The Official Polynesian Resort FAQ thread!

[SnwflkCts]

Thanks Nancy! I think patio rooms sound like fun since I probably won't be in the "Honeymoon" room again unless I win the lottery!

 

[Nancyg56]

Thanks Nancy! I think patio rooms sound like fun since I probably won't be in the "Honeymoon" room again unless I win the lottery!

We were a little disappointed at first because we had thought we would enjoy the balcony. After the first 5 minutes we were all grateful that we had the patio. We never needed to think about stairs and the easy access to our room was wonderful.

 

[suffolkprincess]

Just chiming in that we loved the patio room we had this past November. We were in FIJI, room 1306. The room was about halfway down the hall so not too far from the doors, a nice short walk to the GCH, and we were RIGHT on the beach at Luau Cove. The walk to the pool wasn't long, but we weren't the closest people to the pool. We *almost* had a water view (for price of garden.) We found it very convenient for our DD4 to play outside with daddy while I finished getting ready in the am. We also had some nice snack and breakfast picnics out there. DD has a picture of her ducks up on her bulletin board. Generally, we came home late enough at night that the Luau Cove music did not disturb us, but we could hear it as background noise the few times we were in the room during a luau. Once the "sleepytime" CD we broguth for DD was on (or the TV news) the music was drowned out.

 

[SnwflkCts]

I was wondering what the side of Figi nearest the Luau would be like. I was just looking at a map and thinking it wasn't as close to the Luau as I thought. DH and I were on the marina side of Figi and could not hear the Luau at all. But since we were always still awake as it was breaking up or ZONKED out after a full day, I don't think it would bother us but it was nice to hear that it wasn't that loud.

 

[WillBanksMom]

This thread is makng me even more excited about our first visit to the Polynesian!!

Is there a place that lists how long it takes to get from the resort to the parks etc.... I know about the laughing place tool, but have read that it is very out of date.

Anyone ever take the water luanch boat to MK? How long does it take and what time does it start running in the morning?

Thanks!

 

[SnwflkCts]

Oh "WBM" - you will just LOVE the Poly. By fate I ended up there instead of the Grand Floridian and I am so happy. It is a lovely and relaxing place!!!

Visit this site: http://www.tikiman2001.homestead.com/map.html and you will find EVERYTHING you want to know about the Poly - not related to the DIS boards.

I am excited for you!!! The convenience of travelling to MK and EPCOT (via the monorail) are just Phenomenal!

DH and I took the water launch home one evening from MK. It was ok. Took a little long to load and the young children on it made me nervous because I thought they were going to fall overboard - no one is going to fall out of the monorail!!!

OK and if no one told you it has the best coffee too. Not in the room - at Kona and the coffee bar. At the coffee bar where you pay, look in the tile right on top for the hidden Mickey!

 

[WillBanksMom]

Thanks so much for the info! I know it will be great!

I have looked at tikiman's site and could only find the travel time to Epcot. Did I miss the other parks etc?

 

[Jennygt]

I was lucky enough to book two MK rooms for Sept for DS 1st Bday with Gma and Gpa! Tahiti seemd like the right place for us, I am thinking first floor with the baby. Any advice,photos stories I would appreciate!

 

[SnwflkCts]

"WBM" - hmmm. I think I had a site that talked about times but not sure what I did with that link. Well Poly to MK is about 10 minutes so you got it easy to go there! But honestly, to AK, I think it only took 1/2 hour by bus. We only went to MGM once so am not sure of that. DTD seemed to take a while in lots of traffic - like 45 minutes. It is huge and there are a couple places to get off the bus at. I was not really into DTD but we had dinner there at Fulton's Crab House.

Any other Poly People??? What are the times to other places?

 

[WillBanksMom]

Thanks so much! That's what I was looking for!
What about to MGM and Fort Wilderness for Hoop De Doo?

 

[suffolkprincess]

Our experience with the water launch is that it is only as fast as the skipper is practiced at pulling up to the docks.. and as fast as the other guests are at boarding. Its a LOVELY way to go, but not necessarily the fastest.

We went to the Gf from the Polynesian several times in our stay (character events) and that was super fast-- less than 10 min. door to door. The walk back from the GF to our room was also really really quick and pleasant-- maybe 10 min with our 4 year old.

We got to the Magic Kingdom one morning (the day we were trying to be there for park opening) in less than 10 minutes door-to-door! Times will vary depending on how many people are loading on at both the Polynesian and the GF. But it never took very long at all.

 

[MickeyMaz]

Thanks so much! That's what I was looking for!
What about to MGM and Fort Wilderness for Hoop De Doo?

For the Hoop Dee Do we went from the Polynesian dock to the Magic Kingdom, switched to the boat across the dock there and after the boat stops at the Wilderness Lodge, next stop, Fort Wilderness. It took us about 15 minutes, but it is hard to judge if the other boat will be there when you get to the Magic Kingdom.

Have fun. Oh yeah, we were told to get to the Hoop dee do a half hour before our show. Well we struggled to get there on time and were checked in and then we sat for that half hour. So, if your running late, don't sweat it too much.

Maz

 

[BCV23]

Well, I would allow for more than 15 minutes to get to the Hoop though. 5-10 minute wait for the boat or monorail. 5-10 minute ride. Up to a 20 minute wait for the WL/FW boat. Once on that boat, you may stop at WL first (forget when the route changes) and the boat ride itself is probably 10-15 minutes.

There use to be a bus from the TTC>WL>FW. This was fantastic for the Hoop but it was discontinued a year or so ago. However, if the MK has closed when you get out of the Hoop, that bus back to the TTC will be running and is by far the fastest and easiest way to get back to the Polynesian.

 

[paradisevalley]

I was lucky enough to book two MK rooms for Sept for DS 1st Bday with Gma and Gpa! Tahiti seemd like the right place for us, I am thinking first floor with the baby. Any advice,photos stories I would appreciate!

We too, had a MK view earlier this month. We were on the 3rd floor though as my DD is 7 1/2. It was very convenient being in that building because we just went to the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. In the mornings to the MK, we took the ferry at the TTC. In the afternoons, we took the monorail back. We actually didn't catch any fireworks while in the room. We were eating dinner at Ohana once during Wishes and another time we were walking to the Great Ceremonial House during the fireworks. But there is something very magical about waking up and seeing the castle and Space Mountain. You will love it!

 

[tarazandra]

I am very sensitive to the scent of smoke. We are thinking of staying concierge on our next trip and I know parts of Hawai'i long house are smoking optional. So my question, does anyone know if smoke can be noticed in the non-smoking sections? Specifically the 3rd floor or 2nd floors. Thank you very much

 

[slenderella]

We stayed there last year and I requested a Non smoking room, Concierge level, hawaii buildin and I could not smell anything. I have asthma and smoke is one of my triggers. Go and enjoy!!!!

 

[Jennygt]

We too, had a MK view earlier this month. We were on the 3rd floor though as my DD is 7 1/2. It was very convenient being in that building because we just went to the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. In the mornings to the MK, we took the ferry at the TTC. In the afternoons, we took the monorail back. We actually didn't catch any fireworks while in the room. We were eating dinner at Ohana once during Wishes and another time we were walking to the Great Ceremonial House during the fireworks. But there is something very magical about waking up and seeing the castle and Space Mountain. You will love it!

Thanks for the advice! I can't wait. What section of the building were you located in. closer to ttc ot gcm. I need no smoking so I think that side is closer to gcm. Did you smell smoke at all?

 

[pink elephants]

I was just wonder for those who have stayed at the Polynesian...what kind of goodies have you came back with from the resort other than the shampoo/soaps?

Me and my mom are BIG on souvenirs.

Hi! Just back last night from another wonderful stay at the Poly. My favorite souvenir is always the refillable mug (I wish they'd get a car-travel size for it, though ). I also saw a nice pin and some lovely tees with the Poly logo on them. There's also a beach towel, but they've redone the design in a blue and white surf shop pattern that isn't nearly as nice as the old design with characters on it.

On the free souvenir side, they also were offering "towel stuffies" (that's what my kids call them). They're towels in the shapes of animals or dolls. Some of them are amazing. We didn't see them until the last day, but when I told my daughter that she'd have to give it back because we were going home, the CM told me we could take it with us. I was surprised, but I didn't argue. You'll find them around the kids' tv area in the GCH.

Have a wonderful, magical trip.

 

[trspohr]

hello. I just upgraded to the Poly. We are leaving in 9 days and was wondering about the loghouses. We have 4 DD's, 9,6,5, and 2, so a patio sounds like it would be perfect. As for location, what do you recommend? We are booked in a garden view, as that was all that was available. (In our price range anyway.) Your thoughts are appreciated. Thanks.

 

[paradisevalley]

Thanks for the advice! I can't wait. What section of the building were you located in. closer to ttc ot gcm. I need no smoking so I think that side is closer to gcm. Did you smell smoke at all?

We were to the left of the elevators as you face them walking in the main entrance (technically closer to the GCH, but I consider Tahiti's proximity to the TTC priceless - it gave us options when we took the monorail back from the MK, we could take the resorts monorail or the express back to the TTC, whichever one was there). No big deal. I smelled no smoke whatsoever.