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

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Those are some great photos MsStinkerBelle.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I heard that when you check into the Poly, they greet you with leis..is this true? Just curious...there are a bunch of us going for a Grand Gathering. We would love to have them, but can get them ourselves if necessary.
TIA!

Yes that's true.

 

[jackdis]

stinkerbelle.....great pictures!! thanks for sharing!

 

[scape1224]

great pictures! I am so excited for our trip in a few months.

 

[mickey2minnie1]

MsStinkerBelle - Great pics! Did you notice any new clothing with the Poly logo on it??

 

[volleygirl]

Looks like it was a beautiful Poly Holiday for you Ms. S!

Ok...our trip is fast approaching! I have a few questions that are probably wayyy too detailed, but I'm looking for opinions.

On our travel day. We have a 10am flight to arrive MCO at 1:30 I believe...so I'm estimating we will hit the Poly around 3 or 4. We have two small kids (DS age 5 and DD age 16 months). They are well behaved kids and tolerate sit-down restaurants suprisingly well - we get a lot of compliments on their behavior. Anyway, I'm wondering if I should put in a ADR for Kona Cafe for either an early dinner or a later dinner and snack until then or if I should skip the nice dinner that first night and just do Cpt Cook's. The next day, we have ADR's for breakfast at Crystal Palace as well as Cindy's Castle for dinner.

I'm wondering if I should bother with that first night or if I'm setting the kids up for an exhausting day our first park day because of our needing to sit "still" for most of the first day....

Thoughts????

 

[jmamom]

I'd make the ADR for Kona and then play it by ear when you get there. If you are too tired from traveling, you can always cancel the ADR last minute and do Captain Cooks instead. Have a great trip!

 

[NJBILL]

I'm wondering if I should bother with that first night or if I'm setting the kids up for an exhausting day our first park day because of our needing to sit "still" for most of the first day....

Thoughts????

Having raised 4 children,and went to disney when they were young, I would skip the sitdown for the first night..everyone will be excited and charged up day 1...just my thought..have fun..

 

[Singinglizzie]

Looks like it was a beautiful Poly Holiday for you Ms. S!

Ok...our trip is fast approaching! I have a few questions that are probably wayyy too detailed, but I'm looking for opinions.

On our travel day. We have a 10am flight to arrive MCO at 1:30 I believe...so I'm estimating we will hit the Poly around 3 or 4. We have two small kids (DS age 5 and DD age 16 months). They are well behaved kids and tolerate sit-down restaurants suprisingly well - we get a lot of compliments on their behavior. Anyway, I'm wondering if I should put in a ADR for Kona Cafe for either an early dinner or a later dinner and snack until then or if I should skip the nice dinner that first night and just do Cpt Cook's. The next day, we have ADR's for breakfast at Crystal Palace as well as Cindy's Castle for dinner.

I'm wondering if I should bother with that first night or if I'm setting the kids up for an exhausting day our first park day because of our needing to sit "still" for most of the first day....

Thoughts????

If you are using the ME, I was told to plan approx. 75 minutes to get luggage and arrive at the resort, so that would mean you would arrive approx. @ 2:45. Just another option, but if you are tired, you could always order room service and just relax in your room. We love doing that when we travel, especially because the kids like watching tv . I 2nd the suggestion about making an ADR at Kona, then play it by ear. You can always cancel same day! have fun. We'll be there in 2 weeks.

 

[CleveRocks]

If you are using the ME, I was told to plan approx. 75 minutes to get luggage and arrive at the resort

Although it is permitted for you to claim your own bags at baggage claim, one of the very best features of Disney's Magical Express is the automatic luggage handling/delivery ... you totally skip baggage claim, and your bags will be delivered to the inside of your resort room within about 3 hours of resort check-in, whether you are in the room or not.

The reported average time from exiting the airplane to arriving at your resort is 70 minutes; this is if you use DME the way it was intended, which includes the automatic baggage handling/delivery. If you decide to delay yourself by detouring to baggage claim to get your own checked bags, I would count on at least an additional 10-20 minutes. In addition, it's very likely that, while you are waiting at baggage claim, the nect available bus will be leaving for your resort, and you'll have to wait for the next one, further delaying your arrival at your resort.

 

[volleygirl]

Yeah, I was thinking planning on the long end of the estimated time from landing to getting to the Poly. I thought it was 90 minutes. And I do intend to let them get our luggage for us. I will be pleasantly surprised if it is earlier. If we get there earlier, I'm hoping we'll be able to swim with the oldest one if we pack our suits in our carry-ons.

But thanks for the thoughts! I'll have to talk to DH and see what he'd be in the mood for. And probably make the reservation and playing it by ear. Thanks everyone!

 

[photomama]

Ok silly question - it's our 1st time at the World.

Do I have to ask for Magical Express?

TIA

 

[misslissa]

Ok silly question - it's our 1st time at the World.

Do I have to ask for Magical Express?

TIA

Yes, call them and let them know that you need it. They will require your flight information as well, so they know when to expect you That way, they'll send out luggage tags for you to put on your luggage so you don't have to claim them

 

[applechips]

This may be a long shot but who knows!

I am searching for two (new) Disney Polynesian Tshirts in blue that are currently being sold in BouTiki at the Polynesian Resort. They have them in white too but I'd like blue. They have "Disney's Polynesian Resort" lettering on the front left chest and a picture of a hula dancer with Tikis surrounding her on the back of the shirt.

I was there in October and never saw these shirts but we were there 3 weeks ago and saw them and had to have them. Problem is that they only had Medium, Large and 3XL. I need two, size XL shirts. I called Boutiki and Guest Merchandising and they do not have the sizes we need. Guest Merchandising said that they are discontinuing them so there will be no more.

My dh and I love, love, love the Poly and never found a shirt we liked until now!

If anyone by chance (maybe a cast member even!) has one or two of these shirts in XL that they decided they didn't want or bought extra etc, PLEASE LMK!! I am willing to pay more for them than retail if I need to!!!

THANKS!!!!!!!

 

[PIESHOPS]

We just switched our reservation from Carib Beach to the Poly, very excited.

we booked a garden view room, any ideas which lonhouse we may be in?

any particular longhouse we should request?

thanks for the input.

it will be my wife and i along with our 4 and 9 year old daughters.

 

[J3nn78]

We will be staying at Poly for the first time in August. I am so excited. I have a bad feeling that we will never go back to anything else again.

 

[swald91]

We just switched our reservation from Carib Beach to the Poly, very excited.

we booked a garden view room, any ideas which lonhouse we may be in?

any particular longhouse we should request?

thanks for the input.

it will be my wife and i along with our 4 and 9 year old daughters.

That's great...you'll love the Poly!! We usually book garden view-our last room/longhouse IMO was the BEST!!!! WE were in Rarotonga-1st floor. Our view was the parking lot-I wasn't happy at first, but the CM told me check it out & if you don't like the view come back down...well, we opened our patio door to the most beautiful trees & lush bushes-we looked up & there was the monorail-waved to people when relaxing on the patio!!!! Exited the longhouse at end to be right at the bus stop, laundry & walk to back for the quiet pool-exit at the other end & walked into GCH. It was PERFECT-for us. I don't think there is a BAD longhouse- we have stayed in Tuvalu & Aotearoa as well. We had a MK view but honestly-this one was much better!!! Enjoy your trip any other ??s-just yell!

 

[swald91]

We will be staying at Poly for the first time in August. I am so excited. I have a bad feeling that we will never go back to anything else again.

Our thoughts exactly!!! We love it there...we are trying WL in a few weeks-gotta try it & see-but I have a feeling I won't like it nearly as much as the Poly!!! Enjoy!

 

[Singinglizzie]

Although it is permitted for you to claim your own bags at baggage claim, one of the very best features of Disney's Magical Express is the automatic luggage handling/delivery ... you totally skip baggage claim, and your bags will be delivered to the inside of your resort room within about 3 hours of resort check-in, whether you are in the room or not.

The reported average time from exiting the airplane to arriving at your resort is 70 minutes; this is if you use DME the way it was intended, which includes the automatic baggage handling/delivery. If you decide to delay yourself by detouring to baggage claim to get your own checked bags, I would count on at least an additional 10-20 minutes. In addition, it's very likely that, while you are waiting at baggage claim, the nect available bus will be leaving for your resort, and you'll have to wait for the next one, further delaying your arrival at your resort.

Thanks for the clarification, about skipping the baggage claim IF you want ME to transport your luggage for you. Nicely worded!

 

[MIC-KEY]

Be sure and tell us how you liked WL in comparison to Poly!!! When in January are you going?