What is it about the Polynesian?

[mebucko]

Great, Monkee Girl!!
I wish a lot of these posters would WAIT, until they can judge the final product. The rest is just speculation - opinion with no factual basis. Has anyone seen the final new GCH? As I mentioned before, the Poly Cast Members I talked with were excited, and were happily awaiting the changes. Change was needed, and if they keep the "spirit" of the old Poly, it will be fantastic!
If you don't like them, AFTER they are completed, tear up on this Forum - THEN you might have some validity. It might be horrible OR it might be great - now, we just do not know. It could be as beautiful as the Aulani photos that were posted, with access to the monorail and e-ticket experiences.
The Eeyore Attitude, without justification, is getting very old.
Ch-Ears,
Bill

 

[zero creativity]

When I went as a kid, the monorail hotels seemed awe inspiring. To me it was a sign that you actually made it. We scraped and saved for our first trip and stayed at a Ramada or something off site, just the idea of being able to stay at one of those hotels was impossible. We were finally able to do it last trip and it didn't disappoint. Now that being said, we are going back this year and we couldn't justify the cost. But if money were no object, and it wasn't under construction, we would be back there in a heartbeat.

 

[disney4life2008]

It is hard for me to stay at the Polynesian when I have stayed at the real deal in the islands with my timeshare at half the price the Poly charges for a week. But, the ambiance is nice but the old days of the Poly was better. I remember walking through the shopping area and it smelled like pinneapples and tropics - now, it just smells like lots of people on the main floor, dirty water, and on the 2nd floor - food.

 

[Monkee Girl]

Great, Monkee Girl!!
I wish a lot of these posters would WAIT, until they can judge the final product. The rest is just speculation - opinion with no factual basis. Has anyone seen the final new GCH? As I mentioned before, the Poly Cast Members I talked with were excited, and were happily awaiting the changes. Change was needed, and if they keep the "spirit" of the old Poly, it will be fantastic!
If you don't like them, AFTER they are completed, tear up on this Forum - THEN you might have some validity. It might be horrible OR it might be great - now, we just do not know. It could be as beautiful as the Aulani photos that were posted, with access to the monorail and e-ticket experiences.
The Eeyore Attitude, without justification, is getting very old.
Ch-Ears,
Bill

It is a pain that we will be going while there is all that construction going on. After all, you spend all this money for a deluxe resort and everything is all a mess. Disney doesn't even offer some sort of monetary break for the inconveniences. However, we were booked almost as soon as we got home from our last trip so we had no idea, at the time, that this was going to go on. And you know what? After about 4-5 years of Poly trips, we were bound to hit a roadblock sometime. We could have moved but we really couldn't stand the idea of not staying here. so...Hakuna Matata...

After saying that, I still agree 100% with Mebucko. We have no idea what this construction is going to do. They may be refurbishing the lobby so they CAN look like Aulani. The arcade, IMO, needed to go. I just hope what they take away they compensate with something else cool. But we won't know until we find out. Disney has not disappointed me yet so I have no reason to doubt right now. I look forward to next year's trip when all the construction is gone and I can explore all the new features. Are there going to be some things I miss? Sure. Nostalgia is REALLY hard to get ride of. But I can always look at my past pictures of what was changed.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

I love the comments about how the Polynesian does not feel Hawaiian , It's not SUPPOSED to it's supposed to evoke the feel of the Polynesian islands hence the name Polynesia != Hawaii

Unfortunately the planned changes to the GCH seem to emphasize cost of maintenance so I think the renovation overall will be a big loss to the guests and those posters who felt like the poly is an overpriced moderate will have their views confirmed.

Yes, but Polynesian is supposed to at least partially represent Hawaii (the Luau, for instance, takes place in Hawaii and the restaurant is called Ohana, a Hawaiian word) and completely fails to do so. All it ends up doing is feeling like a dated version of Hawaii (according to my parents, who went to Hawaii 20 years ago, Poly was very similar to Hawaii 20 years ago). It does remind me of Hawaii...the airport that is. I'm really hoping they make it more similar to Aulani, which has gorgeous rooms and a great lobby. Not a copy, but more modern while still maintaining a nostalgic, cultural feel.

 

[ford91exploder]

Yes, but Polynesian is supposed to at least partially represent Hawaii (the Luau, for instance, takes place in Hawaii and the restaurant is called Ohana, a Hawaiian word) and completely fails to do so. All it ends up doing is feeling like a dated version of Hawaii (according to my parents, who went to Hawaii 20 years ago, Poly was very similar to Hawaii 20 years ago). It does remind me of Hawaii...the airport that is. I'm really hoping they make it more similar to Aulani, which has gorgeous rooms and a great lobby. Not a copy, but more modern while still maintaining a nostalgic, cultural feel.

From the plans leaked - the style of GCH will be more like BLT than Aulani, So think overpriced hampton inn instead of Aulani awesomeness.

The plan as I understand it involves a 'clear view' lobby so there are no obstructions between the front and the back of the building. Frankly I'm prepared to be severely underwhelmed at the Poly renovations.

The underwhelming GFV building which is lacking in so many details seems to be the model for this refurb (actually defurb)

 

[ford91exploder]

It is a pain that we will be going while there is all that construction going on. After all, you spend all this money for a deluxe resort and everything is all a mess. Disney doesn't even offer some sort of monetary break for the inconveniences. However, we were booked almost as soon as we got home from our last trip so we had no idea, at the time, that this was going to go on. And you know what? After about 4-5 years of Poly trips, we were bound to hit a roadblock sometime. We could have moved but we really couldn't stand the idea of not staying here. so...Hakuna Matata...

After saying that, I still agree 100% with Mebucko. We have no idea what this construction is going to do. They may be refurbishing the lobby so they CAN look like Aulani. The arcade, IMO, needed to go. I just hope what they take away they compensate with something else cool. But we won't know until we find out. Disney has not disappointed me yet so I have no reason to doubt right now. I look forward to next year's trip when all the construction is gone and I can explore all the new features. Are there going to be some things I miss? Sure. Nostalgia is REALLY hard to get ride of. But I can always look at my past pictures of what was changed.

There are leaked plans and for poly fans they are deeply upsetting, I think in this case TDO really has blown it if TDO builds to the leaked plans. There will be no water feature and the lobby is supposed to be like the BLT... low cost to maintain is the driving force of this refurb. or was that de-furb.

 

[mebucko]

From the plans leaked - the style of GCH will be more like BLT than Aulani, So think overpriced hampton inn instead of Aulani awesomeness.

The plan as I understand it involves a 'clear view' lobby so there are no obstructions between the front and the back of the building. Frankly I'm prepared to be severely underwhelmed at the Poly renovations.

The underwhelming GFV building which is lacking in so many details seems to be the model for this refurb (actually defurb)

Hi ford91explorer,
Love your positive attitude. Preparing to be "severely underwhelmed" sounds like you are privy to a lot more facts than I. and have already made a judgement. Can you identify your source)s)of your "leaks"?
Think I will wait and see, and then form an opinion.
Hoping you are "severely" wrong.
Ch_Ears,
Bill

 

[ford91exploder]

Hi ford91explorer,
Love your positive attitude. Preparing to be "severely underwhelmed" sounds like you are privy to a lot more facts than I. and have already made a judgement. Can you identify your source)s)of your "leaks"?
Think I will wait and see, and then form an opinion.
Hoping you are "severely" wrong.
Ch_Ears,
Bill

I have no special insider information, only the same leaked poly information and graphics everyone else has seen on the internet, The 'Clear View' concept is the same as BLT, we all know the waterfall is history, The volcano pool is also to be history to be replaced with a unthemed pool.

Stated reason by TDO itself for all of this is 'Reducing Maintenance Costs'. The only 'plussing' I am aware of is the addition of 'Trader Sam's'. With the reason given for the renovation being to reduce maintenance costs theming and amenities are going to be on the chopping block removed in favor of easy to clean and maintain surfaces so where there are Tiki scuptures now I expect stainless steel wrapped columns.

With all of that there is no point in being optimistic about the outcome, It will be something different but it will not be the Poly many of us grew up with and loved because Disney only plays small ball these days.

Even for the DVC Disney is only doing undersized 'Grand Villas' and Studios, So even on the DVC side it's small ball only but I'm sure the point cost and maintenance fees will be outta sight.

 

[mebucko]

I have no special insider information, only the same leaked poly information and graphics everyone else has seen on the internet, The 'Clear View' concept is the same as BLT, we all know the waterfall is history, The volcano pool is also to be history to be replaced with a unthemed pool.

Stated reason by TDO itself for all of this is 'Reducing Maintenance Costs'. The only 'plussing' I am aware of is the addition of 'Trader Sam's'. With the reason given for the renovation being to reduce maintenance costs theming and amenities are going to be on the chopping block removed in favor of easy to clean and maintain surfaces so where there are Tiki scuptures now I expect stainless steel wrapped columns.

With all of that there is no point in being optimistic about the outcome, It will be something different but it will not be the Poly many of us grew up with and loved because Disney only plays small ball these days.

Even for the DVC Disney is only doing undersized 'Grand Villas' and Studios, So even on the DVC side it's small ball only but I'm sure the point cost and maintenance fees will be outta sight.

 

[mebucko]

Hi ford91explorer,
I understand - I've read the same things you mentioned. I'm not swimming in pixie dust, but I am more optimistic than you. We've seen some things at the World that have been disappointing over the years (have been going since Nov1971), but have never lost the faith. We are not TDO lovers. We'll miss the GCH water feature, but can't make a judgement, good or bad, until we "live" and see what actually changes. We are glad the game room is fini, though.
To us the Poly is a "representation" of Polynesia, adapted to today, and accept it as that. I think it is and always will be much more than a Hampton Inn.
We will continue our optimism .........
Thanks, and have a good weekend!
Bill

 

[morningstar]

I used to think it was great, but having been to Hawaii and Aulani, it now does not remind me of Hawaii at all. I still like the water feature, Kona for breakfast, and the monorail line, but inside, it feels more like Honolulu international airport than anything.

Honolulu airport is awesome. Maybe because it reminds me so much of the Polynesian.

 

[ford91exploder]

Hi ford91explorer,
I understand - I've read the same things you mentioned. I'm not swimming in pixie dust, but I am more optimistic than you. We've seen some things at the World that have been disappointing over the years (have been going since Nov1971), but have never lost the faith. We are not TDO lovers. We'll miss the GCH water feature, but can't make a judgement, good or bad, until we "live" and see what actually changes. We are glad the game room is fini, though.
To us the Poly is a "representation" of Polynesia, adapted to today, and accept it as that. I think it is and always will be much more than a Hampton Inn.
We will continue our optimism .........
Thanks, and have a good weekend!
Bill

Hi Bill,

Disney on a bad day is better than 99.999% of the world on a good day, I'd just like to return to the time when WDW had something new and amazing every time I went down to visit, Being a long term DVC member I really want to see a return of things being ADDED for our enjoyment rather than going to WDW and finding something I loved to do in the past has been deleted with no replacement.

Having things which family has enjoyed for years discontinued on a regular basis kind of colors my attitude and no reasonable person expects WDW to be a museum where nothing ever changes, It would be nice to have NEW things to try and perhaps become a favorite.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Honolulu airport is awesome. Maybe because it reminds me so much of the Polynesian.

I'm not a huge fan of Honolulu international as far as airports go; certainly not the worst airport (that award goes to LAX). I like Orlando International better. But my opinion is skewed. It's open air and the flowers that I'm allergic to (I mean, VERY allergic to, more allergic than any plants at home) surround the airport. And there are lei carts...everywhere. Can't have flower leis. So the four times I've been in there, I just end up feeling really bad. Since Aulani is on the dry side of the island, I'm better there. Less flowers.

Point for Poly, I can have fake leis so both of my flower ones (I have a nut one as well, though) are from Poly!

Side note; To anyone who visits Hawaii: Bring Benadryl and Zyrtec/Claratin/Allegra! You just don't know if you'll be allergic to something there that you've never encountered previously.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

I have no special insider information, only the same leaked poly information and graphics everyone else has seen on the internet, The 'Clear View' concept is the same as BLT, we all know the waterfall is history, The volcano pool is also to be history to be replaced with a unthemed pool.

Stated reason by TDO itself for all of this is 'Reducing Maintenance Costs'. The only 'plussing' I am aware of is the addition of 'Trader Sam's'. With the reason given for the renovation being to reduce maintenance costs theming and amenities are going to be on the chopping block removed in favor of easy to clean and maintain surfaces so where there are Tiki scuptures now I expect stainless steel wrapped columns.

With all of that there is no point in being optimistic about the outcome, It will be something different but it will not be the Poly many of us grew up with and loved because Disney only plays small ball these days.

Even for the DVC Disney is only doing undersized 'Grand Villas' and Studios, So even on the DVC side it's small ball only but I'm sure the point cost and maintenance fees will be outta sight.

I don't really expect stainless steel, but easier to clean surfaces aren't necessarily a bad thing. The amount of little kids who touch the decorations means it festers germs. Harder to clean decorations, in my opinion, should be out of reach. Although common sense says "Wash your hands, keep your hands out of your mouth, don't touch" etc, I am perfectly in favor of them making the surfaces easier to clean. The less germs, the better.

I am with others; I'd rather wait and see the final result, especially since I have recently stayed at Aulani and Disneyland's Grand Californian and know what Disney is capable of. Plans do change after all.

 

[mebucko]

Hi Bill,

Disney on a bad day is better than 99.999% of the world on a good day, I'd just like to return to the time when WDW had something new and amazing every time I went down to visit, Being a long term DVC member I really want to see a return of things being ADDED for our enjoyment rather than going to WDW and finding something I loved to do in the past has been deleted with no replacement.

Having things which family has enjoyed for years discontinued on a regular basis kind of colors my attitude and no reasonable person expects WDW to be a museum where nothing ever changes, It would be nice to have NEW things to try and perhaps become a favorite.

Good Morning, ford91expolrer,
I'm with you 100% on that! Hopefully the end result of the Poly will add to that 99.999%!
Have a great weekend, my friend!
Bill