Should the Polynesian be changed???

[princess angel]

I completely agree that if they re-did the Poly it would lose something.
The theming is incredible, I still feel that the tropical, romantic, relaxing, absolutely tranquil feeing of the Polynesian cannot be beat!

and that is accomplished by every detail, so yes, they should leave the decor as is. I do think that maybe they should totally gut each longhouse and redo it, but in the same decor, because...

our room in Hawaii, although clean and unbelievable view did smell badly, I hate to say it!!! and it wasnt the tropical smell of the lobby, it was a bad smell, i was disappinted, I didnt want that to be! our room in Tahiti was perfect in may of 2001, and our room in Hawaii just 3 doors down 2 months earlier was perfect also!
last time we were there I was just turned off by the service it was unfortunate, but it really left a bad feeling.
I wish I didnt have that experience in November, but I did, so I am going to let the feeling wear off for a while and then I'll be staying there again!!!
I just love the theming!!!!!!!!!!!

Laura

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

Tikiman, I probably missed it, but what happened with "Survivor"?
As far as the Poly, I WILL stay there one day !

 

[donnamerry]

Having lived in Hawaii for eight years, I felt right at home being a guest of the Poly! I loved it, especially when the torches became lit at night! oh yeah, bring me back! The Poly has it's own theme that reflects Hawaiian culture and by no means should they change it. If you want to go to Hawaii then stay at the Poly because THAT IS HAWAII - if you want to go to the caribbean, then go to CBR! It's whatever you prefer! And it is Not outdated, it's REAL HAWAII!

 

[Tikiman]

Laura,

Gutting the longhouses would not get rid of the “smell” I had a posting about this a while ago. The smell is random and is not because of the construction or the age. It is from people screwing with the climate controls. The moisture can build up in the system and that is what you smell. I have had people stay in the same room as us and smell it and we have had no problem. It is sort of like when you have been running your air conditioner in your car and then it sits in the sun all day. When you start it back up it has that musty smell. If the person before you messed around with the air conditioner and left it on full blast the moisture will stay in the system for quite a while and will smell. I don’t know how to fix it but I have never found it to be a problem. Just FYI. I know some still think the smell is something else and is in the older longhouses and from what I can tell it is random in every longhouse but most of the time is not a problem. I know how much you loved the Polynesian and I too am sorry you had that bad experience in November.

BibbidiBobbidiBoo,

So far no answer on Survivor.

Donnamerry,

Thanks for the input. I feel the same way. The reason I originally went to the Polynesian is I was going to take my girlfriend to Hawaii (because I LOVE Hawaii) but she wanted to go to WDW so we got both in one trip. You truly get some of the feel and experiences that you do in the islands when staying at the Polynesian. It is not 100% the same but you don’t have the MK a boat ride away when you are in Kaanapali.

 

[angelina]

NOOOOO, I love the Polynesian just the way it is. I'd hate to see Disney change it. I've been going there since I was a little girl, and I wouldn't change a thing.

 

[BCV23]

Tikiman, you remind me of how I feel about the Poly....I wanted it to stay just like it was when we first stayed there in '83. I liked the plain brown exterior walls..no orange, etc.. As I mentioned before, I liked the old thicker and lighter colored bedspreads. And like disneydenise, I used to use the dresser and mirror to do makeup (although I'll admit the armoire does give even more floor space). Even with the changes we've seen over our 25 vacations there, the magic remains. If minor changes are made, I bet you'll still love it!

 

[LAWalz23]

Go, Tikiman. I went for my first on-site visit last year and immediately fell in love with it. I may try other resorts but I will always hold the Polynesian as special. There is just something about it. I cannot wait for my trip in 3 weeks it will be like going home.

 

[Poly Pal]

I think it would be nice if there were some tropical plants in the room. A palm tree in the corner, a bird-of-paradise on the table, a hibiscus here or there, etc. Probably would be expensive to do, but would be an enhancement.

I like the newer color theme better than the old bright pink and turquoise (pre-1994). I don't find the rooms to be dark at all. The deep eaves of the long houses do provide shade that I find restful after spending a long day in the Florida sun.

The carpeting is a little dark for my taste. But, I'm on vacation and it is just fine to have something we would never have at home.

Poly Pal
p.s. Oh yeah, with the introduction of the Polka-nesian they won't be passing out leis at check-in anymore. Rather they'll have nice rings of kielbasa!

 

[the Legend]

Before I put my two cents in, let me start that I have only been to WDW twice (amouting to 6 weeks vacation time). I have never stayed at the Polynesian but have visited the resort for a look around and Dinner at Ohanas (ummm Dinner at Ohana slobber...). I am a native New Zealander (Maori to those in the know) and as such have been exposed to the MOST diverse Pacific culture in the World (New Zealand has large Samoan, Nuiean, Fijian, Tongan, Tokelauan and Cook Island communities as well as native Maori) so I will start by saying the Polynesian in its current form lives up to the ideas and cultures of the communities it portrays. It fulfills the perceptions of what most people feel a Polynesian resort should look and feel like although the real locations may no longer be like that (case: Honolulu). This perception of openess and community is very central to all Island culture (Thats why everyones a 'cousin' or cuzzie!) The feel of being formally Informal is also important as is knowing the importance of land, sea and air. Most people will remember the Polynesian for something that cannot be found anywhere else or that is not found anymore.

Resorts like AKL with its African theming and WL with its Northwestern theming historically owe a lot to the Polynesian, which was without a doubt THE grandpappy to these brilliantly executed resorts. There is no doubt in my mind that the success of the AKL in showcasing not only the look and feel but most importantly the people from several African nations is what makes that resort so successful. Everything from the environment to the food to the people all shouts Africa to those of us who may never ever get to go trekking across that continent.

By now I hope you can see where I am going with this. If the opportunity arose to rebuild the Polynesian into the worlds biggest longhouse using the successful formulas seen at the AKL and WL, I would be all for it IF the culture, art, food and people from the Island nations could be showcased as it is at the AKL, the things that made the Polynesian unique are maintained (Real torches etc). There are so many reason to go forward to provide better facilities, more rooms and expansion of services etc.

I am staying this year (September) so I can be close to Ohanas, Kona cafe and Tongan Toast so maybe I will get that Polynesian magic and join the long line of people who want to preserve the memories of better times.

Forget to mention - Aotearoa means 'Land of the long White Cloud' and is the Maori name for New Zealand. It comes from Maori Exploer, Maui, who saw the snow capped peaks of the Southern Alps which runs the length of New Zealands South Island. Maui thought the snow was clouds never seeing snow before and called the new land 'Aotearoa'. For the Polynesian, it made sense to use the native name for the New Zealand Longhouse.

 

[Liam]

Love it just the way it is!!

 

[SeaSpray]

Just want to add my 2 cents!

I love the Polynesian resort, as is, for a couple of reasons:

First of all, as Tikiman and the Legend can attest to, the Polynesian is a true representation of the culture of the Polynesian islands.

Second of all, it's one of the original WDW resorts!

As with any resort, minor and sometimes major refurbishing and cosmetic touch-ups will always be necessary, but I hope they never change the true "flavor" of this wonderful resort!

 

[sandramaac]

Which Hyatt did you stay at Robin in the Islands. We stayed at the one on Kauii, and it is one of the most beautiful hotels I have ever stayed at, with a open lobby, that leads to an open veranda, and big glass doors that would slide in case of bad weather, an enclosed salt water lagoon---it was just amazing!!

 

[Tikiman]

the Legend,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. It was good to get some feedback from someone who has seen the Polynesian lifestyle other than many who have only been to Honolulu. I think the best part is to see the mix of Polynesian cultures. The Polynesian does not represent Hawaii, it represents many of the Pacific islands. I wish people would take the time to see the small things as a glimpse back in time to a different culture. Some see the torch lighting ceremony as boring instead of as a small piece of an old civilization. Not that vacation has to be a history lesson but there is more detail there than most may think and to make the Polynesian look like a year 2000 Hawaiian resort would be to take away the magic and hard work the original designers put into it.

Mahalo to everyone who put their two cents in.

Steve

 

[Tikiman]

I just saw a show about all the Polyensian islands. All the places they showed had things that looked exactly like many of the things at the Polynesian.

Have a good weekend.

Steve

 

[MJS]

Hi Tikiman - hope all is well with you.

You know that I am not a Poly fan, I like the GF/YC style. That said, I do think that the Poly is a beautiful resort, and that the theme is carried out very well. The lush gardens are so beautiful, and the buildings, GCH, totem poles, etc. make me feel that I am on the islands. The decor of the rooms is fine, and fitting with the theme. The resort is a great escape, especially for a Minnesotan like me!

We enjoyed our concierge room decor (and the lounge is wonderful!) , our problem was that things did not work properly (toliet, refrigerator, etc.) It may have been just our room, but I think it would be great if everything was in working order.

 

[Clare]

We really enjoyed our stay at the Polynesian. Like MJS, we prefer they style of the BW/GF etc., but we would not want WDW to change anything at the Poynesian. Just because it isn't our favorite style doesn't mean we can't appreciate what it represents or that we wouldn't be thrilled to stay there again.

Also, like others, I feel that there is something really special about the Polynesian since it is a WDW original. I am scared that WDW will become too concerned with change for change's sake - I hope we never lose things like It's a Small World or PoC. I'm still mourning the loss of The Carousel of Progress.

 

[Cinderellamommy]

Hi Tikiman-
My husband and I have never stayed at the Polynesian before but will be next month. I have heard so much good about this resort from the boards and from you and your site that my Hubby and I decided to stay there with our 2 small ones.
I am anxious to actually see and judge for myself.
We have been to Oahu, Maui and Kauai and must say the Poly sounds alot like a place we stayed at in Maui. Can't wait for our WDW trip staying at the Poly!

 

[CHIEF TONGA]

You know its funny , when my wife and first decided to look into an on site resort back in 96 we did looked at all the resorts through the internet and decided on the Polly. Then we read some of the reviews , and i will never forget this one review where a woman posted her room was dark and dreary and she would never stay there again.
This made my wife and i alittle nervous and i had never spent this kind of money on a vacation but we stuck with it.

Well to make a long story short when the bellboy opened the door to that dark and dreary room and I stood in the door way
looking across the room and saw the view of the castle and the
lagoon I swore then and there id never stay any other place
at disney except in one of those dark and dreary rooms.
And we havnt, Going back on 4/22 and I hope that my Dark and Dreary room is ready .

SO my vote is no dont change a thing, let those who think otherwise stay somplace else.

 

[Tikiman]

Thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts. I have enjoyed reading everyones feelings.


Thanks Cheif Tonga. I have enjoyed reading many of your posts. I never realized that you almost did not stay at the Polynesian. I know many that have switched because of hearing bad reports but to me it is too bad to not give it a try. That is why we split our stays and try other places. We did not fall in love with the YC but I still think it is one of the best resorts in WDW. I did love the surroundings and the activity of the Boardwalk area but we just find it too hard to stay the whole time at WDW with out staying at the Polynesian. I can not be sitting in another resort and know the Polynesian is there with out me being in it.

Steve