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

[KimDis]

Thanks for the info. I'm going to try now.

I'd try the code that starts with this the "url="

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

So my DD has now decided our fate: we are Polygoers from this day forward, spoiled forever, and now I must wait two years to return (do they do vacation counters that far in advance? ) Talk about doing things backwards though.

Hey, you're not the only one who did things 'backwards'. Our first on-site stay was at the Poly. When we stayed the next year at Pop for awhile, my DD was like, "where's the monorail!?!?!?". We've done a Pop and POFQ but nothing compares to the Poly. And I saw your 'new' counter--each day you get closer and closer and it will be worth it.

I agree -- we loved the Poly and want to stay there again! Staying there, with the monorail and the tropical theming, really makes it hard to imagine staying at a Mod afterwards.

Trust me, it's hard. We're staying at Coronado Springs in June because DD wanted to stay there but I'm having a harder time with it than she is. Coronado Springs may have the same beds like the Poly but it isn't the Poly.

We think it will take a little longer to save to get there, but we're convinced it will be well worth it!

It's definitely worth it. Staying there is such a wonderful and relaxing experience, I told DD that after this trip in June we're saving up again to stay at the Poly. We would have done the Poly this year but...mom has her eye on a new 46" 120hz HDTV.

We have been many times to WDW, but never over NYE. We are fine not going to the park if it's that much of a hassle. However, we live in NYC and crowds are part of our daily life

It sounds like having a nice dinner and then heading to the beach for fireworks is the best idea. The park will be there the next day!

I've done NYE in NYC and WDW and I'd almost say that WDW is even crazier! We stayed at the Poly and watched the fireworks from there. Much more relaxing. And oh, if you want to see the NYE fireworks from within the MK, they actually do the same fireworks on the 30th. This way you can see them 'up' close on the 30th and from a relaxing distance on the 31st.

So to sum it up, loved, loved, loved the Polynesian. I waited 25 years to stay there (wanted to from my first visit as a teenager!), I just hope I don't have to wait another 25 to get there again.

Glad to hear you enjoyed your trip! Here's hoping you won't have to wait long to get back to the Poly.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

So glad you had a good time and a great report!! Funny, now that you mentioned it...the fridge we had in the room did not get cold at all. I placed a bottle of cold soda in there and the next day it was warm!!! Luckily we were out and about so much that I did not use it much.

I could have sworn there used to be a children's playground at the Poly...but I did not actively look this time around since we had no small children with us.

Ok...I could not really mention this before our trip for privacy reasons but....since the trip is now over I am pretty sure it is not a problem.

Hayden is actually my DD's friend and one of the main reasons we were at WDW....DD has been friends with her for years. When DD told me that Hayden had invited her to WDW, I, as a certified Disney fanatic had to be there as well!!! (we were going to be in Florida anyway that week and I could not have my DD at WDW and me not be there!!!) The girls you saw her with at the pool and playing volleyball were our DD's.

Hayden was at WDW to host Grad night on Friday and Saturday night at Hollywood Studios. All of us got invited to Grad night which I wasn't expecting but was glad to go!!! It was a very interesting 3 days at WDW....my girls and Hayden and hubby all surprised me with a birthday dinner at California Grill which I was unable to secure ressies for...but they got them for me!!! We had a great meal there Saturday night in the wine room.

They all left late on Monday afternoon but hubby and I stayed on until Tuesday and then headed for Vero Beach where we just chilled out by the pool and recovered!!!

MJ

OMG!!! I saw you and your husband! I thought that you were Hayden's parents and I distinctly remember your gorgeous red hair But I was so curious if I really saw Hayden that I went online and saw a picture of her parents and no red hair so I had no idea who you were. And your husband was having a good time - my husband chatted briefly with him at the pool. Of course, if I didn't see Hayden there, I probably wouldn't have noticed all the details. What a hoot!! Glad you all had a good time. Grad night looked liked fun and how cool you guys got to go!

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

My family will be making our first trip to the Poly in Aug. We are having a problem chosing the longhouse that will fit us. My wife and I have two children dd7 and dd3. We usualy come back to the resort in the afternoon to take a swim. We are thinking about asking for Tokelau. What do you think?

I've stayed in Tokelau twice with my family (me, DH, DS (6), DD (5)) and it works out very well. I requested a ground floor in Tokelau through the Disney reservations # and it was granted (room 1915 - it is a corner room and you can see the castle if you walk out of the room just a few feet!)
Good luck!

 

[BreezysMom]

Funny you should talk about your once in a lifetime vacation. That's what I said about my first trip to WL. Then the 4/3 deal came out... Now that I've stayed at the Poly, I'm calculating how much out of each paycheck I have to save to make it back to the Poly in two years! Funny how Disney just sucks us in for life! The concierge was a nice bonus for us. My favorite part was fireworks in the lounge, and not having to walk to the GCH every time we wanted something to drink or to get a snack. It was very convenient. I can't remember...are you going to the MNSSHP? That was our favorite part of the trip when we went in Sept. My DD still talks about it all the time!

When we went on our first trip in Sept/Oct 2007 we had no intention of going to MNSSHP. I really don't think we knew about it beforehand. But we kept seeing signs at MK and then saw the Hallowishes from the Poly beach and decided last minute to buy some tickets. We had a blast! It really was the highlight of our trip!

After about two weeks of being home we started to miss the Poly and Disney so we decided to book for Dec 2008. A few weeks later we got a 40% code which just sweetened the deal. So the 14 months of planning began. While we were there we had a bit of a family tragedy at home and DD spiked a high fever in the last days and I was a wreck trying to get us home earlier than planned. I could not get us a flight home so when I went to let the front desk know we were staying the last night afterall, she asked if we would like to spend the night in the Hawaii building with a view of the castle so DD can watch fireworks and ELP. I graciously accepted and it was the most magical last 24 hours we could imagine even with the stress of what was going on at home and my very ill child.

So while I masterminded the Poly addiction, the Poly stepped it up a level with that wonderful last night in Hawaii! Now DH won't go any other way.

We decided that IF we went again we would go in Sept or Oct like our first trip. We like the weather (yes, even with the rain and heat, we deal), the crowds seem more managable and we love MNSSHP! So here we are our third "once of a Lifetime trip" in three years!

 

[dmil]

Thank you for the info. I think I'm going with this location. I would love to get that room. My two girls would love that. Can you request a room number?

 

[dmil]

I'd try the code that starts with this the "url="

Thanks For your help. I think I got it to work.

 

[carlnix30]

Ooops

 

[Sphyrna]

I have noticed lots of people comparing wl with poly!! Our first trip was at wl our first stop on ME was the poly and I thought wow I like the way the poly looks! We had a wonderful stay at WL but my mind was still at the poly. My wife noticed and now we are leaving for poly in 1 day and a wake up! Will let you guys know my feelings about each when I get back! Aloha...

You must be so excited!! I hope you have a great trip!!! Aloha!

 

[CoachG]

Count us in as hooked on the Poly - last year we stayed at All Star Movies for our first family trip and this year the Poly....wow what a difference. Had a great room on the 3rd floor of Tokelau - if you leaned over the side of the balcony you could see the castle plus it was a very short walk to the TTC. We LOVED everything about the resort - the very friendly staff (including Chef Brett who made numerous meals for our son with food allergies), the theming, the flowers, the pools, the beach, Ohana, Kona Cafe but most of all the monorail.

We've got three kids and our oldest is four and a half so its a huge hassle trying to get the kids, a double stroller and the framed backpack carrier for the baby on a bus not to mention the time that is wasted waiting for them (or the energy in running after a bus pushing a double stroller and wearing a baby on your back). The monorail made life soooooooo much easier and if we missed one the next one was there in just a few minutes so it was no biggie.

I know it's going to cost a small fortune to stay again but I can't imagine going anywhere else now. We've been back only one day and I already can't wait to go back to our "new home" as my son kept calling it

 

[Missus Toad]

Aloha cousins! Just a quick hello from Tokelau 2920. Poly couldn't be lovelier, weather is fantastic and we've had a wonderful week all around. Right now I'm packing for our return home tomorrow. A little trip report will follow sometime this weekend. For those who are stressing about crowds, don't. It's been fine-- if you get there early and use fastpass you will do everything you want more than once. Even if you don't, you'll probably still be okay. Yesterday the posted wait at Splash at 1 p.m. was 30 minutes. We've always been able to get a table by the pool no matter when we arrived, though it does get busier after lunch. We've been swimming comfortably at all hours. Service has been good and we've had early mousekeeping and turn down every single time we've requested it. Lovebugs seem to be on their way and I'm seeing more of them, but they are not bad. More later-- just wanted to say aloha!

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

Trust me, it's hard. We're staying at Coronado Springs in June because DD wanted to stay there but I'm having a harder time with it than she is. Coronado Springs may have the same beds like the Poly but it isn't the Poly.

If its any consolation, CSR is my 2nd fav resort (right after the Polynesian ). Have you ever stayed there? It feels more deluxe than the other moderates. The Casitas are beautiful with fountains and courtyards with gardens. The Cabanas have a very laid back beachy feel and the Ranchos are gorgeous too. I would highly recommend Casitas 1 or 3 for proximity to El Centro.

Plus the new rooms have flat screen TVs and more deluxe features like a duvet and doors to screen off the vanity area. Trust me, you won't be disappointed

I'll be at CSR in 22 days! Woohoo! And in 139 days I'll be at the Poly in Gardenview CL for 5 night and then CSR again for 4 nights

 

[Mouseturtle]

All those weeks of reading these posts and now I'm seeing it all for myself! Very cool. SO not to take away from the MAGIC of it all but i was a little disappointed with my room - VERY dusty and evidence of previous Guests (phone charger, pen, stickers) and the floor hadnt been vacuumed (popcorn kernels and debris) - will say something tomorrow.

Good news is I got the floor and longhouse I requested! In Tahiti - though next time I'll book Hawaii, for sure, seems closer to the action and I can hear the incessant ferry horn from my room. I also feel kind of far away from everything...i dont mind the walking at all but its a lot more isolated than I thought. What do you think about my asking to swicth to Tuvalu?? I have a theme park view room and now that longhouse seems like the better choice...

Its only my first day so I'll see what the rest of the week brings...it IS gorgeous and the atmosphere is breathtaking, I'm glad we chose it, I just had higher expectations for cleanliness for this resort!!

BTW we did the Spirit of Aloha show and it knocked my socks off. A MUST DO!!!!

Anyway I have almost a whole week of magic left and I am happy to be here. Just wanted to air my thoughts.

 

[Tess]

All those weeks of reading these posts and now I'm seeing it all for myself! Very cool. SO not to take away from the MAGIC of it all but i was a little disappointed with my room - VERY dusty and evidence of previous Guests (phone charger, pen, stickers) and the floor hadnt been vacuumed (popcorn kernels and debris) - will say something tomorrow.

Good news is I got the floor and longhouse I requested! In Tahiti - though next time I'll book Hawaii, for sure, seems closer to the action and I can hear the incessant ferry horn from my room. I also feel kind of far away from everything...i dont mind the walking at all but its a lot more isolated than I thought. What do you think about my asking to swicth to Tuvalu?? I have a theme park view room and now that longhouse seems like the better choice...

Its only my first day so I'll see what the rest of the week brings...it IS gorgeous and the atmosphere is breathtaking, I'm glad we chose it, I just had higher expectations for cleanliness for this resort!!

BTW we did the Spirit of Aloha show and it knocked my socks off. A MUST DO!!!!

Anyway I have almost a whole week of magic left and I am happy to be here. Just wanted to air my thoughts.

Mousekeeping isn't what it used to be it would seem. I would definitely bring the lack of cleanliness to the attention of the head mousekeeper. A dirty room is unacceptable.

If you feel Tuvalu is a better fit for your needs, why not inquire as to the availability of a room in that longhouse. You will then have the experience of both ends of the resort. Tahiti is secluded, but I would feel the same about Tuvalu as well. If the ferry noise is an issue for you, then Tuvalu might be an answer.

Thanks so much for your live update and I'm glad you have found the beauty of the resort despite a few glitches. Take if from me, once you go Hawaii, you might be hooked and find it difficult to return to regular service again!

Enjoy the rest of your stay--looking forward to mine in a few days. . .

 

[donnajean17]

Mouseturtle and Missus Toad thanks for the live reports!

Mouseturtle, I would of complain about the room cleanliness immediately!! Ewe!

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

If its any consolation, CSR is my 2nd fav resort (right after the Polynesian ). Have you ever stayed there? It feels more deluxe than the other moderates.

I've never stayed at CSR but I've recommended to friends that they stay there. The real reason I picked it (well, 'pushed' DD towards it) was for the new Queen beds. I'm glad to hear this from someone who has stayed there.

Plus the new rooms have flat screen TVs and more deluxe features like a duvet and doors to screen off the vanity area. Trust me, you won't be disappointed

Thanks! This really does put my mind at ease. Last week I was literally just about to contact my TA and ask if there was any way we could switch to the Poly--then my bank account smacked me in the head.

I'll be at CSR in 22 days! Woohoo! And in 139 days I'll be at the Poly in Gardenview CL for 5 night and then CSR again for 4 nights

Wow, we'll be at CSR in about 40 days but we're dining and doing a lot of stuff at the Poly still. You're making me think perhaps a split stay of CSR/Poly might be the way to go next year.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

Good news is I got the floor and longhouse I requested! In Tahiti - though next time I'll book Hawaii, for sure, seems closer to the action and I can hear the incessant ferry horn from my room. I also feel kind of far away from everything...i dont mind the walking at all but its a lot more isolated than I thought. What do you think about my asking to swicth to Tuvalu?? I have a theme park view room and now that longhouse seems like the better choice...

As Tess has said, it wouldn't hurt to inquire about it. I will say that as someone who has stayed in Tuvalu (lagoon view), it is 'closer' to the action but it is *right* next to the marina and hence the boat dock. If you don't like ferry horns, Tuvalu probably wouldn't be such a great choice. The ferry horns didn't bother me at all. I just loved the sensation of 'floating' in that longhouse because its perched directly on the water--no beach in front.

Hope that helps!

 

[two*little*birds]

DH submitted a request to his HR dept. to see if they would grant him additional time if we bumped up our vacation from November to October. DH is in retail management, and since November is a peak-time they were hesitant and only gave him a week off (he’s entitled to 2 weeks).

Now here’s the kicker, if he can get a longer period of time (10 or 12 nights) he wants to stay off-site again. For 7 nights at the Poly, it will cost us the same to stay off-site renting a house (usually at Windsor Hills) for 12 nights.

So now I guess it all depends on whether his request is granted, I’d love to stay at the Poly but we can’t afford to stay there the entire trip. Maybe we’ll do a split stay? Hmmm? Worst case scenario, he won't get the extra time off and we'll keep things exactly as planned - and next year we can go for a longer period.

So DH heard back from his employer today, and the answer was no. We're both a little upset as we were looking forward to a longer visit/split stay.

I guess this year, 7 nights will have to do... either way we're still going to the Poly!

 

[summersalt]

Exactly two weeks from today, I will be leaving for the airport!

 

[NJBILL]

Exactly two weeks from today, I will be leaving for the airport!

I am clearly jealous I have 71 days and counting..