The Official Polynesian Resort FAQ thread!

[SeaSpray]

For those of you who have stayed concierge level recently - how is the food selection in the lounge?
Is there enough to count on it for a light meal when we don't want to do a restaurant or is it really only enough for snacks and drinks?

We just got back last week. The food offerings in the lounge each evening were very good and I suppose if you had a small appetite you could make a meal out of it, but we always either skip it altogether, or we stop in and make up a small plate. We use the offerings more as appetizers, or as a snack before a later dinner ADR.

Every night there was a platter with sliced veggies (cucumber, carrots, celery) with ranch dip; cut up fresh pineapple with caramel dipping sauce, cubes of several kinds of cheese and several kinds of crackers, and then there were the hot offerings which ranged from turkey on skewers with dipping sauces and cheesy potatoes, to sticky wings and Kona salad and chowder. The other evenings offered other hot dishes too, but all can be considered to be "appetizer" types of food. They also served red, white, and rose wine, various brands of beer, as well as sodas in cans, spring water (in large bottles from which you poured a cup for yourself), and coffee and tea.

I can see where someone might be able to be satisfied for dinner with the offerings in the lounge, but we've always had ADRs for dinner. Also, I think it'd be a pain to have to plan to be at the lounge every day at that time. When we're back at the resort at around 5-6pm we will stop in and see what the offerings are and take a bite, but most times we've missed the offerings, especially the dessert offerings later on. After 4 trips to Polynesian concierge, I STILL have not tasted any of the desserts. lol

 

[CDolacki2003]

We just got back last week. The food offerings in the lounge each evening were very good and I suppose if you had a small appetite you could make a meal out of it, but we always either skip it altogether, or we stop in and make up a small plate. We use the offerings more as appetizers, or as a snack before a later dinner ADR.

Every night there was a platter with sliced veggies (cucumber, carrots, celery) with ranch dip; cut up fresh pineapple with caramel dipping sauce, cubes of several kinds of cheese and several kinds of crackers, and then there were the hot offerings which ranged from turkey on skewers with dipping sauces and cheesy potatoes, to sticky wings and Kona salad and chowder. The other evenings offered other hot dishes too, but all can be considered to be "appetizer" types of food. They also served red, white, and rose wine, various brands of beer, as well as sodas in cans, spring water (in large bottles from which you poured a cup for yourself), and coffee and tea.

I can see where someone might be able to be satisfied for dinner with the offerings in the lounge, but we've always had ADRs for dinner. Also, I think it'd be a pain to have to plan to be at the lounge every day at that time. When we're back at the resort at around 5-6pm we will stop in and see what the offerings are and take a bite, but most times we've missed the offerings, especially the dessert offerings later on. After 4 trips to Polynesian concierge, I STILL have not tasted any of the desserts. lol

Thanks for the info. We got the dining plan and plan on using the lounge for breakfast most mornings and an occasional appitizer in the evening. Can you bring your bottle of beer to your room to enjoy or do you have to stay in the lounge with it? Thanks for you help
I cannot wait.

 

[First timer]

Thanks for the info. We got the dining plan and plan on using the lounge for breakfast most mornings and an occasional appitizer in the evening. Can you bring your bottle of beer to your room to enjoy or do you have to stay in the lounge with it? Thanks for you help
I cannot wait.

You can bring it back to the room. The offerings at breakfast (danishes, croissants, cereal, etc.) are actually good for a light breakfast. That is mostly what we used it for. Like another poster said - we have never had the evening desserts. Never made it back in time!

 

[mr.mike]

How much do you tip for turn down service? How do you leave a tip for both housekeeping and turn down?

Turn down never took the tip I left for them.

I was another who never got to try the desserts.

I agree that there is enough for breakfast. We had cereal and toasted bagels and danishes. Also agree you could make a meal from dinner if you don't have a huge appetite.

What I miss is the iced tea. Really in the mood for it now.

 

[LoveKermit]

Just a few more days (and a few questions).....

Do the fridge's have a freezer compartment? If so, how big? Any pictures I have seen do not look like it.

Are the cribs pack n plays only? Our daughter is flexible (had a port-a-crib in Dallas this past weekend), but I'm just curious.

Can't wait to have some of the drinks everyone keeps talking about. I'd take suggestions on those too.

This thread just makes me so excited!!!! We just can't believe we're staying there!

Keep the comments coming!

 

[CoolPool]

Freezer: the whole thing can be turned into a freezer if you want. My mother turned up to the highest number thinking it had been set too low. Well after 5 cans of coke exploded - there you have it: one big freezer.

Drinks are good. I enjoyed the Mai Tais very much. And bunches of the other ones which names seem to have slipped my mind even though I just got back a few days ago. Well...I'll have to ponder further.

 

[marivaid]

Turn down never took the tip I left for them.

Was it in an envelope that said it was for them ? On our first day at the Poly we left our tip envelope that just says "thanks" on it. It was there when we got back and our housekeeper explained that if it doesn't say "housekeeping" on it they are not allowed to take the tip. One day I couldn't find an envelope and just left the bills on the nightstand, again they were there when we came back. This never happened at ASMO or POFQ, so it may be Poly-specific??

 

[ThinkTink75]

Just subscribing...
Trying to save the money to get to the Poly for our 3rd (and last for a while) trip to WDW next summer.
Hoping to get there in August and hoping the Pirate and Princess party is on next summer as well! In any case, one of these days I will read through this whole thread!

 

[mr.mike]

Was it in an envelope that said it was for them ? On our first day at the Poly we left our tip envelope that just says "thanks" on it. It was there when we got back and our housekeeper explained that if it doesn't say "housekeeping" on it they are not allowed to take the tip. One day I couldn't find an envelope and just left the bills on the nightstand, again they were there when we came back. This never happened at ASMO or POFQ, so it may be Poly-specific??

I would leave five dollars ( we were a party of 5 plus an infant) on the little ledge in the bathroom on the sink. Housekeeping would take it but when i left money there in the evening it was never taken. I figured that was a good spot since they always gave you fresh towels.

 

[mr.mike]

Freezer: the whole thing can be turned into a freezer if you want. My mother turned up to the highest number thinking it had been set too low. Well after 5 cans of coke exploded - there you have it: one big freezer.

Drinks are good. I enjoyed the Mai Tais very much. And bunches of the other ones which names seem to have slipped my mind even though I just got back a few days ago. Well...I'll have to ponder further.

The fridge in my room and my sister-in-law's room never got cold. We turned it to the coldest setting but it would only keep the sodas cool.

 

[DeborahB]

I'm leaving tomorrow!!!!!!!!
Just a quick question. What amenities are in the rooms now as far as shampoo, soap, etc.? Do they have any kind of hand cream? How about a shower cap?

 

[mr.mike]

Just wanted to mention some other things from our trip last week.


The resort was very clean, never noticed any trash around.
Every CM said aloha as you passed them in the hallways or on the grounds.

Room service was expensive but very good, took about 45 minutes and the man who delivered it had to be one of the most genuine friendly people I met on the trip.

I liked that when we called for bell services they drove the cart right up to the patio door and took me and bags over to airline check in.

We took the boat back from the MK one day. With no monorail in sight I told them it would be quicker. Well we had a guy who I thought might be a new driver. It took him 4 tries to get the boat docked at the GF and we all had that nervous smile on and were looking for the lifejackets.

We didn't beat the monorail.


If you buy any of the plug and play video games for your kids while there andw ant to use them keep in mind you will need a screwdriver to open them. I asked at the concierge desk and they said they used to have one but that they think a guest took it. They suggested I ask at the GCH.

The only wait we had when checking in was when we got off the bus and stopped at the "Club Arrivals" desk It took some time for somone to arrive with a cart to take us to the Hawaii building. I forget exactly how much time but it was enough that everyone walked into the GCH to look around while I waited outside. We were 10 people and the driver said we can all fit, no problem. I didn't think we'd fit and after having a bunch of the kids sit on the laps of others there still wasn't room for all of us. I said I would walk rather than wait any longer and of course with the short walk through the GCH to Hawaii I arrived before them.

Mike

 

[mr.mike]

I'm leaving tomorrow!!!!!!!!
Just a quick question. What amenities are in the rooms now as far as shampoo, soap, etc.? Do they have any kind of hand cream? How about a shower cap?

I didn't see a shower cap but there was shampoo, conditioner, sunburn gel, hand lotion and shower gel. Also one Bath bar of soap and one sink bar.

And on just one day we received mouthwash. Maybe they were trying to tell us something.

 

[4forMe]

Mr.mike, sound like you had a great trip. I was wondering if you could tell me how crowded the pools were in the afternoon when you were there. Also, if you are there early to check in and your room isn't ready, are you able to use the pools while waiting for your room?

 

[mr.mike]

The pool itself never seemed crowded BUT everytime i walked by the pool i noticed that all the tables with umbrellas were taken. Not that there was anyoen sitting there but there were towels on the chair and maybe a bag or book on the table.

The quiet pool was pretty empty.

You sure can use the pool or any other part of the resort while you are waiting. There are bathrooms under the volcano slide you can use to change.

 

[4forMe]

The pool itself never seemed crowded BUT everytime i walked by the pool i noticed that all the tables with umbrellas were taken. Not that there was anyoen sitting there but there were towels on the chair and maybe a bag or book on the table.

The quiet pool was pretty empty.

You sure can use the pool or any other part of the resort while you are waiting. There are bathrooms under the volcano slide you can use to change.

Thanks for your reply. I've been going back and forth about whether to stay at Poly or CR. My heart was set on Poly but I had concerns about the pool being too crowded. We are going next year the same week you were there.

Thanks again for your quick response. Off now to book the room!

 

[mr.mike]

Not trying to change your mind at all cause the Poly is great but

The contemporary is really my favorite

 

[huntconn]

Not trying to change your mind at all cause the Poly is great but

The contemporary is really my favorite

Blasphemer!!! Off with his head! Ok Poly nuts, I say we all rush mr.mike on "3".


ok, ok...I really like the Contemporary too!

 

[dadog]

Thanks for your reply. I've been going back and forth about whether to stay at Poly or CR. My heart was set on Poly but I had concerns about the pool being too crowded. We are going next year the same week you were there.

Thanks again for your quick response. Off now to book the room!

I just got back from the Poly and IMO the CR does not even compare. We spent some time the the CR looking around and having dinner at Chef Mickey's. But Please (did I say Please?) do yourself a favor and book the Poly. Otherwise, I think you may be disappointed.

 

[mr.mike]

The Contemporary was the first resort I ever stayed at. It has such great memories for us. And just how everyone loves walking in and smelling the GCH I love getting off the monorail and getting that sweet smell of the 4th floor.