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

[BreezysMom]

I know what you mean about the dining plan. I like th idea of not having to "worry " about that part of the budget considering all that is paid in advance of our trip. Our next trip we are staying club level, I think the dining plan will be too much, but I am planning on purchasing a Disney gift card with my anticipated out of pocket costs for TS and CS. We will use this for these meals. I plan on researching the menus and prices and figure out how much this meal budget will be.

First of all, we plan on doing CRT and the Spirit of Aloha which will be paid prior to arrival. Having the gift card for our other meals only will help me be in that mindset of having the meals "taken care of".

Magical vacations has some amazing deals. You just have to figure out if it is a good enough deal or if having the dining plan would save you more? For us staying club level it is, we have a hard time using up all of our credits without CL. Happy planning

 

[AUDramaQueen]

I'm considering changing my res from early Dec to January unless some big deals come out soon! I got a great rate from Magical Vacations however I can't get past the fact that I can't add on the meal plan with them. I really, REALLY want the meal plan and not have to nickel and dime myself the whole way trying to plan my meals/snacks out. So I keep praying for some kind of good deal for early December but I'm starting to loose hope!
Anyone know if Jan is a good time for Disney to offer deals???

What's the diff (weather-wise) going in Jan instead of December??

THANKS!
Melanie

FWIW, I booked early December with Magical Vacations too. I crunched the numbers and found we would do better with MV's group rates (which is why you can't get the dining plan with this deal) as opposed to rack rate with the dining plan. But I see your point about not having to worry about budgeting for food.

When did they start announcing the extended free dining periods last year? I thought it was later than this.

 

[Picabo]

I know what you mean about the dining plan. I like th idea of not having to "worry " about that part of the budget considering all that is paid in advance of our trip. Our next trip we are staying club level, I think the dining plan will be too much, but I am planning on purchasing a Disney gift card with my anticipated out of pocket costs for TS and CS. We will use this for these meals. I plan on researching the menus and prices and figure out how much this meal budget will be.

First of all, we plan on doing CRT and the Spirit of Aloha which will be paid prior to arrival. Having the gift card for our other meals only will help me be in that mindset of having the meals "taken care of".

Magical vacations has some amazing deals. You just have to figure out if it is a good enough deal or if having the dining plan would save you more? For us staying club level it is, we have a hard time using up all of our credits without CL. Happy planning

That's really a good idea about the gift card. At least that way you KNOW what your limit is and it reminds you to be thoughtful of what you're ordering. Hmmm, I like the idea. Gift cards can be bought at Disney Store, right? I may actually do that - although now that I think of it, I get 3% cash back on any restaurant purchases on my credit card. So maybe I'm better off sticking with that and at least getting a bit of money back! 3% back on $1k is only $30 BUT $30 is still $30, right?

I keep wondering if I should switch to CL but it's soooo much more expensive that I can't imagine if it's really worth it. I know all of you who DO stay in CL would say YES it's worth it but I just don't know. The only real benefit I see to it is the bonus of bkfst and snacks/appetizers. Free sodas/coffee. But for $150 or so more per night - that's a whole lotta food we'd have to eat. Am i missing something??

FWIW, I booked early December with Magical Vacations too. I crunched the numbers and found we would do better with MV's group rates (which is why you can't get the dining plan with this deal) as opposed to rack rate with the dining plan. But I see your point about not having to worry about budgeting for food.

When did they start announcing the extended free dining periods last year? I thought it was later than this.

Oh yes, I did crunch the numbers and I cushioned in about $1000 for food (which is a good $300 or so more than if I had the dining plan) and I still come out with a pretty good savings. Still, it kills me to know the people next to me are getting a better deal on their food! And knowing that I'm now putting in a lot more bkfsts instead of dinners in order to keep the budget lower. (Then again, maybe I'll find that with little ones, bkfsts are better meals to plan!) Guess the way I have to look at it though is that I'm getting a way better deal on my room!

 

[KimDis]

We had an adorable lizardy-type dude in our bathtub....and this was on the 3rd floor! DH gently escorted him outside... lol

OMG my mom would just DIE! I seriously think she might pass out and would probably NEVER return to the Poly if we saw a lizard in the room. She's terrified of them.

 

[buckeyejennifer]

This is such a great thread! We are headed on a Disney Cruise this November (over Thanksgiving) and decided to add a couple of nights at the Poly beforehand. I've always wanted to stay there, so I'm thrilled and have LOVED reading everyone's tips and reports!!

 

[AUDramaQueen]

Oh yes, I did crunch the numbers and I cushioned in about $1000 for food (which is a good $300 or so more than if I had the dining plan) and I still come out with a pretty good savings. Still, it kills me to know the people next to me are getting a better deal on their food! And knowing that I'm now putting in a lot more bkfsts instead of dinners in order to keep the budget lower. (Then again, maybe I'll find that with little ones, bkfsts are better meals to plan!) Guess the way I have to look at it though is that I'm getting a way better deal on my room!

Yep, just keep thinking, I saved more money on my room... I saved more money on my room!

Looks like you beat me there by 5 days from your ticker!

 

[BreezysMom]

I love you all...but I cannot see that Lizard or whatever it is in the bathtub again!

I avoid the snake threads because they freak me out. I am not a fan of any animal/creature that is smaller than my dog...and clowns, but that is a whole other phobia.

Yes, it is Florida, but I try to supress the fact that creepy crawlers are all around. DW just happens to be there. If I see a lizard in my tub, you will see a stark naked woman screaming down the hall.

With all that being said...
Happy Father's Day to all you Dads!

 

[KSBelle]

RISE AND SHINE--IT'S A BEAUTIFUL SUNDAY MORNING1111

90 Days and counting down.

Just finished my Dining Reservations Online and had NO glitches what-so-ever!!
Didn't get 'Ohana dinner for either of my options but did get my 2 most important (to me) ressies.

Planning a trip to Disney is so much fun!!!

Hope you all have a great day!

 

[Debbie]

RISE AND SHINE--IT'S A BEAUTIFUL SUNDAY MORNING1111

90 Days and counting down.

Just finished my Dining Reservations Online and had NO glitches what-so-ever!!
Didn't get 'Ohana dinner for either of my options but did get my 2 most important (to me) ressies.

Planning a trip to Disney is so much fun!!!

Hope you all have a great day!

HAPPY SUMMER!!!!!​

Congrats on hitting 90 days and getting your ADRs done. I'd try for the 'Ohana every now and then, if it is really important to you. I checked for Le Cellier and got what I wanted on Friday. Well, I got the times, but I decided to keep my '2nd choice'-Coral Reef-since we've never eaten there.

Isn't that online dining reservation COOL! I was so excited that I added a couple of Sci-Fi ressies for a quick lunch.....and a Milky Way milkshake (not on the menu, but they've made them for me since it went off )

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

Hey Poly peeps!

DD and I are off to breakfast at Kona Cafe for macadamia pancakes and Kona Cofee! Will try to post some pics later.

We had dinner at Kona on Friday and it was amazing as always. So comforting to see familiar faces of the servers. It's a little sad we're not staying at the Poly but at least we can crash it for meals.

Speaking of meals, Captain Cooks now has those line dividers to rope off the ordering area from the pay area. The place is still very crowded during peak mealtimes and not much indoor seating. Not fun when it is almost 100 degrees outside.

 

[johnsonet]

That picture is the reason, my daughter is scared to death to have a first floor room. At the Poly, she does not want a second floor because there is no balcony - I hope she doesn't see the lizard in the bath tub on the third floor - we are running out of options here!!!!!

This is such a great thread! We are headed on a Disney Cruise this November (over Thanksgiving) and decided to add a couple of nights at the Poly beforehand. I've always wanted to stay there, so I'm thrilled and have LOVED reading everyone's tips and reports!!

Sounds like an awesome trip I'm sure you will fall in love with the Polynesian

I love you all...but I cannot see that Lizard or whatever it is in the bathtub again!

RISE AND SHINE--IT'S A BEAUTIFUL SUNDAY MORNING1111

90 Days and counting down.

Just finished my Dining Reservations Online and had NO glitches what-so-ever!!
Didn't get 'Ohana dinner for either of my options but did get my 2 most important (to me) ressies.

Planning a trip to Disney is so much fun!!!

Hope you all have a great day!

Congrats and yes, planning is the BEST

Hey Poly peeps!

DD and I are off to breakfast at Kona Cafe for macadamia pancakes and Kona Cofee! Will try to post some pics later.

We had dinner at Kona on Friday and it was amazing as always. So comforting to see familiar faces of the servers. It's a little sad we're not staying at the Poly but at least we can crash it for meals.

Speaking of meals, Captain Cooks now has those line dividers to rope off the ordering area from the pay area. The place is still very crowded during peak mealtimes and not much indoor seating. Not fun when it is almost 100 degrees outside.

Hey! Breakfast at Kona - I'm so jealous!! Have a wonderful day and I hope you end up posting pics. How do you like CSR?

 

[KSBelle]

Hey Poly peeps!

DD and I are off to breakfast at Kona Cafe for macadamia pancakes and Kona Cofee! Will try to post some pics later.

We had dinner at Kona on Friday and it was amazing as always. So comforting to see familiar faces of the servers. It's a little sad we're not staying at the Poly but at least we can crash it for meals.

Speaking of meals, Captain Cooks now has those line dividers to rope off the ordering area from the pay area. The place is still very crowded during peak mealtimes and not much indoor seating. Not fun when it is almost 100 degrees outside.

I am sooo jealous-Macadamia Pancakes for breakfast- My favorite!!! ENJOY!!!!

 

[lissiesmum]

I keep wondering if I should switch to CL but it's soooo much more expensive that I can't imagine if it's really worth it. I know all of you who DO stay in CL would say YES it's worth it but I just don't know. The only real benefit I see to it is the bonus of bkfst and snacks/appetizers. Free sodas/coffee. But for $150 or so more per night - that's a whole lotta food we'd have to eat. Am i missing something??

Hi Picabo!

I got upgraded to CL when DD and I went back in April and although it was a nice upgrade, I can honestly say I would never pay for it myself (at least not with my current monetary situation.) Our favorite things about concierge level were all things we could enjoy anywhere else at the resort: My DD loved the croissants and choco chip cookies and choco milk (which I could buy at Captain Cooks), and we loved to watch the fireworks from the lounge at night (but we also watched them from the beach as well). We liked the chocolates and turndown nightly, but you can request that if you are not CL too. The one thing I did like at the Poly was a message received each night telling you the weather and a little about which park had EMH hours and stuff like that. Was that just a CL thing, or do all Poly guests receive that?

Anyhoo, I liked the niceties of the CL, and if money was no object and I didn't have to budget like crazy, I would probably book it again. But if you have to scrape and save like me, regular GV rooms are just as pretty (and if you saw my CL room view you would even say prettier ), you will still have an amazing time at the Poly regardless and you can use that money to spend in the parks and on other things. (like when I brought my DD to the perfectly princess tea party)

 

[BCV23]

Hey Poly peeps!

DD and I are off to breakfast at Kona Cafe for macadamia pancakes and Kona Cofee! Will try to post some pics later.

We had dinner at Kona on Friday and it was amazing as always. So comforting to see familiar faces of the servers. It's a little sad we're not staying at the Poly but at least we can crash it for meals.

Speaking of meals, Captain Cooks now has those line dividers to rope off the ordering area from the pay area. The place is still very crowded during peak mealtimes and not much indoor seating. Not fun when it is almost 100 degrees outside.

Dinner and breakfast at Kona! Lucky you! Enjoy. I hope you're having a wonderful vacation.

Hi to everyone else. And happy Father's Day to the dads on the thread.

 

[cmesq61]

Suitcase zipped up, 44 pounds (in spite of packing "light" since we have no kids this trip LOL), 61 inches. Boarding passes printed, Disney luggage tags attached. Off for mani-pedi. One more day till we're at the Poly again!!!

 

[BCV23]

Suitcase zipped up, 44 pounds (in spite of packing "light" since we have no kids this trip LOL), 61 inches. Boarding passes printed, Disney luggage tags attached. Off for mani-pedi. One more day till we're at the Poly again!!!

Have a great trip!

Aloha!

 

[cmesq61]

Have a great trip!

Aloha!

Thanks! I'm sure it will be as magical as the last trip!

 

[makidoodle]

Suitcase zipped up, 44 pounds (in spite of packing "light" since we have no kids this trip LOL), 61 inches. Boarding passes printed, Disney luggage tags attached. Off for mani-pedi. One more day till we're at the Poly again!!!
__________________

Looks like we will be there at the same time! We leave tomorrow morning - all packed and ready to go! Have a great trip!!

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

Kaleo was performing at 'Ohana tonight! Happy Father's Day indeed!

 

[WOODY13]

Hi to everyone else. And happy Father's Day to the dads on the thread. [/QUOTE]

Thanks, BCV23