Poly January 2008

[Native NYer]

We're staying at the Poly in January for my nephew's 4th birthday. I've read mixed reviews and am considering switching to the GF. Any advice?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

My family and I just stayed at the Poly and we had an amazing time. The Cast Members always said alhoa and the Resort was looking very beautiful.

 

[cara loves the poly]

We're getting ready for our third trip! I couldn't say enough about it, we LOVE it! No way I would switch!

 

[cara loves the poly]

Here is a pic of what the rooms look like:

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[cara loves the poly]

Here is a view from our 3rd floor balcony:

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[ploto]

We have just returned from our second stay at the poly and had a great time. Personally I like the poly theming much better, I would stay at the poly!

 

[Native NYer]

Thanks for the advice. This will be my first time staying at the POLY and I'm really excited. I hope my nephew loves it! I've been trying to upgrade to CL, but the rooms are sold out. I'm hoping for a cancellation.

 

[frdeb1999]

I deffinately would'nt switch. We nearly always stay at the Poly CL and honestly have never had any problems. And if you do...they are always willing to fix it .... just ask. I think way to many people don't do so right away and wait til they get home to send back input of their stay. Hope you have a wonderful stay!!

 

[BreezysMom]

I've heard mixed reviews abut GF too....

and AKL, WL, CR and so on and so on.

Keep the faith! I am sure you will have an incredible time! Just don't sweat the small stuff.

 

[Nezgrrl]

I wouldn't switch to the GF. The Poly's theming is awesome, and the rooms are huge. My DD loved it, esp. the beach and the view of the MK fireworks at night. I wasn't impressed with the housekeeping, but there was nothing *specific* I could call and complain about without sounding nitpicking. I thought for the price the housekeeping could have been more thorough, but I assure you it didn't diminish from the joy we had staying at the Poly. I would definitely stay there again when my budget allowed.

 

[Lauriebz]

I would probably not switch. You are going to see conflicting reports for most resorts. The Polynesian is a very nice resort and I would not hesitate to stay there. Have a great trip!

 

[Native NYer]

Thanks! I'm getting more and more excited about the trip. I leave on 1/16. Can anyone recommend a restaurant and/or activity to do at the POLY? I want to do something special for my nephew's birthday.

 

[lovemesomedisney]

We just got back from Poly and we spent my neice's b-day at Ohana's. We told them it was her b-day and the lady let her lead the limbo line and had two guys at our table dress in grass skirts to hold the bar!! It was great! They also brought her a b-day cake out and lit candles so we could sing. The cake did taste terrible though but oh well. Also as far as the poly I LOVE IT!! It is great transportation to MK as well as Epcot.

 

[Smailey]

I can speak of Ohana's breakfast which is wonderful. My DW and I have ADR's there for dinner on 1/16 with my sister and her family and I can't wait to try the dinner!

 

[Native NYer]

I'm looking forward to trying O'hana's! We have ADRs for O'hana's on 1/16 for dinner as well. I will be sure to let the server know we're celebrating my nephew's birthday. Anyone else going to be at the POLY 1/16-1/20?

 

[kbuckley]

Me! Actually there will be 15 of us going then. We, too, have ADR for O'Hana's the 16th. Can't wait to see everyone!

 

[PolyHereWeCome]

Don't switch, OP, you'll have a fine time at the Poly. We the Poly, and truthfully, like you I was considering having our next trip be at the GF just for a nice change. It's a no-go with DD10, DS10, & DH who say it looks stuffy and not a fun place for kids, and said they'd be sad watching folks go down the volcano slide while they were trapped at the GF.

 

[Native NYer]

Thanks for the advice! My nephew will be 4 when we go in 3 weeks. I really want to make sure the hotel is appropriate for him and he'll have a great time. While the GF seems so beautiful, I'm not sure if it would be the right place for us.

I hope everyone has a great time at the POLY and O'hana's!!!!

 

[Morley Dotes]

I wish you the best of luck!....We just got back and, perhaps it depends on what you are used to, but I thought the room was horrible. It is not as light as the picture posted, at least, not any of the rooms I saw. The house keeping services are close to non-existant, and that is with leaving tips before the room was cleaned. Our room was filthy. It God only knows what was being done, but our sheets were NEVER changed (the first day, my son smeared a bit of chocolate on the sheet, and it was there until the last day (that's when I went ballistic....read on). The first night I asked our house keeper for a couple of extra pillows and gave her $5. When we came back, no pillows. I asked her again, she said she would get right on it. It never came, and no soap in the room! What the heck happened to it, I don't know. I called downstairs, they sent up pillows and soap. The mirrors were dirty. The shower liner was 1/3 mold. The shower tiles were covered with black mold also. The room service trays would sit outside the door for over 24 hours. And, what set me over the edge......the day before we were leaving, I stepped on a needle in my room (sewing needle) that was on the floor still with string on it. I have never stayed in a one star hotel, but I suspect the experience would be similar. I have certain expectations from a "Deluxe Resort," and while I am not an extremely picky person, whatever basic expectations I have were certainly NOT met. Curiosly, the couple we went with had similar complaints, and when talking about some other people heard and had similar complains (though nobody was harpooned by a renegade sewing needle)........

With that said, and I only mention it to you so you don't expect much from that part of the Resort. Though we will not likely return to that particular resort, I suspect you will find the main house a lot of fun for you kids, and the monorail is very convenient. The staff at the hotel were also all very nice, including the housekeeping manager that came and inspected my room, etc.. The Konah Cafe is great. Everything else was very nice, and a much better suited for children than the Grand Floridian. With any luck, you will not have the same room problem, and everything else will go smoothly. If not, speak directly to a house keeping manager immediately.

Oh, btw, one thing I thought was odd, when they were making up the rooms, they would keep the room doors closed. After reading/hearing about thefts, I guess I just noticed it. However, in all of the better resorts we have stayed at, that is never the case. We were very careful not to leave anything out that we thought might create temptation for someone, (as we usually do, but more so here). I should note that when we stayed at the Yacht Club, everything was perfect (we will probably go back there next time).

Best of luck....and Happy New Year!

Morley

 

[SnwflkCts]

DH and I considered it a very lucky break that we were unable to get ressies at the Grand Floridian on our first trip. We loved the more casual atmosphere of the Polynesian. We have eaten at 'Ohana and enjoyed it and have eaten three times at the Kona Cafe. Very good! We had no problems with housekeeping and our room was always clean and bedding changed. As you see, this will be trip number three and I hope for the same wonderful service as before.