Disney's POLYNESIAN VILLAGE RESORT Information & Questions

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Hi- we will be at Poly in April. We are RD people and usually arrive at a park 45 minutes prior to opening.
However, at MK we usually just ride Buzz a few times and then head over to BTMR. We definitely won't be trying for 7DMT at RD.

So, if I were to book 7:30am breakfasts at Kona on our MK days, would we make it to MK by RD?
We did that our last trip and had no issues making RD even though we were 15 minutes late to our ADR because the Monorail didn't open on time
 


The pool Hours are now posted as 9 am - 10 pm.

I believe that changed today. The pool was open until 11 pm on Thursday.
It's still open till 11:00pm

For rope drop? I didn't think the monorail would work for Epcot rope drop with the refurb?
Aug 23-29 Times Guide
Resort monorail Sun, Tues, Fri, Sat. 7:00am-12:00am
Mon, Tues, We'd. 8:30am-12:00am

Express monorail (TTC to MK) Sunday 8:30am-11:30pm
Mon, Tues 9:30am-11:30pm
Wednesday 9:30am-12:00am
Thurs 8:30am-11:30am & 6:00pm-12:00am
Fri, Sat 8:30am-12:00am

Epcot Monorail Sun, Thurs, Fri, Sat 8:00am-11:00pm
Mon, Tues, Wednesday 9:00am-11:00pm

It says "Watercraft & additional buses will be available to transport you to your destination."
 
I can't get over nor believe how long the work is taking on Polynesian Village! Seems to be never ending. Aside from the quiet pool, I thought for sure after all these years finally choosing and staying at Poly in early November, would lead to barely any resort-wide construction. And now a truck load of more permits have been filed. Good grief....by the time work is complete, it will be time for another refurbishment :headache:

We will be in a DVC studio. Here's hoping for no ear plugs or cranes outside our room :crazy:
 


In 7 days(this Sunday) we'll be at the Polynesian for the first time since the early-mid 90's when I would have been 10ish. Meanwhile my son being almost 4 has no idea how lucky he is to be able to go twice in two years. When I was growing up, we were lucky to go every 5 years.
 
In 7 days(this Sunday) we'll be at the Polynesian for the first time since the early-mid 90's when I would have been 10ish. Meanwhile my son being almost 4 has no idea how lucky he is to be able to go twice in two years. When I was growing up, we were lucky to go every 5 years.

I went to WDW once as a child when I was 8. My DD just turned 18 and she's been to WDW 13 times! My DH & I tell her she needs to return the favor and take us when we are old!

Have a great trip. Tell the Poly I say "hi"!
 
I just got back from staying at the Poly, and I think it officially cured us of our desire to go to Disney every year. It was pretty much completely devoid of pixie dust. First off, the parks were super-crowded! We've gone this week for the past 4 years and this is the first time it was like this (I think because Labor Day is later), but it really felt like everyone was out for their own dose of pixie dust and there was only so much to go around. People were rude, cutting in line and acting like they were the only people who mattered. Most CMs looked like they'd been beaten down and abused and so they didn't even attempt to stop it. I really appreciate the 2 adults who were behind us in line at the Magic Carpets who decided not to follow the CM seating us clockwise around the ride as she instructed, going counter-clockwise and therefore grabbing the last open seat before us, forcing us to have to wait for the next ride... things like that. It's like, weren't any of these people taught manners? It's as if these people know they're not going to see any of these strangers again so they can treat them any way they want.

The pool at the Poly was so crowded and not only that, not very clean. I couldn't move in it without accidentally hitting someone else, and the water felt slimy and I kept getting strands of long hair that wasn't mine or errant band-aids in my fingers every time I stroked. When I looked at the surface of the water in the sunlight, it was covered in greasy oil slicks. Toward the end of the week I couldn't even bring myself to go in, no matter how hot I got-- I just watched the kids from the side. Sad, because we are big pool people.

I did like the kids water-play area-- it's easily the best of the resort water-play areas. At first my DD9 was afraid to use it because of the 48" limit signs everywhere, but when she asked they told her the only thing she couldn't use was the little slide. I thought the lifeguards were amazing there, and one especially, Cody, was very nice to my DD6.

Trader Sam's was so small and reminded me of a frat house basement-- there was no seating inside the entire time we were there. We ended up drinking our drinks outside on the patio and watching the fireworks from there. I don't think I missed much and I got some nice souvenir glasses, so, yay.

We stayed at Fiji overlooking the marina so construction didn't bother us. It was a nice room. I heard something interesting from a CM who vacationed at the Poly a few months ago. He said that all the buildings, including the bungalows, on the pool construction side have another major drawback going for them-- the ferry boat horn. It's going off constantly and SO LOUD. Not always a problem, but I'm sure it is whenever the MK stays open late. I'm not sure I'd want to spend $2500 a night and hear a ferry horn blast waking me up at 2 in the morning.

It rained every day, but we expected that, so we didn't mind it much. Several of the rides broke down while we were waiting on line, another thing we expected, but it's still disappointing.

Captain Cook's... if they just remodeled it, why did they not make it bigger? We were constantly looking for seats! And OMG-- the wait for foot was sometimes ridiculously long. I had to wait 45 minutes to try Tonga Toast. And then I cried because I found it to be rather disgusting and not my thing. Even my DD6 couldn't eat it, and she lives on sugar.

Anyways, I guess it was an ok stay. It could've been worse.
 
Sitting in the Poly lobby now with a couple hours to kill before our flight. So, so sad.....

Hope you had a great time. We left last week as well. It truly was sad to leave. If you think you're sad now, wait until you get home. It gets worse!!!
 
The pool at the Poly was so crowded and not only that, not very clean. I couldn't move in it without accidentally hitting someone else, and the water felt slimy and I kept getting strands of long hair that wasn't mine or errant band-aids in my fingers every time I stroked. When I looked at the surface of the water in the sunlight, it was covered in greasy oil slicks. Toward the end of the week I couldn't even bring myself to go in, no matter how hot I got-- I just watched the kids from the side. Sad, because we are big pool people.

:crazy2::crazy2::crazy2:

We didn't go in the pool when we were at the Poly earlier this month. Our arrival day plan was to spend it at the pool but we arrived later than expected because of flight issues (we were supposed to arrive at the Poly at 7:30am). DH likes to get a table near the Barefoot Pool bar but when we arrived at 11:30am all the tables around the pool were already taken. We didn't want to sit in the lounge chairs because it was SO hot and there was no shade. We ended up grabbing lunch at Kona Cafe and then waited at the Tambu Lounge until our room was ready.

Trader Sam's was so small and reminded me of a frat house basement-- there was no seating inside the entire time we were there. We ended up drinking our drinks outside on the patio and watching the fireworks from there. I don't think I missed much and I got some nice souvenir glasses, so, yay.

We didn't plan to go to Trader Sam's but decided to check it out after dinner one night. I thought it would be obnoxiously loud but it really wasn't. Yes, it was small. Luckily when we went there were some seats available. We had a good time because our DD (18) could go in with us since it was before 8:00pm.

We stayed at Fiji overlooking the marina so construction didn't bother us. It was a nice room. I heard something interesting from a CM who vacationed at the Poly a few months ago. He said that all the buildings, including the bungalows, on the pool construction side have another major drawback going for them-- the ferry boat horn. It's going off constantly and SO LOUD. Not always a problem, but I'm sure it is whenever the MK stays open late. I'm not sure I'd want to spend $2500 a night and hear a ferry horn blast waking me up at 2 in the morning.

We were in Fiji too - 3rd floor overlooking the marina - and enjoyed the location. I was wondering about the bungalows & ferry boat horn. I can remember staying in Tahiti & Tokelau and hearing the horn from those longhouses. I can't imagine being right on the water and hearing the horn!

Captain Cook's... if they just remodeled it, why did they not make it bigger? We were constantly looking for seats! And OMG-- the wait for foot was sometimes ridiculously long. I had to wait 45 minutes to try Tonga Toast. And then I cried because I found it to be rather disgusting and not my thing. Even my DD6 couldn't eat it, and she lives on sugar.

I agree that the wait for food can sometimes take a l-o-n-g time.

It's not perfect but we still love the Poly and plan to go back next year. Figures crossed!
 
In 7 days(this Sunday) we'll be at the Polynesian for the first time since the early-mid 90's when I would have been 10ish. Meanwhile my son being almost 4 has no idea how lucky he is to be able to go twice in two years. When I was growing up, we were lucky to go every 5 years.

Hope you have a great trip! :wizard:

I just got back from staying at the Poly, and I think it officially cured us of our desire to go to Disney every year. It was pretty much completely devoid of pixie dust. First off, the parks were super-crowded! We've gone this week for the past 4 years and this is the first time it was like this (I think because Labor Day is later), but it really felt like everyone was out for their own dose of pixie dust and there was only so much to go around. People were rude, cutting in line and acting like they were the only people who mattered. Most CMs looked like they'd been beaten down and abused and so they didn't even attempt to stop it. I really appreciate the 2 adults who were behind us in line at the Magic Carpets who decided not to follow the CM seating us clockwise around the ride as she instructed, going counter-clockwise and therefore grabbing the last open seat before us, forcing us to have to wait for the next ride... things like that. It's like, weren't any of these people taught manners? It's as if these people know they're not going to see any of these strangers again so they can treat them any way they want.

The pool at the Poly was so crowded and not only that, not very clean. I couldn't move in it without accidentally hitting someone else, and the water felt slimy and I kept getting strands of long hair that wasn't mine or errant band-aids in my fingers every time I stroked. When I looked at the surface of the water in the sunlight, it was covered in greasy oil slicks. Toward the end of the week I couldn't even bring myself to go in, no matter how hot I got-- I just watched the kids from the side. Sad, because we are big pool people.

I did like the kids water-play area-- it's easily the best of the resort water-play areas. At first my DD9 was afraid to use it because of the 48" limit signs everywhere, but when she asked they told her the only thing she couldn't use was the little slide. I thought the lifeguards were amazing there, and one especially, Cody, was very nice to my DD6.

Trader Sam's was so small and reminded me of a frat house basement-- there was no seating inside the entire time we were there. We ended up drinking our drinks outside on the patio and watching the fireworks from there. I don't think I missed much and I got some nice souvenir glasses, so, yay.

We stayed at Fiji overlooking the marina so construction didn't bother us. It was a nice room. I heard something interesting from a CM who vacationed at the Poly a few months ago. He said that all the buildings, including the bungalows, on the pool construction side have another major drawback going for them-- the ferry boat horn. It's going off constantly and SO LOUD. Not always a problem, but I'm sure it is whenever the MK stays open late. I'm not sure I'd want to spend $2500 a night and hear a ferry horn blast waking me up at 2 in the morning.

It rained every day, but we expected that, so we didn't mind it much. Several of the rides broke down while we were waiting on line, another thing we expected, but it's still disappointing.

Captain Cook's... if they just remodeled it, why did they not make it bigger? We were constantly looking for seats! And OMG-- the wait for foot was sometimes ridiculously long. I had to wait 45 minutes to try Tonga Toast. And then I cried because I found it to be rather disgusting and not my thing. Even my DD6 couldn't eat it, and she lives on sugar.

Anyways, I guess it was an ok stay. It could've been worse.

Thanks for your review. I'm sorry you didn't have a great stay. As far as the ferry horns, that's one of the things I love most about the Poly. When we stayed at the Poly we spent a lot of time in the hammocks on the beach and I loved closing my eyes listening to those sounds (and I'm very sad that the hammocks are now gone). I wasn't there in the middle of the night trying to sleep, but I do love swimming or sitting on the beach hearing the boat whistles.

We left last week as well. It truly was sad to leave.

I hope you had a great time :).

It's not perfect but we still love the Poly and plan to go back next year. Figures crossed!

I agree! We are booked at the Poly for next July and I can't wait to get back as the Poly is our favorite resort :goodvibes.
 
It's still open till 11:00pm


Aug 23-29 Times Guide
Resort monorail Sun, Tues, Fri, Sat. 7:00am-12:00am
Mon, Tues, We'd. 8:30am-12:00am

Express monorail (TTC to MK) Sunday 8:30am-11:30pm
Mon, Tues 9:30am-11:30pm
Wednesday 9:30am-12:00am
Thurs 8:30am-11:30am & 6:00pm-12:00am
Fri, Sat 8:30am-12:00am

Epcot Monorail Sun, Thurs, Fri, Sat 8:00am-11:00pm
Mon, Tues, Wednesday 9:00am-11:00pm

It says "Watercraft & additional buses will be available to transport you to your destination."


Thanks. Did you notice additional boats or buses while you were there?
 
I just got back from staying at the Poly, and I think it officially cured us of our desire to go to Disney every year. It was pretty much completely devoid of pixie dust. First off, the parks were super-crowded! We've gone this week for the past 4 years and this is the first time it was like this (I think because Labor Day is later), but it really felt like everyone was out for their own dose of pixie dust and there was only so much to go around. People were rude, cutting in line and acting like they were the only people who mattered. Most CMs looked like they'd been beaten down and abused and so they didn't even attempt to stop it. I really appreciate the 2 adults who were behind us in line at the Magic Carpets who decided not to follow the CM seating us clockwise around the ride as she instructed, going counter-clockwise and therefore grabbing the last open seat before us, forcing us to have to wait for the next ride... things like that. It's like, weren't any of these people taught manners? It's as if these people know they're not going to see any of these strangers again so they can treat them any way they want.

The pool at the Poly was so crowded and not only that, not very clean. I couldn't move in it without accidentally hitting someone else, and the water felt slimy and I kept getting strands of long hair that wasn't mine or errant band-aids in my fingers every time I stroked. When I looked at the surface of the water in the sunlight, it was covered in greasy oil slicks. Toward the end of the week I couldn't even bring myself to go in, no matter how hot I got-- I just watched the kids from the side. Sad, because we are big pool people.

I did like the kids water-play area-- it's easily the best of the resort water-play areas. At first my DD9 was afraid to use it because of the 48" limit signs everywhere, but when she asked they told her the only thing she couldn't use was the little slide. I thought the lifeguards were amazing there, and one especially, Cody, was very nice to my DD6.

Trader Sam's was so small and reminded me of a frat house basement-- there was no seating inside the entire time we were there. We ended up drinking our drinks outside on the patio and watching the fireworks from there. I don't think I missed much and I got some nice souvenir glasses, so, yay.

We stayed at Fiji overlooking the marina so construction didn't bother us. It was a nice room. I heard something interesting from a CM who vacationed at the Poly a few months ago. He said that all the buildings, including the bungalows, on the pool construction side have another major drawback going for them-- the ferry boat horn. It's going off constantly and SO LOUD. Not always a problem, but I'm sure it is whenever the MK stays open late. I'm not sure I'd want to spend $2500 a night and hear a ferry horn blast waking me up at 2 in the morning.

It rained every day, but we expected that, so we didn't mind it much. Several of the rides broke down while we were waiting on line, another thing we expected, but it's still disappointing.

Captain Cook's... if they just remodeled it, why did they not make it bigger? We were constantly looking for seats! And OMG-- the wait for foot was sometimes ridiculously long. I had to wait 45 minutes to try Tonga Toast. And then I cried because I found it to be rather disgusting and not my thing. Even my DD6 couldn't eat it, and she lives on sugar.

Anyways, I guess it was an ok stay. It could've been worse.
That is a shame I hope you report all your dissatisfaction. Management should be informed

I bet my DH wishes we had a not magical trip. Not really but he'd probably love for me to want to vacation somewhere else. As it is we have such wonderful trips we want to go more often. We can't find the level of service we'd get at Disney anywhere else.
 
We returned on thursday from 8 days at the poly! We stayed CL. As usual I have way too much to say, so this time i will just bullet point my random thoughts.
First, the good:
  • Most of the CM's were helpful and professional. Irv is an absolute gem.
  • The CL food was much better than I feared. We enjoyed much of it.
  • Many of the CL staff were personable.
  • One chef did an awesome job of accommodating my husband's gluten intolerance.
  • The room was clean and mostly everything was in good working order or was repaired the same day.
  • Housekeeping mostly did a great job.
  • Trader Sam's was cute. A bit dorky for our taste, but cute. We went once at 4 and once around 8 and it was not crowded either time and we got great seats.
  • Transportation was great, every form of it.
  • The wishes music is piped in on the beach, at least near hawaii.
  • We really had a great time in the lounge every night (we were a large travel party). Staying CL gave us such a great way to stay together. The evenings at the lounge are probably our favorite memory from the trip.
  • The beach at night is lovely.
  • The bungalows do not affect the fireworks view, which is still spectacular.
  • The wine is still self-serve and was also left out from 7-8 between appetizers and dessert, which was great. You could help yourself to wine basically from 5-10 pm! And we did! ;)
  • They were using magic bands to get into the pool gate.
  • We had two good margaritas at the pool bar and the habanero lime margarita at tambu lounge was delicious.
The not-so-good:
  • The construction on and near hawaii was absolutely ridiculously obnoxious. It was obscene. Extremely loud jackhammer type noises (they were not actual jackhammers being used but it was that type of noise) all morning every weekday morning as they worked on the outside of the CL lounge during breakfast. You could barely hold a conversation and every window you tried to look out of had cherry pickers with men working. Literally on both sides of the building. Then after breakfast they were usually gone! There is absolutely no reason why these guys could not have waited until 10:30 to start that work. Breakfast was miserable and an awful start to the day.
  • SO. MUCH. CONSTRUCTION. Did I mention the construction??? We have teens now and with the advent of FP+ we were SO looking forward to sleeping a bit later and being able to stay out at night when it was cooler. Well, forget it. They were right outside our first floor window, in some cases on our actual patio, at 9 am every day, with the reverse beeping going on over and over and over and over.
  • The pool was gross. It was very crowded, no chairs to be had, no shade, and as a pp mentioned, there was hair everywhere. Every move I made resulted in someone else's hair tangled around some part of me. I went once for a few hours and never returned.
  • Captain Cook's was very disorganized with poor customer service, cranky CM's, very long waits and not enough indoor seating.
  • The grounds are much less lush than they used to be. That was probably the biggest mutual disappointment to all of us. Bad enough that the waterfall and ducks are gone but overall, it just seems so much more stark and cold than it used to. What I loved most was how secluded everything seemed and it is all open now. There were so many great areas, and great views to be had (for example from the pool looking towards the castle), and they have all changed. And of course the beach is not the same. My kids have begged to return since 2010, but none of us has any desire to return again after this visit. The ambience is nothing like it used to be.
I will upload the construction pics another day soon.
 
Sure hope Disney is reading the reviews. ..thanks for posting....although I'm starting to think they don't care, sad. Hoping for a positive stay in October, Poly is a magical place for us, if it doesn't go well I will have a hard time returning there. The pool situation seems dire. I can deal with crowded pools, but unclean, yuck, deal breaker. Beach Club is our tie for favorite resort with Poly, so if all else fails we will move our next stay there, it never disappoints.
 
We have been at the Poly since Friday, staying in Fiji. If I didn't read this board, I would even know there's any construction going on at the Poly. The only signs I've seen of it were fences up on the other side of the resort (I'm guessing around the quiet pool?) that we saw when we walked to the laundry room last night. The main building is gorgeous, the pool and hot tub are amazing, and our 3rd floor balcony overlooking the marina is incredible! Can't believe this is considered a standard view. I knew nothing about the Poly before staying here but I love, love, love Fiji! Also, everything in the resort is so much closer than I thought.
 
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