Why is the Poly so popular?

[kelscross]

We stayed at the Poly last Sept. and then again in Dec.

We absolutely LOVED this resort. They really made things enjoyable in light of hurricane Frances which was a plus. Hurricane or no, it was still a wonderful stay.

The boat transportation to the MK was fabulous. The beach, the pool....my kids had the best time here. It was so beautiful at night. We really felt like home here.

We were actually planning on staying there again in July but changed our minds to try the GF just to try something different.

 

[bellebud]

we used to say we wouldn't stay there because of the 70's decor... but we decided to try it because i kept reading raves and i thought maybe you have to actually stay there to feel the magic.

we just returned from our 2nd poly stay, and i'm wanting to go back already. for me, a very big reason is the castle view. sitting on my balcony, especially in the evening, seeing the castle change colors, seeing the GF and CR all lit up, watching the boats and monorail, is like being in a dream. and watching the fireworks and water parade. our first stay, we did lagoon view conceirge, but it was in the tahiti building because the regular hawaii conceirge building was under rehab. this past time, we stayed conceirge again (so we were in the hawaii building). we've decided we wouldn't do conceirge again, but i love the lagoon view. i'd probably request tahiti building - it's very quiet.

anyway, i really thought i'd never like it, same with dh. but staying there is a whole different experience than just going for dinner. you don't get the real feel of the resort unless you stay. my dh agrees. i'd try it for at least 2-3 nights just to see if you like it. believe me, you won't "hate" it, so what's the worst that will happen. you just won't go back next time.

hth! Liz

 

[Tikiman]

Well everyone knows my opinion so I won’t bother posting it but I will stick to some facts and let you decide what to do. I agree it depends on your taste and I don’t consider our taste bad but we do like the tropical feel and we have stayed in some of the top rated resorts in the world including many of the Hawaiian islands. Also it is one of the more popular resorts and for many years has had the most repeat guests and the most honeymoons (by Disney’s numbers). Also I know the whole 70’s things comes up all the time and I have to keep repeating myself but I must say it is ok to have what ever opinion you want but if we just stuck to the facts than 70’s would be inaccurate since the main resort decore was redone in the 90 and in the last few years and the style it mimics is no where near the 70’s. In fact the longhouses and grounds were modeled after early Polynesian. The only original stuff that looked 70’s (like the rooms and the turquoise tile) has been gone since the mid 90’s. Basically everything you see from the lobby to the rooms and 90% of the grounds are new or less than 10 years old. The only thing you can see that is even left from the 80’s is the tikis, and some of the main structures but all the accents, rock flooring in the lobby, the waterfall in the lobby, the pool, the paths, the rooms, the restaurants…I could go on but I think you get the point. Anyone is free to have what ever opinion they want but just going by facts, 70’s is not an accurate description but I don’t expect to change those people’s opinions, I just want to make sure people who have not visited there don’t get the wrong impression that this resort has just sat there since it opened in 1971 and has not been changed.

 

[SeaSpray]

Thanks for clarifying the facts once again, Steve.

I think a lot of people think the resort looks like the 70's because it was built in the 70's and the overall look of the resort hasn't changed, even though, as you've pointed out, practically the entire resort is newly refurbished and/or replaced.

What many people don't realize is that the look, decor, and theme of the Polynesian resort is AUTHENTIC HAWAIIAN/POLYNESIAN/SOUTH SEAS, and it would look exactly the way it does right now whether it had been built in 1905 or 2005. The Imagineers put a lot of time and effort into creating and now maintaining an AUTHENTIC replication of the South Seas.

Many of these authentic colors DO coincide with some of the popular color schemes of the 70s, but that's merely a coincidence.

Again, it's definitely a matter of personal preference,but to label the decor of the Polynesian Resort as being "70's" is *not* accurate.

 

[imatoad]

Oh, Tikiman, I just flashed back to my memories as a kid at the Poly back in the 70's. The lobby, the rooms etc., yes, the current decor and state of the Poly is a great departure from those days.

 

[Sammie]

Thanks for clarifying the facts once again, Steve.

I think a lot of people think the resort looks like the 70's because it was built in the 70's and the overall look of the resort hasn't changed, even though, as you've pointed out, practically the entire resort is newly refurbished and/or replaced.

What many people don't realize is that the look, decor, and theme of the Polynesian resort is AUTHENTIC HAWAIIAN/POLYNESIAN/SOUTH SEAS, and it would look exactly the way it does right now whether it had been built in 1905 or 2005. The Imagineers put a lot of time and effort into creating and now maintaining an AUTHENTIC replication of the South Seas.

Many of these authentic colors DO coincide with some of the popular color schemes of the 70s, but that's merely a coincidence.

Again, it's definitely a matter of personal preference,but to label the decor of the Polynesian Resort as being "70's" is *not* accurate.

I totally agree with you and Steve, I never understand the 70's comment anymore than anyone would say the Grand Floridian has an 80's feel. Which is definitely not correct; it is turn of the century Victorian just as the Polynesian is Disney's version of a South Seas resort.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I think it reeks of the 70s because of all the tacky orange and brown theming. Geez, it's just my opinion. No need to be huffy about it.

 

[SeaSpray]

I think it reeks of the 70s because of all the tacky orange and brown theming. Geez, it's just my opinion. No need to be huffy about it.

Hey Lindsay

Not sure if your comment was directed personally to me, but I wasn't intending to sound "huffy" at all, and I do apologise if I sounded that way.

I just wanted to clarify in case someone was reading this thread and deciding if they wanted to try the Polynesian or not. I wanted to explain why the Polynesian looks the way it does. In my original reply I *did* say: "Many of these authentic colors DO coincide with some of the popular color schemes of the 70s", so I understand why you think the resort might look like the 70's.

Again, I didn't mean to offend anyone, just wanted to clarify

 

[SeaSpray]

I totally agree with you and Steve, I never understand the 70's comment anymore than anyone would say the Grand Floridian has an 80's feel. Which is definitely not correct; it is turn of the century Victorian just as the Polynesian is Disney's version of a South Seas resort.

Sammie: You summed it up much more eloquently than I did, and used fewer words to say the same thing

 

[Peter Pirate]

The Poly is certainly the most popular of the three monorail resorts but in actuality all three have been having tremendous popularity...I think the desire to be on the monorail line is a huge factor.

Me, I like and appreciate what Disney has done with virtually all of their resorts and am at peace going to whichever I can get the best price...And for the past 4 years or so this has not been the Poly (maybe again someday). I love the AKL most of all but when it's too expensive (like our Memorial Day trip) I can equally enjoy the PO Aligator Bayou (which we will be doing)...Great resort, different feel.

The Poly is not resting on its laurels as so many envision. It is updated and is the vision of Polynesia that Disney is wishing to portray in 2005. To be sure there are some problems and some of these seem to be lingering, but there is no resort at WDW that doesn't suffer the same fate in this brave new world of th internet.

The Poly is on a roll and has a great following but IMO it is no better or worse than any other Disney Resort...Only personal preferences make these things true, IMO.

 

[septbride2002]

The Poly was the first resort we stayed at on Disney Property and we love it. There are a number of reasons so I'll try to list them for ya.


*Monorail - we loved having a monorail resort as it made it easy for us newbies to navigate the area better.

*Resturants - we liked Kona, we loved Ohanas, and Captain Cooks was open 24 hours so I could get a soda (my beverage of choice) at 5a.m. and go sit on the beach while my hubby snoozed for a couple more hours.

*Balconys and patios - I just like having the option to sit on one and read - the poly is a very quite resort (unless you are by the main pool).

*Watching the fireworks and Electric Water Pagent on the beach - we did this 2 nights while we were there and it was very romantic for us.

*Landscaping - I just love the landscaping with all the tropical plants and tiki torches. The Elvis music playing in the background.

*Wyland Galleries - we love walking through the gallery and looking at the art work available.

That all being said my next favorite resort is the French Quarter - which is the resort I would choose over every other one except the Poly.

~Amanda

 

[Kata]

Thank you everyone for all your input,now let me ask you is the Poly worth about $125.00 more a night than FQ,I can get a Poly gardenview room for $258.00 a night(AAA) and I currently have booked 3 nights at FQ waterview room,a 7 day parkhopper pass with no expiration,the dining plan for $800.00 that just seems like such a good deal.I am also doing 2 nights at AKL concerige (sunrise safari) and 3 night BWI (standard) if I change the FQ
ressie to the Poly I might have to wear a button that says I 'm really spoiled.
Thanks!!!!!

 

[Peter Pirate]

NO WAY! You're already splurging on the best concierge at WDW (AKL) and three nights at the fantastically located BW...Let the chips ride, enjoy a different experience and save the money for something really cool (other than a room).

 

[Kata]

NO WAY! You're already splurging on the best concierge at WDW (AKL) and three nights at the fantastically located BW...Let the chips ride, enjoy a different experience and save the money for something really cool (other than a room).

Thanks for your reply I am really torn with this choice and I am having alot of trouble deciding between FQ and POLY they both seem to have alot of fans but since I plan to hopefully have alot of late nights the during these 3
nights (MVMCP,Fantasmic,and Cirq du Soleil) so I won't be spending as much time at the resort ( where as I may never leave AKL when I stay there and I will definetely spend alot of time at BWI)the practical side of me tells me to stick with FQ which is also very popular.
Thanks!!!!

 

[Ilovestitch]

Thank you everyone for all your input,now let me ask you is the Poly worth about $125.00 more a night than FQ,

YES YES YES!! Polynesian is worth every penny!

 

[4DisneyfansinNC]

ressie to the Poly I might have to wear a button that says I 'm really spoiled.
Thanks!!!!!

LOVE IT!!!! You sound like me, one of my friends got me a little personalized license plate that says SPOILED.
We're booked POLY the end of this month, I too wonder if it's worth the extra.

 

[Kata]

LOVE IT!!!! You sound like me, one of my friends got me a little personalized license plate that says SPOILED.
We're booked POLY the end of this month, I too wonder if it's worth the extra.

Please make sure you post a trip report when you get back because I know I can trust the review from another admittedly spoiled person and I have until 11/27 to decide which resort I want to stay at and they gives me way too much time to change my mind (repeatedly) just ask my AAA TA
Thanks!!!
Kata

 

[Miniefan]

My family and I will be staying at the Poly for the first time this October. We are all really excited about it, because until now we have never really been able to afford to stay at one of the deluxes. We have been to WDW plenty of times and we have stayed at every one of the value resorts. Staying at the Poly has always been kind of like a dream for me and believe me, I find myself still contemplating cancelling and booking at a cheaper resort, but this time I felt like we all deserved a splurge. We ate at the Kona Cafe last trip and I thought the atmosphere around there was wonderful. I also think it is going to be great being on the monorail. I could only afford the garden view room at $258 a night with AAA and I am hoping that I can maybe get a better rate than that on down the line with either a Fl res or Passholder, either of which is avail considering they are both the same. I do have some questions about the room, what is exactly in the room and does garden view equal a view of the parking lot?? Thanks and any info will be appreciated.
Kim

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I use to be a diehard GF fan. We would try other resorts and I'd always go over the the GF, sit in the lobby and feel like I never wanted to leave. DH use to make fun of me because I'd like to go there and just hang out. To me it just felt like a true vacation.

Never, ever, EVER, did I think we would EVER stay at the Poly. We always enjoyed eating at Ohana, but the resort did nothing for me. Well, the truth of the matter was that I had only walked from the monorail to the restaurant and back... maybe making a stop at the gift shop. LOL And that is NOT the best way to see the Poly. (which I discovered one night)

Basically what happened is my cell phone rang and I couldn't get a good signal in the lobby of the Poly so I walked out the back door to talk. It was after dinner and dark outside. So there I found myself surrounded by these beautiful torches and lush tropical plants and flowers. The smell of those flowers is incredible!!! We walked down to the beach, watched the fireworks, saw the EWP, and that is the moment I knew I had to stay there. See it's not the lobby, or the restaurants, it's the feeling you get walking around there at night... it was just like being back in Hawaii (I kid you not!) It has some kind of magic atmosphere, and you'll never know unless you try it.

 

[matsterrocks]

How long do you have to wait to get on the monorail first thing when the parks open at these resort hotels? I would think they have huge lines?