Viewing Fireworks from Polynesian Resort Beach

[kileybeth]

As a one time only, just returning guest of the Poly, here is my take on the "open amenities" at the Poly. I so enjoyed the pool, grounds and yes, even concierge lounge (can I just say wow, so enjoyable)at the Poly while I was there. I have to admit after paying what we did to stay, I felt a little entitled to those extras. However, it was so obvious the entire week we were there that many others from other resorts felt entitled as well. What a crowded place the GCH and the beach can be! I never felt like it was something special just for us. We also witnessed first hand others "sneaking " up to the concierge lounge. We did not say anything as it was our vacation too and the hassle would have been more than the satisfaction of it for my hubby.

I guess the attractions are just to much to stay away from. I do understand during especially busy times of year (like 4th of July) they do restrict access to the beach to Poly guest only.

Maybe I was just as bad though as DH, my one son and I sat for at least 45 minutes reading a book, snacking (while other 3 kiddos watched tv and ate snacks) at the very front table closest to the window in the c. lounge waiting for the ELP and Wishes. BTW, didn't help as parents of at least 3 families let their kids walk right in front of us when it was time for them to start.

I can't police the world, so I've quit trying. Just don't expect me to be happy about those who don't /won't police themselves and follow signs and common curtisies.

 

[Sammie]

Kileybeth, please write Disney and let them know of your experiences. I refuse to pay the price that Disney requires to stay at the Polynesian and be crowded out by non paying guests. We used to be frequent guests.

It used to be a few guests would come over and that was fine, but it is getting out of hand. It seems at times the Polynesian grounds are as crowded as the parks.

I have no problem sharing the amenities of this resort with someone that is there to dine, becuase it is expensive to do so. But those that come over and enjoy what others pay big money for, the view, and spend nothing there is wrong.

However until Disney steps in and does something about it, you can forget that others will do what is correct.

 

[simonkodousek]

When we were at the Polynesian in July, there was no problem with non-Polynesian guests "crowding up" the beach.

It's a great spot to watch Wishes!

 

[Marthasor]

We stayed at Poly in Dec. '05 and really enjoyed Wishes both in the MK and from the beach! Totally different experiences. The beach wasn't too crowded when we went - I don't remember there being any chairs available, but I certainly wasn't about to poll the people sitting to see which resort they were staying in!! We had fun sitting on the sand, drinking hot chocolate and watching Wishes!

 

[Shorty82]

I can see having a problem with non-guests sneaking up to the concierge lounge or the pool as those are reserved for resort guests only and there are signs saying so (at least for the pool). The beach on the other hand is open to everybody. People who abuse the open anemities can be a problem but I see nothing wrong with someone visiting for a little while to see Wishes from the beach.

My brother and I walked around and checked out the Poly for a while and a few minutes before Wishes we headed down to the beach and found an empty bench with no one around so we sat there. Right after the fireworks ended we wandered towards the front and left. It's not like we took up hammocks on the beach all evening or anything. Poly guests can use the beach whenever they please but the average non-guests won't do so.

The beach wasn't very crowded while we were there. There was a decent number of people there but it's not like the beach was packed.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

We also witnessed first hand others "sneaking " up to the concierge lounge.

That is a shame what you saw and the guests who did that, all I can say is I hope karma comes back against them.

I am just curious how did you know they were not guests staying in the Hawaii Longhouse? Last month when my parents and I were at WDW we went to see where it was since we have a Garden View room reserved there for this December and the Cast Member working at the time gave us permission to go and look around in the lounge. However we did not take any drinks or snacks since we knew it would be wrong and because we had all that stuff on the Atrium Club lounge at the Contemporary.

 

[LukenDC]

I watched Wishes from the Poly beach with my brother and we sat on a handy bench and we weren't staying at that resort. IMO the benches, hammocks, etc. are first come, first serve. If you want one get there early enough to get one. Just because you are staying at the Poly doesn't mean you have more of a right to the seats. The seats are there for everybody.

It's attitudes like this that will result in restrictions as to who can enjoy the beach at the Poly. The hammocks, lounge chairs, etc. are amenities for guests of the Poly. I stayed at the GF over the summer and joined some friends at the Poly for the fireworks. I stood the entire time because guests at the Poly should have full use of the amenities that come with their resort.

 

[Shorty82]

It's attitudes like this that will result in restrictions as to who can enjoy the beach at the Poly. The hammocks, lounge chairs, etc. are amenities for guests of the Poly. I stayed at the GF over the summer and joined some friends at the Poly for the fireworks. I stood the entire time because guests at the Poly should have full use of the amenities that come with their resort.

Almost sounds like you want those restrictions. Poly guests are free to use those benches anytime during their stay. We sat there from just a few minutes before the fireworks till just after they ended. I already stated that non-guests just relaxing there for the heck of it was wrong. We sat for the fireworks and then left. Anybody could use that bench before we did and after we left. We were there only for a little while, it is not like we stayed there for an hour or anything.

People are free to visit any of the resorts they want and are encouraged to do so by Disney. If somebody wants to watch Wishes from the Poly or the Contemporary they can. If there's a bench available why should they stand? Should we have left that bench empty and stood the entire time during the fireworks?

 

[kaysmommie]

An easy way would be - unless you are paying to stay at the Poly leave the hammocks and tables for the resort guest. You would still enjoy the fireworks from the beach without inconveniencing any guests.

Sorry but I feel strongly, that just like pool hopping, there are only so many hammocks, tables etc. that should be reserved for the guest of that resort.

I agree with you 100%. It is so rude for non poly guests to hog all the lounge chairs and hammocks. I don't care how early you get there you are not paying to stay there. Now if there are plenty of seats no biggie but I think those of us who are guests shouldn't have to wait there early after all we are guests and paying $350 a night and up.

 

[ConcKahuna]

The thing is, the beach isn't really "open." Unless you have an ADR or are staying at the resort, security isn't really even supposed to let you into the parking lot. It's not normally enforced, but if there is any kind of special event or if it's a holiday, you can bet security will turn you away.

 

[mrincredible2008]

its sunday morning....cant we all just get along?

 

[Tigger&Tink]

its sunday morning....cant we all just get along?

Was just thinking the same thing----the OP just askd a simple question--and geeeeeeeez!!! Does EVERY thread have to turn into a major DEBATE--
WAIT ---PLEASE DO NOT ANSWER THAT!!

 

[ConcKahuna]

Does EVERY thread have to turn into a major DEBATE--

That's debatable!

 

[Shorty82]

I agree with you 100%. It is so rude for non poly guests to hog all the lounge chairs and hammocks. I don't care how early you get there you are not paying to stay there. Now if there are plenty of seats no biggie but I think those of us who are guests shouldn't have to wait there early after all we are guests and paying $350 a night and up.

How is just sitting in an empty bench from just a few minutes before to just after the fireworks hogging? It's not like we stayed in that bench for hours. The Poly guests can use them whenever they want to 24 hours a day, the average visitor will be there for only a little while.

The bench was EMPTY! We sat down just a few minutes before Wishes started! Some of you seem to think you are entitled to seats and all on a beach that is open to everybody. You're not. You have the pool, the concierge lounge, and a bunch of other things that are reserved for Poly guests only; the beach is not one of them.

The thing is, the beach isn't really "open." Unless you have an ADR or are staying at the resort, security isn't really even supposed to let you into the parking lot. It's not normally enforced, but if there is any kind of special event or if it's a holiday, you can bet security will turn you away.

You're wrong. ALL of the resorts are open to people visiting them just for the fun of it. Disney actually encourages this. If security wasn't supposed to let people through then people wouldn't get through and Disney wouldn't encourage visiting the resorts.

There are no signs that I saw saying that the beach was for resort guests only, like there is at the pool. That tells me the beach, and the chairs on it, is open to everybody, not just resort guests.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

Was just thinking the same thing----the OP just askd a simple question--and geeeeeeeez!!! Does EVERY thread have to turn into a major DEBATE--
WAIT ---PLEASE DO NOT ANSWER THAT!!

I know you said don't answer but, it seems that whenever the question is about using things at a deluxe resort it always turns into a debate.
So if anyone want to watch the fireworks from the FW beach, come on over, there are plenty of hammocks and as campers most of us are more than happy to share. There is also a very nice playground right behind the beach for the kiddos(again more than happy to share) and a porch at the tavern with rocking chairs to just watch the world go by.

 

[Epcotgal]

Oh,yeah,like I'd get up out of the hammock if a Poly guest wanted it. I'm sure it would be fun trying to get me out of it.

For me, it isn't about the hammock, it's more about this kind of attitude that bothers me. We have dined at Ohana and then viewed Wishes from the beach. No, never even thought about using a hammock. We will be staying at the Poly (club level) in November and I have no intention of policing the beach or kicking someone out of a hammock but to have the attitude, "Yeah, TRY to move me." bothers me because that kind of person is the one you will run into in the parks pushing kids out of the way, cutting lines, standing directly over you while you eat so they can claim your table (yes, had this happen) because they "paid lots of money and this is THEIR vacation so deal with it." Sorry, off soapbox now but no matter what issue is debated on the boards it boils down to common sense and common courtesy.

 

[3DisneyBuggs]

We've watched Wishes from the Poly as guests and as non guests.There is no way to tell a Non Poly guest from a guest on the beach. So unless you go on the beach yelling I'm a paying guest, I need a hammock, good luck finding a seat!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

For me, it isn't about the hammock, it's more about this kind of attitude that bothers me. We have dined at Ohana and then viewed Wishes from the beach. No, never even thought about using a hammock. We will be staying at the Poly (club level) in November and I have no intention of policing the beach or kicking someone out of a hammock but to have the attitude, "Yeah, TRY to move me." bothers me because that kind of person is the one you will run into in the parks pushing kids out of the way, cutting lines, standing directly over you while you eat so they can claim your table (yes, had this happen) because they "paid lots of money and this is THEIR vacation so deal with it." Sorry, off soapbox now but no matter what issue is debated on the boards it boils down to common sense and common courtesy.

This is EXACTLY what bothered me!

If a few minutes before Wishes started someone sits on a bench that no one is using that doesn't really bother me. It was the attitutude that I got there early (even though I'm not a resort guest) and no one will get me off that hammock.

Its not so much a debate because its a deluxe resort - heck when I'm at GF (which can be even more expensive) I wouldn't let me kids use the hammocks or the lounge chairs if we happened to be at Poly when the fireworks started. We would either stand, or sit in the sand, unless there were many chairs unoccupied and it wasn't crowded.

I still believe it's just a matter of common courtesy!

 

[lisaanddenny]

stand on the bridge at the caribean, you have a great view........

 

[Tomader]

Well that seems a little rude since the Poly guests are actually paying for the use of the resort.

I have no problem with non-Poly guests watching Wishes from the beach but its attitudes like that one that usually the upset the guests who are paying Polynesian prices . A little consideration goes a long way.

Why does there always have to be a rude comment. Who cares what he said. Take it in humor and let the thread continue. Someone always has to turn something little into a mountain. Sometimes I hate reading posts because there is always someone who has to start a battle. LET IT GO!!!