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

[two*little*birds]

Any hints/tips on what NOT to miss at the Poly? Our DC are 5 and 7, and we'll be there for 7 nights.

 

[Rachel77]

For going to AK for morning EMH - what is the best way to get there from the Poly? Would it be quicker to walk to TTC and take a bus from there to AK, or is best just to take a bus from the Poly? This is our first time with EMH, so I'm pretty clueless with what is running in the early mornings.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[mmmears]

Well not so lucky me when my DH finds out!

Are you packed yet? We live in Michigan so it's easy to take the summer stuff the kids can't wear yet and just pack them. I know it's an unfair advantage.

OK -- all packed now! DH is grumpy, though, since he hates packing. That's why I'm doing it so early, so he wont be grumpy when we actually go! Packing was extra-hard this time -- no room for extra shoes , but I'm so excited!!!

How many people here are going Easter week? me, kaffinito, kandcmch... anyone else?

 

[mmmears]

We just booked the POLY!

7 night stay, garden view room, dining plan & tickets!

Yay! I hope you guys have a great time!

 

[CleveRocks]

For going to AK for morning EMH - what is the best way to get there from the Poly? Would it be quicker to walk to TTC and take a bus from there to AK, or is best just to take a bus from the Poly? This is our first time with EMH, so I'm pretty clueless with what is running in the early mornings.

Thanks for any advice!

In my opinion, it totally depends on where your room is. If your room is closer to the TTC than to the Poly bus stop, then walk to the TTC and catch the AK bus there. We did that twice.

For going back to Poly from AK and from Disney's Hollywood Studios, we were lucky that the TTC bus slot and the Poly bus slot were near enough to each other that we could simply get on whichever bus came first.

 

[johnsonet]

I am staying poly club level and have a couple questions - is there an empty fridge in room or just minibar and can u take treats or food to go fron club to eat later or is that frowned upon? Thanks

Hi. Yes, you will have a fridge in your room. No minibar. Yes you can take things from the lounge to store in your fridge.

Hi Poly friends!

Well we slept on it and as far as I was concrned I wanted to keep my TPV but I was out voted by DH and DD. They wanted Club Level...really, how could I be disappointed???

Congratulations. You will love staying club level at the Poly. i LOVE Hawaii Bldg

The castle view pictures are making me drool. Does anyone know, if I upgrade my ressie to a castle view room do I have to make a whole new ressie and thus all new ADRs, or can I just pay the difference--assuming it's available--and keep my current ressie?

If you decide to upgrade to theme park view, and it is available for your dates, then you will simply have to pay the difference in the cost of the one night's deposit (this is the case for Room Only reservations - I'm not familiar w/ how packages work*). Your reservation number will stay the same. And your ADR's are separate and just connected to the phone number and name you've given them...

Well not so lucky me when my DH finds out!

...My hubby on the other hand is not doing anything. I am alittle irritated since he does not seem as excited as my daughter and I. I made most of the plans. I did have to convince him to stay at a resort he always wanted to stay and that was the Poly. I guess I thought he would bouncing off the walls like us. Hopefully by next weekend he will get excited...

Not everybody "gets" it But sounds as though you've got a great trip planned!

We just booked the POLY!

7 night stay, garden view room, dining plan & tickets!

Congrats!

Any hints/tips on what NOT to miss at the Poly? Our DC are 5 and 7, and we'll be there for 7 nights.

I would say, don't miss taking time to enjoy the resort (pools and beach, for example). My daughter (12) says "the slide", I say check your list of recreation activities in your welcome packet and plan on taking your kids to some of them - tiki mask painting (although I noticed last month it's gone up to $20!), arts and crafts, Coloring/cartoons in the lobby (directly to the left when you enter the lobby's from bus/parking), just SOAK up the wonderful Poly atmosphere

For going to AK for morning EMH - what is the best way to get there from the Poly? Would it be quicker to walk to TTC and take a bus from there to AK, or is best just to take a bus from the Poly? This is our first time with EMH, so I'm pretty clueless with what is running in the early mornings.

Thanks for any advice!

You know, that's a good question. I'll be interested to hear what advice you're given... I think, for me, it would depend on what longhouse I was in...

OK -- all packed now!

I can't believe it!! You're almost there. I'm dying to hear how you like your resorts

 

[kaffinito]

OK -- all packed now! DH is grumpy, though, since he hates packing. That's why I'm doing it so early, so he wont be grumpy when we actually go! Packing was extra-hard this time -- no room for extra shoes , but I'm so excited!!!

How many people here are going Easter week? me, kaffinito, kandcmch... anyone else?

It's rough when you can't pack extra shoes! I usually pack a few pairs then only ever wear one.

For Easter week I know of the aforementioned three above and Luvamouse too! There should be four of us all together that I know of...

I have one more question - is Captain Cooks really open 24 hours? I know the grill closes at 11:00 but was wondering if I could fill up my refillable mug later on at night.

 

[johnsonet]

I have one more question - is Captain Cooks really open 24 hours? I know the grill closes at 11:00 but was wondering if I could fill up my refillable mug later on at night.

Yes it is! I have the newsletter/"Directory of services" in front of me and, re. CC, it says:

"A 24-hour walk-up counter cafe on the first floor of the Great Ceremonial House. Features include egg sandwiches, bakery bar, hamburgers, pizza, hot/cold sandwiches, salads and snacks. Grill hours are 6:30am - 11pm"

 

[bonnielynn]

We are staying at the club level at poly for the very first time... leaving this thur!!

 

[tinkarooni]

We are booked for Free Dining! and going in September. Who can give me some advice as to the best Garden View room. I have two kids 10 and 8, DH and me. We do want to be in a quiet area but try to not be too far of a walk to the Great Ceremonial house while still minimizing the walk to the TTC. I don't think we have any chance of being close to the Lagoon with all of these demands but I will take any advice you guys can give. Last year we stayed WL and the dissers helped me name the best room there, which we requested and received. What great luck! Thanks for all your help, I am learning tons on this thread!

 

[Rachel77]

In my opinion, it totally depends on where your room is. If your room is closer to the TTC than to the Poly bus stop, then walk to the TTC and catch the AK bus there. We did that twice.

For going back to Poly from AK and from Disney's Hollywood Studios, we were lucky that the TTC bus slot and the Poly bus slot were near enough to each other that we could simply get on whichever bus came first.

Thanks CleveRocks!

 

[mmmears]

We are staying at the club level at poly for the very first time... leaving this thur!!

We'll be there for the first time in a couple weeks! Hope you enjoy the Poly and the lounge!

 

[mmmears]

Johnsonet,

Thanks for all your advice & encouragement! My DD loves to rate hotel pool slides -- I do hope she likes this one! Her only disappointment about not staying at the YC again is missing the pool & slide there.

 

[kaffinito]

In my opinion, it totally depends on where your room is. If your room is closer to the TTC than to the Poly bus stop, then walk to the TTC and catch the AK bus there. We did that twice.

For going back to Poly from AK and from Disney's Hollywood Studios, we were lucky that the TTC bus slot and the Poly bus slot were near enough to each other that we could simply get on whichever bus came first.

That's great advice! I'm going to copy that onto my "cheat sheet" so I don't forget it. It's going to be wonderful having all of those transportation options.

Yes it is! I have the newsletter/"Directory of services" in front of me and, re. CC, it says:

"A 24-hour walk-up counter cafe on the first floor of the Great Ceremonial House. Features include egg sandwiches, bakery bar, hamburgers, pizza, hot/cold sandwiches, salads and snacks. Grill hours are 6:30am - 11pm"

Thank you! Now I can have my Disney Coffee all day (and night) long! I have a bad feeling the Poly is going to spoil me forever!

We are staying at the club level at poly for the very first time... leaving this thur!!

Oh, lucky you! Hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[mmmears]

For going back to Poly from AK and from Disney's Hollywood Studios, we were lucky that the TTC bus slot and the Poly bus slot were near enough to each other that we could simply get on whichever bus came first.

That is so great to know! I was wondering which line would be better to stand in -- now I know I can go to whichever one has a bus! Thanks so much for the information. I haven't been on a Disney bus in over 10 years, but well be on them this trip for sure.

 

[BreezysMom]

My house has been buzzing with Disney talk today since we booked. Since this is our 3rd visit to the Poly and the fact that we are staying CL I love not having the "which Longhouse" anxiety and all the other unknowns.

But I would like some feedback regarding one issue. DH and DD really want to do the Spirit of Aloha show. I have heard some differing reviews and do I really want to use 2 TS on it? I have been out voted a lot so far on this trip. I liked it better when I did all the planning and they just followed along...I guess they are up on their Disney knowledge as well.

This time I think we will make our way over to DAK. It is the one park we have not visited yet and only spent one day at DHS last trip so we are definately going to try a bit more this trip. DD is not scared of anything anymore. Oh yea for Mom, her ride companion

 

[lissiesmum]

monorail questions for you...we visited the Poly in Sept to walk around and I remember the monorail going from the CR, TTC, Poly, GF, MK then back to CR again. Is there a monorail that goes the other way towards the TTC and EPCOT? Just curious if I get a room in Fiji and board at the GCH, do you have to loop around the whole loop to get to the TTC, or is there one that goes in the opposite direction to the TTC then EPCOT?

Also, just a funny note, I did end up requesting Fiji because I really want to be close to the water, and when I got my new ressie info via email, the CM wrote that I requested the "Figi house". How can you be a Disney CM and not be familiar? At first I said I wanted to request a longhouse and she said ok, you're all set. And I said, "but I didn't tell you which one I wanted yet!" and then she said, "oh, ok?" So my request is Figi. I assume they'll know at checkin what I meant

 

[mmmears]

My house has been buzzing with Disney talk today since we booked. Since this is our 3rd visit to the Poly and the fact that we are staying CL I love not having the "which Longhouse" anxiety and all the other unknowns.

But I would like some feedback regarding one issue. DH and DD really want to do the Spirit of Aloha show. I have heard some differing reviews and do I really want to use 2 TS on it? I have been out voted a lot so far on this trip. I liked it better when I did all the planning and they just followed along...I guess they are up on their Disney knowledge as well.

This time I think we will make our way over to DAK. It is the one park we have not visited yet and only spent one day at DHS last trip so we are definately going to try a bit more this trip. DD is not scared of anything anymore. Oh yea for Mom, her ride companion

I love that about the club level, too -- at least we know which building we'll be staying in. The large number of buildings and the fact that they are so spread out made me iffy about trying out the Poly before. (I'm sure it would be fine anyway, but since I'm the planner of the family, I get to worry, too).

Never been to the SOA show. We mostly vacation in Hawaii, so we've sorta "been there, done that" when it comes to luaus.

Definitely go to AK!!! It's an amazing park and definitely worth your time. Afterwards, you could go to dinner at Boma's (we loved it) or Jiko's (highly rated). They are both at AKL, which is another place that's worth a visit.

Sorry you're getting outvoted on this trip. I usually make the decisions, too, but my DH & DD had some definite ideas about this trip (including staying at the Poly). I like that they are taking more of an interest in the planning this time, although I still get to be the one to call CRO and wait on hold for an hour!

 

[lissiesmum]

uh oh! (me again). I just decided on Fiji but was looking at all of the posts on page one of this thread and saw that there are no balconies in Fiji? I thought it was just the second floor that had no balconies? Could you tell me which other longhouses have no balconies. I'm a single mom traveling with my DD and requested an upper floor, but it's nice to have a balcony to sit on after my DD falls asleep...TIA for your help

 

[brentalex]

monorail questions for you...we visited the Poly in Sept to walk around and I remember the monorail going from the CR, TTC, Poly, GF, MK then back to CR again. Is there a monorail that goes the other way towards the TTC and EPCOT? Just curious if I get a room in Fiji and board at the GCH, do you have to loop around the whole loop to get to the TTC, or is there one that goes in the opposite direction to the TTC then EPCOT?

There is a monorail that goes in the opposite direction, but it does not stop at the resorts. That is the MK express, only stops at the TTC and the MK. If you want to go to Epcot, there is a walkway to the TTC from the Poly and you should just walk there to get the Epcot monorail.