What do I need to know about staying at POLY?

[hitchedpumpkin]

Just booked 8 nights in a studio at the POLY for our next trip in July. This will be our first time staying at the POLY or any of the monorail resorts for that matter and I am supper excited.

We own at SSR and have stayed there many times. We have also stayed at OKW, BW & Kidani and getting suggestions ahead of time made all the difference because it didn't take us until day 3 to figure out the best way to get around, which rooms were closest to the main pool, etc.

So for this trip, I'm looking for your best tips and suggestions to make it a great trip for our family of 4 (me, DH, DS15, DD12).

1. Is the monorail the best option for getting to MK or Epcot or is it faster to walk?
2. Where are the DVC studios located in relation to the pools and Ceremonial House?
3. Any suggestions for a room request?
4. Is there a community center and what kind of activities do they have?
5. We will have a rental car with us. What is the parking situation?
6. Any fun or must do things to try while we are at the Poly?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Is the monorail the best option for getting to MK or Epcot or is it faster to walk?

You cannot walk to any park from Poly.

Where are the DVC studios located in relation to the pools and Ceremonial House?

Near the Oasis pool, and away from the GCH. You're closer to the TTC.

Any suggestions for a room request?

For SV, Tokelau is pretty safe.

Is there a community center and what kind of activities do they have?

Pretty standard kid activities.

We will have a rental car with us. What is the parking situation?

There is parking near the longhouses.

Any fun or must do things to try while we are at the Poly?

Torch lighting, hula lessons.

 

[disneynutz]

Monorail or boat to MK.
High floor if lake view booked.
No community center.

Bill

 

[suebeelin]

Bring a white noise machine-- you can hear ppl talking in the hallways and through the walls. Other than that, I think I'm in love with the resort. 2 boats to MK (one at ttc and one next to the pool). Monorail to Epcot is easily walkable.

The kids club is $55 (but Dvc gets 15% discount) flat price from 4:30-midnight, food provided. My 6yr old wanted to go after trying it out for an hour during a dvc tour-- this is Lilos playhouse. The beach sand is very soft and the pool is fun. Enjoy!

 

[CMNJ]

Use the monorail at TTC instead of GCH (unless you are already going to the lobby). Same or quicker walk from the DVC longhouses and have the direct monorail option to MK then too (assuming it isn't down for maintenance).
Definitely check out Trader Sam's tiki terrace one night. They have great appetizers and the drinks from Trader Sam's with live music at night. When it is time for wishes he takes a break and they pipe in the Wishes music.

 

[TheDisneyFour]

There are lots of reports of noise, we didn't hear any. Of course we have two kids, so we may have been the loud ones. Stayed in Moorea and liked being close to laundry. Overall, we loved the resort so much we bought some points there.

 

[LILJAN59]

Just booked 8 nights in a studio at the POLY for our next trip in July. This will be our first time staying at the POLY or any of the monorail resorts for that matter and I am supper excited.

We own at SSR and have stayed there many times. We have also stayed at OKW, BW & Kidani and getting suggestions ahead of time made all the difference because it didn't take us until day 3 to figure out the best way to get around, which rooms were closest to the main pool, etc.

So for this trip, I'm looking for your best tips and suggestions to make it a great trip for our family of 4 (me, DH, DS15, DD12).

1. Is the monorail the best option for getting to MK or Epcot or is it faster to walk?
2. Where are the DVC studios located in relation to the pools and Ceremonial House?
3. Any suggestions for a room request?
4. Is there a community center and what kind of activities do they have?
5. We will have a rental car with us. What is the parking situation?
6. Any fun or must do things to try while we are at the Poly?

 

[LILJAN59]

If you have a lagoon view, ask for a higher floor! If you're on the first floor the 2 BR villas on the water partially block your view of the MK!

 

[Happy_Haunt999]

Monorail to MK from the resort. walk to the TTC from Poly and get on Monorail there to EPCOT.

 

[mouthdoc]

Make breakfast reservations for Kona Cafe for the pressed pot Kona coffee and Tonga toast. If no ressies, go to Capt Cooks and take Tonga toast back to your room! And no one has mentioned the Pineapple Lanai for Dole Whips! We did the Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show several years ago. We had a good time and thought the food was good. The small boat launches to the Magic Kingdom are great - utilize those, very relaxing and great views.

 

[Conan the Librarian]

Take the boat to get to the MK. Much nicer trip (and I like the monorail!), but, I like the boat better.

 

[hitchedpumpkin]

These are great suggestions! Keep them coming!

 

[CMNJ]

Make breakfast reservations for Kona Cafe for the pressed pot Kona coffee and Tonga toast. If no ressies, go to Capt Cooks and take Tonga toast back to your room! And no one has mentioned the Pineapple Lanai for Dole Whips! We did the Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show several years ago. We had a good time and thought the food was good. The small boat launches to the Magic Kingdom are great - utilize those, very relaxing and great views.

They even have an alcoholic dole whip at trader Sam's (and the outdoor tiki terrace) called a spiky pineapple-so delicious

Also if you will be doing laundry use the website to make sure there are washers avail before you drag your stuff over-if I remember correctly there are only 4 washers and 8 dryers. The day I went one lady had just started 3 of the 4. I got the last one and it would have been a pain to lug a bunch of laundry over from one of the other buildings if all the washers had just been started.

 

[easyd]

Anyone can check the status of the laundry here!

http://www.laundryview.com/laundry_room.php?lr=4576321

Also if you will be doing laundry use the website to make sure there are washers avail before you drag your stuff over-if I remember correctly there are only 4 washers and 8 dryers. The day I went one lady had just started 3 of the 4. I got the last one and it would have been a pain to lug a bunch of laundry over from one of the other buildings if all the washers had just been started.

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

There are two boat experiences to get you to the Magic Kingdom. You can walk over to the TTC to take the huge ferry boat. Or you can walk over to the Poly dock and take a 20 person "launch". The launches are my favorite.
I suggest the monorail in the morning and the launch returning.

 

[Scrooge's Accountant]

Great suggestions. I'm debating if I should switch my Dec reservation from WL to Poly due to the ongoing construction. Any holiday happenings at the Poly?

 

[my2disneyboys]

How do you get from Poly to Epcot or other parks for early dining (pre park opening)

 

[*NikkiBell*]

If you have a standard view studio booked, is it better to get ground floor or higher?

 

[kungaloosh22]

If you have a standard view studio booked, is it better to get ground floor or higher?

I prefer higher floors myself, but a benefit of first floor is that there's no railing on your patio. The railings on the balconies are at eye-level when you're sitting, which isn't ideal.

 

[nhtinkerbell]

We will b there in July also. I'm so excited. We have never stayed here. Luv all the great tips. We rented points for a delux studio standard view.