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

[mweldy]

I booked a Garden View room for January 2009, during value season. The AAA agent didn't have 2009 rates so she called Disney directly. The rate quoted - and what I booked at -- is $465/night. That is up from this year's rate of $340. What a jump! I thought is was a mistake, but they rechecked for me.

That doesn't have a AAA discount yet. They haven't released those yet. But I really wasn't expected such an increase. Is this normal?

 

[Aliceacc]

HI and welcome.

They're giving you the highest possible prices. When the new prices are released in August, you'll be happy to see that they're probably a lot lower.

 

[CdnDisneyLuvr]

I booked a Garden View room for January 2009, during value season. The AAA agent didn't have 2009 rates so she called Disney directly. The rate quoted - and what I booked at -- is $465/night. That is up from this year's rate of $340. What a jump! I thought is was a mistake, but they rechecked for me.

That doesn't have a AAA discount yet. They haven't released those yet. But I really wasn't expected such an increase. Is this normal?

Hi,

I honestly don't think that Disney will keep that price because of the fact that it is in value season . I agree with what the PP said, they probably gave you the highest price possible.

 

[BKMETV]

I just spent the morning checking out the Garden Grocer's site

So how big are the fridges anyway...before I decide to order anything I better know if it will fit. I was thinking milk, yogurt, juice and pop.

1. Is that too much?
2. Will 1/2 gallon jugs of milk fit?
3. Are they the same size at all the resorts or will I have to ask the same question on the AKL thread?

Thanks
Ev

 

[packerbeth]

Just wanted to let you all know that I called to make an appointment for the Photopass session at the Poly, and they aren't taking reservations yet. We're arriving on 4/28 and I was told to call back about a week before we arrive. She said they haven't trained their photographers yet, but will be doing that before they are supposed to start on 4/27. I'll keep you posted!

 

[csaribay]

I just spent the morning checking out the Garden Grocer's site

So how big are the fridges anyway...before I decide to order anything I better know if it will fit. I was thinking milk, yogurt, juice and pop.

1. Is that too much?
2. Will 1/2 gallon jugs of milk fit?
3. Are they the same size at all the resorts or will I have to ask the same question on the AKL thread?

Thanks
Ev

The refrigerators are mini-fridges/dorm-style refrigerators.

You might need to remove the mid-shelf, but everything should fit just fine. Resort refrigerators are pretty standard among all resorts.

 

[eyenjeff]

Sadly, the Poly doesn't have WiFi yet. There is only HSIA (High Speed Internet Access) via Ethernet. I believe you can only have one laptop plugged in at a time (though I've got this nagging feeling there was an Ethernet 'hub' under the desk....). There is an Ethernet cable provided in the closet if you don't have your own--just remember to put it back in the bag at the end of your stay or you'll get charged for it.

HSIA at Disney is $9.95 per 24 hours of contiguous access. This means you first log in at say 9am, you can log in as many times you want so long as you log off by 8:59am the next day without being charged for an additional day. You can browse the Disney website for free while you're there.

Just an aside: if either of you has a broadband aircard like I do, definitely bring it. Much cheaper if you have your own access plus you're not 'chained' to the ethernet hookup.

We'll be at the Poly in December too! I love the Poly at Christmas--definitely nicer than PA at Christmas with better weather!

What is a broadband aircard? I am sooo computer illiterate and plan to bring our laptop in Dec too. Thanks!

 

[csaribay]

What is a broadband aircard? I am sooo computer illiterate and plan to bring our laptop in Dec too. Thanks!

Aircards are cellular based high-speed internet... Sprint, Verizon, AT&T etc. offer them and they're almost as fast (if not faster) than in room-access. The plans typically cost around $50 a month, around $100 for the card. Like other cellular services, these are subject to contracts.

It is not a requirement to have an aircard use Disney's HSIA. All you need is an ethernet port, and you're good to go.

 

[BCV23]

I've read of people taking along a router to use more than one laptop or even just to provide the ability to use the laptop in other parts of the room.

The refrigerators are larger than the old style cube dorm refrigerators. But there is no freezer section...not even the tiny ones that were in the old ones.

 

[susieokla]

My husband I just stayed at the Poly for 1 night last week and loved it. Watching the MK fireworks laid back in a lounger on the beach was awesome!

We also enjoyed dinner at O'hana, it was our favorite dinner from the entire tripe.

 

[JerseyMamaBear]

We have never stayed at the Poly and will look into it for this next trip but I have a few questions please...

1) If we do CL, is that where we will need to bring our mugs to fill or is it at Capt. Cooks? And if so how far of a walk would that be?

2) I read a few pages back that one parent would use the milk at CL to fill baby bottles at night and is there a microwave there to warm it. Are you allowed to bring food, drinks and snacks from CL back to your room or do they want u to eat it there? It would make things very easy if we can bring it back to the room in the morning or afternoon while my 1 year old is napping.

3) How does everyone feel about the bus service? I read in past posts that it takes a very long time due to sharing with other deluxe resorts.

Im sure I will have more but if someone could help me on those few I would appreciate it.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

We have never stayed at the Poly and will look into it for this next trip but I have a few questions please...

1) If we do CL, is that where we will need to bring our mugs to fill or is it at Capt. Cooks? And if so how far of a walk would that be?

2) I read a few pages back that one parent would use the milk at CL to fill baby bottles at night and is there a microwave there to warm it. Are you allowed to bring food, drinks and snacks from CL back to your room or do they want u to eat it there? It would make things very easy if we can bring it back to the room in the morning or afternoon while my 1 year old is napping.

3) How does everyone feel about the bus service? I read in past posts that it takes a very long time due to sharing with other deluxe resorts.

Im sure I will have more but if someone could help me on those few I would appreciate it.

The mugs are to be refilled at Captin Cook's, however the lounge has a fridge with cans of Coke, Diet Coke and Sprite which you can get 24 hours a day. The walk from the Hawaii Longhouse to the GCH or Captin Cook's is less then 5 minutes, so in my opinion it's one of their better located Longhouses at the Resort.

Yes you can bring food back from the lounge to eat in your room, so they don't care where you eat it.

The only bus we took was to Disney's Hollywood Studios and it was right there when we arrived so no waiting. As for the return trip we took the bus to the TTC and from there walked back to the Polynesian.

 

[PiratesGirl]

For those of you who have been upgraded at the Poly what were you upgraded to and did you know before hand or just found out when you checked in? We have a garden view room and I have been trying to figure out if it was worth it to send in a request ahead of time for a certain longhouse or if it was better to wait until we check in. We would like to be on the highest floor.........Are there really any 'bad' rooms there? This is our first trip to Disney and would love to have a nice view. Last year my MIL got upgraded to Conceirge level at the Contemporary and said it was so wonderful! Then they were picked to be the first ones on the ship.......some poeple have all the luck!

 

[masonjar]

What has been the experience with rooms that were once smoking rooms? Have they done a good job getting all the smoke/musty smell out and does anyone know what measures were taken to clean the rooms?

As a child, both parents smoked and I can pick up the slightest smoke smell. Our next trip will be a little over one year since they made all rooms non-smoking so IF we happened to be placed in one of the rooms, I would hope there would be no noticable signs (smells).

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

For those of you who have been upgraded at the Poly what were you upgraded to and did you know before hand or just found out when you checked in? We have a garden view room and I have been trying to figure out if it was worth it to send in a request ahead of time for a certain longhouse or if it was better to wait until we check in. We would like to be on the highest floor.........Are there really any 'bad' rooms there? This is our first trip to Disney and would love to have a nice view. Last year my MIL got upgraded to Conceirge level at the Contemporary and said it was so wonderful! Then they were picked to be the first ones on the ship.......some poeple have all the luck!

Last December a few days before my family and I were to arrive at WDW we got an e-mail confirmation from Disney Destinations. I just assumed it was another confirmation for our Club Level Garden View room, however when I read it it said Club Level Lagoon View. To make sure that was not wrong when I looked on the Disney World website and typed in our confirmation number it said the samething that our new confirmation said. A few days later when we arrived the upgrade came up again in the computer of the Cast Member who checked us in at the Hawaii Longhouse, so it just confirmed what we already knew before.

 

[Briggidge2]

Bringing a router is a good idea! I'll have to remember that one when we come down. I wonder when they will get up to times and do the whole WIFI thing.

 

[CinderellyCinderelly]

I miss the Poly! It is hard for me to come back to the board without feeling sad My parents might be sending me and a friend to Disney for my 21st birthday in July, so that is something to kind-of, maybe, look forward too. I can't even bear to post my TR yet!! I wish I were @ the Poly now...

 

[bkowals25]

For those of you who have been upgraded at the Poly what were you upgraded to and did you know before hand or just found out when you checked in? We have a garden view room and I have been trying to figure out if it was worth it to send in a request ahead of time for a certain longhouse or if it was better to wait until we check in. We would like to be on the highest floor.........Are there really any 'bad' rooms there? This is our first trip to Disney and would love to have a nice view. Last year my MIL got upgraded to Conceirge level at the Contemporary and said it was so wonderful! Then they were picked to be the first ones on the ship.......some poeple have all the luck!

When we stayed at the poly in Feb. we booked a garden view room and requested 3rd floor Tokelau. (which we had stayed in the year before) When we checked in they gave us a free upgrade to a magic kingdom view 3rd floor Tahiti. I never thought I would pay extra for a certain view but having a view of the Seven Seas Lagoon, the Castle, Space Mountain, Grand Floridian and the Contemporary was great. For our next trip I will consider booking a Magic Kingdom view.

 

[letthewookiewin]

I've read of people taking along a router to use more than one laptop or even just to provide the ability to use the laptop in other parts of the room.

My DH works in the IT department where he works, and one day he brought this thing home that he said was a "24 slot hub". I wonder if that would work so that we could both be connected.

When we stayed at the poly in Feb. we booked a garden view room and requested 3rd floor Tokelau. (which we had stayed in the year before) When we checked in they gave us a free upgrade to a magic kingdom view 3rd floor Tahiti. I never thought I would pay extra for a certain view but having a view of the Seven Seas Lagoon, the Castle, Space Mountain, Grand Floridian and the Contemporary was great. For our next trip I will consider booking a Magic Kingdom view.

I hope you don't mind, but I'm going to use this as proof to my DH that the extra money we are paying for the MK view is more than worth it.

 

[bkowals25]

Letthewookiewin – don’t mind at all. Being able to experience both a garden view and a Magic Kingdom view at the same cost made me first realize that we were lucky to get the upgrade and second the value of having a great view really adds to the trip. Both my girls are sensitive to really load noises and will not watch the fireworks while at the Magic Kingdom (if we are still at the park we are always ducking into somewhere when the fireworks start) so to be able to watch them from our balcony while eating a late meal was great.