The Official Polynesian Resort FAQ thread!

[BCV23]

Set the fridges at 5!

We were at the Polynesian two weeks ago and my DH called because our refrig wasn't chilling properly he thought. The engineer who came told me to set it at 5 and then he did it for me. It really worked like a charm. Everything was properly chilled without freezing anything. We've tried the "leave the cabinet door open," set it to coldest (had frozen Diet Rites with that one), etc.. on different trips. 5 worked like a charm.

 

[Linus Van Pelt]

Hi, everyone! I was so happy to come across this very informative thread, as we'll be staying at the Poly for the very first time next May. We've booked a theme park view room, and, judging from what I've seen over on TikiMan's site, we've requested the Tahiti longhouse, rooms 3017-3038. But do you think that'll be too confusing? Do you think that we should change our request to Tahiti, third floor? And does Tahiti have the best, non-concierge views of the castle? Or are any of the MK view rooms good?

Thanks!

 

[BCV23]

I don't think it will be confusing but may be too limiting. If those rooms are all occupied when they assign you, you're sort of lost.

Tahiti is a great building but it is the farthest from the GCH. Larger rooms than the original buildings, very close to the TTC. Maybe just request that building of you want it. I don't think it matters if you're on 2nd or 3rd floor. The distance to the MK is enough that one floor won't matter. Both 2nd and 3rd have balconies although we personally prefer first with a patio.

Be sure to try that mew menu at Kona.

 

[Linus Van Pelt]

I don't think it will be confusing but may be too limiting. If those rooms are all occupied when they assign you, you're sort of lost.

Tahiti is a great building but it is the farthest from the GCH. Larger rooms than the original buildings, very close to the TTC. Maybe just request that building of you want it. I don't think it matters if you're on 2nd or 3rd floor. The distance to the MK is enough that one floor won't matter. Both 2nd and 3rd have balconies although we personally prefer first with a patio.

Be sure to try that mew menu at Kona.

I was hesitant to get a patio, because I thought the upper floors would provide a more expansive view. I think I'll call 'em back and change my request to Tahiti, 2nd or 3rd floor.

And I can't WAIT to eat at Kona! I can just taste my meal now... a steaming bowl of Kona chowder, followed by a plate of their to-DIE-for Mahi Mahi, and, lastly, a heaping helping of creme brulee. Mmm-MMM!

 

[BCV23]

 

[Luvamouse]

My memories of the Poly were being taken to the room in a golf cart and having the luggage brought along after. Thing is, now that I think of it, the fact that my brother uses crutches or a wheelchair might have been the reason... So here is the question-- when we arrive for check in, lets say we are on time and the room is ready, how do we get all the stuff to the room? We are driving down from RI and so I am really limiting the DD's "extra" luggage (Webkins, PS2, stuffed animals, coloring books, Polly Pockets...) to luggage and 1 backpack apiece. Still, we always have a bunch of stuff and the way the Poly is spread out, I can't imagine trying to get all our stuff to the room ourselves without looking like the Beverly Hillbillies. Here are my DDs as we left the Inn we love in NH. We were there 3 nights...not 3 weeks. We'll be at Disney 10 days...

Anyone know what my options are? How it usually goes? It will be Thanksgiving week albeit a Monday, and I know it may be busy, so I'd like to be prepared. Like, do we bring in the basic stuff and sneak the rest in under cover of darkness??

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Set the fridges at 5!

We were at the Polynesian two weeks ago and my DH called because our refrig wasn't chilling properly he thought. The engineer who came told me to set it at 5 and then he did it for me. It really worked like a charm. Everything was properly chilled without freezing anything. We've tried the "leave the cabinet door open," set it to coldest (had frozen Diet Rites with that one), etc.. on different trips. 5 worked like a charm.

Thank you for that tip so when my parents and I stay there in December we wills set our fride at 5.

My memories of the Poly were being taken to the room in a golf cart and having the luggage brought along after. Thing is, now that I think of it, the fact that my brother uses crutches or a wheelchair might have been the reason... So here is the question-- when we arrive for check in, lets say we are on time and the room is ready, how do we get all the stuff to the room? We are driving down from RI and so I am really limiting the DD's "extra" luggage (Webkins, PS2, stuffed animals, coloring books, Polly Pockets...) to luggage and 1 backpack apiece. Still, we always have a bunch of stuff and the way the Poly is spread out, I can't imagine trying to get all our stuff to the room ourselves without looking like the Beverly Hillbillies. Here are my DDs as we left the Inn we love in NH. We were there 3 nights...not 3 weeks.

Anyone know what my options are? How it usually goes? It will be Thanksgiving week albeit a Monday, and I know it may be busy, so I'd like to be prepared. Like, do we bring in the basic stuff and sneak the rest in under cover of darkness??

I believe the golf carts are standard for any of the guests who check into the Polynesian. At least that is what my parents and I were told when visting the Hawaii Longhouse, because we asked the Cast Member working there about the check-in process once we arrive at the main entrance to the Polynesian and that is what he told us.

 

[Luvamouse]

I always thought the golf carts were standard too, due to the fairly sprawling nature of the Poly, but the only references I have found to them here are in the Concierge reviews. Thanks for your info.

 

[WickedWench]

We didn't get a golf cart, but maybe that was due to the fact that we were in Nuie, which is literally 10 steps from the GCH. We would have boarded the cart, went for a 2 second ride, then got off.

 

[hobbester]

In September we asked where we should park our car and how do we get our luggage to our rooms. I believe they called it the bell hop service that took us on the golf cart. We followed them to the parking lot closes to our building (tahiti), then we loaded everything up. When it was time to leave, we pressed certain numbers on the phone, told them what room and they came to pick everything up. It was great. We will be doing it again in February.

 

[Jaymie]

When we were there in January, We got out of our town car, bell services took all our stuff, I checked in, our room was ready, they loaded everything onto a golf cart (Even with the golf cart, we looked like the Beverley Hillbillies) and took it to our room. We were on the main floor, so we went into the room, opened the patio door and the bell services guy brought everything in through the patio door. It was easy as pie.

 

[RainbowGirl]

Pull up outside the GCH and they will take all your gear for you to your room.

We drove down and stayed in Rapa Nui which had it's own (very quiet!) parking lot outside the building (loved it, loved it, loved it!). We were thankfully facing away from the parking lot but having our van steps away from the building was terrific. We had tons of 'toys' as well. We left the main baggage with the bell hops and when we realized where we were staying we brought the rest of the kiddie stuff in later at our own pace.

Enjoy!

 

[DiznEeyore]

We drove down and stayed in Rapa Nui which had it's own (very quiet!) parking lot outside the building (loved it, loved it, loved it!). We were thankfully facing away from the parking lot but having our van steps away from the building was terrific.

We agree! Rapa Nui was wonderful, and the extra-large rooms are a bonus, too!

 

[Luvamouse]

Thanks for all the great check-in/unloading the U-Haul...oops, Yukon XL, advice!

 

[nbeaumont]

I'm considering booking the Poly for our Spring Break trip. We have 2 boys (4 and 7) and the last time we stayed at the Poly was when my oldest was 9 months old. The driving factor for staying there (besides it being a unique hotel with fabulous food) is the monorail access and the view of MK fireworks from the rooms.

So we have not decided whether to stay club level or not. It is my understanding that most of the club level rooms do not have MK view and you would need to either go to the club lounge or out on the beach to view. Is this correct? If so, my question is, is club level worth it or should I just book a MK view room?

 

[frdeb1999]

We always are brought to our room via golf cart. The kids love this part! Or you can just leave your bags with the bellman out front and they'll bring them back for you and you can do whatever you want from that point. As far as views from Hawaii .... we have honestly never had a bad view. Just depending on where your room is and on what floor we have always been able to see the MK. I would assume there are some obstructed views, just never had one!

 

[K&C]

We are thinking of staying at the Polynesian during the last 2 weeks of August. Can anybody tell me how busy the pool areas are? Will we be able to find chairs by the pool around 1pm. We won't be spending all day at the parks so are hoping to spend more time at the resort.

Thanks

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

We are thinking of staying at the Polynesian during the last 2 weeks of August. Can anybody tell me how busy the pool areas are? Will we be able to find chairs by the pool around 1pm. We won't be spending all day at the parks so are hoping to spend more time at the resort.

Thanks

We stayed at the POLY during the last two weeks of August and while the pool area was busy, it's nothing like it is in June/July and we were able to find chairs by the pool around 3pm or so. We take our swim breaks around that time.

Hope that helps!

 

[KJF]

Leaving tomorrow for our first ever stay at the Poly I had planned on reviewing all the buildings this week on tiki's site, but it's been down & still is. Does anyone know which buildings do not have a balcony for the 2nd floor rooms??? I requested a balcony or patio - only request I made, so hopefully I'll get it. I just want to know in my head which 2nd floor rooms I don't want - that way I can ask for another room if that's what they offer when I go to check in.

 

[Marci]

We just got back from our first stay at the Poly. It was very nice. We had a garden view room. We did not have any of the housekeeping issues discussed over the past few weeks. We did have to call everyday for housekeeping to come. Apparently our regularly scheduled service was when we were back in the room for DS's nap. The hotel did not seem "tired" like I had seen it described.
I was disappointed in check in service. They didn't tell us about any of the hotel features at check in. No mention of restaurants, pools, boat service, explanation of monorail service/boat. I asked about the "light parade" on the water and our CM didn't even know what time it happened. I'm so glad I had done my research here or we would have missed out on seeing the fireworks from the beach. We have just gotten a good overview of the hotel offerings at other places we stayed and I was just expecting a bit more.
I was also so surprised at how infrequently the monorail ran. The express monorail was 3 to 1 to the resort one. We usually drive ourselves (when we stay at other non monorail properties) and while the monorail was faster it wasn't nearly as quick as we thought it would be. I guess I'm saying I'm not sure it was worth the extra cost for us. We like other resorts just as well and they are so much less expensive.
Overall, it was a nice stay and I'm glad we did it. For those of you with upcoming trips--get excited!