Disney's POLYNESIAN VILLAGE RESORT Information & Questions

[Dug720]

My husband and I are booking our 1st Stay at the Poly for Aug. 2021 (hopefully). Whichever longhouse we choose, we are booking a MK view room. We would like to be close to the GCH, and we don't want to get soaked walking from TTC . I don't like that the bus stop is not covered because the bus is the only transportation from Poly to AK which is one of our favorite parks. Help me figure out where to stay. I have been avoiding Poly because of the Longhouses vs. the lobby in my beloved AKL which I really enjoy. However, we will be celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary and want to stay at Poly which reminds us of our honeymoon which we spend in Hawaii. I really need any suggestions. Thanks.

According to Touring Plans, if you are meaning just room (not Bungalow or Studios), your buildings are Tuvalu or Aotearoa. Aotearoa is the closest to the GCH but the furthest from the TTC. Tuvalu is not super close to either.

If you do Club Level that would be Hawaii - a walk to both, but not as far as Tuvalu.

The studios, Pago Pago is closest to TTC - but none of the studios are classified TPV (or Magic Kingdom View). And there is still a walk to:from the GCH.

So it looks like you might have to pick which is most important. MK view OR being close to the GCG OR being close to the TTC.

 

[Minnie1222]

My husband and I are booking our 1st Stay at the Poly for Aug. 2021 (hopefully). Whichever longhouse we choose, we are booking a MK view room. We would like to be close to the GCH, and we don't want to get soaked walking from TTC .

I'm not familiar with the DVC side, but on the hotel side you can book theme park view at the 3 buildings circled. Tuvalu is non-club while Hawaii and Tonga are club buildings. Tonga is closest to the CGH, but it is the hardest one to book, also the most expensive, and has the least impressive theme park view out of these three.
Disclosure: I have not stayed at Tuvalu, but I'm assuming it probably has a similar, if not better, view than Hawaii.

 

[Dug720]

I'm not familiar with the DVC side, but on the hotel side you can book theme park view at the 3 buildings circled. Tuvalu is non-club while Hawaii and Tonga are club buildings. Tonga is closest to the CGH, but it is the hardest one to book, also the most expensive, and has the least impressive theme park view out of these three.
Disclosure: I have not stayed at Tuvalu, but I'm assuming it probably has a similar, if not better, view than Hawaii.

The Touring Plans room finder does not list Tonga as TPV.

Edit to add: It lists Tonga as suites.

 

[Minnie1222]

Yes, sorry I forgot to add: if you want a theme park view at Tonga, you must ask during booking and they will tell you which suite is available. The Princess suite on the 2nd floor has a nice view of the castle and Space Mountain.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Have they put out a resort activity calendar at all? We will be staying 8/24-8/26 and have a lot of resort time check in day, I'm wondering what will be available other than the pools.

To my knowledge they have not restarted posting a monthly activities calendar yet. Someone back in mid July posted an internal time/activity sheet that the front desk people have and the CM told the guest to take a pic of it when they asked for an activities calendar. Not sure I’ve seen an August one.

Although other than nighttime movies on select nights, non pool activities are slim pickings (aka, nonexistent) at the moment.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Tambu Lounge is supposed to be opening today.
Anybody there stopping by for a drink?

I give the 4pm-11pm hours two thumbs up. With the Barefoot Pool Bar closing at 8pm and no other adult beverage options, this takes the edge off a bit (in more ways than one!).

 

[trishadono]

I give the 4pm-11pm hours two thumbs up. With the Barefoot Pool Bar closing at 8pm and no other adult beverage options, this takes the edge off a bit (in more ways than one!).

DD and I will be there soon!!!

 

[mom2elle]

I give the 4pm-11pm hours two thumbs up. With the Barefoot Pool Bar closing at 8pm and no other adult beverage options, this takes the edge off a bit (in more ways than one!).

I’ll be there Friday!

 

[JFDIS]

Can you take drinks and food Togo from Tambu? Just in case my kids pass out early and I can send my husband out on a mission

 

[Doofenshmirtz513]

Can you take drinks and food Togo from Tambu? Just in case my kids pass out early and I can send my husband out on a mission

Don't know about Tambu (it wasn't open when I was there a week ago), but you can get to-go adult drinks from Kona Cafe. We did that one night when the Barefoot Pool Bar was closed. Just talk to the host/hostess.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Can you take drinks and food Togo from Tambu? Just in case my kids pass out early and I can send my husband out on a mission

Yes, under normal times you can get to go drinks from Tambu. I assume that is still the case now.

 

[JFDIS]

Don't know about Tambu (it wasn't open when I was there a week ago), but you can get to-go adult drinks from Kona Cafe. We did that one night when the Barefoot Pool Bar was closed. Just take to the host/hostess.

Great to know!!

 

[bcuinohio]

Are the fridges in the Villa studios the same as those in standard resort rooms or larger?

Not sure what size is in regular room but Studio fridge is like a large dorm fridge. There is not a freezer in there.

 

[JFDIS]

Can you get the magical bread pudding I’ve heard about anywhere or is that just an Ohana dish?

 

[bcuinohio]

I give the 4pm-11pm hours two thumbs up. With the Barefoot Pool Bar closing at 8pm and no other adult beverage options, this takes the edge off a bit (in more ways than one!).

I agree. The Poly had about the worst lounge options of any open resort. We drove over to Geyser Point on Thursday night for dinner. It really showed emphasized the lack of bar options at the Poly. Great burger by the way.

 

[Disneylover99]

Can you get the magical bread pudding I’ve heard about anywhere or is that just an Ohana dish?

It’s normally available at the Tambu Lounge too, but with Ohana still being closed, I’m guessing there is no bread pudding at the moment.

 

[Lsdolphin]

Not sure what size is in regular room but Studio fridge is like a large dorm fridge. There is not a freezer in there.

sounds like same size as in regular resort rooms...I was hoping for freezer

 

[bcuinohio]

We spent two nights at the Poly this week in a studio. Here are some observations I made while we were there. Security is not checking guests as thoroughly as they normally do. When we arrived, I told the guard I had a reservation. He asked to see a photo ID. Unless he had a bionic eye, there was no way he could have read it. He did not scan my magic band or attempt to look up my reservation either. He welcomed us home and let us in. They are not checking the refillable mugs either. We all bought mugs. If you come down with your mug, they give you a drink.

I asked the CMs about resort hopping by car. They didn't seem to have a definite answer. After that I went out and asked the guard at the entrance. He told me that if you showed the guard at the gate that you were a resort guest and made a mobile order or had an ADR, they had to let you in. We drove over to the WL to eat at Geyser Point. I was honest and told the guard we were staying at the Poly and wanted to eat the Geyser Point. After asking to see my ID, he let us in. Again there was no way he could see it and did not scan my magic band.

 

[bcuinohio]

Thx!

I brought home a bag full of them, LOL.

 

[JFDIS]

We spent two nights at the Poly this week in a studio. Here are some observations I made while we were there. Security is not checking guests as thoroughly as they normally do. When we arrived, I told the guard I had a reservation. He asked to see a photo ID. Unless he had a bionic eye, there was no way he could have read it. He did not scan my magic band or attempt to look up my reservation either. He welcomed us home and let us in. They are not checking the refillable mugs either. We all bought mugs. If you come down with your mug, they give you a drink.

I asked the CMs about resort hopping by car. They didn't seem to have a definite answer. After that I went out and asked the guard at the entrance. He told me that if you showed the guard at the gate that you were a resort guest and made a mobile order or had an ADR, they had to let you in. We drove over to the WL to eat at Geyser Point. I was honest and told the guard we were staying at the Poly and wanted to eat the Geyser Point. After asking to see my ID, he let us in. Again there was no way he could see it and did not scan my magic band.

Thanks for the report!