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

[juliebee]

I was just glancing at my Island Palm Press from my check-in package and on the back page under Swimming, it says this:

"In consideration of others, please do not leave personal items, including pool towels, to reserve pool chairs."

so you all should do what I *should* have done.... remove the towels and if questioned say the lifeguard said they weren't reserved.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I was just glancing at my Island Palm Press from my check-in package and on the back page under Swimming, it says this:

"In consideration of others, please do not leave personal items, including pool towels, to reserve pool chairs."

so you all should do what I *should* have done.... remove the towels and if questioned say the lifeguard said they weren't reserved.

I never noticed that before when I read the one we got, however if they took the time to write it I guess it should always be inforced if you notice it happening. I also wonder if all the pool rules signs also list no saving chairs with personal items and towels, because how many people would notice that in the Island Palm Press? Although how many of the written rules we see around WDW actually get inforced, so that's the bigger question.

 

[juliebee]

because how many people would notice that in the Island Palm Press?

I'd imagine not many! I didn't read the Island Palm Press until I had been home for 4 days. But if I had known they actually had a rule about it, then I would have felt more empowered to move the towels or ask the lifeguard to do it. The 3 times we went to the pool last week, we could find NOTHING that wasn't reserved with a towel. And there weren't as many people in the pool as there were towels on loungers and chairs.

 

[johnsonet]

I wonder what their response would be if told that the GUESTS experience was not positive because of all of the pool hoppers?

I think that in enforcing smoking policies and pool policies they should be more rigid. Trying to make the rule breakers happy only serves to make the rule followers very unhappy. They need to draw the line somewhere.

I completely agree. The only thing is that, as BCV23's post pointed out, the Disney way is to try and avoid unpleasantness...
If people just followed the rules (including the Golden one ) this wouldn't be an issue...

I was just glancing at my Island Palm Press from my check-in package and on the back page under Swimming, it says this:

"In consideration of others, please do not leave personal items, including pool towels, to reserve pool chairs."

Hadn't even seen that!

 

[2manypets]

Thank you Johnsonet for the pronunciation. The right way sounds much nicer.

 

[BCV23]

I've heard the same thing BCV23--and I agree, I wouldn't want to wear those bracelets either--icky tan lines!

When they were issuing them at BC, I didn't put it on, but kept it handy at our table. I'm not sure why they can't just do a spot room key check--randomly.

Then again, I'm not really bothered by poolhoppers since I can never spot them vs the guests. We also hang by the quiet pool and it doesn't get the kind of traffic the volcano pool seems to attract.

Now, when I can't get a seat near the Barefoot Bar, I do get a bit peeved. J/K

I'm not usually bothered by pool hoppers either and agree that it's usually hard to spot them at the pool.

That one trip it did bother me but that's out of over 30 stays. I think it's easier to spot them on the monorail or walking over from the TTC. We've often had rooms in Rapa Nui and when a family comes from the direct of the TTC wearing swimsuits and toting pails, it's pretty obvious. Of course they could always be DVC. But DVC members aren't allowed to pool hop during the busiest weeks and are always supposed to contact the front desk to see if they can pool hop.

I confuse the two, it is the Winn Dixie(notPublix) that we go to on Apopka/Vineland. It takes about fifteen minutes to get there. Well worth it for us to get our water and beer.Take Buena Vista Dr. toward DTD after you pass DTD it becomes Hotel Plaza Blvd. Then left on Apopka Vineland Rd. Winn Dixie is on the right about a mile up about 9 miles total. Walmart, I have not gone to in a few years and I don't remember where it was. Maybe someone else can help you on that one. I seem to remember it being in Kissimmee but not sure.

That's the WinnDixie I was referring to also. But I avoid the DTD and whole Beuna Vista Dr mess. I head East on Vista Blvd which eventually turns North. It runs into 535 (I think that's the right #). When you're almost to 535, Vista is marked CMs only or something like that. I take a right there and then an immediate left onto the very North end of Buena Vista DR (but this is well after the mess of DTD) and then a right on 535. It loops around a bit and you come to Apopka vineland Rd. Take a left there and the ABC is on the right perhaps a mile North. The WinnDixie is in the same shopping venter but set back a bit so not apparent at first.

I think the wrist bands would serve as a deterrant. If people knew that they had to have the wrist band to be in that pool I doubt many would try to pool hop.

You wouldn't necessarily have to don the wrist bands. Just attach it to your pool bag or whatever (so for those not using the pool no big deal - just don't put it on). Though I wouldn't have an issue wearing one. I'd rather that than know that the pool at the resort I had paid to be at was over crowded with people who hadn't paid to be there.

Yes, I think wrist bands could work. I just meant not at check in. If they ever go to a system like that, I hope they don't enclose the pool.

I just booked the Poly for Aug 15th-23rd for my birthday on the 19th and DD's 4th birthday on the 16th

Even better.... I got the room for 40% off!

I think I have read through this entire thread in the past week. We usually stay at Shades of Green, but am very excited to try the Poly.

I wish August would hurry and come....we are now staying at the Poly and will be doing a couple of VIP tours. I always look forward to our next Disney trip, but I think I am looking forward to this one more then ever!

Congratulations and happy planning!

I don't mean to suggest that you would point someone out as a poolhopper I just mean that if I am staying at the Poly and cannot find a single chair then I would ask a lifeguard for help in finding a chair - I'd be hesitant to move towels from a chair but hopefully they wouldn't! Actually, I would move a towel in a heartbeat. But people have started leaving magazines and sunblock too as "props" to make you think they're really around when they aren't. IT'S TRICKY, I'm telling you. It's a big problem and it's not just at Disney World! If you were to voice your concern about not being able to find a chair then hopefully that would jump-start a "crackdown", even if that meant a security guard going chair to chair asking to see Poly room keys. It was just an idea for one way to deal with it if it becomes a problem during your stay...

Tess -This was the first trip where I felt that I was certain of multiple pool-hoppers. I posted something about it last week when we ret'd but was hesitant to b/c I do not know other people's situation and in general I try not concern myself with it. This trip, a very nice man came up to me and offered me his lounge chair when he saw me standing on the beach looking for one... Later at the pool bar I saw him and told him again how much I'd appreciated it and he told me he was just there for the day and waiting for a friend who had never showed up??
A group sitting next to us on the beach was some teenagers who kindly offered to take a photo of my SIL and me. They were really sweet. When they were leaving the beach, I noticed that they (all 4 of them) had mugs from another WDW resort. Things like that lead me to believe that non-guests definitely make use of the Poly's pools.
Also, at AKL a year or so ago, I know for a fact this woman I was chatting w/ was not a guest of the resort b/c she told me herself that she wasn't At Hard Rock Hotel about 6 years ago, a man with his young son told me all about Orlando and that HRH had the best pool and that he visited often and that the resort let him come just for the day

So funny about the gentleman at the bar.

I know what you mean about being hesitant to mention this whole thing. It tends to get blown out of proportion on the DIS for some reason. I do think it's worse at Spring break than the rest of the year...at least in our experience.

Thanks for those directions to Whole Foods and Walmart.

I wonder what their response would be if told that the GUESTS experience was not positive because of all of the pool hoppers?

I think that in enforcing smoking policies and pool policies they should be more rigid. Trying to make the rule breakers happy only serves to make the rule followers very unhappy. They need to draw the line somewhere.

I think whenever a guest asks a guard for help in finding a chair as johnsonet suggested it does let the Polynesian know that the experience is not going well for that guest.

They do check room keys at times. Hopefully that will be happening in the busy Easter week coming up. I hope you and the other 4 families going soon have a perfectly wonderful time at the Polynesian...including at the pools.

I was just glancing at my Island Palm Press from my check-in package and on the back page under Swimming, it says this:

"In consideration of others, please do not leave personal items, including pool towels, to reserve pool chairs."

I've noticed words to that effect in the checkin literature at each WDW resort we've stayed at in the past couple years.

The 3 times we went to the pool last week, we could find NOTHING that wasn't reserved with a towel. And there weren't as many people in the pool as there were towels on loungers and chairs.

It's a real shame that kind of behavior is happening at the Polynesian. As johnsonet said, it's all too common everywhere these days.

 

[johnsonet]

Thank you Johnsonet for the pronunciation. The right way sounds much nicer.

Thanks! Yes, it's pretty, isn't it? And it's a WONDERFUL place to stay

 

[BCV23]

If people just followed the rules (including the Golden one ) this wouldn't be an issue...

Exactly!!!!

 

[kandcmch]

Okay give me brief discriptions of all of you who I might see you all at the resort. I will be there with DH, DD 10, and mother in law. I can't wait it's will be like seeing long lost family members! Only 10 More Days!

 

[mmmears]

The resort we stay at on Maui uses the same system.
I don't think putting a bracelet on guests at checkin would fly. Not all guests use the pools and I sure wouldn't want to wear a plastic bracelet to V&A for instance.

BCV23, I wonder if we're talking about the same place. Sounds like we might have the same taste in resorts. I agree that a bracelet should be given at the pool, not at check-in where you'd have to wear it everywhere you go (although my DD gets quite a collection on her wrists when we're in Hawaii -- and she keeps them all!)

We all knew it was coming but Tikiman is gone... We will mis you

Thanks for the info. It's sad, especially since I really used that site to plan this upcoming trip to the Poly.

I have NO problems pulling a towel off a chair if I see it sitting vacant for a long period of time and have done it. I have also seem the lifeguards at the Poly pull towls off of chairs that did not have people in it for an extended period of time. We use one chair for our family of 3. One of us is usually in the pool with the kiddo while the other relaxes.

BreezysMom -- glad to hear that they will sometimes clear out the chairs. It gives me hope that they are doing something about the problem.

Does anyone know how to pronounce the Club Level name? My way always sound funny. Can-uh Han-ee HEE Haw. Surely that can't be right.

Common American pronunciation is Kuh-May-Hah-May-Hah
I had a friend who went to a school in Honolulu by that name, though, and she pronounced it as KA-may-HA-may-HA (with the emphasis on the syllables I put in caps). I think that's the Hawaiian pronunciation (it was a school for kids of actual Hawaiian decent), but everyone else I know says it the first way.

I wonder what their response would be if told that the GUESTS experience was not positive because of all of the pool hoppers?

I think that in enforcing smoking policies and pool policies they should be more rigid. Trying to make the rule breakers happy only serves to make the rule followers very unhappy. They need to draw the line somewhere.

kaffinito, I totally agree! It's a well-known fact that people can get away with pool-hopping at the Poly, so they keep doing it. Kicking them out once will prevent future abuse of the rules. No-one tries to swim in the pool in Maui since it's well known that you'll get kicked out. People dont even bother trying anymore.

I'd imagine not many! I didn't read the Island Palm Press until I had been home for 4 days. But if I had known they actually had a rule about it, then I would have felt more empowered to move the towels or ask the lifeguard to do it. The 3 times we went to the pool last week, we could find NOTHING that wasn't reserved with a towel. And there weren't as many people in the pool as there were towels on loungers and chairs.

juliebee, sorry you had to put up with that. It's frustrating when all the chairs are taken by invisible guests! I've never wanted to bother the lifeguards anywhere since I think they are busy watching the kids, but I guess I may have to if we see the same thing you did.

 

[mmmears]

Okay give me brief discriptions of all of you who I might see you all at the resort. I will be there with DH, DD 10, and mother in law. I can't wait it's will be like seeing long lost family members! Only 10 More Days!

I'll be there with DH & DD 12. I think we're arriving last, since we'll be at AKL for a few days before we go to the Poly. I can't wait either -- we've got 8 more days to go!

 

[Woosterguy]

Just booked a September stay at the Poly. Looking forward to our stay and as this will be our first stay there and we are looking for any tips or advice that would add to our experience.

 

[KSBelle]

Just booked a September stay at the Poly. Looking forward to our stay and as this will be our first stay there and we are looking for any tips or advice that would add to our experience.

Welcome to the Polynesian Resort Thread. You came to the right place for info. I,too, am booked at the Poly in Sept for my first Poly experience. From what I've seen and heard it's all about location, location, location!

 

[BreezysMom]

Just booked a September stay at the Poly. Looking forward to our stay and as this will be our first stay there and we are looking for any tips or advice that would add to our experience.

Welcome! You will love the Poly. We will be there at the same time! This thread is a wealth of info!

 

[mickey2minnie1]

Hi everyone!!

I am dreaming about tonga toast. YUM!! I cannot wait to have some in October. It seems so far off, but considering it was once 18 months, it seems to be moving along. I am looking forward to introducing the Poly to my parents this time around.

Love the thread!! Happy planning!

 

[mmmears]

mickey2minnie1, Well, looking at your ticker it looks like you're 2/3 of the way there! Time goes by pretty quickly... mine used to say 10 months to go!

 

[mmmears]

Just booked a September stay at the Poly. Looking forward to our stay and as this will be our first stay there and we are looking for any tips or advice that would add to our experience.

Welcome, Woosterguy! You've come to the right place. There are so many nice people on this board who are willing to answer just about any question we can ask!

 

[mmouse37]

Just booked 3 nights at the Poly at the end of April...last minute trip. We decided to vist WDW since we were already going to be in Florida that week. We have been to the Poly several times and I always love coming back. Hubby and I had our honeymoon at the Poly back in 1979 and I still have the receipt for the room.....hold your breath.....$65.00 per night for a lagoon view room!!! I can't believe the prices now!!! Hubby and I even rode out Hurricane Jeanne in the Poly back in 2004 when our DCL cruise was delayed a few days due to the cruise. I knew I would be safe at WDW!!!

Thank you Terry for this great thread.....have not seen you on the cruise board in awhile!!! Looks like I have a lot of reading to do!!!

MJ

 

[johnsonet]

Just booked 3 nights at the Poly at the end of April...last minute trip. We decided to vist WDW since we were already going to be in Florida that week. We have been to the Poly several times and I always love coming back. Hubby and I had our honeymoon at the Poly back in 1979 and I still have the receipt for the room.....hold your breath.....$65.00 per night for a lagoon view room!!! I can't believe the prices now!!! Hubby and I even rode out Hurricane Jeanne in the Poly back in 2004 when our DCL cruise was delayed a few days due to the cruise. I knew I would be safe at WDW!!!

Thank you Terry for this great thread.....have not seen you on the cruise board in awhile!!! Looks like I have a lot of reading to do!!!

MJ

Very, very exciting How awesome that you honeymooned at the Poly 30 years ago! Congratulations...how amazing to see the changes in WDW Have a wonderful time!

I hope Terry is doing well and will pop in and say "Hi" when she has the chance

 

[mmouse37]

Cana't wait to go!!!! This is my last month as a 49 year old so want to have a nice birthday celebration at California Grill which I LOVE!!! Won't be there for my actual birthday but 2 weeks before is good enough for me!!

MJ