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

[karriealex]

I can deal with construction - thats not the problem. During the day you are in the parks and even if kids need a nap - they are so tired that nothing bothers them. they simply need sleep.

I can deal with GCH being closed. also not a problem. sure its not the same.

but pools are where I would draw a line. with two small kids just to have them go to the water for 1-2 hrs needing to take a shuttle - why not stay at GF in the first place?

It is a short two minute ride. The GF and Poly are two vastly differently themed resorts and it depends on whether you want to completely change the theme of your vacation because of a short ride to the GF pool. There is also the quiet pool at the Poly that will remain open. Everyone has to determine what is most important to them.

 

[cinmell]

I haven't paid too much attention to the construction news because we weren't planning a trip. Then, two days ago we decided on 10 days in Club Level lagoon view for August 2014 but now after reading the boards and some other sites, I'm afraid the beach will be a mess and the pool area will not only be closed but blocked off completely.

I've read a few posts saying the pool will be closed in May of next year until at least the end of the year. The pool is a big deal to us, especially the kids. I also don't want to be at a resort with major construction going on. The Polynesian is always very relaxing and I love walking around the resort.

We are now leaning towards CR or GF but will very much miss Poly. Does anyone have Poly plans for next August that they are keeping or have you switched your resorts? My husband wants to take a chance but I'm not too sure about that.

 

[margaret07013]

You are absolutely correct about 2 different themes and I prefer Poly theme - more laid back feeling. but with 2 small kids (2 & 4) it will be difficult. this year we stayed a WL on 2nd floor and it was perfect. I wanted to stay at different resort and Poly was my pick for 2014. I booked it 4 weeks ago, made my ADRs and I was ok with the construction, but not the pool closing.

It is a short two minute ride. The GF and Poly are two vastly differently themed resorts and it depends on whether you want to completely change the theme of your vacation because of a short ride to the GF pool. There is also the quiet pool at the Poly that will remain open. Everyone has to determine what is most important to them.

 

[syp4dis]

I haven't paid too much attention to the construction news because we weren't planning a trip. Then, two days ago we decided on 10 days in Club Level lagoon view for August 2014 but now after reading the boards and some other sites, I'm afraid the beach will be a mess and the pool area will not only be closed but blocked off completely. I've read a few posts saying the pool will be closed in May of next year until at least the end of the year. The pool is a big deal to us, especially the kids. I also don't want to be at a resort with major construction going on. The Polynesian is always very relaxing and I love walking around the resort. We are now leaning towards CR or GF but will very much miss Poly. Does anyone have Poly plans for next August that they are keeping or have you switched your resorts? My husband wants to take a chance but I'm not too sure about that.

I have to say I bailed on the Poly, though I love it. We had 7 nights booked for next August. Club Level TPV and couldn't have been more excited. We love the atmosphere there, MK is our favorite park, love the monorail, the whole deal. We've never stayed CL anywhere before and it will have been 5 years since our last Poly stay. Seemed so perfect until I started learning about the construction.

How would that impact our view, but even more importantly, my two boys are pool rats. Love it almost more than the parks. Especially in August! So instead of obsessing and hoping over the next 9 months I switched to CR. Where we have never stayed and honestly, didn't like that much. I always felt it was loud and crowded, but decided to give it a try.

Still on the monorail which matters to us and I booked CL there after reading many positive things. Since spending so much time on the CR thread, I'm really looking forward to it now. And no construction!

So, lots to consider, but do what you're most comfortable with and I hope you have a great time!

 

[Sue M]

You are absolutely correct about 2 different themes and I prefer Poly theme - more laid back feeling. but with 2 small kids (2 & 4) it will be difficult. this year we stayed a WL on 2nd floor and it was perfect. I wanted to stay at different resort and Poly was my pick for 2014. I booked it 4 weeks ago, made my ADRs and I was ok with the construction, but not the pool closing.

We stayed at GF last August. We loved it, and your kids will love the Alice in Wonderland splash play area. It would be a good option for you.

I don't have small children, they are young adults now, so taking a short shuttle or 15 min walk isn't a deal breaker for us. I have my heart set on returning to Poly this trip! Last time we stayed was winter, so looking forward to a summer trip there!

 

[beebeeryan]

You are absolutely correct about 2 different themes and I prefer Poly theme - more laid back feeling. but with 2 small kids (2 & 4) it will be difficult. this year we stayed a WL on 2nd floor and it was perfect. I wanted to stay at different resort and Poly was my pick for 2014. I booked it 4 weeks ago, made my ADRs and I was ok with the construction, but not the pool closing.

I agree. My boys are older, but they are pool freaks and would not be happy at the quiet pool without a slide. We use the pool several times a day and paying so much money to have to shuttle to another resort just does not seem right. We are considering a return next August and I was really excited to get back to the MK area and try the Poly. Construction would not bother us at all, but when I heard about the pool, that changed things. The GF would be nice as well, but it's considerably more expensive and will be very crowded with Poly guests on top of adding the DVC guests to the mix this year. Our options would be YC, Poly or GF based on a good deal we can get at these resorts. We stayed YC this past August and they loved the pool and we really liked the area, but missed being near MK. Just didn't feel the same. But GF is a lot more $ compared to the other 2 and I worry about the crowds so if this trip happens, we will probably go back to YC. There are worse problems to have though, cannot complain.

 

[margaret07013]

@beebeeryan - we are going firs week of May and crowds shouldn't be a problem. at least thats what i am hoping for. but when we stayed at WL in April of this year - I loved the easy access to MK via boat. I do know we cant wait and we got to make up our mind shortly to be able to get rooms at reasonable prices.

 

[Tikiman]

A lot of new information has come out but unfortunately I was asked not to share it yet. Disney has been changing around plans and schedules a lot lately and none of this information will get down to the CMs at the resort or the Call Centers for quite a while. Its not that they want to keep it from you, they just don’t know what the plans are. Many of the plans for next year are changing to make way for other plans, so some things will be pushed off into 2015. I believe that from now until January the disruption will be about what it is now but once the new year starts there are many new things that can and will be going on all over the resort. No one is going to be able to tell you what will happen when until right before it happens and most of the time that is because they decide last minute to start a project.

I was lucky in the past to get the construction schedules for the building rehabs a year before they were available to the call centers and the resort but don’t count on that happening too often. There are so many things changing with the plans right now that I don’t know if anyone really knows what will happen when right now.

 

[minniebeth]

A lot of new information has come out but unfortunately I was asked not to share it yet. Disney has been changing around plans and schedules a lot lately and none of this information will get down to the CMs at the resort or the Call Centers for quite a while. Its not that they want to keep it from you, they just don’t know what the plans are. Many of the plans for next year are changing to make way for other plans, so some things will be pushed off into 2015. I believe that from now until January the disruption will be about what it is now but once the new year starts there are many new things that can and will be going on all over the resort. No one is going to be able to tell you what will happen when until right before it happens and most of the time that is because they decide last minute to start a project.

I was lucky in the past to get the construction schedules for the building rehabs a year before they were available to the call centers and the resort but don’t count on that happening too often. There are so many things changing with the plans right now that I don’t know if anyone really knows what will happen when right now.

Thanks so much for sharing this!
We will be there in January. While we don't know what will happen, it's still good to go into our trip knowing there may be changes going on and to just be prepared to go with the flow.
I'm glad we are getting a discount with a group rate though, it makes it easier to be flexible.
If I were paying rack rate seeing what some of the rates are, and had to deal with unknown construction plans, I think I'd be pretty disappointed when something major started without notice.

 

[Elinor Dashwood]

A lot of new information has come out but unfortunately I was asked not to share it yet. Disney has been changing around plans and schedules a lot lately and none of this information will get down to the CMs at the resort or the Call Centers for quite a while. Its not that they want to keep it from you, they just don’t know what the plans are. Many of the plans for next year are changing to make way for other plans, so some things will be pushed off into 2015. I believe that from now until January the disruption will be about what it is now but once the new year starts there are many new things that can and will be going on all over the resort. No one is going to be able to tell you what will happen when until right before it happens and most of the time that is because they decide last minute to start a project.

I was lucky in the past to get the construction schedules for the building rehabs a year before they were available to the call centers and the resort but don’t count on that happening too often. There are so many things changing with the plans right now that I don’t know if anyone really knows what will happen when right now.

Thanks for the heads up.

We're planning the end of January and the only thing I'm worried about is if the pool is going to be open lol.

Construction doesn't really phase me at all.

 

[Masonmj84]

Thanks for the heads up.

We're planning the end of January and the only thing I'm worried about is if the pool is going to be open lol.

Construction doesn't really phase me at all.

We're going in early May and I've reached the point where I've sort of accepted that the Volcano pool will be down and that some sort of work will likely be going on in the GCH.

The only thing that will really phase me is if 'Ohana and Kona are closed. I've made ADRs for both and would really be bummed if Disney decided to close these with less than 6 months notice. While I would hope Disney would see the wisdom in not doing this, it seems like their plans are changing all of the time and typical guest satisfaction issues really aren't at the forefront of their thinking right now.

 

[trishadono]

Just back from a weekend at GF. I spent some time eating and shopping at Poly so here is update for anyone going soon.

There is minor construction. At this time I would still go for November and December.

The GCH is same as ever!

The pool still good and NO fence as of 11/11/13.

Clinta is NOT at Tambu lounge He left for CG! At least Walter still there!

Also for the first time ever Kona Café told us no res available at 1130am unless we had a res. This was a surprise since Easter and Thanksgiving weeks we never have that problem.

We are staying at VGF then CR in early January but love to eat and drink at the Poly

Lapu Lapu anyone???

 

[rymahoney]

I hope construction isn't to bad marathon week

 

[jaz0308]

A lot of new information has come out but unfortunately I was asked not to share it yet. Disney has been changing around plans and schedules a lot lately and none of this information will get down to the CMs at the resort or the Call Centers for quite a while. Its not that they want to keep it from you, they just don’t know what the plans are. Many of the plans for next year are changing to make way for other plans, so some things will be pushed off into 2015. I believe that from now until January the disruption will be about what it is now but once the new year starts there are many new things that can and will be going on all over the resort. No one is going to be able to tell you what will happen when until right before it happens and most of the time that is because they decide last minute to start a project.

I was lucky in the past to get the construction schedules for the building rehabs a year before they were available to the call centers and the resort but don’t count on that happening too often. There are so many things changing with the plans right now that I don’t know if anyone really knows what will happen when right now.

Tikiman i am so thankful that you are on top of all of this! I have sadly switched my august res to CR out of fear of the unknown at poly but i still hope to go over for a few meals and to check out the progress on my beloved Poly. Thank you for keeping us fans as updated as possible!

 

[Shellilin]

A lot of new information has come out but unfortunately I was asked not to share it yet. Disney has been changing around plans and schedules a lot lately and none of this information will get down to the CMs at the resort or the Call Centers for quite a while. Its not that they want to keep it from you, they just don’t know what the plans are. Many of the plans for next year are changing to make way for other plans, so some things will be pushed off into 2015. I believe that from now until January the disruption will be about what it is now but once the new year starts there are many new things that can and will be going on all over the resort. No one is going to be able to tell you what will happen when until right before it happens and most of the time that is because they decide last minute to start a project.

I was lucky in the past to get the construction schedules for the building rehabs a year before they were available to the call centers and the resort but don’t count on that happening too often. There are so many things changing with the plans right now that I don’t know if anyone really knows what will happen when right now.

Thanks for the update!

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

A lot of new information has come out but unfortunately I was asked not to share it yet. Disney has been changing around plans and schedules a lot lately and none of this information will get down to the CMs at the resort or the Call Centers for quite a while. Its not that they want to keep it from you, they just don’t know what the plans are. Many of the plans for next year are changing to make way for other plans, so some things will be pushed off into 2015. I believe that from now until January the disruption will be about what it is now but once the new year starts there are many new things that can and will be going on all over the resort. No one is going to be able to tell you what will happen when until right before it happens and most of the time that is because they decide last minute to start a project.

I was lucky in the past to get the construction schedules for the building rehabs a year before they were available to the call centers and the resort but don’t count on that happening too often. There are so many things changing with the plans right now that I don’t know if anyone really knows what will happen when right now.

I tried to hit the like button

Thank you for the info!!

 

[Disney84]

Hello All...

My family and I just returned from a 6day/5night stay at the Poly. Arrived on 11/10, left yesterday 11/15. Awesome time as usual. Upon arrival the only real visual "construction" areas are in the overflow parking lot over by Tahiti and the pathway to TTC, but really did not affect the "awesomeness of arriving at the POLY. Crowds were high in the resort Sunday and Monday, but then died down as the week went on. They put us in Tahiti, room 2048(GV). We actually stayed in Tahiti 1.5 yrs ago, so I guess there system gave us that room/bldg. based on the past.

Tahiti was still perfect to be in, the bldg. has not changed or been renovated for DVC, yet. We had fencing up all around the outside of it from the TTC path towards the lagoon, but never affected us, in fact my DS10 and DD4 loved seeing the guys working and the dump trucks moving about. My kids enjoy things like that. Did the construction affect us or our stay...Absolutely Not. We had a very enjoyable time. We did not stay on property during the day, parks of course, but in the mornings and evenings, no real noise.

All in all, the resort has not really changed as of yet, still beautiful and convenient. Our biggest complaint was the Magic Kingdom...lots of issues (i.e food, rude cm's, dirty, lost its "magic"), but that's for another thread. The construction did obscure any view of the castle or the fireworks, imo.

Did talk with one of the lifeguards one evening, his understanding is the volcano/slide is going bye bye, putting in a water playground, very similar to the new play area pool at the GF.

Have a great day! Stinks to be home.

 

[xipotec]

Still no xmas decor at POLY??? It was all up lay year this time!!!!

 

[sunset7132]

Still no xmas decor at POLY??? It was all up lay year this time!!!!

Same here at pofq . It was up this time last year We go home Monday .

 

[athumann]

I wonder if there will be any extra incentives to book a room at the Poly during the construction and pool closing. We were planning on the end of June next year but are kind of on the fence now.