momatater
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 10, 2008
- Messages
- 841
Here's some
for you and your room request! I wouldn't give up my CL Lagoon view room for nothing!!!!!!
The *NEW* Polynesian Resort FAQ thread - *2008*
- Thread starter SeaSpray
- Start date
- Status
Here's some
for you and your room request! I wouldn't give up my CL Lagoon view room for nothing!!!!!!
CR Resort Fan 4 Life
DIS Legend
- Joined
- May 27, 2006
- Messages
- 39,677
Good luck.
darthvaderusa
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Mar 12, 2008
- Messages
- 92
Photopass is a completely new thing to me.
Could someone tell me specifics. Such as the cost. Are there specific locations to have photos taken? Is there a limit how many photos you can have taken? Can you have photos taken at all of the parks?
My understanding is that you can access your photos online and print them from there. Is that true? And, if so, can more than one member of your party have access to them?
Any info or advice will be greatly appreciated as always.
I hope everyone is having a magical day!
The photo shoot is $50 if you don't preorder the photopass CD. It's $25 if you do preorder the CD. Supposedly, the shoot for about 20 minutes @ various locations throughout the Polynesian. Inside the ceremonial house & on the beach are favorites but I think that you can request areas that yu want. However, to much time spent changing locations cut back on the # of phot's taken. The photoshoot is by period of time, not the # of pictures.
You can add these photo's to the ones that you take at the parks. The total limit is 999 pictures per card but you can use multiple cards. Once your trip is over, you can access your account & add borders & other special effects to your pictures. Once you have the cd, you can print at home or at a internet site/M&B site. The cd includes a contract from Disney allowing you to reprint the pictures.
Hope that helps.
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2002
- Messages
- 19,309
Good luck. Think of us all when you're tasting Tonga Toast.
BTW, someone posted that there's a new code out for some August-Sept. dates.
jeffbear
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2008
- Messages
- 807
Yeah ... they do have CPU screens available for viewing. It's basically the same setup as at the GF.
/
CR Resort Fan 4 Life
DIS Legend
- Joined
- May 27, 2006
- Messages
- 39,677
Here is a link to the Polynesian rates for 2008, so you can see what the cost would be for a Magic Kingdom View. http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/disney-rates-deluxe-2008.htm#poly
mousescrapper
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2007
- Messages
- 4,595
Hello to all you Poly fans and lovers,
I just got back a short 2 weeks ago from my familys first stay at the Poly. I have to say thanks to the many to whom I learned a thing or two about the Poly from this thread and the previous one before SeaSpray updated.
Now I have walked thru the lobby once or twice before and have eaten at OHana back in 1995 and have been to the Luau about 4 times, but I have never truly experienced all that the Poly has to offer.
As our first stay in a deluxe resort and on the monorail .we were in pure Disney Heaven for 8 days! Everything from our rooms, the food, CMs and even the laundry room (well I was in there about 4 hrs) was wonderful.
Here are trip particulars in regard to the Poly:
My family: 2 Adults and 4 Children (9,9,5, & 18 months) plus my Mom traveled with us. We stayed 8 days 7 nights and my Mom 6/5. We had connecting rooms in Rarotonga room #s 1827 & 1826. My Mom and my son (9) shared together for the first 5 nights and my 3 DDs were with my DH and I in the other room. The older DD slept in the Q and my 5 yr DD on the day bed and we had a crib for the baby.
Arrival and Check-in:
We took the DME bus (w/ drop offs at WL & CR first, the DME bus driver took additional people) I know we were on the bus around 1:25 pm (Orlando time) and I cant quite remember when we actually arrived at the Poly, so it must have been after 2:00 pm.
(my mom, DH and kids walking in)
My Mom & I went straight to registration/check-in and my Mom was first. The CM first offered us 2 rooms in Rapa Nui (I requested Rarotonga or Samoa) Then a 2nd CM starting helping me and she and the 1st were able to give us rooms in Rarotonga after all. My Moms room was ready and ours probably shortly.
So after gathering my DH and the kids from the kid area, where my older DDs were making flower bracelets and then as we were about to leave another CM told my kids to take some of the towel animals she was making I know I had read about that here, but wasnt sure if you really could just take 1, but all 3 of my older kids took 1 each. What a special way to start off this trip.
(here is one of the towel animals out, my Kids actaully got monkey's and rabbit)
We went to my Moms room and dropped off our carry-on bags and then headed over to Captain Cooks to get some lunch and drinks. At first the lines and ordering stations were a bit confusing, but got the hang of it quite quickly. I think unfortunately though I and the CM messed up on 1 of our orders as we were on the DDP and I think afterwards looking over all my receipts at home, I got charged for our drink w/ the meal and I never got dessert. But its OK. We shared a flatbread pizza and turkey sandwich for the adults and the kids shared a chicken nugget meal, plus my 5 yr got a PBJ round. And the 3 adults got the refillable mugs too.
After we were done eating I went to see if my room was ready which it was. And luck would have it, as I went over there the bellhop was delivering our luggage from the plane and I was able to tip him. So it probably took about the 3 hrs and it worked out great.
Rooms:
Like I said we were in Rarotonga and our rooms were on the 1st floor, like 3 in from the main entrance off from the GCH it was very ideal. We faced the monorail. The noise was completely minimal, the first night my DS thought the lights blinking in from it were fireworks. Only a little noise from the hallways, but all in all the room location was fantastic.
When we arrived, the rooms were very spacious and clean; we were greeted w/ a MM head towel shape on one of the beds in each room. With utilizing both closet spaces and all the drawers in the dressers for our clothing, we tucked our larger suitcases in the back corner behind the standing lamp and chaise lounge.
(view from our room)
(one of our friendly outside visitors)
(some of our inside friends as placed by Mousekeeping)
(one of the HM we found in the room)
Mousekeeping was very meticulous and I have nothing to complain about. The 2nd night our beds were turned down and every night after that. They made the little daybed in our room each night as well. We received some fresh toiletries a few days, and always received some fresh towels, washcloths and clean glasses. One day my oldest DD said she must really like triangles as we had toilet paper tipped triangles, a stack of triangular folded washcloths on the counter, folded corners of the hanging towels too. Each day as well, we had a new nicely folded bath matt and decorative touches too.
My only negative thoughts on the rooms would be the bathroom design. The showerhead was not great, but the water temp was fine and it didnt feel too hard compared to Chicago water. With not having a private toilet area, it did take some patience in the mornings but with having the extra bathroom w/ my moms room did help. Though I must say the size and storage areas for all your things was very nice.
I left a tip each day for Mousekeeping in envelopes the kids and I decorated. Once one Mousekeeper left her card and her name was Letiisa.
Transportation:
One world FABOLUS! I have never stayed on property before and had such great rides to and from the parks. We took the Monorail on our 1st day to the GF for our meal w/ Cinderella and the Royal Family, we rode back as well instead of walking because a couple of the kids had milk w/ them still. Other times going to and from the GF for kid things my DH would ride the monorail going and walk the path back. He said it was a nice walk. We also took the monorail to and from MK, with the exception of one night myself and my older 2 children waited for a boat back, it was a bit of a wait, but a nice ride. And it was so cool how the Captain pointed out the old wave pool barrier from back in the day for the Poly before the GF was there and more lagoon .
We walked over to the TTC for just about everything else, picking up the Epcot Monorail and direct buses to AK and DHS. We mistakenly walked over there the 1st night for the DTD bus, to learn we could only get that from our resort. No big deal as the walk to and from was merely 10 minutes. We took the resort bus back from AK, which we didnt from DHS because it was actually a shorter ride going back to TTC and walking back you stop w/ the resort buses.
(my DD's walking around the grounds after our Cinderella meal at GF)
(views from the path btween GF & Poly)
Recreation:
We got to the Volcano Pool twice, I regret we didnt have or allow more time to go more. My 3 oldest children and DH really enjoyed it. My oldest DD loved the slide. They also played in the sand a little bit and one afternoon, my oldest DD made kites with some CMs out there. We didnt have time for much else, and hope if we ever figure out a way to stay again to do more and relax more!
(DH & kids under the waterfall)
(view of the castle from up-top the Volcano slide)
(view of CR and new construction from up-top too)
We loved seeing the torches lit up each night, though we missed the ceremony.
My 3 older children also one night went to the Neverland Club. They had dinner there, watched some movies, and did crafts and coloring, and my DS read too. They said they all had a good time. When we picked them up we got to go thru Wendys window to see inside. It wasnt as cool as I thought it be, but still very nice, clean and plenty of things for kids to do. They got honoree Neverland Club membership cards, some Mickey straws, and coloring sheets and tattoos too. My oldest DD asked when I came as a kid did I do this too? No honey back when I came as a child most people stayed off-site why? Well I guess thats why I come now as an adult.
We also one night watched the Wishes fireworks from the beach...it was really cool. (Plus one night DH did see the EWP from the Monorail on our way to MK)
Dinning:
We had full breakfast twice from CC (DH and I did have the Tonga Toast, I really enjoyed it was so rich and yummy!) Other mornings when not dinning elsewhere I did grab some milk and juice plus the $1 (ouch) bananas for back in the room with our cereal brought from home. We had several lunches from CC (2 poolside), we mainly shared the flatbread pizzas and the kids had combinations of chicken nuggets, sandwiches and sides.
We ate dinner at Kona Café twice, once DH, my Mom and our Baby. We had a 6:05 pm ADR and probably waited about a half hour (it was a Friday night) We had a great back corner table and our server was Quey (dont know if that is spelled right) and he was so funny and gave us phenomenal service. I had the Mahi-Mahi (so good!), my Mom had the Beef Teriyaki (so tender and tasty) and my DH had the Fligeon (msp) Mignon (he cleared his plate) We also tried some sushi from the Sushi Bar, we had Kona Crab Cake Roll. I thought it was superb for only my 2nd tasting of sushi ever, DH not a huge sushi fan, thought OK (though it was his idea) and my mom liked it except for the seaweed. For my 18 mo old DD, Quey went out of his way and brought her a milk, side order of fruit, plus an extra helping of grapes all free of charge we were very impressed by that. We took our desserts to go and Im sure if we ate them right away they would have been great think lost the flavor and texture after sitting in our fridges overnight.
(the chocolate Lilo & Stitch)
(our souvenir cups, wouldn't have known about these if it wasn't for this thread)
(the crab cake sushi roll)
The 2nd Kona meal was my DH, our 4 kids and I. We barely waited for this sitting on a Tuesday night, but it filled up quick and with more people trying to eat as the Luau was cancelled that night because of a bad storm that came thru. We had another great meal and yummy desserts. The server this night was a lady and I forgot to write down her name, but she was very nice and helpful for our son, who we asked to eat the kid fishmeal, but he didnt like it so switched the meal to a kid hot dog for no charge. Our dinner took a long time with the kids, but I never felt pressured to eat quickly with the crowds waiting just on the other side of the railing.
(DH's dessert from this night)
(Oh and we had 1 additional TS ADR at Kona for breakfast early in the morning the adults would have had to pop and we decided to cancel it. My DH went up that morning at got 3 kid meals to go (as to not waste any TS credits on our DDP). It took no time at all, and server gave us extra fruit for no charge. He had to sit at table while waiting and suffice had to charge back to our room a small tip but it worked out great for the kids to get their meals and they ate in our room.)
We also had breakfast one morning at OHana w/ Lilo, Stitch, Mickey and Pluto. We got more silk flower leis which was an unexpected surprise, we had a bit of a 20 min wait this morning, but it was fine. The home-style meal was great, they gave us 2 platters full of food and it hardly looked as though we made a major dent. Most loved the homemade juice blend, and the appetizer breads were very good. We ended up getting 2 rounds of character interaction w/ everyone except Mickey which was very nice. This was a very fun and relaxing breakfast with not having to get up for our food. And Stitch scared the _____ out of me. As I was signing our bill, I hear the Psst behind me, I turn around and expect to see my DD there but it was Stitchs big blue head, I jumped off my seat, then him and my DD had a good laugh, I joined in too!
Overall:
The grounds, CMs, everything and everyone were so nice. Even the other quests seemed so extra friendly and fun. We really enjoyed every minute of our stay and truly hope our family of 6 can find a way to stay at Disneys Polynesian isle again.
(DH & I)
Aloha! And Thanks!
MouseScrapper
I just got back a short 2 weeks ago from my familys first stay at the Poly. I have to say thanks to the many to whom I learned a thing or two about the Poly from this thread and the previous one before SeaSpray updated.
Now I have walked thru the lobby once or twice before and have eaten at OHana back in 1995 and have been to the Luau about 4 times, but I have never truly experienced all that the Poly has to offer.
As our first stay in a deluxe resort and on the monorail .we were in pure Disney Heaven for 8 days! Everything from our rooms, the food, CMs and even the laundry room (well I was in there about 4 hrs) was wonderful.
Here are trip particulars in regard to the Poly:
My family: 2 Adults and 4 Children (9,9,5, & 18 months) plus my Mom traveled with us. We stayed 8 days 7 nights and my Mom 6/5. We had connecting rooms in Rarotonga room #s 1827 & 1826. My Mom and my son (9) shared together for the first 5 nights and my 3 DDs were with my DH and I in the other room. The older DD slept in the Q and my 5 yr DD on the day bed and we had a crib for the baby.
Arrival and Check-in:
We took the DME bus (w/ drop offs at WL & CR first, the DME bus driver took additional people) I know we were on the bus around 1:25 pm (Orlando time) and I cant quite remember when we actually arrived at the Poly, so it must have been after 2:00 pm.
My Mom & I went straight to registration/check-in and my Mom was first. The CM first offered us 2 rooms in Rapa Nui (I requested Rarotonga or Samoa) Then a 2nd CM starting helping me and she and the 1st were able to give us rooms in Rarotonga after all. My Moms room was ready and ours probably shortly.
So after gathering my DH and the kids from the kid area, where my older DDs were making flower bracelets and then as we were about to leave another CM told my kids to take some of the towel animals she was making I know I had read about that here, but wasnt sure if you really could just take 1, but all 3 of my older kids took 1 each. What a special way to start off this trip.
We went to my Moms room and dropped off our carry-on bags and then headed over to Captain Cooks to get some lunch and drinks. At first the lines and ordering stations were a bit confusing, but got the hang of it quite quickly. I think unfortunately though I and the CM messed up on 1 of our orders as we were on the DDP and I think afterwards looking over all my receipts at home, I got charged for our drink w/ the meal and I never got dessert. But its OK. We shared a flatbread pizza and turkey sandwich for the adults and the kids shared a chicken nugget meal, plus my 5 yr got a PBJ round. And the 3 adults got the refillable mugs too.
After we were done eating I went to see if my room was ready which it was. And luck would have it, as I went over there the bellhop was delivering our luggage from the plane and I was able to tip him. So it probably took about the 3 hrs and it worked out great.
Rooms:
Like I said we were in Rarotonga and our rooms were on the 1st floor, like 3 in from the main entrance off from the GCH it was very ideal. We faced the monorail. The noise was completely minimal, the first night my DS thought the lights blinking in from it were fireworks. Only a little noise from the hallways, but all in all the room location was fantastic.
When we arrived, the rooms were very spacious and clean; we were greeted w/ a MM head towel shape on one of the beds in each room. With utilizing both closet spaces and all the drawers in the dressers for our clothing, we tucked our larger suitcases in the back corner behind the standing lamp and chaise lounge.
Mousekeeping was very meticulous and I have nothing to complain about. The 2nd night our beds were turned down and every night after that. They made the little daybed in our room each night as well. We received some fresh toiletries a few days, and always received some fresh towels, washcloths and clean glasses. One day my oldest DD said she must really like triangles as we had toilet paper tipped triangles, a stack of triangular folded washcloths on the counter, folded corners of the hanging towels too. Each day as well, we had a new nicely folded bath matt and decorative touches too.
My only negative thoughts on the rooms would be the bathroom design. The showerhead was not great, but the water temp was fine and it didnt feel too hard compared to Chicago water. With not having a private toilet area, it did take some patience in the mornings but with having the extra bathroom w/ my moms room did help. Though I must say the size and storage areas for all your things was very nice.
I left a tip each day for Mousekeeping in envelopes the kids and I decorated. Once one Mousekeeper left her card and her name was Letiisa.
Transportation:
One world FABOLUS! I have never stayed on property before and had such great rides to and from the parks. We took the Monorail on our 1st day to the GF for our meal w/ Cinderella and the Royal Family, we rode back as well instead of walking because a couple of the kids had milk w/ them still. Other times going to and from the GF for kid things my DH would ride the monorail going and walk the path back. He said it was a nice walk. We also took the monorail to and from MK, with the exception of one night myself and my older 2 children waited for a boat back, it was a bit of a wait, but a nice ride. And it was so cool how the Captain pointed out the old wave pool barrier from back in the day for the Poly before the GF was there and more lagoon .
We walked over to the TTC for just about everything else, picking up the Epcot Monorail and direct buses to AK and DHS. We mistakenly walked over there the 1st night for the DTD bus, to learn we could only get that from our resort. No big deal as the walk to and from was merely 10 minutes. We took the resort bus back from AK, which we didnt from DHS because it was actually a shorter ride going back to TTC and walking back you stop w/ the resort buses.
Recreation:
We got to the Volcano Pool twice, I regret we didnt have or allow more time to go more. My 3 oldest children and DH really enjoyed it. My oldest DD loved the slide. They also played in the sand a little bit and one afternoon, my oldest DD made kites with some CMs out there. We didnt have time for much else, and hope if we ever figure out a way to stay again to do more and relax more!
We loved seeing the torches lit up each night, though we missed the ceremony.
My 3 older children also one night went to the Neverland Club. They had dinner there, watched some movies, and did crafts and coloring, and my DS read too. They said they all had a good time. When we picked them up we got to go thru Wendys window to see inside. It wasnt as cool as I thought it be, but still very nice, clean and plenty of things for kids to do. They got honoree Neverland Club membership cards, some Mickey straws, and coloring sheets and tattoos too. My oldest DD asked when I came as a kid did I do this too? No honey back when I came as a child most people stayed off-site why? Well I guess thats why I come now as an adult.
We also one night watched the Wishes fireworks from the beach...it was really cool. (Plus one night DH did see the EWP from the Monorail on our way to MK)
Dinning:
We had full breakfast twice from CC (DH and I did have the Tonga Toast, I really enjoyed it was so rich and yummy!) Other mornings when not dinning elsewhere I did grab some milk and juice plus the $1 (ouch) bananas for back in the room with our cereal brought from home. We had several lunches from CC (2 poolside), we mainly shared the flatbread pizzas and the kids had combinations of chicken nuggets, sandwiches and sides.
We ate dinner at Kona Café twice, once DH, my Mom and our Baby. We had a 6:05 pm ADR and probably waited about a half hour (it was a Friday night) We had a great back corner table and our server was Quey (dont know if that is spelled right) and he was so funny and gave us phenomenal service. I had the Mahi-Mahi (so good!), my Mom had the Beef Teriyaki (so tender and tasty) and my DH had the Fligeon (msp) Mignon (he cleared his plate) We also tried some sushi from the Sushi Bar, we had Kona Crab Cake Roll. I thought it was superb for only my 2nd tasting of sushi ever, DH not a huge sushi fan, thought OK (though it was his idea) and my mom liked it except for the seaweed. For my 18 mo old DD, Quey went out of his way and brought her a milk, side order of fruit, plus an extra helping of grapes all free of charge we were very impressed by that. We took our desserts to go and Im sure if we ate them right away they would have been great think lost the flavor and texture after sitting in our fridges overnight.
The 2nd Kona meal was my DH, our 4 kids and I. We barely waited for this sitting on a Tuesday night, but it filled up quick and with more people trying to eat as the Luau was cancelled that night because of a bad storm that came thru. We had another great meal and yummy desserts. The server this night was a lady and I forgot to write down her name, but she was very nice and helpful for our son, who we asked to eat the kid fishmeal, but he didnt like it so switched the meal to a kid hot dog for no charge. Our dinner took a long time with the kids, but I never felt pressured to eat quickly with the crowds waiting just on the other side of the railing.
(Oh and we had 1 additional TS ADR at Kona for breakfast early in the morning the adults would have had to pop and we decided to cancel it. My DH went up that morning at got 3 kid meals to go (as to not waste any TS credits on our DDP). It took no time at all, and server gave us extra fruit for no charge. He had to sit at table while waiting and suffice had to charge back to our room a small tip but it worked out great for the kids to get their meals and they ate in our room.)
We also had breakfast one morning at OHana w/ Lilo, Stitch, Mickey and Pluto. We got more silk flower leis which was an unexpected surprise, we had a bit of a 20 min wait this morning, but it was fine. The home-style meal was great, they gave us 2 platters full of food and it hardly looked as though we made a major dent. Most loved the homemade juice blend, and the appetizer breads were very good. We ended up getting 2 rounds of character interaction w/ everyone except Mickey which was very nice. This was a very fun and relaxing breakfast with not having to get up for our food. And Stitch scared the _____ out of me. As I was signing our bill, I hear the Psst behind me, I turn around and expect to see my DD there but it was Stitchs big blue head, I jumped off my seat, then him and my DD had a good laugh, I joined in too!
Overall:
The grounds, CMs, everything and everyone were so nice. Even the other quests seemed so extra friendly and fun. We really enjoyed every minute of our stay and truly hope our family of 6 can find a way to stay at Disneys Polynesian isle again.
Aloha! And Thanks!
MouseScrapper
CR Resort Fan 4 Life
DIS Legend
- Joined
- May 27, 2006
- Messages
- 39,677
mousescrapper,
Thank you for posting that amazing review and those pictures you posted look great.
Thank you for posting that amazing review and those pictures you posted look great.
mousescrapper
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2007
- Messages
- 4,595
mousescrapper,
Thank you for posting that amazing review and those pictures you posted look great.
Thank you! My DH took the ones from the path and even more of the Wedding Pav.
I had to cut 5 of the pic's I was going to post to get in at the 25 image mark. It really was such a wonderful trip and being at the Poly really made it so much more!
Really hope we can go back...I am now a true fan forever!
(our souvenir cups, wouldn't have known about these if it wasn't for this thread)
Hi mousescrapper! Glad you had a nice trip. We are staying at the Poly for the first time in Sept. and I have read most of this thread, but I missed the souvenir cups somehow. Can you tell me about them? My daughter would love one!
Thanks!
WDWBetsy
found her happily ever after!!!
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2000
- Messages
- 2,386
Great review & awesome pics, mousescrapper! What a cute family you have!
Quick question for you - you mentioned you had a crib for your youngest DD - was it one of the Polynesian ones? Just curious as we're planning on renting one from A Baby's Best Friend, and I'm interested in your experience.
Thanks!
Quick question for you - you mentioned you had a crib for your youngest DD - was it one of the Polynesian ones? Just curious as we're planning on renting one from A Baby's Best Friend, and I'm interested in your experience.
Thanks!
CR Resort Fan 4 Life
DIS Legend
- Joined
- May 27, 2006
- Messages
- 39,677
I have seen it for sale at Trader Jack's.
Does anyone know if Pal Mickey is available at any of the stores in the GCH?
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