ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: September 2012

[Kanga1]

Currently staying at the poly. Be aware of construction going on. Jackhammers and nailing. Agh!
We had to be moved to a completely new building.

What building were you in that you had to be moved?

 

[gjl]

We had a cabana today and since the second one was not up yet, they chose us to upgrade to have the Kilauea or premium one! It was awesome! I only wish I had a few more people I knew to share it with as all my girls wanted to do was swim! Loving the Poly!

 

[flamark]

Just returned from a short stay in the Tahiti building and I must say it is a ways from the GCH. It is not so bad of a walk to the pool, bus stop or boat, and of course really convenient to the TTC. Very quiet and pretty, lush landscaping outside our room. I was pleasantly surprised that the 2nd floor rooms have balconies at Tahiti. All in all, for our money, we liked Samoa building a lot better due to its closeness to most everything(except the TTC).

 

[phamy76]

What building were you in that you had to be moved?

Was at Rappa Nui, right next to the walk to Ticket Center. 2nd floor. Loved the location.
However, we were awoken by hammering at 9 am. So we got moving and got out. After a full day at the park the kids needed a nap at 3-4 pm. Jackhammering in a room on the end of the bldg. called the front desk after it continued for 15 minutes. It was shaking the walls and ceiling. Maintenence came and said, "oh,don't worry. They'll be out of here by 5:30."
After meeting with the mgr,ahem we packed up our stuff and they moved us to Neui (spelling). Pretty close to capn hooks and the quiet pool.

Mgr said they are remodeling the rooms. New bathrooms, new carpets, etc. we are in one of the new rooms.

 

[mangar]

Checking in tomorrow, appreciate the heads up on the noise. Niue is where we stayed last year and it is the building we requested this year.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I guess we will see what happens tomorrow. We took an afternoon break and nothing changed in our room from when we left until we returned from the park tonight.

I would go downstairs to the desk and tell one of the CMs you aren't getting turndown, or just pick up the phone and ask for the housekeeping manager. To me turndown is an essential part of a CL stay. We typically shower after swimming and I don't like coming back to our room at midnight to a bunch of dirty towels. You are paying extra for the service so they should be doing it.

 

[mickeynut1]

All in all, for our money, we liked Samoa building a lot better due to its closeness to most everything(except the TTC).

We love Samoa. We've only had 1 stay at the Poly but found Samoa to be very convenient to everything. We are trying CL in December and love that it's the same location as Samoa .

Checking in tomorrow

Have a great trip .

I would go downstairs to the desk and tell one of the CMs you aren't getting turndown, or just pick up the phone and ask for the housekeeping manager. To me turndown is an essential part of a CL stay. We typically shower after swimming and I don't like coming back to our room at midnight to a bunch of dirty towels. You are paying extra for the service so they should be doing it.

I agree to call or go down to the desk. You should get those services since you are paying for them .

 

[Amyp98]

WooHoo, our first trip to Disney! Staying at the Poly, we are on our way today!

 

[mickeynut1]

WooHoo, our first trip to Disney! Staying at the Poly, we are on our way today!

Have a great trip......you're gonna love the Poly .

 

[Goofy4]

Decided on the Poly for our 25th anniversary in 2015! Can I keep it a secret?
(no)

Who out there also has one spouse that wants to bring the kids, one that doesn't ?

 

[trishadono]

Decided on the Poly for our 25th anniversary in 2015! Can I keep it a secret?
(no)

Who out there also has one spouse that wants to bring the kids, one that doesn't ?

for years I never wanted to leave my kids! Then I suggested a anniversary weekend for dh and I without the kids since they 18 and 16.

You guessed it! HE didn't want to leave them. After all those forced trips with kids he realized he loves being with them more than not.

I however thought it was good for kids to learn responsibility and left them. It was just a weekend. Also with face time I could check on them (and my house)

Worked out good because I told cm at check in we on first trip without kids and they upgraded us to TPV CL at Poly

 

[HappyMomma]

Just got back from our very first Poly stay. I'll try my best to post what I remember. Overall I ADORED the resort. The employees are wonderful and we can't wait to go back again. We stayed 9 days, 8 nights......one more than anticipated...see below.

We stayed in Tokelau on the third floor. Bonus.......it was a garden view room and we could see the Castle anyway!

I will post the bad first, since it's the shortest list. We faced Andrea and as a PP stated, flooded walkways, like you almost need a boat to cross flooded. LOL! Srsly, it was up to my lower calves and I had to really work to keep my sandals on my feet as I crossed.

Tokelau had plumbing issues and we were out of water for a short time one afternoon. We asked when it would be corrected, and were comped a night for the trouble. So we added a night stay. Woot! When my husband was at the counter there were several other families complaining about noise.

It was pretty noisy on the first level for the days following that as they worked to fix whatever was going on. Didn't affect us, but I'm sure it did the first floor.

The monorails, ugh!!! They went down so many times it was ridiculous!

Despite those issues, I am so pleased with the Poly. They were busy, busy, busy. And so many things were happening that was beyond their control. Guests were hot, wet from the storm and irritated by noise, and yet the staff was super nice and never grouchy. They're superstars.

Not a fan of Captain Cooks, but I'm a Princess and anything cafeteria like is not my cup of tea. Did love the hot chocolate, the chocolate croissants and of course, Dole whip! Yum! I have a sweet tooth.

Ohana, fantastic! Ate there for breakfast and dinner. Very pleased with both. Staff and offerings were amazing.

Kona, also had breakfast and dinner. Both were wonderful. Staff, super friendly and they don't rush you. Prob the only place in Disney I felt I could relax and take my time and eat.

The Mai Tai in a Pineapple, forgot the name...........had several of these, so so good. Tim at the poolside bar is super funny. (you can't get the Pineapple at poolside though, but you can still get the part that counts. Gotta go inside if you want the whole sha-bang.)

My youngest did the craft and hula dancing in the GCH and really enjoyed herself.

One of the things I noticed about the staff isn't just that they treat the guests well, but they treat each other well. They def had a warmth for one another. It made the Poly that much more cozy feeling.

In closing, there is nothing, and I mean NOTHING......that can beat watching Wishes from the beach with your little ones. It's heaven.

Aloha!

 

[flamark]

Tim at the poolside bar is super funny.

I guess Tim had a bad day this past Thursday. I didn't receive horribly bad service but really found him to be lacking in personality and not really attentive. Seemed bothered when I requested refills of our mugs for my family as I was enjoying a tasty beverage that he did do a tremendous job of mixing up. Interesting the different perceptions that folks form.

 

[mickeynut1]

Decided on the Poly for our 25th anniversary in 2015!

The Poly is a great choice for an anniversary trip .

Just got back from our very first Poly stay. I'll try my best to post what I remember. Overall I ADORED the resort. The employees are wonderful and we can't wait to go back again. We stayed 9 days, 8 nights......one more than anticipated...see below.

We stayed in Tokelau on the third floor. Bonus.......it was a garden view room and we could see the Castle anyway!

I will post the bad first, since it's the shortest list. We faced Andrea and as a PP stated, flooded walkways, like you almost need a boat to cross flooded. LOL! Srsly, it was up to my lower calves and I had to really work to keep my sandals on my feet as I crossed.

Tokelau had plumbing issues and we were out of water for a short time one afternoon. We asked when it would be corrected, and were comped a night for the trouble. So we added a night stay. Woot! When my husband was at the counter there were several other families complaining about noise.

It was pretty noisy on the first level for the days following that as they worked to fix whatever was going on. Didn't affect us, but I'm sure it did the first floor.

The monorails, ugh!!! They went down so many times it was ridiculous!

Despite those issues, I am so pleased with the Poly. They were busy, busy, busy. And so many things were happening that was beyond their control. Guests were hot, wet from the storm and irritated by noise, and yet the staff was super nice and never grouchy. They're superstars.

Not a fan of Captain Cooks, but I'm a Princess and anything cafeteria like is not my cup of tea. Did love the hot chocolate, the chocolate croissants and of course, Dole whip! Yum! I have a sweet tooth.

Ohana, fantastic! Ate there for breakfast and dinner. Very pleased with both. Staff and offerings were amazing.

Kona, also had breakfast and dinner. Both were wonderful. Staff, super friendly and they don't rush you. Prob the only place in Disney I felt I could relax and take my time and eat.

The Mai Tai in a Pineapple, forgot the name...........had several of these, so so good. Tim at the poolside bar is super funny. (you can't get the Pineapple at poolside though, but you can still get the part that counts. Gotta go inside if you want the whole sha-bang.)

My youngest did the craft and hula dancing in the GCH and really enjoyed herself.

One of the things I noticed about the staff isn't just that they treat the guests well, but they treat each other well. They def had a warmth for one another. It made the Poly that much more cozy feeling.

In closing, there is nothing, and I mean NOTHING......that can beat watching Wishes from the beach with your little ones. It's heaven.

Aloha!

Thanks for your review.....glad you had a great stay . I agree about the CMs. Our Poly stay was fabulous as every CM we encountered was very friendly. I loved walking around hearing so many "Alohas" .

 

[HappyMomma]

I guess Tim had a bad day this past Thursday. I didn't receive horribly bad service but really found him to be lacking in personality and not really attentive. Seemed bothered when I requested refills of our mugs for my family as I was enjoying a tasty beverage that he did do a tremendous job of mixing up. Interesting the different perceptions that folks form.

Sorry to hear that. I also didn't know they did mug refills at the bars. I thought it was just supposed to be at Cooks?

 

[Alexsandra]

Does anyone know if the music from luau is bothersome at night when staying in Fiji longhouse? I was thinking of requesting 3rd floor facing marina but am scared that they will put me on other side. Plus I don't know if GF is still under construction but I don't want to be looking at a crane or a construction site.
If not my second choice is Tokelau 2nd or 3rd floor close to the beach. Can I request both options or is that too many request?
I am going alone with hubby so will they stick me in a king bedroom? That means that Tokelau will be out. I know Samoa has king bedrooms. Maybe it is a safer request!

 

[HappyMomma]

Does anyone know if the music from luau is bothersome at night when staying in Fiji longhouse? I was thinking of requesting 3rd floor facing marina but am scared that they will put me on other side. Plus I don't know if GF is still under construction but I don't want to be looking at a crane or a construction site.
If not my second choice is Tokelau 2nd or 3rd floor close to the beach. Can I request both options or is that too many request?
I am going alone with hubby so will they stick me in a king bedroom? That means that Tokelau will be out. I know Samoa has king bedrooms. Maybe it is a safer request!

GF is still under construction and there is a huge crane and scaffolding galore. Not sure about the noise from the Luau. But it sure was loud right before Wishes started on the beach in front of the Tokelau building.

 

[flamark]

Does anyone know if the music from luau is bothersome at night when staying in Fiji longhouse? I was thinking of requesting 3rd floor facing marina but am scared that they will put me on other side. Plus I don't know if GF is still under construction but I don't want to be looking at a crane or a construction site.
If not my second choice is Tokelau 2nd or 3rd floor close to the beach. Can I request both options or is that too many request?
I am going alone with hubby so will they stick me in a king bedroom? That means that Tokelau will be out. I know Samoa has king bedrooms. Maybe it is a safer request!

Yup, GF construction is still going on and I would think it will be for the next few months at least. You do know you can't swim at the beach, right? They have signs posted saying not to go in the water, etc. but they were being mostly ignored by kids(and their parents). Believe me, you don't want to submerge yourself in that water.

 

[Dominion]

The monorails, ugh!!! They went down so many times it was ridiculous!

This is starting to concern me. Every recent trip report I have seen from someone staying at the Poly is mentioning that the monorails are down. A lot. Isn't that one of the reasons we all decide to stay there? Was this the resort monorail? The express? The EPCOT? Or *gulp* all three of them??

My youngest did the craft and hula dancing in the GCH and really enjoyed herself.

What time of day do they have the craft and hula dancing? Sounds fun!!

 

[Alexsandra]

Yup, GF construction is still going on and I would think it will be for the next few months at least. You do know you can't swim at the beach, right? They have signs posted saying not to go in the water, etc. but they were being mostly ignored by kids(and their parents). Believe me, you don't want to submerge yourself in that water.

Oh thanks. I think then I will ask for a room in tokelau or Samoa.
I would not swim in that water! I want to be close to the beach to watch fireworks at night.