Disney World® Reviews

Disney's Polynesian Resort

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These reviews are provided to help you plan your Walt Disney World® vacation. Please remember not everyone has the same likes and dislikes. Magical Mountain is not responsible for the opinions expressed in these reviews.

9/11/2008

Reviewer: Elizabeth James, Hummelstown, PA, USA
My most memorable night's sleep was in the bed I slept in at the Polynesian. The mattress was awesome, the sheets were so "cold" and the curtains kept the bright sunlight out. We slept everyday until at least 9. Unfortunately that cut back on time we could have used to see the parks. We never even made it to the Animal Kingdom as the kids (10 & 16) wanted to stay at the hotel and swim in the pool. The atmosphere there is so relaxing and I felt safe. We let the kids swim all night at the pool while we dined upstairs and enjoyed the prime rib at the Kona Cafe. The availability of food is unbelievable. We had the meal plan and it was definitely worth it. We still ended up bringing home snacks as we didn't eat them all while we were there. The maids were great too, they never bothered us; we told them 2 different days that we didn't want service and they insisted on taking our towels and trash. Our section of the hotel was very quiet, we had a nice beach view and we were on the first floor so we could walk outside anytime we wanted. The A/C was excellent especially since it was SO humid and hot outside. The accessibility to the parks was great too. The monorail was right there whenever you wanted to go out. The scenery was beautiful - everything was blooming and so green! We will go back!!!

1/8/2008

Reviewer: Chris, Lillington, NC, USA
Let me first start out by saying that I had gone to Disney World many times with my family when I was a kid/teen and we usually stayed at the Contemporary. My aunt would usually stay at the Poly and at that time I hated going there...it was weird and boring to me. I stayed at the Poly on my honeymoon and absolutely loved it! First of all the scenery is amazing. You've got the Hawaiian feel with the white sandy beaches, the trees, the Luau (Spirit of ALoha I think is the name). There are double hammocks to lay in, two pools for swimming, a cool slide, lots of activities like speed boats, funky looking bikes (I don't know what they're called), and others. It's so quiet and peaceful there. Inside the main building you have a couple of fantastic restaurants, a couple of gift shops, and more beautiful scenery. The staff at the front desk was very courteous and professional and, despite having several people in front of us at check in, the line moved very fast! The food was fantastic in the two restaurants that were there (Captain Cooks was being renovated when we were there in Oct 06). I would definitely recommend Kona Cafe. Even more so,I recommend you make reservations to go to the Spirit of Aloha dinner show...it was amazing! And guys, be sure to dance with you loved one! The only bad thing that happened to us while we were there was that part of the drop ceiling collapsed because the air conditioner was leaking on it. They promptly moved us to Concierge in the Hawaii building (which was awesome!) and we didn't have any problems. I would definitely recommend the Poly to couples/families who want a romantic atmosphere with great scenery and easy access to the monorail, buses or a short walk (5 minutes) to the TTC.

9/8/2007

Reviewer: Moosehouse, Bel Air, MD, USA
I have always wanted to stay at the Poly and we just returned from a 5 day stay. It was okay but not terrific. I'll start with the pluses. Valet parking and bell services were great and deserve an A+. Quick and efficient. Monorail to MK and Epcot was convenient. The lit torches along the walkway were very nice and viewing the water electric parade was cute, too. We had a nice view of the water from our patio. Negatives...we were in the building that starts with the letter "A" near luau cove and from what we can tell this building must be the hub for housekeeping carts for the entire complex. Lots of carts and lots of people standing around but rooms not getting cleaned till late in the day. I have never stayed in a WDW resort where the hallways were cluttered with carts, food trays, mattresses, etc. By dinner time the hall was clear. Our room was not well cleaned when we checked in complete with a used/wet washcloth hanging from the shower rod. The new decor is attractive. Loved having a refrigerator in the room but it was turned off when we checked in which created an odor when opened. The AC and ceiling fan were also not turned on when we checked in which was a real surprise considering the 90+ degree weather. We had drinks one night after returning from the parks in the lounge and found it to be not particularly clean either along with sticky glasses. Overall, I'm glad we tried it but it just wasn't the same standards we are used to when we stay at AKL, etc.

8/13/2007

Reviewer: Kap, Charleston, SC, USA
What happened to the service at the Polynesian? I've stayed there in the past and it has been great, but lately, it's really gone downhill. My room was not ready when I arrived at the 3pm check in time and I was told that it's not guaranteed to be ready at 3 - but anytime AFTER 3, likely closer to 5:30 p.m. What? I was not about to stand around waiting and had to speak to the manager to get into my room by 3:30. The bell staff is awful and stood around outside looking away when you needed help. You are better off parking yourself and managing your bags yourself. Also, when I inquired about the cute towel animals Disney is famous for, I was told that it's no longer a requirement for housekeeping staff to create those for guests. Only those that choose to make them will do so. Of course, my housekeeper chose not to. I thought that was one of the perks of staying in a deluxe hotel at a deluxe price - to have little magical things waiting for you at the end of a long day? My children were so disappointed. I think management needs to take a closer look at this property and step up the customer service training.

6/28/2007

Reviewer: Krissy B., Denver, CO, USA
If I had to rate the Poly on a scale from 1 to 10 it would be a 1,000,000!!! Captain Cooks is great. O'hana is also a great place to take a family. Monorail is great. You can easily go to and from the parks. If you ignore all of the kids you'd think you were in Fiji!! AN AMAZING PLACE TO STAY!!!!!!

4/26/2006

Reviewer: Karen, VA, USA
The room was great! The cast members were awful! We stayed in a Lagoon room Nov 30, 05 thru Dec 5, 05. We had to 'find' someone to valet park our car. After two day, we just began to self park....it took less time. Also, check in was a nightmare...Cast Member Carla was not accomidating and very snippy. It was my 50th Birthday and I did mention it at check in......no magic there! I suggest staying at the Grand Floridian....even the folk who work at Motel 6 are more accomidating. The only reason I gave this rating a two was because we saw the fireworks over the castle each night.

1/20/2006

Reviewer: Kristen, Mt. Pleasant, SC, USA
I've stayed at the Polynesian three years in a row, and I definitely think the quality has taken a nose dive. The parking attendants were rude, the front desk staff was disinterested at best, and you practically had to force an Aloha out of anyone. My kids loved that added touch in the past, along with the cute little washcloth towels the housekeeping staff would leave behind. None of that is the same and it seems like they are not trying very hard to maintain Disney's attention to client service.

12/29/2005

Reviewer: Luke MacMillan, Savannah, GA, USA
Unbelievable resort!!! Its lavish exotic south seas feel, really hits the spot!! The first time I stayed at this resort was in 2000, when they had the old themed pool. This pool was awesome, but when i stayed here in 2005......it was the best thing about the resort! It's now a volcano pool, with a slide running through it, waterfall down the side, and zero depth entry! The food, rooms, and pool are amazing all together! I definetely RECOMMENDED it!!!

8/26/2005

Reviewer: Carol, Westfield, NJ, USA
After trips every 1-2 years for the last 20 years, we have pretty much settled on the Polynesian for our vacations. It's expensive, but if you decide to hang around for the afternoons after a hot morning in the park, this is a great place to do it. The rooms are looking a little worn these days (we just got back 4 days ago) but they are redoing all of the rooms, building by building, and that should improve the look of the rooms. This hotel just takes away all the worries of the world for the time that you are there.

6/21/2005

Reviewer: Marc Fumo, Philadelphia, PA, USA
This is the first resort i ever satyed in Disney when I was 6 years old in 1984. I have stayed at this resort 5 of the 9 times i have been to Disney and hope to get back there within the yeat. It is the resort I identify Walt Disney World with. It is simply breath-taking. the view of the lagoon and the two pools make it a vacation in itself. I highly reccomend this to anyone from couples to families. The Polynesian is the most relaxing and enjoyable resort in Disneyworld. It is an original and still the best!

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