To Poly in one week - freaking over it being crowded!

[wendylovesdisney]

Okay - so I am getting a little freaked over reports that the Poly is at capacity right due to free dining and the renovations at AKL. Yuck. I was going to go at Christmas when I normally go but decided to go in September instead and I am PAYING for dining to boot!
People saying there are no chairs by the pool, and long lines for the monorail and Captain Cooks being crowded and/or dirty are flipping me out. I paid dearly for this trip and I am filled with dread.
Has anyone returned recently and have anything GOOD to say about the Poly??

 

[Poly Pal]

We were at the Polynesian last month and the resort was at capacity - as it usually is. It never seemed crowded. Yes, the Volcano Pool was crowded one afternoon and finding a chair was like getting a parking space at the mall at Christmas. But other times the pool was not crowded at all. We watched Wishes from the pool with maybe 25 other people (capacity is 4 times that).

Even if there is a line at the monorail you will still get on. Never in 20 years have we had to wait for a second monorail to arrive at the station. Also consider taking the motor launch from the MK to the Polynesian. One afternoon we had it all to ourselves - sort of like having our own private yacht.

Captain Cooks was absolutely fine. Once you understand ordering using the touch screen and negotiate the cashier line (it backs up because guests do not understand the dining plan!!!) you will get a seat either in the "old" area next to the Dole Whip machine or in the "new" area next to the arcade. There is also seating outdoors (which would also be a good back up for Volcano Pool seating provided you do not need to see your stuff while you're in the pool). Whenever we ate at Captain Cooks we saw a CM sweeping or taking out the trash (I paid attention since someone posted about "overflowing trash" at Captain Cooks before we went).

The resort never looked better and the photos of the rooms do not do the rehab justice IMO. If you go in expecting perfection and looking for problems, you will likely find them wherever you stay. So relax, go with the flow, don't worry about your longhouse assignment and have a wonderful time!

 

[shelleyr25]

We just returned on 9/4 from a 5 night stay at the Poly and were just thrilled. This was our second stay there and I couldnt imagine staying anywhere else.
Yes, the pool was crowded but there were alot of lounges that just had one towel on them..no shoes, shirts, drinks etc..I would ask the people around it if it was being used and most of the time it was not so, voila, the lounge was mine!! I never had a problem doing this. Most people are too lazy to remove their towel when they leave or just take more lounges than they need.
Our room was kept neat and tidy with lots of towel animals for the kids.
No problem with smokers as had been mentioned in another recent post.
We were Samoa 2nd floor facing the volcano pool and loved the view and the location.
Never had a problem with the monorail at all.
We ate at both Kona and Ohana with our reservations but were also able to sneak in a breakfast on our last day at Kona without a ressie and another dinner at Ohana without one also (9pm but it worked for us).
We were only in Captain Cooks twice but both times there were no lines or crowds.
Any other questions feel free to ask..

 

[SpoonfulofSugar]

Okay - so I am getting a little freaked over reports that the Poly is at capacity right due to free dining and the renovations at AKL. Yuck. I was going to go at Christmas when I normally go but decided to go in September instead and I am PAYING for dining to boot!
People saying there are no chairs by the pool, and long lines for the monorail and Captain Cooks being crowded and/or dirty are flipping me out. I paid dearly for this trip and I am filled with dread.
Has anyone returned recently and have anything GOOD to say about the Poly??

We just returned from the Poly monday night and it was at capacity but we had no problems at the pool, you just have to look alittle harder for chairs but they were everywhere! The lines for the monorail were long-- sometimes into the GCH at peak times like 10 am-- but we never waited more than 10 minutes or 2 monorails.
I went to Capt Cooks serval times at peaks hours and there were always plenty of seats inside and out, my only compaint were people who had the dining plan and no idea what it included so they would be running back for more drinks and desserts while everyone waited, but I'm sure this happens everywhere with people getting the free dining.
If you are expecting perfection you are likely to be disappointed.

 

[ekball]

We have never stayed at the Poly, but will be checking in on Friday for a 10 night stay. One thing that I read in the past that put my mind at ease about the crowds at the Poly is that it is pretty much the most popular resort on property, with the highest guest return rate. It is, I believe, frequently at capacity or close to it, because people like it but (my feeling here) mostly because of location, location, location.

I agree with a pp - go in with a good attitude and high expectations for a great week! But if you are REALLY REALLY concerned, maybe do yourself a favor and see about switching resorts??? Good luck with what you decide! And remember, you can always try to switch resorts when you get there (if there's availability) if you are truly unhappy.

 

[CoolPool]

I stayed at the Poly the same time as Poly Pal. For 10 nights. It was peak summer time and you would have been hard pressed to say it had a crowded feeling. I had superb mousekeeping. We had lovely meals. We got "aloha'ed" at every turn by gracious fun CMs.

Honestly, I can't imagine that I even stayed at the same resort as some of the people who complain about unfriendliness and or subpar cleaning. And I am a hotel snob. I've got the list of hotels to prove it; but you will get out of your vacation what you expect. If you expect bad things, you will be dope-slapped with them from the get-go.

I've seen a huge number of positive posts about the Poly in the last month that overwhelm the number of negative ones, but if you are really concerned then switch resorts. What's the big deal? A change is a phone call away. Disney doesn't hesitate to offer you alternatives.

 

[hobbester]

We are here now and have not had any problems. We ate at Ohana our first night (called when I got here and there was a cancellation). We just got back from Kona tonight and we've had breakfast and lunch at Captain Cooks without any problems. We have not tried the pool yet, but when we walk by them, I still see available chairs. We usually get to the monorail between 9-9:30 and have always gotten right on, usually about 15 people in front of us. Don't worry, just have fun.

 

[corndog]

We have never stayed at the Poly, but will be checking in on Friday for a 10 night stay. One thing that I read in the past that put my mind at ease about the crowds at the Poly is that it is pretty much the most popular resort on property, with the highest guest return rate. It is, I believe, frequently at capacity or close to it, because people like it but (my feeling here) mostly because of location, location, location.

I agree with a pp - go in with a good attitude and high expectations for a great week! But if you are REALLY REALLY concerned, maybe do yourself a favor and see about switching resorts??? Good luck with what you decide! And remember, you can always try to switch resorts when you get there (if there's availability) if you are truly unhappy.

We will be there Saturday for a 10 night stay!

 

[Diznotyzed]

Seems that some of the folks surrounding you at the Poly will be nice, fun loving people! My family will be there in 8 days! I can't wait!

 

[chickenskin]

When we pool hop from the Motel 6 in Kissimmee...hah, got ya, sorry couldn't resist, but seriously when we stay at the Poly we never sit by the volcano pool, we always sit by the quiet pool and it's a very short walk from one to the other. The volcano pool always seems to be crowded with no chairs available. But who cares, you'll be at the Poly, and after all, isn't that what really matters?

 

[eliza61]

Okay - so I am getting a little freaked over reports that the Poly is at capacity right due to free dining and the renovations at AKL. Yuck. I was going to go at Christmas when I normally go but decided to go in September instead and I am PAYING for dining to boot!
People saying there are no chairs by the pool, and long lines for the monorail and Captain Cooks being crowded and/or dirty are flipping me out. I paid dearly for this trip and I am filled with dread.
Has anyone returned recently and have anything GOOD to say about the Poly??

Filled with dread about going to Disney. You normally go around Christmas so you must know about crowds. Like I always say, take any thing posted on these boards with a grain of salt. Make a small plan around the parks (what day, what park), make you adr's and call it a day. Is it really a bad thing if you have to stand on the monorail? Yes, I know you paid alot for your trip, as does every one but if you have a negative attitude about it before you even get there, you're doomed.

Tips for crowds:
Don't leave for the parks or at the end of the day, during the normal peak times. If you leave MK after wishes, no matter the time of year, there are going to be long lines for the monorail. Stroll in the shops at the end of the night, saviour the atmosphere. Let the first wave of people leave first.
Can you do pool time a little earlier? Usually mid afternoon pools get crowded.

take a deep breathe, relax and enjoy.

 

[kaysmommie]

I stayed at the Poly the same time as Poly Pal. For 10 nights. It was peak summer time and you would have been hard pressed to say it had a crowded feeling. I had superb mousekeeping. We had lovely meals. We got "aloha'ed" at every turn by gracious fun CMs.

Honestly, I can't imagine that I even stayed at the same resort as some of the people who complain about unfriendliness and or subpar cleaning. And I am a hotel snob. I've got the list of hotels to prove it; but you will get out of your vacation what you expect. If you expect bad things, you will be dope-slapped with them from the get-go.


To the OP
I've seen a huge number of positive posts about the Poly in the last month that overwhelm the number of negative ones, but if you are really concerned then switch resorts. What's the big deal? A change is a phone call away. Disney doesn't hesitate to offer you alternatives.

What building were you in. I requested Tokelau and am hoping for good mousekeeping. We keep our room neat but I definately don't want to have to leave notes for a clean tub or clean sheets. Thanks

Last year we went off peak in September with 2 Poly buildings closed and the pool was crowded during the day. I could not find even 1 lounge a few times. There were a few Pool hoppers that I know of. They need to remove pool towels from saved lounges if they are not used for a whole hour or something . We are a family of 4 and I take only 1 lounge for me, maybe too if DH is going to actually use it, usually he is in the pool with the kids. I have never seen long lines at the monorail though , that kind of freaks me out a bit. Usually we get on the first monorail even at peak times and it's not even full. I love the Poly when it's peaceful and less crowded. Try not to worry and have a good trip!

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

I'm starting to think maybe the Poly had an alternate universe going on while I stayed there 8/22 - 8/29!

The resort was at capacity--which it is more often than not. Even so, I didn't notice Captain Cooks to be overcrowded unless it was during peak times (I never went during those times), the pool wasn't overly-crowded and in the early morning or late evening me and the kids had no problems getting pool chairs and a table. I stayed in a room right across from the Volcano pool (Samoa longhouse) and noticed the pool only seemed 'crowded' at peak times. I even swam during a peak time and didn't feel crowded at all. Adults see a crowded pool. Kids see there's enough room for them to get in and splash in.

As for the long monorail lines, we only waited for 2 monorails about twice during our stay. I did notice that once Free Dining for the masses (we booked Bounceback) the service did slow a bit. Monorails were going in for maintenance more often so they took the monorail out of service after getting to the MK. Even so, the CMs were in near constant radio contact and never ceased to let folks know when another monorail would be along.

The bottom line is, if you go expecting everything to be pefect you will have a lousy time. Everything didn't go off without a hitch during my stay but that was about 1% in contrast to the 99% of the great things that happened. The kids are STILL talking about our trip to the Poly and they're a little dissapointed we're staying at the AKL for Christmas instead of the Poly.