Do you feel this way about the Poly?

[tink_lover]

We had a VERY difficult time finding chairs for the family by the pool in the afternoon. Usually ended up with a couple of chairs for the whole family, but after much hunting/dragging/asking, etc. Talked to another family near us that camped out at 9:00 in the morning and left stuff on their table all day - at one point, they left for over 3 hours, but because it looked like someone was there, no one else could use it. Another family talked about how when they would stay at the cabins, they would always make a trip over to use the pool. I'm in agreement that the Deluxe resorts need to put some system in place (like SAB) to keep the pool area for paying guests of the resort.

 

[Tam1067]

Well, you can tell some of the pool hoppers, such as those we saw who had tons of belongings (way too much to have just been on the plane or anything)piled on the stroller and then were changing into their park clothes in the bathroom.

We saw a few who were either DVC people (they have a right to use other pools, I know), or who were certainly not staying at the Poly.

That said, the Poly is our favorite place, and we never feel like it's overcrowded with others except sometimes at the pool, but I think you get crowded pools in the summertime in Florida!

 

[DaisyD]

We love the Poly and never notice it being too crowded. WE've stayed there close to an entire years worth of days so far. The only place I see with a lot of people is at 'Ohana waiting to get in. I wouldn't stay anywhere else.

 

[vicki_c]

We've stayed twice at the Poly and I never thought it was crowded at all! The biggest crowd I saw was a group of people waiting to go down to the Luau that were in the GCH one evening.

Of course, we haven't been there at Christmas, Spring Break/Easter or even mid-summer, so maybe that's the difference? The GCH can be active at times, but once you step out the back door towards your longhouse, there's usually no one around!

 

[LowesChevy]

We have stayed at the Polynesian numerous times in October and May. Most of the time the a quite a few people at the Volcano pool, so we hit the slide a few times and head back to the quiet pool, where there are less people. When the resort was full, the pool areas fill up fast. Normally we would swim around 1 or 2 in the afternoon and the crowds were not bad.

The only time the place feels jammed is when you go to breakfast or dinner at Kona and you have to swim through the O'hana crowds. When it is crowded, most of the congestion is in the GCH and the Volcano pool area.

Other than that there are never that many people walking around the grounds during the day, but the laundry is crowded when you have wash lol.

 

[RSoxFan]

I stayed at the Poly for the first time the first week of December and I couldn't believe it. The main building was awful. The crowds from Ohana were so bad at breakfast and dinner time that it was nearly impossible to get to the monorail. It felt like an airport terminal. I've stayed at the Grand Floridian, the Dolphin, the Boardwalk and the Beach Club and I have NEVER felt the way I did at the Polynesian. We were really disappointed in the resort. It didn't feel like a resort. It felt like an extension of the park.

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

This is an interesting thread. We were at the Poly this past Saturday for our dinner at Ohana's. My first thought was how beautiful the resort is. We had some time before our ADR so we decided to check out the pool. While it looked pretty neat, it was sooooo crowded! I said to my hubby that as neat as this place is, there is no room to move around the pool or pool area. Also, the lobby and shops of the resort right around Kona and Ohana was so crowded. It seemed like there more non-resort guests than actual resort guests. As much as I'd love to stay there one day if I hit the lottery, I don't know if I could deal with moving through a huge crowd each time I want to go to the gift shop or grab some snacks.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

I've stayed at the Poly twice and have never felt it was 'too touristy' or like I was a visitor at my own resort. The volcano pool can get crowded during peak times but I hardly ever use it then. My family and I prefer to swim at night.

Lots of folks like to visit the Poly. Personally I really like seeing people visit the place. Doesn't bother me one bit. Probably that 'aloha' spirit in me.

 

[simonkodousek]

We've stayed at the Polynesian once in July of 2007. You could really tell that not only resort guests were checking out the gift shops, eating at the restaurants, etc. I have absolutely no problem with things like this, but when I saw an entire crowd of non-resort guests running through the lobby of the Tokelau building, I got a little frusterated. We were paying $500+/night to stay at the Polynesian, but we honestly did feel like visitors in our own resort.

 

[frdeb1999]

We frequent the Poly often and have stayed during peak and non-peak times. Although the pool can get quite crowded it has never bothered us or stopped us from enjoying the resort. It is our absolute favorite of the deluxes and the kids always pick it hands down to any of the others. I can also say I have stayed at the BC and found that place to be even more chaotic then the Poly.. I do think that all the resorts should have something in place to keep non guests out of the pools.

 

[CTDis4]

am wondering if its simply a matter of the pool size being too small for the resort size. haven't stayed there yet, but guessing that might be a possibility.

Having stayed at the Poly...I think you hit the nail on the head..the pool area is too small for the number of guests.

 

[jeanninepl]

We are going on July 19th and staying at the Poly. I was hoping to spend a lot of time relaxing and enjoying the resort (probably a 50/50 park and hotel split this trip). Should I be concerned about crowds at the Poly during that time?

 

[Ratpack]

We are going on July 19th and staying at the Poly. I was hoping to spend a lot of time relaxing and enjoying the resort (probably a 50/50 park and hotel split this trip). Should I be concerned about crowds at the Poly during that time?

This is typically the time frame that we have been to the Poly and never really had an issue with relaxing. Of course, getting a chair at the pool needs a little more clarification IMO. You will most likely always be able to get a chair, but it may not be next to the pool. You may have to take a chair that is on the sand of the beach. You can turn it to face the pool and pull it as close as possible, but there will be other people betweeen you and the pool.

 

[Jalva22]

Stayed at the Poly twice. Never once had that feeling.

 

[alldiz]

While I have always wanted to stay at the POLY here is what stops me.

If I am paying all that money......I BETTER HAVE A BALCONY....The chance of me not getting one...will probably always prevent me from staying there.

My 2nd reason is it ALWAYS seems busy there. Granted I'm one of the reasons.....going there for dinner.....watching wishes from the beach.

But if I'm paying all that money for a room to stay there.....I don't want a room on one of the "main drags" that everyone walks down.....and then add the possibility of NO balcony.....fuggetaboutit
Kerri

 

[selting73]

We just got back (5/4) and felt this way about the Polynesian. On the days it was warm enough to swim, the pool was crazy packed. We lucked out on one day and got a table. The people at the table next to us were not staying at the Poly (I heard them say so).

The lobby and beaches were also very congested. Normally, I would just dismiss this as Disney World is a crowded place. However, the parks were not crowded and we visited the Grand Floridian, Contemporary and Beach Club and didn't notice the same amounts of crowds.

It's a lovely hotel, with nice grounds and a wonderful staff. However, we won't be staying there again. The noise and traffic level was too much for our liking. I believe part of our problem was the noise from the beach which was only about 15 feet from our room.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

After SAB I have thought the Volcano pool was the 2nd most popular Resort pool in WDW, which is why they should only let in guests staying at the Polynesian and because the area is not that big enough for all the guests.

 

[jeffbear]

I've heard people mention that while they love the resort, it's always so crowded with guests going to the restaurants and checking out the atmosphere that they feel like a visitor at their own resort.. like it's just too touristy and people are invading on their vacation.

thoughts?

Meh ... I've stayed at the Poly several times and never really had that impression at all. It must be said however that I've always stayed on the TTC side of the property and that I generally don'tspend much time at the pool or the main longhouse when I'm there. We're generally in the room or on the foot to Capn Coks for some snacks when we're on property.

 

[SeaSpray]

Just before almost every visit to the Polynesian resort a thread like this pops up, and I find myself getting angry at the thought of feeling crowded-out, and like a visitor at my own resort, due to all of the guests there who are not STAYING at the resort.

However, here's the reality: Without exception, once I'm there, I don't even notice the "chaos" in the Great Ceremonial House; honestly, it's really only ever crowded in the evenings, with people and families milling about waiting to be seated at 'Ohana or the Kona Cafe. What am *I* doing at that same exact time? I'm milling about, waiting to be seated at 'Ohana or the Kona Cafe. I'm also enjoying the sights, sounds, and scents of my favorite Disney resort, while I wait.

At the pool: Without exception, DH and I have NEVER not been able to get a table and/or chairs at the volcano pool. We've NEVER spent any time at the quiet pool. We usually find a table with chairs and umbrella a little closer to the pool bar and beach area. There are always a lot of chaise lounges on the sand, not often have I seen them appear to all be taken. We also go to the pool at all different times; morning, afternoon, evening.

We've stayed at the Polynesian twice in July, once in August, and once the end of October, so it's not as if we only go in the "off season".

My next stay at the Polynesian is in 9 days. I expect to have the same experience as I've always had in the past.

I will come back and report, as usual.