The Official Polynesian Resort FAQ thread!

[Tinks]

Tipping question!! How do I pay valet? Do I pay When they park the car, when they get it for me or both? Do I pay them each time I leave the lot? Sorry never used valet before

How much do I pay person taking my bags (concierge guest) to the room?

Do they ever get the rooms done early, we will probaly be checking in aound 11:00.

We have lower level Hawaii building. How far away is beach? Can I see fireworks from patio? Problems with bugs on first floor?

Any replys appreciated?

Also, what is best way to MK - boat or monorail? How long does it take to get to park? Under 10 minutes?

I'm not an expert so someone more experienced may need to jump in here, but let me see if I can help.

We've always had towncar service, but if I had a car to valet I would give him $2-3 each time I used him (my initial thought wa $5, though. I hope someone with experience will help!) So I'd slip him money when he parked the car and after he brought it to me when I wanted it. They usually park your car and then give you a claim number, yes? I would give him the money when he gave me my claim number on dropoff. Like I said, I'm not well versed with valet!

For the person with the bags....the usual amount is $1.00 per bag. They will deliver the bags to your room. When he is done, say thank you and hand him some cash. I usually round up or give a little extra to be nice.

Yes, sometimes the rooms are ready early but don't count on it! If your room isn't ready you can leave your bags with the staff and walk the resort, go to the parks, have a meal...... The rooms aren't scheduled to be available until 3:00.

Hawaii is a great buikding! You should be able to see Wishes from your patio unless you have vegetation blocking the view. You are literally steps from the beach. Maybe 15 feet? It's great!

We've never, ever had any bugs at the Polynesian and we've stayed ground floor several times. You will have a duck problem. They roam freely and have been known to come up to patios looking for a handout. Don't feed them!

We like to take the monorail to MK. The boat is nice, too. They are probably the same time wise with a slight edge going to the monorail.

Have a fun trip! Hope that helps! I also hope someone comes along with better valet tipping points!

 

[Carrie772]

Thank you Tikiman and Grumpy'nGoofy. Looking forward to making my room requests!

 

[LOLA2]

Thanks skiwee1 and tinks!!

 

[SnwflkCts]

Just got back. Polynesian was FABULOUS. Thanks all for the great advice, tips, pics ... especially Tikiman! We were in Figi, third floor overlooking the marina. Beautiful view. The room was large -- new plasma TV, fridge, etc....

CMs were wonderful, smiling - eager to help. Luggage (bell captain) service was great. PS to above tipping advice. We had 1 garment bag and 4 regular bags one of which was very heavy and one extra Disney tote with gifts on way out. We tipped the baggage guy $10 both times. ($2 a bag is about the standard so I cheated a little with the extra disney tote!)

Food service was convenient and good. We ate at least once at all Polynesian locations. Loved KONA -- ate there three times (1 breakfast and 2 dinners)! I enjoyed the dinner choices at Kona vs fixed choice at Ohana's. Captain Cook for Counter Service and snacks was convenient and tasty.

Pool was cold - even after the weather warmed up. Kids probably think it is ok -- but I was disappointed in that.

Monorail, bus -- all transportation was fast, easy to use, convenient!

Great gift shops, beautiful grounds, great view of castle for fireworks. This is a wonderful place to stay. Casual atmosphere. I already miss being there!

 

[lillygator]

what kind of room was that to have a plasma tv? Glad you had a great time!

 

[LOLA2]

How long does it take to get to MK using Monorail. Just wondering what time we should get on if we want toget there a couple minutes before opening. Do you usually have to wait a couple of monorails to get on, or is it walk right on? Are the Hawaii rooms all renovated?

 

[ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!]

In the morning, its usually walk on. There has been times that we were inline and there was noone there so we'd run in to grab a coffee, but he time we're back theres a line...so it can be hit or miss. The monorail makes one step before MK from the Poly and thats at GF. It takes a total of about 5-7 minutes to get from the Poly to MK.

Hawaii has completed in its renovastions.

 

[Tikiman]

I spent a night at the Poly last week on my way home from my cruise . I have always wanted to stay there and was so pleased with the pleasant service I received from every CM. I have stayed at GF, Contmp, WL, and an AS and the servive at the poly was by far the most friendly. I just wanted to pass my observations on to the Poly management and pay a particular CM a compliment. To what email address should I send this to?

Thanks!

4DisneyAddicts,

There is no email address (that I can post) that goes directly to someone at the Polynesian or resort management but you can send a letter.

Dave Venables is the GM for the Polynesian.
Attn: Dave Venables
P.O. Box 10060
Lake Buena Vista, Fl 32830

Also you can write to Lee Cockrell who is V.P. of the resorts and writes the Main Street Journal. He likes to hear about the good things the CMs are doing.

Aloha

Steve

 

[lillygator]

what about the plasma tv;s? is that only in concierge?

 

[Tikiman]

Lillygator,

LCD flat panel TVs are being put in all the rooms, not just concierge.

By the way if anyone wants up to date info I send out update emails and any changes to my site through a mailing list. If you want to be on the list just email me at Polynesian@tikiman2001.net and you will get any update emails.

 

[Kristallc]

Hi, my family and I are going to stay at ploy october29-nov3
I requested one of the lodges with the larger rooms, tokelau, tahiti or rapanui
There are 3 adults and 3 children staying in our room, so space is a key
I have questions
How big/ comfortable is the "daybed"? Does it fold down like a futon in the newer-large rooms? Can an adult sleep on it comfortably? or is it child sized?
do I have to have a pack and play/ crib set up in my room? I have a 2 year old and just wanted her in bed with me
do they have unsweetened ice tea for the refillable mugs? Im diabetic and I hate diet coke.
I tried to read this whole thread, I got to page 9 lol
Thanks

 

[cara loves the poly]

Hi, my family and I are going to stay at ploy october29-nov3
I requested one of the lodges with the larger rooms, tokelau, tahiti or rapanui
There are 3 adults and 3 children staying in our room, so space is a key
I have questions
How big/ comfortable is the "daybed"? Does it fold down like a futon in the newer-large rooms? Can an adult sleep on it comfortably? or is it child sized?
do I have to have a pack and play/ crib set up in my room? I have a 2 year old and just wanted her in bed with me
do they have unsweetened ice tea for the refillable mugs? Im diabetic and I hate diet coke.
I tried to read this whole thread, I got to page 9 lol
Thanks

In my opinion,,, an adult could not sleep on the daybed comfortably. We stayed in Tahiti last year and loved it! There are 2 queen sized beds, i think one of the children would be fine on the daybed w/ 2 adults in one bed and one adult w/ the 2 year old in the other bed. Just remember there are only suppose to be a total of 5 to a room.

 

[SnwflkCts]

Lillygator,

Tikiman answered about the plasma TVs. But we were in FIGI, garden view (which for us was a view of the Marina) and it had been newly remodeled. FANTASTIC. I loved the view -- and the short walk to a back entrance of the Ceremonial house (near Captain Cook's). Up the steps at the Ceremonial House to the restaurants and the monorail. On a nice day, the walk to Transportation Center was not long -- at night - TIRED - from Epcot, it was better to catch the other monorail back to Polynesian rather than walk from the Transportation Center.

We always had perfect timing for the buses which were a very short walk from the main entrance so I am not sure how long they usually take. They seemed to come on cue when we got to the bus stop!

Magic Kingdom was just SOOO easy to get to on the monorail! And you could take the little boat too if so inclined. We did that only once.

We were just so thrilled with our stay. I forgot to mention that the rooms were very quiet. I could not hear ANYONE in the other rooms and I know there were kids there and all the rooms around us were filled!

 

[Kristallc]

In my opinion,,, an adult could not sleep on the daybed comfortably. We stayed in Tahiti last year and loved it! There are 2 queen sized beds, i think one of the children would be fine on the daybed w/ 2 adults in one bed and one adult w/ the 2 year old in the other bed. Just remember there are only suppose to be a total of 5 to a room.

Thanks
Occording to the travel agent and site
you can have 5 people PLUS a child under 3
I will have me
my hubby
my mom
my 12 year old
a 4 year old
and a 2 year old baby

 

[4DisneyAddicts]

I tried a thread search but it is not going thru so...

I now have a pretty good idea of which rooms have a monorail view. I would also like a balcony, not a patio or the railing. Are all third floor rooms balcony rooms or only certain buildings? I am probably looking at Aotorea in particular.
Thanks in advance!

 

[lovepooh]

I have a question about the Fiji Luau Cove side. Could you hear the Luau at night? I know tikiman had that listed as a con and I was wondering how loud it actually is.

 

[irish disney lass]

We went their for her birthday and they treated her like royalty. She is only 6 but has asked me everyday since we got back if we can email the staff and thank them and tell them that she misses them so bad and that they will remember her when we got back. She goes on and on and actually wants me to call so she can thank them. Does anyone know of the email or phone number where I can thank them. I wonder if anyone else has a child like this? Thanks guys.

 

[lillygator]

I have never put in a room request before but would like to request 3rd floor Samoa facing the volcano pool. We are going in May, when and how would be the best time to do that?

 

[lillygator]

woops, wrong thread!

 

[lovesdumbo]

Hi, my family and I are going to stay at ploy october29-nov3
I requested one of the lodges with the larger rooms, tokelau, tahiti or rapanui
There are 3 adults and 3 children staying in our room, so space is a key
I have questions
How big/ comfortable is the "daybed"? Does it fold down like a futon in the newer-large rooms? Can an adult sleep on it comfortably? or is it child sized?
do I have to have a pack and play/ crib set up in my room? I have a 2 year old and just wanted her in bed with me
do they have unsweetened ice tea for the refillable mugs? Im diabetic and I hate diet coke.
I tried to read this whole thread, I got to page 9 lol
Thanks

I think you'd be fine in any room at the Poly. I haven't kept up with which rooms are already new but I would go for that over size. We all LOVED the new rooms. I've been 3 times with a party of 6. Me, DH, dearest friend, and 3 children who were 11 months, turned 3 and 4 1/2 on the first trip and 33 months, 4 3/4, 5 1/2 on the last trip. Now that my youngest turned 3 we have to leave friend at home (NOT likely since my DH isn't a great traveler) OR get 2 rooms-probably at POFQ.

ANYWAYS....we always felt like we had plenty of room. The first trip we rented a crib but baby wouldn't sleep in it so it was ME, DH, baby in 1 queen, DF & DS in other queen and DD in daybed. 2nd trip we rented a toddler bed for oldest. So we had me & baby in 1 queen, DH & DS in other queen and DF in daybed (old style). Last trip we were in the new room. We brought a ready bed for oldest-it was great-just pick it up and prop against the wall during the day. DH & I in 1 queen, DF & DS in other queen, youngest in day bed. A few nights youngest was in the queen with us and I did move to the daybed. It was just OK for me at 5' 8". Any taller than that and it wouldn't work.

I don't know how a futon works but the new day beds you pull up on the back and it folds down flat. It was quite easy to use. You do not need to have the pack n play-we never did.

I never did the refill mugs since we stayed concierge so I don't know about the ice tea BUT I do know that you can get hot tea so you could always just make your own. Make a little strong hot tea then water it down with ice and cold water.

I'm sure you'll really love the Poly and you've picked a great time to go.