The Official Polynesian Resort FAQ thread!

[back2disney]

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..........

Wow, I did not know that. It would be very difficult to keep my daughter from running into the water. We just went to the beach here in Texas a couple of weeks ago and she just loved it. Hmm?

 

[back2disney]

Follow up question.
Do either of the pools at the Polynesian have sandy bottoms? When I went to Disney World many moons ago I was in some water at some resort,(maybe the Contemporary) where the water was clear and little fish swam by.

 

[cour10ee]

Hi there, Polynesian Experts!

I will be visiting the World at the end of August with DH, DD(age 4.5) and DS (age 2.5)... we are staying at Port Orleans Riverside, BUT mom and dad get to have a night out (grandma is coming for part of our stay and will babysit! yay!).

We will be celebrating our 10th anniversary on our night out -- We had always said that we would go back to Hawaii for our "2nd honeymoon" at our 10th anniversary. Well, 10 years, 2 kids later, we will be at Disney World instead! NO PROBLEM by us, really, we loooove the place (went as a couple in '93) and are really looking forward to it. However, we will be eating at the Kona Cafe for our anniversary dinner to get that Hawaiian feel.

I would like to surprise DH with some special romantic touches on our night. I'm not looking for anything very elaborate or too expensive, just something that might push our evening into an area beyond just dinner out. I had heard you can get a mini wedding cake made. Or maybe I could order some flower leis for us to wear? Does anyone know details about watching the fireworks from the beach? Can you bring something to eat (ie. some of that mini wedding cake I was thinking of)? What about if we had champaigne? Do you think that would be allowed? Are there boat rides/cruises available from the Polynesian? Any other thoughts from anyone who has stayed there?

Thanks so much in advance!

 

[Grumpy'n'Goofy]

Follow up question.
Do either of the pools at the Polynesian have sandy bottoms? When I went to Disney World many moons ago I was in some water at some resort,(maybe the Contemporary) where the water was clear and little fish swam by.

Neither of the pools at the Polynesian have sandy bottoms. The Volcano Pool is a zero entry pool, so your daughter will be able to "pretend" she is running into a lake.

 

[Tikiman]

Back2disney,

All the original longhouses were renovated (not the new look but lots of work done inside and out) just a few years ago. Any damaged rooms are not from age but from abuse if there are any rooms in bad condition but I would say your chances are slim that your room will be in bad shape in either Samoa or Aotearoa or even Rarotonga.

I trust Allears very much for their information but having walked the whole resort every time I visit and taking photos and video taping I can tell you that the road is not visible from Aotearoa unless it is maybe from a 3rd floor but the road is not that close. Here is a link to the aerial view and you can see where the monorail track is and than the road beyond it but remember there are plants in between the road and the rooms.

http://www.tikiman2001.homestead.com/map.html

Here is what you see looking towards the road.

Only part of the opposite side is considered lagoon view (about half) and the rest are garden view rooms. They consider it a garden view room if too many plants or trees block the castle from the view but many of the garden view rooms on that side still can see part of the lagoon.

Samoa and Rarotonga were actually renovated later than Aotearoa but only by less than a year. Rarotonga was the last to be done.

Aloha

Steve

 

[7thdwarf/dopey]

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.

BUMP-a ROONIE...Hello DalPal...calling DalPal

 

[Rupsend]

Hope it's ok to tack this on at the end of this thread. We will be checking in to the Polynesian for 5 nights on Sat June 18. Will be calling reservations to get request on the record before they send it to the hotel. Will be needing 2 connecting/adjoining rooms (non-smoking). H, W Daughters 10 and 12. Will have car (valet) but hope to use monorail for MK and Epcot.

Best room to request, with hope of getting. Is best strategy to list alternates? If so, which? Thanks for helping with what I'm sure is an old question.

Richard

 

[Dalpal]

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.

Hi!,
I have'nt used it yet...Ive just gotten it ....I did not have to have my AP activated ...I still only have vouchers...I cant wait to start using it...It should pay for itself by our 2nd. meal...

 

[Dalpal]

Hi there, Polynesian Experts!

I will be visiting the World at the end of August with DH, DD(age 4.5) and DS (age 2.5)... we are staying at Port Orleans Riverside, BUT mom and dad get to have a night out (grandma is coming for part of our stay and will babysit! yay!).

We will be celebrating our 10th anniversary on our night out -- We had always said that we would go back to Hawaii for our "2nd honeymoon" at our 10th anniversary. Well, 10 years, 2 kids later, we will be at Disney World instead! NO PROBLEM by us, really, we loooove the place (went as a couple in '93) and are really looking forward to it. However, we will be eating at the Kona Cafe for our anniversary dinner to get that Hawaiian feel.

I would like to surprise DH with some special romantic touches on our night. I'm not looking for anything very elaborate or too expensive, just something that might push our evening into an area beyond just dinner out. I had heard you can get a mini wedding cake made. Or maybe I could order some flower leis for us to wear? Does anyone know details about watching the fireworks from the beach? Can you bring something to eat (ie. some of that mini wedding cake I was thinking of)? What about if we had champaigne? Do you think that would be allowed? Are there boat rides/cruises available from the Polynesian? Any other thoughts from anyone who has stayed there?

Thanks so much in advance!

Wow!
You have alot of good ideas.....any or all of the above ...Yes you can bring stuff on the beach to watch the fireworks...dont forget at around 9 PM (befor wishes) there is an elec. light parade that floats by the poly too....The cruises have to be reserved ahead...I think you just call the 1 800 828 0228 number...but Im not sure...Maybe someone else will know....
Anyway Congrats and I hope you have a great trip!...The Kona is great by the way!..

 

[7thdwarf/dopey]

Hi!,
I have'nt used it yet...Ive just gotten it ....I did not have to have my AP activated ...I still only have vouchers...I cant wait to start using it...It should pay for itself by our 2nd. meal...

Thankyou Betsy...I'm glad the AP didnt have to be activated first. What part of Pa. you from?

 

[tone.def]

I sent an email to the concierge office about the renovation there (in Hawaii) and if it would affect my trip, here is the response:

"At this time, no final details have been confirmed. However I do believe the rehab is set for earlier in the fall and should not effect any December travel plans. Please note however than no final arrangements have been made and can be subject to change at anytime.

Tara
Walt Disney World Resort
Itinerary Planning Office"

 

[lovesdumbo]

I sent an email to the concierge office about the renovation there (in Hawaii) and if it would affect my trip, here is the response:

"At this time, no final details have been confirmed. However I do believe the rehab is set for earlier in the fall and should not effect any December travel plans. Please note however than no final arrangements have been made and can be subject to change at anytime.

Tara
Walt Disney World Resort
Itinerary Planning Office"

This rehab has me all worried. We have reservations for 10/14 to 10/23. Its me, DD(6) arrive on Friday and then on Sunday we are joined by DH, adult friend, DS(4), and DD(2). I just don't know what to do. Here's what I'm thinking of:
1) Keep Poly GVC reservations and hope for the best.
2) BWI concierge but I think we'd miss the Poly beach and monorail to MK.
3) BWI deluxe concierge-it would be nice to have a bigger room.
4) SSR-2 bedroom-lots more room and washer/dryer and the pool looks nice and DH would like the quiet of the place and it is actually cheaper than deluxe CL at BWI. BUT...we'd have to bus everywhere and miss that beach.
5) VWL-2 beedroom-all the space of above AND beach but more money.
6) GF main building concierge-more money than Poly & BWI & BWI deluxe but less than option #5 and DH would LOVE it and we'd have the beach.
7) regular room at Poly but with our group we'd miss the CL to spread out in.

What would you fellow Poly lovers do? I'm tempted to stick to option #1. Anyone around for the last round of rehab just 2 years ago? How bad was it when concierge was in a temporary building?

When I asked my DD what she wanted to do the day we arrive she said play on the Poly beach and go swimming. I thought she'd picked Splash and BTM but she wants to do that on day 2.

I made my reservations months ago because I knew exactly what we wanted but now I just don't know what to do.

 

[Dalpal]

Thankyou Betsy...I'm glad the AP didnt have to be activated first. What part of Pa. you from?

Im in the NE part of Pa.....Just south of NY boarder.....So close to NY state that I do most of my shopping in NY and My DH works in NY....

And You?

 

[7thdwarf/dopey]

Im in the NE part of Pa.....Just south of NY boarder.....So close to NY state that I do most of my shopping in NY and My DH works in NY....

And You?

No kidding...I'm in Wayne County. Not to far from you I quess.

 

[Dalpal]

You are just a little east of us....We are in Susquehanna Co...
Nice weather lately huh! ....

 

[7thdwarf/dopey]

You are just a little east of us....We are in Susquehanna Co...
Nice weather lately huh! ....

Scorching Hot

and lots of

 

[back2disney]

Back2disney,

All the original longhouses were renovated (not the new look but lots of work done inside and out) just a few years ago.

Thanks Steve,
Thats what I needed to hear.
I rode the monorail through the Poly about 20years ago. It was awesome then and it still sounds the same today.

 

[back2disney]

If you get a patio room, do you get any furniture on it?
If not can you take a chair and put it on the patio?

And can you leave your room via the patio and walk or play catch with a small beach ball on the grass?

(I'm just picturing in my mind what it would be like to be there..)

 

[lovesdumbo]

If you get a patio room, do you get any furniture on it?
If not can you take a chair and put it on the patio?

And can you leave your room via the patio and walk or play catch with a small beach ball on the grass?

(I'm just picturing in my mind what it would be like to be there..)

I think the patios have a table and 2 chairs. You can leave your room but not lock the door.

I do like your idea of a beach ball. Nice and small to pack!

 

[tone.def]

This rehab has me all worried. We have reservations for 10/14 to 10/23. Its me, DD(6) arrive on Friday and then on Sunday we are joined by DH, adult friend, DS(4), and DD(2). I just don't know what to do. Here's what I'm thinking of:
1) Keep Poly GVC reservations and hope for the best.

I made my reservations months ago because I knew exactly what we wanted but now I just don't know what to do.

KEEP IT!!!


Here is a response I received earlier tonight about Hawaii reno when I asked if it would affect my trip in December...

Aloha,

Thank you for your email. The Hawaii Building is going down for rehab
starting 9/16/05 thru 10/10/05. Any guests that have a Club Level
Concierge reservations during this time will be contacted by our Central
Reservations Dept.

Hope to see you soon!!