The Official Polynesian Resort FAQ thread!

[MUFFYCAT]

We love the Polynesian. It was our first resort for our 1st trip in 2000.
Since then, my DH and I were hooked!
We've stayed there 5 times since then. We always go in In August.
My kids are in school so that's the only time that works for us.
We stay lagoon view concierge. I know it's costs too much, but we love it!

 

[disneyfan67]

Wow, had no idea you could ever swim in the lagoon--I'd heard of the wave machine--how fun would that have been to swim in waves out there

When was the swimming disallowed?

Here's a quote lifted from Widen your World about the wave machine that only operated for a short time.

A more exotic water element never made it to a regular operational state. The "wave machine", a subject of intense cast member interest in the early seventies, was actually built off the southern shore of Beachcomber Isle in the Seven Seas Lagoon. This mechanism was intended to provide breakers capable of sustaining surfers. And that's exactly what it did when completed after several delays. Unfortunately, the waves eroded the shoreline near Luau Cove and the machine was permanently shut down. It later became an artificial reef.

I heard that swiming in the Seven Seas lagoon stopped in the late 70's early 80's due to the water quality. Steve (Tikiman) would probably know the exact date.

 

[mikesluss]

Hey Muffycat
i read you always go in august we are planning a trip the third week in aug and out clan wants to stay at the poly just how crowded is it at this time
We used to go the first full week in Dec but now that ds is getting older we cant see taking him out of school again.
Last time it took him about two weeks to get back into the swing of things then it was christmas break so he was really swamped with work
just curious I've never been this time of year ???

 

[knebel22@frontiernet]

Does anyone have idea what are the standard rooms? We are staying at the Polynesian from April 15th until the 20th then off to the cruise part of the land/sea. Our reservation just says standard. Can I request a room? How?
Thanks in advance.

Denise

First stay in Disney April 2006

 

[Hollyster2]

We are booked with Garden View Concierge rooms! Now...back to tikiman's website I go!

 

[skiwee1]

I just booked yesterday for our June trip! We will have a gardenview at the Poly June 18-30! I am just starting to make an itinerary for ADRs. I should have done this weeks ago!

 

[hccb]

Gator's? Gator's in the lake? I know it sounds so naive, I know it's Florida! But gator's in the water?

< creepy, scary willies up and down my spine >

Glad I didn't even know about this our first trip since my kids were playing right down by the water. Is it unusual that there aren't any signs posted to clue in us clueless desert folk to these types of critters?!

I hope they aren't hungry and lookin' at the shoreline when we're there! Oh, is that too graphic I'm sorry!! I was just wondering if this just a far fetched notion of a cowgirl?

 

[Dalpal]

Dalpal - I so enjoyed your blog. Pictures are great. If you don't mind me asking what part of the country do you live it. It is breathtaking! The pictures with your horses in the snow....WOW. You seem to be living the life my DH and myself dream about.

Thank you for sharing

Angel 16

Sorry, Im just now reading your post...
Thank you so much...My DH adds a few new ones every now and then so feel free to check it out again sometime..
I live in NE Pa.....We love it here....In the country, but just 20 mins. to the city...
The winters(not this one)can be a bit hard sometimes ...but it IS beautiful..We live right down the road from a state park...so we have 600 acres to play in too!...

 

[sportears]

Thanks for starting this thread! We have never stayed at Poly and our first stay there will be in June. I have booked the garden view. What bldg can I request that is close to the main bldg? And also what is there not to be missed. We are only staying there for two nights and on to WL. And how long is the walk to TTC? Thanks for any infos you can give me.

I think Roratonga is the long house inwhich the rooms have not been updated yet, and wont be completed util June. You may check before you book. Good luck requesting a longhouse. We have requested early and often, but have had very little luck.

 

[JennyMominRI]

Hey Muffycat
i read you always go in august we are planning a trip the third week in aug and out clan wants to stay at the poly just how crowded is it at this time
We used to go the first full week in Dec but now that ds is getting older we cant see taking him out of school again.
Last time it took him about two weeks to get back into the swing of things then it was christmas break so he was really swamped with work
just curious I've never been this time of year ???

I was there Aug 12-16th..Honestly,I couldn't tell you if it was croded.it never *felt* crowded.. It was wonderful and we are already making plans to go back.. It was very relaxing and calm..The GCH was never crowded

 

[LAURHOPE]

We just booked a Concierge Garden View Room this morning and although I have stayed at many of the Disney Resorts, none have confused me as much as the Polynesian. Can someone please tell me what building the Concierge Garden View Rooms are in. Also any advice on room requests would be appreciated. We stayed at Grand Floridian Sugar Loaf last month and loved it but need to cut that price down just at bit and the Polynesian looks amazing too!
Laurie

 

[Grumpy'n'Goofy]

Can someone please tell me what building the Concierge Garden View Rooms are in.

The Concierge rooms are in the Hawaii building.

 

[T-i-double-g-err]

Also any advice on room requests would be appreciated.

In the Hawaii longhouse, the 1st floor rooms have little patios; the 3rd floor rooms have litle balconies. In either case, you have a pair of chairs and a little table. It's a nice place to hang out after picking up a snack at the lounge.

Also, the building has both smoking and non-smoking rooms; I'm not sure how those are divided. If you want a smoking room, your choices may be more limited.

The lounge is on the 2nd floor, so you do not have go up or down to get to the lounge. The concierge CM are located on the 1st floor under the lounge. I've heard that you can hear noise from the elevator in some of the rooms near the lounge end of the building, but we have no personal experience with that.

We were there a week and a half back in 1524 and 1525. We had a nice view of the flora around the quiet pool and could easily get there from our patio. The volcano pool was not much further if you hung a right after leaving the patio area.

I think you should probably look at the information above, and hopefully it can help you make some requests based on your preferences...

 

[Hollyster2]

We are still trying to decide if we want to do the Luau or not. We have reservations at Ohana, but do you think two families with kids ages 3-16 would like the Luau better?

 

[Frankiesmom]

We just returned last sun. from a land/sea 5 nites at the POLY LVC;we were a group of 12-the small kids-and the adults loved the luau! My 1yr. old and my 4 yr. old were mesmerized and that is saying alot! we had rooms 3504 and 3514 and 3515 connecting all had amazing views!! We didn't try O'hanas though-will save that for next time LOL .

 

[SnwflkCts]

Ok, 20 days to go, staying you know where! DH and I (20th anniversary trip) are scheduled for Garden View (regular not concierge). All I want is non-smoking w/balcony - I don't care if trees or not. Should I call and request that??? Should I just hang loose??? This is my first trip and though we are both easy going, I would like a balcony. (OK, I'm a little on the shy side & don't like to make waves!) Booked thru WDW. Do I ask them or what???? Advice from all you multi-visitors. I already visited tikiman - great site!

 

[Grumpy'n'Goofy]

Ok, 20 days to go, staying you know where! DH and I (20th anniversary trip) are scheduled for Garden View (regular not concierge). All I want is non-smoking w/balcony - I don't care if trees or not. Should I call and request that??? Should I just hang loose??? This is my first trip and though we are both easy going, I would like a balcony. (OK, I'm a little on the shy side & don't like to make waves!) Booked thru WDW. Do I ask them or what???? Advice from all you multi-visitors. I already visited tikiman - great site!

If I were you, I would call CRO and let them know you will be celebrating your 20th anniversary. After you mention that, put in your request for non-smoking/balcony.

Good luck

 

[SnwflkCts]

Thanks for the advice. Of course tell me what "CRO" means. I looked for what that abbreviation was but didn't find it.

Love the little Hokie! My nephew goes to VA Tech and my two other co-workers either went to VA Tech or have a child there so we have posters up & all wear Hokie Jackets, etc....

 

[Grumpy'n'Goofy]

Thanks for the advice. Of course tell me what "CRO" means. I looked for what that abbreviation was but didn't find it.

Love the little Hokie! My nephew goes to VA Tech and my two other co-workers either went to VA Tech or have a child there so we have posters up & all wear Hokie Jackets, etc....

Sorry, CRO=Central Reservations Office...since you booked through Disney you just call the CRO to add your requests.

FYI, here's a link to most of the abbreviations used on this site (it took me a long time to get used to them all): http://www.wdwinfo.com/abbreviations.htm

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hi, all!! We are going to WDW for spring break the end of March. Staying a week at the GF and recently changed our flights to add extra nights on so we can stay at the Poly GVC for 3 nights.

I just read a post about the Volcano pool being down for a new pool deck!!

Does anybody know about that and when it will be completed?? I may be panicking, as our trip is 2 months away, but I have no idea how long they will be working on that pool. The post I read made it sound like a major project with brown barricades around it etc. I would rather stay at another resort (sorry) if the pool won't be in working condition during our stay. Those brown barricades just kind of kill the atmosphere. I feel like I need to make our arrangements soon if we need to stay somewhere else. I will be disappointed and so will my daughters, but I would rather know ahead of time than be disappointed when we arrive.

THANKS for any info!

Lives4Disney