Resort Thread Disney's POLYNESIAN VILLAGE RESORT

[kylenne]

Ah we weren’t in the lobby yesterday because we went to Epcot so we didn’t notice shop construction. gf wants to ship her lightsaber home so I guess we’ll see today.

We’ve been here since Wednesday and are checking out today. Have not really noticed any additional monorail crowding due to the tower, which I figured would be the case—people ride at different times. One thing that was very much different than past stays was even the first buses of the morning to HS and AK were stopping at GF first, which had never been the case. We also had a hiccup yesterday with the Epcot monorail not running for rope drop so we had to take a bus from the TTC and that pretty much scuttled our plans to double up on Cosmic Rewind (we already had LLs).

They are also not doing pool wristbands here like the other deluxes, which is very surprising and frankly disappointing. We totally avoided the Lava pool as it was a zoo every time we looked at it. Oasis patio was a godsend with the weather on our pool day and I would not assume they werent booked up just because you don’t see anyone there. We showed up “late” to ours.

I will say the only real pain points about Poly being so busy with visitors is the usual stuff—Pineapple Lanai line was around the corner on Saturday night, the beach almost looked like the hub at fireworks time. We noticed a lot of enormous groups this time that were just annoying—a group of 14 for trader sam’s, another big group treating the hot tub like their personal one at home.

 

[kylenne]

Sorry to double post but just dropped our bags at bell services before heading to 1900 park fare and looks like construction did start out front

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Sorry to double post but just dropped our bags at bell services before heading to 1900 park fare and looks like construction did start out front

View attachment 970553

And there you go. The great parking lot tear up of 2025 commences! Thanks for the report!

 

[TheFloatingBear]

Hi folks! Haven't posted in a while but literally just booked a trip for next week - 6/4-13/25

My kids haven't been to WDW in four years and we haven't stayed at the Poly for six years, so trying to catch up on things. Learning curve! I'm trying to read the last few pages but would love any feedback people want to share...

So far, seems like Tower is open, so curious about how the "regular" Poly fans are finding the impact? Sounds like not so bad with Monorail, but maybe buses? Pools have always seemed a challenge, but disheartened to hear they are not checking bands. Is the pool by the tower (Cove pool?) open to resort guests? That's how I'm reading it on the WDW website but just wanted to confirm. If so, any quieter than the other pools?

Sounds like maybe need to fit Wailulu Bar and Grill into my schedule? Any highlights? Thanks!

 

[kylenne]

So far, seems like Tower is open, so curious about how the "regular" Poly fans are finding the impact? Sounds like not so bad with Monorail, but maybe buses? Pools have always seemed a challenge, but disheartened to hear they are not checking bands. Is the pool by the tower (Cove pool?) open to resort guests? That's how I'm reading it on the WDW website but just wanted to confirm. If so, any quieter than the other pools?

The Cove pool is open to non tower guests and wasn’t super crowded the couple of times we walked past it to get to Wailulu. I would say about as attended as the Oasis pool, slightly less. People there but not so many that finding chairs would have been an issue had we opted to use it. There’s also a mug refill station over there, a couple of Freestyle machines.

So far, seems like Tower is open, so curious about how the "regular" Poly fans are finding the impact? Sounds like not so bad with Monorail, but maybe buses? Pools have always seemed a challenge, but disheartened to hear they are not checking bands. Is the pool by the tower (Cove pool?) open to resort guests? That's how I'm reading it on the WDW website but just wanted to confirm. If so, any quieter than the other pools?

Again really no issues that I’m seeing outside the usual. We took the bus to HS on Sunday evening to see Fantasmic and that was the most crowded I saw it. If you are rope dropping parks, there are really no more people than usual on those first buses of the day. Most guests just don’t want to get up that early.

Re: Wailulu absolutely. It may be the best restaurant at the resort now. We had dinner there twice, including last night, and everything was fantastic. Having had them both on this trip my hot take is the Wayfinder burger beats the Stack over at S71. The spicy sauce and the bun with the crispy edges from the smash patties put it over the top for me. Our gluten free friend was able to order it with an allergy bun. GF enjoyed the tuna poke bowl as well. Last night we had the sweet potato hummus as well and it was fantastic too.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

So far, seems like Tower is open, so curious about how the "regular" Poly fans are finding the impact? Sounds like not so bad with Monorail, but maybe buses? Pools have always seemed a challenge, but disheartened to hear they are not checking bands. Is the pool by the tower (Cove pool?) open to resort guests? That's how I'm reading it on the WDW website but just wanted to confirm. If so, any quieter than the other pools?

Personally, I don’t think it’s had much of an impact, or at least any impact that would make me feel any sort of way about the Poly. While a tall structure and a little ugly (in my humble opinion), the actual room count isn’t all that huge relatively speaking. The max theoretical guest count addition is some ~1,162 guests assuming every unit was occupied to the max (which would never really happen). Combine actual occupancy and the myriad of people’s plans on any given Disney day and that’s a relatively small number that gets absorbed into the daily functioning of the resort. The old Luau probably had more of a palpable impact in the evenings, frankly.

Pools have always been a Poly topic (especially the Lava Pool) and I don’t see that ever changing.

The new restaurant, nice bar with a view, and fitness center are welcome additions, in my humble opinion.

Have fun!

 

[TheFloatingBear]

The Cove pool is open to non tower guests and wasn’t super crowded the couple of times we walked past it to get to Wailulu. I would say about as attended as the Oasis pool, slightly less. People there but not so many that finding chairs would have been an issue had we opted to use it. There’s also a mug refill station over there, a couple of Freestyle machines.



Again really no issues that I’m seeing outside the usual. We took the bus to HS on Sunday evening to see Fantasmic and that was the most crowded I saw it. If you are rope dropping parks, there are really no more people than usual on those first buses of the day. Most guests just don’t want to get up that early.

Re: Wailulu absolutely. It may be the best restaurant at the resort now. We had dinner there twice, including last night, and everything was fantastic. Having had them both on this trip my hot take is the Wayfinder burger beats the Stack over at S71. The spicy sauce and the bun with the crispy edges from the smash patties put it over the top for me. Our gluten free friend was able to order it with an allergy bun. GF enjoyed the tuna poke bowl as well. Last night we had the sweet potato hummus as well and it was fantastic too.

Personally, I don’t think it’s had much of an impact, or at least any impact that would make me feel any sort of way about the Poly. While a tall structure and a little ugly (in my humble opinion), the actual room count isn’t all that huge relatively speaking. The max theoretical guest count addition is some ~1,162 guests assuming every unit was occupied to the max (which would never really happen). Combine actual occupancy and the myriad of people’s plans on any given Disney day and that’s a relatively small number that gets absorbed into the daily functioning of the resort. The old Luau probably had more of a palpable impact in the evenings, frankly.

Pools have always been a Poly topic (especially the Lava Pool) and I don’t see that ever changing.

The new restaurant, nice bar with a view, and fitness center are welcome additions, in my humble opinion.

Have fun!

Thanks for the responses...Good to know about the Cove Pool. From the pictures I've seen, it looks lovely, so we'll definitely check it out. This is a high school graduation trip for my daughter. She was diagnosed with a chronic illness last year and she's had a rough year, so I'm not quite sure how her stamina we will be, so I think we'll be taking more breaks. I'm just worrying about things in a different way this time around. Being able to get pool chairs could be more important than previous trips. I know the pool thing has always been an issue there, but I felt like the last time I was there, they seem to be trying to improve things...

Anyway, good to know about the limited impact on transportation and stuff. Again, we know it's an imperfect system, just trying to get a handle on things as we navigate different limitations. Poly has great access to two parks, so hoping that makes things easier. I was happy to be able to book a room a week out. This trip I expect DH and I may rope drop some days and DD and DS will probably follow later, so good to know. Thanks for breaking down the numbers, @GADisneyDad14 - that makes sense!

And I love a nice bar with a view! @kylenne you've sold me on Wailulu - sounds great - can't wait to try it! It's funny that you mention S71 - I've wanted to try that, but sounds like I'll have my hands full haunting the Poly bars and restaurants - thanks again!

 

[Gary Stocker]

My trip is about 50 days away and we plan on going to wailulu after our Magic kingdom morning..typically how long is the wait for a table around lunch time or is it a crap shoot?

 

[kylenne]

My trip is about 50 days away and we plan on going to wailulu after our Magic kingdom morning..typically how long is the wait for a table around lunch time or is it a crap shoot?

A crap shoot at dinner, not so much for lunch. Not many folks are hanging around the resort that time of day. By contrast we waited 45 min Wednesday night for dinner around 7:30p but last night not even 10 minutes, at around the exact same time. Even the CM who checked us in was surprised.

Edited to add: I forgot to mention earlier but they appeared to be doing some roof work on Niue, we noticed when we were at the Oasis pool today. Not quite sure what but there was a guy walking around up there.

 

[Gary Stocker]

A crap shoot at dinner, not so much for lunch. Not many folks are hanging around the resort that time of day. By contrast we waited 45 min Wednesday night for dinner around 7:30p but last night not even 10 minutes, at around the exact same time. Even the CM who checked us in was surprised.

Much appreciated... can't wait. Hoping for this...

 

[Dave006]

Sorry to double post but just dropped our bags at bell services before heading to 1900 park fare and looks like construction did start out front

Any clue as to where / if they moved the park buses or is there still a little space for the buses right at the front where they normally pickup?

Dave

 

[trishadono]

Hi folks! Haven't posted in a while but literally just booked a trip for next week - 6/4-13/25

My kids haven't been to WDW in four years and we haven't stayed at the Poly for six years, so trying to catch up on things. Learning curve! I'm trying to read the last few pages but would love any feedback people want to share...

So far, seems like Tower is open, so curious about how the "regular" Poly fans are finding the impact? Sounds like not so bad with Monorail, but maybe buses? Pools have always seemed a challenge, but disheartened to hear they are not checking bands. Is the pool by the tower (Cove pool?) open to resort guests? That's how I'm reading it on the WDW website but just wanted to confirm. If so, any quieter than the other pools?

Sounds like maybe need to fit Wailulu Bar and Grill into my schedule? Any highlights? Thanks!

The wailulu is a must do. You can do take out in the app if can’t get seats. The burger and hummus were amazing!

We like oasis pool for swimming and meals. Quiet and good!

 

[TheFloatingBear]

The wailulu is a must do. You can do take out in the app if can’t get seats. The burger and hummus were amazing!

We like oasis pool for swimming and meals. Quiet and good!

Glad I checked this thread before I got there so I can plan ahead for Wailulu - I figured there would be something new with the tower but it wasn't on my radar! Hoping DH and I can sneak over for a drink at the bar for some lunch! We have water view, so requested Samoa on on-line check in, so hopefully easy access to Oasis pool! So weird to have just booked it this week and we'll be there next week!

 

[kylenne]

Any clue as to where / if they moved the park buses or is there still a little space for the buses right at the front where they normally pickup?

Dave

As of now thru traffic is normal, we didn’t use buses today but nothing appeared rerouted as of yet and our driver picked us up as normal. They are just tearing up the parking lot on the other side of that main road out front for now, from what we saw when we left.