Questions about Poly

[LilyWDW]

Hey all! I'm planning a trip, just myself and my mother, for late Sept/early Oct of 2010. I am trying my best to save up to totally pay for the tickets and hotel for the stay so I am really torn on what to do hotel wise. We want to stay for 10 days and see Epcot's Food and Wine Festival, spend at least 2 days at MK and Epcot (1 day each at DHS and AK), and just enjoy being at Disney. We went in 2007 and really enjoyed POFQ and I would not hesitate staying there again, but I want something different.

The more I read and look, the more and more the Poly looks to fitting our needs. The monorail seems it would be very convenient since we want to spend extra days at MK and Epcot, we want to eat at both Ohana (dinner) and Kona (breakfast and dinner), and the grounds are so beautiful. Downside? It's quite a bit more money then POFQ .

However, I do have a few questions about the resort that I am hoping someone here would be willing to answer...

1) Is it really feasible to walk to the TTC from the resort?

2) How is the noise factor within the resort? We are planning on taking mid day breaks this time around, so we would like to be able to relax in our rooms.

3) How is the bus service to DHS, AK, and DTD?

4) Are the garden views okay? The cost difference is already a big one between Poly and POFQ, so I can't take into account the cost of any other views.

5) Finally, I was thinking of asking for Tokelau if I do book Poly. Is this a good choice? Would anyone suggest a different building and for what reasons?

Yes, I know some of these questions will be opinion rather then hard facts, but sometimes you just need to hear opinions! Thanks in advance for your help and answers.

 

[BCV23]

1. Very feasible. It's the only way we go. It's a matter of a couple minutes walk from Tahiti or Rapa Nui. Tokelau is another minute or so.

2. The GCH is often bustling especially in the evening. But the longhouses themselves are quite peaceful. The rooms facing the Volcano pool can be loud if your out on the patio or balcony. But inside the room it is quiet.

3. We usually drive although I have taken the buses back when we split up sometimes. One hint for the return trip is to take the TTC/MK bus if it arrives first and isn't crowded. Then make the short walk back. I'm sure someone else will help you more about the buses.

4. The gardenviews are absolutely lovely.

5. Tokelau sounds as if it would be a great request for you. It's midway between the GCH and TTC. Large rooms, quiet location especially the side facing East.

 

[northriver]

Our stay at Poly was 13 months ago, so my answers are based on that, fyi.

1) YES! We loved walking to the TTC. Definately quicker to walk there when you are headed to Epcot.

2) We heard a little noise from our neighbors in the next room, fussy toddlers. And also a little noise from the hallway when guests were returning late at night - inconsiderate people, not any noisier than any other hotel, however. We overlooked the quite pool and heard no noise from outside except MK fireworks.

3) We leave the resort very early. Bus to AK and DHS was fine, I think the later you go the more crowded it gets. Bus to DTD definately takes some time so just make sure you allow for enought time to get there if you have an ADR.

4) Garden views are lovely. Some rooms may have a glimpse of a parking lot but mostly there is lots of landscaping between the rooms and another view. The grounds are lovely.

5) Tokelau was our request and we did not get that building. Maybe request a second location as well so you have a better chance of getting what you want. We were in Rorotonga which is a fabulous location near the GCH, bus stop and guest laundry, and we had a great view, but we would have preferred Tahiti or Rapa Nui so next time I will list those along with Tokelau.

 

[tiggrsbride]

Your questions have already been answered, but I thought I would chime in with my agreement...

1. TTC is really close to the Poly. We stayed in Tokelau and it was very quick. It is a beautiful walk along the paths, especially at night with the torches lit.

2. I found the resort quiet and peaceful. The buildings are very serene, the Volcano pool buzzing, but not noisy, and the GCC busy. The grounds were not loud at all.

3. Bus service was spotty to DHS, AK, and DTD. Our first part of the trip had long waits for the busses in the morning, and always multiple busses for the other parks came before the park that we were going to. The second half of the trip was much better in terms of wait times. The busses are shared with the GF and the Contemporary. The monorail to MK and Epcot is wonderful!!! We weren't impressed with the bus service, and think the deluxes should not share. JMHO.

4. Garden view at the Poly is spectacular! The grounds are lush and tropical. You will not be dissapointed!

5. We requested Tokelau. At check-in, we were placed near the GCC. We politely asked for Tokelau, since we had 4 nights of dinner ressies in Epcot, and knew we'd be hiking over to the TCC plenty. We were moved immediately. Our room was on the third floor, 9333 looking at the gardens, not the quiet pool. It was perfect!

I have loved every resort that I have stayed at. ASMo was a blast. Pop was fun. POR was wonderful. WL was amazing. The Poly was magical. I will try to pinch my pennies to return there again! Enjoy your decision making, and have a magical stay!

 

[LilyWDW]

Bus service was spotty to DHS, AK, and DTD.

Did you try taking the buses from the TTC to these parks? Wonder if that would be a better option if you are placed close enough to the TTC.

Also, I keep reading that housekeeping can be spotty. Is this something that anyone here has noticed?

How's the counter service there as well?

Can you tell I really want to stay here and am talking myself into the money?

Tokelau was our request and we did not get that building. Maybe request a second location as well so you have a better chance of getting what you want. We were in Rorotonga which is a fabulous location near the GCH, bus stop and guest laundry, and we had a great view, but we would have preferred Tahiti or Rapa Nui so next time I will list those along with Tokelau.

I'll be sure to take this advice if we end up there. Tokelau just seems like it would be very relaxing and have pretty enough views, though Tahiti seems nice as well. Rapa Nui has one side facing a parking lot which kinda is a turn off for me,

 

[vicki_c]

I have never had an issue with housekeeping at the Poly, in 3 trips. Everything was done very well.

And I think the Poly has one of the better CS locations of the deluxe resorts - Captain Cook's. They even have Dole Whips and Tonga Toast there!

Tokelau is very nice - we stayed there in 2001 in a balcony room facing the quiet pool.

 

[Marty Joe]

LilyWDW,

The bus stop is just in front of the Neverland Club. The real issue about the busses (IMHO) is getting back to the resort. Getting to the parks and DTD in no prob. (I had to look up DHS... I will always call it MGM!)

As far as housekeeping goes - I have had the best and the very so-so. I happy to say that I have had the best most of the time. Sometimes the "B team" takes over while the "A team" has a day or two off and that is when (sometimes) the ball gets fumbled. Spotty housekeeping can and does happen everywhere (not just Disney).

While I have not stayed in Tokelau, I imagine I would love it. I have stayed in Samoa (volcano pool side with great view of the GF) and Fiji (both sides - like the marina view best because you have a view of CR, you can see the monorail leaving it). Both are very close to the GCH. The walk to the TTC is very peaceful and relaxing. The landscaping is breathtaking (I rarely use the word breathtaking when not talking about supermodels.. ).

Counter service at the Poly is Captain Cooks. My wife and daughter love it. While I don't hate it, I think it's the Poly's weakest link. No Fries! No French Toast sticks!! Are you kidding meeee!!! The old CC's used to have an area where you could fix up your hamburgers with pickles, onions, tomatos, lettace, etc. Not anymore - you have the packets of mustard and catsup - like it or not. I drown my sorrows in a Mai Tai. Speaking of Mai Tai,s, I have done some research and have concluded that the Tambu Lounge (2nd floor/GCH) has the best Mai Tais on the planet .

Ok - so I have answed some of your questions out of order, I have rambled on for no good reason, and I have taken a couple of left turns - I'm in a Poly coma.

Be warned --- You stay at the Poly once and you are ruined for life!

 

[LoveKermit]

Agree on all accounts--if you can, go for the Poly. We stayed in Tokelau (after politely going back to check-in after being put somewhere else facing the parking lot). Wish I could remember the room number 93 something. We were two rooms from the MK end of the building. Tokelau is perpendicular to the MK. So, we saw fireworks every night in our jammies on the landing at the top of the stairs. And we saw them different nights with the same people. Our room faced the TTC. We, too, ate most dinners at EPCOT so we walked to TTC and went from there.

It was a splurge, but I know we'll stay there again someday.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

When it comes to bus service at the Polynesian for Hollywood Studios and the Animal Kingdom, you have a 2nd option of getting their buses at the TTC and taking the buses from those parks back to the TTC so you can walk back to the Polynesian.

However there are no buses from the TTC - Downtown Disney so unless you don't have a car or don't want to spend money on a taxi, then your only option is waiting for the bus at the Polynesian.

 

[B-Ride]

Your questions have been answered pretty well so I will only chime in to say: YES, YES, YES - stay at the Polynesian. It is a great resort and worth the extra money if you can afford it.

 

[shyjade]

We LOVED our Garden View room at the Poly last November (in Fiji). It was very peaceful and the building was very quiet. Only once we saw other guests in the hallway and we were there 6 nights! We always walked to the TTC in the mornings to catch the monorail to Epcot. It as a short walk...took us less than 10 minutes at a slow stroll from the far side of the resort.

Here was our Garden View:

 

[frdeb1999]

Another vote for the Poly. The views have always been great no matter which catagory we've stayed in. And we have never experienced anything but wonderful mousekeeping and service while staying there!

 

[LoveKermit]

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention it was very quiet once we got away from the volcano pool and GCH. VERY quiet.