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

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thanks! The pictures don't do it justice though...what a beautiful resort!

You're welcome and I agree with you because the Polynesian is a beautiful place to stay.

 

[KJF]

Even the parking lot views aren't bad - we were in Rapa Nui facing the lot & it was great sitting in the chairs watching the monorail go by. The parking lot wasn't busy, so not much there. Plus, we were right near the TTC. It worked out great. My only request when booking was to have a balcony or patio - they did try to put us in one of the 2nd floor rooms w/ no balcony & I asked to be switched - luckily they were able to. With small kids, it was nice to be able to sit out there once they were sleeping.

 

[KMLOVESWDW]

We loved loved loved our 3rd floor room in Fiji overlooking the cove instead of the marina. You can see the beach which is never busy, the wedding pavalion & even the monorail going by. It's quiet & peaceful & close to pretty much everything. And GV. My next choice for GV would be Samoa facing the volcano pool. I think they both have great views. I'll try to post some of my pictures a little later. PM if you have any questions. I know how it feels. We are doing GV at the GF for the first time in Sept & really don't know where I would like to be!!

 

[BCV23]

Thanks- I am just afriad that I will get a parking lot view....

Rapa Nui has parking lot views on one side but there is vegetation in between. There is one third floor room on that side that I wouldn't want...someone posted a picture of the view once...it looked over a roof which blocked the pretty view of the plants and then the parking lot.

Raratonga has one side that faces the parking lot but there is tons of landscaping in between as well as a hill. We spent one night in a room on the second floor there and the view was lovely. It's a very convenient location.

I wouldn't want some rooms that face South in Tuvalu.

But most rooms have incredible garden views.

I'm around, just busy--busy. Yep, our baby is graduating Sunday--we are in a better place this time around and I'm sure our vacation won't be as "blah" as it was after our son's graduation. Not that I will miss her any less than him, but she has opted to head to the same college as our son and they will both be only about 1/2 an hour away!

Shameless brag--she would not be outdone by her brother either, just as he did, she earned the valedictorian title! So, while we are now overwhelmed preparing for graduation and vacation, we are also oh so and quite proud. Our house will be mighty quiet this fall--it's all good though! I still keep my eye on everyone around here despite the craziness right now. Thanks for remembering our daughter and the good wishes for our vacation.

Wow, you should be so proud of both of them. That's fantastic...two valedictorians!

Have a great trip!

Even the parking lot views aren't bad - we were in Rapa Nui facing the lot & it was great sitting in the chairs watching the monorail go by. The parking lot wasn't busy, so not much there. Plus, we were right near the TTC. It worked out great. My only request when booking was to have a balcony or patio - they did try to put us in one of the 2nd floor rooms w/ no balcony & I asked to be switched - luckily they were able to. With small kids, it was nice to be able to sit out there once they were sleeping.

Ah, and there we have a testimonial for the parking lot side of Rapa Nui.

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

I sure am missing the Poly!! Now that we've stayed there, I can't imagine staying anywhere else!! Some of the actual Polynesian staff were on the look out for me because of my Polynesian last name (I'm half Samoan). It was pretty funny.

As promised, here are a few screen shots from our Poly photo shoot.

I'm sort of kicking myself for not adding more days and the no expiration. I'm toying around with the idea of doing a grown-ups or girls reunion trip during free dining. The deadline's quickly approaching, so I guess I'd better get on it!

 

[BCV23]

Great pictures, TotalSnowWhite!!

That's so sweet that they were on the lookout for you! 'Ohana...right?

 

[eyenjeff]

Awesome pictures!!! I can't wait! We have so long to go!!! I just keep reading everyones comments and dreaming of the day we get to go!

 

[*HappilyEverAfter*]

Awesome pictures!!! I can't wait! We have so long to go!!! I just keep reading everyones comments and dreaming of the day we get to go!

The Polynesian is truly my favorite hotel in Walt Disney World. I can't imagine a trip without staying there. Ok, no I wouldn't turn down a trip at the Wilderness Lodge, and yes you do save a load of money, but the Polynesian IS MAGICAL.

 

[HerdOHuds]

TotalSnowWhite!!!

Thanks so much for posting your lovely photopass pictures at the Poly! We hope to do that in December when we visit and your pictures get me even MORE excited than before!!!!

Thankyou!

 

[disneysuncat]

TotalSnowWhite, those pics are just gorgeous! I have been debating doing the photo shoot for our upcoming trip. You have one happy looking family!

Here's a general question to you Poly regulars (it'll be my first Poly stay!) Here's our plan...we're driving down, and will be checking into a package at the Poly concierge for 7 nights. After that, we're checking into Poly (non-concierge) for 4 more nights. Am I correct that Disney will just move my luggage for me over to the other Poly room? Also, once I am parked for the trip, I want to be parked until I leave. Is there a separate parking for concierge guests, or will I get lucky and I won't have to fool with my car until we are ready to leave WDW?

Ooh, I thought of one more question...tell me all about that delicious looking lapu-lapu.

 

[BCV23]

TotalSnowWhite, those pics are just gorgeous! I have been debating doing the photo shoot for our upcoming trip. You have one happy looking family!

Here's a general question to you Poly regulars (it'll be my first Poly stay!) Here's our plan...we're driving down, and will be checking into a package at the Poly concierge for 7 nights. After that, we're checking into Poly (non-concierge) for 4 more nights. Am I correct that Disney will just move my luggage for me over to the other Poly room? Also, once I am parked for the trip, I want to be parked until I leave. Is there a separate parking for concierge guests, or will I get lucky and I won't have to fool with my car until we are ready to leave WDW?

Ooh, I thought of one more question...tell me all about that delicious looking lapu-lapu.

What a wonderfully long stay!!

Bell services will hold your luggage for you if you are roomless for a while on your move day. Just call them when you're packed. When you get in the second room, call and they will deliver the bags.

There's always a slim chance that the second room will be ready in the am. In that case, just call and they will come and move your luggage with you.

There is no separate parking for concierge guests. Just park the car yourself when you arrive. The concierge will give you a parking pass with the first checkout date. You'll get a new one when you do the second checkin.

Don't park valet when you first arrive or you will be charged a daily fee while your car sits.

I've had Lapu Lapus. They're tasty, strong, sweet and refreshing. Rum and fruit juices I think. The mai tais at the Polynesian are also the best!!!

Happy planning!

 

[Tink rules]

I've changed rooms just this last trip. They had me all the way out by the TTC but my mom is 76 and the walk was killing her... so I called and they moved us to Fiji the next day.

Everyone was great about it. Just call bell services and they will come and get your bags. They will hold them until your next room is ready. All you have to do is call them and they will deliver them. I'd suggest a nice tip both ways... Well... I did... I just had 6 bags going with me on the Panama Canal Repo on DCL and they moved them several times!!!

 

[cecile]

I have waited to give this review because of one major issue. When we left for our trip to Disney it was early in the morning and I was hastily throwing last minute things in the suitcase. I put my diamond stud earings in the suitcase in a small jewelry box. I honestly forget I had brought them. No excuse just was busy making sure all six people in our party had all of their things. We stayed at the Pop Century first night and brought our suitcases in with us. We woke up early and checked in at the Polynesian at 7:00. The night at the Pop was long and we didn't get much sleep with the hard beds and the noise from loud neighbors. Our suite was not ready so we got our KTTW and they stored our luggage. We went to MK until 12:00 and came back to the Poly to see if we could check in. Our room was ready and we received our luggage about 30 minutes later. At this point I was running on very little sleep and honestly did not remember that I had packed the earings and not taken them out and put them in my backpack which had been the plan when I packed them. I am not trying to make excuses it was my fault for storing luggage with no luggage lock on it. The suite was beautful with a wonderful view of the castle and wishes at night. In the suite was DH, DD,and two of her friends for her graduation from high school, DS and myself . I had some earrings I left on the entire trip and honestly did not remember packing my good ones. On our third day the toilet paper holder in the master bedroom fell off the wall. We told the concierge in the Tonga building and he had someone repair it while we were at the parks. We checked out on Monday the 2nd of June and returned home late that night. I began unpacking and was getting ready for bed and realized something wasn't right. I checked my jewlrey box and realized my diamond earrings were not in it. I then had a flash back to 5:00 in the morning on the 28th of May and packing them in my suitcase. This obviously was not my brightest moment but with the excitement of high school graduation week and packing for everyone I just forgot. I guess you have figured out where I am going with this. The earings were not in my suitcase and they are gone. They were either taken while our suitcases were in storage or while someone repaired our toilet paper holder. I feel violated even though I accept responsibility for not remembering I packed them. That does not give anyone the right to steal from my suitcase. We paid $1400 a night for that suite and I assume whoever stole them felt like we could afford to replace them, what they don't know is that we saved for three years for that vacation and while it was wonderful while we were there, I am furious for what happened. While it was my fault for not remembering, whoever stole them should be held responsible. I obviously cannot prove anything and they are gone forever, but as far as my husband and I are concerned the magic is gone forever

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I am so sorry that happened to you and hopefully karma will catch up to who ever took your diamond earrings.

 

[An_Island_Girl]

Lapu Lapu $13.00
A potent blend of Myers rum, Bacardi 151, orange juice, sour mix, served in a fresh-cut pineapple.

 

[disneysuncat]

Thanks for the breakdown on the Lapu Lapu! I think I'm going to have to try one on our trip. I've always wanted a drink in a pineapple. (I know that sounds silly, but it's true!)

 

[Denise-N-Mike]

Hello from California!!! I just want to thank each one of you for all the work you put into this thread and the boards in general! It is amazing!! I am brand new here and this is my first post-total newbie!!! My boyfriend and I are total Disneyland freaks and have been regularly attending for the past 13 years. We are planning our first trip to the World this September. We are staying at the Poly-of course! I have read this whole thread (which took a few lunch breaks, afternoon breaks and evenings to complete). I thought I was excited before- but everyone on this thread has me completely amped up for our trip and I feel as though my life has been consumed- but I think I am in good company with that.

Thanks so much again- and keep up the good work- I can use all the info I can get!!!!!

-Denise

PS- I love all the pictures and sigs- a little bit of personality in every post.

 

[*HappilyEverAfter*]

Hello from California!!! I just want to thank each one of you for all the work you put into this thread and the boards in general! It is amazing!! I am brand new here and this is my first post-total newbie!!! My boyfriend and I are total Disneyland freaks and have been regularly attending for the past 13 years. We are planning our first trip to the World this September. We are staying at the Poly-of course! I have read this whole thread (which took a few lunch breaks, afternoon breaks and evenings to complete). I thought I was excited before- but everyone on this thread has me completely amped up for our trip and I feel as though my life has been consumed- but I think I am in good company with that.

Thanks so much again- and keep up the good work- I can use all the info I can get!!!!!

-Denise

PS- I love all the pictures and sigs- a little bit of personality in every post.

Welcome to the DIS!!!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Hello from California!!! I just want to thank each one of you for all the work you put into this thread and the boards in general! It is amazing!! I am brand new here and this is my first post-total newbie!!! My boyfriend and I are total Disneyland freaks and have been regularly attending for the past 13 years. We are planning our first trip to the World this September. We are staying at the Poly-of course! I have read this whole thread (which took a few lunch breaks, afternoon breaks and evenings to complete). I thought I was excited before- but everyone on this thread has me completely amped up for our trip and I feel as though my life has been consumed- but I think I am in good company with that.

Thanks so much again- and keep up the good work- I can use all the info I can get!!!!!

-Denise

PS- I love all the pictures and sigs- a little bit of personality in every post.

Welcome to Disboards.

 

[JRDMAN]

I'm so very excited and happy that you will be going to WWD and staying at the Poly.
I have never been to Disneyland and I'm sure it's amazing. And having said that, I know I have no authority to compare the 2. But, I do know that Disneyland is landlocked and unable to expand. So, in my mind, the fact that DDW is over 45 square miles with 4 major parks, 2 water parks, numerous golf courses, Downtown Disney, etc etc. it makes it that many times more awesome than Disneyland.
Staying at Poly is like the icing on the cake. Although, to me, Poly is the ultimate place to stay at WDW. I'd like to make one suggestion.
Please allow me to tell you a quick story before telling you what that is.
I had been to WDW a number of times years ago but had not stayed at the Poly. The the time came when I got to take my whole family including my princess grand daughter of 4 for her first time. Nothing but the best for my little princess
While making my reservations, I was asked if I might want conceirge level. I didn't have the benefit of these boards and photos at the time. In fact, I didn't even have a computer at the time. So, I asked what concierge included and i was told that there would be juices and cold cereal for breakfast, cookies and snacks for lunch, hot hors dourves (spelling?) for dinner and refreshments at night....oh yes, and a chocolate on your pillow at night. I don't remember the exact cost at the time. But, I do remember that it was additional $$ per person. I decided that my group of 9 could do something really special with that extra money and that snacks weren't really that big a deal for us. So, I booked without concierge level. When I mentioned it to my family. They were disappointed, pointing out that it was the first time all 9 of us would be together, that we would be there for over a week and having a lounge to gather at and relax and snack would be nice. Then my princess said "please grandpa". Well needless to say that a 2 minutes phone call later, we were booked for concierge level.
I have never experienced anything so understated in my life. The food was incredible with sooo much variety. It was available all day. The evening "refreshments" were top shelf drinks. The lounge is beautiful. The Cms are incredible. The level of service impeccable. It was the best extra dollars I've ever spent. So, what I'm saying is, if you can afford it, definitely go with the concierge level. And my only warning would be not to eat too much of all the goodies they put out. You can easily save the cost of at least 1 full meal per day without ever intending to.
Sorry if I got a little long winded. But i just can't say enough about the Poly and my experiences there.
May you have a wonderful vacation and I hope your memories will be as awesome as mine.