Aloha! Welcome to my review and recap of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort! Before we dive in, press play on this Spotify playlist to really set the mood. Okay now that you’re in Hawaii with me, visualize this: you arrive in front of the beautiful resort greeted by a cast member who hangs a brightly colored lei around your neck. You walk past roaring tiki torches and gushing waterfalls, over a bridge that welcomes you into the lobby. The effervescent smell of citrus fills the room and before you know it, you’re lounging poolside sipping a cocktail right out of a fresh pineapple! Did I mention the view? Picture perfect Cinderella’s castle is right out in the distance, across the Seven Seas Lagoon. While this sounds absolutely wonderful, it does come with the price tag of a Disney Deluxe Resort, so let’s break down why guests are willing to spend a little more on this experience.
Convenience & Transportation. This is something you should take into consideration no matter where you stay, though you won’t get any better than being on the monorail line. The station is located on the second floor of the lobby, where the monorail will take you to the following destinations: Magic Kingdom, Ticket & Transport Center (TTC), Epcot, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. Not only can you access 2 out of 4 theme parks via the monorail, but you can also ride over to neighboring resorts for dining and shopping! It really is like staying in your own little community around the Magic Kingdom area. The Polynesian also offers water transportation to the Magic Kingdom if you prefer to take a leisurely boat ride! A walking path is also available.
Spacious Rooms & Villas. You truly cannot go wrong at The Polynesian with any room type. I personally stayed in what is considered a standard room, and wow was it big. On the first floor of the Fiji building, my accommodations included a King size bed, with a glass walk-in shower, double vanities, a pull-out sofa, as well as an armchair with an ottoman. My huge sliding door opened out to overlook the waterfront walking paths with a distant view of the monorail track. The amount of storage is also worth noting, as my room had 2 closets, a large dresser, and several places you could tuck your luggage away for your stay. The Polynesian also offers waterfront villa options, which would be great for large groups traveling together. In the last year or so, the Polynesian had its rooms renovated which brought us a new Moana-themed experience! Be sure to check out my room tour over on the Kingdom Insiders Instagram page; you will notice lots of Moana details in the decor!
Dining Options. I hope you’re hungry! Ditch the typical park food, and dine right at your resort. Whether you want to mobile order something to eat on the go or a fine dining experience, you won’t have to leave the Polynesian! OHANA Restaurant is located on the second floor of the lobby and offers a family-style meal for both breakfast and dinner. I can personally recommend the breakfast, as I immensely enjoyed having a variety of food brought to our table: Mickey & Stitch waffles, scrambled eggs, Hawaiian ham, sausages, biscuits, and of course, the famous POG juice! (pineapple orange guava) Reservations are recommended at OHANA but you can join the walk-up list on your My Disney Experience App! Additional dining options available at the Polynesian are as follows: Capt. Cooks, Kona Café, Oasis Bar & Grill (poolside) Tambu Lounge, and Trader Sam’s tiki bar! Don’t forget to grab a Dole Whip at the Pineapple Lanai, too! While the sky is the limit right here at your resort, the convenience of the monorail allows you to ride right over to Disney’s Contemporary Resort or Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa where you can enjoy all the dining options they offer as well!
Play & Shop. When you stay at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, make sure you plan at least one day for rest and relaxation! You’ll need it just to experience all that this resort has to offer! The Lava Pool, located directly behind the lobby or “Great Ceremonial House,” is adorned with a giant volcano featuring a waterslide! Alongside the Lava Pool is the Kiki Tikis Splash Play area, which is similar to a water jungle gym, dumping buckets of water as you play! If your room is located in one of the buildings off to the far right, no worries! Guests will have their own Oasis pool and the Oasis Bar & Grill; this is really great as you will not have to walk all the way to the lobby to grab a bite to eat! Shopping is also available at the Polynesian in two different locations; the BouTiki (located on the first floor of the lobby) and Moana Mercantile (located on the second floor of the lobby.) BouTiki carries resort & park souvenirs, as well as clothing, housewares, and even a few Duffy & Friends merchandise that would typically be exclusive to Disney’s Aulani resort in Hawaii! Moana Mercantile offers more for kids, it is also where you will find those necessities like sunscreen, baby powder, Band-Aids, etc.
The Royal Treatment. If you’re staying at a Disney Deluxe Resort, expect to be treated like a celebrity! While cast members across the board do everything they can to make your vacation a memorable one, the service, and amenities provided always stand out. As I mentioned before, upon arrival at the Polynesian we were greeted with a big “Aloha!”, lei’s hung around our neck, and cast members were ready to immediately assist with our luggage. Bell Services can hold your bags for you if your room is not ready, or they can deliver them straight to your room! Housekeeping came and checked in with us every other day, and provided clean towels & extra toiletry items as needed. You will have a first-class experience at this deluxe resort, for sure. **Be advised that housekeeping is on a different schedule than before, as they do not come every day now, nor do they make your bed. If you need anything sooner, just simply call the front desk and let them know.**
No matter where you choose to stay, no one does it like Disney. If you’re looking for a first-class experience with luxurious accommodations, I highly recommend Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. So far, it is definitely my favorite out of the 3 monorail-accessible deluxe resorts! Ready to get started with a Hawaiian-themed Walt Disney World stay? Reach out to your Academy Travel Agent for expert help in booking the perfect room for your family!
Mahalo for stopping by!
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