Disney's POLYNESIAN VILLAGE RESORT Information & Questions

[Disneylover99]

Unfortunately, when the "quiet pool" reopens it will be strictly DVC only, meaning that all non DVC guests will be in the Lava Pool. I personally hate how they've done DVC there, taking existing longhouses and converting them, making it even harder to book a room during peak times.

Ugh. If that turns out to be true, we may end up cancelling our reservation next summer. We love using the quiet pool at all the resorts we stay at.

 

[Southernswthrt]

The room was rundown, truly have had nicer rooms at Motel 6. Hairs from a past guest on the ceiling of the bathroom. Light in shower was pulling away and showing drywall. Fan in bathroom went on and off randomly. Silly stuff like no towel art from Mousekeeping, my son really noticed this as we have always had great fun with Mousekeeping creations they have made from towels at the Cabins at Fort Wilderness (and yes we always tip Mousekeeping with specially made envelopes). Had a sprinkler break outside our room causing a minor flood inside, and came back from the parks to towels along the base of our inside patio door. No note, no apologies. Not angry it happened (things happen) but a bit disappointing at the lack of communication. Most of the Cast Members were wonderful. Captain Cooks cast members were rude and short with us on more than one occasion.
Overall a nice stay, hard to ruin the Disney Magic for a hardcore Disney Lover. But we probably won't book the Poly again. The price does not match up with the accommodations.

This makes me nervous about our February trip. We stayed there this past September, but were upgraded to a Studio villa (which was awesome ), but we have 2 standard rooms booked for February. Which longhouse/room were you in?

 

[Zobie]

Which longhouse did you stay in?

Tuvalu was where our room was. We requested that side to stay away from the pool construction sounds.

 

[summerw]

Does dvc only mean dvc members or anyone staying on points? Tia.

 

[mlayton14]

It is being referred to as the DVC pool and the CMs that I asked at the resort in September said "DVC only" like the one at Bay Lake Towers.

Highly doubt this is true, sounds like stirring the pot.

 

[Nikki0401]

Unfortunately, when the "quiet pool" reopens it will be strictly DVC only, meaning that all non DVC guests will be in the Lava Pool. I personally hate how they've done DVC there, taking existing longhouses and converting them, making it even harder to book a room during peak times.

Is there anyone who can confirm this? We have a room booked that will be overlooking this pool, It would be hard to look out my room at a pool I am not allowed to use.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

It wouldn't be unprecedented, given BLT.
Rumor has the new pool at VWL being DVC only as well.

 

[mlayton14]

Is there anyone who can confirm this? We have a room booked that will be overlooking this pool, It would be hard to look out my room at a pool I am not allowed to use.

This is why I think this is bunk and untrue, you mean to tell me they would have $700 per night concierge rooms a few steps away and overlooking a pool they can't use? Highly doubt this. Contemporary is different in that they have 2 other pools and the BLT is really a bit more isolated

 

[JoJoGirl]

It is being referred to as the DVC pool and the CMs that I asked at the resort in September said "DVC only" like the one at Bay Lake Towers.

I hope that this is one of those cases where the CMs are giving incorrect information.

There are a few reasons that this does not make sense to me:

1. This is not a new pool nestled between DVC-only buildings, like BLT. It is bordered on two sides by regular rooms, including the club level rooms. It's hard to believe they would not allow those guests to use the pool that their rooms are directly facing. Plus, many other resort guests walk through this area to their way to the TTC. I doubt the resort would want to antagonize all these guests by building a nice pool area in plain view, then saying "Keep Out!"

2. There will also be a bar and grill in this area. Not sure why Disney would build these, then restrict them to only DVC patrons. It seems more an effort to relieve the overall congestion in the main building and pool area.

3. The barbecue and picnic area is not restricted to DVC-only use, even though it is located squarely in the DVC area. Given this precedent, why would the pool be restricted?

4. We have not heard this information from any other source, before or since September. I'm not saying that some CMs were not giving it out, they are known to do things like that. Unfortunately (or hopefully fortunately in this case) they are not the most reliable sources.

We have a room in Hawaii booked for our next trip. Here's hoping!!!

Edited: Totally agree with mlayton above!

 

[kungaloosh22]

I hope that this is one of those cases where the CMs are giving incorrect information.

There are a few reasons that this does not make sense to me:

1. This is not a new pool nestled between DVC-only buildings, like BLT. It is bordered on two sides by regular rooms, including the club level rooms. It's hard to believe they would not allow those guests to use the pool that their rooms are directly facing. Plus, many other resort guests walk through this area to their way to the TTC. I doubt the resort would want to antagonize all these guests by building a nice pool area in plain view, then saying "Keep Out!"

2. There will also be a bar and grill in this area. Not sure why Disney would build these, then restrict them to only DVC patrons. It seems more an effort to relieve the overall congestion in the main building and pool area.

3. The barbecue and picnic area is not restricted to DVC-only use, even though it is located squarely in the DVC area. Given this precedent, why would the pool be restricted?

4. We have not heard this information from any other source, before or since September. I'm not saying that some CMs were not giving it out, they are known to do things like that. Unfortunately (or hopefully fortunately in this case) they are not the most reliable sources.

We have a room in Hawaii booked for our next trip. Here's hoping!!!

Edited: Totally agree with mlayton above!

Agree with all these reasons. (Plus the pool is bordered on 3 sides by regular rooms, not just 2.)

I believe the cast members were stating what they believe to be true, but it still might be wrong. Last December at the Poly, I was incorrectly told that DVC would include regular 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom units. One CM specifically told me that this would happen in Tokelau (and I could peek through the fence and tell that was unlikely). I was also told some other incorrect stuff about the Volcano pool and an elevated fireworks viewing platform.

If they do end up making the pool DVC only, I can only guess it would be a change in plans to pick up lagging DVC sales. But I'm still skeptical, at least at this point.

 

[kungaloosh22]

Ugh. If that turns out to be true, we may end up cancelling our reservation next summer. We love using the quiet pool at all the resorts we stay at.

Either way I don't know how "quiet" the new pool will be after they add a bar and grill next to it. In the past this pool has always been nice and quiet, and on my last several trips, I used it by myself, with only my husband, or with only a couple other people on multiple occasions. They may be upgrading it specifically to draw more people to it and ease the congestion at the main pool (which I don't think it was really doing before).

I can't decide yet if I'm happy with the upgrade or not, though I certainly do like the idea of a new bar and grill and hot tub.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

It would be a way to help justify Poly DVCbeing so expensive per point, and starting with some of the highest annual maintenance fees, though.

They have definitely said the upgrades to the quiet pool at WL are in response to DVC can requests. I believe the DVC sales office is claiming the second pool at Poly will be DVC only. On the other hand, given how little enforcement of "resort guests only" exists at the main pool, I doubt it would be that much better at the other pool, all things considered. poly pool is notorious for pool bandits.

 

[kungaloosh22]

It would be a way to help justify Poly DVC being so expensive per point, and starting with some of the highest annual maintenance fees, though.

Sigh. It might help justify that a little, but they have (or had) much better ways to do so, IMO. Add washer/dryers or king beds to the studios, add traditional 1- and 2-bedroom villas, and/or tweak the booking categories, but that's all another endless debate.

On the other hand, given how little enforcement of "resort guests only" exists at the main pool, I doubt it would be that much better at the other pool, all things considered. poly pool is notorious for pool bandits.

Excellent point! I'm not a fan of pool bandits at all, but if I were staying in a regular Poly room (especially if staying in Hawaii, Samoa, Niue, or Rarotonga), I'd probably feel okay about "sneaking in" to that pool right outside my window, and for once be glad that the rules aren't enforced well.

For the record, I'm a Poly DVC owner, but I still think making this pool DVC only would be wrong and a slap in the face to regular resort guests. I've been a Poly fan for decades, but I might consider such a change the last straw, to be honest.

 

[Disneylover99]

Either way I don't know how "quiet" the new pool will be after they add a bar and grill next to it. In the past this pool has always been nice and quiet, and on my last several trips, I used it by myself, with only my husband, or with only a couple other people on multiple occasions. They may be upgrading it specifically to draw more people to it and ease the congestion at the main pool (which I don't think it was really doing before).

I can't decide yet if I'm happy with the upgrade or not, though I certainly do like the idea of a new bar and grill and hot tub.

You're right. I should have said "other" pool, not quiet. We just like having a different choice rather then the main pool all the time. I'm happy with a new bar, grill and hot tub. But I won't be happy if admittance is strictly enforced for DVC only.

 

[Kimberle]

Either way I don't know how "quiet" the new pool will be after they add a bar and grill next to it. In the past this pool has always been nice and quiet, and on my last several trips, I used it by myself, with only my husband, or with only a couple other people on multiple occasions. They may be upgrading it specifically to draw more people to it and ease the congestion at the main pool (which I don't think it was really doing before).

I can't decide yet if I'm happy with the upgrade or not, though I certainly do like the idea of a new bar and grill and hot tub.

"Quite" pool is a term WDW fans have made. The correct term is leisure pool. One shouldn't use a leisure pool and expect other guests to be "quiet". Rather they have no lifeguards and no scheduled activities.

 

[ThistleMae]

We are looking at booking for July 2016. I am so excited... this is my dream resort. We were going to stay there on our last trip but changed resorts due to construction. Hope this pans out!

I've been here since Wednesday...Samoa, lava pool side...no construction noise at all. Can't even see it! The pool is noisy during the day...but it's fun noise...kids playing! It has been closing at 10' so it's calm at night and in the morning. Love it here! The fireworks from the beach are spectacular!

 

[Tonberry]

I called a CM (for another reason) and they said the new quiet pool was NOT a DVC only pool.

 

[kungaloosh22]

"Quite" pool is a term WDW fans have made. The correct term is leisure pool. One shouldn't use a leisure pool and expect other guests to be "quiet".

I know, and I'd never suggest that people using a pool need to be quiet (unless they're swimming at a very late time that's likely to wake people up). I apologize if that's how it sounded.

I used the term "quiet" because the person I was responding to said used the term, saying quiet pools were a priority. I was just suggesting that the characteristics of the pool would likely change after the refurb, but the OP knew that and has since clarified that it's pool variety they're looking for (not quiet), so my point was moot anyway.

For me personally, it's not so much the quiet that I'll miss (potentially), but having a non-crowded pool to retreat to. But we'll see how that goes. And I am looking forward to the new amenities, so it's a trade off.

 

[Nikki0401]

It would be a way to help justify Poly DVCbeing so expensive per point, and starting with some of the highest annual maintenance fees, though.

They have definitely said the upgrades to the quiet pool at WL are in response to DVC can requests. I believe the DVC sales office is claiming the second pool at Poly will be DVC only. On the other hand, given how little enforcement of "resort guests only" exists at the main pool, I doubt it would be that much better at the other pool, all things considered. poly pool is notorious for pool bandits.

If this turns out to be true, I will most certainly be changing my reservation to GF. There is no way I am paying these prices and have to sneak into a pool I am not supposed to use.

 

[mickeynut1]

Heading to Poly tomorrow! It's supposed to be hot and super humid! It's interesting because we chose to go this time of year so it would be cooler. Not a fan of the heat. But....the rest of our stay looks pleasant, with lower temps. So Excited! First time at Poly! I pulled out my list and checked it not twice, but four times! I'm ready! See all those of you going for Thanksgiving. Happy Holidays!

Hope you have a great trip and enjoy the Poly .

I'd rather be hot and sweating at Disney than stuck where I am in a blizzard with 16 inches of snow!

I agree! We have around 7-8" so not quite as much as you, but I still don't like it .

We are making our first trip to WDW in ten days, staying club level at the Poly.

Hope you have a great trip!

As of this morning we're doing the single digit dance! Nine days until we check in for our first stay at the Polynesian!

We are looking at booking for July 2016. I am so excited... this is my dream resort. We were going to stay there on our last trip but changed resorts due to construction. Hope this pans out!

I hope everything works out and you are able to try the Poly .

Just returned from staying in a studio in Moorea. View was perfect! We were right next to Hawaii with a lake/theme park view... I had 12 pieces of luggage in the room before my mother and 2 sisters showed up with another 9 pieces. ALL of the luggage was stowed under the bed, in drawers or in little cubby pockets around the room. There was no clue we had so much stuff in that studio! We also had one large cooler, and two small coolers that we kept in the connecting room alcove. I would stay at PVB villas again in a heartbeat!

Sounds like the studios have plenty of space/storage .

The grounds were beyond lovely. Concierge was great. Had a wonderful reception for our anniversary with real flower leis. Our son overate dole whips and had a wonderful time. Monorail ran great, buses were miserable and slow as always. Magical Express exceeded expectations, but first and last time I don't rent a car. The lava pool and lifeguards were great but the early pool closure at 9 each night was a bummer, would have been nice to use the hot tub after a day at the parks, but maybe after they finish renovating the quiet pool this will resolve itself.
The room was rundown, truly have had nicer rooms at Motel 6. Hairs from a past guest on the ceiling of the bathroom. Light in shower was pulling away and showing drywall. Fan in bathroom went on and off randomly. Silly stuff like no towel art from Mousekeeping, my son really noticed this as we have always had great fun with Mousekeeping creations they have made from towels at the Cabins at Fort Wilderness (and yes we always tip Mousekeeping with specially made envelopes). Had a sprinkler break outside our room causing a minor flood inside, and came back from the parks to towels along the base of our inside patio door. No note, no apologies. Not angry it happened (things happen) but a bit disappointing at the lack of communication. Most of the Cast Members were wonderful. Captain Cooks cast members were rude and short with us on more than one occasion.
Overall a nice stay, hard to ruin the Disney Magic for a hardcore Disney Lover. But we probably won't book the Poly again. The price does not match up with the accommodations.

I'm sorry about the condition of the room, but glad you had a nice stay overall .

Any opinions the pros and cons for a standard room vs. a studio if the price is the same? We have 2 adults and 2 children (DS 9 and DD 7) and will only be staying 2 nights pre-cruise and not going to the parks.

My choice would be a standard room, but only because we prefer to have 2 queen beds over 1 queen & a pull out sofa.

Contemporary is different in that they have 2 other pools and the BLT is really a bit more isolated

I agree. BLT is its own separate building, whereas at the Poly, there are non DVC rooms surrounding the quiet pool.

I've been here since Wednesday...Samoa, lava pool side...no construction noise at all. Can't even see it! The pool is noisy during the day...but it's fun noise...kids playing! It has been closing at 10' so it's calm at night and in the morning. Love it here! The fireworks from the beach are spectacular!

Glad you're having a great time .