The Official Polynesian Resort FAQ thread!

[Matt'sMom]

They didn't tell us about any of the hotel features at check in. No mention of restaurants, pools, boat service, explanation of monorail service/boat...

I've now read this same general complaint several times, from different posters. Whenever we have checked in, the CM's have always handed us a folder filled with lots of information regarding resort amenities, maps, transportation options, a times schedule for the resort activities that week, etc.. Are you saying that they no longer provide any of this printed information to guests at either the check-in or concierge desks??? (Or, is it just a case of people not taking the time to read the information that is available?)


It also might help to remember that if you have further questions that were not been answered by the info provided upon check-in, there is a concierge desk in the lobby of the GCH where they can help you. Non-resort related questions (such as fireworks show times, etc.) in particular are more likely to receive an accurate answer at concierge. Don't be shy about using the available services--the concierge CM's are there for your potential benefit.

 

[Marci]

Whenever we have checked in, the CM's have always handed us a folder filled with lots of information regarding resort amenities, maps, transportation options, a times schedule for the resort activities that week, etc.. Are you saying that they no longer provide any of this printed information to guests at either the check-in or concierge desks??? (Or, is it just a case of people not taking the time to read the information that is available?)

At other properties I've stayed at the CM talked us through a property overview. Pointing out things on the maps, telling us about special things etc etc. I thought that was good customer service and enjoyed the personal touch.
Yes, they handed us a welcome packet and I did read it cover to cover while my son was napping.

 

[BCV23]

You know, I'm the opposite. I much prefer getting through checkin quickly (and therefore the family behind me gets their chance more quickly too) rather than have a CM tell me things I can quickly read myself at my leisure in my comfy room. One time when checking in at AKL, the family ahead of me kept asking question after question about the animals (could tell cause they must have spent 10 minutes going over the little sheet) and who knows what else. It took forever. I could tell they were super excited and that was fun to see but still.....

And I agree that concierge can help too.

When checking in at the Polynesian, the CMs have always given us a map and marked the longhouse.

Glad your trip was overall, Marci. We were at the Polynesian three weeks ago now and also had great housekeeping and thought the entire resort was sparkling. CMs were extra friendly as well.

 

[disneydebi]

Can someone please advise on which longhouses do NOT have 2nd floor balconies? I've scanned through this thread, but with 170 pages, it's difficult to find that info!

Thanks!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Can someone please advise on which longhouses do NOT have 2nd floor balconies? I've scanned through this thread, but with 170 pages, it's difficult to find that info!

Thanks!

Actually easier to tell you which ones do as there are only 3 longhouses with a 2nd floor balcony: Tokelau, Rapa Nui and Tahiti have a 2nd floor balcony, no other longhouses do.

Hope this helps!

 

[haley123]

I was wondering what sort of children activities are at the Poly. I know a lot of people recommend the using the Neverland Club as they claim it's the best childcare club. I was also wondering other then the Neverland Club is there any other activities for children there.

 

[disneydebi]

Thank you BaciBecky!

 

[LSK]

What are some great things to do around the resort while waiting for your room to be ready? We are checking in at 10AM on a P&PP day and will not hit the parks until the party that evening. Of course, I want to get settled in our room ASAP so dd can nap before our busy evening but 10AM is early and I don't expect the room to be ready.

This is our 4 year old dd's first Disney trip and our first stay at the Poly.

 

[kaysmommie]

What are some great things to do around the resort while waiting for your room to be ready? We are checking in at 10AM on a P&PP day and will not hit the parks until the party that evening. Of course, I want to get settled in our room ASAP so dd can nap before our busy evening but 10AM is early and I don't expect the room to be ready.

This is our 4 year old dd's first Disney trip and our first stay at the Poly.

I would probably ask if they any room ready at check in. We checked in at 12:30 in October and had to wait until after 3 which was hard with DS3. I didn't even want to wait for our good location, I just wanted a room that was ready. Since your going to P&PP your DD will really need that nap. You can always go to the pool, have lunch at Captain Cooks and shop in the lobby if your room isn't ready. Also they have some crafts in the lobby everyday too. Have a great trip!

 

[Joan1]

We are just back from the Polynesian
Cast: Me, DH, DD13, DS10
Room location: Hawaii garden view concierge

We had stayed at all the deluxe hotels except for the Contemporary and Polynesian before this vacation. We have also stayed at Caribbean Beach

We arrived at the hotel at 2:55pm and by the time we were taken to the Hawaii building and checked in the room was not yet ready but was about 3:15pm

Before we left I expressed concern over the negative housekeeping posts and I have to say that the majority of the room was clean but some areas were very dusty. My DD bumped into the lamp on the desk and the dust bunnies were flying everywhere. One evening I was reading while everyone was sleeping and I reached up to turn up the light a little more and there were cobwebs in the shade. Other then that the floors and bathroom were very clean. I did notice that we had a different mousekeeper in the middle of our stay because of the way the room was cleaned and request for extra towels was ignored 2 of our 7 nights. The rest of the time we must have had the same person because of the way the items in the bathroom were always arranged and extra towels always left in the same place. We tip daily at every hotel we stay in because we never know if we have the same person each day or not.

Also on our first night turn down service they only did one bed, which isn't any big deal but found it strange since we were 4 in the room. We did utilize the daybed and they left it set up all week instead of turning it back into a sofa but that didn't bother us at all

For those of you that look forward to towel animals we didn't have any except when we arrived and there was a mickey head on one of the beds. Again this isn't important to us


Couple of items that annoyed me
I decided not to put in any requests on my reservation since we were staying concierge but instead put them in with concierge through an email and reconfirmed everything 5 days prior to our arrival at the hotel with the planning team. Our requests were ground floor and to have some sugar free options in the lounge. Now I know the room was just a request and I could have lived without getting the ground floor. What annoyed me is that the request wasn't even in our record. I asked the cm checking us in if she saw our room request in the computer and she said that nothing was listed under special requests. I asked about the sugar free items and she said nothing was listed for that either. When we went to the lounge later on our first evening I spoke with the cm there, she went to look for special requests for dietary needs and came back saying that nothing was requested. She did put in a note for the proper people for the next day. This is the first concierge level stay at a Disney hotel where not one of our requests was ever put into our reservation when emailing the planning office

Also the sugar free dessert every evening was a mousse of some sort - they could have had a variety like some of the other concierge levels at Disney offer

These were minor annoyances and we enjoyed ourselves and found the location of the Polynesian to be wonderful.

 

[tinknme]

Does the gift shop sell 1/2 gallons of milk or beer? We will be staying for 9 nights in Dec. I plan on shipping a box with Christmas decorations & food items. But I need milk for the boys & dh would like a few beers. Thanks!

ETA: nevermind I found the info & yes they do! I went ahead & placed an order with Garden Grocer though, dh needs his Mt. Dew lol

 

[Minnie&Nana]

It's been several years since we stayed at the Polynesian - the room safes were tiny. Wondering if that has changed - any chance a laptop wiil fit or do we nedd to leave it with the front desk?

Thanks so much! This time enxt week will beat the airport waiting to board for a wonderful, if short, visit to the Poly!!

 

[tinknme]

Silly question, but is the shampoo & conditioner in the same bottle or are they separate? I was thinking this could be one less thing to pack if I used the toiletries provided there, but I do not like shampoo's with the conditioner in them. Thanks!

 

[DeborahB]

tinknme- They are in separate bottles. You get shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, shower gel and soaps. They are really nice H2O products. Enjoy!

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

It's been several years since we stayed at the Polynesian - the room safes were tiny. Wondering if that has changed - any chance a laptop wiil fit or do we nedd to leave it with the front desk?

Hi there! A laptop will definitely fit in the new safe. In August we were able to fit two (2) laptops with 15.4" screens with plenty of room for digital cameras and iPods.

Enjoy your trip! The Poly is just wonderful!

 

[tinknme]

Wonderful, Thank you!

tinknme- They are in separate bottles. You get shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, shower gel and soaps. They are really nice H2O products. Enjoy!

 

[tinknme]

Another good question answered, as I was wondering this myself

Hi there! A laptop will definitely fit in the new safe. In August we were able to fit two (2) laptops with 15.4" screens with plenty of room for digital cameras and iPods.

Enjoy your trip! The Poly is just wonderful!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Hi there! A laptop will definitely fit in the new safe. In August we were able to fit two (2) laptops with 15.4" screens with plenty of room for digital cameras and iPods.

Enjoy your trip! The Poly is just wonderful!

Thanks so much!! The Poly has always been my favorite and for first 5 yrs of visits it was the only place we stayed - now it's been awhile and I am sooo excited to be returning!!

One more computer questions, please? We only need an internet connection for Monday morning so we cna check in on line with SW. If we order it on Sunday, will it be good through all day Monday? Or will we need to order it for 2 days? How long does it take to be connected? I'm thinkiong maybe we just need to have it set up for early Monday morning.

Thanks again!!!

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

One more computer questions, please? We only need an internet connection for Monday morning so we cna check in on line with SW. If we order it on Sunday, will it be good through all day Monday? Or will we need to order it for 2 days? How long does it take to be connected? I'm thinkiong maybe we just need to have it set up for early Monday morning.

Thanks again!!!

You're welcome!

My memory is a bit foggy but I believe you pay for internet access $9.95 for each 24 hour period starting from when you first log on. For example, if you log on at 9am on Sunday to check in at Southwest.com, you'd only pay $9.95 if you logged on and logged off before 9am on Monday. Something tells me my information isn't exactly correct so I'm sure a fellow DISer will correct me.

To make things easier (and cheaper) just go to the Concierge desk in the GCH (Grand Ceremonial House) and they will check you in at Southwest.com and print your boarding passes. If you have internet access on your cell phone, you can also check in that way and just have your boarding passes printed by the Concierge or even at the airport.

Hope this helps!

 

[missouridisneyfans]

You're welcome!

My memory is a bit foggy but I believe you pay for internet access $9.95 for each 24 hour period starting from when you first log on. For example, if you log on at 9am on Sunday to check in at Southwest.com, you'd only pay $9.95 if you logged on and logged off before 9am on Monday. Something tells me my information isn't exactly correct so I'm sure a fellow DISer will correct me.

To make things easier (and cheaper) just go to the Concierge desk in the GCH (Grand Ceremonial House) and they will check you in at Southwest.com and print your boarding passes. If you have internet access on your cell phone, you can also check in that way and just have your boarding passes printed by the Concierge or even at the airport.

Hope this helps!

You are correct how the Internet pricing works. You will have to "sign in again or up" for a new time period 24 hours after you did it the first time. I check my email twice a day on my recent trip and sometimes it worked out where I did not have to buy it every day -- because of the way I worked the 24-hour time period. I hope this helps.