ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: June 2013

[Tikiman]

For the 1st week of December the only thing available for RO discounts were the Theme Park Views, so I thought great! Cancelled by standard view and upgraded to the Theme park view. If they only have 2 longhouses that are not being affected by construction - how many rooms will that be? I really don't want to pay to see backhoes and cranes out my window if I get put in Tahiti. I stayed in Tahiti before but it was a long time ago and loved the location but if it isn't going to a clear view the castle I don't really want to pay the money. I know that it is a few months away but what would be Plan B if I get there and get Tahiti with construction view instead of theme park view.

Here is the deal. There is no official schedule or announcement for any of this so it is hard to plan around what might happen but there is information out there that changes are coming and there are permits now filed that support those plans so for the next few years starting next month possible there is a risk that things will be closed and construction equipment will be onsite.

If the information about them starting in September is true than I don’t see how they could keep Tahiti open considering some of the work comes within a few feet of the patios and heavy machinery would be necessary for the lagoon work. In fact the work needed to be done will basically shut down the whole resort from Tokelau over. The permits even include the quiet pool as an affected area.

Sometimes the computer systems are not up to date on what activities will be happening at the resort so it could be that you can book a themepark view room in December now but once things start to happen and 143 rooms are shut down (72 of which are lagoon and themepark view rooms) all of a sudden they are overbooked and moving you.

I hate getting people worried for something that has a small chance of not happening but chances are it will happen and I would rather they change their plans to avoid it instead of not saying anything and everyone being very upset that they did not get a heads-up about the changes. Don’t expect Disney to tell you what is going to happen even after it starts.

 

[sereine1]

Aloha, I have just booked a 6 night Poly stay in March 2014 (club level) -Yay!! Does anyone know when all of the room rehabs will be completed? I can only hope that I am doing this correctly as I am new to DISboards....
Thanks in advance!! or Mahalo!

 

[Tikiman]

Aloha, I have just booked a 6 night Poly stay in March 2014 (club level) -Yay!! Does anyone know when all of the room rehabs will be completed? I can only hope that I am doing this correctly as I am new to DISboards....
Thanks in advance!! or Mahalo!

Chances are that the ones that will be done are done.

Hawaii was the first to be done the begining of the year.

 

[buckeyecinderella]

If the information about them starting in September is true than I don’t see how they could keep Tahiti open considering some of the work comes within a few feet of the patios and heavy machinery would be necessary for the lagoon work. In fact the work needed to be done will basically shut down the whole resort from Tokelau over. The permits even include the quiet pool as an affected area.

I'm a little confused by this. What work have we heard planned for the quiet pool area? I thought any buildings around that area and pool itself would be pretty "safe"? Did I miss something?
Thanks!

 

[karriealex]

We had a really nice day today. We got up early and headed out to DHS. Dh actually got me on Star Tours. I asked if he thought I could handle it knowing I get motion sick and he thought I could. LOL what he didn't know is they changed it. I spent most of the ride with my eyes shut. It was fun though and dh had a good time. The kids went on Aerosmith and TOT. They are really loving it that we are giving them the freedom to go where they want in the parks. As a family we rode The Great Movie Ride and TSMM. Dh and I ate at the commissary and the food was pretty good and the prices were good. The CM gave dh a really pretty pink decorated frosted cupcake in honor of our anniversary. That was so sweet. DHS was not nearly as crowded as AK or Epcot. I fear it is going a little downhill. The kids are really getting into pin trading and I got them a small case to put their collections in plus a pin magazine. Problem with that is it only really has the newer pins in it. I have some at home that are 15 or more years old. I would love to see if any of them are worth anything. Not that I would sell them but it would be interesting to know. I found the volume we need at Amazon and will order it right before we go home.

Still trying to figure out our Christmas vacation. Right now we have POFQ reserved for 5 days for almost 1500 dollars. I can get 7 days the week before at the Poly CL for 4219 which is quite a hike up in price. I was hoping maybe if the AP packages came out soon I could do one of those with dining and do a standard room at the Poly. I know POFQ is lovely but I am just not sure we will all be happy there for two reasons, going back to a food court type atmosphere, and there are only 2 beds in the room meaning my 15 and 19 year old will have to share a bed. What to do what to do??? LOL

 

[bluejasmine]

We had a really nice day today. We got up early and headed out to DHS. Dh actually got me on Star Tours. I asked if he thought I could handle it knowing I get motion sick and he thought I could. LOL what he didn't know is they changed it. I spent most of the ride with my eyes shut. It was fun though and dh had a good time. The kids went on Aerosmith and TOT. They are really loving it that we are giving them the freedom to go where they want in the parks. As a family we rode The Great Movie Ride and TSMM. Dh and I ate at the commissary and the food was pretty good and the prices were good. The CM gave dh a really pretty pink decorated frosted cupcake in honor of our anniversary. That was so sweet. DHS was not nearly as crowded as AK or Epcot. I fear it is going a little downhill. The kids are really getting into pin trading and I got them a small case to put their collections in plus a pin magazine. Problem with that is it only really has the newer pins in it. I have some at home that are 15 or more years old. I would love to see if any of them are worth anything. Not that I would sell them but it would be interesting to know. I found the volume we need at Amazon and will order it right before we go home.

Still trying to figure out our Christmas vacation. Right now we have POFQ reserved for 5 days for almost 1500 dollars. I can get 7 days the week before at the Poly CL for 4219 which is quite a hike up in price. I was hoping maybe if the AP packages came out soon I could do one of those with dining and do a standard room at the Poly. I know POFQ is lovely but I am just not sure we will all be happy there for two reasons, going back to a food court type atmosphere, and there are only 2 beds in the room meaning my 15 and 19 year old will have to share a bed. What to do what to do??? LOL

I hear WL is particularly lovely at Christmas.. May e you can look into that

Sept 2013 Poly, 2012 Disney Fantasy, BC CL, GF CL, POR, 2011 Poly CL, CR, Poly CL, AKL, 2010 Poly CL, ASMu 2009, SSR 2008, Pop 2006, POR , Asmo 2005, Asmo 2003, offsite 2000, 1999,1989, Poly 1980, offsite 1979

 

[heidijanesmith]

Lets hope for the sake of people who have already planned a trip that Tahiti stays open and it was just an overbooking thing. Its just rare they ask people to move to another resort unless some building will be closed. Usually they move them into club level. The only other issue may be that if Tahiti stayes open and what I was told about the work on the lagoon starting in September I would not think people would be happy to be in Tahiti with heavy equipment on the beach. I am assuming to do the supports out in the water will take some serious equipment. I think they would be better off to close Tahiti while that is going on.

I guess we will find out once September is here.

We are booked CL 10-3 10-9 and hoping there is no construction while we are there. If they do start construction on the lagoon, do you think that the Hawaii Longhouse will be affected by noise, cranes or other construction issues in the lagoon?

 

[heidijanesmith]

Hi Everyone…this is my first post, although I have been a long time lurker. My husband, my 4 year old son & I are booked at the Poly in November with free dining. We have never shared a hotel room with him before, have usually stayed in suite hotels. I am starting to have 2nd thoughts because of this. I am considering instead the ASM suite room, but my husband thinks that they are horrible and doesn’t think that sharing a room will be that bad.
I guess my question is for those who have little ones…how do you put your kids to bed and then still be able to decompress at night without hanging out in the bathroom? Do the balconies / patios have outdoor lights?
My other concern is if I will really think the Poly is worth the expense. We stayed at the Kona Village Resort in Hawaii for our honeymoon(before it was damaged by the Tsunami) and absolutely loved it. I can see that everyone on this board loves the Poly…just wondering if anyone thinks 2 rooms at a Value is better than 1 room at a Deluxe.
Thanks for the help. Need to make a decision within the next few days.
Michelle

We have always shared a room and find the balconies/patio's to be a lifesavers when our kids were little. Some of our favorite memories are when the kids are asleep and DH and I hang out on the patio or balcony and take in the sights, have an adult beverage and talk about the highlights of day and what we are going to do tomorrow.

Some Poly Longhouses have no balconies on the 2nd floor, check out the tikiman website for detailed longhouse info. A balcony/patio is very important to us, so I always make that my 1st request.

 

[karriealex]

So cool. I just met a fellow Diser outside the Hawaii longhouse! It was I(heart)themouse. She is very sweet. We talked all about how we have gotten used to deluxes and how going to a moderate will be tough. We are supposed to go to POFQ for Christmas and she is booked at a mod for F&W. I reminded her she should check to see if she could get a deluxe with the BB offer. I soooooo hope she is able to.

Bluejasmine I will check out WL for our Christmas trip. I have to call to see what the BB rate is since I can't check it online.

 

[leannak]

Poly People... At the risk of sounding like a crazy party girl (I can assure you, I'm not ). Has anyone tried turning a dole whip into an adult beverage? I still don't quite know what DW is like, but if it's slushy I am thinking it would be amazing with rum or vodka! If it's like ice cream I'm guessing you'd just get a sloppy mess.

 

[bluejasmine]

So cool. I just met a fellow Diser outside the Hawaii longhouse! It was I(heart)themouse. She is very sweet. We talked all about how we have gotten used to deluxes and how going to a moderate will be tough. We are supposed to go to POFQ for Christmas and she is booked at a mod for F&W. I reminded her she should check to see if she could get a deluxe with the BB offer. I soooooo hope she is able to.

Bluejasmine I will check out WL for our Christmas trip. I have to call to see what the BB rate is since I can't check it online.

There is another Diser staying in Samoa right now!!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[karriealex]

Poly People... At the risk of sounding like a crazy party girl (I can assure you, I'm not ). Has anyone tried turning a dole whip into an adult beverage? I still don't quite know what DW is like, but if it's slushy I am thinking it would be amazing with rum or vodka! If it's like ice cream I'm guessing you'd just get a sloppy mess.

It is like ice cream so you would get sort of like a milk shake consistency if you added something to it. Bet it would taste good too lol and I rarely drink

 

[samacita]

Poly People... At the risk of sounding like a crazy party girl (I can assure you, I'm not ). Has anyone tried turning a dole whip into an adult beverage? I still don't quite know what DW is like, but if it's slushy I am thinking it would be amazing with rum or vodka! If it's like ice cream I'm guessing you'd just get a sloppy mess.

I heard there's a rum version with F&W. Not sure if it's available at other places or during other times. Anyone?

 

[Cobern]

I heard there's a rum version with F&W. Not sure if it's available at other places or during other times. Anyone?

Add siesta key rum!

 

[karriealex]

I heard there's a rum version with F&W. Not sure if it's available at other places or during other times. Anyone?

I have not seen it and I went through all the menu's for all the restaurants like a mad woman before I left LOL

 

[michellerh1324]

My family's first trip to WDW is the week of Thanksgiving. Staying at the Poly in a TPV. Had requested the Tahiti longhouse as I was told it was being refurbished. Stressing now with everything I've read about Tahiti being closed. Can anyone tell me how the other long houses with TPV are? Do I need to change my request? Since it's our first trip, I don't want to stay in a rundown room.

 

[mickeynut1]

I hear WL is particularly lovely at Christmas..

WL is amazing at Christmas time . The lodge is beautiful any time of year, but especially so during the holidays. The resort is gorgeous all decorated and the rocking chairs surrounding the huge fireplace in the center of the lobby make the lodge very cozy and homey .

 

[Cobern]

I have not seen it and I went through all the menu's for all the restaurants like a mad woman before I left LOL

I think after this upcoming food and wine they are going to add it. I remember an article about it because the rum is named/made in my hometown. There was an article in the paper about it and I think they said they just signed a contract with Disney and I know it takes a little while to implement things like that

 

[karriealex]

I think we have decided what we are going to do about Christmas. We are probably going to do the Poly in a standard room for 4 nights instead of 7. We figured finances, food etc and think this is the way for us to go. The WL is pretty but we really need room for 5 even though we are only 4. I can't see our 15 and 19 year old sleeping in the same bed and living through the entire vacation LOL

 

[mickeynut1]

I think we have decided what we are going to do about Christmas. We are probably going to do the Poly in a standard room for 4 nights instead of 7. We figured finances, food etc and think this is the way for us to go. The WL is pretty but we really need room for 5 even though we are only 4. I can't see our 15 and 19 year old sleeping in the same bed and living through the entire vacation LOL

As much as we love the WL during the holidays, I have to agree with you about the larger room. We are a family of 4 and although the WL is fine for us, once we got a taste of the bigger rooms (Poly), it's hard to go back. Plus the fact that all Poly rooms come with a daybed is a big plus for us .