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

[BCV23]

I think that's sweet, Terry. Mine was in pieces unfortunately.

The new ones were in the park stores for sure and I'm pretty sure the resort stores too. I think I bought my first one at SSR. Then I decided I wanted all four and tried at DHS. They were out of the Peter Pan one but I found it somewhere else...I think the BC store. How pitiful to not remember that for sure less than a month later.

The other scenes are Mary Poppins, Winnie the Pooh and friends and Mickey, Minnie and Pluto on a windy day (or evening I think). The handles and interior are black. The scenes look like water colors. And they hold 16 oz..

 

[sandym718]

I just realized today that since I booked a new package, I need to add my room requests again. Previously I booked with AAA and they added that right to my ressie. With this 4/3 deal, I booked online. How do I go about adding my room requests to the ressie? Should I call?

My requests are:
1st floor
Tokealu, east side

 

[PolyAddict]

I just realized today that since I booked a new package, I need to add my room requests again. Previously I booked with AAA and they added that right to my ressie. With this 4/3 deal, I booked online. How do I go about adding my room requests to the ressie? Should I call?

My requests are:
1st floor
Tokealu, east side

wondering the same, since i booked online for the first time.

 

[zima-cheryl]

We have booked Ohana dinner(my personal favourite, and I promise to try a Lapu Lapu this time), Whispering Canyon Cafe, Marrakesh, Ohana Breakfast, and the Luau... to make it extra Hawaiian.

You are going to love Restaurant Marrakesh! For dessert be sure & try the Marrakesh Delight! Soooo yummy! And since it has fruit in it you can pretend it is healthy & good for you

 

[RachelTori]

I just realized today that since I booked a new package, I need to add my room requests again. Previously I booked with AAA and they added that right to my ressie. With this 4/3 deal, I booked online. How do I go about adding my room requests to the ressie? Should I call?

My requests are:
1st floor
Tokealu, east side

Yes, call! Although you booked online initially, you will have to call for any changes, updates, requests, etc. (I believe the only thing you can do online would be make payments.)

 

[bertegirl]

We just booked our 1st trip ever to WDW and with the discount went with Poly. Can anyone tell me where you would stay with 2 toddlers. My DD4 needs it quiet when she sleeps. Thanks for any help! Also our the rest. onsite good choices for little ones. We will probably spend a lot of time at the hotel itself.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

Like I said, I just think that the Polynesian deserves as least the same type and quality merchandise that the other resorts have.

Oh most definitely. My biggest gripe is that there isn't enough Polynesian apparel-type merchandise that is a bit more...imaginative. It's nice to wear the resort logo, sure, but the AKL has stuff designed for them I *wish* the Poly had.

 

[LuvMySoldier07]

Yes, call! Although you booked online initially, you will have to call for any changes, updates, requests, etc. (I believe the only thing you can do online would be make payments.)

I wrote an email to Disney via the "contact us" on the disney website, asking how I can make a request for a room near the GCH and they wrote back saying I didn't have to call and that my request has been noted in my reservation. However, any changes to my reservation must be made by calling.

 

[Cheryl-Feb06]

This thread is great!!! We are staying at the Poly in 3 weeks!!! Can anyone tell me how often the ferryboat departs and about how long of a trip it is to the MK? From what I understand, you can roll a stroller right on to the ferryboat and it goes directly to the MK? Is is Poly to the MK only, or does it go to the other monorail resorts? The motor launches go to the other hotels and you must fold up a stroller, right?
Thanks!
Cheryl

 

[BCV23]

Oh most definitely. My biggest gripe is that there isn't enough Polynesian apparel-type merchandise that is a bit more...imaginative. It's nice to wear the resort logo, sure, but the AKL has stuff designed for them I *wish* the Poly had.

Doesn't AKL have great themed merchandise? By far the best of the resorts we've visited.

This thread is great!!! We are staying at the Poly in 3 weeks!!! Can anyone tell me how often the ferryboat departs and about how long of a trip it is to the MK? From what I understand, you can roll a stroller right on to the ferryboat and it goes directly to the MK? Is is Poly to the MK only, or does it go to the other monorail resorts? The motor launches go to the other hotels and you must fold up a stroller, right?
Thanks!
Cheryl

The ferries don't go directly to the Polynesian but rather go from the TTC to the MK and back. But the TTC is a very short walk from some of the longhouses...closer than the GCH. and yes, no need to fold a stroller on them.

The ferries run often and are deceptively fast...they cross in 5 minutes. One is usually approaching as another departs but then it takes a few minutes to board and depart.

You're right about the launches. Strollers must be folded. Those boats make a circuit that goes Polynesian>MK>GF and back to the Polynesian.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

We just booked our 1st trip ever to WDW and with the discount went with Poly. Can anyone tell me where you would stay with 2 toddlers. My DD4 needs it quiet when she sleeps. Thanks for any help! Also our the rest. onsite good choices for little ones. We will probably spend a lot of time at the hotel itself.

Congrats on booking the Poly! With small children in tow, this resort is great. If you'd like quiet, i'd suggest Tokelau. One side faces a quiet garden view while the other side faces the quiet pool. Most of the commotion on-property (which isn't that loud but it depends on your tolerance) is around the Great Ceremonial House (GCH) and the volcano pool. Plus Tokelau is around the same distance away from the GCH as the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC).

Hope that helps!

 

[mmmears]

You're right about the launches. Strollers must be folded. Those boats make a circuit that goes Polynesian>MK>GF and back to the Polynesian.

So the little boats are going the opposite direction of the monorail?

That makes sense!

Do you know if it takes longer to take the big ferry to the MK or the resort launches? (Just loading & transport time, since otherwise it would depend on where your room is).

 

[SplashMtnCrew]

I'm so excited
We just used the buy4/3free deal and booked the Poly
This will be our first visit to Poly and we can't wait. We originally had a club level room at WL, but the deal couldn't be applied...so we went with the Poly! We've always said that we would go there if we ever got the chance! This thread has been very helpful already

 

[shyjade]

Bye all my fellow Poly lovers, I'm getting ready to pack up the laptop so I have one less thing to do at 5am before we head to the airport.

I'll be back next week with lots of great pictures and reviews!!

 

[sandym718]

We just booked our 1st trip ever to WDW and with the discount went with Poly. Can anyone tell me where you would stay with 2 toddlers. My DD4 needs it quiet when she sleeps. Thanks for any help! Also our the rest. onsite good choices for little ones. We will probably spend a lot of time at the hotel itself.

Hi! Are you going to be there in May as well? You will love the Poly, I think it's the best for those with young ones b/c of the great transportation options. That quick hop on the monorail to get back from the MK is just so wonderful. Our kiddos were almost 3 and almost 5 the last time we went, they both still napped, so we spent a good deal of time at the resort. As the above poster mentioned, I'd also Highly recommed Tokelau. Very centrally located to both the GCH and TTC, but very quiet. Some great lagoon views as well, from some balconies or just off your patio. Even further, I recommend requesting Tokealu, east side. That's what we got last time and loved it so much, we're requesting it. This is the side that doesn't face the quiet pool. Basically it opens onto a grassy area, then a walkway then the end of the Tahiti (I think) building. Just to the left is the lagoon. VERY quiet.

Another thing to think about is balcony vs. patio. we requested patio and will again. Though on our beach trips we always request highest floor for the view, we also get condos or suites with separate bedrooms. With all 4 of us being in just 1 room for the week - the extra "space" of the patio/lawn area was great. Kids could play (or check out the ducks) right outside the room. When it was REALLY great, though, was nap time. DH and I sat just outside the room, so the kids had total quiet. If we wanted shade, we sat on the patio; sun, we pulled the chairs out onto the grass. We'd read or chat. We could take turns taking walks or going to Captain cook's for a snack (Dole Whips everyday for DH!) and come back without disturbing the kids. It really worked great. When we go in May, DD will be 5, DS 6. DD still naps and probably still will then, so we'll be asking for 1st floor again. Hoping to get DS to take a few naps or rests too, but it will also be easier for one of us to come and go with him as needed without disturbing DD.

HTH!!! Congrats on booking the Poly!!

 

[blessedby3]

Have you visited Tikiman's unofficial Poly site yet? There's a TON of great info there, including maps and lots of photos, as well as advice on the pros and cons of each longhouse. http://tikiman2001.homestead.com/

This particular page will show room photos and describe the differences in the rooms: http://tikiman2001.homestead.com/_Rooms.html

The 3 longhouses with larger rooms (476 sq. feet vs. 415) are Tokelau, Tahiti and Rapa Nui. The only one of those 3 that *might* give you something of a parking lot view is Rapa Nui. Even that has a lot of foliage, though, so you wouldn't see a lot of "cement".

We've had garden views in Tahiti and Rapa Nui. Both were beautiful. Those longhouses are the furthest from the GCH, but are closest to the TTC and make it easy to jump on the monorail there.

All the rooms were last refurbished in late 2005 or early 2006.

HTH a little!!

Thanks- I didnt know about that link and it has tons of great info.!!

 

[Britt7]

Hi - I am posting this question again in hopes of a response. We just booked Poly for this January( I am soooo excited) I am planning to make a room request since we would love to be near the GCH (have a 3 year old that we often end up carrying!) but would also like to be near a pool. Is there a longhouse we should request that offers both. We only booked garden view. TIA!!!

 

[luvs_eeyore]

Hi - I am posting this question again in hopes of a response. We just booked Poly for this January( I am soooo excited) I am planning to make a room request since we would love to be near the GCH (have a 3 year old that we often end up carrying!) but would also like to be near a pool. Is there a longhouse we should request that offers both. We only booked garden view. TIA!!!

With those requirements, Samoa would be perfect. It's near the GCH and faces the main pool on one side. There's also Niue, which is only 2 floors instead of 3. It's between the GCH and Samoa. There's maps on the Poly page on allearsnet.com and on the Tikiman's site, too.

 

[Britt7]

With those requirements, Samoa would be perfect. It's near the GCH and faces the main pool on one side. There's also Niue, which is only 2 floors instead of 3. It's between the GCH and Samoa. There's maps on the Poly page on allearsnet.com and on the Tikiman's site, too.

Thanks! I have been looking over the maps and was just getting myself more confused so I really appreciate the help!!!!

 

[triplefigs]

I hope that everyone in your family stays healthy and can go in December! But I definitely understand wanting to have a backup, just in case.

Is your DS feeling better now?