The *NEW* Polynesian Resort FAQ thread - *2008*

[brunette8706]

Once you go Kona....you'll never go back!

*******

Yes, that's what I heard! LOL!

 

[Tess]

This is definitely something to think about. My sons are 15 and 19. The 15 year old is the one that can eat you out of house and home (he is 6 foot 5 inches and weighs 240 lbs.) The last time we were on the regular dining plan it was actually too much food- having a sitdown meal every night when they would of settled for counter service for lunch and dinner. I have some time to think about this as you can see from my ticker!!


Any one else have thoughts on this matter?

Just an aside and a bit off topic, but what the heck, our son is 6'1" (or really close) and weighs only 150#; yet he eats as if he were an NFL center! Isn't it unreal where they put it all! I will say this though--he does not spend a great deal of time munching through the parks, but he packs it away when we do stop to eat. I keep telling him that someday it will catch up to him and he gives me the "I've got good genes" thing. . .we'll see.

 

[Me&3]

My stays at Poly have always been CL. The private check-in is wonderful. You are seated in a comfortable chair and there are other chairs or sofas for the rest of your party to relax while you check in. They even put out cookies and juice while you're waiting for their computers to check you in. The CMs give you your leis and a library full of info. And if your room isn't ready, your bags are already there and you have immediate access to the lounge where you'll almost always find something to munch on. And juices and soda is available always. A word about the dining plans. I have never purchased one. That's not to say that the offerings in the lounge are enough to fill my eating needs. I do so love a good full meal. But, I definitely don't spend as much money on food as I would be if I was paying for a dining plan.
Here's what I consider another plus....I have never made a dining reservation in advance of my trips. When I stay at Poly CL, all I have ever had to do is call the concierge desk (the one in the CL bldg) or see a concierge personally and tell them where I want to eat. I have never gotten turned down!
The CL concierge seem to know who to call and what to say and I have dined at some great places within an hour of requesting. We even did Hoop De Doo Revue within 3 hours of my request and I've been told that that is an impossibility. It seems that for Poly concierge, nothing is impossible.
Maybe I've just been lucky But, I'm sure that these people specialize in pixie dust.
Now, I'm not suggesting that anyone not make advance ressies. But it seems that whatever I have been too lazy or uninformed to do, the concierge has always come to my rescue. Afterall, isn't that what concierge is paid to do?
I hope everyone is having a magical day!

Well that explains why they ask you where you are staying when you make ADR.

 

[lustergirl]

Just an aside and a bit off topic, but what the heck, our son is 6'1" (or really close) and weighs only 150#; yet he eats as if he were an NFL center! Isn't it unreal where they put it all! I will say this though--he does not spend a great deal of time munching through the parks, but he packs it away when we do stop to eat. I keep telling him that someday it will catch up to him and he gives me the "I've got good genes" thing. . .we'll see.

It must of been the Similac formula he ate when he was baby- ha!! If I could buy the dining plan for just him that would be great. The rest of us could survive

 

[maidenfairy]

It must of been the Similac formula he ate when he was baby- ha!! If I could buy the dining plan for just him that would be great. The rest of us could survive

I have two little boys and the idea of how much they will eat as they get older frightens me
I may have to get a 2nd job just for their food bill.

 

[stnet]

We are leaving in 22 days yeah!! I want to ship a box of stuff to the hotel can anyone give me the address and any ideas on what should be on the outside of the box so the Poly knows its for a guest. It will arrive on the same day as we do but probably earlier since we don't land until 5:00 p.m.

 

[Aliceacc]

We are leaving in 22 days yeah!! I want to ship a box of stuff to the hotel can anyone give me the address and any ideas on what should be on the outside of the box so the Poly knows its for a guest. It will arrive on the same day as we do but probably earlier since we don't land until 5:00 p.m.

Mr. John Doe
Disney's Polynesian Resort1600 Seven Seas Drive
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000


Hold for guest arrival 9/02/08

 

[lirija]

Hi all,
I will be arriving for my first trip to WDW ever, and we will be staying at the Poly. With me will be DH, DS (8) and DD (3). Both just had birthdays, and this is their big gift! Poly was for us, too ;-) I am so glad for all the tips and advice I have culled from this website over the last 12 months as I slowly and methodically planned.
I look forward to posting my reviews and stories when I get back. Thanks all!!

 

[Kira G.]

Tikiman's site is down. Looks like he needs extra funding to keep it going so for the time being, we're outta luck.

BTW - I got into his site tonight by googling "Tikiman Disney". I don't know why my regular link wasn't working, but that worked fine.

In just 5 days I'll be at the Poly! Pinch me - I'm so excited!

 

[goopysolelady]

Mr. John Doe
Disney's Polynesian Resort1600 Seven Seas Drive
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000


Hold for guest arrival 9/02/08

Thank you!!

 

[Naisy68]

I'm starting to get a little nervous about the weather next week. Rumor has it there are more storms brewing. I'm trying not to listen but am starting to get a wee bit worried anyway. Has anyone heard anything more about the storms?
I have always wanted to stay Poly and now that we will be, I'm afraid we won't have the sunshine and beach to enjoy. I'm probably worrying a little too much. I'm adding some good vibes to see if that helps those of us headed down in the next week or so.

 

[mmmears]

Hi all,
I will be arriving for my first trip to WDW ever, and we will be staying at the Poly. With me will be DH, DS (8) and DD (3). Both just had birthdays, and this is their big gift! Poly was for us, too ;-) I am so glad for all the tips and advice I have culled from this website over the last 12 months as I slowly and methodically planned.
I look forward to posting my reviews and stories when I get back. Thanks all!!

Welcome! I hope you and your family have a fantastic first trip to WDW!!! I'll be waiting to read your reviews!

 

[jkswimming]

I'm starting to get a little nervous about the weather next week. Rumor has it there are more storms brewing. I'm trying not to listen but am starting to get a wee bit worried anyway. Has anyone heard anything more about the storms?
I have always wanted to stay Poly and now that we will be, I'm afraid we won't have the sunshine and beach to enjoy. I'm probably worrying a little too much. I'm adding some good vibes to see if that helps those of us headed down in the next week or so.

Just got back from first stay at the Poly. It is beautiful, but unfortunately it rained most of the time we were there. First there was some kind of low pressure that wouldn't move, and then Fay, who wouldn't move and/or moved in the wrong direction!

We did get to watch Wishes from the beach Saturday night -- it was beautiful; and we went in the pool despite the rain. Hey, at least we saved a bundle on sun screen.

We had one glorious day of full sun and spent much of it enjoying the grounds at the Poly.

If you have them, I would bring real raincoats, ponchos for more than an hour or two are annoying.

We still enjoyed ourselves, and the Poly is so well located for all transportation so getting places was really easy which we really appreciated since the weather was so ick!

Sending pixie dust in hopes that you'll have fab weather!

 

[Aliceacc]

I'm starting to get a little nervous about the weather next week. Rumor has it there are more storms brewing. I'm trying not to listen but am starting to get a wee bit worried anyway. Has anyone heard anything more about the storms?
I have always wanted to stay Poly and now that we will be, I'm afraid we won't have the sunshine and beach to enjoy. I'm probably worrying a little too much. I'm adding some good vibes to see if that helps those of us headed down in the next week or so.

WE got home a few hours before Tropical Storm Fay arrived in Orlando. I've got to tell you: in spite of all the misery it caused in Southern FL, it MADE our vacation!!

Tuesday morning all 4 major parks opened at 8 am, anticipating an early closing because of the storm. (We got a phone call announcing the change the night before.) We got to the MK at rope drop on Tuesday, along with maybe 200 other people. (As opposed to the thousands who are normally there for rope drop.) We walked on to almost every single ride all day long!! We hit 5 rides in the first 45 minutes!!! My kids went on the Indy Speedway 3 times that day, and only waited a maximum of 10 minutes for any one time. When we walked by Splash Mountain at about 1:30, it had a 10 minute wait!!!

So time spent away from the beach is most definitely time spent in the parks-- it's a win/win situation at the Poly!!

Stock up on ponchos and have a blast!!

 

[BootsJessie]

Thanks for all you input and suggestions, went and upgraded to GV CL
Just when I thought the anticipation couldn't get any worse, I can't wait!!!
Think we made the right choice for sure, with all the extra perks you get CL and my kids never stop eating. 3 boys can't imagine what it'll be like when they're teenagers.
Down to the single digits today !!!!!!

 

[MUFFYCAT]

Thanks for all you input and suggestions, went and upgraded to GV CL
Just when I thought the anticipation couldn't get any worse, I can't wait!!!
Think we made the right choice for sure, with all the extra perks you get CL and my kids never stop eating. 3 boys can't imagine what it'll be like when they're teenagers.
Down to the single digits today !!!!!!

Congradulations! You'll be so happy you upgraded!
Once you go concierge/club it's hard to go back. The family will love the lounge.

I get up early so last week I was in lounge at 6 a.m. drinking coffee and watching the sun come up.

 

[BootsJessie]

Congradulations! You'll be so happy you upgraded!
Once you go concierge/club it's hard to go back. The family will love the lounge.

I get up early so last week I was in lounge at 6 a.m. drinking coffee and watching the sun come up.

Thanks! Sounds lovely.
Just wish now I had done it from the start cause their vacation planners sound like they would have been a huge help. I'm gonna give them a call anyway, I'm sure they can help me fine tune what I've done so far on my own as this is our first trip and I have no idea what I'm doing

 

[bilnsheldodisney]

concierge as much as we did. Enjoy it!!!

Another thing they are helpful for is resolving conflicts. The night we did the fantasmic dinner package, fantasmic was canceled due to lightening. Everyone was so angry that we didn't hear the announcements over the crowd's boos. The next morning, I spoke with Lawrence at concierge who directed me to guest relations at DS who told me that the show part is actually free (so there are no refunds) but if we went to guest relations they would give us another preferred seating voucher for a night of our choosing. When my hubby ran over to get the new voucher the CM at DS guest relations (who was a total snot) told him sorry - nothing she could do - we'd have to stand in line for 2 hours like everyone else. I went to the poly concierge desk while he was still there and Kathy helped me out by calling and speaking to the supervisor over at DS and we got our preferred seating voucher. Remember - they are there to help you and they actually seem to like doing it.

 

[litlpixie2]

We fly out tonight and check into the Poly for the weekend before our package starts. We are so excited, we have never stayed at the Poly before. I sure hope tomm. (Saturday) isnt a wash-out, as thats our "hang around the resort day"

 

[JRDMAN]

Thanks for all you input and suggestions, went and upgraded to GV CL
Just when I thought the anticipation couldn't get any worse, I can't wait!!!
Think we made the right choice for sure, with all the extra perks you get CL and my kids never stop eating. 3 boys can't imagine what it'll be like when they're teenagers.
Down to the single digits today !!!!!!

Congrats
I sincerely think you made the right choice. And you'll be thanking all the good people here again for their input. And the nice thing about the thank yous is that no one here really needs to be thanked. Just being able to share our experiences is a gift in itself. Oops, I have no right to speak for anyone else but me. But I think others will express the same sentiments as I.
These threads help to keep the magic near to me and I feel like I'm part of a big family who knows and loves DW and Poly and keeps the magic alive through our posts.
I hope everyone is having a magical day!