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

[mommyoftwo08]

Yes I did. I called on Wednesday because we weren't left any toiletries and they asked if there was anything else, so I told them about the breakfast dishes not being taken away, the surfaces not being cleaned and the bed being "thrown together." They transferred me to a manager who said he would pass the information on to the day crew so they would have it taken care of the following day. They did bring toiletries up that night though.

When we got back to the room the next day and the breakfast dishes were still there I called again and they said again they would get them. Finally on Friday they were taken away, but the room was still not cleaned well. Someone did come to the room that evening as we were getting ready for dinner and asked if things had improved and I told him they had not.

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.)

 

[MinnieMom]

What longhouse /building were you in?

We were in Tokelau.

 

[FreFam5]

Hi all,

Dh and I just got back from the Poly last night and I wanted to post to thank all of you for your wonderful tips! We had a wonderful time. The resort is absolutely amazing . . . so beautiful! I'll post some pics later after I get everything unpacked and the pics are downloaded.

Our only complaint was with Mousekeeping. I hate to say it (it didn't ruin our trip), but it truly was terrible. The rooms I've stayed in at a Holiday Inn or Hampton Inn were much cleaner than what we experienced at the Poly. Our breakfast dishes would sit for days, surfaces were not cleaned AT ALL, beds barely made, etc, etc. For a deluxe resort, we found this to be very disappointing. The good thing is that is our only complaint! We were fortunate enough to have a 40% off code, but if we had paid rack rates we would have been disgusted.

I don't want to dwell on that though . . . the resort itself is fantastic. The caast members (other than Mousekeeping!) were wonderful. The convenience of the monorail and TTC was great.

We were in Tokelau, so we could just walk to the TTC and we were at the very end (by the beach) so we had a great view of the fireworks from Illuminations right from our balcony. That was magical

All in all, it was an amazing trip that DH and I will never forget!

Welcome back!!! I'm glad that you didn't let crappy mousekeeping ruin your trip and that you guys still had a great time. No matter what you pay for the room - the mousekeeping should have been better. This is why I kind of hate the thought of tipping each day. Eventhough I know that it makes sense to do that since you don't know that you will have the same person every day - I would prefer to tip just on the last night and have that tip reflect the service that I have received.

 

[Picabo]

I'm really, really starting to rethink my choice in hotel. I'll be upfront...I have NEVER paid this much for a hotel room. Especially considering I won't be in it all that much. And, as much as I love the theme of the Poly...and the restaurants....it WILL ruin my trip if I have to experience such horrible mousekeeping. DH and I are total neatfreaks and the fact that you told the front desk and still nothing was done...well that just doesn't make me feel warm and fuzzy. I may have to look into GF or even CR. (Although I don't think I like CR's pool) Maybe I'll do a split stay wtih Poly and somewhere else? I don't know. But what I DO know is that I've heard at least 6-7 reviews recently or horrible mousekeeping experiences at Poly and while Disboards is a small percentage of actually people who really go there and 6-7 our of 1000's isn't a huge amount...makes me wonder how many people DON'T even realize that their mousekeeping people are slacking off.

 

[PNO4TE]

Yes I did. I called on Wednesday because we weren't left any toiletries and they asked if there was anything else, so I told them about the breakfast dishes not being taken away, the surfaces not being cleaned and the bed being "thrown together." They transferred me to a manager who said he would pass the information on to the day crew so they would have it taken care of the following day. They did bring toiletries up that night though.

When we got back to the room the next day and the breakfast dishes were still there I called again and they said again they would get them. Finally on Friday they were taken away, but the room was still not cleaned well. Someone did come to the room that evening as we were getting ready for dinner and asked if things had improved and I told him they had not.

That is totally inexcusable then!

 

[SeaSpray]

Welcome back, momatater and MinnieMom Thanks so much for the reviews!

Unfortunately it seems that sloppy housekeeping at the most expensive resorts at Disney World is becoming a bad habit. Today I read a review by someone who just returned from the Grand Floridian (they were in concierge in the main building), and who complained about the housekeeping, and plates not being removed. (Here's a link to their review: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1959939)

From what I understand, the housekeepers are actually employed by an outside company, and this company is hired by Disney. But even so, there's no excuse for that kind of service. I hope that everyone who experiences bad service will write a letter, and/or complain to the front desk while they're there. I don't think it's enough to speak to the housekeeping manager because I'm not sure who that person works for; whether it's Disney directly, or the outside company.

Edited to add: I don't mean to infer that bad housekeeping would be acceptable at the lower priced resorts, because I don't think it's acceptable no matter what price you pay. People just don't take any pride in their work anymore, it seems.

 

[sydangel68]

Hi, we just got back from our stay at the Poly (9/11-16/9) and I too was a bit disappointed by the lack of attention to detail by Mousekeeping. The room was clean, but definitely not up to the standard of other 4/5 star hotels we've stayed in.

The room was clean when we arrived, it was just the daily cleaning wasn't what I expected. Things were sort of thrown about and on one day the bins weren't even emptied. We did get lots of towels and shampoo after leaving a note and generously tipping $10 per day.

Speaking of tipping was $10 per day too much? Too little? In Australia we don't usually tip and I wasn't sure how much is acceptable these days.

What disappointed me most about the Poly was that the sheets and towels weren't really what I would expect from a deluxe property. We also stayed a week at the ASMu Family Suites and they were almost identical in quality.

However if we went back again, I'd probably stay at the Poly, you just can't beat the location, the pool is fantastic and the staff there are awesome. We were really made to feel welcome and enjoyed every minute of our stay.

Now to convince DH we don't need to wait 5 years to go back.

Take care
Angela

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Speaking of tipping was $10 per day too much? Too little? In Australia we don't usually tip and I wasn't sure how much is acceptable these days.

I think $10 is too much, maybe $5 if the service is good, guess how much is a personal thing.
But if the service is poor, we should still tip? I am not sure how much we should , if at all, if the quality of the service we receive is not up to standard.

I feel it's important to show your appreciation but I also think we pay high prices to stay at Disney resorts and the service should be of a high standard too.

Looking forward to our first stay at the Poly next year - we usually just stay in an off-site rented villa.

 

[cmesq61]

24 hours from now we will be winging our way to the Poly!!

 

[lillykat]

24 hours from now we will be winging our way to the Poly!!

Have a great flight!!

 

[team disney]

Very sorry to read about the bad mousekeeping lately. A tidy room on your arrival back from a long day can really set your mood. If we are Disney's "guests" everything should be perfect. I know I clean my house whenever I have guests over. Hoping I get good service this week (I arrive Friday).
On an up note.... I can't wait for my trip!!!

 

[pineycreek]

Just returned from our trip (9/15-9/20) at the Poly and I was very pleased with mousekeeping. Each day we had either a towel Mickey or a lei Mickey and everything was neat and clean. We left an envelope with $5 each day (there were 5 of us). The only problem we encountered was that the drawers had not been wiped down...had some sand in them but it was an easy fix.
This is my first day back to work...I am having Disney withdrawal!

 

[Me&3]

24 hours from now we will be winging our way to the Poly!!

Very sorry to read about the bad mousekeeping lately. A tidy room on your arrival back from a long day can really set your mood. If we are Disney's "guests" everything should be perfect. I know I clean my house whenever I have guests over. Hoping I get good service this week (I arrive Friday).
On an up note.... I can't wait for my trip!!!

Have a Great Trip

 

[Tess]

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?

 

[shyjade]

I have a big favor to ask for anyone going to the Poly soon...

I'm wondering if they sell Tanqueray gin (bottles) at the Poly, and if so, the size & price?

Also, what kinds of snacks are available in the gift shop upstairs? I was in that store once last year but didn't really check out the offerings (we were on the dining plan last time).



Thank you so much!!

 

[aprincesswannabe]

Traveling to the Poly in February!
Can't wait!!

 

[cmesq61]

I have a big favor to ask for anyone going to the Poly soon...

I'm wondering if they sell Tanqueray gin (bottles) at the Poly, and if so, the size & price?

Also, what kinds of snacks are available in the gift shop upstairs? I was in that store once last year but didn't really check out the offerings (we were on the dining plan last time).



Thank you so much!!

I have difficulty remembering my brain these days but since I drink gin I'll try to remember to look! No live reports from me, though.

18 hours till flight time! Not so shockingly, my suitcases remain open on the bed for everyone else's last minutes!

 

[shyjade]

I have difficulty remembering my brain these days but since I drink gin I'll try to remember to look! No live reports from me, though.

18 hours till flight time! Not so shockingly, my suitcases remain open on the bed for everyone else's last minutes!

Thank you so much, and have a great trip!!!

 

[FreFam5]

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?

 

[Cinders Mum]

yep call tell them your name, and the time, and they will reconfirm the number for you.

also at the poly go to concierge and they should be able to print you a list of your adrs.