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

[kerry331]

lovmy2girls,
great! I see you are a Poly expert too...wow you have been to disney a lot!!!
Any tips on the sites to NOT miss out on???

 

[disneygirlinnj]

I'm heading there on Wednesday! the 7th to the 11th! I'm actually in the process of packing right now...eeeek!

I say bring on jacket per child. If possible too, you MIGHT want to consider bringing something into the parks during the day? I KNOW it's going to be HOT but inside the rides and shows it might get a little cool with the air blasting. I never had a problem but I know my mom always gets cold and she complained a few times.

If you'll be in the hotel at the right time (ask the front desk), try to watch the ceremonial torch lighting ceremony and also the hula lesson (i could be totally wrong with the hula lesson but I thought they did something like that!). They should give you a schedule when you check in!

Have a GREAT time!!! Maybe we'll run into each other!

 

[triplefigs]

Hi. We're thinking of booking a trip for May 2009 at the Poly. We would want either LV or TPV. Could you please tell me what the difference in each of these views? Specifically which one would let you see the monorail, CR or GF, and fireworks? And how is the pool and slide?

 

[MEredhead]

Anyone going to the Poly this week or next?? Cannot wait to go! We are going May 9-13th!!! FIRST TIMERS! My 3 little kids are so excited about it all (ages 6,4 and 2). I can't wait. I hope 4 nights/ 5 days is enough... i am sure we'll want to stay longer!
Do you think my kids will need jackets or sweaters for the evenings there? I am trying to be smart when we go to pack our suitcases. I am trying to remember everything yet i hate to bring everything + the kitchen sink!!!!

We will see you there! We leave on Thursday for a week. Its not our first trip to WDW but our first trip to the Poly. Im so excited - our DDs 5 and the birthday girl turning 4 dont know yet, its a surprise trip. I cant believe I have kept the secert this long - lets just hope they dont make a trip to the basement in the next few days and see their suitcases! We are taking one sweatshirt since they will need it until we get on the plane - not to mention I am also cold on planes. Otherwise we are just bringing a light rain jacket and one pair of pants. 60 hours and counting!!

 

[BCV23]

Hi. We're thinking of booking a trip for May 2009 at the Poly. We would want either LV or TPV. Could you please tell me what the difference in each of these views? Specifically which one would let you see the monorail, CR or GF, and fireworks? And how is the pool and slide?

The best monorail views are actually gardenview rooms in Raratonga and Aotearoa. One side of each building faces the monorail. One side of Rapa Nui also faces the monorail but it's further away. Gardenview rooms at the Polynesian are wonderful. Any room is so close to one of the 3 beaches that it is easy to walk out to see Wishes and the Electrical Water Pageant.

I think it's called MK view at the Polynesian not TPV. But it means an unobstructed view of the castle. Lagoonview rooms also face the MK but may have a palm tree or even that little island blocking the view of the MK.

Rooms in Tahiti and Tuvalu would allow you to see CR and GF. I think those in Aotearoa would not afford a view of the CR. You could also see the monorail from any of these rooms but at a distance as it zooms around Seven Seas Lagoon.

The volcano pool is great. Zero entry, great slide. One of the beaches is steps from it. There is also another pool that my family enjoys sometimes. Much less busy and nice seating area around it.

Have you visited Tikiman's site? It is fantastic.

You'll love the Polynesian, Denise. We've stayed there over 30 times and think there's nothing like it. Happy planning.

 

[megal0331]

We just got back from the Poly and it was truly amazing. I am so looking forward to going back. We got a free upgrade to the Hawaii building with a view of the Cinderella Castle. It was magical.

I posted a mini trip report on my blog:
http://rileyronanmomma.blogspot.com

Can't wait to go back!

 

[megal0331]

Does anyone know if the items for sale at Kona Island count as snack credits on the DDP?

I actually bought a bagel and cream cheese for my ds at that stand and they took a snack credit. The key is to ask right before you order, just to make sure....

 

[megal0331]

It's $25 if you pre-purchase a PhotoPass CD (with proof) and $125 if you don't. They take pictures of your party around the Poly, GF or SS. They're not professional photographers, but it is a nice way to get a PhotoPass person to yourself for 20 or so minutes (the man I talked to yesterday said 30 minutes, but I've been seeing 20 posted elsewhere). There are different numbers to set up the appointments at different resorts. I posted the Poly number a few posts back, I think. I don't have it in front of me at the moment.

We didn't do it, but wished we did. We were able to witness a couple photo shoots while we were lounging around the Poly and they really take you all over the place to get pictures. It's definitely worth it if you can get it booked. Looking back, it would have been great to get some pics of us at our resort....oh well...

 

[megal0331]

Just curious what is the going rate for a mousekeeping tip? I don't want to be a cheepo but don't want to go overboard either.

We did $4 a day and lucked out because we also got turn-down service every single night! So, we tipped for that too.

 

[lovmy2girls]

lovmy2girls,
great! I see you are a Poly expert too...wow you have been to disney a lot!!!
Any tips on the sites to NOT miss out on???

Hey Kerry331

Don't miss 'Ohana dinner, your family will have fun there with the games and such, and if you can squeeze it in, breakfast there is one of the best in regards to spending time with the characters, (or at least it was last time I was there), Stitch and Pluto came to our table 2 or 3 times, and it was a lot of fun, and MICKEY TOO!

In regards to going to Disney a lot, its just a perk of living in Florida! Discounts!

We check in Sunday after the cruise, and we are so excited to be back!

Try and take breaks from the parks and enjoy your resort as much as you can. Even when it was our first time with the girls in the summer of 04, stoping mid day and then returning later in the afternoon sure did help. Its hard going "commando" all day with kids. JMHO.

See ya there, I'm the Pooh size mom, with the bald husband and two blond girls. You can't miss us! My name is Angela. And we are mostly at the pool bar, racking up our bill with Tim the bartender!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Hi. We're thinking of booking a trip for May 2009 at the Poly. We would want either LV or TPV. Could you please tell me what the difference in each of these views? Specifically which one would let you see the monorail, CR or GF, and fireworks? And how is the pool and slide?

If you were to make a reservation for a Club Level Lagoon View, you are guaranteed to get a room in the Hawaii Longhouse and would have a view of Cinderella's Castle for Wishes, the Contemporary and Grand Floridian.

 

[BCV23]

We just got back from the Poly and it was truly amazing. I am so looking forward to going back. We got a free upgrade to the Hawaii building with a view of the Cinderella Castle. It was magical.

I posted a mini trip report on my blog:
http://rileyronanmomma.blogspot.com

Can't wait to go back!

What a great upgrade. Lucky you!!!

The Polynesian is magical, isn't it?

 

[mr.mike]

Do you think my kids will need jackets or sweaters for the evenings there? I am trying to be smart when we go to pack our suitcases. I am trying to remember everything yet i hate to bring everything + the kitchen sink!!!!

For what its worth... last week we brought light jackets with us and didn't need them at all. Not during the day when it was 85 not during the nights when it was 69 and not even on a fireworks cruise which went out right after a bit of rain. i thought for sure we would need them then but we didn't.

 

[mr.mike]

If you were to make a reservation for a Club Level Lagoon View, you are guaranteed to get a room in the Hawaii Longhouse and would have a view of Cinderella's Castle for Wishes, the Contemporary and Grand Floridian.

That is such a great view, isn't it? We'll be there in 2 months and I can't wait to have that view again.

I've been using some solar relief gel we got on our last trip to get me in the mood.

 

[huntconn]

I posted this question as an individual thread yesterday but no one replied to it. Since the marina in question is the Polynesian specifically I'm curious to see if anyone can help me out. I really enjoy renting the various watercraft at the Poly but always find the life vests to be very uncomfortable. Does anyone know if you are allowed to use your own life vests while renting watercraft at the Poly?

 

[donalds girl]

I think DH has finally given me the "go-ahead" to book the Poly for this Sept-Oct!!!
This would be our 3rd year in a row going to Disney, so he's been on the fence for a while. (actually I think he's just embarassed about telling the guys at work that we are going again )
We've never stayed at the Poly, but we ate at Ohana's last Sept. and I just knew I had to stay here the next time! I just can't believe I get to start planning all over again- it's my favorite thing to do. And this thread is awesome! I've been reading it slowly for the past week or so -it's quite long & I think I'm halfway through. I'm sure I'll be posting lots of questions in the coming weeks/months!!
Yeah I'm so excited!!! Now just hoping for some pixie dust for one of those magic "codes"!!

Hey Fellow New Yorker/Yankee Fan!
Definately go for it! I don't think I'll stay anywhere but the Poly again! It was GREAT!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

That is such a great view, isn't it? We'll be there in 2 months and I can't wait to have that view again.

I've been using some solar relief gel we got on our last trip to get me in the mood.

It is a great view.

 

[honeybee30]

I actually bought a bagel and cream cheese for my ds at that stand and they took a snack credit. The key is to ask right before you order, just to make sure....

Thanks for the tip! I visited your blog & it looks like your family had a great trip at WDW. Your kids are so cute. And what an amazing upgrade to LVC! I think I would have cried too!

 

[kerry331]

Angela, Hope to see you there! I am a red head, and I'm short, and i am 5 months pregnant. I'll be there w/my husband... I will be the one at the pool looking mighty ridiculous in a 2 piece.
with 2 brunette daughters and a 2 yr old little boy who will more than likely be raising hell. Quite a scream on that one. So, you'll see us for sure. (You'll 'hear' us at least! LOL!)

 

[MagicalEars]

Anyone going to the Poly this week or next?? Cannot wait to go! We are going May 9-13th!!! FIRST TIMERS! My 3 little kids are so excited about it all (ages 6,4 and 2). I can't wait. I hope 4 nights/ 5 days is enough... i am sure we'll want to stay longer!
Do you think my kids will need jackets or sweaters for the evenings there? I am trying to be smart when we go to pack our suitcases. I am trying to remember everything yet i hate to bring everything + the kitchen sink!!!!

We'll be there from the 11th-17th. Just look for the guy that looks like he's 15 but with a receeding(<-----did I even spell that right, yeesh!) hairline with two beautiful girls and wife in tow. Wherever there is food and coffee is...that's where I'll be.

We are way over packing, but that comes with having a little one that just turned 1 on May 1st. All I can say is that it's a good thing we have a van, or else we would have to ship all our stuff down on the next train. We're running around right now packing as we leave tomorrow with a stop over in SC to visit my mom. Road trip!