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

[Tess]

Hi everyone here, I have read through a number of pages, but have not found the answer to my questions yet. Therefore, I hope someone will be able to help me!

We just booked the Polynesian for a one week stay in January (thanks to the 7/4 offer!! ). It was the resort that I wanted to stay at when I first found out about WDW (being European, it is not commonly known around here), so I am really greatful for the offer to make it just a bit more affordable!!

On to my questions:

1. How long does it take to walk from the Polynesian to the Grand Floridian?

2. We will be arriving with ME, but since we come into Orlando on an international flight, we will have to collect our bags anyway before going through customs. Therefore we will bring those on the bus with us. When we arrive at the resort, would we hand the bag over to a bellman or do we keep the bags with us? If you hand over the bags, do you get a receipt? Will they then deliver the bags to our room, once we are there???

3. How regular are the monorails? Taking the monorail before to go to one of the resort restaurants, I had the impression it was every 10 to 15 minutes, is this correct?

The walk to Grand Floridian is fairly quick if you maintain a moderate pace--I would guess no more than 10-15 minutes. We walk fairly fast compared to most and it takes us the lower end of that estimate.

Whether or not you need to utilize bell services is dependent upon your arrival time and whether or not your room is ready. Either way, you are free to hand your bags off to bell services for delivery to your room. If your room is ready, e.g., you arrive after check-in time; you could handle your own luggage and take it with you to your room. If you arrive prior to check-in time, hand your luggage off to bell services. The bellman will store your luggage until you call for it. Yes, you will receive a receipt for your luggage from bell services.

Monorail service is very regular. During less busy times, the wait might be around 10 minutes if you just missed the previous train. At busier times, the monorail seems to have one train after the next in fairly quick succession. Depending on which resort you are traveling to, I would allow extra time when you hope to be on time for an ADR at the Grand Floridian or Contemporary--perhaps one half an hour.

Hope that helps you with the questions for which you haven't located answers. If there's anything else, give a shout!

 

[Flossbolna]

Tess, thanks for the answers! It's great to know that the monorails are so frequent!

 

[Tess]

My pleasure, have a great holiday!

 

[sandym718]

That monorail is so darned convenient. Just a quick walk to the GCH or the TTC and a few minutes later, you're on your way. No car seats, seat belts, need for keys, gas, etc. I love it, LOL! I remember remarking to DH how I wish we could just do that at home. Walk to the end of our driveway and hop on a monorail!

 

[MUFFYCAT]

Tess, I love your Polynesian pout. It's so cute!

It's so true, I hate walking to parking lot with our luggage then seeing everyone who just arrived with leis on their neck. It's not fair!

 

[Tess]

Tess, I love your Polynesian pout. It's so cute!

It's so true, I hate walking to parking lot with our luggage then seeing everyone who just arrived with leis on their neck. It's not fair!

Thanks, we began that tradition years ago--I believe it was my daughter's idea. I really was pouting that day--I was sick the entire vacation and was only feeling minimally better that day! I'm looking forward to kicking up our heels this year!

 

[kwlewis10]

I assume there are hairdryers in all the Poly rooms, but wanted to check before I leave mine at home.

Thanks!

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

I assume there are hairdryers in all the Poly rooms, but wanted to check before I leave mine at home.

Thanks!

Yes, there are indeed hair dryers in the rooms. I will warn that if you have thick hair, they aren't as powerful (I think they're about 1200 watts). I'm used to a 1800 watt hair dryer so the ones at the Poly take almost 2x as long to dry my hair.

Hope that helps!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

That monorail is so darned convenient. Just a quick walk to the GCH or the TTC and a few minutes later, you're on your way. No car seats, seat belts, need for keys, gas, etc. I love it, LOL! I remember remarking to DH how I wish we could just do that at home. Walk to the end of our driveway and hop on a monorail!

If Walt had his way, you would! That's what his original plans for EPCOT were all about!

 

[kwlewis10]

Yes, there are indeed hair dryers in the rooms. I will warn that if you have thick hair, they aren't as powerful (I think they're about 1200 watts). I'm used to a 1800 watt hair dryer so the ones at the Poly take almost 2x as long to dry my hair.

Hope that helps!

Thanks! No thick hair here but I do like to dry it quickly. If there's room, I'll haul my own. If not, at least *something* will be there! Now if only I can get to packing........3 hours and counting until the car has to be filled up.


Disney World here we come

 

[Tisha_PA]

We're staying at the Poly in March with our kids (4, 2, 2). Our twin boys hate showers - only take baths. Do the bathrooms have tubs and showers or only showers?

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

We're staying at the Poly in March with our kids (4, 2, 2). Our twin boys hate showers - only take baths. Do the bathrooms have tubs and showers or only showers?

The bathrooms have tubs and showers.

 

[summersalt]

I'm considering upgrading to CL. Is the price difference worth it? TIA!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I'm considering upgrading to CL. Is the price difference worth it? TIA!

Well the 1st thing you need to ask yourself do you want the Garden View Club Level room or the Lagoon View Club Level room, since the Garden View will be about $100 less. Besides that if you plan to take advantage of the IPO planning team and taking advantage of all the foods that is offered in the lounge then I would say it's worth it.

 

[disney honeymooners]

I would also like to know if it is worth the price? Me and my DFi are going for our honeymoon next september and we are doing the land and sea package and are staying at the poly and i have been thinking about upgrading since it is our honeymoon i figure its gonna be the only trip where it fits to splurge.

 

[ReneeDisney]

I would also like to know if it is worth the price? Me and my DFi are going for our honeymoon next september and we are doing the land and sea package and are staying at the poly and i have been thinking about upgrading since it is our honeymoon i figure its gonna be the only trip where it fits to splurge.

For your honeymoon, I say splurge! The Poly Concierge is wonderful. The lounge, the snacks and the cast members are great. We are returning to the Poly this January, but sadly not doing the concierge level this time, as we just stayed there in April. It is so wonderful!
Congrats on the marriage!!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

For your honeymoon, I say splurge! The Poly Concierge is wonderful. The lounge, the snacks and the cast members are great. We are returning to the Poly this January, but sadly not doing the concierge level this time, as we just stayed there in April. It is so wonderful!
Congrats on the marriage!!

I agree with everything you said.

 

[mmmears]

I agree -- it's your honeymoon, so splurge if you can. It's nice to have the breakfast and snacks and drinks all day. Plus you'll have the IPO office to help with your planning.

It really just depends how much you think it's worth... We dont always stay CL, but we do when we want to feel pampered.

 

[disney honeymooners]

do i just call and tell them i want to upgrade to CL? or would that be something we could do when we check in? i know they aren't as busy in september as they are the rest of the year but i don't want to wait to long but i also know that i can use our Disney Honeymoon Registry Gift card to upgrade i wanted to try and wait til we had more money on it before i upgraded us. Thank You for all the advice so far.

 

[mmmears]

I wouldn't wait until check-in. Your chances of getting it are questionable. I would call as soon as you can (or makes sense payment-wise, I dont know how it works with the registry card). You dont need to pay for a room package until 45 days before the trip. I would guess that you have time between now and Sept, but you never know.