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

[adodson30]

Hello all! I've learned a lot from reading all of your great posts. I return to Disney after an 11 year hiatus. DH and I went on our honeymoon and I had previously gone a four or five times as a child. This time, we return with our DD4 and DD2 to the Poly, which is where I stayed with my family as a child. I think that I am more excited than my girls. I have read up on all the tips and have been very organized with my planning. I even have a dorky red binder with our itinerary, maps and ADR confirmation numbers. My husband thinks I am going over board, but I know that good planning pays off. I do wonder how long it takes to deplane, get to the Magical Express bus and actually arrive at the resort. Any ideas? Thanks to all!

 

[karentan]

I have read up on all the tips and have been very organized with my planning. I even have a dorky red binder with our itinerary, maps and ADR confirmation numbers.

you're not the only one....
ive got an A5 book with all my info in it, that way i can take it to the parks......

 

[SeaSpray]

I just added a few concierge lounge pictures to my web page. I'll continue the report tonight

http://www.brownfamilyvacations.com/html/Polynesian08.htm

 

[Kteacher]

Thanks-great pictures as always

 

[John's Mom]

I do wonder how long it takes to deplane, get to the Magical Express bus and actually arrive at the resort. Any ideas? Thanks to all!

From the time the plane landed until we got to the AKL, it took about 90 minutes.

 

[adodson30]

I'm glad I'm not the only one with a binder/notebook. I'm not sure how to put comments from other posts in here, but thanks for the replies. 90 minutes sounds like a fair amount of time to arrive. Actually, that is less than I had anticipated. I hope it holds true for us! I will probably have turned myself half inside out by the time we land in Orlando.

 

[KMLOVESWDW]

Going over some of the recent posts & I must say I've noticed alot of Massachusetts people there that week. We're from Mass & we were there May 18-22. We had a great time & can't wait to get back.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I just added a few concierge lounge pictures to my web page. I'll continue the report tonight

http://www.brownfamilyvacations.com/html/Polynesian08.htm

Looking at those pictures of the lounge brings back great memories of my families stay there from last December, so thanks for adding them.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

I just posted almost all of my Polynesian resort pictures on my website. Here's a link directly to that page: http://www.brownfamilyvacations.com/html/Polynesian08.htm

Thanks for the photos, SeaSpray! And welcome back!

 

[bunnyscootles]

Sea Spray I must have just missed you a dozen times. We were at the pool on Friday and I even recognize people in the pool we talked to from your pictures. We were mostly over by the water feature and had our picture taken by a nice photo pass guy before they cleared the pool and we headed for cover!

We were in Aotearoa - and actually had a nice lagoon and castle view. I do believe we had a little bit of an upgrade, or a really lucky view. Either side of us had a view of a tree or just the lagoon.
We stayed in #3226 for anyone wondering, I will post a review and lots of pictures as promised!!

 

[carymomof3]

Can someone tell me if there are steps down into the quiet pool or are there only ladders? DS14 is disabled and we we're hoping to use the QP when we go to give him some more room, but need steps to get him in the pool.

 

[billnang]

There are steps in the quiet pool. My FIL was not able to stand in the pool last year but was able to sit on the steps and enjoy watching his grandchildren.

Angela

 

[carymomof3]

There are steps in the quiet pool. My FIL was not able to stand in the pool last year but was able to sit on the steps and enjoy watching his grandchildren.

Angela

THANKS!!!

 

[BCV23]

Hello all! I've learned a lot from reading all of your great posts. I return to Disney after an 11 year hiatus. DH and I went on our honeymoon and I had previously gone a four or five times as a child. This time, we return with our DD4 and DD2 to the Poly, which is where I stayed with my family as a child. I think that I am more excited than my girls. I have read up on all the tips and have been very organized with my planning. I even have a dorky red binder with our itinerary, maps and ADR confirmation numbers. My husband thinks I am going over board, but I know that good planning pays off. I do wonder how long it takes to deplane, get to the Magical Express bus and actually arrive at the resort. Any ideas? Thanks to all!

Welcome to the DIS!!! And happy planning!

Seaspray, we must have missed each other by minutes at Kona.

johnsonet, enjoy your trip and Kona.

 

[huntconn]

Welcome back SeaSpray. Glad you had a great trip. So, is it safe to assume that recent reports on other threads of the "horrible conditions" at the Poly are greatly exaggerated ? (as always)

 

[cara loves the poly]

It was great meeting you SeaSpray! Welcome back!

 

[adodson30]

Welcome to the DIS!!! And happy planning!

Thanks! We leave on the 12th of June so we are counting down the days.

I have to say that seeing all of the recent pictures from your vacation, Seaspray, have me thinking and dreaming of nothing but the Polynesian. I know it will be just as magical as I remember.

I was wondering if it is necessary to make lunch reservations for Kona. Will it be that busy? I made some ADRs for early breakfasts just to make sure we can get an early start. Also, we have an early breakfast at Boma one morning at 7:35. AK opens early that day so I think Disney transportation from the TTC should get us there on time, or should we just take a cab? I am a bit concerned about taking a cab w/o a car seat for DD2. Any advice?

 

[cara loves the poly]

Welcome to the DIS!!! And happy planning!

Thanks! We leave on the 12th of June so we are counting down the days.

I have to say that seeing all of the recent pictures from your vacation, Seaspray, have me thinking and dreaming of nothing but the Polynesian. I know it will be just as magical as I remember.

I was wondering if it is necessary to make lunch reservations for Kona. Will it be that busy? I made some ADRs for early breakfasts just to make sure we can get an early start. Also, we have an early breakfast at Boma one morning at 7:35. AK opens early that day so I think Disney transportation from the TTC should get us there on time, or should we just take a cab? I am a bit concerned about taking a cab w/o a car seat for DD2. Any advice?

Just take a bus from right in front of the Poly to AK. (They usually start running 1 hour before the park opens) I don't think lunch reservations will be necessary for Kona.

 

[BCV23]

I was wondering if it is necessary to make lunch reservations for Kona. Will it be that busy? I made some ADRs for early breakfasts just to make sure we can get an early start. Also, we have an early breakfast at Boma one morning at 7:35. AK opens early that day so I think Disney transportation from the TTC should get us there on time, or should we just take a cab? I am a bit concerned about taking a cab w/o a car seat for DD2. Any advice?

I agree that it really isn't necessary to make lunch reservations for Kona. However, if you have a rough idea when you want to eat, it will probably save you some time to make one even if you make it that am. With one, you'll probably be seated immediately. Without one, they'll have you cool your heels for a few minutes.

As for Boma, there are no buses from the TTC to AKL...wasn't sure if you knew that from your post. So you would need to take a bus from the TTC to AK and transfer to an AKL bus. A taxi would get you there in time for sure. I think the buses from the TTC just start an hour before park opening....is it 8am opening that day?

 

[BCV23]

Oh, and I just remembered something new...or at least for me. There's a dedicated Polynesian channel now. I think it was channel 20. It listed info on recreation, travel options, restaurants, etc.. on different screens.