The Official Polynesian Resort FAQ thread!

[Jennygt]

Dont forget, Bell Services can store your empty bags if you want.

I did not know that either! Good idea!

 

[sweetpeas2]

We are going on our very FIRST trip to DW on July 22 - 27!!!! WooHoo! It will be me, DD age 5, DM, and DB age 10. We are staying at the Poly and are soo excited! We want our first trip to be special!! When I booked the room the lady told me that we would have a theme park view...I'm not real sure if thats good or not?!? I dont know if its too late but can I ask for a specific longhouse. If I can which ones do you all recommend? I dont know which ones are for smoking but I DONT want to be in those if at all possible. Any tips or suggestions are VERY much appreciated!! Have a wonderful day!!

 

[smjj]

Been a while for this thread and I can't find any resent post by Tikiman. I tried to do a search but you know how that goes. Does he still post here. His info on the Poly is the best. I have visited his own site quite a bit but he use to post here also...smjj

 

[Tess]

We are going on our very FIRST trip to DW on July 22 - 27!!!! WooHoo! It will be me, DD age 5, DM, and DB age 10. We are staying at the Poly and are soo excited! We want our first trip to be special!! When I booked the room the lady told me that we would have a theme park view...I'm not real sure if thats good or not?!? I dont know if its too late but can I ask for a specific longhouse. If I can which ones do you all recommend? I dont know which ones are for smoking but I DONT want to be in those if at all possible. Any tips or suggestions are VERY much appreciated!! Have a wonderful day!!

All of the WDW Resorts are now nonsmoking in the rooms and buildings; so that will not be an issue.

There is still time to make a building request--it would appear you have a lagoon view room and I'm guessing the "theme park view" you mention further limits your longhouses. My personal preference in a nonconcierge longhouse would be Tahiti--larger rooms, double sinks, and great views!

Have a wonderful trip and let us know how you enjoyed your stay when you return!

 

[Tess]

Been a while for this thread and I can't find any resent post by Tikiman. I tried to do a search but you know how that goes. Does he still post here. His info on the Poly is the best. I have visited his own site quite a bit but he use to post here also...smjj

There were issues and he bowed out of posting on the DIS--it is probably quite a few pages back on this thread.

 

[smjj]

There were issues and he bowed out of posting on the DIS--it is probably quite a few pages back on this thread.

I was wondering. I pm'ed him some time back and got the scoop but thats been quite a while ago. He had the latest and greatest info on the Poly. This board looses out when people like him drop out...smjj

 

[Kanga1]

Aloha Poly fans!!

Yippee!!! I FINALLY have a real reason to subscribe to this thread!!

As soon as 2008 rates come out, we'll be booking for next July...celebrating both DH's b-day and our 20th anniversary!! I have SO much wanted to stay and next year we're going to!!!

Just got back from a 12-night stay at CSR (ugh...beautiful resort and great transportation...just not my cup of tea) and we spent one entire evening roaming the grounds of the Poly, eating at Kona (LOVED it!) and generally "taking in" the atmosphere. Gotta tell ya...I fell in LOVE!! 13 months and counting down!

 

[cara loves the poly]

We are going on our very FIRST trip to DW on July 22 - 27!!!! WooHoo! It will be me, DD age 5, DM, and DB age 10. We are staying at the Poly and are soo excited! We want our first trip to be special!! When I booked the room the lady told me that we would have a theme park view...I'm not real sure if thats good or not?!? I dont know if its too late but can I ask for a specific longhouse. If I can which ones do you all recommend? I dont know which ones are for smoking but I DONT want to be in those if at all possible. Any tips or suggestions are VERY much appreciated!! Have a wonderful day!!

that's the best view! highest category! have a great time watching the fireworks from your balcony or patio every night!!!!! it's magical.

 

[sweetpeas2]

thanks so much Tess and Cara. I really appreciate it! Do I need to call the Poly? I read some where else that said if you were wanting to request a specific longhouse that you could fax it to them, Im not to sure about that?? Anywho..we are counting down the days and CANNOT wait to be there!!!

 

[Tess]

thanks so much Tess and Cara. I really appreciate it! Do I need to call the Poly? I read some where else that said if you were wanting to request a specific longhouse that you could fax it to them, Im not to sure about that?? Anywho..we are counting down the days and CANNOT wait to be there!!!

I would just let CRO know that you would like to add a request to your reservation. Call the 800# and tell the reservationist that you would like to request a longhouse, floor, etc. They will be able to add it to your reservation.

Have fun--I know we are eagerly anticipating our return in five days.

 

[Disney Padawan]

Aloha everybody, I just have a few questions for any Poly expert out there.
First of all, out of all the resort in all of WDW, I would like to stay here the most! I'd never thought I would be able to afford a deluxe resort but once I saw the AP rates, I knew I may be able to. So speaking of AP rates, here's my questions.

I'm considering going sometime in late April early May, could I call now & ask for AP rates or Fl resident rates to book or do I need to wait till those dates come out next year?
I know this is probably been asked but what is the best area to stay at that's not considered "preffered" that has a lagoon view?
Lastly, I heard that some rooms are bigger than others. Where are these located & are they extra?
Thank You, sorry for the rookie questions but if this works out, it'll be the first time I ever stay on property!

 

[WickedWench]

I'm considering going sometime in late April early May, could I call now & ask for AP rates or Fl resident rates to book or do I need to wait till those dates come out next year?

You can book at the full rate, then when the AP rates are released, call and ask that the rate be applied to your reservation. Or you can wait to book when the rates come out.

I know this is probably been asked but what is the best area to stay at that's not considered "preffered" that has a lagoon view?

There's no 'preferred' category at the Poly. It's Garden view, Lagoon View, and Magic Kingdom View. I wouldn't worry about the view. The grounds are so beautiful, even garden view is great. If you want to avoid getting a view of the parking lot, request a longhouse that doesn't border the lot. I don't even mind the parking lot, because the monorail is on that side, and I love the monorail. :>

Lastly, I heard that some rooms are bigger than others. Where are these located & are they extra?

Tahiti, Rapi Nui and Tokelau have 476 sq ft, the others have 415. They do not cost extra.

The only bad thing about staying at the Polynesian, is that you'll never want to stay anywhere else! ;>

 

[M-I-C-K-E-Y]

One month from today we'll be checking in at the Polynesian. It's going to be our first stay there, though we've wanted to lodge there for the longest time...and we always make dinner at O'Hana our first night tradition. Thanks to the Bounce Back free dining promotion, we're taking the "Poly Plunge" and there's probably no going back to the moderates...

 

[Disney Padawan]

Um, WickedWench, thank you so much for answering my questions so fast.
I have a silly one for ya.
The least expensive is Garden View right? I would think that lagoon view & specially castle view are a lot more.
Also, would you recomend I make reservations ASAP? I've heard that sometimes it's hard to get the AP rates when they come out.
Thanks again.

 

[WickedWench]

Um, WickedWench, thank you so much for answering my questions so fast.

No Problem. :>

I have a silly one for ya.
The least expensive is Garden View right? I would think that lagoon view & specially castle view are a lot more.

Yep. :> Garden View is the least expensive, Lagoon View next, and MK view the most expensive.

The Poly isn't like some hotels, for example, the Contemporary, where if you stay on one side, you can't see views on the other side at all. If you take garden view, you can walk over to the beach and enjoy the view any time you want.

Also, would you recomend I make reservations ASAP? I've heard that sometimes it's hard to get the AP rates when they come out.
Thanks again.

My upcoming trip is my first time booking myself, all my other trips were with the parents, so I don't have alot of experience with how difficult it is to get AP rates. This is what I did: I'm a AAA member, so I booked early with the AAA rate. I'm keeping an eye out for the AP rates, and when they're released, I'm going to call CRO and request that rate. If I get it, and the savings are more than the additional cost of the AP (which they probably will be), then I'll buy the AP. If not, I'll still have the AAA rate. If you absolutely need the AP rate to stay there... I don't know the best way to handle it. Maybe someone else will have better advice on that score.

 

[Disney Padawan]

Aloha! I have a few more questions if anyone out there is interested?
First of all, WickedWench, Thank You so much for all your insight & quick replies, you really didn't waste any time.

O.K. here's my questions:

1- Do you only get a DVD player in the concierge rooms?

2-Is there a website that I can use to buy gifts, to be waiting in my room, when I check in?

3- Say I order Chocolate Strawberries, who do I talk to to make sure they're there in my room when I arrive? Do I ask when I make reservations or when I check in?

4-Lastly, I read somewhere that someone stayed about 7 days at the Poly & wasn't able to make reservations at Ohanas. I was once told that if you stayed at a resort, they always made room for you, even if you make same day reservations, is this not true?

Thanks to anyone who reads this, Aloha.

 

[Castillo Mom]

4-Lastly, I read somewhere that someone stayed about 7 days at the Poly & wasn't able to make reservations at Ohanas. I was once told that if you stayed at a resort, they always made room for you, even if you make same day reservations, is this not true?

Thanks to anyone who reads this, Aloha.

I thought I read the same thing somewhere as well. Hopefully someone will come along who knows for sure.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Aloha! I have a few more questions if anyone out there is interested?
First of all, WickedWench, Thank You so much for all your insight & quick replies, you really didn't waste any time.

O.K. here's my questions:

1- Do you only get a DVD player in the concierge rooms?

2-Is there a website that I can use to buy gifts, to be waiting in my room, when I check in?

3- Say I order Chocolate Strawberries, who do I talk to to make sure they're there in my room when I arrive? Do I ask when I make reservations or when I check in?

4-Lastly, I read somewhere that someone stayed about 7 days at the Poly & wasn't able to make reservations at Ohanas. I was once told that if you stayed at a resort, they always made room for you, even if you make same day reservations, is this not true?

Thanks to anyone who reads this, Aloha.

I will do my best to answer you're questions, so I hope this helps.

1. The Atrium Club Level rooms have a DVD player, so I would assume they also have them in the Polynesian Club Level rooms.

2. I don't know the answer to it.

3. I would assume the Polynesian IPO, however that is just a guess.

4. In the past the Contemporary Club Level Cast Members have got us same day ADR's at Chef Mickey's and the Concourse Steakhouse, so I would think it would have to be the same for Ohana if you ask the Polynesian Club Level Cast Members to make you the ADR. So you are correct that there is a un written rule that guests staying in a Resort usually have luck when making ADR's at a restaurant that is located right there onsite.

 

[Disney Padawan]

I will do my best to answer you're questions, so I hope this helps.

1. The Atrium Club Level rooms have a DVD player, so I would assume they also have them in the Polynesian Club Level rooms.

2. I don't know the answer to it.

3. I would assume the Polynesian IPO, however that is just a guess.

4. In the past the Contemporary Club Level Cast Members have got us same day ADR's at Chef Mickey's and the Concourse Steakhouse, so I would think it would have to be the same for Ohana if you ask the Polynesian Club Level Cast Members to make you the ADR. So you are correct that there is a un written rule that guests staying in a Resort usually have luck when making ADR's at a restaurant that is located right there onsite.

Thanks for answering what you know, hopefuly someone else can fill in the rest.

I have 2 for you though,
1-What's IPO?
2-Do you know if guaranteed reservations only apply to those staying at club level?

Thanks again.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thanks for answering what you know, hopefuly someone else can fill in the rest.

I have 2 for you though,
1-What's IPO?
2-Do you know if guaranteed reservations only apply to those staying at club level?

Thanks again.

1. IPO means Itinerary Planning Office.

2. Like I said before there is a un written rule that Cast Members working on Club Level floors, would do everything they can to get you an ADR at a restaurant in the Resort you were staying at. For example that could mean getting you the ADR even though the restaurant would be full for the evening.