The Official Polynesian Resort FAQ thread!

[7thdwarf/dopey]

Wow Tess, time does fly by....were looking forward to your reports. Keep that enthusiasim coming...its contagious

 

[Tess]

Enthusiasm (for Polynesian) is my middle name!

 

[Disneys Billpayer]

I saw no buildings (other than the Tonga suites building--and I didn't see it, but was told) that had been renovated OR were under renovation. Further, there was no additional work being undertaken to expand Captain Cook's either--the walls of the old store in the back of the building still had clothing racks with clothing hangers--no clothing, of course.

The only renovation we witnessed was repairing a gas or sewer line along the walkway between the quiet pool and Rarotonga.

I was there in June also and that is exactly what I saw. Although they had been painting the exterior of a couple of buildings (Tahiti the one we stayed in). And I here they have bumped people from the Hawaii lonhouse due to renovations in August/September. And Capt. Cooks was definatley unchanged.

 

[CarolB]

The only renovation we witnessed was repairing a gas or sewer line along the walkway between the quiet pool and Rarotonga.

We just returned as well and that was the only noticeable construction I saw. It appears they have plans to do something across from Capt Cooks, now that the shops are out, but nothing is happening there. We stayed at Tokelau, so didn't spend much time at the GCH....never had time to check out the new shops. The displays were cute, though.

 

[rifamtrav]

CarolB. How did you like Tokelau? Did you request it? Did you have GV, which floor? I haven't put in a request yet for our early Sep. trip (5 of us, me, dh, dd12, dd10,dd10) but I'm leaning toward Tokelau and/or Tahiti, would like the extra room and prefer a balcony, so I'm interested to hear your experience, thanks.

 

[Tikiman]

There is a very good chance that Tokelau or Tahiti or both will be closed in September. Just keep that in mind. It is not for sure yet.

 

[rifamtrav]

Tikiman, Thanks, I know that's a possibility, but I figure I'll just make the request. Since this is our first time I can't imagine we'll be disappointed with any place they put us, so if Tokelau and Tahiti aren't available, we'll just go with what they give us! Hey, does it increase the odds of getting a complimentary upgrade if your requests aren't available? Actually, I'm not even concerned about an upgrade, this will be a fairly quick trip for us (4nights) so we probably won't get the luxury of just kicking back and enjoying the resort as much as we'd like. I'll try hard to make sure we fit in SOME relaxation time though!

 

[pink elephants]

There is a very good chance that Tokelau or Tahiti or both will be closed in September. Just keep that in mind. It is not for sure yet.

Tikiman, if the Tahiti is open when we're there, do the first floor lagoon rooms have a view of the castle? I seem to remember reading that only some of the Tahiti lagoon rooms can view the castle, but I don't know which ones don't.

 

[Tikiman]

I would like to tell you it increases you chances for an upgrade because sometimes limited availability does create free upgrades but since it looks like Hawaii will be closed in September and many of the lagoon view rooms might be closed with Tahiti I am not sure what they would upgrade you to. I just worry when people specify a room or a building as their only request since what happens if they cannot honor your request than they don’t know where to put you. If you had a request like ground level or pool view or balcony than they would be able to place you better.

Just a suggestion.

 

[Tikiman]

Pink elephants,

I stood on every patio on the lagoon view side when I was there in August last year because someone told me they could not see the castle and other that the rooms right next to the middle entrance to the building that have a lot of bushes right next to the patio there are no rooms on the ground level than cannot see the castle from the ground level. The only thing I will state is the rooms closest to the TTC have a little more of the castle blocked by some of the trees out on the island but you can still see the castle and the fireworks. You will not see the Electric Water Pageant from the rooms in Tahiti because it lines up over in front of Hawaii.

 

[pink elephants]

Thanks, Tikiman. My daughter really wants me to request the Tahiti again because she loved waking up and saying "good morning" to the castle. Because we have three kids now (well, there were two before, but only one was old enough to know we were at WDW ), I thought it might be nice to request first floor, too, so they could run out to the beach. Ultimately, though, the castle is the main request. 1st floor back at the Tahiti would just be paradise for us. Of course, paradise is what the Poly is all about, isn't it? Pass me a Kona coffee or a Lapu Lapu and don't forget the pineapple with caramel sauce. I can't wait to go back!

 

[Cendrillon]

Are there any garden view concierge rooms that are better than another?

Also, has anyone upgrade at check-in from a garden view to a lagoon view? If so, was it complimentary or how much extra did you have to pay?

Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[BostonTink85]

do you need a PS for Kona Breakfast???? we're going in Aug and I was just wondering

 

[Dalpal]

Id get one if it were me.....to be on the safe side.

 

[BostonTink85]

The thing is, we are going to kinda 'wing it' on this trip and try and just go with the flow (as of right now), since the kids (including myself) in our family are all in their late teens and don't know what we are going to feel like doing each day until we are there. This is why my parents are in the dilemma of do we make a PS or not. So I didn't know if anyone had past experiences with making or not making a PS for breakfast at Kona.

Thanks

 

[Dalpal]

Well Id say then it depends on how many are planning on going...The year my DH and I went to WDW alone...We could almost walk into any place without a PS and they would be alble to find a table for us......BUT if you have alot of people to sit its not so easy....This year we are going to be 9....So Its PSs all the way.....

Aug. is a busy time also..... ...If your hearts set on a place Id make PSs.....BUT they have take out at Kona, if you dont get in....you could alway go eat on the beach or something....

 

[youngdizluva18]

I just wanted to know if it is a long walk from Rarotonga to the pool... It seems like this building is perfect because it is near everything but I dont remember hearing anything about the pool.

 

[BostonTink85]

Thanks for the advice, there'll be 6 people so maybe we will make a PS. I just wasn't sure how many people usually go to breakfast at Kona since there is the character breakfast at O'Hana, etc.

 

[wasabi girl]

Hi Polynesian Experts I've got ????

I'm switching my reservation from the CR to the Polynesian, it is my first trip ever and I'm so excited! The Polynesian looks fabulous. I've got dinners planned for Artist Point (in the WL) and for Jiko (in AKL). We won't have a car, what is the best way to get there?
Do I really need to make room/building requests? I was just planning on a regular garden view room (non smoking!), will we be disappointed?

It will be myself, DH, and two older teen DDs, any suggestions on don't miss things at the Polynesian? Thanks!

 

[BCV23]

I just wanted to know if it is a long walk from Rarotonga to the pool... It seems like this building is perfect because it is near everything but I dont remember hearing anything about the pool.

One pool is right by Raratonga so maybe a 30 second walk from a door. The volcano pool is probably a minute walk from the Western door of Raratonga.