What do I need to know about staying at POLY?

[Baklava]

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!

My 5 year old keeps asking when she can go back to Lilo's. Not WDW, Lilo's. We will totally be taking advantage of that for a grown up night with a dinner she wouldn't enjoy on our next trip.

 

[spencerbomar]

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?

Tokelau and Moorea are 2 DVC buildings. Tokelau has the quiet pool inside it (east side). It sits perpendicular to the lagoon. Moorea is just west of Tokelau sitting somewhat parallel to the lagoon. If your room is on the west end of Moorea, there is a Quiet walkway
1. Local monorail (inside line serving GF, Poly, Contemporary, TTC) will take you to MK stopping 1st at GF with MK as second stop.
2. Tokelau is right next to the quiet pool which will open 03/12. Main pool is on beyond that pool and other side of Samoa building.
3. Depends upon what you want. 1st floor rooms with a patio with the pool view from Tokelau can be nice if you want the pool access for the quiet pool. End of building of Tokelau 2nd or 3rd floor 2913 2914 2915 2916 or same on 3rd floor will give a decent view of lagoon/beach.
4. Yes they do. Not sure of activities as our demographic doesn't apply.
5. When you go in with the car after the guard shack, go to the right. There's a large parking lot that is a short walk to the DVC buildings where you should park. Even upon arriving do this, walk to the Ceremonial house to get checked in. Don't take any luggage. After checking in, you then go back to the car to take your stuff to your room.
6. Not sure if this is a "fun" item, but it is a must do. We hit the Pineapple Lanai stand (right outside the back sliding doors) for the pineapple/vanilla ice cream items. My wife gets the pineapple/vanilla swirl ice cream while I always get the Pineapple swirl float- Pineapple/vanilla ice cream in a large plastic cup with real pineapple juice. We hit it 4-5 times this past trip. It sells the same items as the stand that is in MK.

 

[hitchedpumpkin]

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.

When are you going in July? We'll be there the 12th to the 21st. So excited!!

I had no idea you could check the status of the washers and dryers on line. That is awesome!! Disney thinks of everything!

 

[jerseyduke]

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?

1. You can theoretically walk to the MK, passing the Contemporary, but that would take like an hour.
There are two monorail options. You will be closer to the TTC than you will be to the ceremonial house, so you would probably want to walk over there. Also the monorail to Epcot is there. If I were you, I would drive to the studios or AK, and use the boats/monorail for Epcot and MK.
Also the boat options as mentioned.
2. By the TTC, the eastern end of the property.
3. High up.

6. Trader Sam's Grog Grotto is new, and I think opens at 4. Anxious to check that out myself.

 

[nhtinkerbell]

We r going the 9-16. We r so excited. Celebrating so many things. DS graduating 8th grade, my bday and our anniversary. Could ask for a better readon to go. I am so excited. We have never stayed here before

When are you going in July? We'll be there the 12th to the 21st. So excited!!

I had no idea you could check the status of the washers and dryers on line. That is awesome!! Disney thinks of everything!

 

[DenLo]

There are three longhouses that are DVC not two. Moorea, half of the building is lake view only the other side faces the central garden area where the BBQ is located. Tokelau, west side faces the Oasis quiet pool which opens next week. Some of the pool views from south end of Tokelau will now only have views of the back of the new pool buildings, the bathroom or restaurant. There is a refillable mug station at the pool. Tokelau will be closest to the Great Ceremonial House (lobby and restaurants). Walk between the longhouse of Rapa Nui and the Oasis pool to get to the GCH, that is much faster than walking out front or via the beach. Pago Pago half of the rooms face the central garden area and the other half face the parking lot with views of the monorail. Pago Pago is closest to the TTC walkway and is the second quickest walk to GCH.

The only time I noticed noise from neighbors wasn't from the hall but from the oohs and aahs from the kids on balconies near us watching the fireworks when we did during our stay in Moorea.

Another quick option for transportation from the Poly to MK is the ferry at the TTC. It is actually closer to walk from the DVC longhouses than walking to than the small ferry that docks at the Poly. And the Poly's ferry goes from MK to GF then to the Poly and then back to MK. Sometimes it is hard to get on board that small ferry.

Regarding the monorails, make sure that they are not doing any work on them because recently it was closed for hours even after the park opened. If that is still going on they provided buses to MK.

There is a nice viewing area which I believe is called Sunset Hill, which overlooks the bungalows and lagoon where you can see the fireworks at night and have a view of MK during the day.

Don't forget that not only can you see the fireworks at night but the Electrical Water Parade. Now that was loud! I swear Disney is trying to wake up people staying at Shades of Green with the volume of music that is played with that water parade.