The Polynesian Outdated?

[postesf]

We (3 adults, 1 5 year old) is looking at staying at the Polynesian in May. I've read reviews on other sites that some feel it is outdated. How do you guys feel? Feedback???

We are also considering Art of Animation but I need to sleep in the queen with my son so that means my 70 year old mother would be on the fold out/pull out and I just don't know how comfortable that will be for her.

Thanks for your comments!

 

[kapoof]

the poly is a beautiful resort! i would think your mom would be far more comfortable there than at a value. the values house alot of people so it will be crowded, with LONG bus waits and long walks to and fro the bus stop, also when leaving the parks the values have the longest walks to the stop. values are very busy with lots of activity, which is part of their appeal. the poly isn't dated, it is a nice nice place to relax, and the places to eat are awesome! plus the monorail can take you to the mk and epcot. it isn't cheap but worth it!

 

[postesf]

Yes... Good point made on the walk to the bus stops from the parks! Thanks!

 

[pixarmom]

I've been staying at Poly for 30 years and I think it's a classic. They've updated it along the way, and are refurbishing the rooms again right now. But the Poly still retains its original charm. If you go in expecting brand new, you may be disappointed. But if you go in expecting fun and tropical, with great views, solid dining choices and (we think) the best transportation options available on the monorail loop, you'll enjoy!

For us, there is no contest between AoA and Poly. Like kapoof said, taking the bus everywhere and the general atmosphere of a value can't compare to the easy transportation options and relaxing atmosphere of a deluxe like Poly. And I'd try to avoid the pullout - we're a family of five and our older boys are already pullout-averse!

 

[TaraPA]

I always hear people calling Poly "outdated." It's been refurbed just as frequently as all the other deluxe resorts. It's supposed to have that "original Poly" feel with the dark woods & darker colors, it's just the theme. If you want bright, light & airy, the decor is not for you. We LOVE Poly and would be disappointed if they changed the decor! I actually saw pics of the new colors for the refurb happening right now & I don't like the mint green being thrown in. I'm hoping it still has that "old Poly" feel next time we go back!

I've stayed in all levels of WDW Resorts & there is NO comparison between a value & a deluxe. If the price doesn't scare you away, treat yourself & your mom & head to Poly!

 

[wiigirl]

I love the Poly for its "classic style" and happy they have preseved it. Its not dingy or run down, just an older style and I think that throws people off.

One of my favorite places to stay!

 

[Polydweller]

You can now forget the other posts. The room refreshes started this week and every room will be done by the end of August. It will be one of the most up to date resorts by the end of the refresh while retaining the charm that makes it the WDW resort with the most returning guests.

 

[Pumbaa7287]

I agree that the Poly is a beautiful resort, but I'm shaking my head a bit over the bus stop thing. If that's your reasoning for paying deluxe over value, well, I'd rather walk the extra 100 feet or so and save 200-300 dollars a day!

Now I know that shorter walks to the bus are not the only reason deluxes are more costly, and if money is no option, I'd definitely pick it. And with your situation it probably makes sense, although for the majority of people, I'd think staying in a brand new resort would be exciting, especially with how much you can save.

I'd also suggest looking in to the suites at AoA. Cost would be similar or slightly more than Poly I think, but you get a little apartment instead of just a tiny room.

 

[2manypets]

Samoa and possibly Rarotonga and Niue should be fresh and updated by May.

 

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

We haven't stayed at the Poly since 2011. We did feel the rooms were in need of a spruce up then and it sounds like they have gotten it or are in the process of renovating.

We loved the look of the room and the grounds and wouldn't hesitiate to stay there again. I think the Poly has one of the best pools and by far the best restaurants at WDW.

My only complaint was the noise. Our first room, in Raratonga, was so noisy that we asked to me moved to a quieter location. They were very accomodating and put us on the top floor in a corner room in Fiji. This was much quieter, but we could still almost hear the conversations of the people in the room next to us. Hopefully they've done some soundproofing as well when they've renovated.

 

[Kimosabe]

Have stayed at Poly, and it's beautiful, no doubt, and sounds like it's about to get even better with some refurb. We're staying at AoA this summer and excited about seeing the new stuff there. If we had a 5yo, I can almost guarantee that AoA would be at or near the top of the list, if only for the theming...it's perfect for that age (based on what I've seen online and heard from lots of folks who have been there already).

As far as mom's comfort on a Murphy bed in an AoA suite, I slept on a Murphy for several nights in a cabin at FW last year and was quite comfortable (and I'm a pretty big dude).

With a 5yo, the only advantage I could see to the Poly is the monorail (assuming you'll be spending some quality time at MK). Obviously, that has a lot of appeal in terms of convenience at beginning and end of day and creates some potential convenience in mid-day if the little one is getting cranky! We stayed a couple of nights at the Contemporary last month and, wow, the convenience of a monorail resort is almost scary.

I now realize I have pretty much suggested that you stay at both Poly and AoA...any chance of a split stay? Ha!

 

[EPCOTDUDE]

I think the majority of those who call it outdated are not "Disney People". I think a previous poster called it "Classic". I agree!

 

[bethclayton]

i love everything about the poly. i think it is supposed to be a little retro to retain the original charm.

 

[jenniferma]

We are here right now on our first trip! We love it. I knew though from these boards that the rooms were in need of rehab. They are working right now on renos, just make sure you request a renovated room. We are in tokelau. It is in need of renovation.. Mnor things and the bathroom is bad (faucets are old and don't work well, need replaced). The rooms are huge here! We love this resort. I think once the rooms are done it will be even better. We love the location, can't be beat, like it more than
GF even and I wasn't sure if I would, good luck!

 

[jandkmom]

It's all a matter of taste. We love the theming of the Poly because it has that classic tropical feel to it...it always feels like a vacation within a vacation to us! Walking around the grounds, hearing the Hawaiian music with the torches lit, sipping a tropical drink - that's vacation. I'm not a fan of the theming of the GF...to me, it feels very dated and not in a good way, but plenty of people love it. We stayed in the BLT too, which felt like the most modern, updated resort, but it was also more generic, sterile hotel to me. Whatever floats your boat

 

[jperrot1]

Well I haven't stayed at a value resort yet (staying at the value all star sports August 2013 though). We have stayed at garden room at poly summer 2010, and MK view club level summer 2011. From what you say, being 3 adults and one 5 year old, I think a Poly stay would work out very nicely. The rooms are very big at the Poly. You can check out http://www.tikimanpages.com which is a website with information on the Poly. It will have information like which longhouses have the biggest rooms for the same money as all the others, pros and cons to all the longhouses, and benefits to booking a club level room (if that's in your budget). It also has information on travel times from the Poly to every disney park. I can go on and on but....... you just have to check it out.