Samoa building Polynesian

[magicmouse2]

Hi, I have looked at the map of the Poly and since we couldnt get AP rates for Concierge we got AP rates garden view. Looking at the map, Samoa seems to be the best option for us due to proximity to the pool and GCH. Has anyone stayed here and are there nice views or new carpets since the renovations ?
thanks

 

[steveanddonna]

Samoa is conveniently located between the quiet pool and the volcano pool, short walk to either the marina or the GCH. Be mindful, though, that the quiet pool and longhouse next to Samoa are both being refurbished at this time. We couldn't get concierge in March either (bigger disappointment than we thought it would be!) and stayed in Samoa instead. As two adults w/no kids, the construction was not a problem, but if you spend a lot of time in the room, or have afternoon nappers, construction noise could be an issue.

 

[johnnyr]

We stayed in Samoa last summer. We had first floor patio with visits every morning from a few of the many ducks roaming the property. My kids got a big kick out of them. The building is in a perfect location. A quick 2 minute walk to either pool, GCH, and Captain Hooks. Some say the noise from the volcano pool is bothersome, but we found it to be just the opposite. The longest walk we had was to the TTC, and the new bus stop. Not a problem IMHO, though. It is a small building that was recently renovated. You won't be disappointed.

 

[hannahryan]

Do you know if construction will be done by November? How extensively has Samoa been renovated? Thanks.

 

[johnnyr]

Originally posted by hannahryan
Do you know if construction will be done by November? How extensively has Samoa been renovated? Thanks.

I don't know how long the quiet pool renovation will take, but we stayed in Samoa right after it was renovated last year. It was clean, and smoke free. It looked like they used the same funiture in the rooms, though. Hawaii was under construction at the time which is netx to Samoa. We heard verry little disturbance.

 

[steveanddonna]

Definitely, noise from the volcano pool wouldn't be a problem on the garden side. Don't know when construction on the other pool is scheduled to end, but the volcano pool rehab only took about 5 months, and that was a complete redesign/rebuilding. We never stayed in Samoa before this last trip, but I think the renovations were basically new AC, stripping old wallpaper, things like that. They didn't get the new bathroom layout that Tahiti did, but the bathrooms were fine for us.

 

[mr.mike]

Great location, especially first floor facing volcano... short walk to most everything..... just avoid room 1601 !!!!

Mike (i'm better, now )

 

[magicmouse2]

just avoid room 1601

Why ??

Can anyone please answer the new carpet question


We are not really phased by noise. We dont take afternoon naps and are on the go until about 9:30pm every day.

 

[BCV23]

There is new carpet. We had room 1608 last summer and it was wonderful. Hadn't been in Samoa for quite a few years.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

We had samoa 1602 in august. First floor, volcano pool view, right next to Mr. Mikes redrum room. It was perfect for our 3 ds. Open the window slider and see the giant volcano pool. The pool traffic really didnt bother us. But keep your shades shut if you dont want people peeking in your room. We even left our slider unlocked to the boys could come right in after a swim while dh and I were having a nice rest and ac break. The 3rd floor would be good too since it has a balcony. I dont think the 2nd floor has a balcony. And I thought I read somewhere that another poster said the pool rehab would be done mid april? Dont know for sure. Guess you could call them up. You are going at a busy time, make sure the longhouse request is on your reservation and there really is not a guarantee. That is why I like to check in before noon. This was our first time in samoa. I will definetely request it when we go to the poly again. We have stayed in garden view at aeorotora (view of monorail and parking lot) and niue but that is now smoking. This april we are staying at the swan because I could not get an ap rate for contemp. or poly even after calling like 80 days out. They did offer us tower conceirge etc. Too far out of our price range. You will love the poly. I dont know if the carpets were new but everything in our room was great as usual.

 

[Parrothd]

What's wrong with 1601? I'm just curious because I REALLY want a room on the first floor of Samoa, on the volcano-pool side for our June trip.

 

[mr.mike]

Basically i just had a bad experience with the room, and felt that Housekeeping, the front desk, and managers themselves were not only not helpful but unmagical and undisneylike.

The long house and especially room redrum.. i mean 1601... is a great location.

mike

 

[steveanddonna]

just noticed a lot of posters are talking about pool (or lagoon) view rooms. Your garden view will actually be across the hall, facing the quiet pool.

 

[BCV23]

Some years ago, for a time the Polynesian offered pool view as well as gardenview and lagoon view. In those days, the rooms facing the quiet pool were considered garden view...you really can't see the quiet pool from there but just the lush foliage around it. These days, it's only two views besides concierge. Samoa facing either pool is garden view. We had garden view booked last summer and had a great room facing the volcano pool....1608.

As we chatted at checkin, the CM was very excited that we had Samoa....I had just requested non-smoking and first floor as it was just my husband, one son and me. When our children were small, we were in that building a number of times. Once they started to charge more for pool view, we just booked garden view as we liked that side too.

 

[steveanddonna]

hmmm...we just stayed in Samoa last weekend and requested a room on the volcano pool side, were told that was considered lagoon view. This was our first experience with this longhouse, as we usually stay in Hawaii (concierge) except for walking through Samoa when the volcano pool was under construction.

 

[BCV23]

Maybe it has changed since last summer or maybe the CM was just talking. We stayed in Samoa a number of times in the mid-80's maybe into the early 90's and it was never considered lagoon view.

Our very first stay in the Polynesian was lagoon view in the building that is now Hawaii but before it was concierge....on the Gold Key plan. We were hooked on the Polynesian for life!

 

[jilliemom]

Stayed in samoa last July. Its the perfect location if you're with kids. We requested a 3rd floor facing quiet pool. Very quiet for afternoon naps. Hawaii was under rehab and didn't hear any construction. I was under the impression that there were no lagoon views in Samoa since you can't see the lagoon with Hawaii in the way! Samoa was such a good location, so close to the GCH and the pools and Capt Cooks. We had requested it on our reservation and also faxed in a room requested a week prior. As far as how the rooms were after the rehab - seemed to be all the same furniture, but the carpets were new. I think it used to be a smoking longhouse, but its not anymore. Have a great time, you'll love the location of the Poly!!!

 

[Parrothd]

Originally posted by steveanddonna
hmmm...we just stayed in Samoa last weekend and requested a room on the volcano pool side, were told that was considered lagoon view.

Wow, that's the first time I've EVER heard reference to the West side of Samoa as being "Lagoon-View". I wonder if they changed it's classification since the recent rehab. I don't understand why that would make a difference though -- they didn't move the building. I wonder if the CM simply mis-spoke. I know that if I paid full price for a "Lagoon-View" room and was put in Samoa, I'd be upset.
On the flip side, as a "Garden-View", it's my first choice......and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that some "pixie-dust" will drop on me the day of our arrival.

 

[sotoalf]

The CM probably made a mistake. I stayed at Samoa last August, west side; while we had a pretty good side view of the Grand Floridian from our balcony not by any stretch of the imagination (or dollar) was that a lagoon view.

 

[steveanddonna]

I'm beginning to wonder, too, about the CM who checked us in. He was very pleasant & tried every which way he could to find us a concierge room (which hadn't been avalbl. when we booked), but perhaps he did misspeak. He did tell us that lagoon view refers to lagoon or marina side rooms, so if you really stretch the definition, I suppose the pool side of Samoa could be considered a marina view. I suppose it could have been a peak season thing or something, but I think people should be aware they could here the same thing from the CM checking them in. Hopefully we'll never have to worry about it again, since we always stay in Hawaii!