Tell me ALL about the Polynesian!

[DonnaW]

We are tentatively booked for a land/sea package in Sept (I know it's hurricane season, that's scary enough, but it's our 25th anniversary!). Have always gone value (Movies, Music), and one stay at Dixie Landings, or whatever they are calling it now. Got a pretty decent rate, it seems, on the package, with the Polynesian as the resort and a navigator's veranda on the cruise. I still have LOTS of doubts, though, and keep thinking maybe I should just book POP Century for a week instead of the 4 night/3 day land/sea thing. I have looked at Tikiman's site (looks nice), and love some of the things we could do if we actually stayed at the Poly, but would love to hear from anyone who just loves, loves, loves the Polynesian and why it's worth the $$ to stay there....

TIA!

 

[MinnieM21]

I've never stayed there myself but Tikiman aka Steve has a fantastic website on the Polynesian Resort:

http://www.tikiman2001.homestead.com/poly2_5.html

 

[disneyfan67]

Thank you for asking me to talk about my favorite subject, the Poly!! You wan't to know why I love the Poly? Do have a hour to sit and read why? LOL!!

I'll try and keep it short but I can't make any promises.

1. Location, Location, and Location! You can't beat a Monorail hotel for transportation and plus it's so cool to ride around the monorail loop. My two sons just love it. The ferry boats are a great way to go to MK and I ride them just to cruise around the lagoon, especially at night when it's clear and warm.

2. Theming and landscaping of the resort. You really do feel like you're in Hawaii and that just adds to the feel of a Disney vaction. There is nothing better comming back to the Poly after a day at the parks. A great meal at O'hanas and a swim is a good way to unwind before bed time. Ohana's and Kona cafe are great places to eat and I never had a bad meal there yet!

3. The resort has history being one of the first 2 hotels built at WDW and I don't think it has lost anything, on the contrary I think it has gotten only better with time. This resort is great for familes and couples and it has it all. I'm not a theme park comando and I need to be able to sit back and relax and this resort allows me to do just that. The Poly is almost a vacation on it's own. The volcano pool has got to be one of the top 3 best hotel pools in WDW and my family loves it.

4. I could go on forever telling you how great it is but you need to try it for yourself. I know that it might not be for everyone but I just can't see how.LOL! There is one drawback to staying at the Poly and that once you stay there you don't ever want to go back. I'm spoiled for life and couldn't imagine having to stay off site or in a value after catching the Poly fever. It wouldn't be the same and I can't wait to feed my addiction this April and early May. 2 days at AKL and 5 at the Poly. My kids wanted to try AKL and I'm curious too. Well good luck with your choice and I hope you will love the Poly as much as I do if you decide to stay there!

Eddie (Disneyfan67)

 

[Slapster]

Loved:

Kona Cafe
The CM's
The Lobby with it's gorgeous waterfall
The location
The view of MK

Didn't Love:

Propane smell
Speeding carts on the walking path

 

[Nik's Mom]

We enjoyed the Poly! Some of the highlights for us were the monorail to MK and Epcot! It's a very short walk to the Transportation and Ticket Center, where you can catch a direct monorail to Epcot. We also loved the zero entry pool! The grounds were so nice to walk around in! You can't go wrong with the Poly.

 

[imatoad]

Wouldn't, couldn't, and won't stay anywhere else. I'm biased, I'd change my dates if I had to, just to stay at the Poly.

 

[disneyworld!]

I liked the location.........
that was it! I found it tacky, dark, and drab. I staying in Hawaii in Concerige. we could not "fit" in the showers...we were to tall! Had to duck to wash hair......sorry, I need to have a comfertable shower!

I found the people in concierge very nice and liked that end of it....I will give it that.

the beach is awesome....
I just found the hole theme tacky....and I asked to leave early and move to the YC concierge........
someone said it earlyer....it reminded me of the Brady bunch! I think if they take down what is there and rebulid....It might be worth the money!
yucky

 

[disneyfan67]

Wouldn't, couldn't, and won't stay anywhere else. I'm biased, I'd change my dates if I had to, just to stay at the Poly.

Same here and I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who feels that way!

For me it's not a true Disney vacation without staying at the Poly!

 

[disneyfan67]

I liked the location.........
that was it! I found it tacky, dark, and drab. I staying in Hawaii in Concerige. we could not "fit" in the showers...we were to tall! Had to duck to wash hair......sorry, I need to have a comfertable shower!

I found the people in concierge very nice and liked that end of it....I will give it that.

the beach is awesome....
I just found the hole theme tacky....and I asked to leave early and move to the YC concierge........
someone said it earlyer....it reminded me of the Brady bunch! I think if they take down what is there and rebulid....It might be worth the money!
yucky

Wow that was quite the post now, wasn't it? I'm sure glad to see the Brady Bunch thing came up. For the life of me I can't figure out why people say that, when the Polynesian doesn't look anything like it did back in the 70's when that stupid tv show was on. They have redone the resort several times over since that show went off the air and people who say that comment should go to Tikiman's web site and see how the Poly looked back in the early days. Sorry, I just don't get the Brady Bunch comment.

Tacky is a word I've never heard in describing the Poly before and I feel is WAY off the mark but everybody has their own taste. I can guarantee if Disney tore down the Polynesian there would be a huge outcry and backlash from Disney fans everywhere. What would you put in it's place? My guess is another stuffy New England style resort that wouldn't be as friendly and inviting to families as the Poly is. Walt himself oversaw the plans for the Poly and the CR and they have his finger prints and style all over the place. To tear it down would be like tearing down a bit of the old Disney as well. The Poly has style and great vibe going for it and I'm gratefull to say I was lucky to stay there a couple of times and I look forward to many great stays in the future. Enjoy the YC and all that the resort has to offer and I'll do the same at the Poly!

 

[DonnaW]

Thanks for the responses so far! Keep 'em coming, please! Someone mentioned "propane smell"?? What exactly is that from??

 

[denman007]

Thanks for the responses so far! Keep 'em coming, please! Someone mentioned "propane smell"?? What exactly is that from??

I thought it was great. You can't beat the location with young kids. The view was the best. Check out some pics in my sig.

 

[cdpa4d]

Thanks for the responses so far! Keep 'em coming, please! Someone mentioned "propane smell"?? What exactly is that from??

The Propane smell comes from the tiki torches that are lit during the evenings throughout the grounds. Some people say it is stronger than it really is. To be honest, I stayed at the Poly last year and only could smell the propane right when the torches were lit at dusk. After that it was pure Polynesian. I felt like I had just walked into a scene from Gilligan's Island! Since we were throwing TV Series around I would add my two cents!

Honestly, you will love the Poly. After staying there in 2004 I've decided to return in 2005 for 6 nights during our 10 night stay. I am becoming like other posters who say they couldn't imagine staying anywhere else!

ADP

Poly....here we come April 26th!!!

 

[disneyworld!]

Wow that was quite the post now, wasn't it? I'm sure glad to see the Brady Bunch thing came up. For the life of me I can't figure out why people say that, when the Polynesian doesn't look anything like it did back in the 70's when that stupid tv show was on. They have redone the resort several times over since that show went off the air and people who say that comment should go to Tikiman's web site and see how the Poly looked back in the early days. Sorry, I just don't get the Brady Bunch comment.

Tacky is a word I've never heard in describing the Poly before and I feel is WAY off the mark but everybody has their own taste. I can guarantee if Disney tore down the Polynesian there would be a huge outcry and backlash from Disney fans everywhere. What would you put in it's place? My guess is another stuffy New England style resort that wouldn't be as friendly and inviting to families as the Poly is. Walt himself oversaw the plans for the Poly and the CR and they have his finger prints and style all over the place. To tear it down would be like tearing down a bit of the old Disney as well. The Poly has style and great vibe going for it and I'm gratefull to say I was lucky to stay there a couple of times and I look forward to many great stays in the future. Enjoy the YC and all that the resort has to offer and I'll do the same at the Poly!

gee, sorry I have my own opinion! did not realize it was a cooky cutter question! .....Poly, THE BEST!

 

[disneyfan67]

gee, sorry I have my own opinion! did not realize it was a cooky cutter question! .....Poly, THE BEST!

It wasn't a cookie cutter question and I was respectfull toward you. I just thought the term "tacky" was off base and you should read up on the history of the Polly. Why don't you check out Tikiman's web site to see the history of the resort, it's the best information about the resort I've ever seen. The Polly isn't a fancy New England style hotel or the 4 Seasons for that matter. It's a true family style, laid back Hawaiian themed hotel that Walt would of loved. One of his favorite attractions was the Enchanted Tiki Room that opened up in the early 1960's and he seemed to like the South Sea's or Hawaiian theme. That's why the Polynesian is the way it is today. He had a hand in the design of both the Poly and the CR before he died in December 1966. I guess I didn't like the comment about tearing down the Poly to make way for another upscale, fancy resort when the GF is right next to it. The Polynesian and the Contemporary Resort are and should be considered Disney landmarks. Sorry, if I was a little over the top.

 

[disneyworld!]

well, I think I know the poly a little better then you think I do....I have stayed there in Concierge! Hawaii!! have you been there? I got ill, I have allergies and I had to go over to the YC and then to the hospital due to an asthma attack due to the mold at the poly for which I am allergic to. I am well aware of tikimans page, I been on this boards since 1997/8, so I am WELL aware of what is going on. thanks~
ps...I have some pictues on my link...bottom right!

 

[goofy!]

oops, deleted

 

[efinn88858]

...We were in Hawaii again. Third floor, third door down, garden side, from the lounge. We opened the door and were taken back by the strong odor coming from the room. Well, I just explained it away with "they must have just shampooed the carpets. I read on the boards that sometimes that creates an odor."

However, I had a hard time explaining away the dirty linens, including a large glob of snot, on the pillow. Then we found prescription medicines on top of the TV, apparently belonging to the sick gentleman that left the green glob on the pillowcase. (See my post under the "washed blankets" thread which explains what we found in more detail.)

Wow! That's a shame that you had such a bad experience at a deluxe resort. I'm going there in less than a month, and hope things have improved considerably.

 

[disneyfan67]

Wow! That's a shame that you had such a bad experience at a deluxe resort. I'm going there in less than a month, and hope things have improved considerably.

I agree and it's a shame that the stay was ruined for Goofy. I hope to never have that bad of a experience. So far, so good!

 

[GoofyinNY]

Is there still a mold problem at the Poly? I thought the Poly management addressed this problem. I have a severe mold allergy, so I'm starting to feel panicky about staying at the Poly.

 

[sters]

I wish it had a health club, hot tubs and wireless internet connections.. other than that, the Poly seems perfect. have never stayed but am considering it!