Poly truth-is it true that it feels dated?

[Scarlett81]

I got the idea for this thread after reading so many suggestions on another thread to go with the Poly for a family vaca. (as a deluxe option)

It seems like SO many people get to be hardcore fans of the Poly. Why you do feel that way?
I can't remember the last time I read such mixed reviews on a hotel. I've heard of so many people say it feels old, dated, that amenities in some rooms don't work...I can't figure out what is the truth. Then I hear people say that its the greatest ever.

I've read enough BAD reports to scare me...So for you poly lovers-why do you love it? Why would that be the resort you'd go back to again and again?

 

[damien]

There are bad reports of every Disney Resort. It's the nature of the beast. I don't find the Poly to be dated in the least bit. Yes, it's old, but it's been refurbed many times over the years. I've stayed there 4 times, and never had any problems with the rooms I've stayed in.

In just about every poll on this site, as well as other sites and in pretty much every guide book, the Polynesian almost always comes out as the favorite Disney Resort.

As to why I love the Poly, there are several reasons:

1.The rooms are huge (and beauttiful). There are no bad views.
2.It is very relaxing. The beaches are lovely and there are hammocks and swings everywhere.
3.Breakfast at Kona and dinner at Ohana are both fabulous.
4.It's the most convenient resort in terms of transportation. The monorail makes things so easy.
5.The CM's there are very friendly.
6.Watching the Electrical Water Pageant and Wishes from the beach (or your room) is awesome.
7.This is just my opinion, but no other resort other than the Wilderness Lodge, transports you as well with it's theme.
8.It's a beautiful resort to walk around, day or night. The Tiki Torches add amazing ambience.

I would gladly stay at the Wilderness Lodge (and in fact am in February), but for me, nothing can beat the atmosphere, theme, and feel of the Polynesian.

 

[Scarlett81]

There are bad reports of every Disney Resort. It's the nature of the beast. I don't find the Poly to be dated in the least bit. Yes, it's old, but it's been refurbed many times over the years. I've stayed there 4 times, and never had any problems with the rooms I've stayed in.

In just about every poll on this site, as well as other sites and in pretty much every guide book, the Polynesian almost always comes out as the favorite Disney Resort.

As to why I love the Poly, there are several reasons:

1.The rooms are huge (and beauttiful). There are no bad views.
2.It is very relaxing. The beaches are lovely and there are hammocks and swings everywhere.
3.Breakfast at Kona and dinner at Ohana are both fabulous.
4.It's the most convenient resort in terms of transportation. The monorail makes things so easy.
5.The CM's there are very friendly.
6.Watching the Electrical Water Pageant and Wishes from the beach (or your room) is awesome.
7.This is just my opinion, but no other resort other than the Wilderness Lodge, transports you as well with it's theme.
8.It's a beautiful resort to walk around, day or night. The Tiki Torches add amazing ambience.

I would gladly stay at the Wilderness Lodge (and in fact am in February), but for me, nothing can beat the atmosphere, theme, and feel of the Polynesian.

hmm...I'm thinking perhaps I was just sold.

This sounds like a great resort for a girls/sisters only trip. thoughts?

 

[Belleofthehouse]

IMHO....the Poly is special to me because that is where we went as kids. I took my kids there for their first trip. There is a peace and tranquility there that is not mimicked at other resorts. Dated? I did not notice. Our room was beautiful with all the perks we expected.

I think people come back with negative reviews because of the price they paid...they simply want more than the poly offers (hot tub, larger main pool, bigger counter service seating).

I do not understand complaints concerning lighting. It is meant to be peaceful and serene, aka low lighting.

The beds are comfy, the room is large, setting is beautiful, and the restaurant choices are delicious. Don't forget location! Is it expensive? Yes, but it is vacation. Please remember, this is my opinion. You will get many. Enjoy the trip no matter where you stay.

 

[splashmtnfan]

I actually am a bit hesitant as well. This will be our first trip to go Deluxe and we have ALWAYS wanted the Poly to be our first, though Wilderness Lodge runs a close second... transportation being the main reason to choose it over the WL. Thing is, now I am looking at the Boardwalk and those Epcot resorts as options as my inlaws LOVE the Worldshowcase part of Epcot. We do too for that matter but with FIL's knees giving him grief we think going in the Worldshowcase gate would help him a lot as we will probably go there at least three times. I need to know how comfy the daybed is, as my DD will sleep there.

 

[DebbieB]

We stayed there once - our second trip in 1996. Did not like it. Just seemed too dark and musty. Prefer brighter colors like GF, BC, Boardwalk.

 

[Dizneefamily+4]

Prior to our first Poly trip this past August, we've stayed at CSR, POR and WL. POR was our fave. However, after staying at the Poly, we have decided that it is now our "home" when we do Disney. We truly loved everything about our stay there - and it didn't feel dated in the least to us. We stayed in Tokelau, which is one of the newer longhouses, so that may be part of the reason.

The ground are just so beautiful and watching Wishes from the beach is 2nd only to actually watching it in MK. I think it may even be a little better because you don't have to deal with the massive hordes leaving MK after the show.

The pool and beach area are fabulous, our room was wonderful and very spacious for our family of 4. Mousekeeping was perfect and always done before we returned to our room mid-day for our swim time (by 1:00.)

I still think the food court at POR is the best on property, but Captain Cooks had adequate offerings for the few times we ate there.

We don't rent a car, so Monorail service and the ability to walk to the TTC from the Poly can't be beat.

Before this Poly trip, we did a split stay with POR/WL. We wanted to try out a deluxe for a few days before planning a full trip and the WL really appealed to our family. Honestly, we were very underwhelmed with the WL. To us, it's hotel-like atmosphere just didn't fell Disney-magical. It just felt more like a regular hotel. We almost went back to POR for this last trip because we didn't care for WL. I'm so glad we still decided to go with the Poly. We loved it and are already planning our next trip there !

 

[MagicCanuc]

We have stayed in Poly more times than I can remember. I have also stayed at Fort Wilderness, GF and CR. We keep coming back because of the atmosphere and the convenience.

To have the choice of transportation (monorail, bus, boat) is better than a lot of resorts. The unique things we like are the torch lighting, beach, the Spirit of Aloha show. In the evening one night we had a few ducks come up from the lake and swam with us in the pool! My kids loved that!

There could be a lot of walking depending on which longhouse/where your room is. People must remember that this resort is not new, that it is one of the originals, but it has been renovated and has kept that "island" feel to it. If that is what you are looking for, look no further!!!

 

[Mousemommy1]

I actually am a bit hesitant as well. This will be our first trip to go Deluxe and we have ALWAYS wanted the Poly to be our first, though Wilderness Lodge runs a close second... transportation being the main reason to choose it over the WL. Thing is, now I am looking at the Boardwalk and those Epcot resorts as options as my inlaws LOVE the Worldshowcase part of Epcot. We do too for that matter but with FIL's knees giving him grief we think going in the Worldshowcase gate would help him a lot as we will probably go there at least three times. I need to know how comfy the daybed is, as my DD will sleep there.

Did I write this post??? Nope, not my signature. LOL. It's funny, because our next trip will be deluxe and I always wanted Poly to be our first (with WL as close 2nd...) but we are booked at Beach Club...I was really scared off by the issues reported at the Poly...

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

DH and I were right there with you as we also felt the Poly was outdated and it just didn't appeal to us. On the other hand our DS15 is a Poly fan even though we have never stayed there. We have made many ressies to stay at the Poly but canceled as DH and I just couldn't stay there.

As other posters have said, there are bad reviews/reports for all Disney resorts, so we finally put all the bad reviews and outdated decor aside and booked a surprise 3 night stay at the Poly next June for our DS. I think the surprise for our DS is what's keep me from changing this ressie. I am so excited and can't wait to see the look on his face.

The convenience of the Poly just can't be beat. The pool looks great and the landscaping is very lush and tropical. You have the monorail which can take you to the GF and CR for dining as well. Also being able to walk to TTC for the Epcot monorail is great. No matter where you end up staying, hope you enjoy your trip.

 

[padawans]

I got the idea for this thread after reading so many suggestions on another thread to go with the Poly for a family vaca. (as a deluxe option)

It seems like SO many people get to be hardcore fans of the Poly. Why you do feel that way?
I can't remember the last time I read such mixed reviews on a hotel. I've heard of so many people say it feels old, dated, that amenities in some rooms don't work...I can't figure out what is the truth. Then I hear people say that its the greatest ever.

I've read enough BAD reports to scare me...So for you poly lovers-why do you love it? Why would that be the resort you'd go back to again and again?

1. I love the landscaping, and the view from the beach.

2 love the layout of the resort. I love being steps from the pool and beach. I hated the beach club the hallways go on forever, and I have never seen such dirty hallways in any resort like I did at the BC.

3. The rooms are huge much larger than the epcot resorts.

4. Large laundry rooms with several washers and dryers. Easy to do laundry while hanging out at the pool.

5 love the large bathrooms

6. You don't have to pay extra for a nice view. Gv rooms are great. I hade a view of the rooftop at BC. BW was a little better.

7. love the restaurants on the monorail much better than the epcot area.

8. Love all the transportaion options. The busses at the epcot resort were horrible.

9. We have never had a bad stay there so we will keep going back.

I think thats it. I would never pick a resort based on reviews. I study all the resorts I know what is important to me and what is not. You get good and bad on all the resorts. I know a lot of people on these boards make their choice based on reviews. I would not fall into that trap or you will be changing your mind every day. I love the poly some people hate it. A lot of people like the BC. I thought it was so-so. To each there own. I would pick which one appeals to you most, and then try it for yourself. The biggest negative about the poly is the price, but the poly is the resort with the most repeat customers so there are people willing to pay it.

 

[Lynne M]

Another thing to consider is that the Poly's themeing is intentionally retro... it's sort of a 60's/70's kitschy tiki-bar thing. Some may perceive that as "OMG, they haven't redecorated this hotel in 30 years."

Since I grew up in the 60's and 70's, I absolutely love it. It's a reminder of my childhood.

 

[HowdyHeidi]

We just went last week for the first time (first time to WDW too) so I have nothing to compare to. I read the bad reviews and wondered what we would get.

I thought our stay was very nice. The one true thing from those bad reports is that the rooms are a bit dark. There are lots of lamps in the room, but it never seemed bright.

Otherwise we loved everything about our stay, especially:

1) Kona Cafe - I would eat there every meal!
2) Size of rooms
3) Transportation
4) Ability to see fireworks from resort
5) grounds- Especially torches!
6) Volcano pool and slide was fun for adults and kids
7) CMs VERY VERY nice!
8) Dole Whip easy to get and yum!

I did not note any room defects and I thought the decor was themed, not dated...

Negatives:

1) Captain Cooks CS food was not very good.
2) I kept getting lost--never once did I go to our room from the GCH and not get lost!
8) Tap water in rooms smelled of sulfur. No question about that! no way we were drinking it or making coffee out of it! However, that happens at many hotels...

 

[Scarlett81]

We just went last week for the first time (first time to WDW too) so I have nothing to compare to. I read the bad reviews and wondered what we would get.

I thought our stay was very nice. The one true thing from those bad reports is that the rooms are a bit dark. There are lots of lamps in the room, but it never seemed bright.

Otherwise we loved everything about our stay, especially:

1) Kona Cafe - I would eat there every meal!
2) Size of rooms
3) Transportation
4) Ability to see fireworks from resort
5) grounds- Especially torches!
6) Volcano pool and slide was fun for adults and kids
7) CMs VERY VERY nice!
8) Dole Whip easy to get and yum!

I did not note any room defects and I thought the decor was themed, not dated...

Negatives:

1) Captain Cooks CS food was not very good.
2) I kept getting lost--never once did I go to our room from the GCH and not get lost!
8) Tap water in rooms smelled of sulfur. No question about that! no way we were drinking it or making coffee out of it! However, that happens at many hotels...

The water at the GF is the same, and throughtout DW. Thats just Disney water...its not actually sulphur per se, its how they treat the water...the first few days that irritated the heck out of me. Now I kind of feel like thats the smell I associate with Dis, so its ok! lol

 

[Dizneefamily+4]

Did I write this post??? Nope, not my signature. LOL. It's funny, because our next trip will be deluxe and I always wanted Poly to be our first (with WL as close 2nd...) but we are booked at Beach Club...I was really scared off by the issues reported at the Poly...

Mousemommy - you switched again? Where have I been?? LOL!!!

 

[Skampigirl]

I'm always surprised to read such negative reviews of the Poly on TripAdvisor. I have never experienced anything but total luxury and tranquility. Due to budget we often stay at moderate resorts (the POR is our favourite), but when we can splurge a bit, it's always at the Poly. We've stayed and Wilderness Lodge and enjoyed it, but there is something very serene and calming about the Polynesian. Even on the busiest of days you can walk along the paths and feel as though you're on a tropical island, with no-one around! The Mousekeepers treat us exceptionally well and our room is always spotlessly clean. The Poly will always be a big part of the magic for us.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Mousemommy - you switched again? Where have I been?? LOL!!!

Yes, LOL...for various reasons, however, I still feel the Poly calling me though, so stay tuned...

 

[UK Princess]

The water at the GF is the same, and throughtout DW. Thats just Disney water...its not actually sulphur per se, its how they treat the water...the first few days that irritated the heck out of me. Now I kind of feel like thats the smell I associate with Dis, so its ok! lol

That's the same for me! I thought maybe it was a UK thing but there is no doubt that there is a definite smell to the water... can't wait!!!

My husband has just said that we can go back to WDW as part of a US trip next year and his actual words were 'and a few days at the Poly' so it looks like we might be there too! We ate at Kona and Captain Cooks on our honeymoon and would've watched Wishes from the beach if we hadn't got caught in a rainstorm... we liked what we saw so I think we will give it a try

 

[TDluvsDaisy]

Even on the busiest of days you can walk along the paths and feel as though you're on a tropical island, with no-one around!

This is one of the main reasons we love the Poly.

Coming in close second and third are the room size and ease of transportation. The Poly is definitely our home away from home.

 

[Kiwini]

My signature says it all.