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

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Just returned home from a week at the Poly. This was our second time there and we were thrilled that our request for the Samoa longhouse, 3rd floor volcano pool side was honored yet again. We also requested connecting or adjoining rooms as we were traveling with my parents and we did have adjoining rooms. At first I was a little disappointed they weren't connecting but as the week went on, I was glad we had the privacy we did.

I can confirm there is no apple juice in soda fountain area. There is Minute Maid Light Lemonade and the rest are sodas and iced tea. Captain Cook's is the biggest disappointment for me in the whole resort. The food area is just way too small and putting the cash registers in the center is just in the way. We also felt the choices for baked goods and snack items were very limited. Other than a few stops for snacks or breakfast items, we pretty much avoided CC the whole trip.

We did the breakfast at Ohana and everything was delicious as usual. We also had breakfast at the Kona Cafe and I tried Tonga Toast for the first time. One word - delicious! Definitely contributed to the several pound weight gain from the trip.

We also did the Luau for the second time and still enjoyed both the food and entertainment. It started raining as they were seating us but the show still went on and even the fire twirler performed in the rain. They didn't have the kids come up on the stage to dance due to the rain but otherwise it was still a good show.

Probably my only complaint was that Mousekeeping didn't seem to be at the same level as our past trip. The mousekeepers at Samoa just don't seem to be into the creative "magical" things as this is two trips there with no towel animals and not even anything cute being done with the stuffed animals. Plus one day we arrived back at our room around 3:30 and our room had not yet been cleaned. Our first trip in 2004 was at POR and every day the mousekeepers did something silly with DD's stuffed animals. On our trip to the Poly in 2007, DD would come back every night excited to see if anything silly had been done, only to be disappointed when it hadn't. Same for this trip only I don't think she was expecting much after the last trip. Needless to say, our tip reflected the service. We left an adequate tip but had there been a little more "magic" we would have been much more generous.

Overall another fabulous trip to the Poly and WDW. Crowds were generally light and other than the heat the first few days, it was just as we had hoped.

Thanks for posting your review.

 

[KimDis]

Is this only for guest staying in club level? I'm staying in Aug and have a res for O'Hana's I can't get a good res.

The itinerary planning service is only for club level guests... sorry...

 

[CubanaMama]

And can you see water parade and/or wishes well from either room?

Thanks!

 

[summersalt]

DH and I would like to try it for breakfast. Has anyone tried it? Would they mind if we share a meal? I'm not much of a breakfast person but my DH certainly is!

 

[Misti]

Didn't stay at the Poly but took some pix during my stay at the GF last week..

 

[BCV23]

Misti, thanks for sharing those pictures with us. Lovely.

In the last picture of the beach in front of Hawaii, are those platforms by the swing or just a whole bunch of chaises lined up? TIA.

To be clear, I mean the 4th to the last of your pictures.

 

[Misti]

Misti, thanks for sharing those pictures with us. Lovely.

In the last picture of the beach in front of Hawaii, are those platforms by the swing or just a whole bunch of chaises lined up? TIA.

To be clear, I mean the 4th to the last of your pictures.

Glad you liked them! Yes, only chaises. No platforms or construction of any type. The resort seemed so peaceful when we walked through. I'd really like to stay there next trip.

One night we stopped off at the Poly on the way back to the GF from Epcot and we went to Captain Cook's for a snack. They have some yummy food at the grill area. French fry/chip-things were delicious. Haven't eaten there in a while and we were pleasantly surprised by the selection and quality of the food.

 

[BarleyJack]

Thanks so much for the pix! Makes me even more excited to go!

 

[OandA]

Love those pics! Can't wait to be back there...

 

[ksjayhawkfan]

Ok, well here we are! We checked in yesterday but I just had a chance to really sit down and post now. We got a fantastic room, Tahiti 2034. The view is fabuous! Too bad I havent got to see fireworks yet. Well unless you count whatever they were doing at 115 this morning LOL.

Its raining. Not that big of a deal except Im afraid to take the baby out in the evenings. Im scared she'll get sick...its down right chilly when youre wet! So we, her and I, have been hanging out in the room in the evening. Im so glad that we went deluxe, we need the space!

Crowds arent too bad IMO. We went to Epcot today, got there late at around 10. Then I had forgotten my KTTW card. Duh. So I had to come back. When we finally got started at around 1100, I grabbed Fast Passes for Soarin, return time 2-3, standby 65 min. We hit The Seas, Innoventions, Spaceship Earth and then The Land and were back in the room at 345.

Here is what Im looking at right now:

 

[Misti]

Thanks so much for the pix! Makes me even more excited to go!

Glad you liked them!

Love those pics! Can't wait to be back there...

16 days in WDW?!! That's the life! Lucky you! Glad you liked the pix. Have a great trip!!

 

[Misti]

Ok, well here we are! We checked in yesterday but I just had a chance to really sit down and post now. We got a fantastic room, Tahiti 2034. The view is fabuous! Too bad I havent got to see fireworks yet. Well unless you count whatever they were doing at 115 this morning LOL.

Its raining. Not that big of a deal except Im afraid to take the baby out in the evenings. Im scared she'll get sick...its down right chilly when youre wet! So we, her and I, have been hanging out in the room in the evening. Im so glad that we went deluxe, we need the space!

Crowds arent too bad IMO. We went to Epcot today, got there late at around 10. Then I had forgotten my KTTW card. Duh. So I had to come back. When we finally got started at around 1100, I grabbed Fast Passes for Soarin, return time 2-3, standby 65 min. We hit The Seas, Innoventions, Spaceship Earth and then The Land and were back in the room at 345.

Here is what Im looking at right now:

I'm so jealous!! We left the day you checked-in. Massive post-WDW trip depression at the moment! Glad you have such a great view from your room. Have a great trip!

 

[notaclue]

The rest of us are SO jealous!!! Are you going to eat at 'Ohanas? If you do, would you check and see if they are serving potatoes, noodles, or neither and report to us? There is a new menu posted on allears and it doesn't have potatoes, noodles, or dumplings. It's like they removed all the sides.

 

[lissiesmum]

The rest of us are SO jealous!!! Are you going to eat at 'Ohanas? If you do, would you check and see if they are serving potatoes, noodles, or neither and report to us? There is a new menu posted on allears and it doesn't have potatoes, noodles, or dumplings. It's like they removed all the sides.

I just ate at 'Ohana on May 1 and there were no potatoes. They had the noodles, dumplings, sticky wings and salad for sides, plus the dipping sauces

 

[Sphyrna]

Here is what Im looking at right now:

Wow, great view!!! Hope you enjoy your stay!

 

[Picabo]

The rest of us are SO jealous!!! Are you going to eat at 'Ohanas? If you do, would you check and see if they are serving potatoes, noodles, or neither and report to us? There is a new menu posted on allears and it doesn't have potatoes, noodles, or dumplings. It's like they removed all the sides.

Certainly they can't have removed them all! OH MY! I've never been there (yet) but that is one meal we're looking forward to! Are the wings good? And are the side unlimietd also or just the meats?

 

[lissiesmum]

Certainly they can't have removed them all! OH MY! I've never been there (yet) but that is one meal we're looking forward to! Are the wings good? And are the side unlimietd also or just the meats?

The wings were very very good! I also liked the salad. The noodles and the dumplings were bone dry. I'm not sure if the sides were unlimited, it was just DD and I and we don't eat too much! But now that I'm thinking about it, I remember a table full of men next to us who kept getting more, so yes, they must be unlimited

 

[mmmears]

We were originally booked to stay at POFQ, but have since decided to invite our niece to come with us. She's never flown anywhere, and this is first big vacation. Due to this, we've decided to upgrade to the Poly. I've always wanted to stay there anyway, now we have an excuse! So excited, Sept can't come fast enough. I think I'm going to req a room in Tokelau (our ressie is GV, here's hoping for an upgrade lol), it seems to be centrally located and we won't have to run the risk of a non balcony room there. Wish me luck!

What a nice thing to do for your niece! The Poly is such a fun and relaxing place to stay -- I hope you have a fantastic time there!

Ok, well here we are! We checked in yesterday but I just had a chance to really sit down and post now. We got a fantastic room, Tahiti 2034. The view is fabuous! Too bad I havent got to see fireworks yet. Well unless you count whatever they were doing at 115 this morning LOL.

Yay! Live posting from the Poly! Your view is gorgeous -- it's a nice place to hang out when it's raining or you're tired, isn't it? I hope you have a fantastic trip!

The rest of us are SO jealous!!! Are you going to eat at 'Ohanas? If you do, would you check and see if they are serving potatoes, noodles, or neither and report to us? There is a new menu posted on allears and it doesn't have potatoes, noodles, or dumplings. It's like they removed all the sides.

I've noticed that the allears menus are not complete. We just ate there in April and we had salad, bread, noddles, veggies, dumplings, wings, and dessert in addition to the skewered meats. I'm sure they're not all off the menu now.

Certainly they can't have removed them all! OH MY! I've never been there (yet) but that is one meal we're looking forward to! Are the wings good? And are the side unlimietd also or just the meats?

The wings were fantastic! I liked them more than the meats, actually. They wouldn't take off the sides -- they cost less than the skewered meats! The sides and (most importantly) the dessert are unlimited, too. We've actually asked for more salad before (and dessert). The waiter was shocked that we wanted more lettuce, but not at all surprised when we wanted more dessert!

 

[princessallegra]

Hi everyone! I just wanted to say hello, and thanks to SeaSpray for starting this great thread, and for all the great Concierge reviews and pics!!!! My FH and I are going to be staying at the Poly garden view concierge for 4 nights in June! 20 DAYS! We are so excited! We're also doing the Chef's Table at Victoria and Albert's and FH is doing the Richard Petty Driving Experience (well it's a surprise he doesn't know yet!). Thanks again and happy planning!

 

[ksjayhawkfan]

Yes we are eating at Ohana on Thursday night, I will let you know what is on the menu

We all needed to sleep in today (gasp) but are heading to AK right now. Going to be interesting in the rain!