Poly January 2008

[Native NYer]

Morley did you call the front desk to complain about the housekeeping service? I guess it all depends on who your housekeeper is for your stay.

I'm still looking forward to staying at the POLY on 1/16. I have a trip planned for August and am trying to figure out when to go back!!!

 

[Morley Dotes]

Jennifer,

Not until I stepped on the needle. I did complain about the soap and pillow, and that was taken care of, but when I go on vacation, it takes a lot to set me off, mostly because I don't want to waste time dealing with things that should have been taken care of, especially when they are not that important to me....but stepping on the needle presented a possible danger to my family and that I cannot blow off. So then, that's when I let it rip. My son is 4, and my daughter is 2.5, and they LOVED it. The speed boats were my sons favorite (and, ehem, me too). We usually spend most of our time in the parks, so the rooms have never been such a big deal, and we have been "resort hopping," every time we go, and if we have time to go back in March we might try AK for a couple of days, and then probably back to the YC (which, so far, is our favorite by far). We might try GF, but friends just came back from there, and they were not so happy with the service either, and, like you, I don't think it too kid friendly. The one plus, for us, of GF or Poly, is the monorail and for us, it is a big plus, especially when the kids get tired, so we might still give GF a chance. You're a native NY'er, you'll do fine. Have an awesome time! Are you getting the meal plan?

-Morley

 

[Native NYer]

Hi Morley,

Native NYer can sometimes mean ultra-picky! I really like nice resorts and I like clean even more. Your story had definitely made me nervous and I will be cautious as well. A needle on the floor HORRIBLE! I'm glad you had a good time regardless of the upkeep of the room. I will inspect my room very carefully. I don't want my 4 yr old nephew getting injured!

How is the YC? I'd like to plan just one more trip for 2008, either for MNSSHP or MVMCP. I'm debating another stay at the POLY or the GF or YC. I'd like to squeeze in a couple of golf lessons while I'm there. Any suggestions?

We are doing Deluxe Dining for both the January and August trips. I really hope it's worth it!! I will post a trip report when I return!

 

[GinnyFavers]

The only problem I have with the Polynesian is the same problem I have with all Disney Deluxe resorts -- for the money, the rooms should have a King bed option for couples traveling without kids, the tub area should be special (jetted, separate shower etc.), and there should be things like turn down service and robes.

But hey, I get the fact that they could double the rates for what they offer and people would still fork it over, so more power to them.

I'd always stay at the Polynesian over any of the other Deluxes, for the theming and location.

 

[jewelmicky]

We are staying at the Poly in Feb.....My SO is VERY picky about hotels. We usually stay at PO and have found it wonderful. We are doing the Land/Sea with My folks and her dad...so got the upgrade to Deluxe...I am hoping it holds up to the expectations.

What longhouse did you stay in? I have read all I can find on Poly here and Have noticed this "cleanliness" issue seems to cluster in certain areas maybe?

 

[Native NYer]

Any room category suggestions? I booked a Garden View, but want to upgrade. Unfortunately, they're sold out. I'm hoping for a cancellation!

 

[ConcKahuna]

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

It's actually Disney policy for the housekeepers to keep the doors closed when they clean. That way they don't leave and forget to latch the door.

I have to say, the idea of my room being left open when Mousekeeping goes on lunch makes me

As for your housekeeping issues, that kind of stuff can and does happen at prett much any resort anywhere in the world. The Polynesian is a AAA 4-diamond rated resort, so although you might have had problems they must not be too common.

 

[mickey2minnie1]

My family stayed in October and had a wonderful time. DH would say that I am very picky, lol, but I really had excellent service. We arrived late and I did call housekeeping at 9 pm to ask if the bedding could be changed with fresh spreads due to my son's severe allergy to dustmites. They came right away and changed everything, including sheets. I asked for extra towels and H2O produscts because we were a family of 5 and they happily oblidged. They brought me 2 bed rails as well. I tipped them and they went on their way. The resort was a 10 out of 10 for me. My kids loved the pool and the walking from our place to the monorail pic up or to the many food services the resort had to offer. Food was great and lots of fun.

DH, kids, and I enjoyed the Grand Ceremonial House for all that it had to offer.

IMO it was a vacation on top of a vacation. We cannot wait to go back. It was just magical and we made the best of everything despite TS Noel.

DH and I visited the GF and it is just beautiful. I would love to stay there too. But IMO, if you fun in the sun and a day of feeling relaxed after running the parks, the Poly is the one. Coming back and walking as the tiki torches lead is just a treat. Enjoy!!

 

[ConcKahuna]

http://www.aaa.biz/approved/files/LDRG_Final_march2002_website_update_Feb2005.pdf

Here's the AAA "application" for rating. It shows what is required of a resort for each rating level.

 

[Native NYer]

I'm looking forward to staying at the POLY. Most of the rooms are sold out for my upcoming stay, so I'm a little concerned about crowds. I thought January would be empty! I requested the Tahiti or Tokelau longhouse. I'm trying to get CL but it's booked! Anyone have other suggestions?

 

[LittleTink09]

12 of us will be at the Polynesian from jan 18 - 23!! It'll be my, i think, 6th time. My parents, my 34 YO brother aand 7 YO sister, love it! We've tried the contemporary, GF, BC.. but the poly is our number one! We love the convenience of the monorail and the tropical atmosphere. Ohanas breakfast and dinner is wonderful! You'll love it. Have a great time!

 

[Morley Dotes]

It's actually Disney policy for the housekeepers to keep the doors closed when they clean. That way they don't leave and forget to latch the door.

I have to say, the idea of my room being left open when Mousekeeping goes on lunch makes me

As for your housekeeping issues, that kind of stuff can and does happen at prett much any resort anywhere in the world. The Polynesian is a AAA 4-diamond rated resort, so although you might have had problems they must not be too common.

I would imagine that they would finish the room BEFORE going on lunch...well, you are right, perhaps at the Poly they would likely leave with the door wide open, so for that "resort" it might actually be a good idea.

As a matter of fact, you can find quite a few complaints about the house keeping/cleanliness issues by doing a simple search. And like I said, the couple we went with had issues as well, and so did others we spoke to in the hotel, so it is not as uncommon as you suggest. I have never had a room so filthy, and we travel often and stay in some relatively nice places. This was pretty bad, and certainly not what I expected, or have previously experienced with Disney.

 

[Morley Dotes]

Jennifer,

You are quite right. I guess it depends on what you are used to. I must say, for me (and everyone's tastes, etc, are different), but I found the YC to be the best all around. The only real drawbacks are, it is less kid friendly and no monorail. But, a quick walk or boat ride across to the boardwalk, and the kids had a blast. Character dining right there was nice. Walk to Epcot was great, though now that the kids are bigger, they really like Magic Kingdom so that is why we picked Poly, for the monorail. No golf for me....no time, and I would not have had any energy left anyway, my kids put me to shame!!! I would love to hear how the deluxe dining package went for you, I considered it, but we even with this meal plan, we had one meal left over. It may be a better value when the kids get bigger and really start putting the food away.

As NY'er, you are correct. You seem like you are more familiar with what I am trying to communicate. You will have a great time, and as long as you stay on top of the room, I am sure it will be fine too....just don't look between where the bed meets the headboard, and don't let anything you wear or touch fall back there (we used pillows to cover it up). The room is a decent size, and the daybed/futton was perfect for my son. He loved it.

Btw, we stayed at Rapa Nui (I don't know about the spelling....heck, it took me 3 days just to get the name right). We did not request this, and so, perhaps had we gotten a different place, house keeping may not have been an issue.

It is nice, but it seems old....do take your nephew downstairs. There is an area where kids can make lei's, etc., and there was a lady who made my son an elephant out of towels. It was really cute, and my son loved. My daughter got one as well, but since she is so young, it wasn't, "like my dolly daddy." Also, they had a little hula lesson, and both kids loved it. Like I said, the rest of the hotel was great, and by far, the most kid friendly of the resorts we have stayed in. The speed boats are great. My son loved them. We did a half hour the first time, and it went so fast. Go for an hour, you won't believe how the time goes out there. I was going to take my son fishing, but we didn't have time. Next time for sure. I heard it was really great from someone I met there. All of the restaurants were great there as well, even for a quick snack or lunch. The pool looked like a blast, but my son was just coming off an ear infection, so we never tried it out. Oh, I nearly forgot, one of the best parts of the trip, shop downstairs had Tommy Bahamma on sale (about 50% off)! Ha, I went nuts.

Best Regards,

Morley

 

[Native NYer]

Thanks Morley! I'm hoping for a great experience at the POLY. I will post my experience with deluxe dining. We picked the plan because we didn't want to do any counter service meals with my nephew. When we were there in June, the lines were ridiculous! Judging from my ADRs, we're going to be on character overload!

I'm going to look into the Yacht and Beach Club for a future stay. How is the bus service to the MK?

 

[KJF]

We just stayed there early Nov & had an awesome time! I too had read mixed reviews on mousekeeping & thought it was wonderful. We were in Rapa Nui, 3rd floor, parking lot view - which we actually loved cause we could watch the monorails going by & were right next to the elevator, so quick out & over to TTC for the monorails. DD5 & DS3 loved it there - they really want to go back! The pool area is great for them since they can walk right in. The GF just doesn't appeal to me - I can't imagine my kids running around there!

As far as the mousekeeping issues, if you look through the posts you will see complaints about almost all of the resorts. It seems that the quality is going down in general. We had no complaints at the Poly about it, however we had plenty of complaints about it at CSR last year. It really just depends on who you end up getting to service your room.

 

[Native NYer]

Housekeeping can be an issue at any hotel, from the POLY to the Four Seasons. I guess it does all depend on who's servicing your room at the time. I'm hopefull that it won't be an issue and we'll have a a wonderful stay. And, worse case scenario, if it is an issue, I'll call housekeeping.