Disneyhappy
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2000
- Messages
- 2,146
Just returned last night from our best WDW trip to date. We stayed 7 nights at the Polynesian LVC. Prior to the trip I was going back and forth on whether to request the 1st or 3rd floor. I ended up requesting 1st floor close to the lobby and we got room 1502. The location was perfect. We used the patio often and the kids would run out to the beach. It was very convenient. I remember reading that 1501 is the most requested room. I wouldn't choose that room if you plan to access the beach from the patio often because it has low plants in front of it and guests had to enter their patio from the front side of our patio. Overall, I was concerned about privacy on the first floor but it was not an issue. No one walked directly in front of our room where there was grass, except on two occasions when guests in room 1501 came in or out of their patio. (I only recall this occurring twice.). Also, you cannot see through the sheer curtains into the room during the daytime hours.
Check-in went great. We arrived at 3 PM and our room was ready. We were taken in a cart directly to our room and were told to check in when we were ready. The kids changed into their swimming suits while I checked in. Soon after, the kids received a sign picture from Peter Pan and Snow White with balloons. My 22 year-old niece received balloons for her birthday.
Our room was clean and there were no problems. One night we returned after turndown service and we couldn't locate the remote control to the TV. DH is obsessive about his remote control and he looked everywhere with no luck. We think the turn down service CM might have accidentally taken it with her with dirty towels. We called maintenance and they brought a new one within 15 minutes. I also lost the key to the safe and reported it in the AM before we went to the parks and it was replaced by the time we returned at 1 PM (with a $35 charge).
Chef Dick actually remembered us from our 2000 trip, which I couldn't believe. He said, "I see you brought your niece again". Actually we did bring our niece but it was her look-alike sister from our 2000 trip. The concierge services were wonderful and the lounge is very large and relaxing. The staff was great. I think we only made it to the late evening offerings twice as we had PS most evenings and were not around during the 5-7 PM time period. They had Miller Lite and Heineken beer available upon request. Also chocolate milk. I'm sure there were other items that could be requested. A side note - one morning we saw a mother in her robe with her 4 or 5 year old in her PJs, both barefoot, in the lounge. I am not the most observant person but they really did look out of place compared to everyone else that would come to the lounge dressed and ready to start their day. I had to constantly remind my DS to put his shirt and sandals on to go to the lounge as requested by the concierge staff. As already stated, it was just something I noticed and would have personally felt uncomfortable doing it, but the staff did not appear to have a problem with it.
The pool was crowded but we were always able to find a couple of chairs. The kids had a blast at the pool and loved the volcano slide (well, I enjoyed it too!). It seemed every afternoon for a period of time the pool was closed for about 30 minutes while they adjusted the chemicals. It was a bit frustrating but the kids either swam in the quiet pool or we went on the water mice/sea racers. These new ones were definitely faster than the old ones and were so much fun. At times, there was a lot of activity on the water which made me nervous with my 12 year old DS driving but I bit my tongue as much as possible and he did great!
We always struggle between whether to stay at a MK or Epcot resort. We love the location of the YC/BC but the Polynesian is so much more relaxing and we enjoy their concierge services much more. It also seems less crowded. We find the lounge much more kid friendly than at either the YC or BC. We enjoyed the larger size of the lounge and the food offerings better at the Polynesian as well. The location of the Hawaii longhouse also gave us more freedom with the kids, as everything is close by. We could let them play on the beach and keep an eye on them from our patio or let them go to the pool while we would follow in a few minutes while I gathered everything we needed. I felt comfortable letting 12 year-old DS go to the arcade alone. At the YC/BC, I would not feel comfortable doing this because those resorts are so much bigger and more crowded and it can take up to 10 minutes to get to the pool from our room. Then try finding your kids in the huge SAB pool!
All that said, we will probably stay at the YC/BC next trip only because of its close location to Epcot and MGM, the family's current two favorite parks. You can't beat the Epcot' resorts proximity to these parks. However, I have no doubt that we will return to the Polynesian!
Let me know if you have any questions. I will be unpacking and catching up at work so please be patient, I will check back!
Check-in went great. We arrived at 3 PM and our room was ready. We were taken in a cart directly to our room and were told to check in when we were ready. The kids changed into their swimming suits while I checked in. Soon after, the kids received a sign picture from Peter Pan and Snow White with balloons. My 22 year-old niece received balloons for her birthday.
Our room was clean and there were no problems. One night we returned after turndown service and we couldn't locate the remote control to the TV. DH is obsessive about his remote control and he looked everywhere with no luck. We think the turn down service CM might have accidentally taken it with her with dirty towels. We called maintenance and they brought a new one within 15 minutes. I also lost the key to the safe and reported it in the AM before we went to the parks and it was replaced by the time we returned at 1 PM (with a $35 charge).
Chef Dick actually remembered us from our 2000 trip, which I couldn't believe. He said, "I see you brought your niece again". Actually we did bring our niece but it was her look-alike sister from our 2000 trip. The concierge services were wonderful and the lounge is very large and relaxing. The staff was great. I think we only made it to the late evening offerings twice as we had PS most evenings and were not around during the 5-7 PM time period. They had Miller Lite and Heineken beer available upon request. Also chocolate milk. I'm sure there were other items that could be requested. A side note - one morning we saw a mother in her robe with her 4 or 5 year old in her PJs, both barefoot, in the lounge. I am not the most observant person but they really did look out of place compared to everyone else that would come to the lounge dressed and ready to start their day. I had to constantly remind my DS to put his shirt and sandals on to go to the lounge as requested by the concierge staff. As already stated, it was just something I noticed and would have personally felt uncomfortable doing it, but the staff did not appear to have a problem with it.
The pool was crowded but we were always able to find a couple of chairs. The kids had a blast at the pool and loved the volcano slide (well, I enjoyed it too!). It seemed every afternoon for a period of time the pool was closed for about 30 minutes while they adjusted the chemicals. It was a bit frustrating but the kids either swam in the quiet pool or we went on the water mice/sea racers. These new ones were definitely faster than the old ones and were so much fun. At times, there was a lot of activity on the water which made me nervous with my 12 year old DS driving but I bit my tongue as much as possible and he did great!
We always struggle between whether to stay at a MK or Epcot resort. We love the location of the YC/BC but the Polynesian is so much more relaxing and we enjoy their concierge services much more. It also seems less crowded. We find the lounge much more kid friendly than at either the YC or BC. We enjoyed the larger size of the lounge and the food offerings better at the Polynesian as well. The location of the Hawaii longhouse also gave us more freedom with the kids, as everything is close by. We could let them play on the beach and keep an eye on them from our patio or let them go to the pool while we would follow in a few minutes while I gathered everything we needed. I felt comfortable letting 12 year-old DS go to the arcade alone. At the YC/BC, I would not feel comfortable doing this because those resorts are so much bigger and more crowded and it can take up to 10 minutes to get to the pool from our room. Then try finding your kids in the huge SAB pool!
All that said, we will probably stay at the YC/BC next trip only because of its close location to Epcot and MGM, the family's current two favorite parks. You can't beat the Epcot' resorts proximity to these parks. However, I have no doubt that we will return to the Polynesian!
Let me know if you have any questions. I will be unpacking and catching up at work so please be patient, I will check back!
Glad ya had a good time, I'm insanely jealous!!
and after reading your report, am now more excited than ever. Your trip sounded wonderful and it sounds like the service at the Poly was excellent. It is so nice to read a positive, recent review, as I have read a fair amount of negative reviews of the Poly. So glad that you had a great time!!
