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

[eyenjeff]

I have asked this on another thread, but I figured I should ask the Poly pros. We changed our trip to get the 4/3, so now my DD will only be 22 months when we go. She is too long for a pack n play now. I guess my question is should I just put her in the sofa/bed or buy one of those toddler air mattress things? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

This will be our first stay at the Poly, but someone told me we can request toddler rails for the sofa sleeper, as we have a 2 yr old. Although she still fits in a pack n play, im not sure which way we will go yet. I like that she is contained in the pnp, and then we will still have the couch to sit on, oh my so many decisions...........

 

[eyenjeff]

Now for the most asked question on this site, without having to read all the posts......

What is the best house to request for either a patio or balcony and close to TTC and GCH ) if that is possible.

Do most of you request a building? or let Disney work their magic and see what you get? Which buildings have the larger rooms?

If you make a request, do you think that keeps you from getting a surprise upgrade?

I would really like a nice room since we probably can only afford to stay here once, so I am trying to see what would be best.

Is the resort really that big that the walk to either the TTC or the GCH is really that far? We stayed at ASMu last time and were in the farthest room from the bus stop so I cant imagine that the walk is anywhere near that long walk.

Thanks in advance for all your help!

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

What is the best house to request for either a patio or balcony and close to TTC and GCH ) if that is possible.

If you want to be a pretty much equal distance away from the TTC and the GCH I would suggest either Tokelau or Rarotonga. My preference is Tokelau as one side is facing the quiet pool while the other side is facing the gardens. With Rarotonga you risk getting a parking lot view but the landscaping even makes that look good.

Do most of you request a building? or let Disney work their magic and see what you get? Which buildings have the larger rooms?

I usually request a building but that's just my Type-A personality. Usually I'm travelling during high occupancy times so while I put in a request, I just let the CMs work the Disney magic that they can for me. I believe the newer buildings (Tokelau and Tahiti) have slightly larger rooms. I've stayed in Tuvalu and Samoa and those rooms still seemed quite large to me.

If you make a request, do you think that keeps you from getting a surprise upgrade?

Maybe, maybe not. It depends on your CM and the occupancy limits of the resort. I know last August I made a spefic request for a room in Samoa facing the volcano pool. I was granted my request but frankly, if I'd 'requested' myself out of concierge I wouldn't have been upset. The kids wanted to be able to see the pool from the room so that was the most important to me.

I would really like a nice room since we probably can only afford to stay here once, so I am trying to see what would be best.

Oh, I totally understand! I truly believe (and others here will also say) all of the rooms at the Polynesian are nice. From lagoon to garden views there isn't a bad room on the property.

Is the resort really that big that the walk to either the TTC or the GCH is really that far? We stayed at ASMu last time and were in the farthest room from the bus stop so I cant imagine that the walk is anywhere near that long walk.

I've stayed at ASMu and it isn't that long of a walk at all on the Poly grounds. From Samoa it took maybe 5 minutes to get to the TTC and about 30 seconds to get to the GCH.

Hope that helps! I'm about to pay off my package for the Poly in two days and had a lot of fun answering your questions.

 

[eyenjeff]

WOW! Thanks for all your answers! You are great and so much help! I think I will request the Tokelau building as I have heard alot of good things about it. I am so excited to go with only 25 more days to go! Thanks again for your response!!!!!

 

[Tess]

WOW! Thanks for all your answers! You are great and so much help! I think I will request the Tokelau building as I have heard alot of good things about it. I am so excited to go with only 25 more days to go! Thanks again for your response!!!!!

I think that choice satisfies most of the requirements you listed earlier and MsStinkerBelle has given you sage advice, as always.

 

[eyenjeff]

Thanks! I emailed them and we will see what they say!

 

[DiznEeyore]

Any room at the Poly is great but, as I discovered this summer, LVCL is INCREDIBLE!! Your husband ROCKS and your post actually has me considering Christmas at Disney this year (even though I know my husband and daughter will never go for it!)
CONGRATULATIONS

I remember your awesome photos from when you were there this summer. I hope we're lucky enough to get as great a view!

I was stunned when I found out dh was able to switch us. Everything but garden view has been booked up forever, but I guess it's true that lots of people are cancelling, because every category is available for the entire week we'll be there.

I have to say I'm sad for anyone who has to cancel due to the economy, but it does make me hope the parks might be a little less crazy over Christmas, you know?

 

[volleygirl]

Ok...so now I'm really curious. We are traveling during a typically "slow" time. Now, I'm not sure how much the new deal has increased the bookings at the Poly, but we just stuck with a garden view because the concierge level doesn't apply for the buy 4 get 3 free deal.

Is there actually a chance we could get upgraded all the way to concierge???

 

[Britt7]

I think I messed up. I am confused. Where is the monorail located? I thought the GCH had access, but it looks like I may have been wrong and it is actually located on the other end. I wanted to request a longhouse near the monorail and a pool and went with Somoa or Niue. Did I mess up?

 

[BCV23]

I think I messed up. I am confused. Where is the monorail located? I thought the GCH had access, but it looks like I may have been wrong and it is actually located on the other end. I wanted to request a longhouse near the monorail and a pool and went with Somoa or Niue. Did I mess up?

No, you're fine. The resort monorail loads on the second floor of the GCH. Raratonga and then Niue are the closet to the GCH but Samoa is also very close.

But you can also walk to the TTC to catch the Epcot monorail...perhaps that confused you?

edited to add congrats to Amy!

 

[DiznEeyore]

edited to add congrats to Amy!

Thank you!!!

 

[figarofan]

Ok...so now I'm really curious. We are traveling during a typically "slow" time. Now, I'm not sure how much the new deal has increased the bookings at the Poly, but we just stuck with a garden view because the concierge level doesn't apply for the buy 4 get 3 free deal.

Is there actually a chance we could get upgraded all the way to concierge???

The CL is available for the 4/3 deal. If that is what you would really like and you are able to change dates, check online for availability.

 

[triplefigs]

Question: LV Concierge is now available at the AP rate for 4 out of our 5 nights (not the 1st) in December. Would you book GV Concierge for the 1st night and LV Concierge for the next 4 vs keeping all 5 in a Theme Park View room? We are switching to the GF Main Bldg for our last 2 nights. We've never stayed at the Poly, so I didn't know if it would be worth changing rooms.

ETA: this is on-line. Would they have more rooms available if I called?

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

I think that choice satisfies most of the requirements you listed earlier and MsStinkerBelle has given you sage advice, as always.

Awww, thanks Tess!

 

[DiznEeyore]

Question: LV Concierge is now available at the AP rate for 4 out of our 5 nights (not the 1st) in December. Would you book GV Concierge for the 1st night and LV Concierge for the next 4 vs keeping all 5 in a Theme Park View room? We are switching to the GF Main Bldg for our last 2 nights. We've never stayed at the Poly, so I didn't know if it would be worth changing rooms.

ETA: this is on-line. Would they have more rooms available if I called?

Hmmm...I don't know if I'd want to change rooms 3 times, esp. if one of the changes is for only one night. I'm sorry ... I'm not much help!

If they show availability online, there should be the same things available when you call. The only difference I've ever found is in certain categories, such as deluxe RPC rooms or the upper-level suites for some reason.

 

[NMMickeymom]

Just a quick thank you to all the Poly Gurus for the great information! Reading this thread is making me want to jump out of my skin with excitement! I am really looking forward to returning to the Poly after many years away.

One question....... am I going to need ADR's for breakfast at the Kona (?)Cafe? It would be great to roll out of bed and wander down to eat. I'm not looking for entertainment, just want my coffee!!!!

 

[Mocharilla]

I just booked our honeymoon at the Poly!

 

[eyenjeff]

I just booked our honeymoon at the Poly!

CONGRATULATIONS! HOW COOL!!!

 

[Mocharilla]

CONGRATULATIONS! HOW COOL!!!

Thank you!

We're VERY excited!

We even set up our Honeymoon Registry today.

 

[glorib]

Checking in and subbing to this thread! We'll be staying at the Poly for the first time May 1-9! I'm so excited, as our kids will be 5 and 3 - I think the monorail will be sooooo nice!