So, we are home now, and I just spent an hour in my pool with Pandora playing Hawaiian music while I tried to imagine myself back at the Oasis Pool.
We had a spectacular time at the Poly. It is so relaxing and beautiful. We loved the Hawaiian music, the smells, and the friendly staff. My blood pressure lowered whenever we exited the monorail and entered the Poly. We didn't experience the Luau crowds or 'Ohana chaos that have been reported on DIS Boards. We never waited in line long for food at Captain Cooks, although, we are early risers and rope droppers. The only crowds we encountered were at the Lava Pool, so we spent our time at the Oasis Pool. My DD managed to go down the slide once at the Lava Pool, but she didn't linger because of the sea of humanity surrounding her. We never got around to trying Trader Sam's, but it will be on our list for next time.
We were very pleased to be in Rarotonga, Room 1814 and 1815. We had a King on the first floor as requested with a view of the Oasis Pool entrance which was extremely convenient. We actually viewed fireworks from our patio a few times. The other nights we viewed them from Cali Grill and from Seven Seas Lagoon during our private fireworks cruise. I had wanted to view them from the pool, but it probably would have been crowded, and that's not my thing. Our room (1814) had a hand held shower massage which we have at home, but DD (1815 on the monorail side) had a standard shower head, and she ended up showering in our room. Mousekeeping came in the morning while we were in the parks and were gone by early afternoon when we returned, so we didn't have to deal with the security checks widely complained about on the DIS Boards. No towel animals, but one day, they did leave one of our leis in the shape of a heart on our bed. Toiletries and towels were regularly replenished. Toilet paper not so much, but they responded quickly when we called for more, and as I said in another post, when DH needed conditioner, they came with a bag full of shampoo and conditioner.
The food at 'Ohana dinner was delicious, especially those noodles and szechwan steak. It was way too much food for us, and by the time dessert came, I barely touched it. DH enjoyed a Lapu Lapu in the pineapple, and we were not charged the extra $5.00 for the pineapple. The coconut races were tame and nobody got wild or loud during our 6:00pm reservation. Breakfast at 'Ohana was awesome as usual, and I got my bacon when requested. Captain Cooks was great as was Oasis Pool food service. The frosted pineapple was yummy. I did find that the drinks at Oasis were better than 'Ohana which seemed watered down.
The Polynesian Village Resort is our new home. We may split a stay for a night or two at the Beach Club for Stormalong Bay, and DD's wedding will most likely be at the Grand Floridian. But the Polynesian is our place where we feel the most comfortable, relaxed, and content.
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If you're still both there on the 16th, be sure to say hi 
