Polynesian, Resort savings, Package/dining plan questions...

[Laura]

So after walking around on the beach at the Polynesian and eating dinner at 'Ohana last weekend I really fell in love with it and I'm dying to stay there for a few nights (haven't stayed there since I was little).

First I have a question about the different types of rooms. I don't think it would be worth staying there if I couldn't have the lagoon view. So if I fork over an extra $100+ per night am I definitely going to have a good view from my room? Will I be able to watch Wishes from my room? I'm worried that I'll pay the extra money for the lagoon view and then not get the view I'm hoping for (I want to see the castle, wishes, and the electrical water parade from the room if possible without any trees right in front of me or anything like that). Can you request a certain building and a certain floor (I'd want top floor for the best view)? If so, which building has the best view of everything? Would I request a certain spot when I check in or would I have to call a few days/weeks/months in advance?

Right now I'm looking at staying 4 nights, Sept 25-29 and the total I got from Disneyworld.com for the lagoon view was $1,784. Is there anyway I can get a lower rate? In July I was able to get a SOG overflow rate to Pop Century so I'm going to look into doing that again if I can, but if that fails I'm wondering if there's any other ways to save. I know an AP can give good discounts, but I wasn't able to find any information that would help me figure out if I would save enough to cover the cost of the AP.

Also, I'd really like to book this trip as a package so I can get the dining plan because I did the math and its a big savings, but I was wondering, can you still buy a trip package with dining plan if you already have your theme park tickets? I couldn't figure out anyway to do this at disneyworld.com. If I buy my tickets from SOG instead of Disney I'll save about $50 just in tax.

Sorry for so many questions, thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Shellybelle]

Sorry I can't answer all your questions, but I can give you a start. We stayed at the Poly in Sept. and had a lagoon view from Fiji on the first floor. Looking out the window we looked across the boat marina directly over at the main building. We couldn't see the castle or wishes or the electical light pagent from our room or the patio. There were bushes and shrubs between the patio and the walkway. So in order to see any of this we had to walk outside to the main walkway, which was a short distance. Still, that being said, it was still very relaxing and magical in its own way to have even that view of the water. The Poly is a great place to stay overall and I would love to stay there again. Having the beach at the resort was worth it and the pools and overall theming are terrific. It is very easy to fall in love with. We are AP holders and used that discount. I can sympathize with the struggle about saving the money. My DH hates to pay for the resort when we spend most of our time in the parks and says a hotel is a hotel; and I can't help but to want to try to get the "good" view too.

 

[Lauriebar]

If you want information on what buildings are placed where and what their views are, the best place I have ever found is this website www.tikiman2001.homestead.com . It has just about everything you would need to know to make a decision. Hope it helps you like it did me. Let me know.:wave:

 

[JPVonDrake]

So after walking around on the beach at the Polynesian and eating dinner at 'Ohana last weekend I really fell in love with it and I'm dying to stay there for a few nights (haven't stayed there since I was little).

First I have a question about the different types of rooms. I don't think it would be worth staying there if I couldn't have the lagoon view. So if I fork over an extra $100+ per night am I definitely going to have a good view from my room? Will I be able to watch Wishes from my room? I'm worried that I'll pay the extra money for the lagoon view and then not get the view I'm hoping for (I want to see the castle, wishes, and the electrical water parade from the room if possible without any trees right in front of me or anything like that). Can you request a certain building and a certain floor (I'd want top floor for the best view)? If so, which building has the best view of everything? Would I request a certain spot when I check in or would I have to call a few days/weeks/months in advance?

The Polynesian has 2 room catogories plus conciege. Lagoon view simply mean you room will have a view of Seven Seas Lagoon, but not necessarily a direct veiw of the castle or even a direct view of the lagoon. You can request a certain building or floor, but these request cannot be guaranteed. You do want to make these request when you book the room so the request are time stamped as to when they were made.

Right now I'm looking at staying 4 nights, Sept 25-29 and the total I got from Disneyworld.com for the lagoon view was $1,784. Is there anyway I can get a lower rate? In July I was able to get a SOG overflow rate to Pop Century so I'm going to look into doing that again if I can, but if that fails I'm wondering if there's any other ways to save. I know an AP can give good discounts, but I wasn't able to find any information that would help me figure out if I would save enough to cover the cost of the AP.

Although there are sometimes package discounts, most discount offers are for room-only stays. I would try Kingdom Konsutants, as Pam will work to get you the best discounts available.

Also, I'd really like to book this trip as a package so I can get the dining plan because I did the math and its a big savings, but I was wondering, can you still buy a trip package with dining plan if you already have your theme park tickets? I couldn't figure out anyway to do this at disneyworld.com. If I buy my tickets from SOG instead of Disney I'll save about $50 just in tax.

The Magic Your Way Plus Dining Package does come with regular non-discounted Magic Your Way Tickets, however it is a ticket of your choice. All guest in the same room must be on the same package and ticket options. You could simply purchase a 1 day ticket with the package and purchase the other days at SOG. Keep in mind too that the ticket does not expire until 14 days AFTER first use. If you don't use the ticket at all this trip, it can be used on a future trip and will not expire until 14 days after you use it for the first time. The ticket will be encoded on your room key and will have your name on it so it is not transferable.

Sorry for so many questions, thanks in advance for your help.

If you have any other questions, I'd be happy to answer.

:sohappy:

 

[matt&helen]

Since the AP codes are not out for that time of the year, I can give you an estimate on what you would pay per night based on what I have paid in the past for that time of the year. I have never gotten a lagoon view room, but on average we pay roughly $225-$250 for a garden view during that time of the year. So I would think for a lagoon view, it would be somewhere in the neighborhood of $325-$350.


My wife has just notified me that we usually use Fl. Resident codes, but I don't think it makes that much of a difference.

 

[Laura]

Thanks everyone - you're all very helpful! I'm going to try really hard to get a castle view. Maybe I'll get my reservations in early so I have a better chance of getting the spot I want.

Laurie - thanks for the link - that's great!

Does it cost anything to use Pam?

 

[imamouse]

Pam (Kingdom Konsultants) will book your reservations for free. I have only used her for room only resies, so contact her to check about packages.

Best wishes on getting the room you want at The Poly. It may be hard to pull off, but worth a try.

Also, be careful about accepting a second floor room. On all but the few new buildings, the second stories do not have balconies. They have railings that give the appearance of balconies, but are in fact only for show. The tikiman website that was referenced earlier has all the details. Or ask Pam - She's a treasure!

Good luck! :wave:

 

[Laura]

I've been studying the tikiman website for the last couple hours and I think I'm going to try for the Tahiti.

What happens if I get down there and pay for the lagoon view and get to my room and don't like the view, can I downgrade to a garden view and get a refund?

 

[Lauriebar]

I've been studying the tikiman website for the last couple hours and I think I'm going to try for the Tahiti.

What happens if I get down there and pay for the lagoon view and get to my room and don't like the view, can I downgrade to a garden view and get a refund?

I'm sure that you could get a new room and a refund if one is available.

We stayed in the Tuvalu longhouse and had a wonderful view of the castle and fireworks. However Tuvalu was far away from the Ceremonial house as well as the walkway to TTC. I think Tahiti would have great views and it is much more convenient to the TTC and Ceremonial house.

 

[poohbear6103]

I love the Poly and am staying there again in August/September. We had our first Lagoon view last december and it was great. We requested Tahiti, for sentimental reasons, and got a great lagoon view. We looked straight ahead and there was Cinderella Castle and you can see Big Thunder and Space Mountain. If I am not mistaken, we were close to Sunset Point. It was a great view. It is pricey though so I am not 100% sure if we will be getting a lagoon view this time around because it is a longer vacation. I think there are some lagoon views that face the marina but harder to see MK. I have never been given a hard time requesting a specific builiding, but we go during the value season so maybe that is why. I use Mouseketrips.com and usually plan 2 to 3 months ahead of time and tell them at that point and they tell the Poly. I always call 2 days ahead and confirm the reservation and they let me know they got the request. As for discounts, I always wait till 2 -3 months ahead when they announce the discounts for Fall.

Don't know how to answer your meal/tickets question, but hope the above helped with the rest of your questions. Enjoy the Poly if you go!!! By the time you go, the Great Ceremonial House construction should be complete. I think Tahiti or Tokelau that have lagoon views. may be under construction during that time. I would call them and check before making reservations if you think this would bother you. :animwink:

 

[shoppingnut]

Here is the thread for the dining options:

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=49925

I think the meal package is a good deal if you have a sit down dinner every evening, you can easily make up the $35 just at that sitting alone most of the time. You do get a choice of so many restaurants and when you consider that the entree alone is usually $15-$25 and you will get to try restaurants that you might not try otherwise because it would be too expensive, like California Grill where the entree prices start at about $20.

For the restaurant menus go to this website: www.allearsnet.com/

I also highly recommend Pam from Kingdom Consultants, I have used her many times and she is great. If she books you at a higher rate and a discounted one comes out she will move you over to the cheaper rate, you will not get this type of service or option with other agencies.

 

[DisneyDew]

ALOHA!We stayed on the second floor of Aotearoa(sp?) with a lagoon view a few years back. The view was of the lagoon between the Luau area and Fiji(I think that was the longhouse) We were not disappointed. Great views of the water pageant and the fireworks. Also what I thoughht was very cool was that all night long we could hear the howling from the Haunted Mansion(Do they keep that on at all Times?)
The best resort we have been to!
ALOHA

 

[Laura]

By the time you go, the Great Ceremonial House construction should be complete. I think Tahiti or Tokelau that have lagoon views. may be under construction during that time. I would call them and check before making reservations if you think this would bother you. :animwink:

The tikiman website said construction on Tahiti will end in August and I don't plan to go until late September so I hope it will be all set (and freshly renovated too!). That website was a huge help.

I'm glad to hear you've never had trouble requesting the building you want. Maybe I'm planning this way too early and I should wait till May before I start making phone calls. I just don't want anyone else to beat me to that perfect Tahiti view LOL.

 

[Moustronaut]

I think the meal package is a good deal if you have a sit down dinner every evening, you can easily make up the $35 just at that sitting alone most of the time. You do get a choice of so many restaurants and when you consider that the entree alone is usually $15-$25 and you will get to try restaurants that you might not try otherwise because it would be too expensive, like California Grill where the entree prices start at about $20.

Just to clairify so you don't freak out when this happens, California Grill will count as TWO sit down dinners per person since it is considered a signature restaurant.

You're kinda on the bubble about annual pass discounts. I think I remember the usual estimate of 40% off rack rate gave you a break even point of about 5 nights when I calculated it a couple years ago when I purchased mine. If there are discounts on APs from SoG then 4 nights might be worth it.... even without the dining savings. And if you have the annual pass, 3 day weekends to WDW start to look good. NC isn't that far a drive :lol:

But as far as package discounts... I don't think there have EVER been any. Usually the discount is they give you more days for the price of what you would purchase. So for 4 nights, they'd give ya 7 or something like that. I don't remember seeing a discounted package in the last 5-6 years I've been regularly visiting.

 

[Chux]

When we went in December we had a garden view room on the 3rd floor of Fiji. One night when we were on our way to Downtown Disney we stopped in the room to get changed etc, and when my girlfriend stepped out on the balcony she saw the ELP. We also saw Wishes from there too. Fiji was great because it's just a short walk to get wherever you want to be at the resort, the boat, the GCH, or even the Bus Stop.

 

[Laura]

OK so now I have a few more questions (sorry LOL).

I'm also considering the possibility of making this trip a land & sea cruise since it's going to be so expensive anyway and the cruise is only a few hundred more than what I am planning on spending anyway.

I'm assuming that when you get the deluxe stateroom w/verandah, which includes the 3 night stay at Poly, that it is for a garden view room. Can you upgrade to a lagoon view if you are booking a cruise package? Also, can you get the dining plan with a disney cruise for the 4 days on land? There were no options to do those things on the disney cruise website.

 

[iluvstitch]

We stayed at the Poly in Sept. and had a lagoon view from Fiji on the first floor. .

Fiji has no lagoon view rooms, they only have garden view rooms- that's why you didn't have a clear view of the lagoon. I hope you didn't pay lagoon view price to stay in Fiji! -Steph

 

[Chux]

I had to go re-edit my post after she reminded me that.

 

[mrtoad]

Fiji has no lagoon view rooms, they only have garden view rooms- that's why you didn't have a clear view of the lagoon. I hope you didn't pay lagoon view price to stay in Fiji! -Steph

Fiji is also really close to Luau Cove so expect it to be noisy at times.

 

[Chux]

Fiji is also really close to Luau Cove so expect it to be noisy at times.

When we (Me and Iluvstitch) went, you had to be listening for it, but it wasn't bad, in fact it was kind of cool being able to hear it.