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

[Me&3]

They came between 6pm and 7pm during our stay.

Thank You for your support

 

[huntconn]

Can't brag too much about the offerings for fool CL. After a few days the same stuff got monotonous (morning and mid-day). Barbecue sandwiches by far the best at 5p-7p.

Have to agree with you there. After a couple of days the morning and afternoon offerings do get pretty bland since they barely change at all. Especially considering they seem to be continually reducing what they put out in the mornings. We really do enjoy the variety of the evening offerings though. Even though the breakfast gets monotonous it is extremely convenient and helps us get to the parks quickly. Beats the heck out of waiting in line at CC's or waiting at a TS restaurant.

 

[m&m's mom]

We just got back last night from the Poly.
We did not ask for turn down service. I personally don't get the whole thrill of it.
We got adorable towel animals or something special almost every day.
We were in Raratonga and love that location. We stay in that building every time.
A couple of things I have heard before:
We left out our laptop, a diamond ring (by mistake one day) and all our electronics. Nothing was ever taken.
The conditioner was horrible! I used an entire bottle of the stuff and my hair was still like straw. Now, the H2O Spa line conditioner was GREAT! I told my DH I swear this is not the H2O line conditioner but the bottle said it was.

 

[huntconn]

We just got back last night from the Poly.
We did not ask for turn down service. I personally don't get the whole thrill of it.
We got adorable towel animals or something special almost every day.
We were in Raratonga and love that location. We stay in that building every time.
A couple of things I have heard before:
We left out our laptop, a diamond ring (by mistake one day) and all our electronics. Nothing was ever taken.
The conditioner was horrible! I used an entire bottle of the stuff and my hair was still like straw. Now, the H2O Spa line conditioner was GREAT! I told my DH I swear this is not the H2O line conditioner but the bottle said it was.

How were the crowds at the resort/parks?

 

[Melody L]

We are staying at the Poly for the first time from July 26- Aug 5. I have a question about tranportation. I know that the monorail from the resort is the best way to get to MK and the monorail from the TTC is the best way to get to Epcot. What about the other parks? Anyone have any tips for me?

Also, what about taking the ferry?

Thanks in advance!

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

We are staying at the Poly for the first time from July 26- Aug 5. I have a question about tranportation. I know that the monorail from the resort is the best way to get to MK and the monorail from the TTC is the best way to get to Epcot. What about the other parks? Anyone have any tips for me?

I've found the TTC is best for going to AK and DHS. Only because the buses from there go directly to those parks. The bus that comes to the Poly for these parks has to go to the GF after the Poly, and sometimes it's been to the Contemporary beforehand.

The ferry/boat launch is great for getting directly to the MK. The boat goes from the Poly, to the MK, to the GF then back to the Poly.

Hope that helps!

 

[m&m's mom]

How were the crowds at the resort/parks?

They were moderate. We used Ridemax and were never in huge crowds. The worst crowds were last weekend at MK during "Gay days". It was packed then!
On Thursday there was a 120 minute wait for Soarin!

 

[Aliceacc]

Probably asked and answered already, but here goes:

I've signed my husband and son up for the Magic of Steam Trains tour. They need to be at the Magic Kingdom at 7 am on a non EMH morning.

How do they get there from the Poly? Cab to the Contemporary and then walk?? Or is there an alternative??

 

[iloveeeyore]

We are staying at the Poly for the first time from July 26- Aug 5. I have a question about tranportation. I know that the monorail from the resort is the best way to get to MK and the monorail from the TTC is the best way to get to Epcot. What about the other parks? Anyone have any tips for me?

Also, what about taking the ferry?

Thanks in advance!

Agree with MsStinkerBelle about walking to the TTC and using the buses to AK and HS. We like the ferry too, especially coming BACK to the Poly at park closing. It seems that the crowds run for the monorail and the boat ride is so beautiful and peaceful...though it might take a few minutes longer (it stops at GF on the way home from MK), it is a real treat!

 

[huntconn]

We are staying at the Poly for the first time from July 26- Aug 5. I have a question about tranportation. I know that the monorail from the resort is the best way to get to MK and the monorail from the TTC is the best way to get to Epcot. What about the other parks? Anyone have any tips for me?

Also, what about taking the ferry?

Thanks in advance!

I agree with buses from the TTC to AK and HS. It's a bit more of a walk to the TTC but we've found the bus service is much more efficient then from the Poly bus stop. However, your own car or a rental is much better than a bus from anywhere IMO.

 

[Maxie86]

We are staying at the Poly for the first time from July 26- Aug 5. I have a question about tranportation. I know that the monorail from the resort is the best way to get to MK and the monorail from the TTC is the best way to get to Epcot. What about the other parks? Anyone have any tips for me?

Also, what about taking the ferry?
Thanks in advance!

Do you mean the big ferry from the TTC or the launches from the resort? The launches from the resort may be faster than the monorail depending on which longhouse you are in and timing. They used to run 3 boats and it was usually faster to take the boat, but lately when we have been there they were only running 2 boats. With 2 boats running it probably will take longer than the monorail. The ferry runs from the TTC to MK, not the fastest way to get there, but it is a nice ride.
We always drive to AK, DHS, and DTD.

I agree with buses from the TTC to AK and HS. It's a bit more of a walk to the TTC but we've found the bus service is much more efficient then from the Poly bus stop. However, your own car or a rental is much better than a bus from anywhere IMO.

I agree that a car is the best way to get to the other parks.

 

[maiapapaya]

I am not sure how things are now with the whole "celebration" theme but when we went in 2007 we were also celebrating our 10th Anniversary and we received treats galore. My TA must of had it noted on our ADR's and so forth because we were not wearing our Anniversary pins and were surprised with all types of extras.

We received and card and a bag of treats from the Poly staff. Stayed GV that trip. We got cupcakes at Chef Mickey's and CP dinners. Champange flutes from CRT and a special dessert. And a special dessert at 1900 Park Faire.

It was so nice to be continually celebrated! It was these little things that made us fall in love with Disney and the Poly as it was our first trip as well!

However, is this day of cutbacks I fear that this may still not be the norm.

On our second trip we were not celebrating anything but being back at DW!

I was poking around on the pin codes board a few days ago and apparently there is some pixie dust being sprinkled on those celebrating their birthdays this year. People who have registered their birthdays online have been receiving 40% off pin codes for vacations taken during their birthday (so far people with birthdays in June and July have been receiving them).

This has me very excited. A few days ago I registered my DH's birthday because we will we arriving at WDW on his birthday. Then a few days later I read about the pins on that thread. This is probably our biggest chance for getting a 40% code. Hoping for some pixie dust!

 

[nateryan]

I would love to view Wishes from the Poly Beach after a dinner at Kona Cafe. Is it usually busy? Can you hear the music? Do you have any pics of the fireworks from the beach? TIA!

 

[simplymama]

after having dinner in Epcot WS, do you think it is wise to just plan on the monorail as your transportation both there and back? Would it be really tiring to have to treck back through Epcot to the monorail afterwards? We have young children, two that will be in strollers, and in the past we have found that the monorail is easier than buses with strollers, but I'm wondering if the walk back through the park would be too much later in the evening.

 

[crate1]

There is plenty of room on the beach to view Wishes. If you want a lounge chair though, better get there a little early. You can hear the music, but it is kept low. That is how it was on our trip last week. There is also a grassy knoll out from the beach that is a great spot also.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

We are staying at the Poly for the first time from July 26- Aug 5. I have a question about tranportation. I know that the monorail from the resort is the best way to get to MK and the monorail from the TTC is the best way to get to Epcot. What about the other parks? Anyone have any tips for me?

Also, what about taking the ferry?

Thanks in advance!

Here are my two cents

MK - Monorail from Poly is the quickest. The Ferry is a neat ride but it will take longer! So go ahead and take it if you have some time to relax & enjoy the ride (usually best leaving MK going to the Poly)
EP - Walk to TTC and take Monorail
AK - Bus (don't go on early morning days)
HS - Bus
DD - CAB! The bus takes forever...
BB - Bus
TL - Bus

Other tips:
You can walk to the Grand Floridian or take a quick monorail ride. I like to walk around and shop there. Or you can have tea (or young ladies can do that with Alice in Wonderland!)

Take the monorail to the Contemporary for dinner then you can walk to MK.

Enjoy the Boardwalk after Epcot one day (or before!). Take the monorail to Epcot, walk to the back "International/Hotel" entrance/exit and walk to the Boardwalk or Yacht/Beach Club. You could also take a ferry to HS from the Epcot hotel area. Then you could take a bus back to the Poly from HS. If you don't go to HS, go back through Epcot and take the monorail back to the Poly. But this is a lot of travelling & walking so only do this if you are ready for all the walking (remember, Epcot is REALLY big).

Sometimes, the bus rides back to the hotel can be exhausting, especially if you have small kids. If you want to spring for a cab, that's fine - it's your vacation!

Have so much fun!!!

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

I would love to view Wishes from the Poly Beach after a dinner at Kona Cafe. Is it usually busy? Can you hear the music? Do you have any pics of the fireworks from the beach? TIA!

You can see Wishes from the Poly Beach but there is no music. It is not busy but you probably won't get a hammock. I've never had a problem with it being 'busy' and can always find a chair or somewhere to sit. The best part is capturing the Electronic Water Parade right before Wishes. If you have any kids, put some glow sticks/light up items on the kids so you can see them on the dark beach!

It's very relaxing! Have so much fun!!

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

after having dinner in Epcot WS, do you think it is wise to just plan on the monorail as your transportation both there and back? Would it be really tiring to have to treck back through Epcot to the monorail afterwards? We have young children, two that will be in strollers, and in the past we have found that the monorail is easier than buses with strollers, but I'm wondering if the walk back through the park would be too much later in the evening.

The monorail is awesome but if you are planning on spending your evening on the Boardwalk with two young children (i've been there, done that), the walk through Epcot back to the monorail is long. And can be really bad if you catch everyone leaving the park at the same time. If you have the energy, go for it. If not, take a cab. But if you plan on taking a bus to a park, then a bus back to the Poly, you'd be better off treking it through Epcot and taking the monorail.

It is all going to depend on how much energy the parents have and how your children are feeling (they are asleep in their strollers? Yahoo! they are enthralled with the sights and sounds - yeah! They are screaming at the top of the lungs and you are on the verge of a nervous breakdown - find a cab - now!).

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

You can see Wishes from the Poly Beach but there is no music.

In December 2007 when my family and I stayed there the music was being played around the Hawaii Longhouse, so they do have it.

 

[huntconn]

I agree. We stayed in the Hawaii longhouse room #3502 last July and the music was pretty loud. Not just Wishes but the all day resort music loop as well. It actually bordered on too loud. Lucky I love that music! I hear such varying reports on the music volume levels at the Poly, that I have to believe they are constantly changing it. Either way, I would suggest hanging out right in front of the Hawaii lounge windows, there is a speaker right there in the foliage. I'll give a "volume report" when we get there in a week!!!