Poly requests

[rileyroosmom]

I know these questions have been asked a million times before so please excuse my repetiveness.
Going to the Poly for the first time in May. Could someone tell me which is the best Longhouse to request? One that has been recently refurbished and one with a good location to the volcano pool and the GCH. I'm a little concerned about the negative reports from hereabout moldy and rundown rooms and hallways.
TIA

 

[MeghanNRileysMom]

Hi there! We're going to the Polynesian in May as well, the 1 - 10th. This will be our third stay at the Polynesian and we LOVE it. We've stayed in Figi and Tokelau and would stay in either building again. Figi was a little bit closer to the GCH because they have a side door right near Figi. They seem to be equal distance to the Volcano pool and Tokelau is right next to the quiet pool. I was concerned on our first stay that the Polynesian was very large, but it's definitely not that far between anything. It's very cozy and the walkways are beautiful! When is your May trip? Any questions about the Polynesian, I'd be more than happy to help!

hope that helps!

 

[rileyroosmom]

Hi MeganNrRileysmom We have spoken before, I too have a daughter Riley who we call Riley Roo, as I think you call yours if I remember !
Anyway, we are going May 28-June 4. I'm looking for any info since this is our first trip there. How did you find the food court, Captains Cook or whatever it is. Is there enough for a 12, 8 and 4 yr old to choose from? Are there life jackets at the pool? Can you rent watermice from there? We are planning more of a resort visit than a park so will be spending lots of time in the resort which is why I'm looking for the best longhouse. So you would recommend Figi or Tokelau? Isn't there a floor that doesn't have balconies? We definetly want a balcony. Sorry for the million questions, but you said you'd answer!!!
Thanks

 

[rileyroosmom]

bump still looking for advice!

 

[glencoe]

I have never been to the poly myself but have been researching and harrassing the people on this board endlessly!!!
Anyway I have found the following, go to tikiman.com website, he has all the specifics on each longhouse, when they were renovated, room size, distance to all (GCH, TTC, Pools etc.). Also from what I have read all longhouses have balconies on first and third floor only except Tokelau they have it on all because it is a bit newer than some of the others.
I started off being very specific on which house I want, but now I am backing off and requesting what I need....ground floor, no smoking , close to volcano pool. So I am letting the cards fall where they may, hoping if I am not too specific, maybe I will get upgraded!! Wishfull thinking maybe but I am hoping for pixie dust! Have a great trip and check out that website!

 

[Eponine1]

I agree about the Tokelau building. It's centrally located and next to the quiet pool. I would check out tikiman's website. You can look at all the longhouses and the pro's and con's on each.

Good luck!

 

[rileyroosmom]

thanks for the info!

 

[TheRobbs]

We stayed 1st Floor Samoa, facing the Volcano Pool. You walk right out your slider and into the Pool. WE LOVED IT!!
There is a little noise, but we heard nothing with the door closed.
Infact, we were in GVC / Hawaii and switched to this room but kept our Concierge Priveleges.
Great Room, just ask Tikiman. Tikiman has a picture on his site taken from our Patio. Just click on his "Samoa" section.

Have Fun,
TheRobbs

 

[Tikiman]

Samoa was the first thing I thought of when I read what you wanted. Fiji is popular but when I stayed on the other side of the marina I was not a fan of walking around the marina every time I went to the pool or the boat launch. It was also that much farther from the TTC (if I was ever walking back from there).

Now your requests needs to be made with the travel agent or WDW travel. They are asking that you no longer call or fax. Infact last time I was there (last August) the staff was telling me they just about ignor faxed requests becasue they pile up with all the junk faxes.

I can't speak to the mold in the rooms or halls becasue I have never seen any such thing and I even walk every building and floor when I am there to see how things look. Look on my web page to see what buildings have balconies on all the floors and wich do not. It will also so you the location of the buildings.

Remember even if you don't get the location you want at check in, just ask nicely if anything else is available.

Aloha

Steve

 

[rileyroosmom]

Thanks Steve, I have been looking at your very informative site this afternoon. Can't wait for my husband to get home to look at it. I'm going to look at Samoa right now.

 

[PB'sMOM]

We stayed at the Poly over Xmas- 2nd stay there- 1st one was in Oct. 2002 before the remod. The rooms were freshened up and seemed nicer.Loved having a fridge available. Never saw any mold or water residue/stains. Both stays we were in the Samoa 1st floor facing the Volcano pool-it is very convienent to have the sliding door/patio. The GCH is very close and we enjoy listening for the night water parade to start.
Our 1st stay I did not make a room request. This past stay I did fax the room assignor several days before our arrival and asked,begged,pleaded for a 1st floor room in the Samoa facing the volcano pool. Happy to say they gave us what we really wanted .
Coming from Michigan I would have taken a cardboard box on the beach and probably been happy. I was so happy to leave the freigid temps.
Every CM was soooo nice and in the disney mode .
Mouskeeping went above and beyond. She was great and made towel animals and was very thoughtful.
We went to the Spirit of Aloha dinner show and really enjoyed it.

Have a great time-
Cindy

 

[MeghanNRileysMom]

Yes, we have! We call our Riley, RileyRoo too, that's right. Too bad our trips won't overlap! I know my Riley would love to meet another Riley!

Captain Cooks was good, standard fast food, but with a good selection. They have a grill, prepared foods in a fridge and snacks. They also have refillable mugs (which I am drinking out of right now at my desk!) for the soda fountain. You can also get take out food from Kona which is great. They also have an in room dining menu. They have life jackets at the marina to borrow, I think you need to leave your room key as "security" but I'm not sure. The pool is "zero entry" so we never used life jackets with our DS's. Riley was 18 months and 2.5 when we visited and Meghan was 4 and 5 on our visits. They both did fine without them.

You can rent all types of watercraft there, including watermice. My DH rented one last December and took our 5 year old nephew out with him. They had a great time!

Also you can visit the Neverland club during the day with no charge, as long as you remain with your kids. I've never been inside the arcade as our kids have been a bit too young for that.

Big tip! Make friends with Auntie Kaua (spelling???). You can find her at the Island Guide station in the GCH most days. She's the older Hawaiian lady and she is FABULOUS. She was one of the reasons we fell in love with the Polynesian on our first visit. Meghan took Hula lessons on Saturday morning with her class and she coaxed me to join in, I think it was one of the highlights of our trip. They do children's activities every day in the GCH or pool area. One day we made Christmas ornaments for our tree and another the girls strung lei bracelets for themselvs. I can't say enough about the recreation staff, and most especially Auntie! We cried when we had to say Aloha to her =( But we can't wait to see our Disney 'ohana in May!

I second (third? fourth? millionth?) the comments about Steve Tikiman's FABULOUS site. It may be the very best resort site out there! I found every single bit of information on his site not only to be helpful, but absolutely current and correct. That is truly a labor of love there!

I'm not sure which longhouses are missing the second floor balconies, we had one on our third floor Figi room and our third floor Tokelau room.

You will have a GREAT time!
Aloha!

 

[Ilovestitch]

We stayed in Fiji and it was really nice. -Steph

 

[rcraw45425]

We were in Samoa last October upon Tikiman's recommendation. It's a great building with a terific view of the volcano pool. I requested upper floor volcano pool view and had exactly that. Spacious room, appeared to have been renovated failry recently. Our only complaint was with noisy guests but that happens everywhere. I'd still take Tikiman's recommendations and request Samoa again, just maybe during a slower time!

 

[rileyroosmom]

Thanks for answering all my question MeganNRileysmom!! I'm am sooooo excited to get there now. My Riley would love to make any type of craft so I will definetly look for Auntie. Sounds like the Poly has everything we are looking for.
Have a great trip

 

[MeghanNRileysMom]

I will be there right before you, so if I see anything that might interest you I will be sure to let you know when we get back! I know you'll love the Polynesian and have a wonderful time!