Disney's POLYNESIAN VILLAGE RESORT Information & Questions

[dansdad]

I have a trip booked at the Poly this summer and I’m not worried. I always think people are more apt to share the bad things over sharing the good. I’ve read some bad reviews, but I’ve read some good reviews, too.

Folks, please keep in mind that people are far more likely to report a negative experience than a positive one, especially online. TripAdvisor is especially useless in that regard when it comes to WDW.

This! If we took negative, especially from TripAdvisor, reviews to heart we wouldn't stay at any WDW resort.

 

[kylenne]

Can these be rented in advance or done the day of?

You can do it the day of, just keep in mind there’s only three available total so if it’s something that you know you’d like to do, it’s best to book in advance especially if you’re going during a busy time. IIRC even day of, you have to call the WDW Play number to do it since booking is handled through the call center.

This! If we took negative, especially from TripAdvisor, reviews to heart we wouldn't stay at any WDW resort.

Seriously...TripAdvisor is full of folks who are not savvy when it comes to Disney, don’t do research about resorts ahead of time, then blame CMs for their bad time. And Disney FB groups are just as bad as TA tbh. I would hope we all realize no resort is perfect, not even my beloved Poly, and blips/missteps happen. But if you look at the actual substance of most of these reviews/complaints it’s really not about resort issues so much as guest issues. It’s not just the Poly either, it happens with every Disney resort at every level.

 

[CJK]

Hi all! I've never stayed club level in my life, so I don't know where one goes when they arrive at the Poly. My friends are arriving in an Uber around 12pm, and have booked lagoon view, club level at the Poly. Do they go into the main lobby, or do they go straight to the check-in desk at the Hawaii longhouse? TIA!

 

[kylenne]

Hi all! I've never stayed club level in my life, so I don't know where one goes when they arrive at the Poly. My friends are arriving in an Uber around 12pm, and have booked lagoon view, club level at the Poly. Do they go into the main lobby, or do they go straight to the check-in desk at the Hawaii longhouse? TIA!

From what I was told on the CL thread when I asked, ideally you’re supposed to be met by a CM who will take you to the Hawaii building for check in, but if you don’t see anyone at the Club Arrivals desk in the main lobby, just let a CM know and they will get somebody for you.

 

[babyruth]

How long does the Spirit of Aloha show run? We are headed to the first seating tonight

 

[babyruth]

Hello everyone!
We stayed twice last year, and have a 10 day stay booked for this year in a studio. Lately on Instagram, Tripadvisor, and various Facebook groups, I've been seeing pretty bad reviews of the Poly. This breaks my heart as it's the only resort we want to be at, but also that we will be staying so long on our trip this year. Does anyone have a recent feel of what the Poly is like these days? People seem to be having bad experiences with the lobby staff and condition of rooms. I'd love to hear your input. Mahalo!

We are in a standard studio at this moment. Yes the rug is worn, the couch is literally disgusting and the entire room smells like food. If you could bottle the smell of ohana noodles and spray everything in here, turn the thermostat up to 75 and let the room bake with the curtains open for a day that’s what it smells like.
It’s clean otherwise, the bathrooms are immaculate. There’s some lime buildup around the kitchen faucet. Normal for Florida, probably not expected by tourists, yet easy enough to clean off if they made any effort.
This is a gorgeous resort. We are here for one night before heading to DCL so I’m not going to complain. They got in into a room at 1230 even though check in for DVC is 4pm or later. Already had a dole whip with parrot bay floater!

 

[Gary Stocker]

"Yes the rug is worn, the couch is literally disgusting and the entire room smells like food. If you could bottle the smell of ohana noodles and spray everything in here, turn the thermostat up to 75 and let the room bake with the curtains open for a day that’s what it smells like."

I would definitely ask for another room if this is the case. I am staying in a DVC studio starting next week and what you described is concerning....except the Dole whip

 

[Mouse_in_the_Longhouse]

We are in a standard studio at this moment. Yes the rug is worn, the couch is literally disgusting and the entire room smells like food. If you could bottle the smell of ohana noodles and spray everything in here, turn the thermostat up to 75 and let the room bake with the curtains open for a day that’s what it smells like.
It’s clean otherwise, the bathrooms are immaculate. There’s some lime buildup around the kitchen faucet. Normal for Florida, probably not expected by tourists, yet easy enough to clean off if they made any effort.
This is a gorgeous resort. We are here for one night before heading to DCL so I’m not going to complain. They got in into a room at 1230 even though check in for DVC is 4pm or later. Already had a dole whip with parrot bay floater!

This is exactly the type of review I am seeing lately...on repeat. I'm just worried we will get something like that without being able to move.

 

[Mzpalmtree]

We stayed in a standard studio in January and it was great. No smells, mold, or anything else unexpected. The condition was good. We also stayed in a standard studio last May and felt it was great too. I have also read a lot of complaints lately about the villas, but our experience was fine. Maybe we just lucked out?

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

We stayed in a standard studio in January and it was great. No smells, mold, or anything else unexpected. The condition was good. We also stayed in a standard studio last May and felt it was great too. I have also read a lot of complaints lately about the villas, but our experience was fine. Maybe we just lucked out?

Thank you for posting this. We are staying in a studio this summer and I hope it is a good experience. I know to expect wear and tear and I'm OK with that, but smelling bad is not OK.

 

[dkrauss]

We are in a standard studio at this moment. Yes the rug is worn, the couch is literally disgusting and the entire room smells like food. If you could bottle the smell of ohana noodles and spray everything in here, turn the thermostat up to 75 and let the room bake with the curtains open for a day that’s what it smells like.
It’s clean otherwise,

You should say something. If problems aren't pointed out they never get resolved and they get worse. If the couch was disgusting that's unacceptable......and management needs to know. BTW have a wonderful cruise

Doug

 

[MM0422]

Yes - the points for those bungalows are quite high - among the highest per night for any DVC rooms at WDW. That being said, if you can afford the points (or the rental), they look pretty nice. As for the fireworks, I expect most will have a view of the MK fireworks - you'd probably have the best views the closer to the Ticket & Transportation Center you are, because the lake view is pretty open down there. But the closer you are to the T&TC, the closer you are to the Ferry Boat dock - and it can get loud there. Enjoy your birthday!

Thanks so much - greatly appreciate it!

 

[PhillyDVC]

We had our first stay at the Poly back in September (rented DVC points). It was absolutely perfect (room, resort, CM). My wife and kids fell in love with the resort. We returned from our trip and purchased a Poly resale contract in December. We lucked out and booked our first “Welcome Home” stay in late January after 4 nights opened up. Both stays were in Tokelau building. September was 3904, room was perfect. January was in 3909. The room had a damp/musty smell throughout our stay. I could never figure out where it was coming from. We just left our slider open during the day and it wasn’t as bad at night. The pull out couch did have a stain on it. We were park heavy that trip so I never complained to the front desk. Thing to remember is the DVC buildings (Tokelau, Pago Pago, Moorea) are almost 5 years old as far as furnishings. I believe they are due for a update in 2022. The beauty and location of the resort will always far outweigh a few imperfections in the room. Every CM I have come into contact with has always greeted us with a friendly “Aloha”. And we cannot wait for many years of magical memories at “our home”.

 

[Mouse_in_the_Longhouse]

We had our first stay at the Poly back in September (rented DVC points). It was absolutely perfect (room, resort, CM). My wife and kids fell in love with the resort. We returned from our trip and purchased a Poly resale contract in December. We lucked out and booked our first “Welcome Home” stay in late January after 4 nights opened up. Both stays were in Tokelau building. September was 3904, room was perfect. January was in 3909. The room had a damp/musty smell throughout our stay. I could never figure out where it was coming from. We just left our slider open during the day and it wasn’t as bad at night. The pull out couch did have a stain on it. We were park heavy that trip so I never complained to the front desk. Thing to remember is the DVC buildings (Tokelau, Pago Pago, Moorea) are almost 5 years old as far as furnishings. I believe they are due for a update in 2022. The beauty and location of the resort will always far outweigh a few imperfections in the room. Every CM I have come into contact with has always greeted us with a friendly “Aloha”. And we cannot wait for many years of magical memories at “our home”.

Yeah, the damp/musty smells are often mold, which is what I can't be in. I worry about that more than dust or aging rooms. We didn't have those issues in our Standard stay at Rarotonga.

 

[PhillyDVC]

We had no issues with our first stay in the same building and floor. I’m sure front desk would immediately move you to a new room if there are any issues upon arrival. Especially with a 10 night stay.

 

[Mouse_in_the_Longhouse]

Thank you! I'm hopeful we get a healthy room on the first go
[/QUOTE]
Exactly! the couch will be used for sleeping in our family. I'd definitely give the resort feedback on that one.

We had no issues with our first stay in the same building and floor. I’m sure front desk would immediately move you to a new room if there are any issues upon arrival. Especially with a 10 night stay.

 

[dkrauss]

I know the allure of the Poly..........I'm in possession of it However we all spend a ton of money to stay at Disney resorts. My wife and I just got back from 4 nights at CBR in a Pirate room........the room ambiance was awesome, however the mattresses on the beds were awful.......just awful. After our first night I had to visit the front desk and while there the CM asked how things were going..........and I told her. I told her we love the resort, we love the room......it was clean (we went through just like Pete would....a bit of paranoia) but I pointed out the mattresses we're terrible. She told me they hear that quite a bit.........while I did not speak she could tell that I didn't like her answer.......she told me she'd send my message to the manager. Eventually if enough people speak........change will come. I was nice and calm but honest.

Now if I thought "mold" was present............I'd be looking for a new room........

Doug

 

[busymomma123]

We are looking at the week before Thanksgiving leaving for home the Monday of Thanksgiving week. There is no availability for any dates in the entire resort that come up. Anyone have any idea of what's going on that there's no availability then???

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Hi all! I've never stayed club level in my life, so I don't know where one goes when they arrive at the Poly. My friends are arriving in an Uber around 12pm, and have booked lagoon view, club level at the Poly. Do they go into the main lobby, or do they go straight to the check-in desk at the Hawaii longhouse? TIA!

There is a “CL Arrivals” desk on the left when you walk in the lobby. Ideally someone will be at that station and you tell them you’re checking in CL. They’ll get your info and then (usually) walk you over to the Hawaii longhouse where they’ll pass you off the the CL CMs.

Sometimes the CL Arrivals station is unstaffed - they don’t have multiple people there so if the CM just left to escort someone or whatever, it’s possible someone might not be there.

If that’s the case, alternatives would be to check in at the regular check in desks, find a manager looking CM type and tell him you’re checking in CL, or just walk to Hawaii yourself and visit the CL CMs there (they are located right where you walk in). MagicBands may or may work on the longhouse door, if they don’t they’ll (usually) see you and let you in.

Hope that helps.

 

[kylenne]

We are looking at the week before Thanksgiving leaving for home the Monday of Thanksgiving week. There is no availability for any dates in the entire resort that come up. Anyone have any idea of what's going on that there's no availability then???

Try changing the number of days or the offer you have selected. Most times when you see something like that it's because the algorithm doesn't see anything or you have an offer selected that has no availability for those dates.