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

[LilyU]

I'm glad someone else had a problem with housekeeping as well. We just got back on the 20th and had horrible service each day. We were there for 7 nights. I have an extremely long story so I won't get into it, but I'm glad I'm not the only one. I was in Raratonga 3828. After being moved from Tahiti due to a flooded room (yes, while I was still in it.... with toliet water non the less.)

Hey we were in Rarotonga 3830 from the 12th to the 19th!! I agree, mousekeeping was a little lax. We did leave a $5 tip everyday, and they left a ton of the little shampoo/lotion bottles, but I didn't feel like they scrubbed down the bathrooom counters and things at all.

L.

 

[susanbambi1]

had to share i will be at the poly in 8hour

 

[momatater]

had to share i will be at the poly in 8hour

WOO HOO!! Have a great time!!!

 

[PNO4TE]

had to share i will be at the poly in 8hour

Have fun!! Save some of the magic for our arrival early Saturday morning.

 

[lillykat]

We leave in 3 weeks and 1 day and I was going through my ressies today and ARGH - I realized I didn't write down one of my reservation numbers!!!! It's for dinner in the MK the night we are doing the Halloween party.

HELP - can I get it? If I call dining reservations will they be able to give it to me?

DH lost our confirm # for our ohana breakfast - I called yesterday and they gladly gave it to me.

 

[JRDMAN]

Wow! I have been away for a couple of weeks. My last post was at the time this new Poly thread was created. I am amazed that there are already 25 pages of posts. It took hours to get caught up.
I'm so happy for those of you who are there or have just finished your Poly vacation. And, of course, am jealous of all you lucky people who will be there soon.
I have been trying to plan a trip to Poly sometime between now and Xmas but constantly changing work schedules have kept me from being able to commit to any specific dates yet. I just hope that once my work schedules have been resolved I can get ressies ASAP..
I know I know that spur of the moment ressies at Poly are difficult to get. But if I believe hard enough, all things are possible.

I'm sooo sorry to hear about bad mousekeeping. I have never had that problem. I wouldn't allow that to ruin my vacation. But, you can be assured that I would not tolerate it and would be heard by anyone and everyone responsible for maintaining Poly's image and reputation as the best resort in "The World."

 

[tinkerrn]

Where would be the best garden view longhouse to request with a person who has trouble walking long distances? My mom, who is 77 will be with me and want to make the trip as comfortable as possible.

 

[BCV23]

had to share i will be at the poly in 8hour

Have a great time!

Re the breakfast dishes: was this a room service order or something from Captain Cooks? If CC and the remains of breakfast were in the trash can, then absolutely no excuse. I'm sure the poster didn't leave breakfast out on the table and expect housekeeping to pick up for them. There's no way for a housekeeper to know if you're finished or have run to the pool for a bit. And of course, they're housekeepers not maids.

If it was room service and spread out on the table...same thing. If stacked on the tray then I agree that mousekeeping should have called room service to retrieve the tray. But the thing is when you order, they tell you to call when you're finished and they will pick up the tray....or you can set it outside the door and they'll pick it up. Room service trays are not the responsibility of housekeeping from what I've read.

No excuse for or pillows tossed on the beds or dust.

We've stayed at the Polynesian over 30 times and have always had great housekeeping. May all of you going soon enjoy the same.

Tess, I'm surprised at the TPV being more too! Like you, I'd choose gardenview club over that. Is that true across the seasons?

 

[Tess]

Tess, I'm surprised at the TPV being more too! Like you, I'd choose gardenview club over that. Is that true across the seasons?

You know, I didn't check dates for the various seasons, but the dates I checked were in May and I believe that the rate is the same as June. With all the various "seasons" it is hard to keep track of the change dates. Guess we're the only two surprised. . . That will teach me to blindly make reservations without checking rates fully.

 

[Medic2891]

ahhhh , thanks for all the great photo's I LOVE this place, and I since i can't be there anytime soon, I feel as though I have gotten a little taste, to fill me for now.

 

[Me&3]

had to share i will be at the poly in 8hour

HAVE A GREAT TRIP

 

[shyjade]

I thought I'd share some of Steve "Tikiman's" email update about the Poly. I found it quite interesting...thought maybe some of you Poly fans would be interested in reading it too. (all starred out words are "tiki" and "fest" - apparently a forbidden word on the Dis).

Not always Paradise
As always I get feedback from people staying at the resort and it is mixed good and bad. That is no surprise and has always been the case. Even the Unofficial guide had rated the Polynesian lower due to some problems a few years ago. Since some of the problems were addressed the Unofficial Guide has rated the resort higher and even AAA had given it an extra Diamond. Recently some of you know there have been some issues with Polynesian Club level.

The Polynesian Club level was the original concierge at WDW and was always the example other resorts aspired to become. For the last few years there have been some inconsistencies with the quality of the service that many including myself have noticed. I figured as with other problems they would be addressed at some point. I am still getting some good reviews of the Polynesian Club level but some issues I have run into have made me question weather to spend the money on Club Level for my trip next year for ********.
In the last few months some people I know who are long time visitors to the Polynesian concierge have had bad enough experiences that they will no longer return to the Polynesian Resort. They have experienced better service at other Disney resorts and their Club Levels have exceeded the service that they experienced at the Polynesian.

Since my love is the Polynesian resort it is hard for me to say I am disappointed in the action or lack of action to resolve the quality of the experiences guests are having at the Polynesian Resort.
Because of this concern I have considered not staying there for next years ******** and Magical Vacations is going to add some group rate rooms at other resorts such as the Board Walk, Beach Club and possibly the Yacht Club. Just like last ******** when the Wilderness Lodge, Contemporary and Grand Floridian were offered. I think I will give the Polynesian Club level another chance next year but that experience and the preplanning they offer will be something I evaluate closely.

As much as I love the Polynesian and I think the resort has done a spectacular job on refurbishing just about everything there it needs to concentrate as much on the heart of the resort as it does the looks of it. The heart is the Cast Members and the management that make it what it is.
For years the Cast Members there that made you feel like family is what got most of us to keep coming back. Many Cast Members looked at the Polynesian as the place to work and even if the Grand Floridian was called the Flag Ship Resort, most at Disney knew the Polynesian was really considered that. The resort just seemed to lose some of that special attitude. Even with the planning of ******** last year there were Cast Members that were excited to be part of the event but the Polynesian management wanted nothing to do with it. We were not asking for anything for free but they wanted no involvement. I thought that was an interesting attitude to have toward a large group of people that wanted to celebrate their love for the resort. Even the Beach Club has offered up having the next ******** on their beach. Maybe we need to have the party be Beachfest 2009.
Well we had a great ******** in 2007 even without the support of the Polynesian management, and it looks like it will be just as good next year. We still have Cast Members that are interested in being part of it and we all have enough Aloha Spirit to make this even better than 2007.

 

[LilyU]

Where would be the best garden view longhouse to request with a person who has trouble walking long distances? My mom, who is 77 will be with me and want to make the trip as comfortable as possible.

I would say to request Rarotonga, first floor. It was literally only about a 1 minutes walk to the ceremonial house, monorail, food and maybe 3 minutes to the boat launch and pools.

 

[SeaSpray]

I must be out of touch, but I was checking our reservation at disney.com and was surprised to learn it is less expensive to stay in a GVC room than a non-concierge room theme park view!

I remember in the "good old days" it was around $10 more to stay GVC than TPV (or what was then known as a "lagoon view" (as opposed to "water view" -- yeah, there used to be about six different room categories back then). Now the role is reversed--$565 for TPV (non-concierge) and $560 (GVC).

I know for some people the view is everything. I would rather have the service and walk to the lounge for the castle view (although I prefer to be outside) than pay more money for less service and a nearly mile away view of the castle from a balcony.

I guess I was surprised by the price difference. I won't even give my thoughts on paying $158 more per night (difference between GVC/LVC) for a LVC--although let it be known we have done it.

BTW, all of the prices are ridiculously over the top compared to just a few years ago. Is it just me? What do you guys (the loyal Poly folks) think--not about my editorial on the outrageous prices (although you can comment--be assured, however, I have heard and read it all before ), but does the TPV vs GVC pricing surprise you?

Tess, I'm surprised at the TPV being more too! Like you, I'd choose gardenview club over that. Is that true across the seasons?

You know, I didn't check dates for the various seasons, but the dates I checked were in May and I believe that the rate is the same as June. With all the various "seasons" it is hard to keep track of the change dates. Guess we're the only two surprised. . . That will teach me to blindly make reservations without checking rates fully.

Hi Tess and BCV

I read your post yesterday, Tess, while I was on lunch break at work and intended to reply when I got home last night, but then forgot.

I *am* surprised that a TPV is more than a garden concierge room. I remember the rooms rates increasing up each "level", with the most expensive (other than suites) being garden concierge, then lagoon concierge, as the 2 most expensive room types. Apparently that has changed now.

For our trip next year, I haven't decided which view to go for yet I'm considering garden, garden concierge, or lagoon concierge. While I LOVE the view of the lagoon and castle, the buildings that the non-concierge TPV rooms are in, are just too far away, taking my walking & health issues into account. We'll either stay in the Hawaii building, or request a garden room close to GCH/TTC. (Not to mention the difference in price). LOL

Tess, what dates did you choose for next year?? I'm considering shortening the August trip to 4-5 days instead of 8, and adding in a May trip of about 3-4 days. Decisions, decisions... LOL

 

[Tess]

Tess, what dates did you choose for next year?? I'm considering shortening the August trip to 4-5 days instead of 8, and adding in a May trip of about 3-4 days. Decisions, decisions... LOL

Hi Terry,

We're booked for 5/13-22/09--our dates depend on flight arrangements and whether we can get a good deal one day before, etc.--we're playing the waiting game since the rates haven't been that great. There are some good "special" deals, but not as far as May yet. I'm trying to be patient, but we normally have our June tickets purchased by now at a good rate. . .guess the airlines are also playing the waiting game.

 

[Boo Bear]

For those of you who had mentioned the possibility of the Poly being booked at the last minute, I can tell you that my travel agent said that the dates Dec 10-17 for garden view are completely booked. She had applied our request to this year instead of next year by accident (which is when we wanted to, and did end up booking). I just thought I'd give everyone the heads up!

 

[nyyankeegirl]

I haven't been on the Dis in about 2 days, "what did I miss, what did I miss???"

I'll be there in less than 72 hours!!!!
I do plan on doing a mini-live report while there. I just can't wait to get to the Poly! It will be my first time staying there! Just hoping for a magical week!

 

[shellbelle]

Our kids were almost 5 and almost 3 when we went. Both love the water and tend to be "daredevils" when it comes to slides/rides. DS (the almost 5 year old) LOVED the Volcano slide. That's all he did over and over each day, and even asked to leave MGM to go back to it!! DD attempted the slide a few times, but did not like it because she kept getting turned upside down and would come out head first, facing the sky!! She did all the slides at Blizzard Beach though, LOL!! I think it was something of a weight issue - I think she was so light that as she went around the turns, she just flipped over. She didn't mind the darkness at all though. There are lights inside, so it's not pitch black.

My kids are both very small for their ages, though, so other kids her age might not have the same problem. I'd say as long as the child likes minor "thrills", the slide is great for those 4 and up. There is a traffic light at the top that tells them when they can go - changes from red to green. Loved that. They can wear life vests on the slide as well. Even though DS was a fairly good swimmer then, we still had him wear it because the current is pretty strong at the bottom of the slide, plus the need to move quickly away before the next person comes down. We're returning next May and I honestly think DS is more excited about that slide than anything else!! (He usually can't go on slides here b/c of his height!)

The water play area is right near the Volcano pool. It's pretty basic, really suited for the very young toddler crowd I'd say.

HtH!

Thanks a lot! That is just what I needed to know!

 

[NavyDotz]

NavyDotz- we'll be at the Poly the same time as you . Are you going to MNSSHP on the 10th?

yes - when i bought my MNSSHP tixs back in JULY I completely 4got about calling 2 book LTT 4 dinner!!! when i finally remembered of course the 10th is booked solid but we did get LTT 10/11. (ps - willing to trade - have a post on the restaurant board)

my dd just got her pirate costume yesterday - i found this wicked wig @ the halloween shop that's probably going 2 b gone the next time i go back though!

 

[NavyDotz]

We (dd & myself) will be arriving around 10:30/11p.

How is check-in @ the Poly for late arrivals?

I did request Tokelau, top flr. Do you think they will really try to honor it? I have a thing about staying on ground floor rms (always imagine someone breaking in thru the window - yes crazy i know! )

It's our 1st trip to the Poly & probably the last unless i hit the lottery anytime soon - i just want it 2 go as smooth as possible!