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

[Kimi313]

Yeah, but can't you just lean your head back, right under the valves, and turn when nobody's lookin'? Like late at night - and probably after a full day with kids in the hot sun?

Just promise you will have someone take a picture of this!

 

[Picabo]

We'll be staying there for the first time EVER Dec 5-13th! I've been to Disney several times growing up, but haven't been there in over 8 yrs now and have never been with kids. So I've never even used a hopper ticket before. I can't decide to get one or not. We'll be there 8 nts and have 2 kids under age 4. So that is why we chose the Poly - so we'd be close by monorail to MK (where we plan to spend most of our time) and Epcot. We'll do one day at AK and one at HS.

My THINKING is that it'd be nice to have the hopper so we can go to Epcot in the evenings for dinner in WS area. But now I'm wondering if it's worth the $50 hopper option for 3 tickets to be able to eat there.

So those who are Poly pros, do you normally get the hoppers since getting in and out of MK and EPCOT is so easy in the evenings?? And how long does it actually take by monorail to get to both of those places from Poly?

THANKS!

 

[GoingtoWDWagain]

Great to hear they have the Dole Whip machines we really enjoy those.

What about the creamy pina colada's, not the pina colova, the creamy ones you get while waiting for your table at O'hana's and/or Kona? Please tell me they still serve those

 

[CleveRocks]

Don't forget you first need to order the Dole Whip on the self serve kiosk, then you would pay for it at the cash and then get the cup from there to fill it up.

Excellent point!

 

[sandym718]

We'll be staying there for the first time EVER Dec 5-13th! I've been to Disney several times growing up, but haven't been there in over 8 yrs now and have never been with kids. So I've never even used a hopper ticket before. I can't decide to get one or not. We'll be there 8 nts and have 2 kids under age 4. So that is why we chose the Poly - so we'd be close by monorail to MK (where we plan to spend most of our time) and Epcot. We'll do one day at AK and one at HS.

My THINKING is that it'd be nice to have the hopper so we can go to Epcot in the evenings for dinner in WS area. But now I'm wondering if it's worth the $50 hopper option for 3 tickets to be able to eat there.

So those who are Poly pros, do you normally get the hoppers since getting in and out of MK and EPCOT is so easy in the evenings?? And how long does it actually take by monorail to get to both of those places from Poly?

THANKS!

We get the hopper, but we also take a mid-day break EVERY day. And then we're free to go where we want (for dinner and more touring) later in the day. I wouldn't want to be locked into going back to the same park.

If you don't take a break, I guess it pays to really look at where you want to eat and what parks you're visiting. If you have 4 Epcot restaurants on a 5 day trip, and want to see all the parks, the hopper is a no-brainer. But if you can work it (without stress) to do 1 park per day, then you can save some $$ I guess.

We just love the hoppers - also adds more freedom to "changing your mind" on a day or whatever.

 

[Aliceacc]

We'll be staying there for the first time EVER Dec 5-13th! I've been to Disney several times growing up, but haven't been there in over 8 yrs now and have never been with kids. So I've never even used a hopper ticket before. I can't decide to get one or not. We'll be there 8 nts and have 2 kids under age 4. So that is why we chose the Poly - so we'd be close by monorail to MK (where we plan to spend most of our time) and Epcot. We'll do one day at AK and one at HS.

My THINKING is that it'd be nice to have the hopper so we can go to Epcot in the evenings for dinner in WS area. But now I'm wondering if it's worth the $50 hopper option for 3 tickets to be able to eat there.

So those who are Poly pros, do you normally get the hoppers since getting in and out of MK and EPCOT is so easy in the evenings?? And how long does it actually take by monorail to get to both of those places from Poly?

THANKS!

I'm no pro, but we are returning to the Poly after last summer's delightful experience

First, the times: it probably takes 5-8 minutes to the MK via monorail. Epcot is a bit longer: you walk to the TTC (it was about 5 minutes from our room in the Tokelau longouse) then catch a 15(?) minute monorail to Epcot. But keep in mind: the monorail itself is an incredibly cool ride!

I love the whole parkhopper concept. It allowed us to make dinner reservations where we wanted, as opposed to making them where we anticipated being. So an indordinate number of our ADRs were in Epcot, even though my kids are more of a MK crew.

And my favorite parkhopper story: Last year we left the Poly one sunny morning, headed for the Animal Kingdom. We got there, did the safari, then got pleasurable soaked on Kali River Rapids. (it was August, so the shower was refreshing.) Ten minutes later, the weather changed for the day. It became cold and windy and rainy, and we simply never dried off. All 5 of us were soon miserable.

We went back to the Poly, changed, and hit Epcot for the remainder of the day. Those parkhoppers saved the day!

If you're not sure, set the money aside but don't purchase parkhoppers until you need them. YOu can always add them on to your tickets. The price won't change, but it's conceivable that you'll find you don't need them.

As for us, we've already ordered ours.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

We'll be staying there for the first time EVER Dec 5-13th! I've been to Disney several times growing up, but haven't been there in over 8 yrs now and have never been with kids. So I've never even used a hopper ticket before. I can't decide to get one or not. We'll be there 8 nts and have 2 kids under age 4. So that is why we chose the Poly - so we'd be close by monorail to MK (where we plan to spend most of our time) and Epcot. We'll do one day at AK and one at HS.

My THINKING is that it'd be nice to have the hopper so we can go to Epcot in the evenings for dinner in WS area. But now I'm wondering if it's worth the $50 hopper option for 3 tickets to be able to eat there.

So those who are Poly pros, do you normally get the hoppers since getting in and out of MK and EPCOT is so easy in the evenings?? And how long does it actually take by monorail to get to both of those places from Poly?

THANKS!

We love the park hopper tickets. We usually spend half a day in a park, come back to the hotel to swim, and often head to another park for dinner or rides. We like to go over to MK in the evenings to ride in Fantasyland while everyone is staking their spot for the fireworks. There is little to no wait for these rides during that last hour. We never go to Fantasyland during the day now. It's also nice because those rides are easy on the tummy after dinner

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Epcot is a bit longer: you walk to the TTC (it was about 5 minutes from our room in the Tokelau longouse) then catch a 15(?) minute monorail to Epcot. But keep in mind: the monorail itself is an incredibly cool ride!

Actually, the monorail ride to Epcot is only 8-9 minutes. Not a long trip at all (once you get to the TTC)!

 

[Aliceacc]

Actually, the monorail ride to Epcot is only 8-9 minutes. Not a long trip at all (once you get to the TTC)!

Even better Sorry, late wedding last night. I'm barely coherent.

 

[JoanneNC]

We'll be staying there for the first time EVER Dec 5-13th! I've been to Disney several times growing up, but haven't been there in over 8 yrs now and have never been with kids. So I've never even used a hopper ticket before. I can't decide to get one or not. We'll be there 8 nts and have 2 kids under age 4. So that is why we chose the Poly - so we'd be close by monorail to MK (where we plan to spend most of our time) and Epcot. We'll do one day at AK and one at HS.

My THINKING is that it'd be nice to have the hopper so we can go to Epcot in the evenings for dinner in WS area. But now I'm wondering if it's worth the $50 hopper option for 3 tickets to be able to eat there.

So those who are Poly pros, do you normally get the hoppers since getting in and out of MK and EPCOT is so easy in the evenings?? And how long does it actually take by monorail to get to both of those places from Poly?

THANKS!

We will be there from the 5th through the 12th.. It will also be our 1st Poly stay. We always get the hoppers as an insurance to the ultimate flexibility and freedom.

 

[BCV23]

Another fan of the flexibility of hoppers or APs especially at the Polynesian. Transportation is so easy and fun that it seems a shame to not break up the day.

 

[Picabo]

THANKS for all the responses about the hoppers! Yes, there is a bunch of eating to be done in Epcot and that is my numero uno reason that I'm leaning towards having the hoppers. So I guess we'll just "go for it".

NOW has anyone been to MVMCP and do you think THAT Is worth the expense?

We will be there from the 5th through the 12th.. It will also be our 1st Poly stay. We always get the hoppers as an insurance to the ultimate flexibility and freedom.

How cool - you'll be there at the same time!

 

[sndral]

Ok, I did it - booked the poly 2 gv rms (plus hoppers and dinning) 7 nights starting 11/29.
I've read and read, but still have questions. I've only had dinner one night @ Ohanas. Could someone explain the monorail system, please? There's the resort route which goes to the mk and lets you off in front of the entrance? then there's the epcot monorail which you catch @ the TTC? It lets you off in front of Epcot? Can you take the resort monorail to the TTC, get off and then get on the epcot monorail? And what's this I've read about people having to get off if resort guests are waiting - how/where would that happen? And did I read something about monorail colors being associated w/ particular resorts, or did I just dream that? Oh and the boat @ the marina - goes to mk?

 

[mmmears]

Ok, I did it - booked the poly 2 gv rms (plus hoppers and dinning) 7 nights starting 11/29.
I've read and read, but still have questions. I've only had dinner one night @ Ohanas. Could someone explain the monorail system, please? There's the resort route which goes to the mk and lets you off in front of the entrance? then there's the epcot monorail which you catch @ the TTC? It lets you off in front of Epcot? Can you take the resort monorail to the TTC, get off and then get on the epcot monorail? And what's this I've read about people having to get off if resort guests are waiting - how/where would that happen? And did I read something about monorail colors being associated w/ particular resorts, or did I just dream that? Oh and the boat @ the marina - goes to mk?

Congrats on booking the Poly!

Boats -- there is a resort launch that goes Poly -- MK -- GF round trip all day. There is also a big ferry that goes from the TTC to the MK.

Monorail -- the resort monorail goes MK -- CR -- TTC -- Poly -- GF round trip all day long.
The Epcot monorail goes from the TTC to Epcot.

Yes, you can take the resort monorail to the TTC and then transfer monorails to the Epcot line. However, this does take a bit of time and it would be much faster to just walk on over to the TTC if you dont mind the walk.

I dont know about the monorail colors, so I cant help you there. And I've never seen people getting kicked off the monorails. There is a separate monorail line for people not staying at the 3 monorail resorts -- it goes TTC -- MK and return. (Just because I haven't seen it doesn't mean it doesn't happen, though!)

 

[Maxie86]

Ok, I did it - booked the poly 2 gv rms (plus hoppers and dinning) 7 nights starting 11/29.
I've read and read, but still have questions. I've only had dinner one night @ Ohanas. Could someone explain the monorail system, please? There's the resort route which goes to the mk and lets you off in front of the entrance? then there's the epcot monorail which you catch @ the TTC? It lets you off in front of Epcot? Can you take the resort monorail to the TTC, get off and then get on the epcot monorail? And what's this I've read about people having to get off if resort guests are waiting - how/where would that happen? And did I read something about monorail colors being associated w/ particular resorts, or did I just dream that? Oh and the boat @ the marina - goes to mk?

mmmears answered about the monorail routes. I have never seen anyone kicked off of the monorail. I can't imagine they would do that. I have never seen it so full at a resort that you couldn't get on, and if it was you just wait for the next one. As far as I know the colors are just used for identification, has nothing to do with the resorts.

 

[BCV23]

I think the Polynesian's color is gold, isn't it? I think the way it works (if they're still doing it this way) is that each resort has its designated color. If guests of the Polynesian have requested the front of the monorail and the gold monorail pulls into the resort with other guests in the front, they need to move to the regular cars so the Polynesian guests can have the front.

I've personally never seen that happen.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

And what's this I've read about people having to get off if resort guests are waiting - how/where would that happen?

In all of my visits to WDW I have never seen this happen. Monorails can be full during peak times and if one is particularly full, another one will come by shortly. Usually the Monorail CMs are very good at letting you know when the next one will arrive.

And did I read something about monorail colors being associated w/ particular resorts, or did I just dream that? Oh and the boat @ the marina - goes to mk?

Monorail colors are so that specific monorails can be identified, not for a particular resort. This way they can keep tabs on where a monorail is, what route it is on, etc. And yes, the boat at the marina goes to the MK. Keep in mind it may have passengers from the GF as it stops there first before stopping at the Poly on the way to the MK.

Isn't having the Poly booked exciting?

 

[tarak]

We stayed at the Poly in April of 2007 and decided to go to the WL last December. We have young kids (5, 4 and 1). The boat was nice, but my husband is adamant that we stay at a resort attached to the monorail next time. So the plan is to have a grand gathering with our family, my sister and BIL and some friends the first week of Dec. 2010. My older daughter thought the Poly was much nicer than the WL. And if the kids are happy, we're happy, so that's where we plan to stay. We'll need the next 20 months to save, I think.

 

[risingsunmom]

We will be at the Poly in May. We have 8:05 am ADR's at Tusker House and Hollywood and Vine. What is the earlies bus to Animal Kingdom and DHS? I would like to arrive at the parks no later than 7:30.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

We will be at the Poly in May. We have 8:05 am ADR's at Tusker House and Hollywood and Vine. What is the earlies bus to Animal Kingdom and DHS? I would like to arrive at the parks no later than 7:30.

The buses start between 6:15 AM and 6:30 AM.