Poly - requesting a longhouse at check in

[Tinkerchele]

Staying at the Poly Oct 22-29 and I have been looking at maps, reading reviews, clicking through Tikiman's site to scope out the best location for us. To tell you the truth, I don't see how we could go wrong with any of the houses. Rather than faxing in a request for a specific location, I think I may just wait and be surprised!

Also, just wondering, if I make a specific longhouse request at check in and a room is available, would they honor my request? I'm hoping they will have a room available in Samoa, Rarotonga or Aotearoa. Or Tokelau. See, the problem is I really can't make up my mind!

 

[poohbear2]

Same story with us! I just hope we don't get put into Napu?( is that the spelling?). It seems further away from the other longhouses and my mom will complain about the "long" walk.

 

[alohaguy]

Requests for specific longhouses, and specific room numbers, are not gauranteed, but are usually honored. I have not received the building I asked for on only one trip of the last ten - all at the Polynesian. In my opinion, if you are staying garden view, Tokelau is the best option. Tokelau is one of the three newer buildings (built in the late '80's) and the rooms are approximately 50 square feet larger than the other buildings. It also has balconies on each floor, whereas the older buildings do not have balconies on the second floor. Also, if you go to Epcot frequently, Tokelau is located very close to the path to the TTC - so a short walk to the GCH the ferry to MK and the TTC makes it ideal if you go to both parks often. If you're looking for a specific room, request 3915. It is on the 3rd floor of Tokelau and you actually have a castle view to the side. This is an end room and allows for a partial lagoon view and a view of the castle when out on the balcony looking to the side. The rate, however, is only garden view, so it's a nice treat.

Good luck, have a great trip.

 

[krismom]

We just got back- stayed in Samoa 1604- right outside of the volcano pool. It was a beautiful spot- fed the ducks in the AM , swam in the afternoon, close to Capt Cooks, ceremonial house, arcade and beach. Good Luck!
By the Way- I requested Samoa on my reservation and rerequested it when we checked in. He said he'd try- and I was so happy when we went back after a swim at 4:00 to find out our room location!

 

[*Fantasia*]

Thanks for the info alohaguy. I think I am going to request Tokelau next time. I was afraid I was going to get a 2nd floor and not getting a balcony. But at least now I know that Tokelau have all balconies at 2nd and 3rd floor. I don't mind Aotearoa only if I can face the beach and not the monorail.

 

[novastar]

they honoured ours in August, 2000, you can always request beforehand, and then hope for the best when you arrive

 

[MINNIEBOWSER]

I am also staying at the Poly Oct. 22 - 29. I have decided not to request any building because I cannot make up my mind either. They all have their own advantages. I did request a balcony or a patio. I am sure I will love any place they put me. I hope! No, I know I will!

 

[alohaguy]

Fantasia - if you are worried about getting a second floor room without a balcony, try one of the newer buildings -- Tokelau, Rapa Nui, and Tahiti. Rapa Nui faces the parking lot on one side, but the other side has very nice garden views. Tahiti is half lagoon view and half garden view. Tokelau is all garden view except for two rooms on one end which are booked at lagoon view rates (across the hall from the room I mentioned earlier in this thread). All three have balconies on 2nd and 3rd floors. All three are larger than the older buildings. Tahiti has double vanities in each room, and some in Tokelau have double vanities (this is sometimes a bonus when you have multiple kids brushing teeth, etc.) Also, the hallways are wider and there are several seating areas that are missing in the older buildings. This type of thing may not make a difference to many people but once you return often you begin to notice these things. Good luck, have a great trip.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Thanks so much alohaguy. I just called CRO to add my request. I asked for Tokelau, 3rd floor and I have him to add the room # as well. If I can't get that room, that's fine. As long as I am not facing the monorail again. I don't mind the monorail during the daytime, but at night, the noise got kind of old and it was kind of irritating trying to go to sleep. Don't get me wrong, we enjoyed watching the monorail pass our room, but not at night.

Crossing my fingers... I hope my request will be granted. If not, as long as I have 3rd floor with a balcony and no monorail and non smoking... I will be very happy!! We are checking in early so hopefully there will be rooms I can choose from.

I love love POLY!! I just love that tropical island feeling!!

 

[alohaguy]

Fantasia - you won't have noise trouble with Tokelau. It is far enough from the volcano pool that you won't be bothered at night or in the morning. One side faces the quiet pool, which in general, actually is quiet - the other side overlooks palm trees and tiki torches and is very peaceful. I think this is the quietest area of the entire resort actually. Tokelau is a big building and I think you'll have a good chance at getting the floor you request. The only problem would be if they're rehabbing that building when you go, but the schedules are so tentative that there is no way of knowing. Just cross your fingers, and if you don't get Tokelau, I'd suggest Tahiti. You'll be happy just to be there though...so don't stress about the room too much.

Good luck.

 

[Tinkerchele]

Thanks everyone! I think I really like Tokelau. Aotearoa looks like a great choice too. My kids would love to see the monorail from the room. I'm not worried about the noise from the monorail. It could come right through our room and not wake us up! Also, if everything goes according to schedule, Aotearoa should have renovated rooms! I would love to stay in one of the new rooms.

But, alohaguy, you are so right, I'm not going to stress about my location! This is my first Polynesian stay and I'll be excited just to stay there! Can't wait!!

And, Minniebowser, I hope you enjoy wherever you end up! Only 109 days left for us!

 

[Dalpal]

I have my fingers crossed for Tokelau, third floor.....I am taking my DS and his family there will be nine of us.....the two youngest are twins and are getting so excited that they will soon see the castle and have breakfast with "there" princesses....

I really hope we get that longhouse .......But hey if we dont we are still staying at the Poly and in WDW.....

 

[Tikiman]

My advise is not worry about requests and see what you get at check in and if you don’t like it or you want to see what else is available most of the CMs at the front desk will show you what other locations are available with the same room category you paid for.

I agree with alohaguy that Tokelau is the best garden view location and room since it is larger and you could get a room with a sideways view of the lagoon or castle. It was not one of the newer buildings built in the 80s like Tahiti and Rapa Nui but it was built in 1978 but is still a larger room like Tahiti and Rapa Nui. It is due for rehab this year so it might be closed when you are there so keep some other locations in mind also.

Aloha

Steve

 

[MINNIEBOWSER]

Tinkerchele: we can start making our AR's July 24th! I am sooo excited!

I never hear anyone talk about Tuvalu. I hope I spelled that right. I would love to hear comments about this longhouse. I am staying in a LV, so I am trying to imagine staying at any of the longhouses they put me in. I requested a castle view (which I know is not guarenteed but a girl can dream, right? ) and a balcony or patio. That is what I am hoping for. I stayed once before and was in Aotearoa LV and loved it. I had a beautiful view of the castle and could wake up in the middle of the night and see the castle. OH! HEAVEN!!!!! I literally slept with a smile on my face

 

[Tikiman]

I have stayed in Tuvalu and I would only recommend it for lagoon view. Every room on the lagoon side has a clear view since they removed the palm trees. The only drawback or maybe a bonus depending on how you look at it is that there is no beach in front of your room like with some of the other lagoon view rooms. The only thing I did not like about Tuvalu was walking around the marina every time I wanted to go to the pool or to the boat launch.

 

[eeyore45]

Just to add, I also requested Tokeleu based on my resesarch, thinking it was the largest longhouse, it should be ok... but when we checked in, she circled Roratonga... (sorry about the spelling ) I knew 2nd floor had no balcony, but it was last week of JULY - so ok, then I realized it was the side facing the quiet pool (not monorail) so I decided to take a chance!!

I loved it!! So close to GCH, close to monorail, valcano pool, and well you get the idea...

so just thought I'd second what Tikiman said - request, but when they give you something, they'll circle it on the map... and since you've done your research, you could ask to wait and see if something else opens up... or you never know!!

 

[weluv M&M]

We stayed in room #2915 in Tokelau(the end room closest to the lagoon) a couple of weeks ago. We had a marvelous view. We could NOT see the castle because of a palm tree but we loved the location of the room!!!

 

[Tikiman]

Actually the opposite side of Tokelau (across from 2915) have better views of the castle and fireworks. You can actually see the castle from quite a few rooms down the west side of the building looking between Tokelau and Hawaii but the farther down you go you lose some of the view of the lagoon. I have even heard that some of the rooms in Rarotonga can look between Tokelau and Hawaii and see the fireworks.

THe east side of Tokelau mostly has a view of the lagoon and Contemporary. The only room with a peak at the castle on the east side is the corner room.

Aloha

Steve

 

[alohaguy]

The palm tree blocks the castle view on the first and second floors unfortunately. But on the third (room 3915) it's a clear-shot to the castle. We've stayed in that room in December when the hotel is less crowded. We asked for it twice several years ago, and they honored our request both times. It's a great garden view room, but the whole building is great.

 

[MINNIEBOWSER]

Thank you Tikiman!

I have another question though. I noticed on your website (love it! Thank You!) that Beachcomber's Island blocks some of the view of MK in Tuvalu. Is this only on the first floor? Would the 3rd floor have a better view of the castle?
I am not going to request a certain longhouse, so I am trying to imagine what it would be like to stay at each longhouse. I just wish I could have that opportunity to be able to stay at each one!