The Official Polynesian Resort FAQ thread!

[ktink]

I know it was being tested at the end of last November until January or something, however I am not sure if they plan to bring it back.

Thanks.

 

[irisbud]

Hi everyone! It's my first time over here, and I have a few questions that I hope you will be able to answer for me. I have just put down a deposit for a land/sea vacation in December 2008. We will be staying three nights at the Poly before our four night cruise, and I wondered what kind of room we could expect to be in? Garden view, I suppose?
I must say that I am a little hesitant about staying at the Poly. We have visited the resort and I think that it is beautiful, but, as you can see by my siggy I am a GF girl through and through. I have read many complaints about the Poly being "dark" and wonder what kind of truth there is to this rumor. This was one of (many) reasons that we were thoroughly unimpressed with AKL on our last trip.
I am being optimistic, I would just like a little reassurance. I don't want to be staring at the GF thinking "if only" the whole time. I just wasn't feeling like shelling out so much extra for a room over there with the cruise also, especially not when we got a great deal on the l/s combo. I'm sure the Poly will be great!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thanks.

Your welcome.

 

[suffolkprincess]

Garden view, I suppose?
I must say that I am a little hesitant about staying at the Poly. We have visited the resort and I think that it is beautiful, but, as you can see by my siggy I am a GF girl through and through. I have read many complaints about the Poly being "dark" and wonder what kind of truth there is to this rumor. This was one of (many) reasons that we were thoroughly unimpressed with AKL on our last trip.

We stayed at the Polynesian this past November 2006. MY SIL stayed the same week at GF, and we visited each other's rooms and pools and such.

They are just different. It would be very hard to compare them, because they are trying for such a different theme. My family really loves to go to the GF but we find the Polynesian more exotic and thus more magical. Coming from Virginia where we go to the beach often, and with annual trips to the AL gulf coast and the Jersey shore to visit family, anything that is an American East Coast theme just doesn't feel extra-magical to us. (yeah, I know GF is supposed to be turn of the century Florida) Although we do appreciate the loveliness and elegance of the GF and we make it a point to have a couple of meals there while we are at the World because it is so nice, we like the additional touch of the exotic that we experience at the Polynesian.

It is darker than GF, but not because it is not well kept or well lit but because the color story that the designers use for the theming is just a different palette altogether from the GF's. With the drapes shut, our garden view room was pleasantly dark, cool, and restful. With the drapes open, it was just as bright as it would need to be. At night, with the lights on, the room did not at all feel dark. We did think that my SIL's room at GF was a little more spacious than ours was, but we didn't necessarily miss the extra space because the room had ample seating and storage. We really loved the patio we had with a short walk to the Luau Cove beach-- that was a special touch that put it over the top in our opinion as compared to their GF room with a balcony. (Our room was garden view, Fiji building, luau cove side.)

I felt that our pool area had a lot more energy and was more fun than their's at GF-- it was also, again, more exotic than the fairly typical (though very nice) GF pools.

I don't know how the two compare as far as convenience goes, but we found the Polynesian to be extremely well laid out, compact, and convenient.

I think if you go in there thinking that the GF is the BEST and the only place you can be happy, and that their decor = Top of the Line (when their decor really just is indicative of a their theming-- Polynesian is Top of the Line in *their* theming just as GF is tops in theirs, and AKL is tops in theirs) then you might be disappointed. If you go in there expecting it to be totally different but still nice, then you probably won't be disappointed.

 

[chamonix]

Hate to be a pest. But could anyone enlighten me on the early check in that I've read about? And I had read something about an outdoor movie, do they still do that at Poly?

Thanks

As for the movie on the beach, they are still doing it, we could see Finding Nemo from our balcony night before last. It's not every night though, I will see if I can find out a schedule before we check out. (here now, whoohoo!)

 

[Alicnwondrln]

hey everyone
we are booked for july 1st thru the 10th at the Poly
I have not stayed here since the late 80s and my DH and sons have never
we have tried alot of different places the last couple months and I am excited about this.
We are booked into a garden room as there was no garden view concierge available. Any tips about what building to request?
Thanks

 

[ktink]

As for the movie on the beach, they are still doing it, we could see Finding Nemo from our balcony night before last. It's not every night though, I will see if I can find out a schedule before we check out. (here now, whoohoo!)

First of all, thanks for the info. And secondly, I'M JEALOUS! I hope you have a wonderful vacation and I hope you get some "dreams" granted from the YOMD CMs.

 

[ticktock]

As for the movie on the beach, they are still doing it, we could see Finding Nemo from our balcony night before last. It's not every night though, I will see if I can find out a schedule before we check out. (here now, whoohoo!)

I've never heard of the movie on the beach! Do they have a fire pit like at Ft. Wilderness movies? Please post more about this. Thanks.

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

I'd love to know more about the movies on the beach. We will be staying at the Poly Aug 25th - Sept 2nd and I hope the program is still running then. What could be better than sitting on the beach, under the stars, seeing Cindy's Castle across Seven Seas Lagoon & watching a disney movie

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I'd love to know more about the movies on the beach. We will be staying at the Poly Aug 25th - Sept 2nd and I hope the program is still running then. What could be better than sitting on the beach, under the stars, seeing Cindy's Castle across Seven Seas Lagoon & watching a disney movie

that sounds fun

 

[NCDisneyMom]

I'd love to know more about the movies on the beach. We will be staying at the Poly Aug 25th - Sept 2nd and I hope the program is still running then. What could be better than sitting on the beach, under the stars, seeing Cindy's Castle across Seven Seas Lagoon & watching a disney movie

Oooohh...I agree. I will be there earlier in August, so I sure do hope they are running the movies then.

 

[WOODY13]

Hi everyone! It's my first time over here, and I have a few questions that I hope you will be able to answer for me. I have just put down a deposit for a land/sea vacation in December 2008. We will be staying three nights at the Poly before our four night cruise, and I wondered what kind of room we could expect to be in? Garden view, I suppose?
I must say that I am a little hesitant about staying at the Poly. We have visited the resort and I think that it is beautiful, but, as you can see by my siggy I am a GF girl through and through. I have read many complaints about the Poly being "dark" and wonder what kind of truth there is to this rumor. This was one of (many) reasons that we were thoroughly unimpressed with AKL on our last trip.
I am being optimistic, I would just like a little reassurance. I don't want to be staring at the GF thinking "if only" the whole time. I just wasn't feeling like shelling out so much extra for a room over there with the cruise also, especially not when we got a great deal on the l/s combo. I'm sure the Poly will be great!

After reading your post I wonder if it would be better to spend the extra money and stay at GF? I completely understand loving one resort over all the rest as that is how I am with The Poly. I've been in the same boat where I could save some money by not staying at The Poly but then later wished I had spent the extra and stayed where I really wanted to. I could see myself staring across and saying only if. When you are that passionate about one place no other can really measure up. If I were you I would take a long look at what everyone will enjoy most and then decide if the price difference is worth it. When we stay elsewhere besides The Poly we end up spending a lot of time there so why not just stay there that is where we want to be.

 

[BCV23]

hey everyone
we are booked for july 1st thru the 10th at the Poly
I have not stayed here since the late 80s and my DH and sons have never
we have tried alot of different places the last couple months and I am excited about this.
We are booked into a garden room as there was no garden view concierge available. Any tips about what building to request?
Thanks

Tokelau is a great choice for gardenview because it has larger rooms than the original buildings (which are large to begin with), is convenient to the GGH and TTC and is a very large building which makes it more likely that your request can be granted. In addition, all second and third floor rooms have balconies.

But we've stayed at the Polynesian 30 times since 1983 and have never requested a building. We just ask for non smoking and the floor we prefer and let the pixie dust fly. I do think every building has its advantages.

Have a wonderful vacation!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Tokelau is a great choice for gardenview because it has larger rooms than the original buildings (which are large to begin with), is convenient to the GGH and TTC and is a very large building which makes it more likely that your request can be granted. In addition, all second and third floor rooms have balconies.

But we've stayed at the Polynesian 30 times since 1983 and have never requested a building. We just ask for non smoking and the floor we prefer and let the pixie dust fly. I do think every building has its advantages.

Have a wonderful vacation!

thanks !
Knowing me I will end up upgrading to concierge
our last trips have all been club level and but only LVC was available
GVC wasnt available
I like concierge but not really for the view but the service and food
thanks again

 

[BCV23]

thanks !
Knowing me I will end up upgrading to concierge
our last trips have all been club level and but only LVC was available
GVC wasnt available
I like concierge but not really for the view but the service and food
thanks again

Oh, we love lagoon view in Hawaii! It is incredible.

In fact, my ratings and I think of my whole family are:
1.lagoon view club level
2.garden view
3.garden view club
4.lagoon view

 

[ktink]

I'd love to know more about the movies on the beach. We will be staying at the Poly Aug 25th - Sept 2nd and I hope the program is still running then. What could be better than sitting on the beach, under the stars, seeing Cindy's Castle across Seven Seas Lagoon & watching a disney movie

We'll be checkin in on the day you leave. I hope both of our vacations get here quickly! And I can't wait to watch the movie @ the beach.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Oh, we love lagoon view in Hawaii! It is incredible.

In fact, my ratings and I think of my whole family are:
1.lagoon view club level
2.garden view
3.garden view club
4.lagoon view

thanks for that i feel better about staying garden view now

 

[ToyStory]

I have a question about the Poly's bathroom. Looking at Tikimans site I understand some bathrooms have a single sink and others have a double. But are the toliets in a separate room so two people can use the bathroom at the same time?

I was looking at the pictures and floor plans and it was hard to tell.

Thanks.

 

[MickeyMaz]

I have a question about the Poly's bathroom. Looking at Tikimans site I understand some bathrooms have a single sink and others have a double. But are the toliets in a separate room so two people can use the bathroom at the same time?

I was looking at the pictures and floor plans and it was hard to tell.

Thanks.

Our room in Nuie had the camode in the same room. Around the corner, but in the same room. Also, if your tall, watch out for the shower head.

 

[Joan1]

We booked our first stay at the Polynesian for November in a Garden view concierge. Lagoon view wasn't available and I am not sure if we would go for the price difference. We have been to Disney many times but never stayed at this deluxe hotel. We have stayed at all the other deluxes

Is there an area of the Hawaii building that I should request over others?
I think that the second floor doesn't have a balcony and the 3rd is smoking optional, is that correct?

Looking at the map it looks like this building is close to both the quiet and volcano pool, can anyone verify

Looking at Tikiman's website it looks like the boat dock for the Mk ferry is right in the Hawaii building, if this is correct it may be a better way to get to from the MK instead of walking over to the monorail. Can anyone verify this?