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

[kaffinito]

kaffinito, I hope you get your dream room! I've made requests, too, but with the crowds that week and how full WDW is right now, I'm not expecting them to be met (but I'm still hoping).

Me too for you! Honestly, I really won't care as long as I get to stay there. 35 years is a long time to wait for something!

 

[mmmears]

Me too for you! Honestly, I really won't care as long as I get to stay there. 35 years is a long time to wait for something!

Thanks! Yeah -- I'm not going to worry about the room too much, since there's really nothing I can do about it. And I think that ANY room there should be great!

Our countdown chain is getting really, really short now! Started it around 130 days out, and it was SO long back then!

 

[juliebee]

Anyone know if you can upgrade to Concierge at check-in (or is it strictly based on room availability). I have been trying but no availability each time I call.

MJ

Don't forget to check for availability on online. I originally booked for Poly garden view because that was all that was available. I keep checking, a few times a day, until one late night I saw a lagoon view club level room open up. I was up at 7am Eastern to call and change my ressie to that room. At first she said nothing was available. But I asked her to check again because I could see it online. Sure enough, I ended up with the room! So, persistence can pay off!

Maybe you can also check if there is availability for at least a couple of your nights? Maybe doing a split of regular and club would work?

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

Hi MJ! I'll also be checking in on the 25th! What time will you be arriving? Our plane lands around 10:30 and I'm hoping to be standing in the lobby by 12:00...we'll see.

Hubby and I are actually flying into West Palm Beach on the 24th to visit FIl and then want to be on the road by 5:30 am to get to Poly early (about a 3 hour drive). DD is flying into MCO on the 24th and staying at the Hyatt in the airport. She is either going to take ME to the poly or maybe we will pick her and boyfriend up at MCO...still not sure. We hope to check in by 10:00.
MJ

I'll save ya'll a few beach chairs with my extra towels while I'm sippin a Pina Colava

We arrive on the 23rd.

 

[mmouse37]

I'll save ya'll a few beach chairs with my extra towels while I'm sippin a Pina Colava

We arrive on the 23rd.

Awesome....I have to try one of those Pina Colava's!!!

MJ

 

[Lilmattie13]

YOU GUYS ARE GREAT

I have a ticker... Yay

I am so excited. Now everytime I get on here I get to countdown my days.

I am just a little disney obsessed

Thanks so much for all your help everyone.
I love the disboards and this link. You guys are so helpful and so friendly.

 

[Tess]

That is funny. I WON'T be the pool hopping police, but I WILL take your your advice and ask a CM for help if I can't find a chair .

Now, I have a question about our room...I understand we'll be in the Hawaii building for CL. We've got GV reserved. Can you suggest a certain part of that building that I should request? We'd like to be close to the lounge and maybe the elevator. Is it possible to be close to both? I can't imagine even having a "bad" room location, but I've never stayed at the Poly.

The elevator and the lounge are at the same end of the building. When you make your request, I would ask to be on whichever floor you would like (first has patios, third balconies, second a sliding door with barrier--no outside space) and near the lounge. That should have you covered. Of course, if floor is not a priority make your first request a room near the lounge.

Happy planning. . .

 

[AUDramaQueen]

paid in full today for Poly TPV

I read this as "paid in full for Poly TV" and was like "there's a poly TV channel?Is that on satellite?" Oh my... I need some caffeine apparently...

Oh and is December here yet? No? Didn't think so....sigh.

 

[BreezysMom]

YOU GUYS ARE GREAT

I have a ticker... Yay

I am so excited. Now everytime I get on here I get to countdown my days.

I am just a little disney obsessed

Thanks so much for all your help everyone.
I love the disboards and this link. You guys are so helpful and so friendly.

For me, the nice thing about going at the time we are going is that summer will be here before you know it, then we will be getting the kiddos back in school and then POOF before you know it, it is time to go.

We just booked last weekend so I only have to "wait" less that 6 months where my last two trips were planned a year or more in advance.

I am envious of people heading there in the next few weeks. They are saying April is going to be a cold, wet month here is Chicago. I am SOOOO sick of it. We were just at DW in Dec and it feels like years ago!

Happy Planning!

 

[PrincessP]

The shallow end of the quiet pool is all stair steps into the pool. From there it is around 3' and slopes to 8' beyond the rope. The shallow end runs from around 3'-5+'.

Thank you, TESS!!

Last year we booked bounceback free dining for the Poly. My family has started this big debate tonight that they want to try something different and do a split stay at the Contemporary/Grand Floridian! WHAT??? NO POLY????

Here's the vote....DS12 and I want Poly and are willing to do a split stay with the GF. DH, DS10 and DS7 all want to do a the CR/GF split. How in the world am I going to convince at least one of them to stay at the Poly. I'm frustrated because I'm out voted and it's not looking good. Thanks for letting me vent and wish me luck!!!!

I would say do Poly/GF split or a Poly/CR split. One of your splits being the Poly is only fair....that way everyone gets to stay at their "choice" locale at least a couple of nights! After my reading, I think I'd prefer GF over CR???

We've started our countdown....I am over the moon excited.

Hooray for the countdown. It feels good, doesn't it?!

Hey, next month is my 50th birthday and hubby and I will be married for 30 years this year...I can splurge a bit right!!!!

MJ

You definitely deserve a splurge!!

YOU GUYS ARE GREAT

I have a ticker... Yay

I am so excited. Now everytime I get on here I get to countdown my days.

I am just a little disney obsessed

Thanks so much for all your help everyone.
I love the disboards and this link. You guys are so helpful and so friendly.

I just figured out tickers a day or so ago myself. Makes your posts "light up" doesn't it...hee hee.

 

[BCV23]

We just returned from the World, and though we stayed at WL, we visited the Poly for breakfast and lunch at Kona. We always enjoy eating there, the mac nut pancakes were great, as usual! And the resort is just beautiful, we loved walking around and looking at all the lush landscaping.

Best wishes to everyone heading to the Poly soon! You'll have a wonderful stay, I'm sure!

Welcome back!

We did the same thing this trip. We didn't stay at the Polynesian but still made it over to enjoy breakfast at Kona Cafe twice. It is soo good.

Just did my online check in! I hope we get our request. But I guess we will see! I am so excited. Also trying to post 100 on here before I leave! Gives me a goal while I wait. Sorry you all have to put up with me. LOL

Let us know how online checkin goes for you, please.

And it will be fun to see your post count go up!

Not sure about the King bed. I suspect BCV23 or Tess will know. Good luck on the upgrade

Ah, thanks for the kind words.

It is getting so close for those of you going Easter week!

 

[two*little*birds]

Can someone tell me about the Torch Lighting Ceremony? What does it entail and does anyone have some pictures they are willing to share?

 

[kandcmch]

Okay just a wondering??? How likely is it at the Poly to get your room request filled??? I just don't want to be disappointed. We paid for Magic Kingdom view so we requested top floor Tahita building. Please give me your feed back. Thanks

 

[Kathy Z]

The torch lighting ceremony takes place about 6 pm. Be at the GCH at 5:45 pm and you can't miss it. The guy will blow a conch shell horn to announce when it is time. There are pictures of it posted several (about 20 or so)pages back on this thread.

 

[mmmears]

YOU GUYS ARE GREAT

I have a ticker... Yay

I am so excited. Now everytime I get on here I get to countdown my days.

I am just a little disney obsessed

Thanks so much for all your help everyone.
I love the disboards and this link. You guys are so helpful and so friendly.

Lilmattie, I'm so glad you figured it out. I love your ticker, too. It's so nice when you post and you get to count your days at the same time! It's funny, but to me it's really made the time fly by (and we've been planning this trip since last Spring Break!!!)

 

[Tess]

Okay just a wondering??? How likely is it at the Poly to get your room request filled??? I just don't want to be disappointed. We paid for Magic Kingdom view so we requested top floor Tahita building. Please give me your feed back. Thanks

I would think it is highly likely you will get your request of Tahiti given your TPV reservation. It is my understanding there are only two building options for TPV, Tahiti and Tuvalu.

Did you make the third floor your first request or Tahiti? Your priority should be your first request and any other the second. While you may not get the third floor, I'm sure you will be happy with any floor in Tahiti--it is a great building!

 

[Luvamouse]

Luvamouse, I love your sig Poly again...April 2009...just our family of four...ahhh...

I LOVE my family (meaning Mom, Dad, Sibs and thir family, as well as my inlaws) but DH and I have declared that Disney will always be a trip for the three of us. Maybe we will let dd bring a friend when she is older since she is an only, but for now it is just us. I mean, it has been a struggle planning Easter Brunch, I could not imagine a Disney Trip. Different types and tastes.

I commend anyone who PLANS their Grand Gathering, let alone goes on one. While in theory it seems like a great time, but in the end, for us it is not anything I am interested in doing.

We once started to discuss planning a trip with some good friends who have kids our dd age and we never got past that discussion...they do value, we love the Poly, they are park commandos, we are resort commandos (not really, but we do like to enjoy our resort), they like to eat three meals and have them planned to the minute. We usually do two meals a day and aside from ADR's that are necessary, we eat when hungry. We were both wise enough to see after a discussion over dinner that a group trip would not work.

Have a great family trip!

And this is why my siggy reads as it does...you could tour with us-- we have identical styles

Just did my online check in! I hope we get our request. But I guess we will see! I am so excited. Also trying to post 100 on here before I leave! Gives me a goal while I wait. Sorry you all have to put up with me. LOL

I can't believe we are within the parameters for the online check-in too!! I guess there is a little piece of me...hoping...if I don't do the online, maybe there will be a Magical Upgrade? Then again...checking in Easter Saturday...in the afternoon...

My kids are 16 and 8, the oldest boy has brown hair and might not make a pool appearance and the youngest is blond and will be stuck to me like glue. He can't swim yet so he's easy to spot. You can't miss my kids - their names are Ben and John, and you'll be hearing those names a lot! I tend to have to yell their names out a lot - sorry!

I'm a woman - in my mid 40's - and tend to wear Disney shirts, Crocs, and a Vera Bradly bag.

I think finding any of you from the DIS would be so much fun!! I'll be looking! and if my new Land's End suit arrives in time...I may be in the pool!

Thanks! Yeah -- I'm not going to worry about the room too much, since there's really nothing I can do about it. And I think that ANY room there should be great!

Our countdown chain is getting really, really short now! Started it around 130 days out, and it was SO long back then!

OMG! Our's is just itty bitty now! At the top of the balcony! It used to drag the floor. For my 8 yo DD's snack bag at school, I have been putting the appropriate countdown # of Mickey Heads on it, with red and black Sharpies, for the past week! She asked me to "cover it" in Mickey Heads for next Thursday, when I pick her up at school right after snack to start the drive!!

My bed is covered in clothes and travel bags right now...

 

[johnsonet]

Last year we booked bounceback free dining for the Poly. My family has started this big debate tonight that they want to try something different and do a split stay at the Contemporary/Grand Floridian! WHAT??? NO POLY????

Here's the vote....DS12 and I want Poly and are willing to do a split stay with the GF. DH, DS10 and DS7 all want to do a the CR/GF split. How in the world am I going to convince at least one of them to stay at the Poly. I'm frustrated because I'm out voted and it's not looking good. Thanks for letting me vent and wish me luck!!!!

I say - Don't give up the Poly! Let them pick the other resort for the split. We've done GF/Poly split and it's great.

That is funny. I WON'T be the pool hopping police, but I WILL take your your advice and ask a CM for help if I can't find a chair .

Now, I have a question about our room...I understand we'll be in the Hawaii building for CL. We've got GV reserved. Can you suggest a certain part of that building that I should request? We'd like to be close to the lounge and maybe the elevator. Is it possible to be close to both? I can't imagine even having a "bad" room location, but I've never stayed at the Poly.

One thing to consider - Do you want to be able to sit outside? If so, you'll need to request 1st or 3d floors. I can't remember what floor we stayed in during our GV stay. Maybe 2d? I think we were right down from the lounge, which was convenient

Well, if you're doing all the planning & the work, I think you should get an extra vote! A Poly/GF stay would be really nice!

I agree!

which side of Fiji has a better view? The marina side, or Luau Cove side?

I've never stayed in Fiji but the beautiful views I have seen in pics here on the DIS have been from the Marina side.

Tell them it has to be Poly/CR or Poly/GF. And if it's CR, you have to have MK view tower rooms.

I have a ticker... Yay

Congrats! Looks great

 

[juliebee]

Can someone tell me about the Torch Lighting Ceremony? What does it entail and does anyone have some pictures they are willing to share?

Like someone said, be inside the Great Ceremonial Hall near the front doors about 5:45pm and soon you'll see a lady that will announce that the torch lighting ceremony would happen soon. She will introduce the torch lighter guy, and he'll blow his shell, then you'll all move outside. Go all the way to the roadside so he will be facing you. It is just a 5 minute thing, but very cool. And you'll see why these guys have no chest/armpit hair... I swear it gets all burnt off!

 

[mmmears]

juliebee, great photos! Thanks for posting them. Looks like I'll have to try to make it to the GCH one night to catch the "show". We love being in Hawaii, so anything that makes the Poly feel more like Hawaii will just make our trip that much better!