Just back from Poly--Mixed reviews

[Clotho]

have you been to Hawaii on vacation? Hawaiians don't tell time, maybe the CM's are on Hawaiian time too!

This is just the suggestion I was going to offer! Maybe they are on "Aloha Time"? Heehee

We had the same complaints almost exactly save for two. We were in Tokelau in September, the hottest stinkiest (potentially) month, and we didn't smell anything in the hallways.

Also, we loved the decor. As a gal whos family trip every year was Hawaii, the theming brings back great family memories. And the spaciousness of the rooms and the 70's throwback-ness of it all...love it!

As for a smell complaint, the elevators were SKANKY, and did smell a bit. Hated that. They were tiny, not air conditioned (so stuffy and stuffed all the time). Ick. AND I agree that the Tonga Toast was completely overrated, and that the desk staff was really slow and not that great ( which is sad in that I think it's a more recent development, since older reviews of that resort particularly laud the great staff).

I loved Poly and can't wait to get back someday! Next trip is back to Boardwalk, though, since it will be during MVMCP, and having a monorail to a park that closes at 7pm every other night doesn't appeal.

 

[Dis Ohana]

Other than that, have you been to Hawaii on vacation? Hawaiians don't tell time, maybe the CM's are on Hawaiian time too!

HEY! I'm from Hawaii and I know how to tell time! We're just a little slower than most because we have to stop what we're doing every 5 minutes to shout "Aloha!" at whoever happens to be nearby.

My sentiments *exactly*! After living in Orlando for 5 years and visiting relatives in Florida, it's just that humid smell. I barely notice it--just enough to know I'm home at the Poly. If you're not used to it then yeah, folks might consider it to be 'funky'. I've smelled the same smell in the GF also...and the Contemporary...and at Pirates of the Caribbean...



We used to call it either 'rotten eggs' or 'fart water' smell.

When we were staying at the BWI we would have to pass over that little walkway to get to Epcot -- YUCK! There was the most foul odor coming from the water there. It got so that we'd hold our breath when crossing. I didn't notice it anywhere else but now that I've read your post I guess it must be that "Funky Florida" smell .

 

[Susie7]

I'm staying at the Poly for the 1st time in September although I have eaten at Kona many times and walked round the resort. I've always thought the grounds were beautiful which is why I booked it for the 2nd part of my solo trip(YC is my 1st destination). It was interesting reading the reviews as it's always good to have an idea what the place is really like. Tonga toast was on my things to eat at Disney list but my sweet tooth may be content with the pancakes and pineapple combo.
I do know what you mean by the Florida odour - I always put it down to the humidity etc but the joy of being in sunnier climes makes up for it. I was tempted by GF however it was out of my budget I'm afraid but am still looking forward to my stay at the Poly.

 

[johnsonet]

I'm staying at the Poly for the 1st time in September although I have eaten at Kona many times and walked round the resort. I've always thought the grounds were beautiful which is why I booked it for the 2nd part of my solo trip(YC is my 1st destination). It was interesting reading the reviews as it's always good to have an idea what the place is really like. Tonga toast was on my things to eat at Disney list but my sweet tooth may be content with the pancakes and pineapple combo.
I do know what you mean by the Florida odour - I always put it down to the humidity etc but the joy of being in sunnier climes makes up for it. I was tempted by GF however it was out of my budget I'm afraid but am still looking forward to my stay at the Poly.

I think Tonga Toast is delicious but, like everything, it's not for everyone. It's super sweet. But that crystally sugar on the outside is so divine Don't be afraid to give it a try if you've been looking forward to it.

Also, the GF isn't that much more than the Poly

 

[Cinders Mum]

very fair review. thanks for taking the time.
I am a poly lover, but I hate tonga toast, give me macadamia nut pancakes every time and I am in heaven.

I do agree though, that if the theming is not to your taste then it was onto a loser from the get go. I am not a fan of the GF theme, I would have loved to stay there just to try it, but I cannot get past the decor, so won't bother.

Happy planning for next year though, I am sure you will have a ball.

 

[joenan88]

I swear, those elevators look like they came over on The Mayflower !

I have written about this many times..I loved the Poly when I was 12 and my dad paid for it...I choose the resort for our vacation last November because of the monorail and theme...we travel to the caribbean often alone and with the kiddies so I figured we would all love it. We liked it BUT the rooms and hallways were really dark..the hallways were so dark I couldn't tell if they were refurbished...I will say no. The elevators could not fit my family of 5...we are all thin..2 adults and 3 kiddies 9, 7 and 6. We had to split up It is VERY strange that they never updated the elevators in the longhouses. My kids were enamored with the CR..they wanted to stay there...so we are going back in August and staying at the CR in a MK view..the kiddies have no idea!

 

[eliza61]

That happens alot at the WL also. If you're not into the themeing of a resort it can be very hard to like it and Poly, WL & AKL are some of the heaviest theme resorts they have.
Thanks for the review.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

HEY! I'm from Hawaii and I know how to tell time! We're just a little slower than most because we have to stop what we're doing every 5 minutes to shout "Aloha!" at whoever happens to be nearby.

Maybe it's because my relatives are Jamaican but I swear I feel really comfortable with 'Hawaii Time'.

When we were staying at the BWI we would have to pass over that little walkway to get to Epcot -- YUCK! There was the most foul odor coming from the water there. It got so that we'd hold our breath when crossing. I didn't notice it anywhere else but now that I've read your post I guess it must be that "Funky Florida" smell .

It's all that sulfur in the ground. Not as bad in urban areas like Orlando or Miami but if you are ever in rural Florida (like I have to visit relatives) and smell the water there----OMG!!!

 

[LukenDC]

The hallways at the Poly do have a distinct odor and I actually like it. Each time I smell the hallways, a wave of nostalgia comes over me.

On a related note, I also like the smell in the Great Ceremonial House. Earlier this year I was staying at the Radisson in Belize City and noticed that same smell outside the gift shop. I enjoyed standing there for a few moments each time I passed by, taking in that smell and enjoying the flood of Poly memories. I'm sure that the Radisson staff thought I was nuts!

 

[swald91]

Wow-lots of different opinions...
I personally LOVE the polynesian...to me it's like Hawaii. But I do agree that it is either for/not for you.
We have been staying there for the past few trips and have to agree w/ most on a smell-can't quite figure it out...
Our last 2 trips the check in was so quick I believe I asked if that was all!!!!
We had a garden view-in rapa nui and had a view of the stop sign & parking lot-yuck!!
So I called the desk & they gave us another room in aotearoa-not sure if it was an upgrade but we had a view of the castle & fireworks. Although we did have a huge palm tree/bush out our patio door but was much better than 1st room. I always had great luck there & hope to continue... hopefully your trip to the parks were better than your accommodations

 

[SuperTink]

We enjoyed our stay at the Poly in 2006.

We did have problems with housekeeping--the most annoying being that we had to ask for toiletries and our beds were "short-sheeted."

As far as the theme goes, it was nice to come back to the lush gardens after a busy day at the parks. I do think it's time for a re-hab, though.

 

[holden]

We've stayed at the Poly 6 times (since 1979), and each time has been magical. That's why we are going again in Sept!!

I understand that sometimes you can get poor service, but that could happen anywhere. We've never had any issues at the Poly. We stayed at OKW with friends last summer and didn't really care for it (the buses and the size of the room). I would like to try GF someday, but we'll have to save up a bit more for that one!

 

[BamaTigger]

I just remembered that last September, we went to Universal for the weekend, and we stayed at the Royal Pacific Resort and I didnt like it there much as well.. ..so it is the whole "Hawaii-South Seas" theme that is just not for me. I like bright, cheerful, colorful themes....even though my DH loves the WL, it is too dark for me there too...

But like I said, Im glad we got to stay there just so we could try it out. I love trying new resorts at WDW... so now I dont have to wonder about the Poly anymore! (but I will go back and get me some more pancakes! )