Updates for the Polynesian

[BCV23]

The fencing is only up when they are working on the exterior (probably the sliding glass doors) but when they are working on the interior rooms the only thing they seem to put up is something to block the entry to the building. Rapa Nui was in the middle of work and had nothing around it until you got to the side doors and it was just a small wall blocking the door. Otherwise you could not even tell they were working on the rooms.

That is what it looked like while work was being done on Tonga as well. I imagine the noise reported is from changing the lanai floors.

 

[eclectics]

I noticed Fiji and Tuvalu because we passed them across the dock when we took the motor launch. I never walked over to check the blocked doors. We did see the blocked off doors at Niue (which were still blocked as of the 14th) I only was able to get a quick look down the hallway once and it looked like a twister hit it! FYI, the workmen didn't really appreciate my curiosity!

 

[alohaguy]

I have faith that they will do a good job as quickly as possible but any information you get from the front desk, IPO or even Mickey Mouse should be taken with a grain of salt until someone sees someone physically inside a new room.

I agree entirely with this statement. Even if Michael Eisner - or especially if Michael Eisner - calls your house to confirm when a longhouse will be finished, just know that it is a best guess. What I think tends to confuse people is that some CM's will answer your questions regarding new rooms being complete, even though their information may not be accurate or up to date. They try their best, but often do not have 'real time' information. I have found this to be the case in several instances. Do not hold their words up as gospel. When someone comes back with pictures of the new rooms and you can see their suitcases on the ground, then I'll believe that they're open. Until then, it's anybody's guess ... including CM's.

 

[Sammie]

I noticed Fiji and Tuvalu because we passed them across the dock when we took the motor launch. I never walked over to check the blocked doors. We did see the blocked off doors at Niue (which were still blocked as of the 14th) I only was able to get a quick look down the hallway once and it looked like a twister hit it! FYI, the workmen didn't really appreciate my curiosity!

If the doors were blocked how did you get a quick look down the hallway? Or were you talking about another building.

 

[eclectics]

If the doors were blocked how did you get a quick look down the hallway? Or were you talking about another building.

The workmen kept going in and out and we just happened to be passing when their temporary door was open and I stuck my head in to have a look.

 

[oldskool_74]

Ill be going to the poly on Monday for 5 days and Ill see if I can get a new room if availible. Im staying GV so if Fiji is ready then there shouldnt be an issue of getting one there but I dont want to be a pain to the CMs, but if you dont ask then you wont know. With 4 houses closed there isnt to many places they can put you

 

[imatoad]

Okay, I'm a wee bit confused, are most people concerned about being moved because of Concierge buildings not being done? I'm going 10/9 - 10/15, simply garden view with no concierge, and I'm not really picky about my building, but we do like monorail view, is there a chance I might have a problem? Was the rehab work on 4 bldgs. a nuisance to the guests, noise etc.?

 

[BCV23]

Yes, I think the talk about being moved relates to Hawaii. It is really evolved into a continuation of another thread. Sorry for the confusing posts.

We're booked concierge but often stay good old garden view so it's not the end of the world by any means for my family. But it would be fun to be in a brand new room. Of course, we could order a lot of chocolate strawwberries for the difference in price.

 

[BCV23]

Ill be going to the poly on Monday for 5 days and Ill see if I can get a new room if availible. Im staying GV so if Fiji is ready then there shouldnt be an issue of getting one there but I dont want to be a pain to the CMs, but if you dont ask then you wont know. With 4 houses closed there isnt to many places they can put you

Have a wonderful trip!

Can we expect a report upon your return?

 

[allie5]

Could someone help me please.

We are booked into Hawaii on the 27th Oct for 7 nights. Before this we are staying at AKL for 14 nights. I am a little concerned that we will not know whether the concierge building is finished or not. I dont want the kids getting excited when we roll up at the Poly only to be told we have to be moved!

As we leave home 14 days before we arrive at the Poly, Im not sure if they would be able to contact us (the booking for AKL was not done through CRO but a UK tour op). I have given IPO my itinerary for my whole stay (they kindly still planned events / ADRs for me that are happening during our AKL stay which is not concierge) so they do know where we will be in theory - but they will probably just call the home number on the booking I did with CRO.

Hope you understand what I mean!! I guess the best thing is to get a CM at AKL to check on progress a few nights before we move, and if nessacary, make alternative arrangements. The GF would be our next choice - do we pay the difference in cost, or (as its WDWs "fault" we have to me moved, is it a comp?).

Allie

 

[BCV23]

I would be very surprised if Hawaii wasn't done before the end of November. The occupancy rate is very high in concierge from what I've been told and WDW must make a pretty penny on concierge rooms. That makes for a good incentive to focus on getting that building back up quickly.

But if before you leave home, you haven't read about Hawaii reopening on the DIS, I would call myself once you're at AKL. Just dial guest services I think and ask to be connected to the Polynesian.

21 days.....what a wonderful holiday to anticipate!

 

[Tikiman]

I am betting on October 20th to be the date Hawaii opens back up. Any other guesses?

Aloha

Steve

 

[SeaSpray]

I am betting on October 20th to be the date Hawaii opens back up. Any other guesses?

Aloha

Steve

I don't bet, but I sure hope you're right!

 

[BCV23]

Thanks a lot, Terry....that leaves us out! Just kidding.

If any golfers are staying there this year, I would bet by the time they are there. I think there is a father/child event the day before it starts so I would think by the 19th anyway.

But still hoping for the 12th!

allie5, am I going nuts or did your post say November before? Now I understand why you're worried. Just call from the AKL but if Hawaii isn't opened, the regular rooms and longhouses are wonderful as is the whole resort.

 

[SeaSpray]

Thanks a lot, Terry....that leaves us out! Just kidding.

If any golfers are staying there this year, I would bet by the time they are there. I think there is a father/child event the day before it starts so I would think by the 19th anyway.

But still hoping for the 12th!

allie5, am I going nuts or did your post say November before? Now I understand why you're worried. Just call from the AKL but if Hawaii isn't opened, the regular rooms and longhouses are wonderful as is the whole resort.

I know, sorry! I really hope it's opened in time for EVERYONE who has reservations there

 

[alohaguy]

I am betting on October 20th to be the date Hawaii opens back up. Any other guesses?

Aloha

Steve

I'll put my chips on the 25th ... two full weeks after the 11th. Remember, even Tonga, the first building to undergo rehab, went relatively far past their desired completion date - and like Hawaii, this is a unique building and the Polynesian had no way to similarly accomodate guests who book these rooms (Tonga is all suites). So while many have speculated that simply because Hawaii is concierge there will be a special effort to finish on time (which I think may be partially true) the fact that Tonga did not finish as scheduled is a good indicator that no matter how hard they push, it simply may not get done. It is possible, but probably unlikely.

I do hope, though, for everyone's sake that is arriving in October, that management decides to 'make the call' to guests sooner rather than later, giving people fair warning that they may not get the room they booked.

And, as Tikiman has said before, I think the larger picture is that Disney no longer does this work 'in house'. Schedules would be much more reliable if they didn't put themselves in the position of relying on outside contractors.

 

[Frankiesmom]

Could someone post the name of the wesite with all the poly info? The one set up by Tikiman? Thanks in advance! Angel

 

[allie5]

allie5, am I going nuts or did your post say November before? Now I understand why you're worried. Just call from the AKL but if Hawaii isn't opened, the regular rooms and longhouses are wonderful as is the whole resort.

Yeah, sorry!! It was a typo - I edited it real quick though, you must have read it as soon as I posted!!

We booked concierge for a particular reason so the "concierge" part is more important than the Poly if that makes sense!! Though of course, the Poly WAS our top choice, so will be slightly disappointed if its not to be.

If you had to pick between the other two monorail resorts (concierge) which would you go for? Has to be very kid friendly!!

 

[BCV23]

It is at tikiman2001.homestead.com. Or you can google it.

Does anyone know if the Tonga building stays as busy as Hawaii though?

Hasn't WDW always used some outside contractors? Obviously, inhouse would be most reliable though.

 

[BCV23]

If you had to pick between the other two monorail resorts (concierge) which would you go for? Has to be very kid friendly!!

Hopefully others will chime in but the only other experience we've had with concierge at WDW was in Sugar Loaf. We enjoyed both of our stays there very much. I find all WDW resorts to be kid friendly but the Polynesian does have a very relaxing feel to it. Good luck to you and Seaspray too. You'll be there around the same time I think.