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

[mmmears]

I have a question about the bus that goes to TL and DTD. After an early morning at TL (we'll take a taxi there since it will too early for the busses), we'd like to go to DTD and check it out and maybe have lunch at T-Rex.

Does anyone know the order that the bus takes? Is it Poly--TL--DTD (which would work out great for us to get to DTD) or is it Poly--DTD--TL (which would mean we'd have to find another way of getting to DTD).

Hopes this makes sense...

So, nobody knows the answer to this, or did I just ask it too late last night? I asked the IPO office and the CM I was talking to didn't know the answer either! Guess we'll have to find the bus and ask the driver...

 

[sandym718]

We also bring our white noise machine along. DD uses it at home, has since she was a baby! I bought it in the baby section at Target 5 years ago for only about $15. She's a light sleeper so it helps her not be disturbed by other house noises. We like taking it along to Disney or other vacations, helps us all sleep well!

 

[LJD2143]

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?

We attended the Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show in Sept. 2007. But I know exactly what you mean about the DIFFERING reviews. That worried me a little when I was trying to decide too.

The determining factors for me were:

• We did not see it the year before, even though the kids wanted to;
• My 3 boys REALLY wanted to see it;
• We enjoy Lilo & Stitch - some of the music is in the Show;
• When you stay at the Poly you always see people attending the Show - and you feel left out it you've never experienced it;
• I read many, many reviews. Mostly, the negative comments did not apply to my family or our expectations;
• IMO: 2TS credits = 1 for dinner and 1 for Show.
• I did not mind using 2TS, because then we had one free day, not tied to any ADRs.
• The Fire Dancer is a Must-See!

We won't do it again, but I am definitely glad we did it once!

 

[maiapapaya]

*does excited happy dance* ALMOST A YEAR AWAY!!!!!!

Us too! Following this thread can be a little torturous though since it makes me want to go NOW!

 

[mmmears]

*does excited happy dance* ALMOST A YEAR AWAY!!!!!!

Don't worry! We started planning our trip about 10 months ago, too, and now it's just around the corner! With all the planning and research (and keeping up with the new things that keep popping up), the time really flies!

 

[mmmears]

Us too! Following this thread can be a little torturous though since it makes me want to go NOW!

I know that feeling... but it also helps to make me realize that my turn is coming, too!

 

[johnsonet]

So, nobody knows the answer to this, or did I just ask it too late last night? I asked the IPO office and the CM I was talking to didn't know the answer either! Guess we'll have to find the bus and ask the driver...

Hey mmmears!
I just did a search for this on allearnet. I am not sure of the answer to your question BUT I found a review from 2007 that describes the bus from Poly as going first to GF then 2 stops at DTD and THEN to TL... (scroll to the very bottom)

http://land.allears.net/reviewpost/showproduct.php?product=18&cpage=8

 

[mmmears]

Hey mmmears!
I just did a search for this on allearnet. I am not sure of the answer to your question BUT I found a review from 2007 that describes the bus from Poly as going first to GF then 2 stops at DTD and THEN to TL... (scroll to the very bottom)

http://land.allears.net/reviewpost/showproduct.php?product=18&cpage=8

Thanks! I just read the one you were referencing... Hmmm... we may be spending a lot of money on taxis that day. Wouldn't want to go from TL to the Poly then to DTD. I've also heard that the order can change depending on the time of day. Why is this so confusing? We've always rented a car in the past and drove to the waterparks & DTD, so I haven't had to deal with this.

Thank you so much for finding the info for me!

 

[johnsonet]

Thanks! I just read the one you were referencing... Hmmm... we may be spending a lot of money on taxis that day. Wouldn't want to go from TL to the Poly then to DTD. I've also heard that the order can change depending on the time of day. Why is this so confusing? We've always rented a car in the past and drove to the waterparks & DTD, so I haven't had to deal with this.

Thank you so much for finding the info for me!

I would go for the cab for both It's just not worth being on your vacation if you can help it! Then bus from DTD back to Poly might be fine

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

I have a question about the bus that goes to TL and DTD. After an early morning at TL (we'll take a taxi there since it will too early for the busses), we'd like to go to DTD and check it out and maybe have lunch at T-Rex.

Does anyone know the order that the bus takes? Is it Poly--TL--DTD (which would work out great for us to get to DTD) or is it Poly--DTD--TL (which would mean we'd have to find another way of getting to DTD).

Hopes this makes sense...

To my knowledge all DTD/TL buses go to DTD first. A friend of mine had a similar issue in wanting to go to DTD for lunch after spending the morning at TL. She walked over and does NOT recommond it! She discovered that there are no sidewalks or cross walks close to TL and that even though DTD seems a short distance away it took 25 minutes to walk from TL to Raglan Road

My advise: Take a taxi!

 

[mmmears]

To my knowledge all DTD/TL buses go to DTD first. A friend of mine had a similar issue in wanting to go to DTD for lunch after spending the morning at TL. She walked over and does NOT recommond it! She discovered that there are no sidewalks or cross walks close to TL and that even though DTD seems a short distance away it took 25 minutes to walk from TL to Raglan Road

My advise: Take a taxi!

Thanks for the info. I looked on Google maps yesterday, and it does look like it's not such a close walk. This is going to be one expensive day... maybe we'll just skip DTD.

 

[Octoberbeauty]

Just booked the Poly this morning with free dining! I can't wait to go!!! We thought about staying somewhere else this trip, but just couldn't do it. We love the Poly too much.

 

[lilmissdisney216]

I've already started to plan and what not. Now here comes the time to start trying to save and horde as much money as I can to afford our getaway. I'm trying to decide whether to split our stay between the Poly and WL. DBF is into the wilderness very much and I want to try and please both parties.

 

[Tess]

So, nobody knows the answer to this, or did I just ask it too late last night? I asked the IPO office and the CM I was talking to didn't know the answer either! Guess we'll have to find the bus and ask the driver...

Hey mmmears!
I just did a search for this on allearnet. I am not sure of the answer to your question BUT I found a review from 2007 that describes the bus from Poly as going first to GF then 2 stops at DTD and THEN to TL... (scroll to the very bottom)

http://land.allears.net/reviewpost/showproduct.php?product=18&cpage=8

Thanks! I just read the one you were referencing... Hmmm... we may be spending a lot of money on taxis that day. Wouldn't want to go from TL to the Poly then to DTD. I've also heard that the order can change depending on the time of day. Why is this so confusing? We've always rented a car in the past and drove to the waterparks & DTD, so I haven't had to deal with this.

Thank you so much for finding the info for me!

It looks as if you probably received your answer, but thought I'd just give our personal experience.

We have been going to TL for years rather than BB because we like the coaster rides best. When we've gone, the bus heads from Polynesian to GF and directly to TL. When we have returned, there was no side trip to DTD, just back to the resort.

Now, in the late afternoon when leaving DTD, we've stopped at TL to pick-up around closing time--talk about a fiasco! Waiting and waiting for what seemed an eternity in the closing time traffic (or weather related early closing traffic). . .

Maybe the routing is different in the early a.m. with the bus going from resorts to TL and so forth, but I know on the return trip we did not go to DTD, ever.

Taxis might be your best option from TL to DTD.

 

[byrd328]

Hi

Just wondering if its common practice to reserve your lounge chair by the volcano pool with a towel. I notice some people seem to complain about the lack of seating and the fact that people do this. I just don't want to add to the problem or be without a chair. If so, what time do people generally put their towels out?

Thanks

 

[NJBILL]

Just crunched the numbers, and for us.. the 4/3 deal is better than Free Dining Option announced today.. Could be different for you..Before lunch GArden View rooms were available and after lunch they were not (online) so they must be selling fast.

 

[Belle72]

Just returned last week from a lovely stay at the Poly. It was our first visit there and we are huge Epcot resort fans. I know many look at this site deciding between resorts as I did prior to this trip. We LOVED the resort. The grounds are amazing. We stayed in Tokelau, first floor and thought our room was perfectly located for our needs. I was worried because the room colors are darker than is my style but it fits the theming and we liked it. We thought we wouldn't because we did try Wilderness Lodge a few years ago and it was OK, but really made us miss BC/YC.

Poly's rooms are roomy- a plus with two young children. Loved that we could watch the fireworks on the beach. We only ate breakfast at 'Ohana and it was the favorite of all the character meals. Stitch was extra friendly with my Stitch lovin' 2 yr old ds. Thought Capt. Cooks was very good-we enjoyed getting Dole Whips there. The adult grilled cheese was yummy and the sushi was good too. Our children loved the pool, toddler especially loved the water play area. It is just a very relaxing place to stay.

It was an easy, enjoyable walk to GF where we had character dinner at 1900 Park Faire. We saw Poly guests invited to participate in the campfire/marshmallow roast and movie night there.

Oh and the coffee...so good at Kona Cafe.

BUT...it is not the same as the Epcot resorts if you love to go to Epcot in the evenings as was our usual habit at Disney. The ride on the monorail is crowded (but it is quick) and so not the peaceful walk back to the BC/YC/BW. We tried MK for an evening park because it was so close, but again, you still have to take a monorail which may be crowded and MK is already roped off for the parade so it is not a relaxing stroll around a park like Epcot is for us. We ended up being happier not returning to a park (and a lot of this is because we have DD6 and DS2). I think after the mornings dealing with crowds and lines we prefer not to do that in the evenings.


Loved Poly and would highly recommend the resort.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Just returned last week from a lovely stay at the Poly. It was our first visit there and we are huge Epcot resort fans. I know many look at this site deciding between resorts as I did prior to this trip. We LOVED the resort. The grounds are amazing. We stayed in Tokelau, first floor and thought our room was perfectly located for our needs. I was worried because the room colors are darker than is my style but it fits the theming and we liked it. We thought we wouldn't because we did try Wilderness Lodge a few years ago and it was OK, but really made us miss BC/YC.

Poly's rooms are roomy- a plus with two young children. Loved that we could watch the fireworks on the beach. We only ate breakfast at 'Ohana and it was the favorite of all the character meals. Stitch was extra friendly with my Stitch lovin' 2 yr old ds. Thought Capt. Cooks was very good-we enjoyed getting Dole Whips there. The adult grilled cheese was yummy and the sushi was good too. Our children loved the pool, toddler especially loved the water play area. It is just a very relaxing place to stay.

It was an easy, enjoyable walk to GF where we had character dinner at 1900 Park Faire. We saw Poly guests invited to participate in the campfire/marshmallow roast and movie night there.

Oh and the coffee...so good at Kona Cafe.

BUT...it is not the same as the Epcot resorts if you love to go to Epcot in the evenings as was our usual habit at Disney. The ride on the monorail is crowded (but it is quick) and so not the peaceful walk back to the BC/YC/BW. We tried MK for an evening park because it was so close, but again, you still have to take a monorail which may be crowded and MK is already roped off for the parade so it is not a relaxing stroll around a park like Epcot is for us. We ended up being happier not returning to a park (and a lot of this is because we have DD6 and DS2). I think after the mornings dealing with crowds and lines we prefer not to do that in the evenings.


Loved Poly and would highly recommend the resort.

Thanks for posting your review and it's great you all enjoyed staying there.

 

[Show Me the Magic!]

Hi

Just wondering if its common practice to reserve your lounge chair by the volcano pool with a towel. I notice some people seem to complain about the lack of seating and the fact that people do this. I just don't want to add to the problem or be without a chair. If so, what time do people generally put their towels out?

Thanks

Hi Byrd,

We are planning our first family trip to the Poly CL this summer and I have also read the threads about people parking a towel on a pool chair all day. I just have to say that just reading this upset me, we are paying alot of money to stay at a deluxe hotel and if I cannot sit in a lounge chair because somebody is currently at the MK and their towel is saving a lounge chair at the volcano pool I am going to be really angry

This also goes for pool hoppers, maybe I am just a little testy but I want to have a great experience as well. So if you are at the pool than great leave your stuff there if not than just have some consideration for others who are. Just my opinion, I will step off the soap box now

 

[BreezysMom]

Just crunched the numbers, and for us.. the 4/3 deal is better than Free Dining Option announced today.. Could be different for you..Before lunch GArden View rooms were available and after lunch they were not (online) so they must be selling fast.

I have been monitoring this free dining offer today, at least on the DIS, and I have to say that it is not as popular as I have seen in years past. Usually the board is lit up with people announcing their booked trips. Maybe the next few days will be different once the word is out??? Or maybe people just don't think it is that great of a deal because you still pay rack rate or the people that could swing a trip this year used the 4/3 deal? I am curious to see how this plays out.

Does anyone know what precentage of the rooms they allot for FD?