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

[TigrLvsPooh]

Spent the afternoon wandering around the Poly. It's a mess, but I'm anxious and optimistic that when it's all said and done the resort will be amazing. Personally I wouldn't pay to stay there now, but if others are up for it then I say go for it!! Gotta love a good bargain to be on the monorail.

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[mickeynut1]

I can't afford the regular price so I am staying there in a couple of weeks while they are offering discounts.

I hope you have a great stay .

I'm sure those choosing to visit the Poly both now & throughout the remainder of the construction, have weighed their choices thoughtfully prior to putting down their reservation deposit. It's not like what's happening at the Poly is a secret.

Many staying in August are doing so on a deeply discounted travel agency rate... $212.00 per night all in. With half the longhouses out of commission it will mean less crowds, which is appealing to many at a busy time of year. The East pool by all reports this week has been almost empty, so the loss of the volcano pool is yet to be felt by most guests. Blizzard Beach is a nice option to have as well when free of charge & with perks.

It's been my experience that the CMs at the Poly are awesome, I expect they are going above & beyond for those who've booked time with them during a challenging period for the Resort as a whole. That's just good business, especially if they want repeat business once the resort is done & prices are hiked. lol.

For those staying for the first time, you can't miss what you've never experienced. For those on repeat visits, the Resort holds a cherished spot for them. for what ever reason.

.

I thought I could just monitor the situation at the Poly and make my decision in the winter for our August 2015 trip. But, reading all of the details of the seemingly endless construction is getting stressful. Finally, I find out that if the volcano pool is actually finished on schedule, then the quiet pool will be out of commission. I don't want to be upset planning my dream vacation. I want to be happy and excited.

I give up. Looks like we will be staying at the Contemporary or Grand Floridian. GF will require me to work harder to save, but if I can do it, it will be worth it.

Best wishes to everyone staying at the Poly.

I'm sorry you have decided to choose another resort so far in advance, but I agree with OnceUponATime15 that so much can (and will) change over the next year as DVC construction will be wrapping up by August 2015, which will probably be a great time to stay at the Poly. We are heading back in July next year and I am very excited, even with DVC construction finishing up. With that said, if you do decide to stay elsewhere, the GF is a great alternative (I can't speak for the CR as we've never stayed there). Good luck .

Also quoting myself showing what the view looks like from Hawaii TPV as of a few weeks ago (week of July 4).

Love the pics, thanks for sharing .

 

[huskies90]

Anyone have any idea if and when guests eating at 'Ohana will be allowed to watch Wishes from the Poly beach?

 

[Tikiman]

I thought I could just monitor the situation at the Poly and make my decision in the winter for our August 2015 trip. But, reading all of the details of the seemingly endless construction is getting stressful. Finally, I find out that if the volcano pool is actually finished on schedule, then the quiet pool will be out of commission. I don't want to be upset planning my dream vacation. I want to be happy and excited.

I give up. Looks like we will be staying at the Contemporary or Grand Floridian. GF will require me to work harder to save, but if I can do it, it will be worth it.

Best wishes to everyone staying at the Poly.

While I think the east pool work will be quite extensive of a redesign along with the addition of a new bar and grill from what I am told, I don’t think it will be that disruptive unless you had a room facing the construction. Maybe they will take some of those rooms out of inventory like they did for the rooms facing the pool work now. I think once the main pool area is done it will be a much better resort to visit. By then the lobby and the DVC side of the resort will be done and open.

 

[OnceUponATime15]

While I think the east pool work will be quite extensive of a redesign along with the addition of a new bar and grill from what I am told, I don’t think it will be that disruptive unless you had a room facing the construction. Maybe they will take some of those rooms out of inventory like they did for the rooms facing the pool work now. I think once the main pool area is done it will be a much better resort to visit. By then the lobby and the DVC side of the resort will be done and open.

Thank's Steve! I didn't realize the quiet pool was up for a major re-do... but it makes sense with the addition of DVC. Looking forward to the end of the changes, but very excited to see what the end result will be.

 

[Tikiman]

Hi Tikiman!

Really appreciate the work you have put into keeping us all informed about the Poly. We have never stayed but I am thinking of surprising my husband with a CL Poly room during the Princess Half weekend mid-February. (which I am running).

We don't really care about the pool construction, but since my husband is really into the 'exotic island' feel, and he's not a seasoned Disney traveler, and he is learning to get into the Disney magic since we've been married.....

Do you think the ceremonial hall will be done? I'd hate to have to walk through little yellow hallways.

If we stay CL, what view is going to offer the least amount of construction interference?

Thanks in advance! This decision is stupid important to me. Its either CL Poly or CL Boardwalk, and it really ONLY depends on the hall construction.

Oh one more thing - I noticed that the Pool isn't expected to be done until March but Blizzard Beach is under rehab starting in January --- so would you surmise that guests will get length of stay passes to Typhoon Lagoon? If so, I will forgo the 'water parks + more' option to our park hoppers.

- Carey

Aloha Carey,
The plan is that work in the Great Ceremonial House should be done by then but there is no guarantee. The tough part is having the pool area all fenced off. It makes it hard to navigate and is sort of right in the middle of everything. It was different when all the construction was off to one end of the resort. You could actually stay there and not really see anything going on but with the whole middle of the resort under construction it is hard to avoid and does not leave many places to enjoy. The middle of the resort is sort of the common area and it will not be available. On the other hand hopefully there will be some new things like Trader Sam’s to enjoy.

I was told that when Blizzard Beach closed they would allow guests to go to Typhoon Lagoon. I would check with the Polynesian for the final word on that.

 

[Tikiman]

Thank's Steve! I didn't realize the quiet pool was up for a major re-do... but it makes sense with the addition of DVC. Looking forward to the end of the changes, but very excited to see what the end result will be.

A few years ago they had grand plans for the east pool that did not happen. Then they designed a whole new pool and lazy river for the DVC side that got cut from the plans. I think this is a way to relieve some of the pressure from the Nanea pool by making the east pool more attractive and fun. I have heard too many things about what they are going to do so I will wait to see what happens in the end before I say any more about the details.

 

[mommyrosa2]

While I think the east pool work will be quite extensive of a redesign along with the addition of a new bar and grill from what I am told, I don’t think it will be that disruptive unless you had a room facing the construction. Maybe they will take some of those rooms out of inventory like they did for the rooms facing the pool work now. I think once the main pool area is done it will be a much better resort to visit. By then the lobby and the DVC side of the resort will be done and open.

This is good to hear...thanks so much Steve.

I have been following your updates on FB for a while now as we are one of those families who've had the Poly on our wish list to try for some time. As much as I wanted to pull the trigger for a Poly stay this year to celebrate my youngest DD's sweet 16, we all agreed the pool closure in August, along with the magnitude of construction was a dealbreaker for us so we went with the GF instead. Hearing now that most of the construction should be done by next August makes me think that we will finally be able to check it off our wish list and book it . We have two ADR's at the Poly for our upcoming trip in the next couple of weeks and I can't wait to see the progress first-hand. Thanks again for all your contributions... very much appreciate it!!

 

[mickeynut1]

I think once the main pool area is done it will be a much better resort to visit. By then the lobby and the DVC side of the resort will be done and open.

This is good to hear as we are planning a trip back to the Poly in July next year .

Looking forward to the end of the changes, but very excited to see what the end result will be.

Me too .

 

[Skywise]

Hey Tikiman - (oh yeaaaah)

For the back walkway/Nanea pool work will ALL of that remain closed until the pool is complete or do you think they'll reopen the walkway before the pool is done?

I'll be out there at the end of December (NYE) and while I knew the pool and GCH would be under construction, the pool wasn't going to be an issue (quiet pool would suffice if we swim at all) and I was hoping that most of the GCH work would be done (at least the lobby) by that point but the back walkway threw me for a loop.

At the very least I'll be in Hawaii with a TPV room (I just have to figure out how to score a 3rd floor room coming into the middle of Christmas Week. )

 

[athyng]

I need some help or opinions from those who have stayed at the Poly before or are currently staying there during the construction. I am currently booked at the Beach Club for the second week of September. We are taking our little boy, who is two for his first trip. I originally picked he BC because I thought he would love the pool, and I liked the idea of walking to Epcot. Well, turns put my little boy doesn't care about swimming he loves watching videos of the monorail. I tried to change our reservation to the GF, but they are full ( this is a trip win, so the availability is a little different ). The only monorail resort left is the Poly, and I am considering g it. My son has two favorite things right now- constructions sites and trains. So, essentially it would be his dream vacation! On the plus side, with the resort being half empty I could probably bet on getting a room with everything I want- king bed, day bed and balcony. So anyway, a few questions? Is there still a quick coffee/ counter service area for a quick bite? Is there more than one beach area where my son could play in the sand? Also, which buildings are good to stay in right now- I don't care about a castle view, just something pretty and quiet. Anyway, just thinking out loud I guess and trying to weigh my options. Maybe I should just stay put...and stop over thinking it

 

[athyng]

Forget it, after looking at some current photos, I will just stay put. Maybe for our next trip!

 

[Tikiman]

Hey Tikiman - (oh yeaaaah)

For the back walkway/Nanea pool work will ALL of that remain closed until the pool is complete or do you think they'll reopen the walkway before the pool is done?

I'll be out there at the end of December (NYE) and while I knew the pool and GCH would be under construction, the pool wasn't going to be an issue (quiet pool would suffice if we swim at all) and I was hoping that most of the GCH work would be done (at least the lobby) by that point but the back walkway threw me for a loop.

At the very least I'll be in Hawaii with a TPV room (I just have to figure out how to score a 3rd floor room coming into the middle of Christmas Week. )

That’s going to be expensive. Over $1000 a night during that season.

If you mean the path between the GCH and the pool area I would only be guessing at this point but I would have to guess that it will not be open until the pool is. The reason I am saying that is because the pool deck is to be extended towards the GCH, maybe even as far as where the outside seating for Captain Cook’s use to be so until that is completed I would expect that access between the GCH and the pool area will not be open. It is possible that the doors out of the GCH on the back side will be open if they complete the Gathering Place and the Pineapple Lanai so you may be able to exit the GCH from the back. I can’t say for sure at this point though. I don’t have enough information.

 

[Skywise]

That’s going to be expensive. Over $1000 a night during that season.

Ya don't say... (I booked the rooms last March to make sure I'd get them but don't think that's a problem now! It's a once-in-a-lifetime family trip. My family wanted to do Christmas at Disney sometime and I'd have preferred just doing it in Nov/Dec but most of my family works retail and getting anytime off during that time is impossible for them. But that's why I'm only staying 2 nights. 30 and the 31st. ) If it weren't for the fact that Hawaii TPV has some of the best views of the NYE fireworks I'd probably be relocating elsewhere.

If you mean the path between the GCH and the pool area I would only be guessing at this point but I would have to guess that it will not be open until the pool is.

That's what I was thinking - I was hoping it was just to install a new water feature out back to fit with the new arrangement and that had a chance of being done by then. Although I'd think with Captain Cooks opening in a coupla months that they'd have to open up the back partway to make it accessible from the GCH? Otherwise, anyone staying east of the GCH would have to go through the GCH and back around to get to it.)

We're not going to be too much at the resort anyway except for the latter part of NYE - (The plan is to stay far away from the parks at that point!)

Thanks!

 

[Tikiman]

Ya don't say... (I booked the rooms last March to make sure I'd get them but don't think that's a problem now! It's a once-in-a-lifetime family trip. My family wanted to do Christmas at Disney sometime and I'd have preferred just doing it in Nov/Dec but most of my family works retail and getting anytime off during that time is impossible for them. But that's why I'm only staying 2 nights. 30 and the 31st. ) If it weren't for the fact that Hawaii TPV has some of the best views of the NYE fireworks I'd probably be relocating elsewhere.



That's what I was thinking - I was hoping it was just to install a new water feature out back to fit with the new arrangement and that had a chance of being done by then. Although I'd think with Captain Cooks opening in a coupla months that they'd have to open up the back partway to make it accessible from the GCH? Otherwise, anyone staying east of the GCH would have to go through the GCH and back around to get to it.)

We're not going to be too much at the resort anyway except for the latter part of NYE - (The plan is to stay far away from the parks at that point!)

Thanks!

Anyone staying east or west of the GCH will have to go through the GCH to get to Captain Cook’s when it first opens because that outside patio will be part of the pool deck and the patio on the other side will be the patio for Trader Sam’s. That won’t be completed until February so I would guess there will still be no access along the north side of the GCH other than out the back doors of the lobby.

 

[yaksack]

Any idea when point charts will be released?

 

[buckeyecinderella]

Any idea when they will be finished with DVC and allow guests to start booking the studios and villas?

 

[LoveMickeyMouse]

Booked my return trip to the Poly for June 8-17, 2015. Can't wait to see all the changes. We booked at rack rate because AAA doesn't have a room discount for 2015 (which I hope will change). I will be waiting to see spring 2015 pins to try to get a better rate.

 

[smiths02]

Booked my return trip to the Poly for June 8-17, 2015. Can't wait to see all the changes. We booked at rack rate because AAA doesn't have a room discount for 2015 (which I hope will change). I will be waiting to see spring 2015 pins to try to get a better rate.

Congrats!

I was just coming to post if there is any speculation on what the resort would be like at that time. Pool and GCH should be done?

 

[Jennygt]

Here is a video and small review. Looks about the same overall to me.
New food additions and way that you order.


http://blog.wdwinfo.com/2014/08/14/...vice-restaurant-reopens-after-refurbishment/#