Polynesian visit

[valleygirl]

Just returned yesterday from the Poly. We stayed in room 1907 in the Tokelau building. The resort itself was beautiful and the staff were incredible. The kids loved the pools, gameroom and grounds. Shopping was a big hit too, as we were travelling with two girls aged 10 and 13. The monorail to MK and EPCOT were great as was the boat to MK. It was fabulous watching the fireworks from the beach. We ate at Ohana's the first night and really enjoyed it. The appetizers were wonderful - fire roasted meats just so-so. I would eat there again anytime, although I would stick to the appetizers and pass up the meats. We ate at Kona Cafe twice, once for breakfast and once for dinner. For breakfast we had three adults and 2 children and the meal totaled $71.00 ($59 + $12 tip). Food was okay, but we wouldn't do it again. I was really looking forward to trying the Tonga Toast but found it highly over-rated. Dinner at Kona Cafe was just hubby and I and we really enjoyed the meal. The pot-stickers and chowder were great! Spent about $79.00 (which included the tip) and each of us had an appetizer, entree and drink. This was our family's 5th trip to WDW. For many years we have been hoping to stay at the Polynesian and decided to splurge this trip. Although we had a wonderful time, I don't know that we would stay here again. The convenience of the transportation to the MK and EPCOT can't be beat, but my daughter's favorite parks are MGM and AK. The bus service from Poly is horendous. One morning we waited for over 1/2 an hour for a bus to the AK. When the bus arrived there was barely enough room for 1/2 the people waiting for the bus. I'm sorry but with the prices that people are paying to stay that this resort (as well as the prices charged for the Contemporary and GF, who share bus services with the Poly) better bus services are expected. Another area that is sorely lacking for this resort is food service. Ohana's was great, but if you didn't make reservations in advance you couldn't get a meal there. Kona Cafe had a semi-decent dinner selection, but it would get old really quick. Captain Cook's selection was a joke. You could get pre-made sandwiches and salads or choose from a cheeseburger, hotdog, pork sandwich, chicken strips or pizza. That was the choice, day after day. One of the days we visited the Animal Kingdom Lodge so the girls could see the resort for a possible future visit. While there the girls ordered lunch at their fast-food restaurant. The choices available were unbelievable compared to the Polynesian. As a matter of fact, the Polynesian had the poorest food selection of any resort I have visited.

 

[SeaSpray]

Thanks for your review! It sounds like you basically had a good trip I agree about the transportation issues because when we stayed at the Grand Floridian, the bus wait times were MUCH MUCH worse than when we stayed at CBR! I think the resorts on the monorail should have bus services devoted to each individual resort.

I guess the restaurants and food selection can be subjective. We've dined at Kona Cafe in the past and really enjoyed everything and thought the prices were reasonable. We thought the selections were pretty good, but then again we only had 2 meals there on one trip, and 1 meal there on another trip, so we didn't have the chance to get tired of it. When we stay at the Polynesian in July, we'll only be going to 'Ohana one night for dinner, and the Kona Cafe for dinner one night, and lunch on our last day. My family and I are creatures of habit; if we find a restaurant that we like we don't mind eating there a lot, but I can see where it could happen otherwise!

We have no plans to try Captain Cooks. I haven't read any good reviews of the food there in all the years I've been reading this board, which is over 4 years now.

Thanks again for your review

 

[Tigger113]

When we stayed at the Poly. We LOVED it too!

 

[Quasi123]

Thanks for the tip about the buses. Doesn't sound like things have changed much since the last time we stayed there 6 years ago.

 

[MNmom]

Last August we were at DTD and went to catch a bus about 45 minutes before our PS to Ohana's. As we walked up to the bus stop the Poly bus was just pulling away and wouldn't stop for our waving hands and yells. I totally understand a policy that once they pull out of the bus loading area they can not stop again. Fine...we still have 45 minutes before our dinner. Well... another bus did not come by for about 35 minutes We then had to drive around and stop at the Contemporary and finally to the Poly. We were 35 minutes late for our PS and Ohana's was wonderful and got us right in and the food was great.

We were staying at the ASmo and never waited more than 10 minutes for any bus from the resort or to the resort. And we never shared a bus with another resort.

We thought the bus service was fantastic at the ASmo and very poor at the Poly. We chalked this up to a bad day and hope that things will be better when we stay at the Poly this next August. Boy....I sure hope the buses are better

 

[tiggersmom2]

I LOVE The Poly and so glad you had a nice stay! That being said...all the deluxe resorts have horrible bus service in my opinion....it is not just relegated to the Poly. Last time I was at the Poly (2004) it shared a bus with the WL and the Contemporary....it was horrible. The monorail makes up for it. If the monorail doesn't go to it....I drive my car now!

 

[MickeyMouth]

I LOVE the POLY!! However, I agree that Captain Cooks needs to change and offer better a better selection.

 

[BCV23]

Glad you enjoyed your stay. It is a beautiful resort isn't it? And as you said, the CMs are great.

We love Kona for all three meals but agree that Captain Cooks doesn't offer a lot. I think part of that is because it is a deluxe resort with full service restaurants and the emphasis is on that. However, years ago CC did have a little more variety it seems to me. But for us, one of the delights of the monorail resorts is all the good full service restaurants on the loop. It is fun to go to the GF Cafe for lunch or California Grill for dinner and arrive via monorail....or even boat for GF restaurants.

Did you try room service? It is very good and prompt as well.

We don't take the buses a lot but returning from a park, we catch whichever bus comes first.....TTC or Polynesian. We have never had to wait long using that strategy. But I do think that so many people have cars that bus service just isn't as frequent as at the values, etc..

Have the shops at the front of the GCH opened yet?

 

[Ilovestitch]

We stayed there in Dec. and thought the bus service at Poly was great! A bus always came really fast and they were never crowded. Maybe it depends what time of year you are there.

 

[skiwee1]

Glad you had a nice stay. We love the Poly! I have to say though that Captain Cooks is great for a quick poolside meal. We loved the prepared wraps, sandwiches, salads, and desserts. Captain Cooks is not a food court. The offerings would be less then the mods and values as most people just use it as convenient snack or light meal. I guess I'm not a chicken nugget, burger, type. After all the nice sit downs we do during the trip I love just having a normal sandwich once in a while! LOL! That an a pina colada at the pool is nice enough for me. As far as Kona's I will say that the food there is great. We definitley have different tastes as I would never tire of their food. The wings and crabcakes are delicious! The mahi mahi superb! We too have found buse service spotty. If you think it's bad at the Poly don't ever go to the WL! We have found that the buses were better at CBR then the deluxes. I too don't think deluxes should share with anyone else. We pay for better service!

 

[Chicago526]

We stayed there in Dec. and thought the bus service at Poly was great! A bus always came really fast and they were never crowded. Maybe it depends what time of year you are there.

Same here. We spent 8 nights the first week of Dec. '04 and the busses were fine. That time is a very slow time for Disney, so maybe that helped?

 

[Grumpy'n'Goofy]

The wings and crabcakes are delicious!

I also loved the wings, I called and ordered some for takeout a couple of nights, made for a nice light dinner in the room.

 

[Tikiman]

Thanks for the report. Very good observations. I will say that Kona menu changes all the time so maybe at that time it did not have a selection you liked. When I last went there was more on there than I ever had time to try. Captain Cook’s is going to be expanded and I believe the selection will increase as well. As far as the busses they are bad at every resort we have stayed at so we always rent a car. Another option that other resorts don’t have would have been the busses from the TTC. I would not count on the situation improving over at the AKL. I know many have had great experiences with the busses at the AKL but when we were there we waited forever for a bus as we watched other resort busses come one or two times before our bus came and one of the long waits was coming from the AK which you think would be a short trip. At least at the Polynesian there is easy access to two of the parks that non-monorail resorts don’t have. I will say that the AKL is a great place to stay though. I love the food options at the AKL but I would not be surprised to see Captain Cook’s be a big improvement when they redo it.

Thanks again

Aloha

Steve

 

[Violetx3]

Thanks for the honest review! How did you like your room and view? We're going for the first time in 9 days.

 

[skiwee1]

I also loved the wings, I called and ordered some for takeout a couple of nights, made for a nice light dinner in the room.

We do take out wings too when I feel like having a late night snack! The Poly room service also has some GREAT food. The BBQ chicken quesidillas are very good!

 

[SeaSpray]

I would not be surprised to see Captain Cook’s be a big improvement when they redo it.

Thanks again

Aloha

Steve

Steve, when do they think that Captain Cook's would be redone?? Is it something they are working on now, or is it a future project?? Thanks.

 

[Chicago526]

Captin Cook's is a work in progress, they had the walls up when we were there in Dec. I'd guess it would be done soon, but I'm not sure of a date.

 

[Marty Joe]

I can't imagine staying anywhere but the Poly. I will say that Captain Cook's is the lone weak link.

 

[valleygirl]

We really did have a great time at the Poly. Our room in Tokelau was wonderful. We were first floor on the quiet pool side which was really convenient for the girls. If you stepped off the patio and looked to the left you could see the castle and fireworks. I took a lot of pictures that I'll try to post when I have a chance. As far as the food goes, we enjoyed Kona Cafe very much for dinner. I was unimpressed with their breakfast selections, found them overpriced and not that good. I have to say that last week was very crowded which could account for the food and bus issues.

 

[anne]

Chicago 526 - that is the MOST adorable picture I have seen yet!!!! If I tried that with my Golden she would eat Mickey in a second