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

[BreezysMom]

Please tell me your favorite things to do at the Polynesian. This is our first time at a deluxe resort and I'd like to balance time in the parks with more time at the resort. Last time to WDW (at All Star Sports), we spent all day and night in the parks... but paying so much more for the Poly, I want to enjoy it.... we have theme park view.

Some ideas....
Going to Spirit of Aloha, Ohanas for dinner and breakfast, Kona once for lunch. Will spend some mornings swimming, and some late evenings grabbing a Lapu Lapu from the Tambu lounge and enjoying it in our room after 4 yr old is asleep, will watch MK fireworks from beach, will walk and enjoy the scenery and lit tiki torches at night.

How about these other things?
The kids play area? We don't want a babysitter but are there fun activities there? Are there other fun activities at the resort? I saw information about the tiki torch lighting ceremony and storytelling in the GCH. Are there other arts/crafts or hula dancing lessons or anything like that for kids or adults? Anyone go to the campfire at Grand Floridian? Is it fun to rent a boat or the surrey bikes?

Thank you!!!

They have a kids area in the main lobby that has a little table and chairs that kids sit and color while watching classic Disney cartoons. DH and I love to sit there while DD colors and we people watch. The lobby is so nice with the foilage and waterfalls. We like to watch as people walk into the lobby and see their excitement, especially guests who are checking in. It is cheap entertainment for us

We did the Surrey bike on our first trip. It was nice but frankly you really can't go too far with them because they restrict them past certain areas, but DD loved the experience.

The pool being adjacent to the beach is nice too...DD would go back and forth from swimming to playing in the sand and I never had to change my seat.

The Poly is a great place to relax and enjoy your vacation but still be part of the magic, i.e., watching fireworks from the beach and the EWP. Another thing we like to do in the evenings is take the boat launch to the MK and just walk around in the evening (if you have park hoppers). No real agenda, just take in Main Street, take a ride on the train and enjoy a treat from the Main Street Bakery.

We have not been since the campfire started at the GF but sounds perfect for us too! We are more resort commandos than park commandos...

Have a wonderful vacation

 

[tarak]

We have not been since the campfire started at the GF but sounds perfect for us too! We are more resort commandos than park commandos...

I like that - resort commando. I think I could happily be a resort commando rather than a park commando. Growing up in California, I've been a park commando. I can do it if I have to. But my kids are young yet and like the pools the best (especially my younger daughter - she can't wait to go in the "volcano" pool).

 

[parkers218]

sorry..new here....will be at the Poly on Sat..I am sooooooo psyched..but first what the heck is a lapu lapu?

 

[BreezysMom]

sorry..new here....will be at the Poly on Sat..I am sooooooo psyched..but first what the heck is a lapu lapu?

Have a great Vacation. The Lapu Lapu is a rum drink served in a pineapple. Enjoy!!

 

[scanne]

This thread is incredible! So much awesome info!

I just switched my June 2010 ressie from GF to Polynesian - Theme Park View. I requested Tahiti with a full balcony. I'm hoping we get a dead-on view of the castle! It's our 10th anniversary trip and we're going to be there over the 4th of July - so I am REALLY looking forward to sitting on the balcony and watching the 4th of July fireworks! The last time I was able to do that was in 2000 on my honeymoon - we had a castle view in Sago - but I think the view from the Poly has got to be even better being right in the middle of it all!

So I read a post that channel 19 plays the music to Wishes while the fireworks are going off? Can anyone verify this? Will this also work for the special July 4th fireworks?

Any other tips/hints/suggestions on how to maximize our time at the Polynesian? We've stayed here before, but the last time was in 2007. We will be on the Deluxe Dining Plan, so I was also thinking that we could order room service dinner on the 4th of July and spend the night at the hotel.

Thanks for any thoughts...I am more excited that I thought I'd be. I had planned on the GF for so long (because we honeymooned there) but I think my heart belongs to the Polynesian.

 

[koho]

So we are going on our first trip with kids and first time at the Poly, in about 60 days. I was wondering if they still hand out lays when you arrive. I hope so because my 2 kids would just love that.

 

[kimgof]

Well our kids won't be in line - we're not going all the way to Disney and spending all that money so the kids can play with a Wii when they do that all the time at home.

Here , Here!!!

 

[scjo68]

I have really enjoyed keeping up with this thread. We are just a couple of days away from our first stay at the Poly. We are very excited!

The kids know we are staying somewhere new (we usually stay at POFQ/POR), but they don't know where- they want to be surprised. DD11 will be so excited- she's always wanted to stay at the Poly!

Anyway, I was curious about Captain Cook's- is it crazy busy in the morning? We are usually up and out very early, so we don't usually have that problem at the mod. food courts, but they are much bigger. What about dinner time? The POFQ/rs food court is usually pretty busy at dinner time... but at least there is room to move around. Is it hard to get in and get dinner at Captain Cook's?

 

[Walkie]

It's finally here...hard to believe we've been planning since December! We'll be getting up at 2 am (Doh!!) to make our 5 am flight, and if all goes well we'll be at the Poly tomorrow afternoon! I don't know if I can even sleep!

 

[cyndisun]

It's finally here...hard to believe we've been planning since December! We'll be getting up at 2 am (Doh!!) to make our 5 am flight, and if all goes well we'll be at the Poly tomorrow afternoon! I don't know if I can even sleep!

My alarm is set for 4:15! We go to the Yacht Club first, but we are looking forward to our Poly stay next week.

Thanks to all for the great tips!

 

[Debbie]

Looks like there will be a number of us there next week. Free dining? or 40% off? wave: ) I can hardly wait. This is a special trip for us-25th anniversary- and I will defer to DH, and it will be more resort than parks. Oh, gee. I guess that I'll live with that one. Say hi when you see us and here's hoping that everyone has a wonderful time!

 

[brentalex]

So we are going on our first trip with kids and first time at the Poly, in about 60 days. I was wondering if they still hand out lays when you arrive. I hope so because my 2 kids would just love that.

Yes they do still give them out.

 

[Jennygt]

This may seem strange but what size are the pillow cases? Standard or larger? I am plannign to make ds a pillowcase but what size? Thanks.

 

[Aliceacc]

Three fit across a Queen sized bed... they've got to be standard size.

 

[koho]

Yes they do still give them out.

Thanks

 

[mermster]

Okay, never done this before, so bear with me: not sure what is TMI and what people really want to know...
Just got back from a glorious first time stay at the Poly. I cannot say enough about the resort!! It was so beautiful, especially at night. We stayed in Aotearoa and thought it was a great location - close to the GCH, volcano pool and marina (we frequently took the boat back from MK) Loved the small beach near it - great place to sip a drink and watch the fireworks! Even the walk to the TTC didn't seem bad.
We were able to watch the ELP and Wishes from the pool and/or beach several times (I refuse to ever watch fireworks again unless I'm on a beach with the castle in front of me ) I was able to try out quite a few of the drinks either in the lounge or at the poolside bar (yum!). I had my first (and second and third) dole whip (double yum!!). We ate at Kona Cafe for lunch twice (and one extra time just for Kona Kones (more yumminess!) - the menu was great and everything was delicious. Took a peek at the dinner menu and will have to plan that for our next trip. We did the Lilo&Stitch character breakfast at Ohana's - food, service, and character interaction was great! We saw the torch lighting ceremony and my daughter did the hula lessons one afternoon (she loved it!). EVERY cast member we came in contact with was lovely! And all the guests seemed lovely too!! We had a truly magical time! Thank you all for the reports and tips you put up on the boards - it really helped me to plan and have a wonderful vacation! I'm happy to try and answer any questions about our stay, the parks, etc. if you have them...

 

[Tess]

Okay, never done this before, so bear with me: not sure what is TMI and what people really want to know...
Just got back from a glorious first time stay at the Poly. I cannot say enough about the resort!! It was so beautiful, especially at night. We stayed in Aotearoa and thought it was a great location - close to the GCH, volcano pool and marina (we frequently took the boat back from MK) Loved the small beach near it - great place to sip a drink and watch the fireworks! Even the walk to the TTC didn't seem bad.
We were able to watch the ELP and Wishes from the pool and/or beach several times (I refuse to ever watch fireworks again unless I'm on a beach with the castle in front of me ) I was able to try out quite a few of the drinks either in the lounge or at the poolside bar (yum!). I had my first (and second and third) dole whip (double yum!!). We ate at Kona Cafe for lunch twice (and one extra time just for Kona Kones (more yumminess!) - the menu was great and everything was delicious. Took a peek at the dinner menu and will have to plan that for our next trip. We did the Lilo&Stitch character breakfast at Ohana's - food, service, and character interaction was great! We saw the torch lighting ceremony and my daughter did the hula lessons one afternoon (she loved it!). EVERY cast member we came in contact with was lovely! And all the guests seemed lovely too!! We had a truly magical time! Thank you all for the reports and tips you put up on the boards - it really helped me to plan and have a wonderful vacation! I'm happy to try and answer any questions about our stay, the parks, etc. if you have them...

You did just fine! Thanks for your views and welcome home (even though I'm sure you'd rather be back at the Polynesian )

 

[wideeyes]

Okay, never done this before, so bear with me: not sure what is TMI and what people really want to know...
Just got back from a glorious first time stay at the Poly. I cannot say enough about the resort!! It was so beautiful, especially at night. We stayed in Aotearoa and thought it was a great location - close to the GCH, volcano pool and marina (we frequently took the boat back from MK) Loved the small beach near it - great place to sip a drink and watch the fireworks! Even the walk to the TTC didn't seem bad.
We were able to watch the ELP and Wishes from the pool and/or beach several times (I refuse to ever watch fireworks again unless I'm on a beach with the castle in front of me ) I was able to try out quite a few of the drinks either in the lounge or at the poolside bar (yum!). I had my first (and second and third) dole whip (double yum!!). We ate at Kona Cafe for lunch twice (and one extra time just for Kona Kones (more yumminess!) - the menu was great and everything was delicious. Took a peek at the dinner menu and will have to plan that for our next trip. We did the Lilo&Stitch character breakfast at Ohana's - food, service, and character interaction was great! We saw the torch lighting ceremony and my daughter did the hula lessons one afternoon (she loved it!). EVERY cast member we came in contact with was lovely! And all the guests seemed lovely too!! We had a truly magical time! Thank you all for the reports and tips you put up on the boards - it really helped me to plan and have a wonderful vacation! I'm happy to try and answer any questions about our stay, the parks, etc. if you have them...

Thank's for your report back, sounds great and I can't wait till next year.

 

[kimgof]

Great report! I'll be there next week, can't wait.

 

[Disney-Kim]

Wow... a lot of people are going right now...we still have a little more than a month...can't wait !!