Better late than never
Well after reporting the beginning of last year that there were going to be Cabanas built around the Volcano Pool and still not seeing them on my visit in June 2009 I had found out they were 
stopped because of budget cuts. Well Darrin and his wife Robyn are at the Polynesian on their Anniversary trip and got a few shots of the new Cabanas going up around the Volcano pool. I was told by two sources that they will have flat screen TVs inside as well as a refrigerator but I have not seen for myself yet or had any official response about them. The only information I have from the resort at this point is there are two of them and they will be ready for rental in 2 to 3 weeks.
The Polynesian staff believes the prices will be similar to the Cabanas at the Grand Floridian which cost $100 for a half day or $185 for a full day. The time you will occupy the cabana is from 10 AM -2 PM, or 3 PM-7 PM for half day rentals and 10 AM -7 PM for full day.
These will be for Polynesian guests only and can be reserved up to 180 days out by calling 407-WDW-PLAY. They are open now.
Going by the amenities at the GF this is what is included in the cabana but until they are open this could be different for the Polynesian.
Rental Cabana amenities include:
. Two padded chaise lounge chairs
. Sofa & Love Seat
. Plush towels
. 22 inch LCD television with cable access and optional earphones
. Sirius Satellite Radio
. DVD/CD/MP3 player
. Phone for internal resorts calls
. Oscillating Fan
. Mini refrigerator stocked with complementary sodas and water
. Complementary fruit basket
. Private dining and poolside massages are available for an additional cost
Other things around the resort
Some other observations around the resort were Aaron reported and took photos of the front of the Great Ceremonial House getting some work done.
The Polynesian (like other Disney Resorts) has refurbishment done all year long but they do try and do much of it during slower times. Many big projects are done in January – March. From January 17-20 ‘Ohana will be getting some work done so if you are traveling during these dates you will not be able to book at ‘Ohana during these dates. They will be taking Dinner reservations for the 20th.
As mentioned in an earlier article, the East Pool (AKA Quiet pool) is tentatively scheduled to close January 10 to February 18 to be redone and add a zero entry area.
Great deals
Many of you know for years that Magical Vacations has offered great rates for Tikifest and other times of the year. Working closely with a special division of Disney to get these rates they have been able to offer discounts you can’t find anywhere else. Magical Vacations has very limited availability left with their Holiday offer. Travel between 12/4/10 and 12/12/10 for discounted rates at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, Grand Floridian Resort, Wilderness Lodge Resort and Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort. Contact Magical Vacations for information. http://www.magicalvacationstravel.com/mv/index.php
Group Trip to Aulani; Disney’s new resort in Hawaii, is currently being planned for July of 2012. Rates and information with Magical Vacations will be available in the Spring of 2011.
Book a 5-night stay or longer Disney Magic Your Way Package with Magical Vacations, and receive the TikiPlan for free ! Complimentary itinerary planning, scheduling of your advance dining reservations, and in-room gift basket for all readers of Steve’s Tikiman website. Mention “TikiPlan” when booking your trip.
Guest report
A two time Tikifest attendee (future Aulani Tikifest attendee) and a good friend Lucas Ginn just returned from the Polynesian with a not so good report of the condition of the room. He reported that the grounds looked great and the cast members were friendly but the issue was with maintenance. There were some broken items, uncleaned areas of the bathroom and scratched up and peeling paint. Now I know that Lucas is very good about his observations so I trust what he reports completely. I am surprised to hear this because last visit I was very happy to see them not only cleaning everything in the rooms and the halls and even touching up paint on the doors. Sounds like this building needs some of that.
Reporting issues with your room during or after your visit is an important thing to do because sometimes they do not even know that something is broken or is bad condition.
With that said they Polynesian is in the process of replacing the furniture or what they call “hard goods” in the rooms, one section at a time. Hawaii should be completed and reports are that Tahiti is in the process.
Stacey’s report
Stacey Lantz is a long time Disney friend and was lucky enough to win a trip on Twitter through Orbitz. She sent in a travel tip that won and now she gets to have her dream vacation and stay at the Polynesian for the first time. She has visited it many times and now she gets to be a guest of the resort. She is talented in so many ways and does things all over the online Disney community as well as pod casts. One of her talents is writing a blog that I think you will find interesting and entertaining. She will be writing a trip report for her trip in a week so make sure to check back here for her report on her first visit and see what her opinion is after being a guest at the resort. Visit her blog for her story leading up to her trip. http://disney-nerd.blogspot.
New Hotel System
For years (since the late 80s) the resorts have been using the same database to assign rooms. They have been trying to update that system for a few years now with training and slowly incorporating it into the resort. The Polynesian will be part of the last group of resorts to get the new system so for 3 or 4 transition days starting with one next week and the last being in the middle of December. During those days they will be off line and doing things by hand. When completed the last of the old system will be gone. The transition days will have some delays in service at the front desk after 4 PM.
Once this new system is active checking in as getting rooms assigned should be better and they even report that in the last few months they have had success in accomodating guests requests in most cases.
