Polynesian Renovation Questions!?!

AshaNeOmah

AshaNeOmah

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
So, the wife and I are well-versed in WDW and trip planning. We've been nearly countless times, but typically do Value resorts sprinkled with the occasional Moderate. We just had our first child last August and wanted to take him to Disney as soon as we could. With that in mind, we planned a trip from March 22nd to the 29th. With the little guy only being 7 months old, paired with the fact that we're taking my mother-in-law on her first Disney trip in over 20 years, we decided to splurge on the Polynesian. We held on to some Christmas bonus and tax refunds, and will be spending over $3k for the room. Not a small sum, in my opinion.

I realized that the DVC building is being built, but I've recently received notice that the Grand Ceremonial House is also under renovation. Along with that, the monorail has been out of mid-day service since mid-January, although it is expected to return to service on March 21st.

Here's the question:

Does anyone know the current extents of the renovations being conducted currently? My trip is only 8 days away, and I'm going to be very sore if this has an adverse effect on our experience. How much of the GCH is going to be walled off? Will the monorails be back into service on time? The whole point of monorail service is fast transportation during the day, not just once or twice. Captain Cook's is relocated for my trip. Does anyone know their adjusted menu? Will Dole Whip be available?

I know there are more than a few people on this board who live very close. Does anyone plan on being at the Poly in the next week who could provide me with an update or a few pics? Thanks for any insights or information!
 
Weather_Lady

Weather_Lady

Well-Known Member
If you go to this page and scroll down to the bottom, there is a listing of current/upcoming/completed construction at the Polynesian relative to the DVC build. The February entry also has information about the impending relocation of Captain Cook's -- which unfortunately, has the same menu EXCEPT that it won't have Dole Whip.

http://www.tikimanpages.com/poly/the-resort/dvc/item/191-disney-vacation-club

More here:

And here: http://www.wdwmagic.com/resorts/the...polynesian-resort-dvc-villas-construction.htm
 
Last edited:
ShookieJones

ShookieJones

We need time for things to happen.
We changed our Fall trip from the Poly (our 2nd stay) to PORS. We were on the fence financially about it already but the construction just pushed us over the edge to saving a few bucks.
If it was our first trip I would have been disappointed. Any chance you can change things up and do the Contemporary? I would -- Different atmosphere but same convenience and NO construction.
 
AshaNeOmah

AshaNeOmah

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Weather_Lady said:
If you go to this page and scroll down to the bottom, there is a listing of current/upcoming/completed construction at the Polynesian relative to the DVC build. The February entry also has information about the impending relocation of Captain Cook's -- which unfortunately, has the same menu EXCEPT that it won't have Dole Whip.

http://www.tikimanpages.com/poly/the-resort/dvc/item/191-disney-vacation-club

More here:

And here: http://www.wdwmagic.com/resorts/the...polynesian-resort-dvc-villas-construction.htm
Click to expand...


It looks like Cook's is open till the 28th. I'm not checking out till the 30th, but I could deal with that. Think the Polynesian might confirm that for me?

Has anyone heard about the limited hours for the monorail? Will it end on the 21st? That's the main reason we chose the Polynesian, the ability to travel quickly if our son get tired or needs a break.
 
stevehousse

stevehousse

Well-Known Member
You should call and see if u can get a discount on your room due to all the construction. 1 or 2 people have mentioned doing that here on the boards.
 
JillC LI

JillC LI

Well-Known Member
I'll leave it to others to respond to your specific questions about the Poly, but I just wanted to say that it is surprising easy to travel with a 7 month old. Granted you will need to schlep a stroller and diaper bag, but babies can fall alseep anywhere, including in their stroller in a Park, so you may not need to head back to the resort as often as you think, and being on the monorail line may not be as crucial as you think - nice but not crucial. It's actually harder to travel with a 2 year old in my opinion.
 
D

DisneyDebNJ

Well-Known Member
AshaNeOmah said:
So, the wife and I are well-versed in WDW and trip planning. We've been nearly countless times, but typically do Value resorts sprinkled with the occasional Moderate. We just had our first child last August and wanted to take him to Disney as soon as we could. With that in mind, we planned a trip from March 22nd to the 29th. With the little guy only being 7 months old, paired with the fact that we're taking my mother-in-law on her first Disney trip in over 20 years, we decided to splurge on the Polynesian. We held on to some Christmas bonus and tax refunds, and will be spending over $3k for the room. Not a small sum, in my opinion.

I realized that the DVC building is being built, but I've recently received notice that the Grand Ceremonial House is also under renovation. Along with that, the monorail has been out of mid-day service since mid-January, although it is expected to return to service on March 21st.

Here's the question:

Does anyone know the current extents of the renovations being conducted currently? My trip is only 8 days away, and I'm going to be very sore if this has an adverse effect on our experience. How much of the GCH is going to be walled off? Will the monorails be back into service on time? The whole point of monorail service is fast transportation during the day, not just once or twice. Captain Cook's is relocated for my trip. Does anyone know their adjusted menu? Will Dole Whip be available?

I know there are more than a few people on this board who live very close. Does anyone plan on being at the Poly in the next week who could provide me with an update or a few pics? Thanks for any insights or information!
Click to expand...
I can certainly understand your concerns! I was reluctant to book my annual Fall trip, due to the present state of the construction schedule at the Poly. However, I am diehard Poly, I love the atmosphere, the large rooms, balconies, ambience and the comfy beds, along with the many transportation options available. Yes, the monorail schedule will damper you being able to hop on, hop off, but there are other options; launch, taxi (which we usually use to go to AK) busses. Perhaps you can request either the Tuvulu longhouse or Fiji longhouse. (on the other side of the marina) I can tell you, we stayed in the Tokelau longhouse last November, while construction was starting pretty much. It was basically right behind us (we did request to be on the quiet pool side) I can honestly say, we never heard a thing. I can say, sadly, no dole whips will be available at Captain Cook's, but a tranquil boatride to MK is moments away. I truly do hope you have a fabulous time. Of course, you can always speak with the Poly CMs and address your concerns. I am more than certain they will do everything possible to make your stay magical! Mahalo!!
 
wdisney9000

wdisney9000

Truindenashendubapreser
Premium Member
AshaNeOmah said:
So, the wife and I are well-versed in WDW and trip planning. We've been nearly countless times, but typically do Value resorts sprinkled with the occasional Moderate. We just had our first child last August and wanted to take him to Disney as soon as we could. With that in mind, we planned a trip from March 22nd to the 29th. With the little guy only being 7 months old, paired with the fact that we're taking my mother-in-law on her first Disney trip in over 20 years, we decided to splurge on the Polynesian. We held on to some Christmas bonus and tax refunds, and will be spending over $3k for the room. Not a small sum, in my opinion.

I realized that the DVC building is being built, but I've recently received notice that the Grand Ceremonial House is also under renovation. Along with that, the monorail has been out of mid-day service since mid-January, although it is expected to return to service on March 21st.

Here's the question:

Does anyone know the current extents of the renovations being conducted currently? My trip is only 8 days away, and I'm going to be very sore if this has an adverse effect on our experience. How much of the GCH is going to be walled off? Will the monorails be back into service on time? The whole point of monorail service is fast transportation during the day, not just once or twice. Captain Cook's is relocated for my trip. Does anyone know their adjusted menu? Will Dole Whip be available?

I know there are more than a few people on this board who live very close. Does anyone plan on being at the Poly in the next week who could provide me with an update or a few pics? Thanks for any insights or information!
Click to expand...

Congratulations on your new baby! (8 months overdue, but hey..) @ShookieJones makes a good suggestion about switching to Contemporary if your really worried. @DisneyDebNJ sounds pretty confident though that you can still enjoy Poly with everything happening there. I would say just be prepared to expect randomness during your stay. And take her advice about the boats. My wife and I enjoyed the boatride to/from MK more than the monorail when we stayed there last year. Especially at night if the fireworks are going off. Have a great trip, cant wait to hear how it went.
 
Scuttle

Scuttle

Well-Known Member
image.jpg
Just a heads up to anyone going to the poly the next few days... The parking lot is being refurbed. A third of it is shut down, so no parking without Reservations.
 
tikiman

tikiman

Well-Known Member
Renovations to the GCH started last month but much of it is behind the scenes. They are hitting some delays but things will change very soon in the lobby. They should be walling off the waterfall and the kids area soon to put up a temporary check in location. Once the temp location is completed they will wall off the front desk to be redone.

An announcement to staff when out this morning that the move of Captain Cook’s to the temp location at Cast Cove is delayed until April 9.

Signs are out front telling people that there will be no access to those without reservations to dinning or guests staying at the Polynesian. This has actually always been the policy but they will be enforcing it more and not just because of limited parking. I was told they are going to enforce the parking and beach access because of the abuse from non-resort guests and because of all that is going on. They expect a lot of people to be trying to get a look at the DVC when it is done so they will continue to try and limit access. Officially the beach is also off limits to non-resort guests even though many CMs tell people to go there and enjoy the fireworks, camp fire and movies.
 
Foolish Mortal

Foolish Mortal

Well-Known Member
ShookieJones said:
We changed our Fall trip from the Poly (our 2nd stay) to PORS. We were on the fence financially about it already but the construction just pushed us over the edge to saving a few bucks.
If it was our first trip I would have been disappointed. Any chance you can change things up and do the Contemporary? I would -- Different atmosphere but same convenience and NO construction.
Click to expand...

Looks like that's what I'm going to be doing. Depends on what the Passholder rates are. If I can get MK view at Contemporary at a price I'm comfortable with I'll go with that. Otherwise see at Yeehaa Bob. As much as I love the Poly, I'm not spending that kind of money to be in a construction zone.
 
Weather_Lady

Weather_Lady

Well-Known Member
Foolish Mortal said:
Looks like that's what I'm going to be doing. Depends on what the Passholder rates are. If I can get MK view at Contemporary at a price I'm comfortable with I'll go with that. Otherwise see at Yeehaa Bob. As much as I love the Poly, I'm not spending that kind of money to be in a construction zone.
Click to expand...

FYI - http://www.wdwmagic.com/dining/captain-cooks/news/25mar2014-captain-cook's-at-disney's-polynesian-resort-refurbishment-closure-pushed-back-.htm

EDIT: Oops - sorry, I was trying to reply to the OP! Don't know what happened there...
 

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