The Official Polynesian Resort FAQ thread!

[MNmom]

I have a quick question and I couldn't go back through all 15 pages!!!

If the pool hours are posted from 10am-10pm. Do people ever swim later than 10pm or does that mean no more swimming?

I just remember last year coming back from the parks late at night and taking a dip with my DD(7). We loved this and really helped us cool down after a long, hot day at the parks. (Last week of Aug-sept.3)

 

[Grumpy'n'Goofy]

MNmom-I know the last time we were there you could swim whenever you wanted at the quiet pool, I'm not sure about the Volcano pool. HTH

 

[RichKoster]

I have a quick question and I couldn't go back through all 15 pages!!!

If the pool hours are posted from 10am-10pm. Do people ever swim later than 10pm or does that mean no more swimming?

I just remember last year coming back from the parks late at night and taking a dip with my DD(7). We loved this and really helped us cool down after a long, hot day at the parks. (Last week of Aug-sept.3)

MNmom, Grumpy'n'Goofy was right about being able to swim whenever you want -- but not just at the quiet pool: This is true at both of the pools at the Polynesian Resort.

Life guards are on duty from 10 am - 10 pm -- so you swim at your own risk at other times (and I'm sure everyone will try to keep the noise down at other times, too, so other Guests sleeping (early or late) won't be disturbed. Although, those big sliding glass patio doors (balcony doors in some cases) do keep a lot of exterior noise outside, making rooms very quiet.

And you were asking about the quiet pool, but I'll add that the volcano pool's slide is not open 24 hours.

I hope this helps.

 

[RichKoster]

I've been to Ohana's for dinner in Jan & Oct-both off season and wouldn't want to try it without a PS. Even Kona's was hopping for dinner in Oct.

Bernadette, thanks for adding that. I didn't mean to give the impression that a reservation for 'Ohana wouldn't be necessary -- especially at dinner -- but meant to point out that in October having breakfast at the Kona Cafe shouldn't require a reservation. But, like I wrote, the reservations are free so why not use them? Even if a Polynesian Guest decides at the last minute, go ahead and make a reservation via phone right there from your room, just to be safe.

 

[MNmom]

Thanks you guys!!

We are very excited to be able to take a quick swim in the evening. Just one of our strange, vacation traditions!!!

Can't wait!!!

 

[CarolB]

Just returned from 3 nights at the WL and 4 at the Poly....our favorite and usual resort choice. This time I initially requested Tahiti, but after reading Steve's site about Tokelau, I changed my request at check-in (the CM was very accommodating) and we ended up in Room 2917 - lagoon view at garden view price. I think third floor would have been a bit better, but it was still nice. We saw more of the TTC and Contemporary from the room and patio, but it was still great to go to sleep and wake up to water view. We had LV Tahiti last year for our 25th anniversary, but this was still a great room for us....we prefer closer to TTC than to GCH and with the quiet pool right outside the building, it's great. We have teens, so walking to the other pool isn't an issue for them. I visited the quiet pool one evening at about 11:30 and there were more kids there than the volcano pool, but they were with parents, so it was very calm. The slide on the big pool was closed by then anyway, so I assume both pools were calm.
Ate at Ohana on our last night...6/18....and enjoyed a ohana colada before dinner......my older DD who joined us for dinner ordered the Poly Margarita...can't think of the name.....but she really didn't like it.....so they replaced it with a regular one, much more to her liking.
Overall a great trip....great rooms at both locations.....

 

[RavenRob]

I have already tried to upgrade to Poly Cocierge Level but the cost was way out of my budget. Since we are going to celebrate our anniversary, I would like to get the best room view possible for the DW , DD(6) , and DS(3) . Can anyone make a suggestion on what would be the best room (non-concierge) to request that is centrally located to the GCH & Volcano Pool? Also, when should I send in my request and to whom?

Since we are going July 3rd, I know this type of request may be difficult.

 

[back2disney]

Since there is no spa and health club at the Poly, are guests of the Poly allowed to use the one, particulary the machine weights and cardio, at the GF free of charge?

 

[Traveliz]

Since there is no spa and health club at the Poly, are guests of the Poly allowed to use the one, particulary the machine weights and cardio, at the GF free of charge?

Yes

Liz

 

[ufgator]

I have already tried to upgrade to Poly Cocierge Level but the cost was way out of my budget. Since we are going to celebrate our anniversary, I would like to get the best room view possible for the DW , DD(6) , and DS(3) . Can anyone make a suggestion on what would be the best room (non-concierge) to request that is centrally located to the GCH & Volcano Pool? Also, when should I send in my request and to whom?

Since we are going July 3rd, I know this type of request may be difficult.

I think Samoa is right there at the pool and centrally located, but check Tikiman's site.

 

[BelleChick]

Does anyone know which buildings or rooms have been renovated?

 

[Grumpy'n'Goofy]

OK, for those who have visited recently, do you by any chance remember what drinks were available for the refillable mugs at Captain Cooks?

My DD doesn't like soda, I'm hoping they have juice or lemonade.
TIA

 

[rifamtrav]

Since we're on the topic of refillable mugs, anyone who has been there recently, how were the lines to get them refilled? Was it convenient enough? Thanks.

 

[CarolB]

OK, for those who have visited recently, do you by any chance remember what drinks were available for the refillable mugs at Captain Cooks?

My DD doesn't like soda, I'm hoping they have juice or lemonade.
TIA

Just got back on Monday The only non-carbonated drinks I saw was pink lemonade (HiC). Don't have iced tea anymore, at least not the sweetened kind from the dispensors - probably still had the brewed kind, but I didn't see it. Of course they have bottled and boxed juices, but not part of the refillable mug program.

 

[CarolB]

Since we're on the topic of refillable mugs, anyone who has been there recently, how were the lines to get them refilled? Was it convenient enough? Thanks.

The lines for refills were never bad when we were there. The line for the registers...that's a whole other story, however.

 

[Grumpy'n'Goofy]

Thanks CarolB, hope you had a fantastic trip!

 

[pink elephants]

We stayed at the Poly four years ago and loved, loved, loved it!!!!

We're planning to return and I was thinking about what rooms to request. Last time we had a 3rd floor Lagoon view Tahiti room that gave us the most magical view of the Castle and fireworks. This time, I think a ground floor room might be better for the kids, so they can walk out to the beach.
My question is: can you see the Castle from the ground floor Tahiti rooms or does the slope of the beach get in your way?

If the beach does block the view at the Tahiti, are there first floor rooms at other buildings at the Poly that would give beach access and a view of the Castle (or am I hoping for too much?!)?

 

[Tess]

Does anyone know which buildings or rooms have been renovated?

I saw no buildings (other than the Tonga suites building--and I didn't see it, but was told) that had been renovated OR were under renovation. Further, there was no additional work being undertaken to expand Captain Cook's either--the walls of the old store in the back of the building still had clothing racks with clothing hangers--no clothing, of course.

The only renovation we witnessed was repairing a gas or sewer line along the walkway between the quiet pool and Rarotonga.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Home already? Was it great? Do you have decent weather?

 

[Tess]

Home already? Was it great? Do you have decent weather?

It seems as if it was yesterday that I was at 300+ days on the countdown, but sadly enough--another vacation comes to an end!

It was great--a totally terrific experience--the best yet, which we all say every year! Truly though. . .it just gets better each and every visit!

We did have decent weather, no complaints. We hit Orlando with Arlene throttling up. She blew through and we weathered the bands until Saturday evening. It was alright though--terrible rain at times, but bands of sunshine in between. The remainder of the vacation was the usual afternoon rains with loads of sun before and HOT--which isn't an issue for us, we LOVE it!

I'll get around to various reports later, I'm fighting the laundry, mail, maintenance battle right now. I spent several hours cleaning the pool yesterday--our summer cover decided to degrade to bits while we were gone--all those little plastic bubble things in the pool and, somehow, our creepy crawlie got disconnected and so it wasn't functional either. Thankfully, it appears we've got it cleaned and ready to go for the weekend! The weather we returned to is lovely, 90s and sunny! Hmmmm. . .what am I doing sitting in here on the computer, I think I'll head outside!

Aloha for now!