Yet Another Poly Longhouse Question

[fightinillini229]

Hey Dis-ers,

You all probably need this like you need a hole in the head, but here it comes.

We have our Longhouse decision down to two now and they probably won't come as a shock: Rarotonga and Tokelau.

So what are all you Poly vets out there's opinion about the two buildings?

I know that view is a big thing, but for us it really isn't a huge deal. I mean, if we could have a good view that'd be great but we don't plan on sitting out and admiring the view all that often. What are everyone's thoughts? Pros and cons, etc.

So, what do you all think? Rarotonga or Tokelau?

 

[swald91]

Stayed in Rarotonga with a GV...when the CM told me our view was the front I wanted to cry...I thought -you've got to be kidding! She said if we didn't like it let them know...well, when I walked over to the patio it was WONDERFUL!!!!! The way the landscaping is you can't see the parking lot- only trees/bushes & the monorail!! I even like that view better than our Hawaii GV!!! Never stayed at Tokelau-but I know where that longhouse is & it's nice too!

 

[disneyfan67]

Stayed in Rarotonga with a GV...when the CM told me our view was the front I wanted to cry...I thought -you've got to be kidding! She said if we didn't like it let them know...well, when I walked over to the patio it was WONDERFUL!!!!! The way the landscaping is you can't see the parking lot- only trees/bushes & the monorail!! I even like that view better than our Hawaii GV!!! Never stayed at Tokelau-but I know where that longhouse is & it's nice too!

I've stayed in Rarotonga twice and once had a 3rd floor room with a good view of the monorail outside my patio window. My twin boys who were 7 at the time kept opening the blinds and letting the folks on the monorail get a quick glimpse in our room. They did it once unknown to me, when I only had a bath towel on my waist after just getting out of the shower and I quickly ducked back out of sight.


OP, you can't go wrong with Rarotonga and either side has unique views and the location can't be beat.

 

[Dawgdad]

Room size: Tokelau 476 sf, Raratonga 415 sf

we definitely notice the extra space.

 

[fightinillini229]

Dawgdad - I did happen to come across the difference in room sizes, but didn't really know if the extra space really was noticeable.

You guys feel that it does make a noticeable difference?

 

[LeagueCityMouse]

Can't speak for Tokelau, but just got back, stayed in Rarotonga Rm 1821, facing the parking lot side. Absolutely fabulous for a GV! You can't really see the parking lot, and watching the monorail passing back and forth is cool. Plus, the location to the GCH is perfect. Room did feel smaller than other deluxe resorts I've said at, but nothing untolerable. I noticed the biggest difference in the entry way area and the bathrooms. Maybe Tokelau rooms compare better in size since they are a little larger.

 

[Dawgdad]

The extra space has long been a big deal to us - especially in the few years where we had me and my wife, 3 kids and 2 infants (under 3) in cribs. For the past 2 years (and from now on...) we have to have 2 rooms so it's not as big a deal. The rooms are the same width, the extra space is length. You notice the space between the bathroom wall and the first bed (where we line up our suitcases).

 

[Lisa75]

I vote for Tokelau, but I haven't stayed in the other one. I posted some of my pictures from my October stay just tonight on the Poly Pics thread. Two of them were the garden view from our top floor room in Tokelau. It faced the quiet pool with a castle view to the right. It was really quiet and nice.

I also think it was a good location to get to both the TTC the one way, and the main building the other.

 

[MCDomzal]

Hi! Still confused? Decisions, decisions!

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

I haven't stayed in either longhouse but I've stayed near both of them.

Rarotonga is right in front of the bus stop for the Polynesian. Lovely garden views on one side and a view of the monorail (and the parking lot) on the other. As a PP has pointed out, it has smaller rooms than Tokelau.

Tokelau has larger rooms plus a garden view on one side and a view of the quiet pool on the other. Not that it's all that bad, but with Tokelau you won't get a 'parking lot view'.

 

[swald91]

I haven't stayed in either longhouse but I've stayed near both of them.

Rarotonga is right in front of the bus stop for the Polynesian. Lovely garden views on one side and a view of the monorail (and the parking lot) on the other. As a PP has pointed out, it has smaller rooms than Tokelau.

Tokelau has larger rooms plus a garden view on one side and a view of the quiet pool on the other. Not that it's all that bad, but with Tokelau you won't get a 'parking lot view'.

Rooms in Tokelau are bigger???? I thought they were all the same size???? I didn't find our room in Rarotonga any smaller than our other rooms....

 

[BCV23]

The rooms in Tokelau, Tahiti and Rapa Nui are 476 sq ft. Those in the original longhouses are 415. 415 is still larger than most other deluxe resort rooms at WDW.

fighinillini229, since view is not that important to you, what is? Why are you focusing on those two longhouses....proximity to the bus stop?

Love your name BTW.....

ILL

INI

 

[Dawgdad]

yep - Tokelau was built in '78 and was the first to feature the 476 sf rooms and the wider interior hallway. Unfortunately, it was not until the next expansion that Tahiti and Rapa Nui were built and they added the different bathroom configuration with the 2 sinks. Tokelau is sort of the transition longhouse.

 

[swald91]

WOW! I knew I read something here about double sinks in some but I didn't realize room sizes were different in those longhouses....I did see a picture on the photo thread and I did notice 2 chairs...I guess I need to remember that!!

 

[lov2b@disney]

We have stayed in tokelau twice and loved the location! The rooms are a really nice size and the views were great...both times we were on the quiet pool side, once we had a view of the castle looking right.

 

[think-like-tink]

I have requested Tokelau longhouse with the hopes of getting room 3940.


I came across a pic of this room, gardenview price....but you can see the castle a bit.

 

[Marty Joe]

We have stayed in Tokelau and had a great view of the quiet pool and the tiki torch lit pathways. Although my favorite is Samoa/volcano pool side, Tokelau was awesome as well. BTW - Talking about the Poly never gets old.

 

[BCV23]

BTW - Talking about the Poly never gets old.

So true!

 

[scjo68]

We stayed at the Poly for the first time this past Aug.

We actually requested Tokelau because the rooms are bigger, the views are considered better (possible side view of MK) and I thought it would be quieter than rooms closer to the pool and GCH. Also, wanted to be close to TTC.

Well, we got Rarotonga, and we loved it!
It was so close to the GCH, very convenient!
Still close to the TTC, and everything else. Still very quiet.
View was great- quiet pool.
The room seemed very large to us, but this was our first deluxe, so we are used to the size of Moderates.

 

[BCV23]

We stayed at the Poly for the first time this past Aug.

We actually requested Tokelau because the rooms are bigger, the views are considered better (possible side view of MK) and I thought it would be quieter than rooms closer to the pool and GCH. Also, wanted to be close to TTC.

Well, we got Rarotonga, and we loved it!
It was so close to the GCH, very convenient!
Still close to the TTC, and everything else. Still very quiet.
View was great- quiet pool.
The room seemed very large to us, but this was our first deluxe, so we are used to the size of Moderates.

We always find the rooms in the original buildings very spacious as well. I never miss the extra space. Then when we're in a newer building, I'm always astonished at just how big the room is.

I don't think you can go wrong at the Polynesian.