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

[FeeFeeWhite]

Yes, there are cookies, pretzels, goldfish crackers, popcorn, etc.. out at those in-b/w times.. along with drinks.

I can't see how those who get there after 10pm can complain, as it clearly states that it ends at 10 pm.. you know?
From what i have seen the CM's do a great job keeping up with the food.
But, man, i have seen some VULTURES there at 5pm, you would think some of these people have never eaten. and they can be rude!! I try to wait til 5:30-6:00 to go - much less crowded. Or i go at 5 and get my wine and sit down and watch the vulture show!!

Club works so well for us. We like our big meal at lunch while we are in the parks. Some of the clubs robe off the drinks during down times, but most will get you something if you ask.

Also I am doing the Princess 5K as I see you are doing the 1/2!

 

[Singinglizzie]

We have two rooms booked for this fall. I made the ressies a few weeks ago. Does anyone know when IPO will contact me?

I dont know that it is an "automatic" that they wil contact you. I found their email address on the concierge link on this board, emailed them and they were very attentive and took care of our requests. They were even able to make a few ADR;s that we couldn't get. I would suggest you go ahead email them or you can also call, and let them know how they can be of assistance to you. Enjoy your trip.

 

[misslissa]

Just learned that "The Big Hawaiian Guy" is no longer entertaining nightly at the Tambu Lg. What a drag! I complained to the management and they suggested we all submit our thoughts on the matter to WDW dot guest communications dot disneyworld dot com. Budget cuts killed Kalao's contract renewal...we'll miss his talent and heart. He made the dinner evenings at the Poly very special...Aloha all!

Welcome back!

Did you happen to notice if they have any new refillable mugs out? From the last reports, it seems that they still have the Year of a Million Dreams ones at the resorts...

 

[urbanmama]

Hi everyone, this is my very first post. I hope I'm not breaking any rules with it! My family is staying at the Poly in early February for four nights/five days. We've never stayed overnight before (well, I did once in 1985 or so, but it was off-site and I can't even remember where), and we're very excited. As a newbie to staying at the resort, I was hoping some of you experts could answer some of my questions :

1. Refillable Mugs: My husband and I think it will be worth it to get the mugs, since we only have to refill about three times a day to make it economical. My question is this: do most people carry the mugs around with them at the parks just so they have them on-hand when they return to their resorts, or do they keep them in their rooms? If we lug them around, the only thing we could refill them with at the parks is water-fountain water, so we're not sure what the usual protocol is!

2. Park Hopping: I know it's easy to hop from MK to Epcot, but what about to HS or AK? How long does it take to go from Poly to AK or Poly to HS? Are the buses at the resort or at the MK?

3. Longhouse requests: Many of you have used the fax and call system about 4-5 before arrival, but another site said the only request that works is the note with your initial reservation. Since we didn't request a particular longhouse with our reservation, are we plumb out of luck?

4. Resort Dining: Ohana is completely booked except for 9:40 or so seatings, and that's way too late for our family (kids will be 7, 4 and 11 months) during the trip, so we've made reservations at Kona Cafe (we love Kona coffee) for breakfast a couple of days. Should we keep calling to see if Ohana opens up a time? On another note, is the coffee at the refillable station any good?

5. Stroller to/from Resort: I'm a big babywearer, so I will be carrying our baby in a sling/soft backpack, but I'm not sure about my 4-year-old's stamina. I'd prefer to rent a stroller from the park than risk taking our own (I've read several posts about people "losing" theirs to other visitors). Is the walk t/f the monorail short enough to expect our daughter to walk it without complaints of "I'm tired!"?

Thanks in advance to anyone/everyone who can help a mama out!

 

[urbanmama]

Apologies for accidental double post!

 

[mickey2minnie1]

Do a double stroller. It is sooooo worth the money. My 5 year old loved it. it kept her from having to deal with the crowds. At one point, my 10 year old got in with her, lol. It gives exrta room for sleeping and bags you are carrying. You can also pay up front for more than a couple of days and get a discount. Strollers are a must. Tie a colored bandana around it to pick it up at the end of a ride and to help others from taking the wrong one.

Keep calling for the ressie. Chef Mickeys is a must as well. Great character interaction and a monorail hop around to the CR next door.

Request Tokelau for extra room and being central to the resort.

 

[mmmears]

I dont know that it is an "automatic" that they wil contact you. I found their email address on the concierge link on this board, emailed them and they were very attentive and took care of our requests. They were even able to make a few ADR;s that we couldn't get. I would suggest you go ahead email them or you can also call, and let them know how they can be of assistance to you. Enjoy your trip.

Yes, they are supposed to contact you a certain number of days before your arrival. But many of us just email or call them when we're ready to give them our requests (dining, etc.). I never count on them contacting me, since I think it's just so easy for them to miss a reservation here or there. I will say that the Poly IPO team has initiated contact pretty quickly after I make my reservations through CRO.

 

[BCV23]

urbanmama, welcome to the DIS!

1. We don't bother taking mugs to the parks. The Polynesian isn't that big and the grounds are so lovely that it is a pleasure to stroll them on the way to Captain Cook's. But there is no set protocol...just figure out what works for your family. But you're right....the mugs can't be used at the parks other than to fill with water.

2. We almost always drive to DAK and DHS but if you take the bus, there are two options....riding a shred bus that leaves from the bus stop at the Polynesian or walking to the TTC and hopping a direct bus to those two parks. There are no buses to other parks from the MK itself.

3. Go ahead and call if you want to add a request to your initial reservation. Until it goes over to the resort, it won't matter if you add it a year out or 30 days...it's still your initial reservation. I don't know if faxes matter...we've never sent one.

4. I would try for 'Ohana once you're at the resort....just go to the lobby concierge. Kona is great by the way for all three meals including the coffee.

5. The walk to pick up a stroller is easy for a 4 yo IMO. Down the monorail ramp, through security and over to pick one up. In fact, earlier this month, I saw CMs renting strollers outside security...not sure if that's a trial or what. We're way past stroller stage.

 

[PiperGirlInWondrland]

Exactly. Which is why we like taking the boat launch whever possible to the MK. No stop at the GF.

This may be somewhere already but I was just wondering approximately how long it takes for the boat to get from the Poly to the MK? We will be staying there for the first time this year and I would like to get an idea of how long it will take to get to the parks in case we have ADR's there. Thank you so much for all of the great information in this thread, we can't wait!

 

[GSLand]

When we came back to the room mid afternoon we were able to get beers at the CL lounge. Great service too! The staff at the CL lounge made our visit sooo pleasant and relaxing.

 

[BCV23]

This may be somewhere already but I was just wondering approximately how long it takes for the boat to get from the Poly to the MK? We will be staying there for the first time this year and I would like to get an idea of how long it will take to get to the parks in case we have ADR's there. Thank you so much for all of the great information in this thread, we can't wait!

I've never timed the launch ride but it is quick....maybe 6 or 7 minutes. I have timed the ferry which made the crossing in 5 minutes.

Of course once at the dock, you must go through security and the turnstiles as well as walk to the restaurant.

Happy planning!

 

[PolyAddict]

When we came back to the room mid afternoon we were able to get beers at the CL lounge. Great service too! The staff at the CL lounge made our visit sooo pleasant and relaxing.

thanks for the info.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Just wanted to share some pictures of the Polynesian. We love this hotel, it's probably our second favorite WDW resort behind Grand Floridian.

 

[Piglets Mommy]

DonaldDoleWhip, Thanks for those pics! I so wish I was there in that beautiful Disney Tropical Paradise instead of freezing here in PA!!!!

Are they all recent??? I noticed people swinmming in the lagoon, but I thought you couldn't do that anymore.

 

[Brooklyn]

DonaldDoleWhip, Thanks for those pics! I so wish I was there in that beautiful Disney Tropical Paradise instead of freezing here in PA!!!!

Are they all recent??? I noticed people swinmming in the lagoon, but I thought you couldn't do that anymore.

I was wondering the same thing!

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

All of these pictures are from 2008 (the earliest pics are from January, the newest are from last month, and some are from May).

As for the people in the lagoon, you're right that people aren't supposed to be swimming in it. I don't think it's a big deal to splash around on the shore, as long as you're not fully "swimming" in the water.

 

[SeaSpray]

DonaldDoleWhip: EXCELLENT pictures, thanks!!


As for people swimming in the lagoon - They do it all the time, even though there are signs posted right in the water, saying to NOT swim in the lagoon. It doesn't even look clean (it doesn't look polluted, but just not what you'd want to risk getting into your mouth accidently while swimming!!), I don't know why people let their children swim in it.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

As for people swimming in the lagoon - They do it all the time, even though there are signs posted right in the water, saying to NOT swim in the lagoon. It doesn't even look clean (it doesn't look polluted, but just not what you'd want to risk getting into your mouth accidently while swimming!!), I don't know why people let their children swim in it.

I think that's actually one of the main reasons why you aren't allowed to swim. There's a deadly amoeba that lives in Central Florida lakes, and I assume that WDW isn't resistant.

 

[jj4]

There is no swimming in the lagoons. Several years ago, or more like 12 or 13 years ago, a little boy died after swimming at Disney. He died after the amoeba entered his body through the ears and/or nose if I remember correctly and then goes to the brain. Not something to fool around with. Not to mention there have been alligators spotted in the lakes and lagoons at Disney. The amoeba apparently can be found in the lakes in Florida. Same might be said of the alligators.
Three young boys died, not at Disney but in the Orlando area in 2007, after swimming in lakes there. This amoeba is deadly!

 

[megveg]

I've never seen the resort launch run between only the Polynesian and the Magic Kingdom, but I guess it's not impossible that it happened

The pool is basically open 24 hours a day. The lifeguards are usually only on duty until around 10pm, sometimes earlier during the winter months. I'm not sure if the jets would be running because I know that they close down the slide and turn the waterfall off when the lifeguards leave for the night. It'll be fun no matter what!

anyone have pictures of the bubble jets? the DBF asked hes intrigued and so am i