Is the Polynesian the same as it was 15 years ago?

[lapinluv]

As a teenager, my family and I stayed at the Polynesian a few times. We loved the pool, waterfall and the fact that the monorail was right there. I have a lot of fond memories of the resort.

Is it still the same? I'm starting to plan a trip for January 2006. My children will be 5 and 1. We've stayed at HIFS (off-site) and Fort Wilderness, but both were a little inconvenient for getting to Magic Kingdom and Epcot with the kiddies.

What do you think of the Polynesian? Any other recommendations/reasoning for a comparable resort?

Thank you!

 

[dopeys biggest fan]

I just went through the same experience. I went to the Poly as a kid and couldn't wait to go back. Me and DH just returned and agreed never to stay there again. The Lobby is exactly the same as it was 15 years ago and no longer looks tropical, it looks dated. The room decor is dull and when you are in your room you really can't tell the difference between the Poly and the Holiday Inn down the street.

The pool was filled with wall to wall bodies from open to close and if your lucky enough to stay in a longhouse by the luau, you can watch the drunk parade after dinner!

It was definately not worth the money! I would keep the memories you had from your childhood and try either the WL or AKL. They are beautiful, new and definately worth the money!!!

 

[palmtreegirl]

I know the lobby looks exactly the same, they did change some of the stores and gave the Kona cafe a major facelift though.

I've read a lot of reviews that said that people felt it was dated but the last time I stayed there was years ago.

There's not much of a price difference between the GF and Poly, I'd stay at the GF instead.

 

[Peter Pirate]

I would stay at the AKL before the Poly, as well (personal preference) but the description of the Poly as "dated" is way off base.

The entrance is magical, lobby is still tropical, and the grounds are lovely in a faux Hawaiian style (just like always).

The new pool is cool, but if it's crowded then I'm sure SAB or the AKL Oasis were as well.

The Poly is curently experiencing a new wave of popularity, which is keeping prices high, bust aside from cost, there is NOTHING keeping me from staying there.

The view from the Poly beach, the monorail access and the cool ambiance are great reasons to pick the Poly.

 

[tiggersmom2]

The Poly is my most favorite resort in the world!! I remember staying there as a child and it is just the same. It is tropical and magical (to my family). Check out Tikiman's website http://tikiman2001.homestead.com/

 

[MisterDisney]

Originally posted by lapinluv
As a teenager, my family and I stayed at the Polynesian a few times. We loved the pool, waterfall and the fact that the monorail was right there. I have a lot of fond memories of the resort.

Is it still the same?

Thank you!

Oh yeah, its the same, and thats the problem. In fact, you might shocked that it seems as though nothing has been touched in 15 years including the carpets, beds, doors, dust, some room service trays in the halls,etc. Here come the flames ....

 

[All Aboard]

I would stay at the AKL before the Poly

Proving, once again, there is no accounting for taste in this world. Or, at least in Marathon.

Echoing the sentiments of others. My first Polynesian experience was in 1977, my most recent in 2004. It's just as magical, just as tropical, just as wonderful as ever.

 

[anita46]

I would take the bet that says you will be disappointed.

We used to love the Poly I still do... but only as a memory.

 

[Cinderella37]

I stayed there every year as a child and would never stay there again. Everything is exactly the same and as another poster mentioned, that's the problem. Stay at a different resort and have dinner at Kona Cafe or 'Ohana and just visit like I do every year. The visit is enough.

 

[lapinluv]

Thanks for the advice. I'm still torn, though. Is there anywhere else where you can see MK and the Electrical Water Parade every night? That's what I remember the most. I figure with the one-year-old, we'll be in early every night and would like to have something to do at the resort.. Also, will GF be too upscale for my two kids?

Finally, I can take or leave the tropical feel of the resort - I've stayed at at the Royal Pacific in Universal and that was paradise.

Thanks for all the advice!

 

[dopeys biggest fan]

Originally posted by lapinluv
Thanks for the advice. I'm still torn, though. Is there anywhere else where you can see MK and the Electrical Water Parade every night? That's what I remember the most. I figure with the one-year-old, we'll be in early every night and would like to have something to do at the resort.. Also, will GF be too upscale for my two kids?

The water pageant stops at the GF, Contemp, Poly, WL and Fort wilderness camp ground. My vote for you is either the contemp or WL. If you want to see fireworks from your room stay at the GF or contemp tower room facing the MK.

 

[palmtreegirl]

Also, will GF be too upscale for my two kids?

Not at all. There are just as many kids at the GF as there are at the Poly. Yes it looks upscale but in the end it's Disney like all the others.

They have a new pool over at the GF that's zero entry(great for little ones) with a waterfall and slide. There's also a pretty beach with lots of chairs to sit and relax while the kids play in the sand. It's a beautiful resort with lots of Disney magic.

 

[blowinbubbles]

I guess I must have less-than-perfect taste, because I still love the Poly! When I was there when they first opened, the decor of our room was definitely different, so for *sure* they've redone it since then! LMAO

I agree that some of the decor was a little mismatched, but for me that didn't retract from the whole atmostphere that I love so much. The tropical foliage, the tiki torches, and the Hawaiian music lift my spirits so much! I was quite saddened when I had to downgrade to the POFQ last trip, although that turned out to be quite nice, too.

 

[TJA]

We had a north wing bay view room at Contemporary last May and we could watch the water show every night from our room. And we also viewed the fireworks right at our resort. Also, there is a walkway directly to MK -- takes about 5-10 minutes to walk there. Very convenient.

That being said, we are trying Poly for the 1st time next month. We have nothing to compare it to, like you do from 15 years ago, so I suspect we will be very happy staying there.

I think you are correct in sticking to a monorail resort. We have baby twins and a double stroller and you cannot beat the convenience of the monorail with little ones.

 

[lapinluv]

So, if booking through Disney.com, how do you choose a bay-facing or MK-facing room? With my luck, I'll book a Tower room and get the parking lot view. Is it better just to use a Travel Agent?

 

[dopeys biggest fan]

Originally posted by lapinluv
So, if booking through Disney.com, how do you choose a bay-facing or MK-facing room? With my luck, I'll book a Tower room and get the parking lot view. Is it better just to use a Travel Agent?

you actually want a parking lot view b/c that is the side that faces the MK. You can request it, but as you have prob read all over these boards a "request is just that, a request, not a guarantee" I'm not sure if they have price diff between the two sides of the tower, that would be a questions to ask central reservations. Just tell them exactly what you are looking for and they usually do a pretty good job at getting it for you. Just make sure they make a note on your reservation of what you want if there is not a price difference. another thing you can do is call the resort the day before you check in and request it again, that way they can put a note on your reservation.

 

[Sammie]

I don't understand something about some of the comments about the Polynesian. If you don't like the Polynesian theme and that is your opinion and you are entitled to it.

However I don't understand the "dated" comments, the comments about "nothing" has changed. The Polynesian rehabbed their rooms recently with all new bedding, carpets, etc. Soon building by building they will completely redo the rooms with new everything including a major change in decor and furniture, and bedding. Just as the Yacht and Beach did recently and as the Grand Floridian did.

The thing I find interesting is that except for some minor cosmetic changes the lobbies at other resorts have not changed either in years and no one complains. The Grand Floridian lobby is very close to being the same lobby when it opened 16 years ago. Only recently did they change the carpet in the lobby there. The Yacht and Beach, same for 14 years, why does this not bother anyone. Or comment that these lobbies are dated.

The Wilderness Lodge lobby is 10 years old and nothing there has changed except they made the fireplace gas burning instead of logs and everyone faves about it.

 

[TJA]

lapinluv, I booked Contemporary through CRO. I actually booked a water view wing room, so that part was guaranteed. Upon check in, I asked the CM for a north wing room, close to the main building and walkway to MK. We received exactly that. We enjoyed our room location very much. At night, we just opened the curtains and watched the water show (while our babies were sleeping!).

We did not view the fireworks very often, however. Only because of the ages of our twins (13 months old) and it not being very practical for our situation. One night, we walked the pathway back from MK just in time to see the fireworks above. Another time, we were in the parking lot area and stopped to watch the fireworks. Another time, we went to the concourse level where there is a look-out point. We never watched the whole show -- just bits and pieces. Your family can always split up with one of you taking your 5-year-old to a spot to watch the show. Our babies never had a problem taking naps in our stroller, but bed time is a different story as we had a hard time transferring them from the stroller to their pack'n plays.

 

[Cinderella37]

I think the reason why people believe the Poly looks/is dated is because of the decor/coloring. It's kind of 70s looking, which makes sense since it was built in the 70s. The GF, BWI, YC, etc. have a theming that is timeless. Victorian styling will be never be dated, as won't a nautical theme. But the Poly is the 70s version of a tropical getaway - I don't think WDW can do much to change this perception without tearing the whole place down (which will obviously never happen).

It's the same reason why when you drive thorugh a neighborhood, some styles of houses look dated, even though the owners may have updated them - you can't change the actual structure. But if you see a Victoian or a Colonial house, it's timeless.

 

[CaipiraBob]

In our experience and many others, the Polynesian has experienced an excellerated decline in the overall quality of service. I don't know if this relates to Hotel management or Disney's overall HR policies (although I've read articles referring to Disney as "Mouseschwitz".)

From what I've read here on this site, more and more people are being checked into unclean or unkempt rooms, bell service is abysmal, cleaning crews are criminal in neglect and management is nonexistent.

On the bright side, you're at Disney and there's a monorail to take you off resort grounds.

While my experience has not been as bad as stated above, it nearly was. Read more threads on Polynesian goer's experiences. Then make a decision.