The Poly Won Us Over!

[Aurora0427]

We just returned home from an 11 night stay at the Polynesian. It was supposed to be only 7 nights, but we were stranded due to Hurricane Harvey.

Housekeeping: It was fantastic. Our room was very clean when we arrived. I went over everything with Clorox wipes and was shocked at how clean everything was. My husband commented that it was much cleaner than our room at the Grand last trip. The housekeepers were so nice- very pleasant when you saw them in the halls and they did a great job of cleaning our rooms daily. Every part of the resort was clean.

Restaurants: The only minor negative was Kona Cafe. It was just ok for dinner. We wouldn't go back for dinner, but we'd try breakfast. Captain Cook's was easy and had a great selection for a deluxe quick service, the Tambu Lounge lapu lapu had me and my mom at hello. Pineapple Lanai put on 5 pounds! We didn't do Ohana, but will next time!

Location: we loved our room location. Rarotonga- we received both of our room requests- connecting rooms and a balcony! I did laundry twice and it was easy. Loved being close to the GCH and the walk to the TTC wasn't bad. The biggest negative is the double security you have to go through if you're going to Epcot. They search you at the hotel if you take the monorail and then again at Epcot. If you walk to the TTC, you're searched there and then again at Epcot. It really is a big inconvenience and they really do need to come up with a better system at Epcot for people coming off the monorail. We had to build in an additional 20-30 minutes to allow for double security searches. The searches are also way more thorough than before- which is great, bit going through it twice is just goofy.

Luau: a huge bust. Mediocre food followed by the show being cancelled due to weather. We wouldn't go back.

The Resort Itself: Beautiful. We loved the theming.... we really felt like we are on a Hawaiian vacation. The pools are the best on property. Loved the splash pad, the slides, the drinks, everything. We rented a boat one day and saw the remnants of River Country, which was so cool!

Cast Members: Everyone was friendly and we had people at the front desk who knew what they were doing. No issues. They kindly give us a room for 4 additional nights 50% of rack rate, which was $226 per night because of the hurricane. There was one grumpy lady at the first floor gift shop, but oh well!

My husband gives the edge to the Polynesian and I think I do too. The Grand Floridian will always be special, especially at the holidays, but the Polynesian has won us over!

 

[rosiebean]

Restaurants: The only minor negative was Kona Cafe. It was just ok for dinner.

This is really interesting...I just got back from a stay at GF, and several members of my party commented that as beautiful as GF was, they preferred the atmosphere and rooms/views at Poly (we stayed there a few years ago). However, after walking from GF to Poly for a dinner at Kona, we all agreed that it was rather mediocre. We liked the table service food options at GF better. So we decided that if we stay at a monorail loop resort again, we'll stay at Poly but walk to GF for sit down meals, lol.

We just love walking around Poly at night.

 

[Aurora0427]

This is really interesting...I just got back from a stay at GF, and several members of my party commented that as beautiful as GF was, they preferred the atmosphere and rooms/views at Poly (we stayed there a few years ago). However, after walking from GF to Poly for a dinner at Kona, we all agreed that it was rather mediocre. We liked the table service food options at GF better. So we decided that if we stay at a monorail loop resort again, we'll stay at Poly but walk to GF for sit down meals, lol.

We just love walking around Poly at night.

I definitely think that the table service options are better at the Grand. But we have two small kids, so the quick service at the Polynesian was great. We were disappointed in Gasparilla Grill last trip- they'd really slimmed down the menu since our 2014 stay where we loved it. It was just nice having that option since the 19 month old isn't always up for TS!

 

[mrs moon]

Glad you had a great time!.Can i ask how you found the pool area, was there plenty of chairs and was there any shady areas?

 

[Aurora0427]

Glad you had a great time!.Can i ask how you found the pool area, was there plenty of chairs and was there any shady areas?

We went to the pool twice during the day- once on Wednesday about 11 and then late Saturday afternoon. We easily found a shady table Wednesday, but Saturday it was crowded. The earlier you go, the better.

 

[mrs moon]

We went to the pool twice during the day- once on Wednesday about 11 and then late Saturday afternoon. We easily found a shady table Wednesday, but Saturday it was crowded. The earlier you go, the better.

OK thank you..