Disney and Polynesia join up for a new project.
If you have read my “ALOHA” page you would see how the idea for the Polynesian started with the Tiki room. Many of the same tikis and designs were used at the Polyensian. Well Disney is continuing that theme with a new film. Here is a link to the Los Angeles Times article. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2010/11/enchanted-tiki-room-ride-disneyland-movie.html
Green Dole Whips?
I have heard a rumor that the Polynesian will make the self serve Dole Whips at Captain Cook’s green for the holidays. Not sure what I think of that or if it is 100% true but if someone sees this, get a picture and send it to me at tikimanpages@gmail.com
Wrist bands
Well for many years a problem at the resort has been the popularity of the pool. People from the park and other resorts would come and use it because of its location, beach, great slide and atmosphere. At times this can make the pool crowded for the guests that are paying to stay there. Back a few years they had done wrist bands around holidays or even checked resort I.D. They also close access to DVC members on big holidays.
I got a report this week that they were issuing wrist bands to guests at the pool that would alternate colors each day. The lifeguards would go up to people and ask for their Resort I.D. and issue a wrist band. I don’t think this will fix the whole problem and I am sure people will complain that they get a tan line from it (that was the complaints we heard from guests in Maui) but I think it is a good idea and hope it continues. Thanks to Paula for the report.
Freshen up the resort
Continued work to clean up rooms, building by building replacing hard goods, repairing things and touching up paint can be seen throughout the resort. I know they had gotten through many of the rooms and last I heard Tahiti was being worked on but that could be done by now. Even when we were there they were doing a great job of repairing and replacing things in rooms and in common areas of the resort.
Don’t forget that the East pool (Quiet Pool) will be closed January 10- February 19) to be redesigned. If you are there around that time or after I would love to have some pics to add to the site. Just send them to tikimanpages@gmail.com
Cabanas
Cabanas around the pool seem to be in use and the reports are positive. For more information and photos go to the pools page.
Photo thanks to Paula Kenyon
Guest reviews
Jay Mitlas review
I just returned from the Poly (Oct 16-23) and have just a short update. My last stay was in January 2009 – at that time I experienced horrible housekeeping, drained fountains, unlit torches, green roofs (painted to refurbish them). They were being painted but no activity while we were there, and a general run down look.
I am glad to report that this trip was much better. The housekeeping has improved greatly, the resort looked kept after and almost everything was working – except for the torches. About half were not working. We had dinner and breakfast at Ohana’s as well as a few breakfasts and lunches at Kona. The Ohana dinner was the highlight of the trip (as far as meals – and almost all the other places were signature restaurants). We had three room, one garden view and two lagoon view connected – Tahiti and I think 2019/2021/2009 were the room numbers. 2019, my room, had a nice view of the castle.
On the negative side, the shower had a lot of peeling paint on the ceiling and the handles on the sink were all out of whack. I did spend one night at Wilderness Lodge to check out that resort. I was thinking of spending the entire trip there based off the last trip’s Poly experience, but glad we went back.
The Wilderness Lodge rooms are too small! The front desk CMs were generally indifferent, and the woman who checked us in screwed up our tickets. We had three 7 day and three 9 day, and after reviewing who got what ticket a few times, I found out the hard way on day 8 that I did not have a 9 day pass (as well as my girlfriend). My daughter had already entered the park and we were blocked at the turnstiles. We ended up buying two additional days for each ticket to get in the park and then once back at the hotel, got a refund for the error. Aside from that, I found the front desk staff (with a few exceptions) acted like it was just another day at any old job.
My brother (garden view room, party of 4) checked in side by side with me – he received one family gathering button (?) but no leis and I received neither. My request for charging privileges to be removed from a few of my kids room cards was met with a sort of ‘great, anything else you want to bother me with’ attitude. These are somewhat minor complaints from me, but your first impression of the resort comes from these check in staff members.
Aside from that, the trip was fairly nice with good weather. The parks were not too crowded (unlike Jan 2009) and most of the days the parks were very pleasant to be in. The major disappointment this trip was with the food – Yachtmans, Citiricos, Flying Fish, Artist Point – all very expensive and not very good (we were not on a dining plan). Good meals at Jiko, Les Chefs and Ohana’s. They seemed to be moving chefs around from restaurant to restaurant, I guess not with good results.
