The Official Polynesian Resort FAQ thread!

[grecorj]

Tikiman recently reported that the slide is still under renovation but would be opening very soon. I think it was originally supposed to be done today or tomorrow.

As KTMB said, the pool is still open.

 

[WillBanksMom]

I can't believe I am asking this, but here goes....How are the pillows at the Poly? Are they really flat? What about the hair dryers? Are they they tiny ones that don't get hot enough for my thick hair?? Hoping not in both cases, less to bring....

 

[desktop]

Thanks KTMB that makes me feel better about spending so much money when the younger ones really won't appreicate it. The trip will be fun and the point is spending time as a family but wanted it enjoyable. Us older ones will have a time of our life. (6 adults, 3 kids) How did you get from the airport to Poly. I think they have a bus provided or something but what about car seats. They will be 5, and 2. We're planning Sept. 2008. Good weather then??? Thanks everyone. I'll drive everyone nuts with all my questions in the next 1 1/2 years but the planning and anticipation is so much fun.

 

[helenm29]

The pillows aren't too bad but I used one of the big pollows off of the couch for the bottom and a regular pillow for the top because I really need fluffy pillows. The hair dryers are the standard hotel dryers. I have pretty thick hair and it took me about 15 minutes of blowing to get it to the slightly damp mode so you should be alright.
HAVE FUN and I wish I were going again soon!

 

[DISNEY FIX]

Women.....Another reason why they take soooooooo long in the bathroom.

We will be at the Poly LVC on Sept 12-16 and Nov 25-Dec 2. I couldn't wait till Dec. had to book Sept. MNSSHP Anybody going any of these dates?

 

[Jaymie]

First, I just wanted to say how happy I am to have found this thread! I have spent the last few days reading all the Poly posts and I couldn't be more excited!!! I will be bringing my DH, DS (turning 4) and DS (turning 2) the last week of May and had a few questions for you Poly/family veterans.

Has anyone shipped supplies to the resort (i.e. bottled water, diapers, etc.) to have in the room when you get there? I am wondering if this is the way to go or to just pack the supplies in your suitcase (we'll be there for a week).

Since I booked the Poly over the internet, I did not put any special longhouse requests in (they did allow me to request a non-smoking room with a refrigerator) so would it be frowned upon for me to call and ask for a 1st floor room? It doesn't matter whih longhouse as much as the patio/first-floor option.

Also, off topic, but thought you might have some advice - we were told that a taxi may be the best and fastest transpotation to the AK park but we were not planning to bring carseats with us (we'll be using strictly WDW transportation) - do the boys need carseats in taxis and/or do they provide them?

Thanks for any tips!

We stayed at the poly in Jan with our DS 2 and loved it. I requested RapaNui longhouse on the 1st floor but when we got there, were assigned to Tokelau 2nd floor. I asked to be moved to the 1st floor and the CM took care of it, no problem. Rapanui was under construction, so we couldn't get that longhouse. The 1st floor was awesome, DS got the feed the duck every morning. It was also a plus not having to us the elevators with the stroller all the time. All the rooms have refrigerators.

We just took the bus to AK and it was really smooth. The buses to AK & MGM were never crowded, so I wouldn't waste the money on a taxi.

We didn't ship anything ahead of time. Instead of ME we used a car service and they included a 30 minute stop at Publix for snacks, etc.

 

[KTMB]

Thanks KTMB that makes me feel better about spending so much money when the younger ones really won't appreicate it. The trip will be fun and the point is spending time as a family but wanted it enjoyable. Us older ones will have a time of our life. (6 adults, 3 kids) How did you get from the airport to Poly. I think they have a bus provided or something but what about car seats. They will be 5, and 2. We're planning Sept. 2008. Good weather then??? Thanks everyone. I'll drive everyone nuts with all my questions in the next 1 1/2 years but the planning and anticipation is so much fun.

You're welcome. We actually rented a car at Orlando Airport because we only spent 1 day at WDW, then drove to Bradenton for the rest of our trip. When we went 9/06 (stayed at ASMovies) we did the Magical Express (bus) that took us directly from the airport to the resort. They'll send you baggage tags ahead of time that you attach to the luggage you want sent directly to the hotel. Once you check your bags in your departing city, you won't see them again until you arrive at your resort (it can take a few hours after you get there). Only tag the luggage you won't need right away. Some people suggested not tagging one small bag and packing things you would need right away. Then you would only have that 1 bag to get at baggage claim. We didn't do that and were fine. We did ship 2 boxes of stuff ahead of time (diapers; wipes; snacks; sunscreen, etc), so we tried to send anything we thought we might need right away. We just told the CM at check-in about the boxes and they were sent right to our room.

We went 9/06 and we're going back 9/07. It was very hot when we went (90s) with chances of rain every day. When it did rain, it was sporadic. I'd suggest taking stroller fans, stroller rain covers, water mister bottles, sun shades for the strollers to keep the kiddos as cool as possible.

Hope that helps!

 

[Mrs.Prince]

Tell me about Downtown Disney.

Can you walk around the whole thing or do you have to take a bus to get to this point?

 

[helenm29]

Downtown Disney is pretty spread out but you can DEFINATELY walk all the way around it! in fact, I would recommend just relaxing and going for a liesurely walk so you don't miss any of the awesome stores and cool food venues.

 

[monty26]

Hi everyone

What a wonderful thread.
Just booked a trip for Aug 18 to Aug 25 at the Poly
We are very excited about staying there!!!!!
I requested Tahiti connecting rooms. My question is has anyone
had any problems getting the Tahiti longhouse and is anyone else
going to be there at that time?

Can't wait to get back to all that pixie dust.

Monty

 

[missouridisneyfans]

We are splurging and staying at three deluxe hotels - all concierege level.

Boardwalk Inn - September 27 - 29, 2007

Animal Kingdom Lodge - September 29 - October 1, 2007

Polynesian Resort - October 1 - 6, 2007

This is our fifth trip to Disney and we are really excited. We have only stayed at value and moderates before this trip.

 

[DISNEY FIX]

We are splurging and staying at three deluxe hotels - all concierege level.

Boardwalk Inn - September 27 - 29, 2007

Animal Kingdom Lodge - September 29 - October 1, 2007

Polynesian Resort - October 1 - 6, 2007

This is our fifth trip to Disney and we are really excited. We have only stayed at value and moderates before this trip.

Spoiled rotten, I'd call it.

And I am very jealous.
Congrats

 

[helenm29]

Ohhhh...you are SO lucky!! I'd love to stay at all three. The only problem I'd have with that is changing resorts so often....It can be a real hastle depending on how many of you there are.
Aw WHO AM I KIDDING! Have a wonderful time when you get to go!

 

[Tonyspad]

Checking into the Polynesian in the middle of April for five days. Anything New??

 

[ktink]

Long story short, we received 40% code and I was booked at AKL w/ DDP and called to see how much for upgrade @ Poly. The price was $461 more w/ DDP than a standard view at AKL.

We do have only a garden view. But I must say before we booked our first trip to WDW we orded the planning DVD and I fell in love w/ Poly and when we got off the bus at the Pop drop off at MK, I looked across the lagoon and told DH that one day we would stay there.

We have ADRs scheduled at O'hana and Kona and MK is our primary park and w/ such a discount I couldn't resisit.

DH and DDs 10 & 5 do not know and I'm going to keep it a secret for as long as possible.

Could you tell me which longhouse we should request and I'm like a sponge I'll absorb any info you have.

Could someone enlighten me on the advance check in? TIA

 

[WillBanksMom]

Long story short, we received 40% code and I was booked at AKL w/ DDP and called to see how much for upgrade @ Poly. The price was $461 more w/ DDP than a standard view at AKL.

We do have only a garden view. But I must say before we booked our first trip to WDW we orded the planning DVD and I fell in love w/ Poly and when we got off the bus at the Pop drop off at MK, I looked across the lagoon and told DH that one day we would stay there.

We have ADRs scheduled at O'hana and Kona and MK is our primary park and w/ such a discount I couldn't resisit.

DH and DDs 10 & 5 do not know and I'm going to keep it a secret for as long as possible.

Could you tell me which longhouse we should request and I'm like a sponge I'll absorb any info you have.

Could someone enlighten me on the advance check in? TIA

What a great deal!!! You should check out this website! http://tikiman2001.homestead.com. Lots of great info about the Poly!

We will be staying at the Poly in a mear 19 days for the 1st time, and I am beyond excited! How long does it take to get to the different parks? I emailed Steve, the Tikiman and he said about 20 to MGM and AK, 10-15 min. to MK and 20 min. to Epcot. The UG times were a lot longer, except for MK. I was just wondering everyone's experiance. I really want to be at the parks before opening b/c we will be there over spring break. Trying to figure out when to try to leave the room!

Thanks!
Anne

 

[ktink]

Anne, Thanks for the link. Great website! We ended up requesting Samoa. Do let us know how your stay was when you return.

 

[northriver]

I don't know about the other parks, but for Epcot, know that it is usually quicker to walk to the TTC. If you take the Poly monorail, you have to transfer at TTC and sometime there is a wait. Now, whether or not you want to walk all that way to save a few minutes - that would be your choice! Some longhouses are really close to TTC. The UG times are worst case scenario. Spring break is pretty busy. I'm going with the UG times just to be on the safe side, since I'd rather be there a bit early!

For shipping packages this is the address they told me to use:

Name, GUEST
Disney's Polynesian Resort
1600 Seven Seas Drive
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

I did add my arrival date even thought they said it wasn't necessary. For the online shipping form, I used:
First Name: GUEST, Jane
Last Name: Doe Arrival x/xx
Shipping Line 1: Disney's Polynesian Resort
Shipping Line 2: street address
etc.

I shipped a small heavy box - mostly baby wipes and other assorted items my kids were getting into (glow sticks!). Just enough to keep my luggage from going overweight. I have so much disposable stuff for 9 days with a toddler it is unreal - mostly I shipped a bit just to get some out of my hair while I pack the rest, lol.

 

[ktink]

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

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

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

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.