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

[Tess]

Thanks for the input! I didn't think about being able to spend sometime outside on the balcony. So do the 1st floor GV rooms not have anything outside?

I'm really not sure what you're asking, but maybe I get it. There are patios outside 1st floor rooms at the Polynesian. The patio will have two chairs and a table for relaxing outside your room. Balconies have the same chairs/table.

Hope that answers your question.

 

[princessmorgan]

I'm really not sure what you're asking, but maybe I get it. There are patios outside 1st floor rooms at the Polynesian. The patio will have two chairs and a table for relaxing outside your room. Balconies have the same chairs/table.

Hope that answers your question.

Yeah, you got it Sorry my question was confusing. I just didn't know if the 1st floor just had a window type thing and no place to sit outside. My sister just told me she doesn't want the 1st floor so no one can come kidnap her children

 

[Picabo]

I'm sorry for a repeat question - I KNOW this has been answered somewhere but have no clue where to go back and find it. Does the gift shop sell sand toys to play with and, if so, does anyone recall approx how much they cost? (Or if anyone is going soon, would you mind checking when you're in the gift shop??) We are flying, so really don't want to have to pack sand toys if I can avoid it!

 

[momatater]

I'm sorry for a repeat question - I KNOW this has been answered somewhere but have no clue where to go back and find it. Does the gift shop sell sand toys to play with and, if so, does anyone recall approx how much they cost? (Or if anyone is going soon, would you mind checking when you're in the gift shop??) We are flying, so really don't want to have to pack sand toys if I can avoid it!

I remember checking back in Sept and they had a small pail and shovel set for 99 cents and a medium Nemo set for either $4.99 or $5.99.

 

[Dannnn]

We have requested first floor in Samoa (right off the volcano pool). Has anyone stayed there? We have a 3yo so I like the proximity to the pool but am worried about the noise level during an afternoon nap. Any thoughts?

We requested the 1st floor but are 3rd floor Samoa on the volcano side. Still happy though. The noise with the windows shut is no problem at all. The rooms are quite quiet. The only thing that I'm a little dissappointed with is the smoke from Ohana's wood fire oven. The wind has been blowing it our way the last few days. We are 3rd floor on the end of the longhouse closest to the GCH. Overall we'r very pleased so far. I love the location of Samoa and our 6 & 10yo girls love watching the pool from the balcony. Another slight negative is the pool lighting is quite bright. The curtains blackout the room so it's not a problem for sleeping. The quiet pool side is almost a bright. Nomatter the minor imperfections, my wife, girls & I are loving the Poly and this will be a truely memorable trip in part because of it.

 

[Caitsmama]

Hi all!! We just got back from a week at the Hawaii building, first floor lagoon view! beeeeeauuutiful!! Everything was WONDERFUL, and we are going back, same building, hawaii, first floor LV in august for 5 days.
Cant wait!!!

 

[johnsonet]

AWESOME!!
It really doesn't get any better, does it?
Congrats on your August trip

 

[LJD2143]

We requested the 1st floor but are 3rd floor Samoa on the volcano side. Still happy though. The noise with the windows shut is no problem at all. The rooms are quite quiet. The only thing that I'm a little dissappointed with is the smoke from Ohana's wood fire oven. The wind has been blowing it our way the last few days. We are 3rd floor on the end of the longhouse closest to the GCH. Overall we'r very pleased so far. I love the location of Samoa and our 6 & 10yo girls love watching the pool from the balcony. Another slight negative is the pool lighting is quite bright. The curtains blackout the room so it's not a problem for sleeping. The quiet pool side is almost a bright. Nomatter the minor imperfections, my wife, girls & I are loving the Poly and this will be a truely memorable trip in part because of it.

What a great location you have!
Samoa, 3rd floor, volcano pool side is our FAVORITE!

LOVE the proximity to both pools;
LOVE the proximity to GCH/monorail/Captn Cooks;
LOVE the short walk to boat launch;
LOVE the short walk to TTC;
LOVE to watch the excitement at the volcano pool;
LOVE the view of GF;
NEVER found it too noisy or bright.

 

[DeborahB]

Hi all!! We just got back from a week at the Hawaii building, first floor lagoon view! beeeeeauuutiful!! Everything was WONDERFUL, and we are going back, same building, hawaii, first floor LV in august for 5 days.
Cant wait!!!

Caitsmama, that sounds wonderful!

We love it there too!

 

[kaffinito]

Quick question for all of you. I was reading on tikimans site and other places that after you check in (not concierge) you will be shown to a golf cart that will drive you and your luggage to your longhouse. Is this for everybody, or just those who fly or use valet?

Thanks!

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

We have requested first floor in Samoa (right off the volcano pool). Has anyone stayed there? We have a 3yo so I like the proximity to the pool but am worried about the noise level during an afternoon nap. Any thoughts?

I stayed there August 2007 with four kids (no, they weren't all mine ). We were right across from the pool and the noise level was practically nil. We hardly heard anything except the fireworks at night.

Hi all!! We just got back from a week at the Hawaii building, first floor lagoon view! beeeeeauuutiful!! Everything was WONDERFUL, and we are going back, same building, hawaii, first floor LV in august for 5 days.
Cant wait!!!

Isn't that view just dreamy! So glad to hear you all had such a great time! Wish I was going back to CL level in August.

Quick question for all of you. I was reading on tikimans site and other places that after you check in (not concierge) you will be shown to a golf cart that will drive you and your luggage to your longhouse. Is this for everybody, or just those who fly or use valet?

Thanks!

I know from the times I checked in (lagoon, garden, CL level) I wasn't driven via golf-cart after check-in. Usually concierge level guests check in at the bell services desk outside and they and their luggage are driven to the CL longhouse (Hawaii) to check in there.

I'm sure some folks with more knowledge of this will chime in soon.

 

[LJD2143]

Quick question for all of you. I was reading on tikimans site and other places that after you check in (not concierge) you will be shown to a golf cart that will drive you and your luggage to your longhouse. Is this for everybody, or just those who fly or use valet?

Thanks!

The past 3 times we have checked-in (not concierge), we were NOT driven by a golf cart.

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

We were driven by golf cart to our Garden view room inthe Fiji longhouse in August 2008.

When we arrived we used valet parking, proceeded into the Great Ceremonial House to check-in and then walked back out to use bell services. I believe that if you use bell services you tend to get driven whereas if you opt to take your own bags to your room you walk them yourself.

 

[mmmears]

Hi all!! We just got back from a week at the Hawaii building, first floor lagoon view! beeeeeauuutiful!! Everything was WONDERFUL, and we are going back, same building, hawaii, first floor LV in august for 5 days.
Cant wait!!!

Glad to hear it was a great week, great resort choice, and a wonderful time!

Do you suggest 1st floor on your room request instead of 3rd? I'm trying to figure out which one to request on our upcoming stay in Hawaii and would love some ideas, if you dont mind.

Welcome back!

 

[3KidletsMom]

10 weeks and 4 days until we get to the Poly! Thanks for this thread - I am so excited about staying here and so are my kids!

 

[kaffinito]

I know from the times I checked in (lagoon, garden, CL level) I wasn't driven via golf-cart after check-in. Usually concierge level guests check in at the bell services desk outside and they and their luggage are driven to the CL longhouse (Hawaii) to check in there.

Thanks!

The past 3 times we have checked-in (not concierge), we were NOT driven by a golf cart.

We were driven by golf cart to our Garden view room inthe Fiji longhouse in August 2008.

When we arrived we used valet parking, proceeded into the Great Ceremonial House to check-in and then walked back out to use bell services. I believe that if you use bell services you tend to get driven whereas if you opt to take your own bags to your room you walk them yourself.

So then when we check in next month I'll use valet and then use Bell Services and hopefully will get driven around in a cart (if I'm lucky). It sounds like a really neat perk, and I'm excited to see if it will really happen.

Thanks for all of the responses!

 

[seanmci]

So it's official. We are making a family dream come true and we are headed to the Poly 7/20-7/27. The family is excited for the trip. I am excited to have something to plan again! I love planning Disney trips!

This will be our first stay at Poly, first trip to WDW in July and first stay at a monorail resort. Any tips are greatly appreciated!

I can't believe this thread is so big, it will take me a while to catch up, but I am subscribing now.

 

[NJBILL]

So it's official. We are making a family dream come true and we are headed to the Poly 7/20-7/27. The family is excited for the trip. I am excited to have something to plan again! I love planning Disney trips!

This will be our first stay at Poly, first trip to WDW in July and first stay at a monorail resort. Any tips are greatly appreciated!

I can't believe this thread is so big, it will take me a while to catch up, but I am subscribing now.

See you there.. (7/21-7/28)

 

[mmmears]

So it's official. We are making a family dream come true and we are headed to the Poly 7/20-7/27. The family is excited for the trip. I am excited to have something to plan again! I love planning Disney trips!

This will be our first stay at Poly, first trip to WDW in July and first stay at a monorail resort. Any tips are greatly appreciated!

I can't believe this thread is so big, it will take me a while to catch up, but I am subscribing now.

Welcome to the Poly thread!

You are right -- it is a BIG thread to read through, but there is so much useful information on it! Just take your time (and check out the beginning, since there are great photos and resort advice there!)

 

[seanmci]

See you there.. (7/21-7/28)

That's great Bill. We will have to say hi while we are there. We are so psyched to be going and really happy with the pricing we got from Southwest on a package with plane tix, rese, rental car and and park hoppers. The savings was the only thing that made The Poly affordable (somewhat) for us!

Happy Planning.