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

[goopysolelady]

OK so here we go, leaving for Philly tomorrow then off to WDW for our very first trip to the Poly!

I am starting to have some anxiety about ME - is this worth it? I am nervous about having to leave my bags and get on the bus...is this a reliable service? Do you really save that much time by not going to baggage claim?

Also want to know about online check in - I have a specific floor/longhouse requested - does it matter if I'm there in person to check in as opposed to online? Will I have a better chance if I sweet talk them at the desk?

Don't be nervous .. ME is the best! We've used it several times; in different "shifts" (parts of our party arriving at different times); used it one-way; arrived before our luggage, etc. --- never had a problem. It's wonderful and a great way to begin a vacation, not having to worry about the hassle of baggage claim or lugging all our "stuff" around. Your luggage may not be waiting in your room when you check in but don't panic. It usually arrives within the hour. Enjoy this no-stress beginning; enjoy THE MAGIC.

 

[juliebee]

Hello Poly-philes,
I just book Poly for the first time... club level for 3 days over New Years! I'm very excited. Does anyone know if Poly does anything special for New Years Eve? Should we be in the parks instead of the hotel that night.

I know I'm jumping the gun since the year is not even half over, but I love trying to figure it all out.

Cheers,
Dale

There are some incredible fireworks that you can watch from the Poly beach. It's like Wishes times 10! Of course you could watch them from the Magic Kingdom... but who would want to deal with those crowds?! They also do the fireworks on Dec 30th, so plan to see them twice!

 

[WDWKOOK]

I keep reading that longhouse assignments are assigned several days in advance of your arrival, is this new? On our last trip we were given a choice of which longhouse. We ended up choosing Tuvalu (can't remember what our other choice was).

Yes, that does happen, but it doesn't mean you weren't pre-assigned a longhouse. It may mean that they had low occupancy rates and offered you a choice between what they actually assigned you and other available longhouses. Just because you are pre-assigned doesn't mean that they won't switch you to another longhouse if you ask.

 

[NJBILL]

As for the chocolate Stitch, we ate at Kona for our anniv on April 3rd of this year and he was still there.

Is this a type of dessert you can order,or is this a statue?

 

[mmouse37]

Hello Poly-philes,
I just book Poly for the first time... club level for 3 days over New Years! I'm very excited. Does anyone know if Poly does anything special for New Years Eve? Should we be in the parks instead of the hotel that night.

I know I'm jumping the gun since the year is not even half over, but I love trying to figure it all out.

Cheers,
Dale

First question...have you ever been to WDW before over New Year's??? I always wanted to do this and finally did back in the late 90's....

Well, I personally, would never do it again. The crowds were so heavy it was impossible to get on anything and was difficult to walk around (this was on NYE and a day or two after). We were in MGM for NYE. We were staying at the Yacht Club and got to the park at 8:30 am and were told flat out that if we left the park we would not allowed back in (even as resort guests) as they would be at capacity in a few hours. We were in the park from 8:30 am until 1:00 am the following day. We could only get food at the carts as all the restaurants were always full.

I would definitely watch the fireworks from the Poly and not the MK....

Maybe this year with the slower economy it won't be so crowded but I still would never go over NYE again (or if I did I would just enjoy the resorts and not go to the parks until a few days after NYE). That was our experience and it was not fun. I just remember the day after going to MK and seeing 3 hour waits for Splash Mountain and seeing people with stollers and wheelchairs have a difficult time getting around through the crowds.

Don't want to scare you away but that was our experience. I had been to WDW at least 20 times before that and NEVER experienced crowds like that before. I am sure other people will post that there experiences over NYE was not that bad.

MJ

 

[carlnix30]

Is this a type of dessert you can order,or is this a statue?

OOO chocolate stitch? sounds yummy!! I can not wait!!

 

[NJBILL]

Well if you wan to go top of the line on DCL you would want to book a Cat 1, 2 or 3 (with the Cat 1 being the most luxurious) and the Cat 2 a close second). There are two Cat 1's...the Walt Suite and the Roy Suite (usually sold out months in advance). Next is the 2 bedroom Cat 2 (2 of them) and then the Cat 3 (18 of them). These are the concierge service categories. These prices are not online...you would have to call to get them and they are expensive.

The Magic normally does the 7 day cruises and the Wonder does the shorter 3 and 4 day cruises to the Bahamas. The Magic is doing the Med next summer with longer cruises and is also doing the Baltic next summer.

As far as which itinerary to go on...that depends on if you want to the Med next summer or the Baltic (the Magic is doing both). Do you want to do a 7 day cruise...if so your choices would be the Eastern or Western caribbean on the MAGIC...if all you want is a 3 or 4 day cruise to the Bahamas you would book the Wonder.

But, if you did not want to break the bank you could book a veranda cabin which is a Cat 4, 5, 6. The oceanview cabins are Cat 8 & 9...and the inside cabins (no window or natural light) would be Cat 10, 11, 12!!!

Many first time cruisers like to try the 3 or 4 night cruises....I prefer the 7 night or longer ones....gives you more time to relax or take part in the activites.

Disney Cruise Line provides a fantastic cruise experience. They have the highest return cruiser rate in the cruise industry. We have already done 17 DCL cruises and I have 3 more booked already. It is my favorite cruise line. I usually stay in a Cat 9 oceanview cabin which is fine for me.

Here is the link to DCL website and you can get tons of info on the cruise board but if you have any specific questions on itineraries or which ship, etc. ask away...I would be glad to help.

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en_US/home/home?name=HomePage&bhcp=1


MJ

As was pointed out, outside of the Disney Suites, a cabin with a balcony is a great way to enjoy your first cruise. We have been on Disney twice as well as several other lines,and you will find Disney has a high level of personal service, and of course the characters and Disney theme onboard.This especially great if you are sailing with children. if you are not, they have a great adults only area,with a nice spa. I personally would try a 4 night bahamas to start if you have never cruised,as the weather is good and the seas generally calm in that region. Enjoy

PS if you are looking for a deluxe non-disney cruise..check our Royal Caribbean Oasis Of The Seas.

 

[mmouse37]

Sorry...dup post!!!

MJ

 

[mmouse37]

OK...here are some of our pics from the Poly.

MJ

 

[Tess]

mmouse37 Great Photos! Thanks for sharing--the photos and thread are helping me through my last five days!

 

[RachelTori]

mmouse37 Great Photos! Thanks for sharing--the photos and thread are helping me through my last five days!

WooHoo, I just spotted your ticker!! Have a magical trip Tess!


I've still got 3 weeks until our next WDW Adventure! (but no Poly this time )

 

[BCV23]

We were looking at pictures not too long ago and we remember the old pool fondly. The deep end was a great place to get away from the splashing little ones, but the kiddie pool was so tiny! Ahhh, memories. . .

My kids also loved the playground.

My family loved the deep end. I'm pretty certain that we taught our oldest how to do surface dives there. My boys loved that slide and preferred it to the new one.

Just Made our Final Payment...One step closer..

Congratulations!

Hi all,

Well we are back from our honeymoon trip! It was fantastic. No problems at all with the Polynesian. Just a few quick notes, a more detailed trip report to follow.

1. no problems with food or service, ate at Kona for breakfast, Ohana for dinner and Captain Cooks for breakfast a couple times.

2. no problems with in room refrigerator, kept our drinks cold, didn't overheat and we kept the doors closed.

3. booked garden view, upgraded to Magic Kingdom view, we stayed in Tahiti 2035

Ah, nice upgrade. Congratulations on your marriage. Looking forward to more details.

That reminds me about the refrigerators. We travel with insulin so a fridge operating properly is very important to us. A couple years back, we were having trouble with one and the engineer said to set it at 5 and close the cabinet door. It was great advice. However, when we were at the Polynesian in January, there was no way to adjust the refrigerator. There was a "plug" on top of the control. I wonder if they're all set at 5 now.

We've all been on there hundreds of times, but I still never tire of the monorail! Thanks for the memories.

Only 90 days to go. What color will it be?

What color? Love it. I think all monorail families must play that game.

Yay! FH and I leave tomorrow to go get married on Saturday and then to Disney the next day. I can't wait for the Poly! Gotta go finish packing

Have an awesome honeymoon and congratulations!

Hello Poly-philes,
I just book Poly for the first time... club level for 3 days over New Years! I'm very excited. Does anyone know if Poly does anything special for New Years Eve? Should we be in the parks instead of the hotel that night.

I know I'm jumping the gun since the year is not even half over, but I love trying to figure it all out.

Cheers,
Dale

I agree with others...watch from the Polynesian. Magical without the crowds.

mmouse37 Great Photos! Thanks for sharing--the photos and thread are helping me through my last five days!

Five days!!! Yay!

Is this a type of dessert you can order,or is this a statue?

It's a statue.

 

[BCV23]

I forgot! CRFan, thanks for the link. Brought a big grin to my face this morning.

And mmouse, great pictures. Thanks for sharing!

 

[CAJUNWDWFAN]

I saw those same little ducklings last week.

Oh, also, Kaleo was there the night we ate at Ohana, Wed. 4/29/09. It was great to see him. He was just filling in for the night! Lucky for us!

 

[mmouse37]

I saw those same little ducklings last week.

Oh, also, Kaleo was there the night we ate at Ohana, Wed. 4/29/09. It was great to see him. He was just filling in for the night! Lucky for us!

I had thought I pasted the pic with the mom and ducklings as she was hovering very close to them. They were so cute!!!

MJ

 

[sharlon]

Love the pics, thanks for sharing!

 

[francie]

hi, does anyone know if the poly still pipes in the wishes music into the cl lounge? tia

 

[WDWKOOK]

Is this a type of dessert you can order,or is this a statue?

It's a solid chocolate sculpture that has been on display on a bar near the kitchen in the back of Kona for years. I think there is a Lilo, too?

I wonder if they make a new one periodically or if it's the same one that's ALWAYS been on display?!

 

[summersalt]

my tip is in 17 days!! i cant even waittttttt!!

we're getting close, meg! See ya there. We should plan a pool party at the Volcano?

 

[dmil]

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?