Most of the complaints I've read are fair (although the "Brady Bunch" analogies are getting tired), but I don't get the complaints that walking between buildings is a chore when it's raining. How is it the resort's fault? It's like complaining about exhaust while standing at a bus stop.
The Brady Bunch analogies always make me shake my head because the Polynesian looks nothing like it did in the Brady Bunch decade (1970's)
If you look at older pictures of the place that are found on sits like tikimans, you will see some pretty ghastly looking furniture and flooring, all that would be right at home in a Brady Bunch episode. I would post them but I've heard Steve's site is blocked and they probably wouldn't show up.
Believe it or not, the Polynesian was modeled after the Kaanapali Beach Hotel in Maui and if you visit the site you will see the resemblance. They also use the traditional "long house setting" where the buildings are not attached to each other. This wasn't by accident why Disney built the Polynesian this way and makes it different from a standard "cookie cutter" hotel that seem to be everywhere and all look the same.
http://www.kbhmaui.com/
As for the price, you got me there. I also feel it's too high, but what can you do? It's considered a Disney classic and one of the original resorts that opened back in 1971. It's also sitting on a prime piece of Disney real estate and you're paying a high price for that as well. If Disney only charged $180 a night for a garden view room, you wouldn't be able to book a room and the waiting list would be pretty long. It's high, but seems in line considering the prices of hotels in Manhattan and San Francisco, etc.
The Polynesian has improved over time and I'm glad to see that. You would be hard pressed to find a hotel of it's age and time period, that has held up as well. I think it's done of better job of aging than the CR has, IMO.
A hot tub should be built and Disney needs to control/prevent the pool hoppers from using the facilities. The Volcano pool is too small to handle all the people who would love to swim there. I also think they should replace the original quiet pool and put in a updated version as well, something with a zero entry feature if possible.
I look forward to my July trip to the Poly and many others hopefully to come. The Polynesian holds a special place in my heart and I have very fond memories of my two stays there. I love the history of the place, the atmosphere, the theming, and the overall, cool vibe it gives off. Walt Disney, who had a hand in the design of this resort, would be proud of how many people have loved this resort over the 36 years it has been opened. There's a lot of good vacation memories in those 36 years, I'll bet.