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

[3prettyprincesses]

Turn down is automatic at the concierge level and by request at all others. All you need do is call and request turn down. Chocolates are part of the turn down service.

Hula lessons were a part of the program when we were there last, but as with all things, subject to change on any given day. It is best to check the schedule of events when you arrive. The kids are so cute when they are learning. . .

Do you have to request turndown service every day or just once at the beginning of your trip? It's my in-laws 40th wedding anniversary and I think they'd love this service!

I'd love to see my 3 little girls trying to do the hula! Man, I'm going to need about 3 memory cards for my camera on this trip I just know it! Thanks!!!

 

[Tess]

Do you have to request turndown service every day or just once at the beginning of your trip? It's my in-laws 40th wedding anniversary and I think they'd love this service!

I'd love to see my 3 little girls trying to do the hula! Man, I'm going to need about 3 memory cards for my camera on this trip I just know it! Thanks!!!

While you should only have to call once, it sure wouldn't hurt to contact them daily if it is super important to you! The housekeeping staff has been known to forget from time to time.

Keep that camera handy!

 

[3prettyprincesses]

While you should only have to call once, it sure wouldn't hurt to contact them daily if it is super important to you! The housekeeping staff has been known to forget from time to time.

Keep that camera handy!

Thanks so much!!

 

[BCV23]

I just started reading disboards last week, I'm hardly getting anything else accomplished! I'm up to page 45 on this Polynesian thread.

I just created my countdown ticker so I had to post to check it out.

Welcome to the thread!

Happy planning!

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

Such as - is there any place better than another for viewing Wishes and/or the Water Pagent??

Wander out to the beach next to the Tuvalu longhouse. It is much less crowded plus there are hammocks and chairs and a great view of Wishes and the Electrical Water Pageant.

I have a question. I requested 3rd floor Tuvalu and I'm booked MKV. Has anyone stayed in this long house? My worry is that its to far from everything, and I haven't seen many pictures of views from there and everyone raves about Tahiti. Im starting to second guess myself any one have any experience in Tuvalu?

I have! I'd originally requested Tahiti but it was full so I chose the Tuvalu longhouse. I'm so glad that I did! Tuvalu is very close to the GCH. The only thing adding to the time getting there is you have to go around the marina. But literally you go out of Tuvalu, around the marina in front of Fiji and Tonga and you go up the steps into the GCH right where the arcade and Captain Cooks is. I didn't feel it was far from everything at all.

Plus, since this longhouse is perched over the water and there is no beach in front of it, your room almost seems to 'float' on the water with the MK in view.

Tahiti is closer to the TTC but Tuvalu is closer to the GCH. Hope that helps!

 

[DLW8]

Wow - I was so sad to read that Tikiman will be closing his website. That was a great site, and I'll have to be reviewing it often before it's gone....so sad!!!

 

[LJD2143]

I am so very disappointed that Steve will be shutting down his extremely informative Poly site.

Maybe we should nominate a fellow Dis'er, from here on the Poly FAQ, to start up a new one!
Any volunteers?

 

[mmmears]

So I'm sitting here in front of my laptop, wishing that my trip had already begun and that I was at the Poly right NOW!!!

Anyone there now who can give a glimpse of the "magic" to those of us still waiting and waiting for our turn to come... (and yes, I know it's close... maybe that's what making it so hard today).

Any new reviews, photos, "secret" thing about the Poly???

 

[pokiekay]

Has anyone been there? Is it worth 2 table service credits?

 

[mmmears]

For those of you who have stayed at the Poly before, when leaving Epcot, do you just take the monorail to the TTC and then walk to your room? (We'll be in the Hawaii bldg.).

I know people say it can be a bit of a walk, but it is really any less walking to transfer to the other monorail, wait, then go to the GCH and walk to your room?

Or is there some other thing I'm not thinking of?

I dont think we'll mind the walk from the TTC (except maybe a bit at the end of a long day of walking), just trying to get an idea of the distances/times involved and the best way to plan our transportation options.

 

[Walkie]

WOW - this thread is huge! But great info. We will be making our first visit to the Poly in August and are wondering about people's experiences using the Magical Express service. Specifically, how long has it generally taken folks to get to Poly from the airport using this? Does it stop at a lot of other resorts before reaching Poly? Thanks for any info!

 

[CleveRocks]

WOW - this thread is huge! But great info. We will be making our first visit to the Poly in August and are wondering about people's experiences using the Magical Express service. Specifically, how long has it generally taken folks to get to Poly from the airport using this? Does it stop at a lot of other resorts before reaching Poly? Thanks for any info!

There are no pre-set routes and no pre-set groupings of resorts ... it all gets dispatched based upon expected need, and they predeict the need due to the reservations data they have.

Disney's Magical Express buses stop at a maximum of 4 resorts. Most do 2 or 3.

The time it takes to get to your resort is pretty much comparable with other modes of transportation such as car services and rental cars. A lot of people assume that the other ways get you there faster, but they forget to factor in thr fact that with DME you totally skip baggage claim, which shaves off a bunch of time.

The overall average reported time from airplane exit to resort drop-off via DME is 70 minutes. The 3 times I used it, I timed it at 63 minutes, 56 minutes and 57 minutes. The 57 minute time was last month, when I stayed at Polynesian.

Pack for your immediate needs in your carry-on, as your checked luggage will be delivered about 3 hours after you check-in at the resort. You don't need to wait in the room, and in fact you shouldn't ... DME luggage "magically" appears in your room whether you're in there or not.

The Transportation forum here on the DIS has lots and lots of DME threads, and you can ask more detailed questions over there by starting your own thread.

 

[LJD2143]

For those of you who have stayed at the Poly before, when leaving Epcot, do you just take the monorail to the TTC and then walk to your room? (We'll be in the Hawaii bldg.).

I know people say it can be a bit of a walk, but it is really any less walking to transfer to the other monorail, wait, then go to the GCH and walk to your room?

Or is there some other thing I'm not thinking of?

I dont think we'll mind the walk from the TTC (except maybe a bit at the end of a long day of walking), just trying to get an idea of the distances/times involved and the best way to plan our transportation options.

We've ALWAYS walked from TTC to our longhouse, with no problem. It's so short and easy - especially to any longhouse on the near side of the marina. From Hawaii it's about 5 minutes.
Even late in the evening, when our feet are dog-tired, it's such a beautiful, peaceful walk!

 

[TheIncredibles]

For those of you who have stayed at the Poly before, when leaving Epcot, do you just take the monorail to the TTC and then walk to your room? (We'll be in the Hawaii bldg.).

I know people say it can be a bit of a walk, but it is really any less walking to transfer to the other monorail, wait, then go to the GCH and walk to your room?

Or is there some other thing I'm not thinking of?

I dont think we'll mind the walk from the TTC (except maybe a bit at the end of a long day of walking), just trying to get an idea of the distances/times involved and the best way to plan our transportation options.

We've done both, but usually just walk. If the resort monorail is pulling in and we're really tired, we'll take it to the Poly. Otherwise the time saved by using the closer Poly monorail stop (to the Hawaii bldg) is eaten by waiting for it. But I will assure you, it is not a 5 minute walk from the TTC monorail to the Hawaii building; closer to 15.

 

[luvngoofy]

Has anyone been there? Is it worth 2 table service credits?

Of course this is all a matter of opinion, but we did it and thought it was totally worth it. My DH enjoyed it and he didn't think he would. He was the one that thought WDW was "just another amusement park". He totally changed his mind once he went. He loves it now.
I am planning it for this trip with the grandkids.

 

[Carrie772]

Has anyone been there? Is it worth 2 table service credits?

I haven't been since 1994, I am just bumping your question up. We didn't like it then BTW.

 

[BCV23]

We've ALWAYS walked from TTC to our longhouse, with no problem. It's so short and easy - especially to any longhouse on the near side of the marina. From Hawaii it's about 5 minutes.
Even late in the evening, when our feet are dog-tired, it's such a beautiful, peaceful walk!

That's what we do too unless it's pouring rain or on NYE 1999 when the TTC walkway was closed at the Polynesian entrance.

For us, it's probably more like a 7-8 minute walk. Even after Epcot, it's an easy walk.

 

[eeyoresmountainpals]

For those of you who have stayed at the Poly before, when leaving Epcot, do you just take the monorail to the TTC and then walk to your room? (We'll be in the Hawaii bldg.).

I know people say it can be a bit of a walk, but it is really any less walking to transfer to the other monorail, wait, then go to the GCH and walk to your room?

Or is there some other thing I'm not thinking of?

I dont think we'll mind the walk from the TTC (except maybe a bit at the end of a long day of walking), just trying to get an idea of the distances/times involved and the best way to plan our transportation options.

We almost always walk from the TTC to the Hawaii building. It's a beautiful walk and so relaxing, even when we're exhausted from a day at Epcot!

 

[mmmears]

Thanks, everyone. It did seem silly to go up and down the ramps just to wait for the resort monorail (unless it's pouring rain). So I guess we'll just walk. After a long day at Epcot, I'll assume the 15mins instead of the 5mins!

 

[longhornlaura]

Probably a silly question, but do they have Mickey Hawaiian shirts in the gift shop at the Poly - kids and adult sizes?

Every summer I usually buy matching shirts for all my boys (sons & husband). I tought Mickey ones may be a nice touch this year - maybe even having them waiting in the room for us on arrival.