What was your first impression of the Poly? Has it changed?

[Ladyhawke10]

Just curious about perceptions of the Poly at first glance (and how this informs later impressions after actually staying there). My son wants to stay there badly for the pool, while I've always been skeptical because we go to Hawaii a lot anyway and I'm afraid it's going to seem like a far cry from what the authentic Polynesian experience is for me. Is it as great as its reputation? So far, I'm willing to give it one night but my son wants to stay there longer. My fave is the GF so we usually stay next door. Are the rooms fairly elegant? It's sometimes hard to tell from pictures.

Thanks for info!

 

[kelscross]

I've never been to Hawaii so I couldn't compare. The rooms however are not elegant per se. They were laid back in my opinion. Very large and I didn't think the decor was dark or tacky. It had a polynesian flair to it but not over the top. The pool was okay, not as big as I had imagined it but it was adequate. The slide was fun! I rode it myself several times. My girls are too little but they had fun watching me go down.

Maybe a split stay between the GF and Poly so you can both have your favorite?

I've never stayed at the GF ( I will this July) so I can't compare the two either.

 

[Got Quattro?]

my poly thoughts improved for the better after staying there.

 

[rnd4life]

We stayed at the Poly CL last year for the first time and fell in love with it. I'm in the process of planning our next Disney trip and we're heading back to the Poly again. I found it to be a really fun resort and our 10 year old DS adored it, especially the pool.

 

[Ladyhawke10]

I've never been to Hawaii so I couldn't compare. The rooms however are not elegant per se. They were laid back in my opinion. Very large and I didn't think the decor was dark or tacky. It had a polynesian flair to it but not over the top. The pool was okay, not as big as I had imagined it but it was adequate. The slide was fun! I rode it myself several times. My girls are too little but they had fun watching me go down.

Maybe a split stay between the GF and Poly so you can both have your favorite?

I've never stayed at the GF ( I will this July) so I can't compare the two either.

That's exactly what I'm planning on doing...in August...however, with so much time to plan I am finding myself still wondering. Even for a night, the Poly is a few hundred bucks investment, when I know I already love GF. When we've visiting the hotel itself didn't look that exciting to me, but I love the beach area. But my impressions of hotels upon visiting have sometimes really changed once I've stayed there (Beach club, for instance...didn't think it looked that neat and then I really loved it when I stayed there). It seems like so many adore the Poly, and I want to find out about that Poly mystique I like hearing others thought about this..thanks!

 

[Tess]

Many years ago we booked a LV at Polynesian. I really had no desire to stay there, but my family was insistent. At that time, my dream stay would have been at GF. Unfortunately, those many years ago--that "dream" wasn't possible due to our financial situation. One morning we received a call from WDW and we were offered a comparable room (LV) at GF for the same rate we would be paying for our Polynesian stay. I was thrilled--and my family humored me. We agreed to the upgrade.

I really enjoyed the GF, but my family wasn't "sold" on it. We had visited the Polynesian that year for the Luau and they insisted our next stay had to be at the Polynesian. I just wasn't "feeling it", but they had been good sports so our next vacation we booked Polynesian LV. We had a great room in the then "Moorea" building (now Tahiti). We were all smitten with the resort after a great stay.

We have been visiting the Polynesian resort each visit since. That said, we've also added days at the beginning or end of our stays to try out the other resorts. We've stayed at AKL, BWI, and BC as well as CBR, and POR. My son and husband have even stayed at ASMu. All of these resorts have their charms and we've never had a negative experience anywhere. Our resort of choice, however, remains the Polynesian--there's just something about that resort that just says Disney to us!

We are eagerly awaiting our return in 69 days. . .I never thought I would like the Polynesian since the other resorts (GF, BWI, YC/BC) are more my idea of "luxury"; it just goes to show you that you can't judge a book by the cover! I'm definitely a convert! While I wouldn't turn down a stay at any of the Disney resorts, Polynesian is our family's resort of choice.

 

[goodferry]

We visited the Poly to go to the Luau and fell in love with it! We stayed there last June and nothing has changed, we thought it was fantastic and are going back in December. I too would not call the rooms elegant, but they are very comfortable and large. My kids loved the pool and the slide and watching the fireworks from the pool. Having the Transportation and Ticket Center so close is another plus. I don't think you will be dissappointed, even if the GF remains your favorite.

 

[DawnCt1]

The first time I saw the Poly was back in 1976. DH and I finally scraped up enough $$$ to go to WDW. We stayed at the Royal Plaza Hotel in Lake Buena Vista and decided to go to the luau. I was blown away by the lobby and said, If I ever get back to WDW, this is where I am going to stay. We didn't return until 1982 and we got so hooked that we went back every year. Even when they built the GF we split our time between the Poly and the GF. It may be older but
I have an emotional attachment to it. We have stayed at a lot of the other resorts through the years that I like as well. Even now, when we stay at SoG however, we make it a point to visit the Poly for "something". Ohanas, etc. We have wonderful memories of the WDW. My mother always came with us once we had children and those vacations are some of the best memories for my boys who are now young men.

 

[mommykds]

I thought it would be so cool to be at the POly until I stayed there.

Without making a long story out of it...the room wasn't cleaned well. The cast member seems annoyed at us when we checked it. My kids got sick & the cm's couldn't find us a thermometer (Now I never go on vaca without one, learned my lesson). Overall experience for the $ was a disappointment. We were treated like royalty at the CBR & like poop at the Poly.

 

[MickeyMouth]

I used to live in Hawaii and I LOVE the POLY. The smell of the lobby, the music, the torches, the gift shops all bring back memories for me.

 

[leighe]

I love the Poly. The laid-back feeling of the resort just says, "vacation" to me. It's where we always stayed when I was little so it's kind of nostalgic for me too. I have visited Hawaii twice and no, the Polynesian isn't Hawaii. But is still has a special charm - I really think you'll enjoy it. The view of the castle from a LV room or even from the beach is just spectacular!

I love the GF as well but my DH doesn't so I save that for my "girly" trips with my sister or best friend. My sister and I walked over to the beach at the Poly almost every night to watch the MK fireworks.

 

[PamNC]

The Poly is our favorite resort. We've never been to Hawaii..it's a dream of ours though. I can't speak to how authentic it truly is. But, I can speak to it's magic. It's a beautifully landscaped resort. Great CMs. LOCATION can't be beat. We love the tiki torches and the Hawaiin music piped under the water. Plus, the fireworks from the beach can't be beat.

Give it a try!

PamNC

 

[Tikiman]

I have been going to Hawaii since I was a kid and spending quite a bit of my summers there growing up but not as a tourist but being with the locals, now I go there with my family and we purchased a place there a few years ago in Maui (where we will be this summer). I have also studied Polynesian (not just Hawaiian) culture for many years and the reason I started going to the Polynesian was so I could get Disney and get the feel of the islands. It does exactly that and it does it with the detail that most people cannot recognize. If you have visited Hawaii and stayed at a modern resort that does not represent the islands at all. The Polynesian represents many different islands in the Pacific and it supposed to be much more like the Polynesia of the past and not modern day Honolulu. The room decore is not old at the Polynesian because it was just designed in the late 90s with the help of the staff from the Kaanapali Beach Hotel. They are also beginning the renovation of the rooms to change just about everything in there to add new larger TVs, replace the day bed with a futon style bed that can fold up, change the color, carpet, lighting, etc. Not only are the features of the Polynesian Authentic but there are plants there that are rarely found on the mainland. It is the right of anyone to have the opinion that the Polynesian is old, tacky and not authentic or just not like it but to call it old, or not authentic is just not accurate.

I guess the bottom line is you should not have to be talked into staying somewhere. If you don’t want to stay there choose a resort you are comfortable with.

Aloha

Steve

 

[SqueakyMouse]

While the Poly brings back great childhood memories, it definitely is not the resort of choice for me. I'll take GF or AKL any day. The main reason for this is that I have lived near the beach most of my life. Even now, we spend a fair amount of time at our family's lovely beach home. It has much more of a luxorious, tropical feel to it than the Poly. Somehow, a fake beach on a lake is not enough of a draw for me. The lush plantings are lovely, but I want more theming in my room and resort than plantings I have already. My entire family does enjoy visiting the restaurants there, and I have an aunt and uncle who will stay nowhere other than the Poly. They've been visiting it every couple of years since it opened!

 

[Ladyhawke10]

So many great responses! Thank you!

Yes, that's what I was hoping to experience....I know I have had different impressions upon staying somewhere even after visiting it as well.

We have been visiting the Polynesian resort each visit since. That said, we've also added days at the beginning or end of our stays to try out the other resorts. We've stayed at AKL, BWI, and BC as well as CBR, and POR. My son and husband have even stayed at ASMu. All of these resorts have their charms and we've never had a negative experience anywhere. Our resort of choice, however, remains the Polynesian--there's just something about that resort that just says Disney to us!

We are eagerly awaiting our return in 69 days. . .I never thought I would like the Polynesian since the other resorts (GF, BWI, YC/BC) are more my idea of "luxury"; it just goes to show you that you can't judge a book by the cover! I'm definitely a convert! While I wouldn't turn down a stay at any of the Disney resorts, Polynesian is our family's resort of choice.

 

[Ladyhawke10]

Well this is good info. It's funny that someone once asked me "which of the islands does the Poly most remind you of?" And I said Maui., because of the dormant volcano (pool), the marketplace/ family atmosphere and activities, and the gardenesque landscaping. Just can't imagine it as well in Kauai, Lanai, Molokai or Hawaii. Anyway, didn't know that about KBH...though it's not really one of my favorite hotels on Maui, it's much, much better than Honolulu, where I only go on business (can you imagine a Waikiki Disney resort? ugh....with those 24 hour ongoings, don't think it'd be too good for the WDW image )

I actually like to have my perceptions challenged--keeps them sharp
I'm really getting sold on the Poly here! I'm leaving in about 2 hours for Hawaii so it will be fun to compare them in a few months.

I have been going to Hawaii since I was a kid and spending quite a bit of my summers there growing up but not as a tourist but being with the locals, now I go there with my family and we purchased a place there a few years ago in Maui (where we will be this summer). I have also studied Polynesian (not just Hawaiian) culture for many years and the reason I started going to the Polynesian was so I could get Disney and get the feel of the islands. It does exactly that and it does it with the detail that most people cannot recognize. If you have visited Hawaii and stayed at a modern resort that does not represent the islands at all. The Polynesian represents many different islands in the Pacific and it supposed to be much more like the Polynesia of the past and not modern day Honolulu. The room decore is not old at the Polynesian because it was just designed in the late 90s with the help of the staff from the Kaanapali Beach Hotel. They are also beginning the renovation of the rooms to change just about everything in there to add new larger TVs, replace the day bed with a futon style bed that can fold up, change the color, carpet, lighting, etc. Not only are the features of the Polynesian Authentic but there are plants there that are rarely found on the mainland. It is the right of anyone to have the opinion that the Polynesian is old, tacky and not authentic or just not like it but to call it old, or not authentic is just not accurate.

I guess the bottom line is you should not have to be talked into staying somewhere. If you don’t want to stay there choose a resort you are comfortable with.

 

[Tikiman]

Without taking away from the great input that the KBH had on the design to add the colors, materials and the rock floor in the lobby over the old tile I agree that the KBH is not a place I would stay over some of the other great resorts in Maui. We stayed next door at the Sheraton and since it has been remodeled and the new buildings were added we love that place (best location on Kaanapali beach) and we stayed in the new building. It had patios just like the Polynesian and the rooms felt much like the Polynesian rooms but are more like what the new Polynesian rooms will be like.

That being said the KBH was voted Hawaii’s most Hawaiian Hotel and Best Places to Stay Gold List (Conde Nast) but it is a little more of a “value”resort compared to the other resorts.

It is funny that we always see things at the resorts in Hawaii that remind us of the Polynesian but the Polynesian décor is supposed to be more of the Hawaii of the Past and not modern Hawaii. You know some of the Polynesian reminds me of walking through Adventure Land and I am sure some are going to say that is cheesy but I felt that Disney put a lot of detail into Adventure land and that same detail is at the Polynesian. The bottom line is we have enjoyed other Disney Resorts and resorts all over the world but only the Polynesian allows us to feel relaxed when at the resort and it has such a welcoming feel to just walking around the paths or on the beach. You hardly ever see people walking the beach at the GF (although I am sure some do). The only place we ever feel more relaxed is in Maui.

I am sure you will make the decision right for you Ladyhawke10.

Aloha

Steve

 

[tinknsnow]

As a kid, I thought of the Poly in a neutral way, kind of "Brady Bunch" 70s as I got older (I had something against the color brown for buildings, I think).

Then I figured it would be "beachy and tropical" which didn;t appeal much to me as I grew up in Miami and my mom dragged us to the beach all the time. I am a fair-skinned lass-- I turn lobster-red in minutes.

Once DH and I started going to WDW each year with our kids, we picked the WL and fell in love with it. We tried O'hana and were really pleasantly surprised with the Poly's decor and ambience! It seemed so upbeat yet relaxing at the same time (but in a very different way than the WL does). The kids loved the tropical plants and waterfalls. We then tried Kona. Yum!

And next trip, after four years at the WL, we are trying the Poly next trip! Can't wait.

PS Still not a fan of brown buildings... but I think I can get over it while we're at the Poly

 

[skiwee1]

My first perception of the Poly was one of the Brady Bunch show goes to Hawaii. I seriously thought it looked run down and tacky. We did decide to stay there for the pool and I'm so glad I did! We love it. It is our favorite resort and hwe stay there around 30 nights a year now. It is nowhere near elegant. It is a laid back, relaxing, family oriented resort. We have been to Hawaii staying at the Royal Hawaiian which is as elegant as you can get. There is no comparison between the two and I am glad. While in Hawaii I prefer the elegant resorts but in Disney I prefer the theming. The Poly really takes you away to another place. I just can't describe the feeling I get when I enter that lobby for yet another wonderful trip. It gives me chillls!

 

[Ladyhawke10]

We stayed next door at the Sheraton and since it has been remodeled and the new buildings were added we love that place (best location on Kaanapali beach) and we stayed in the new building. It had patios just like the Polynesian and the rooms felt much like the Polynesian rooms but are more like what the new Polynesian rooms will be like.

That being said the KBH was voted Hawaii’s most Hawaiian Hotel and Best Places to Stay Gold List (Conde Nast) but it is a little more of a “value”resort compared to the other resorts.

It is funny that we always see things at the resorts in Hawaii that remind us of the Polynesian but the Polynesian décor is supposed to be more of the Hawaii of the Past and not modern Hawaii. You know some of the Polynesian reminds me of walking through Adventure Land and I am sure some are going to say that is cheesy but I felt that Disney put a lot of detail into Adventure land and that same detail is at the Polynesian. The bottom line is we have enjoyed other Disney Resorts and resorts all over the world but only the Polynesian allows us to feel relaxed when at the resort and it has such a welcoming feel to just walking around the paths or on the beach. You hardly ever see people walking the beach at the GF (although I am sure some do). The only place we ever feel more relaxed is in Maui.

I am sure you will make the decision right for you Ladyhawke10.

Aloha

Steve

More great info-thanks!

Yes, I agree about KBH, I am just a Kapalua fan, so I love it a bit more up north. Great to hear about the Sheraton...I've snorkeled at black rock, and stayed at the Westin just a few doors down, but I haven't actually stayed at the Sheraton. I'm sure it's wonderful. I remember thinking it was just lovely when visiting.

The Poly sounds fantastic