About the Polynesian...

[lindylou]

Please tell me it's not true. I've heard rumors that the Poly will be more than remodeled but torn down and replaced in 2013. I was planning on making reservations for 2013. I recently had plans for this Nov at the Contempory when guest services called in June to tell me the rooms I requested on the 14th floor no longer existed. Thankfully we were graciously presented with other accommendations but it was quite stressful at first. I'm hoping we will not be presented with the same scenario again.

Just returned and visited Ohana's for our traditional 1st dinner upon arrival and our last dinner before returning back home. Although we didn't stay at the Polynesian, everything was as beautiful as ever in the Great Ceremonial House. What about the rooms? Are they beginning to show too much wear and tear?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Until we hear something official from Walt Disney World then as far as I am concerned these are nothing but rumors about any potiental major renovations to the Great Ceremonial House and their rooms, so I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[melbatoast]

Here is the link to Tikiman's site http://www.tikimanpages.com/tiki/news/195-change-is-in-the-wind and he talks about the rumored redo of the Poly. Personally I hope they do tear it down and rebuild, and not build separate buildings again. We personally like inside hallways. Also, they need a hot tub somewhere on property. I know people like the charm of the 1970's at the Poly, but there is soooo much you could do w/a Hawaiian theme and really make it great. For the price, I personally think it should be a lot nicer!

 

[padawans]

I love the separate buildings. I hate walking through the long winding hallways at the epcot resorts. Other than a refurb every few years I hope the keep it the way it is.

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

I love the separate buildings. I hate walking through the long winding hallways at the epcot resorts. Other than a refurb every few years I hope the keep it the way it is.

I too don't mind the separate buildings. Even if is raining or 98 degrees with 70+ dew point. Better than walking through the endless hallways.

 

[Joshua_me]

Much as it pains me to say it, let's face it: MAJOR changes are needed.

Especially at the GCH. The roof perpetually leaks, (nothing like paying top dollar for a hotel and seeing white plastic buckets gathering rainwater as it drips from the ceiling... )

The asbestos situation is real, the elevators look like they came over on The Mayflower and the entire "feel" of the place, no matter WHAT they do to it - is still very "70's"

I don't envision Disney "bulldozing" all of the longhouses, but the GCH HAS to be rebuilt from the ground up.

Plus, hot tubs, and a fitness center are a must at the price point they are asking.

This will be a major undertaking, and I'm not sure how exactly they are going to pull it off, (a hotel on the monorail line has NEVER been closed in the history of the park...)

But, times change. And so must The Poly.

 

[designermv]

I am here right now, staying in Samoa. This is my favorite resort, hands-down, but it definitely needs improvements. The HVAC system is completely ALL or NOTHING. We've been freezing or roasting. We can set the thermostat, but even at 71, it blasts frigid air.....we bump it up to 72, and it blasts air straight from the bowels of hell. It's very difficult to get a consistent, comfortable temperature.

Other than that, my biggest beef for a major renovation/rebuild would be the inconvenience. I don't mind the separate buildings or the Very Brady Hawaiian Vacation vibe, but I also think that there are things that need to be addressed and fixed if the Poly is going to maintain its status as a top-tier Disney deluxe hotel. Hopefully the imagineers/architects/powers-that-be will be able to come up with a plan that doesn't drastically alter the Poly as we all know and love it, but allows for some aesthetic and functional changes that it needs and deserves.

 

[melbatoast]

Too funny Designermv about the "very Brady" comment. The Poly totally reminds me of the Brady Bunch! I do see the charm though, of coming back to a resort you went to as a kid and nothing as changed. However, who wants to pay top dollar and not get some luxury? I can't wait to stay there in June, and see for myself what it's like. We have had dinner there many times, but never stayed there. Of course we will do a split stay w/our favorite resort the BC. I don't think anything will top that resort for me.

 

[padawans]

Much as it pains me to say it, let's face it: MAJOR changes are needed.

Especially at the GCH. The roof perpetually leaks, (nothing like paying top dollar for a hotel and seeing white plastic buckets gathering rainwater as it drips from the ceiling... )

The asbestos situation is real, the elevators look like they came over on The Mayflower and the entire "feel" of the place, no matter WHAT they do to it - is still very "70's"

I don't envision Disney "bulldozing" all of the longhouses, but the GCH HAS to be rebuilt from the ground up.

Plus, hot tubs, and a fitness center are a must at the price point they are asking.

This will be a major undertaking, and I'm not sure how exactly they are going to pull it off, (a hotel on the monorail line has NEVER been closed in the history of the park...)

But, times change. And so must The Poly.

I agree a hot tub and gym is needed. When we were at the BW there were people at the front desk complanining about the windows leaking, and wet carpet. The price disney asks you think they could at least keep there resorts rain proof.

 

[padawans]

Too funny Designermv about the "very Brady" comment. The Poly totally reminds me of the Brady Bunch! I do see the charm though, of coming back to a resort you went to as a kid and nothing as changed. However, who wants to pay top dollar and not get some luxury? I can't wait to stay there in June, and see for myself what it's like. We have had dinner there many times, but never stayed there. Of course we will do a split stay w/our favorite resort the BC. I don't think anything will top that resort for me.

I don't see much difference in resorts on the luxury scale. I don't think BC would quailfy as a luxury resort either. The poly rooms are bigger other than that there is not much difference.

 

[alex9179]

I've never been there, but we're really wanting to stay Poly next year. I actually LIKE the Very Brady Vibe it has , but then I'm of that generation. I like the walkways, separate longhouses, and the landscaping looks marvelous. I'm glad I have the chance to stay at (or visit) the old version, but it will be interesting to see what the new version incorporates. I agree that it should have it's own gym and the main pool needs to accommodate the number of guests, which it apparently does not do currently. Also, all of the deluxes should have better bedding. The bedspreads at all but the Contemporary are just awful.

 

[Darkside]

I wonder what part of it will be DVC rooms?

 

[FloraFauna]

I love the separate buildings. I hate walking through the long winding hallways at the epcot resorts. Other than a refurb every few years I hope the keep it the way it is.

Me too

 

[kecmouse]

I love the polynesian. In my opinion it's my favorite resort, even though it has that Brady Bunch Hawaiian vacation feel. I have to say vintage is in! I don't like walking down Yacht Club Hallways, I would much prefer travelling to my room with awesome palm tree surroundings, tiki torches, and hawaiian music. With this being said I believe that they overcharge for the amenities. Often times the pool is way too overcrowded to be enjoyable. I also think the GCH needs to be renovated for asbestos reasons, and to provide a more welcoming experience. As guests who were paying $300 a night, my family wasn't able to find spaces in the GCH that we could simply lounge around. (The upstairs lounge always has people waiting to be seated at Ohana, and the downstairs lounge is always crowded and small). When you go to the Grand Floridian, or Animal Kingdom Lodge the lobby has places for you to sit and watch a fire pit, a band, or just soak in disney etc..

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

I am here right now, staying in Samoa. This is my favorite resort, hands-down, but it definitely needs improvements. The HVAC system is completely ALL or NOTHING. We've been freezing or roasting. We can set the thermostat, but even at 71, it blasts frigid air.....we bump it up to 72, and it blasts air straight from the bowels of hell. It's very difficult to get a consistent, comfortable temperature.

Other than that, my biggest beef for a major renovation/rebuild would be the inconvenience. I don't mind the separate buildings or the Very Brady Hawaiian Vacation vibe, but I also think that there are things that need to be addressed and fixed if the Poly is going to maintain its status as a top-tier Disney deluxe hotel. Hopefully the imagineers/architects/powers-that-be will be able to come up with a plan that doesn't drastically alter the Poly as we all know and love it, but allows for some aesthetic and functional changes that it needs and deserves.

ITA. We were at the Poly last month (our 11th stay!) and the HVAC was terrible. The room was either too cold or too hot. No matter how we set the thermostat we just couldn't get the room to a comfortable temperature.

Another complaint we have is the low showerheads! I got a good yoga workout each morning as I tried to wash my hair.

We adore the Poly and have very sentimental feelings towards it but it sure could use some upgrades.....

 

[HowdyHeidi]

I just stayed at the Poly and I can't imagine that they'd buldoze the whole thing, but what do I know. I would go back again, but only with big room only discount. My son LOVED the volcano pool. And I loved the torches and the location and the room and bathroom size even if I did get lost every time I tried to find our longhouse...

 

[KatMark]

I love the separate buildings. I hate walking through the long winding hallways at the epcot resorts. Other than a refurb every few years I hope the keep it the way it is.

I too don't mind the separate buildings. Even if is raining or 98 degrees with 70+ dew point. Better than walking through the endless hallways.

I totally agree! We stayed at the AKL in September and we had the longest walk we have ever had from our room to the main building or pool (and we've stayed at the CSR nine times and everyone knows the CSR is a large resort). And we froze our butts off in those hallways.

I'd rather enjoy the fresh air than the danky hallways.

 

[DznyCrzy11]

My husband and I have stayed at the Polynesian twice now and love this resort! Yes, it could stand some updates/improvements. Yes, it is an expensive hotel and in today's times you would expect it to have a fitness center, hot tub, etc but really, do you go to WDW to work out? Just walk around in the park. When you pay the high price to stay at the Polynesian, you are paying for convienence of being on the monorail line, and the location of being in the MK area and a view of MK from the Polynesian Beach. You know what they say, location, location, location.

 

[Hooked On The Mouse]

Maybe I will feel differently after this upcoming trip, but right now . I like that Brady Bunch vibe. I kind of hope it's not true.

 

[Dreamer7787]

I really hope not! FI and I are looking to stay at the Poly for our honeymoon in September of that year!