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

[lissiesmum]

I have three ADRs over at the GF booked...just wondering if there's a path over there and how far to walk (how many minutes to walk there)? Can you walk over with a stroller? Also, I thought I read somewhere that there are some outdoor activities like a marshmallow roast and movies under the stars at the GF...are those still going on?

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

hello fellow Poly fans! After trying for months to get a room at the Poly, some rooms finally opened up today and I booked for the last week of April! I have some quick changes to make to my dining ressies (and I hope it's not too late!). We were staying at the AKL and had a lot of dining reserved over there but I'm looking to book a breakfast at Kona Cafe. I'm wondering what time it opens in the am, and if you were to go first thing in the morning is a ressie necessary, or could you just walk in? Tonga Toast and pressed pot, here I come! I'm sure I'll have a ton more questions, I'm just getting started!

We will be there the last week of April too

Don't worry if you can't get a ressie for Kona. You can also get Tonga Toast at CCs and good coffee at the coffee bar.

okay, here comes another question: We have a dinner booked at Boma and I'm wondering the best way to get there. I think we'll be going on an Epcot day so I was thinking of leaving Epcot, taking the bus to the AKL, but then was wondering how best to get back to the Poly...should I bus back to Epcot and take the monorail to the TTC, or bus to MK and take the boat across?

Also, I'm not sure how much time to allot in the mornings. We'll be there the last week of April and it appears the hotel will be full. How much time including waiting in line for monorail/ferries do you allot to arrive at the MK? Epcot?

TIA for your help and I look forward to chatting with everyone and learning everything I can

Personally, I hate wasteing time on a bus so I would just grab a cab after dinner at AKL to get back to the Poly.

Our experience with MK/Epcot timing: It shouldn't take longer than 10-15 minutes to get to MK even if its crowded. *If* they are adding or taking trains on/off the tracks, you can hit an extra 10-15 minute delay but that can't be foreseen. Just luck of the draw. You can go via express monorail from the TTC or the resort monorail from the GCH depending on which longhouse you are in. If the weather is nice, the quickest way to Epcot is just to walk over to the TTC and get directly on the Epcot monorail. If it is raining or you are in a longhouse next to the GCH, you may just take the resort monorail to the TTC and switch to the Epcot monorail. In general, I think from leaving our room in Tokelau, walking to the TTC and getting on the Epcot monorail, riding there and walking down to the entrance gates took apx 30-35 minutes depending on how fast we walked. I would add another 5-10 minutes if you are using the resort monorail and transferring at TTC.

I am sure others will post with their transportation times as well. It's good to get several samples as transportation issues can and do vary. The beauty of the Poly is you have more options! You can also take the boat. If you time that correctly, you can be at the MK in 5- 10 minutes. If you miss the boat, add another 10-15 on for waiting at the dock.

 

[lissiesmum]

thank you Amanda! I am so excited and I can't think of anything else! Plus I had my whole vacation planned around the AKL so now it's like planning a new vacation all over again (which is half the fun!). I am so excited about the monorail and even the boat. We stayed at the WL our last trip and loved the quick boat ride over

 

[BreezysMom]

I hate to add any doubt into otherwise wonderful feelings, but I'd feel bad if I didn't share my opinion here.

Personally, I'd be very dissatisfied with a TPV room in Aotearoa, especially a 2nd floor room, since these don't have balconies. Aotearoa is set back pretty far from the lagoon. At Poly, TPV is defined as an unobstructed view of Cinderella Castle. From Aotearoa (or at least from standing right in front it), you have what I'll describe as a "tunnel vision" view of the Castle, due to Fiji and Tuvalu on the right and the Luau Cove on the left. And like I said, there is a lot of land in between the building and the lagoon. AND, the path in front of the building is the only path, or at least the main path, between the bulk of the resort and the Luau Cove, meaning the crowds of people going to and from the Luau have to pass across the front of the building, on the path that is direectly in front of and adjacent to the building. I would imagine that gets noisy a few times a day, and would also take away from privacy, especially (I'd imagine) for the first floor rooms.

I think Tuvalu looks like an excellent location, but keep in mind that the 2nd floor rooms have no balconies. There's also no beach in front of it ... it's just about right on the lagoon. This wouldn't be a problem for me, but might be for some people.

I requested Tahiti, 3rd floor (I just figured the higher the room the better the view of MK). I picked Tahiti over Tuvalu because, if for no other reason, both the 2nd and 3rd floors of Tahiti have balconies. It's also very close to the TTC, which I prefer.

I'll put it to you this way, to illustrate how strong my preference was. We arrived to check-in at 9:45 a.m. We were assigned a 2nd floor room in Aotearoa, and it was ready for us. I nicely asked the front desk CM if we could get our request, a 3rd floor room in Tahiti. She got on the phone, and then told me we could have our request, but would have to wait until mid-afternoon. As it turns out, our room wasn't ready 'til 5:15 p.m. As unhappy as I was to have to wait that long, I was thrilled that our request could be met, and waiting until after 5 was a small price to pay for 8 days in a room I strongly preferred.

Just my 2 cents. When I think that I could have paid the same amount of money and had to keep the 2nd floor room in Aotearoa, I consider myself very lucky that they were able to accomodate my request. Just my opinion.

Funny thing...after I had a crazy whirlwind morning of booking and back and forth with DH I did some researching and I decided that Tahiti is my #1 choice. When I called back to give my flight info and had them request that I wanted Tahiti, 3rd floor. I know it is just a request but at least I requested it. I appreciate your input though. I agree with your thoughts after doing some research. Now DH is not so pleased about being so far from GCH if we do get Tahiti, we have satyed in Figi 2x now. I think that the Poly is small enough that it really does not matter. We are huge walkers anyway.

Thanks again for the input!

 

[johnsonet]

So we just got back from the commisary (grociery store) Anyways we bought pop tarts, small boxes of ceral (get a half gallon milk), and lots of snacks, 24 pack of bottle water, 2 things of gatoraid, and 2 24 packs of soda. Do we have enough??? Now just need to pack mine and hubby's clothes and clean house one more time and we will be ready! Am I overly excited or what????

I think you are suitably excited for a trip to WDW

hello fellow Poly fans! After trying for months to get a room at the Poly, some rooms finally opened up today and I booked for the last week of April! I have some quick changes to make to my dining ressies (and I hope it's not too late!). We were staying at the AKL and had a lot of dining reserved over there but I'm looking to book a breakfast at Kona Cafe. I'm wondering what time it opens in the am, and if you were to go first thing in the morning is a ressie necessary, or could you just walk in? Tonga Toast and pressed pot, here I come! I'm sure I'll have a ton more questions, I'm just getting started!

okay, here comes another question: We have a dinner booked at Boma and I'm wondering the best way to get there. I think we'll be going on an Epcot day so I was thinking of leaving Epcot, taking the bus to the AKL, but then was wondering how best to get back to the Poly...should I bus back to Epcot and take the monorail to the TTC, or bus to MK and take the boat across?

Also, I'm not sure how much time to allot in the mornings. We'll be there the last week of April and it appears the hotel will be full. How much time including waiting in line for monorail/ferries do you allot to arrive at the MK? Epcot?

TIA for your help and I look forward to chatting with everyone and learning everything I can

CONGRATULATIONS! Isn't it nice to get your #1 choice in the end??!!
We were just at the Poly and our room was close to the GCH (in Niue). We literally left our room 10 min. before park opening and were fine
Re. AKL, I have to concur w/ the PP that I'd take a cab from AKL to Poly. You'll be worn out after your day. Kona Cafe shouldn't be a problem for breakfast. I'd try for an ADR but if you get there early you should be seated promptly, in my experience. Kona is open for breakfast 7:30-11:15am.

I have three ADRs over at the GF booked...just wondering if there's a path over there and how far to walk (how many minutes to walk there)? Can you walk over with a stroller? Also, I thought I read somewhere that there are some outdoor activities like a marshmallow roast and movies under the stars at the GF...are those still going on?

Yes, the GF movies/campfire are still shown there nightly. March schedule says 6-7pm for Campfire Sing-along and 8pm for Movie. Depending on what longhouse you are in, the walk is 5-10 minutes approximately... It's a nice sidewalk/path

BreezysMom ~ Tahiti would be nice too b/c both 2d and 3d floors have balconies plus the rooms are larger than most other buildings (other than Rapa Nui and Tokelau). Hope you get your request!

 

[kaffinito]

Also, I'm not sure how much time to allot in the mornings. We'll be there the last week of April and it appears the hotel will be full. How much time including waiting in line for monorail/ferries do you allot to arrive at the MK? Epcot?

TIA for your help and I look forward to chatting with everyone and learning everything I can

Hi! And congratulations on getting the Poly!

I have three ADRs over at the GF booked...just wondering if there's a path over there and how far to walk (how many minutes to walk there)? Can you walk over with a stroller? Also, I thought I read somewhere that there are some outdoor activities like a marshmallow roast and movies under the stars at the GF...are those still going on?

I've read that it only takes 10-15 minutes to walk from the Poly to GF. There is a paved path running between the two resorts.

I was going to check out the movies and marshmallow roast myself, and am going to check out the GF thread to see what it says there. The GF fact sheet might also help us out! I think I read somewhere too that the Poly has a campfire roast as well. That would be handy, eh?

Now DH is not so pleased about being so far from GCH if we do get Tahiti, we have satyed in Figi 2x now. I think that the Poly is small enough that it really does not matter. We are huge walkers anyway.

Is Figi really nice? That's my request, Figi with balcony or patio. I'm praying for a marina view.

 

[Sphyrna]

I just booked my trip the other day! I'll be staying at the Poly the first week of June, taking advantage of the 4/3 deal. I've always wanted to stay at the Poly and this gave me an affordable way to do it. I reserved a GV room. I'm not sure if I should put any requests in for building or floor or leave it to the tiki gods. I can't wait for my trip!!

 

[BreezysMom]

Is Figi really nice? That's my request, Figi with balcony or patio. I'm praying for a marina view.

We have stayed in Figi twice. The first time was third floor facing the Luau Cove and the GF wedding chapel. It was breathtaking. The second was third flooor Marina side. In all honesty, I feel you cannot go wrong with either side. I just requested third floor Figi.

 

[BreezysMom]

Oh my, this is getting so out of control. Someone take DH's computer away from him. He just realized that GVCL is roughly the same $$ as the TPV so his thought is to now, do the GVCL and the free dining but use the TS for signature meals so we can make better use of the CL offerings...and be able to enjoy some finer TS meals and not have to worry about so many ADR's (husb hates ADR system, he does not like to be "scheduled" on vacation)

I really wanted a TPV but as he states, we can watch the fireworks from the lounge. There is no way he would pay for LVCl at all.

So, let's forget about "too much food" for this discussion, just give me the facts as you have experienced them all you Poly experts. Especially people who have stayed GVCl give me the good and the bad.

I am imagining that decision needs to be made tomorrow, Sunday since free dining opens to all on Monday.

Thanks friends.

 

[mmmears]

BreezysMom,

Haven't stayed CL yet, but from the looks of it I think it's pretty nice. Your DH is pretty savvy -- I think he's right -- I'd rather stay GVCL and get the lounge and the IPO service than have a TPV. Just a personal choice, though, but it's been SO nice not having to call Disney Dining and wait on hold to get my ADRs. Just a quick email or call to IPO and it's made. I've been feeling very spoiled by the IPO, actually.

 

[Kteacher]

Poly IPO is outstanding . We're staying LVC at the end of June, and I emailed them a few weeks ago with some ADR requests. My ADR window opened up yesterday, and my itinerary from the Poly IPO was in my inbox this morning .

 

[CleveRocks]

For me, what absolutely made my trip magical was our 24-hour-a-day availability of seeing Magic Kingdom. From our 3rd floor TPV room in Tahiti, we had a panoramic view, from the Wedding Pavilion on one end, around to Grand Floridian, then around to the tippy-tops of Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, then to the Castle, that magical Castle that is lit up all night and changes colors every few minutes, to the Main Street train station, to the tippy-top of Astro Orbiter, to the full majesty of Space Mountain, to the Contemporary, to the green rooftops of Wilderness Lodge, to the ferry dock at TTC.

It was great hearing the horn blasts from the ferries, and then looking out to see them glide on the water.

During a mid-day break, it was great hearing the horn toots from the MK steam trains, and then watching the puffs of steam slowly circle around MK.

It was great being able to watch Wishes from our balcony.

It was great late at night, when everything was closed, sitting at the desk, typing away at my laptop posting on The DIS, turning my head ever so slightly to one side and seeing that Castle ....

MAGICAL.

It truly made the trip so much more special for me.

We never closed our curtains. It was great waking up and opening my eyes, still disoriented from sleep, and then having the first thing my eyes open upon be the Castle and Space Mountain.

Am I convincing you yet?

Some photos from our balcony ...

To the left ...

Straight ahead ...

To the right ...

And, of course, Wishes ... [sorry for the fuzzy pic ... I didn't have a tripod]

Tell your husband this: You can buy food any time you want, for the rest of your life, but you can only buy this view during your week at the Polynesian.

 

[Kim321]

I'm/we're so excited! We've just booked our trip to WDW and we're staying at the Poly for the first time (only our 2nd trip)! Reading this thread and the pictures has been so inspiring; I can't wait! We stayed at POR 2 years ago and looking forward to the additional space of the Poly, now that the kids are bigger. Can't wait!

 

[lissiesmum]

okay, I was just reading about the online checkin and I'm a bit nervous about not making a request. It seems the pool of rooms available might be smaller because the keys are all put into envelopes the day before people arrive, making less of a pool for the CMs to choose from at the regular line? I'm thinking maybe I'd better make a request and hoped you all could help...I booked a GV room, but I know there are some GVs with a partial or full water view. I am thinking of requesting either Tokelelau or Fiji. Would I have a good chance of seeing water from one of these longhouses?

 

[johnsonet]

I just booked my trip the other day! I'll be staying at the Poly the first week of June, taking advantage of the 4/3 deal. I've always wanted to stay at the Poly and this gave me an affordable way to do it. I reserved a GV room. I'm not sure if I should put any requests in for building or floor or leave it to the tiki gods. I can't wait for my trip!!

Congratulations! What a great time of year to be at the Poly On our last trip, also GV, I decided to just let the Tiki Gods decide too. I have stayed at Poly 5-7 times and have always been happy with my room. But I'm easy to please... Anyway, we were assigned to Niue and LOVED it. Ultra convenient to everything. Literally steps to the GCH and quiet pool. The bldg is small, only 2 floors and short. We loved being there. We were ground floor for the first time at Poly and LOVED our patio. My DD and DNieces skipped from the sliding glass doors to the quiet pool in moments, while DSIL and I ate chips and salsa and drank wine on our patio I highly recommend Niue but if you're trying for any glimpse of a lagoon or castle view, this is not the bldg.... Anyway, good luck and ENJOY!

We have stayed in Figi twice. The first time was third floor facing the Luau Cove and the GF wedding chapel. It was breathtaking. The second was third flooor Marina side. In all honesty, I feel you cannot go wrong with either side. I just requested third floor Figi.

I almost requested Fiji b/c of those Marina views! But I've never stayed on "that side" of the GCH before and was nervous... I walked all around the resort taking pics one afternoon, though, and it sure is a great spot. Must be awesome during Wishes when you're on the Marina side

Oh my, this is getting so out of control. Someone take DH's computer away from him. He just realized that GVCL is roughly the same $$ as the TPV so his thought is to now, do the GVCL and the free dining but use the TS for signature meals so we can make better use of the CL offerings...and be able to enjoy some finer TS meals and not have to worry about so many ADR's (husb hates ADR system, he does not like to be "scheduled" on vacation)

I really wanted a TPV but as he states, we can watch the fireworks from the lounge. There is no way he would pay for LVCl at all.

So, let's forget about "too much food" for this discussion, just give me the facts as you have experienced them all you Poly experts. Especially people who have stayed GVCl give me the good and the bad.

I am imagining that decision needs to be made tomorrow, Sunday since free dining opens to all on Monday.

Thanks friends.

That's a tough decision. Good luck! I stayed GVCL once and enjoyed it but then stayed LVCL and was blown away - therefore for me, that view is what's so special. Never stayed TPV there though... only GV and GVCL and LVCL. The view (at least from Hawaii) is unbeatable.

BreezysMom,

Haven't stayed CL yet, but from the looks of it I think it's pretty nice. Your DH is pretty savvy -- I think he's right -- I'd rather stay GVCL and get the lounge and the IPO service than have a TPV. Just a personal choice, though, but it's been SO nice not having to call Disney Dining and wait on hold to get my ADRs. Just a quick email or call to IPO and it's made. I've been feeling very spoiled by the IPO, actually.

Good point about ADRs. But all that money for no MK view... that's a hard one ~

Poly IPO is outstanding . We're staying LVC at the end of June, and I emailed them a few weeks ago with some ADR requests. My ADR window opened up yesterday, and my itinerary from the Poly IPO was in my inbox this morning .

That's great to hear. I didn't have such great service last summer. I'm glad they've improved. mmmears has said the same thing as you

I'm/we're so excited! We've just booked our trip to WDW and we're staying at the Poly for the first time (only our 2nd trip)! Reading this thread and the pictures has been so inspiring; I can't wait! We stayed at POR 2 years ago and looking forward to the additional space of the Poly, now that the kids are bigger. Can't wait!

The Poly is awesome! You're going to have so much fun. And, yes, the rooms are very spacious

okay, I was just reading about the online checkin and I'm a bit nervous about not making a request. It seems the pool of rooms available might be smaller because the keys are all put into envelopes the day before people arrive, making less of a pool for the CMs to choose from at the regular line? I'm thinking maybe I'd better make a request and hoped you all could help...I booked a GV room, but I know there are some GVs with a partial or full water view. I am thinking of requesting either Tokelelau or Fiji. Would I have a good chance of seeing water from one of these longhouses?

Based on what others have said, if you want water view from a GV room, I'd request Fiji, Marina side. Good luck!

CleveRocks - great pics!

 

[kaffinito]

I have three ADRs over at the GF booked...just wondering if there's a path over there and how far to walk (how many minutes to walk there)? Can you walk over with a stroller? Also, I thought I read somewhere that there are some outdoor activities like a marshmallow roast and movies under the stars at the GF...are those still going on?

Hi! I found the info we were looking for on the GF fan website.
http://www.wherethemagiclives.com/03-09.html

This gives a sample schedule for the GF. I'm also going to check at Poly after we check in to see if they offer movies there.

 

[johnsonet]

I'm also going to check at Poly after we check in to see if they offer movies there.

They don't. Campfire and Movie are listed on the Poly Recreation sheet but they direct you to walk over to the GF

 

[kaffinito]

They don't. Campfire and Movie are listed on the Poly Recreation sheet but they direct you to walk over to the GF

Oh well. I didn't think there was a really good place to show movies at the Poly! At least we know there's a place close by where we can watch one - Thanks!

 

[johnsonet]

Oh well. I didn't think there was a really good place to show movies at the Poly! At least we know there's a place close by where we can watch one - Thanks!

Yes. It's just a shared activity. Poly guests are invited and allowed to participate, the location is just over by the GF
You're getting really close!!

 

[two*little*birds]

Does anyone have any "garden view" room pictures they can share?

Has anyone ever been upgraded from a garden view room?

I *think* we're going to be booking the Poly today using our 40% PIN.