Updates for the Polynesian

[Tikiman]

I would have to say that when I checked into Rapa Nui in August I still felt that I was so happy to just be at the Polynesian. I think if I were to check in and be told concierge is not ready I would be disappointed and maybe a little mad but my first thought would be….give me a room anywhere and reimburse my money. You still get to use everything the Polynesian has to offer from any of the rooms (with an exception of the concierge lounge)

On a side note for those of you signing up for the Polynesian update info I sent out an email telling you about what was going on with the new yahoo email and I will soon have an email I will use that is part of my web page. Thanks to the donations coming in to help me with the upgrade I did have them change the status of the pages so that my bandwidth should never be an issue again. I won’t tell you the total cost but I will say that the donations are very much appreciated to help with the cost and now you should not have to worry about the pages shutting down at the end of the month. Also I will have room to put on the new additions.

I will email everyone who had me add them to the list with the new address when it is set up.

Aloha

Steve

 

[alohaguy]

If I was bumped unexpectedly from Hawaii, I think I would not switch to another resort just to be staying concierge. One of the options that would be given to these people is Sugarloaf at the GF... I have stayed in this building, and while it is very nice and certainly would make for a great trip, in my opinion, the GF and Polynesian are like apples and oranges - just very difficult to compare because they are themed so differently. I would turn down the alternate concierge accomodations and just stay in a standard room at the Polynesian - assuming there was vacancy. You would even get some money refunded (as was just stated) and you could think about it as a positive. For me, being at the Polynesian is more important than the concierge services. Just my opinion.

Good luck to everyone arriving in October ... I hope you get your rooms, but if not, you'll still be at one of the best resorts at WDW.

 

[*Fantasia*]

If I was bumped unexpectedly from Hawaii, I think I would not switch to another resort just to be staying concierge. One of the options that would be given to these people is Sugarloaf at the GF... I have stayed in this building, and while it is very nice and certainly would make for a great trip, in my opinion, the GF and Polynesian are like apples and oranges - just very difficult to compare because they are themed so differently. I would turn down the alternate concierge accomodations and just stay in a standard room at the Polynesian - assuming there was vacancy. You would even get some money refunded (as was just stated) and you could think about it as a positive. For me, being at the Polynesian is more important than the concierge services. Just my opinion.

Good luck to everyone arriving in October ... I hope you get your rooms, but if not, you'll still be at one of the best resorts at WDW.

I'm with you alohaguy. I book the Polynesian for the themeing and everything else about the Poly. If concierge is not available to me, I would still stay at the Poly, why, because that's the reason why I booked Poly in the first place...is the themeing and everything else that goes with it. If I would go with GF concierge...then I won't have the South Pacific theme. I think the Poly is more important to me than the concierge somewhere else.

 

[skiwee1]

I'm with you alohaguy. I book the Polynesian for the themeing and everything else about the Poly. If concierge is not available to me, I would still stay at the Poly, why, because that's the reason why I booked Poly in the first place...is the themeing and everything else that goes with it. If I would go with GF concierge...then I won't have the South Pacific theme. I think the Poly is more important to me than the concierge somewhere else.

Ae you booked concierge at the Poly or have you stayed concierge at the Poly in the past?

 

[lovesdumbo]

If I was bumped unexpectedly from Hawaii, I think I would not switch to another resort just to be staying concierge. One of the options that would be given to these people is Sugarloaf at the GF... I have stayed in this building, and while it is very nice and certainly would make for a great trip, in my opinion, the GF and Polynesian are like apples and oranges - just very difficult to compare because they are themed so differently. I would turn down the alternate concierge accomodations and just stay in a standard room at the Polynesian - assuming there was vacancy. You would even get some money refunded (as was just stated) and you could think about it as a positive. For me, being at the Polynesian is more important than the concierge services. Just my opinion.

Good luck to everyone arriving in October ... I hope you get your rooms, but if not, you'll still be at one of the best resorts at WDW.

I'm really hoping not to get the call. I also think there is a difference between Tonga & Hawaii being done on schedule. The fact that Tonga was the first one done was probably a big factor. I'm hoping lots of the kinks are now worked out-especially with supply issues. Also not completing Hawaii on time will displace a lot more folks. I don't see were any more advanced notice at this point would matter to me. I'd rather believe they were working until the last minute to get the room ready for me and those golfers.

I am really torn as to what I'd do if I get the call. I guess it would depend on what they might offer me. I think I'd choose Poly non concierge over SL at GF but I'd have to think about it if they offered me main building at GF or BWI. I really LOVE the Poly but with 3 small children and a DH who doesn't travel well I also really LOVE the convenience of concierge.

I realized when I kept my reservation that being bumped was a possibility so I will be disappointed but am hopeful that they will do their best to find us a suitable alternative.

 

[BCV23]

I would have to say that when I checked into Rapa Nui in August I still felt that I was so happy to just be at the Polynesian. I think if I were to check in and be told concierge is not ready I would be disappointed and maybe a little mad but my first thought would be….give me a room anywhere and reimburse my money. You still get to use everything the Polynesian has to offer from any of the rooms (with an exception of the concierge lounge).

Aloha

Steve

Everytime we check into the Polynesian we are excited and glad to be there. For us, that feeling doesn't change at all whether we're staying concierge or not. I do know from reading these boards that concierge is an important part of the experience for some families. For us, it is just a pleasant addon.

However, I would appreciate a heads up before checkin.

Finally had a chance to talk with my husband this morning and he wants to stay at the Polynesian regardless. I'm almost tempted to just try to change to a gardenview room.

I agree that Sugar Loaf and the Polynesian concierge are two different animals although we've enjoyed both.

Thanks for the continued updates, Steve. Our son lives down there now although he is out of town during the week. One of these days, I hope he can do a little reconnaisance.

Good luck to everyone.

 

[SeaSpray]

That is news to me. In all my discussions with IPO when I am at the Polynesian they only mentioned being there for Polynesian guests and taking calls and emails for the WL since they do not have a full concierge. From what I knew the Contemporary and the GF have their own concierge staff for pre-planning but maybe I am wrong.

Aloha

Steve

Just as a follow-up:

I got an email from Jeffrey at the Polynesian (/WL) concierge IPO and he said "...the Grand Floridian Concierge, they have their own IPO team".

So apparently the GF does have it's own IPO staff. Where they are physically located, I didn't ask, so I don't know.

 

[chamonix]

OK, here's my theory:
The reason the other buildings have not opened up is that they are the staging areas for the Hawaii rehab--meaning, all of the furnishings that needed to be repainted, etc have already been done there, and are going to be taken from those rooms and moved into the Hawaii rooms--speeding up the process of rehab there. (yes, I'm a glass half full kinda girl who believes in pixie dust and faeries, LOL!!)

I do expect them to go over the date actually--especially since I have ressies for Oct 10th, and everyone here keeps saying they hear the 11th as the opening date. Construction never goes on schedule--and with the mess from Katrina, I am sure construction materials and workers may be deferred that direction too.

I would prefer to stay at the Polynesian. In fact, we have family members who won't come if we are spread out to other resorts. It wouldn't make sense for our family to be half in Tonga (in the suite we have booked) and half at another resort--. Not sure how to deal with cancelling their rooms if we won't know until the last minute though, if Hawaii will be open. When it comes to the 6 days ahead, I will have to contact someone (?) at the Polynesian to see what they are saying at that point.

 

[hygienejean]

Hi all!
I have read this whole thread, and others regarding the Poly rehab.... From what I have figured thus far is that:

Tonga is finished?
Rapa Nui, Niue, Tuvalu, Fiji, Hawaii, and Tahiti are still under construction?

Can anyone confirm that this is right or wrong?

I am arriving 10/13 and I have reqested Fiji and I am REALLY hoping it will be done!

Thanks for this wonderful thread!

 

[eeyoresmountainpals]

Here's what tikiman has posted on his site:

"A tentative list looks like this:

Aotearoa 12/4 – 12/23 all floors

Fiji 8/15- 9/04 all floors (started late and still not complete as of 9/20)

Tuvalu 8/29-9/16 all floors (started late and still not complete as of 9/20)

Hawaii 9/17-10/11 all floors (closed on time)

Samoa TBD

Niue 8/26-9/7 all floors (not complete as of 9/20)

Rarotonga TBD

Tokelau TBD

Tahiti first floor 10/21-11/02, second floor 10/09-10/21 and third floor 9/27-10/09"

 

[Tikiman]

OK, here's my theory:
The reason the other buildings have not opened up is that they are the staging areas for the Hawaii rehab--meaning, all of the furnishings that needed to be repainted, etc have already been done there, and are going to be taken from those rooms and moved into the Hawaii rooms--speeding up the process of rehab there. (yes, I'm a glass half full kinda girl who believes in pixie dust and faeries, LOL!!)

I know you just were using this as an example of wishful thinking but I can see someone emailing me already and asking me what furnishings are they repainting for the new room.

I just wanted to say that this theory would not be the case since everything going into the rooms is new. The only thing getting repainted are the walls and I can’t see them preping those in Fiji to move to Hawaii.

Aloha

Steve

 

[kirbsam]

I think they will finish it on time. I heard vijay singh and phil mickelson and their families are staying there for the golf tournament, and they would hae to have it finished for them...ok, i made that up, but it would be cool.

 

[eeyoresmountainpals]

I know you just were using this as an example of wishful thinking but I can see someone emailing me already and asking me what furnishings are they repainting for the new room.

I just wanted to say that this theory would not be the case since everything going into the rooms is new. The only thing getting repainted are the walls and I can’t see them preping those in Fiji to move to Hawaii.

Aloha

Steve

Thanks for clarifying, Steve. I was under the understanding that everything would be new but then read the other post about repainting furnishings and I started to wonder. I'm glad everything will be new.

And I'm still thinking positive thoughts...and crossing everything I can cross... It will open on time, it will open on time.......

 

[chamonix]

Of course, I haven't seen the new rooms and you have Steve, but my mention of "re-painting" was in regards to the re-use of the re-painted armoires in Tonga and I believe one or two other items was actually re-used in those rooms; also my general comment was in regards to the other hard goods that may have been procured for the other buildings but was now possibly being held "available" to be used in the Hawaii refurb--things like the new closet doors, counter tops or furnishings like curtains, art, mirrors, other furniture, etc.

So, I meant both the general hard goods that were procured for any new room being moved from those buildings into Hawaii, and also referred to the practice in the Tonga rooms of using a few items that were painted and re-used--sorry to be confusing, I know the armoires that are in the photos I have seen of the standard rooms are certainly new. It does appear they remove the chair rails for painting though, and perhaps the doorjams...?

While I love a whole new room, LOL, the environmentalist in me is happy they are able to "reduce reuse recycle" a few items on occasion!

 

[chamonix]

Oh, and I wanted to add that while it is simply my wishful thinking at this point it's certainly possible.

 

[vossjemi]

We just got back from the Poly for our very first trip to Disneyworld. We were in Tokelau 2911 & 2912. Great lagoon view at garden view price tiki! Thanks for the heads up on your website. The location of this room had us looking right at the Hawaii Building...we were there 9/22-9/24. It was obvious major construction was going on within, but they were also still in the process of removing things. WE saw tons of mattresses being removed, and the day beds as well as chairs. Also you could see inside many of the rooms as curtains had already been removed and it looked like some of the windows/sliding glass doors being replaced as well as some of the walls coming down, I think. I didn't notice or look at the other buildings involved in the construction, but it did get a little noisy at Hawaii (especially when my kids and DH were napping!) Oh well, we had a noise machine which covered it up. Overall we loved the Poly and it really didn't seem too busy. The quiet pool was quite crowded at midnight last night though when I went to the front desk to print SWA boarding passes.

 

[eeyoresmountainpals]

Sounds encouraging that they are working hard on the Hawaii rehab! Thanks for your report!

 

[BCV23]

vossjemi, thanks for the report.

Do you think you will return to the Polynesian? What a wonderful place for a very first WDW stay.

 

[eclectics]

We just got back from the Poly for our very first trip to Disneyworld. We were in Tokelau 2911 & 2912. Great lagoon view at garden view price tiki! Thanks for the heads up on your website. The location of this room had us looking right at the Hawaii Building...we were there 9/22-9/24. It was obvious major construction was going on within, but they were also still in the process of removing things. WE saw tons of mattresses being removed, and the day beds as well as chairs. Also you could see inside many of the rooms as curtains had already been removed and it looked like some of the windows/sliding glass doors being replaced as well as some of the walls coming down, I think. I didn't notice or look at the other buildings involved in the construction, but it did get a little noisy at Hawaii (especially when my kids and DH were napping!) Oh well, we had a noise machine which covered it up. Overall we loved the Poly and it really didn't seem too busy. The quiet pool was quite crowded at midnight last night though when I went to the front desk to print SWA boarding passes.

We were in 3911. Isn't it a great location?!! It was my first experience with the Poly and the great room we got made it ever so much more magical. Like I have said in other posts, I don't think I can stay anywhere else now! And I also, never travel without my sound machine. It's mandatory!

 

[back2disney]

Here's what tikiman has posted on his site:
"A tentative list looks like this:
Aotearoa 12/4 – 12/23 all floors
Fiji 8/15- 9/04 all floors (started late and still not complete as of 9/20)
Tuvalu 8/29-9/16 all floors (started late and still not complete as of 9/20)
Hawaii 9/17-10/11 all floors (closed on time)
Samoa TBD
Niue 8/26-9/7 all floors (not complete as of 9/20)
Rarotonga TBD
Tokelau TBD
Tahiti first floor 10/21-11/02, second floor 10/09-10/21 and third floor 9/27-10/09"

Ugh!
I have reservations with a request to check into Aotearoa on Monday, 12/05.
I would really like to have a monorail view. A renovated room would be a plus. Rartonaga is TBD. Does anyone know if any rooms in Fiji have a view of the monorail?