Okay you Polynesian fans, I need more info

[elizs77]

You guys have overwhelmingly recommended that our family stay at the Polynesian during our trip this May over the Grand Floridian. We just have a few reservations about staying here.

When we went in 9/2006, we had dinner at O'Hana (which we loved...), but we weren't impressed with the theme at the Poly. The hotel was in the throws of renovation, but the theme came across frankly as cheesy. Has it improved with the renovations?

Also, how good are the garden view rooms? I've read things about them being noisy as a result of the Monorail and the luau. Also, what about the noise from the speedway? Is it disruptive during that key afternoon nap time?

 

[shanny]

when we were there we though the theming was pretty nice. we didnt get to go to hawaii on our HM, so this was the closest we were going to get! it was super nice, and very relaxing. we ended up back at the room in the afternoon more times than not, being it was like 90something outside! we never heard anything from the raceway, and the flat screen tvs are definatly a plus. you can catch boats from the resort to the mk, and rent those little jet ski thingys to go out in the water. we would definatly stay there again, hope you enjoy your trip! oh, and eat at the kona cafe, yummy!! :wave:

 

[dave1105]

We just stayed at the Polynesian in December and loved it! The grounds are maintained beautifully and very relaxing. We also visited the Grand Floridian by car and unless you valet parked you had to park in this parking lot that was across an intersection and past the valet lot. In comparison the parking for Polynesian is actually on the premises. If you are not driving then this is not a real issue though. I also thought the Grand Floridian feels a little stuffy in comparison to the Polynesian.

 

[Ms. Tinkerbell]

We stayed at the Poly in October and loved it so much, we're going back We had a garden view room that had perfect viewing of the monorail and never heard a peep from it. I don't even remember it being overly loud when we were out on the balcony.
I didn't find the decor cheesy. I felt it very beautiful and calm. The grounds are gorgeous.

 

[tigsmom]

We stayed in Rapa Nui and had a lovely view of flowered gardens that was home to some ducks and rabbits, very nice and even though we were by the TTC it was still very quiet (and far away from everything).

 

[MamaK]

We stayed in the Rarotonga house which is to the right of the main (check-in) house. It was a garden view room, and we didn't have any noise issues. We went back every afternoon and took naps and never had a problem with noise. We were there in August 2006, and I think the Rarotonga was one of the houses that had completed renovations. We plan to go back in October 08.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

I like the theme of the resort. I think they are trying to capture as much of the area as they can without actually being there. However...to each his own. The resort is very nice now that it is post-rehab, but the theme is virtually the same. It is just less 70's now since they changed much of the Signage around the resort. As far as Garden View Noise...I have never heard any and I have only stayed in Garden View Rooms. I think the monorail is a pretty silent form of transport...even when you are riding it. That shouldn't be an issue. The Luau is performed at times that you wouldn't even likely be in the room and even then it is pretty out of the way. It also isn't incredibly loud. The speedway barely gets used except for the driving experience which takes place during the earlier parts of the day. I have stayed at the resort a number of times and I have never had any issues. I think that you will have a great time.

 

[mousefan1972]

We've stayed at the Poly twice, once in a garden view room and once in an MK view room. The MK view room was way louder than the garden view room, b/c we were right next to the Ferry dock. Those horns are LOUD. Both times we were in the Tahiti longhouse. Here are some pics from the balcony of the garden view room:

 

[tooltime]

we stayed last oct there and loved it. the grounds are really nice to walk, themed really well. we didn't notice any noise. handy to have the monorail too.

 

[Crazy4WDW1]

We've stayed at Raratonga as well. We had a garden view and it was perferct. I love the resort at night with the tiki torches and the great music!

 

[csaribay]

I'm biased, but I think the Polynesian is a great resort. I will admit that sometimes it feels a bit like a throwback, but that's part of the theme. I will say that it feels much less like a throwback to the seventies than to a Polynesian Paradise, but I guess you could argue the opposite. Post-refurbishment, all guest areas are pretty modern and really nice.

I love the new rooms, as well.

The last time I stayed on property was back in September in Fiji, looking out towards the Marina. Great room, not noisy at all.

As far as noise from the monorail and luau goes- the monorail is pretty quiet (you wouldn't hear it in most cases), and the luau is a factor for one or two buildings (showtimes are 5:30 PM and 8:00 PM). It is audible from sides of Aotearoa and Fiji, but I wouldn't call it a big disturbance (it's not that noisy) You also asked about the speedway- you really can't hear it at all from the Polynesian.

 

[pirate-princess]

i stayed there and had a garden view room with the monorail right outside the room and never heard it, maybe just the odd soothing swooosh as it went by

i never went to the luau thing it would have been nearly $200 and my dad thinks that a bit excessive

 

[disneydudette]

The new rooms are amazing and a huge upgrade. Since the renovation, I can now justify the cost of this resort (and the other monorail resorts). I think these rooms are worth the price alone. You won't feel the "tackiness" once you step foot in them. I truly felt like I walked into a luxury resort on one of the Hawaiian Islands :king:

I agree that the buildings themselves are a tad outdated but we barely noticed it! Even sitting at the main pool, we had the Castle and lagoon as our back drop (AMAZING) and when sitting on your balcony or walking to your room, there's so much vegetation that you hardly notice the exteriors.

We've only stayed GV in Rarotonga facing the quiet pool so I can't comment on the monorail noise. We've never found the monorail to be loud and consider the buses/ferry boats to be louder, but maybe that's just us! We've never heard the speedway ever, unless we were really far out in the TTC parking lot. Some GV rooms will face the monorail/parking lot so just be aware of that.

I will say that for us, GV isn't worth it at the Polynesian. Our first stay was in a GV room and we felt like a huge aspect of this resort is being on the Lagoon and that we were actually "missing out". Our next trip we splurged for LV and loved every aspect of it! It was so nice to relax on our balcony especially when the kids went down for a nap. We would sit out there and watch the ferrys/boats out on the lagoon. We watched the Water Pagent parade almost every night before bed with the kids in their pj's and sometimes even caught the fireworks. We only splurge for the view when we know we're going to be at the resort for a good portion of the trip (swimming, naps, relaxing, etc).

 

[cococola44]

You guys have overwhelmingly recommended that our family stay at the Polynesian during our trip this May over the Grand Floridian. We just have a few reservations about staying here.

When we went in 9/2006, we had dinner at O'Hana (which we loved...), but we weren't impressed with the theme at the Poly. The hotel was in the throws of renovation, but the theme came across frankly as cheesy. Has it improved with the renovations?

Also, how good are the garden view rooms? I've read things about them being noisy as a result of the Monorail and the luau. Also, what about the noise from the speedway? Is it disruptive during that key afternoon nap time?

::covers her ears: NOOOT Listening

I stayed there plenty of times and loved it. Honestly it depends on the building. Samoa and tahiti is nice. If you are right by the monorail ...it is actually not that noisy at all.

Beautiful place

 

[BillyBuff]

No noise at all! I stayed at the Tokelau longhouse with a garden view. It was next to the smaller "un-themed" pool. Since I'm a very light sleeper, I was surprised by how quiet it was! I did wake up once but that was because my GF went to use the bathroom in the middle of the night

 

[cococola44]

 

[cococola44]

 

[cococola44]

 

[cococola44]

 

[cococola44]