be sold out as some of the other room categories. If we stay at GF, I know we would have a great vacay as we have always loved the eating options and the beautiful landscaping. Now those bedspreads.....YUCK....hoping GF gets at least a soft goods refurb before next summer. It is not the tropical, tiki lit pathways of the Poly, but still a viable plan B for our family