First, Seaspray, so sorry for your loss. I can't imagine how difficult it would be to have lost both of your parents. I hope time will heal somewhat. Cherish the precious memories...
My family just returned from a four night stay at the Polynesian. It was our first time there. I have been reading this fabulous thread from day one, and have learned so much from all of you. I am extremely grateful, and now it is my turn to give back a little with my impressions and experience at the Poly.
When we arrived we were able to check-in early to our assigned room. It was in Raratonga, on second floor, with a view of the parking lot and monorail, and very close to the GCH. I had requested a patio and near the GCH, and they had certainly granted the near the GCH part. When we arrived in our room, my husband and I both agreed we would really prefer a patio or balcony if at all possible, and were willing to be farther from the GCH if necessary. My husband called the front desk and they were extremely nice about giving us a different room, we just had to wait until after 3pm which was what we had expected anyway. We ended up in Tokelau on the third floor with a balcony and a wonderful view. We could even see the castle through the trees when we looked to the right from our balcony. That was a nice perk since we were in a garden view room. As I walked the paths through the resort I was in complete awe of the beautiful, lush, tropical vegetation and colorful flowers! I can certainly see why so many of you love this resort. There is something about the palm trees, beach, and the pools that is simply... intoxicating
(and SO relaxing).
Our room was so nice, we enjoyed how spacious it was and the décor is lovely. We had garden grocer deliver some groceries and we liked having the refrigerator, coffee maker. The little table that slides under the desk is a brilliant space saver. Our kids used that to eat their cereal on in the mornings. The mousekeeping was great, no problems whatsoever and we enjoyed the towel animals and turn-down service that we requested on two of the evenings.
It was so nice being able to walk out our door and a short walk down the hall to the beach to watch the Electrical Water Pageant and Wishes. My kids enjoyed that so much. And, I loved this convenient perk of being able to watch this show each night of our stay. At the other resorts we have stayed at that was never an option, so this was a treat.
We have been to Disney several times, but had never stayed at a monorail resort. Needless to say, we are completely spoiled now. It was soooo nice being able to go to the parks so easily for a few hours here and there, and not have to waste valuable time waiting for buses. And, my kids love the monorails. We also used the boat to get to the MK which was very convenient and quick as well. We walked the path to the TTC on the day we went to Epcot per recommendations from this board, and I was glad to know that tip in order to save time.
On this trip, we tried the Dole Whip, Tonga Toast, and a Lapu Lapu and they were all fantastic. I am hooked on these things now, too, and will need to get them each time I visit now!
We ate dinner at the Kona Café one night, my husband had the prime rib and I had the filet mignon. We were very pleased with these meals and will likely eat here again on a future trip, perhaps on a night out without the kids. We would have liked to have the kids try the Neverland Club but my little girl is not quite four years old, so maybe next time. They enjoyed their mac & cheese and hot dog at the Kona Café as well. And they got to make their own little ice cream sundae for dessert with Mickey sprinkles and M&Ms and a cherry for the top. Disney is so clever.
On our last night, we at at Ohana and enjoyed that very much as well. My husband learned that one needs to be very hungry for this meal
he ate lunch a little late and felt he could have ate more of the wonderful Ohana food if he hadnt eaten lunch so late. It was all so good, they did have shrimp on the skewers (I had heard it was taken off that menu for awhile), but there were no potatoes which was a little bit of a bummer for me because I love potatoes
but they were certainly not necessary. I was so full at the end of the meal. And the banana bread pudding was SO YUMMY. The entertainment was cute, although we didnt have the best seat for it. But my daughter fell asleep on her chair during the meal and my little boy was too tired out to participate in the coconut races anyway.
Oh, and one night when the MK was open until midnight, we returned to the resort after a long evening of attractions and went for a swim in the volcano pool. We had it all to ourselves! That was a memorable experience. It was so refreshing and our kids thought it was neat to be able to swim all over, unlike during the day time when we used it and it was quite busy (but not terrible).
We also did the 20 minute private photo pass session and I havent looked at the photos yet, but I am excited to see them. She took over 65 photos in some beautiful locations around the resort. I cant wait to look at my photo pass photos
that is next on my list of things to do after writing this post.
I am completely hooked on the Polynesian now and am so glad that we stayed there. It was a wonderful experience. It went by so quickly, and even though I had every intention to slow down and enjoy the Poly, I still feel like I could have had one more day to just hang out at the resort. I hope to stay there again someday. Again, many mahalos to everyone who has shared info on this thread, it was all so very helpful.
I am so sorry to hear of your loss.
Both of my parents have died and I totally understand how difficult it is. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family right now.
He wants to bring his best buddy from kindergarten along. (We're a military family, and they got split apart at age 7 due to postings to other parts of the country) . Well, through it all, and all the years, they've managed to stay best friends.... and will be 17 at the time of our trip. I think having another teen along will be great fun, and he's never been out of Canada! Sooooo, we are now a family of 5 going (so long AKL CL ) We are booked in a GV room at Polynesian now. I think the monorail will come in handy especially with teens running amuck in Disney night life! I am sad that Club level was $2000.00 more than non-concierge, so we had to give up the concierge splurge.... it's not worth $2k to me. Perhaps if 
