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

[jedi jen]

SeaSpray,

I also want to say sorry you have had to deal with health issues and hope you are feeling better soon. I also want to thank you for starting this thread. Also, I always am interested in what you have to say. You are always so informative and kindhearted. I am not sure if that is the perfect description, but I know that I am going to smile after I read you. You always make me smile.

Now, I must admit I am not feeling too bad for you staying garden view concierge. I am going to be doing garden view (no concierge) at the Poly and am sooo excited. I have never stayed at the Poly before, and am looking forward to it. I agree with the idea that for you, you will get to enjoy something new. However, when I try to tell my son that we can stay in values to try all the experiences of Disney and get new experiences, he tells me he is fine just the way things are (we have stayed at the Contemporary thus far). Smart kid. He is looking forward to the Poly though, and the volcano pool.

Jennifer

 

[padisneylover]

Sea Spray,
Sorry to hear you aren't feeling well. Hopefully things will improve faster than you expect and you will be able to enjoy your trip. I to would like to voice my thanks for this great thread since once again I have switched resorts and am back to PCLV due mostly to your encouragement and this site.

 

[MagicalEars]

I hope you feel better soon SeaSpray! Who knows, maybe a WDW trip in May will help you feel better, or at least help take your mind off things.


Question:
It seems allot of your take advantage of AP discounts. Do you have to buy the premium AP passes, or will you get those same discounts with the regular? Also, how do you find out about the AP discounts? Do they email you, or inform you when you go to book your trip? Or do you have to constantly visit the WDW site to know?

 

[RachelTori]

I hope you feel better soon SeaSpray! Who knows, maybe a WDW trip in May will help you feel better, or at least help take your mind off things.


Question:
It seems allot of your take advantage of AP discounts. Do you have to buy the premium AP passes, or will you get those same discounts with the regular? Also, how do you find out about the AP discounts? Do they email you, or inform you when you go to book your trip? Or do you have to constantly visit the WDW site to know?

You just need a regular AP. Unfortunately, AP discounts are becoming fewer and fewer. Once you have an AP, you can log into the Passholder website to see current offers, but most of us just check the boards here. This is the most reliable place for current info! (And I don't EVER count on WDW to send email notifications - I know better! )


Terry, feel better. So sorry you're having health issues.

 

[mr.mike]

Hello fellow Polynesian resort fans
Those of you who've stayed garden concierge, which floor were you on, where was your room located, and what was your view? Not that it matters really, but I'm curious now Thanks!

Sorry for your troubles, SeaSpray

When We stayed last July our group had 2 rooms, ome lagoon and one garden. I forget the room number but we were on the first floor about halfway down from the concierge desks

The garden view was nice because we could see the pool but it also seemed sort of private sitting on the patio.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

So sorry to hear about the health problems, SeaSpray! Here's best wishes for gaining more energy back for your trip in May!

 

[mickey2minnie1]

It's cheaper to order them from H20's site! They mark them up, when you compare ounce for ounce! Beware...

I order from the H2O site and the price for the shampoo is the same with the same ounces. No mouse, though. The conditioner is actually 2 dollars less on the resort site. I did notice that the H2O site is running a special on the shower gel and lotions - $6.00

I am hooked! Loooove the stuff and it reminds me too of the Poly. I want to order from the resrt so I can see that hidden Mickey everday, lol. (My daughter put hidden Mickey wallies on her wall for fun.)

 

[BCV23]

Seaspray, i'm sorry to hear of your health problems. I hope you're much better by May.

We've stayed several times gardenview concierge when we couldn't get lagoon. Always on the 1st floor. From the rooms we've had, you can't even see the pool but just the lovely landscaping around it.

But I think just plain old gardenview is a great choice as well. You can order a lot of room service or special treats for the difference in price and the views are just lovely. Some longhouses are better situated than Hawaii if you will be having trouble walking.

Good luck.

 

[XxDisneyFan00xX]

Aloha,
I was just wondering if the Polynesian still has the YoaMD mugs?
Mahalo and Aloha.

 

[dishm12/08]

Hope you feel better Seaspray.

 

[XxDisneyFan00xX]

I hope you feel better SeaSpray.

 

[Maxie86]

Sea Spray, Hope you are feeling better so you can enjoy your trip in May, even if you have to rough it in garden view concierge.

 

[CinderellyCinderelly]

I am attempting a pre-TR and when I come back I'll do a full TR!! I'm staying @ the Poly so if you guys have any questions you can check it out when I get back!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Terry,

Hope you are feeling better. I think the Poly might be just the right medicine for you!

Get better and take lots of pictures - your pictures are what makes me want to go back to the Poly (and makes me feel ok if we have to stay at POR for my girls "Twirlmania" trip).

Get better soon.

 

[torian]

seapray,

first, thank u for starting this thread. It's really helping me plan!!
I am sorry to hear about your health problems...I hope you feel better soon! I'm new to all the disney lingo, but I am sprinkling pixie dust for you.

My H is set on Poly, and I am, too....but part of me is balking at the price. Can u believe it??? I'm wondering if we will stay at the resort more than just to sleep.

I have a 7 and 8 year old. I was thinking of going value, but when I looked at the resorts, they just looked so kiddie-like to me. Not sure if they would like it. And my H would not like squishing into a bus late at night to get back to the resort.

I guess I just need to know if the price of Poly's obvious features (close to the TTC, monorail, fireworks from the beach, themed pool, drinkable coffee???) is worth the cost.

thanks!

 

[XxDisneyFan00xX]

seapray,

first, thank u for starting this thread. It's really helping me plan!!
I am sorry to hear about your health problems...I hope you feel better soon! I'm new to all the disney lingo, but I am sprinkling pixie dust for you.

My H is set on Poly, and I am, too....but part of me is balking at the price. Can u believe it??? I'm wondering if we will stay at the resort more than just to sleep.
I have a 7 and 8 year old. I was thinking of going value, but when I looked at the resorts, they just looked so kiddie-like to me. Not sure if they would like it. And my H would not like squishing into a bus late at night to get back to the resort.

I guess I just need to know if the price of Poly's obvious features (close to the TTC, monorail, fireworks from the beach, themed pool, drinkable coffee???) is worth the cost.

thanks!

I've always had this theory of deluxe resorts versus value resorts. See to me some people stay in the value resorts because they want to be at the parks all day, and they only need a place to sleep. Deluxe resorts however, are the exact opposite. People stay at the deluxe resorts to relax more, and not go to the parks all day.

Every single time we've stayed at a deluxe resort, we have always come back to the hotel during the middle of the day to relax. We walked to the grand floridian and sat there listening to the music, looking at the beautiufl view of Magic Kingdom Castle.

I don't want to be flammed for my theory, it's just a thought.

 

[torian]

I've always had this theory of deluxe resorts versus value resorts. See to me some people stay in the value resorts because they want to be at the parks all day, and they only need a place to sleep. Deluxe resorts however, are the exact opposite. People stay at the deluxe resorts to relax more, and not go to the parks all day.

Every single time we've stayed at a deluxe resort, we have always come back to the hotel during the middle of the day to relax. We walked to the grand floridian and sat there listening to the music, looking at the beautiufl view of Magic Kingdom Castle.

I don't want to be flammed for my theory, it's just a thought.

thanks!

this will be our first trip to WDW with our kids, and 4 parks, 1 water park, and DTD is going to be overwhelming itself. I've built in time so we can just relax...SWIM, maybe rent a watercraft. The mental image of us racing to do it all, only to come back to a value resort (exhausted) only to do it again in the morning does not seem too appealing to me.

 

[Lizzy Lemon]

Hi there, I'm waiting to be able to book our family holiday for July 09 in the next couple of months but then DH told me yesterday he would really like to split our stay to include the Poly (we passed by briefly last year on the monorail) so now I'm doing my homework and from looking at the photos on here and reading the reports I'm glad he's mentioned it. In fact the info is so good I don't think I've got any questions, just a comment to agree with the above and that IMO deluxe resorts are worth the money, we as a family do a lot more in resort that just sleep in the room. We will have to save every penny we've got in order to return next year but we plan on doing this every couple of years for as long as we can. Live is for living and my boys are growing too fast, I'm going to grab every special moment I can to make special memories.

 

[SeaSpray]

Seaspray! I hope you are doing better. This thread you created has been so helpful to me and we leave next week. I can't wait to report back! I think your vacation will be fine, and if you have done lagoon view before then it will be worth it to try something new!

Thank you I agree, it will be a great opportunity to take some pictures from that side of the Hawaii building!

SeaSpray/Terry:

I just wanted to say I'm sorry you've been feeling badly and hope that things turn around so you can enjoy your trip in May! Even though we consider our family Poly vets, I've still gotten so much from the info you provide and just wanted to let you know we appreciate it (and you!)!

Thanks! I have a lot of fun trying to take pictures of everything I see. LOL I think the strangest thing I've ever taken a picture of was an ashtray outside the doors of the Grand Floridian. It was early in the morning and the sand inside the ashtray had been pressed down with the form of the GF logo! LOL I also like how the ashtrays at the Polynesian are filled with small lava rocks! LOL They really DO theme EVERYTHING at these resorts!

SeaSpray,

Another thanks for this thread! Because of it, I booked at the Poly for May 2009 .

I'm sorry you've not been well. I hope you feel better soon.

Good luck "slumming it" on the Garden side of concierge with the other "common folk". I'm sure you'll have a great time regardless. There's always the lounge for the view.

I'm laughing at your "slumming" comment! I knew a few people might kid me about that! It's definitely not slumming, and there's no way I feel sorry for myself about this; but I also knew that a lot of you here would understand how I felt about the resort in general, how much I love it, and how special that view really is! I know I'll have a great time regardless!!

SeaSpray,

I also want to say sorry you have had to deal with health issues and hope you are feeling better soon. I also want to thank you for starting this thread. Also, I always am interested in what you have to say. You are always so informative and kindhearted. I am not sure if that is the perfect description, but I know that I am going to smile after I read you. You always make me smile.

Now, I must admit I am not feeling too bad for you staying garden view concierge. I am going to be doing garden view (no concierge) at the Poly and am sooo excited. I have never stayed at the Poly before, and am looking forward to it. I agree with the idea that for you, you will get to enjoy something new. However, when I try to tell my son that we can stay in values to try all the experiences of Disney and get new experiences, he tells me he is fine just the way things are (we have stayed at the Contemporary thus far). Smart kid. He is looking forward to the Poly though, and the volcano pool.

Jennifer

I don't feel too bad for me either. And I absolutely would switch to a regular garden view room, and actually I wish I could postpone to the fall altogether, but we have our aunt traveling with us who hasn't been to WDW in over 20 years and it always was her dream to stay at the Polynesian and when she saw my pictures she immediately said she wants to stay concierge! LOL She's already in a garden concierge room, so now my DH and I will be, as well. Hey your DS IS a very smart kid, I like how he thinks! LOL I hope he enjoys the Polynesian as much as he has enjoyed the Contemporary.

Sea Spray,
Sorry to hear you aren't feeling well. Hopefully things will improve faster than you expect and you will be able to enjoy your trip. I to would like to voice my thanks for this great thread since once again I have switched resorts and am back to PCLV due mostly to your encouragement and this site.

Thank you!

I hope you feel better soon SeaSpray! Who knows, maybe a WDW trip in May will help you feel better, or at least help take your mind off things.


Question:
It seems allot of your take advantage of AP discounts. Do you have to buy the premium AP passes, or will you get those same discounts with the regular? Also, how do you find out about the AP discounts? Do they email you, or inform you when you go to book your trip? Or do you have to constantly visit the WDW site to know?

Thank you for your good wishes. And I know others have already answered this but I want to add that I definitely find out about the AP dates right here on the DIS first. Then eventually I do get an email from Disney about it. Also, just a regular AP will do.

Terry, feel better. So sorry you're having health issues.

Thanks!!!!!

Sorry for your troubles, SeaSpray

When We stayed last July our group had 2 rooms, ome lagoon and one garden. I forget the room number but we were on the first floor about halfway down from the concierge desks

The garden view was nice because we could see the pool but it also seemed sort of private sitting on the patio.

Thanks! I realized it was a pretty dumb question to ask "what was the view from the garden side of the building"!! But I meant, specificially, what rooms have what views because I've walked behind the Hawaii building when on our way to the path to the TTC and I saw that each of the rooms could have quite different views, depending on what end. I think the middle of the floor would be nice because you're more out in the open, but I remember there also being a lot of bushes and trees back there too. Like I said, it really doesn't matter to me what the view is; it's not gonna be the castle no matter what.

So sorry to hear about the health problems, SeaSpray! Here's best wishes for gaining more energy back for your trip in May!

Thank you so much

Seaspray, i'm sorry to hear of your health problems. I hope you're much better by May.

We've stayed several times gardenview concierge when we couldn't get lagoon. Always on the 1st floor. From the rooms we've had, you can't even see the pool but just the lovely landscaping around it.

But I think just plain old gardenview is a great choice as well. You can order a lot of room service or special treats for the difference in price and the views are just lovely. Some longhouses are better situated than Hawaii if you will be having trouble walking.

Good luck.

Thanks. That's pretty much what I expect, just a view of the grounds and landscaping, and that'll be great, at least I'm AT the Polynesian! I agree that even a garden room at that resort would be great too. I'll probably be having to rent one of those electric wheel chairs so actual location won't be as important since I won't be walking. If the wheelchairs weren't available I'd definitely have to have a closer location to the GCH.

Hope you feel better Seaspray.

Thank you!!

I hope you feel better SeaSpray.

Thanks!

Sea Spray, Hope you are feeling better so you can enjoy your trip in May, even if you have to rough it in garden view concierge.

Hehehe...I read this to my DH last night and we both got a chuckle!

I am attempting a pre-TR and when I come back I'll do a full TR!! I'm staying @ the Poly so if you guys have any questions you can check it out when I get back!

I'll definitely check this out, thanks!

Terry,

Hope you are feeling better. I think the Poly might be just the right medicine for you!

Get better and take lots of pictures - your pictures are what makes me want to go back to the Poly (and makes me feel ok if we have to stay at POR for my girls "Twirlmania" trip).

Get better soon.

Thanks! We'll be taking a lot more pictures. LOL POR is a very nice resort, and if I didn't have the medical issues that I have, I'd be staying there more often! My DH has never stayed there (last year when I stayed there I was wish a friend of mine on a Girls Only trip). I hope some day to not have to worry about renting a scooter or having to go back to rest so much which is why I like the Polynesian because we spend most of our time at the MK and Epcot so the transportation and time involved is great. But if/when that day comes, then I definitely will be staying at POR again!

seapray,

first, thank u for starting this thread. It's really helping me plan!!
I am sorry to hear about your health problems...I hope you feel better soon! I'm new to all the disney lingo, but I am sprinkling pixie dust for you.

My H is set on Poly, and I am, too....but part of me is balking at the price. Can u believe it??? I'm wondering if we will stay at the resort more than just to sleep.

I have a 7 and 8 year old. I was thinking of going value, but when I looked at the resorts, they just looked so kiddie-like to me. Not sure if they would like it. And my H would not like squishing into a bus late at night to get back to the resort.

I guess I just need to know if the price of Poly's obvious features (close to the TTC, monorail, fireworks from the beach, themed pool, drinkable coffee???) is worth the cost.

thanks!

Thanks for the good wishes. I personally think that the Polynesian is worth it, for all of the reasons you mentioned. And my advice to people is that if they can comfortably afford the price difference, then absolutely choose the Polynesian. But if it's a financial strain, or if they'd be concerned during their trip whether they'd be getting their money's worth or not, then I say that maybe the Polynesian isn't the best choice for them because I've seen some people come back angry and say that they didn't feel that they got their money's worth. A LOT of people apparently feel that the Polynesian IS worth the price difference though because it has so many return guests. I hope you have a great time, no matter where you stay!!

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

I've always had this theory of deluxe resorts versus value resorts. See to me some people stay in the value resorts because they want to be at the parks all day, and they only need a place to sleep. Deluxe resorts however, are the exact opposite. People stay at the deluxe resorts to relax more, and not go to the parks all day. ]

That's pretty much how I see it. We do a value resort for the first part of our stay because we're trying to hit as many rides and shows as we can because we just got to WDW. We only come back briefly for a short nap and to go back to the parks to experience more attractions. But during the second part of our stay we check into a deluxe (usually the Poly) to relax more and shop at places we wouldn't while 'commando' touring. I love relaxing with my DD8 at the 'center' of the World at the Poly! As for the cost, well, I just budget it in and don't think about it any more. The money doesn't mean as much as my daughter hugging me and saying, "I love you, Mommy and I love being at Disney World!" while watching the fireworks from our room at the Poly.

Every single time we've stayed at a deluxe resort, we have always come back to the hotel during the middle of the day to relax. We walked to the grand floridian and sat there listening to the music, looking at the beautiufl view of Magic Kingdom Castle.

I don't want to be flammed for my theory, it's just a thought.

You'll get no flames from me. We spend a few days not even going to the parks (okay, well, we'll drop in for a show or two but that's it) while at the Poly. I'll get so much into a relaxed mode that while a t the MK I'll wonder, "What are people rushing around for?"