Polyneisan rehab info

[alohaguy]

Latest I heard about the rehab was that Rapa Nui is not yet complete, and that Samoa will be down (or at least partially down) by the end of August.

Steve - do you know if Hawaii is still scheduled to be done early Oct.?

 

[BANNISTER]

We just returned from 10 days at the Polynesian. We did see construction going on, but I did not realize that some of the new rooms were finished. We requested Tokelau and received a garden view room-when we went in the room had a very strange odor-I had heard some things about this, but did even consider that it would be an issue for us. Very disappointed in the view as we looked out on brown walls to hide construction changes at another longhouse-Rapa Nui (I believe). We booked garden view. Room decor was fine as expected from seeing so many pictures. I just did not anticipate the smell. I know some rooms can have a musky type smell, but I can't explain this. We called and were advised 100% booked and no other rooms available that night, but would move us in the morning and we would have to re check in. We decided to just wait, but after a hour or so my husband decided to walk down to the GCH and talk to someone about the 'smell issue' we were very uncomfortable sleeping there. Long story short, they offered to move us to the concierge building. We did not expect this at all and were so pleasantly surprised. Our bell hop received double tip from moving bags into Tokelau and then coming back to move to Hawaii for us. They informed us that this room was smoking optional, but we could have room air machine cleaned. After moving the room smelled fine, no need for air cleaner. After thinking it over that night not sure why they did not offer to air clean the Tokelau room to reduce the smell, wonder if those who had problems with room odor were in this longhouse. Anyway, this trip was a splurge for us to just book a regular Poly room and then to be upgraded to concierge was major pixie dust .

 

[alohaguy]

Bannister - It's too bad about the odor. I've never noticed that before, but I have read about several people who have had similar problems. I don't think anyone has been able to truly explain what's behind it.

About the view issues because of construction - unfortunately this happens fairly regularly - the hotel is frequently updating various areas of the property. The last several trips I've taken there is always something that is blocked-off. Several years ago I stayed in Tokelau facing the quiet pool and the entire pool was blocked-off by the brown walls you talked about. It was definitely unsightly and we changed buildings to Tahiti.

At least they worked with you and switched you to concierge - that's a fairly significant upgrade.

Hope your trip was enjoyable.

 

[Tikiman]

Alohaguy,

You are right about Samoa and yes so far they are sticking to their dates with Hawaii but Tuvalu and Rarotonga are going to be started soon also but now you are just spoiling my surprise. I have to have something new for the web pages. I can’t spill all the beans here.

I will say that Fiji closed some or all of the rooms two days ago and is planning on reopening on August 20th.

Rapa Nui should be finished soon.

 

[alohaguy]

Tikiman-

Not at all trying to steal your thunder ...

But - with all those building rehab-ing at the same time, seems like there will be a tremendous amount of re-shuffling to do for check-ins - and at such a high occupancy time. I know that occupancy wanes toward late August, maybe that is why they will be working on so many longhouses at once toward the end of the month.

 

[Tikiman]

When I saw the list and dates I was surprised myself but that is what they will have to do to be finished by next summer. Tuvalu, as you know, is not that big but Rarotonga will be taking 87 rooms off the list of availability.

I will be posting the dates on my web page but remember this could change just like it has all year.

 

[BCV23]

Has anyone heard if the rooms will have high speed internet when they are finished? All ears at one point was reporting that all resorts would have it soon.

And what about the rumor that Samoa would become concierge too?

Finally, anyone have info on whether some concierge rooms will be accessible?

 

[Tikiman]

High speed internet in WDW resorts

Disney's Beach Club Villas
Disney's BoardWalk Resort (Inn & Villas)
Disney's Contemporary Resort
Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort preferred sites & Cabins
Disney's Old Key West Resort
Disney's Port Orleans Resort, French Quarter
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Disney's Wilderness Lodge
The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge
Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts
Disney's Polynesian Resort --Effective August 15, 2005
Disney's Port Orleans Resort, Riverside --Effective September 1, 2005
Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort --Effective October 20, 2005
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge --Effective October 27, 2005
Disney's All-Star Movies Resort --Effective December 6, 2005
Disney's All-Star Music Resort --Effective January 13, 2006
Disney's All-Star Sports Resort --Effective February 14, 2006
Disney's Pop Century Resort --Effective April 19, 2006


Who ever said Samoa would become concierge? Never heard such a thing. I asked about the concierge accessable rooms and I was told the rumor was not true but I guess we will know in September.

Aloha

Steve

 

[BCV23]

Cool about the internet. So is that as each longhouse is finished do you think? I had not seen that list.

I used the word rumor about Samoa because that is all it is as far as I'm concerned. I can't imagine it happening unless there was a new lounge in there too. I don't remember if I read it here or if someone told me at the Polynesian that they "had heard." But wherever I heard about it, it wasn't the kind of info that I took seriously. Just wondering.

As far as accessible rooms in concierge, I was told by a CM in concierge that it was happening. I asked early during our last stay in May about the possibility and was told no, there were no plans to do it. We moved over to BCV midstay and just after we moved, I had a call from the same CM who said after her manager talked to his manager, she found out it will be happening. But when I made our special needs reservation for January, they knew nothing about it. They did say that they are sometimes the last to know of changes. But for now, we'll be in Rapa Nui in January. October I hope to be in Hawaii as we don't need an accessible room that trip.
Anyway, to me it isn't a rumor since the CM took the time to call me at another resort. I do know things change though.

 

[grimley1968]

Tikiman, maybe you know this. How were they able to do high speed internet at the Poly, given it's modular construction (rooms constructed fully enclosed at another location and craned into place)? Did they go with wireless in certain hotspots? I wouldn't think wireless would work well for the rooms, given their somewhat insulated nature from each other and the outside. Did they do it with actual CAT5 wires running alongside the existing phone wires? As a frustrated Imagineer, I'm just curious how they accomplished this.

Anyway, it's good to know it's there. I'm an IT guy, so I don't know if I even want to deal with being on the internet on my vacation, but it's certainly good if you really need to get to your email.

 

[eclectics]

After reading the recent posts, I'm starting to get a bit nervous about my trip. I'm checking in to the Poly GV 9/4 to 9/14. I sure hope it's not going to be one big construction zone . I always wanted to stay here and now that my dream is finally coming true, I would hate to have to look at construction walls everywhere I went. I requested Tahiti because I'd like to be close to TTC (thank you Tikiman for your wonderful website!). Please reasure me that I'm going to love the Poly no matter what!!!!!!!

 

[alohaguy]

To be honest, I'm a bit nervous about the constuction as well. I will be there in the end of August and I'll take some pictures. It seems there will be many longhouses being rehabed - I wonder how this will affect the atmosphere of the resort.

 

[Tikiman]

Tikiman, maybe you know this. How were they able to do high speed internet at the Poly, given it's modular construction (rooms constructed fully enclosed at another location and craned into place)? Did they go with wireless in certain hotspots? I wouldn't think wireless would work well for the rooms, given their somewhat insulated nature from each other and the outside. Did they do it with actual CAT5 wires running alongside the existing phone wires? As a frustrated Imagineer, I'm just curious how they accomplished this.

Anyway, it's good to know it's there. I'm an IT guy, so I don't know if I even want to deal with being on the internet on my vacation, but it's certainly good if you really need to get to your email.

I am a mechanical engineer so you might be barking up the wrong tree for info but the rooms were not completely incased in steel construction so the transmit and receive network or if they have individual routers they would be able to get into each room from ceiling to floor or even through the side there the glass door is. Even with a completely incased structure the transmit and receive could work through the walls if it is strong enough.

 

[VAgal76]

I finally got DH to consider the Poly CL for a quick October trip, now I see our dates might be conflicting with the rehab. It's my birthday so I get to pick the resort. Help, Tikiman! Make them get this done before I go. I know you have connections down there. I'm looking at leaving on the 14th. This is one of the CLs I really have been wanting to try. Should I book the Poly & pray it'll be done or book elsewhere now?

I think my DH knew about this and just said yes to get my goose. I guess he figures it won't be done in time either.

 

[lovesdumbo]

I'm looking at leaving on the 14th. This is one of the CLs I really have been wanting to try. Should I book the Poly & pray it'll be done or book elsewhere now?

I'll pray with you! I'm booked to arrive 10/14. I've thought about rebooking elsewhere but we really want Poly. I think they'll be doing all they can to keep the dates and then we'll get a brand new room and if the dates slips I'm sure they'll find somewhere for us. If I cancel now and the do keep to their dates I think I'd be really upset with myself for not having faith.

 

[chamonix]

As of now, I have still not been contacted by the Poly to move or reschedule my arrival date of October 10th for LVC.
I am also hoping that they are done on schedule and we can check in on that date as planned. In fact, we're actually arriving on Oct. 7th, but are booked in non-concierge rooms for the first three nights until concierge is supposed to be available/ready.

Here's hoping we can all be there that week--see you in the lounge!

 

[mkymouse4ever]

They are not planning to "move" regular people from rooms to other resorts are they? With closing so many rooms? Or is attendance going to be down? Just really don't want to stay anywhere else! Only 15 days! Maybe we will get a new room? I haven't been in rapa nui yet anyway and is on our list to try out. We have 16 nites split in 2 ressies for ap rate, so I might try and move 1/2 way, to a "new" room if possible, unless we get a great room assignment. We are checking in at 11pm at nite so it is going to be slim pickings when we get there. That's ok, I've had some pretty great rooms that have surprised us. Hopefully, just not the backside of tavulua, I agree with you on that. Now if they want to upgrade me to the waterside?

Mky

 

[Tikiman]

Mkmouse4ever,

No they are not planning on moving people with non-concierge reservations to other resorts. They block off certain buildings in the system so they cannot overbook (or it is not supposed to).

I was going to have the new info posted but I could not upload it until midnight when my bandwidth reset so I will have to add it tonight.

Aloha

Steve

 

[imatoad]

Thanks Steve, I thought I was missing something when I checked out your website this a.m., I'll check it tomorrow.

 

[eeyoresmountainpals]

Steve ~ I, too, thought I was missing something! I'll be watching for it tomorrow.