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

[penguinande]

I've tried searching this thread and others about the projected progress of the construction, but it seems like some of the info conflicts, so I'd really appreciate some clarification. I just booked a stay at the Poly the first week of September and most of what I have read suggests that the majority of the construction will be done by then. However, I have read a few posts that seem to suggest that major construction will continue as late as December. Can anyone tell me how long the construction is really supposed to last and if the main pool will be done by September? If there is still going to be a lot of construction going on, which building would be best to request to avoid having to see and hear it? Thanks!

 

[calismic]

The main pool is projected to be completed April 1st, though some believe it will be delayed a few weeks. Unless an asteroid hits it, it'll be open in September. =) The quiet pool is the only thing I am aware of that will still be under construction during that time.

 

[penguinande]

The main pool is projected to be completed April 1st, though some believe it will be delayed a few weeks. Unless an asteroid hits it, it'll be open in September. =) The quiet pool is the only thing I am aware of that will still be under construction during that time.

Great news! So I wonder if it would be best to request a building away from the quiet pool in order to steer clear of construction?

 

[JodyK]

Has anyone been recently that can provide a construction update? Tikiman doesn't have anything that's all too recent. I found a great last minute rate for the second week of February but still iffy on pulling the trigger with construction.

 

[volfan1978]

Tikiman's Facebook feed has the most up to date info--he updates it almost daily.

 

[WDWOswald]

Well, I just pulled the trigger and booked the Poly April 13-20th. I give it about a 50/50 chance that the pool and/or Trader Sam's will be open.

My main concern about staying at the Poly isn't even so much what is open but how much of the resort will be taken over by construction walls and crews. I love to explore the vast beauty of the Poly and I'm not sure how construction will affect the basic "feel" of the resort? I can get Bay Lake Tower with a lake view for the same price or a little less than the Poly for the same week.... but I have my heart set on the Poly!

 

[justme0729]

Has anyone been recently that can provide a construction update? Tikiman doesn't have anything that's all too recent. I found a great last minute rate for the second week of February but still iffy on pulling the trigger with construction.

I was there 12/31 to 1/8 and it was great! I would request a room on the west side of the resort. With our stay having both a holiday and weekend, the construction wasn't going on except for 2-3 days of our stay. There were minor inconveniences like a blocked pathway (just had to go around.. Unless in a hurry it wasn't a big deal) once on the east side but if you are on the west side and don't mind the occasional viewing of the top rocky part of pool construction, you will be fine! The lobby looks great and the luau cove beach is unaffected. We spent a lot of time at the quiet pool and it was nice.. Kids activities going on though so it wasnt quiet. I would stay there again in a heartbeat for the monorail, beaches, views of the castle, boat to MK, easy walk to the TTC, and great dining at Ohana and Kona. I say do it!! Just know to expect some minor inconveniences on the east side of the resort.

 

[justme0729]

Well, I just pulled the trigger and booked the Poly April 13-20th. I give it about a 50/50 chance that the pool and/or Trader Sam's will be open.

My main concern about staying at the Poly isn't even so much what is open but how much of the resort will be taken over by construction walls and crews. I love to explore the vast beauty of the Poly and I'm not sure how construction will affect the basic "feel" of the resort? I can get Bay Lake Tower with a lake view for the same price or a little less than the Poly for the same week.... but I have my heart set on the Poly!

We were there 12/31 through 1/8. I'm not sure what amount of walls will bother you but there were walls around the pool area that requires you to go through the lobby to go from the west to the east side of the resort. There were some walls up near the walk to the TTC while we were there, some
Construction workers working on something in a pathway on the east side of the resort one day. The west side seems unaffected though when sitting on luau cove beach. We thought it was great for the amenities the Poly has and still felt the "theme" of the resort but it sounds like the walls might bother you.

Although your going in April so who knows what it will be like then!

 

[keishashadow]

The main pool is projected to be completed April 1st, though some believe it will be delayed a few weeks. Unless an asteroid hits it, it'll be open in September. =) The quiet pool is the only thing I am aware of that will still be under construction during that time.

guess I'm good for end of August then

 

[dizfan]

Well, I just pulled the trigger and booked the Poly April 13-20th. I give it about a 50/50 chance that the pool and/or Trader Sam's will be open.

My main concern about staying at the Poly isn't even so much what is open but how much of the resort will be taken over by construction walls and crews. I love to explore the vast beauty of the Poly and I'm not sure how construction will affect the basic "feel" of the resort? I can get Bay Lake Tower with a lake view for the same price or a little less than the Poly for the same week.... but I have my heart set on the Poly!

Today, Steve posted on his facebook page that Trader Sam's Grog Grotto has a projected date of opening March 31st.

 

[dizfan]

Fingers crossed that we are able to get a room when DVC booking opens Feb 11. We decided to purchase flights before Southwest sale ended.

 

[jhaig]

Our first Poly trip is this Sept 8-18 and we need some opinions on best room location for a quiet room, close to the GCH, without a pool view. I was looking at Rarotonga top floor or Samoa top floor. How are the monorail view rooms at Rarotonga?

 

[johnvree]

Disgraceful that we are still talking about construction interruptions that will occur 18 months after the construction began.

 

[gdrj]

Disgraceful that we are still talking about construction interruptions that will occur 18 months after the construction began.

???

Not sure why its disgraceful. What they have been doing is rather major and I definitely could be wrong but I don't think "major construction" impacting most guests started 18 months ago (of course that is subjective on what is major).

For the most part the project is pretty much on schedule, and the Lobby is now open. I was at the Poly 2 weeks ago and it definitely looks better than it did at XMAS. The Pool area is still a construction zone but it was scheduled to be.

 

[johnvree]

???

Not sure why its disgraceful. What they have been doing is rather major and I definitely could be wrong but I don't think "major construction" impacting most guests started 18 months ago (of course that is subjective on what is major).

For the most part the project is pretty much on schedule, and the Lobby is now open. I was at the Poly 2 weeks ago and it definitely looks better than it did at XMAS. The Pool area is still a construction zone but it was scheduled to be.

They built the Empire State Building in one year! And that was in the middle of Manhattan and in 1931. Something tells me they could have figured out how to rebuild a two-story tiki building, restructure a few of the longhouses and a bunch of pathways, and redo two swimming pools in less than 18 months.

We usually go in May and this will be the second May that we are not staying at the Poly (our favorite resort) because of construction. I don't want to pay $800 a night to listen to construction and be surrounded by brown walls and "pardon our appearance" signs. They drag construction on at a snail's pace because they can. They bank on people spending their money on their dream vacation without knowing what is going on until they get there and, at that point, it is too late to change.

Three years to build Expedition Everest! Four years for the expansion of Fantasyland?! Five years to build the Avatar-land?! Do you think they would build an office building at this kind of pace? Of course not. Because the owner of the property wants the building built as quickly as possible so he/she can fill it with paying tenants. WDW doesn't have this concern because they fill their hotels and parks every day (well, almost), despite the construction. And I get why they don't feel compelled to get projects completed quicker if they are not hurting the bottom line. But that doesn't mean I have to be happy about it.

 

[Tonberry]

???

Not sure why its disgraceful. What they have been doing is rather major and I definitely could be wrong but I don't think "major construction" impacting most guests started 18 months ago (of course that is subjective on what is major).

For the most part the project is pretty much on schedule, and the Lobby is now open. I was at the Poly 2 weeks ago and it definitely looks better than it did at XMAS. The Pool area is still a construction zone but it was scheduled to be.

I think it's just frustration. And I can see where he's coming from. First the bungalows, then captain cook's, the lanai, the childcare, then the lobby, then the entrance, then the pool, then the parking, then the dvc, then the other pool, and so on.
But I'm sure it will all be amazing when it's all done!

 

[jhaig]

Our first Poly trip is this Sept 8-18 and we need some opinions on best room location for a quiet room, close to the GCH, without a pool view. I was looking at Rarotonga top floor or Samoa top floor. How are the monorail view rooms at Rarotonga?

Oops, this is in the wrong thread. Help me out, mods....

 

[housetomouse]

Construction will NOT be done by then but the pool should be reopened (hopefully). So long as the pool area is re-opened most of the construction at that point shouldn't affect your stay. (except for closing/refurb of the quiet pool which should happen almost immediately after!

Does anyone know why they are refurbishing the quiet pool? It seems like they refurbished it not long ago. Is this a major change to the pool or just standard maintenance work? thanks!

 

[Skywise]

Does anyone know why they are refurbishing the quiet pool? It seems like they refurbished it not long ago. Is this a major change to the pool or just standard maintenance work? thanks!

I'm not quite sure myself but I believe they're fencing in all the pools on property so that might be part of it. I think there was also some effort to add "zero point" access to the pools (so you can walk into the pool without needing a ladder or having to lift yourself out) but that may have only been for the main pools.

 

[Skywise]

They built the Empire State Building in one year! And that was in the middle of Manhattan and in 1931. Something tells me they could have figured out how to rebuild a two-story tiki building, restructure a few of the longhouses and a bunch of pathways, and redo two swimming pools in less than 18 months.

Heck, it only took them 4 years to build the whole magic kingdom plus resorts.

Sure, they probably could've done all of this in about 6 months if they had taken on more workers but that's sort of the point. Before they would've staffed up on contract labor to do the job in the time needed. But Disney has its own in-house construction crew now and I bet the union won't let them ramp up staff like that without permanently increasing the budget overall or Disney is just too tight with the budget. Either way, with a limited construction pool that has to service the entire resort, projects are just going to take longer.

Not saying I disagree with you. I think the way the resort is being run is appalling. Homogenizing dining, shopping and the resort experiences themselves just kills the whole experience. I've got a theme park out here that puts up a new ride or experience each YEAR. Disney should be doing that for EACH park. (and reskinning things for Frozen doesn't count)

Universal does much better interactive ride-tech now than Disney does. I'm not even talking about thrill rides but the Disney staple of interactive dioramas - The Spider-man ride's features just blow away the Little Mermaid ride and the Little Mermaid ride came AFTER it. Same with the Gringott's ride and the Seven Dwarves Mine Train.

Walt's gotta be rolling over in his grave.