Summer2018
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2017
- Messages
- 6,554
Just having returned one month ago, I found nothing lacking except that the Lava Pool is too crowded. Otherwise, it was PARADISE.
Overpriced, crowded lobby & feature pool, uninspiring resort rooms, uncovered walkways between buildingsI would like to preface this by saying I am not a negative type poster, and that I love WDW an am a true believer in the "MAGIC". That being said, here goes......... I feel like I need to stay at the Polynesian even though something keeps holding me back. We are AP holders and take 2 to 3 trips a year alternating between Animal Kingdom Lodge and the Beach Club. Every trip I almost book the Polynesian but something stops me an I’m not sure what it is. I know lots of reasons people love it so I would really like to hear some reasons you may not like it or did not enjoy your stay ,to help me make my decision. I should say we are two adults no children and spend an equal amount of time at all four parks with daily pool breaks. Thanks in advance for your information.
I felt the same as you when we first started going to WDW. We started at BC, then BWI and loved the Epcot area. We visited the Poly and I wanted to try it but something always stopped me (just like you). Finally I had to try it knowing that if I didn't like it we would just go back to the Epcot area next trip. Well! I fell in love with Poly and it is my absolute favorite. It is the vibe/feeling I get when I am there. I just love it and I always feel so relaxed there. I do still love my Epcot resorts but Poly is my #1.I would like to preface this by saying I am not a negative type poster, and that I love WDW an am a true believer in the "MAGIC". That being said, here goes......... I feel like I need to stay at the Polynesian even though something keeps holding me back. We are AP holders and take 2 to 3 trips a year alternating between Animal Kingdom Lodge and the Beach Club. Every trip I almost book the Polynesian but something stops me an I’m not sure what it is. I know lots of reasons people love it so I would really like to hear some reasons you may not like it or did not enjoy your stay ,to help me make my decision. I should say we are two adults no children and spend an equal amount of time at all four parks with daily pool breaks. Thanks in advance for your information.
Thanks so much for taking the time for all your detailed responses. I don’t think I’m going to do it LOL
Honestly (and I'm not trying to be funny) the thing I don't like about the Poly is the current price per night to stay. The resort has gotten so expensive, that it's very hard for us to stay there. It's still one of my favorites on property. The theme is great, Kona Café has great food (Tonga Toast), and the rooms are spacious and beautiful. The pool area is wonderful and the monorail ride to the Magic Kingdom is always fun too. If you stay there, try to go to the Luau one evening. It really is a great part of the experience!I would like to preface this by saying I am not a negative type poster, and that I love WDW an am a true believer in the "MAGIC". That being said, here goes......... I feel like I need to stay at the Polynesian even though something keeps holding me back. We are AP holders and take 2 to 3 trips a year alternating between Animal Kingdom Lodge and the Beach Club. Every trip I almost book the Polynesian but something stops me an I’m not sure what it is. I know lots of reasons people love it so I would really like to hear some reasons you may not like it or did not enjoy your stay ,to help me make my decision. I should say we are two adults no children and spend an equal amount of time at all four parks with daily pool breaks. Thanks in advance for your information.
We’ve stayed twice. It’s got a lot going for it, but some of the negatives for me:
- it’s always so busy and loud. There are so many guests that are not staying at the Poly that come to eat, shop, take a break in the lobby and look around. It’s not a big resort and it does get overwhelmed sometimes. This is the biggest negative IMHO. None of the peacefulness of WL or AKL.
....
The only thing we don't love about the Poly is that the second floor rooms do not have balconies. My DH and I love sitting out on the balcony with cocktails so we are a little nervous about ending up without one but we have always gotten our room requests so not a big deal so far! Also, we felt there was a little longer of a wait for buses than we have experienced at other resorts. But not enough to keep us away as we're going back in January! It's really worth a try!
We visited in October last year and felt it was a high volume, quick turnover hotel. The lobby was fine but when you get into the actual room buildings you can see the wear and tear from so many quests all the time. It just feels like there's never enough time between quests for the rooms to really be cleaned or the hallways properly taken care of. ...... We are going back to GF this year. I can justify the expense more for their quality over Poly.
I too love the Poly, especially the CL and we stay there often. To give a few things that I don't like about the Poly - One thing is that all other Deluxe resorts have at least one restaurant that you can get reservations at the last minute - not the Poly. I wish they would leave some ADRs for guests.......
I forgot to mention this too. When we last stayed, i tried to walk up at Kona at around 7:45 on a few mornings. The were booked. Our last day, I bit the bullet and made an ADR the night before. They really should leave some space for guests that are staying at the resort to walk up.
I agree 100% These comments made me chuckle because when I mentioned the same some time back, the literal pick forks came out to silence meAt that price point, poly guests should be accommodated better. At any other resort in the eastern hemisphere (and maybe the world) resort guests paying a similar nightly rate expect to be able to dine on-site with minimal wait times.