The *ALL NEW* Polynesian Resort FAQ thread - *APRIL 2009*

[Tinkerbellie16]

I was wondering if anyone was at the Poly right now and if so, is it really crowded or is it manageable? With the park reports, I'm wondering how many people are taking advantage of the resorts - especially our favorite Polynesian getaway!!

 

[mmmears]

mmmears-kandcmch-kaffinito-ALOHA!!!
May the Tiki Gods Bless you with Great Weather and Low Crowds!!!
Can't wait for the trip reports!!

Thank you for the kind thoughts!

I was wondering if anyone was at the Poly right now and if so, is it really crowded or is it manageable? With the park reports, I'm wondering how many people are taking advantage of the resorts - especially our favorite Polynesian getaway!!

I'll be there next week, and I'll report back if I can. We're used to free internet on our travels, so we may not be hooking up to Disney's $10 internet line.

 

[kandcmch]

mmmears-kandcmch-kaffinito-ALOHA!!!
May the Tiki Gods Bless you with Great Weather and Low Crowds!!!
Can't wait for the trip reports!!

Thank you!!! So much I hope the crowds will go down some.

 

[dfarner]

Has anyone been or are you going to the luau? If so, what are you dressing your children in? I've seen those grass skirts everywhere and I'd love to dress my girls in them for the luau. What do you all think?

 

[kaffinito]

mmmears-kandcmch-kaffinito-ALOHA!!!
May the Tiki Gods Bless you with Great Weather and Low Crowds!!!
Can't wait for the trip reports!!

Thank you! We 'll need it given the crowd levels! I appreciate the well wishes!

That sounds awesome! Then they'll really be surprised when you go up to the check-in counter! How fun! I don't know how you've been able to keep your secret for so long, but I think it'll be worth it when you see their faces.

It's been tough since I'm jumping out of my skin with excitement! I'm looking forward to surprising them and staying at the Poly! See you there soon!

kaffinito - I would say just self-park. It's been very convenient for me in the past. This way you have your keys and you know where you're parked. I like the idea of telling them once you're in the lobby
Which building have you requested? I can't remember... anyway, if you end up on the TTC side of the GCH (Tokelau, Raratonga, Niue, Hawaii, Samoa, Rapa Nui, Tahiti), returning to your car for your luggage will be easy. Or will you have a ton of luggage and need help from a bellman?
If you're going to need a bellman, and want to surprise the children once you're in the lobby, I would say self-park... walk in and check in and then retn to your car and proceed to valet and let them take it from there...Hope this helps but I'm afraid it won't

That sounds like a good plan. I was wondering if I should valet or not, but since I never have yet (I'm too cheap ) that might tip them off! So self parking it is. It will be a good surprise for them

I'm going to post every other day or so from the Poly. I have to be online anyway to "talk" to DH, so might as well do a little DIS.

Aloha and thanks to everyone for all of the tips and advice!

 

[funntheson]

Maybe I am wrong, but I thought that if you were staying at a Disney Resort, you were guaranteed park entrance?

Can somebody please clarify this for me?

 

[BreezysMom]

Maybe I am wrong, but I thought that if you were staying at a Disney Resort, you were guaranteed park entrance?

Can somebody please clarify this for me?

I believe there are stages to closing the resorts. They are posted somewhere. But yes, at lower levels of closings resort guests are allowed in but at a Stage 4, no one gets in.

 

[TJM1976]

 

[sm04]

"Try not to let it stress you out too much. As someone who has done WDW regularly at peak times (Easter and Christmas), just concentrate on what is most important to you to get done and go from there. Remember, the Poly's location is your friend and island of sanity from the chaos of the parks. "

Thank you for the calming thoughts.. You're absolutely right. It helps to be reassured.

I, too, was checking out Ride Max, but I have a mac and it's not compatible.
Are the touring plans in the UG book the same as the ones on touringplans site? I have the book and was wondering if I should subscribe to the site.

And just to ask one more time.... You can request turn down service even though you aren't staying club level, correct? I think my kids would really enjoy it if we did it once ~ of course it goes without saying that I would too.

 

[sm04]

And would anyone mind if I did a quick single digit dance?

 

[NJBILL]

And would anyone mind if I did a quick single digit dance?

ENJOY..The last day of work before vaction is the worst day for me..it seems like it lasts FOREVER

 

[mmouse37]

Maybe I am wrong, but I thought that if you were staying at a Disney Resort, you were guaranteed park entrance?

Can somebody please clarify this for me?

When we were there over NYE once we arriaved at MGM at 8:30am and were told that if we left the park we could not be guaranteed entrance bck in later in the day...even though we were resort guests. We wound up staying in MGM all day and night until 1:30 am....it was crowded, cold, and we could only get food from vendors as all the restaurants were packed all day and night.

New Year's Day was even worse...the crowds were the most I have ever encountered and it was scary crowded...you could not even push a stroller or wheelchair....3 hour wait for Splash Mountin...it was a horrible.

Pesonally, I would never go over NYE again....just not worth it. Can't say how crowded Easter break is as we never go during holiday seasons anymore.

MJ

 

[brentalex]

Are the touring plans in the UG book the same as the ones on touringplans site? I have the book and was wondering if I should subscribe to the site.

If you purchased the 2009 version of the book you get a free subscription to the site. You need the book with you when you register on the site because it will ask you a few questions about what it says on particular pages.
I think the touring plans are the same on the site, but for free it is nice to just look around on the site.

 

[carlnix30]

We have stayed at WL without kids and decided to take our preteens and one teen to poly.. is this a good resort fort pre/teens?

 

[BCV23]

For those of you heading off to the Polynesian this weekend,


Aloha!!!!

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

And just to ask one more time.... You can request turn down service even though you aren't staying club level, correct? I think my kids would really enjoy it if we did it once ~ of course it goes without saying that I would too.

Definitely! Just let housekeeping know and they'll do it for you. You can even request it for the length of your stay. My DD *loved* turndown when we got it on the CL level. Sometimes the housekeeping CM's would 'tuck in' her Princess Minnie plush in her bed.

Maybe I am wrong, but I thought that if you were staying at a Disney Resort, you were guaranteed park entrance?

Can somebody please clarify this for me?

As a PP has said, there are various stages for park shutdown. It ranges from only letting in Disney Resort Guests and Annual Passholders, to just Disney Resort Guests to just not letting anyone in due to capacity. During peak times like Easter and Christmas, it is not uncommon for folks to get into the MK real early and 'camp out' because once you leave, there is no guarantee you'll get back in. That's why at these peak times, EMH hours are your friend. Hope that helps!

I'm going to post every other day or so from the Poly. I have to be online anyway to "talk" to DH, so might as well do a little DIS.

That's what I did during my last visit. Just make sure you don't spend too much time online--don't want you to miss too much at the Poly.

I'll be there next week, and I'll report back if I can. We're used to free internet on our travels, so we may not be hooking up to Disney's $10 internet line.

Enjoy your trip! Trust me, if I didn't already have BYOI by means of my wireless broadband card, I wouldn't be using Disney's Internet. I really wish the Poly would get Wi-Fi...

Has anyone been or are you going to the luau? If so, what are you dressing your children in? I've seen those grass skirts everywhere and I'd love to dress my girls in them for the luau. What do you all think?

I've been to the luau with my DD. We didn't really get dressed up--just used the leis we got as headbands and necklaces. Dressing your kids would be a great idea. Here's a photo from December '06 of the luau when the kids were brought up on stage with 'Polynesian Santa':

 

[Luvamouse]

For those of you heading off to the Polynesian this weekend,


Aloha!!!!

I'm leaving in about an hour and I'm ecstatic! We arrive at the Poly on Saturday! I hope to find mmmears, kaffinito, kandcmch and someone else I can't remember-- sorry!

I can't post from the Poly with any crowd reports for the folks going the week after, but have a plan and be ready to throw that plan out the window! That is my strategy for life!

I'll try to get a trip report up as soon as I can--thanks for all the reports here, all the tips and well wishes! Have a wonderful countdown everyone!!

 

[Sphyrna]

It amazes me that with the price of these resorts that internet access is not included, even if wired and not wireless. It should at least be included in the Deluxe resorts. I'm not sure if I'm going to bring a verizon aircard from work or just pay for Disney's internet. I have a travel wifi router so might just pay for Disney's internet and use my wireless router.

 

[kandcmch]

I'm leaving in about an hour and I'm ecstatic! We arrive at the Poly on Saturday! I hope to find mmmears, kaffinito, kandcmch and someone else I can't remember-- sorry!

I can't post from the Poly with any crowd reports for the folks going the week after, but have a plan and be ready to throw that plan out the window! That is my strategy for life!

I'll try to get a trip report up as soon as I can--thanks for all the reports here, all the tips and well wishes! Have a wonderful countdown everyone!!

I hope too see you there also!!! I wish we were leaving sooner but I will arrive Sunday at 12pm and we are planning to just check out DTD and the resort for the day. Look for me! I will be looking for all of you too! See you really soon!

 

[NJBILL]

. I have a travel wifi router so might just pay for Disney's internet and use my wireless router.

What does something like that cost and where can I get one? Easy to use?