Poly beach for water pagent & fireworks

[Diamond_Girls]

We will be at Ohana for dinner one night and want to stay for the water pagent & fireworks. It looks like there is a small beach by the luau. Another beach in the middle of the resort and then a third on the right side of the resort. Which part of the Poly beach should we be on to see?

Thanks for your help!!

 

[PartyOf5]

Probably the best location would be the center location. This would be the area behind the volcano pool and a very easy walk from O'hana's. Enjoy!

 

[baloo722]

uh-oh....

 

[polyfan]

This was a problem 4th of July. those that have stayed there no what I mean.

 

[Eeyore1954]

Diamond_Girls, what a couple of previous posts mean is that there are some differences of opinion on who is allowed to access and use the Poly beach. Official WDW/Poly policy is only guests of that resort can use the beach.

That said, I would call the resort and explain what you would like to do. Then ask if it would be OK if you watched the EWP and fireworks on the beach.

Worst case scenario? They say no. But I'd place my bet on Disney magic and them saying "yes, come on over and visit." Every day is not the 4th of July and when you go it may not be as crowded as that holiday.

If they do say yes, be a good neighbor. Take the monorail over (park at TTC); don't claim a chair or hammock -- leave them for Poly guests.

I hope you have a magical experience and that the parade and fireworks are wonderful!

 

[devine5829]

POLYFAN-

Please explain your post.

 

[polyfan]

We have been staying at the Poly the past couple of years for July4. By about 8:15 on the 4th all of the chairs and hammocks were taken. The whole area was crowded. We did see security going around and checking to see if people were actual Poly guests. There were many being spoken to about the fact that they were not. These people did not seem to understand that security was trying to explain that the use of this property is for resort guests. I also heard some were turned away at the entrance to the Poly if they were not a guest. It is just my opinion but I do feel that it is rude to come and take chairs that are for those paying to stay at the Poly. If you want to watch from there then maybe one(in general) should plan to pay to stay there. The pool was very crowded also.

 

[Rafikifan]

Good (and polite) post Eeyore1954. Diamond_Girls, since you are dining at Ohana you are allowed to park at the Poly. We always tell them at the gate our name and that we have a p.s. and they give us the option to self park or valet. We choose to valet park. One, because then we don't feel like we are putting a Poly guest out by them having to look for a parking spot. The valet can put our car wherever they'd like and we tip them well for the service. As for watching the fireworks at the Poly beach, once we dined at Kona Cafe and it was right after the volcano pool was put in so after dinner I went to guest services and asked if it was ok to go look at the pool (NOT swim in it) and that we were staying at another resort. She said "Sure, and the EWP will be by soon so walk to the beach to get a good view." Last year we dined at Ohana and our "cousin" urged us to go to the beach to see the fireworks. We stood on the beach and it was VERY uncrowded. Of course it wasn't the 4th of July either! I imagine everywhere was crazy that night. I wasn't there so I don't know how crowded and crazy the Poly beach got and in that case I can understand the Poly staff should have set some limits but I honestly don't think it's necessary for them to ban non-Poly guests at NIGHT on non-holiday nights. Just think of the staff it would take to check resort id's at the beach every night. If they DID enforce it nightly think of what could happen at Ohana? If people were dining at Ohana and wanted to see the fireworks they COULD drag their meal out (especially since it's all you can eat) until the fireworks. I would never do this but you KNOW that there are those that would. Bottom line is it could open a whole new can of worms and cause the Ohana and Poly staff a lot more trouble. If common courtesy is used (like don't grab the hammocks if you aren't staying there) I don't think there should be a problem EXCEPT on a holiday/special fireworks event.

 

[polyfan]

The Poly crowd problem is not on a daily basis, that is what makes it so obvious. Every other night we were there the beach was pretty much empty, and the pool would have some people in it, but it wasn't crowded and you could always find a chair. The 4th was the only time. It may be hard to imagine just how large of a crowd goes there on the 4th, but it is large. The grass hill is covered with people. It is nearly impossible to get between people. I probably would never have imagined it if we hadn;t been staying there the past couple of years for the 4th. I don't think anyone really needs to give a second thought to coming to eat dinner and walking around, watching the fireworks on a regular night. Doesn't everyone go to other hotel restaurants to eat, and look around.? The other problem that we noticed was the number of people refilling their mugs at the Poly, and not with Poly mugs. There was everything from All Star mugs, to paper cups from the Kona, to people with own plastic cups.

 

[Diamond_Girls]

Certainly didn't intend to open THAT can of worms. And certainly not going 4th of July.

However, a friend called yesterday from the Poly and said watching the fireworks on the 4th (this year) was wonderful, a really cool patriotic theme and the beach was just fine. There were no huge crowds or problems that night... at least where she was sitting at the Poly...


And, last year when we did the luau, the CM encouraged us to see the fireworks from the beach after the luau was over. That seems different than what most of you are saying. We should have stayed and then I wouldn't have written this message and stirred up the pot...

But thanks to Partyof5 who actually gave me the answer I need!

 

[ducklite]

During the off seasons I certainly don't see it as a big deal. If you're the only ones around, great for you. But definitely during busy times, non-Poly guests should have the consideration for Poly guests and stay away.

If non-Poly guests are using any seating, it should be offered to any Poly guest who might like it, unless of course there's another available seat right "next door".

Chairs should NEVER be taken from the pool area, or patios. And under no circumstances should you ever sit on someones patio, even if they aren't in their room. You never know when they might come back.

Anne

 

[LvsTnk]

Someone just posted that he attended the later Luau and the show ended about 15min. after the fireworks began. He wondered if this had been done on purpose.

I was riding the boat while the fireworks were going off one evening and noticed the fire and music coming from Luau Cove so I guess he was right.

Maybe you could attend the earlier show??

 

[LvsTnk]

Originally posted by ducklite
During the off seasons I certainly don't see it as a big deal. If you're the only ones around, great for you. But definitely during busy times, non-Poly guests should have the consideration for Poly guests and stay away.

If non-Poly guests are using any seating, it should be offered to any Poly guest who might like it, unless of course there's another available seat right "next door".

Chairs should NEVER be taken from the pool area, or patios. And under no circumstances should you ever sit on someones patio, even if they aren't in their room. You never know when they might come back.

Anne

Just read your post, Is that wishful thinking? LOL

 

[Eeyore1954]

Originally posted by ducklite
But definitely during busy times, non-Poly guests should have the consideration for Poly guests and stay away.

When did we lose the concept of "come and share the magic?"

 

[Lewisc]

Originally posted by Eeyore1954
When did we lose the concept of "come and share the magic?"

DISNEY really has to do a better job deciding (AND ENFORCING) rules regarding non-guest use of resorts. Is it OK to watch from the beach after eating dinner at Ohana? How about a burger at Captain Cook? How many (non-registered) guests of guests staying at POLY should be allowed?

The internet has resulted in too many people using "our secrets". The closing of the observation deck by CA Grill is an example. I suspect the number of people on the POLY beach is another area that may require some attention.

 

[baloo722]

Gotta love the disney caste system...and those who appoint themselves to enforce it...

 

[Diamond_Girls]

I am soooo sorry for bringing this up! Let's stop this thread before everyone gets mad!

Remember the MAGIC!

 

[baloo722]

lol

 

[Eeyore1954]

Originally posted by Lewisc
DISNEY really has to do a better job deciding (AND ENFORCING) rules regarding non-guest use of resorts. Is it OK to watch from the beach after eating dinner at Ohana? How about a burger at Captain Cook? How many (non-registered) guests of guests staying at POLY should be allowed?

The internet has resulted in too many people using "our secrets". The closing of the observation deck by CA Grill is an example. I suspect the number of people on the POLY beach is another area that may require some attention.

The key to your entire post is DISNEY. They have the right and responsibility of both deciding and enforcing or not enforcing the rules as THEY choose; not as we would like them to do. It is, after all, THEIR property. I wonder how many of us would like having total strangers tell us what we should and should not do with our own property?

The best aspect of Disney is their desire to give every guest a magical experience. It's what they do best.

They realize that sometimes rules can be bent in order to provide that magic. The rules actually give them the flexibility they need to ensure guests have a wonderful vacation. When necessary, the pool-hopping rules let them ensure that resort guests are accommodated and have access to the resources they paid for. When possible, they can allow other guests to pool-hop, thus bending the rules, in order to create some magic.

Disney does not handcuff themselves or the CMs with these rules. It's a magical thing when rules actually create freedom! Walt would love it!

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by Eeyore1954
When did we lose the concept of "come and share the magic?"

In the parks I expect to have to share and share alike. This is not the case at the resorts. I expect to be able to enjoy it's amenities without disturbance from people who choose to spend their money in a different manner.

Anne