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

[wdwdancerwannabe]

Huntconn:
Are you staying Concierge? I would love an update on the foods -- especially the evening offerings - curious to know if they're different from Tikiman's site --- which hasn't changed in over two years.

My husband and I will be at Ploy CL for our 12th anniversary AND my DS's 5th bday!!!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Ok, here's my next update on our current Disney vacation. Last night we went to 'Ohana which has always been one of our favorites. This was no exception. Thank God the shrimp are back on the menu. The only problem I have with this place is I walk out so full I feel sick. All of the appetizers were very good. I especially love the fried wontons and the salad. The dressing on the salad is awesome. The turkey and pork were delicious. I liked the beef very much but my wife thought it was too rare and could not eat it. I could understand this as I prefer my beef on the rare side and this was certainly pinkish red in the middle. I'm sure she could have asked for some that was more cooked but she chose to simply concentrate on the turkey and pork, which she loved. The service was hit or miss. Our server was a very friendly, polite gentleman. We were quickly served all the starters but after we declined the first round of meats because we were still eating the starters, it took quite a while for the skewers to come to us again. We were offered beef but eventually had to ask our server for the other meats. To his credit, he made sure they came out quickly. Lipoa was the entertainer for the night. I know she is not everyone's cup of tea but we found her entertaining. She really does a great job getting the kids involved with all the festivities. Next we had a very long wait for the dessert to be brought out. It took so long that we honestly thought our server went home or forgot about us. When it did come out, it was worth the wait. I am not usually a dessert eater but I love love love the bread pudding with banana and Foster's sauce! Overall, we had a great dinner and enjoyable evening at 'Ohana. It was not without it's problems, but no biggie! One other side note to our evening. Like I said earlier, our server was a very nice gentleman. However, his accent was so strong it was very difficult to understand much of what he was saying to us. This seemed to be true of several of the employees at 'Ohana. I am all for Disney having employees of varied cultural backgrounds but it would seem to be counterproductive when their English is so limited that you literally cannot understand the person. Oh well, he seemed like a nice guy even if we could not understand much of what he was saying to us! I'll check in tomorrow with a report from today. I'm just too tired right now. We've been having a great time so far. Oh btw, when we returned from the pool this afternoon, the staff had left a balloon arrangement and an autographed card from Mickey and Minnie wishing us a happy 10th anniversary in our room. What a special treat.

Thanks for the update.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Huntconn:
Are you staying Concierge? I would love an update on the foods -- especially the evening offerings - curious to know if they're different from Tikiman's site --- which hasn't changed in over two years.

My husband and I will be at Ploy CL for our 12th anniversary AND my DS's 5th bday!!!

This was the menu when my family and I stayed there in December 2007. http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=24477595&postcount=1152

 

[kappyfamily]

The TL cabana was a gift from the "Dream Team"--yeah, we finally won something and all I did was take a drink of the disgusting Florida water from the fountain by Humunga Kowabunga. That drink earned us this private area overlooking the wave pool. It was stocked with tons of soda and water compliments of Coke. There were really nice beach chairs and towels as well as the cool green rose arrangement. We had a "valet" of sorts who came around to see if we needed anything throughout the day.

My questions are: (I'm posting this here because the person with the above entry was on this Poly page.)

Does BB have cabanas?
Anyone know how much do they cost?
Can you reserve them in advance?

I posted this question in another section and my only response was their were no cabanas at Disney??????

Thank you as usual!

 

[BCV23]

I would like to do something special for my parents (They were supposed to go last year with us after planning for years, and had to cancel 2 weeks prior for a health issue. They never go anywhere. Now we are trying to give it another go!) when we go next Oct. We are going to stay at the Poly for about a week.

I was thinking if I can save enough I would like to pay the extra and do GVCL. I know we are going to do the dining plan.

If all goes well and I can swing it, do you find that having the extra food is just not utilized with all of the other?

What benefit do you enjoy MOST that the CL offers? I cannot do LV so that is out.

Any ideas???

The location of the Hawaii building is one big plus. We also really enjoy the ability to go to the lounge for appetizers and a glass of wine before dinner. The continental breakfast is nice although we also go to Kona or do room service some mornings. I love being able to get a cup of tea and read the paper early in the am while my family is still asleep. I don't use IPO that much but it is quite convenient to ask the CMs to print out boarding passes, cancel a dining reservation, etc..

But with the dining plan, I'm not sure I'd do club level. Well, really I probably wouldn't. The last I looked lagoon view rooms were about as expensive as gardenview club rooms. Perhaps consider that. But if we're not doing club level, we book gardenview. The views are so beautiful and we save quite a bit.

Whatever you decide, I'm sure it will be a great treat for your parents.

huntconn, what a nice thing for the Polynesian to do. Was yesterday your actual anniversary? Happy 10th! Have fun!

 

[mickey2minnie1]

The location of the Hawaii building is one big plus. We also really enjoy the ability to go to the lounge for appetizers and a glass of wine before dinner. The continental breakfast is nice although we also go to Kona or do room service some mornings. I love being able to get a cup of tea and read the paper early in the am while my family is still asleep. I don't use IPO that much but it is quite convenient to ask the CMs to print out boarding passes, cancel a dining reservation, etc..

But with the dining plan, I'm not sure I'd do club level. Well, really I probably wouldn't. The last I looked lagoon view rooms were about as expensive as gardenview club rooms. Perhaps consider that. But if we're not doing club level, we book gardenview. The views are so beautiful and we save quite a bit.

Whatever you decide, I'm sure it will be a great treat for your parents.


Thank you for your reply! Do they offer fresh coffee in the lounge, or is it from the machine that I saw pictures of. This way my parents wouldn't have to go to the CC or Kona to get it.

I did GV and the views are beautiful. I just thought I would like to do something extra for them. Is the LV that much better than GV? I know you do not see the castle.

 

[Tess]

The TL cabana was a gift from the "Dream Team"--yeah, we finally won something and all I did was take a drink of the disgusting Florida water from the fountain by Humunga Kowabunga. That drink earned us this private area overlooking the wave pool. It was stocked with tons of soda and water compliments of Coke. There were really nice beach chairs and towels as well as the cool green rose arrangement. We had a "valet" of sorts who came around to see if we needed anything throughout the day.

My questions are: (I'm posting this here because the person with the above entry was on this Poly page.)

Does BB have cabanas?
Anyone know how much do they cost?
Can you reserve them in advance?

I posted this question in another section and my only response was their were no cabanas at Disney??????

Thank you as usual!

There are no cabanas for rent at BB or to be reserved in advance. I have seen people having birthday parties and the like in the pavilion areas and I do not know if they prearrange for those areas or just get there early.

Seating at the water parks is first come, first served basis. There are shady areas at BB and they fill fast. There are also several areas that have small covered pavilions (roof--no sides).

 

[jkstewart1800]

Thanks everyone for answering my questions about the Poly....

We are so super excited about our trip.... the first with kiddos......

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

But with the dining plan, I'm not sure I'd do club level.

I agree with you. When my family and I stay Club Level we like to take advantage of the foods in the lounge as much as possible, so that's one reason why the DDP would not be good for us.

 

[CruisingCamper]

I have a room service question for the Poly.

Can you pre-order your breakfast for room service delivery? I know at other hotels you can pre-order breakfast at night before you go to bed and request a set time that it will be delivered the next morning. Does the WDW do this? For some reason, I just can't remember.

I was thinking of doing this, that way we could eat while we got ready in the mornings, it may make it a little easier with the baby and three folks needing to use the shower, some could eat, while the other showered.. that sort of thing.

Although, breakfast is my favorite meal of the day and I do plan on having a few at Kona Cafe...like all of you have mentioned, the Tonga Toast, can't pass that up!!

 

[momatater]

I agree with you. When my family and I stay Club Level we like to take advantage of the foods in the lounge as much as possible, so that's one reason why the DDP would not be good for us.

I also agree! We would never pay for the DDP while staying CL because for our family, it wouldn't be worth it. The food offerings in the lounge keeps us pretty happy, normally eating only one meal a day outside the lounge. However, we do take advantage of "free" dining, and we always have credits left over!

 

[Shell54]

Thanks again huntconn for the live updates. Your dinner report on 'ohana was great and very descriptive . We have a 9:30 dinner ressie there in Sept. that Iam not happy about (the time, not eating there). We've never been there. It sounds like the menu is VERY HEAVY and I can't imagine eating all that food that late in the evening. I don't know what time your ressies were..but I think I may change ours. I wasn't able to get anything earlier for ohanas the whole week we're at the Poly in Sept. (last week 21-26..not even a free dining period) so I don't know how successful I'll be and I'm not willing to switch any other nights because I have ressies we don't want to change. Your server sounded sweet..but yes it is always nice to be able to communicate well Hope you're having a great time!!!

 

[janiebegood]

Okay, you Polypeople, I'm confident one of you will know the answer to this question:

If we arrive at the resort at around 10 AM, will we be able to store our luggage and "pre-check-in" so we can go ahead and get our KTTW and hit one of the parks?

We have a four-day Park Hopper pass, and that day is one of our four days.

I know we won't be able to get into our room until later, but I'm counting on being able to get on the move to a park by noon!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Okay, you Polypeople, I'm confident one of you will know the answer to this question:

If we arrive at the resort at around 10 AM, will we be able to store our luggage and "pre-check-in" so we can go ahead and get our KTTW and hit one of the parks?

We have a four-day Park Hopper pass, and that day is one of our four days.

I know we won't be able to get into our room until later, but I'm counting on being able to get on the move to a park by noon!

Yes you can do that.

 

[BCV23]

I have a room service question for the Poly.

Can you pre-order your breakfast for room service delivery? I know at other hotels you can pre-order breakfast at night before you go to bed and request a set time that it will be delivered the next morning. Does the WDW do this? For some reason, I just can't remember.

I was thinking of doing this, that way we could eat while we got ready in the mornings, it may make it a little easier with the baby and three folks needing to use the shower, some could eat, while the other showered.. that sort of thing.

Although, breakfast is my favorite meal of the day and I do plan on having a few at Kona Cafe...like all of you have mentioned, the Tonga Toast, can't pass that up!!

Yes, you can preorder. And Tonga Toast is on the room service menu.

Breakfast usually arrives right as your window opens...if you mark 7-7:30, it will be there at 7 or soon after which we appreciate.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Yes, you can preorder. And Tonga Toast is on the room service menu.

Breakfast usually arrives right as your window opens...if you mark 7-7:30, it will be there at 7 or soon after which we appreciate.

Don't forget about having to hang the pre-ordering menu outside your door before 2:00 AM.

 

[Shell54]

Is the Poly room service menu posted anywhere online?I hope I'm not repeating a question there. I'm just wondering if pineapple pancakes are on the menu.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Is the Poly room service menu posted anywhere online?I hope I'm not repeating a question there. I'm just wondering if pineapple pancakes are on the menu.

Last December when my family and I stayed there I don't remember seeing them on the menu, however I do remember seeing that they have Blueberry Pancakes.

 

[Shell54]

Last December when my family and I stayed there I don't remember seeing them on the menu, however I do remember seeing that they have Blueberry Pancakes.

Yum,blueberry is good too. I'm sure we'll try the Tonga toast first anyway just because of all the hype. Thanks for the info

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Yum,blueberry is good too. I'm sure we'll try the Tonga toast first anyway just because of all the hype. Thanks for the info

You're welcome.