Polynesian and the 70's

[DisCopper]

Over the years, I've heard various people complain that the Polynesian is dated and looks "70's."

Tikiman addresses the issue on his site (****************************aloha.html) and explains that people seem to be mistaking the polynesian theme with the 1970's (in a nutshell).

Overall, I agree. However (and it's a big one), there are definitely some elements of the Polynesian that need to be updated. Some of it is right out of the 70's.

My main complaint is the stairways and railings in the Great Ceremonial House. They are industrial design from the 70's... steel girders painted brown to make them "polynesian." It's not the brown that kills me- it's the fact that they look like they belong in a dated modern art museum... or the Brady's living room.

I've stayed at the Ritz Carlton in Maui, and they have a beautiful, dark-brown wooden staircase. It is by far not "modern Hawaii," but is still impressive.

Don't get me wrong: the Poly is a beautiful resort and my favorite of all at Disney. And I agree that 70's complaints are "misguided..." but they do have some stuff to work on.

 

[Fabinva]

I felt like our room quality was from the 70's, everytime the AC unit outside room on lower level came on there was a big bang and floor shaking noise, also the bathroom fans were loud and since we did not get a discount really felt the room was not worth all that money, in part our fault for not complaining and getting moved to new one but I had a lot to pack and unpack and was afraid to get a similar room after doing all that and then I would had been really mad. I love the location of the Poly but doubt my husband would want to go back unless we get some kind of discount. We got room 2801 in Rarotonga, another thing we did not like was the fake balcony.

 

[auntie]

I'd have to agree about the stairway in the Grand Ceremonial House..have felt the same way. Somehow it does look dated..even though the lobby area has been renovated several times. I think the whole "Brady Bunch" comparison is even based on the look of that stairway...kind of reminds you of the one in the Brady house..only on a larger scale!
I do think the grounds of the Poly have a lovely laid back feel. The resort could certainly use a hot tub..and it's kind of odd that there isn't one ...especially for the rates charged.


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[Cool-Beans]

People say that the Poly reminds them of The Brady Bunch Goes To Hawaii. It seems to be the "cool kid" thing to say and has been repeated ad nauseum on these boards for years. Kind of like saying "I don't like the Liberty Tree Tavern because it reminds me Stouffers." It's just something people keep saying.

I like the Polynesian a lot, but agree that it could use some updating in the main building.

 

[ElizabethB]

The Polynesian screams "the 70s". But, so does most of the architecture in Honolulu. We always laugh that the Poly is actually fairly authentic for that reason!

 

[Dis Ohana]

My main complaint is the stairways and railings in the Great Ceremonial House. They are industrial design from the 70's... steel girders painted brown to make them "polynesian." It's not the brown that kills me- it's the fact that they look like they belong in a dated modern art museum... or the Brady's living room.

I've stayed at the Ritz Carlton in Maui, and they have a beautiful, dark-brown wooden staircase. It is by far not "modern Hawaii," but is still impressive.

I noticed the same things as you about the Grand Ceremonial House. We had just come from the AKL and I couldn't help but notice how the attention to detail in the architecture at the Poly seemed to be lacking compared to the AKL lobby.

I think it would be great for Disney to go in the direction of the newer deluxe resorts like the Ritz on Maui and the Big Island. I love the updated elegant look as opposed to the outdated 70s polynesian theme they have going there.

That said, I think Disney must be specifically going for that era's perception of old polynesia -- from the mainland perspective of course .

The Polynesian screams "the 70s". But, so does most of the architecture in Honolulu. We always laugh that the Poly is actually fairly authentic for that reason!

When was the last time you were in Hawaii? I can't think of anything in Honolulu that "screams the 70s" Waikiki is changing so quickly that even though I live here, maybe you've been there more recently than me!

 

[wings91]

I may be completely wrong, but we've stopped in to look around at both Poly and CR, and feel like we've stepped into a time machine, and not cool Back to the Future kind.

Both those resorts have been updated countless times, but I cannot get the feeling that everything is 37 years old out of my head. Maybe that isn't the case, and for what you pay, I hope it's not true.

I've heard the WL called an "upscale" mod, and NOT a deluxe. That could be true, but if you pay $100 more per night just to have a view of the castle, I'll stick at the 22 year newer WL.

 

[jcwishes]

I love the look. I am very sentimental and I don't want this resort to change too much. That's just me. I have many memories of my 3 girls on those stairs.

 

[RJD]

I love the look. I am very sentimental and I don't want this resort to change too much. That's just me. I have many memories of my 3 girls on those stairs.

I'm with you--sentimental. (although I don't have 3 girls). But I stayed at the Poly as a kid and have never stayed as an adult, but Ohanas is a must when we go now with my own family and we always enjoy walking around the Poly. The only thing I will say is I think the plants in the lobby could be groomed and cleaned up. I'm all for the lush tropical look, but when we were there last August, the plants just looked kind of messy with some dead stuff in them.

 

[Dawn16]

Yup, its one of my favorites, Brady stairs and all. And, really, that is the only 70's looking thing about it from my perspective. The rooms have certainly been updated and are clean and modern. And even though we recently bought DVC we'll still pay cash and stay there on occasion b/c I just can't give it up completely

 

[Disneylvr]

I love the look! But then I grew up in the 70's, love the Brady episode...so it may just be nostalgia for me. But I also feel not everything has to be modern and reflect the current times.