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

[autumnpalm]

First of all, Gratz to both you and autumnpalm!!

A great resource for all info Polynesian is Steve "The Tikiman"'s website. It's http://tikiman2001.homestead.com/ . Enjoy your trips!!

Thanks for sharing that link, what a GREAT resource!!

OMG... I had a dream last night that I was in WDW. Can it get better than that?? Why did I have to wake up?

 

[NHDisneyKid]

A great resource for all info Polynesian is Steve "The Tikiman"'s website. It's http://tikiman2001.homestead.com/ . Enjoy your trips!!

Ahhh, great! I will start my browsing this weekend - thanks so much for the link!

Three weeks from...well, just about right now, we'll be checking in at the Poly!

 

[isabelleB]

I will be at the poly in 3 weeks


from october 24 to october 30
I guess I will see some of you over there

 

[Marc A.]

I got my ME documents in the mail yesterday...38 days till we're at the Poly...I can't wait!!

I'm always like a little kid at Christmastime when I start getting our Disney documents in the mail. That means it's not too early to start packing!

We also got our ME docs in the mail yesterday. So excited 35 days away!!!!

 

[ROEDISNEY]

This hotel is so nice. I can't wait till I get to stay here someday. So beautiful and what great pic's here.

 

[team disney]

Hi all! We got back from our trip late Wednesday night. I forgot my camera USB cable at home so for now I will report on what transpired on day 1. Enjoy

Day one- took ME to Poly (Me and 2 DS,DH had a later flight) we waited about 10-15 minutes before leaving the airport. I arrived at the Poly within an hour of landing! Poly was first stop off!! Everything went perfect.
The kids and I were lei’d before reaching the door of the resort. It was an awesome feeling to be welcomed so royally. We got on line for check in and waited a short time to be helped. The CM who helped me was very friendly, she asked if it was my first time at the poly and where we have previously stayed. When she heard this was our first deluxe stay she warned us that we will never want to be anywhere else after this trip. I was told our room was not ready and that we were going to be in Rapa Nui building (I had requested Tokelau or a balcony) I kindly asked the CM if anything else might be available. She saw my request in my reservation and noticed I was not getting either the building or the balcony. She then made a call… found out that the poly was at 98% occupancy but that she could move me!! Woot! I was so happy. She placed us in Tokelau and told us to call later for a room as it was only about 10am… room was not ready yet. So the boys and I headed out to Epcot for a few hours of fun! I decided to take the Monorail since we were right there and never walked to the ttc before (we are very new to this, always did the buses) wow that ride seemed to last forever! We got to Epoct by 11:30am. The day was gorgeous! It was the first day of the food and wine festival but I found the crowd levels to be very low. We had lunch at the electric umbrella and did the activities in Innovations, as well as the Ellen energy ride and Club Cool. From there we headed back to the Poly. We got to our room and I was so happy to see the beautiful view waiting for us! We had a view of the water and CR… not quite MK but I was so thrilled!
This room was so spacious and big, much bigger then any hotel stay I have had. The boys thought it was so cool that the room had a flat screen! Lol well from here we got into our suits and headed to the pool. I would guess we got to the pool about 3:45. It was busy but not overcrowded. I got a table to the left of the slide entrance and then we all headed up the steps. The slide is loads of fun! My 8 year old was thrilled! My 4 year old had a bit of a problem as he is very light and would flip about in the tunnel. I banned him for a while due to him bumping his head but I then told him to sit super straight keeping his arms crossed on his chest and his legs together. This did the trick for him and he managed to come out straight every time! (He weighs about 37lbs) The water is not deep at the end of the slide but I did make my 4 year old wear a life jacket. My husband got to the hotel about 6pm. He met us at the pool and then we all packed up and went back to the room to get ready for the Spirit of Aloha dinner show!
I will post about the show tomorrow or Monday. We enjoyed it but we all were so tired, we were about just before 4am to get ready for our 6 am flight!

 

[team disney]

Finally a few minutes to post...
So glad we went with the Poly for our first trip. It's just lovely. We were in Tahiti, 2nd floor, had the two end (connecting) rooms on the garden side. I was concerned at first as there is a door to the outside right there but it was very quiet.

For other first timers trying to make room requests: The convenience to the TTC cannot be underestimated. We were literally a 5 minute walk. When you are coming back exhausted that is a great perk. The rooms are slightly bigger because the building is a bit newer. Cons: It is far from the GCH. So when I was tired, it was a chore to go refill the mugs. Luckily, I have teens and what a great job for them! But for those of you with little ones, something closer to the "action" might be better.

Mousekeeping: Good: I really have no complaints. The rooms were clean on arrival and cleaned everyday. Fresh towels, toiletries replaced (I used their products), room was done everyday when we returned from the parks. Towel animals everyday. I tipped daily with an envelope in both rooms. Not so good: The coffee pot was dirty when we arrived, dried up and crusty. We didn't use it. The bathroom fan didn't work, which I remember someone else posting about. It wasn't too bad for us as we were only 2 to a room and so I could let it unsteam before I did my hair. All of the CMs couldn't have been nicer, helpful, friendly, etc.

Just a fabulous trip. I'm sure I'm leaving a ton out. Feel free to ask questions.

Just a quick note on the bathroom fans. I did not think mine was working either... no sound...and steamy mirrors. I called and they sent maintance. When I got back to the room later in the evening, there was a square of toilet paper on the fan to show that the fan was working (the paper was stuck to the fan grid) This fan makes no noise when on... however it does nothing to clear the steamy mirrors.

 

[cmesq61]

To Marc A...i made our room request through Disney reservations. After reading a string somewhere here about how the hotels are not supposed tot ake faxed room requests anymore I did not send any request before arrival. i got the building I wanted with the view I paid for. I had requested the 1st floor becasue I was worried about the elevators with my ECV but the CM at checkin assured me the ECV would fit in the elevator in Tahiti and she was right!

Forgot to say this morning...we ate breakfast & lunch at Kona Cafe and breakfast & dinner at Ohana. I liked Kona Cafe better for both meals, although the Tonga Toast was a bit sweet for me. My BF liked Ohana better. Fabulous service in both. It was funny because our waiter for Kona grew up in Lowell, MA and I graduated from the Univ of Lowell and lived in a dorm up the street from where he grew up. Small world.

We never made it to the quiet pool. My kids were hooked on the slide at the Volcano Pool. My boyfriend went down the first day and somehow ended up coming out almost standing on his head with legs up in the air. Hilarious. Neither of us liked the drinks much at the pool bar. We tried several--all in the name of DIS reporting of course! I liked the mango magarita but nothing else. I can't remember the names of the other drinks we didn't like.

Loved the shops at the Poly. I am Pooh sized and they had the best selection of bigger sizes of anywhere in MK or Epcot. I had 3 managers and several sales clerks at MouseGear looking for me and it is surprising how few clothing items WDW makes in sizes over 2X. Anyway, the Poly had a good selection.

And, there is nothing quite like enjoying a dole whip while watching the fireworks from the beach. Man oh man. Doesn't get much better. I'm hooked.

 

[FreFam5]

Hi all! We got back from our trip late Wednesday night. I forgot my camera USB cable at home so for now I will report on what transpired on day 1. Enjoy

Day one- took ME to Poly (Me and 2 DS,DH had a later flight) we waited about 10-15 minutes before leaving the airport. I arrived at the Poly within an hour of landing! Poly was first stop off!! Everything went perfect.
The kids and I were lei’d before reaching the door of the resort. It was an awesome feeling to be welcomed so royally. We got on line for check in and waited a short time to be helped. The CM who helped me was very friendly, she asked if it was my first time at the poly and where we have previously stayed. When she heard this was our first deluxe stay she warned us that we will never want to be anywhere else after this trip. I was told our room was not ready and that we were going to be in Rapa Nui building (I had requested Tokelau or a balcony) I kindly asked the CM if anything else might be available. She saw my request in my reservation and noticed I was not getting either the building or the balcony. She then made a call… found out that the poly was at 98% occupancy but that she could move me!! Woot! I was so happy. She placed us in Tokelau and told us to call later for a room as it was only about 10am… room was not ready yet. So the boys and I headed out to Epcot for a few hours of fun! I decided to take the Monorail since we were right there and never walked to the ttc before (we are very new to this, always did the buses) wow that ride seemed to last forever! We got to Epoct by 11:30am. The day was gorgeous! It was the first day of the food and wine festival but I found the crowd levels to be very low. We had lunch at the electric umbrella and did the activities in Innovations, as well as the Ellen energy ride and Club Cool. From there we headed back to the Poly. We got to our room and I was so happy to see the beautiful view waiting for us! We had a view of the water and CR… not quite MK but I was so thrilled!
This room was so spacious and big, much bigger then any hotel stay I have had. The boys thought it was so cool that the room had a flat screen! Lol well from here we got into our suits and headed to the pool. I would guess we got to the pool about 3:45. It was busy but not overcrowded. I got a table to the left of the slide entrance and then we all headed up the steps. The slide is loads of fun! My 8 year old was thrilled! My 4 year old had a bit of a problem as he is very light and would flip about in the tunnel. I banned him for a while due to him bumping his head but I then told him to sit super straight keeping his arms crossed on his chest and his legs together. This did the trick for him and he managed to come out straight every time! (He weighs about 37lbs) The water is not deep at the end of the slide but I did make my 4 year old wear a life jacket. My husband got to the hotel about 6pm. He met us at the pool and then we all packed up and went back to the room to get ready for the Spirit of Aloha dinner show!
I will post about the show tomorrow or Monday. We enjoyed it but we all were so tired, we were about just before 4am to get ready for our 6 am flight!

sounds like a great first day!!!! Can't wait to hear the rest.

I'm interested in your views on the Spirit of Aloha show. We are also going to see it our first night at the Poly and will also be up early (although not as early as you YIKES!!!!)

I would like to blow off the show but DH has his heart set on it and since he pretty much lets me rule on our trips I figure I gotta give somewhere!!! But we are doing the later show and I'm imagining my kids will be zonked!

 

[shyjade]

sounds like a great first day!!!! Can't wait to hear the rest.

I'm interested in your views on the Spirit of Aloha show. We are also going to see it our first night at the Poly and will also be up early (although not as early as you YIKES!!!!)

I would like to blow off the show but DH has his heart set on it and since he pretty much lets me rule on our trips I figure I gotta give somewhere!!! But we are doing the later show and I'm imagining my kids will be zonked!

We went to the EARLY show half way through our trip and my DD9 was so tired, she didn't enjoy it at all (neither did I, to be honest, but I only went to the show for her). Good luck with that!!

 

[autumnpalm]

Currently doing research trying to figure out which longhouse to request...

My family is so hard to please. Here is what I've got:

From mom: proximity to GCH, central location
From dad: near marina/wants a room with a balcony
From brother: somewhere quiet

I'm trying to convince them that it will be handy to be near the TTC, but they think those longhouses are too "remote".

AHHH!!!

Can someone mediate for us and suggest a longhouse??

I was thinking possibly Tokelau or Samoa... I don't know though.

 

[FreFam5]

Got my travel documents today - FINALLY!!! We leave in 11 days and I was sweating it big time. I knew they were coming because my TA is awesome - but that didn't stop me from obsessing big time because frankly - that's what I do best But they are here and the luggage tags are so pretty!!!!

 

[tiggerman]

Currently doing research trying to figure out which longhouse to request...

My family is so hard to please. Here is what I've got:

From mom: proximity to GCH, central location
From dad: near marina/wants a room with a balcony
From brother: somewhere quiet

I'm trying to convince them that it will be handy to be near the TTC, but they think those longhouses are too "remote".

AHHH!!!

Can someone mediate for us and suggest a longhouse??

I was thinking possibly Tokelau or Samoa... I don't know though.

I would ask for Fiji. It has everything you are looking for. There are no balconies on the second floors in Fiji.

 

[autumnpalm]

Thank you, Tiggerman!!!

 

[Mike2023]

Me and my DW did the dinner show both times we went to Disney. We think the show is great, but its not for everyone. It tends to start of slow, giving you time to eat. Picks up near the end with fire dancing for the climax.

The food is good, not great, but good. We wont be doing it next summer as we will have DD (4) with us, but plan on seeing it again at some point.

 

[luvthemouse71]

Personally, I enjoyed the second half of the show more...where they did the traditional dancing. I found the first half to be corny..When we were there, the food was excellent but so much of it!!! We were stuffed in no time flat.

Slightly OT but I booked the Poly again for 2009. I had a moment of insanity and booked club level ..Oh well, have almost a year to pay it off!

this is me having a Pele's Fire Punch..yummy,but I got dizzy later when I rode Space Mountain..Rum does that to me sometimes!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Hi all! We got back from our trip late Wednesday night. I forgot my camera USB cable at home so for now I will report on what transpired on day 1. Enjoy

Day one- took ME to Poly (Me and 2 DS,DH had a later flight) we waited about 10-15 minutes before leaving the airport. I arrived at the Poly within an hour of landing! Poly was first stop off!! Everything went perfect.
The kids and I were lei’d before reaching the door of the resort. It was an awesome feeling to be welcomed so royally. We got on line for check in and waited a short time to be helped. The CM who helped me was very friendly, she asked if it was my first time at the poly and where we have previously stayed. When she heard this was our first deluxe stay she warned us that we will never want to be anywhere else after this trip. I was told our room was not ready and that we were going to be in Rapa Nui building (I had requested Tokelau or a balcony) I kindly asked the CM if anything else might be available. She saw my request in my reservation and noticed I was not getting either the building or the balcony. She then made a call… found out that the poly was at 98% occupancy but that she could move me!! Woot! I was so happy. She placed us in Tokelau and told us to call later for a room as it was only about 10am… room was not ready yet. So the boys and I headed out to Epcot for a few hours of fun! I decided to take the Monorail since we were right there and never walked to the ttc before (we are very new to this, always did the buses) wow that ride seemed to last forever! We got to Epoct by 11:30am. The day was gorgeous! It was the first day of the food and wine festival but I found the crowd levels to be very low. We had lunch at the electric umbrella and did the activities in Innovations, as well as the Ellen energy ride and Club Cool. From there we headed back to the Poly. We got to our room and I was so happy to see the beautiful view waiting for us! We had a view of the water and CR… not quite MK but I was so thrilled!
This room was so spacious and big, much bigger then any hotel stay I have had. The boys thought it was so cool that the room had a flat screen! Lol well from here we got into our suits and headed to the pool. I would guess we got to the pool about 3:45. It was busy but not overcrowded. I got a table to the left of the slide entrance and then we all headed up the steps. The slide is loads of fun! My 8 year old was thrilled! My 4 year old had a bit of a problem as he is very light and would flip about in the tunnel. I banned him for a while due to him bumping his head but I then told him to sit super straight keeping his arms crossed on his chest and his legs together. This did the trick for him and he managed to come out straight every time! (He weighs about 37lbs) The water is not deep at the end of the slide but I did make my 4 year old wear a life jacket. My husband got to the hotel about 6pm. He met us at the pool and then we all packed up and went back to the room to get ready for the Spirit of Aloha dinner show!
I will post about the show tomorrow or Monday. We enjoyed it but we all were so tired, we were about just before 4am to get ready for our 6 am flight!

I enjoyed reading your review so thank you for posting it.

 

[cdotla]

Just got back from a quick but fabulous trip (Thursday - Sunday) at the Poly.

We requested and got Tokelau, facing the Conceirge Building. We had side views of the Seven Seas Lagoon, but not the MK.

Here are a few of the room:

Can you see all the shopping I did before I even checked in? LOL!

A couple off the balcony:

A couple off the end of our building where we exited to walk down the stairs and start each day. Look what we woke up to each morning!!!

The a couple pics I snapped of the grounds:

Wedding Pavillion:

Sunset Point:

And last, but not least, the Pool:

Our stay was fabulous!!!

I was nervous after reading all of the terrible mousekeeping reviews what shape we would find the room in. However, it was just fine. I didn't notice anything wrong at all with the room the 1st day we checked in, but I did find some old tags, a costume jewerly ring and a couple other small items in the room before we left which were obviously there from an earlier guest. That said, it really didn't bother me much. I choose to focus on the positive. The last thing in the world I would waste time thinking about on vacation is mousekeeping!

My only real criticism of the place is that the walls were quite thin and we could hear into an adjoining room. Our first nite was heaven - we didn't hear a thing. However, the next night a family with what sounded like a couple of kids and a baby checked in. The next 2 mornings we were woken early by the baby crying and kids, which went on for over 2 hours until we finally left the room.

Fortunately, we are morning people (at least at Disney - LOL!) and were out of the room each day for a 7:35am breakfast at Kona.

However, if you were planning on sleeping in, what a drag it would have been to be beside this family next to us!

My friend and I each have 2 toddlers, so we are certainly sympathetic to those with children and small babies. However, we just could not figure this family out. Each day we would hear their alarm go off at 5:50am, which in turn promptly would wake up the baby and the other kids.

We would then have to listen to the family for almost 2 hours until we would leave the room at 7:30 for breakfast. Even when we came back to the room to grab stuff and brush our teeth before leaving for the parks, they were *still* noisy as heck and in the room with no sign of leaving!

Why anyone would set the alarm for 5:50am 2 mornings in a row, only to stay in the room for over 3 hours later with noisy kids and a crying baby, waking all your neighbours in the process is just beyond me!

Anyway, as mentioned, we were early risers and had planned to be up by 6:30am each day regardless so it didn't really bother us. I just felt for anyone on the other side who perhaps might have been trying to enjoy a romantic couples vacation.

Before I go, I will just post pics of our breakfast at Kona's. I am a huge fan of the Big Kahuna and had this our first day:

Because of all the hype about the Tonga Toast, combined with the fact that I am also a huge french toast lover, I sucumbed to the hype and ordered it the next day:

Although this is perhaps blasphemy on this thread, in all honesty, I perhaps enjoyed the 1st mouthful and then forced myself to each almost half of it so my belly would be full. It was way too sweet for me, and I have the sweetest tooth of just about anyone!

Surprisingly, my server didn't give me any sirop, not that I would have wanted it anyway with the toast itself being that sweet. She did give me a canister of strawberry compote, which was very good. This is what allowed me to eat as much of the toast as I did.

By the next day I had switched back to the Big Kahuna and that is where I will stay! To this day it remains my breakfast of choice in all of WDW!

Again, fabulous time, fabulous resort! My hands-down favourite place to stay in all of WDW!

 

[lilmissdisney216]

Glad I found this thread!! I'm seriously considering staying here for my 21st in 2010!!! Super excited about this and I truly think that this resort is absolutely beautiful.

 

[autumnpalm]

Thank you so much for your review, those are great pictures!!

I LOVE the look of the rooms. Thanks for sharing!!