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

[lissiesmum]

single digit dance coming right up...


I'm almost there, and the days are going by a little faster now. I was wondering if at checkin, if your room is not ready and you have to come back later, what happens? Do you have to wait in line all over again, or do they have another queue for you to return to? Just wondering if you have to wait twice, if it might be better to just take what they have available? What is the longest you've waited in the checkin line? TIA as always for your help!

 

[OandA]

I'm traveling with my DD with no one to take pics of us. Do you think there are enough people around the Poly that might be nice enough to take some pics of us on the beach if we ask? I was looking into the photo session, but it went up $50 since we did it in Sept!

I'm sure if you ask nicely people will be glad to take a picture here and there. I wouldn't ask for more than one or two from a single person unless maybe it was a cast member and they didn't look too busy.

 

[OandA]

single digit dance coming right up...


I'm almost there, and the days are going by a little faster now. I was wondering if at checkin, if your room is not ready and you have to come back later, what happens? Do you have to wait in line all over again, or do they have another queue for you to return to? Just wondering if you have to wait twice, if it might be better to just take what they have available? What is the longest you've waited in the checkin line? TIA as always for your help!

Are you flying out of Manchester? I find it so much easier than Logan, not to mention cheaper.

Anyways to answer your question, last year we arrived at 11am and our room wasn't ready but they gave us the key to it because we wanted to head out to the parks and weren't going to be back until that night. We just left our carry-ons with them and they dropped them off in our room when it was ready. When we got back around 10pm everything was in our room waiting for us.

 

[johnsonet]

I'm traveling with my DD with no one to take pics of us. Do you think there are enough people around the Poly that might be nice enough to take some pics of us on the beach if we ask? I was looking into the photo session, but it went up $50 since we did it in Sept!

When DD and I were sitting on the beach one morning last month, a PhotoPass photog came by and asked if we'd like our picture taken. DD didn't want to do it, so I didn't take him up on it, but I thought it was nice that he was there. I've never seen them out and about at the resorts like that. He asked the people down the beach from us and they did it - I saw him give them a new PhotoPass card, so it was def. not a photo session - it was just a complimentary pic
I'm sure you will have no problem finding other guests willing to take your pic, though

We thought this was such a homey touch last time we went to the Poly! Do they still do this when you center the GCH to check-in? Do you still get lei's too? Thanks!

I've never been given a cookie... but, yes, they still have leis.

single digit dance coming right up...


I'm almost there, and the days are going by a little faster now. I was wondering if at checkin, if your room is not ready and you have to come back later, what happens? Do you have to wait in line all over again, or do they have another queue for you to return to? Just wondering if you have to wait twice, if it might be better to just take what they have available? What is the longest you've waited in the checkin line? TIA as always for your help!

Single digits!! Awesome
Right - once you check in, you are done. If your room is not ready, the CM will give you your keys, circle the general area of your room on the hotel map and provide you with a phone number you can call closer to 3/4pm with your room number. Once the room is ready your keys will work and you can go directly to your room

 

[lissiesmum]

Are you flying out of Manchester? I find it so much easier than Logan, not to mention cheaper.

Anyways to answer your question, last year we arrived at 11am and our room wasn't ready but they gave us the key to it because we wanted to head out to the parks and weren't going to be back until that night. We just left our carry-ons with them and they dropped them off in our room when it was ready. When we got back around 10pm everything was in our room waiting for us.

Yes, I only fly out of Manchester! I love Southwest...especially traveling solo with my DD...we get on one plane, and we're there in three hours with no layover...can't beat that, plus no Boston traffic! Thank you for the great news about checkin, that is exactly what I wanted to hear!

When DD and I were sitting on the beach one morning last month, a PhotoPass photog came by and asked if we'd like our picture taken. DD didn't want to do it, so I didn't take him up on it, but I thought it was nice that he was there. I've never seen them out and about at the resorts like that. He asked the people down the beach from us and they did it - I saw him give them a new PhotoPass card, so it was def. not a photo session - it was just a complimentary pic
I'm sure you will have no problem finding other guests willing to take your pic, though

I like hearing about the photopass photog coming around...hopefully he'll stroll my way one day I love the pics that people take around the Poly, it's such a beautiful resort. I'm hoping to get at least a couple decent ones of DD and I while we're there, but I must rely on other people's good graces to do so!



Single digits!! Awesome
Right - once you check in, you are done. If your room is not ready, the CM will give you your keys, circle the general area of your room on the hotel map and provide you with a phone number you can call closer to 3/4pm with your room number. Once the room is ready your keys will work and you can go directly to your room

Checkin sounds painless, thank goodness. We will definitely be headed straight to MK after we checkin and won't be back until after Spectro so glad to know I don't have to wait twice, and my carryons will be there waiting for me (plus a princess birthday basket courtesy of Disney customer service...did I tell you about my reservation fiasco?)

Have a great day everyone, and I'l talk to you later!

 

[BreezysMom]

single digit dance coming right up...


I'm almost there, and the days are going by a little faster now. I was wondering if at checkin, if your room is not ready and you have to come back later, what happens? Do you have to wait in line all over again, or do they have another queue for you to return to? Just wondering if you have to wait twice, if it might be better to just take what they have available? What is the longest you've waited in the checkin line? TIA as always for your help!

Rock on! :

To all of you heading out soon! I am GREEN with envy. Have so much fun!

 

[barefootMom]

We are staying here for the first time in the beginning of Dec. and are booked GVCL. I am wondering if you would request 1st floor or 3rd floor if you were making a request? I know we will be in Hawaii bldg because of CL and therefore, floor 2 doesn't have balconies so which would you request?

 

[3prettyprincesses]

I've never been given a cookie... but, yes, they still have leis.QUOTE]

Thanks! We were there Feb. 2008 and while checking in, a nice lady with a tray of warm cookies was walking around handing them out. It was nice little treat for my girls. I guess they don't do that anymore then. Oh well. Only 6 more months till our trip at the Poly with the in-laws!

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

I'm traveling with my DD with no one to take pics of us. Do you think there are enough people around the Poly that might be nice enough to take some pics of us on the beach if we ask? I was looking into the photo session, but it went up $50 since we did it in Sept!

Folks staying at the Poly seem so friendly I don't think you'll have a problem finding someone to take pictures of you guys. Plus, if there's a CM around they'd be glad to.

We had a CM take this priceless picture of me and the Terror Squad with Aunti Kaui. I hadn't planned on being in the photo but the CM graciously offered to take it so I'd be in it:

 

[tcolling]

We are staying here for the first time in the beginning of Dec. and are booked GVCL. I am wondering if you would request 1st floor or 3rd floor if you were making a request? I know we will be in Hawaii bldg because of CL and therefore, floor 2 doesn't have balconies so which would you request?

If you have little kids that would like to be able to run around, 1st floor would be the best. If that isn't an issue (and no one is afraid of heights) I always prefer the upper floor. Potentially a better view, and zero risk of someone upstairs from you being loud while you are trying to nap or sleep.

 

[johnsonet]

Thanks! We were there Feb. 2008 and while checking in, a nice lady with a tray of warm cookies was walking around handing them out. It was nice little treat for my girls. I guess they don't do that anymore then. Oh well. Only 6 more months till our trip at the Poly with the in-laws!

They may have cookies! I just haven't ever experienced it. Sounds nice

MsStinkerBelle "Terror Squad"

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

MsStinkerBelle "Terror Squad"

Yep, that's what I nicknamed the whole group consisting of my DD8, DN9, DN13 and DGodSis14 when we went in August 2007. All of those kids and myself as the only adult--keeping them together was like herding cats.

If it wasn't for the fact that we were staying at the Poly, I would have lost my mind. The CMs really went out of their way for us--or is it that they had pity on me as the only adult with all of these kids...

 

[Tiltowhirl]

Yep, that's what I nicknamed the whole group consisting of my DD8, DN9, DN13 and DGodSis14 when we went in August 2007. All of those kids and myself as the only adult--keeping them together was like herding cats.

If it wasn't for the fact that we were staying at the Poly, I would have lost my mind. The CMs really went out of their way for us--or is it that they had pity on me as the only adult with all of these kids...

What a great photo !! I'll echo your thoughts and say the staff at the Poly as well as Poly guests have always been great on my stays there as well. There have been numerous times I have gone to take pictures of my wife and 2 daughters only to have a Poly CM or guest stop and ask if I'd like to be in the picture too and they would take the photo for me.

 

[Tiltowhirl]

... and "Lissiesmum", I see we overlap a couple of days at the Poly. If you see me out and about with my family, I'd be glad to take any pictures you'd like :

So you know what I look like here's a shot of my family and I from MNSHP for 3 years ago.

-Greg

 

[Tiltowhirl]

Hey and while we're on the subject of PhotoPass people, is there anywhere at the Poly where I can get a PhotoPass card prior to getting to the MK. I like to be there at Rope Drop and grab a quick picture on Main Street before the crowds get too insane. It would be great already have the Photopass card when we get there.

Only 4 more days until we're back at the Poly ! I can't wait !

 

[tarak]

MsStinkerBelle "Terror Squad"

I love this. We just refer to the kids as things one through three. Unless it's just the two girls, who are Heckle and Jeckle.
Very jealous of the single digit dance. My older daughter (Heckle) asked me last night how many days until we go back and I told her about 600. She was not pleased. I told her we have to have that much time to save up. I don't think she cared. Sadly, we don't have any pictures of the Poly from our first trip - I forgot the camera and we had to buy a few disposables. Funny how that would have been a fantastic option twenty years ago - I've gotten so used to being able to just delete the lousy pictures.

 

[johnsonet]

... and "Lissiesmum", I see we overlap a couple of days at the Poly. If you see me out and about with my family, I'd be glad to take any pictures you'd like :

So you know what I look like here's a shot of my family and I from MNSHP for 3 years ago.

-Greg

So cute!

I'm sure you can get one from the guys at the Poly (in the lobby near the DVC kiosk) but I wouldn't worry about having one in advance... the photographer who snaps your pic on Main St. will have a ton of blank cards and just swipe one and hand it to you. We did this last time!

 

[johnsonet]

My older daughter (Heckle) asked me last night how many days until we go back and I told her about 600. She was not pleased.

 

[mom2mek]

Woo-hoo! I'm so glad to have found this thread!

My husband and I are staying, for the 1st time ever onsite, and for the 1st time ever without kids at the Poly in just a few weeks!

We picked the POLY as we totally fell in love with it on our October trip last year! I have only ever stayed onsite when I was a child (Contemporary - early 80's) and since then we have stayed in large vacation homes as we have always had a large group with us (12 in 2006, 16 in 2007, and a smaller group of just 8 in October). This is going to be a trip of a different color, no?



Quick question....I read that the marina opens at 10:00 AM - what are the chances of us being able to rent a pontoon or whaler boat right when it opens? Should we try to get a reservation the day before? On our departure day, we have breakfast at Kona at 8:00 and we have to be at the ME bus by 11:30, so I thought we could try for a nice 30 minute boat ride around the lagoon before leaving to go back home. TIA!

Sara

 

[tcolling]

Hey and while we're on the subject of PhotoPass people, is there anywhere at the Poly where I can get a PhotoPass card prior to getting to the MK. I like to be there at Rope Drop and grab a quick picture on Main Street before the crowds get too insane. It would be great already have the Photopass card when we get there.

I wouldn't stress about this. As soon as you see your first photopass person and they take your photograph they will issue you a photopass card in about two seconds.

I just got back and had 252 photos on the photopass CD. It is really a great value if you take advantage of it. When you see the first photographer on main street, ask them to turn around and take a photo of the train station. Near crystal palace there are some lovely gardens for photos nearby. We also managed to catch the mayor of main street for a photo. At the rose garden, you can also ask the photographer for a shot of the tomorrowland entrance. We also were able to get a photopass person to take a shot of the adventureland entrance.

Photopass is such a great deal. Especially since their nighttime photos have just the right camera settings and a tripod. Never be afraid to ask the photopass cast member for some extra shots. Also, always ask if they do anything "magical" as you might be surprised at what they ask you to do. On my most recent trip we had four different "magical" type pictures, two of them were new from our trip two years ago.

They even do photopass at the waterparks with a smaller verision of the card and a rubber band to hold it to your wrist. I have some great shots of Crush Gusher at TL and Summit Plummet at BB.