Rarotonga Bldg @ the Poly

[Bride In The Attic]

We have a ressie for a GV @ the Poly in a few weeks. We are huge monorail freaks and have stayed in the Aotearoa bldg facing the mono before and really enjoyed it so I'm going to request that as our first choice. Hearing about the crowds lately I'd like to have a 2nd choice to give them and was looking at the Rarotonga.

I've looked at Tikiman's website (THE BEST!) but I'd like to hear from anyone who has actually stayed in Rarotonga facing the monorail. We like 2nd/3rd floors - will we be able to see the parking lot at all? That is my biggest concern.

Appreciate any feedback...

 

[Lollipop Mom]

We just returned from the Poly and stayed in Raratonga facing the monorail. We had a first floor room and it was VERY convenient. We were in one of the first rooms in the door so it was literally steps from the GCH. We were 2 Moms each with a 2 year old and a 4 year old (left the husbands at home for this trip and had a ball with the kids!) so convenience was HUGE for us. We could be on the monorail within 2 minutes of leaving the room (assuming one was at the station...which was often the case). My sons are big monorail fans so the view of the monorail was just ideal for them. They could lay in bed and see the the monorail from their beds.

The parking lot is back behind Raratonga but it's not like it's IMMEDIATELY behind it, there is a "green space" for walkways to the bus stop (you can't beat this longhouse for it's convenience to both the GCH and bus stops). We were on the first floor and couldn't see parking lot at all but I would bet you could from the upper floors. It's not like it will be the predominant view though, just that it won't be hidden from upper floors. Be aware that the 2nd floor rooms do not have balconies in Raratonga so be sure to request 3rd or 1st if you want to sit outside the room at any time.

Have a great trip!!!!

 

[clarabelle]

Just got back from room 2828 in Raratonga. Like the previous poster said- there is a little green space -then you could see parking lot and monorail. The green space was really pretty-landscaped not just undergrowth. I did not feel like people in the parking lot could glance up and see me. They would have had to been really trying to look in- there was too much distance.

We were very close to the elevators and I did wish we had a balcony a few times. I think the 3rd floor with a balcony would be a good choice. It was nice being able to walk to the GCH without any trouble and the room was not noisy except for ocassionally hearing young kids running down the halls.

Hope this helps

 

[Harambe]

We stayed here in 2001 - and loved it! Very close to Captain Cook's, the volcano pool, the laundry room, Neverland club. Just about everything.

We had a first floor room (no noise from above), the patio was wonderful, with the monorail zooming by. The foiliage is lush at the Poly, we didn't see the parking area at all.

 

[Tikiman]

I have not had time to post the photos yet but I took a close look at the view on the parking lot side of Rarotonga and I was very surprised that in most cases you could not see the parking lot at all but even on the upper floors you had a nice view of the garden areas, paths and the monorail before you could see any of the parking lot. I took quite a few photos and if you would like to see them before they get posted just send me an email (steves5150@yahoo) and I will respond with the photos. I think Rarotonga might even be a better request since it is closer to the pools and GCH.