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

[ctrabada]

I stayed at the Poly back in the mid 70's as a child, when it was brand-spanking-new, and absolutely fell in love with it. I have fond memories of my stay there. Now, as an adult, I'm still in love with it. Granted, I haven't stayed there again, it's just too pricey for me, but I'm planning on doing it (maybe next year).

I make it a point to visit the resort and eat at Ohana's or Kona Cafe every time we stay at WDW, just to enjoy the atmosphere. I still think it's beautiful and I love walking through the lobby and the grounds. I am more concerned about so many people having experienced problems with service at the resort and makes me wonder what is happening with the management, but this has nothing to do with the look of the resort. I really do not consider it "dated" or "dark," it's more like "pacific tribal." Then again, when I stayed at AKL, I didn't find it dark at all either; it was beautiful to me.

So, really, it's just a matter of taste. If you like that sort of look, then go for it. If you are more like Cinderella37, who likes a deluxe resort to be more refined and elegant, then the Poly is not for you. It's also a matter of expectations... the memories you have of the Poly as a child will never match what you see as an adult as your experience will be totally different. You are no longer a child and your outlook will not be the same. So if you expect to have the same experience, you will be disappointed. Bring your memories and a desire to experience the resort in a new light and I'm sure you will not regret it.

 

[DutchsMommy]

I think the bottom line is, at least from my experience on these boards, you will find as many people who love _____ (insert ANY resort) and those who dislike it (hate is a tad strong maybe), so I think the best suggestion is to read all you can on the various resort pages, look at all the pictures you can find, and decide for yourself which resort best suites your tastes and budget. As someones tagline reads "a day at Disney is better than a year at work!" - so, if you go in with an open mind, you're gonna have fun no matter what. I think in the long run the thing you will probably remember most is the look on your kiddies faces as they experience "the Mouse" all and he has to offer.

Best of luck in your choice, and like everything on the web - take this with a grain of salt!!! LOl

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by DutchsMommy
I think the bottom line is, at least from my experience on these boards, you will find as many people who love _____ (insert ANY resort) and those who dislike it (hate is a tad strong maybe), so I think the best suggestion is to read all you can on the various resort pages, look at all the pictures you can find, and decide for yourself which resort best suites your tastes and budget. As someones tagline reads "a day at Disney is better than a year at work!" - so, if you go in with an open mind, you're gonna have fun no matter what. I think in the long run the thing you will probably remember most is the look on your kiddies faces as they experience "the Mouse" all and he has to offer.

Best of luck in your choice, and like everything on the web - take this with a grain of salt!!! LOl

Very good advice !

 

[*Fantasia*]

Are you saying you have never seen things on the islands that are like things at the Polynesian?

From my experience yes. Most of the 4* and 5* hotels on Ka'anapali Beach doesn't look anything like the Disney Poly. Yes, the furnitures and the beddings are new, but the atmosphere, the llook is nothing like it . But Disney built this resort back in the 70's, so this is something they want to preserve I assume. My very good friend lived all his life in Maui and worked at a hotel and time share condos. We went to WDW together last year Aug and visited the Poly. I wanted him to see the Poly resort, the Disney style. He thought it was okay and he chuckled and said that it looks outdated as we were walking around the ground. I just told him that it was built in the 70's. He said he wouldn't stay there. No flaming please...That is his opinion. He was just comparing it from the actual hotels in Maui and the other islands and Poly Disney resort.

 

[ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!]

Hmm, did he say what could be changed (thats not architecture) to the poly to give it a more updated feel?

i love the polynesian...just the fact that Im at disney world makes it all magical!

 

[*Fantasia*]

Originally posted by jeancbpugh
Hey, the 70s are back in style, aren't they?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No, now we're up to the 80's
__________________

Too funny!

 

[Tikiman]

Well Fantasia that is funny because anyone who I have met who lives in Hawaii and has visited the Polynesian thought it felt like home. In fact there is a woman that posts here that lives in Hawaii and talks about the Polynesian but I don’t remember her screen name. Maybe she will post. Anyway I have friends and family in Maui, I have been going there since I was 12 and we own a place there and we find that the Polynesian is a good reflection of Pacific Island culture. The last resort we stayed in was a 4* $650 a night room that looked very much like the Polynesian room and was almost exactly like what the new room will look like at the Polynesian. I will agree it is time for an upgrade and it is in the process now at the resort. I will not agree that the look is 70 or even 80 but that is my opinion. I am not sure what part looks outdated but the outer structures are designed after buildings much older than the 70s and they should remain that way in my opinion. The rooms don’t seem that old to me since they have not looked that way for even 10 years yet but the new design will be welcome with the new colors, materials and furniture as well as the bigger TV everyone wanted. Again there is no need for me to go through the list of things at the Polynesian that are new or just within the last 5 years because it is not going to change your opinion and you have the right to your opinion. I don’t take offense that not everyone likes the Polynesian.

 

[freediverdude]

Well I've never been to Hawaii, but I'm guessing that there's probably a huge difference in the look between the new mega-resorts in Hawaii built by all the hotel chains and the more traditional resorts based more on the traditional building style of the Pacific islands. I'm willing to bet that's the difference we're talking about here.

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by Cinderella37
Take a look at at some resorts in tropical locations, such as Fiji and Hawaii and you'll find your answer.

I have stayed at the Royal Hawaiian on Oahu, known as the pink palace of the pacific, and they have the same look on the inside that the Poly has. I think the Royal Hawaiian is about as hawaiian as one could get. Same with the Maui Prince. They closely resemble the interior of the Poly. The only difference is that the Poly has a great outside carefully themed after hawaiian resorts where as the other two I mentioned just look like hotels.

 

[DutchsMommy]

When I think of the Poly, I think more of places like Fiji, Tahiti, Morea etc. than I do of Hawaii. Now, given that I have never been to any of these locals I can't speak from first hand experience, but isn't the Poly supposed to be more "South Seas" than "HAwaii"? Or are the two pretty much the same?

 

[Tikiman]

Well Hawaii is sort of a mix of cultures from the South Seas and Japan but I would agree that many of the things at the Polynesian were modeled after things from Islands in the south Pacific. The GCH was modeled after a Royal Assembly lodge from Tahiti. Many of the styles of tiki around the grounds are not much like Hawaiian tikis. In fact the tiki carvings are very Disney and not totally authentic but Disney knew most people would not be able to tell the difference and the designs were done back when the tiki room was being designed (which was way before the 70’s). Most of the patterns in the materials are from Hawaii and some are even purchased from Hawaii but many of the carvings and art are from many different islands. The tikis in ‘Ohana are from different islands including Hawaii. So to answer your question, yes the Polynesian is going to represent more than just Hawaii.

Also freediverdude made a good point. Many of the new resorts on the islands of Hawaii are not going to be designed to be authentic to the culture but more modern. They don’t need a Hawaiian theme when they are in the middle of it all. If the Polynesian here were to look like the Grand Wailea it would not have much of a theme anymore.

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by DutchsMommy
When I think of the Poly, I think more of places like Fiji, Tahiti, Morea etc. than I do of Hawaii. Now, given that I have never been to any of these locals I can't speak from first hand experience, but isn't the Poly supposed to be more "South Seas" than "HAwaii"? Or are the two pretty much the same?

Polynesia is more than just Hawaii.
Info from the Polynesian Culture Center:
The island nations of Polynesia, which means "many islands," covers a roughly triangular-shaped geographical area of the Pacific Ocean, with Hawaii at the northern apex, Aotearoa or New Zealand in the southwest, and Rapa Nui or Easter Island in the southeast.

The Polynesian Triangle encompasses approximately 16 million square miles of ocean and includes thousands of islands, all of which were successfully explored and many colonized over 1,000 years ago. There are over 30 different groups of Polynesian people living within or near the Polynesian Triangle.

The Polynesian Cultural Center features the people and islands of Hawaii, Samoa, Aotearoa (Maori New Zealand), Fiji, the Marquesas, Tahiti, and Tonga; as well as a Rapa Nui exhibit and an 1850s-era Christian mission complex, all in a beautiful 42-acre setting that has been Hawaii's top paid-admission visitor attraction since 1977.

In addition, the Polynesian Cultural Center also provides information on several other Polynesian island groups, including the Cook Islands, Niue, the Tuamotu archipelago, Tuvalu, Wallis and Futuna.

The theme of the Polynesian resort is a blend of these islands, historical architecture and a little Disney whimsey thrown in. This theme is not the mega resorts of the new Hawaii. That is why each longhouse is named for different Polynesian Islands.

So I agree that the furnishings at the Polynesian Resort might need to be replaced, but I don't think the theme needs to be changed.

As Tikiman said, each longhouse is due to be completely rehabbed with new furniture, carpet, drapes, bedding, TVs etc. Everything will be new but the look will still be of the Polynesian time period that resort has reflected since it was built.

 

[Tikiman]

Good lesson Sammie. You are correct with the Polynesia definition. The name Polynesia was given to the Pacific islands by a French explorer Charles Brosses which came from Greek words “Polynesian” (many) and “nesos” (islands). Later Dumont d’Urville defined the Pacific region by breaking it into 3 parts. These were Polynesia, Melanesia and Micronesia. Polynesia actually only covers the area with in the triangle formed by Hawaii, New Zealand (Aotearoa), Easter Island (Rapanui). Melanesia, located west of Polynesia and below the equator, includes Fiji, New Caledonia, and the Solomon Islands. Micronesia is home to Palau, the Marshall Islands and Guam which is north of Melanesia. All of these cultures are knows as Oceania.

Aloha

Steve