Poly Fans

[elaw]

Just curious ... how many Poly fans have been to Hawaii and how authentic is the Poly as far as recreating that Hawaiian ambiance.

 

[vicki_c]

I have not been to Hawaii since the early 80s, but the Poly has always reminded me of that trip in terms of decor, plants, general vibe, etc.

 

[KatMark]

I have not been to Hawaii since the early 80s, but the Poly has always reminded me of that trip in terms of decor, plants, general vibe, etc.

I agree (we were there in 1983 for our honeymoon).

 

[mickeynut1]

I agree with the pp. We went to Hawaii in 1987 and when we stayed at the Poly that was a good reminder of what it was like in Hawaii. Maybe that's one of the reasons we love the Poly so much .

 

[Singinglizzie]

Well I've been to Hawaii 5 times, but I woudn't call that frequent, but no other poll choices. I would say that the Poly does remind me of Hawaii (the pool and the gardens) but that the buildings remind me more of a "retro" Hawaii. There is a cultural center on Oahu, that has sort of a Poly-ish feel, if that makes any sense.

 

[elaw]

I would say that the Poly does remind me of Hawaii (the pool and the gardens) but that the buildings remind me more of a "retro" Hawaii. There is a cultural center on Oahu, that has sort of a Poly-ish feel, if that makes any sense.

Ahh ...yes .... the Polynesian Cultural Center. One of my favorite parts of my Hawaiian trip.

 

[Alabama Minnie]

We went this past May and stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. It was very much like staying at the POLY (very tropical) but we paid LESS for our oceanfront/diamond-head view than for our GV at the POLY. They also have fireworks on the beach there but it is NOT to compare seeing the MK ones from the POLY beach.
No GREAT restaurants like OHANA and KONA though.
I wonder how the new Disney resort and the POLY compare (without the parks)?

 

[elaw]

I've been amazed at the overwhelming number of members that think the Poly is the best resort on property. It really piqued my curiousity as to why that is. I've been to Hawaii a couple times and really loved it. I've also been to the Poly several times but have never stayed there. I appreciate all the responses so far and hope they continue.

 

[Kiwini]

We've been to the Poly six times in the Spring and will be going for our 4th December trip this year. It's much more like Hawaii in the Spring, that's for sure! Also, the ambient music at the Poly during non-Christmas feels more in the Hawaiian spirit. We've been to Hawaii twice - between our 6 trips and our 4 winter trips to the Poly, so we got our Disney aloha before we got to the real thing.

 

[elaw]

250 views and only 26 votes .... c'mon Poly fans ... don't be shy

 

[vanillarum]

We did 2 weeks in Hawaii for our honeymoon. Stayed at The Turtle Bay Hilton and the Hyatt on Maui. Still trying to get back !! Heaven on earth, and that is one reason we like the Poly. The theming reminds us of Hawaii.

 

[Sue M]

I've stayed at Poly once a couple of years ago with a great AP rate, and really enjoyed our stay. Love the grounds, the beach, and watching Wishes from it, also seeing the Castle from many places at Poly. Best transportation of any resort IMO, with monorail or boat to MK, and walking distance to TTC.

The lush landscapping, and the outrigger on the beach does remind me of Hawaii. Also the gift shop in the GCH reminds me of the little shops along Ali'i Drive on The Big Island.

 

[Rlv]

I have been to Hawaii and have visited the poly but have never stayed there so maybe that would be different but I found it too much like a fake "Hawaii". A little overboard for me.

 

[elaw]

I'm going to be at WDW starting Friday of next week ... I'd really like to know the top 3 things that people love about the Poly so that I can judge for myself (In Person) .... I really want to love this resort but it's just never really appealed to me. I've visited all of the Moderate and Deluxe resorts but It's one of a handful of resorts (Villas excluded) that I havent stayed at yet. Am I missing something? What should I check out while i'm there?

 

[Alabama Minnie]

We like (since we travel now as a couple only):
The relaxed atmosphere (it is not as loud as alot of the other resorts we have stayed in), huge rooms (we LIKE the retro decor), convenience of the monorail (can walk to TTC for direct Epcot monorail), watching MK fireworks from the beach and we love OHANA (dinner) and KONA (for breakfast).
So far, this is DH's favorite resort. We usually can only stay here when we have a really good discount which usually comes in Sept. for OUR Birthday trip. We will see how DH likes WL when we try it in Dec.

 

[elaw]

I guess there are far fewer poly fans than I thought .... by the lack of poll participants it looks like their are just a few of you

 

[klmall]

Another Poly fan here but haven't stayed there since '92 (will be there in December though). We did make a point to eat here every trip though since 1992!

We spent two weeks on Oahu in 2000 and the Poly is somewhat like a homogenized, cleaned-up Oahu. No rocky cliffs, no mountains, no farm fields, no pineapple stands along the road etc. but the Poly is a nice convenient place to stay at Disney. We especially love the huge rooms!

 

[sndral]

Living in California I have been to Hawaii several times, but do not consider myself to be a 'frequent' visitor (I know many people who go every year.) To me Hawaii is about the ocean and the landscape in general (waterfalls, the volcano on the big island, the Na Pali coast on Kuai, etc..) The Poly is what I imagine an exagerated 1960ish Waikiki without the ocean would be, but not really like the experience of visiting Hawaii. So much of Hawaii is about being outdoors, to me, and as I was in a balconyless room @ the Poly, it suffered in comparison. The CMs do capture the Aloha spirit that you can still find in 'real' Hawaii, tho', IMO. Those paper leis @ the Poly don't come close to the wonderful fragrance of the real thing - that smell is heaven.

 

[Mrs K]

I've only been to Hawaii once, but the Polynesian is the next best thing. I know some people think the Poly is "fake", but I don't. I know it's not Hawaii, but it's so beautiful, and it's the closest I'm going to get for a long time!

 

[disadventurer]

Staying at the Poly for the first time this Xmas. Hoping for a pin code from Santa!!

Have stayed in Kauai twice (Marriott in Lihue) and really prefer the North Shore. Love snorkeling at Tunnels and hiking on the Kaualau Trail at the end of the road.

Took the Trilogy tour over to Lanai in 1989 from Lahaina harbor--perfection. Also had a guide come with us in our car, same year, and he showed us his Hawaii. Beautiful pools on the way to Hana, Polo Beach (went to his house and picked up a boogie board, and a little native restaurant with the best mahi mahi. Made beautiful fern halos while we swam in the secret pool. Just a great little memory of him was on the way into the forest, he climbed a guava tree and crushed a guava with his bare hand and gave to our son to eat. It's always the little things that have the biggest impact.

Hope the Poly can compare. The foliage and waterfalls are beautiful and remind me of the spirit of the Garden Isle.