Disney's Polynesian Resort Review
The Polynesian Resort review:
I greatly enjoyed the atmosphere of this resort. Once we arrived we were greeted with Leis placed around our necks. I still check in even if I happen to do the online check in. If you do the online check in through the My Disney Experience you really don't need to. I am just old Fashioned I guess, I always like reassurance everything is set and ready. I also like to make sure every thing is set in my account correctly.
Luckily, our room was already ready at 2pm! We immediately went in and put away our luggage. We had requested the Niue building second floor which we did get that building but the 1st floor. Our room had a connecting door to another room. Most newer resorts have two doors that must be unlocked/opened to connect but this was only a single door. Unfortunately, we had extremely loud neighbors and could hear their entire conversation. It was a discussion on which park to visit for the next day. I can't imagine not having set plans where you wouldn't know and I could only imagine they must not have had fast passes set if they didn't know park they were going to. They were at it forever! It was so bad we did ask to be moved the next morning when they started up again. We were extremely thankful the staff was able to move us over to the Rarotonga building. I believe I actually liked this building much better. Our room was on the end opposite the Ceremonial house, we stepped out our building right to a path that led directly to bus stop. It was a very quick walk also to the Ceremonial house, pool, & monorail station! We were still on 1st floor which was fine. The main reasons I prefer a second floor is the view and you don't hear the random child running down the hallway-thud thud thud thud. The con to second floor is that extra step it takes you to get there. EVERY thing has pros and cons.. It is always your preference in making the decision to what works best. If you know the options it helps you choose what is best though for your family.
The grounds are just gorgeous. The staff was extremely friendly throughout the resort.
We ate at Captain Cooks every Morning. The food was good-on average of all other food courts I have encountered. We were able to eat outside and had a fabulous view of the pool grounds.
The pool was perfect. The slide is fully enclosed (Dark) in case you have children shy of enclosed water slides. My daughter loves water slides but it was too scary for her. They have a nice size children water park area that has two slides on it that were perfect for my little one. There was only one way in and out so I was able to sit on the beach chairs, relax while I watched her play.
One night we watched Zootopia that was playing on the lawn area that is on the lawn near the Ceremonial house. They play a movie every night on the lawn weather permitting. Staff was there handing out towels to sit on. The grass in this location was artificial.
Another night, we played in the pool--went to the beach area to watch the Electric Water Parade. It was so fun. Just a mini version of the Main Street Electrical parade. Anyone can take advantage of watching this. It starts over by the Grand Floridian heads over to Polynesian, in front of Magic Kingdom's Main Entrance, by the Contemporary, towards Wilderness Lodge and then over to Fort Wilderness. After the parade, we jumped back into the pool to wait another 45 minutes until Wishes (the nightly Magic Kingdom Firework show). With my children having hypersensitive senses, this was a perfect distance.
Deluxe resorts have nicer shower heads.. It is the small things in life. Just saying! There is an adjuster on the outer ring to control the water flow. Our bathroom door in the new room was missing a lock. I didn't bother reporting it. The beds were comfy. The sofa looked like it belonged in the 70s but my son was content with the comfiness of it.
So it is definitely true as I had warned before, to take a bus to Blizzard Beach is a chore. We drove. I know some won't have that option. I almost wonder if it is to divert some crowd level from Blizzard over to Typhoon Lagoon. I honestly like both but we do prefer Blizzard Beach. To get to Blizzard Beach, you must catch a bus to Animal Kingdom Lodge. From there, you will change busses which means another wait for a bus. You then have to factor in this time for the return trip. The bus to Typhoon lagoon is on the same line as Disney Springs and doesn't require a bus transfer. Depending on time of day/crowd you may have to transfer.
Over all, I rate the resort pretty high. It is one of the oldest resorts but they did just have a refurbishment. Nice upgrades but still older walls and connecting door issues. You can't beat the convenience it offers in park/resort transportation. The amenities are typical of most deluxe resorts except the ability to see Wishes with such a great view. On this trip, we did mostly resort and Disney ground activities and not much of the parks. If I were on a trip mostly doing parks, I may consider staying at another resort that is cheaper to save money. I am so glad I was able to enjoy & experience this resort. I have no regrets. It was perfect for this trip's itinerary
Best to book this resort when Booking dates are released. Not as easy as others to apply a promotion to since it is a popular resort and tends to book up fairly quickly.
I greatly enjoyed the atmosphere of this resort. Once we arrived we were greeted with Leis placed around our necks. I still check in even if I happen to do the online check in. If you do the online check in through the My Disney Experience you really don't need to. I am just old Fashioned I guess, I always like reassurance everything is set and ready. I also like to make sure every thing is set in my account correctly.
Luckily, our room was already ready at 2pm! We immediately went in and put away our luggage. We had requested the Niue building second floor which we did get that building but the 1st floor. Our room had a connecting door to another room. Most newer resorts have two doors that must be unlocked/opened to connect but this was only a single door. Unfortunately, we had extremely loud neighbors and could hear their entire conversation. It was a discussion on which park to visit for the next day. I can't imagine not having set plans where you wouldn't know and I could only imagine they must not have had fast passes set if they didn't know park they were going to. They were at it forever! It was so bad we did ask to be moved the next morning when they started up again. We were extremely thankful the staff was able to move us over to the Rarotonga building. I believe I actually liked this building much better. Our room was on the end opposite the Ceremonial house, we stepped out our building right to a path that led directly to bus stop. It was a very quick walk also to the Ceremonial house, pool, & monorail station! We were still on 1st floor which was fine. The main reasons I prefer a second floor is the view and you don't hear the random child running down the hallway-thud thud thud thud. The con to second floor is that extra step it takes you to get there. EVERY thing has pros and cons.. It is always your preference in making the decision to what works best. If you know the options it helps you choose what is best though for your family.
The grounds are just gorgeous. The staff was extremely friendly throughout the resort.
We ate at Captain Cooks every Morning. The food was good-on average of all other food courts I have encountered. We were able to eat outside and had a fabulous view of the pool grounds.
The pool was perfect. The slide is fully enclosed (Dark) in case you have children shy of enclosed water slides. My daughter loves water slides but it was too scary for her. They have a nice size children water park area that has two slides on it that were perfect for my little one. There was only one way in and out so I was able to sit on the beach chairs, relax while I watched her play.
One night we watched Zootopia that was playing on the lawn area that is on the lawn near the Ceremonial house. They play a movie every night on the lawn weather permitting. Staff was there handing out towels to sit on. The grass in this location was artificial.
Another night, we played in the pool--went to the beach area to watch the Electric Water Parade. It was so fun. Just a mini version of the Main Street Electrical parade. Anyone can take advantage of watching this. It starts over by the Grand Floridian heads over to Polynesian, in front of Magic Kingdom's Main Entrance, by the Contemporary, towards Wilderness Lodge and then over to Fort Wilderness. After the parade, we jumped back into the pool to wait another 45 minutes until Wishes (the nightly Magic Kingdom Firework show). With my children having hypersensitive senses, this was a perfect distance.
Deluxe resorts have nicer shower heads.. It is the small things in life. Just saying! There is an adjuster on the outer ring to control the water flow. Our bathroom door in the new room was missing a lock. I didn't bother reporting it. The beds were comfy. The sofa looked like it belonged in the 70s but my son was content with the comfiness of it.
So it is definitely true as I had warned before, to take a bus to Blizzard Beach is a chore. We drove. I know some won't have that option. I almost wonder if it is to divert some crowd level from Blizzard over to Typhoon Lagoon. I honestly like both but we do prefer Blizzard Beach. To get to Blizzard Beach, you must catch a bus to Animal Kingdom Lodge. From there, you will change busses which means another wait for a bus. You then have to factor in this time for the return trip. The bus to Typhoon lagoon is on the same line as Disney Springs and doesn't require a bus transfer. Depending on time of day/crowd you may have to transfer.
Over all, I rate the resort pretty high. It is one of the oldest resorts but they did just have a refurbishment. Nice upgrades but still older walls and connecting door issues. You can't beat the convenience it offers in park/resort transportation. The amenities are typical of most deluxe resorts except the ability to see Wishes with such a great view. On this trip, we did mostly resort and Disney ground activities and not much of the parks. If I were on a trip mostly doing parks, I may consider staying at another resort that is cheaper to save money. I am so glad I was able to enjoy & experience this resort. I have no regrets. It was perfect for this trip's itinerary
Best to book this resort when Booking dates are released. Not as easy as others to apply a promotion to since it is a popular resort and tends to book up fairly quickly.
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