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

[Bella O]

I share your excitement I have been wanting to stay at the Poly since I was a little girl on my first trip to wdw in 1975. We were staying at the Tree House villas, and back then if you were staying in Disney, you could use the other hotels facilities......so we went over to the Poly to swim, and it was like a magical, fantastical land. For one reason or another, we have never stayed there - till now Someone just canceled and I was able to get the Princess suite for 1/2-1/6! It is my dd last trip before going off to college, so we really wanted to do it up. We are also staying at the BC from 12/30-1/2 - only problem is it's so far away!

 

[SeaSpray]

After MUCH discussion ...hubby & I ... bounced from having a ressie at the WL...TO FW cabins...to NOW THE POLY!!! I just made my ressie today..and I havent been there since I was 10! (Im 30 ahem...something now)

SO needless to say Im estatic and have many questions.

Is breakfast at Ohana as fun as I remember? I thought it was a lot of fun, and I don't even have young kids anymore. LOL The characters are Mickey Mouse (in his Hawaiian style shirt), Lilo, Stitch, and I think Pluto.

Do they still serve Tonga toast? They serve Tonga Toast at the Kona Cafe (sit-down restaurant) and also at Captain Cook's (the counter service restaurant).

Can you still hear fun polynesian music as you walk on the paths? Yes!

What about the boats - Sea RAycers How old do kids have to be to ride?I'm not sure if there's an age limit to be a passenger, and it used to be age 12 and up to drive, but I believe they raised it to age 16 in the last couple of years, but when I go next month I'll try and find out for sure.

And MOST important...the Electrical WAter Pageant. Will it still give me chills? I have no idea if it'll give you chills or not. LOL But I think it's pretty cool that they still have the EWP every single night, ever since WDW and the Polynesian opened!

Im soooo ooOOOOoooOooOoOOOO Excited we finally made our choice !

 

[mikkiwikki]

After MUCH discussion ...hubby & I ... bounced from having a ressie at the WL...TO FW cabins...to NOW THE POLY!!! I just made my ressie today..and I havent been there since I was 10! (Im 30 ahem...something now)

SO needless to say Im estatic and have many questions.
Can you still hear fun polynesian music as you walk on the paths? Yes! What about the boats - Sea RAycers How old do kids have to be to ride?I'm not sure if there's an age limit to be a passenger, when I go next month I'll try and find out!
And MOST important...the Electrical WAter Pageant. Will it still give me chills? I have no idea if it'll give you chills or not LOL But I think it's pretty cool that they still have the EWP every single night, ever since WDW and the Polynesian opened!
Im soooo ooOOOOoooOooOoOOOO Excited we finally made our choice !

hA HA The getting chills part was asked tongue in cheek. BUT Im sure I will.

I truly hope they never get rid of it. As I have heard a few people say they think of it as only a "minor attraction", but when you are a kid...EWP gave me such wonderful memories of the poly and disney and what was possible if you just BELIEVE. It really was the highlight of my trip. For me - its something not to be missed.

I can't explain it...It just brings the magic of disney...the impossible right to your door step...Now Im gushing...sorry..

 

[SeaSpray]

I share your excitement I have been wanting to stay at the Poly since I was a little girl on my first trip to wdw in 1975. We were staying at the Tree House villas, and back then if you were staying in Disney, you could use the other hotels facilities......so we went over to the Poly to swim, and it was like a magical, fantastical land. For one reason or another, we have never stayed there - till now Someone just canceled and I was able to get the Princess suite for 1/2-1/6! It is my dd last trip before going off to college, so we really wanted to do it up. We are also staying at the BC from 12/30-1/2 - only problem is it's so far away!

Congratulations, that IS very exciting! I felt the same exact way that you did, the first time I visited the Polynesian resort.

I hope you have a great time, I hope that the next 8 months fly by for you, and I hope you come back here and post some pictures of the suite!!

 

[SeaSpray]

I can't explain it...It just brings the magic of disney...the impossible right to your door step...Now Im gushing...sorry..

Hey, we understand, and feel the same exact way!!!

 

[HerdOHuds]

I was wondering what the beverage options for Captain Cook's are? I have heard mention of frozen drinks-not like adult beverages but frozen Coke? Is that available there? And can I fill the souvenier cup with that? Just curious. Thanks!

 

[monorailsilver]

hA HA The getting chills part was asked tongue in cheek. BUT Im sure I will.

I truly hope they never get rid of it. As I have heard a few people say they think of it as only a "minor attraction", but when you are a kid...EWP gave me such wonderful memories of the poly and disney and what was possible if you just BELIEVE. It really was the highlight of my trip. For me - its something not to be missed.

I can't explain it...It just brings the magic of disney...the impossible right to your door step...Now Im gushing...sorry..

I agree. My dh (then boyfriend) thought I was crazy when I insisted on watching it. He now knows he can't say no.

Heck last trip in 2005, we missed the Poly one since we left Downtown Disney later then I wanted to so we got on the CR bus instead & watched it there..not the same but at least we saw it. But that did not make a very happy dh because the MK fireworks were just before it & the resort monorail was packed!

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

So, you haven't had a lot of allergy problems at the Poly? My little guy's got horrid allergies!!

Poor guy! He sounds like me when I was his age. But yes, I haven't had a lot of allergy problems at the Poly. The main aggrivator would be mold due to the humidity in Florida but since the A/C is on, I've never had a problem. Even in April of last year when I visited, my allergies were aggrivated by some blooming bush at Pop but once I got to the Poly I was fine. I credit it to all the plants and water in the GCH.

Cheesy, but fun. It's something to do "once" IMO...DD9 liked it last year but agreed there is no need to do it again this year.

My whole sentiment is echoed by what Nani said in Lilo and Stitch, "Who wants to work at this fake luau anyway." It was nice to do and frankly the first 1/2 was extremely cheesy but the second part with all the dances is the best part of the show! It's an experience everyone should do at least once at Disney.

I was wondering what the beverage options for Captain Cook's are? I have heard mention of frozen drinks-not like adult beverages but frozen Coke? Is that available there? And can I fill the souvenier cup with that? Just curious. Thanks!

From what I can recall, they had the standard Coke products (Coke, Cherry Coke, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Sprite, Minute Maid light lemonade), apple juice and I *think* they had Powerade. No Frozen Coke though. By souvenier mug do you mean the refillable one? If so then yes, you can refill those. I think they cost around $12.95 or something.

 

[darthvaderusa]

We haven't seen the Torchlighting Ceremony yet, either! I hope to see it next month, as long as I remember to plan it in!! LOL

I think one reason that we haven't happen to "catch it" is because it's performed in the front of the resort, and we usually aren't in the front of the resort. We usually either take the monorail from the second floor of the GCH, or we go to TTC for the Epcot monorail and buses.

I saw the video that was posted and I definitely think it's worth the few minutes of time, to see in person!

I have the same issue. We're always in the back near the pools & boat dock. SeaSpray, were is the video you mention

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

So excited!!

Just booked our portrait sitting at the Poly for May 28th!! I can't wait!!



Now, I just have to hope we are energized enough to do it after a morning at MK. We're having breakfast at CRT, then planning on doing Fantasyland until noon or so. Then we're headed back to the Poly for a dip or a nap and our sitting is at 3:00.

It seems so close now!!

My ticker is in "days" mode!!

 

[cara loves the poly]

I am going to make it a point to see the torch lighting ceremony this time!

 

[disneydreamin247]

So excited!!

Just booked out portrait sitting at the Poly for May 28th!! I can't wait!!



Now, I just have to hope we are energized enough to do it after a morning at MK. We're having breakfast at CRT, then planning on doing Fantasyland until noon or so. Then we're headed back to the Poly for a dip or a nap and our sitting is at 3:00.

It seems so close now!!

My ticker is in "days" mode!!

That's so exciting! I can't wait to see the way your photos come out. I might be booking one for October!

 

[momsavealot]

So excited!!

Just booked out portrait sitting at the Poly for May 28th!! I can't wait!!



Now, I just have to hope we are energized enough to do it after a morning at MK. We're having breakfast at CRT, then planning on doing Fantasyland until noon or so. Then we're headed back to the Poly for a dip or a nap and our sitting is at 3:00.

It seems so close now!!

My ticker is in "days" mode!!

OOOHHHH! Please, please, please report back and post photos. I would love to see and hear how it goes. I plan on doing it for my family in August!

 

[Deffenm]

I am trying to determine what hotel to stay at for our 2009 trip and I was wondering how families of 5 fit into the rooms? There will be me, dh, DS 9, DS 8, DD5. We have stayed at POR and thought it was a little crowded plus the double size beds just arent big enough for DH. I am torn between the POLY and BC. My kids love swimming and I love EPCOT so I thought BC would be nice however, DH loves Bay lake (fishing trips), and I love the theme, food, and the fact that I can watch Wishes and the water parade. Any input from families of 5 that have stayed there would be great. Thank you,

 

[jenn-n-okla]

The frozen Coke Icee is over at the POP. You can get it in Epcot too at the coke exibit.

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

That's so exciting! I can't wait to see the way your photos come out. I might be booking one for October!

OOOHHHH! Please, please, please report back and post photos. I would love to see and hear how it goes. I plan on doing it for my family in August!

You got it!! I'll post here first! I am sooooooooooo excited!!!!!

I am trying to determine what hotel to stay at for our 2009 trip and I was wondering how families of 5 fit into the rooms? There will be me, dh, DS 9, DS 8, DD5. We have stayed at POR and thought it was a little crowded plus the double size beds just arent big enough for DH. I am torn between the POLY and BC. My kids love swimming and I love EPCOT so I thought BC would be nice however, DH loves Bay lake (fishing trips), and I love the theme, food, and the fact that I can watch Wishes and the water parade. Any input from families of 5 that have stayed there would be great. Thank you,

We'll be a family of 6, so I can get back to you in a month. Well, technically we'll be a family of 5 plus an "infant." It will be me, mom, grandparents, DNiece 5 turning 6 and DS 2 turning 3.

Poly vets, will the little ones fit together on the day bed? They're average sized 2/3 and 5/6 year olds.

 

[sandym718]

Poly vets, will the little ones fit together on the day bed? They're average sized 2/3 and 5/6 year olds.

I'm trying to remember - I think they would, especially laying with heads at opposite ends, feet towards each other. Another option if you don't want to do a pack-n-play or crib (mine were always out of them before 2) is that there is a chair with an ottoman in the room. My kids actually fought to nap in that each day, it was comfortable for either of them (mine were almost 3 and almost 5 at the time). They actually laid down on it with a pillow, using it as a bed, not sleeping upright if you KWIM. We only had 4 in the room, so plenty of bed space, but they still took turns napping in that chair, LOL!

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

So excited!!

Just booked our portrait sitting at the Poly for May 28th!! I can't wait!!

Awesome! I can't wait to hear how the experience was and see the photos that came out. I just put this in the budget spreadsheet for DD and I for our December trip.

Any input from families of 5 that have stayed there would be great. Thank you,

The Terror Squad (DD8, DN9, DN13 and DGS14) and I stayed at the Poly last August and we had plenty of room! We never felt like we were all on top of each other. Lots of room for everyone to have their 'personal space'. The only crowded spot was right in front of the flat-screen TV.

Another option if you don't want to do a pack-n-play or crib (mine were always out of them before 2) is that there is a chair with an ottoman in the room. My kids actually fought to nap in that each day, it was comfortable for either of them (mine were almost 3 and almost 5 at the time). They actually laid down on it with a pillow, using it as a bed, not sleeping upright if you KWIM. We only had 4 in the room, so plenty of bed space, but they still took turns napping in that chair, LOL!

This is a great idea! My DD8 actually fell asleep in that chair on several occasions. My DN9 tried to 'claim' it from her but it didn't go very well. LOL! It is a very nice and plush ottoman.

 

[Poppinsme]

I hope its not to late guys..... .
THANK YOU SEASPRAY!!!! What a beautiful, beautiful set up and page work. Truly an ALOHA!

And now for a quick review. DH and I stayed at the Poly for 9 glorious days last year. We were there for our 32nd Anni. And we choose the Poly because we fell in love with it on our first WDW trip in the 90s. Didn't think we could afford it then, now we can.

Stayed concierge Hawaii building room 1517 LV. When we arrived by ME the fabulous service started. Got our bags within 2 hrs. from airport. (In fact we had just came back from the lounge and they were unloading them.)
Took a golf cart back to the Hawaii long house and were greeted warmly by the staff.
Leis were put around our necks and we sat down to discuss room and goodies. They gave us a map of the resort and went over our ADRs. Showed us the lounge upstairs where we got a fruit drink. Then it was off to our room. I had requested a ground floor room and got it. The view of MK was breathtaking and we both were speechless. Sat immediately outside on our patio and DE-stressed baby! The fragrance from the flowers was heavenly. Inside the room was very clean and smelled wonderful. Lots of towels and H2O soaps and shampoos. We decided to check out the rest of the resort. Went back to the lounge for cookies and juice. And walked around the beautiful grounds. This was the start of one of our lifetime great events.

If I could count how many Alohas we got through our stay. EVERY staff person said it to us. When we wore our Anni. buttons they all asked us how many years. They treated us like royalty all the way through the trip. Every night when we came back from the parks towel animals were waiting for us and hearts made out of towels. We got our card signed by Mickey and Minnie wishing us a merry Anni. and a delicious Poly chocolate bar. Yum!

The room was always clean and smelled good. The fridge kept everything nice and cold. TV was fine I guess, we didn't really watch any.
I had bought my DH a huge Mickey and lots of flowers and balloons for the room. They put that huge Mickey in many different hilarious posses through out the stay. We still laugh about this. Also the flowers were artfully arranged every evening for the best viewing. How sweet!

Loved the pools. But I enjoyed the quiet pool the best. Got a mixed drink from the barefoot bar and walked over to the quiet pool many an evening. What yummy tropical drinks. The pools were nice and clean.

All the food served in the lounge that we had was delicious. My favorite was the pineapple bread for breakfast. I ate this all but one morning when we ate at Kona. DH loved the coffee and rolls. We never took any cold drinks out of the lounge as I had stocked the fridge with tea but I guess you can. The hot offerings that we had were so good! I loved the hot and sour soup.

Grounds were immaculate and like I said fragrant. The Christmas lights and decorations, beautiful. Loved the torch lighting and Hawaiian music.

The fire works from MK were the highlight of our room. Some nights we got to see 2 shows because of MVMCP. What fun! The EWP was cool!!! I rode the Monorail soooo many times, loved it. And believe me having a Monorail resort is so darn convenient.

I use a cane from time to time and had no issues with getting around at the Poly. Always felt safe.

We would go back to the Poly in a heartbeat. And will be back at this special place in our hearts in 2009. This year its gonna be BWI.
Maybe this wasn't that short of a report after all.

 

[mousescrapper]

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.

Thanks! probably saw that on the brochere, but didn't realize that was it...good to know

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.

If you requested a certain longhouse how did you do it (fax, phone call, request when you got there)? I also was wondering are the showerheads removable? I use one of those suction cup showerhead holders at home for the kids put it down low and it works great. I was wondering if I should bring it. They hate getting water in the face!

Thanks for putting the question out there...was kind of wondering the same thing, my younger DD's we use the hand shower to rinse...for now have giant water cup waiting to be packed.

I don't think they are. I just know the spray is adjustable. When I took the Terror Squad last august, my DD8 and my DN9 bathed in the tub because the shower head was so high.

thanks for the answer, hope the twins (almost 9) can manage the shower head...seriously don't want to bathe 4 kids!

I'm back All I can say is, "Wow!"

THANK you for the GREAT review! and pictures. so glad you had a trip. and just the other night DH were talking about food at Kona and he was thinking of trying this...now I can show him a tempting picture!Macademia Mahi Mahi:

We found the 'Ohana character breakfast to be a lot of fun.

Thanks SeaSpray for the O'Hana review, we'll be dinning there for the character bfast very soon now and my older kids have on their TOP % lists to get Lilo and Stitich's autographs, glad to see the mickey waffles all the kids will like those, and DS LOVES fruit!

We are a family of six and when we stayed at the PoLY last year we had both the strollers put in from of the door that would be a connecting door if we were in connecting rooms....
Never had a problems storing them there.. actually i brought one of those pop up hampers for everyones clothes and that was in the room too with a crib and we still had a lot of room....
Another option is next to the dresser in bewteen the TV and the couch...that is where they had our crib...but if you don't have a crib you can certainly put strollers there too...

Have fun.. I go back in a few months
Angela

Thanks for your thoughts on family of 6 and fitting everything in the room, really gives me a better idea for our trip and once agian feeling good about this choice to stay at the Poly for the first time.

DisneyDad in PA Thanks for your review from last Aug. makes me very excitied!

I'm from the Western Burbs too!

ME TOO!

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.

Thanks Disneylvr for your story and review. We mostly picked staying at the Poly for the 1st time to becuase of ease for our DS who is on the spectrum. Your insight really helps!

Since I'm kinda homesick for the Poly right now, I found some links over on YouTube for some Disney cartoons that help me miss it a bit less. in Enjoy!

COOL, I copied and pasted to look at later with my kids! This will be fun.

Wow, Poly PR Maven! Thanks!

One other thing I remember for kids is that from 1pm - 4pm there is an activity in the Neverland club for kids 4 - 12. You have to be there with your kids at that time but it's a great way to see if they'll like the Neverland club. while there are some things that are scheduled, the Keki Corner (the kids area in the GCH where the flat-screen tv running the cartoon loop is) always has crayons and paper for the kids, and sometimes a CM is there making towel animals the kids can take with them. Nice comfy chairs for worn-out parents too.

Thanks for mentioning the open kid time, we have our older 3 kids signed up for one night here...and I've a little worried how DS (on the spectrum) and younger DD may handle being dropped off somewhere unknown. This will great to checkout when we first arrive, so they get a feel for it.

Yep, no freezer section in the new fridges.

On a side note, I was told to set the refrigerator at 5. That way everything is kept cold, nothing freezes, the units don't overheat and you can shut the cabinet door. Worked perfectly for us.

Super bummer on the no freezer in the fridge...was hoping to do the ice pack thing too, for my 18 mo DD's juice or milk in tow...try the ticebucket thing somewhere else mentioned. Glad to read up on the things in advance.