Poly old rooms better, or new rooms?

Which one do you prefer?


  • Total voters
    86

bustamelon

Member
The design of the new isn't bad, but I find the lighting to be way too cold and sterile, like a corporate cube farm. Someone tell them you can get warmer temperature light bulbs now. Also, serious question: when they did the refurb 6 years ago or whenever it was, was that just the great house/lobby? Did they not change the guest rooms at that time?

Also also, the original room, although dated, was much more authentic to the real Polynesian bungalow look. I had the good fortune of honeymooning in French Polynesia way back when (2001, not the 70s mind you), and the wood was dark, the walls thatched, very rustic feel while being super luxurious, and it didn't scream 70s at all. It was gorgeous. Hate to see them get away from that, but, oh well. Change is good, and I can't afford to stay there anyway! :D
 
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HouCuseChickie

Well-Known Member
I prefer the new. The chevron flooring is a nice change and the wall is much brighter and cheerier to me than the old room. What I'm going to miss is a ceiling fan. I know they probably wanted a clean look, but they could have gone with a retractable like this one and gotten the best of both...

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NelleBelle

Well-Known Member
I like the Maui wallpaper to bring a touch of the Moana into the room and removing the nasty carpet, but it would've been a nice marriage to keep some touches of the older poly rooms as well.
 

cjkeating

Well-Known Member
My biggest gripe is the picture hung on the wall, I don't think there has been a good photo of it but it appears to be a really generic picture from the film. I would have much preferred something more abstract (even if it was still Moana). Maybe Moana sailing the ship at night with the stars? Just not something that looks like a DVD cover.

Also whoever pointed out the last of desk... that is weird! Very useful to have.
 

MmeLeota

New Member
We like the old better..the flooring in the new is a mistake. they did the same at the Beach Club last rehab...the floors allow sooooo much noise into and out of the hallway..never slept good since they changed it..everytime a few drunk or just inconsiderate guests come down your hall in the middle of the night, it sounds like they are in your room talking and laughing. WAY too much noise by not having carpet to absorb it.
 

nicb88

Well-Known Member
The design of the new isn't bad, but I find the lighting to be way too cold and sterile, like a corporate cube farm. Someone tell them you can get warmer temperature light bulbs now. Also, serious question: when they did the refurb 6 years ago or whenever it was, was that just the great house/lobby? Did they not change the guest rooms at that time?

Also also, the original room, although dated, was much more authentic to the real Polynesian bungalow look. I had the good fortune of honeymooning in French Polynesia way back when (2001, not the 70s mind you), and the wood was dark, the walls thatched, very rustic feel while being super luxurious, and it didn't scream 70s at all. It was gorgeous. Hate to see them get away from that, but, oh well. Change is good, and I can't afford to stay there anyway! :D
The refurb 6 years ago was the common areas and Tokelau, Pago Pago and Moorea, to convert them into DVC accommodations. Very little was done to the 'regular' resort guest rooms.
 
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LAM378

Well-Known Member
That teal blue isn’t working for me, and I don’t like the pillows with the purple. I know those colors are found in nature, but they seem a little out of place at the Poly. Also, the older rooms had warmer lighting. It could just be the photos, but the lighting looks cooler, almost LED. I like the old warmer lighting that’s reminiscent of the outdoor torch lighting. The room looks tropical, but not the same kind of tropical as the rest of the grounds anymore, if that makes sense.

I’m sad to lose the ceiling fan and that wall is a little busy. I would have preferred an update more reminiscent of the older rooms but...I don’t hate the new style. It’s not at all sterile like some of the newer rooms on property.

I actually really like the most recent YC room refurb, but I can’t deny that the rooms have lost almost all of their original vibe and warmth. That doesn’t seem to be the case here with the Poly. They could have gone way more austere and bland here, and they didn’t, so I’m glad for that.
 

Stevek

Well-Known Member
Really like the new rooms. Shame I can't find anything available for December 2021...could they really be fully booked already?
 

MickeyCB

Well-Known Member
I agree with multiple people above that the light is way too white. I love the softer light of old incandescent bulbs, and it is available in the newer low energy versions.
There just is nothing cozy about these rooms (unless they look different in person).
And the flooring pattern with the entire wall papered makes my eyes burn.
 

GimpYancIent

Well-Known Member
For those who find the new design too "Moana-character-heavy," I suggest taking a look at the stock photos on the WDW Polynesian website, which are different from the ones on the Disney Parks blog. When the TV screen is shown as blank and the artwork is viewed in perspective (instead of with huge stills from Moana and close-ups of movie-related art, as the official blog photos somewhat ham-fistedly showed) -- it's remarkable how much more "generic tropical" the room appears. It's still colorful and full of varied textures, so if that's what one dislikes, it won't change their opinion of the refurb, but I don't think it smashes the viewer over the head with Disney IP to the same extent as the Disney blog photos tended to suggest.

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Considering the amount of time not spent in a room at a resort but rather at the parks then throw in the amount of time asleep to care how the room looks its not a big deal! The overall esthetics and amenities (that is once all the destruction / construction is completed) make the Poly a really nice place to stay. Still over priced but hey! It's Disney!
 

Weather_Lady

Well-Known Member
Considering the amount of time not spent in a room at a resort but rather at the parks then throw in the amount of time asleep to care how the room looks its not a big deal! The overall esthetics and amenities (that is once all the destruction / construction is completed) make the Poly a really nice place to stay. Still over priced but hey! It's Disney!

I respectfully disagree. Even though my family spends little time in the room other than at breakfast time and late evening, "how the room looks" is, to us, a really big deal -- especially if we're paying Disney-level prices to stay someplace.

While I agree that price, location and resort amenities are significant considerations, we've often chosen resorts because we loved their theme and room decor, even if the price (e.g., Polynesian DVC studio after its most recent refurb), location (e.g., Animal Kingdom Lodge), or amenities (e.g., Wilderness Lodge during a construction phase with closures) were not ideal. So while I personally really love the Poly room makeover and think your point is well taken for a lot of families, I don't blame anyone for making a big deal out of the new look, especially if they loved the old and dislike the new.
 

Weather_Lady

Well-Known Member
Really like the new rooms. Shame I can't find anything available for December 2021...could they really be fully booked already?
Could be. For our dates in late August, they've already sold out of all Club Level, Standard View* and Theme Park View rooms.

*We may or may not have modified our onsite reservation to a standard room at the Polynesian. We also may or may not have done this within 30 minutes of seeing the photos of the newly-refurbished rooms on the Disney blog. We may or may not keep that reservation as we've also made an offsite booking to utilize in case WDW doesn't reinstate any onsite perks before we travel, however, so I must defer my excitement until such time as our plans are firm...
 

Monkee Girl

Well-Known Member
Give me the old room with basically NO characters any day. Characters don't need to be shoved down our throats 24/7.
I agree 100%. I loved Moana and don't mind her presence around the resort like they do with Stitch. But I don't need or want a character themed room. The new rooms look too bright and stark and all the different patterns just look noisy to me and clash. I prefer the older room with the darker woods and the old fashioned paddle fan. I feel cozy in those rooms. It looked like it could be a hut in Hawaii or anywhere else tropical. I definitely prefer a more authentic feel than a tacky one. I know people like the new ones and that's great. Changes like these are always going to have their sides. But for me, I want the old decor...I want my lobby fountain back too! lol
 

Monkee Girl

Well-Known Member
I respectfully disagree. Even though my family spends little time in the room other than at breakfast time and late evening, "how the room looks" is, to us, a really big deal -- especially if we're paying Disney-level prices to stay someplace.

While I agree that price, location and resort amenities are significant considerations, we've often chosen resorts because we loved their theme and room decor, even if the price (e.g., Polynesian DVC studio after its most recent refurb), location (e.g., Animal Kingdom Lodge), or amenities (e.g., Wilderness Lodge during a construction phase with closures) were not ideal. So while I personally really love the Poly room makeover and think your point is well taken for a lot of families, I don't blame anyone for making a big deal out of the new look, especially if they loved the old and dislike the new.
Excellent reply.
 


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