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

[Aliceacc]

Mermster, we'll be there at the same time as you!

See ya at the pool!

 

[BreezysMom]

So excited for all of those heading to the Poly soon!

We went to our lake house this weekend and all I can say is that while I love it there...I love going to the Poly more. I still have to cook and all that other domestic stuff. I think that is why I am so in love with the Poly. I love being is the Disney 'bubble".

I am looking forward to going and having a VACATION. No cooking, cleaning and pure paradise. The nice think about rescheduling is that we are probably going to stay a few more nights than originally planned!

I am anxiously awaiting trip reports!

Aloha all!

 

[mermster]

Mermster, we'll be there at the same time as you!

See ya at the pool!

I have an 8 year old daughter who loves to swim, so we'll definitely be by the pool on a regular basis

PS: Your signature makes me realize one more thing I have to try to do - add my "people" to my signature. Hopefully it won't take me another 2 years

 

[dragonflydoll2]

We had a wonderful 12th anniversary trip and loved staying at the Poly for the first time from the May 23-30. Our daughter had no idea we were staying at the Poly and she was so suprised! We stayed on the 3rd floor of Tuvalu and were spoiled by the lovely beach right beside our longhouse. I used to say it didn't matter where I stayed since we were not in the room that much. After the rain that we experienced for the first two days of our trip, I have now changed my mind. I loved leaving our sliding door open and listening to the luau each night and I am still humming "Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride". Thanks to everyone who has shared their information on this thread. All the info helped to make our first stay at the Polynesian Resort memorable.

 

[mmmears]

Just returned from a great week at the GF. Now I can start the count down for our October trip to the Poly. Haven't stayed at the Poly since 2006 and we are really looking forward to it. I don't want to wish summer away, but I can't wait.

Welcome back! I love both the GF and the Poly -- it's a hard choice to make.

Hi all! To celebrate the fact that I finally (I think) after over 2 years have taken the time to figure out how to add a signature and avatar - I thought I'd actually post on the Poly thread!!! (I have been a lurker for quite some time now!) We are going to be visiting the Poly for the first time in August!!! I have heard so many wonderful things, I can't wait!!
So, here's my first question for you experts!! (I warn you, it's a silly one!)
Do people decorate their doors at the Poly? We had a blast doing the door decorating thing on the cruise, and know that some people do it at some of the resorts, but... the Poly???
Thank you all for this wonderful thread!!!

Welcome! I hope you'll love the Poly! On our trip there in April, I didn't see a single door decorated at the Poly. We were in the Hawaii building and the doors were metal, but I don't know if magnets would stick to them.

So excited for all of those heading to the Poly soon!

We went to our lake house this weekend and all I can say is that while I love it there...I love going to the Poly more. I still have to cook and all that other domestic stuff. I think that is why I am so in love with the Poly. I love being is the Disney 'bubble".

I am looking forward to going and having a VACATION. No cooking, cleaning and pure paradise. The nice think about rescheduling is that we are probably going to stay a few more nights than originally planned!

I am anxiously awaiting trip reports!

Aloha all!

To me, a vacation means no cooking or cleaning! I don't mind the occasional load of laundry, since the machine does all the work and I don't like to pack too much, but anything more than that would make me sad. The full kitchens in the DVC units don't tempt me AT ALL, but the washer/dryer does a bit.

We had a wonderful 12th anniversary trip and loved staying at the Poly for the first time from the May 23-30. Our daughter had no idea we were staying at the Poly and she was so suprised! We stayed on the 3rd floor of Tuvalu and were spoiled by the lovely beach right beside our longhouse. I used to say it didn't matter where I stayed since we were not in the room that much. After the rain that we experienced for the first two days of our trip, I have now changed my mind. I loved leaving our sliding door open and listening to the luau each night and I am still humming "Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride". Thanks to everyone who has shared their information on this thread. All the info helped to make our first stay at the Polynesian Resort memorable.

Welcome back! I am so glad you had a great time at the Poly, despite the rain. What a lovely surprise for your DD, too!

We loved the Poly on our first trip there in April -- and the posters on this thread were so wonderful in answering my questions and telling me all there was to know about the Poly. I felt like an expert on our first day there!

 

[tink_lover]

BreezysMom- is your lake place in Wisconsin? I agree about not cooking during vacation

I don't remember seeing any door decorated during our stay last year. We were in Tokelau third floor.

We finalized our September adults only trip today. After first booking AKL, then switching to WL, we finally agreed our heart was with the Poly! I'm so excited I can barely stand it. The kids are not happy but understand it is an anniversary trip for us. I keep reminding them we will be on the cruise then on to the YC next spring.

Now just waiting for September hours (like many others) and trying to figure out ADRs.

 

[Carrie772]

Well, i'm glad that it was wonderful! I know that my family and I love to stroll on over to the GF to listen to the live music sometimes, very beautiful lobby.

What time do the musicians play? I have missed their playing every trip we take!

 

[momatater]

Hi all you Poly lovers!

I've been out of the loop for quite some time due to some family issues and some health issues. Boy, you all have been VERY busy while I've been gone. I'm sorry I haven't had time to read all the posts, but I'm gonna try and go back through the thread soon.

I just contacted the Poly IPO office today to give them our dining ressies for our Sept trip , which I'm hoping we will still be able to go. I go in for rotator cuff surgery this Thursday (been thru it 2 yrs ago), so I know the recovery is very painful and long. I'm thinking I will be ready for the Poly come Sept, it should help with my recovery!

Anyway, I hope all that have been recently enjoyed their stays and anyone going soon has a wonderful time. I will probably be spending a lot more time on here in the very near future while I'm down and out.

Just wanted to check in and say hello. Got a much needed burst of excitement today when I talked to the IPO office.

Have a great day everyone!!!

 

[maiapapaya]

It's a rainy Monday afternoon and I think I'd rather dream about our Poly trip next spring than fold the laundry.
I have a few Poly transportation questions:

When it's early EMH can you access park transit from the TTC or do you have to catch the monorail/bus from Poly since the parks are only open to resort guests (the UG says that normally the monorail runs earlier for resort guests than those boarding at the TTC)?

How early before park opening would you head out if you're going to be there for rope drop? (I haven't been to Disney in about 17 years and this will be our first time with our kids). The UG says you should leave Poly no later than 8:05 for a 9:00 am rope drop at MK. Wouldn't that have you waiting around outside for about 45 min?

Also, if people do start queuing up that early for rope drop what do you do if you have a 8:00 am ADR or ressie at BBB? Is there a separate way for you to pass up to the gate or do you have to fight your way up through the supposed gathering crowd?

Just trying to work out in my mind how early we'll have to get up and moving in the mornings etc.

TIA

 

[maiapapaya]

Oh, and how long does it take to get from Poly to AK and DHS? I'm not really trusting UG, since my friend's copy says it takes 45 min to get from Poly to Epcot, which I know is wrong.

 

[KimDis]

Hi all! To celebrate the fact that I finally (I think) after over 2 years have taken the time to figure out how to add a signature and avatar - I thought I'd actually post on the Poly thread!!! (I have been a lurker for quite some time now!) We are going to be visiting the Poly for the first time in August!!! I have heard so many wonderful things, I can't wait!!
So, here's my first question for you experts!! (I warn you, it's a silly one!)
Do people decorate their doors at the Poly? We had a blast doing the door decorating thing on the cruise, and know that some people do it at some of the resorts, but... the Poly???
Thank you all for this wonderful thread!!!

Not a silly question - I'd wondered the same thing. I just hadn't gotten around to asking. I think I'm gonna put up magnets for my favorite communities and podcasts on my door as a mini "shout out".

 

[Maxie86]

What time do the musicians play? I have missed their playing every trip we take!

They start in the early afternoon into the evening. They alternate between the piano and orchestra. They do take frequent breaks though, so maybe you just got there during one of the breaks.

Hi all you Poly lovers!

I've been out of the loop for quite some time due to some family issues and some health issues. Boy, you all have been VERY busy while I've been gone. I'm sorry I haven't had time to read all the posts, but I'm gonna try and go back through the thread soon.

I just contacted the Poly IPO office today to give them our dining ressies for our Sept trip , which I'm hoping we will still be able to go. I go in for rotator cuff surgery this Thursday (been thru it 2 yrs ago), so I know the recovery is very painful and long. I'm thinking I will be ready for the Poly come Sept, it should help with my recovery!

Anyway, I hope all that have been recently enjoyed their stays and anyone going soon has a wonderful time. I will probably be spending a lot more time on here in the very near future while I'm down and out.

Just wanted to check in and say hello. Got a much needed burst of excitement today when I talked to the IPO office.

Have a great day everyone!!!

Good luck on your sugery. I agree the Poly will be a great place to recover from surgery.

It's a rainy Monday afternoon and I think I'd rather dream about our Poly trip next spring than fold the laundry.
I have a few Poly transportation questions:

When it's early EMH can you access park transit from the TTC or do you have to catch the monorail/bus from Poly since the parks are only open to resort guests (the UG says that normally the monorail runs earlier for resort guests than those boarding at the TTC)?

How early before park opening would you head out if you're going to be there for rope drop? (I haven't been to Disney in about 17 years and this will be our first time with our kids). The UG says you should leave Poly no later than 8:05 for a 9:00 am rope drop at MK. Wouldn't that have you waiting around outside for about 45 min?

Also, if people do start queuing up that early for rope drop what do you do if you have a 8:00 am ADR or ressie at BBB? Is there a separate way for you to pass up to the gate or do you have to fight your way up through the supposed gathering crowd?

Just trying to work out in my mind how early we'll have to get up and moving in the mornings etc.

TIA

45 minutes from Poly to MK. You could walk there in that time. You can take the boat or monorail, it only takes a couple of minutes. The monorail will stop at the GF first, but the boat goes right to the MK. It is hard to say exactly how long though. It is all in the timing. You could have a wait for the monorail or boat, or you could walk up when it is there. KWIM It wouldn't take 45 minutes though.

There used to be a seperate turnstyle to go in if you had an ADR or tour before park opening. When we were there in May they let everyone in the turnstyles and we had to just push our way up to the CM at the rope to tell them we had a tour.

Oh, and how long does it take to get from Poly to AK and DHS? I'm not really trusting UG, since my friend's copy says it takes 45 min to get from Poly to Epcot, which I know is wrong.

I could take 45 minutes to get to Epcot if you took the monorail to the TTC and switched to the Epcot monorail. It is a lot faster if you walk to the TTC and take the Epcot monorail. I timed it from the GF and it took 40 minutes one time and 35 another. We always drive to AK and DHS, so can't help with the travel times there.


mermster and KimDis, I have never seen anyone decorate the doors at the Poly.

 

[iloveeeyore]

Let me just say that I am hooked!!! I absolutely loved it. We were in Fiji room 1307 on the ground floor. We walked 30 steps out the slider and watched Wishes several nites. I loved this location but I don't think there could be a bad location at this resort.

Welcome back, summersalt. Glad you loved the Poly. Might I ask if room 1307 was on the marina side? If yes, please tell me if you noted a smell of gas from the boats?

Anyone else ever stay on the marina side of Fiji...notice a gas smell? Thinking of requesting this location for our next trip but we spend a lot of time on our balcony or patio and are a little concerned about this.

Thanks!

 

[mermster]

Thank you everyone for answering my door decorating question!

 

[Woosterguy]

Looking for some help/info. Has anyone shipped luggage to the Poly and if so, how do you get it sent back home after your stay? We are flying down in Sept and trying to figure out which way is best to get go. Third bag or shipping to Poly. Thanks

 

[BreezysMom]

Looking for some help/info. Has anyone shipped luggage to the Poly and if so, how do you get it sent back home after your stay? We are flying down in Sept and trying to figure out which way is best to get go. Third bag or shipping to Poly. Thanks

I ended up paying for a third bag because it was still cheaper than shipping a box. I don't know what you are wanting to ship down, but we always come back with so much more than we came with it was great to have the extra suitcase.

Also, I don't know what airline you are using but when we were there in Dec, at the time, you did not have to pay the United baggage fees for checking baggage through the Poly for our return trip home which was a total bonus!!! Not sure if this is still the case though.

 

[BreezysMom]

BreezysMom- is your lake place in Wisconsin? I agree about not cooking during vacation

I don't remember seeing any door decorated during our stay last year. We were in Tokelau third floor.

We finalized our September adults only trip today. After first booking AKL, then switching to WL, we finally agreed our heart was with the Poly! I'm so excited I can barely stand it. The kids are not happy but understand it is an anniversary trip for us. I keep reminding them we will be on the cruise then on to the YC next spring.

Now just waiting for September hours (like many others) and trying to figure out ADRs.

Yes, we are near the Lake Geneva area...

I also look at other resorts but then we always end up back wanting to return to the Poly!

Good luck getting your ADRs!

 

[Woosterguy]

Thanks for the answer. Flying Airtran out of CAK and looking into our options. You are so right about coming back with more which is why we normally ship DTD purchases back home.
Thanks

 

[Kathy Z]

Stephanie, good luck with your rotator cuff surgery on Thursday. I just had my left shoulder repaired last Tuesday. On Wednesday I see my surgeon to get the stitches out. For the time being my main handicap is not being able to drive. My husband was a good nurse the day of surgery when I needed that help. And he has been a good sport about essential housekeeping things that I can not do. I'm surprised at how much I can do one armed. At least it was my non dominant shoulder that needed repair.

maiapapaya - we stayed in the Tokelau longhouse a few weeks ago and for our AK day we walked to the TTC to catch the bus. Our timing was good and our total time from leaving our room to walking into AK prior to rope drop was less than 30 minutes. But there were so many people that had arrived ahead of us that we could not see the opening show they did.

When we rode the monorail to MK we left our room about 8:10 am and arrived well before the opening show which can be seen from the waiting area because it is up on the train platform.

We did not go to DHS for opening and took the bus from the Poly. It made another stop at GF before going to DHS. But the entire trip from leaving the GCH to arriving at DHS was only about 30 minutes. We arrived around 10 am and were able to get Fast Passes for TSM that were good starting at 1:10 pm.

 

[rcsilverspring]

Welcome back, summersalt. Glad you loved the Poly. Might I ask if room 1307 was on the marina side? If yes, please tell me if you noted a smell of gas from the boats?

Anyone else ever stay on the marina side of Fiji...notice a gas smell? Thinking of requesting this location for our next trip but we spend a lot of time on our balcony or patio and are a little concerned about this.

Thanks!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We stayed in Fiji last June 10-15th on the marina side, third floor, adjoining rooms 3318 & 3320, if I remember correctly and never noticed any smell of gas from the boats. It was gorgeous there, overlooking the marina & Volcano. It is very convenient to everything. The walk to the TTC was not that long either. We love Fiji. Have stayed there two of 3 visits to the Poly, the first time being on ground floor with a Grand Floridian view. I think I prefer the marina side and definitely the higher floor with the balcony.