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

[shyjade]

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.

Your comment makes me want to upgrade to a Theme Park View for our upcoming trip. Last time we had a Garden View and it was really nice (Fiji, overlooking the marina) but to see the castle from our room would be so magical, especially at night! But is it really worth an extra $700+ for 5 nights?!

 

[Angel16]

Your comment makes me want to upgrade to a Theme Park View for our upcoming trip. Last time we had a Garden View and it was really nice (Fiji, overlooking the marina) but to see the castle from our room would be so magical, especially at night! But is it really worth an extra $700+ for 5 nights?!

The answer to your question is really an individual one. How much time do you plan on spending in your room? I noticed in your signiture you plan to bring your mom and dad. Having them staying with you may make a difference too. How active are they? Two of our four visits at the Poly we have had a MK view. It really is WONDERFUL. However, I don't know that I would pay an additional $700 for it. (They didn't start charging for the MK view until a couple of years ago.) During our last visit I did upgrade to MK because our family daughters,their husbands and our grandchildren were joinin us. I felt the view would be enjoyed by everyone and it was. They had GV right across the hallway from us. Either way you go you will have a wonderful vacation at the Poly. Where is Wisconsin are you from? Our one daughter is in Rhinelander, WI. It is so beautiful up there and the people are so friendly.

 

[brendalee59]

Can someone tell me the easiest way to get to/from the poly to downtown Disney West side? We want to go see Cirque Du Soleil's La Nouba. Last time we were at Disney(2000) we got caught up in the crowd leaving MK and couldn't find the bus back to CBR. Now we are staying at the Poly,that won't happen again But I'm afraid it could very well happen leaving Downtown Disney

 

[GoofyTraci]

I have two questions :

1. why is it that the poly has to share buses with the other deluxe resorts? I really dont feel that makes sense. Is the bus system as bad as the value resorts that have to share.

2. Does anyone feel that the room/price is worth it? $400.00 plus per night for seven nights is alot.

I am a single mom of one and really want to stay at the poly but not sure if all the extra money is worth it. Being on the monorail would be great. Because the bus system at pop was horrible and maybe a little bit better at CBR.
Not trying to start trouble or change the thread just needed some friendly advice.

thank you

 

[Angel16]

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!

On our last trip Nov/Dec 2006 we had booked a concierge LV room. I had hopes that our kids and grandkids would be able to join us. About 3 months before the trip they and I found out that they could get the time off work. I was told by Disney that they were sold out in concierge (time frame was during value season) so I booked GV standard rooms for each of them realizing that we would be in different longhouses. When we checked in the day before they joined us (this whole trip was a big surprise for my DH, he didn't have any idea that our family was coming to celebrate his early retirement and to celebrate him coming through a second aortic valve replacement surgery with flying colors ) The Poly concierge upgraded both of our daughters & their families to concierge GV rooms. As I said in the above post they had the rooms right across the hall from us. This was such a magical trip for us all. It felt as if all of us had received a "dream" staying together in the Hawaii longhouse. I am not sure who felt blessed more, my kids or me. The concierge CM's went beyond any possible dream I had for our family.

 

[shyjade]

The answer to your question is really an individual one. How much time do you plan on spending in your room? I noticed in your signiture you plan to bring your mom and dad. Having them staying with you may make a difference too. How active are they? Two of our four visits at the Poly we have had a MK view. It really is WONDERFUL. However, I don't know that I would pay an additional $700 for it. (They didn't start charging for the MK view until a couple of years ago.) During our last visit I did upgrade to MK because our family daughters,their husbands and our grandchildren were joinin us. I felt the view would be enjoyed by everyone and it was. They had GV right across the hallway from us. Either way you go you will have a wonderful vacation at the Poly. Where is Wisconsin are you from? Our one daughter is in Rhinelander, WI. It is so beautiful up there and the people are so friendly.

My parents are very active (57 and both still work full time), in fact my mom often passes for my older sister (seriously!). My parents haven't been to Disney since I was 11, so 26 years ago...not sure how much we'll be in the room except to sleep and shower because afterall, they have a lot of catching up to do! I'm so tempted to overspend on this trip but I have to keep reminding myself that they will still be thrilled just to be at the Poly, as we will.

I live about 30 minutes north of Milwaukee in a teeny, tiny town.

 

[mousescrapper]

We had breakfast at Kona today. Fantastic as always. Love it for all three meals. We saw Gary who's been there for so many years (20 plus I think) and is a fantastic server. Part of the O'hana of the Polynesian for us. Theresa was our server and she's great too.

Anyway, I checked out the Dole Whip situation. Both the pineapple and vanilla Dole Whips had the DDP symbol next to them so both are snack options on DDP.

I was just combing back thru to see if anyone had found out yet about the Dole Whip on the DDP! thanks for remebering and glad it has the symbol by it.

By the way anyone have a picture of what that looks like? Myabe helpful to know what I'm looking for or when telling my kids...

Thanks as always

 

[Aliceacc]

I have two questions :

I am a single mom of one and really want to stay at the poly but not sure if all the extra money is worth it. Being on the monorail would be great. Because the bus system at pop was horrible and maybe a little bit better at CBR.

thank you

I haven't stayed at the Poly yet-- we're going next August.

But how about a cheaper alternative on the monorail line: the Contemporary? Get a Garden View room there and you can save a LOT of money over the Poly, and still be on the monorail. Plus, there's the added bonus of being able to walk back from the Magic Kingdom.

Also, take a look at the Wilderness Lodge. It's not monorail, but still Magic Kingdom-- I think it's a ferry ride away. And again, cheaper than the Poly.

Also, just for the record, you have the AAA discount, right?

 

[Angel16]

My parents are very active (57 and both still work full time), in fact my mom often passes for my older sister (seriously!). My parents haven't been to Disney since I was 11, so 26 years ago...not sure how much we'll be in the room except to sleep and shower because afterall, they have a lot of catching up to do! I'm so tempted to overspend on this trip but I have to keep reminding myself that they will still be thrilled just to be at the Poly, as we will.

I live about 30 minutes north of Milwaukee in a teeny, tiny town.

I agree just staying at the Poly is so very thrilling. Keep resisting that temptation to over spend. I am sure you and your parents will have fantastic vacation. How great that you all will be together in the Happyest Place on Earth. Sending you pixie dust and warm wishes for an upgrade.

 

[BCV23]

I was just combing back thru to see if anyone had found out yet about the Dole Whip on the DDP! thanks for remebering and glad it has the symbol by it.

By the way anyone have a picture of what that looks like? Myabe helpful to know what I'm looking for or when telling my kids...

Thanks as always

Here you go:

http://adisneyworld.disney.go.com/m...agespecific/eng/nontheme/tickets/08Dining.pdf

On page 2 under the "Snacks" section, the DDP snack option icon is displayed....purple and white.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I was just combing back thru to see if anyone had found out yet about the Dole Whip on the DDP! thanks for remebering and glad it has the symbol by it.

By the way anyone have a picture of what that looks like? Myabe helpful to know what I'm looking for or when telling my kids...

Thanks as always

Last December when I stayed at the Polynesian and got a Dole Whip at Captin Cook's, I remember seeing the DDP logo on the Dole Whip machine.

 

[SeaSpray]

Thanks to CR Resort Fan 4 Life, here's the nightly listing of food offerings in the concierge lounge at the Polynesian. Thanks, Fan!

Sunday
Create Your Own Mini Pork Sandwiches with Asian Cole Slaw
Vegetable Spring Rolls with Dipping Sauces
Tropical Pineapple Fruit Tray
Assorted Cheese Tray
Vegetable Platter

Monday
California Rolls and Cucumber Avocado Rolls
Make Your Own Asian Noodle Bowl
Tropical Pineapple Fruit Tray
Assorted Cheese Tray
Vegetable Platter

Tuesday
Slow Roasted Barbeque Pork Ribs
Hot and Sour Soup with Chicken
Tropical Pineapple Fruit Tray
Assorted Cheese Tray
Vegetable Platter

Wednesday
Spirit of Alhoa Chicken Drumsticks
Spirit of Aloha Fried Rice
Tropical Pineapple Fruit Tray
Assorted Cheese Tray
Vegetable Platter

Thursday
Wonton Chips served with Chimichurii Sauce
Tropical Salsa
Create your Own Asian Style Lettuce Wraps
Tropical Pineapple Fruit Tray
Assorted Cheese Tray
Vegetable Platter

Friday
Ohana Marinated Turkey Skewers with Peanut Sauce
Maui Onion Potatoes Au Gratin
Tropical Pineapple Fruit Tray
Assorted Cheese Tray
Vegetable Platter

Saturday
Kona Sticky Wings
Kona Chowder
Kona Salad with Fresh Fruit, Maytag Blue Cheese
Smoked Almonds, Mixed Greens with a Citrus Vinaigrette
Tropical Pineapple Fruit Tray
Assorted Cheese Tray
Vegetable Platter

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

You're welcome SeaSpray, just happy that I could help.

 

[GoofyTraci]

I haven't stayed at the Poly yet-- we're going next August.

But how about a cheaper alternative on the monorail line: the Contemporary? Get a Garden View room there and you can save a LOT of money over the Poly, and still be on the monorail. Plus, there's the added bonus of being able to walk back from the Magic Kingdom.

Also, take a look at the Wilderness Lodge. It's not monorail, but still Magic Kingdom-- I think it's a ferry ride away. And again, cheaper than the Poly.

Also, just for the record, you have the AAA discount, right?

no i dont have any kind of discount

 

[Aliceacc]

no i dont have any kind of discount

For the price of a $50 or so registration fee, you can get a discount off your room ranging from 10-20%.

YOU NEED TO DO THIS!!!! It will save you several hundred dollars!!!

 

[paras4ri]

For the price of a $50 or so registration fee, you can get a discount off your room ranging from 10-20%.

YOU NEED TO DO THIS!!!! It will save you several hundred dollars!!!

I'm sorry if this may be a silly question. If you want a AAA discount do you have to book through AAA?

 

[disneydreamin247]

For the price of a $50 or so registration fee, you can get a discount off your room ranging from 10-20%.

YOU NEED TO DO THIS!!!! It will save you several hundred dollars!!!

I joined AAA just for the Disney discounts! I don't even drive

 

[disneydreamin247]

I'm sorry if this may be a silly question. If you want a AAA discount do you have to book through AAA?

If you want a room only you can book through Disney. If you want a package with tickets or DDP you have to book through AAA. Alot of DISers have a good AAA agent they use though. Just ask around and they will gladly share their info with you!

 

[Joshua_me]

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.

Yes. We did this at The Dolphin, (and have at other hotels not in The World) and two laptops worked just fine at the same time.... It should work at The Poly as well.... I don't see why not.

 

[disneydreamin247]

I have two questions :

1. why is it that the poly has to share buses with the other deluxe resorts? I really dont feel that makes sense. Is the bus system as bad as the value resorts that have to share.

2. Does anyone feel that the room/price is worth it? $400.00 plus per night for seven nights is alot.

I am a single mom of one and really want to stay at the poly but not sure if all the extra money is worth it. Being on the monorail would be great. Because the bus system at pop was horrible and maybe a little bit better at CBR.
Not trying to start trouble or change the thread just needed some friendly advice.

thank you

I haven't yet stayed on property before, but being in the same situation I can tell you what I've decided and how I got here, and maybe that will help you.

I too am a single parent of DS4. This is our first solo trip, and since I don't drive I have to rely solely on Disney transportation. Since DS is young, he is going to be VERY tired and CRANKY so being on the monorail would be very easy. Living in NYC I know all about buses and kids and strollers . Not my thing. I decided to spend the extra money to have the convenience of the monorail. Like a PP said there is the other alternative of a Garden Wing room at CR. HTH!