Poly - NO Hot Tub????

[KAK]

We are planning a trip to the Poly in Jan. and have heard that there are no hot tubs but there are warm water areas in the pool. Could someone explain?

Thanks
KAK

 

[stingmom]

there are no hot tubs at the Poly. and don't believe the "warm waterfall" bit either. we were there in April and we were quite chilly, so we found the "warm waterfall" that is near where the slide empties and we were still cold. the only warm area we found in the pool was over the water vent in the shallow end. this was the only place our 6DD could be due to the chilliness of the day and water (her teeth were still chattering and her lips were blue)

 

[cara loves the poly]

We were there in April also, very chilly swimming after five o'clock. Between one o'clock and four o'clock it was fine. Didn't notice any "warm spots", my children were blue too after five o'clock! They say the water temp is 80 something, sure didn't feel like it!

 

[cavecricket]

Dont get me wrong...i know there are alot of poly lovers on this board but hear me out...had a bad experience for my first stay there!!!

I will not ever invest another dime into the poly until the revamp is done!!!!......we stayed at AKL for a week and 1/2 and they royally screwed up our reservations so Disney picked up the difference for us to finish off at the poly cause the AKL was booked....we paid $500 disney paid the addtl $795 ( 4nights!! ouch!!! )and it was less then enchanting. the halls stink of stagnent smoke ( even the non smoking units )

The no hot tub bit is b.s. for a tropical paradise resort.... they actually tell you that they do have a hot tub then they proceed to tell you to hop the monorail and head over to the GF to use theirs ( no later then 9pm mind you ) which is absurd!!

the "feature pool" which was recently revamped is very small and almost 1/2 of it is the zero g entry so there is even less swimming room. it is also very narrow the waterfall is NOT heated.

as far as i could tell there was only 1 laundry room ( very small ) and 2 of the washers didnt work but they take your money and the house phone was broken as well.

the in room tv was 20" at best.

good luck to you....

ever considered AKL????
I always tell people that Disney took all the guest complaints, and suggestions and used them to build the best resort on property for less $$$$

I heard they are planning a revamp for the entire poly next year....its about time! lets hope they include a hot tub or two

( by the way...AKL: has 2 hot tubs )

I am in the DVC now so I will be spending my time at VWL......hope you have a good time !!!

well thats my 2 cents!!!

 

[TDC Nala]

There are some bubbling jets at one end of the main pool but the temperature as far as I can tell is the same as the rest of the pool. No hot tubs anywhere.

 

[Tikiman]

Just to give some of the facts, the design of the Volcano pool brings the heated water in at the stream end (under the bridge) to the seated area where the jets are. That is why in the original description of the pool when it opened it was called the warmer water area. It all depends on how much they have the heater turned up and that can fluctuate. It is not going to be as hot as a hot tub, which for me is not an issue because we go in the summer. Also there is no reason to complain to the Polynesian staff because it was not a decision made by them to not put a hot tub in the new design. Disney Resort officials decided to not put a hot tub in the design of the Polynesian and the GF pool because of the issues they have with children in the hot tubs at other resorts (this is the explanation from management and I have heard it from many Disney employees). If you go when it is colder out I suggest you swim in the East pool since the Volcano pool is much harder to keep warm since there is so much moving water because of the water slide and water fall. The East pool is usually very warm in the winter months and is much deeper.

I don’t suggest anyone go over to the GF to use the hot tub since it is against Disney policy and even if a CM tells you to do it. CMs do give advise at times that is against the rules (believe it or not) so just because they tell you something does not mean you are supposed to do it. Just FYI. I can’t say I would blame someone for doing something after a CM tells them it was OK.

 

[Tikiman]

I almost forgot something. Maybe what cavecricket was told was to use the hot tub at the GF spa which is available to Polynesian guests.

 

[candleonwater]

Wow, I guess it's a good thing that Disney doesn't have to try to satisfy EVERYONE with each resort! I was skeptical prior to my Poly stay... and afterwards I have to say, it's probably my favorite resort!

I was amazed to find a Deluxe that didn't have a hot tub, however it didn't faze me in the least as I've discovered from past trips, I HATE battling kids for the use of the hot tubs.

Sure there are things I don't like about the resort - I thought the game room was HORRIBLE, and the resort IS a bit spread out... and yes, the walls in the rooms are paper thin, but I always approach a vacation like... it's what you make of your situation that counts. And I can honestly say, even though there have been resorts that I've tried that I really didn't like, I can't say I have had a BAD trip to Disney World!

I've heard that the Poly has the greatest number of return guests, not sure if this is true or not, but I would believe it. We were in one of the rooms that HASN'T been renovated, and absolutely loved it. Almost hate to see them change!

 

[Sammie]

Tikiman is correct in that many times what guests complain about to Disney, is in fact a situation caused by their fellow guests.

Disney has received many complaints about the use of the hot tubs by kids and they also realize the dangers involved when young kids use the hot tubs. No child should be in a hot tub, and I don't care if an adult is with them. Just as adults have no business on a playground using the equipment, hot tubs are not meant for children.

When you have guests abusing a situation, Disney will make changes to prevent the abuses which many times involves removal of the situation. Which very likely will also happen to other programs that are abused.

So if you want to blame someone, blame those that abuse the system.

 

[Tikiman]

When you have guests abusing a situation, Disney will make changes to prevent the abuses which many times involves removal of the situation. Which very likely will also happen to other programs that are abused.

So if you want to blame someone, blame those that abuse the system.

I could not have said it better. Well put Sammie.

 

[MrPeteLI]

We went in March of 2004. Half of our party said the water was TOO warm. I found it just right, and had steam coming from it at night.

But it was cold as hell getting out!

 

[*Fantasia*]

You see that's my main concern... not having a hot tub at the Polynesian. We have stayed there twice.. And twice.. I looked for that warm spot.. but there is no warm spot not even where the bubbling jets are.

So.. you mean.. I could ask the front desk to see if we can use the hot tub at GF... I mean if we were going during winter.. and when the air is cold. I wouldn't mind staying at the Polynesian during winter if we could use the hot tub at the GF. I like bath water temperature.. sometimes even summer... I use the hot tub...

Anyways... it wouldn't be pool hopping if the front desk gives us persmission to use the hot tub at the GM. Why would I bother going there just for that? Because I wanna be able to enjoy and relax in the hot tub... it's not a complete vacation for me until I am able to step into the pool or if not at least the hot tub..

 

[Sammie]

You see that's my main concern... not having a hot tub at the Polynesian. We have stayed there twice.. And twice.. I looked for that warm spot.. but there is no warm spot not even where the bubbling jets are.

So.. you mean.. I could ask the front desk to see if we can use the hot tub at GF... I mean if we were going during winter.. and when the air is cold. I wouldn't mind staying at the Polynesian during winter if we could use the hot tub at the GF. I like bath water temperature.. sometimes even summer... I use the hot tub...

Anyways... it wouldn't be pool hopping if the front desk gives us persmission to use the hot tub at the GM. Why would I bother going there just for that? Because I wanna be able to enjoy and relax in the hot tub... it's not a complete vacation for me until I am able to step into the pool or if not at least the hot tub..

You can use the hot tub at the Spa at the Grand. If having a hot tub is a major requirement, then I would simply book a stay at a resort with one.

 

[Tikiman]

You see that's my main concern... not having a hot tub at the Polynesian. We have stayed there twice.. And twice.. I looked for that warm spot.. but there is no warm spot not even where the bubbling jets are.

So.. you mean.. I could ask the front desk to see if we can use the hot tub at GF... I mean if we were going during winter.. and when the air is cold. I wouldn't mind staying at the Polynesian during winter if we could use the hot tub at the GF. I like bath water temperature.. sometimes even summer... I use the hot tub...

Anyways... it wouldn't be pool hopping if the front desk gives us persmission to use the hot tub at the GM. Why would I bother going there just for that? Because I wanna be able to enjoy and relax in the hot tub... it's not a complete vacation for me until I am able to step into the pool or if not at least the hot tub..

As I mentioned, you cannot use the GF hot tub at the GF pool. Just incase I was wrong I asked the Polynesian to see if the policy changed and 10 minutes ago I got an answer. You can use the GF Spa hot tub. You cannot use the GF resort pool hot tub.

 

[Ilovestitch]

Who care that the Polynesian doesn't have a hottub-- You can sit in their pool and see the castle watch Wishes !!!!

 

[DisneyPhD]

Tikiman is correct in that many times what guests complain about to Disney, is in fact a situation caused by their fellow guests.

Disney has received many complaints about the use of the hot tubs by kids and they also realize the dangers involved when young kids use the hot tubs. No child should be in a hot tub, and I don't care if an adult is with them. Just as adults have no business on a playground using the equipment, hot tubs are not meant for children.

When you have guests abusing a situation, Disney will make changes to prevent the abuses which many times involves removal of the situation. Which very likely will also happen to other programs that are abused.

So if you want to blame someone, blame those that abuse the system.

IMO there are only 2 things wrong or more so lacking at Poly, absence of hot tub and no playground.

From what you say they had a reason not to put one in during the remodel, but it apears they listen to guest complaints because it is the ONLY Deluxe resort (or mod for that mater) that doesn't have one. More so every new resort since the remodel of Poly has a hot tub (or more like AKL and SSR.) so it shows that guests do in fact want them or they would of left them out for the same reasons they did at Poly.

The whole poly plan might of looked good on paper, but I think they regret it now because it is the number one complaint about the resort.

As far as a playground goes they could put one in, it wouldn't be that hard. They say they have a water play area. That is only good when you actually want you kids to play in water. There is many times you would like to blow off a little steam and not have them get wet.

The addtion of both would really help to make the resort a better place. Heck if they added both it would be just pefect for me (ok, maybe had some DVC section, but I am just dreaming now. )

BTW if the hot tubs are in an area that is life gard maned then they should bring it to the attention of the parents that the rules state they are not allowed in it. Just like life gaurds will remind you to walk or will ask you not to use rafts that are not permited.

 

[Tikiman]

Yes it is the number 1 complaint at the Polynesian.

Yes the new manager has looked into having one added but there are no plans at this point.

No it does not affect the attendance at the resort.

No it was not the only new pool construction to have a hot tub removed from the plans for the reason mentioned. The GF pool was built right after the Polynesian pool and they decided not to add a hot tub to that pool for the same reason but they were not going to go and remove the existing hot tub and the reason it was removed from the design was not because they already had a hot tub.

As for lifeguards they are not around all night when people are still in the pool.

My opinion is I could care less about a hot tub or playground. Last time I checked I had amusement parks to let the kids blow off steam. Again it is just my opinion (yes I am entitled to one also) and I don’t see the number of guests not staying at the Polynesian dropping off because of either of these things. I also don’t see that any of the WDW resorts should be everything to everyone. There are other resorts to stay at that have many hot tubs.

 

[Miss Park Avenue]

I must be in the minority because I love the Poly's pool set up. Somtimes, I find hot tubs too hot. We stay at OKW and when most go to the hot tub, I sit on the edge and put my feet in. And then I'm too far from my kids, who are at the pool. I love the jets, not the heat. We just love to pool hop to the Poly and I sit by the jets which always seemed a touch warmer than the rest of the pool. The jets feel so good on my sore feet. I can be right there to watch my kids go down the slide about a million times. I can see the castle from where I sit. Sometimes between slides, my girls come over and sit with me for a second, then they scurry up again. Ahhhh what a perfect day!

Of course none of this may be important to you. jmo, but if a hot tub is really important to you, I'd look into another resort. Everyone is entitled to get what they want out of a vacation and there are plenty of resorts that have hot tubs. Wilderness Lodge has wonderful ones.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Yes it is the number 1 complaint at the Polynesian.

Yes the new manager has looked into having one added but there are no plans at this point.

No it does not affect the attendance at the resort.

No it was not the only new pool construction to have a hot tub removed from the plans for the reason mentioned. The GF pool was built right after the Polynesian pool and they decided not to add a hot tub to that pool for the same reason but they were not going to go and remove the existing hot tub and the reason it was removed from the design was not because they already had a hot tub.

As for lifeguards they are not around all night when people are still in the pool.

My opinion is I could care less about a hot tub or playground. Last time I checked I had amusement parks to let the kids blow off steam. Again it is just my opinion (yes I am entitled to one also) and I don’t see the number of guests not staying at the Polynesian dropping off because of either of these things. I also don’t see that any of the WDW resorts should be everything to everyone. There are other resorts to stay at that have many hot tubs.

You are right, the hot tubs are open after the lifeguards are gone for the night. Is the main pool open all the time at Poly or only until midnight. I now the "quiet pools" with no lifgaurds are open all the time. At mods like PORS the quiet pools don't have hot tubs. At Y&BC and BCV they do.

When we stayed at Poly my DD was only a baby so the lack of playground didn't mater. Now it does to us. In 15 years it most likely won't again.

Of course most people would like to think that most young kids are not out swimming after hours, but never assume! (mine wouldn't be.)

True I think many people who do decide to go with Poly don't care as much about the hot tub (or playground) and if they did could go with many other resorts. (one reason we tend to do Y&BC now or WL, mostly because we are DVC though. ) There are many other choices that do have it.

However IF poly added those 2 things, I think it would be the perfect resort! (as it is now close to perfect isn't bad. )

 

[DizWacko]

Although I think it would be nice to have a hot-tub, the worst part of the Poly is the Tiny theme pool. I go during offseason no less, but there is very little swimming room in that pool because with the zero entry only about half of the pool is even semi deep.

FORGET it during the busy season, wayyy too many rowdy kids in the theme pool.