Park at the Polynesian

[BLAN99]

Does anyone remember if the Polynesian used to have a park with swings and a slide? I seem to recall one years ago but I may be mistaken.

 

[wdwrich]

Many years ago (I'm talking the 80's here) when my children were young, there was a small playground at the Poly. I don't know if it's still there.

 

[huntconn]

Yes, there was. I remember it from the 70's when I was a kid. I think it was somewhere near the Tonga longhouse, next to the GCH. I remember it was a small-ish enclosed area that had a mulch floor. Lots of good times there as a child! Even Tikiman did not know anything of this when I asked him a couple of years ago. A nice playground is something the Poly should have currently IMO.

 

[wdwrich]

Yes, that was it. I remember it being next to the GCH, perhaps beneath the windows of 'Ohana (which was the Papeete Bay Veranda at that time)?

 

[BCV23]

I remember three over the years. The first was in front of the GCH and was small. It was probably in front of the woman's shop. The next one was in front of Captain Cook's and was larger. The last was in an area in front of Samoa.

My children would play on the sets for probably a total of 5 minutes/trip. Just too many other fun things to do at the Polynesian and WDW.

 

[spiceycat]

they claim the pool is the playground these days. same for a hot tub - now it never had a hot tub.

but definitely have playgrounds over the years.

bcv23 - sounds like you have been going as long as my family - first trip summer of 1972. do you remember the beauty salon? mother loved it - sorry it closed.

 

[BCV23]

Hi Pat. No, you beat us by 11 years. Our first Polynesian stay wasn't until November of 1983. But we've been regulars ever since.

I do remember the salon although I never used it. Too busy with little ones in those days. Was it run by WDW or the company that runs the salons now? I was sad to see it eliminated too. I also miss the individual shops although I understand the need for more room at Captain Cook's.

 

[spiceycat]

yea, you could get some good deals in the individual shops.

WDW ran everything.

they also used the Tangaroa terrace in those days - remember a couple of breakfasts.

you would think they would better use that area?

 

[BCV23]

Yes, we loved breakfast at Tangaroa Terrace. It served Tonga Toast before it was called that. The little Snack Isle was also very convenient for the longhouses in that area. As busy as the restaurants are these days, you would think it could be supported again?

 

[huntconn]

yea, you could get some good deals in the individual shops.

WDW ran everything.

they also used the Tangaroa terrace in those days - remember a couple of breakfasts.

you would think they would better use that area?

I agree totally. I would think they have some plans for that area. Even another counter service restaurant would be nice. I know if I was staying in Tahiti or Rapa Nui, I would rather walk there for a snack than all the way to the GCH! Seems like a wasted space now.

 

[Clotho]

Oh man yes, it would be great if they made use of that space! When we were there, we kept walking past it and nothing was in there or going on. Do they use it for convention meetings or anything? Or is it just empty all the time? Would be nice to have a "satellite" shop or restaurant for the longhouses further out. It's more centrally located than the GCH is!

 

[BCV23]

I've seen signs for private functions at Tangaroa Terrace.

I too would think that the former Snack Isle would be busy if it were to be reopened.

In fairness, I can understand TT being closed to some extent. Although it always seemed busy at breakfast in the good 'ol days, that wasn't true at dinner once Epcot and the GF opened.

But all the restaurants seem so much busier these days, don't they?

 

[wdwrich]

We too loved the Tangaroa Terrace for breakfast. During our 1982 trip, we ate breakfast there every day except once when we had a ressie for the character breakfast which back then was held in a room on the first floor of the GCH.

 

[BCV23]

Rich, that was our first character meal. Minnie's minnehune breakfast or something like that. It was in the Bamboo room which later became the concierge lounge.

I haven't seen tikiman's site for some time but the picture of Minnie's on his site was after it was moved upstairs. The Bamboo room was bright and light.

 

[auntie]

So ....just to be clear..there isn't a playground at the Poly? ...That's wierd. WL has a playground on the beach near the marina. I'd think the Poly would offer something similiar. It's been years since we stayed there, but come to think of it, I don't remember one.

 

[BCV23]

That's right...no playground at the Polynesian. There's not one at the GF either.

There is a water play area near the volcano pool.

 

[wdwrich]

BCV23- I think BouTIKI occupies that space on the first floor now. It was our very first character meal too!

 

[BCV23]

BCV23- I think BouTIKI occupies that space on the first floor now. It was our very first character meal too!

It does indeed.