Polynesian Personal Vacation Itinerary?

[Cufffive]

We are taking our first Disney trip on Dec. 29th 2003. We are staying at the Polynesian Resort with our 3 kids...ages 10,9 and 6. I just recieved a itinerary to fill out and return but would like some advice first! I didn't know that I needed to chose my restaurants and dining options now. Is this really neccesary? If so, which do I chose? Under Dining options there is the "Ohana Character Breakfast", "Ohana Dinner Feast", and "Kona Cafe". Under Dinner Reservations and Shows there is the "Hoop-De-Doo Revue" "Victoria and Alberts" and the "Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show". There is also a section titled Theme Park and Resort Restaurants but it doesn't give any choices. That is probally because there are so many to chose from, but since we have never been here we don't know where to go.

I'm sorry to be such a rookie! Any help and advice would be useful and appreciated to us!
TIA, Jenny

 

[ckj]

sounds like you booked concierge??

you don't have to choose your dining now. That form goes back to the concierge and if you chose any dining options they'd make the Priority Seatings for you. You can always call them between now and your vacation to book ps's.
ckj

 

[Scoootch]

I've never heard of anyone receiving an itinerary to fill out unless staying concierge -- perhaps you are staying concierge? Or maybe it's because you'll be visiting during holiday time which is very busy? In any case, I do know certain resturaunts you do need to book well in advance in order to get a Priority seating as they are very popular

If you have any particular resturaunts that are "must do's" on your list, definetly list them on this itinerary they sent you.

Since you are first timers, Dinner shows such as the "Hoop-De-Do" or the "Polynesian Luau" are among the hard to get seatings for example. The "Hoop-De-Doo" show is pricey but really alot of fun by the way. Other hard to get seatings include certain character breakfasts such as the Princess breakfast in the castle at the MK or Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary resort. O'hana is one of my personnal favorites at the Poly for both the character breakfast and the dinner but is one of the biggest resturaunts in WDW and gennerally not a difficult seating to get unless trying for the same day at a really busy time of year -- not usually a problem to call for dinner the day before for example.

So anyway, best advice would be research a little of any resturaunts you may have on your "must do" list and put them on this itinerary. It may help in getting you that hard to get seating.

Best of luck and have a great time! You'll love it!

 

[DrTomorrow]

Cufffive! I see that this is your first post!

Welcome, welcome, welcome to the DIS boards! And don't apologize for being a rookie - everybody was a rookie once.

ckj is correct, you must have booked Concierge, and the Planning Itinerary is one of the benefits. You don't have to fill it out, you could drop it in the trash and be none the worse for wear. However, if you know of any restaurants, shows, etc. that you'll want to go to, this is an opportunity to have them make the ressies for you - this is also the place to note special days you might be celebrating. And you can call or email any time before your trip - and talk to them in person once you're there - to have them make new ones or change existing ones. And Jenny, since you'll be travelling during the holiday season, it'll help to have Concierge staff working with you. Here's the best link for Polynesian info - Tikiman - scroll down and you'll see a link for Concierge services.

So take some time and look around the DIS boards - you see that there are a lot of helpful friendly people here ready to answer your questions. I want to warn you, though - people here take their Disney planning seriously, so don't be surprised when you see people planning where they're going to eat 120 days before their trip, which exact room they want - and stay away from the refillable mug debate (hehehe).

Glad to have you aboard - and feel free to send me a PM (Personal Message) about any Polynesian questions - DW and I are going in October. Oh, here's one more essential link - Abbreviations - so you can understand when someone tells you about MVMCP, EMH and DTD!

Erick

 

[>>^..^<<]

Cufffive ~ welcome to the board....

ckj ~ what breed is Jazz an English setter or a Britanny or something else?

We have an English setter named Ambush...

<img src="http://www.casshew.com/images/newadd-pets/newambushsmudge.jpg">

>>^..^<<

 

[ckj]

Cufffive, we did the Hoop-De-Doo a few times and we love it! It's a fun dinner show. Last time I got picked to be the indian! They took a polaroid pic while i was on stage and after gave it to me.


>>^..^<<, Jazz is a Brittany, full of beans 24/7!

 

[Cufffive]

Yes, we did book concierge. After reading some of the posts about Poly concierge service I'm kinda worried. Thanks for everyones advice and for the link to the abbreviations! It's amazing how many details are involved in planning a perfect Disney vacation. I know this forum will be of great help
Jenny

 

[nasmith]

Jenny- I wouldn't be too worried about Poly concierge at Christmas- they are scheduled to be moved back into their nomal longhouse "Hawaii" in Oct. Part of the problem with Poly Concierge right now is that they are temp. in a different longhouse while Hawaii is renovated.
As far as restaurant reservations go- get a good guidebook, or spend some serious time online checking out menus and such (www.wdwig is a good one to start). You will definitey need a plan - as Dec. 29 - Jan 1st is one of the busiest times at the parks. Concierge can sometimes get PS for you at the last minute - but not always, and if you have your heart set on something special (esp. for New Year's Eve)- then it's best to get the PS when they become available (90 days in advance of the day you will be dining). So I would fill out the form and get it back to them - but you have over a month before the PS become available, so you have time. The personal vacation Itinerary is one of the best benefits of staying concierge- so definitely use it! Jill

 

[DrTomorrow]

Jenny,

Don't get nervous, there aren't as many details that you have to deal with as you might think. Remember (and this might be DIS heresy) that it is possible to book a package, pay full price, have no idea about PS, EMH, and park attendance statistics and still have a great Disney vacation! That being said, though, the more time you spend (up to a point) preparing, the better your vacation will be.

Remember, too, that DIS members (me included) are to Disney what wine lovers are to wine; sometimes you'll ask "what's a good $10 bottle of wine" and you'll get a lecture on bouquet, grape varieties and bottle glass color.

nasmith is correct - a lot of the Concierge issues seem to be related to the temporary move to Tahiti, which is over mid-October - right after our trip . But DW and have a great attitude, so I know we'll have fun - and I'm sure you and yours will to.

Erick