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

[juliebee]

Got my ressie for the Poly, and am wondering if I will regret not going for the CL. One of the big draws for the CL is the lounge. I'm a night owl and since I'm a West Coast girl, I'm thinking that my sleep cycle will be way messed up. I can't imagine going to sleep at 10pm EST, as that would be 7pm Pacific! So, as my youngest and my DH go to sleep, I think my oldest and I might need a place to go. The CL lounge seems like it might be perfect, but I have a few questions. Do they keep it open all night? Is there a place to set up a laptop computer? Do they have free internet in the lounge? Would they allow me to stay in the lounge until like 2am EST (11pm Pacific)? Would that disturb anyone?
Thanks!

 

[mmmears]

Hi there.
Tonga Toast is worth the extra $$ and the calories. Honestly...

I actually prefer eggs and bacon to sweets if I'm going to have a big breakfast but sometimes TT hits the spot perfectly We go to Kona often, whether staying at Poly or GF.

Breakfast in the CL lounges of ANY of the resorts can get old - you will want a "real" breakfast some days. Kona Cafe is a great spot for mornings where you want more than what the lounge has to offer

Do you have an AP? We do and I have a DDE (Disney Dining Experience card.) I think it was $75 for the year and I get 20% off of all food and wine in almost every restaurant in WDW. It's awesome!

So glad you're giving the Polynesian a try

I'm actually more of an eggs & bacon girl -- dont usually like the sweet stuff, but I have to admit that the TT looks tempting!

We wont have an AP unless there are AP discounts when we go (which is doubtful since it is peak/holiday season, but we actually did get it for our last trip at the same time of year). We had the DDE then, too, and that was great! We wont be going back soon, I think, since our DD is getting older and there are other places we want to take her to.

Thanks for the advice -- I kinda do hope we get an AP -- so easier to justify another trip...

 

[BCV23]

Where do you get a DDE? Can I order it online?

You can call the AP number and order if you have an AP or voucher. But it's even simpler this year as you can just purchase it at Guest Services at the parks or DTD. You do need an AP though which you can buy then too. DDE costs $60 for AP holders this year which is a decrease! FL residents may also purchase DDE but I'm not sure of the cost...$85 maybe?

Got my ressie for the Poly, and am wondering if I will regret not going for the CL. One of the big draws for the CL is the lounge. I'm a night owl and since I'm a West Coast girl, I'm thinking that my sleep cycle will be way messed up. I can't imagine going to sleep at 10pm EST, as that would be 7pm Pacific! So, as my youngest and my DH go to sleep, I think my oldest and I might need a place to go. The CL lounge seems like it might be perfect, but I have a few questions. Do they keep it open all night? Is there a place to set up a laptop computer? Do they have free internet in the lounge? Would they allow me to stay in the lounge until like 2am EST (11pm Pacific)? Would that disturb anyone?
Thanks!

The lounge is open all night and you would not disturb anyone. Don't know about internet but if there's WiFi in there, it would be $9.99/24 hours just as it is in some of the hotel lobbies. It's the same price for wired in the rooms but that would be an additional fee.

I'm actually more of an eggs & bacon girl -- dont usually like the sweet stuff, but I have to admit that the TT looks tempting!

We wont have an AP unless there are AP discounts when we go (which is doubtful since it is peak/holiday season, but we actually did get it for our last trip at the same time of year). We had the DDE then, too, and that was great! We wont be going back soon, I think, since our DD is getting older and there are other places we want to take her to.

Thanks for the advice -- I kinda do hope we get an AP -- so easier to justify another trip...

Hope you get that AP rate!

 

[lustergirl]

Good Morning everyone!! Thanks for the pics of the tonga toast- it looks delicious. I may have to include a breakfast at the Kona Cafe on my trip to eat some of this!!

 

[Aliceacc]

Do you normallly need ADRs for Kona for breakfast, or could we decide spur of the moment one morning?

 

[Tbella]

Thank you BCV23! Will look into purchasing an AP.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

Good Morning everyone!! Thanks for the pics of the tonga toast- it looks delicious. I may have to include a breakfast at the Kona Cafe on my trip to eat some of this!!

Tonga Toast is definitely worth trying at least once to say you did it. Absolute sweet agony. LOL!

Do you normallly need ADRs for Kona for breakfast, or could we decide spur of the moment one morning?

As most folks are usually headed to 'Ohana I would say no. The earlier you go to Kona though the better they may be able to seat you. I know a few times we've eaten a late breakfast at Kona and the place wasn't crowded at all. Very peaceful with the waterfall nearby and windows facing the monorail.

 

[Aliceacc]

Thanks!!

Another question-- can you get Tonga Toast at Captain Cooks?? Just want to keep our options open

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

Thanks!!

Another question-- can you get Tonga Toast at Captain Cooks?? Just want to keep our options open

Yes, you can definitely get Tonga Toast at Captain Cooks.

 

[Aliceacc]

Thanks once again!!

 

[vllygrrl]

Here's a question for all you experts...how early do we need to check in at the Poly to make rope drop for a 9am MK opening? We're taking my parents and sister for their first stay at the Poly in December . They've previously only stayed on property once, at Pop Century. We're doing a land/sea trip so we only have 4 nights at the hotel. We will be arriving via Auto Train to Orlando the day before we officially start, and staying one night at Cypress Pointe, near Seaworld. When should we leave our hotel Sunday morning to make it over to the Poly and into the park by 8:45? Should we take the monorail or the boat?

 

[Tonyspad]

vllgrl-
You should be at the Poly by 7:45 sharp! This will give you time to check in then get on the monorail. You should also check to see if your check in date in an early entry date. If so then arrive at the Poly by 7.

 

[CruisingCamper]

Well, in less than a month, we'll be checking at the Poly for 8 nights!

As of today, I have our ADR's finally like I want them, it was work!! 8 nights on the DxDDP, three TS meals per day!! Wow!! That's a lot of ADR's.

I can post them, if anyone would like to see.

 

[Picabo]

ARGH! Tikiman's site is down indefinately! (Lack of funding I guess) Can someone PLEASE remind me of which bldgs have balconies on all 3 levels and if any of those bldgs have 2 sinks instead of just 1? (Maybe the sinks are totally random?) I'm trying to put in my room request and not sure what to put.

We have garden view with 2 toddlers. Am PRAYING they give me a balcony. I think his site said that many room on Tokelau (I know I spelled that wrong) bldg have partial views of the lagoon, right? Plus that whole bldg has balconies, correct) HELP what do I request?!

Thanks!

 

[m&pForever]

I never had anything for breakfast there, however during lunch time and etc I enjoyed the Double Cheeseburger, Adult Grilled Cheese Sandwich, the Chicken Caesar Salad and the Cheese & Pepperoni Flatbread Pizza.

I had the grilled Cheese few weeks ago and really liked it.

There is no resort that is completely smoke free. I believe they are talking about people not being allowed to smoke in their rooms.
You mention in your post sitting and being around the toxic smoke. Why would you sit near anyone that is smoking then? Try and avoid it much as possible.

Shame she should have to work so hard at breathing clean air.
I always try very hard to avoid and am usually successful. The problem is when you are not thinking of it and then you walk through someone's exhaled smoke (yuccckkk!) as you get out of the pool or walking around the grounds or beach. Like I said earlier this happened only twice to me but that is twice too much. I was sticking to the non-smokign areas. Those people weren't.

Keep in mind that the rooms are non-smoking but that does not mean people don't smoke in them I had a room at the Poly over Spring Break that had DEFINITELY been smoked in.
You are also not allowed to smoke on the balconies but people do it ALL the time.

True we did see people smoking on some balconies as we walked to teh Epcot monorail.

I know this is a touchy subject and of course everyone has rights. However, not many smokers are allergic/have bad physical reactions to clean air but lots of us non-smokers cannot be around smoke without a serious problem. That's the difference and why so many people get upset about smokers not following the rules.

I agree and would add even if we don't have a bad physical reaction doesn't mean we shoud have to deal with it.

I guess I misunderstood when it was said that the Poly was a no smoking resort that they meant smoking wasn't allowed on property at all

I am so upset about this. I don't want to tell other people what to do, but I also don't want to sit and be subjected to the toxic smoke. I especially don't want my children breathing it in.

I HATE the smell of smoke and except for our two instances we really had no other problems. I wouldn't worry too much at all.

Gosh - I have to say this is the nicest, most tolerant group On certain other threads there are people that actually ENJOY fighting and arguing but here you seem to try and avoid it and change the subject to something friendly. VERY civilized

[/IMG]

I don't enjoy fighting at all. It destroys our enjoyment of the thread. Which is why It was sad to see you try to start something on that other thread that had nothing to do with you.

Please keep sharing your wonderful pictures and reports, we all enjoy them but none of us appreciate a hypocrite.

I've found the most friendly helpful people on this and the other board. Everyone is so willing to help and share and Ive always appreciated it.

 

[jkstewart1800]

What is DDE?

 

[mandymommy4]

DDE= Disney Dining Experience, it is a card that you pay for and you get 20% discount at restaurants! Some people prefer it over the DDP.

ETA: It is for AP holders and FL res. only, the 20% discount can also cover alcohol

Here is a link fro more info http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneydiningexperience.htm

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

What is DDE?

DDE = Disney Dining Experience

 

[mandymommy4]

M&Pforever~ I agree with you on the smoking issues, I have asthma but I am glad that there are now designated smoking area in the park, use to peeps would smoke in line!

 

[jkstewart1800]

Thanks!

BUT what does ETA mean?

I am hopeless