Poly concerns

[lts862]

I have been reading more and more negative things about musty and rundown rooms. Is this true? Even with the newly refurbished rooms? Help! This our first visit to the Poly.

It seems that there have been similar reviews of the Port Orleans and that, too is under renovation. Please give any details, good or bad, of your recent experiences at the Poly.
Thank you.

 

[zulaya]

I see this is your first post on the boards. Welcome.

First off, for every bad post about any resort, there is an equally exceptional post about the same resort. Different people have wildly different expectations.

I heard the same things about the Polynesian before my trip in December. Rundown, outdated...blah blah blah. You have to realize too that no one posts on those outstanding experiences because there's not much to say. When you start a laundry list of all the bad things, then people start to talk and gossip and ask all kinds of questions so those threads stay on page 1 and "in your face", if you will.

We had a great experience at the Polynesian. As a matter of fact, if I hadn't bought into DVC last year, I'd have been to the Polynesian on my June trip and be going in November. We probably will go again at some point, but it's not for lack of love.

We were in Rapa Nui, admittedly one of the "newer" buildings - that's built in the 80s I think. We had none of the "smell" that supposedly people say is around. Nothing looked bad or "dated". It looked authentic to the Polynesian islands that are represented.

Go with the attitude that everything will be great! And it will!

One more note...The Polynesian has the highest return guest rate of any Disney Resort. *IF* It was truly a bad place to stay...it wouldn't have that statistic behind its name.

Enjoy your vacation.

(edited because I forgot that *IF* the first time around)

 

[nonnymouse]

Welcome, and don't be discouraged. The Polynesian is a wonderful place - I personally cannot even count the number of times we have stayed there. The only problem we have ever had was with a rude employee who was one of the parking lot guys and that was ONCE. The rooms that we have stayed in have been fresh and very up to date. I hope your trip is wonderful!

 

[corvair]

we stayed at the poly in may....i loved the poly....we have stayed at AKL and WL and FRQT......the poly wins hands down....we were in samoa ground floor facing the volcano pool... we liked every thing about the poly...i will never go back to disney with out staying there..amy

 

[BCV23]

We all absolutely love the Polynesian. It is magical to us. Don't worry, you'll love it and will probably be planning your next stay on your way home.

 

[LvsTnk]

Just there in July and our stay was great! No smell, no musty odor, and the room was in good shape!!

Enjoy your magical stay at the Polynesian

 

[Planogirl]

You might want to ask the person who made a negative report when they actually stayed at the Polynesian. All of these resorts tend to get a bit threadbare when they're due for refurbishment and often it's been a very long time even years since people have stayed at a particular resort. That's not to say that many negative responses about resorts aren't due to recent experiences but many are not too.

I wouldn't worry, it's a Disney resort after all.

 

[Mamu]

Its862 I read all the same things and asked the same questions. As far as I was concerned none of them were true.

We were at the Poly for 7 nights in February. I love this resort and so don't my Grandchildren. They want to return again this year, but I've decided I'd like to try WL. It was a very hard decision for me, but I like to try different resorts. I know I'll return to the Poly again. It's my favorite.

The Poly was clean, the grounds beautiful, and the staff wonderful. It has a great pool and you can watch the Electric Water Parade from the beach.

My only complaint was Kona Cafe had the worst coffee I've ever had. After the first morning I learned they do sell cappuccino.

Fret not you are infor a wonderful vacation sprinkled with Pixie Dust when you stay at the Poly.

EDIT THIS POST TO CORRECT MY MISTAKE: It's not the Kona that has the yucky coffee, it Captain Cooks. The Kona has good coffee.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Does anyone know which buildings were refurnished and when?

Thank you!

 

[dianna112198]

The Polynesian is the best resort I have ever stayed in...EVER! If I could live there, I would. And the only smell I smelled was the tropical fragrance from all of the lovely flowers in the lobby.

 

[Jeanny]

Welcome to the DisBoards, Its862~ have you checked out Tikiman's site? http://tikiman2001.homestead.com/index.html You'll learn SO much from him.

We stayed in Tokelau #3942 last Thanksgiving and loved the room AND the resort.... The room was HUGE, it wasn't a small little tiny hotel room!!

You really won't be disappointed. trust us here on the boards... you'll learn A LOT!!


Good Luck!

 

[Scoootch]

Just stayed in the Tokelau building for a wknd in June and it was wonderful! Don't worry, you'll have a wonderful time!!

 

[mickeem]

I cannot say enough good things about the Polyesian either!
Have stayed there a few times, and now this will be the only resort we stay at.
We prefer Tokelau, as it is in the center, but far enough away from the commotion of the volcano pool.

We have never had any bad experiences here... And hope not to!

As suggested earlier, check out Tikiman's Polynesian Web Site, as it will have all information you will need for your stay.

Have a great time!!!

Counting down the days until our next Polynesian stay!!!

 

[Tikiman]

Tuvalu (completely refurbished inside and out October 2001)
Aotearoa and Fiji (completely refurbished inside and out October 2002)
Samoa (completely refurbished inside and out May 2003)
Hawaii (being done now till October 2003)

Rapa Nui Tahiti and Tokelau are newer longhouses and were rehabbed in 2001 with another soft rehab to Tahiti just before the switch to concierge. Tahiti and Rapa Nui are only a few years older then the Grand Floridian.

Niue and Rarotonga had a soft rehab in summer 2001


Aloha

Steve

 

[mariamouse]

I stayed at the Polynesian last November and I had the best time!! It is now one of my favorite resorts, just behind the Beach Club. My family stayed in the Tokelau longhouse-- I can't remember our room #, but the room was wonderful!! We were on the ground floor in a standard garden view room, but upon request, we had a view of the lagoon! We could see the Contemporary and TTC from the room, but if we walked a few steps out, we could see the castle and Grand Floridian. The room was spacious and everything was as nice as it could have been. The walk from the longhouses to everything else is really quick and we loved the Volcano pool! The Kona Cafe is one of our favorite restaurants in Disney World as well. Plus, the monorail is really convenient. While some people may say they dislike the resort, everyone has different opinions and different standards. Regardless, I never encountered a weird smell or unfriendly staff. I love this resort and I know you will have a wonderful time!!

 

[TINKTWINS]

I LOVE THE POLY

No smell. Very clean. LOVED it.

Also stayed in POR and that was fine too.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I am extremely picky about hotels. I would rather stay home than stay in a hotel that isn't nice. So, that being said, I LOVE THE POLY!!!!!! I was afraid to stay there at first because of negative things I had read here on the DIS, but we decided to give it a try and LOVED IT! We were in Fiji and it was very clean, no bad smells, in fact the smells were the best part! There were all these beautiful flowers around the building... ummmm... I can smell them now.

You will NOT be disappointed with the Poly. It's the most romantic resort in WDW, there's great food, a great pool, transportation is the best, I could go on and on. I can't wait to stay there again someday.

 

[Tina]

I'm one of those who have posted a poor review of the Polynesian in the past. Everyone has different expectations and acceptance levels. We stayed in a GV Concierge room in Hawaii. Our room was one of the stinky ones. It smelled heavily of must and mold - similar to a wet basement, then masked with a tropical scent. One night was all our allergies could take (that and the fact that they shampooed the carpets one afternoon right before we returned to our room, leaving them squishy-wet). We asked to be relocated and were moved promptly to the Yacht Club Concierge (which we fell in love with!). I still like the Polynesian - great CMs, great pool, great location, but found the our experience to be less than we expected for a Disney deluxe. It all depends on your expectations, your comfort level, and the luck of the draw. Keep in mind that we were in a very old building which is now being renovated. You're experience may be completely different.

 

[goofy4tink]

Now, I have the reverse problem. I wasn't crazy about the whole south sea theming, but my dd has wanted to stay there for 6 yrs now. With the FTP we were able to swing it. Now, my problem is what if I fall in love with the place?? I'll never be able to go back to a moderate. You all have such wonderful things to say that I just can't wait to get there. I'm at the point that I don't even care where they put me....I'll sleep in the nice new bus stop!!! Thanks everyone.

 

[mickeem]

OK, I have decided that with all these Positive posts, The Polynesain might be becoming more popular than ever.

I think you all might need to find a reason to stay somewhere else, so I wil be assured a room when need to stay there!! hee hee.



If some one is that unsure of a particular resort... Then try one that you know, and take a tour of the one you are afraid of. You can even ask to tour the rooms if you are afraid of bad smells..
Just an idea!

Have a Disney Day!!