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

[jalaine]

Iced Tea, light lemonade and apple juice are available. I took a few pictures of the soft drink dispensers and SeaSpray was generous enough to include a link to them in the FAQ: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=27212560&postcount=3922

Hi! I just checked out that post and I have a question. With the refillable mugs, is the only kind of coffee you can fill it with the Nescafe stuff? I thought I'd be able to fill it up at the Kona Cafe I don't know that it would even be worth it if it would only be the crap coffee...

 

[LuvMySoldier07]

Iced Tea, light lemonade and apple juice are available. I took a few pictures of the soft drink dispensers and SeaSpray was generous enough to include a link to them in the FAQ: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=27212560&postcount=3922

This is why I love this board! You guys are soooooo helpful!!!!! Thanks for the link to the pictures!
I have another question lol- I saw the picture of the dole whip machine and saw the snack symbol- does that mean we can use our snack credits for dole whips??? that would be amazing!

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

I am so excited DH, 2 DS (will be 3 and 2 at time of trip) and I are going to Poly garden view concierge level 9/09. I can't wait! I haven't been to the poly since '92! I'll finally be home!
SUBSCRIBING!

Congrats! Isn't it an exciting feeling when a trip to the Poly is all planned?

Hi! I just checked out that post and I have a question. With the refillable mugs, is the only kind of coffee you can fill it with the Nescafe stuff? I thought I'd be able to fill it up at the Kona Cafe I don't know that it would even be worth it if it would only be the crap coffee...

Hiya! Unfortunately the only coffee you can refill the mug with is that Nescrapfe stuff. Kona coffee is only sold in the Kona Cafe and the Kona Island coffee bar. If they ever made Kona Coffee available for refillable mugs...

This is why I love this board! You guys are soooooo helpful!!!!! Thanks for the link to the pictures!
I have another question lol- I saw the picture of the dole whip machine and saw the snack symbol- does that mean we can use our snack credits for dole whips??? that would be amazing!

You're welcome! We love sharing the information around here. And yes, you can use snack credits for dole whips! I've done it on more than on occasion.

 

[A_NY_Outlaw]

we stayed at the poly about 2 weeks ago....all of our recent visits to WDW, and we never received a welcome letter either.

 

[ang38]

Please let us know all about it when you get home how great it was. I'm thinking of making that part of our next stay.

I am so excited DH, 2 DS (will be 3 and 2 at time of trip) and I are going to Poly garden view concierge level 9/09. I can't wait! I haven't been to the poly since '92! I'll finally be home!

SUBSCRIBING!

 

[3 Princesses' Mommy]

Help! We are checking into the Poly on SATURDAY and I would love to request a room w/ a monorail view. Our middle daughter is autistic and LOVES trains, so being able to see the monorail would be a dream come true for her. Does anyone have a suggestion for a room number? Is it too late to request something like this? If there isn't a specific number what building is best for this?

We are too excited about this dream trip! Thanks so much in advance!!!

 

[BCV23]

Help! We are checking into the Poly on SATURDAY and I would love to request a room w/ a monorail view. Our middle daughter is autistic and LOVES trains, so being able to see the monorail would be a dream come true for her. Does anyone have a suggestion for a room number? Is it too late to request something like this? If there isn't a specific number what building is best for this?

We are too excited about this dream trip! Thanks so much in advance!!!

I don't have any room numbers but it's probably better to not request by that anyway.

But in Raratonga and Aotearoa, an entire side of the longhouses faces the monorail up close and personal. Rapa Nui has this view too but the monorail is much farther away at that point.

I'm not sure which floor is best but I think the third floor makes the monorail just about eye level if that matters.

Just call and ask for monorail side of those buildings as a request. I would also mention why.

When you check in, you can also ask if your room faces the monorail. If not and they have a room that does, they'll try to accommodate you.

Good luck and I hope you have a very magical vacation!

 

[DisneyLily]

Hi there!!

I will be at the Polynesian in 2 weeks time and I know that hoping for a specific longhouse could be heartbreaking because we might not be able to get a room in Tahiti, so I was wondering if there are any other good garden view rooms in the Polynesian resort, that are quite a distance from the GCH.

 

[DiznEeyore]

Hi there!!

I will be at the Polynesian in 2 weeks time and I know that hoping for a specific longhouse could be heartbreaking because we might not be able to get a room in Tahiti, so I was wondering if there are any other good garden view rooms in the Polynesian resort, that are quite a distance from the GCH.

We had a room in Rapa Nui (immediately adjacent to Tahiti) last year and loved the view.

Straight out (you can just barely make out Tahiti's roof on the far right near the top):

To the left (towards Tokelau):

It was also very convenient to the parking lot and TTC.

 

[DisneyLily]

That is a very beautiful room view!!

 

[JRDMAN]

Hello again my favorite people.
I just returned from a lovely stay at Pop. First time there and I was impressed at how fun this resort is. I also had the pleasure of bringing a newbie, making the trip all the more magical for me. And she thinks the fun was all hers!!

Anyway, that's not what i'm writing about. I had an annoying experience and am wondering if I'm the only who has experienced this. It's about the photopass people.

I know that it is part of their business to strategically place themselves at the best places for photo opportunities. And, they do some nice work. However, when I attempted to take my own photos, they were very reluctant to move out of my way and often completely ignored my pleadings. I was not interrupting them while they were taking photos or even talking to prospective customers and I found their attitude to be both annoying and rude. This did not happen to me just once. It happened many times in all of the parks.
Am I alone in this frustrating experience or have others had similar experiences while trying to take photos?
For me it is so contrary to the traditional cast member attitudes and demeanor. And I'm thinking that they must be private contractors. In fact, I think Disney management would be appauled if a cast member treated me the way some of the photopass people did and they would soon be looking for a job elsewhere...perhaps Universal

 

[Mike2023]

Hello again my favorite people.
I just returned from a lovely stay at Pop. First time there and I was impressed at how fun this resort is. I also had the pleasure of bringing a newbie, making the trip all the more magical for me. And she thinks the fun was all hers!!

Anyway, that's not what i'm writing about. I had an annoying experience and am wondering if I'm the only who has experienced this. It's about the photopass people.

I know that it is part of their business to strategically place themselves at the best places for photo opportunities. And, they do some nice work. However, when I attempted to take my own photos, they were very reluctant to move out of my way and often completely ignored my pleadings. I was not interrupting them while they were taking photos or even talking to prospective customers and I found their attitude to be both annoying and rude. This did not happen to me just once. It happened many times in all of the parks.
Am I alone in this frustrating experience or have others had similar experiences while trying to take photos?
For me it is so contrary to the traditional cast member attitudes and demeanor. And I'm thinking that they must be private contractors. In fact, I think Disney management would be appauled if a cast member treated me the way some of the photopass people did and they would soon be looking for a job elsewhere...perhaps Universal

I know what your saying. I can't say I experienced the same thing while I was there, but then again I never asked them to move out of the way. All I did was ask the PP people to use my cam to take a pick of me and my family and they never had a problem. Pics came out great. I don't under stand how they where in your way? How come you did not just stand beside them to take the pic, this way you get the same "scouted out" spot that they are taking for there guests.

Anyways, I am sorry to hear you had an unpleasant experience, and I hope it did not ruin your trip in any way.

 

[JerseyMamaBear]

SUPER EXCITED!!!! Just got an amazing deal for May 2009 with the 4/3 package. We have never stayed at the poly before but this deal made it within our reach......
I have been reading a lot of threads and some concerns I saw was with the transportation. We will have our 12 and 1 year old and would like some info on the waits for the buses. I have been to Disney 30 times and know it all depends on the time of year and resort but I really need to know if the wait is always an issue. Thanks

 

[JRDMAN]

I know what your saying. I can't say I experienced the same thing while I was there, but then again I never asked them to move out of the way. All I did was ask the PP people to use my cam to take a pick of me and my family and they never had a problem. Pics came out great. I don't under stand how they where in your way? How come you did not just stand beside them to take the pic, this way you get the same "scouted out" spot that they are taking for there guests.

Anyways, I am sorry to hear you had an unpleasant experience, and I hope it did not ruin your trip in any way.

Actually, I did try what you suggested. And 2 of them moved and stepped right in front of me making my shot impossible. I rarely complain about anything when I'm at the happiest place in the world. But these people were rude rude rude.
As for ruining my vacation...I don't give anyone the ability to do that.

 

[jackemail]

SUPER EXCITED!!!! Just got an amazing deal for May 2009 with the 4/3 package. We have never stayed at the poly before but this deal made it within our reach......
I have been reading a lot of threads and some concerns I saw was with the transportation. We will have our 12 and 1 year old and would like some info on the waits for the buses. I have been to Disney 30 times and know it all depends on the time of year and resort but I really need to know if the wait is always an issue. Thanks

On my 2 most recent trips to Poly, the bus situation varied. On one trip, the bus waits to AK and MGM at Poly were short and reasonable (with the exception of Downtown Disney, which seems to have a bit of a wait time at almost every resort). On the other trip, we gave up on a bus to Animal Kingdom and grabbed a cab....but it was the only time we experienced bus issues.

Never experienced any long waits at the parks for the return trip to Poly.

Congrats on your first stay at Poly!

 

[BCV23]

JRDMAN, glad you had a great trip to WDW and had fun at Pop! how fun to take a newbie to the World.

JerseyMamaBear, congratulations!! You are going to love transportation at the Polynesian. It is fast and fun to MK and Epcot. We usually drive to DHS and DAK but sometimes I've returned by bus if our family splits up after lunch. I agree that I've never had a long wait for a bus from those parks.

 

[SeaSpray]

SUPER EXCITED!!!! Just got an amazing deal for May 2009 with the 4/3 package. We have never stayed at the poly before but this deal made it within our reach......
I have been reading a lot of threads and some concerns I saw was with the transportation. We will have our 12 and 1 year old and would like some info on the waits for the buses. I have been to Disney 30 times and know it all depends on the time of year and resort but I really need to know if the wait is always an issue. Thanks

Congrats on booking the Polynesian, you will LOVE it!

We always walk the pathway to the TTC to get the monorail to Epcot, and we either take the boat launch or monorail to the Magic Kingdom; boat launch if we're leaving directly from our room and we're closer to the dock, and we take the monorail if we're leaving from shopping or dining in the Great Ceremonial House.

As for Disney Studios and Animal Kingdom, we always take the bus. We don't rent a car while on vacation, it's just a personal preference for us to leave the driving to other people. We find it more relaxing this way. Anyway, the bus wait times really can and do vary. We've never experienced a long way to go to the studios or AK, but my DSs have experienced long bus waits to catch the bus to Downtown Disney. That's the only bus issue we've ever had. We tend to be pretty relaxed while on vacation and we take any bus waits in stride.

We'll be there the first week of May, too. It's a wonderful time of year to go. I hope you have a great time!

 

[SeaSpray]

We are checking in this weekend. I never received a letter from the Poly welcoming us and was wondering what was up with that? We had booked 2 nights at CBR, but canceled for the Swan, and CBR still sent us a welcome letter. I am curious to hear if others have received one from the Poly.

Is the welcome letter that you're all talking about that light blue and clouds folder thing that they send out when you book the trip?? I booked our May 2009 trip a few weeks ago and last week got the folder thingy in the mail. lol It does say "Welcome Brown Family!" when you open the paperwork inside, and it does mention on the second page that we're staying at the Polynesian, however, I don't believe that these folders are sent out by the resorts. I've received them almost every single time I've booked a trip, no matter which resort it is.

Or, are you all referring to something else completely different?? LOL

P.S. I have received "welcome" letters and emails from the Polynesian concierge team, but that's different because those are inquiring about ADRs and other reservations that I might need.

 

[megveg]

I'm so so so excited for my FIRST poly visit in May! I have a question about room requests. We booked lagoon view, and our onl request is 3rd floor. Is that un reasonable? I could careless what building were in or how close/far we are to the GCH or the TTC the make or break point for our vacation (for DBF) is a balcony (so 3rd floor) is that a request that would likely be ignored or is that a reasonable thing to ask for?

Thanks in advancee!

 

[SeaSpray]

I'm so so so excited for my FIRST poly visit in May! I have a question about room requests. We booked lagoon view, and our onl request is 3rd floor. Is that un reasonable? I could careless what building were in or how close/far we are to the GCH or the TTC the make or break point for our vacation (for DBF) is a balcony (so 3rd floor) is that a request that would likely be ignored or is that a reasonable thing to ask for?

Thanks in advancee!

I think that's pretty reasonable! The less requests that you make, the less restrictive it is; so you're smart to think about what is MOST important to you, and let that be your only request. This gives the room assigners a lot of leeway to work within. I hope you have a great trip and get a third floor room!