The *NEW* Polynesian Resort FAQ thread - *SEPT 2008*

[mom4463]

We are already planning our next trip which will be December 2010. I know I am starting a bit early. Anyway, on our last trip we stayed at the Poly, had a magic kingdom view (which we requested and paid for), no balcony since we were on the second floor, and we weren't too far from the GCH. Here is my dilemma, hubby doesn't want to prebook the MK view and wants to book the garden view to save some money. I had a hard time convincing him to stay at the Poly again due to the extra money. Will we be as satisfied with a garden view? According to the description, we could have a view of the garden, pool, monorail, and/or parking lot. I have heard of some people gettting a free upgrade. What are our chances? We tend to book through AAA but might book through MEI since our neighbor works for MEI.

Thoughts and opinions would be greatly appreciated.

BTW, we can book our room reservation at the end of July.

We are planning our trip to the Poly in May 2010 and I am starting to plan now. I am so excited!! This will be our first time at the Poly and and my DD14 really wants to stay in a MK view room. Can you get a good view of the fireworks and castle from the beach? Since this will be our first visit to the Poly my DD's 14 and 8 would probably be happy going on the beach each night to watch the fireworks because this is not our only reason for wanting to stay at the Poly or is a MK view really worth it?

You also mentioned that you would have to pre-book a MK view. Could we wait until the 2010 prices are available to book a MK view or is it possible that they would all be booked early.

I LOVE THIS THREAD!!

I just want to say THANK YOU!! to everyone on this thread for always being so helpful and sharing your tips, any info you have and your experiences at the Poly.

 

[BCV23]

We are already planning our next trip which will be December 2010. I know I am starting a bit early. Anyway, on our last trip we stayed at the Poly, had a magic kingdom view (which we requested and paid for), no balcony since we were on the second floor, and we weren't too far from the GCH. Here is my dilemma, hubby doesn't want to prebook the MK view and wants to book the garden view to save some money. I had a hard time convincing him to stay at the Poly again due to the extra money. Will we be as satisfied with a garden view? According to the description, we could have a view of the garden, pool, monorail, and/or parking lot. I have heard of some people gettting a free upgrade. What are our chances? We tend to book through AAA but might book through MEI since our neighbor works for MEI.

Thoughts and opinions would be greatly appreciated.

BTW, we can book our room reservation at the end of July.

Gardenview rooms at the Polynesian are so beautiful. There are some rooms in Rapa Nui on the parking lot side that I would prefer not to have but the vast majority have views of gorgeous landscaping. Even those in Rapa Nui have pretty landscaping in between the rooms and the lot.

IMO the Poly is one of the best resorts to book GV. The GV can be amazing.
You can request a longhouse that has no chance of a parking lot view. I'd say your chances of getting a parking lot view are low, your chances of getting a view of lush landscaping is high. Happy planning!

Exactly.

Great pictures, BreezysMom and juliebee.

 

[mmmears]

mmmears - do you have a lightweight cardigan you can take vs. a jacket? That's what I always take!

After checking on the weather and reading your suggestion, I think I'll take the velour hoodie jacket & a shell for the wind (it fits over the jacket!). Then, if it's not enough, I just might "have" to buy a sweatshirt or something...

I'd take a few hoodies for sure because it can get very windy!! While I was there, nearly everyday was 10-20 mile/hour winds. Nice while you are park touring, but not nice when you are outside trying to enjoy Wishes or the pool! I'd say plan for wind because it can get downright whippy along the water!

Thanks for the info on the wind -- it can make so much of a difference when we're outside, and the temperature info is just half of the story. I'll be sure to take along my new rain/wind shell and hopefully it will block out the wind.

 

[DearDaisyinDurham]

We are planning our trip to the Poly in May 2010 and I am starting to plan now. I am so excited!! This will be our first time at the Poly and and my DD14 really wants to stay in a MK view room. Can you get a good view of the fireworks and castle from the beach? Since this will be our first visit to the Poly my DD's 14 and 8 would probably be happy going on the beach each night to watch the fireworks because this is not our only reason for wanting to stay at the Poly or is a MK view really worth it?


I LOVE THIS THREAD!!

I just want to say THANK YOU!! to everyone on this thread for always being so helpful and sharing your tips, any info you have and your experiences at the Poly.

Lots of people watch Wishes from the beach at the Poly. The music is played along & the atmosphere is really nice. You can also watch the Electrical Water Pageant at the same time, fun!!

If it's warm enough you can swim in the pool right before/after, we brought a fleece blanket bought at the emporium to snuggle in

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

Hey BreezysMom! I'm your neighbor to the north, here in SE WI. I work down in Lake Forest, IL.

I can totally relate to everything you just said!
Looks like our trips are for the same dates in September - I LOVE Disney at that time of year. Then again, it sure would be nice to head down in a week with all of you "spring breakers"!

We've stayed at the Poly for the past 3 years, with our last trip in Dec '08. But this year we're trying something new - the GF.
On one hand, I'm really excited about the GF.
But on the other hand, I just know I'm gonna miss my POLY!



I know some people have mentioned that it starts at 6pm, but it can vary during different times of the year when the sun goes down earlier.
Last year during the 1st week of December we missed it because it started before 5:45pm and was over by 6pm.

I grew up in SE Wisconsin (in Racine.)

 

[lissiesmum]

I was wondering how check in works exactly. I have requested Fiji 3rd floor, and I know it's not guaranteed. As you are standing there while they check you in, do they tell you what longhouse they're going to send you to before they actually assign you the room? Can you say, "No, I'd like to know what else is available?" or "Are there any better rooms that might open up later in the day that I'd be willing to wait for?" My only other trip to WDW was back in September at the WL and he told me right away I was being upgraded from standard to courtyard view so I didn't care what room I was being assigned in that instance because I knew I had been sprinkled with pixie dust!

 

[kaffinito]

I was wondering how check in works exactly. I have requested Fiji 3rd floor, and I know it's not guaranteed. As you are standing there while they check you in, do they tell you what longhouse they're going to send you to before they actually assign you the room? Can you say, "No, I'd like to know what else is available?" or "Are there any better rooms that might open up later in the day that I'd be willing to wait for?" My only other trip to WDW was back in September at the WL and he told me right away I was being upgraded from standard to courtyard view so I didn't care what room I was being assigned in that instance because I knew I had been sprinkled with pixie dust!

They will give you a map of the resort with your room on it - that's when you find out. This is after they verify your drivers license and add your CC into the computer. That's when I ask for any requests. My typical request is to ask for "first available."

This time I really want Fiji, so I'm going to ask them at check in if I can have "Fiji, pretty please!"

I'm thinking this time I'll fax over my requests on Tuesday, and then do online check in. Here's a ton of for you on your trip!

 

[mmmears]

I'm thinking this time I'll fax over my requests on Tuesday, and then do online check in. Here's a ton of for you on your trip!

I've never faxed my requests before, just gave them to the CM at CRO when checking on our reservation. Do you think that faxing it makes a big difference? (wondering if I should be looking for a fax machine).

 

[BreezysMom]

Yes, you can ask if there is anything available where you requested and see what they say.

Sometimes it may be available the next day if you are willing to move rooms??

 

[lissiesmum]

They will give you a map of the resort with your room on it - that's when you find out. This is after they verify your drivers license and add your CC into the computer. That's when I ask for any requests. My typical request is to ask for "first available."

This time I really want Fiji, so I'm going to ask them at check in if I can have "Fiji, pretty please!"

I'm thinking this time I'll fax over my requests on Tuesday, and then do online check in. Here's a ton of for you on your trip!

thanks kaffinito! so they give you a map and say here is your room...at this point, if it's not what you wanted, you can make a different request at this point? I, like you, am dying for Fiji, with Tokelau my second choice. 7 days to go for you, you lucky girl. I'm wishing you right back atcha! Let me know where you end up staying

Ps..thanks to breezysmom too! If it wasn't for your beautiful pics, I wouldn't be dying for Fiji!

 

[lissiesmum]

Yes, you can ask if there is anything available where you requested and see what they say.

Sometimes it may be available the next day if you are willing to move rooms??

Thanks, Breezysmom! It's your fault you know that I am on this Fiji fixation because of those beautiful pics you posted

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Hello! I've been keeping up with your thread for awhile now and I wanted to join in. I'm hoping this doesn't end soon or someone continues it!!! I leave for the Poly in just 3 weeks and I'm so excited!! Even though I've stayed there before, I still like to get all the info I can - especially regarding what room to request. I absolutely want a balcony or a patio (husband is leaning toward the patio and I think that's great) and we liked staying in Tokelau last time but I was on the TTC side with a balcony. Any thoughts on the best "regular room" to request for a patio room? We'll be there with our two kids that are 6 & 5 (hmmm, I guess I'll go update my signature - thanks for those tips too!!!)

 

[kaffinito]

thanks kaffinito! so they give you a map and say here is your room...at this point, if it's not what you wanted, you can make a different request at this point? I, like you, am dying for Fiji, with Tokelau my second choice. 7 days to go for you, you lucky girl. I'm wishing you right back atcha! Let me know where you end up staying

That's MY second choice too! Fiji then Tokelau.

Yep, that's how I've done it before.

Thanks, Breezysmom! It's your fault you know that I am on this Fiji fixation because of those beautiful pics you posted

Ditto!

 

[Debbie]

I wish we could stay club level. But I kinda pushed the budget getting a magic kingdom view room. Oh, when I faxed my request I just realized I put Hawaii or Tahita because I didn't know which building until now was the club. Oh No! I guess I should read better. I hope I didn't mess anything up.

I don't think that I would worry. They'll just put Tahiti as your first choice. When I booked, the CM put in a request for a king bed, since we are celebrating our 25th anniversary. They'll ignore that request, since that is only suites or something. One of these days, I'll phone and put in my floor/building requests, but if I don't, the Tiki gods will look after me, I'm sure.

 

[lissiesmum]

That's MY second choice too! Fiji then Tokelau.

Yep, that's how I've done it before.



Ditto!

too bad we're not traveling at the same time...we could have been neighbors You'll have to be the guinea pig and let me know how it goes. Out of curiosity, what's your next pic in line after Fiji and Tokelau? Is it Samoa...that's my third choice

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

They will give you a map of the resort with your room on it - that's when you find out. This is after they verify your drivers license and add your CC into the computer. That's when I ask for any requests. My typical request is to ask for "first available."

This time I really want Fiji, so I'm going to ask them at check in if I can have "Fiji, pretty please!"

I'm thinking this time I'll fax over my requests on Tuesday, and then do online check in. Here's a ton of for you on your trip!

Please let us know how that goes! I'm curious if faxing over the request or online check in is better. I'm tentative to do the online check-in for fear that they won't take longhouse requests!

I hope I'm not intruding on your thread here, and I feel so silly for keeping my eye on it and not introducing myself until now. You guys are giving great information and really getting me geeked up for my next vacation there!!!

 

[BreezysMom]

Thanks, Breezysmom! It's your fault you know that I am on this Fiji fixation because of those beautiful pics you posted

It is a great location. We were really spoiled to get that location our first trip. There are some that disagree because on Luau nights there is alot of foot traffic and you can hear the beating of the drums but we loved to people watch from the balcony and on the nights that the Luau is dark (Sun and Mon) it is a ghost town. We would sit on the beach behind the longhouse alone watching fireworks while enjoying a beer while dd played in the sand. Our second trip, when we were on the marina side, we watched the EWP from the balcony in our PJ's.

For GV price I found it to be quite a treat!

Have a great time!

 

[juliebee]

I've never faxed my requests before, just gave them to the CM at CRO when checking on our reservation. Do you think that faxing it makes a big difference? (wondering if I should be looking for a fax machine).

Since you are staying club level, I'd state your requests to the IPO office in an email. Don't worry about the fax. For instance, I put: first floor, clear view of castle. Next time I'll probably put 3rd floor, but it was nice to not deal with the elevator!

 

[lissiesmum]

Please let us know how that goes! I'm curious if faxing over the request or online check in is better. I'm tentative to do the online check-in for fear that they won't take longhouse requests!

I hope I'm not intruding on your thread here, and I feel so silly for keeping my eye on it and not introducing myself until now. You guys are giving great information and really getting me geeked up for my next vacation there!!!

Tinkerbellie, you're too funny! You think you're intruding and I feel like I've hijacked it with so many questions since I was able to upgrade to the Poly a week ago! I'm like a kid in a candy store on this thread. Once you start, you can't stop reading

 

[juliebee]

Please let us know how that goes! I'm curious if faxing over the request or online check in is better. I'm tentative to do the online check-in for fear that they won't take longhouse requests!

I hope I'm not intruding on your thread here, and I feel so silly for keeping my eye on it and not introducing myself until now. You guys are giving great information and really getting me geeked up for my next vacation there!!!

Welcome Tinkerbellie!