Disney's POLYNESIAN VILLAGE RESORT Information & Questions

[Disney before Sally]

We did it once a year and a half ago, when our daughter was working Photopass there and enjoyed it. The food was fine and plentiful. We're doing it again at her request, so that she can enjoy it when we go in 30 days.

Did I mention we're at our 30 day mark?

Thank you for your valuable reply. I booked Le Cellier, Ohana, Via Napoli, and Kona during our Poly reservation. We are doing a "sandwich": Coronado (3), Hard Rock (2), Poly (5). I don't want to give up one of the TS that we know we will enjoy more to risk on such an expensive Luau. I know that my expectation for Luau that has built over my lifetime of anticipation of one day experiencing this event is set too high for me to be happy with cheesy. Now if someone else was paying for my busload of tweens, I would have nothing to lose.

I used a gorilla tripod by Joby and a scenelapse by Gopole. It's such a beautiful resort I thought was a good idea to do this timelapse video.

Thank you for sharing!

There was a post in the DVC Miscellaneous Section about recent burglary incidents, 20 cases at Saratoga Springs Resort, many first floor rooms with unlocked sliders/ valuables stolen like electronic devices, phones, etc. Was in today's Orlando Sentinel. The suspects were apparently apprehended thankfully. I remember reading on this thread that guests have requested first floor specifically so they can go "in and out" to patio and lawn areas with ease. I especially recall reading posts with guests with younger children liking these rooms. A good reminder for all of us to properly secure lock on slider doors and secure valuables.

The show is in 3 acts. The first 2 acts are cheesy. Not bad, not great. The third act with the dancers and especially the fire dancing makes up for the previous 2. The food is alright nothing fantastic (But I feel this way about 99% of all of DW's restaurants including Ohana and California Grill). It's better than Chef Mickey's though.

Thank you for the valuable insight.

I know room requests are only requests, but what are the things to do that will increase your chances of getting your request? I booked a magical deal, so they put in a request a booking. I belong to touring plans, so can I have them send a room request even though I am booked through an agent? Does WDW still take faxes? I'm looking for everything I can do to increase my chances!

Yes - magical requests were posted to reservation for me last time, and the room request from touring plans was sent as well.

 

[DisneyMomma1216]

Everyone enjoy this Poly timelapse I created during our January trip!

Thank you so so so much for sharing! That was beautiful, and gets me so excited for our trip in May! I just hope it doesn't go by that fast haha. I will definitely be watching that quite a bit the next 99 days (finally hit double digits in our countdown!! )

 

[DisneyMomma1216]

Grill

Does anyone know the timeline of when this will be finished? Sorry if I missed an earlier post.. TIA!

 

[jerseygal]

Jade1..THANKS for posting.. Oasis pool pics look GREAT! Hoping it will be done for our May trip!

 

[Kimberle]

Does anyone know the timeline of when this will be finished? Sorry if I missed an earlier post.. TIA!

No expected finish date has been announced.

 

[DisneyMomma1216]

No expected finish date has been announced.

Ah okay.. thanks!

 

[mickeynut1]

Grill

Thanks for sharing these pics. I can't wait to see it all finished .

I know room requests are only requests, but what are the things to do that will increase your chances of getting your request? I booked a magical deal, so they put in a request a booking. I belong to touring plans, so can I have them send a room request even though I am booked through an agent? Does WDW still take faxes? I'm looking for everything I can do to increase my chances!

I've never done faxing, but wanted to mention that if you don't get a room that meets your requests, you can always ask if a different room is available. Sometimes requests get overlooked and although it's not guaranteed your room can be changed, but it never hurts to ask .

wow! the pool looks fantastic!!

I agree .

 

[Cluelyss]

Last year during our first Poly stay, we were in a studio villa. Loved the beautiful new decor! In August, we'll be staying in a standard room. I've heard some people mention the poor upkeep of some of the rooms. I thought the interior renovations of all of the longhouses were relatively recent. So why would some of the rooms be in bad shape? I don't want to be disappointed. We were thinking either Fiji, marina side, or Samoa, quiet pool side. How do these rooms hold up with regard to which rooms were renovated first/last? Does any other longhouse score higher points?

We stayed in Fiji in April 2013 (pre-renovations) and were in Fiji again December 2015. Our room was beautiful and showed no signs of wear, though I'm sure all rooms are different. I believe Fiji was one of the last longhouses to be updated.

 

[Cluelyss]

So if the monorail is not running, is it better to catch the bus for Epcot at the Poly or the TTC? Also, how long should I plan to get to the MK or Epcot? What time should I leave my room if I want to make it for a pre-park opening ADR at MK? Thanks, everyone! I can't wait for our trip!

When we were there in December, they were not running busses to Epcot from Poly when the monorail was not running. We had to walk to TTC to catch one. Same for MK.

 

[Cluelyss]

We just returned from a week at the Poly (and our first WDW trip) and it was wonderful. We had a Lagoon View room and enjoyed being able to get a glimpse of the castle and watch Wishes from our room. Did not notice any construction although we were on the far side of the resort. We arrived a couple days early (drove down and wanted to get ahead of bad weather) so we added 2 nights at AKL and a day visit to Animal Kingdom. We thought AKL was beautiful in the lobby but the room was underwhelming and food options only so so. The Poly feels like home! I am already planning our next trip and would like to try another resort but I'm afraid nothing will compare (the beautiful grounds, monorail, great restaurants, the smell of GCH, dole whip every night!). If we return this year we will likely only do Magic Kingdom. I imagine the draw to BC, YC and BWI is the walk to Epcot but are the worth looking into if we plan to only do MK (maybe one day Epcot, maybe)? We walked through GF and it was also beautiful but I just felt more relaxed at the Poly (especially with 2 young kids ages 1 and 4). Didn't get the chance to check out CR other than riding through on the monorail. Is it worth the risk to try something else?

Poly is our "home" but YC is a close 2nd. However, we only stay there when we plan to spend the majority of our time at Epcot or HS. For a MK trip, we stay on the monorail. Just can't do that much bussing

 

[ChrisnKim913]

Just switched from the BWI to the Poly Villas for our stay Feb 22-25!! Very excited!!

 

[KSR0330]

We didn't book through an agent so I can't comment on that aspect. But we did do the faxed request through touring plans and it worked perfectly. We got the exact room we requested. I know it wasn't a guarantee but since I already belonged to touring plans, I had nothing to lose by trying.

That's great!

es - magical requests were posted to reservation for me last time, and the room request from touring plans was sent as well.

Did you send the Touring Plan request or if you had a TA, did they have to do it?

 

[MouseMum]

We stayed in Fiji in April 2013 (pre-renovations) and were in Fiji again December 2015. Our room was beautiful and showed no signs of wear, though I'm sure all rooms are different. I believe Fiji was one of the last longhouses to be updated.

Thanks! I guess last to be renovated=better shape.

 

[kungaloosh22]

Does anyone know the timeline of when this will be finished? Sorry if I missed an earlier post.. TIA!

From Tikiman's facebook page this morning, probably (hopefully) in the mid-March time frame. *insert standard disqualifiers here*

 

[bhardy]

We are looking to stay club level and I saw that Hawaii building doesn't have laundry. Where would the closest laundry be? Thanks.

 

[Disney before Sally]

Did you send the Touring Plan request or if you had a TA, did they have to do it?

The TA lists requests by phone or computer when making the reservation. If you pick a room in touringplans and customize the fax, that system automatically faxes it.

Just my hunch, but travel agent bookings are transferred to WDW at maybe thirty days out. That is how I was able to call and verify the TA listed my special requests for allergy free laundry detergents and executive cleaning for my sensitive skin issues- as well as location preferences. TP fax was just a confirmation from TP that it was successful.

 

[LisaCM614]

The TA lists requests by phone or computer when making the reservation. If you pick a room in touringplans and customize the fax, that system automatically faxes it.

Just my hunch, but travel agent bookings are transferred to WDW at maybe thirty days out. That is how I was able to call and verify the TA listed my special requests for allergy free laundry detergents and executive cleaning for my sensitive skin issues- as well as location preferences. TP fax was just a confirmation from TP that it was successful.

I didn't even know that the allergy free cleaning was an option! I'm emailing my TA now ! My poor husband suffers so much when we travel. Just one whiff of Tide and he has a migraine.

 

[summerw]

When we were there in December, they were not running busses to Epcot from Poly when the monorail was not running. We had to walk to TTC to catch one. Same for MK.

Thanks! That's good to know. Seems wrong they don't add buses so there's no transport from the actual hotel.

 

[Disney before Sally]

I didn't even know that the allergy free cleaning was an option! I'm emailing my TA now ! My poor husband suffers so much when we travel. Just one whiff of Tide and he has a migraine.

Mine started with tide as an infant. The older I get, the more sensitive I get to that and other things. I no longer can use baby wipes and never could use face cleansing wipes. I'm currently trying to figure out what I'm flaring up to now. Glad I may have helped to make your family more comfortable, rash free campers.

 

[Dreamin192]

We are looking to stay club level and I saw that Hawaii building doesn't have laundry. Where would the closest laundry be? Thanks.

There is laundry in the building next to Rarotonga, in the same building that has the Lilo's Clubhouse kids club.