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

[wiseguyslovethemouse]

Okay, we are SO excited to be going back to the Poly...haven't stayed there since 2005. Our kids have stayed other places, and always ask us when we're going back to the Poly, so wish me luck on keeping it a surprise until DECEMBER!

Anyway, we have only done the garden view, and as I was pricing, I'm wondering, is it worth it to pay almost $900 more for theme park view? I know that everyone has a different idea of what's "worth it", but really, just tell me if it's *that great*.

Thanks so much!!!!!

 

[shelleyr25]

Okay, we are SO excited to be going back to the Poly...haven't stayed there since 2005. Our kids have stayed other places, and always ask us when we're going back to the Poly, so wish me luck on keeping it a surprise until DECEMBER!

Anyway, we have only done the garden view, and as I was pricing, I'm wondering, is it worth it to pay almost $900 more for theme park view? I know that everyone has a different idea of what's "worth it", but really, just tell me if it's *that great*.

Thanks so much!!!!!

How much time will you be spending in your room looking out the window?? For us, if we had a view of a brick wall it wouldnt really matter because we are just there to sleep and shower.

 

[TDISFAMILY]

Thanks BVC23 for another option. This is why I love DISBoard so much. Everyone is so helpful

 

[Mom2twinboys]

How much time will you be spending in your room looking out the window?? For us, if we had a view of a brick wall it wouldnt really matter because we are just there to sleep and shower.

I totally agree! When we went with my in-laws 2 1/2 years ago we had a MK view at the GW and it was beautiful but we don't spend that much time in the room to really enjoy it. It was great when the paid for it but for us we have booked the garden view room. I have also read and read post on this thread that the garden view rooms at the Poly are the best because of the beautiful landscaping. This is our 1st stay at the Poly (just 9 more days ) but I think you can also walk out to the beach and enjoy the MK view.

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

Hi everyone this is a great thread, I finally finished reading everything and can't wait for more. We are staying at the poly in Dec for the 1st time and I am sooo excited. I am still a little confused on the boats/ferry and ECV's. My Dad will be on a EVC and I though they had 2 different kinds of boats 1 that doesn't allow evc and one that does if the person can get off while the boat is moving. After reading these post it doesn't seem like what I though is true but just want to make sure b/c if we can board a boat it would make going to the WL much easier via monarail to CR then small boat to WL. Any other suggestions for a evc user?

We're sort of in the same boat. I totally didn't plan that! Anyway, my grandparents have anniversary reservations at Artist Point. The rest of us are going to the P&PP, so, while they don't have the ECV challenge, they will be navigating alone. We'll have a car, and they might have the hang of Disney transportation by then, but what would be the easiest way to get over to WL from the Poly?

 

[BCV23]

We'll have a car, and they might have the hang of Disney transportation by then, but what would be the easiest way to get over to WL from the Poly?

Car...absolutely. Make sure they know to exit out the same way you enter the resort (as there's another exit on the road to the GF).

They will want to make a left and drive past the TTC. At the light, they just go straight which leads them into the WL. A two or three minute drive if they hit the green light.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

AHHHH! I just got back and could cry the Poly was SO AWESOME I didn't want to leave! My whole family loved it (so I am trying to convince them to go back for our summer vacation!) I will post my pics and reviews later in my TR and on this thread but I just wanted to check in and let everyone know that it was AMAZING!

Glad to hear you had such an amazing trip! Best of luck in convincing your family to go for summer vacation. I know when I had my family meet up at the Poly for Christmas dinner at 'Ohana, all they kept talking about was how much they wanted to stay there.

Coming back home from the Poly can make you really 'homesick'. Yesterday I was mattress shopping and told the salesperson that unless the bed 'felt like the Polynesian', I wasn't buying it. Tried about 10 of them until I got that 'Polynesian Bed' feeling.

Anyway, we have only done the garden view, and as I was pricing, I'm wondering, is it worth it to pay almost $900 more for theme park view? I know that everyone has a different idea of what's "worth it", but really, just tell me if it's *that great*.

Personally my family and I think it's great! When we're at the Poly we love being able to see the lagoon and all of the activity day and night, watching the castle change colors, seeing the fireworks and the electrical water parade. However, if the budget dictates that we can't do theme park or lagoon view, we just do garden view and are just as happy. If you don't see yourself spending a lot of time in your room (we do because we've been to WDW an ungodly amount of times), garden view will work just fine.

 

[cmesq61]

After reading that the Poly beach sometimes gets crowded for fireworks viewing I'm wondering about how far ahead should we get there so we have a great spot with possibly a seat/lounge/hammock/bench of some sort?

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

After reading that the Poly beach sometimes gets crowded for fireworks viewing I'm wondering about how far ahead should we get there so we have a great spot with possibly a seat/lounge/hammock/bench of some sort?

I'd suggest about 20 - 30 minutes. Usually we watch from a lagoon view or one of the 'lesser known' beaches at the Poly.

The Poly actually has three (3) beaches to choose from. The beach right in front of the volcano pool is the most popular (and usually has the most people). The beach next to Tuvalu and the one in front of Tahiti are usually less crowded. I've watched the fireworks on the beach next to the Tuvalu building and hardly anyone was there. Also some hammocks there to relax in.

 

[CJK]

I'd suggest about 20 - 30 minutes. Usually we watch from a lagoon view or one of the 'lesser known' beaches at the Poly.

The Poly actually has three (3) beaches to choose from. The beach right in front of the volcano pool is the most popular (and usually has the most people). The beach next to Tuvalu and the one in front of Tahiti are usually less crowded. I've watched the fireworks on the beach next to the Tuvalu building and hardly anyone was there. Also some hammocks there to relax in.

Thanks for that info! Do they pipe the music to all 3 beaches? I've only seen the fireworks from the beach in front of the volcano pool. Also, is the view just as good from all 3 beaches? If annual pass rates come out for August, I think we'll be able to go for 3 nights before our bounceback free dining begins!!!! Fingers crossed!!

 

[DiznEeyore]

Since we're talking about fireworks, here's a question for everyone who's been out watching them when the Electrical Water Pageant comes by ...

Each time they've coincided on our trips, they don't play the music for the ELP. We noticed it when we've been on the beach by Tahiti or, once, in our LV room in Hawaii.

Can you hear the ELP music at other parts of the resort, or do they simply not play it during fireworks?

 

[BCV23]

It doesn't coincide with fireworks.

The Electrical Water Pageant is at 9 unless fireworks are scheduled then. On those nights, it begins directly after Wishes ends. Perhaps you saw it pull into position?

A couple of times, I've seen them do what I guess is a short trial run earlier in the evening. I wonder if this is what you've seen?

 

[BCV23]

After reading that the Poly beach sometimes gets crowded for fireworks viewing I'm wondering about how far ahead should we get there so we have a great spot with possibly a seat/lounge/hammock/bench of some sort?

We just go right before they are scheduled to start. Usually there is no problem getting a chair or lounge somewhere. If you're hoping for a hammock or swing, you probably will need to go earlier. But the show is not that long. We love it though! I personally still miss the classical music that was on the old soundtrack but oh well.....

 

[DiznEeyore]

It doesn't coincide with fireworks.

The Electrical Water Pageant is at 9 unless fireworks are scheduled then. On those nights, it begins directly after Wishes ends. Perhaps you saw it pull into position?

A couple of times, I've seen them do what I guess is a short trial run earlier in the evening. I wonder if this is what you've seen?

Nope, it ran at the same time on our past two trips and then moved on. I even have some great photos of it running with Wishes in the background. Now I'm wondering what was up with that!

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

Thanks for that info! Do they pipe the music to all 3 beaches? I've only seen the fireworks from the beach in front of the volcano pool. Also, is the view just as good from all 3 beaches?

You're very welcome! I don't remember the music being piped in when I saw the fireworks from the beach near Tuvalu. I'm sure some folks here who watched from the main beach can tell you. Personally I think the view is just as good from any of the beaches. Some views may obstruct the castle a little bit (they project special patterns onto the castle) but since the fireworks are shot into the air it's not a big deal.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for that AP discount for ya!

 

[WOODY13]

Nope, it ran at the same time on our past two trips and then moved on. I even have some great photos of it running with Wishes in the background. Now I'm wondering what was up with that!

I can confirm that as well. Wishes was scheduled at 9pm and ELP ran at the same time without the music. That was last Sept. Hopefully it has changed since then but, I kinda doubt it because it would throw everything off. I think ELP has been running at 9pm at The Poly for a long time so I doubt they would change that. I dont think Wishes runs at 9pm that often. So maybe they figured for the few times this happens it not worth changing the ELP schedule. Just a guess.

 

[BCV23]

I can confirm that as well. Wishes was scheduled at 9pm and ELP ran at the same time without the music. That was last Sept. Hopefully it has changed since then but, I kinda doubt it because it would throw everything off. I think ELP has been running at 9pm at The Poly for a long time so I doubt they would change that. I dont think Wishes runs at 9pm that often. So maybe they figured for the few times this happens it not worth changing the ELP schedule. Just a guess.

I don't know what happened when you and Amy were there. But I have seen the Electrical Water Pageant run immediately after Wishes many times over the years. It was the same way with the old Fantasy in the Skies fireworks. In fact, it was particularly cool with that fireworks show as the music for it ended abruptly and the music for the EWP began on the downbeat it seemed. Great timing. The music at the end of Wishes sort of fades away so there is now the briefest of pauses. We watched the EWP from Hawaii in Oct and the music was as loud as ever. But I can't remember now if Wishes was at 9 those nights or not. But I've seen this many, many times in the past.

I sure hope they haven't changed it.

 

[LETSGOFAM]

We have a character breakfast at the Poly and I was wondering if we can get the press pot of Kona coffee at that time and also if the tonga toast and macademia (sp) nut pancakes were on the menu as well at that time.

 

[senecabeach]

Thanks for that info! Do they pipe the music to all 3 beaches? I've only seen the fireworks from the beach in front of the volcano pool. Also, is the view just as good from all 3 beaches? If annual pass rates come out for August, I think we'll be able to go for 3 nights before our bounceback free dining begins!!!! Fingers crossed!!

There is NO real music since it is not an advertised viewing site. There is a small speaker (hardly worth the effort) near the consierge lounge..playing low.

There IS music piped in on the 4th floor outside deck of the CR though.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

There is NO music since it is not an advertised viewing site.

There IS music piped in on the 4th floor outside deck of the CR though.

When I stayed there in December they did pipe in the music on the beach by the volcano pool.