Hsminnie
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2002
- Messages
- 232
We returned December 19th from 6 nights at the Polynesian and 1 at the WL. We stayed in the Hawaii bldg and loved our indulgence!! I was unsure about choosing concierge but the convenience of soda and water as well as juice all day was grand. We were able to make breakfast from the morning offerings on the days we chose to and the evening hor's douvers were great for a snack or light dinner. There was a limited choice, but it is not meant to be a buffet, just a sample of cuisine. It was nice to have a glass of wine or cordial without hitting a bar, and the desserts were fabulous. They were presented in very small portions so you could try 3 or 4 and still only be eating 1 "piece". Good thing because we each found several 'yummies' each night! 
The descriptions on Steve's site are exhaustive, so I won't repeat them here. I will list our faves:
Fresh pineapple chunks
white chocolate mousse in dark chocolate 'cups'
seafood chowder
chicken ceasar salad
Fruit Loops (that's the 2yo! )
Oatmeal raisin cookies (dh went nuts)
strawberry mousse in chocolate 'cups'
fresh bagels and english muffins
banana bread
hawaiin pineapple coconut bread
Almost all the offerings were well made. Your ability to make a 'meal' would depend on how you felt about the evening theme.
The debate about whether or not the food was meant for 'self serve room service' was settled the first day. There were always small trays, paper cups, paper plates, plastic utensils and hot beverage cups with domed lids. The wine and cordial 'area' provided small plastic cups and so did the 'juice bar'. No doubt the Polynesian means the lounge to be used for your conveniece and not as a 'dine in' only.
I was also pleased that the water bottles were a perfect 12oz. size. Not too big to fit in a fanny pack or diaper bag but not too small either. Soda was canned so Bob and I usually kept those in our room and purchased soda in the park if we chose. The PB&J were prepackaged and there were always whole apples and bananas so light lunch could go to the parks as well. You could also request juice boxes (apple only) and the cereal came in single serving packages. (Fruit Loops, Raisin Bran, Granola and something else.)
One quick note about the ducks. PLEASE don't feed them. I know they beg, and it seems harmless enough, but this can be dangerous for them. They become dependent on humans for food and that is not good. You might feed them bread but the next guy will throw cookies and PB&J. Let them find their own food and eat what is healthy for ducks. They don't do any better on junk food than we do. Thanks!
Now, I know the people I am going to address probably don't read DIS boards, but just in case, here goes:
I am NOT your babysitter. I am also on my vacation. I am supervising my children and I expect you to do the same for yours. The lounge is not for play time nor is it a relaxing place for you to sit while your children run up and down the stairs and trash the game area. That sort of behavior makes it impossible for my children to enjoy the 'quiet game lounge'. Not to mention any adults who may use that area as a place to 'hide' from other people's kids. Get a grip, please. There are others in the resort and you are being irresponsible. And really, do you let your kids do that to your kitchen or dining room? Then WHY would you let them do that here? Do you truly believe the lounge service staff have nothing better to do than crawl under tables wiping up ground in PB&J? You are rude, and you need to stop.
Sorry, had to get that off my chest.
BTW, Steve, I'm not sure if you were there or not, but I heard Dick and a guest having a conversation about how fab you are!
You're famous!
If you need milk (white or chocolate) please ask. They keep white milk out at breakfast, but the other must be requested.
As to staff friendliness, they were wonderful. We were kind and polite to them and they were always gracious and friendly to us. Guess what?? If you treat someone like a servant or slave they will NOT be nice to you. (That's for the people checking in right before us.) If, however, you respect them and treat them as such, they will serve you with grace and all will be well.
The room was gorgeous and huge. Three children and 2 adults plus the pak-n-play fit fine. There was a frightening dip in the floor and I have heard here that they are replacing the foundations. Much needed. The general need for refurbishment was not evident with the exception of the lounge area. Tired, worn carpets (especially the stairs) and many dings, dents, etc. Mind you, it was all quite clean. Just worn. Our housekeeping was wonderful and room service was worth every overpriced penny.
I'm sure I've forgotten 40 things but suffice it to say that what you have heard is true. The Polynesian is a wonderful resort and worth the money. Concierge service is as well.
BTW, I found out that "Poly" is a terrible racial slur. Forgive the example, but apparently it is the equivalent of saying "Jap" or the infamous "N" word that has hopefully died a great death in America. Please don't say it. I wouldn't mention it as I know it is an innocent slang to most of us, but a lot of native Hawaiins work at the Polynesian and wouldn't you just die if you knew what they heard you say? Anyway, now we know.
Let me know if you have any questions!
The descriptions on Steve's site are exhaustive, so I won't repeat them here. I will list our faves:
Fresh pineapple chunks
white chocolate mousse in dark chocolate 'cups'
seafood chowder
chicken ceasar salad
Fruit Loops (that's the 2yo!
)Oatmeal raisin cookies (dh went nuts)
strawberry mousse in chocolate 'cups'
fresh bagels and english muffins
banana bread
hawaiin pineapple coconut bread
Almost all the offerings were well made. Your ability to make a 'meal' would depend on how you felt about the evening theme.
The debate about whether or not the food was meant for 'self serve room service' was settled the first day. There were always small trays, paper cups, paper plates, plastic utensils and hot beverage cups with domed lids. The wine and cordial 'area' provided small plastic cups and so did the 'juice bar'. No doubt the Polynesian means the lounge to be used for your conveniece and not as a 'dine in' only.
I was also pleased that the water bottles were a perfect 12oz. size. Not too big to fit in a fanny pack or diaper bag but not too small either. Soda was canned so Bob and I usually kept those in our room and purchased soda in the park if we chose. The PB&J were prepackaged and there were always whole apples and bananas so light lunch could go to the parks as well. You could also request juice boxes (apple only) and the cereal came in single serving packages. (Fruit Loops, Raisin Bran, Granola and something else.)
One quick note about the ducks. PLEASE don't feed them. I know they beg, and it seems harmless enough, but this can be dangerous for them. They become dependent on humans for food and that is not good. You might feed them bread but the next guy will throw cookies and PB&J. Let them find their own food and eat what is healthy for ducks. They don't do any better on junk food than we do. Thanks!
Now, I know the people I am going to address probably don't read DIS boards, but just in case, here goes:
I am NOT your babysitter. I am also on my vacation. I am supervising my children and I expect you to do the same for yours. The lounge is not for play time nor is it a relaxing place for you to sit while your children run up and down the stairs and trash the game area. That sort of behavior makes it impossible for my children to enjoy the 'quiet game lounge'. Not to mention any adults who may use that area as a place to 'hide' from other people's kids. Get a grip, please. There are others in the resort and you are being irresponsible. And really, do you let your kids do that to your kitchen or dining room? Then WHY would you let them do that here? Do you truly believe the lounge service staff have nothing better to do than crawl under tables wiping up ground in PB&J? You are rude, and you need to stop.
Sorry, had to get that off my chest.
BTW, Steve, I'm not sure if you were there or not, but I heard Dick and a guest having a conversation about how fab you are!
You're famous! If you need milk (white or chocolate) please ask. They keep white milk out at breakfast, but the other must be requested.
As to staff friendliness, they were wonderful. We were kind and polite to them and they were always gracious and friendly to us. Guess what?? If you treat someone like a servant or slave they will NOT be nice to you. (That's for the people checking in right before us.) If, however, you respect them and treat them as such, they will serve you with grace and all will be well.
The room was gorgeous and huge. Three children and 2 adults plus the pak-n-play fit fine. There was a frightening dip in the floor and I have heard here that they are replacing the foundations. Much needed. The general need for refurbishment was not evident with the exception of the lounge area. Tired, worn carpets (especially the stairs) and many dings, dents, etc. Mind you, it was all quite clean. Just worn. Our housekeeping was wonderful and room service was worth every overpriced penny.
I'm sure I've forgotten 40 things but suffice it to say that what you have heard is true. The Polynesian is a wonderful resort and worth the money. Concierge service is as well.
BTW, I found out that "Poly" is a terrible racial slur. Forgive the example, but apparently it is the equivalent of saying "Jap" or the infamous "N" word that has hopefully died a great death in America. Please don't say it. I wouldn't mention it as I know it is an innocent slang to most of us, but a lot of native Hawaiins work at the Polynesian and wouldn't you just die if you knew what they heard you say? Anyway, now we know.
Let me know if you have any questions!
I feel badly for the housekeepers. You can only imagine what they see!
