I'm Staying at Disney's Polynesian Villas for the First Time Ever

[dano4]

In late May into early June, I'm staying at Disney's Polynesian Villas for the first time ever! I am so excited as I've longed to stay at the Polynesian since I was a child. I've reserved a deluxe studio with a lake view. Anyone have suggestions, recommendations, tips, etc. about staying there?

 

[BillPA]

Request an upper floor, so your view is not blocked by the bungalows.

 

[CarolMN]

But be prepared to get one of the lower floors. Almost everyone requests upper floor and only 1/3 of the lake view rooms are on that floor. Plus, rooms have to be vacant on the day you check in, so you just never know.

Good luck - we loved our lake view stay at the Poly! (We had 2nd floor near the elevators and I was satisfied with the view).

 

[Linda Goudailler]

Traded 2 contracts last spring to buy 165 pts at the Poly, our true love even since out first stay there in 1988. This month's trip will be our fourth stay since purchasing. Each time we called Guest Services to request that our lake view room be top floor/west side of Moorea (further away from ferry boat horns). Twice we were delighted to get our request. When we checked in for our July 4th Fireworks trip we chatted with the CM about this being a "bucket list" tip. Later we asked her if we got the top floor and were told 2nd floor. Not horrible, but a bit disappointing. So we politely asked if there was any way we could be switched. The CM smiled and said "Hold on!" She made a quick call and Disney Magic happened! It was the perfect trip! We find that arriving early in the day gives the Cast Members some flexibility in adjusting room assignments.

 

[kungaloosh22]

Each time we called Guest Services to request that our lake view room be top floor/west side of Moorea (further away from ferry boat horns).

That was my request for our last lake view stay. I usually have good "room karma," but on this trip we ended up in the 2nd floor room closest to the TTC. Oh well, can't win them all!

Our room wasn't first floor and didn't have a bungalow directly in front of us, so that part was great. We had beautiful lake and fireworks views. Also, the boat horns never woke us up or bothered us inside the room. However, DH did get tired of the noise and activity when he sat out on the balcony, which is where he usually hangs out in the evening until bed time. We'd stayed in Moorea lake view at least twice before that (pre-DVC), but on the west side, and never had an issue with the ferry, even when hanging out on the balcony in the evening.

I'd book garden view instead of lake view if it weren't for the darn parking lot views.

 

[POTCfan]

We stayed at Poly and had a 2nd floor lake view down by the ferry. It was probably the best view room we've ever had. Wasn't keen on the ferry horns, but loved the view. But if you don't get a great view, know that you are a very short walk from a wonderful view. The beachfont view of the fireworks is great. I actually prefer any walk up view of the fireworks at Poly over Top of the World. I think Poly just feels closer (not that I don't recommend Top of the World - I just prefer being at Poly).

 

[WildernessMickey]

I requested upper floors for my stay, and received bottom floor in the center of the building. Believe it or not we could still see the fireworks over the bungalows so it wasn't that bad. And we loved the room. We didn't hear the ferry noise inside the room. It is a short walk to the TTC from there so we didn't have to take a bus to the Magic Kingdom. Whatever floor you get, have a great vacation!

 

[Disn3yVision]

Eat at O'hana, get a dole whip, have a drink at Trader sams, and have breakfast at Kona (Tonga Toast FTW). Oh, and if you want to watch the fireworks in your room (which I strongly recommend) order the twilight feast from O'hana (enough to feed 2 EASILY for about $50), take a lapu lapu back to your room from Tambu Lounge, and que up the wishes soundtrack to play on your phone/Bluetooth speaker the moment you see the castle light up

 

[apple9117]

Great tips!

 

[mhochman]

Eat at O'hana, get a dole whip, have a drink at Trader sams, and have breakfast at Kona (Tonga Toast FTW). Oh, and if you want to watch the fireworks in your room (which I strongly recommend) order the twilight feast from O'hana (enough to feed 2 EASILY for about $50), take a lapu lapu back to your room from Tambu Lounge, and que up the wishes soundtrack to play on your phone/Bluetooth speaker the moment you see the castle light up

They don't have the fireworks soundtrack simulcast on one of the TV channels?

 

[Disn3yVision]

They don't have the fireworks soundtrack simulcast on one of the TV channels?

Unfortunately not. They do pipe it into the club lounge, bungalows, and the beach though, although I hear that the beach can be hit and miss and is often hard to hear.

 

[anna08]

Second on Trader Sams as a must-do and we love a late night Dole whip. Walking over toward the Grand Floridian is lovely early morning or in evening. It's a fun resort. If you are a noise sensitive sleeper, bring some earplugs. We've found the ferries very variable on horn blowing. Your view will be great, don't stress if you are on second floor. There was a great funny bartender at the quiet pool last year - find her and you'll laugh a bunch. Enjoy!

 

[DenLo]

We stayed in a studio on the third floor of Moorea. One evening we ordered one Ohana meal for the two of us (as recommended by the cast member taking the order) through Room Service and DH and I ate 2 dinners and lunch with it. I would recommend getting the salad with the dressing on the side as it doesn't last to the next day otherwise. The fireworks at MK were at 10 PM so we ate dinner in the room. Then we finished drinking our bottle of wine we had bought purchased locally while sitting out on the balcony enjoying the view and the Electrical Water Pageant and then watched the fireworks, it was great evening.

BTW, one evening, I asked a couple that was sitting on their first floor patio what they thought of their view. They said it was great, they could see the castle between the bungalows and all of the fireworks without any problems. The 1st floor is elevated some from the walkway on the water side, so they had more privacy than I expected.

To the OP, have a wonderful time at the Poly. It is a wonderful resort.

 

[jerseyduke]

I suggest a Tahitian Torch at Trader Sams. Or 5 if budget permits...

 

[Stratus22]

We just became members and the Polynesian is our home. We booked a Bungalow(Don't throw anything at me)for a pre-cruise vacation. I just wanted to say wow, these tips are just amazing!! I'm writing these all down because we've never been anywhere in WDW. I heard about those Dole Whips and how great they are. Trader Sams is on our list too.

 

[mhochman]

Unfortunately not. They do pipe it into the club lounge, bungalows, and the beach though, although I hear that the beach can be hit and miss and is often hard to hear.

I guess that's the difference between (paying for) a lake view room and a theme park view room.