Tahiti Longhouse at Polynesian?

[DeeCeeSW]

Hi there,
We are getting around to making our ressies for this year, returning to the Poly. We stayed in Tokelau last year, which was pretty centrally located, however, this year we are thinking of requesting Tahiti since we understand that all of the rooms have double sinks (something we need!). For those of you who have stayed there, did you find that it was just too far away from the GCH and an inconvenience to catch the monorail or was it more convenient to just make the TTC your monorail stop? I like that we would be able to walk over and catch the monrail to Epcot with ease. However, I'm not sure if we'll be going there this year at all. I have also thought about Fiji since it is close to the GCH and has been recently refurbished, however, I understand the bathrooms are not as large as the rooms in Tahiti. Any advice?

 

[BrianD]

I'm sure either building would be great, but I can only speak to Fiji, because that is where we stayed when we went. We stayed there before the refurb and thought it was wonderful. All the rooms are garden view but on one side you get a view of the marina and on the other side you get a view of a quiet beach and the GF. Also, Fiji has just a very short walk to the GCH.

Yes, the bathrooms in Fiji are single vanity but it was not at all an issue for our family.

 

[DeeCeeSW]

We had a single vanity in Tokelau and that was perfectly fine. I suppose I am still kicking myself because we were originally placed in Tahiti at check-in but I had us switched to Tokelau. I would have appreciated the double sinks more as we had milk and bottles for my DS taking up a good portion of the vanity. He'll be a little older and drinking less milk, so perhaps this won't be such a big issue. I guess I have to weigh which would be more convenient for us, and I suppose that being closer to the GCH has its advantages! Maybe I'll change my request to Fiji when I call to give my deposit.

 

[Tikiman]

I must say I think it is funny that people think any longhouse at the Polynesian is far from anything. Have you ever seen CSR? If you have stayed in Tokelau than add on another 2 minutes (if you are slow) to your walk to the GCH from Tahiti. If you know the trails you can get around very fast. A good example is if you walked from Tahiti to the Volcano pool by going around the south side of Tokelau and than through Niue and Samoa it would take about 5 minutes but if you walked right down the beach you would get there in much less than that. Your walk to the GCH will not be a factor and it puts you that much closer to the TTC. I am sure you will love Tahiti. Just remember it will be concierge only from June – September 2003.

Aloha

Steve

 

[wdwnutze]

We stayed in Tahiti last year and loved it. It is not far from the GCH and the walk is so peaceful and relaxing, especially at night with the tiki torches lighting the way. We used the monorail in the GCH and at the TTC with no inconvenience at all. You are also close to the beach to watch the fireworks and the double sink was nice for the extra counter space and helping to get ready in the morning. I'm sure you will be happy in either longhouse.

 

[lizzie64]

I am putting in my request for Tahiti.

What are the odds of getting the longhouse you request??

 

[DeeCeeSW]

Steve,
I am looking to book for September 20th-27th in order to get in before value season ends. I guess I won't be able to stay in Tahiti if it's still concierge then. Do you know for a fact that it is going to be through the end of September? I may have to end up asking for Tokelau again or Fiji. And, yes, you are right, the walk along the beach is not as "far" from the Volcano pool and GCH and is very nice. I was thinking more about my sometimes lazy DH who complains about going to get his refills at Captain Cook's, LOL.

 

[Tikiman]

They say September incase things take longer than they plan. They are hoping to be done by the begining of September but no one will know till they see how construction goes. They are planning on quite a few changes to the lounge area and the foundation.

Aloha

Steve

 

[Tikiman]

Just FYI. There are a few rooms in Tokelau that do have a double sink and even an vanity outside the bathroom. I don’t know what rooms they are and the Polynesian staff does not seem to know exactly which ones they are. I guess only housekeeping would know for sure but these rooms were used as prototype or test rooms when Tokelau was built to see which room layout they liked for the later construction of Rapa Nui and Tahiti. There are only a few but you could end up in one if you returned to Tokelau. The rooms in Tokelau are the same size as the ones in Tahiti so the only difference would be the bathroom.

Aloha

Steve

 

[DeeCeeSW]

Thanks, Steve--I read about the double sinks in Tokelau on your site prior to my last trip, which is why I actually requested a "room with a double sink." Once at check-in we were told that we had been assigned to Tahiti (and at the time I didn't know that every room had a double sink) and, so, (like a dope) I politely requested Tokelau instead. I didn't want to be in the longhouse farthest from the GCH (it was my first time at the Polynesian and now I know better). The CM's say that they are not aware of which rooms in Tokelau do have them. I'm surprised that someone on the DIS has not gotten one of these rooms yet. I wish I knew a specific room to request!!!!

 

[Tikiman]

I am sure someone has gotten one of the rooms but maybe they did not know the difference. Most staff at the Polynesian has no idea about the "special" rooms. Actually I hate to say it but most of the check in staff at the Polynesian does not know very much about the resort at all. I have heard more incorrect information come from the CMs at the check in counter than from any other staff memeber at the Polynesian. It is too bad they do not try to learn about the resort they reperesent.

 

[DeeCeeSW]

The CM we had at check-in knew absolutely nothing about the resort and was actually quite rude. I saw her several times throughout our week's stay and she always had a sour puss. The duty manager was helpful, though. I'm ashamed to say that I probably pushed for Tokelau instead of taking Tahiti because of her attitude. If she had known about the room having a double sink, I wouldn't have cared about the distance from the GCH and would have gladly accepted it. In reality, I did have all my requests met...I just didn't know it at the time.