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

[Naisy68]

About taking the laptop, check your airline's baggage policy for carry-ons. We usually fly USAir and can take a personal item, such as a purse, laptop, briefcase, or diaper bag in addition to a carry-on bag. That's how we take our laptop and, for now at least, it doesn't cost us anything extra.

We use our carry-on allowances for other things so the laptop would have to be checked. It gets a bit heavy if I stick the laptop into my carry-on bag. We always pack one carry-on bag with one set of clothes each and our b/r stuff and swimsuits. My carry-on will be for other incidentals like my planning books (with all our ressie #s etc., purse, camera etc.) My DD carries a small backpack with her blankie and toys, books etc. So... I think we will just leave the laptop at home this time. We are flying Delta down and United back and both airlines let us only check one bag each without charging extra. We always leave a little room in one suitcase so we can do some shopping. It will all work out. Thanks for the tips though!!

 

[johnsonet]

I would love to post pics for everybody here but as I am actually only there for 6 nights, and we have a pretty full schedule this time so I may not have a lot of time. I do promise to take lots of notes before bedtime each night so I can come home and put together a great trip report!! Will you all forgive me?!

You can always post your pics later. I posted lots of mine live from AKL, Poly and GF and, so long as you know how, it doesn't take long. For me it was a fun way to recap our days... but you have to be into it

We're leaving tomorrow!
I'll be the one with the cranky 17 year old tanning by the pool. Feel free to have your kids splash her.

I am so excited
The car service is picking us up at 4:30 in the morning. (Way too early for me but just have to think Disney..)
I should be at the Poly aroud lunch time

Have a fabulous time MUFFYCAT and dancemomnj

 

[dancemomnj]

Have a fabulous time MUFFYCAT and dancemomnj [/QUOTE]

Thank you!
I'm a little down in the dumps. My dd6 came down with Strep today. I took her to the dr. and she started antiobodics. She got sick to her stomach once and is now sleeping. I'm hoping she is okay for the plane ride.... I called my dr. My throat has been a little sore. He gave me meds. too incase. I was so thankful he did it over the phone. I guess he figured in all these years I've never asked...

 

[Sawyer]

The antibiotics ought to knock it out pretty quick. I suggest yogurt to settle her tummy from the effects of the meds.

 

[zoie101]

Have a fabulous time MUFFYCAT and dancemomnj

Thank you!
I'm a little down in the dumps. My dd6 came down with Strep today. I took her to the dr. and she started antiobodics. She got sick to her stomach once and is now sleeping. I'm hoping she is okay for the plane ride.... I called my dr. My throat has been a little sore. He gave me meds. too incase. I was so thankful he did it over the phone. I guess he figured in all these years I've never asked...[/QUOTE]

have a magical trip
I am sure it will all work out!

 

[dancemomnj]

Thanks Sawyer and Zoie101. I'm hoping the morning brings good things.
Dawn

 

[lustergirl]

As far as someone posting that you have to be rich to stay at the Poly, that definitely isn't true in my case- I wish I was rich-ha! I just booked my Poly trip with the required 200 dollars down and have til October of next year to pay it off. I could never afford to pay the whole amount, over 4 grand up front and wouldn't really want a credit card to that. We save for our vacation spending money by taking by pop cans and loose change. I guess that is being frugal. I have wanted to stay at the Poly since the first time that I visited there for a dinner at Ohana's. A guess a person can work wonders when they want something bad enough.

 

[Naisy68]

As far as someone posting that you have to be rich to stay at the Poly, that definitely isn't true in my case- I wish I was rich-ha! I just booked my Poly trip with the required 200 dollars down and have til October of next year to pay it off. I could never afford to pay the whole amount, over 4 grand up front and wouldn't really want a credit card to that. We save for our vacation spending money by taking by pop cans and loose change. I guess that is being frugal. I have wanted to stay at the Poly since the first time that I visited there for a dinner at Ohana's. A guess a person can work wonders when they want something bad enough.

We save, save, save for our trips and keep Poly pics up around the house for extra motivation. We paid the $200 deposit and then added a little here and a little there to the Disney fund. We work very hard all year long but we aren't rich by any means unless you consider the love we all have for each other (that sounds mushy, oh well ) We have just learned that it's ok to spoil ourselves once every other year like this. Family vacations are vitally important to the happiness of our family. It's not an option to not take one at least once a year. On the odd numbered years, we go somewhere a little more reasonably affordable. I prefer our Disney years though. Vacation planning keeps me sane until the next vacation, ha!!

 

[johnsonet]

Thank you!
I'm a little down in the dumps. My dd6 came down with Strep today. I took her to the dr. and she started antiobodics. She got sick to her stomach once and is now sleeping. I'm hoping she is okay for the plane ride.... I called my dr. My throat has been a little sore. He gave me meds. too incase. I was so thankful he did it over the phone. I guess he figured in all these years I've never asked...

OMG. I'm so sorry to hear that.
Hopefully the sore throats will be short-lived
Good luck and hope everything goes smoothly for you!

 

[lustergirl]

Good Morning Everyone. So I have decided to add the night before my Poly stay with a room at the AS Sports. We are staying at the Poly that tuesday through saturday Thanksgiving week and I would just love to go the night before and would also like to do it for cheaper. My older son will not be getting home from work that monday morning until around 7:30am so we will be catching an afternoon flight to disney from Buffalo and stay at AS Sports for the first night-just gotta be in the magic.

 

[Picabo]

Can't wait to see you there!! I got our boarding passes for 6:45 am flight tomorrow. We are flying Southwest and got A16-19!!

Does Southwest do preassigned seating now?? (It's been so long since I flew...and over 18mos since I've been a travel agent. I'm so outta the loop of info!) How far in advance can you book Southwest now? We plan to use them to go to FL, too!

Thank you!
I'm a little down in the dumps. My dd6 came down with Strep today. I took her to the dr. and she started antiobodics. She got sick to her stomach once and is now sleeping. I'm hoping she is okay for the plane ride.... I called my dr. My throat has been a little sore. He gave me meds. too incase. I was so thankful he did it over the phone. I guess he figured in all these years I've never asked...

Oh goooooodness that is not good! Sounds like you are on top of things though so hopefuly the meds will wipe it all out quickly! Better it happened NOW than once you are there!

I've been CONSIDERING doing a night at one of the values PRIOR to our Poly stay. I'm thinking with DH who is NOT a morning person and 2 toddlers...we probably won't even arrive to Orlando till mid afternoon...wasting a precious day at Disney World! So I'm thinking maybe arrive a day earlier, move over to Poly in the morning and start our fun. Any thoughts on how easy or difficult it will be to "MOVE" hotels with toddlers for just one night?

 

[boardom]

I've been CONSIDERING doing a night at one of the values PRIOR to our Poly stay. I'm thinking with DH who is NOT a morning person and 2 toddlers...we probably won't even arrive to Orlando till mid afternoon...wasting a precious day at Disney World! So I'm thinking maybe arrive a day earlier, move over to Poly in the morning and start our fun. Any thoughts on how easy or difficult it will be to "MOVE" hotels with toddlers for just one night?[/QUOTE]

Hi all, thanks for this *fantastic* thread which has truly made me feel like I am actually prepared for my trip!!

As far as transferring resorts, we are also arriving mid-afternoon, but I know that's more headache than I personally would want, though I think Disney will transfer your luggage for you. Which is to say, "depends on your toddler!"

On the question of how we're affording the Poly, here's how: #1 pincode; #2 tax refund; #3 "stimulus" $ (thanks, Uncle Sam!). Which is to say, "not likely to do it next trip so we better enjoy!"

Also, Southwest does NOT have assigned seating, but they do have a more regulated seating method now, you can read about it on their site but essentially, you get a specific place in line, unless you have small children in which case you board between group A and group B if you don't have an "A" pass.

 

[Picabo]

Also, Southwest does NOT have assigned seating, but they do have a more regulated seating method now, you can read about it on their site but essentially, you get a specific place in line, unless you have small children in which case you board between group A and group B if you don't have an "A" pass.

THANKS I'll head over to their site and check out the details!!!

 

[Naisy68]

We are going down a day earlier too and staying at CSR for a day as our flight arrives on the 27th around 2pm. We won't be checking in to the Poly until the next am. I was assured that the move wouldn't be too difficult. We just have to call the luggage desk at CSR and ask them to move our bags for us to the Poly and then we can go to the Poly for check-in. We are planning on not even opening our bags except one that is packed especially for that one night. Hopefully, it'll work smoothly for us. I have faith that Disney will not let us down.
We saved about $200 by staying moderate that first night. I just want to be at Disney and I have never been to CSR before soo, this sounded like a great option for us. We are just going to hang out at the resort and go to DTD on that first night. Maybe do a little shopping.

 

[PNO4TE]

I've been CONSIDERING doing a night at one of the values PRIOR to our Poly stay. I'm thinking with DH who is NOT a morning person and 2 toddlers...we probably won't even arrive to Orlando till mid afternoon...wasting a precious day at Disney World! So I'm thinking maybe arrive a day earlier, move over to Poly in the morning and start our fun. Any thoughts on how easy or difficult it will be to "MOVE" hotels with toddlers for just one night?

It is very easy to make the move. If you don't wish to move your luggage yourself, Bell Services will do it for you. You can get yourself to the Poly and check in. When you return from your day at the parks, call Bell Services and they will deliver it to your room!

We plan to do just that.

 

[cdotla]

Does the Poly give out a lei to each guest at each and every check-in?

 

[ciera321]

They did for us...In fact, we had 2 different reservations and they asked if we wanted new leis when I went down to re-check in...

 

[SeaSpray]

Does the Poly give out a lei to each guest at each and every check-in?

It's been our experience that they always give out leis to everyone when they check in. If for some reason the CM has you all checked in and you don't get a lei, just ask if they have them, because once in a while the CM can forget, and I think it's better to ask and then get the leis, rather than walk away feeling disappointed.

Now, over the years there has been a time or two where they've run out of leis, but they'll usually tell you to come back later or the next day and they'll be glad to give them to you then.

 

[Me&3]

Hi everyone just got back yesterday from 15 days of fun . Already looking to go back my DS(8) was crying hes so sad . I think we would live in Disney if we could . It looks like I missed alot trying to catch up

 

[lzj21428]

Does the Poly give out a lei to each guest at each and every check-in?

I've found that sometimes we've gotten one and sometimes we haven't. The very first time we went, as we walked into the lobby we were greeted by a CM and she placed a lei around our necks. That was cool. It made me feel like I was in Hawaii. I don't really think to much about it, if I get one great, if I don't, that's ok.