Poly greatly over rated

[hammie59]

This poster is brand new to the DIS Boards and obviously has his facts wrong. Many of his claims are simply not true, not to mention that most of what he said is simply his opinion and not fact. If I thought this was a person with sincere motives I'd take the time to explain to him where he's incorrect but I don't think this warrents the time it'd take me to type it.

I do believe the original poster is just sharing his own opinion and shouldn't be snapped at for it. I didn't read anything insincere unless you don't like the word swanky.
Having never stayed at the Poly, but always dreaming to, I have always wondered if my impressions would be marred because I have been to Hawaii. I fell in love with the place and fear that I'd have too high of an expectation for Disney to recreate my favorite place on earth (besides WDW). Anyhow, his post doesn't damage my opinion of the Poly. I still believe it's probably a great place to stay and if someone has a less than stellar review, who cares.

 

[chamonix]

If you are looking for a true classical Hawaiian representation the Poly is not the answer. If you are looking for tacky entertainment on the cheap then the Poly is for you.

OMG, you have definitely NOT stayed at the Polynesian, or at least, not paid the bill.

BTW, the theme of the Polynesian resort is not "true classical Hawaii". I do thank you though, as someone who lives in Hawaii (?) for your observation and opinions of how well the Poly conveys the Hawaiian culture you are familiar with. I don't go to the Poly for a Polynesian cultural experience though, so that matters little to me. (just as I don't expect the "countries" in Epcot to be true cultural experiences, lol)

I do like the volcano pool at the Poly a lot though! Glad you prefer the other resorts you mentioned, I would hate to think you didn't enjoy your vacation! It's nice there are so many different pools, themes, etc that appeal to all of us. (BTW, you also didn't swim in the Poly pool, did you? You probably know that's not allowed. So, your dislike of it was simply based on walking by and looking at it? There are 2 pools, did you see them both? The slide is really fun, I can attest to that, I can't get dd out of there! LOL)

I think it's very understandable for someone from a certain place to dislike a "fake" representation of that place. I know I would probably feel the same way, so I have to say I take your opinion with a grain of salt, lol. (but I do agree, you are more than welcome to post your opinions here, as are we all)

 

[KatMark]

We have been to Hawaii and it is lovely. Will we go back--not unless we win the lotto--way too expensive when we went and we hear it is even worse now. We have also stayed at the Polynesian at WDW. Is the Polynesian like Hawaii? No, they are two different places. But I think WDW does a fine job of giving you the atmosphere of Hawaii and we have always enjoyed our stay there. If it were not so expensive, we would split our time between there and our favorite resort (CSR).

 

[M-I-C-K-E-Y]

The OP might want to think of the Polynesian as a "slice of" or "reminder of" Hawaii, and not an attempt to make an absolute "photo copy."

 

[Lives4Disney]

We've been to Hawaii and the whole time we were there we were wishing we were at the Poly, lol. Honestly. And the Poly isn't even our favorite WDW resort. WDW is just our favorite vacation spot. When we went to the Polynesian Cultural Center....OMG we were "homesick" for the Poly and WDW. It TOTALLY reminded us of the Poly....I think they copied the Poly, haha.

Thanks for the review though. I don't think you are a troll just somebody that didn't like the Poly. I wasn't thrilled with it, either...but heaven forbid you diss the Poly on the DIS.

Happy trails,

Lives4Disney

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Being this is one of the original 2 resorts their are some people including myself with great loyalty to this resort. I feel the last renovation of the public spaces really brought this resort down a couple of notches but I also realize that the clients they now cater to have changed, they now stay at GF & YC (us included). However, I do need a fix ever once in awhile.
Having been to Hawaii I 100% agree with the comments on the luau, the old show was really great and very comparable to a luau we attended in Hawaii. The new show (IMO) is a horrible beach blanket bingo meets Hannah Montana.....
The last several years most of the "authentic" staff have retired.......they were wonderful people that were there since the start who retired.

Ohana's is just another one of the Disney restaurants that have fallen victim to being a quantity restaurant instead of quality.......IMO that is property wide.
You have to remember this is a Polynesian theme...theme being the key word.

 

[ConcKahuna]

Aloha ahiahi!

The thing about the Polynesian is that it isn't meant to be themed "Hawaiian." It is a romantic conglomeration of may pacific island cultures. There are MANY polynesian cast members there, Anake Kaui, Lipoa, Ku'ule, Fili, Iosefa, Maphui, and many others. Not all are Hawaiian, many are Samoan or other nationalities as well. If you don't like the Polynesian, it's a'ole pilikia since there are so many other resorts to choose from.

The Polynesian Resort isn't meant to be authentic, it's just meant to capture the spirit of classical Polynesia.

 

[LukenDC]

Aloha ahiahi!

The thing about the Polynesian is that it isn't meant to be themed "Hawaiian." It is a romantic conglomeration of may pacific island cultures. There are MANY polynesian cast members there, Anake Kaui, Lipoa, Ku'ule, Fili, Iosefa, Maphui, and many others. Not all are Hawaiian, many are Samoan or other nationalities as well. If you don't like the Polynesian, it's a'ole pilikia since there are so many other resorts to choose from.

The Polynesian Resort isn't meant to be authentic, it's just meant to capture the spirit of classical Polynesia.

I was just about to post something similar, but you took the words right out of my fingers!

 

[Dis Ohana]

I think I understand what the OP is trying to say. Disney could probably do a much better job with the Poly than they do now. I was a little taken aback at how tacky it seemed, reminded me of that old Brady Bunch goes to Hawaii movie. I think the luau and food offerings could be way better. But Disney being Disney, I know for sure that what they have going on at the Poly is a clearly what the customer wants.
I am also from Hawaii, and I know for sure you wouldn't find me at the Poly. There are simply way too many wonderful resorts to explore that aren't so close to home. To me the AKL was an unbelievable experience, I'm sure to others it's not even close to what an African safari would be like. It's great that there are so many choices at WDW, I wish it were the same at the DL resorts.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Aloha ahiahi!

The thing about the Polynesian is that it isn't meant to be themed "Hawaiian." It is a romantic conglomeration of may pacific island cultures. There are MANY polynesian cast members there, Anake Kaui, Lipoa, Ku'ule, Fili, Iosefa, Maphui, and many others. Not all are Hawaiian, many are Samoan or other nationalities as well. If you don't like the Polynesian, it's a'ole pilikia since there are so many other resorts to choose from.

The Polynesian Resort isn't meant to be authentic, it's just meant to capture the spirit of classical Polynesia.

I couldn't have said that any better myself.

 

[SeaSpray]

Aloha ahiahi!

The thing about the Polynesian is that it isn't meant to be themed "Hawaiian." It is a romantic conglomeration of may pacific island cultures. There are MANY polynesian cast members there, Anake Kaui, Lipoa, Ku'ule, Fili, Iosefa, Maphui, and many others. Not all are Hawaiian, many are Samoan or other nationalities as well. If you don't like the Polynesian, it's a'ole pilikia since there are so many other resorts to choose from.

The Polynesian Resort isn't meant to be authentic, it's just meant to capture the spirit of classical Polynesia.

I was just about to post something similar, but you took the words right out of my fingers!

Hi Dave, Hi Luke!

 

[TJA]

I love reading different opinions on resorts. We've stayed at Poly 2x recently so we are familiar with the resort, but I still enjoy reading other opinions and thoughts. A main draw for us is having the TTC right there (we have twin toddlers and double stroller, so TTC direct monorail is awesome for us). Another plus is the rooms. They really are nice. They are large, newly refurbished, big flat-screen TV, offer really nice standard views, etc. The only negative we have found so far is the price.

 

[mermaid&cinderella]

I have been to Hawaii and loved it and that is why we always pick POLY and will continue to pick it. We love POLY and if you don;t that's great b/c it will give the POLY lovers a better opportunity to get a ressie!!!!!

 

[hoosiergirl7]

Well, we have never stayed at the Poly but would absolutely love to. We do have an ADR at Ohana for our May trip and I'm sure we will love it. As to how it compares to Hawaii - who cares?! If I wanted to go to Hawaii I would not be going to Disney and vice versa. We stayed at POFQ on our last trip and I can honestly tell you that I have no idea how it compares to the real French Quarter in New Orleans - and once again I couldn't care less.

POFQ is nothing like the real French Quarter. I've been to New Orleans more times than I can count and still think the POFQ and POR do an awesome display of the South. And personally, I think the hospitality is better at POFQ and POR than it is in the "REAL" South.

IMHO, if you want the real thing, go there. If you go to the hotels in Vegas like the Paris, New York, New York and the Venetian - they are all lovely (I've been to Vegas more than my fair share too) it's still not the same as really being in Paris, New York and Venice and I've been to all 3 places and they are phenomenal. I'd go back to Venice in a heartbeat it is so beautiful. But do you think I'm going to complain that those 3 hotels in Vegas aren't accurate enough in their depiction of the real thing??? Nope because they are still unique and have great atmospheres in their own way. You can't base your opinion on a hotel because its theme isn't "accurate".

I hope that one of these days I'll be able to afford a stay at the Poly!!!

 

[Onceler]

POFQ is nothing like the real French Quarter. I've been to New Orleans more times than I can count and still think the POFQ and POR do an awesome display of the South...

Exactly what I was thinking. Disney doesn't try to create exact recreations with their resorts. Instead, they try to come up with an approximation to capture the general spirit of what is being represented.

POFQ is not an authentic representation of New Orleans.
POR is not an authentic representation of up-river Mississippi.
Caribbean Beach is not an authentic representation of a caribbean beach.
Coronado Springs is not an authentic representation of Mexico.
Wilderness Lodge is not an authentic representation of the Pacific Northwest.
Boardwalk is not an authentic representation of a boardwalk.
Beach Club is not an authentic representation of a beach club.
Yacht Club is not an authentic representation of a yacht club.
AKL is not an authentic representation of an African lodge.
The Polynesian is not an authentic representation of Hawaii.

The OP is definitely welcome to his/her opinion. But calling a resort overrated because it is not an exact reproduction does seem to be a little silly. Using that logic, every resort at WDW is overrated.

 

[scjo68]

The different opinions about how "authentic" the Poly is are interesting. I know someone who is from Hawaii, born and raised, and she loves the Poly. I think that's the only resort she will stay at.

We have only visited the Poly, never stayed there, as it's more expensive than we want to spend. If we could afford it, it would be our first choice.

 

[SGMCO]

Nothing can compare to the real thing!!
I've never stayed at Poly but visited and ate at O'hanas
and really enjoy Disneys interpretation of Polynesian Feeling.
I've never been to Hawaii but would rather spend my money
on a trip to real Hawaii instead of Poly--I think that would be worth the money.
I grew up in Louisana but now live out of state and our favorite
resorts is POR and POFQ. Both resorts have a great Southern
feeling but could never live up to the real thing.
I can understand what the OP is trying to say.

 

[Native NYer]

I've never stayed at the Poly, nor have I ever been to Hawaii, so take it for what it's worth.

I don't think that Disney is going for absolute accuracy in its theming. I think they're trying to evoke a mood, not be a textbook model. So, as much as Epcot is NOT Europe, the Poly does not attempt to be an accurate Hawaiian (or even Polynesian) resort. Instead, I think they attempt to re-create the spirit of those places.

Otherwise, The Contemporay would look contemporary-- I'm guessing a Motel 6. Port Orleans would be showing the after-effects of Katrina, and so on.

I'm not going to WDW to find accuracy; I'm going for a little escapism. So if a place that caters to millions of kids sacrifices accuracy to serve my 4 year old some mashed potatoes, I can live with that.

Well said!

I completely agree. I'm not looking for accuracy. I just want to enjoy my vacation!

 

[3guysandagal]

Unfortunately, I cannot comment on the Poly as we have never been. Wanted to go look, but never got around to it yet.
Hawaii, on the other hand, I have been to 4 times. Like the previous poster said "Nothing compares to the real thing". Have seen most islands, and will be going again someday. LOVE IT!.
Unfortunately, Honolulu seems just like any other big city to me nowadays, except with extreme HEAT. Would rather be outside of it or on the other islands, other than shopping and Waikiki for a day or 2.
Again, I think the OP has to admit its called the "Polynesian" not the "Hawaiian"

JMHO.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Exactly what I was thinking. Disney doesn't try to create exact recreations with their resorts. Instead, they try to come up with an approximation to capture the general spirit of what is being represented.

POFQ is not an authentic representation of New Orleans.
POR is not an authentic representation of up-river Mississippi.
Caribbean Beach is not an authentic representation of a caribbean beach.
Coronado Springs is not an authentic representation of Mexico.
Wilderness Lodge is not an authentic representation of the Pacific Northwest.
Boardwalk is not an authentic representation of a boardwalk.
Beach Club is not an authentic representation of a beach club.
Yacht Club is not an authentic representation of a yacht club.
AKL is not an authentic representation of an African lodge.
The Polynesian is not an authentic representation of Hawaii.

The OP is definitely welcome to his/her opinion. But calling a resort overrated because it is not an exact reproduction does seem to be a little silly. Using that logic, every resort at WDW is overrated.

That's a very good point and good job mentionting the other WDW Resorts and how their themes are not 100% accurate to what they are meant to be like.