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

[Tikiman]

The girl at the Polys guest relations said that the pool is gone in July and you won't want to be anywhere near the resort for awhile

That’s interesting because an official announcement went out to Travel Agents on Friday saying the pool would close in August.

 

[Adam H]

After reading the thread today I called the Poly number. I was then connected to the front desk (yes, it was the Poly front desk!). We had planned on being there the end of April and I was told the GCH and Capt. Cooks will be under renovations. Changed our ressie over to the YC. Guess we will have to see how Oct. goes before we book the poly again.

We are going back to WDW in November and the people at the Poly have said you won't want to be there.

I just spoke with them and they said Capt Cook's will still be in the GCH, but in a different place. It will be open 6:30am to 4am instead of 24 hours. The bad news is they are currently not moving the Dole whip machine

 

[Adam H]

That’s interesting because an official announcement went out to Travel Agents on Friday saying the pool would close in August.

Hello Tikiman...I enjoy your website. Great work on that.

Guest relations is telling me that that is the plan. They also told me that 3 weeks ago, so things could have changed since then.

I spoke with them today about the GCH conditions from March 13-18 and about the Capt Cook situation only

 

[coreynyc]

Semi dumb question: Why doesn't the WDW website mention the pool closing? Isn't this an extremely pertinent piece of info?

 

[Tikiman]

We are going back to WDW in November and the people at the Poly have said you won't want to be there.

I just spoke with them and they said Capt Cook's will still be in the GCH, but in a different place. It will be open 6:30am to 4am instead of 24 hours. The bad news is they are currently not moving the Dole whip machine

A manager last week confirmed that Captain Cook's is moving to a temporary location over next to Tangaroa Terrace and will not be located in the GCH while its current location is being rehabed.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

That’s interesting because an official announcement went out to Travel Agents on Friday saying the pool would close in August.

Semi dumb question: Why doesn't the WDW website mention the pool closing? Isn't this an extremely pertinent piece of info?

I am a TA and have not received this information. I just checked the TA site again and it's not on there either.

 

[Tikiman]

I am a TA and have not received this information. I just checked the TA site again and it's not on there either.

I don't know how they decide who to send them to but it was sent to some on Friday.

 

[mistysue]

I believe you are referring to my thread. The girl at guest relations said that the major work to the GCH is slated to begin on March 17. That day temporary walls, fencing, etc are going up. We leave on March 18.

So far, we have negotiated 25% off the pass holder rate, which was 35% off rack rate. We are down to under $300 per night at this point. We just got a new letter about Capt Cooks and are hoping to get a little something else off now too.

This girl told me that the plan is to demolish the pool in July. Who knows when the actual date will be, but she told me this is the plan.

We go back to WDW in November and she said that we won't want to be anywhere near the Poly at that point.

Wait a minute, they took 25% off of your hotel bill because they are going to put up some temporary walls the day before you leave from a week vacation?
How do you negotiate something like this? Last time I was on property I had a CM call me a con artist (during a completely normal honest transaction) and it took multiple phone calls just to get somebody to say the words "I'm sorry" which I directly stated to multiple people was the only thing I was calling for. Did you call the media and demand a full refund or something?

 

[Masonmj84]

The only thing I know of happening in March is the closure of Captain Cook's. Other things may happen in March since it seems to be when they are starting to do work on the GCH but I have no other details on what may or may not happen.

Thanks Steve for clearing this up (fingers crossed that we'll have one last time to enjoy the water feature when we go in late April).

 

[JKSWonder]

That’s interesting because an official announcement went out to Travel Agents on Friday saying the pool would close in August.

I just wish they would let us know WHEN in August. We will be there for five days from 8/23 to 8/28. It would be really nice if they could push this off until after we leave!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I don't know how they decide who to send them to but it was sent to some on Friday.

That is interesting. Hopefully we will hear something soon then. Thanks for the info.

 

[DeeCeeSW]

The only thing I know of happening in March is the closure of Captain Cook's. Other things may happen in March since it seems to be when they are starting to do work on the GCH but I have no other details on what may or may not happen.

OK. I said I was "pretty sure" that you said the work in March at the GCH would "likely be" the water feature. I didn't say I knew for sure. My bad. Just trying to be helpful. I won't be misquoting you again. If I sound upset, I am a little, since I just read your long post on your Facebook page about how people like me are putting words in your mouth and/or "twisting your words" and perpetuating misinformation.

I actually said you are someone I trust, and I do appreciate all that you do, Steve, always have. However, some of us don't like being spoken down to. Still love the site. Hope you are feeling better!!

 

[TJA]

We were in 1515 last week. From the ground level looking straight out you saw the green fence with castle showing just above it.

Oh yikes.....
I've been waiting on current pics of views from first floor Hawaii rooms. We are staying there Easter week and had our hearts set on these rooms, though I requested a room near the lounge, specifically I put in Room 1503 or nearby -- I'm hoping the view from this area won't be obstructed. I don't want to look at a green fence with the Castle above it, to be honest, especially at the TPV price -- if it were a garden view "upgrade," then I would be ok with it.

 

[Tikiman]

OK. I said I was "pretty sure" that you said the work in March at the GCH would "likely be" the water feature. I didn't say I knew for sure. My bad. Just trying to be helpful. I won't be misquoting you again. If I sound upset, I am a little, since I just read your long post on your Facebook page about how people like me are putting words in your mouth and/or "twisting your words" and perpetuating misinformation.

I actually said you are someone I trust, and I do appreciate all that you do, Steve, always have. However, some of don't like being spoken down to. Still love the site. Hope you are feeling better!!

I don’t mean to speak down to anyone and I did not mention you in any of my statements. I apologize if you took it that way. I have been getting a ton of emails asking for clarification about information that others have said that I said on my site. When my information is changed from what I wrote on my site to something else and it says that the information comes from me than I have to explain why it says that. I spent half the day trying to explain why I was telling people that the waterfall would be ripped out in March or why the whole GCH would be closed all at one time. There have been a few places that have listed misinformation with my name attached to it. I was only trying to clear up the misinformation and make what I know clear.

Your post was not the only one that misquoted me so my intent was not to be something negative toward you. I didn't even mention anyone specifically. I feel I should have to right to post on my own page something that will help people understand my information correctly without it being that I am talking down to anyone.

Again I am sorry for the issue it caused.

 

[DeeCeeSW]

I don’t mean to speak down to anyone and I did not mention you in any of my statements. I apologize if you took it that way. I have been getting a ton of emails asking for clarification about information that others have said that I said on my site. When my information is changed from what I wrote on my site to something else and it says that the information comes from me than I have to explain why it says that. I spent half the day trying to explain why I was telling people that the waterfall would be ripped out in March or why the whole GCH would be closed all at one time. There have been a few places that have listed misinformation with my name attached to it. I was only trying to clear up the misinformation and make what I know clear.

Your post was not the only one that misquoted me so my intent was not to be something negative toward you. I didn't even mention anyone specifically. I feel I should have to right to post on my own page something that will help people understand my information correctly without it being that I am talking down to anyone.

Again I am sorry for the issue it caused.

No issue here. No biggie. I know you didn't specifically say it was me, but I am guilty of mentioning that someone else on the board was told the pool would be "torn up" in July. However, I did say that you told us August and that I trusted you and your sources over anyone else. I am the last person who wants for you to have to explain yourself because some people take that information and run wild with it.

I think I need to stop mentioning other people's posts!!!

So now I see your source has told you "late August" for the pool closing. I wish we knew what date "late" actually is, as I am one of many wanting to book during the last week of August and don't know if I should risk altering what I already have. I will continue to read your updates (please keep updating us).

Again, thanks for all you do. Your info. is invaluable.

 

[Adam H]

Wait a minute, they took 25% off of your hotel bill because they are going to put up some temporary walls the day before you leave from a week vacation? How do you negotiate something like this? Last time I was on property I had a CM call me a con artist (during a completely normal honest transaction) and it took multiple phone calls just to get somebody to say the words "I'm sorry" which I directly stated to multiple people was the only thing I was calling for. Did you call the media and demand a full refund or something?

They offered us a $50 per day room credit and a theme park view upgrade or our choice of garden view buildings and 25% off the cost of lodging. I just called the resort directly and had a conversation with guest relations.

 

[ninafeliz]

Oh yikes.....
I've been waiting on current pics of views from first floor Hawaii rooms. We are staying there Easter week and had our hearts set on these rooms, though I requested a room near the lounge, specifically I put in Room 1503 or nearby -- I'm hoping the view from this area won't be obstructed. I don't want to look at a green fence with the Castle above it, to be honest, especially at the TPV price -- if it were a garden view "upgrade," then I would be ok with it.

Sorry, I don't know how to post pics here. 1515 is the fourth room from the end of the building, so the view was much more impacted than the rooms near the lounge end. I suspect, but wasn't told, that it was reclassified as GV so technically we weren't upgraded. I at least hope it was reclassified, because no one should pay the high TPV or even LV rates for that view. However, at GV rates I was OK with it because we could see wishes and the water parade from the room and didn't have to go to the lounge like you normally would for a GV room. In my opinion even the rooms on the ground floor near the lounge were impacted more than I would want for paying TPV rates, but that is highly user dependent! We were originally booked TPV with the RO discount and changed to GV because of the construction impacting views. I personally would rather have a 3 rd floor room and see over the fence to the lagoon and castle, than Right at the fence. But then You do see all of the dirt and equipment, so it's a trade off.

I had requested third floor GV but it wasn't available, 1515 is the room we were assigned. My husband thought I was crazy to want a GV on the other side of the building instead of the room We got, and after watching wishes a couple of nights I had to agree with him, I was happy with our room. At GV rate.

 

[TJA]

Sorry, I don't know how to post pics here. 1515 is the fourth room from the end of the building, so the view was much more impacted than the rooms near the lounge end. I suspect, but wasn't told, that it was reclassified as GV so technically we weren't upgraded. I at least hope it was reclassified, because no one should pay the high TPV or even LV rates for that view. However, at GV rates I was OK with it because we could see wishes and the water parade from the room and didn't have to go to the lounge like you normally would for a GV room. In my opinion even the rooms on the ground floor near the lounge were impacted more than I would want for paying TPV rates, but that is highly user dependent! We were originally booked TPV with the RO discount and changed to GV because of the construction impacting views. I personally would rather have a 3 rd floor room and see over the fence to the lagoon and castle, than Right at the fence. But then You do see all of the dirt and equipment, so it's a trade off.

I had requested third floor GV but it wasn't available, 1515 is the room we were assigned. My husband thought I was crazy to want a GV on the other side of the building instead of the room We got, and after watching wishes a couple of nights I had to agree with him, I was happy with our room. At GV rate.

Thanks for the info. From the pictures posted, it looks like there is still some beach area left but I can't tell when the beach area stops and the fence starts. I guess what we want is for our kids to be able to go outside the slider and play in the sand. Hmmm, I'm starting to re-think here...

 

[Tikiman]

The girl at the Polys guest relations said that the pool is gone in July and you won't want to be anywhere near the resort for awhile

The July information is correct. I just got someone at the Polynesian to confirm the plan will be to close the pool late July and reopen in March 2015. Thanks for the update.

Steve

 

[Jennygt]

I wonder why they are closing the pool in the summer months, oh well sooo glad we did not book for this aug