ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: September 2012

[mindy20]

Is there somewhere I go to see views from the rooms ? I'm especially interested in Hawaii bldg. GV,Lagoon View, and TPV.

[Tess]

Originally Posted by aboveH20

Could someone answer this tipping and taxi combo question for me?

If I want to take a taxi at the Poly, where do I "find" it? If I'm supposed to have someone call if for me, is it bell services and how much do I tip the person who calls the cab?

It's snowing outside ( NY) and beautiful, but i'm really looking forward to the Poly in 41 days.

At the front of the GCH (outside) there is a bell stand. Ask one of the attendants to call you a taxi and they will wave one up for you. Tip a couple of bucks--after all, it's merely a hand wave (maybe a whistle ) by a bellman to get a cab.

[aboveH20]

Originally Posted by Tess

At the front of the GCH (outside) there is a bell stand. Ask one of the attendants to call you a taxi and they will wave one up for you. Tip a couple of bucks--after all, it's merely a hand wave (maybe a whistle ) by a bellman to get a cab.

Thanks for the reply. I've never taken a taxi at WDW and was unfamiliar with the protocol.

(Wife of a Buckeye, who doesn't know where Wolverine land is, but I bet my husband does.)

[sherekhan]

Originally Posted by clanmcculloch

Yes, the quiet pool will be there, but it's a plain hole in the ground without the theming and that view of the castle is a big deal. We like standard view rooms but spend a lot of time in the pool so seeing the castle is nice. I've watched the fireworks from inside the pool (literally in the pool). We do use the quiet pool every day (that's where DH and DD12 go for their early morning swims) but we like our afternoon swims we like in the volcano pool.

The pools can get pretty busy during the day. At least with the volcano pool there's more space and there's two pools to take the load. That quiet pool isn't very big and when you look at the number of guests, it might get very uncomfortably full.

I wonder if they'll do the poolside activities over by the quiet pool? That would at least be something.

I wonder what they'll do about a backup resort pool? Usually they send Poly guests to GF when the Volcano pool is closed and when the main pool at GF is closed they send GF guests to Poly but both will be closed at the same time. I wonder if they have any plans?

I talked to the reservations agent and she checked with someone who told her that there is not anything official in writing, but they're almost positive that Poly guests will be encouraged to enjoy the GF pools since that is the protocol in the past.

[Mommy2TwoMickeys]

Originally Posted by mindy20

Is there somewhere I go to see views from the rooms ? I'm especially interested in Hawaii bldg. GV,Lagoon View, and TPV.

go to tikiman pages .com and click on long houses and select Hawaii. He pictures of views from each category.

[haleofafamily]

Originally Posted by sherekhan

I talked to the reservations agent and she checked with someone who told her that there is not anything official in writing, but they're almost positive that Poly guests will be encouraged to enjoy the GF pools since that is the protocol in the past.

The travel agent site has the Volcano pool at the Poly and the Courtyard pool at the GF to be closed at the same time. Poly pool Mar 4 - Mar 15 GF pool now to April 15.

Those are different dates then tikiman but either way both resorts will have pools under construction at the same time.

[clanmcculloch]

Originally Posted by haleofafamily

The travel agent site has the Volcano pool at the Poly and the Courtyard pool at the GF to be closed at the same time. Poly pool Mar 4 - Mar 15 GF pool now to April 15.

Those are different dates then tikiman but either way both resorts will have pools under construction at the same time.

The TA site is now showing Mar4-Mar 15? Sweet!! I hope that's right. Do you have a link to that site by any chance?

[haleofafamily]

Originally Posted by clanmcculloch

The TA site is now showing Mar4-Mar 15? Sweet!! I hope that's right. Do you have a link to that site by any chance?

No link but this is what it says:
"Disney's Polynesian Resort

Nanea Volcano Pool

03/04/13 - 03/15/13"

It has had these dates the whole time tikiman has had the other dates. Unfortunately his are probably more accurate.

[clanmcculloch]

I know that Mousesavers said the March dates but until now they were the only ones saying it. Unfortunately you're probably right that Tikiman's accurate, though the TA site usually is pretty accurate, or so I thought. I guess I'll continue with my current plan of hope for it open but be prepared for it to be closed.

[MichelinMan]

Can anybody tell me the quickest way to get back to the Poly after the MK fireworks during busy summer months, and roughly how long will it take? Would the boat launches direct to the Poly boat landing be the quickest method?

[Kac923]

As of 12/31 (and I have the pdf saved from my travel agent showing this) the TA site said Poly volcano pool would be closed 2/18-3/1 so if it gives dif dates now than it was changed recently. I realize that most people feel tikiman is more accurate but I'm just pointing out that something must've prompted the change in dates on the TA site so it does make me wonder whose info is correct. As for the GF, the beach pool and new splash area will still be open and has a waterslide and poolside bar so that's still a good alternative to poly's quiet pool.

[MikeRx]

Originally Posted by MichelinMan

Can anybody tell me the quickest way to get back to the Poly after the MK fireworks during busy summer months, and roughly how long will it take? Would the boat launches direct to the Poly boat landing be the quickest method?

It all depends on timing:

1. The resort Monorail goes to the Contemporary and TTC before the Poly, but you can get off at the TTC and walk the short path back. 10-15min is shortest if no line at station. The monorails run every 5-10 minutes during busty times.

2. The ferry boat drops off at the head of the path to the Poly at the TTC so it is very easy as well. Likely 15-20 min without the wait for the boat to arrive and load.

3. The boat launch from MK goes to the GF first and it a smaller, slow boat with limited capacity, 20-30 min with the stop at the GF with no wait for the boat at the MK.

We took the boat launch in July and were faced with a slow boat, mosquitoes and a stop at the GF. We elected to get off at the GF and make the 10-15min stroll to the Poly. Other times the mosquitoes may not be an issue, but it looks like you will be there in the Summer too.

IMO-
If the monorail line is short use it, it has the shortest wait between trains and gives you two good stops (TTC & Poly). The Ferry, if you can see it coming in and judge the crowd waiting is the next best option. The ferry swallows crowds! The boat launch, if waiting or coming in with a short line, can be an option, but has more limitations (see above). If time is not an issue, being on the lagoon in a small boat with the lights of the resorts in front of you is very relaxing! Both the ferry and monorail are better choices with a stroller or ECV. No ECVs on the boat launch and strollers must be folded and held.

All in all it is these three options are far better than waiting for a crowded bus, long waits to leave the bus area and parking lot after a magical day in the park. The bus can be a magic killer for these reasons. The easy transportation is one of the many reasons we love the Poly!


Mike DW DS (4 ½ ) DMIL

First visit 1976, WDW 2/2010 BC CL, Disneyland GC 12/2010, WDW 4/2012 POLY TPV, WDW 7/2012 (off site meeting), WDW 12/12 POP and 4/2013 POLY with Disney Dream cruise!

[Hbelton07]

I am not staying at the Poly (not my choice ) but we have a few ADRs there...so

Question...Is it a big no-no for us to swim in the pool before/after our dinner reservations? I know pool hopping isn't really allowed, but is this really pool hopping if I am a paying customer at the resort...for the food...LOL..I know it's a bit of a stretch, but would it be okay? Wouldn't want to get the stink eye from anybody

[HeatherLassell]

Originally Posted by Hbelton07

I am not staying at the Poly (not my choice ) but we have a few ADRs there...so

Question...Is it a big no-no for us to swim in the pool before/after our dinner reservations? I know pool hopping isn't really allowed, but is this really pool hopping if I am a paying customer at the resort...for the food...LOL..I know it's a bit of a stretch, but would it be okay? Wouldn't want to get the stink eye from anybody

Big NO NO! You must be a resort guest not just eating there otherwise the pool would be FULL!

[ThreeLittleLadies]

We have our second ever trip booked in April. It will be our first stay at the Poly! We are all super excited!

Here are my questions-
1- I booked our trip with the latest discount released in early January. I, of course, received a pin code in the mail the next week. If I call can they switch my reservation to the pin code discount if it's a better deal than the current offer?

2- What's the best way to get the LH that we want? We didn't make a specific request on our last trip because we didn't really care, but I definitely have a LH and level in mind. I used online check in last time, and from what I've read on here that is not the best way to get the room you want. Is that correct? Do I call ahead of time and request a specific LH? When and where do I check in? I'm so confused!

TIA!