Out with the old
So it has been a while since any news but I have been gathering things here and there.
We will start with a change at the resort. One of the things that has been around the resort since the early 90s is now reportedly gone. The music that plays on my site and has played around the resort since 1993 has been replaced. I guess everything needs some updating but I am sure it will be split between those who miss the old and those who think it was outdated. I have not heard it for myself so I will refrain from commenting. I had some emails for the last few months from people telling me they changed the music and when contacting people I know at the resort they had no information about it. Seems like the lack of communication still exists at the resort which is frustrating for us fans of the Polynesian. It was finally confirmed that the music did change but no other info was available so I don’t know if it is permanent or just a trial run.
One of the top ten questions I get asked is if the Polynesian music is sold on CD. They never recorded the music onto a CD or even a tape other then the recording used at the resort from what I am told. There use to be some music sold at the store and a few of the songs are the same song with different singers but the resort recording was never sold to the public. You can always come here and enjoy it.
Thanks for your support
I want to say thank you to those of you who support the site with information, photos and reports as well as those that help me with the cost by donating. If you have donated and want your name on the list of those who have, just let me know. I don’t like to post names without permission.
I will need your help more than ever this year. Not only will it be the first year since the early 90s that I will not be visiting Disney World but many of the great Cast Members I know at the resort have left or are leaving so my resources for information are going away until someone else there comes forward and wants to help me. Unfortunately I don’t see management ever helping me with info but it would be a nice surprise considering how many people I talk into staying at the resort for the first time. People feel better when they have accurate information and a source they can trust but Disney just seems to like to keep everything a secret. Not always helpful to someone who wants to plan a trip and have it go smoothly. In fact the more info they have, the better prepared they are and the smoother it goes for them and the staff at the resort. Well maybe someone from there will realize I am here to help and they will give me a good contact to get up to date info without me flying out there myself or relying on my Disney friends.
Under Construction
Mouse Planet reports some carpentry work being done around the Great Ceremonial House.
So you say you want another Tikifest?
So with no Tikifest this year and so many asking for us to do one it looks like there is a plan. It is not going to be a paid party like before and it is not going to be in Disney World. Disney’s Hawaii resort Aulani is going to open up next year but later in the year and I want to give them some time to work out the bugs so Magical Vacations has secured the lowest rates available (40% off the regular rates) and will be offering up something Summer 2012. More to come on that. Sounds like a few of the past Tikifesters are going so it already sounds like a good group.
Aloha Chef
Chef Dick is counting down the days until he can put Disney behind him and just worry about traveling, fishing and family. We will all miss him and we all wish him well. Check back later for news on his going away party
Site for first time visitors
David Shute has set up a great site for first time visitors to Disney World. He calls it as he sees it and gives an honest opinion. Recently he did a review of the Polynesian. Here is a link to his review for your reading enjoyment. http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/05/19/review-disneys-polynesian-resort/
Polynesian flavor going to Disneyland
With big changes at Disneyland in California including the famous Disneyland Hotel, one of the changes is to the pool area. It was redone back in 2000 but is getting a make over to go from Neverland theme to Monorail theme with a monorail waterslide. What does this have to do with Polynesian? Nothing but the restaurant in the pool area will be getting a 
makeover also. What is now Hook’s Pointe, Croc’s Bites and Bits, The Wine Cellar and the Lost Bar will become a new restaurant reminiscent of the original Tahitian Terrace that was in Adventurland and a bar that will be a Jungle Cruise theme. If you have ever been to the Tahitian Terrace in Disneyland you will 
see where Walt’s love for the islands started. It very much had the feel of the Polynesian resort and Luau show. If you had never seen the Tahitian Terrace, here is a little info on it brought to you by Yesterland http://www.yesterland.com/tahitianterrace.html
Disney cruise to Hawaii?
Yes it is possible that Disney might have a ship to go with their Hawaiian resort. Bob Iger is considering spending $1.5 billion to build two more ships and Hawaii might be one of its destinations.
“We thought we had an opportunity to expand our horizons, no pun intended,” Iger said. “We’re going to take advantage of that with Alaska, Southern California and Mexico, parts of Europe and, maybe down the road, Asia or Hawaii.”
What more are you looking for?
So I have had this site now for 11 years and it has grown and changed but is it giving you what you are looking for? I still have some stuff that has not transitioned over to the new site like the rest of the photos for my trip reports (gotta have pictures) and some photos of some of the longhouses and suites. I try and stay on top of the news but I need help from all of you to do that also. Sometimes I get a little behind when life gets in the way.
As I have always said this site is what it is because of everyone who contributes. This is not MY site, this is OUR site.
I am creating a new Facebook page but I need some feedback from you as to if I should post updates there or just post when something is new on here. How many would be interested in an Iphone application and what would you want on it?
Let me know your thoughts.
Tikiman’s travel tip
After traveling often for work and vacation and often long flights (average 5 hours) I have started to get more knowledgeable about how airports work. A tip I often give to people that will be going on vacation (especially for a long travel day) I tell them to assume the first day of your vacation is shot. Maybe even figure out a way to add a day to the beginning of your trip. Why? This is why.
First of all if you are not in a hurry to get to your destination and don’t assume you are going to get all these activities done the day you get there then you can start your trip with less stress. No worrying about the plane being on time, how fast can you get your bags, your rental car and get to your hotel. No being in a hurry and upset at check in and no driving the rest of your family crazy.
If you are not in a hurry you may be able to make this work for you or maybe I should say pay off. Many times when I travel to Florida or Hawaii there are limited flights out. Often they ask people to volunteer to be bumped. Well with the Obama administration proposing big increases in compensation for being unwillingly bumped the airlines are more inclined to give you something in return for giving up your seat.
Currently, passengers who are forced to give up their seat and don’t arrive at their destination within two hours (four hours for international flights) of their original scheduled time receive a $400 check. They receive $800 if they land later than that. Under the proposal passengers being bumped would receive between $650 and $1,300. This gives you some leverage with the airlines to negotiate what you can get for giving up your seat. Not only a free roundtrip ticket but maybe access to the lounge, upgraded seat and a meal voucher.
Many times we were in a hurry to get to Hawaii (like everyone else there) and we declined giving up our seat but if we had planned on throwing away the first days worth of activities or even left a day earlier then we could take advantage of a bump if it presented itself. I think it would even be worth it to book a cheap place to stay the first night (not knowing when you will get there) and then start your vacation closer to your destination the next morning with a pocket full of free stuff from the airlines.
Just an idea.
If you like this tip and think I should start a travel tips page……..too bad, read the Unofficial Guide book if you want tips (ding!)
10,000,000 Guest on Magical Express
So back in May the 10,000,000th guest used Magical Express. What does this have to do with the Polyensian? Well that is where they were dropped off. Here is the article.
“LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., May 3, 2010 – Almost five years to the day after launching at Orlando International Airport, Disney’s Magical Express welcomed its 10,000,000th guest today.
The 10,000,000th guest, Lori Ogurkis and her family from Hazelton, PA, received a special reception at the airport, complete with a surprise visit and a gift basket from Mickey Mouse. The Ogurkis family then rode in their own private motor coach to Disney’s Polynesian Resort to begin their magical vacation.
Disney’s Magical Express provides complimentary motor coach transportation and luggage transfer services from Orlando International Airport to and from select Walt Disney World Resort hotels for passengers of all Orlando air carriers.
“We are delighted to welcome the Ogurkis family to Walt Disney World Resort. Disney’s Magical Express Service, introduced in 2005, has been extremely popular with our guests and has become an important part of the overall guest experience,” said Jo-Ann Arndt, who oversees Disney’s Magical Express in her role as Vice President of Shoreside Travel Operations for Disney Cruise Line. “Our Guests love the convenience of our service and Disney’s Magical Express helps maintain both Orlando International Airport’s and Central Florida’s image as a quality and affordable destination.”
“Orlando International Airport is pleased to support innovative and seamless means of transportation for the traveling public. Resort transportation as provided by Disney’s Magical Express is a unique option that helps enhance the overall travel experience for millions of visitors to Central Florida,” said Steve Gardner, Executive Director of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.
Each year Disney’s Magical Express now carries more than 2.2 million guests and their luggage, reducing highway and terminal traffic and shortening wait times at Orlando International Airport.”
