The Official Polynesian Resort FAQ thread!

[MINNIEBOWSER]

I'm so happy that my mom will be with us. A little background information: my father and brother both died within a year and one week of each other. My father was ill for many years and my brother for about 2 years before their deaths. My mother was their primary caretaker and had no time for herself, vacations, etc. Since their death she's been so sad and grief-stricken. It has really taken a toll on her. So...DH and I decided she needed to go to the happiest place on earth and experience the magic with DS (4). We started planning and decided her birthday (end of September) would be a wonderful time to go.

Bengalbelle: I hope your mom has a magical time!!!!! Sounds like she really needs it.

 

[bengalbelle]

Bengalbelle: I hope your mom has a magical time!!!!! Sounds like she really needs it.

Thank you!! I hope you have a wonderful trip too

 

[RichKoster]

That "Poly" is actually a short slang word that is offensive to some. I've read on the Echo board that CM's prefer "Polynesian".

Yoo Hoo, Gary!

Yes, and it was originally Tikiman who wrote on my Disney Echo board which you mentioned that "Poly" was considered offensive slang to those living in the Polynesian area. He even wrote at that time that because of that you never see him use the term. I even put in a filter on my board upon learning of this to transfer any writing of "Poly" to "Polynesian" so as not to offend anyone, even by those doing it unknowingly.

Some months after that, however, Tikiman found out that what had originally been told to him about this was not true at all. He posted that update, too, but you must have missed it when you were on the Echo. I also removed the filter immediately when he posted the newer information about the term.

So let me make it clear that from what the latest word is, the term "Poly" is apparently not offensive, especially when used as a convenient abbreviation to the words "Disney's Polynesian Resort" (which is quite a lot of letters to type! )

 

[7thdwarf/dopey]

Yoo Hoo, Gary!

Yes, and it was originally Tikiman who wrote on my Disney Echo board which you mentioned that "Poly" was considered offensive slang to those living in the Polynesian area. He even wrote at that time that because of that you never see him use the term. I even put in a filter on my board upon learning of this to transfer any writing of "Poly" to "Polynesian" so as not to offend anyone, even by those doing it unknowingly.

Some months after that, however, Tikiman found out that what had originally been told to him about this was not true at all. He posted that update, too, but you must have missed it when you were on the Echo. I also removed the filter immediately when he posted the newer information about the term.

So let me make it clear that from what the latest word is, the term "Poly" is apparently not offensive, especially when used as a convenient abbreviation to the words "Disney's Polynesian Resort" (which is quite a lot of letters to type! )

Good Morning Rich,

Thanks for adding your post for clarification, as i didnt see the update on the Echo. For some reason, I cant use the echo forum. Every time I do my firewall detects an inboard port scan attack from comcast. Really wish I could tho, its a great forum. Any idea's what I can do to eliminate the firewall issue?

 

[RichKoster]

Good Morning Rich,

Thanks for adding your post for clarification, as i didnt see the update on the Echo. For some reason, I cant use the echo forum. Every time I do my firewall detects an inboard port scan attack from comcast. Really wish I could tho, its a great forum. Any idea's what I can do to eliminate the firewall issue?

Yoo Hoo, Gary!

Working this out for you in this thread would be off-topic, so please contact me in a private message letting me know the exact message your firewall is saying when you try to connect, and at what point the message pops up. Then we'll work it out in private email and find the solution for you. This is not something happening to others that I know of (for example, I know it doesn't happen to me and I log in exactly like you do, from a different ISP than Comcast). Also let me know what internet browser you are using and which firewall software you have. Thanks!

Once we figure out what's going on at your end (communicating in private email) if it is allowed by the DIS rules I'll post a short answer here -- or even simply edit this very message of mine -- in case any others ever find this happening to them as well. If not allowed, all others should also send me a private message and when we work things out for Gary I'll get back to you with the solution.

Update for those interested: So far we have determined it is only happening with Internet Explorer for Gary (and no reports of it happening with IE for anyone else) but when Gary uses Netscape there is no problem at all.

 

[rifamtrav]

Parking Question for Poly Experts

I just asked the general question on a separate thread about valet parking one day then self parking the rest of the time, and got a reply that said you can do it because you pay when you retrieve the car ($7?) and can show the receipt the next time the same day, even at another resort.
So, for Poly how convenient is self parking? Generally, I'd prefer to self park because I like to be in control of when to get the car, but I'm wondering if the self parking lot is really far away from the rooms. Is valet parking super efficient??? Seems like in general it defeats the purpose of having free parking everywhere at WDW. I just figured for the first day it would be easier than having to drag luggage, or, can you just drive up, drop off the luggage, then self park???

 

[Ron G]

We stayed at the Poly last 4th of July & used Valet on our arrival, we decided to just use Disney trans. while there so we never self parked. The lot isnt too far , if you are going to be using your own auto during the week it's not a big hike, also if you arrive back at the Poly early in the day the self park lot is half empty & you would get a closer parking space than if you would arrive back in the evening.

Ron

 

[eeyoresmountainpals]

We stayed at the Poly last October and we just pulled up, dropped off the luggage and then self-parked. We like to be able to keep our keys and be in control of going in and out of the vehicle, which we seem to do a lot. We didn't drive anywhere for the first four days and had an excellent parking place. It was the first one in the row so all we had to do was come out the walkway next to the fun center, cross the entrance road and we were at the vehicle. After we had left and come back on that fourth day we still got a decent spot, maybe third or fourth down in the row.

We'll definitely go that route again when we return next October. Even if you don't get a close parking place like we did, the walk isn't that far.

 

[Dalpal]

Did I read somewhere that valet parking is free if you are a passholder...or was it a DDE card holder???

 

[7thdwarf/dopey]

Did I read somewhere that valet parking is free if you are a passholder...or was it a DDE card holder???

Borrowed for allearsnet:

Disney Vacation Club Members staying at a Disney property will not be charged for valet parking at Disney's Beach Club, BoardWalk and Wilderness Lodge. Disney Vacation Club Members must show their DVC Member card or Walt Disney World Resort ID indicating that they are a "DVC Member" when leaving their vehicle to be parked in order to receive this service at no charge. Members will be charged for this service at any other valet parking operation at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Your handicapped tag from your home state will get you free valet parking at any Disney resort.

Disney Dining Experience members receive complimentary valet parking when dining at a participating restaurant. Simply show your DDE card to the valet when you drop off your car.

WDW Swan and Dolphin -- Valet parking at these resorts is $14 a night, and is NOT reciprocal with Disney resorts offering valet parking. ( In other words, WDW Swan and Dolphin will not honor Disney resort parking hang tags and vice versa.)

 

[Dalpal]

Thanks Gary!

I have a DDE card..but I was going to use valet parking for our whole stay at the Poly.....I guess that wont work .....I might be eating at a Poly restaurant most days ...but I doubt EVERY day....Oh well....Not a big deal....

 

[back2disney]

I'm just replying to get subscribed/bookmarked. I've got some reading to do.

 

[7thdwarf/dopey]

Thanks Gary!

I have a DDE card..but I was going to use valet parking for our whole stay at the Poly.....I guess that wont work .....I might be eating at a Poly restaurant most days ...but I doubt EVERY day....Oh well....Not a big deal....

DalPal.....Glad I cud help.
I have a question about your DDE card. Have you used it yet? If you have, how do you like it? Did you need to have your AP activated to buy it or will a voucher do when calling to buy the DDE? Lots of questions, hope you dont mind.

 

[RichKoster]

I'm just replying to get subscribed/bookmarked. I've got some reading to do.

I've found the "Thread Tools" button (with drop-down menu after you click it) very helpful to subscribe to topics...

 

[back2disney]

I've found the "Thread Tools" button (with drop-down menu after you click it) very helpful to subscribe to topics...

Thank you!

 

[back2disney]

skiwee1,

When the renovation of Aoretora is complete would you rank it ahead of a non-renovated Samoa or Raratonga. I read some reviews on the allears.net site that complained about the worndown-ness of some of the rooms. To pay extra for a deluxe I would expect the rooms to seem fresh.

Also if you had to choose a side or section of Aoretora which would you choose?

Thanks

 

[skiwee1]

skiwee1,

When the renovation of Aoretora is complete would you rank it ahead of a non-renovated Samoa or Raratonga. I read some reviews on the allears.net site that complained about the worndown-ness of some of the rooms. To pay extra for a deluxe I would expect the rooms to seem fresh.

Also if you had to choose a side or section of Aoretora which would you choose?

Thanks

I LOVE the view that comes with Samoa. I was just there in October and didn't feel it needed any renovation. If I checked in and was told I could have Aoretora renovated or Samoa in need of rehab I'd still take Samoa. Perfect view, perfect location.

 

[back2disney]

skiwee1,

Thanks for the reply. Yeah that Somoa view sounds nice. I assume though then that a renovated Aotearoa view of the monorail would be preferred over a nonrenovated view from Raratonga, but from the allears.net site they say some of the rooms there overlook the road? Also is the opposite side of Aotearoa considered a lagoon view?

 

[back2disney]

Another question from me again.

I'm looking to stay a few nights the 1st week of December. I know the pools are heated year round, but how is the beach water? Warm enough to swim in?

 

[skiwee1]

Another question from me again.

I'm looking to stay a few nights the 1st week of December. I know the pools are heated year round, but how is the beach water? Warm enough to swim in?

You are not allowed to swim in the lakes. Wading isn't even allowed. Besides the bacteria that is in the water, there are those pesky gators to consider..........