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

[LuvMySoldier07]

There are bus stops outside the MK and buses that go to each resort. No need to even go over to the TTC.

Now I understand! for some reason i thought that you took the monorail to the TTC to get a bus. I didn't realize the bus stops are at the MK lol. Ive never had to use disney transportation (except the monorail) so im a little confused.
So from the Poly I would go to MK via the monorail and then take either a bus or boat to WL correct?

 

[DiznEeyore]

Thanks.
Have you requested a 3d floor room????

We did. I figured I'd request it again when we heard from IPO. Speaking of that, any idea when we should hear from them? Or am I supposed to contact them myself first? I can't remember what we did two years ago ...

 

[DiznEeyore]

Now I understand! for some reason i thought that you took the monorail to the TTC to get a bus. I didn't realize the bus stops are at the MK lol. Ive never had to use disney transportation (except the monorail) so im a little confused.
So from the Poly I would go to MK via the monorail and then take either a bus or boat to WL correct?

You could definitely do that. Or you could take the monorail to the Contemporary and take the boat to WL from their dock. They have a specific boat that goes between the CR, WL and Fort Wilderness.

 

[LuvMySoldier07]

You could definitely do that. Or you could take the monorail to the Contemporary and take the boat to WL from their dock. They have a specific boat that goes between the CR, WL and Fort Wilderness.

thank you so much for your help!

 

[tgmousechick]

Which is precisely why I'm not showing any pictures to my 6 year old- we may not even tell her we're going to Disney period until we're in the car to the airport on March 21st...

Hmmm, maybe to get her out of bed for that really early flight...

Bad mommy, no Kona coffee for me!

Thanks! Yes, the kids are going to go crazy - I showed them some of the pictures from this thread - mostly the ones of the pool - and they were literally jumping up and down! I'm thinking I shouldn't have shown them - they're already asking "how much longer till we can swim in that volcano pool?"

 

[DiznEeyore]

thank you so much for your help!

Happy to help! There are so many different transportation options it can definitely get confusing!!

 

[mousefanmichelle]

I just booked the Poly for my May trip with my kids. Please tell me where I want to be - I want to make sure that I have a balcony, that I am not looking out over a parking lot, and I don't want ground floor. What should I request as far as rooms go - which building? I don't have to be super close to the main house or super close to a pool, we can walk - I am more interested in getting a good view of something and having the balcony. Oh yea I have a GV room booked.

I am having some doubts about staying here - is it very 1970's Brady Bunch goes to Hawaii? I have read that a lot of people that don't stay at this property use the pool - is that usually a problem? Are the grounds very spread out?

When we were at the GF in August we took the monorail over to the main bldg and looked at the shops and stuff it seemed really dark to me - is the whole resort like that? really dark?

I am having anxiety over this - we stayed at POP for 1 night in Aug. and although it is value - it was bright and tropical and fun. The GF was beautiful and I am trying not to compare - but that place was bright and airy and there were flowers all over, even ontop of the garbage cans. Will I like the Poly like I like the GF? Please help calm my fears!!

Thank you for your help!
Michelle

 

[jmamom]

[

I am having some doubts about staying here - is it very 1970's Brady Bunch goes to Hawaii?


Michelle[/QUOTE]

I laugh because I was worried about the same thing. We've never stayed there either but are booked for Sept 2009. I asked my DH if I was going to have to listen to Brady Bunch comments all week and he said "absolutely, thats why I like it!"

 

[mmmears]

I am having some doubts about staying here - is it very 1970's Brady Bunch goes to Hawaii? I have read that a lot of people that don't stay at this property use the pool - is that usually a problem? Are the grounds very spread out?

When we were at the GF in August we took the monorail over to the main bldg and looked at the shops and stuff it seemed really dark to me - is the whole resort like that? really dark?

I am having anxiety over this - we stayed at POP for 1 night in Aug. and although it is value - it was bright and tropical and fun. The GF was beautiful and I am trying not to compare - but that place was bright and airy and there were flowers all over, even ontop of the garbage cans. Will I like the Poly like I like the GF? Please help calm my fears!!

Thank you for your help!
Michelle

I had the very same concerns. We love the YC & the GF and have stayed at both several times. My DH & DD wanted to try out the Poly. I figure it'll be an adventure & I've walked through the gardens and think they are lush and beautiful.

We also visited and thought it looked dark & not like the Hawaii we know. Kinda like the "tiki room" version of Hawaii! Lots of people who visit the GF hate it & say they'd never stay there. I think it's hard to get a good sense of a resort until you actually stay there for a few days.

Give it a try -- you probably wont regret it! So many people I know LOVE the Poly, so there must be something magical about it.

 

[johnsonet]

We did. I figured I'd request it again when we heard from IPO. Speaking of that, any idea when we should hear from them? Or am I supposed to contact them myself first? I can't remember what we did two years ago ...

The CMs in the Hawaii BLDG. were really friendly and professional when we were there but in my experience IPO was mediocre. Same with GF. AKL has by FAR the best IPO, as anyone who stays there knows
I would absolutely email Poly IPO yourself and continue following up every 2-3 days until they email back to confirm your requests. Your trip is very close. I say this just so that you can have your best shot at what you want. I'm not pushy AT ALL but I do expect my emails to be answered and a note of my few requests made.

I just booked the Poly for my May trip with my kids. Please tell me where I want to be - I want to make sure that I have a balcony, that I am not looking out over a parking lot, and I don't want ground floor. What should I request as far as rooms go - which building? I don't have to be super close to the main house or super close to a pool, we can walk - I am more interested in getting a good view of something and having the balcony. Oh yea I have a GV room booked.

I am having some doubts about staying here - is it very 1970's Brady Bunch goes to Hawaii? I have read that a lot of people that don't stay at this property use the pool - is that usually a problem? Are the grounds very spread out?

When we were at the GF in August we took the monorail over to the main bldg and looked at the shops and stuff it seemed really dark to me - is the whole resort like that? really dark?

I am having anxiety over this - we stayed at POP for 1 night in Aug. and although it is value - it was bright and tropical and fun. The GF was beautiful and I am trying not to compare - but that place was bright and airy and there were flowers all over, even ontop of the garbage cans. Will I like the Poly like I like the GF? Please help calm my fears!!

Thank you for your help!
Michelle

It's possible but not likely that you could get a view of the parking lot. It's also possible that you could get a room with no balcony. You should request 3d floor to increase your chances of getting a balcony, as many 2d floor rooms at the Poly do not have balconies and you have said you don't want to be on the ground floor...
There are lots of great buildings at the Poly. I guess for Garden View, I would request Fiji Bldg and request 3d floor room. I've never stayed in that bldg. but I have seen beautiful views of the marina from garden view rooms that Dis-er's have posted and you would not be looking at the parking lot from Fiji.
Good luck.
Also, I stay at both Poly and GF frequently and love both. The grounds at the Poly are MUCH more lush and beautiful than at the GF, imo. It's gorgeous.
Yes, the rooms are darker than at GF because of the woods and color scheme...

 

[misslissa]

DH and I regularily go to WDW, but we have booked 2 rooms for our first stay at the Poly with our family who have never been to WDW before.

I have no idea what building or rooms to book. We have a GV, and I have requested that we possibly have connected rooms although I know that isn't necessarily guaranteed. I also requested Rarotonga because by the looks of the map... it seems to be in a really good location. I really want to be near the GCH and the main pool. Is this a good choice?

Also, what floor do I want? What is the difference between having a balcony/not or having a ground floor/not?????? We don't like climbing stairs!!!! I'm not sure if this is a factor at this resort...

I'm confused!!! Guide me please.

 

[johnsonet]

DH and I regularily go to WDW, but we have booked 2 rooms for our first stay at the Poly with our family who have never been to WDW before.

I have no idea what building or rooms to book. We have a GV, and I have requested that we possibly have connected rooms although I know that isn't necessarily guaranteed. I also requested Rarotonga because by the looks of the map... it seems to be in a really good location. I really want to be near the GCH and the main pool. Is this a good choice?

Also, what floor do I want? What is the difference between having a balcony/not or having a ground floor/not?????? We don't like climbing stairs!!!! I'm not sure if this is a factor at this resort...

I'm confused!!! Guide me please.

Sounds fun.
First floor would be a sliding glass door w/ patio.
2d floor (In Raratonga and most bldgs at Poly) would be sliding glass door that opens but has wooden rail in front. No walk-out area. 3d floor would be sliding glass door and balcony.
Raratonga is a great location. I have stayed in this bldg. 3 times. It is great and yes, close to BOTH pools.
There are not a lot of stairs even if you are on the top (3d) floor at Poly but if you REALLY want to avoid them then request 1st floor

 

[DiznEeyore]

The CMs in the Hawaii BLDG. were really friendly and professional when we were there but in my experience IPO was mediocre. Same with GF. AKL has by FAR the best IPO, as anyone who stays there knows

I would absolutely email Poly IPO yourself and continue following up every 2-3 days until they email back to confirm your requests. Your trip is very close. I say this just so that you can have your best shot at what you want. I'm not pushy AT ALL but I do expect my emails to be answered and a note of my few requests made.

Thanks for the advice! I will email them tonight or tomorrow.

 

[eyenjeff]

Sounds fun.
First floor would be a sliding glass door w/ patio.
2d floor (In Raratonga and most bldgs at Poly) would be sliding glass door that opens but has wooden rail in front. No walk-out area. 3d floor would be sliding glass door and balcony.
Raratonga is a great location. I have stayed in this bldg. 3 times. It is great and yes, close to BOTH pools.
There are not a lot of stairs even if you are on the top (3d) floor at Poly but if you REALLY want to avoid them then request 1st floor

Arent there elevators in the Poly? Do you have to schlep your luggage up stairs instead of using an elevator, we also have a stroller, it would be a bummer to have to carry that stroller up stairs every day!

 

[johnsonet]

Arent there elevators in the Poly? Do you have to schlep your luggage up stairs instead of using an elevator, we also have a stroller, it would be a bummer to have to carry that stroller up stairs every day!

Yes. There are. Didn't mean to imply that there aren't... we don't use them so I wasn't thinking of them.

 

[Robin4]

We're staying at the Poly May 25-June 1 for the first time ever and are beyond excited! (I'd pack today if I could) We booked a room in Tokelau with garden view and are thinking about switching it to Samoa. We love the lobby/ pool area and feel like Samoa would be a good call. However, being that we've only walked through the hotel, we're still not 100% sure that's the best thing to do. I figured this would be the place to ask because you all seem to be Poly pros If there's any other garden view long house you think would be better please feel free to say so! Our only requests are A) we don't want to be staring at the monorail (if we get one we'll probably switch to lagoon view) and B) we'd like to feel like we're staying at Polynesian! This will probably be our one Polynesian stay for a LONG time so we'd really love to have the best room possible... with garden view ​

 

[mmmears]

There's lots of different views for a GV room. Someone here more knowledgeable than am I can direct you better.

When you wrote that you "booked Tokelau" I hope the CM told you it is only a request. The only guaranteed building is Hawaii (club level) -- all the others are by request only. Just dont want you to be disappointed if you show up and they dont give you what you want.

 

[Robin4]

We do, I should have said that differently That's a good point though because it really doesn't matter what we request because we're checking in the Monday of Memorial Day so I'm sure they'll just give us whatever they have. We started out with our reservation being a park view and now I'm kind of wondering if we should have kept it... however it was a $700 difference from our res. now! But like I said we're just excited to be going so we'll be happy either way!

 

[sm04]

[

I am having some doubts about staying here - is it very 1970's Brady Bunch goes to Hawaii?


Michelle

I laugh because I was worried about the same thing. We've never stayed there either but are booked for Sept 2009. I asked my DH if I was going to have to listen to Brady Bunch comments all week and he said "absolutely, thats why I like it!"

OMG I totally agree! I've heard a lot of people make negative comments stating how the Poly looks like "Brady Bunch goes to Hawaii".

For me, it's a selling point!!

The mysterious tiki, Alice and the girls in hula lessons, Greg's surfing accident, the spider... Ahhh, the memories.

 

[Me&3]

OMG I totally agree! I've heard a lot of people make negative comments stating how the Poly looks like "Brady Bunch goes to Hawaii".

For me, it's a selling point!!

The mysterious tiki, Alice and the girls in hula lessons, Greg's surfing accident, the spider... Ahhh, the memories.