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

[typhoonlagooner]

This is my photo from AKL last Spring Break when the crowds seemed so out of control. However now I see how much open water there actually is in this shot!

These were taking March 13th, 2008 around 1pm...

Ok so as you can see... I'm totally spoiled after my Grand Floridian trip. You'll notice that there is actually someone in the pool in the first pic. The only picture I have from an August trip is here:

From our AKL room in August of 2002 taken late afternoon:

I knew from my March trip how much smaller the Polynesian pool appeared to be... so I'm expecting it to be busy, just not sure exactly what to expect. I only toured the pool early morning when it wasn't even open and it was the coolest morning our trip.

 

[BCV23]

It looks like it was rather cool in your GF picture as well though since the guard has pants on.

But the GF activity pool is usually less crowded than the volcano pool. On the other hand the quiet pool at the GF seems busier than the quiet pool at the Polynesian. I think at the GF since the quiet pool is so much closer to some of the buildings, people just stop and swim there.

Edited to add all these pool pictures look soooo good. It's April and still in the 30s here.

 

[Disneylvr]

I think the GF pool is beautiful! I always admire it from the monorail. I admit, I am getting worried about Poly pool being too crowded. I guess the peak swimming times are afternoon?

 

[typhoonlagooner]

I think the GF pool is beautiful! I always admire it from the monorail. I admit, I am getting worried about Poly pool being too crowded. I guess the peak swimming times are afternoon?

In all my trips to the WDW, I've always found the "worst" pool crowds in the mid to the later afternoon (families taking a break from the parks) and in the early to mid evening (people returning for the night) ... which would make sense in my opinion.

The GF pool was wonderful and never crowded. I have to agree with BCV... the Courtyard pool was usually the busier of the two... but neither ever seemed as busy as some of the Poly pool pics I've seen (no matter the time of year).

I don't know why I'm so concerned about the pool situation at the Poly... I know he won't swim with me (his exposed man fur makes him uncomfortable ) but like I said; the decreased appearance of crowds at the GF really spoiled me.

What do people have to say about the quiet pool at the Poly? I've seen very few pictures but is it usually "quiet" or just as "busy" as the volcano pool? Any insight would be great.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

I think the GF pool is beautiful! I always admire it from the monorail. I admit, I am getting worried about Poly pool being too crowded. I guess the peak swimming times are afternoon?

Yep! Usually peak swimming time is from around 12pm - 4pm. The pool seems the least busy in the early AM and early to late PM. Here are some early morning and late evening photos taken of the pool from our room in Samoa:

Early morning (about 8am)

Late evening (around 10pm)

 

[DisneyDad in PA]

HI There,

I am trying to get on tikimans website but it says it is temporarily unavailable, it has been several days in a row that I have tried and I keep getting the same message. Anyone have info?

It will be back. It is my udnerstanding, that he is running into a problem that his site has grown so much and his internet provider limits the number of hits he can have. Thus toward the end of the month it is shutdown by his provider. Once his new monthly cycle kicks in he will be back up. He is trying to correct the problem. I'm not into this website technology stuff much but that is my understanding of what is happening.

 

[BCV23]

What do people have to say about the quiet pool at the Poly? I've seen very few pictures but is it usually "quiet" or just as "busy" as the volcano pool? Any insight would be great.

It is usually uncrowded. I think in terms of most crowded the ranking would be:

Volcano pool
GF courtyard pool
GF activity pool
Polynesian courtyard pool

The courtyard pool at the Polynesian has some very nice seating areas around it, too.

 

[DeborahB]

What do people have to say about the quiet pool at the Poly? I've seen very few pictures but is it usually "quiet" or just as "busy" as the volcano pool? Any insight would be great.

We stayed there last August and it was mostly uncrowded. I never found it to be as busy as the volcano pool whenever I have been there. (April and August) Maybe other times of the year are different, but this has been my experience.
I don't have a pic to share with you, I wish I did! I just got a new memory card for my digital camera which brings the capacity to around 1100 pictures. I'll be sure to take many when I'm back there.

 

[Carrie772]

YO! I just booked my hubby and me a 4 night trip to the Poly! I am so excited I could scream! I found the April-May discount code and got the Poly at 308 a night. We are gonna fly Allegiant Air and stay at the Polynesian! Did I mention we are staying at the Polynesian? You heard me!

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah!

It will be our 15th wedding anniversary. For our 1st anniv, we stayed at CBR and had a great time. It will be nice to do tropical Disney for our 15th.

WooooOooooooOoooooOoooooOoooooooo!

Looking forward to that Non-al Lapu Lapu.

 

[typhoonlagooner]

It is usually uncrowded. I think in terms of most crowded the ranking would be:

Volcano pool
GF courtyard pool
GF activity pool
Polynesian courtyard pool

The courtyard pool at the Polynesian has some very nice seating areas around it, too.

We stayed there last August and it was mostly uncrowded. I never found it to be as busy as the volcano pool whenever I have been there. (April and August) Maybe other times of the year are different, but this has been my experience.
I don't have a pic to share with you, I wish I did! I just got a new memory card for my digital camera which brings the capacity to around 1100 pictures. I'll be sure to take many when I'm back there.

Ah... ok... that definately eases my fears and concerns. The only draw for me to the Volcano pool is the view and slide so I could definately spend some time at the quiet pool.

He's already said he's planning on going back to the resort to kick back in the room for a few hours. Maybe I'll try and get a room with a quiet pool view so he can 'watch' from there.

 

[marlower]

It will be back. It is my udnerstanding, that he is running into a problem that his site has grown so much and his internet provider limits the number of hits he can have. Thus toward the end of the month it is shutdown by his provider. Once his new monthly cycle kicks in he will be back up. He is trying to correct the problem. I'm not into this website technology stuff much but that is my understanding of what is happening.

Thanks! I will keep trying then!

 

[Disneylvr]

How late is the volcano pool opened? How about the quiet pool? I think my plan is to use the quiet pool during the afternoon peak times and volcano for later in the evening if it is warm enough. DD and I both have very fair skin so staying out of the sun is good anyway.

 

[BCV23]

The slide at the volcano pool closes at different times during the course of the year. As long as you're quiet, you can swim pretty much any time though especially in the courtyard pool.

BTW, the courtyard pool is in full sun too.

And at least from the first floor rooms, you can't see the courtyard pool from most rooms. The landscaping around the pool is so lush and beautiful that is blocks the pool from view. I imagine from upper floor rooms, one can see the pool but we've always had first floor rooms except that one night in Raratonga facing the monorail.

 

[JulyFire]

We have Magic Kingdom view rooms reserved for the Poly.

Could anyone tell me which of these would be closest to the DSAs (smoking areas) so that I have an idea of what to request?

I've seen the map, but I'm not sure which all buildings include MKV rooms.

Thanks!

 

[johnsonet]

We have Magic Kingdom view rooms reserved for the Poly.

Could anyone tell me which of these would be closest to the DSAs (smoking areas) so that I have an idea of what to request?

I've seen the map, but I'm not sure which all buildings include MKV rooms.

Thanks!

MK view at Poly??!! You are in for a MAJOR treat! Enjoy

From looking at this map, I think you will have decent access to a smoking area regardless of your building but Tuvalu looks best (?). Tahiti would probably have some of the best views though It will just depend on where exactly your room is within the lodge building. Good luck.

 

[WoodysRoundup]

It is usually uncrowded. I think in terms of most crowded the ranking would be:

Volcano pool
GF courtyard pool
GF activity pool
Polynesian courtyard pool

.

Hi BCV23! How are you?

FWIW, I COMPLETELY agree with your crowd assessment of the above pools.

 

[typhoonlagooner]

Could anyone tell me which of these would be closest to the DSAs (smoking areas) so that I have an idea of what to request?

Tahiti, Tuvalu, and Aotearoa offer MK view rooms.

Tahiti is said to have the best unobstructed view of the Castle and Lagoon area but you'll notice that compared to Tuvalu and Aoteraoa, the DSA aren't as close.

If being close to a DSA was extremely important, we'd request Tuvalu 3rd floor... but as you can see, no matter where your room is, you shouldn't have an issue finding one! That map makes the resort seem a lot larger then it really is too.

 

[danielmorgan03]

Has anyone ever worked with Allison at the Poly concierge level?

 

[BCV23]

Hi BCV23! How are you?

FWIW, I COMPLETELY agree with your crowd assessment of the above pools.

Hi WoodysRoundup!


Did you have your first AKV stay yet?

JulyFire, I agree with typhoonlagooner that the maps may make the smoking areas further away than they are. If it were me, I'd request based on the area of the resort you prefer. Well, actually if it were me, I'd leave it up to the Tiki gods but....

BTW, all MK views in the Polynesian are supposed to have unobstructed views from what I've read.

 

[typhoonlagooner]

BTW, all MK views in the Polynesian are supposed to have unobstructed views from what I've read.

Yup... I've read that too... but have also read that Beachcomer Island can sometimes obstruct the ground floor MK views in Tuvalu and Aotearoa.