Polynesian Is A Poly Wally Rip Off

[QueenOfCelts]

Kelly,

Thank you very much for posting your experience at the Poly. I like to read pros and cons.

I have never stayed at the Poly although I have dined there and explored a bit. It seems I always would rather stay somewhere else instead. I think it might be that I live in Florida, so the whole tropical theme doesn't really rattle my cage. I am not opposed to staying there, I just haven't yet.

 

[SnowWhite33]

but I have to say that we feel it is so very magical. We celebrated 2 bdays there and had cake and balloons delivered to the door, no charge and without asking. Every morning ds would wake up before everyone else so that he could feed the ducks outside on our patio, especially the one with the missing leg we affectionately nicknamed "Gimpy". DH and I grabbed a drink and sat on the beach and watched Wishes and the Castle's kiss goodnight. One of the CM would greet me by name each time I saw him. And thank heavens we don't do away with all things that age...think of what we'd lose!
I think the Poly is wonderful, I'm sorry that you had such a bad experience.

See ya' at the "inn" this November!

 

[magicmouse2]

I personaly love tropical theming. We stayed at the Royal Pacific and although beautiful and new, it did not have the same magical experience as the Polynesian does. There are benefits to the Polynesian over other MK deluxe resorts-

Tropical theming - if you like that sort of thing
Largest rooms - useful if you have 3 kids
Smaller cosier resort
Gorgeous landscaping and Tiki torches
Totally magical feeling watching the fireworks from the beach
Monorail to Epcot and MK


My husband was of the same oinion as you until he experienced the resort.

 

[goofy4tink]

While we didn't dislike the Polynesian, I have to say that it isn't our favorite. But, that's what is so great about having all those choices at WDW!! We also found the CMs to be somewhat lacking. I've mentioned it before but those people driving around in the golf carts, at high speeds, yelling at me to get out of the way...I mean, come on!!! THose are walkways aren't they?? I also had CMs just shrug and say they didn't know when asked a couple of questions. No 'I'll try to find out for you'. Would we stay there again? Probably. But it just isn't my first choice. So, that leaves some openings for the rest of you. Now....stay away from BWV so I can get the room I want!!!

 

[blondeqtip]

Wow, this is too funny. Some people need to develop thicker skins. For those of you slamming Kelly Nelly, I guess you feel two wrongs make a right.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion...even those of you taking personal offense to an OP's opinion.

Hang in there Kelly Nelly!

 

[kelscross]

We just stayed at the Poly...we loved the resort. BUT since you mentioned the CM's I'll join in the discussion.

Let's see...for the most part they were all nice with a few exceptions that ranged from down right rude to just stupid.

I was told a few months before coming by a CM named Randolph that something special was going to happen for my entire family and it would be an unforgettable vacation for all of us. Well....that something special didn't happen and I wasn't going to ask for it. Not rude, just disappointing.

When we checked in I asked the CM (who was very nice by the way) if I could bring down a gift so someone could sneak it in the room while we were gone so my girls would think Lilo gave them a birthday present. He said they would wrap the presents up really nice and put balloons and autographed pictures of their favorite characters with it.

Well...when the time came we walked into our room to find the packages wadded up in a Disney shopping bag, no balloons, and one autographed picture of Pluto (not on the favorite list) PAPERCLIPED haphazzardly to the wadded up bag. Not rude, just disappointing.

Oh...I forgot to mention that I had to go to the front desk and ask about where my packages were. I had given it to them 6 days prior and the CM (older man) at the desk at that time was pretty rude about it. It's not like I was demanding the balloons, but I was the one who bought the packages.

Let's not forget one of my children nearly drowning in the Volcano pool when she slipped on the bottom in the shallow in and couldn't get her footing. The life guard looked right at her flailing away and didn't even flinch. As the parent I am responsible but why have the life guards if they aren't even going to offer assistance or even ask if they are okay. Not rude, just not doing her job.

ahh....can't forget about the older lady who does crafts with the kids and wouldn't let my girls make two flower bracelets. A. There wasn't a massive line of children that even wanted to do the craft (mine were the only ones there) and B. at those resort prices I think that the Poly could have afforded more than one flower bracelet per crafter. She was rude.

After being eaten alive by fire ants in the Disney bus from TL I went to the front desk to ask what to put on the bites. They stared at me and said..."Oh my do we need to call 911?" Not rude, just stupid.

I'm sure there were a few more cases, but those are the ones that stick out in my mind.

Did it ruin or trip? NO, Did it make us not want to stay there again? NO. We still laugh about the scenarios (except the near drowning) This could have happened anywhere at any hotel in the world, BUT you do tend to expect higher service at Disney especially when you're paying through the nose to stay there.

 

[WeLoveThePoly]

Originally posted by blondeqtip


Wow, this is too funny. Some people need to develop thicker skins. For those of you slamming Kelly Nelly, I guess you feel two wrongs make a right.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion...even those of you taking personal offense to an OP's opinion.

Hang in there Kelly Nelly!

I have no problem with people expressing their opinions. If Kelly Nelly didn't like the Poly, fine. She could have stated her reasons why without insulting people. It was her tone that garnered the responses she got.

Debbie

 

[jeancbpugh]

Originally posted by Kelly Nelly
I am not a demanding person what so ever but if you do ask for something at this resort the Cast members give you that I do not give a sweat fig approach.

Perhaps you are confusing theming with neglect...the CMs are trained in the laid-back Polynesian way. I wouldn't want the same style of service as I'd get at an elegant city hotel.

The rooms are okay. No big deal. It's the outside the room where the Poly is special:

The location is perfect: at the heart of WDW

The sounds of the ferries going to the MK...

The music...

Watching Wishes from the pool area....

 

[lulu71]

Originally posted by Kelly Nelly
Basically the Poly is a cheap Holiday Inn with Bamboo and that is my opionion on it,

This is not the first time I've heard this exact statement, LOL. I have a coworker who also described the Poly as a Holiday Inn.

 

[steveanddonna]

I have no problem with people expressing their opinions. If Kelly Nelly didn't like the Poly, fine. She could have stated her reasons why without insulting people. It was her tone that garnered the responses she got.

Thank you, Debbie. That was the exact point of my earlier post. It's terrible that so many recent guests have had bad experiences at the Poly. These kinds of things shouldn't happen at Disney OR the Holiday Inn or the Motel 6. I've always found the most satisfactory outcome results when I speak up immediately and try to get the situation resolved. I have had a few "glitches" at the Poly, mostly with housekeeping, no surprise considering how many times we've stayed there. In each case I expressed my concerns to a CM clearly and politely and was always pleased with the outcome. The only disappointment I have had was the lack of response from the concierge manager there after sending a letter outlining both our positive experiences and our less than magical ones. Unfortunately, this mgr. didn't even take 2 minutes to acknowledge receipt of the letter or address the concerns my DH and I mentioned in it. Perhaps that attitude is rubbing off on the the rest of the CMs.

It often feels good to vent, but the complaining is much more effective when it's directed at the people who can change the situation for you.

 

[MrsPete]

If you disliked it so much the first time, why'd you go back for a second stay?

 

[blondeqtip]

Originally posted by MrsPete
If you disliked it so much the first time, why'd you go back for a second stay?

OP stated that she was willing to give it a second try.

Don't you flamers have anything better to do than take personal offense to someone making a GENERAL comment. Everyone is making it seem like a personal attack on them!

BREATHE EVERYONE! THERE IS MORE TO LIFE THAN THIS!

 

[Lewisc]

OP was at the POLY during the last hurricane. I'd expect their to be some service issues.

I can understand different people liking the theming of different resorts BUT it really isn't fair to compare POLY to a HI. Resort amenities more than guest rooms separate hotels. Themed pool, themed resort, restaurants, room service and shops are all amenities that separate a resort like the POLY from a HI.

 

[Kelly Nelly]

Lets get the facts straight from the get go here folks. First of all Kelly Nelly here is a man, and quite a manly man to boot. Second of all I am not a negative person, I have been to WDW so many times in my life and I enjoy every second I am there. The Polynesian is a nice resort but really people can you really compare it to the GF or WL or BC or BW, not in a million years. The thing I dislike about this resort the most is the Cast Members. I just cannot believe that Disney would hire so many people that do not care about anything. Like one of the posters stated it seems as though the Poly has a ton of CM's that are from Universitys and they totally give you the opinion that they do not want to be there. How could some one working at WDW not know that Epcot and MGM are not part of the WDW resort? I think that the Poly is following the Eisner approach of Nickel and Dimeing everyone but trying to do everything on the cheap. Just because of its dynamic location the Poly thinks it can get away with poorer service then the Red Roof Inn on the I92.

 

[Rozzie]

quote-------"""""Let's not forget one of my children nearly drowning in the Volcano pool when she slipped on the bottom in the shallow in and couldn't get her footing. The life guard looked right at her flailing away and didn't even flinch. As the parent I am responsible but why have the life guards if they aren't even going to offer assistance or even ask if they are okay. Not rude, just not doing her job.""""""""""""


just had to comment on this. A lifeguard at poly saved my life when I was a small child. I was coming down the slide, and hit my head on a volcano rock or something and got knocked out. Next thing I know I was being wisked out by the quickest responding CM ever known to man, even though i was 4, I remember this CM's face like it was this morning. I know this was some time ago, but ever since then, I have had a emotional connection to poly, something I cannot describe. So while you have every right to your opinions, just remember there are some of us that hold poly very dear to our heart. It is a classic, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

 

[queenof4hearts]

If you are a DVC member, I believe thaey would have put your unusable pts. back into the correct use year w/out penalty. Did yoou call member services?

 

[music777.com]

I have no problem with anyone sharing their opinions. I did not take offense to the OP. After reading so many of the arguments that are popping up about Disney during all of the hurricanes you will find some very angry peeps out there. Spend a few minutes on the cruise boards and you will find very strong opinions. This was nice talk compared to some of those threads.

I love the themeing of the Poly. And I have noticed the upgrading of the resort over the years. But I to have had some bad experiences with the CM's there. This resort seems to get the most complaints on this board about rude CM's. Not sure why but that is my perception. I have not had an experience at another resort that would compare to the rudeness of SOME of the CM's at the Poly. That might be an indication of their managers or it just might be a fluke that so many of us have had those bad experiences.

That being said, I would still like to give them another chance. But there are so many resorts that I have not been to, they will get my business first before I go back.

JJ

 

[Kelly Nelly]

Here is a perfect example of a rude Poly Cast Member that was our Bell Hop for this trip. Kelly Nelly " So how did your house hold up through the Hurricane? " CM " Oh my house was fine" " So where you here doing the Hurricane? " CM " No, I was one of the lucky ones who did not have to stay at this HE double hockey sticks ( only the real word) hole through the Huricane" Attitudes like this rubbed me the wrong way at the Poly. Like I said the Poly trys to do everything on the cheap and I think that this reflects on the poor training and service of there cast members.

 

[Mish]

I was also upset. I was told that I would have to pay $300 for the extra night during the Hurricane at the Poly. I was so upset I started to cry. I didnt have that much to pay since we weren't expecting to stay. I had to get a refund for the Saturday night and move off property since they told me i couldn't even move to a value or moderate resort. I was very disapointed in the way Disney treated us in the situation.

 

[Aisling]

the CMs are trained in the laid-back Polynesian way.

That statement is even more hilarious than Kelly calling the Poly bamboo Holiday Inn!

I was the one who said the Poly looked old, but I didn't mean it in the magical classic Disney way of being one of the original resorts. I felt the same about CR, which I loved. The "oldness" comes from the mildew odor and the slowness in making general repairs. Even at the CR, there was rust, exposed pipes in the bathrooms, a serious need for new carpeting, etc. The Poly just needs a bit of sprucing up. The lobby is gorgeous, but the rooms need help.
Also, when I visited the Poly one evening, there were towels and wet clothes hanging on the railings of the balconies, which took away from the deluxe feel for me. It reminded me of a campground.
But I still plan on staying there someday.