How is the Polynesian now?

[yaksplat]

From people that have stayed at the Polynesian before, how is it now with the tower added? I was surprised that they added a whole tower, with no new QS restaurant. I know the new pool was scaled way back from the original plans. How is the crowd level of the existing pool?

For the number of rooms that were added, it didn't seem like the level of amenities increased at the same level.

 

[wdwfan22]

Guest levels are definitely noticeable. The lobby is always busy now as the restaurants and pool areas. Don’t get me wrong the poly has always been busy but it just feels crowded now.

 

[John park hopper]

Poly used to be laid back had a fantastic lobby --- slowly but surely Disney has down graded the poly experience ---cheapened the lobby, no luau, and now it feels over crowded cause it is

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

The area between the Poly and GF was a little escape for me. Too bad Disney is going all in on the "what can we clutter up next" instead of using the land they haven't developed yet. They should have left the Poly alone.

 

[Todd H]

Just returned from a week at the Poly and honestly I was disappointed. Felt crowded and cheap. Didn’t feel like a deluxe resort at all.

 

[monothingie]

Considering the resort has basically been under continuing construction in one way or another for the past decade or more, it really has disrupted the experience.

The addition of the bland tower along with the clearing of the parking area for the new entrance have really created a low point for the aesthetic. The construction also creates the noticeable perception of crowding, which really hurts the experience.

 

[networkpro]

It's noticeably less convenient with the Polyday Inn open. Amenities are impacted with larger numbers of guests competing for the same sized existing facilities, but surprisingly enough, the Wailulu Bar & Grill has minimized the impact on Captain Cooks and Tambu Lounge with a good menu of offerings. Expect it to be quite busy before park opening, supper time, fireworks time, and bad weather.

 

[No Ticket!]

It's noticeably less convenient with the Polyday Inn open. Amenities are impacted with larger numbers of guests competing for the same sized existing facilities, but surprisingly enough, the Wailulu Bar & Grill has minimized the impact on Captain Cooks and Tambu Lounge with a good menu of offerings. Expect it to be quite busy before park opening, supper time, fireworks time, and bad weather.

I was pleasantly surprised with Wailulu. Our meal was fantastic there. Overall the resort does feel very crowded though.

 

[Ayla]

It's noticeably less convenient with the Polyday Inn open. Amenities are impacted with larger numbers of guests competing for the same sized existing facilities, but surprisingly enough, the Wailulu Bar & Grill has minimized the impact on Captain Cooks and Tambu Lounge with a good menu of offerings. Expect it to be quite busy before park opening, supper time, fireworks time, and bad weather.

They added almost 400 rooms with very little other amenities added (especially food).

 

[Takeitforgranite]

Just got back from our stay, and it was very noticeably more crowded. In fact, I never even found it crowded before.

Previously, we never had a problem getting a table at Captain Cooks or getting a dole whip within a couple minutes. The lobby was peaceful and relaxing. Not anymore.

The parks weren’t crowded at all, so I wonder if it would be much worse during busier seasons.

 

[Takeitforgranite]

I’ll also add that the line for the Pineapple Lanai was always at least 20 people deep around fireworks time, and they would have to post cast members at the end of the line at “closing” (10:00) to turn people away.

 

[Tha Realest]

They added almost 400 rooms with very little other amenities added (especially food).

Or more parking, right?

 

[Ayla]

Or more parking, right?

They may have added a tiny parking lot, no where near what is needed. They have also recently taken away more parking from the Poly.

 

[Tha Realest]

They may have added a tiny parking lot, no where near what is needed. They have also recently taken away more parking from the Poly.

That’s what I meant. Sorry should’ve been more clear. I think it’s a net loss in parking.

As far as other amenities - Captain Cooks, Trader Sam’s, the pools, beach seating - there has been no discernible relief to those already taxed amenities.

 

[yaksplat]

That's what I was afraid of. I was really hoping that I had missed reading about a new quick service in the tower. How could they be so short sighted to add 400 rooms and not another QS?

 

[Tha Realest]

That's what I was afraid of. I was really hoping that I had missed reading about a new quick service in the tower. How could they be so short sighted to add 400 rooms and not another QS?

I don’t even think they have a separate shopping or convenience area to buy drinks/food?

 

[MR.Dis]

Was at the old POLY in early June. My wife and I wandered over to check out the tower, it took about 20 minutes for her to say to me that she had no interest in staying there. It was close to noon so we checked out the grill next to the outside bar, but after checking out the menu she decided to just walk over to the Floridian for lunch. I doubt we will ever go back to POLY as the whole resort felt overly crowded.

 

[easyrowrdw]

That's what I was afraid of. I was really hoping that I had missed reading about a new quick service in the tower. How could they be so short sighted to add 400 rooms and not another QS?

The new restaurant is a hybrid, similar to Geyser Point at Wilderness Lodge. You can walk up to get a seat or do a mobile/takeout order.

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

They may have added a tiny parking lot, no where near what is needed. They have also recently taken away more parking from the Poly.

Where does that statement come from, "no where near what is needed." Have you ever heard of parking at the Poly being an issue? Have there really been problems with guests not having parking spots available when they check in? Are people being told they have to park off site and get bussed to the Poly?

 

[Tha Realest]

Where does that statement come from, "no where near what is needed." Have you ever heard of parking at the Poly being an issue? Have there really been problems with guests not having parking spots available when they check in? Are people being told they have to park off site and get bussed to the Poly?

Poly has 818 parking spaces, which is less than the 848 rooms it has. Industry standard seems to be at least 1:1, or in some cases up to 1:1.24 rooms to parking spots. Poly also has some of the most popular restaurants on site - O’hana and Kona Cafe. I can’t find details but I can’t believe the new Island Tower has sufficient parking for the 246 new rooms there.