Disney's POLYNESIAN VILLAGE RESORT Information & Questions

[jlhmom75]

Staying at the Poly for the first time in July. On our first night (non-park day) we would like to watch the fireworks from the beach. Do they pipe in the music on the beach between Luau Cove and the longhouses or just the beach near the pool?

 

[Rich M]

Staying at the Poly for the first time in July. On our first night (non-park day) we would like to watch the fireworks from the beach. Do they pipe in the music on the beach between Luau Cove and the longhouses or just the beach near the pool?

If your planning a dinner at Ohana's I would highly recommend dining while the fireworks are going on. They pipe the music in and it is a great view. I have been lucky enough to be there during a Halloween Party and Christmas Party firework show and both were fantastic.

 

[Planner2012]

I tried to book a 3 night stay in a standard view studio in October, but the online system showed no availability. There are rooms available though as I can get availability for the whole week. I called Disney reservations as I thought it might be an online glitch, but she told me there is a minimum stay and couldn't book 3 nights. I asked if I booked 7, could I just cancel 4? She said no it would cancel my whole reservation as there is no availability for 3 nights. I tried again online and it looks like the minimum is 4 nights. Has anyone had any success booking 3? Should I call back? This is for a trip in October.
This is my dream resort & likely last trip for a long time. 3 nights is the max my budget can handle.

 

[dansdad]

I tried to book a 3 night stay in a standard view studio in October, but the online system showed no availability. There are rooms available though as I can get availability for the whole week. I called Disney reservations as I thought it might be an online glitch, but she told me there is a minimum stay and couldn't book 3 nights. I asked if I booked 7, could I just cancel 4? She said no it would cancel my whole reservation as there is no availability for 3 nights. I tried again online and it looks like the minimum is 4 nights. Has anyone had any success booking 3? Should I call back? This is for a trip in October.
This is my dream resort & likely last trip for a long time. 3 nights is the max my budget can handle.

There is no minimum night restriction per se. As @JETSDAD stated, this is the booking algorithm causing issues. The system is designed to limit "orphaned" rooms, rooms unbooked for a night or two. It's easier for them to book a room for 7 nights than for 4 nights.

Your best bet would be to speak to Guest Services as they are able to override the system. Now they have the ability to do this, but sometimes they say no.

 

[Cluelyss]

There is no minimum night restriction per se. As @JETSDAD stated, this is the booking algorithm causing issues. The system is designed to limit "orphaned" rooms, rooms unbooked for a night or two. It's easier for them to book a room for 7 nights than for 4 nights.

Your best bet would be to speak to Guest Services as they are able to override the system. Now they have the ability to do this, but sometimes they say no.

You may also try booking the full week then modifying the reservation a day or two later. This has worked for me in the past.

 

[sandym718]

I tried to book a 3 night stay in a standard view studio in October, but the online system showed no availability. There are rooms available though as I can get availability for the whole week. I called Disney reservations as I thought it might be an online glitch, but she told me there is a minimum stay and couldn't book 3 nights. I asked if I booked 7, could I just cancel 4? She said no it would cancel my whole reservation as there is no availability for 3 nights. I tried again online and it looks like the minimum is 4 nights. Has anyone had any success booking 3? Should I call back? This is for a trip in October.
This is my dream resort & likely last trip for a long time. 3 nights is the max my budget can handle.

My issue for November wasn’t too few nights but basically the same thing. Each night was available individually or in various combinations but not the 7 night stretch I wanted. I would suggest calling back until you get a knowledgeable (saying there was a minimum was wrong) and helpful CM. I had a great one who went through and checked each night as I did. He tentatively booked it as two separate stays and then put me on hold and contacted Guest Services. They were able to override and make it one reservation. Just be prepared for a long phone call but they should be able to do it for you.

 

[stitchfan18]

We’re celebrating our 10 year anniversary on our family trip to the Poly in the fall, and I’m trying to figure out something special to arrange while we are there. We have 3 kids 4 and under, so a nice dinner out can sometimes be a gamble. I was thinking about doing a private fireworks cruise. Has anyone done one from the poly before? We did one several years ago for Illuminations from the YC and really enjoyed it, but we went with my extended family and all split the cost. I’m trying to decide if it is worth the $300+ splurge.

 

[Rich M]

We’re celebrating our 10 year anniversary on our family trip to the Poly in the fall, and I’m trying to figure out something special to arrange while we are there. We have 3 kids 4 and under, so a nice dinner out can sometimes be a gamble. I was thinking about doing a private fireworks cruise. Has anyone done one from the poly before? We did one several years ago for Illuminations from the YC and really enjoyed it, but we went with my extended family and all split the cost. I’m trying to decide if it is worth the $300+ splurge.

Sure sounds like a great time but since you have done it before you would know best. I saw that they are offering some sort of day care thing at the Contemporary that would allow the two of you to have an evening together. Don't know the cost but maybe that would be better for the two of you? But if you want to do with the kids I would say the cruise sounds great.

 

[Cluelyss]

We’re celebrating our 10 year anniversary on our family trip to the Poly in the fall, and I’m trying to figure out something special to arrange while we are there. We have 3 kids 4 and under, so a nice dinner out can sometimes be a gamble. I was thinking about doing a private fireworks cruise. Has anyone done one from the poly before? We did one several years ago for Illuminations from the YC and really enjoyed it, but we went with my extended family and all split the cost. I’m trying to decide if it is worth the $300+ splurge.

The kids may enjoy doing the Pirates & Pals Cruise as well. While not private, it would definitely be more cost efficient. And it’s a really fun experience!

 

[mrsap]

We are exactly 3 months away from our first stay at Poly! I’m really looking forward to it! We have been watching videos online and getting really excited!! We are getting ready to make FP’s in a couple weeks, starting to feel a lot closer now! We love Ohana, and have eaten there every year for the last few years, but haven’t tried anything else. Would love to get some recommendations on where to grab a quick bite to eat with decent food!! Thank you!!

 

[tnolan]

We are exactly 3 months away from our first stay at Poly! I’m really looking forward to it! We have been watching videos online and getting really excited!! We are getting ready to make FP’s in a couple weeks, starting to feel a lot closer now! We love Ohana, and have eaten there every year for the last few years, but haven’t tried anything else. Would love to get some recommendations on where to grab a quick bite to eat with decent food!! Thank you!!

For a quick bite, I can recommend Captain Cook's, we have never had a bad meal there and they bring the food out very fast!

 

[mrsap]

For a quick bite, I can recommend Captain Cook's, we have never had a bad meal there and they bring the food out very fast!

That’s great to know!! Thank you.

 

[Maxie86]

We’re celebrating our 10 year anniversary on our family trip to the Poly in the fall, and I’m trying to figure out something special to arrange while we are there. We have 3 kids 4 and under, so a nice dinner out can sometimes be a gamble. I was thinking about doing a private fireworks cruise. Has anyone done one from the poly before? We did one several years ago for Illuminations from the YC and really enjoyed it, but we went with my extended family and all split the cost. I’m trying to decide if it is worth the $300+ splurge.

We have done it from the GF. It was awesome, started about an hour before fireworks with a tour around Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake before pulling up in front of the MK to view the fireworks. The captain was fun and made the cruise very enjoyable. I would definitely do it again.

 

[crazycheryl]

Do they pipe in the music on the beach between Luau Cove and the longhouses or just the beach near the pool?

We stayed in Fiji in February and when we stepped out to watch the fireworks, we could faintly hear the music, but it wasn't piped in on that side.

 

[hereforthechurros]

I tried to book a 3 night stay in a standard view studio in October, but the online system showed no availability. There are rooms available though as I can get availability for the whole week. I called Disney reservations as I thought it might be an online glitch, but she told me there is a minimum stay and couldn't book 3 nights. I asked if I booked 7, could I just cancel 4? She said no it would cancel my whole reservation as there is no availability for 3 nights. I tried again online and it looks like the minimum is 4 nights. Has anyone had any success booking 3? Should I call back? This is for a trip in October.
This is my dream resort & likely last trip for a long time. 3 nights is the max my budget can handle.

Pardon my naïveté but I didn’t know WDW had minimum stays :-/ I tried to rent DVC points for 3 nights at Poly and every weekend in October and November was unavailable. I wound up using a travel agency and was able to book 3 nights at Polynesian. I then added another night later as it’s own reservation. Wonder why the system won’t allow it but an agency was able to book. My TA did warn that October at Poly was filling very quickly but it’s a bummer that they have availability and won’t let you book what you need.

 

[Rich M]

Pardon my naïveté but I didn’t know WDW had minimum stays :-/ I tried to rent DVC points for 3 nights at Poly and every weekend in October and November was unavailable. I wound up using a travel agency and was able to book 3 nights at Polynesian. I then added another night later as it’s own reservation. Wonder why the system won’t allow it but an agency was able to book. My TA did warn that October at Poly was filling very quickly but it’s a bummer that they have availability and won’t let you book what you need.

I booked 3 nights DVC Rental in October but it is Sunday through Wednesday. I am glad I lucked out as it is a dream of ours to stay at the Poly.

 

[Sailormoon2]

Piggy-backing off an earlier question:
Where is the best area to view the firewalks from the beach with music?

 

[mickeynut1]

I’ll be there on Tuesday and will report back if there’s MB access to the Oasis pool!

Have a great trip!

Staying at the Poly for the first time in July.

Hope you have a great time .

We are exactly 3 months away from our first stay at Poly! I’m really looking forward to it! We have been watching videos online and getting really excited!! We are getting ready to make FP’s in a couple weeks, starting to feel a lot closer now! We love Ohana, and have eaten there every year for the last few years, but haven’t tried anything else. Would love to get some recommendations on where to grab a quick bite to eat with decent food!! Thank you!!

How exciting! Enjoy the rest of your planning, hope you get all of your FPs .

For a quick bite, I can recommend Captain Cook's, we have never had a bad meal there and they bring the food out very fast!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Piggy-backing off an earlier question:
Where is the best area to view the firewalks from the beach with music?

My vote would be towards the right side of the yellow box in the pic below:



And here's a pic from that spot:


Fireworks audio has been a problem in the past on the Poly beach - sometimes if you're too far on the beach / away from a speaker, the audio would be too low for good enjoyment. I've been twice since October last year and the audio has been much improved - very loud, to the point of almost speaker distortion. YMMV.

 

[lmhall2000]

So excited! I booked 2 nights at a Studio in May. We will only be there 48 hours! Trying to pack a lot in! Picking up our daughter from the College program. We stayed at Poly just once before -14 years ago, we paid $189 a night then and thought it was so expensive
Are room requests a thing anymore? Do you prefer bottom or top floor? We have to check out at 11am, but our flight is not until 9:00pm...considered renting a cabana but for 1/2 day periods would only use it 2 hours bc they rent 3:00-7:00...does anyone know what time they will schedule Magical Express for a 9:00pm flight?
Thinking about checking other resorts out..never stayed at Epcot resorts, curious what they look like.
Don’t want to do Disney Springs, any other ideas to make our last day fun? We only have one day parkhoppers which we’ll use the day before.
Thanks so much for your help!!