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

[MsStinkerBelle]

My plan is to spend the first two nights at a value resort, then spend the next 5 nights at the Poly. For those of you who have done a split stay, how does that work? Will they move your luggage from one resort to the other?

This past December we did a split stay between 5 nights at Pop and 6 nights at the Poly. Disney will move your luggage for you. The day before I contacted Luggage Services (no bell service at a value) and arranged a pick-up time. They asked if we were transferring to another Disney resort. I told them the Poly, they confirmed the pick-up time, the number of bags I was transferring and told me I didn't need to be in the room. for pick-up. So around 7am the next morning, DD and I got our carry-on bags, left our luggage to be transferred next to the door of our room at Pop, then took the bus from Pop to the MK and the boat to the Poly from there. Called Bell Services at the Poly that afternoon and my bags had just arrived from Pop. They brought the bags up and all was well. Easy and painless.

You can take a taxi but frankly unless you really need all your bags, I'd let luggage/bell services do the work for you.

Does anyone know when the rates come out for next year, and when you can start booking for 2010?

They usually come out around late August/Mid September. At least that's what my TA told me last week.

 

[lissiesmum]

Thanks for the info, Ms Stinkerbelle! Sounds good to me!

I wanted to share another crazy story that just came to me from our trip. I read a few days ago from another poster that they were doing work on the roofs. Well, they were working on painting Hawaii's roof our entire stay. The second to the last day, we are walking down the long hallway to our room, and we just hear this guy yellilng and a lot of commotion right in front of our room. As we get closer, I see paramedics and a guy on a stretcher screaming his lungs out. He was one of the roof workers and had fallen while painting the roof! I'm not sure if he fell onto a balcony or what...why he was inside the building on the 3rd floor, I'll never know but he was in a lot of pain and it freaked my DD out. I quickly got her into our room and turned the tv up real loud. I'm sure he was probably ok, but kind of a crazy thing to run into on your way back from a fun day out at the parks, huh?

 

[Mouseturtle]

Was this question answered as I need to know if we should bring some too..
Thanks.

You can buy a S'mores kit for $7, or just a bag of marshmallows for $3. There is a LOT in them (I just got the marshmallows, there are like 30 of them in the bag)

They have big sticks for your use (they tell you to break them in half and throw them in the fire when you're done) and towels and handi wipes.

We've done this twice and LOVED it.

Get there by 8pm for the best seat placement! Campfire starts then, and movie's at 8. You may get distracted by the fireworks which was a bonus for me. It's a must do! Wasn't crowded at all when we were there - maybe 14 people

 

[mmmears]

So I'm crossing my fingers for making it back to WDW next February. I'm putting money away out of each paycheck and not eating out as much and trying to cut corners to see if I can afford it. My plan is to spend the first two nights at a value resort, then spend the next 5 nights at the Poly. For those of you who have done a split stay, how does that work? Will they move your luggage from one resort to the other? I was also thinking of maybe just taking a taxi and bringing my luggage with me, checking into the Poly real early and heading off to the MK for the day. Either way, wish me luck that I can make it there next year. Thinking about it gets me through those tough days that I have another magical trip to get excited about! My DD will be at her Dad's this weekend so I will make a real attempt at uploading some pics (I feel like I've said this before!)

Does anyone know when the rates come out for next year, and when you can start booking for 2010?

Hi Lissiesmum

We did a split-stay in April and let them take care of our luggage for the first time (we usually rent a car so we move it ourselves). If you want to go to the MK anyway, then I'd just take a taxi and move the luggage -- that way you'll know that it's all there.

When they moved the luggage for us, I made sure to grab a swimsuit for each of us and some sunscreen, since they typically won't have your luggage before 3pm and we knew we wanted to go swimming when we arrived at the Poly. The luggage was delivered around 4:30, one bag was missing, but then they found it and brought it to the room.

I think your idea of doing a split-stay is great! You'll save money, get to go sooner, and still have plenty of time to play at WDW!

As for booking for Feb, 2010, if you know what rooms you want and really have specific dates and aren't really flexible with them, you can go ahead and call WDW and they will book you a room-only reservation for 2010. They wont have the 2010 prices yet, so they give you a high 2009 price now, but will adjust it when the prices are released in August. At that time, you can change to a package or just adjust the room-only prices.

I booked our April 2009 trip that way, since we had no flexibility with the dates (DD's spring break) and we really wanted the rooms and resorts we chose. In Aug, the prices were adjusted. Then in the fall, when the 4/3 deal came out, I switched over to that. Booking early just guaranteed that there was a room for us on the dates we wanted. Hope this helps and that I'm not confusing you!

 

[goopysolelady]

Hey Everyone.

Just wanted to let everyone know how much I have enjoyed reading this thread. Even went back and hit the closed ones, John and Terry’s web pages and of course Tikiman’s site.

Our August (1st-8th) trip to the Poly will be full of 'first' for us. First monorail resort, first deluxe/deluxe resort, first CL room, first time letting a TA book my room, first time in August. I am the planner extraordinaire of our little family and usually have all the park days planned out fairly well. But the more I look at this trip and the more I see of the Poly, the more I think I want to just relax. Being August and usually hot I’m thinking this may be a time to just sit back, soak up the ambiance and enjoy the views, sights and sounds. Something that does not always coincide with Disney World and me. Relax.
Some of my best memories are waking up early at the WL and AKL , sitting in the lobby drinking coffee while the rest of my crew sleeps and watching the World come to life. Don’t get me wrong. I still have my park days planned out (thanks TGM) ADR’s made and spreadsheets done. But the more I read from you guys the more the thought of going into a complete Polynesian Chill in August sounds great.

Even though we are staying GV in Hawaii we do have a history of getting crappy rooms. Ever see those photos of the green roof view from WL. That’s us. Ended up in the basement beside the elevators and laundry room at AKL (booked pool view, got nothing but bushes and sidewalk). I just have a feeling if there is a tree blocking any kind of views outside of a GV room in Hawaii, we’ll find it. In the past it didn’t matter so much because of our commando attitude. You know. Back to the room for the quick afternoon nap and gone again. But I’m thinking , if we are going to relax in the room and I get our standard crappy view room, I’m asking for a room change.

Anyhow thanks for listening and more importantly thanks for all the information. Already looking forward to Tonga Toast and the press pot for breakfast and multiple Dole Whips!

Check out the Macadamia Nut pancakes after you've had the Tonga Toast. TO DIE FOR! Even made a trip over from the WL one year so I could get the Tonga Toast but after trying those pancakes I may never eat Tonga Toast again. Sooooooooo good!

 

[kaffinito]

Hi y'all! Have to play catch up now on this thread after a week of pretending to be a responsible adult.

Can y'all help me fall in love with the Poly?
I know, I ought to have my booty kicked. I'm booked for 5 nights at the Poly next week and I'm anxious and unsure and waffling. They are all about the pool and the volcano excited them tho I've read that pool is small and might be extremely crowded. I also have kin that has asked to be moved from Poly due to "noise, smell and filth." She also said the pool was old and in need of repair. I've been on every site and read great reviews but it's that one, plus she said she had two friends that also have asked to be moved, that stick in my mind.

So I'm asking you obvious Poly lovers, help me fall in love with this choice!!
(Oh, we're not so much into the parks so location isn't a biggie--probably AK and DD maybe Epcot but not MK. I'm also worried about late check in--after 10:30pm and getting a crappy room)

AKL doesn't even compare to Poly IMO. The service at the Poly is far far better than that at AKL, the location is stellar, and the restaurants including Captain Cooks are great. If you have any kind of a problem or request at all, just ask and they will fix it/fulfill it for you. I can't say enough wonderful things about the staff and the service at Poly.

The resort grounds are beautiful and very restful and relaxing, and the pools are really great and are not in need of a refurbishment. They aren't too crowded either, especially the quiet pool.

Yes AKL has it's good points, but Poly has more good points and really does meet a Deluxe standard to me. There is nothing like sitting on the beach at night watching Wishes out by Hawaii or Tokelau with the music playing in the background. I really hope you enjoy your trip and that you enjoy the Poly as much as we did!

I just got off the phone with ADR. What a nightmare. On the phone over an hour and I didn't get all of the adv's I wanted. I got called out of town for work and couldn't call until 8:00 pm. I couldn't get a reservation until 8:55 pm for Ohana's. This is the hotel where we are staying. So upset. Today is 90 days out for us.

That's so frustrating when you can't get a dining ressie for the resort you're staying at until late in the evening. I had the same problem on our last trip, and ended up walking to the check in desk at O'hana and asking if we could get an earlier seating.

We ended up doing two walk ups at O'hana during our stay, and had no problems and very little wait to get in. Good luck with the rest of your planning!

Im getting so excited that I cant sleep! We leave on Saturday to drive to Kansas City and then catch our flight early Sunday! If I dont get some sleep Im going to end up sleeping my vacation away LOL I have managed not to tell my family about the surprise MK view upgrade that I bought, or the limo that I booked, or our 10 yr old daughters BBB appointment!

for you! I hope you have a marvelous trip and take lots of pics. Sounds like you have a lot of good surprises planned!

 

[summersalt]

10 Days away!

I did the online check in this morning. We've booked a GV room and I didn't request a specific longhouse. I hope that wasn't a mistake?

 

[dancemomnj]

Is there a spot for requests? Anyone feel you or less or more likely to be upgraded using online? It's our 10th wedding anniversary and I am hoping for an upgrade so not sure if I should try online?

 

[summersalt]

Is there a spot for requests? Anyone feel you or less or more likely to be upgraded using online? It's our 10th wedding anniversary and I am hoping for an upgrade so not sure if I should try online?

I had to call to request a ground floor room. There isn't anywhere to request a specific longhouse online. You can only request crib/packnplays and frigs online. I'd love to be upgraded also but I kinda doubt that would happen anyways.

 

[NJBILL]

Is there a spot for requests? Anyone feel you or less or more likely to be upgraded using online? It's our 10th wedding anniversary and I am hoping for an upgrade so not sure if I should try online?

Did you tell the CM when you made your reservation it was your anniversary?
If not call them back and make sure it is noted on the reservation. it may help your chances of an upgrade.

 

[dancemomnj]

Did you tell the CM when you made your reservation it was your anniversary?
If not call them back and make sure it is noted on the reservation. it may help your chances of an upgrade.

Yes, in two places she noted it. We were upgraded last summer. I loved my view of the castle but I like the walk I had form Somoa better! A club level upgrade would be great but if not a basic garden view room at the Poly is so still so lovely!

 

[DenialFiend]

5 days out and someone finally cancelled and we got our Spirit of Aloha tickets! MAHALO SOMEBODY!!!

 

[dancemomnj]

5 days out and someone finally cancelled and we got our Spirit of Aloha tickets! MAHALO SOMEBODY!!!

Have fun

 

[makidoodle]

I decided to jump in this thread! I just made our final payment and I am so excited to stay at the Poly! We are going 6/22 for 10 nights. It can't come soon enough! I am loving all the pictures - it helps pass the time

 

[NJBILL]

5 days out and someone finally cancelled and we got our Spirit of Aloha tickets! MAHALO SOMEBODY!!!

What is Spirit of Aloha?

 

[DenialFiend]

What is Spirit of Aloha?

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/re...t/dining/disneys-spirit-of-aloha-dinner-show/

 

[TJM1976]

What is Spirit of Aloha?

Formerly known as the Polynesian Luau

 

[Pugsly]

We're at T-minus-18 days and counting. Reading this thread daily has gotten me so excited - I just CANNOT wait! So I just wanted to take a sec to thank all of you!

Best I can tell, DS still doesn't know where we're really staying (though he has asked multiple times throughout the last couple of months and I've always told him CBR). Cannot wait until the big reveal!

 

[TJM1976]

We're at T-minus-18 days and counting. Reading this thread daily has gotten me so excited - I just CANNOT wait! So I just wanted to take a sec to thank all of you!

Best I can tell, DS still doesn't know where we're really staying (though he has asked multiple times throughout the last couple of months and I've always told him CBR). Cannot wait until the big reveal!

AWESOME!!!! Make sure you let us know his reaction when he finds out!!!

 

[PolyAddict]

We're at T-minus-18 days and counting. Reading this thread daily has gotten me so excited - I just CANNOT wait! So I just wanted to take a sec to thank all of you!

Best I can tell, DS still doesn't know where we're really staying (though he has asked multiple times throughout the last couple of months and I've always told him CBR). Cannot wait until the big reveal!

Hey Pugsly....guess we will be seeing ya.