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

[triplefigs]

Looks great!

 

[auntie]

GREAT pictures!! This is totally pumping me up for our May Poly trip!!


Three questions:

So, I know you can't swim in the lagoon, but are the kids allowed to splash and play on the shore? Or do they have to stay away from the water completely?

Also, are both pools open 24 hours?

Is it May yet??

There is always the risk of aligator(which we have seen...while playing golf) and were told that they have made their way into the water. Also the water moccasin snake..I've seen quite a few of those at the WL marina area.

There is an issue in regards to amoebas in the shallow waters of made man lakes in Fla. These organisms when they get into the brain are fatal. There were a couple of deaths in young children in the last few years. The problem is actually more with the bottom of the lake..including the shore.than in the deeper water, where they water ski..and don't touch the lake bottom. Personally, I'd keep my kids out of it. I wouldn't want to risk their health.
Just my feeling..after seeing those snakes in the water..I'm not signing up to water ski any time soon either!

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

Like I said, they do allow water-skiing on Bay Lake, and they don't rope off the beaches at WDW, so I'm sure the water is basically safe. But it's not "fresh" water (fed from a moving stream), and it's not the ocean, so I personally don't view it as "clean" water.

As someone who has been visiting relatives in Florida since she was 1, I've been told repeatedly by them that I was never to go anywhere near standing water, let alone play in it. Between gators, water moccassins, spiders, moquitoes and other organisms, I have a naturally ingrained fear of going anywhere near a body of water in Florida unless I'm fishing on shore or on a boat.

It's funny because I didn't even think about getting water from those areas until my daughter and nephew wanted to build sandcastles. They went running towards the water and I started yelling like a crazy lady. LOL! They decided they didn't want to be 'Gator bait' so they had loads of fun getting water from the shower and kids play area.

So if in August you saw some lady 'yelling' at her kids not to go near the water in the lagoon, that was probably me.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

Coming for my first trip to the Poly in April. Love this thread. Makes me anxious for my trip. Anybody have any opinions about the Spirit of Aloha show?

Well, I did it once to say I did it. Luau Cove is beautiful. The first part of the show is very hokey (in a fun way) but I didn't care for it much as it seemed too 'commercial' (yes I know, this is Disney). The latter parts of the show with the cultural dances I really liked! The food was okay--nothing great and I thought Kona Cafe was better. Overall it's a nice show but not something I'm anxious to go back and try.

Looking back I'm glad I gave it a try for myself.

 

[BCV23]

Since you have been there many times, you have a good perspective to share with folks as opposed to someone who has only been there once or twice.

You know, the opposite is one reason these boards are so much fun and so informative. My family has stayed at the Polynesian 30 times with the first stay in 1983 and the most recent in Oct of 07. But I'm always learning from others including those who've just enjoyed their very first Polynesian vacation. Things do change and we all have different experiences while we're there!

 

[becfehr]

A couple of years ago, I found a website for a guy that had all things Poly. Do you know what the link is? By the way.... LOVE all the info you put on here too!!! Big help!

 

[wideeyes]

Hi, this is a great thread, I have booked the Polynesian lagoon view room for next year for my dd who will be 7, she loved the hotel when we went for dinner at Ohana and Kona. I am hopeing for a room right near the beach.

 

[DisneyDad in PA]

Love the Poly!!

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

Since I have only been there once, I'll be sure to keep my opinions to myself. Sorry!!

Don't you dare! I've only been there twice and I need someone to 'back up' what I say.

 

[Goofy_4_WDW]

I really enjoyed reading through this and looking at these beautiful pictures! I now really want to someday try the Poly!!!!
I do have a question........Are all bathroom sinks in the bathroom? Does anyone find that a problem when you are a family of 4? We feel having the bathroom sinks outside of the bathroom can get us all out of the room sooner in the AM. It makes it easy for example, to blow dry my hair and put on makeup while my DH is in the shower. Thanks

 

[NJPluto]

SeaSpray, thanks SO much for starting this thread. Your pictures truly capture the beauty and magic of the Poly! I absolutely love everything about the Poly from the beautiful grounds to the fantastic restaurants to the relaxed atmosphere.

We'll be at WDW in Dec. DH has always wanted to stay at the GF so we're giving it a try. I thought I wouldn't miss the Poly but then I saw your pictures and got "homesick". Now I want to go back.

I'm sure we'll love our stay at the GF and I'm definitely excited for it, especially after reading the GF FAQ threads. That said, I think the Poly will always have my heart.

 

[DiznEeyore]

I really enjoyed reading through this and looking at these beautiful pictures! I now really want to someday try the Poly!!!!
I do have a question........Are all bathroom sinks in the bathroom? Does anyone find that a problem when you are a family of 4? We feel having the bathroom sinks outside of the bathroom can get us all out of the room sooner in the AM. It makes it easy for example, to blow dry my hair and put on makeup while my DH is in the shower. Thanks

All the Poly bathrooms do have the sink inside the bathroom. What we do to get around that is plug in the curling iron at the desk, and then I curl my hair there and often even put on my makeup there, too.

I have to say that the biggest thing that gets us up and out of the room fast is to shower the night before. That way no one really has to monopolize the bathroom in the a.m.

 

[Goofy_4_WDW]

Thank you DiznEeyore, Great idea to use desk for hair and makeup.

 

[Omma]

I asked this ? over on the resorts board but it occurred to me the "Poly experts" might actually be the ones to ask! When I called about our reservation (Poly - 6 nights in April) I was told we have a code attached to our name for free ticket upgrades (meaning we would get park hopper and water parks added on for free for five of us) but it is not good if we stay at the Poly. So...in order to use the code they said we'd have to move to the POR. Having never been to WDW I have no idea if this would make a big difference in our vacation or not. Switching resorts would save us $1700!

We originally chose the Poly because 1 - it looks BEAUTIFUL and 2 - I wanted to be on the monorail with the kids. So all you Poly experts tell me - is the Poly and the monorail worth the extra $1700?
Thank you!!

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

So all you Poly experts tell me - is the Poly and the monorail worth the extra $1700?
Thank you!!

With three children, ABSOLUTELY! Aside from the monorail (which is a huge plus and invaluable IMO), there are boat launches to the MK. I took four kids to WDW last August and the Poly was absolutely essential to the great time we had.

POR is cheaper and I did stay at POFQ twice but the buses made me .

 

[Omma]

With three children, ABSOLUTELY! Aside from the monorail (which is a huge plus and invaluable IMO), there are boat launches to the MK. I took four kids to WDW last August and the Poly was absolutely essential to the great time we had.

POR is cheaper and I did stay at POFQ twice but the buses made me .

Thank you MsStinkerBelle! That is what I was worried about...the kids will be 5 6, & 7 when we go and my gut feeling is I'm going to want that monorail. Plus - fireworks on the beach? That would be hard to give up.

 

[eclectics]

Since I have only been there once, I'll be sure to keep my opinions to myself. Sorry!!

Not what I meant at all. No offense intended.

The remark was tongue in cheek and meant to be toward a specific individual. I shouldn't have included it and I apologize if I ruffled a feather. I'll edit it out.

 

[Tig-girl]

Ok guys, I'm new to this thread having been a frequent poster on the WL and AKL threads over the years. BUT.....we are booked at the Poly for our September trip since my DH has always wanted to stay there. I broke down and agreed to give it a whirl.....
So can anyone give me any idea of special room requests I need to make? I don't know where preferred locations would be, or what I need to watch out for. Help!
And thanks in advance

 

[Little Bit]

subscribing

 

[henrylovespooh]

We stayed at the Poly from 1/24 to 1/28. It was too short a trip!

This was our first stay at the Poly and we absolutely loved it. The restaurants there are great, the rooms are nice, there's a beach, and you can't beat the Monorail, ferryboat and TTC connection.

As I said, we arrived on the morning of the 24th and left the afternoon of the 28th, so we didn't have much time to enjoy the resort. We spent most of our time in the parks. The weather wasn't really pool weather, either, so I can't say anything about them.

We were in the Tahiti Building, in room 1019. Ground floor, facing the beach and the MK. We reserved a Garden View room and made no specific request, but they must have upgraded us - and it was fabulous! My only complaint is that the walls seemed pretty thin - we could hear a baby crying in the room next door and people out in the hall. I don't recall that happening at a Disney resort before.

The Tahiti building is a short walk to the TTC. We always went there to get to MK and Epcot, and thought both the Monorail and ferry were great ways to get around.

We got to watch the fireworks and lighted water parade (can't remember the real name) at night when we weren't in the parks. Our kids are young, so it was easier to watch from our room and then let them go to bed.

We love the Poly restaurants. Kona Cafe is one of my favorite restaurants at WDW. Great service, and the food is great! We didn't have dinner at O'Hana this trip, but we have before and enjoyed it. We did have breakfast at O'Hana and it was good. We also had lunch once at Captain Cooks and liked it. They have Dole Whips in a self-serve machine. I think I like them at MK better, but they're still good.

I hope we can go back soon for at least a week so we can enjoy the resort as well as the parks.