Your Review Of The Polynesian

[atwinhusen]

Have to add my 2cents here, because in almost any other thread I feel like I will get totally flamed...

I just don't get the affection some folks have for the Poly...

The grounds are beautiful & lush. The beach is fantastic. Never got to really check out the volcano pool b/c it was closed for rehab while we were there.

But the rooms...dingy, peeling wallpaper, outdated art, furniture, elevators that to quote another poster, seemed to belong more in a parking garage than a $400+ /night hotel.

I have been fortunate to stay in some top notch hotels: Ritz Carlton, 4 seasons, etc and with the down pillows, plush duvets, carpet unblemished, modern bathrooms with updated fixtures, I could certainly justify $400/night. The Poly...I just don't see it. If I could sleep in a hammock with a private cabana on the beach, maybe, but c'mon, for that price, I do think Disney could update and have MUCH better room quality.

 

[ols386]

Well, if you "assume" that I share the same values, then I guess its safe to "assume" that the truth must hurt and you felt like the "trashy" comment was directed at you.

Hmmmm...now maybe we are getting to the root of why you are taking it personal for people having an opinion. It must have hit home.

I could say more but you are not worth anymore of my time. Be gone and carry on.

bdklein, i have no idea who you are, but I respect people who call a "spade" a "spade".

Boo-hoo.

Aren't you the big man.

 

[bdklein]

It wasn't an honest opinion, it was just a nasty remark to make.

Wow, the insight into determining what is honest and what is my opinion is remarkable. In keeping with the Disney way, I must be Pinocchio since I am not honest.

 

[ErinsMommy]

This post somewhat saddens me. After the CR, I wanted to check out some of the other Deluxe's and this was on my "list". Wonder if the "rehab" will be done by December as that MAY be when we come back on a BB offer, if we get one when we stay in February.

 

[tallen429]

Have to add my 2cents here, because in almost any other thread I feel like I will get totally flamed...

I just don't get the affection some folks have for the Poly...

The grounds are beautiful & lush. The beach is fantastic. Never got to really check out the volcano pool b/c it was closed for rehab while we were there.

But the rooms...dingy, peeling wallpaper, outdated art, furniture, elevators that to quote another poster, seemed to belong more in a parking garage than a $400+ /night hotel.

I have been fortunate to stay in some top notch hotels: Ritz Carlton, 4 seasons, etc and with the down pillows, plush duvets, carpet unblemished, modern bathrooms with updated fixtures, I could certainly justify $400/night. The Poly...I just don't see it. If I could sleep in a hammock with a private cabana on the beach, maybe, but c'mon, for that price, I do think Disney could update and have MUCH better room quality.

I have to agree. I had wanted to stay at Poly FOREVER and when I finally did, I thought it was AWFUL. Our room STUNK like must and...."toilet backup". The place was dark and dank, the room was gross and moldy and the staff was the rudest I've ever encountered at WDW. We were there in the winter so we didn't swim, no opinion on the pool. We had come from a split stay at Beach Club and that resort and staff were AMAZING...above and beyond expectaions. It's now a favorite.
I doubt very highly I would return to Poly.

 

[minnie mum]

Wow, the insight into determining what is honest and what is my opinion is remarkable. In keeping with the Disney way, I must be Pinocchio since I am not honest.

I don't think the poster that you were quoting was saying that your opinion was not an honest one. And I have absolutely no doubt that your opinion on 'trashy people' is one that you hold to be true. And you have every right in the world to have that opinion. Just as that poster (and I) have the right to hold the opinion that yours is nasty, classist, elitist, and just plain objectionable.

 

[ols386]

Wow, the insight into determining what is honest and what is my opinion is remarkable. In keeping with the Disney way, I must be Pinocchio since I am not honest.

You're right, I was wrong. It probably was your honest opinion, which is even sadder.

Personally, I love the Poly.

 

[bdklein]

You're right, I was wrong. It probably was your honest opinion, which is even sadder.

Personally, I love the Poly.

Thanks.
Me too.
Have a Magical Day!!!

 

[dansdad]

You're right, I was wrong. It probably was your honest opinion, which is even sadder.

Personally, I love the Poly.

Thanks.
Me too.
Have a Magical Day!!!

Aaawwww!

 

[wishing4PA]

Poly - I liked the room size, the transportation options (I've always been a boat fan, even when getting to GF or Poly from MK for meals), and the tiki torches. I'll go out on a limb here and add the pool slide, even though I didn't get to try it when we were there in Feb. (we swam only a couple of times, and the slide was closed.) I just love pool slides in general, and the values don't have them.
I liked the plexiglass on the closet doors, too.

ASMo - I loved its food court!

No complaints about the CM's at either resort. I was very happy with Disney service at both. And I would stay at either again. Due to my budget, the next time will probably be back at the value level, and I have no problem with that.

 

[toodycat]

I have to agree. I had wanted to stay at Poly FOREVER and when I finally did, I thought it was AWFUL. Our room STUNK like must and...."toilet backup". The place was dark and dank, the room was gross and moldy and the staff was the rudest I've ever encountered at WDW. We were there in the winter so we didn't swim, no opinion on the pool. We had come from a split stay at Beach Club and that resort and staff were AMAZING...above and beyond expectaions. It's now a favorite.
I doubt very highly I would return to Poly.

I'm not a Poly fan either. We loved the size of the rooms, but found the CMs less than friendly--- with the exception of the DCL reps in the lobby. The pool was crowded and the water was not clean, the lobby is small and dark and the cuisine choice is limited. Dining at Kona Cafe makes me feel like I am in a mall. The Spirit of Aloha show didn't thrill me and you can hear the drumming throughout the resort. Monorail access is great and the beach is lovely. I would probably be more forgiving if the Poly were a moderate, but at deluxe prices, I don't expect surly service and a pool full of dead bugs. I am a devoted fan of GF and AKL. I'd like to check out the YC some day, though.

 

[nh grandma]

We stayed for 8 nights at the Poly this July, having stayed there many times before. We were a bit disillusioned this time as we ran into many problems. The staff there was not as friendly as in the past and although we had reservations made in 8/2010 we were told that building was closed because the % of reservations was down (this was after the manager of that day had lied to us and told us Tokelau was under construction). So, we were put in Tahiti, in a back corner room, with a 2 and 4 year old. The ferry and the transportation center made it very loud and the walk to the ceremonial house was LONG...you thought twice about going to fill your mug. The monorail broke down on an AM that we had MK reservations and no one knew this...we told the front desk! The Poly is undergoing complete renovations, including the ceremonial house (the rumor is that they are tearing it down and rebuilding). Also the pool needs extensive renovations. So, if planning on reserving there, you might want to check the stages they are in. As friends who are DVC members said, a lot of little things Disney has gotten sloppy on. That being said, it won't keep us away!

 

[carmie3377]

YIKES! All these negatives have me concerned. I have always wanted to stay at the Poly but could never justify the cost. We own DVC so if we want the Deluxe stay, we just book DVC. DH registered for a work convention at The Contemporary only 2 months out. We were offered Contemporary or the Poly for $199/nt. We were going to just do the Contemporary during the convention (reimbursed by work) and then DVC for a couple of nights to extend our stay but DVC was booked on studios. We decided that we would probably never see a rate like $199/nt for the Poly again so we booked it. Hope we aren't disappointed.

 

[auntie]

We stayed for 8 nights at the Poly this July, having stayed there many times before. We were a bit disillusioned this time as we ran into many problems. The staff there was not as friendly as in the past and although we had reservations made in 8/2010 we were told that building was closed because the % of reservations was down (this was after the manager of that day had lied to us and told us Tokelau was under construction). So, we were put in Tahiti, in a back corner room, with a 2 and 4 year old. The ferry and the transportation center made it very loud and the walk to the ceremonial house was LONG...you thought twice about going to fill your mug. The monorail broke down on an AM that we had MK reservations and no one knew this...we told the front desk! The Poly is undergoing complete renovations, including the ceremonial house (the rumor is that they are tearing it down and rebuilding). Also the pool needs extensive renovations. So, if planning on reserving there, you might want to check the stages they are in. As friends who are DVC members said, a lot of little things Disney has gotten sloppy on. That being said, it won't keep us away!

Sadly, we too were disappointed with our most recent visit in May. We have stayed many times and were looking forward to our two night stay before our cruise.
We stayed in Tokelau as we have many times before. Yet our room was dirty. In fact, I called housekeeping to come in and dust it. Not just a little dust. This was no white glove test. You could write your initials in the dust that was on the daybed frame and the night stand. The paint was peeling off the bathroom door. The toilet seat was broken. The sink didn't drain.There was sand..I mean a mega amount..like somone dumped their shoes out worth of sand, on the daybed couch. I don't see how housekeeping could miss it. When you sat down it was gritty on your legs. Gross. We found the entire situation to be just sad. For near $400.00 a night? Seriously?.. Come on, as lovely as the resort grounds are, it is no where worth that kind of money..even if we had accomodations we loved, which unfortunately,...we did not. OMG..and the AC did not work. The temp never went below 72 degrees..and it would go off complety when we left the room! ARE YOU KIDDING? For $400 a night, call me crazy..but I want the air conditioning to WORK!
The jump in price over the past year or so, simply can not be justified in my opinion. Especially considering the disrepair of some of the rooms.
Poly has always been a "hit or miss" type of experience. You have those that love it and wouldn't stay anywhere else, and those who hate it. .
We have been on both sides of it. Stayed many years ago..thought it was right out of the Brady Bunch. Tried it again about four years ago..and loved it. They seemed to brighten the place up a bit with brighter colors on the longhouses and the staff was super friendly. The beach was great for the electric water pagent. The quiet pool was PERFECT for a respite from the craziness of "the world".
This time around we hated the renovations to the quiet pool. No longer quiet. About a million cannon ballers. It no longer has a deep end, which was great for laps or some adult swiming. Now it's like all the other pools...with 5 feet being the deepest you will find. "Screamin' mee mees" up the kazoo. Which is fine..Hey, I get it..it's Disney. Yet, honestly as adults we did so enjoy the laid back feel and relaxation that the quiet pool lent itself to before. With the crowds at the Volacano pool overflowing, and the so called "quiet pool" being much more shallow, it too now has a good many kiddo's. Having traveled to Disney for some 21 years now, (our first trip being with a six week old, 4 year old and a 10 year old) we have seen Disney from the view point of a young couple with little ones, to now an older couple (mid 50's) traveling alone or with adult kiddo's.
In any case, our next trip will be back to the Beach Club..room with a view of the Epcot fireworks..near a quiet pool.

 

[auntie]

YIKES! All these negatives have me concerned. I have always wanted to stay at the Poly but could never justify the cost. We own DVC so if we want the Deluxe stay, we just book DVC. DH registered for a work convention at The Contemporary only 2 months out. We were offered Contemporary or the Poly for $199/nt. We were going to just do the Contemporary during the convention (reimbursed by work) and then DVC for a couple of nights to extend our stay but DVC was booked on studios. We decided that we would probably never see a rate like $199/nt for the Poly again so we booked it. Hope we aren't disappointed.

Paying $199 is WAY different than paying some $400 and up for a room. It's not that much more than a moderate.
If it's something you've wanted to do, I'd say give it shot. It's just that for $400 a night..nope, I wouldn't chance it.

 

[tinkerbellybutton]

Differences between Poly and a value resort????

Hmmm....let's see...

Better transportation, better location, better pool, better restaurants, bigger rooms, better themeing, LOL. I'm not a fan of the values so to me everything about a deluxe resort is better.

I don't like waiting in the sun at the bus stops at the values, so any bus stop that has cover, fans, benches and vending machines is a plus for my family.

We like to have a sit down resturant at the resort we stay at so that rules out the values again.

My kids enjoy a pool with a slide, not found at the values.

Although on paper the room size doesn't sound like much, the amount of space you get at a deluxe, or even a moderate, makes us feel more comfortable. The value rooms are just too tiny for our family, we feel cramped, especially the sink area when getting ready in the mornings.

We've stayed at the Poly and loved it, but WL is our favorite resort. We feel that for the much cheaper price it's a wonderful deluxe resort. We just stayed at the YC earlier this month and it's also a new favorite. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the pool there! We've stayed at BC before, so we knew we'd love the pool, but we thought YC was much quieter! A lot of people rave about the Poly, and it is a great resort, but we feel there are other deluxe resorts that are just as good, if not better, for a little less $$$.

 

[harmsja]

Sitting out on the patio of a lagoon view room; watching Wishes every night with the music piped in through speakers on the beach!!

Worth every penny!!!!!!

 

[toodycat]

Paying $199 is WAY different than paying some $400 and up for a room. It's not that much more than a moderate.
If it's something you've wanted to do, I'd say give it shot. It's just that for $400 a night..nope, I wouldn't chance it.

I agree. Any monorail resort is easily worth $199. In this case, go for it.

 

[carmie3377]

Paying $199 is WAY different than paying some $400 and up for a room. It's not that much more than a moderate.
If it's something you've wanted to do, I'd say give it shot. It's just that for $400 a night..nope, I wouldn't chance it.

I agree. Any monorail resort is easily worth $199. In this case, go for it.

Yeah, we're gonna do it! I looked at rack room rates for our dates and just for basic rooms it's $465 and $495. They said room type wasn't specified so it'll be interesting to see what we get

 

[iloveeeyore]

Yeah, we're gonna do it! I looked at rack room rates for our dates and just for basic rooms it's $465 and $495. They said room type wasn't specified so it'll be interesting to see what we get

We are just back from a wonderful stay at the Poly and it is worth $199 for location alone. We also stayed a night at the CR and we still like the Poly MUCH better. We were happy to leave our TPV room at the CR for our standard view room at the Poly.

The carpet in the hallways of the longhouses were in bad need of shampooing. Otherwise, we didn't find them dated or worn. We actually found the hallway carpets in the CR in the same state. I imagine that in the rainy season it would be virtually impossible to keep up with a multitude of guests with muddy feet trampling the carpets at all times of the day or night. Those things are bound to get filthy. Perhaps tile in the hallways would be more easy to maintain? The carpet that will be used in the Poly rehab is quite beautiful, but also looks like it'd be even harder to maintain (lighter shade than the existing one).