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

[kandcmch]

Hello! Check in today with all of you! Happy April Fool's Day! I am sitting at work reading the dis board trying to make this week go by faster! Not much longer!

 

[kaffinito]

We were having trouble deciding what kind of vacation to take this Summer, so I started playing around with airfares from Los Angeles to Orlando. The fares were more reasonable than I thought they would be. So, I sent my wife an email about the airfare, somewhat jokingly asking if she would like to go back to DW this Summer (we were there last year). To my surprise, she thought it was a great idea.

Within 12 hours, I have booked the air and 5 nights at the Swan, followed 5 nights at the Polynesian. We told our 2 DS's (16 & 10) and they are both excited to be returning.

I hope I didn't bore anyone with this short story, I just thought that it was cool enough to share.

Sweet! Glad you get to go back soon!

The robes at AKL CL were heavenly.
You can also buy a similar robe at DHS TOT with the TOT logo.

I have to check those out! Thanks!

 

[princess lovers mom]

we arrive 1 day before you - we have a 9 year old and 13 year old DD - SEE YOU AT THE POOL:

had snow yesterday - can't wait to get to Disney even with the EASTER crowds!!!

 

[mmmears]

I don't get why the pool-hopping is supposedly so hard to monitor. Why don't the resorts just distribute colour-coded wristbands to resort guests upon check-in. That way the CM's would immediately know if you belong at that resort's pool (or if you're DVC). Doesn't seem that complicated to me.

Great point! That system works well at the place we frequent in Maui, except that they give out the bracelets by the pool and the color changes daily. No fence needed, and there's always chairs available.

 

[mmmears]

we arrive 1 day before you - we have a 9 year old and 13 year old DD - SEE YOU AT THE POOL:

had snow yesterday - can't wait to get to Disney even with the EASTER crowds!!!

I think that makes 5 of us from this board at the Poly around the same time!

 

[BCV23]

Great point! That system works well at the place we frequent in Maui, except that they give out the bracelets by the pool and the color changes daily. No fence needed, and there's always chairs available.

The resort we stay at on Maui uses the same system.

I was talking to a lifeguard at the Polynesian's quiet pool that Easter trip. Another mother and I were asking why they didn't do something about pool hopping. He said that WDW doesn't like to confront guests when it's not necessary. Now those are my words trying to remember what he said those many years ago...it had to have been at least 10....but the gist was that they prefer to make everyone's experience be positive.

I don't think putting a bracelet on guests at checkin would fly. Not all guests use the pools and I sure wouldn't want to wear a plastic bracelet to V&A for instance.

 

[BreezysMom]

We all knew it was coming but Tikiman is gone...

On Sunday I went through page by page one more time! Thanks Steve for the awesome site. We will mis you

 

[BCV23]

We all knew it was coming but Tikiman is gone...

On Sunday I went through page by page one more time! Thanks Steve for the awesome site. We will mis you

Steve had an awesome site that helped countless Polynesian visitors.
Godspeed to him.

 

[Tess]

The resort we stay at on Maui uses the same system.

I was talking to a lifeguard at the Polynesian's quiet pool that Easter trip. Another mother and I were asking why they didn't do something about pool hopping. He said that WDW doesn't like to confront guests when it's not necessary. Now those are my words trying to remember what he said those many years ago...it had to have been at least 10....but the gist was that they prefer to make everyone's experience be positive.

I don't think putting a bracelet on guests at checkin would fly. Not all guests use the pools and I sure wouldn't want to wear a plastic bracelet to V&A for instance.

I've heard the same thing BCV23--and I agree, I wouldn't want to wear those bracelets either--icky tan lines!

When they were issuing them at BC, I didn't put it on, but kept it handy at our table. I'm not sure why they can't just do a spot room key check--randomly.

Then again, I'm not really bothered by poolhoppers since I can never spot them vs the guests. We also hang by the quiet pool and it doesn't get the kind of traffic the volcano pool seems to attract.

Now, when I can't get a seat near the Barefoot Bar, I do get a bit peeved. J/K

 

[BreezysMom]

I was talking to a lifeguard at the Polynesian's quiet pool that Easter trip. Another mother and I were asking why they didn't do something about pool hopping. He said that WDW doesn't like to confront guests when it's not necessary. Now those are my words trying to remember what he said those many years ago...it had to have been at least 10....but the gist was that they prefer to make everyone's experience be positive.

I work for a hospital system that bases a lot of customer service critera on the Disney System and this is so true. In Pediatrics we have Playstation 2 systems in each room and people steal them all the time as well as the games/DVD's and even if we know exactly who it is, they let them get away with it. It has driven me nuts for years. At least Disney takes a cc to secure the room because frankly, I see the iHomes walking out of the Poly rooms in the same fashion. At least Disney can charge for it. I wonder if they would? (NOT that I am thinking about doing it!)

This is exactly Disney policy as we all have had issues with pool hopping, parade space hijacking, line jumping, smoking in non-designated areas...all of these issues are not really addressed by CM's and people know it.

I have NO problems pulling a towel off a chair if I see it sitting vacant for a long period of time and have done it. I have also seem the lifeguards at the Poly pull towls off of chairs that did not have people in it for an extended period of time. We use one chair for our family of 3. One of us is usually in the pool with the kiddo while the other relaxes.

 

[two*little*birds]

We all knew it was coming but Tikiman is gone...

Was just there and was going to post the same thing...

 

[WOODY13]

How far is the Wal-mart & Publix from the Poly?

I confuse the two, it is the Winn Dixie(notPublix) that we go to on Apopka/Vineland. It takes about fifteen minutes to get there. Well worth it for us to get our water and beer.Take Buena Vista Dr. toward DTD after you pass DTD it becomes Hotel Plaza Blvd. Then left on Apopka Vineland Rd. Winn Dixie is on the right about a mile up about 9 miles total. Walmart, I have not gone to in a few years and I don't remember where it was. Maybe someone else can help you on that one. I seem to remember it being in Kissimmee but not sure.

 

[NJBILL]

I confuse the two, it is the Winn Dixie(notPublix) that we go to on Apopka/Vineland. It takes about fifteen minutes to get there. Well worth it for us to get our water and beer.Take Buena Vista Dr. toward DTD after you pass DTD it becomes Hotel Plaza Blvd. Then left on Apopka Vineland Rd. Winn Dixie is on the right about a mile up about 9 miles total. Walmart, I have not gone to in a few years and I don't remember where it was. Maybe someone else can help you on that one. I seem to remember it being in Kissimmee but not sure.

Winn Dixie would be good..thanks.

 

[maiapapaya]

I was talking to a lifeguard at the Polynesian's quiet pool that Easter trip. Another mother and I were asking why they didn't do something about pool hopping. He said that WDW doesn't like to confront guests when it's not necessary. Now those are my words trying to remember what he said those many years ago...it had to have been at least 10....but the gist was that they prefer to make everyone's experience be positive.

I don't think putting a bracelet on guests at checkin would fly. Not all guests use the pools and I sure wouldn't want to wear a plastic bracelet to V&A for instance.

I think the wrist bands would serve as a deterrant. If people knew that they had to have the wrist band to be in that pool I doubt many would try to pool hop.

You wouldn't necessarily have to don the wrist bands. Just attach it to your pool bag or whatever (so for those not using the pool no big deal - just don't put it on). Though I wouldn't have an issue wearing one. I'd rather that than know that the pool at the resort I had paid to be at was over crowded with people who hadn't paid to be there.

 

[mirandag819]

I just booked the Poly for Aug 15th-23rd for my birthday on the 19th and DD's 4th birthday on the 16th

Even better.... I got the room for 40% off!

I think I have read through this entire thread in the past week. We usually stay at Shades of Green, but am very excited to try the Poly.

I wish August would hurry and come....we are now staying at the Poly and will be doing a couple of VIP tours. I always look forward to our next Disney trip, but I think I am looking forward to this one more then ever!

 

[maiapapaya]

We all knew it was coming but Tikiman is gone...

I just deleted the bookmark from our Disney folder.

 

[2manypets]

Does anyone know how to pronounce the Club Level name? My way always sound funny. Can-uh Han-ee HEE Haw. Surely that can't be right.

 

[johnsonet]

DearDaisyinDurham So glad you had a great trip

Does anyone know if the sushi bar has seaweed salad?

Yes, my sushi was served with a bit of seaweed salad but it must've served on the side b/c it's not in my sushi pics

We're staying CL in July and we spend a TON of time at the pool. Do you think the CM would really do something? I don't know if I would complain, but my DH probably would. How do you know who the pool hoppers are?

I don't mean to suggest that you would point someone out as a poolhopper I just mean that if I am staying at the Poly and cannot find a single chair then I would ask a lifeguard for help in finding a chair - I'd be hesitant to move towels from a chair but hopefully they wouldn't! Actually, I would move a towel in a heartbeat. But people have started leaving magazines and sunblock too as "props" to make you think they're really around when they aren't. IT'S TRICKY, I'm telling you. It's a big problem and it's not just at Disney World! If you were to voice your concern about not being able to find a chair then hopefully that would jump-start a "crackdown", even if that meant a security guard going chair to chair asking to see Poly room keys. It was just an idea for one way to deal with it if it becomes a problem during your stay...

Yeah, I have finally read through this entire thread. Thank you, thank you for all the helpful information. We will be there 6 weeks from today!

6 weeks! Awesome!

Oh, Johnsonet, you know me too well! We'll just deal with the pool thing. SAB at the YC was a nightmare last time, so bad that we're not staying there this trip. The fence doesn't help, and made it hard for us to get to the pool. It'll be ok for us, one way or the other. We're not big loungers anyway.

You're going to have a great time. Everything will work out

We were having trouble deciding what kind of vacation to take this Summer, so I started playing around with airfares from Los Angeles to Orlando. The fares were more reasonable than I thought they would be. So, I sent my wife an email about the airfare, somewhat jokingly asking if she would like to go back to DW this Summer (we were there last year). To my surprise, she thought it was a great idea.

Within 12 hours, I have booked the air and 5 nights at the Swan, followed 5 nights at the Polynesian. We told our 2 DS's (16 & 10) and they are both excited to be returning.

I hope I didn't bore anyone with this short story, I just thought that it was cool enough to share.

Nice going! What a great trip you have planned

Yep, Tim will definitely remember the good old Lava Flow. . . In fact, when they revamped the menu at the Barefoot Bar, we mentioned to Tim that our favorite was no longer available. Tim said that it wasn't a problem, he too was not happy when it was removed since it was a staple at the Polynesian for many years. Since the menu change, Tim has made it for us as have others during our stays.

Great. Can't wait to be back at the Poly and order one! Maybe you'll get a pic of yourself sipping one this trip

How far is the Wal-mart & Publix from the Poly?

I followed directions to get to the Whole Foods off of I-4 from the Poly a couple of weeks ago. We took I-4 East and got off at Exit 71, which took us to a frontage road to get to Sand Lake Rd. Off of this frontage road was a Super WalMart. It would take you less than 15 min. from the Poly lot to get there

I was talking to a lifeguard at the Polynesian's quiet pool that Easter trip. Another mother and I were asking why they didn't do something about pool hopping. He said that WDW doesn't like to confront guests when it's not necessary. Now those are my words trying to remember what he said those many years ago...it had to have been at least 10....but the gist was that they prefer to make everyone's experience be positive.

This makes a lot of sense and I do agree with it but there is such a fine line...

We all knew it was coming but Tikiman is gone...

On Sunday I went through page by page one more time! Thanks Steve for the awesome site. We will mis you

He did such a great job. Thanks Tikiman!

Then again, I'm not really bothered by poolhoppers since I can never spot them vs the guests. We also hang by the quiet pool and it doesn't get the kind of traffic the volcano pool seems to attract.

Now, when I can't get a seat near the Barefoot Bar, I do get a bit peeved. J/K

Tess -This was the first trip where I felt that I was certain of multiple pool-hoppers. I posted something about it last week when we ret'd but was hesitant to b/c I do not know other people's situation and in general I try not concern myself with it. This trip, a very nice man came up to me and offered me his lounge chair when he saw me standing on the beach looking for one... Later at the pool bar I saw him and told him again how much I'd appreciated it and he told me he was just there for the day and waiting for a friend who had never showed up??
A group sitting next to us on the beach was some teenagers who kindly offered to take a photo of my SIL and me. They were really sweet. When they were leaving the beach, I noticed that they (all 4 of them) had mugs from another WDW resort. Things like that lead me to believe that non-guests definitely make use of the Poly's pools.
Also, at AKL a year or so ago, I know for a fact this woman I was chatting w/ was not a guest of the resort b/c she told me herself that she wasn't At Hard Rock Hotel about 6 years ago, a man with his young son told me all about Orlando and that HRH had the best pool and that he visited often and that the resort let him come just for the day

2manypets
"Kuh May ha May ha" or "Kuh May a May a"

 

[kaffinito]

We all knew it was coming but Tikiman is gone...

On Sunday I went through page by page one more time! Thanks Steve for the awesome site. We will mis you

The site was wonderful. I've kept it up and had the music to the GCH playing in the background for a few days now.

It's ironic to me that after so many years of looking through his site, I'm finally going to get to stay there. I'm really going to miss that site! I just hope he knows how much we appreciate his hard work.

 

[kaffinito]

The resort we stay at on Maui uses the same system.

I was talking to a lifeguard at the Polynesian's quiet pool that Easter trip. Another mother and I were asking why they didn't do something about pool hopping. He said that WDW doesn't like to confront guests when it's not necessary. Now those are my words trying to remember what he said those many years ago...it had to have been at least 10....but the gist was that they prefer to make everyone's experience be positive.

I wonder what their response would be if told that the GUESTS experience was not positive because of all of the pool hoppers?

I think that in enforcing smoking policies and pool policies they should be more rigid. Trying to make the rule breakers happy only serves to make the rule followers very unhappy. They need to draw the line somewhere.

I just booked the Poly for Aug 15th-23rd for my birthday on the 19th and DD's 4th birthday on the 16th

Even better.... I got the room for 40% off!

I think I have read through this entire thread in the past week. We usually stay at Shades of Green, but am very excited to try the Poly.

I wish August would hurry and come....we are now staying at the Poly and will be doing a couple of VIP tours. I always look forward to our next Disney trip, but I think I am looking forward to this one more then ever!

Congrats and have a great trip!