Spirit of Aloha & Water Parks & Disney Transportation

[mickeyjim]

We are planning next summer for a big trip to WDW and we are staying offsite. :sohappy:

Issue 1: We are planning on the Luau at the Poly. Since we are staying offsite, do we drive to the transportation center and take the monorail to the Poly or can we drive to Poly and park in their lot without a problem?

Issue 2: We have never done the water parks before. This time we will (since it will be August for the trip). When we drive tot he water park, are there changing rooms and plenty of lockers to keep valubles like keys, watches and wallets?

Issue 3: I have seen references on these boards that the Disney Transportation System (buses in particular) may not be available to offsite guests. Of course, we will use the monorail (because it is fun), but what if we want to go between places with the buses and leave our car and go back and get it later. Can we do it or will they check IDs?

Thanks and looking forward to answers.

 

[tigsmom]

We are planning next summer for a big trip to WDW and we are staying offsite. :sohappy:

Issue 1: We are planning on the Luau at the Poly. Since we are staying offsite, do we drive to the transportation center and take the monorail to the Poly or can we drive to Poly and park in their lot without a problem?


Issue 2: We have never done the water parks before. This time we will (since it will be August 3 for the trip). When we drive tot he water park, are there changing rooms and plenty of lockers to keep valubles like keys, watches and wallets?


Issue 3: I have seen references on these boards that the Disney Transportation System (buses in particular) may not be available to offsite guests. Of course, we will use the monorail (because it is fun), but what if we want to go between places with the buses and leave our car and go back and get it later. Can we do it or will they check IDs?

Thanks and looking forward to answers.

1 - You can park at the Poly since you have reservations (they will check at security- have an ID ready) or Park at the TTC and then walk up the little path to the Poly. Follow the path around to the Luau Cove. No need to wait for the monorail.

2- Haven't been so I can't answer, but I'm sure somebody will be along soon.

3 - Paid admission to any park entitles you to use WDW transportation so don't worry about that. The only problems you may encounter is when the parks are overly crowded - you could be denied access to a resort bus at that particular time or if you try to ride a resort monorail to the MK or Epcot during morning EMH - they may stop you since you are not eligible to enter early.

 

[Philo]

Issue 1: I think you will have to drive to the transportation centre although don't quote me on that. If you ring guest services I'm sure they can tell you. In either case you will have to pay for parking.

Issue 2: Yep, changing room and lockers are athere. I've only ever been to BB but im sure TL will be the same. There was a charge for the locker (the actual cost depended upon the size of locker) and you could hire towels too.

Issue 3: Technically your right although I've never head of anyone being turned away from a bus because they stayed off-site. I bet you could even use them without park tickets. My guess is that they would only ever check in extreme busy conditions. It does make you wonder about issue 1 though, if your not allowed to park at the poly then how do you get to the show?

 

[PhilharMagician]

1. Another addition to this is have your Reservation # handy along with you ID when you get to the Poly and you will be able to park. For the cost of valet, you might just want to do that when you get there.

 

[tigsmom]

1. Another addition to this is have your Reservation # handy along with you ID when you get to the Poly and you will be able to park. For the cost of valet, you might just want to do that when you get there.

while we always valet park at WDW (we're on vacation and sometimes its a long walk in from the lot :lol: ) he could also self park and there would be no problem.

 

[rainfully]

1 - You can park at the Poly since you have reservations (they will check at security- have an ID ready) or Park at the TTC and then walk up the little path to the Poly. Follow the path around to the Luau Cove. No need to wait for the monorail.

I would HIGHLY suggest NOT doing this... as it is QUITE a haul! The luau cove is at the complete opposite end of the Polynesian... it's a long enough walk from the Poly parking lot! Not only that, but you need to factor in getting a tram from your car to the front of the TTC. If anyone really wanted to do this, go for it, but I'd recommend at the BARE MINIMUM a 20 minute travel time from parking at the TTC to arrival at Luau Cove.

If you a driving, park at the Poly!

 

[tigsmom]

I would HIGHLY suggest NOT doing this... as it is QUITE a haul! The luau cove is at the complete opposite end of the Polynesian... it's a long enough walk from the Poly parking lot! Not only that, but you need to factor in getting a tram from your car to the front of the TTC. If anyone really wanted to do this, go for it, but I'd recommend at the BARE MINIMUM a 20 minute travel time from parking at the TTC to arrival at Luau Cove.

If you a driving, park at the Poly!

We've done it and survived! :lol: and parking at the Poly was my first suggestion.

I always tell everyone to give themselves at least an hour for travel time and if you get there early then you can explore.

 

[raven]

Depending on your reservation time at the Poly, I would just drive over there.

We had a horrible experience at the Poly in September with transportation. We had a 9PM reservation at O'Hanas and when we were done we tried to get on the monorail to go to the TTC or MK to get a bus back to our resort. The Monorail had stopped picking up guests at the Poly and a few hundred people had gathered at the bus stop waiting 45 minutes for a bus. We all had to be transported to DTD in order to catch a bus to our resorts. When we arrived at DTD the bus stop was jammed with angry guests having been taken to a place they didn't want to go and then waiting an hour or more before finally getting transportation back to their resort. When we got back to CSR there was a line at Guest Services of people complaining.

My advise, get an early reservation and take a car.

 

[GoofyMom2]

In April we stayed off site and had a ressie at O'Hana's for breakfast. It was quite easy to park there and go to our breakfast. We just showed ID at the gate and they told us where to park.

TL has plenty of places to change and also has lockers. Warning: there is usually a line to rent lockers and towels. We usually forgo the locker and keep our valuables (which are at a minimum) in a bag in our cooler. OK, maybe not the best solution, but we have never had a problem. We always bring our own towels.

My favorite place to get a "spot" is over by Typhoon Tillies......there is sand for the kids to play in, lots of shade, near food and restroom, and easy access to wave pool and some slides. Many like to get chairs right on the wave pool....get there early! These go fast!

 

[mickeyjim]

Great ideas! I really appreciate the help. I'm sure I will have more things which will come to mind while planning. This is the place to get the best information because you have all done it before.

Now I have to wait until Feb for the EHM schedule (which we will use the anti EMH strategy) and make the ADRs for other meals, since we do not go until August.

Thanks