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

[DiznEeyore]

Just got off the phone with Disney, and they'll be expanding the photo shoots to the Poly on April 27!! I am super excited. GF seemed like a nice backdrop, but the Poly?!?! Gorgeous!!

It also expands to Saratoga Springs on April 15.

Cool!!

 

[torian]

Just got off the phone with Disney, and they'll be expanding the photo shoots to the Poly on April 27!! I am super excited. GF seemed like a nice backdrop, but the Poly?!?! Gorgeous!!

It also expands to Saratoga Springs on April 15.

photo shoots?!?!

can someone elaborate?

 

[Angel16]

photo shoots?!?!

can someone elaborate?

Yes, please I don't know what this is all about either.

 

[HerdOHuds]

Just got off the phone with Disney, and they'll be expanding the photo shoots to the Poly on April 27!! I am super excited. GF seemed like a nice backdrop, but the Poly?!?! Gorgeous!!

Yippee!!!

Thanks for searching out that info! We will be there in December so now I know where our Christmas card photos will come from!!!

 

[MagicalEars]

Yes, please I don't know what this is all about either.

Here is a thread that talks all about it....
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1703832

Basically you book a private Photo session with one of Disney's Photopass photographers. They will take somewhere around 20-40 pictures of you and your family in ideal locations around the resort. It used to only be at the GF, but it's become so popular that they are expanding it to other deluxe resorts. Others are now reporting that it's available at the Poly starting late April or early May. The photos that are taken during your session are added to your photopass card (you know, that little card that you use throughout the parks to have your pic taken.) to purchase later. You can book it 30 days in advance and it cost $50 for the sitting fee. However, if you pre-order the Photopass PhotoCD for $99 the sitting fee is then $25. The photocd puts ALL your photopass photos on to a cd(s) for you to do with as you wish. By pre-ordering the PhotoCD you get the advantage of going to the photopass website and editing your pics first with all kinds of Disney effects, then having them sent to you on the PhotoCD(s).

Pre-order info on the CD can be found here...
http://www.disneyphotopass.com/previsitcdplan.aspx

A good site with all kinds of photopass info is here....
http://stitchkingdom.com/photopass/

 

[Angel16]

Thank you very much MagicalEars Ron! That sounds great. We will have to do this on our next trip. Thank you for the sites too.

 

[MagicalEars]

Thank you very much MagicalEars Ron! That sounds great. We will have to do this on our next trip. Thank you for the sites too.

Welcome!

I was on the official photopass site the other day looking at all the extra items they offer. They have things like scrapbooks, PhotoDVD's and mugs. They actually look pretty well done, but I'll probably just order the PhotoCD and make my own scrapbooks/movies with Photoshop or iPhoto and iDVD. Then again, the hard cover for the scrapbooks look really nice.

Ahh, who am I kidding. I'm a man so I'll make everything digital so I can watch it on my big HDTV.

 

[Disneylvr]

We requested Tokelau and it was full upon arrival so we got room 2801 in Rarotonga, after upacking we decided it was not worth the hassle of repacking just to switch rooms but were regretting that almost towards end of trip, the room we got was too close to AC central unit? and we heard and felt (floor shaking noise!) and big bang every so often before AC would come on, never complaint about it but towards end of trip did get to us, at times the bang was so loud it would wake you up in your sleep. Does anyone else ever experienced something like this?

Was your room facing the quiet pool or the monorail? I want to avoid that room. We requested Tokelau, Rarotonga, Samoa or Fiji; 3rd floor.

 

[Angel16]

Welcome!

I was on the official photopass site the other day looking at all the extra items they offer. They have things like scrapbooks, PhotoDVD's and mugs. They actually look pretty well done, but I'll probably just order the PhotoCD and make my own scrapbooks/movies with Photoshop or iPhoto and iDVD. Then again, the hard cover for the scrapbooks look really nice.

Ahh, who am I kidding. I'm a man so I'll make everything digital so I can watch it on my big HDTV.

Unless the female in the house has the "clicker'

Know I know you are a Ron and not a Veronica. Some of my favorite men in my life are names Ron.

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

Here is a thread that talks all about it....
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1703832

Basically you book a private Photo session with one of Disney's Photopass photographers. They will take somewhere around 20-40 pictures of you and your family in ideal locations around the resort. It used to only be at the GF, but it's become so popular that they are expanding it to other deluxe resorts. Others are now reporting that it's available at the Poly starting late April or early May. The photos that are taken during your session are added to your photopass card (you know, that little card that you use throughout the parks to have your pic taken.) to purchase later. You can book it 30 days in advance and it cost $50 for the sitting fee. However, if you pre-order the Photopass PhotoCD for $99 the sitting fee is then $25. The photocd puts ALL your photopass photos on to a cd(s) for you to do with as you wish. By pre-ordering the PhotoCD you get the advantage of going to the photopass website and editing your pics first with all kinds of Disney effects, then having them sent to you on the PhotoCD(s).

Pre-order info on the CD can be found here...
http://www.disneyphotopass.com/previsitcdplan.aspx

A good site with all kinds of photopass info is here....
http://stitchkingdom.com/photopass/

Yeah...what that says.

Both of the new resort photo shoots are starting in April. The CM didn't mention anything in May. I also asked about booking 30 days out. You can book 30 days out from the date you want to have the actual shoot (not when your package begins). It's open to resort and non-resort guests.

 

[DiznEeyore]

I was on the official photopass site the other day looking at all the extra items they offer. They have things like scrapbooks, PhotoDVD's and mugs. They actually look pretty well done, but I'll probably just order the PhotoCD and make my own scrapbooks/movies with Photoshop or iPhoto and iDVD. Then again, the hard cover for the scrapbooks look really nice.

That cover *is* gorgeous, isn't it? I picked one up and looked through it at the GF when we were having our CD made last year. The cover looked so beautiful, but I was so disappointed in the quality of the pages. They really weren't anything special IMHO. If they were as nice as the cover, I would've definitely ordered one -- I wish the covers were available separately for scrapbooks!

 

[disneydreamin247]

I suppose some people will say you are carzy but not me I actually am staying club level and have done so but not at the Poly and use the dining plan. This year I am taking the deluxe since last year at the GFRPC we had the similar package and it worked well. We found staying for an extended time (10 days) that we get tired of the breakfast in the lounge and having the plan allowed us some breakfasts out. As well this year I am planning signature dining for the evenings and eithe at TS breakfast or lunch daily. As well we plan on some room service since the view looks beautiful from the balconys or rooms and what a better place to have a quiet meal and still have the avaliability of the lounge offerings.
Keep in mind that the CL food settings other than breakfast are not meant to be meals for you but snacks.

You're not crazy at all! I'm planning a CL trip and am using the DDP for the same reasoning.

Well now I don't feel so bad!
What would I do with out all my lovely DISers?

 

[MagicalEars]

Unless the female in the house has the "clicker'

Know I know you are a Ron and not a Veronica. Some of my favorite men in my life are names Ron.

No! Step away from the "clicker" and nobody gets hurt!
Actually I usually control the remote because DW has a bad habit or fastforwarding or rewinding the DVR too far. We almost never watch "live" tv anymore, everything is recorded. Right now we have several Disney shows from the Travel channel and such recorded, plus have the Samantha Brown Disney special set to record.

Don't Ron's rule! At least that's what I like to tell myself.

That cover *is* gorgeous, isn't it? I picked one up and looked through it at the GF when we were having our CD made last year. The cover looked so beautiful, but I was so disappointed in the quality of the pages. They really weren't anything special IMHO. If they were as nice as the cover, I would've definitely ordered one -- I wish the covers were available separately for scrapbooks!

Yeah, I heard that about the pages. Plus I heard they sometimes overcrop an image. Still, good for those who don't have the time/talent to make their own. As for me I'll make a real scrapbook for DW and I'll also make a digital one that turns into a slideshow, they really turn out nice IMHO.

Wow, I can only imagine how nice a photoshoot done at the Poly will be.

 

[packerbeth]

Just got off the phone with Disney, and they'll be expanding the photo shoots to the Poly on April 27!! I am super excited. GF seemed like a nice backdrop, but the Poly?!?! Gorgeous!!

It also expands to Saratoga Springs on April 15.

Wowie wow wow! We arrive the 28th! Who do I call to set this up? I did this at the GF last September by myself; it would be so cool and convenient to do this at the Poly!

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

Wowie wow wow! We arrive the 28th! Who do I call to set this up? I did this at the GF last September by myself; it would be so cool and convenient to do this at the Poly!

407-824-1700

Post pics if you do it!! We're planning on it, but I'd like to see the shots before we do it.

 

[luvthemouse71]

I have to wait about 5 months until my stay at the Poly, and I want to go NOW!! I about had a heart attack when I got my price quote but I'm glad I finally bit the bullet and decided to book this resort, My Dad actually picked it but he chose wisely!

I think the Poly may turn me into a Deluxe snob.

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

I have to wait about 5 months until my stay at the Poly, and I want to go NOW!! I about had a heart attack when I got my price quote but I'm glad I finally bit the bullet and decided to book this resort, My Dad actually picked it but he chose wisely!

I think the Poly may turn me into a Deluxe snob.

Hey there fellow New Englander! (I'm in Southeastern, MA.)

I know exactly how you feel. As my ticker sadly reminds me each day, I'm still far away from the Land of the Mouse. That, and I'm trying to mentally prepare myself so as to NOT turn into a Deluxe snob.

Somehow, I don't think I'll be very successful!

Looks like we'll be in the World and at the Poly at the same time!

 

[tin2003white]

Funny that a few of you mentioned worrying about turning into deluxe snobs. We are doing a split, starting at POR and ending at Poly. It will be first deluxe for us too. I would love to do something like this each trip!! At least we would have a few days to enjoy the deluxe atmosphere! We arrive at WDW June 23rd. We are getting very excited - I am all for the time machine concept as well!

Love this forum. Soooo helpful!

Thanks to all!

 

[hebbynan]

We're over a year away from our stay, but I just have to say that I love this thread!! When we went last year, we had dinner at Ohana's and then walked around the Poly. Needless to say, it was love at first sight!! We've never stayed in a deluxe hotel before, but after that visit, we're gonna the next time round!! It's such a beautiful resort. And I love the fact that while you're there, you have no idea that you're really not in Hawaii! It's a bit pricey for us, but we decided that since this will be our last visit for a few years.....it was worth it!

Thanks everyone for all your helpful tips and insight. Keep it coming!! Argh....is it September 2009 yet?!?!?!

 

[johnsonet]

I've booked Poly LVC for our summer trip. We have stayed GVC once and GV 3 times. Never had a LV room here and I CANNOT wait!
From all I've seen and read on Tikiman's site and from SeaSpray's pics of her rooms, it seems the views are pretty much fabulous from all 3 floors! I'm trying to figure out if we'd be happier with a balcony on the 3d floor and what must be slightly more sweeping views, or a 1st floor room w/ patio and easy access to beach, walkway to pool~
Has anyone stayed in both a 3d floor and a 1st floor room at the Poly? Specifically in Hawaii, b/c I'm wondering what the access to the lounge is like. The one time we were there we were on the 2d floor and could walk from our room right down the hall to the lounge. If we stay on the 3d floor is there easy access to the lounge via stairs? What about the 1st floor? I prefer not to get on elevators if I don't have to...
THANKS