What's your top Polynesian Longhouse choice with standard/garden view?

[pennylane16]

I know this is a matter of personal opinion, but I'm really curious. I was considering submitting a room request via Touring Plans for a 3rd Floor room in Samoa, due to the views of the pool, the close proximity to the pools and GCH. Then I got to thinking maybe other buildings have better views? Maybe the walks isn't so bad from other buildings and it's more peaceful/quiet than Samoa? So I'm curious what your favorite longhouse choice would be if staying in one of the standard/garden view rooms (not DVC). Thank you!

 

[AngiTN]

Rarotonga.
You are right across from the lobby and right next to the bus stop. And not a horrible walk to TTC, just DVC is closer. We haven't found any other building as convenient to everything, all other buildings are slightly less convenient to something

 

[MimiOfTwo]

I second Raratonga. Not for the view but for the location. I requested it last trip but got Tuvalu. The CM told me I'd been upgraded to a lagoon view room. It was literally the furthest room from GCH. I didn't consider it an upgrade.

 

[pennylane16]

I second Raratonga. Not for the view but for the location. I requested it last trip but got Tuvalu. The CM told me I'd been upgraded to a lagoon view room. It was literally the furthest room from GCH. I didn't consider it an upgrade.

What a bummer about Tuvalu! Thanks for the Rarotonga advice!

 

[mickeynut1]

I know this is a matter of personal opinion, but I'm really curious. I was considering submitting a room request via Touring Plans for a 3rd Floor room in Samoa, due to the views of the pool, the close proximity to the pools and GCH. Then I got to thinking maybe other buildings have better views? Maybe the walks isn't so bad from other buildings and it's more peaceful/quiet than Samoa? So I'm curious what your favorite longhouse choice would be if staying in one of the standard/garden view rooms (not DVC). Thank you!

We've only stayed in Samoa, but I have read good things about Fiji having beautiful views as well as being a little quieter.

 

[pennylane16]

We've only stayed in Samoa, but I have read good things about Fiji having beautiful views as well as being a little quieter.

So you were happy with Samoa in general? Thanks!

 

[mickeynut1]

So you were happy with Samoa in general? Thanks!

Yes! We loved the location because it was convenient to everything as it was just steps from both pools, the GCH, Captain Cooks, and the beach. We spend the majority of our time at the resort and get a lot of use out the pool, so being right next to both pools was a plus for us. We would have enjoyed the Poly in any longhouse, but Samoa was just perfect!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Samoa is the most requested longhouse.

I think there are positives with all of them, and it is a good idea to go in being flexible. Since the longhouse isn't a bookable category for Standard/Garden, you may not get your request. But what you get is likely to have its own charms.

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

I voted Fiji but Samoa is a close 2nd. We've stayed in Fiji many times and Samoa once several years ago.

The one thing I didn't like about Samoa was the noise. We were on the volcano pool side (3rd floor). In the very early morning the maintenance crew was out with leaf blowers clearing sand and debris from the pool deck. Then in the afternoon the pool party music got really loud. No napping for us.

That said, my DH & DD would like me to request Samoa this year since they'd like to try it again. I would think the Oasis pool side would be quieter.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We've stayed in Fiji (third floor, marina side and first floor, luau cove side) and Rarotonga, (3rd floor, pool side) and loved all of them. Both are very close to GCH, with Rarotonga, obviously, being the closest. That was great in the rain as you literally walked about 4 steps from GCH to Rarotonga! We could also just walk down the stairs on the far side of the building and were right by the path to TTC, Lilo's Playhouse, the quiet pool, buses, etc. Fiji was lovely. From our third floor balcony we could see Space Mountain and from first floor on the luau cove side, I would walk out to the beach each night and see the fireworks. There was typically no one on that beach! The one downside to first floor Fiji was the noise from the luau which ended at 10:10 pm on show nights. If that would both you, I would probably request a different location. I think you should think about what is important to you in a room (location, noise level, etc.) and then make your request from there.

 

[pennylane16]

You are all so helpful & your responses are very much so appreciated!

 

[pennylane16]

Since Samoa is so popular, is it the hardest to get? And therefore the worst to request? Because then you might be assigned to something quite far off from that? I'm probably over thinking these touring plan room requests!

 

[southjerseymom]

We've only stayed in Samoa, but I have read good things about Fiji having beautiful views as well as being a little quieter.

Only problem we had years ago at Fiji was the motorboat rentals. We were second floor overlooking the marina and those little outboards start pretty darn early. Not peaceful. It may have changed - great view but like listening to my neighbors lawnmower lol

 

[pennylane16]

Only problem we had years ago at Fiji was the motorboat rentals. We were second floor overlooking the marina and those little outboards start pretty darn early. Not peaceful. It may have changed - great view but like listening to my neighbors lawnmower lol

Very good to know!! Thanks

 

[Nancyg56]

I voted Aoteara, but I admit I have not stayed there. My DD and her family were there in July and had only positive feedback. They loved the location. It was kind of secluded and they felt that they had the little beach all to themselves. She was a little worried about the monorail but said that even with teh balcony door opened it was a whisper.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Since Samoa is so popular, is it the hardest to get? And therefore the worst to request? Because then you might be assigned to something quite far off from that? I'm probably over thinking these touring plan room requests!

I think you need to decide what is most important to you - Samoa or room location within a longhouse. For instance, if you really want a balcony and you put Samoa as your priority in your request, you may end up with Samoa, but on the 2nd floor. If your room location within a longhouse is more important than the actual longhouse, I would keep the request more general and not request a specific longhouse. For instance, after staying at the Poly a few times, I know we prefer a third or first floor room that is quiet, so that is all I'll put on the request in order of priority. For us it's "quiet room", "1st or 3rd floor". For me, I don't care if it's Samoa, Rarotonga, Fiji or Niue because they are all nice and nothing is really very far away!

 

[pennylane16]

I think you need to decide what is most important to you - Samoa or room location within a longhouse. For instance, if you really want a balcony and you put Samoa as your priority in your request, you may end up with Samoa, but on the 2nd floor. If your room location within a longhouse is more important than the actual longhouse, I would keep the request more general and not request a specific longhouse. For instance, after staying at the Poly a few times, I know we prefer a third or first floor room that is quiet, so that is all I'll put on the request in order of priority. For us it's "quiet room", "1st or 3rd floor". For me, I don't care if it's Samoa, Rarotonga, Fiji or Niue because they are all nice and nothing is really very far away!

Gotcha!Thanks! Is this in reference to the Disney room requests when you do online check in? Or can you do a general request through TP instead of a room specific request (like 3rd floor instead of "room 3221 Samoa, West side facing" etc) On TP, it says if one does a request through them to NOT do a Disney room request as it may confuse them? I would definitely love a 3rd floor balcony, so I see what you are saying about putting that as priority over the specific LH choice unless we are hell bent on a specific LH. It seems like Tuvalu is far away, but I wonder how long it is in comparison to the walk to the bus stop from the LM rooms at AoA.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I wonder how long it is in comparison to the walk to the bus stop from the LM rooms at AoA.

It's not. It really isn't. Bit more of a hike to the TTC, but to GCH it is not anything close to a long walk.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

It's not. It really isn't. Bit more of a hike to the TTC, but to GCH it is not anything close to a long walk.

Yes, totally agree and Tuvalu is really lovely. Honestly, you can't go wrong with any of the longhouses.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

There are maybe 3 so-so room views of the Standard/GV at Poly. Total.