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

[BreezysMom]

For those of you that enjoy an adult libation, please read on

I love the fancy, yummy drinks at the Poly and this year, I found a new favorite that I now make at home. It is called the Fusion Lemonade. It is a mixture of Fusion liqueur (passion fruit, blood oranges, & mango vodka - yes, it's pink!), vodka, and LIGHT lemonade. While I ADORE the Poly's yummy drinks, sometimes all the coconut and juices get a little heavy. This drink is not heavy tasting and you can not taste the 'light' but that lemonade is only 5 calories!! I especially like it because I can indulge more in the food and not worry so much about consuming all the drink calories or getting full on a huge drink. I highly recommend this drink (in addition of course to all the other yummy drinks!) and if you are like me, you'll come home and buy the ingredients to make fusion lemonades at home (yup, my manly hubby likes these drinks too!).

For those that don't drink alcohol, the Poly will make 'virgin' yummy drinks too but alas, the Fusion Lemonade is called that for the main ingredient which is the Fusion Liqueur so this one is only made with alcohol.

Ok, just had to add that in after seeing BreezysMom lapu lapu photo - thanks for that!!

Oh my...that sounds perfect

I am going to have to pace myself on our trip

I am actually thinking of going out and getting those ingredients myself

 

[Lilmattie13]

Well today I paid off the trip So now the trip is paid, MNSSHP tickets have arrived, EE 5k is registered and paid, ADR's are made. All I need to do is order a cake for our anniversary dinner at CG.

Wooohooo!!!!

I just had to come on here and let it all out because I knew there were others here who appreciate that "paid off, almost there" feeling

 

[BreezysMom]

I love the paid in full dance!!

Congrats

 

[lissiesmum]

Hi guys, congrats to all of you who are paid off and have made the trip official! I remember how great that felt and how much closer it feels to you arriving at the beautiful Polynesian
The last week of February has opened up again, but still no lagoon views available...but...there is theme park view open. Definitely not in my price range, but if a wonderful code comes out, and my dear parents who offered to help on my next trip (thanks mom and dad!), I might be able to swing a theme park view. So while I am dreaming and crossing my fingers for a small miracle to happen, can you tell me if all theme park view rooms are created equal? I would hate to pay all that extra money and not have a fantastic room. I assume that they all have a great view, I know Hawaii has the best but is concierge, so if you were to request a TPV longhouse, which one offers best views of MK and fireworks? Or does it matter as long as you have TPV booked? The idea of this is making me so excited...please please please let there be another type of 4/3 deal for 2010!

 

[mmmears]

Hi Lissiesmum! I really hope they release a good deal and you get that room with a wonderful view. I remember that your view last time, while not awful, didn't really let you see anything. We stayed in Hawaii last time, but I wanted a MK view, I think I'd ask for Tahiti, since I like to overlook the beach and lagoon (for the EWP) as well as seeing the castle.

 

[lissiesmum]

Hi Lissiesmum! I really hope they release a good deal and you get that room with a wonderful view. I remember that your view last time, while not awful, didn't really let you see anything. We stayed in Hawaii last time, but I wanted a MK view, I think I'd ask for Tahiti, since I like to overlook the beach and lagoon (for the EWP) as well as seeing the castle.

Hi mmmears! SInce posting this, I remembered Tikiman's site and found out all the buildings that have theme park views and I didn't realize that Aotearea had TPViews! To me that would not be the best longhouse to get the full castle/lagoon experience because you are so set back from the lagoon. This would be my worry is to spend extra $$$ that is hard to come by and end up in Aotearea (sp?) and be disappointed my whole stay. And yes, we all know how my last view turned out...and I DO NOT want a less than stellar view this time. Tahiti looks like no matter what floor you stay on you would have a good view, so if a get a good deal I would shoot for Tahiti and wish for a great view this time

 

[noname70]

subscribing

 

[Ronald Duck]

Aloha Poly lovers-

As you can see from my signature, we're 10 days away from what will be a triple celebration trip: our 40th anniversary and TWO birthdays during our time at WDW! What better place to celebrate than the Poly (last time there was 10 years ago for our 30th)?

I just did online check-in, and I forgot that it doesn't give you the option of longhouse preferences, but we're arriving pretty early so I thought I'd ask the veterans for their opinions, assuming I might get a chance to switch if I don't like my assignment. We booked Garden View, and I want to avoid Tahiti, which we were just fine with last time but I'd like a new location, preferably closer to the GCH.

Assuming we don't get upgraded (and I'm not counting on that), what are your G.V. preferences? Based on the map and Tikiman's site, I'm thinking that either Fiji or Samoa might be best...what are your opinions?

Thanks

 

[Aliceacc]

We love Tokelau!

 

[Lilmattie13]

When people request a certain longhouse, room or area are the requests usually met?

I had my TA request a certain room in a certain longhouse but wonder if it will even come close to being met.

My DH and I are going to be on our anniversary trip without the children so I would really like to make it a romantic trip for us.

 

[Woosterguy]

Not quit a paid in full dance but a "we got the travel documents today" dance.
Can't wait.

 

[rngclick]

The only resie we could get for 'Ohana is for 9:40. The dining rep told me that since we are going to be resort guests we could ask the concierge desk to seat us earlier and they would work us in. Has anyone experienced this?

 

[maiapapaya]

Not quit a paid in full dance but a "we got the travel documents today" dance.
Can't wait.

Oh, I'd much rather be doing the "we got the travel documents today" dance!

 

[mmmears]

The only resie we could get for 'Ohana is for 9:40. The dining rep told me that since we are going to be resort guests we could ask the concierge desk to seat us earlier and they would work us in. Has anyone experienced this?

That happened to us but it was a last minute ADR booking while we were there. The concierge CMs said that that was the best they could do. I wouldn't count on them squeezing you in since it is such a popular place for dinner, but I think it would be worth a try.

 

[alnina]

We are staying at the poly March 2010. This will be our first time. I was wondering if you eat at Kona do you need reservations for any meal or just for dinner? We usually eat a early breakfast and head out for rope drop. Is the fast food area good for breakfast. What about lunch? I appreciate your help. We will have 5 adults and two children 7 yr and 7 mon.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Well today I paid off the trip So now the trip is paid, MNSSHP tickets have arrived, EE 5k is registered and paid, ADR's are made. All I need to do is order a cake for our anniversary dinner at CG.

Wooohooo!!!!

I just had to come on here and let it all out because I knew there were others here who appreciate that "paid off, almost there" feeling

Congratulations! Fun, fun, fun

Aloha Poly lovers-

As you can see from my signature, we're 10 days away from what will be a triple celebration trip: our 40th anniversary and TWO birthdays during our time at WDW! What better place to celebrate than the Poly (last time there was 10 years ago for our 30th)?

I just did online check-in, and I forgot that it doesn't give you the option of longhouse preferences, but we're arriving pretty early so I thought I'd ask the veterans for their opinions, assuming I might get a chance to switch if I don't like my assignment. We booked Garden View, and I want to avoid Tahiti, which we were just fine with last time but I'd like a new location, preferably closer to the GCH.

Assuming we don't get upgraded (and I'm not counting on that), what are your G.V. preferences? Based on the map and Tikiman's site, I'm thinking that either Fiji or Samoa might be best...what are your opinions?

Thanks

I like Tokelau. I asked for a ground level room this year and loved it! I love walking out of the room by the sliding door, eating breakfast with the ducks, and enjoying the palm trees (and a hidden MK view - we were in the end room!)

When people request a certain longhouse, room or area are the requests usually met?

I had my TA request a certain room in a certain longhouse but wonder if it will even come close to being met.

My DH and I are going to be on our anniversary trip without the children so I would really like to make it a romantic trip for us.

I have asked for Tokelau both times and was granted the request both times. I checked in online this time and then called Disney with my longhouse request (since you couldn't do it online - at least back in April you couldn't!)

We are staying at the poly March 2010. This will be our first time. I was wondering if you eat at Kona do you need reservations for any meal or just for dinner? We usually eat a early breakfast and head out for rope drop. Is the fast food area good for breakfast. What about lunch? I appreciate your help. We will have 5 adults and two children 7 yr and 7 mon.

I've found that dinner at Kona Cafe, while popular, has some reservations/walk ups available for odd times (like opening and really late). Although I was really disappointed in our last time at Kona Cafe so I'd recommend Ohana for dinner - hands down, especially with the kids!! As for breakfast, I am addicted to Mickey waffles with bacon on the side - YUM!! They have that at Captain Cooks. My kids loved the kids breakfast with eggs, bacon, grapes & OJ there too. It is great to grab your breakfast and sit outside on the shaded tables and enjoy the scenary - and the ducks! You can also get the famous Tonga Toast there too (check out allearsnet for updated menus with prices - great for planning it all out and making sure there will be something on the menu that you will like).

Have a great time at the world!!

 

[tarak]

We are staying at the poly March 2010. This will be our first time. I was wondering if you eat at Kona do you need reservations for any meal or just for dinner? We usually eat a early breakfast and head out for rope drop. Is the fast food area good for breakfast. What about lunch? I appreciate your help. We will have 5 adults and two children 7 yr and 7 mon.

We last stayed at the Poly a while ago, but we usually did breakfast at Captain Cooks and it was fine. The birds outside could be pushy, though. Not Jersey shore seagull brutal, but they'd still try to steal your food in a heartbeat.

 

[sharlon]

Good evening! We got back today from the Poly. Thought I'd share some thoughts from our first visit.

First a big thank you to all of you who post here! All of your suggestions/comments really helped.

We arrived on Sunday, 8/16 at about 9:30 or so. We had requested Tokelau or Tahiti, first floor. When I checked in, she said she could go ahead and put us in a room, if we wanted. I asked her what was available. 1042 in Tahiti was the first one she mentioned, so we went with that. It was nice to go ahead and get situated before heading to Epcot for lunch.

I really liked the location, but DH said that he felt it was a little too far from the central part of the resort. Not sure we would stay in Tahiti again.

We really liked our room. It was huge! This turned out to be a good thing, as DH got sick on Monday (cough/cold) that got worse and then got a stomach thing Wednesday night (called the concierge doc), and he ended up spending a good amount of time in the room. The room location turned out to be good, in this regard, because the kids could go out on the patio while daddy was resting. DD10 liked to look at the lizards.

Between DH's illnesses and the pop-ups storms and remnants of TS Ana, we didn't get to do many of the things we wanted. Only got to the pool once, which is very unusual for us. Didn't make the campfire/movie either, which we were hoping to do. I guess I'll just have to go back soon.

One last comment regarding Ohana. I am so glad we went there. I was up in the air about the ADR. Somehow in 40+ visits to The World, I had never eatten there, and I wasn't sure if DH and the kids would like it. DH told me that he thought it was the best meal we had all week. :-0 Let me say, normally DH doesn't like Asian style foot/flavors, so this was a surprise. It was PACKED though. The crowd of people waiting to get in was crazy!

Thanks again for all of the info. It really helped!

 

[Lilmattie13]

The only resie we could get for 'Ohana is for 9:40. The dining rep told me that since we are going to be resort guests we could ask the concierge desk to seat us earlier and they would work us in. Has anyone experienced this?

We have a 9:50 ADR for Sept 27 which is a Sunday. I got up at six to try online, I called at 7 am on the 90 day mark and still that is the only time that was available. It is horrible. I too am so hoping they will be able to squeeze us in a little earlier. DH is diabetic and there is no way he could eat at that time.

I was so bummed considering I did exactly what I was supposed to do to make the ADR and yet they were all booked already. I am hoping that staying at Poly they may be able to do something for us and make it a little earlier if possible. I can't imagine just starting a meal at that time of day.

We will see I guess.

 

[CleveRocks]

We have a 9:50 ADR for Sept 27 which is a Sunday. I got up at six to try online, I called at 7 am on the 90 day mark and still that is the only time that was available. It is horrible. I too am so hoping they will be able to squeeze us in a little earlier. DH is diabetic and there is no way he could eat at that time.

I was so bummed considering I did exactly what I was supposed to do to make the ADR and yet they were all booked already. I am hoping that staying at Poly they may be able to do something for us and make it a little earlier if possible. I can't imagine just starting a meal at that time of day.

We will see I guess.

There's nothing special they'll be able to do at Poly to get you a better time at CRT ... you can always ask the Lobby Concierge folks to check things out for you, but they can't get anything done that you couldn't do for yourself by calling yourself. Sorry.

My advice to you is to see the 9:50 a.m. breakfast ADR at CRT as an experience rather than as your first meal of the day. CRT is much more about the experience than about the food, anyway. My strong advice is to get something light to eat at Capt. Cook's before going to MK that morning ... that way, your husband can get some food on-board to maintain proper blood glucose, but y'all won't have to eat so much that you spoil your breakfast, if you know what I mean. Maybe you can have some yogurt or something else from the refrigerator cases, or maybe the two of you could split an order of Tonga Toast or split a child breakfast platter, or grab some fruit or cereal-and-milk, something like that.

PLEASE don't let a little something like that spoil your good time. It's really not "horrible" ... you'll be at Disney World, after all! I guarantee you that "horrible" Sunday at WDW will be a lot more fun than today will be!