Should the Polynesian be changed???

[Tikiman]

I told my self I would not get into the discussion of the Polynesian being dark or out of date but I feel I can voice my opinion with those of you here that I have become friends with and you won’t get upset.

I always hear how the Polynesian is old and needs to be brighter and more up to date. I understand many of you are coming from the feel the YC and GF give you when you stay there. Well the Polynesian does not have the same theme of the YC or the GF (as we all know). I have also had some people who have been to Hawaii say it does not look like the hotels of Hawaii. This is true but lets think about what it is supposed to represent. Just like the pavilions of World Showcase, the Polynesian was supposed to represent the culture of a certain era of the islands of Polynesia (all the islands not just Hawaiian culture). To make the Polynesian bright and up to date would be like taking the Japanese pavilion and making it look like modern day Tokyo. You would be surprised to learn how much investigation went into the details of the Polynesian. Imaginers actually traveled to many of the islands and looked into native customs to get an idea of how to make the Polynesian. I have actually researched all the islands that the longhouses are named after and from Rapanui (Easter Island) to Aotearoa (now called New Zealand) to Hawaii (where I have visited many times) you will find traditional dwellings and hotels that have many of the same colors, fabrics and architecture as the Polynesian. To change the Polynesian or make it brighter would be a disaster to me and not true to the theme. I wish everyone could enjoy all the details about the Polynesian the way I do but since that will not happen, Disney has made other resorts with different themes. Some of us will always appreciate the detail Disney used on the Polynesian and others will just see the Polynesian as having a great location, transportation and food. Everyone’s opinion in here is important and this is just my opinion. Thank you to everyone who has made this a great place to post our opinions. We all make the DIS a great place.

Aloha

Steve

[josierac]

I believe that the rooms can be a little better decorated. I like the grounds and the hotel in general.

Having been to Hawaii and having looked at many hotels, some chains and some totally hawaiian this is my opinion

[Guapy]

Tikiman is completely right. I believe the Polynesian is the best resort on property, and I really don't find anything wrong with it. And to tell you the truth, the darkness of the resort is cool.

[ead79]

I think they have done a great job giving the GCH a "facelift." I find it to be incredibly relaxing and tropical in there. In my room I would've preferred a little more color in the bedroom area, but I loved the bathroom decor. Maybe a little more green in the bedroom would be more to my taste. However, I like the idea of having the Poly be authentic, and maybe they don't use as much green as I would. :) Overall, I find it to be a great resort that really makes you feel like you've escaped the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

[Kaye]

NOOOO! We love it just the way it is, including the smell. It feels like home to us.

[daannzzz]

I agree with Tikiman, though I do think a few tropical colors could be added to the rooms and more colors could be used on the exteriors other than orange. I though the room was only slightly dark but I love it there. It would be kind of boring if the rooms at all the Disney hotels were painted white inside!

[eeyore0062]

I think the Poly is perfect just the way it is!!! When we speak of tropical colors, I think what comes to mind is tropical as in the Caribbean, and CBR does that theming well. The Polynesian is tropical, as in the South Seas, which is more bamboo... rustic colors, if you will...browns, dark greens, etc. I am not partial to dark colors either (that is why WL and AKL don't appeal to me), but to have the Poly any other way would be to change the theming entirely. If we don't like dark colors or the theming, then we have the choice to stay elsewhere, and leave those resorts for those who do like them. JMHO!

[Ricola]

I wouldn't change it. It's not for everyone, but we love it. What a fabulous, friendly place to visit!

[CamColt]

I agree with Kaye..."NOOOOOOOO!". The Poly is perfect to me.

And I still dont get what people mean when they say its dark there. The only darkness I noticed was at night and that added to the tropical, romantic atmosphere. IMO, thats the way it should be. :)

[BCV23]

We, too, love the Poly as it is...so much attention to detail. I did prefer the bedspreads many years ago. In some rooms they were coral or salmon, in others a light green. They brightened the rooms without being garish. I think you can see those spreads in some of Tikiman's historical pictures. By the way, we returned from the Poly on Thursday and the GCH fountain is beautiful from the first floor. They were putting finishing touches on the top. I thought the grounds in general were unusually beautiful and that is saying something as they are always so lovely.

[fireplug]

Do I think they should change it. No. Could they tweak it a little , maybe.
We stayed at the Poly once and really liked the exotic feel to it. But when you are only there three days. it is difficult to find your way around. Especially at night . I would like to see a little better marking and lighting of the buildings or paths.
I hope this doesn't offend the Poly fans out there.


Steve

[PlutoPal]

I love the Poly's decor and atmosphere! I don't think they need to do much but they could do something with the rooms however.

[ContempoSMT]

i feel it could use a little bit of a makeover. The rooms needa little more decor and it jsut needs a little upgrade. Still love it tho.

[loki]

100% tikiman,

let me start off by saying 1 I have never stayed at the poly, (read NOT YET) I will eventually when my bank account will let me :D. Obviously these rooms go through a LOT, as it is probably one of Disney's most popular resorts. So saying that repairs and refurbs are needed, but to change the poly would be a HUGE mistake, we have used the Neverland club and walked around the paths in the Poly and the resort, ESPECIALLY at night looks INCREDIBLE. The tiki torches that light the walk ways add a little special feeling to the place I say if its broke fix it, but leave the feeling of the resort.


just my 2 cents ;)

[Laurabearz]

When we walked thru the Poly both my husband I felt like we were tranplanted to another place... and another time....

Now 5 months later we are staying there..... and we cant wait! Rock on Tikiman!!!:sunny:

[Tess]

If it ain't broken, don't fix it!

[Tinkbell]

Originally posted by Tikiman


I have actually researched all the islands that the longhouses are named after and from Rapanui (Easter Island) to Aotearoa (now called New Zealand) to Hawaii (where I have visited many times) you will find traditional dwellings and hotels that have many of the same colors, fabrics and architecture as the Polynesian.


Who could argue with that?:) I think anyone interested in the Polynesian should check out your website. If they don't like what they see, then they should not stay there.

I haven't stayed at the Polynesian yet, but I would like to give it a try. I have tried all the other MK resorts. Some say WL is "too dark" but I love it. :)

[Disneydenise]

I wouldn't change a thing in the Poly but I guess if they were going to do anything I would ask that they put a sink outside the Shower room. I know it would be too difficult. As far as the darkness of the resort rooms. I find them restful and wonderful. I did love the little vanity they use to have in some of the rooms years ago it made it easier to get hair and makeup done while the rest of my family was rushing in and out of the shower but I solved that problem by packing a makeup mirror and an extention cord an setting it up on the table in the room.
The Poly is my favorite resort and I doubt if I will ever feel differrently. I got the best souvineer from my first stay there. She is turning 18 and going to college this fall so... They can just never make an improvement to the place for me, including the smell.

[Rock'n Robin]

I went to Hawaii around New Years 1990. We stayed at the Hyatt Regency. It was a very nice hotel, but you could tell it was just another sterile chain--without the open lobby it could have been in Detroit. Keep the Poly just like it is.
Robin M.
Poly 6/2000
BWV 6/2001
Poly 12/2001
BWV/Poly/VWL 7/2002

[Tikiman]

That is exactly my point Robin M. Many of the hotels and resorts in Hawaii now are not reflective of the Polynesian culture. This is because everyone wants the same elegant resort in every city. Not one that gives you the feel of the area of the world you are staying. Only a few resorts in the islands still have that traditional look and feel and those are the best. Some of the rooms in Tahiti (the real Tahiti) are nothing but huts next to a beach with not TV and just bamboo walls and it cost $300 a night or more. That to me is the best way to go. As far as adding some bright colors to the Polynesian, all I can say is next you will want to use some pastel colors on the inside of the Tiki room. :rolleyes: That will be the day I stop going to WDW. ;)

Aloha

Steve

[princess angel]

I completely agree that if they re-did the Poly it would lose something.
The theming is incredible, I still feel that the tropical, romantic, relaxing, absolutely tranquil feeing of the Polynesian cannot be beat!

and that is accomplished by every detail, so yes, they should leave the decor as is. I do think that maybe they should totally gut each longhouse and redo it, but in the same decor, because...

our room in Hawaii, although clean and unbelievable view did smell badly, I hate to say it!!! and it wasnt the tropical smell of the lobby, it was a bad smell, i was disappinted, I didnt want that to be! our room in Tahiti was perfect in may of 2001, and our room in Hawaii just 3 doors down 2 months earlier was perfect also!
last time we were there I was just turned off by the service :( it was unfortunate, but it really left a bad feeling.
I wish I didnt have that experience in November, but I did, so I am going to let the feeling wear off for a while and then I'll be staying there again!!!
I just love the theming!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Laura :)

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

Tikiman, I probably missed it, but what happened with "Survivor"?
As far as the Poly, I WILL stay there one day :cool: !

[donnamerry]

Having lived in Hawaii for eight years, I felt right at home being a guest of the Poly! I loved it, especially when the torches became lit at night! oh yeah, bring me back! The Poly has it's own theme that reflects Hawaiian culture and by no means should they change it. If you want to go to Hawaii then stay at the Poly because THAT IS HAWAII - if you want to go to the caribbean, then go to CBR! It's whatever you prefer! And it is Not outdated, it's REAL HAWAII! :)

[Tikiman]

Laura,

Gutting the longhouses would not get rid of the “smell” I had a posting about this a while ago. The smell is random and is not because of the construction or the age. It is from people screwing with the climate controls. The moisture can build up in the system and that is what you smell. I have had people stay in the same room as us and smell it and we have had no problem. It is sort of like when you have been running your air conditioner in your car and then it sits in the sun all day. When you start it back up it has that musty smell. If the person before you messed around with the air conditioner and left it on full blast the moisture will stay in the system for quite a while and will smell. I don’t know how to fix it but I have never found it to be a problem. Just FYI. I know some still think the smell is something else and is in the older longhouses and from what I can tell it is random in every longhouse but most of the time is not a problem. I know how much you loved the Polynesian and I too am sorry you had that bad experience in November.

BibbidiBobbidiBoo,

So far no answer on Survivor.

Donnamerry,

Thanks for the input. I feel the same way. The reason I originally went to the Polynesian is I was going to take my girlfriend to Hawaii (because I LOVE Hawaii) but she wanted to go to WDW so we got both in one trip. You truly get some of the feel and experiences that you do in the islands when staying at the Polynesian. It is not 100% the same but you don’t have the MK a boat ride away when you are in Kaanapali.

[angelina]

NOOOOO, I love the Polynesian just the way it is. I'd hate to see Disney change it. I've been going there since I was a little girl, and I wouldn't change a thing.

[BCV23]

Tikiman, you remind me of how I feel about the Poly....I wanted it to stay just like it was when we first stayed there in '83. I liked the plain brown exterior walls..no orange, etc.. As I mentioned before, I liked the old thicker and lighter colored bedspreads. And like disneydenise, I used to use the dresser and mirror to do makeup (although I'll admit the armoire does give even more floor space). Even with the changes we've seen over our 25 vacations there, the magic remains. If minor changes are made, I bet you'll still love it!

[LAWalz23]

Go, Tikiman. I went for my first on-site visit last year and immediately fell in love with it. I may try other resorts but I will always hold the Polynesian as special. There is just something about it. I cannot wait for my trip in 3 weeks it will be like going home.

[Poly Pal]

I think it would be nice if there were some tropical plants in the room. A palm tree in the corner, a bird-of-paradise on the table, a hibiscus here or there, etc. Probably would be expensive to do, but would be an enhancement.

I like the newer color theme better than the old bright pink and turquoise (pre-1994). I don't find the rooms to be dark at all. The deep eaves of the long houses do provide shade that I find restful after spending a long day in the Florida sun.

The carpeting is a little dark for my taste. But, I'm on vacation and it is just fine to have something we would never have at home.

Poly Pal
p.s. Oh yeah, with the introduction of the Polka-nesian they won't be passing out leis at check-in anymore. Rather they'll have nice rings of kielbasa!

[the Legend]

Before I put my two cents in, let me start that I have only been to WDW twice (amouting to 6 weeks vacation time). I have never stayed at the Polynesian but have visited the resort for a look around and Dinner at Ohanas (ummm Dinner at Ohana slobber...). I am a native New Zealander (Maori to those in the know) and as such have been exposed to the MOST diverse Pacific culture in the World (New Zealand has large Samoan, Nuiean, Fijian, Tongan, Tokelauan and Cook Island communities as well as native Maori) so I will start by saying the Polynesian in its current form lives up to the ideas and cultures of the communities it portrays. It fulfills the perceptions of what most people feel a Polynesian resort should look and feel like although the real locations may no longer be like that (case: Honolulu). This perception of openess and community is very central to all Island culture (Thats why everyones a 'cousin' or cuzzie!) The feel of being formally Informal is also important as is knowing the importance of land, sea and air. Most people will remember the Polynesian for something that cannot be found anywhere else or that is not found anymore.

Resorts like AKL with its African theming and WL with its Northwestern theming historically owe a lot to the Polynesian, which was without a doubt THE grandpappy to these brilliantly executed resorts. There is no doubt in my mind that the success of the AKL in showcasing not only the look and feel but most importantly the people from several African nations is what makes that resort so successful. Everything from the environment to the food to the people all shouts Africa to those of us who may never ever get to go trekking across that continent.

By now I hope you can see where I am going with this. If the opportunity arose to rebuild the Polynesian into the worlds biggest longhouse using the successful formulas seen at the AKL and WL, I would be all for it IF the culture, art, food and people from the Island nations could be showcased as it is at the AKL, the things that made the Polynesian unique are maintained (Real torches etc). There are so many reason to go forward to provide better facilities, more rooms and expansion of services etc.

I am staying this year (September) so I can be close to Ohanas, Kona cafe and Tongan Toast so maybe I will get that Polynesian magic and join the long line of people who want to preserve the memories of better times.

Forget to mention - Aotearoa means 'Land of the long White Cloud' and is the Maori name for New Zealand. It comes from Maori Exploer, Maui, who saw the snow capped peaks of the Southern Alps which runs the length of New Zealands South Island. Maui thought the snow was clouds never seeing snow before and called the new land 'Aotearoa'. For the Polynesian, it made sense to use the native name for the New Zealand Longhouse.

[Liam]

Love it just the way it is!!

[SeaSpray]

Just want to add my 2 cents!

I love the Polynesian resort, as is, for a couple of reasons:

First of all, as Tikiman and the Legend can attest to, the Polynesian is a true representation of the culture of the Polynesian islands.

Second of all, it's one of the original WDW resorts!

As with any resort, minor and sometimes major refurbishing and cosmetic touch-ups will always be necessary, but I hope they never change the true "flavor" of this wonderful resort!

[sandramaac]

Which Hyatt did you stay at Robin in the Islands. We stayed at the one on Kauii, and it is one of the most beautiful hotels I have ever stayed at, with a open lobby, that leads to an open veranda, and big glass doors that would slide in case of bad weather, an enclosed salt water lagoon---it was just amazing!!

[Tikiman]

the Legend,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. It was good to get some feedback from someone who has seen the Polynesian lifestyle other than many who have only been to Honolulu. I think the best part is to see the mix of Polynesian cultures. The Polynesian does not represent Hawaii, it represents many of the Pacific islands. I wish people would take the time to see the small things as a glimpse back in time to a different culture. Some see the torch lighting ceremony as boring instead of as a small piece of an old civilization. Not that vacation has to be a history lesson but there is more detail there than most may think and to make the Polynesian look like a year 2000 Hawaiian resort would be to take away the magic and hard work the original designers put into it.

Mahalo to everyone who put their two cents in.

Steve

[Tikiman]

I just saw a show about all the Polyensian islands. All the places they showed had things that looked exactly like many of the things at the Polynesian.

Have a good weekend.

Steve

[MJS]

Hi Tikiman - hope all is well with you.

You know that I am not a Poly fan, I like the GF/YC style. That said, I do think that the Poly is a beautiful resort, and that the theme is carried out very well. The lush gardens are so beautiful, and the buildings, GCH, totem poles, etc. make me feel that I am on the islands. The decor of the rooms is fine, and fitting with the theme. The resort is a great escape, especially for a Minnesotan like me! ;)

We enjoyed our concierge room decor (and the lounge is wonderful!) , our problem was that things did not work properly (toliet, refrigerator, etc.) It may have been just our room, but I think it would be great if everything was in working order.

[Clare]

We really enjoyed our stay at the Polynesian. Like MJS, we prefer they style of the BW/GF etc., but we would not want WDW to change anything at the Poynesian. Just because it isn't our favorite style doesn't mean we can't appreciate what it represents or that we wouldn't be thrilled to stay there again.

Also, like others, I feel that there is something really special about the Polynesian since it is a WDW original. I am scared that WDW will become too concerned with change for change's sake - I hope we never lose things like It's a Small World or PoC. I'm still mourning the loss of The Carousel of Progress.

[Cinderellamommy]

Hi Tikiman-
My husband and I have never stayed at the Polynesian before but will be next month. I have heard so much good about this resort from the boards and from you and your site that my Hubby and I decided to stay there with our 2 small ones.
I am anxious to actually see and judge for myself.
We have been to Oahu, Maui and Kauai and must say the Poly sounds alot like a place we stayed at in Maui. Can't wait for our WDW trip staying at the Poly!

[CHIEF TONGA]

You know its funny , when my wife and first decided to look into an on site resort back in 96 we did looked at all the resorts through the internet and decided on the Polly. Then we read some of the reviews , and i will never forget this one review where a woman posted her room was dark and dreary and she would never stay there again.
This made my wife and i alittle nervous and i had never spent this kind of money on a vacation but we stuck with it.

Well to make a long story short when the bellboy opened the door to that dark and dreary room and I stood in the door way
looking across the room and saw the view of the castle and the
lagoon I swore then and there id never stay any other place
at disney except in one of those dark and dreary rooms.
And we havnt, Going back on 4/22 and I hope that my Dark and Dreary room is ready .

SO my vote is no dont change a thing, let those who think otherwise stay somplace else.

[Tikiman]

Thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts. I have enjoyed reading everyones feelings.


Thanks Cheif Tonga. I have enjoyed reading many of your posts. I never realized that you almost did not stay at the Polynesian. I know many that have switched because of hearing bad reports but to me it is too bad to not give it a try. That is why we split our stays and try other places. We did not fall in love with the YC but I still think it is one of the best resorts in WDW. I did love the surroundings and the activity of the Boardwalk area but we just find it too hard to stay the whole time at WDW with out staying at the Polynesian. I can not be sitting in another resort and know the Polynesian is there with out me being in it.

Steve