Could you please add us to the list....we will be there from 8/28-8/31 staying in a TP view
. We are all very excited about it since this will be the first time for both of my DDs and my DH, the last time I stayed there I was a kid and it was just the Poly and CR to choose from. I have been dreaming of going back there one day. I have already requested Tihiti longhouse, but not sure if that is the best one because DH would really like to be closer to the GCH and Volcano pool (he got nervous looking at the resort map and saw that Tihiti is close to the TTA).
WELCOME to the Poly in August thread! I will add you to the list right away. Your trip won't overlap with any of us who are here so far, but you will have the benefit of the lower crowds later in the month...and of the recent reports from those of us who will be just back while you're packing!
The best non-club level longhouses for TPV are Tahiti and Tuvalu. Though the room decor is the same, the longhouses are very different.
Tahiti
Room- Tahiti rooms are slightly bigger (big enough for an extra chair and slightly more room in the bathroom) and have double sinks (I believe this is the only longhouse with double sinks; the other longhouses have more counter space in the bathroom). Also, all the rooms in Tahiti have either a patio or a balcony, as Tahiti is one of the only 3 longhouses (the only one with TPV) that have balconies on the 2nd floor.
View- The views from Tahiti have a narrow lawn plus a palm-tree lined white sand beach in the foreground, which add a lovely tropical effect, but can also "obstruct" part of the view across the lagoon. Don't worry, since you are paying for TPV, you are guaranteed that a tree will not block your view of the castle, but you may not have a perfectly clear view of the whole EWP, or straight over to the entire GF, for example. If you have a 1st floor room, you will have direct access to that beautiful, almost always deserted beach from your sliding glass door, which makes many folks feel like they have tons of space, like their own backyard.
Location- Tahiti is a little "far" from the GCH and volcano pool. I put "far" in quotes because this is a subjective thing. We do not find the Poly grounds big or unwalkable at all. In fact, we love the walks around the grounds. That said, many guests with mobility issues, strollers and gear to lug, blisters, etc., often complain about the distance from Tahiti to the GCH/pool. The walk seemed shorter than the walk from my room in Cabanas 8A to the Pepper Market at CSR, for example. I will tell you that you can take a path inside the other buildings (Tokelau and Rarotonga) to avoid walking too much outside if it is raining or brutally hot. I think the walk to the main area would take 5-10 minutes, depending upon your pace and determination. And you have the advantage of being very close to the TTC.
Tuvalu-
Rooms- A little smaller than Tahiti, by one comfy chair width. Single sink in the bathroom, but more counter space. No balconies on the second floor. You can request 3rd floor, but it's not a guarantee. Some of the 1st floor patios have a lot of tropical shrubbery in front, which make some feel a little pent-in, though I doubt these rooms are categorized as TPV, since the shrubbery can be a little obstructive of part of the view. The lagoon is right there when you open your sliding door, so no real "extra" space beyond the patio like that beach from Tahiti.
View- Tuvalu has no beach or palm trees in front. You feel like you are directly over the water, almost like a cruise ship.
Location- Tuvalu is very close to GCH and volcano pool. It's not that there's NO walk to the pool, as you have to walk around the marina, but it is shorter than the walk from Tahiti. On the other hand, Tuvalu is one of the furthest buildings from the TTC, which might only matter to you on Epcot days. I would guess that Tahiti and Tuvalu are about equ-idistant to the Poly bus stop and laundry, but Tahiti has the slight edge of being close to the TTC buses.
I know many other DISers who have requested Tahiti but been placed in Tuvalu and were thrilled with the view and location. Maybe you should book another trip so you can try both!!
Personally, if I were lucky enough to stay TPV, I would probably request 3rd floor (or maybe 1st floor if I prefered a patio to a balcony) as my only request and leave it at that.
I'd etter get used to the phone system as I just became a TA lol.
I got everything I wanted at the exact time I wanted except one, which is only off b5 10 minutes. I think it's a miracle!
