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

[Shell54]

I didn't find it that crowded. We were able to get a table and chairs and the kids spend time in the volcano lining up or in the water spray area. In fact, I never once thought to myself that it was too crowded and frankly, forgot all about the quiet pool. IN fact, I never even saw it the whole time we were there. Please don't worry about that!!!!

Thanks! That's reassuring especially since you just got back. It just looks like a small-ish (but very fun and unique!) pool in all the photos. I'm so glad you and your family had a great time We're at 3 weeks and counting..

 

[Mrs.Prince]

How deep is the end of the water slide?

 

[momsavealot]

How deep is the end of the water slide?

My hubby thinks it was around 4 ft. and I saw a lifeguard posted there the whole time the slide was open. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised with the number of lifeguards I saw there.

 

[momsavealot]

Just a quick note that I just remembered. We learned the hard way that the life jackets come from the nearby boat area which closes (unlike the pool), so if you want to do some night swimming you may not be able to get a life jacket unless someone leaves one behind in the pool area. Just a reminder.

 

[FreFam5]

Okay- October cannot come soon enough. All this information is making me absolutely giddy to get to Disney - but I don't leave until October!!!!!

I cannot believe all of the information here - I am going to be the most informed Poly guest ever!

 

[BigMickeyFan]

Just a quick note that I just remembered. We learned the hard way that the life jackets come from the nearby boat area which closes (unlike the pool), so if you want to do some night swimming you may not be able to get a life jacket unless someone leaves one behind in the pool area. Just a reminder.

When we stayed at POR last fall, they allowed us to have a life jacket for DD for the duration of our stay. We kept it in our room, so it didn't matter which pool we went to or what time, we always had it. Maybe inquire about this at the Poly also?

 

[eyenjeff]

We originally booked LV with the DDP. Thinking about breakfasts and snacks, my kids have to be eating constantly, I upgraded to CL. Not sure if that will end up being too much food or not but I can let you know soon ..... we leave in 3 days !!!
Sorry, I know that's not much help to answer your question but I'm basically going through the same scenario and will find out soon how it turns out.

THANKS!!! That would be great info! If you think of it, while you are there, can you let me know how big the windows/patio doors are in the room? I know that is a carzy question, but we are going during Mousefest. There is a window decorating contest during Mousefest and I would like to participate. I want to make it all ahead and ship it down to the resort so we dont have to pay for another suitcase on the plane! LOL!

Eileen

 

[eyenjeff]

When are you going in Dec? The reason I ask, I have ressies for LV Club level for Dec and unfortunately it's looking like I'm going to have to cancel. Our dates are Dec 12-19. If this works for you, pm me and I will let you know if we decide to cancel for sure. I sure would like to pass the room on to another DISer if I can't use it!

WOW! That is sooo nice of you! I am sorry you are going to have to cancel your trip......BUMMER! We are going Dec 7-14. So our dates overlap a little but not all the way. I am going to try the calling thing starting tomorrow morning and see what happens. I dont even know how much it costs to upgrade, I have to ask that too.

 

[goopysolelady]

I did not eat breakfast there. My dad had the breakfast sandwich from Captain Cooks and he enjoyed it. We had two character breakfasts and the other days we just fed the kids in the room. I never did try the tonga toast.

Can't believe you NEVER tried the Tonga Toast!!! I LIVE for that breakfast. Last WDW trip, we stayed at the Wilderness Lodge but my oldest daughter and I made a special trip over to the Poly for our TONGA TOAST! What a meal!

 

[momatater]

WOW! That is sooo nice of you! I am sorry you are going to have to cancel your trip......BUMMER! We are going Dec 7-14. So our dates overlap a little but not all the way. I am going to try the calling thing starting tomorrow morning and see what happens. I dont even know how much it costs to upgrade, I have to ask that too.

I'm fortunate enough to be going to WDW in 12 days and staying LV Club level as well. Some will say I'm spoiled to have 2 trips planned so close together, I just think I have the best DH in the world and I'm very fortunate!! We are shooting for spending our first "holiday season" onsite in Dec 2009 if we have to cancel this time. Darn work....can't believe it's going to spoil our Disney plans...the big boss definately doesn't get it!!

Anyway, I hope you can get the upgrade if you want. I'm pretty sure you will enjoy your stay no matter where at the Poly you're staying!!!

 

[BootsJessie]

Hi guys! I got back about a week ago and am still in post Disney depression (pdd). I LOVED the Poly and can't imagine staying anywhere else. I know it's strange but I love the smell of the lobby when you walk in after a day at the park. Anyway........after researching the Poly from this thread, I was armed. I had requested long ago a 3rd floor room in Fiji. When we checked in, she gave us Room 3311 and I had a bad feeling based on what I learned on these threads. But I thought, no, let's give them the benefit of the doubt and go check it out. As we're walking around the marina, I look up and see that yes, the balcony view is half obstructed by trees! Oh, come on. I stopped my dh in his tracks and told him that I did not book that far in advance with such a specific request for that- so he told me to go back and see if we can get another room (while he planted himself near the marina with the kids). I go back and after 15 minutes of checking, the best they can do is move me the next day to the other side (facing the GF) to room 3306. This time, I pulled out the Fiji room guide that I know I got off this thread or Tikiman's site, and knew right away it was a good view. So, I agreed and we went to Room 3311. It's not a bad room except for the half balcony view obstruction. Many people would be happy with this! Here's the kicker. First we open the frig, and it's full of food from the prior attendant. So, I call mousekeeping and tell them that we'll bag it and leave it in the hallway for them to come get. No biggie. Then, I remember, I had groceries delivered by gardengrocer so I call bell services to bring it up. He says he'll be right there. ONE HOUR LATER and after about 5 calls to Bell Services, we finally get it. As a result, we missed the first half of the water electrical parade. UGH! It was a pain that we couldn't really unpack that night b/c we had to put all our luggage AND FOOD in storage with bell services the next day while our room was switched, but it was well worth it. After the switch, it was pure luxury and no hitches. The room was huge. We had a blow up bed with us and there was plenty of room for that and the double stroller packed with our goodies for the next day. There were 6 of us and we loved it - plenty of room. And can I say, not one peep of noise from anywhere else. Mousekeeping was great and would make a mountain of stuffed animals for the kids to come "home" to. The grounds are beautiful and clean. The torch lighting ceremony is great and you should take your kids if you are not doing the dinner show. The arcade was fun, Capt. Cook's good (except those awful stale Polynesian chips), and the pool unbelievable. My kids went down the volcano slide about a thousand times! Like I said, I'm depressed I'm back but if you have any questions let me know! By the way, the Pina Colava is a must!! SeaSpray, I may have to borrow some of your pics from the beginning of this thread, b/c we were hit with Fay at the end of our trip and I couldn't get resort photos like I wanted. Thanks again for this thread!

Thanks for the info!
2 days to go, I'm beyond pumped now !!!

How were the lines for rides in the Parks?

 

[AimKo]

Thanks for the reply. The kids will be depressed they can't get their mickey waffles (we're on the dining plan & they're on the kid's plan) Oh well, they'll survive.

We just got back. The kids can get the Mickey waffle b'fast on the dining plan with no issue. We did it several times. I don't recollect there being a specific kid option for b'fast. When I came up to the register with the smaler water bottle at b'fast time, the cashier told me to go trade it for the larger one. She told me that they didn't have a separate kid option, so why get the smaller bottle. Worked out just fine!

A

 

[momsavealot]

Thanks for the info!
2 days to go, I'm beyond pumped now !!!

How were the lines for rides in the Parks?

Not bad at all!!! We walked on, WALKED ON, Pirates of the Carribean about 12 times, Star Tours about 10 times, and so on. The only problems I saw were Test Track, Toy Story Mania and Splash Mountain. You definitely need Fastpasses for these - altho one morning, when we got there at rope drop, we walked on Splash Mountain. While we were there, we found Toy Story Mania in Hollywood Studios to have many mechanical errors. It kept shutting down. We got there at rope drop and by the time we got to the ride, it was already a 45 minute wait and I had to stand on line for 10 minutes just to get a Fast pass (FP). My dh never got to ride Test Track b/c we waited too long to get a FP and they were all gone by the time we got over there and the wait was too long. Get Fastpasses for Test Track, Toy Story Mania, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain and Soarin' if you want to wait less than 30 minutes! Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions!

 

[BCV23]

I didn't find it that crowded. We were able to get a table and chairs and the kids spend time in the volcano lining up or in the water spray area. In fact, I never once thought to myself that it was too crowded and frankly, forgot all about the quiet pool. IN fact, I never even saw it the whole time we were there. Please don't worry about that!!!!

I completely agree that it's nothing to worry about. Even during really busy times like Easter week, my family has enjoyed the pools.

When we stayed at POR last fall, they allowed us to have a life jacket for DD for the duration of our stay. We kept it in our room, so it didn't matter which pool we went to or what time, we always had it. Maybe inquire about this at the Poly also?

That's what we always did at the Polynesian when ours children were little.

 

[BootsJessie]

Not bad at all!!! We walked on, WALKED ON, Pirates of the Carribean about 12 times, Star Tours about 10 times, and so on. The only problems I saw were Test Track, Toy Story Mania and Splash Mountain. You definitely need Fastpasses for these - altho one morning, when we got there at rope drop, we walked on Splash Mountain. While we were there, we found Toy Story Mania in Hollywood Studios to have many mechanical errors. It kept shutting down. We got there at rope drop and by the time we got to the ride, it was already a 45 minute wait and I had to stand on line for 10 minutes just to get a Fast pass (FP). My dh never got to ride Test Track b/c we waited too long to get a FP and they were all gone by the time we got over there and the wait was too long. Get Fastpasses for Test Track, Toy Story Mania, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain and Soarin' if you want to wait less than 30 minutes! Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions!

Thanks!
It'll help me plan our days or where to go first at certain parks

 

[xnascar2x]

Thanks for the reply. The kids will be depressed they can't get their mickey waffles (we're on the dining plan & they're on the kid's plan) Oh well, they'll survive.

Looking at the menu, I see Mickey Waffles on it.

 

[BCV23]

Looking at the menu, I see Mickey Waffles on it.

And in the picture on the menu board that MSB posted.

And of course, AimKo reported that her kids just were able to order them.

 

[team disney]

Yes we are still reading your post. I wanted to second BCV23's recommendation for Kona's. It is wonderful food. They have wonderful breakfasts and they try so hard to please the guests. I imagine they would be happy to add chocolate chips to the pancake batter. We usually eat breakfast there at least once during our vacation and we ALWAYS have dinner there. I personally like it better than Ohana's.

Be sure to let us know how your trip goes when you get back. Remember we all love pictures and stories.

Aww! Thanks for your help! I am very excited to try Kona this time! I have 2 Breakfast ressie's. We will most definatly see if they will throw a bit of chocolate in the batter for us! Have to keep the hubbys tummy happy! I will most definately book a dinner next trip. I have read many good things about Kona
oh and I can not wait to post some trip pictures!!

 

[cmesq61]

There are quite a few different pastries for which you should be able to use a snack credit. The Kona coffee bar also sells pastries.

The menu on Allears has never been complete for CCs for some reason.



The deluxe hotels do not carry as great an assortment in their counter service spots as the mods and values....I imagine to encourage us all to visit the full service restaurants or use room service. But breakfast is good at CCs. For 8 days, I would certainly mix it up though. We do most of our breakfasts at Kona which is excellent. We enjoy room service too. If you're set on counter service, maybe mix it up by visiting Gasparilla's at the GF when you're on your way to the MK some mornings. Or pick up brekafast in the parks.



The slide closes when the lifeguards leave. It may have changed but in slower or cooler seasons that was usually earlier than 10pm. Have fun....you're so close now!



This is really just a bump for you since I'm not sure. Oatmeal used to be served...not packets but the real stuff. But I'm pretty sure that's no longer the case. I've never seen packets there.



I would contact them a couple weeks before you hit the 180 mark if you want them to make reservations for you. Have fun. Club level is outstanding at the Polynesian.



Just hop on the monorail. It begins running at 7am and the restaurants know this and won't penalize you for being a few minutes late. You can't walk to the CR but it's a short walk from to the GF...about 10 minutes from the GCH. You could easily make that walk if you want. Have fun!



No pancakes at Captain Cooks. But there are pancakes on the menu of Kona and room service. Can't remember if chocolate chip pancakes are offered but they might be able to do it for you anyway.

I agree about paying OOP for the Luau.



I occasionally have taken the bus back from DHS if we split up after lunch. It never takes too long but I just hop whichever comes first....TTC/MK or Polynesian.



I've read that on the DIS too but don't know if it's true or not. But such a prohibition makes sense to me. The parks and especially the queues get crowded and I can see rolling packs being a hazard for other guests. There are lockers though. Hope that helps a bit.

Thanks BCV23!

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

Ms StinkerBelle Thanks for the awesome photos and info. Thats my first peek at where to get the famous Dole Whip when we're staying at the Poly .

You're welcome! You can see the Dole Whip machine as soon as you enter Captain Cooks. It's straight ahead...next to the bakery case while the ordering kiosks are to the immediate right when you enter. You can order Dole Whip from the kiosk or directly from a CM at the register.