Polynesian...Heard Mixed Reviews

[andyman8]

I know the Polynesian is (for our trip) the cheapest of the monorail resorts, but I have heard some bad reviews (along with some good ones) of the resort. We have two teens and might travel with another family with kids our age. How do DISers like the Polynesian? Thanks.

 

[KB24]

This is a hard one you have to see for yourself. We didn't like it.

Do you like island theming? If so, it's a good choice.

My personal feeling is that the resort that appears old. The rooms certainly did not appear to look like the rooms at the GF, YC, BC, or BWI to me. Other than being on the monorail I could easily mistake it for a moderate and the lobby area was nothing like the other hotels.

 

[KatMark]

You will read good and bad reviews of each and every resort. We stayed at the AKL and loved it, others not so much; we stayed at the Contemporary and did not care for it, others love it, etc.

We have stayed at the Poly a number of times and love everything about it -- the rooms, the theme, watching Wishes from the beach, the food and the friendly CM's.

If this is the resort you have decided on and like the theme, I would stick with it. Each and every guest has their own expecations/experiences.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

It really is a personal choice. I am surprised that the Poly is cheaper than the CR? Some CR rooms [garden] are very resonable, but identical to tower rooms. They also easily accommodate 5 people.

As for the Poly. We have been fans off and on for years. I like the theme of the south seas. I really don't think the rooms are all that bad. Reading here recently about the bedbug issues, has affected alot of people. But, that could [and probably does] happen anywhere. Poly, also has a problem with VERY thin walls. You will know your neighbor's well. But, I have more of an issue with the limited dining. There room service, is very identical to kona's and ohana's you can really only do once. [too much meat]. We find we are always going somewhere else to eat. We used to love the quiet pool. It was large and not just 3'. But, that has changed this last year.

It really comes down to personal taste. Have a great trip.

 

[DebbieB]

It's really a matter of preference. I stayed there once and just didn't like the decor. It seemed dark. I prefer a brighter theme.

 

[jandkmom]

We loved the Poly and are going there again in 3 weeks. We stayed at the BLT last year and thought it was great too but it didn't have as much of the vacation-feel to me. The Poly has great ambiance, grounds, super friendly staff and an easy-going feel. I disagree with the room critique - we've stayed in Tokelau longhouse, which was renovated and has some of the largest rooms in WDW. The only thing that's kind of ugly to me are the bedspreads, but most of the resorts have some pretty ugly bedspreads and that doesn't make or break a resort to me. I didn't hear our neighbors at all so I don't agree with the "thin walls" either.

The convenience of transportation can't be beat - right on the monorail to MK and an easy walk to TTC for Epcot and all other places. Ohana is our favorite place to eat for character breakfast and dinner, but we only do that once per trip. That's the same anywhere...I mean, who would want to do Chef Mickey's several times anyway?!

 

[poly princess]

I love the Polynesian! I went there on my honeymoon and take an annual anniversary trip there. It is expensive, but I think it's worth every penny!
That being said, I agree it depends on ones own personal likes and dislikes. I live in the city so I enjoy calm island feel. Some might find it "boring" or not worth the money. I would make a list of what you want out of hotel, theming, locations and price-let that help you find the hotel that is right for you.

Enjoy!!

 

[jandkmom]

Reading here recently about the bedbug issues, has affected alot of people.

I've only read one report of bedbugs recently in one room. Have there been more?

 

[toodycat]

The first time we stayed at the Poly, which was over a decade ago, I thought it was almost as nice as the GF. However, our last visit was such a letdown that I don't think we'll be back. If you like the island theme, it is well-executed. The rooms are also quite large. The beach is pretty.The transportation options are excellent. Beyond that, the negatives were significant:

1. Customer service was cranky at check-in and non-existent after that. The CM told us we were "late." (Our cab never showed up at MCO). After that, we did not hear from one cast member for the whole trip. Even the mousekeeper never left a note or any indication she'd been in our room. That trip included our anniversary which we had indicated when we made our reservation. Someone slid a congratulations certificate under the door. It felt really impersonal. At every other WDW property we've visited for our anniversary, we've gotten adorable, personalized notes from the management along with flowers, chocolates, champagne or cake.

2. The public spaces are crowded and not as inviting as other deluxes. I like the Volcano theme of the pool, but it was super crowded and not clean. There were bugs floating all over the surface. It was gross. Some people say the crowd problem is because non-resort guest pool crashers prefer the Poly. That could be, but I don't know. The pool has no hot tub. There is no fitness center. The lobby is small and dark. The stores in it didn't have any merchandise that really attracted me.

3. Dining choices are not as good or as high-end as other deluxes. Capt. Cook's is the least impressive CS I've ever had. Kona Cafe feels like you're dining in a mall because it is smack in the midst of the lobby. Ohana is family style dining with a limited menu, so the property really doesn't have a fine dining option. The Spirit of Aloha Show food is mediocre and expensive. The show is interesting, but if you have small kids, they are going to find it very long. Also, you hear the Spirit of Aloha music and drumming as you walk around the property which kind of got to me after a while.

I'm glad I stayed at the Poly once because it is one of the oldest WDW resorts, but objectively, I think you can find a better deluxe resort for the same or less money.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

I've only read one report of bedbugs recently in one room. Have there been more?

I meant "if upset" alot of people [now not wanting to stay there] > that thread was very large. And sounded like a substainal claim.

 

[jandkmom]

I meant "if upset" alot of people > that thread was very large. And sounded like a substainal claim.

Oh, it sounded like you meant it was a substantial problem, not one case. It seemed to be an isolated case. And I thought Poly handled it well (admitted the problem immediately, moved the patrons, steam cleaned all of their belongings and paid for new clothes and got the bed bug sniffing dog to be sure they were clean).

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Oh, it sounded like you meant it was a substantial problem, not one case. It seemed to be an isolated case. And I thought Poly handled it well (admitted the problem immediately, moved the patrons, steam cleaned all of their belongings and paid for new clothes and got the bed bug sniffing dog to be sure they were clean).

Did sound like the Poly handled it appropriately. However, but it sounded very inconvient to the family, and time consuming.

 

[jandkmom]

Did sound like the Poly handled it appropriately. However, but it sounded very inconvient to the family, and time consuming.

Of course, but as you said that could happen anywhere. Check out the bed bug registry website...even the beloved Contemporary isn't immune to those nasty critters.

The family also got reimbursed for some of their stay too. That's why I love Disney so much...I don't know of any other place that would do that much to try to make it up to their patrons.

 

[Fabinva]

We stayed at the Poly about 4 years ago (maybe 5) and would not go back, the decor was not our style, seemed outdated, the room location was bad (noise), there was a big bang every so often from AC right outside our room that woke husband and I throught the night, every night. Mid stay we were offered to switch rooms to farther location from lobby but the idea of a longer walk and packing and unpacking all over again was too much so we stayed put and dealt with it. We stayed at AKL before that and loved it, everything was clean and new!, not so much at the Poly.

 

[CanadianGuy]

To the original poster, you will get a diverse collection of answers.

Impressions of service and expectations of a trip can vary widely.. even in a group traveling TOGETHER!

Personally, while I love the landscaping and layout of the Polynesian, its been a while since I have the desire to stay there.

As with all things in your life, your experiences and feelings may differ.

 

[padawans]

I have never met a disney resort I did not like in some capacity. I have stayed at 5 of their deluxes and one moderate. There are things I like about each one and some things I don't. I will say Poly is my favorite. I like tropical theming. I love the view from the pool there. I can't say I have ever had anything wrong with my room or with housekeeping. The 2 things I don't like is the lack of hot tub, and that I have to walk a mile to get to healthclub. Now the last reason sounds kind of funny since I'm going to work out anyway, but it would be nice if it was at the resort. I am surprised it is the cheapest unless your comparing a gv room at poly to a lv at Cr. I know for sure the GV rooms at Cr are cheaper.

 

[andyman8]

We've stayed, many times, at Universal's Royal Pacific Resort. I know they are themed to different parts of the south pacific, but are they fairly similar?

 

[mickeynut1]

As others have said, you will read good and bad reviews on all resorts. They all have people who love them as well as people who will never go back. We love everything about the Poly and can't wait to stay there again. The tropical atmosphere is relaxing, the pool is fun, and you can't beat sitting on the beach watching the fireworks. If the Poly is somewhere you've been wanting to stay, I say give it a try because you won't know if it's for you until you experience it for yourself. I read alot of not-so-good reviews before our Poly stay and even considered changing resorts due to those reviews. If I had switched resorts, we would have missed out on one of the best vacations we ever had......the Poly was everything we thought it would be and then some.

 

[Micca]

The Poly is sometimes described as "Brady Bunch Goes To Hawaii" style. The retro tropical theme is very cool to me, others not so much. There were trips where I would have killed to stay at the Poly, but economically I couldn't make it work. We are now DVC members so we'll probably never stay at Poly unless they develop some DVC space there. The few times we stayed there I loved it(that was long ago).

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

Can't answer your question re whether it's themed similar to the Universal resort, but we stayed at Polynesian last year and thought it was excellent (and will be staying there again this May). Really liked the theme, thought the lobby was great, the pool is fine, and transportation can't be beat. We had no problems with the rooms or noise (stayed in Tahiti long house). Did not eat at 'Ohana but thought Kona was good (though it is sort of like eating in a mall).

We do not like the "feel" of the Grand Floridian - seems stuffy, as does Beach and Yacht club. Don't like the theme of the Contemporary, and have never been to AKL or Wilderness Lodge. If we were going to stay somewhere else we'd probably give AKL a shot, though it seems awfully out of the way.

Visit tikimanpages.com for a ton of info on Polynesian.