Poly dinner/fireworks question

[thatdarncat]

Has anyone ever eaten at the Poly? How is it? I was thinking of having dinner there then watching the fireworks from the beach. (I'll be there in September). But my question is, if you are not staying at the Poly, and you don't want dinner, can you just go to the beach there, sit, have a drink and watch the fireworks? Thanks for your help!

 

[Jungle Skipper]

Im surprised this thread dropped with no answers.

We make it a point to go to Ohana at least once every trip....The view is great near the windows and they pipe the music in as well.

My whole family LOVES the food there, Ohana is amongst my families favorite restaurants at WDW (and anywhere else for that matter).

I dont know about the beach, Ive never done that...but maybe this will bump the thread and someone else can answer that part.

Jungle Josh

 

[ducklite]

There are signs psoted that the beach and pool areas are for Polynesian guests only. However the only time they seem to enforce the beach rule is during major holidays--NYE, July 4th.

In September I don't think it will be a problem--although if a Polynesian resort guest happens along looking for a place to sit, IMHO a non-resort guest should feel obligated to give up their swing/hammock/etc.

Anne

 

[Frances999]

The beaches are for the exlusive use of Polynesian Resort guests only. As Anne says, there are signs stating this. I think it would be best to obide by the rule regardless of how quiet/busy it is. If everyone went and sat on the Polynesian beach when they weren't staying there it wouldn't be much fun, would it?

 

[thatdarncat]

Okay, so I'm beginning to see there are alot of "rules" at DIS, but I understand. If I was staying at the Floridian (like when I was a little kid and my parents took my sis and I there.. AHH GOOD TIMES!!), AAAAAnyway...if I was staying at some ritsy resort and someone stole my hammock I guess I's be annoyed. But looking at these threads, for about a month now, I'm beginning to realize how unbelieveably serious people take Disney. Not that there's anything wrong with that... Disney rocks the house, but people get really military about things. Don't even get people started about Pleasure Island.. hah!! It will make you sweat just to read the arguments on here. Anyway, I love the DIS as much as the next guy or gal, I appreciate "rules", but have some fun. Anyway, I think I will make my res for the Poly for dinner. I think it sounds good. Thanks for the review!!!

 

[mouseRD]

I know that anyone can visit any of the resorts, walk around, look around, so if you just happened to be there during the fireworks (& have already purchased a drink), I wouldn't see a problem. I know that there is a rule against using other pools other than the resort where a person is staying & that if you are parked at a guest resort, the maximum time is 3 hrs.

I also know that a guest of any resort can rent watermice (for example) at any resort they choose. We were staying at the Swan & were going to rent a watermouse from the Yacht Club (ran out of time) & if want to go parasailing, we would go to the Contemporary marina.

 

[catherines_mama]

Originally posted by thatdarncat
Okay, so I'm beginning to see there are alot of "rules" at DIS, but I understand. If I was staying at the Floridian (like when I was a little kid and my parents took my sis and I there.. AHH GOOD TIMES!!), AAAAAnyway...if I was staying at some ritsy resort and someone stole my hammock I guess I's be annoyed. But looking at these threads, for about a month now, I'm beginning to realize how unbelieveably serious people take Disney. Not that there's anything wrong with that... Disney rocks the house, but people get really military about things. Don't even get people started about Pleasure Island.. hah!! It will make you sweat just to read the arguments on here. Anyway, I love the DIS as much as the next guy or gal, I appreciate "rules", but have some fun. Anyway, I think I will make my res for the Poly for dinner. I think it sounds good. Thanks for the review!!!

Hey.. I wanted to give you my POV... I visited WDW in February with my sweet as can be DD. On our first night we went to OHana's for dinner. YOU MUST eat there. it is very good.

Yes, you can view the fireworks from inside the restaurant. But the view from the beach is wonderful. After dinner we stopped in the giftshop and bought some fun stuff I'd forgotten at home (i'm a bit scatter brained when packing). Then we asked a CM to point us in the direction of the beach, and what time fireworks were. They pointed us towards the beach and off we went.

I walked to the Right of the Volcano pool and we plopped down there on 1 lounge chair to watch the fireworks. I did not see any signs saying I could not sit there for the fireworks, or any at all for that matter.. I think I saw a no swimming in the lake sign. There were TONS of chairs.. TONS of swings AND hammocks available. We did not disrupt anyones stay at the resort and I am sure you will not either. Sept is a slow time at WDW as school is in session.

Enjoy your trip and the fireworks.

 

[thatdarncat]

THANKS SO MUCH!!!!

 

[DisneyWisher]

We also watched the fireworks from the beach while staying at a different resort. I never knew you weren't suppose to. We brought a blanket for everyone to sit on. We bought dinner for the kids at Captain Cook's and headed to the beach. We enjoyed it but no one ohh and aww'd but my brother (35) and myself(37). Every trip we also eat at Ohana's and love it. Especially the mesquite turkey mmmm. Not to forget the pineapple and caramel sauce. Oh and the pina coladas. LOL as you can see I enjoy Ohana's. I do prefer watching the fireworks from there because they pipe in the music and story associated with Wishes. We arrived 20 mins before our sit down time and asked for a window table. The CM told us it would be a longer wait, I said no problem. We were seated in the middle of the restaurant by the window with a perfect view of the castle and even saw the EWP though we couldn't hear it.

My only advice if staying at a different resort that is not a monorail resort bring your own car if you can. We decided to take the bus to DTD, than the bus to our resort. We waited 25 mins just for the DTD bus, then over to GF, when we got to DTD we had to wait 2 buses to get back to our resort. Driving would have been alot quicker. Reason we didn't go to MK for a bus was because we would have been cutting it close. Wishes was at 8:30 (MK closed at this time) we weren't done eating til about 9:30. I was afraid we'd miss the bus.

Shirley

This excerpt was taken from Mousesavers as something to do that doesn't cost anything.
"At night you can wander along the Polynesian's beach, sit in a cabana and watch the Electrical Water Pageant and the fireworks over the Magic Kingdom. It's very romantic. (Please be respectful of the many honeymooners who are paying to stay at the Polynesian for this exact reason, however.)"
http://www.mousesavers.com/freestuff.html#places

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by thatdarncat
Okay, so I'm beginning to see there are alot of "rules" at DIS, but I understand. If I was staying at the Floridian (like when I was a little kid and my parents took my sis and I there.. AHH GOOD TIMES!!), AAAAAnyway...if I was staying at some ritsy resort and someone stole my hammock I guess I's be annoyed. But looking at these threads, for about a month now, I'm beginning to realize how unbelieveably serious people take Disney. Not that there's anything wrong with that... Disney rocks the house, but people get really military about things. Don't even get people started about Pleasure Island.. hah!! It will make you sweat just to read the arguments on here. Anyway, I love the DIS as much as the next guy or gal, I appreciate "rules", but have some fun. Anyway, I think I will make my res for the Poly for dinner. I think it sounds good. Thanks for the review!!!

The problem becomes when too many take advantage of this idea. When the resort is sold out and then extras come over to watch then it becomes so crowded the paying guest can not enjoy what they are paying for. Kinda like the parks when they are overcrowded.

This is especially a problem in the parking lot as there are limited number of places to park.

 

[susy]

I completely agree with not taking up the swings, hammocks, or chairs, but if you've just dropped a lot of $$$ on dinner and drinks (not just a coke from the pool bar to say"hey look I bought something), I don't see anything wrong with taking a walk around the grounds and the beach. I live in south FL and if you eat dinner in a hotel , you are allowed to walk around the pool area, beach, whatever.... There seems to be a problem at the Poly with people coming over there to watch the fireworks. I am also not condoning people eating an early dinner and staking out a "place" to watch fireworks hours in advance. IMO, you've overstayed your "dinner" welcome. If you've just finished eating (or waiting to eat) and the fireworks are about to start, I doubt it would do any harm to watch the fireworks, provided you aren't taking a seat away from a resort guest. Just use common sense and good manners.

 

[Bojangles]

You don't have to eat there to watch the fireworks. If it is a rule, I have never seen it enforced. Not even July 4th.


As far as there being TONS of hammocks and swings available, we have stayed at Polynesian many times and have never seen one available for fireworks or EWP. Ever.

I don't mind the extra people, but they do need to respect those of us that are paying well over $300/night to stay there. I would like a parking space, lounge chair and maybe once a hammock or swing on the beach.

If you've ever been to Mackinac Island, they charge everyone that isn't staying there $10 to enter the resort. That's because they had so many non-guests passing through.

 

[catherines_mama]

Originally posted by Bojangles
You don't have to eat there to watch the fireworks. If it is a rule, I have never seen it enforced. Not even July 4th.


As far as there being TONS of hammocks and swings available, we have stayed at Polynesian many times and have never seen one available for fireworks or EWP. Ever.

I don't mind the extra people, but they do need to respect those of us that are paying well over $300/night to stay there. I would like a parking space, lounge chair and maybe once a hammock or swing on the beach.

If you've ever been to Mackinac Island, they charge everyone that isn't staying there $10 to enter the resort. That's because they had so many non-guests passing through.

Very true Bo.. you are entitled to your parking spot etc. When I said I saw open hammocks etc.. it was on a chilly Feb eve. I am sure that at peak and nice weather nights that beach is packed. I heard many guest walking away as I walked up going to watch it from the room.. Another great perk of the POLY. When I paid a great deal to eat at Ohana's I parked VERY far from the building.. I was in the very last row that faces the road.. many many rows over. You should have seen my 5' self carrying a sleeping 2 1/2 yr old all the way out there after the fireworks.

What I am trying to say is each experience and each night at the POLY (anywhere for that matter) is different. The Poly beach/fireworks debate is kind of silly. One night is totally different than others, and Poly regs saying that "THEY" (aka non Poly guests) cannot view the fireworks from THEIR beach is kind of nuts. Self respecting people that know how to be courteous and just want a magical way to end a long day are different from blantant pool hoppers. I don't think anyone on this board would look at a Poly family standing to watch the fireworks and not feel bad. For me that was not the case. There was a row of chairs to the left of me with only 1 taken. After the show I saw some people standing on the sidewalk, but I didnt feel bad, it was chilly by the water and there were plenty of chairs and like a said a few swings avail to.

OP... again, enjoy your trip and the magic of dinner at Ohanas and the fireworks.

 

[dpic]

I guess I'm of the opinion, as others have said, that if I drop $150 on dinner, I'm a guest. I don't think it's right to take a seat from a resort guest, however.

Originally posted by Bojangles
If you've ever been to Mackinac Island, they charge everyone that isn't staying there $10 to enter the resort. That's because they had so many non-guests passing through.

No they charge it because people are willing to pay. In many, many trips to the Island, I have declined the privilege of enjoying the grounds and hospitality of the Grand Hotel (for the mere sum of $10).

 

[colleen costello]

FYI, the Poly pool bar closed early when we stayed in June. If you want a fluffy drink to enjoy while illegally watching the fireworks, you'll need to bring it from Ohana, Kona or Tambu Lounge inside the lobby.

 

[Bojangles]

Originally posted by catherines_mama
I heard many guest walking away as I walked up going to watch it from the room.. Another great perk of the POLY.

FYI not all the rooms there have a lake view, you can't see fireworks from the gardenview rooms. Plus, you can't hear the music from Wishes in your room.

 

[Frances999]

If everyone read this thread and thought 'Hey, what a great idea let's go to the Poly to watch the fireworks one night' it would be rediculously crowded and not as 'special' to those paying over $300 a night to stay at the resort.

IMO it is a rule which should be enforced more strongly. I will not visit the Polynesian beach and take up a hammock/bench/area iof beach this August when we visit AKL and likewise in December when we are at the GF after the Poly.

One of the reasons I choose to spend big $$$ to stay at The Polynesian is for the beach and firework views MK views. If I can enjoy this for free why bother?

 

[catherines_mama]

Originally posted by Frances999


One of the reasons I choose to spend big $$$ to stay at The Polynesian is for the beach and firework views MK views. If I can enjoy this for free why bother?

And people who drop $$ at Ohana's should have just as much right. Ask a Podeum CM, they'll direct you to the beach for the viewing. I'm not saying its ok to arrive at the Poly 5 min before WISHES and go cop a squat on the beach. I AM telling the OP to enjoy a FABULOUS Ohana's dinner then to enjoy a magical viewing of WISHES.

Really you make it out to be that EVERYONE and their brother is tripping over themselves to truck to the POLY for the BEST view of Wishes. I saw it 3 times during my vacation and the best ever view.. was from Main Street!

And Bo, I know that not every Poly room has a view, but many do. AND where on the beach we were there was no piped in music. Not sure if it wasnt working but we didnt get it that night. OR.. you know what happened.. The beach sensed the presence of a NON poly guest and that caused the music not to work and it ruined the enjoyment for all the other folks.

PS.. what's the meaning of Ohana anyway? Family right. Where everyone is welcome. I doubt if you call the GM for the Poly he'd say OP was welcome to spend $$ at his restaurants but not sit on his beaches for fireworks. OHANA.. remember that!

 

[Threehearts]

I know my family is in the minority here but I had to chime in as a 3X/yr. Poly Conc. family. I COULD CARE LESS!! I cannot spend my vacation policing who is in the pool, on a lounge chair, sitting on "our" beach or parking in the lot. We also pay a lot of money to stay in the Polynesian and it irks me far more that their rates are so high with room quality so poor. That being said, we do very much enjoy the Poly and if we can't find a seat/space some where, I guess we'll just have to be flexible.

Enjoy your vacation! Do what you think is the right thing to do. I'd hate to think we all spend so much time worrying about these things when compared to illness, financial or family strife these issues are of minor importance. Have a Disney Day and we'll see you in August.

Threehearts

 

[colleen costello]

Threehearts, I agree with you 100%. I love the Poly, and we visit on every trip. We always rent boats, shop, and have (expensive!) meals there. We pool-hop when allowed as we are DVC members. We have also eaten at Ohana and then enjoyed the fireworks from the beach. Like most hotels, the Polynesian is a public property, and I think strolling and shopping is encouraged. It seems unrealistic to claim that the beach is off-limits but to guests. We stayed for 5 nights in June, and it was great. Part of why I wanted to stay was that I KNEW from visiting how great the property was. I am sure a lot of Poly visitors become Poly guests, and even regulars! I can't recall the exact wording of the signs, but I understood them to warn that the POOL is for guests only.

We swam every day of our stay -- it was extremely hot -- and always got a chair or table right away or after a bit. They checked ID's for pool towels and I sure couldn't see any obvious "pool crashers." Maybe the ID check will help reduce this problem.