The Official Polynesian Resort FAQ thread!

[kaysmommie]

Does anyone know when the pools close, or when "quiet time" begins?

TIA!

Leaving tomorrow!!

I agree with the other post about being considerate but the pool is open until 11PM, at least when I was there. It was a bit noisy as our room was third floor Samoa and we could hear everyone in the pool until late. We loved the location though so it was worth it to us.

 

[JerseyGirl114]

Thanks for the report. Can you tell us why Kona's instead?

Thanks,

Maz

I didn't mean Kona's instead of Ohana's for dinner. I love Ohana's!!! I just meant that dinner would have been a better meal to have at Kona's instead of breakfast as it was just average after having tonga toast for almost a week straight! I would have loved to try one of their desserts too. We sais one night we were going to go there for just coffe & dessert, but we were always to full so we never made it there!

 

[BCV23]

I agree with the other post about being considerate but the pool is open until 11PM, at least when I was there. It was a bit noisy as our room was third floor Samoa and we could hear everyone in the pool until late. We loved the location though so it was worth it to us.

The slide is not open until 11pm at certain times of the year. Actually, I don't remember ever seeing it open that late in 30 trips so you were lucky.

Or do you just mean people were swimming in it after the lifeguards were gone and the slide closed? As I noted before, I think you can pretty much swim anytime as long as you're quiet. Too bad people weren't on your trip. But that location is great, isn't it!

 

[aimhi]

Is there anyone who is checking into the Poly tomorrow or Friday who did advance check-in? I'd love to hear a report on how that goes. We check-in Dec 4, and I think I may call on the 1st or 2nd. I was hoping to hear a report from some hearty soul who would let us know how it went (from the Poly)!

I am looking for an answer on this as well I am checking in on dec 6 and I am wondering how this is working. So I will keep my fingers crossed on a reply of good news

 

[suffolkprincess]

I didn't mean Kona's instead of Ohana's for dinner. I love Ohana's!!! I just meant that dinner would have been a better meal to have at Kona's instead of breakfast as it was just average after having tonga toast for almost a week straight! I would have loved to try one of their desserts too. We sais one night we were going to go there for just coffe & dessert, but we were always to full so we never made it there!

If you are staying at the Polynesian, I would do both for dinner-- Ohana AND Kona. We were planning on doing Kona and paying OOP for the breakfast there on our last am but we had more CS left so we just had Captain Cook's on the beach instead. (And that was very good and lots of fun.)

Ohana and Kona have a couple of things that overlap on their menus, but really, its such a totally different dining experience I would do both. Kona was extremely relaxing for our family and was a GREAT dinner to have towards the end of the week when you are getting a touch burned out with everything being an "event." Kona reminded us of a very good neighborhood bistro of the kind you might find in the DC area or Bergen County-- solid service, comfortable, a nice menu and good food quality with reasonable ( as opposed to HUMONGOUS Ruby Tuesdays-esque) portions. Our server was Donna and she was AWESOME-- really went above and beyond. The crabcake app, while appropriately small, was delicious and all three of us loved it. We took dessert back to the room and enjoyed it as a snack later in the week-- delicious.

Both evenings (Kona and Ohana) we started out in the Tambu lounge for a drink before being seated. I LOVE those ladies there. LOVE THEM. If Tambu Lounge was near my office and had happy hour... I'd be in trouble! I was completely knocked out by the fact that our server from the first night (cannot recall name, sadly) remembered my husband's drink order (he has the same thing every single time since I met him 8 years ago) and told the waitress we had the second night-- so she brought it right over to him, and she knew what I liked too (but she asked me before bringing it.) AND she remembered DD's name! I thought that was really pretty cool as it had been a day in between visits to the lounge (we visited almost every evening, actually) and they see so many people. I read a lot of criticism of the "new" drink menus with the Monin syrups, and the ones I tried were tasty if a touch sweet. (I didn't want refills.) But this comes from a woman who generally just drinks Maker's Mark on the rocks.. so, apply a grain of salt there.

We enjoyed the food we had from Captain Cook's (temp location) very much although we never ate there-- DH picked up and brought to the room or the beach. I especially liked the stir fry. He loved the pork sandwich.

We didn't try room service, so cannot comment, except I think they should have more snacky options-- my favorite room service menus are the ones I see in Vegas because they seem to get what people *want* from room service (at least, these people)-- platters with cheese and fruit, baskets of bagels, etc. I think they had some similar stuff but it didn't impress me so we skipped that for this trip.

I visited the coffee bar a couple times and used snack credits there for cookies, pastry, bagels, and cupcakes as well as some (limited) coffee drinks. Everything I had was fresh and delicious. The service was good and pretty fast. Its very handily on the way to the monorail / bus stop, too.

We had drinks from the pool bar and they were good-- I love that lava frozen drink. Sweet, but yummy on a sunny afternoon and not too strong.

 

[MickeyMaz]

I am looking for an answer on this as well I am checking in on dec 6 and I am wondering how this is working. So I will keep my fingers crossed on a reply of good news

Ditto

 

[JerseyGirl114]

We had drinks from the pool bar and they were good-- I love that lava frozen drink. Sweet, but yummy on a sunny afternoon and not too strong.

LAVA COLADA'S I LOVED THEM TOO!!!

 

[applechips]

I am going to be at the poly in 8 days!! And now I am starting to get uber excited and just a leetle, tiny bit panicky/nervous. So I have a few questions...

1) I made the reservation for the Poly for Dec 9-15 but I never said any preferences when I booked... is it too late now to request a preference over the phone or is it best to just wait until we arrive and ask at the desk when we check in?

2) We are actually arriving in WDW on Dec 8th(afternoon) and staying at the ASMovies for the night. Is it silly of me to try to check into the Poly the day before(the 8th) or should I wait until that following morning when my ressie there begins?

3) This is related to the above question, sort of...I am anxiously awaiting any reports for this early/advanced check in that is being offered for guests of the Poly... seems like it might not be worth it because then you dont' have the advantage of choosing a room if you are given a choice for the day you arrive... thoughts?

4) My preference for a room is close to the GCH...we are doing the Garden view rooms... I read and re-read Tikimans site and this thread, and carefully decided that the best longhouse for us was Rarotonga.

However, I keep hearing and seeing this 3rd floor Samoa view and I think hmmm well maybe I should ask for that. But since I am weird and a neurotic clean freak (thanks mom)...I am afraid to stay in any 3rd floor Samoa room because of the high traffic these rooms are seemingly getting. (aren't I weird??!!) I know that they were refurbished recently but I still have this weird worry that the 3rd floor Samoa rooms will have seen a LOT more traffic than a room in Rarotonga for example. WDYT?

 

[ktpool]

I am going to be at the poly in 8 days!! And now I am starting to get uber excited and just a leetle, tiny bit panicky/nervous. So I have a few questions...

1) I made the reservation for the Poly for Dec 9-15 but I never said any preferences when I booked... is it too late now to request a preference over the phone or is it best to just wait until we arrive and ask at the desk when we check in?

2) We are actually arriving in WDW on Dec 8th(afternoon) and staying at the ASMovies for the night. Is it silly of me to try to check into the Poly the day before(the 8th) or should I wait until that following morning when my ressie there begins?

3) This is related to the above question, sort of...I am anxiously awaiting any reports for this early/advanced check in that is being offered for guests of the Poly... seems like it might not be worth it because then you dont' have the advantage of choosing a room if you are given a choice for the day you arrive... thoughts?

4) My preference for a room is close to the GCH...we are doing the Garden view rooms... I read and re-read Tikimans site and this thread, and carefully decided that the best longhouse for us was Rarotonga.

However, I keep hearing and seeing this 3rd floor Samoa view and I think hmmm well maybe I should ask for that. But since I am weird and a neurotic clean freak (thanks mom)...I am afraid to stay in any 3rd floor Samoa room because of the high traffic these rooms are seemingly getting. (aren't I weird??!!) I know that they were refurbished recently but I still have this weird worry that the 3rd floor Samoa rooms will have seen a LOT more traffic than a room in Rarotonga for example. WDYT?

Applechips,
I am having the same exact thoughts as you! We check in in 6 days! I am thinking Samoa 3rd floor or Tahiti, because of the proximity to the beach and the TTC. I worry beacause Tahiti is part smoking according to Tikiman's site and I am worried about the smell. I hate that smell. I hope someone answers your questions, so I can find out myself.

Gosh, I am so mixed up! Vacations shouldn't be this stressful, lol.

 

[MickeyMaz]

Aloha,

We are arriving on Dec 6. It is close enough that I will call tomorrow and ask about the early check-in. We had also requested third floor Samoa, but at this point, being so close to going, I would be happy in a tent.

Have a safe trip,

Maz

 

[applechips]

Applechips,
I am having the same exact thoughts as you! We check in in 6 days! I am thinking Samoa 3rd floor or Tahiti, because of the proximity to the beach and the TTC. I worry beacause Tahiti is part smoking according to Tikiman's site and I am worried about the smell. I hate that smell. I hope someone answers your questions, so I can find out myself.

Gosh, I am so mixed up! Vacations shouldn't be this stressful, lol.

LOL WHEW! Oh good, at least I wasn't the only crazy thinking this.

Good luck!!

 

[sarah4770]

Any news on the outdoor movies?

I saw the outdoor movie playing last weekend. They were playing Finding Nemo.
It was pretty neat in thatyou could see the movie from both sides of the screen.

 

[SuperTink]

Quick report from the Poly about using early check in.

When I arrived at the desk the CM asked me a few quick questions and then handed me my check in "package". The room assignment was Rapa Nui, Rm 1122 (pretty sure it was 1122--I know for sure it was a first floor). Well I had requested Tokelau, 3rd floor so I was pretty dismayed. I told the CM that I had requested Tokelau. So the CM calls for to the manager, she listened to my concern, went into the back room for about 10 minutes and came back and said, "I had to move some things around but I got the room." I thanked her and we went on our merry (and somewhat shaken but quite relieved) way. What I don't understand why, after making my request twice--once at the original ressie and again when I called for early check in--if a 3rd floor Tokelau was available my request was not honored in the first place. When I got to the room and read the printed material in my packet it clearly stated "Requests Tokelua, highest floor possible. . Anyway, all's well that ends well.

So, kids. You CAN change your room when using advanced check in. It may be heart-pounding and sweat-provoking, but it can work out.

Anyway, we are having a great time, all the CMs are great and the weather is wonderful.

Gotta go jump in the pool!

SuperTink

 

[septimuswigley]

Hello all,

I've just booked a Concierge room through DVC for our honeymoon in July - due to a) there being 100 pages to this thread and b) me having dial-up at work I'm going to ask a few questions that have probably been answered loads of times before - so apologies in advance.

What are the best Concierge rooms to try and get? What building are the Concierge rooms even in??? It'd be nice and romantic to get a MK view - is that possible?

I've heard that Concierge will help with ADRs and I'm hoping to book some tours/boat trips/dinners as soon as the relevant booking windows open - I know it's some way in the future but I'm hoping for some really special surprises for my new wife. How is this done? With us booking through DVC, will that potentially cause problems?

Does anybody have any other tips regarding Concierge or the hotel in general that'll bring a little extra magic to our 'moon? At the mo my fiancee is incredibly excited about meeting Stitch for breakfast - but it'd be nice to arrange a couple of other little surprises for her!

TIA,

Benn

 

[kaysmommie]

Quick report from the Poly about using early check in.

When I arrived at the desk the CM asked me a few quick questions and then handed me my check in "package". The room assignment was Rapa Nui, Rm 1122 (pretty sure it was 1122--I know for sure it was a first floor). Well I had requested Tokelau, 3rd floor so I was pretty dismayed. I told the CM that I had requested Tokelau. So the CM calls for to the manager, she listened to my concern, went into the back room for about 10 minutes and came back and said, "I had to move some things around but I got the room." I thanked her and we went on our merry (and somewhat shaken but quite relieved) way. What I don't understand why, after making my request twice--once at the original ressie and again when I called for early check in--if a 3rd floor Tokelau was available my request was not honored in the first place. When I got to the room and read the printed material in my packet it clearly stated "Requests Tokelua, highest floor possible. . Anyway, all's well that ends well.

So, kids. You CAN change your room when using advanced check in. It may be heart-pounding and sweat-provoking, but it can work out.

Anyway, we are having a great time, all the CMs are great and the weather is wonderful.

Gotta go jump in the pool!

SuperTink

Thanks for checking in. Have a wonderful time at the Poly

 

[cara loves the poly]

Hello all,

I've just booked a Concierge room through DVC for our honeymoon in July - due to a) there being 100 pages to this thread and b) me having dial-up at work I'm going to ask a few questions that have probably been answered loads of times before - so apologies in advance.

What are the best Concierge rooms to try and get? What building are the Concierge rooms even in??? It'd be nice and romantic to get a MK view - is that possible?

I've heard that Concierge will help with ADRs and I'm hoping to book some tours/boat trips/dinners as soon as the relevant booking windows open - I know it's some way in the future but I'm hoping for some really special surprises for my new wife. How is this done? With us booking through DVC, will that potentially cause problems?

Does anybody have any other tips regarding Concierge or the hotel in general that'll bring a little extra magic to our 'moon? At the mo my fiancee is incredibly excited about meeting Stitch for breakfast - but it'd be nice to arrange a couple of other little surprises for her!

TIA,

Benn[/QUOTE
Concierge is in the Hawaii longhouse. The location is EXCELLENT. Lagoon view rooms have the view of the castle and the fireworks are seen great from your belcony. Have fun! By the way, we just booked directly through Disney.

 

[aimhi]

Well thank you supertink...how wonderful you are to check in on your vacation to let us know that information. I am also impressed that it is warm enough there to get into that pool I thought it might be a bit chill there. Enjoy your trip I can not wait till Wed. when I will be checking in as well.

 

[steffali]

Hello all,

I've just booked a Concierge room through DVC for our honeymoon in July - due to a) there being 100 pages to this thread and b) me having dial-up at work I'm going to ask a few questions that have probably been answered loads of times before - so apologies in advance.

What are the best Concierge rooms to try and get? What building are the Concierge rooms even in??? It'd be nice and romantic to get a MK view - is that possible?

I've heard that Concierge will help with ADRs and I'm hoping to book some tours/boat trips/dinners as soon as the relevant booking windows open - I know it's some way in the future but I'm hoping for some really special surprises for my new wife. How is this done? With us booking through DVC, will that potentially cause problems?

Does anybody have any other tips regarding Concierge or the hotel in general that'll bring a little extra magic to our 'moon? At the mo my fiancee is incredibly excited about meeting Stitch for breakfast - but it'd be nice to arrange a couple of other little surprises for her!

TIA,

Benn

This is our first time going to POLY Concierge in January, we booked a Lagoon view.
I made all of my ADR's and booked my Specialty Cruise through them. I called them just last week and I was lucky enough to get everything that we requested. At first they only had a Wishes Cruise available but then 2 days later they sent me an E-mail saying that an Illuminations Cruise opened up
Concierge also has booked my Cirque Du Soleil too. I had told them that we are celebrating for my DD and requested that they have some special items for her in the room when we arrive and they are also arranging a cake for her on our Illuminations Cruise.
So far I am in love with Concierge Services, they really have been great!!!

 

[MickeyMaz]

Quick report from the Poly about using early check in.

Anyway, we are having a great time, all the CMs are great and the weather is wonderful.

Gotta go jump in the pool!

SuperTink

Thanks for the update. I held back today because another thread was saying that you might not be able to ask to change a room if you check in early. Not that I am that concerned, but just in case.

I've seen the weather forcast in the 70's this week coming up. Is that swimming weather? No, really, serious question.

Enjoy your trip,

Maz

 

[SuperTink]

We are swimming everyday. It is in the 80's in the afternoons.

The Quiet pool seems to be warmer than the Volcano Pool, we did Quiet Pool after a full day at Epcot Thursday.

Just got back from Animal Kingdom. It was a total zoo! But we did get to do most of what we wanted with minimal waits--20 minutes for Kali Rapids and Safari. Didn't get to do Dinosaur but may do that tomorrow. We are running out of time--only have 1.5 days left, but we are having fun.

DDs are taking a nap and then we will head over to MGM for our ADRs at SciFi and then we will do Fanstasmic. I'm hoping we can catch the O.Lights after that.

See ya!