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

[team disney]

Oh, and after all of the discussion about which longhouse people should request if they wanted to be close to Ceremonial House vs TTC vs boat launch, ect. I had to laugh after I reminded myself how quick it is to get anywhere in this resort. Unless you have mobility issues, I can't imagine anyone having a problem walking around this resort. It is literally a beautiful 5 min stroll from one side to the other.

So bottom line - I wld try to put in a request for the area that you want to look out onto from your balcony as opposed to trying to be close to something. Unless you are so impatient that a 5 min walk in paradise is not enjoyment for you!

This is so true... I was expecting the walks to be longer from what i read here. 5 minutes sounds long ... but it by no way feels like 5 minutes. The walk is beautiful and the buildings are close to each other. I have a 8 & 4 year old, I was a bit concerned about the walk after along day at the park... but they did great. They loved the hotel as much as me and enjoyed passing the pools everday. We did not use refillable cups so I could see that to be annoying if you were not extra close in proximity to the GCH. SO I agree with Cdotla, unless there is a mobility concern, or you will frequently do the free refills, don't sweat the distance too much. In my opinion it isn't as bad as it sounds! LOL

 

[Marc A.]

Anyone know if the Kona Cafe sushi restaurant takes the DP?

 

[DLo]

cdotla - thanks for the info. I will be with my parents and ds10 . My dad has a slight mobility problem (bad knees) but the rest of us are fine. I am glad to know everything is so close. We stayed at CBR once and ended up driving to the food court most mornings (again my dad not us young 'uns).

 

[Michelle814]

We just got back from a 6 night stay at the Poly and really had just one complaint. My mom's handicap room was very spacious and nice, however she got caught in a 3 hr downpour of rain and it took her 20 minutes to get back to the monorail in her ECV from the Magical Kingdom. She got back to her room and there was no heat. 3 X's they came to fix it but still couldn't.

 

[PRaffen]

For anyone that's stayed in the Princess Suite: (I'm trying to decide between two garden club rooms or the Princess Suite)

1) did you find the walk to the lounge in Hawaii inconvenient?

2) do you check in at Hawaii or Tonga?

Any information on the princess suite - please share. TIA

 

[JRDMAN]

For anyone that's stayed in the Princess Suite: (I'm trying to decide between two garden club rooms or the Princess Suite)

1) did you find the walk to the lounge in Hawaii inconvenient?

2) do you check in at Hawaii or Tonga?

Any information on the princess suite - please share. TIA

I too have been toying with the option of choosing the Princess suite or connecting rooms in the Hawaii bldg. I have had connecting rooms in Hawaii on several occasions and absolutely loved it.
As for the suite bldg. the walk isn't far (you'll have to pass by the marina and the volcano pool) and the rooms certainly are beautiful. But I think one advantage of the Hawaii bldg is that we were often bringing snacks from lounge to our rooms. Especially in the morning when I was always first one up, I was expected to have breakfast goodies waiting in the room for everyone else. If I had to walk from the suites bldg, it would have taken me more than one trip. But, then again, the morning walk is beautiful along seven seas lagoon . And if you're one of those social leppers (a smoker) as I am, it is an opportunity to have a quick one

 

[JRDMAN]

I am pretty sure that you check in at the Hawaii bldg even if you're staying at Tonga.
Here's an interesting footnote: The Hawaii longhouse was originally named Tonga

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

For anyone that's stayed in the Princess Suite: (I'm trying to decide between two garden club rooms or the Princess Suite)

1) did you find the walk to the lounge in Hawaii inconvenient?

2) do you check in at Hawaii or Tonga?

Any information on the princess suite - please share. TIA

Last December my family and I had a Club Level Lagoon View and we found the walk to the Hawaii Longhouse very easy. We also checked in inside the Hawaii Longhouse after having a Cast Member drive us with our bags on a golf cart to get there.

 

[Corryn]

Me and DH are leaving for our trip - he'll be down there a day before me and I'll be down there on Saturday.

Anything I should know? Any tips, tricks, etc?

Thanks!

 

[JRDMAN]

Last December my family and I had a Club Level Lagoon View and we found the walk to the Hawaii Longhouse very easy. We also checked in inside the Hawaii Longhouse after having a Cast Member drive us with our bags on a golf cart to get there.

I believe they are wondering about the walk from Tonga bldg (which is also club level but is all suites) to the Hawaii bldg which is club level. The difference is that Hawaii bldg has the club level lounge which is shared by both Tonga and Hawaii guests. Check in for both longhouses is in the Hawaii bldg

 

[shyjade]

This may be a silly question, but I was wondering what most of you (non club level) do for breakfast?

In the past, DD and I were on the dining plan and really would just "wing it" for breakfast. This year we'll be at the Poly with my parents, and I'm not sure how to plan our breakfasts.

DD10 and I are early risers and like to be at the parks by rope drop. My mom takes a bit longer to get ready in the morning, and she's one of those who MUST eat a little something as soon as she wakes (or she feels sick).

I'm debating if I should use a grocery service or try to pack some things in our suitcases (we're flying), or just wing it by grabbing something light at Captain Cooks in the morning. If I remember correctly, don't they sell donuts in the gift shoP?

So please share....what does your family do? Eating at Kona or room service every morning for breakfast is not in the budget (financially or TIME WISE)....any suggestions?

 

[Corryn]

This may be a silly question, but I was wondering what most of you (non club level) do for breakfast?

I cannot believe you have asked this question.....Time for a lesson in Breakfast At The Poly

I understand you cannot do it every morning but at least on One Morning you must go to Kona Cafe and get the (drumroll please......) TONGA TOAST
It is the most delicious thing ever - my favorite! Every trip must include at least one morning with Tonga Toast. It is banana stuffed french toast coated in (regular table) sugar.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=19444316#post19444316&highlight=Tonga+Toast+picture

For other breakfasts I would go to the regular grocery store and purchase things like pop tarts and breakfast bars if you're looking for something quick and inexpensive......

 

[shyjade]

I cannot believe you have asked this question.....Time for a lesson in Breakfast At The Poly

I understand you cannot do it every morning but at least on One Morning you must go to Kona Cafe and get the (drumroll please......) TONGA TOAST
It is the most delicious thing ever - my favorite! Every trip must include at least one morning with Tonga Toast. It is banana stuffed french toast coated in (regular table) sugar.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=19444316#post19444316&highlight=Tonga+Toast+picture

For other breakfasts I would go to the regular grocery store and purchase things like pop tarts and breakfast bars if you're looking for something quick and inexpensive......

I've already got that covered - we can get that at Captain Cook's one morning.

 

[Picabo]

I cannot believe you have asked this question.....Time for a lesson in Breakfast At The Poly

I understand you cannot do it every morning but at least on One Morning you must go to Kona Cafe and get the (drumroll please......) TONGA TOAST
It is the most delicious thing ever - my favorite! Every trip must include at least one morning with Tonga Toast. It is banana stuffed french toast coated in (regular table) sugar.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=19444316#post19444316&highlight=Tonga+Toast+picture

For other breakfasts I would go to the regular grocery store and purchase things like pop tarts and breakfast bars if you're looking for something quick and inexpensive......

I'm probably Odd Man Out here...and haven't YET been to the Poly...but Tonga Toast doesn't really appeal to me. (NO FLAMES! haha) It just sounds wayyyy too sugary for me first thing in the morning. Maybe for a midnight snack though. haha I would try it if I had the opportunity but honestly do not care to have a whole order to myself b/c I acn't tolerate that much sugar. Now...macadamia nut pancakes may be a diff story however and I do plan to have THOSE! ummm!

 

[team disney]

This may be a silly question, but I was wondering what most of you (non club level) do for breakfast?

In the past, DD and I were on the dining plan and really would just "wing it" for breakfast. This year we'll be at the Poly with my parents, and I'm not sure how to plan our breakfasts.

DD10 and I are early risers and like to be at the parks by rope drop. My mom takes a bit longer to get ready in the morning, and she's one of those who MUST eat a little something as soon as she wakes (or she feels sick).

I'm debating if I should use a grocery service or try to pack some things in our suitcases (we're flying), or just wing it by grabbing something light at Captain Cooks in the morning. If I remember correctly, don't they sell donuts in the gift shoP?


So please share....what does your family do? Eating at Kona or room service every morning for breakfast is not in the budget (financially or TIME WISE)....any suggestions?

The gift shop on the second level does have packaged boxes of donuts and other items. Another suggestion would be to go to main street bakery at MK. They have lots of yummy looking pastries including a cinnamon bun that was just HUGE! I did not have it but it looked awesome. I opted for a very delicious yogurt parfait. Fresh fruit and granola with a yummy yoguart... all in a to go bowl... allowing you to eat as you walk!
You can get cereal, yoplait yogart, muffins, bagel etc at captain cooks (no need to use the electronic order board for these), or at Kona express (near the monorail) you can get a coffee and asst pastries to go... I found no line here!
Last option get a coffee only and have an earlier lunch!

Have a great time!

 

[autumnpalm]

Can anyone here compare the Tonga Toast at Kona to the Tonga Toast at Captain Cook's?? We're trying to figure out if we should make ADRs at Kona or just grab some at CC before we head off to the parks!

 

[aprincesswannabe]

This may be a silly question, but I was wondering what most of you (non club level) do for breakfast?

We sometimes use our snack credits to buy fruit at Captain Cooks, and we have also purchased and packed breakfast bars to keep in the room.

Of course we HAVE to have our coffee from Kona in the morning!

 

[FreFam5]

This may be a silly question, but I was wondering what most of you (non club level) do for breakfast?

In the past, DD and I were on the dining plan and really would just "wing it" for breakfast. This year we'll be at the Poly with my parents, and I'm not sure how to plan our breakfasts.

DD10 and I are early risers and like to be at the parks by rope drop. My mom takes a bit longer to get ready in the morning, and she's one of those who MUST eat a little something as soon as she wakes (or she feels sick).

I'm debating if I should use a grocery service or try to pack some things in our suitcases (we're flying), or just wing it by grabbing something light at Captain Cooks in the morning. If I remember correctly, don't they sell donuts in the gift shoP?

So please share....what does your family do? Eating at Kona or room service every morning for breakfast is not in the budget (financially or TIME WISE)....any suggestions?

No expert as my trip isn't until next week but I can tell you what we are planning to do. We decided to skip ME because of my control issues (the thought of someone else having my luggage and bringing it to me later just about make sme break out into hives!!!!! So we have a car service picking us up and it the cost includes a stop at a grocery store. I'll grab poptarts, cereal bars, some milk and juice and we'll all eat before heading out to the parks. We aren't huge breakfast eaters so we'd rather not spend the money on breakfast.

 

[team disney]

Can anyone here compare the Tonga Toast at Kona to the Tonga Toast at Captain Cook's?? We're trying to figure out if we should make ADRs at Kona or just grab some at CC before we head off to the parks!

I had the same question and I found the answer on my own... It is the same in both places! We ordered it at Kona's and at Captain Cooks. It is cooked just as fresh and yummy in both places. (Kona has a small strawberry sauce thing they bring on a plate with the syrup but that is not what makes the TT so yummy!)
If it is just the TT you were looking for (not the coffee or the Pineapple pancakes) I would go to Captain cooks.

 

[BCV23]

I'm probably Odd Man Out here...and haven't YET been to the Poly...but Tonga Toast doesn't really appeal to me. (NO FLAMES! haha) It just sounds wayyyy too sugary for me first thing in the morning. Maybe for a midnight snack though.

No flames? As if! You must agree with us all or else!

Seriously, it is very sweet and oh so rich. I now satisfy myself with a corner of my DH's order.

The gift shop on the second level does have packaged boxes of donuts and other items. Another suggestion would be to go to main street bakery at MK. They have lots of yummy looking pastries including a cinnamon bun that was just HUGE! I did not have it but it looked awesome. I opted for a very delicious yogurt parfait. Fresh fruit and granola with a yummy yoguart... all in a to go bowl... allowing you to eat as you walk!
You can get cereal, yoplait yogart, muffins, bagel etc at captain cooks (no need to use the electronic order board for these), or at Kona express (near the monorail) you can get a coffee and asst pastries to go... I found no line here!
Last option get a coffee only and have an earlier lunch!

Have a great time!

Great suggestions.

Can anyone here compare the Tonga Toast at Kona to the Tonga Toast at Captain Cook's?? We're trying to figure out if we should make ADRs at Kona or just grab some at CC before we head off to the parks!

The only difference (besides the great service and coffee at Kona) is that Tonga Toast is accompanied by strawberry compote at Kona. Oh, and whipped butter and (probably warm) syrup in little carafes. We would never, ever add syrup to Tonga Toast at any rate.