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

[DISNEYNUTS]

Hi Disneynuts! Sorry to hear about your daughter, I know just what it's like to travel with a little one with allergy/asthma issues. Sadly, I know about it all too well. Two of my four sons have moderately severe issues and our fourth son has very severe issues. You picked a great place to vacation though! Disney has been the most accommodating company as far as our special needs (even above the Ritz and other luxury resorts).

First a question for you, has your reservation been 'blocked out' by special services? If not call back and get whatever reservations CM you talk with to call special services and have your special cleaning noted as a medical NEED not just a request. Maybe you already have this done.

In that case, call a reservations agent and ask that they have special services note the needs you stated above on your reservation. If a request comes through from special services instead of just one you make it carries a LOT more weight. I wouldn't try and request a specific long house or location. I would tell them what you need and why and then leave it up to the room assignor to pick which area they know has the least vegetation.

In the past, I have also talked with them (special services) myself and asked them to transfer me to a housekeeping supervisor at the resort and explained our allergy/asthma triggers to them so that we could work out what parts of the VIP cleaning were essential for my son and which ones were okay for them to skip (for instance, we don't need his bed linens/towels washed separately without detergent). Also, I have been transferred to the resort's room assignor by mousekeeping in order to discuss room requests. Trust me, the housekeeping at the resort does NOT want you to request a move! Doing a VIP cleaning requires a LOT more work on their part to get a room ready for incoming guests. They do NOT want to have to do that work again should you come in and request a room change. They would much rather have your requests noted beforehand and be able to provide you with what you have requested if it is at all possible in the first place.

I know you didn't ask any of that, but instead of faxing a room request or calling reservations and adding requests, I would deal with special services to ensure that the medical needs are noted with them vs. just being considered a request. Once special services sends your medical request to the resort, your room will be dealt with BEFORE other room assignments. If your request is based solely on medical need it is given a lot of weight and if at all possible, it is accommodated and is blocked ahead of time.

Cleaning starts almost always before you even arrive and in some cases before you even leave home- they like to give themselves a cushion of a night for the in depth cleaning if at all possible depending on how busy the resort is when you visit. The room you end up in is not even in the general pool of rooms available to other incoming guests. Again, they aren't going to put in all of that extra work and then hand it over to somebody else who doesn't require the extra effort to occupy a room and then have to do it all over again for your party.

Hope this helped (I wish someone had explained this all to me back when we first experienced a need for this type of help, I learned as we went on vacations over the years by talking to some great CMs at different resorts mousekeeping departments, special services and even a few resort managers). If you knew all of this already, SORRY!! I didn't' mean to sound preachy or like you didn't know what was going on. And as a disclaimer, I am not a Disney employee, this is just what I have been told and how things have worked for us in the past (as recently as this past March).

Have a great vacation! I cannot wait until our stay at the Poly (about 45 days out for me).

Thank you so much, I never thought to call special services about this, I have called to verify that it is on the ressie about the cleaning and been told it is indeed on there. But speaking to someone that understands her situation would be extremely helpful I hate asking for special things but hate her being in the hospital more. She has to take several meds a day plus allergy shots just to stay healthy and sometimes that still isn't enough. So being careful is important to us! thanks again.

 

[carlnix30]

Have fun--CL again or other view? What the hey, we had so much rain--we deserve an "adult" visit to get over the disappointment of the cruddy weather in May.

Have a great stay!

Hello there again Tess,

Yes the club level is the only way to stay!! I am looking forward to chef Dick and the wonderful hospitality of all the cl staff.. we felt really bad for you the week we left knowing you guys were there with Mr Rainmonster! I hope you still had a great time.

ps, it was nice getting to meet you!!

Carl

 

[jaycns]

Thank you so much, I never thought to call special services about this, I have called to verify that it is on the ressie about the cleaning and been told it is indeed on there. But speaking to someone that understands her situation would be extremely helpful I hate asking for special things but hate her being in the hospital more. She has to take several meds a day plus allergy shots just to stay healthy and sometimes that still isn't enough. So being careful is important to us! thanks again.

Good luck with getting it all hammered out. I know just what you mean about hating to have to ask for special accomadations! I always feel badly that they have to do so much to make the room 'safe' for my son BUT when it comes to a little extra elbow grease or my son getting sick and ending up in the hospital or worse there really is no decision.

I understand all about daily multiple meds/allergy shots, inhalers, nebulizers and much more that I wish I never had the need to know about. Disney really has made it possible for us to vacation where otherwise it would be very difficult to impossible. They are great at trying to make sure that health issues don't stand in the way of any guest being able to enjoy WDW!

I hope your entire family has a great and healthy stay at the Poly! I know we are really looking forward to our time there!

 

[carlnix30]

hey there...

2 questions-

#1- What is up with people thinking the resort is dark and dated? What are they talking about? Wasn't it redone two years ago? I am confused and

#2- We want to use the Magical express and get a car once we get on property if it's necessary. I know there is a bus to National from the hotel... what National does it go to and is there any other rental car place that picks up from Poly?

I dont believe you will need a rental car unless you are planning to go to animal kingdom or downtown disney a lot.


"The dark people are talking about" is the rooms have subdude lighting, most hotel rooms have bright light throughout the room and bath. the poly has a more themed muted lighting, making your return to your room more relaxed than any other hotel we have experienced. the dark complaints in my opinion is best left for those who feel more comfortable in standard ordinary hotels where you can get a tan from your bedside lamp..

 

[ckdsnynt]

Have fun--CL again or other view? What the hey, we had so much rain--we deserve an "adult" visit to get over the disappointment of the cruddy weather in May.

Have a great stay!

amen! We were there in May and the rain was terrible. So we are rewarding ourselves with a trip in Dec.! MK view!

 

[Trinity524]

I dont believe you will need a rental car unless you are planning to go to animal kingdom or downtown disney a lot.


"The dark people are talking about" is the rooms have subdude lighting, most hotel rooms have bright light throughout the room and bath. the poly has a more themed muted lighting, making your return to your room more relaxed than any other hotel we have experienced. the dark complaints in my opinion is best left for those who feel more comfortable in standard ordinary hotels where you can get a tan from your bedside lamp..

.

I am so happy you responded about the light. Is that why people think it looks dated? Maybe they went before it was updated?

 

[mamabright]

I also have a child with allergies although not severe he is allergic to dust (as am I) among other things. What exactly is included in the special cleaning?

 

[simplymama]

I dont believe you will need a rental car unless you are planning to go to animal kingdom or downtown disney a lot.


"The dark people are talking about" is the rooms have subdude lighting, most hotel rooms have bright light throughout the room and bath. the poly has a more themed muted lighting, making your return to your room more relaxed than any other hotel we have experienced. the dark complaints in my opinion is best left for those who feel more comfortable in standard ordinary hotels where you can get a tan from your bedside lamp..

I'm sorry but that's not the case at all for how I see the darkness.

I just stayed at the Grand Floridian in early summer(am heading back next week) and the rooms are bright and cheery, when you walk into them without any type of artificial lighting in the daytime. The bedding is light colors, furniture is light wood, drapery is light, wallpaper light. The actual night time lighting in the RPC rooms that we were in was not bright in anyway. It's very subdue in there, when they have that soft glow of lights on when you come back to your room after turn down service has been in, it's very calming, not shocking or flourescent like at all.

The darkness I've always referred to when I think of the POLY and I think many others feel this way as well, is that the bedding is dark, the furniture is dark wood, the carpeting is dark and therefore the rooms and corridors seem dark even in the daytime.

I have never thought of the darkness being anything to do with the actual voltage of a lightbulb. It's a Polynesian theme, which often times is dark.

 

[dmil]

Dark or not dark Who cares I'll be there in 5 days.

I think I better start thinking about what to pack.

 

[jojomoore]

I am staying at the Polynesian for the first time in November. My first choice was the Beach Club but my DH and DD want to stay at the Poly. I admit that all the talk on the Disboards about the "Dark and dated" rooms of the Poly has got me a little apprehensive. However, my home has dark woods and dark colors throughout and I intentionally designed it that way five years ago when I built it, so I hope I feel at home at the Polynesian Resort. As far as the Grand Floridian is concerned, the only reason I do not want to stay there is because I tend not to like Victorian decor or antique furniture and especially not wallpaper or light wooded furniture. For sure, variety is the spice of life and makes the world go round.(An Asian themed resort would be so cool.) As long as the room is clean, I will be Happy. I will bring a bottle of pledge and Windex with me just in case it isn't clean enough for me. I am so OCD.

 

[Disney-Kim]

I am staying at the Polynesian for the first time in November. My first choice was the Beach Club but my DH and DD want to stay at the Poly. I admit that all the talk on the Disboards about the "Dark and dated" rooms of the Poly has got me a little apprehensive. However, my home has dark woods and dark colors throughout and I intentionally designed it that way five years ago when I built it, so I hope I feel at home at the Polynesian Resort. As far as the Grand Floridian is concerned, the only reason I do not want to stay there is because I tend not to like Victorian decor or antique furniture and especially not wallpaper or light wooded furniture. For sure, variety is the spice of life and makes the world go round.(An Asian themed resort would be so cool.) I hope I have made the right choice. As long as the room is clean, I will be Happy. I will bring a bottle of pledge and Windex with me just in case it isn't clean enough for me. I am so OCD.

The Poly decor is dark compared to the pastels of the beach club (although the BC refurbed rooms are a bit darker). The rooms have dark woods and dark green carpeting with dark green marble in the bathrooms. But it fits with the decor. Very Polynesian/Hawaiian. I would not say the rooms are light and airy....its hard to explain. But...it fits the theme and vibe. The rooms are beautiful IMOP. We love the Poly.

check out allears.net for some great pics

 

[simplymama]

I am staying at the Polynesian for the first time in November. My first choice was the Beach Club but my DH and DD want to stay at the Poly. I admit that all the talk on the Disboards about the "Dark and dated" rooms of the Poly has got me a little apprehensive. However, my home has dark woods and dark colors throughout and I intentionally designed it that way five years ago when I built it, so I hope I feel at home at the Polynesian Resort. As far as the Grand Floridian is concerned, the only reason I do not want to stay there is because I tend not to like Victorian decor or antique furniture and especially not wallpaper or light wooded furniture. For sure, variety is the spice of life and makes the world go round.(An Asian themed resort would be so cool.) As long as the room is clean, I will be Happy. I will bring a bottle of pledge and Windex with me just in case it isn't clean enough for me. I am so OCD.

Just to be clear. I was not in anyway putting down the Poly. I love the Grand but I like the poly too! I was just sharing that I think the darkness is more about the decor and theming then it is about the lights in the rooms sinQce somebody asked. You are right, different tastes and different wants are easily met at Disney by choosing what it is that appeals to your tastes and that can easily vary even for individuals from time to time

 

[tiggspring]

Cleverocks & Disneynuts. You are absolutely right I was not thinking about cost when I posted just about the allergy's. $1000 more would freek me out!!!! We were blessed to get the 7 for 4 deal in May. It was our first time back in 15years so the upgrade was worth it but yikes that is alot more. The pix from tikiman site can give you good views of the other locations too.

 

[tiggspring]

Jaycns, That was great info. I have never heard of special services do they do anything else besides handling special cleaning/room requests for people with special needs?

 

[jaycns]

Jaycns, That was great info. I have never heard of special services do they do anything else besides handling special cleaning/room requests for people with special needs?

Actually dealing with special cleaning is just a small part of what they do. They handle any/all guest with special needs. Basically if you have a serious illness or disability which would require some form of accomadation being made on your behalf, they will try to help. If you have mobility or other restrictions due to a disability and/or have severe allergy issues or very comprimised immune systems and/or a host of other things they can help.

Normally, room requests wouldn't be their thing. But in the specific case of the person who needs to be away from as much landscaping as possible due to potential health issues, I would think that sort of request (because it is for medical reasons) would most likely be handled by them.

I cannot tell you how much this service means to our family and the Poly was actually the first resort that did this for us. A few years ago my son had to be rushed to an urgent care clinic while we were at WDW because he woke up having difficulties breathing during a stay at the CR. We took him in and dealt with the issues and I did the through cleaning myself. I had no idea it was something I could ask for someone to do. We checked out of the CR, enjoyed a Disney cruise and then came back to WDW. Upon checking in to the Poly I asked if they could make sure to throughly dust our room/change out the comforters and explained about our ds and his asthma/allergy problems while at the CR and told them how he had even been rushed via ambulance from a non Disney hotel due to an allergic reaction. The front desk CM at the Poly was the first person to offer this special cleaning service and for my family, it has literally been a life saver!

 

[Trinity524]

As I look around my own house, I have all black furniture, minus my son's room which is dark pine and oatmeal walls with one dark accent wall per room. I think I will be fine! Thank you for everyone's input!

 

[Caitsmama]

Well, i am off to the Poly today!! (ticker is a bit off)

As for the darkness, it's darker yes, than the BC or GF, but it fits with the whole Polynesian theme, and it's part of what makes the whole hotel imo. It's darker than others - but in no way dindgy (sp?) --
To the poster who is apprehensive, just look at pics - i will make sure to post some when i get back.. but honestly, you can't go wrong with either hotel, they are both great (yes, i have personally stayed CL at both several times, so i can definately compare them).

Anyway, you won't regret your decision - promise!! Although, i will say that Stormalong Bay is the best WDW pool!!

 

[BreezysMom]

Now since Disney has posted it's new pricing seasons for 2010 it seems to be that they have sub-classified a GV room into 2 different views. One states views of parking lot, monorail, gardens, the other says something like view of gardens and marina. Am I reading it right?

There are so many "seasons" now it is crazy!

Just wondering if anyone else noticed that?

 

[MickeyT]

Aloha Cousins,
Waking up about half way through our trip at the Poly. Seems like the summer of rain continues. Has rained about every day but definitely has not put a damper on the trip.

Lovin the club level service. Lovin the resort. Just generally lovin Disney World.

The food offerings have been great. It does not follow the 'old' menu. Pretty much the same food but the nights are different. (Who cares! Still delecious and plentiful!)

Did have one bump in the road. We are staying 1st floor and yesterday the bus must have come in. 3 or 4 families with kids checked in on both sides of us. At least 5-6 (probably more) running and slammin and yellin. Inside and out. You know the scene. No adults anywhere to be seen. They were even throwing a lizard like a baseball and trying to hit with a stick! (I asked them to please stop with that one). I talked to the desk and they thanked me. The kids were in the lounge then, I think, no I know, the people at the CL desk were very much aware and needed someone to say something to bring it under control. Since then all is well. Desk called and apologized and asked was there anything else they could do. We don't mind kids. We love kids. Got one with us but almost all 8-12 yr olds need some supervision. We'll see how this goes.

We have been hittling the parks early to avoid the crowds, Not what we're used to. We are usally here in Sept. Using FP has allowed us to manage. We're going to HS this morning and try out Toy Story before it gets to crazy,
Ta ta for now.

 

[ckdsnynt]

Cleverocks & Disneynuts. You are absolutely right I was not thinking about cost when I posted just about the allergy's. $1000 more would freek me out!!!! We were blessed to get the 7 for 4 deal in May. It was our first time back in 15years so the upgrade was worth it but yikes that is alot more. The pix from tikiman site can give you good views of the other locations too.

can you pm me the site for the tikiman? I am trying to decide on a building request for someone with mobility issues , using an ecv with a MK view.
Thanks!