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

[WDWKOOK]

Never mind! Just called CRO - no CL availability at all for our dates (using the mil. 40% off).

However, if you do have any experience with WL/OFC, I'd still love to read about it!

 

[Tess]

Tess,

Do you feel like the lounge area ever gets too crowded or messy? (We'd be there around the first week of Aug.) I wouldn't want to have to fight over tables/chairs or eat in my room!

Have you ever stayed at the WL/OFC? If so, how would you compare your experience with the KKC?

TIA!

Our travels have, for the most part, taken us to the Polynesian in June. We've also stayed in August and July. The lounge at the Polynesian is one of the largest, if not the largest I've experienced at the CL in Disney.

Yes, it can become crowded. We get out the door early in the a.m. (rope drops) so we hit the lounge around 7:00-7:30 a.m. We have never had an issue getting a seat in the lounge AND it is typically fairly quiet given the season. Evening service has its ebb and flow. If there is a monster storm outside, the lounge tends to be more congested.

We, at times, like to take refuge on the third floor--it is a very seldom occupied seating area with an "adult" TV to view news, etc. It's also great for the morning.

Honestly, I've never been forced to take a tray to the room due to the building being too crowded. August crowds should be lower than those in June or July.

I have not stayed at the WL or Contemporary--they are not our cup of tea. While we have enjoyed staying elsewhere, the bulk of our time is spent at the Polynesian. We're headed back in 18 days!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Our travels have, for the most part, taken us to the Polynesian in June. We've also stayed in August and July. The lounge at the Polynesian is one of the largest, if not the largest I've experienced at the CL in Disney.

Yes, it can become crowded. We get out the door early in the a.m. (rope drops) so we hit the lounge around 7:00-7:30 a.m. We have never had an issue getting a seat in the lounge AND it is typically fairly quiet given the season. Evening service has its ebb and flow. If there is a monster storm outside, the lounge tends to be more congested.

We, at times, like to take refuge on the third floor--it is a very seldom occupied seating area with an "adult" TV to view news, etc. It's also great for the morning.

Honestly, I've never been forced to take a tray to the room due to the building being too crowded. August crowds should be lower than those in June or July.

I have not stayed at the WL or Contemporary--they are not our cup of tea. While we have enjoyed staying elsewhere, the bulk of our time is spent at the Polynesian. We're headed back in 18 days!

Thanks for your input, Tess (even though there's no CL availability). I'll keep it in mind for a future visit.

Have a super vacation!

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Thanks to everyone for all the information, tips about the Poly, and general comradarie! Me and the family leave very early tomorrow morning mountain time so by this time tomorrow, I should be checking into the Poly! Hope to see some of you fellow DIS posters there. I told my husband to listen for anyone asking for Tinkerbellie16 although he did give me a funny look

I will try my best to send some live updates via the iphone (thanks to mmmears tips!) but please forgive me if I don't - I'm on vacation and I may have had too many pina colavas

 

[NJBILL]

We, at times, like to take refuge on the third floor--it is a very seldom occupied seating area with an "adult" TV to view news, etc. It's also great for the morning.

What exactly is the third floor?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

What exactly is the third floor?

They have extra tables, a couch, another tv and a bathroom.

 

[BCV23]

In all the years we have stayed, these have been complete nonissues.

Our rooms (both GV & LV), have been well-maintained and cleaned. The CMs in the lounge have been wonderful. I will grant that there has been a CM or two at the desks who were less than magical, but happy to report they didn't last long at the Polynesian.

An untidy room would not make my stay happy either, at any price.

I absolutely agree, Tess.

Thanks to everyone for all the information, tips about the Poly, and general comradarie! Me and the family leave very early tomorrow morning mountain time so by this time tomorrow, I should be checking into the Poly! Hope to see some of you fellow DIS posters there. I told my husband to listen for anyone asking for Tinkerbellie16 although he did give me a funny look

I will try my best to send some live updates via the iphone (thanks to mmmears tips!) but please forgive me if I don't - I'm on vacation and I may have had too many pina colavas

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[momjkm]

Hi all--- considering staying at poly if good AP rates come out (staying now at WL, our 3rd time)...
question about transportation (or link to the answers)
1) which is faster: boat from MK to Poly ( I know it stops at GF 1st, I think)
or the monoral from MK to Poly

2) I will have a GV- how long would the longest walk be to the TTC (from the fartherest longhouse)... we are average speed walkers

thanks Jill

 

[TJM1976]

This may not be the correct thread to ask, but it does relate to the Poly. Is the Tonga Toast in Captain Cook's the same as Kona Cafe?

 

[Sphyrna]

This may not be the correct thread to ask, but it does relate to the Poly. Is the Tonga Toast in Captain Cook's the same as Kona Cafe?

From what I remember reading, it is.

 

[mmmears]

Thanks to everyone for all the information, tips about the Poly, and general comradarie! Me and the family leave very early tomorrow morning mountain time so by this time tomorrow, I should be checking into the Poly! Hope to see some of you fellow DIS posters there. I told my husband to listen for anyone asking for Tinkerbellie16 although he did give me a funny look

I will try my best to send some live updates via the iphone (thanks to mmmears tips!) but please forgive me if I don't - I'm on vacation and I may have had too many pina colavas

Have a fantastic trip!!! I hope the iPhone works for there! And enjoy your piña colavas!

 

[carlnix30]

Hi all--- considering staying at poly if good AP rates come out (staying now at WL, our 3rd time)...
question about transportation (or link to the answers)
1) which is faster: boat from MK to Poly ( I know it stops at GF 1st, I think)
or the monoral from MK to Poly

2) I will have a GV- how long would the longest walk be to the TTC (from the fartherest longhouse)... we are average speed walkers

thanks Jill

JILL,

The boat from poly to mk is slower than the monorail, however the boat is much more relaxing. think gentle boat ride verses crowded monorail.


the longest walk to ttc from longhouses is 10-12 minutes.

visit Tikimans pages.. he has all info and will convince even the most un decided indvidual if it is right for you and your family.


my wife and I LOVED the wilderness lodge but we decided to stay at poly after visiting tikimans pages and talking on this thread!!

you can get there by going here http://www.tikimanpages.com/tiki/

 

[kaffinito]

Me and the family leave very early tomorrow morning mountain time so by this time tomorrow, I should be checking into the Poly!

I will try my best to send some live updates via the iphone (thanks to mmmears tips!) but please forgive me if I don't - I'm on vacation and I may have had too many pina colavas

Hope you have a great trip and looking forward to those pina colava inspired trip reports!

Hi all--- considering staying at poly if good AP rates come out (staying now at WL, our 3rd time)...
question about transportation (or link to the answers)
1) which is faster: boat from MK to Poly ( I know it stops at GF 1st, I think)
or the monoral from MK to Poly

thanks Jill

I liked the monorail going to MK and the ferry boat back to Poly. This way I could get to MK quickly, and then enjoy a nice relaxing boat ride back to the resort.

This may not be the correct thread to ask, but it does relate to the Poly. Is the Tonga Toast in Captain Cook's the same as Kona Cafe?

It is the same, but the Kona Cafe serves a strawberry compote with the Tonga Toast. Honestly, I liked the Tonga Toast a lot better without the strawberry compote. It's sweet enough without adding anything to it.

 

[mmouse37]

Thanks to everyone for all the information, tips about the Poly, and general comradarie! Me and the family leave very early tomorrow morning mountain time so by this time tomorrow, I should be checking into the Poly! Hope to see some of you fellow DIS posters there. I told my husband to listen for anyone asking for Tinkerbellie16 although he did give me a funny look

I will try my best to send some live updates via the iphone (thanks to mmmears tips!) but please forgive me if I don't - I'm on vacation and I may have had too many pina colavas

Have a safe trip down there....we are heading out for our flight tomorrow night and will stay at the Hyatt in the airport, then check in first thing Sat morning at the Poly!! Can't wait!!

MJ

 

[ellenmiele]

This may not be the correct thread to ask, but it does relate to the Poly. Is the Tonga Toast in Captain Cook's the same as Kona Cafe?

Yes!! We had planned one breakfast at Kona specifically for the Tonga Toast because we didn't realize that we'd be able to get it at Capt'n Cooks. We ordered it the very first day and it was exactly the same - DELICIOUS! So we cancelled out Kona adr (and ordered it a few more times at Capt'n Cooks too!). Maybe upstairs in Kona you could request it without the bananas (I think I recall that) but I didn't see that as an option downstairs. Then again, I love it with the bananas so maybe I just didn't notice if that was an option.

 

[BCV23]

Have a safe trip down there....we are heading out for our flight tomorrow night and will stay at the Hyatt in the airport, then check in first thing Sat morning at the Poly!! Can't wait!!

MJ

MJ, have a safe trip and great vacation at the Polynesian. Aloha!

 

[maiapapaya]

Yes!! We had planned one breakfast at Kona specifically for the Tonga Toast because we didn't realize that we'd be able to get it at Capt'n Cooks. We ordered it the very first day and it was exactly the same - DELICIOUS! So we cancelled out Kona adr (and ordered it a few more times at Capt'n Cooks too!). Maybe upstairs in Kona you could request it without the bananas (I think I recall that) but I didn't see that as an option downstairs. Then again, I love it with the bananas so maybe I just didn't notice if that was an option.

I don't suppose they serve the macadamia pancakes at Capt'n Cooks?

 

[PolyAddict]

I don't suppose they serve the macadamia pancakes at Capt'n Cooks?

unfortunately no.

 

[johnsonet]

Have a safe trip down there....we are heading out for our flight tomorrow night and will stay at the Hyatt in the airport, then check in first thing Sat morning at the Poly!! Can't wait!!

MJ

Have a wonderful trip!!

 

[tcolling]

Have a safe trip down there....we are heading out for our flight tomorrow night and will stay at the Hyatt in the airport, then check in first thing Sat morning at the Poly!! Can't wait!!

MJ

This is a great idea. On my most recent trip our flight was scheduled to arrive at 11:30 pm on a Friday night and we weren't in our resort room until 1:30 am. Of course, we were able to hit a Typhoon Lagoon by its 10:00 am open.

How does the price compare for your one night at the airport Hyatt vs. the rate at the Poly? If it is a significant cost savings, I could see doing this on future trips. I could also see this being a large plus that you could check in and have the family in bed, while one person gathers the luggage on a rolling cart.

When we visited a few years ago, we had the earliest possible flight but weren't really able to get to a park on the first day until 1:30 pm. (crowded conditions prompted us to try something different this time.)

I could see sleeping at the Hyatt, doing an early check in at the hotel and still making it to a park by 11:00 (and probably just starting with Epcot's World Showcase).