Tell me about your recent Poly visit!

[PamNC]

I'd love to hear from anyone who has been to the Poly recently. We're going 2/9 - 2/15 - never stayed there before. I've learned a lot from Tikiman's site and we're very excited. But, I'd love to hear real, recent experiences and comments.

Tell all!

PamNC

P.S. Good and bad comments welcome of course - this is a "discussion" board after all

 

[CamColt]

Well, Im a pretty big Poly fan, so you wont get much negative from me.

We really enjoyed our last stay at the Poly which was 5 nights, after 4 nights at the Swan. During this trip we ate at both Ohana and the Kona Cafe and they were both wonderful! We also enjoy just sitting out in the Tambu lounge, having a drink while watching the castle change colors.

Having the monorail right there and the TTC in walking distance were also an advantage.

If you are around the resort at 6:00pm, be sure to check out the Torch Lighting Ceremony at the Great Ceremonial House.

The pool is really nice, but we didnt make it in there last month. The beach area is beautiful and the view is breathtaking. We watched Wishes from the lounge chairs there one night. It was so nice to be comfortable and enjoy the show away from the crowds.

Over all our stays here, we have had all good views while staying in Garden View rooms. Only once would we have faced a parking lot but because we were on the ground floor the bushes blocked it, and we still got to see the monorail going by(kids LOVED that!).

Mousekeeping has always been good for us, and this time they left us little animals to hold our toothbrushes. Thought that was a nice touch. I was also given a complimentary cake and balloons for my birthday...along with party hats, tooters, and a Magical Moments certificate.

If you have any specific questions,just ask.

*Edited to add... I just thought of a negative. We werent thrilled with the hot food at Captain Cooks and it seemed to take quite a while for "fast food"(then it was cold). But on the other hand, I thought the muffins here were awesome!

 

[Terk-1]

I stayed here in November-December of 2002 and really enjoyed it. I stayed in the Tokelau building in room #1913, which is considered a "garden" view room. However, it overlooked the lagoon & the Grand Floridian. One morning I awoke to see hot air balloons over the Floridian. The room is steps from the quiet pool, as well as the beach and is a short walk to the main building, pool, monorail & bus stop, as well as the food area. It is a little longer of a walk to the marina, as well as to the TTC.

Be advised that the monorails to the Grand Floridian, Magic Kingdom & Contemporary do not begin until 7am and that the monorail to EPCOT from the TTC does not begin until 7:30am (even on EE days). The only downside I found was the bus service was a little slow and that it often shared with the Contemporary & Grand Floridian. There is also a little shuttle boat to and from the Magic Kingdom. This also stops at the Floridian, but is a nice alternative to the monorail.

Also, the Electrical Water Parade is shown in front of the Polynesian's beach each evening at 9pm. It's a cute little parade. Also, you can view the Wishes show from the beach as well. You can hear the music slightly.

Tikiman's site is fantastic for any information regarding the Polynesian.

 

[PamNC]

I'm getting so excited - thanks for the lowdown. I'm looking forward to really relaxing on this trip. I'm self-employed and I've been working a lot and I need a break.

I think we'll definitely enjoy sitting on the beach enjoying the fireworks and the electrical water parade. Sounds delightful. And the tiki lighting ceremony sounds quite nice.

One question - We usually stay at YC or BC and the rooms are quite clean and fresh. Are the Poly rooms clean and fresh? They appear to be bigger which we like.

I can't wait!!! 27 days to go.

PamNC

 

[luvmarypoppins]

If you have children then I would say try and take advantage of some of the free childrens activities that they offer, like hula lessons, arts and craft in the neverland club, arcade challenge. We always enjoy taking the boat back from the mk at night. If it is not too cold you sould try it, the lights and view are magical. You will like the conveneice of captain cooks for 24 hour snacks and mug runs. That is the one problem I found at the beach club.

 

[Susiesnowflake]

Pam,
We've stayed at the Polynesian twice, and it is my absolute favorite resort! Hoping you'll enjoy it as much! Take your time strolling through the grounds and exploring all the many paths. It's especially nice at night when the tiki torches are lit. The path to the GF is nice to take. It goes past Luau Cove and along the water.
We have stayed in Tahiti both of our trips. Perfect location for us. We loved the extra room, and our son loved the daybed. Housekeeping did a great job and readily provided for any request.
Our only problem in Nov was that we got one of those musty smelling rooms. If you find yourself with one of those, call right away! They couldn't move us (they were already relocating us to another resort later in our stay because of over- booking) However, they brought some machine to our room which definitely helped with the moldy smell. They ran it 2 days, and things were really improving on day 2.
If you have the time, it's fun to explore the GF and CR. We also explored the WL and FW by taking the water launches.
Enjoy your trip!

 

[Susiesnowflake]

Just thought of something else.....we happened to be leaving Epcot one night for our return to the Poly when the Wishes fireworks started. We were monorail co-pilots that night, and it was pretty neat watching the fireworks on our monorail ride back home. You had to keep repositioning to see them but it was still lots of fun and a nice surprise!

 

[Terk-1]

I was very pleased with the cleanliness of my room. The room was cleaned every day by noon.

Also, the beach in front of the Tahiti building is much quieter than the main beach and has lounge chairs, swings & hammocks.

 

[sherr]

Can someone give me Tikiman's website? We are also at the Poly in Feb. Also, how could I find out what kind of room we have been booked in. We used a TA and now I am seeing all the best places to be at Poly. Not sure what we are getting.

 

[catnik]

Sherr: Tikiman's website is http://www.tikiman2001.homestead.com/

Pam: Have a terrific time and let us know how you liked the Poly once you get back!

 

[sherr]

Thanks I found it. Lots of info!

sherr

 

[PamNC]

Thanks everyone! I'm even more excited about our trip. 23 days to go. I will do a Poly review when I return. My husband said he thinks it may be our new favorite. I don't know...we'll see. I love the YC/BC.

PamNC

 

[Efastpitch]

BUMP

 

[bmr12]

We stayed on the FTP for seven days in mid-November, 2003. We booked (and received) a garden-view room.

The room was nice, fairly clean, and in a great location (Samoa). The only noises we ever heard we the golf carts going to/from the Hawaii concierge building and some occasional thumping from upstairs kids. I was surprised by the smallness of the Television in a room that normally goes for $200-300/night, but we aren't big TV watchers anyway (just a few football games).

Housekeeping was nothing special; multiple times they ignored us when we said we'd be leaving shortly (leaving us with an uncleaned room at 5 p.m. instead) and they didn't get rid of the sticky spot on the floor (marked multiple times with a tissue stuck to it). Towel animals? We were fortunate enough to get clean towels.

We did eat one night at Kona's. Frankly, I can't say I enjoyed it at all. The service was the worst we received in a week (slow and inattentive) and I got some mild food poisoning from my meal to enjoy the next day.

We did not eat at O'Hana's, having experienced similar meals in Hawaii. My one venture into Captain Cook's sent me stunned back out the door with my $2.50 cup of off-brand yogurt.

The location overall was quite good, and we used the monorails quite a bit. We also really enjoyed being right-out-the-door from the beach (fireworks & light pagaent) and both pools.

My daughter (5) especially loved the Neverland club the one night she got to go.

Would we do it again? Probably at FTP prices. The location and grounds are excellent, and the pools were great. If I'd have gotten the same experience at rack rate, I'd probably have been a little miffed.

 

[cmcvean]

Pam, I just got back last night and I'm sure you are going to LOVE it! We stayed at the Pop Century the first night, then 7 nights at the Polynesian, then the last night at All Star Movies. Going from Pop Century to the Polynesian really showed us how truly wonderful the Polyneisan is!! So quiet and relaxing, we just love it more each time we visit!!

You can't beat the location in my opinion, we rode the monorail and took the ferryboat from the TTC a lot. The buses were actually not as bad as I thought they would be, we usually just drive to AK and MGM because we have 4 very young kids who don't always behave well on the buses

Please let me know if you have any questions, I would love to answer them!!

Christine

 

[PamNC]

I can't believe my thread is still getting responses. Keep it coming!

3 more weeks to go!

PamNC

 

[sherr]

We are staying at the Poly for 4 nights starting Feb.22 and we will not find out what kind of room we got until we get there. I was told standard which Iguess could be garden or lagoon. My question is what longhouse should we request? I have heard Tahiti is the best as far as being close to TTC but far from GCH. Which do we want to be closest to? We might want to grab breakfast in the GCH or coffee. Can we catch the monorail from there too? We would also like a nice view and a water view would be the icing on the cake. It will be my dh, and 3 dds. Not sure we will have much time for the pool but we will try to schedule it in for at least 1 afternoon. Any suggestions out there?

Thanks!

 

[Bojangles]

Originally posted by sherr
We are staying at the Poly for 4 nights starting Feb.22 and we will not find out what kind of room we got until we get there. I was told standard which Iguess could be garden or lagoon.

That would be a garden view. You will not see the lagoon from your room. Some buildings overlook the pool. Each of the buildings have advantages/disadvantages.

 

[IndyDisneyFan]

We stayed at the Poly for 8 nights this past July. On our first night there the air conditioner quit working, so they moved us from our garden view room to a conceige lagoon room on the 3rd floor! The staff helped us move, and the view was breathtaking. We spent many evenings watching the fireworks and water parade from our balcony. They went over and above to make sure that we were taken care of, and that is something we hadn't really experienced at any other resort. You will have a great time there, no matter which building or what your view.

Laura

P.S.- Turn your air conditioner all of the way down, and you just might get a free upgrade!(Ha Ha)

 

[suevee]

Pam

We are staying at the Poly from Feb.9 to Feb. 13. It is our first time there though we have eaten there many times. This trip we are splitting between the CR and the Poly. Maybe we will see lime green ribbons! Have a great trip.