Any longtime fan of Walt Disney World understands that there are three iconic resorts: The Contemporary, The Grand Floridian, and The Polynesian Village Resort. People who visit the most popular theme park on the planet relish the idea of staying at one of the trio of properties conveniently located at stops on Disney’s world famous monorail system.
Recently, The Walt Disney Company has reinvented one of those properties right down to changing its name from its former title of the Polynesian Resort back to its original designation, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. In combination with the overhaul of its facilities, the Polynesian becomes a member of the Disney Vacation Club, making a stay there no longer just a fantasy for those unwilling to pay $400 or more a night for their accommodations. You have probably dreamt of staying at the Polynesian for years now. Here are six things you must know before booking your vacation.
1. General Resort Appearance
The unique flair of the Polynesian Village Resort has caught the eye of travelers for almost half a century now. The stylish South Pacific Seas theme celebrates island living in the heart of one of the most populous cities in the United States. The exotic flowers and plants on display throughout the resort imbue the Polynesian with a vivacious tropical flair.
Disney always does a masterful job with their resorts, building massive hotels predicated upon specific themes. Even by their lofty standards, however, the Polynesian is the gold standard in terms of extending a concept everywhere onsite. From the lush vegetation visible the moment you exit the monorail to the dazzling hotel lobby to the beachfront view of Grand Floridian and the Magic Kingdom, the Polynesian Village Resort is the most visually engaging property Disney has ever built. Note that the resort is currently undergoing renovations that will continue through 2016. So, there are some temporary inconveniences for guests.
2. Hotel rooms
There are currently 847 rooms at the Polynesian, and even the basic studio residences represent some of the largest lodgings Disney offerings in Orlando. Determining the location of your room can be an ordeal, because there are 12 distinct hotel buildings, or longhouses, onsite. Since the entire property is currently undergoing extreme renovations, even the path you take to reach your building can change during your stay.
Assuming you can get past the minor inconvenience, you’ll discover rooms that can host five people plus another under the age of three. The smallest such rooms are a hefty 416 square feet, and the DVC rooms recently added are 447 square feet, the largest of any DVC property. Each room includes either two queen beds or a king bed plus pullout sofa bed. The additional seating involves either a daybed or secret sleeper bed (complete with Lilo & Stitch picture on the headboard).
The décor at the Polynesian Village Resort is state of the art, as one would expect of a recently upgraded facility. And since this hotel embodies the high end of Disney’s resorts, it offers benefits beyond additional space. The notoriously thin walls of Disney’s All-Star resorts as well as moderate value properties are not an issue here. Better yet, the DVC rooms feature a clever splitting of the bathroom into two areas. There is a basic room featuring what would ordinarily be considered bathroom facilities and a plush standalone sitting shower area highlighted by a decadent rain shower head and sitting area.
3. Dining options
Everyone has a favorite when it comes to Disney dining locations. The Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, and the Contemporary are frequently cited as having some of the finest onsite restaurants. For my money, however, the Polynesian is the finest locale for hotel meals.
‘Ohana offers one of the most beloved buffets at Walt Disney World, and its breakfast character meal with Lilo & Stitch is my favorite. ‘Ohana is a protein lover’s dream come true, offering a wide selection of breakfast meats in the morning followed by skewered chicken, pork, and beef at dinner.
The less heralded Kona Café is actually the superior option in my opinion since its pre-meal pineapple bread and accompanying butter is the food of the gods. Plus, there is a world class sushi menu if you like that sort of thing. There is even a special sitting area to make your meal more communal.
Personally, I tend toward the obvious, as Kona offers the finest steak at Disney in my humble but experienced opinion. As a carnivore, I always tend toward steak, and only the Rose and Crown at Epcot is even close to Kona Café for me.
If you want dinner with a show, the legendary Spirit of Aloha features a wonderful combination of the meats and breads from ‘Ohana and Kona Café plus some hula and fire dancing for entertainment. The approximately two-hour long show is well-timed to coincide with and accentuate your meal rather than overwhelm it.
Your buffet options include ribs, chicken, wings, and the like plus free alcohol included with the price of admission. There is also a cash bar prior to the show and some for-charge potent potables if the beers aren’t enough to quench your thirst. Between the food and the entertainment, it’s an unforgettable experience. Spirit of Aloha is an annual event for some families, but if you have never gone, you should at least try it once.
Spirit of Aloha is situated a short walk from the hotel lobby, and you actually check-in at the Great Ceremonial House before being directed to the area by the shore. Photographers will take your picture, creating a memento of your wonderful night. Finally, presuming the show ends on time, you can walk a few steps over to the sand to enjoy the Wishes fireworks show from the Seven Seas Lagoon.
For those who prefer casual meals, you are still in luck. Captain Cook’s is just off the lobby, and it features a lot of standard options. The standout offering is an absolutely delicious grilled ham and cheese with cranberry walnut pesto that is frankly better than many table service entrees I’ve eaten at Disney. There is also a pool bar and room service to satisfy your needs. If you are a drinker, however, Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto should be your primary destination. It offers decadent grog served in illuminated cups that you can take home as souvenirs. It’s the most visually stimulating alcohol at any theme park in America.
Finally, a sneakily hidden in plain sight restaurant just outside the lobby hosts the pride of the Polynesian, its vaunted Dole Whip. Look for a sign that says Pineapple Lanai just past the area opposite the check-in desk in the lobby. Then, order one of the most beloved desserts at Disney. It definitely lives up to the hype.
4. Recreation
There are two legendary pools at the Polynesian Village Resort. The lava pool was recently renovated to move away from the overt volcano theme to a more standard South Seas vibe. The East Pool is currently closed but scheduled to re-open in 2016. When it does, its new name is the Oasis Pool, and it should have a slightly modified appearance as well.
If you simply want to bask in the sun, the beach area still has a few sitting chairs to provide a relaxed setting. It’s a wonderful place to enjoy the view of the Grand Floridian and Magic Kingdom across the water. You can also rent sailing equipment or watch a movie under the stars if so inclined.
Note that even if you are a DVC member, pool hopping is banned. You must stay at the Polynesian Village Resort to use its pools. There is a scanner that reads your MagicBand. It will only unlock the access gate if you have the appropriate privileges. I actually tested this during a recent stay, and I could only unlock the gate on the days when I was staying at the Polynesian Village Resort.
5. Logistics
Disney transportation is a known commodity even to people who don’t visit often. You either take a bus, a boat, or a monorail to get where you’re going. In the case of the Polynesian, you are two stops away from the Magic Kingdom when you take the monorail. There is a less highlighted advantage to this property as well.
The Pago Pago longhouse is effectively the parking lot area for the Polynesian Village Resort. DVC members who get stuck here may suffer initial frustration over not spending more points for lake view. What they will quickly learn is that they are only a few steps away from Disney’s Transportation and Ticket Center, which means that they are only a parking lot walk away from accessing the monorail to Epcot. The Polynesian effectively provides direct monorail access to Walt Disney World’s two most popular parks, which differentiates it even from Contemporary/Bay Lake Tower as having THE best overall location in terms of basic travel needs.
If you want to access the other two parks, Animal Kingdom or Hollywood Studios, you will need to take a bus. Similarly, there is bus access to Downtown Disney and the two water parks as well. Note that the Polynesian Village Resort only provides boat access to the Grand Floridian and Magic Kingdom, which you can also reach more quickly via monorail. So, it’s not the best option for guests who prefer boats.
6. Pricing
You will pay a lot of money to stay at one of Walt Disney World’s three signature resorts. Even during slow months such as January and September, a night’s stay at the Polynesian will cost at least $300. Generally, the $450-$500 range is standard during popular periods on the travel calendar. DVC members should expect a week’s stay to cost somewhere between 118 and 169 points, although the Christmas and Easter periods spike to 227 points. So, it has a similar points cost to the Grand Floridian, making it among the highest of any property. You get what you pay for, though.
Also note that the celebrated bungalows by the beach are (technically) only available to DVC members. They come with a price tag that is roughly the same as one week’s stay in a deluxe studio for the cost of a single night there. The absolute lowest total for a current night’s stay in a bungalow is 115 points. The median is 137 points.
