The Official Polynesian Resort FAQ thread!

[brendalee59]

I'm sure I have seen a thread with directions to the Poly, but darned if I remember where. Thought it was Tikimans, but no luck there either. Our DD and her DH have decided they don't want to fly out with us. Seems SIL doesn't care to fly. Can someone please tell me where I would find this info?
Thank you so much!

 

[StPeteDisneyers]

1 y.o and just turning 3 y.o... and we booked for Sept
We are DISNEY novices, but are hooked after staying at AKL last year, and loved it... This year we're trying POLY, mainly for stroller ease and monorail (and because i[ve always wanted to stay there since being a kid myself!)
i have read ALL from TikimanSteve's site (VERY VERY HELPFUL) BUT I still don't know what to ask for... we have garden view..., so with that said,..
1. Is there any room/longhouse sides/views to avoid?? E.g. parking lot doesn't sound exciting, but the photos I've seen weren't too bad.
2. Ideally, we want a balcony... what are chances i can get that, if I'm not picky on which Longhouse?
3. iS THE COFFEE really that bad??

ANY OTHER TIPS OR ADVICE FROM PRIOR TODDLER PARENTS would be GREATLY appreciated.
THANKS

 

[mirthmaiden]

Perhaps just ask for a quiet room near the pool...almost an oxymoron.

But I would sure note your husband's walking difficulty first. Perhaps a gardenview in Raratonga would work well for you. It is literally steps away from the GCH. One side faces the quiet pool and has lovely garden views. It is perhaps a two minute walk to the volcano pool.

Samoa and Nuie are a little closer to the volcano pool. Nuie is also very close to the GCH but is smoking. Samoa is a little further away.

Good luck and happy planning.

Thanks. When should I do this and whom do I ask? We're checking in on Sept. 13

 

[DT83097]

1 y.o and just turning 3 y.o... and we booked for Sept

ANY OTHER TIPS OR ADVICE FROM PRIOR TODDLER PARENTS would be GREATLY appreciated.
THANKS

Something else to consider from a fellow toddler parent, we just came back from the poly and although we would have chosen balcony had it been just DH and I, we were very glad we had ground floor with 2 little ones and strollers. We could stroll right in the main door and straight to our room (no elevator or stairs to deal with). Plus with the patio outside we could open the sliding door and the kids could play on the patio / in the grass right in front of our room.
Regardless of building or location though, the Poly is beautiful. Be sure to take a stroll after sunset!

 

[SnwflkCts]

I had to note "StPeteDisneyers" question about coffee. The POLY is the BEST place to get coffee (KONA Coffee) - anyway there is a coffee bar on the 2nd floor of the Great Ceremonial House (GCH) right near the door you get on the monorail at. They also serve it at the Kona Cafe. (I can't really tell you if they serve the good stuff or NESCAFE at Captain Cook). Yes, I have drank some of the horrible stuff in Magic Kingdom - I was desperate!

 

[BCV23]

Thanks. When should I do this and whom do I ask? We're checking in on Sept. 13

I would do it as soon as you can. Did you book through Disney? If so, just call Disney Reservation Center. You should be asked about your husband's needs and they'll take it from there.

 

[mr.mike]

I'm sure this has been asked before, but since this is a huge thread....

Are there any "bad" locations at the Poly?

I know it all depends on your point of view and what you like but I hated a room we had in Rapa Nui on the third floor. It just seemed too far or i guess i should say just not as close as the other buildings.
Funny thing is I've stayed at Tokelau and I loved it and that is pretty close to Rapa Nui.

 

[MickeyMaz]

1 y.o and just turning 3 y.o... and we booked for Sept
We are DISNEY novices, but are hooked after staying at AKL last year, and loved it... This year we're trying POLY, mainly for stroller ease and monorail (and because i[ve always wanted to stay there since being a kid myself!)
i have read ALL from TikimanSteve's site (VERY VERY HELPFUL) BUT I still don't know what to ask for... we have garden view..., so with that said,..
1. Is there any room/longhouse sides/views to avoid?? E.g. parking lot doesn't sound exciting, but the photos I've seen weren't too bad.
2. Ideally, we want a balcony... what are chances i can get that, if I'm not picky on which Longhouse?
3. iS THE COFFEE really that bad??

I had heard Tikiman on a couple of podcasts and he mentioned these things:
1. If it is not crowded, Sept won't be, they do not put people in the parking lot view rooms.
2. Blaconies are on Third and first floors. Although first floor was more like a porch the same size as a balcony. Everything is so well landscaped that your view will almost always be green. We had ducks visit us one day and a cat on another.
3. Kona's coffee is the best. Not the same ol' WDW coffee.

You can always request any room. They will not always be able to accomodate you. Good Luck and enjoy.

Maz

 

[ConcKahuna]

1. Is there any room/longhouse sides/views to avoid?? E.g. parking lot doesn't sound exciting, but the photos I've seen weren't too bad.

ANY OTHER TIPS OR ADVICE FROM PRIOR TODDLER PARENTS would be GREATLY appreciated.
THANKS

"Parking Lot Views" aren't too bad, especially with kids. The mono rail goes right outside of these rooms, and when my family stayed there my little cousins loved watching them go by. My one cousin would watch every day to see if the same colored "train" went by as the day before.

 

[StPeteDisneyers]

Thanks for all the advice everyone...

I've got another quick Q concerning Concierge...
Everyone seems to LOVE concierge...Club level...on all the posts at any of the deluxe resorts... everyone is excited about booking concierge.... but all i can figure it out to be is:
hors d'oevres and wine in the evenings and
someone to make your dining reservations
These are nice little luxuries I suppose, and maybe down the line,, My wife and I might do it... but for now, with toddlers, it just seems to make an already expensive stay that much more expensive!
What do you pros think?...
Is it worth the indulgence if you don't have money to burn?
Or am i missin smthg?

THANKS

 

[BCV23]

No, I think you are understanding it correctly. There is a continental breakfast and light snacks through the day but to us it is a fun splurge now that we are older. Not something that could ever be justified monetarily.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

No, I think you are understanding it correctly. There is a continental breakfast and light snacks through the day but to us it is a fun splurge now that we are older. Not something that could ever be justified monetarily.

Don't forget about the Hors D'Oeuvres in the evening and the deserts with the wine cordials.

 

[BCV23]

Hi CRFan. No, I didn't forget but it appeared StPete knew about that.

 

[Poppinsme]

It seems to take awhile to get by bus to Animal Kingdom so I'm wondering if we should just take a taxi when we eat at the Animal Kingdom lodge? I'm sure it would be a lot faster to get a taxi to take us to Jiko and Boma. Any thoughts?
Another question...should we bring beach towels for the pools or are the resort towels fine?
Thanks.

 

[Castillo Mom]

It seems to take awhile to get by bus to Animal Kingdom so I'm wondering if we should just take a taxi when we eat at the Animal Kingdom lodge? I'm sure it would be a lot faster to get a taxi to take us to Jiko and Boma. Any thoughts?
Another question...should we bring beach towels for the pools or are the resort towels fine?
Thanks.

I would agree that taking a taxi to AKL would be a good idea, in fact that's what we're doing. We have an ADR for breakfast at Boma, then at Jiko for dinner that evening. I think it's worth the extra cost to ensure getting there on time.

As for the towels, I'm sure the hotel towels will be fine - beach towels take up lots of room in luggage.

 

[Jennygt]

Is there a CD player in the rooms? We use a white noise cd for DS, wondering if I will be able to use it at the Poly in sept.

 

[Angel16]

Hi Jenny, We stayed at the Poly in concierge last Nov/Dec. It was FANTASTIC. However, I honestly don't remember a CD player. The concierge rooms do have a DVD player with the wonderful TV. I am not sure if the standard rooms have the same.

Anyone out there with information? I am curious too.

 

[Tikiman]

Is there a CD player in the rooms? We use a white noise cd for DS, wondering if I will be able to use it at the Poly in sept.

There is not a CD player in the standard rooms but the concierge rooms have a DVD player that I believe will play CDs also.

Aloha

Steve

 

[MickeyMaz]

Is there a CD player in the rooms? We use a white noise cd for DS, wondering if I will be able to use it at the Poly in sept.

No cd player, but our clock radio had a plug that went into the Ear phone jack of my MP3 player. It was not a power sound machine, but you could hear it. I used it to wake up the family each morning.

 

[DisneyBride'03]

I dont want to start a thread regarding my question I want to pose.....I currently have WL CL booked, Dh thinks we are standard. Wow what an upgrade,lol, Anyway, I have changed sooo many times...however, for what I am paying I can get in the Poly , I am happy with GV, esp if I am in Tokelau.
I kind of wanted to try another resort, but my heart belongs to Poly. And when I realized it was now actually a couple hundred less.......I know, only I can make this decision, but would like some input. Sorry , I am not trying to hijack the thread. if anyone is offended, I will start a thread.

Thanks for your input. DH, me and DD (will be 14 mths old)