How is the Polynesian now?

[networkpro]

The last two weeks its been very quiet especially after the 1st except for the evening of the 6th oddly enough. Kona Cafe has been a walk-up, O'hana has its usual fanbase but the waiting area has been empty (they just refinished all of the tables, wooden portion of the couches and the orchids are back), Tambu has a stead crown and the Pinapple Lanai is still packed because its still full on summer temperatures and humidity. Dee (one of the longer serving bar tenders from Tambu says that theres going to be a menu change there soon, dont know if it'll be limited to just price increases)

 

[surfsupdon]

It's telling how many folks are asking if the additional rooms are causing stress on an already stressed-out infrastructure (parking, dining, pools, etc). Funny how no one took the opposite approach, that the addition of more rooms and services within the Tower actually helped decrease the overall load. That's all you need to know right there.

 

[Tom P.]

Am I the only one who has never actually found the Poly appealing? I admit, I haven't ever stayed there, but just from an outside perspective, it's never really interested me enough to consider staying there. Something about it just never appealed to me. But it seems to be a favorite of almost everyone else.

 

[John park hopper]

Loved the Polynesian (original) stayed once. you couldn't pay me to tay there now

 

[KDM31091]

Am I the only one who has never actually found the Poly appealing? I admit, I haven't ever stayed there, but just from an outside perspective, it's never really interested me enough to consider staying there. Something about it just never appealed to me. But it seems to be a favorite of almost everyone else.

The original buildings, sure, they are appealing. Love the aesthetic and design.

The new tower? A Hilton with the most vague tropical aesthetic? No. If that were all that was ever there, I'm almost positive the resort wouldn't be loved like it is now. Disney is loved for its over the top theming, design, immersion. If it feels like a hotel I would see anywhere then what's the point?

 

[DisneyFreak]

Am I the only one who has never actually found the Poly appealing? I admit, I haven't ever stayed there, but just from an outside perspective, it's never really interested me enough to consider staying there. Something about it just never appealed to me. But it seems to be a favorite of almost everyone else.

Growing up it's the only resort my family would stay at. Back then it felt like a true escape. It never felt overcrowded

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

Am I the only one who has never actually found the Poly appealing? I admit, I haven't ever stayed there, but just from an outside perspective, it's never really interested me enough to consider staying there. Something about it just never appealed to me. But it seems to be a favorite of almost everyone else.

We never found the Poly to be all that appealing to be honest. When looking at the deluxe monorail options we always chose the contemporary over Poly. Contemporary is closer to MK easy walk vs Poly or Grand. The views are closer/better of the fire works than offered by Poly or Grand. Once you are making decision to stay at a monorail resort, there's nothing there that really stands out as being the best option out of the three.

 

[easyrowrdw]

It's telling how many folks are asking if the additional rooms are causing stress on an already stressed-out infrastructure (parking, dining, pools, etc). Funny how no one took the opposite approach, that the addition of more rooms and services within the Tower actually helped decrease the overall load. That's all you need to know right there.

I was trying to make a comparison and came up with the Wilderness Lodge. It has a similar setup to the Polynesian, with a hotel and separate DVC building plus cabins. It has two table service, one quick service, one hybrid, and a bar. There are two pools. The Poly had all this plus another pool and a dessert window. I think the Wilderness Lodge actually has more rooms than the Polynesian (tough to tell for sure how the DVC rooms are counted at each) but fewer transportation options.

I guess I’m wondering why the Polynesian supposedly has issues supporting guest demands but you never hear the same for Wilderness Lodge. I haven’t stayed at the Polynesian since the tower opened but my previous stays have been fine, as have my stays at the Lodge. Is it kitchen capacity? Do Poly guests use their hotel more than Lodge guests? Does the Polynesian just get that many more non-resort guests?

 

[n2hifi]

Am I the only one who has never actually found the Poly appealing? I admit, I haven't ever stayed there, but just from an outside perspective, it's never really interested me enough to consider staying there. Something about it just never appealed to me. But it seems to be a favorite of almost everyone else.

I felt the same when we booked our first Disney trip, but the rest of the family insisted, so I went along. Now it's one of my favorites.

 

[UNCgolf]

Am I the only one who has never actually found the Poly appealing? I admit, I haven't ever stayed there, but just from an outside perspective, it's never really interested me enough to consider staying there. Something about it just never appealed to me. But it seems to be a favorite of almost everyone else.

I loved the original Polynesian lobby, but that was about it. It's never been high on my list of places to stay (and that lobby is gone now).

I guess I’m wondering why the Polynesian supposedly has issues supporting guest demands but you never hear the same for Wilderness Lodge. I haven’t stayed at the Polynesian since the tower opened but my previous stays have been fine, as have my stays at the Lodge. Is it kitchen capacity? Do Poly guests use their hotel more than Lodge guests? Does the Polynesian just get that many more non-resort guests?

I think the Polynesian probably does see a much higher number of non-resort guests than the Wilderness Lodge. People can jump on the monorail at the MK or EPCOT and go to the Polynesian; Wilderness Lodge is not as easy to access. The Polynesian is also one of the original resorts and more famous than the Wilderness Lodge. It seems like there have always been more questions about eating at the Polynesian (or going to Trader Sam's, etc.) than there have been about going to any of the WL restaurants.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

I think the Polynesian probably does see a much higher number of non-resort guests than the Wilderness Lodge. People can jump on the monorail at the MK or EPCOT and go to the Polynesian; Wilderness Lodge is not as easy to access. The Polynesian is also one of the original resorts and more famous than the Wilderness Lodge. It seems like there have always been more questions about eating at the Polynesian (or going to Trader Sam's, etc.) than there have been about going to any of the WL restaurants.

For decades Polynesian had the Luau, a draw for guests staying throughout WDW, along with the most notable daycare for kids (Neverland Club). Its always positioned itself as a place to seek out if you were visiting the resort.

Wilderness Lodge far less so.

 

[Tom P.]

The Poly also has 'Ohana, which is a very popular restaurant for non-resort guests to visit. While Wilderness Lodge has good restaurants, I don't think any draw the outside crowd like 'Ohana does.

 

[easyrowrdw]

I loved the original Polynesian lobby, but that was about it. It's never been high on my list of places to stay (and that lobby is gone now).

I think the Polynesian probably does see a much higher number of non-resort guests than the Wilderness Lodge. People can jump on the monorail at the MK or EPCOT and go to the Polynesian; Wilderness Lodge is not as easy to access. The Polynesian is also one of the original resorts and more famous than the Wilderness Lodge. It seems like there have always been more questions about eating at the Polynesian (or going to Trader Sam's, etc.) than there have been about going to any of the WL restaurants.

For decades Polynesian had the Luau, a draw for guests staying throughout WDW, along with the most notable daycare for kids (Neverland Club). Its always positioned itself as a place to seek out if you were visiting the resort.

Wilderness Lodge far less so.

Thanks for the replies. I figured it had more visitors, just kind of surprised it’s enough to make that much of a difference. We’ll be back next summer and I hope it’s still a great experience

The Poly also has 'Ohana, which is a very popular restaurant for non-resort guests to visit. While Wilderness Lodge has good restaurants, I don't think any draw the outside crowd like 'Ohana does.

The Wilderness Lodge does have the Snow White character meal. I think it’s quite popular - reservations go very quickly