Poly RARATONGA Pros and Cons?

[DJmommy]

I am planning on requesting Raratonga for our 1st POLY stay in December this year and was wondering if anyone can give us their pros and cons regarding this building. I am choosing this because I would love to get an updated room for our trip.

After careful consideration of the map and Tikiman's site I thought this would be a convenient building for us ( DH, myself, DS 6 and DD 2 ). We will be spending a good deal of time at the MK and thought having easy access to the monorail would work out. Plus I think the bus stop is outside the arcade?

Not having to walk through the winding paths late at night coming back from the parks with 2 tired kids seems to make sense to me.

My ? is because it is right outside the GCH, is there a lot of noise and foot traffic all the time? We will be putting our DD down for naps during the afternoon but plan on bringing with us the white noise sound machine that she uses at home during naps so it might not be a factor.

2nd ?: Should I request a ground floor or 3rd floor balcony? My DH and I would like to be able to spend sometime outside when she is napping or after the 2 kids go to sleep at night?

3rd ?: Should I request the quiet pool side or the monorail side? Which have better views?

4th ?: How far of a walk is it to the Volcano pool?

Any comments and suggestions would really be appreciated. If you remember a specific room you stayed in that you liked please include this, too.

You guys always have the answers. Thanks.

Jackie

 

[EjandMD]

Jackie! Good question I am wondering the same things, same building floor and time of year....Dec. 12-18!!!!

 

[edingerc]

Most of the info you're seeking is at Tiki's site: http://www.tikiman2001.homestead.com/rarotonga.html

 

[Nik's Mom]

We stayed in the same building and loved the convenience! Just a few steps from GCH, monorail, TTC and bus stops. We were on the 2nd floor and missed having a balcony.

 

[colleen costello]

Hi Poly lovers. We stayed in Raratonga last June. It was PERFECT! My Mom has limited mobility so I called and asked to be assigned close to the main lobby. They were so kind to accommodate us and we had two connecting rooms right at the end of the first floor hallway, just steps from all the action. Our rooms were in perfect shape; everything was newly redone. They looked toward the quiet pool, which I preferred, alothough I noticed during picture-taking that the rooms facing the front had a nice view too. I worried about "parking lot view" but in fact there is so much greenery I doubt they look at cars at all. The rooms facing the parking lot get a monorail view, too.

I heard no noise, neither from neighbors nor folks outside. I did not notice much foot traffic past our room. To the delight of my children, however, two little ducks would take cover on our patio whenever a storm blew up. We were seconds from Captain Cook's and I trusted the kids (10 and 6 at the time) to go on their own, together for drink refills. They enjoyed that. It took just a couple of minutes to walk over to the Volcano pool.

We got spoiled, and I can't imagine a nicer location. If we went out the far end of the building, right across was the laundry room and the arcade. Perfect! I felt we were convenient to EVERYTHING! I can't wait 'til the current renovations are done, because we'll spring for Poly again once the work is done.

Have fun.

 

[eeyore45]

We stayed there last summer, and loved it!! We even stayed on the 2nd floor (no balcony) and I didnt miss it, only because it was too too HOT out!! We faced the quiet pool, it was gorgeous - most every night we were at the pool for Wishes if we werent in a park!! On the way back from the pool once I cut thru a different longhouse, just to 'check it out' - I think it was Tokelau, it really is closer than it may look on a map!!

I actually requeste Tokelau, thinking we would have a better chance of getting it - it was "bigger/more rooms" and like you I had reasons for my 'requests' When I checked in and she circled our longhouse... I was gobsmacked... but closed my mouth and went with it (2nd floor and all) and I LOVED our view, our room, etc!! It was close to the laundry, bus stops, GCH, and a nice walk to the TTC... but really, its all good!! No, for me, its all GREAT!!

 

[Grumpy'n'Goofy]

Just got back and we stayed in Raratonga (had requested Tokelau ). The location was great, we had 1st floor rooms facing the monorail, so we saw no foot traffic. I would gladly stay there again, especially if they had the new rooms ready! We never heard the monorail (or any other unwanted noises). HTH

 

[cdpa4d]

Same here. We stayed in Raratonga in May and loved it. It was right next to the GCH on one side and on the other side entrance/exit was the arcade and The Neverland Club.

I believe Raratonga offers a great location. The rooms we stayed in were in great shape and very large! We really enjoyed the extra space.

 

[septbride2002]

Sept 2002 we were put in Raratonga on the quite pool side. I would request this side because there is lovely foilage as well. It is not a noisy building at all - and very convient to captain cooks and GCH. The walk to the TTC is not bad either!

~Amanda

 

[Harambe]

We loved this building as well. We were on the first floor facing the monorail, and sitting on the patio, you see just beautiful foliage, palms, the tiki torches, and the monorail going by. Gorgeous!

 

[DJmommy]

Thank you to all those who replied. I feel much more comfortable with my request now. I think I will request a first floor room too, because it just seems that it still is somewhat private and even more convenient not having to wait for the elevators. Either side sounds fine so I will not worry about that part of it.

I'm glad to hear that the walks to both the Volcano pool and the TTC are not too bad either.

I'm sure we will love our first trip to the Poly. Thanks again for all the info.

Jackie