Room at the Poly--balconies?

[mlwear]

OK--I have had my booking on hold with AAA for Poly CL Lagoon view and today is the day, I will actually book and make the deposit.
It seems that Hawaii is what I should request. Differing ideas? Also, do the second floor rooms have "fake" balconies? What does that mean exactly--just a big window? We must have non-smoking due to medical reasons? Does non-smoking on third floor seem smokey? Is the hallway generally smokey? Does the first floor patio provide a good view? Are there particular rooms you would request? Sorry for all the ?'s, but I as with everyone I want to have this planned just right.

 

[turnlisa]

Hawaii is the concierage building so unless you have booked a concierage suite, you will be in this building. We stayed on the 3rd floor last time and didn't notice a smoky smell however we were close to the elevators. It was convenient to the lounge though. I have never stayed on the 2nd floor but I think there is a door that slides, but no real balcony. I could be wrong but that is how it looks. We stayed on the 1st floor the first year we went and liked that more than the balcony. We had a great view and it just seemed more special. Not sure why exactly. Good luck and hope I helped!

 

[fam4jc]

HI. We stayed Poly concierge last June. I don't think the 2nd floor rooms have balconies at all. The third floor rooms I think are smoking optional which means you might have smokers on the balcony next to you. The ground floor rooms all have patios. Tikiman has a great site dedicated to the Poly. I don't have the url but I am sure you can find it on the boards if you run a search.

We thouroghly enjoyed our balcony. There is a little table and two chairs. The rooms are nice and large. Be sure you let them know about your health necessity to stay away from the smoke. You may have to take a ground floor room to ensure no smokers around you. Someone will correct me if some of the 3rd floor rooms aren't smoking optional.

 

[BCV23]

Yep, second floor rooms have sliding glass doors that open to a railing only...no patio. Folks have posted loving that too though.

First and second floors are both nonsmoking. I believe that the part of 3rd floor closest to the lounge is now nonsmoking too.

We've only stayed on the first floor and think the view is great.

 

[mlwear]

Well, here's the deal. I just posted a bit more of this on disability section. My son has autism and has no fear of danger and little impulse control. As advised by doctors we have always had to request ground floor rooms or rooms with no balcony. (These are non-disney places, just anywhere). He has tried to jump in the past,but not on vacation. I was thinking that since we shouldn't be in the room as much we could keep a close eye on him if we had a balcony. Sounds like the second floor wouldn't give us much chance to catch him if he got the door open. I guess I shouldn't even be considering not asking for ground level. The view is way less important and am not thinking clearly about being able to watch him all the time now that I think about it. I am trying to plan a wonderful vacation, I shouldn't think about such a stupid risk of something that could make it tragic. I'm going to request first floor and we'll see if it works out.
I feel rather stupid right now.

 

[BCV23]

Don't feel stupid. Planning for a WDW gets so exciting that it is easy to get carried away with it.

Do you have to book through AAA? If you can deal directly with WDW, you will probably be able to get a AAA discount anyway and the CM can note the reason you are requesting first floor. I can't imagine that you won't get it once the reason is noted.

 

[Melrosgirl]

we are just back from the Poly and whenever we passed a 2nd floor room with no balcony, we would usually see someone in that room with their room chairs right up against the patio door enjoying their fake balcony. (and allowing the bugs into the room no doubt). It's the funniest thing to see. I felt bad for them b/c they obviously wanted to use a balcony and had to settle for the fake ones instead and open their rooms up to the bugs.

 

[mlwear]

Do you have to book through AAA? If you can deal directly with WDW, you will probably be able to get a AAA discount anyway and the CM can note the reason you are requesting first floor. .

Sigh...I'm on hold paying as I read your post and am writing this reply. I didn't know I could get the AAA discount that way. Live and learn. My AAA agent has me hold while she is talking to Disney CM Oh, well...
AAA agent said she make the note. Hope she does.
Do you think I should send a note (and Dr. note) ahead of time directly to concierge?

 

[BCV23]

You won't need a doctor's note.

But I would contact concierge if by some chance they don't contact you first. Usually the Island Planning Office sends out a questionnaire but I've read of people not getting one. If you don't hear from them, I would email or call a few weeks before your trip.Just tell whomever you talk to about your son's needs.

 

[mlwear]

AAA agent confirmed through CM (this seemed ridiculous that it went through a third party) that we will have ground floor. I am also going to make note on it when I send in requests to concierge--just in case.
thanks for all your help.
I have officially booked including flights! I feel a sense of relief.
Now the fun planning can begin.