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

[Ladyhawke10]

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!

I have stayed at the Royal Hawaiian as well so I could clearly see your comparison. Glad it is not like that...the Poly sounds great and has so many loyalists, I know I need to check it out.

 

[DisneyFan0304]

The Polynesian was the first Disney resort we stayed at, and at that time we thought it was wonderful.

Then we stayed at the GF.

The next time we stopped into the Poly after staying at the GF the Poly just seemed very dark and drab.

I would stay at the Poly again, but it doesn't seem as great as it did at first.

 

[Tikiman]

Tinknsnow,

That is great you are going to give the Polynesian a try. I am just curious about something and you are not the first to say it but I just wanted to see what your answer was.

What color would you expect the buildings to be since traditional longhouses were dark brown?

Isn’t the WL Brown?

What part of the Brady Bunch show looks like anything at the Polyensian? Is it just because they went to Hawaii once?

I hope your trip to the Polynesian is great.

Aloha

Steve

 

[Tikiman]

Ladyhawke10,

Where do you stay in Kapalua. I am not a big fan of the Ritz. I like something on the beach so I can walk right to the water. We are part of the Fairmont Presidents Club and they have a great resort in Wailea but that is my least favorite part of Maui. That is the desert part of the island. To me nothing beats Ka’anapali beach. We walked over to the Westin when we stayed at the Sheraton (since we are Starwood Preferred Platinum) and we asked to see a room and we did not like it as much. It is too big a building (high rise) and the lobby was like a mall on Christmas Eve. The beach had also been washed out in front of the Westin (as it does most years). We loved the Sheraton. The whole place was new and the beach was the largest part of Ka’anapali. Make sure you try it some year but it books up fast. Our friends stay at the Grand Wailea but they prefer the Ka’anapali area. Unfortunately their conference is always over in Wailea. The Royal Hawaiian is a great place and a great location but remember it was never designed to represent Hawaii or Polynesian culture. Why do you need a resort to look Hawaiian if you are in Hawaii. The Polynesian is more like visiting the Polynesian Cultural Center.

Aloha

Steve

 

[skiwee1]

What color would you expect the buildings to be since traditional longhouses were dark brown?

Isn’t the WL Brown?

What part of the Brady Bunch show looks like anything at the Polyensian? Is it just because they went to Hawaii once?


Steve

I had always thought the Poly looked like the Brady's era because it was the first show that I had saw having to do with Hawaii. The colors were brown and orange back then and you still see that at the Poly. Also in the early 60s brown and orange were popular colors for the decorating inside your house. So it truly reminds me of those times gone by.

 

[Ladyhawke10]

Ladyhawke10,

Where do you stay in Kapalua. I am not a big fan of the Ritz. I like something on the beach so I can walk right to the water. We are part of the Fairmont Presidents Club and they have a great resort in Wailea but that is my least favorite part of Maui. That is the desert part of the island. To me nothing beats Ka’anapali beach. We walked over to the Westin when we stayed at the Sheraton (since we are Starwood Preferred Platinum) and we asked to see a room and we did not like it as much. It is too big a building (high rise) and the lobby was like a mall on Christmas Eve. The beach had also been washed out in front of the Westin (as it does most years). We loved the Sheraton. The whole place was new and the beach was the largest part of Ka’anapali. Make sure you try it some year but it books up fast. Our friends stay at the Grand Wailea but they prefer the Ka’anapali area. Unfortunately their conference is always over in Wailea. The Royal Hawaiian is a great place and a great location but remember it was never designed to represent Hawaii or Polynesian culture. Why do you need a resort to look Hawaiian if you are in Hawaii. The Polynesian is more like visiting the Polynesian Cultural Center.

Aloha

Steve

In Kapalua, my favorite is the Kapalua Bay hotel, and it's so sad because they are reconstructing it next year (Marriott bought it from Sheraton) and it will return completely remodeled (not to mention being closed for at least a year). I loved the place and will surely miss our favorite Maui resort.

I love the Ritz as well (but Kapalua Bay was our favorite), as well as Napili Kai Beach resort. I don't mind european decor in Hawaii (as in the Ritz or the Princeville on Kauai, which is another of my favorites) but I know a lot of others do--many strongly prefer the Hyatt Kauai over the Princeville because it's more "hawaiian."

OK, back en route to my real trip to Hawaii right now . Don't want to miss the plane

 

[jarestel]

Steve, thanks for the information about the Poly. As one who hasn't been to Hawaii and is clueless about Polynesian culture I appreciate the mini-lesson on authenticity. Thanks for taking the time to share this information with us!

 

[imatoad]

My first visit to the Poly was in '72, and I was 10, so I don't recall my first impression. However, I've been to DW 7 times and have stayed only at the Poly, both for the love of the place, and the memories of it as a kid. I can't, and won't stay anywhere else while in DW. Going back in Oct.

 

[Huey Dewey&LouiesMom]

I've stayed at both the Polynesian and Grand Floridian. Comparing the two, I would choose the Polynesian hands down. Don't get me wrong, the Grand Floridian was beautiful and I loved it, I've stayed there on 4 or 5 different trips. But the Polynesian seemed more "relaxing" to me. I love to walk the grounds at night when all the torches are lit. The landscaping will take your breath away. The rooms are large and the decor was not at all old or out dated. Very authentic in my opinion. My Father never liked the Poly. He thinks it's and ugly because it's "brown". I guess most people associate "tropical" with bright colors (like hawaiian shirts I guess). But that's so not the case. Once you are there, you'll see how everything all fits together. We are going in August next year (we were suppose to go this year but were suprised with a tiny blessing ). There will be 15 of us going. I couldn't convince any of my family to stay at the Poly with us. They are all gonna stay at the GF, which is fine, we're only a monorail away. IMHO, you just can't beat it. Not only monorail service but you also have the Transportation and Ticket Center 5 minutes from your room. Give it a try, and you won't be dissappointed.

(P.S. Sorry for my terrible spelling, I'm holding my 1 1/2 year old while trying to type..... )

 

[njzieglers]

Believe it or not, our first time there, DW and I didn't like it at all. We weren't staying there, we were on our honeymoon staying in the Contemporary, in 1978. It was called the Polynesian Village at the time. It seemed cheesy to us Several years later we were able to stay there when DS was about 2 and we loved it. We've returned to stay several times and have always had a great vacation. When DS was around 10, we had a ground floor room on the beach looking out to the MK, it was great. I think our most magical Disney vacations have been at the Poly. To me, going to WDW is not complete without going to the Poly for shopping, dining, a drink, or just walking around the beautiful grounds. We've been to Hawaii several times and think Disney does a good job of bringing that to the experience, especially the Hawaiin hospitality.

 

[Ilovestitch]

My bf and I walked around the Polynesian on our trip last May and I thought it was great- but I really LOVED the resort once we stayed there! The CM's were all so friendly like they really wanted to be there- lots of smiles and alohas. I told the CM at the front desk what my dream room would be (Fiji 3rd floor overlooking the marina) and thats exactly what he gave me. I also love the theming and the restaurants are great. The location/transportation is a plus, too. Polynesian is the only resort that you can walk to the TTC. And I believe the rooms at Polynesian have been rehabbed more recently than the other monorail resorts.

 

[huntconn]

Tikiman, I had no idea you were so well versed in Hawaiian culture, although I guess I should not be shocked! It's great that the Polynesian Resort actually has a lot of similarities to a true Hawaiian experience, but I personally do not find that a "make or break" factor in why I love the Poly. Don't get me wrong, I do appreciate it though. The bottom line is, the Poly is a fantastically themed resort regardless of it's authenticity. I would not suggest choosing a WDW resort, in this case the Poly, on how well it mirrors what it was inspired by. If I want an absolutely authentic Hawaiian experience, I would definitley seek it in Hawaii. To me, there is really no where else in WDW that I get that sense of Disney Magic as the Polynesian. I'm sure part of this is the nostalgia I feel since I basically vacationed there with my family almost annually beginning in 1971 but I cannot discount that from my feelings for the resort. If there is anything more magical than watching the fireworks and electrical water pageant from the Poly beach with the torch lit paths and Volcano pool behind you, I'm not aware of it. I realize this is all subjective, however. Damn, I'm hooked, I guess!

 

[Lives4Disney]

I had to reply to this!! I just returned yesterday from our first trip to Hawaii. We stayed 8 nights at the Royal Hawaiian. I loved the hotel, but it is nothing like the Poly of course. To me, it is kind of like the GF in a way as it is so elegant, yet you can be comfortable walking through the place in shorts, or swimsuits. I never felt out of place doing that.

As soon as we entered the Polynesian Cultural Center, though, my family all agreed it looks just like the Polynesian at WDW. The Polynesian IS Polynesian themed. It looks very authentic. The dark wood, stone, colors.... I don't think it looks tacky or 70's at all. The rooms are very updated and large, the Ceremonial House is beautiful. It is darkish, but that is Polynesian style - probably to keep it cooler. The only bummer for me at the Poly were the CMs. They were a disappointment. Very unfriendly and unhelpful. The people -everyone - in Hawaii were SO WONDERFUL and friendly. We commented many times at how there were no crabby CMs anywhere. (that doesn't sound nice, but it was so noticable!!)

When I am at WDW, I do prefer the GF, though. I didn't think the Poly service was so great. I would give it another chance, though, as so many people seem to love it. Maybe we just hit it at a bad time?? The atmosphere is lovely and I felt the need to stick up for the Poly on that score.

I agree with Tikiman that you shouldn't feel the need to be talked into a certain resort. If you are having major reservations about staying there - make sure you split your stay with another resort. If you LOVE it at the Poly, you can probably continue your stay there. Disney won't penalize you for that.

Lives4Disney

 

[lovesdumbo]

My first impression of the Poly was from inside a monorail and I wasn't impressed. Couldn't understand why anyone would want to stay there. Then I took a trip to WDW when I was 6 months pregnant with baby #3. I wanted a resort with good transportation. The pictures of the rooms I saw online made me hope I wouldn't HATE the place. BUT...then I arrived and fell in love. I can't imagine a trip to WDW without a Poly stay. I haven't stayed anywhere else since but can imagine a night or 2 at AKL or BWI or YC/BC but not a whole trip without Poly. Even my DD 3/12 at the time when asked what her favorite thing at Disney was would often say the Poly at night. We loved the castle all lit up, the tiki torches and the music.

 

[Cinderella37]

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.

I completely agree with you! I stayed at the Poly as a child, and I always felt that I was staying in Adventureland. I had a bad experience there on my first trip without my parents in 1996, they transferred us to the GF and I've never stayed there again. I do make it a point to go to the Poly on every visit (except last year and I can honestly tell you it didn't feel right) for lunch or dinner. Just the smell of the lobby brings me back to being there as a kid. If we ever return to the monorail line, it'll probably be to the Poly. It'd be awfully hard to leave the BWI area, though. I do think that the Poly feels much more removed and resort-like, though.

 

[Ladyhawke10]

OK, well we are back from Hawaii (the Big Island) and had much fun seeing the volcano and remembering the Poly's main pool slide!

 

[Jen D]

I had zero interest in the Polynesian when we reseached our first vacation. I didn't even entertain the thought or open threads about it. I don't know why, a couple reasons, first, we had been to Hawaii for our honeymoon and I thought "fake" Hawaii would be cheesy. I also felt it would be too old, which I know is completely stupid because some of th greatest hotels in the country are decades old.

Anyway, on our first trip we went out for dinner at the California Grill, and left our dd at the Neverland Club, since it was right on the monorail and we'd heard it was the best kid's club. Anyway, we were only there a short time but my family fell hard for the Polynesian. The first thing my husband demanded when we went to the GCH was "Why aren't we staying here?" (We had a very nice place at BWV, by the way.) To him this was the essence of Disney--- on the monrail, full immersion theming... and something about those early resorts, the Poly and the CR, you just feel Walt a little bit, even though they were completed years after his death. My husband is sort of old school- he loves WDW, but I think he thinks MK, the monorail, CR and the Poly are all the "real" DisneyWorld... everything else is just an add-on!

Anyway, 3 years later we stayed there for the first time; I resisted a little because of the cost but between my husband wanting to stay there and my dd wanting to go down a volcano slide, I was overruled. We weren't disappointed. It was a very lovely, special, laid back place. I highly recommend it.