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

[Marc A.]

NW burbs here

 

[PrincessBelle23]

Hello everyone!
Next summer we'll be going to Disney as part of a *WISH* for a wonderful 5 yo girl I nanny for. There will be three kids - 2, 5, and 6 at the time of travel, and most likely 4 adults. The family is leaning towards the Poly as their hotel of choice, and I was hoping that some of you DISers could share your Poly-knowledge and opinions as to whether or not this would be fitting for the special trip and the given ages of the children. Of course, I'm all for the Poly, but is it the right choice for the little ones? TIA!

 

[Tess]

Hello everyone!
Next summer we'll be going to Disney as part of a *WISH* for a wonderful 5 yo girl I nanny for. There will be three kids - 2, 5, and 6 at the time of travel, and most likely 4 adults. The family is leaning towards the Poly as their hotel of choice, and I was hoping that some of you DISers could share your Poly-knowledge and opinions as to whether or not this would be fitting for the special trip and the given ages of the children. Of course, I'm all for the Poly, but is it the right choice for the little ones? TIA!

My kids have been staying at the Polynesian since they were around the ages of those mentioned (the two oldest). . .they loved it then and continue to love the Polynesian and they are now 20 and 17! They have stayed at BC, YC, AKL, GF, POR, CBR, and ASMu, too. The Polynesian is their absolute favorite!

I hope the trip is magical in every way for your group and your special charges.

 

[Disneylvr]

Okay, now that I am more rested from our trip (we just got home yesterday) I can post more of a review/report on the Polynesian. First of all we booked a Magic Your Way Package with a garden view room and the Disney Dining Plan for 5 nights at the Polynesian. Why the Poly you ask? Two years ago we stayed at the Contemporary because being on the monorail is convenient for our family especially since our daughter has autism. Buses are not a good idea for her and we don't like to have to drive to EVERY park so the monorail resorts are a good fit for us. We drive to AK and the Studios and monorail to Epcot and MK. The downside is that we have to shorten the length of our trip in order to afford a deluxe, but that is our preferred choice, at least until DD learns to function a little better in the typical world.

We arrived at the Poly around 2pm on the 17th. A CM named Arsenio checked me in (DH was parking the car). My room request (remember we booked a plain ole garden view) was for a 3rd floor room in Fiji, Samoa, Tokelau or Raratonga. When Arsenio was about to hand me the keys (DH was back from parking the car) he said our room was ready yet (I started to get disappointed) but he said he could tell us what building it was in and then said you have a concierge room in the Hawaii building. The disappointment of the room not being ready immediately disappeared and I was reduced to tears of JOY!!!!! I know our upgrade was not a Magical Dream but it sure felt like one!!!! Life with autism is not always easy for us and we were just so happy to have an opportunity to stay at the Poly but to have the opportunity to enjoy concierge was a REAL SPECIAL TREAT for our little family of 3. Bless you Arsenio!!!

We stored our luggage and went over to MK to get DD's GAC and enjoy a few attractions. Arsenio had given me a card and phone number to call and check to see if our room was ready. It became available around 4:30pm so we took the monorail from MK back to the Poly.

We used our "keys" to enter the Hawaii building.

DH promptly made himself at home in the concierge building and went over to a CM to try and get a Chef Mickey's ADR that we have been trying to get for weeks. MORE MAGIC, we got it for 6:30pm on Saturday night.

Our room was #3523. It was on the 3rd floor and faced the quiet pool. I didn't take any photos of the inside of the room confused: ) but I did take a photo of the view from our balcony.

The room was large and contained amenities like bathrobes, fancy soaps, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, mouth wash, toothbrushes, sunburn gel.... DD enjoyed the DVD in the television. The room was very clean and well maintained. We also received turn down service at night, daily USA Today newspaper and use of the 2nd floor lounge.

We loved the pampering! But concierge is not a service we would ever pay for. We had the DDP as part of our package so between than AND have access to the lounge we just had more food than we could actually eat. On the plus side we were always able to feed our very picky daughter and always had milk available for her. The adult beverages and evening desserts were nice too!

We have totally fallen in love with the Poly with or without concierge. The atmosphere just means totally relaxation for us including our DD. She also loved being so close to the monorail. My only complaint is the overcrowded main pool. It was absolutely packed from about 2pm-7pm or so everyday.

It was not a comfortable swimming situation for DD so after the first attempt at swimming we went to the "quiet" pool after that. The volcano pool is so cool but is way too small for the size of the resort OR too many outsiders are using it. It was also colder than the quiet pool. I do wish we could of used it more because the zero entry is perfect for DD.

We also enjoyed both Ohana's and the Kona Cafe (once for dinner and once for breakfast). I will probably post a dining review in the restaurant forum. We watched the water pageant and Wishes from the beach and Wishes from the concierge lounge. Overall we give the Polynesian Resort a 10!!!! Now we have to start saving for a return trip in 2010.

 

[sandym718]

Hello everyone!
Next summer we'll be going to Disney as part of a *WISH* for a wonderful 5 yo girl I nanny for. There will be three kids - 2, 5, and 6 at the time of travel, and most likely 4 adults. The family is leaning towards the Poly as their hotel of choice, and I was hoping that some of you DISers could share your Poly-knowledge and opinions as to whether or not this would be fitting for the special trip and the given ages of the children. Of course, I'm all for the Poly, but is it the right choice for the little ones? TIA!

Another big thumbs up here!! I think the Poly is the best resort with little ones, the transportation options are great - Monorail to both MK and Epcot. We went in 2007 and our kiddos were 2 (almost 3) and 4 (almost 5) - it was perfect. In addition, it is just a stunning resort, so peaceful and relaxing - a real refuge from the parks, gives you that "relaxed" feel as well. Sounds like this family may need that, too! The pool is great for little ones as it's zero entry, and the 5 and 6 y.o.'s may really enjoy the slide, my DS LOVED it. The beach is also a big hit, and depending on their bedtimes, the advantage of watching Wishes/EWP from the beach can be a big one!! A few times we all watched the EWP at 9, took the kids in for showers/PJ's and brought them back out (in PJ's) to watch Wishes, then straight to bed!!! And, again, the transportation is great. If the 2 y.o. naps (mine both did then), and you'll be returning to the room for that each day, the monorail makes that so easy. I'd say it's the perfect choice!! We're headed back in May 2009!!

 

[mikasmom]

My mother, myself and my DD will be at the Poly from 5/19 till 5/26. This will be my first trip since 1986 and DD's first trip and we will be celebrating her 5th birthday. I have several fun surprises planned for the week in the park but am wondering if there is anything special for her to "not miss" at the resort. Thanks in advance and I have to say I have read through the thread and all of your pictures have convinced me I made the right choice in resort.

 

[CheshireCat3]

Good morning! I was wondering if the monorail goes from the Poly to Epcot directly. My family and I have always just walked to the TTC.

Sorry for the silly question!

 

[DisneyDad in PA]

Good morning! I was wondering if the monorail goes from the Poly to Epcot directly. My family and I have always just walked to the TTC.

Sorry for the silly question!

No silly questions here. Not directly. You can ride it around the lake to the TTC and change monorails there.

 

[AlisaMom]

No silly questions here. Not directly. You can ride it around the lake to the TTC and change monorails there.

Or you can walk from Poly to TTC and take Epcot Monorail - it can be quicker.

 

[CheshireCat3]

No silly questions here. Not directly. You can ride it around the lake to the TTC and change monorails there.

Thank you so much! I appreciate it!

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

My mother, myself and my DD will be at the Poly from 5/19 till 5/26. This will be my first trip since 1986 and DD's first trip and we will be celebrating her 5th birthday. I have several fun surprises planned for the week in the park but am wondering if there is anything special for her to "not miss" at the resort. Thanks in advance and I have to say I have read through the thread and all of your pictures have convinced me I made the right choice in resort.

Aloha!

Whenever I take my daughter, these are the things we try to do:

1. Have at least one (1) stay at the Neverland kid's club
2. Do crafts at the Keki Korner in the GCH
3. Breakfast at 'Ohana (w/ Lilo, Stitch, Mickey and Pluto)
4. Dinner at 'Ohana (coconut races rule!)
5. Do the kid's Keki Hula (request a schedule of kid's activities on check-in)
6. See the Eletric Water Parade at one of the Poly beaches
7. See Wishes fireworks from one of the Poly beaches.

Hope that helps!

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

We have totally fallen in love with the Poly with or without concierge. The atmosphere just means totally relaxation for us including our DD. She also loved being so close to the monorail. My only complaint is the overcrowded main pool. It was absolutely packed from about 2pm-7pm or so everyday.

That's why I love the Poly for DD8 and I. The atmosphere is so relaxing and the location is invaluable. But yes, that volcano pool gets crazy crowded during those times you mentioned. In August, the Terror Squad and I were in the pool during those times about once or twice (they usually swam at night) and after swimming with all of those folks, they preferred swimming at night.

So glad you had a magical trip and the upgrade courtesy of CM Arsenio!

 

[Lizzy Lemon]

Well its all booked now, on 27th July 2009 we will arrive at the Poly for the last week of our stay following 3 nights at Universal Hard Rock and 7 nights at the AKL

 

[BCV23]

Well its all booked now, on 27th July 2009 we will arrive at the Poly for the last week of our stay following 3 nights at Universal Hard Rock and 7 nights at the AKL

Congratulations and happy planning!

 

[Mickdeb]

Well, just wanted to say thanks to Seaspray and other posters for all the info and pictures on this thread. I feel like every question has been answered and we are ready for our relaxing and fun vacation.
We leave Monday for 8 days at the Poly. Our first stay there, we are so looking forward to it.
Aloha

 

[BCV23]

Well, just wanted to say thanks to Seaspray and other posters for all the info and pictures on this thread. I feel like every question has been answered and we are ready for our relaxing and fun vacation.
We leave Monday for 8 days at the Poly. Our first stay there, we are so looking forward to it.
Aloha

Have a great vacation, Deb! Aloha!

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

I'm making myself little notes about things not to forget while on our trip (in 33 days!!! ). What should I put on my check-in card? Things to ask, request, have with me, etc. when I check in would be great to include. I have two little ones, so I'm interested in the kids' activities at the resort, too. Saw that MsStinkerBelle (Poly PR Maven!!!) mentioned a schedule of kids' activities was available. Anything else?? MsStinkerBelle, Seaspray?

 

[shyjade]

I need your opinion Poly experts!

I have a Garden Room booked at the Poly for November. I am treating my parents for their 30th anniversary (mom & step-dad actually, but I consider him my "dad" since he's been raising me since I was 7). They haven't been to Disney in 26 years, have never stayed overnight let alone stayed onsite, so this is truly a dream vacation for them!

Should I splurge and switch to a Club Level room? I want my parents to feel very special and pampered on this trip, would Club Level do that? Are the Lagoon View Club Level rooms all spectacular, or do we risk getting a tree-blocked view from the Hawaii building? Will we be able to see the castle?

TIA for any and all opinions...

 

[Mousecat]

I too want to thank all of your for the great photos and advice. I leave for my first Poly trip on Sunday and I can't wait. You folks have really added to my excitement.

 

[ardnassac79]

Hey Everyone! I love this thread, my hubby found it, and we have been reading through it getting more and more excited about our upcoming vaca - we'll be checking in to the Poly for 7 nights next Friday.

We are a tad concerned about one thing though... we will probably go to the Boardwalk area one night, and may end up in the ESPN Zone in the evening... late evening... I have a question about how to get back to the hotel... what time does the monorail stop running? I notice the times for Epcot show Future world closing around 7 each night... can we still walk thru it to get to the Monorail? If so, how late will it run - till the end of the closing of the World Showcase? What if we miss the Monorail completely? Is there a way to walk or bus back, or would a taxi be our only option?

Thanks in advance! I appreciate everyone's input!