Polynesian or not Polynesian, that is the question?

[Julius & Boobah]

Hi guys,

I'm looking for some honest advice on where to stay on our next trip to Orlando. For Sam's birthday we're going to come to town and do all the parks like I've done hundreds of times before. Now as it's a special occassion we really wanted to stay at the Polynesian it looks fantastic and when we've been past it on the monorail we've been so jealous of people staying there.

However....

Last time we were in Florida we stayed in a very nice hotel in a great location that provided everyhing we needed for about $80 a night! The Polynesian is $315!!!! This significantly bumps up the price of our trip I was wondering if you could give me the pros of staying at the Polynesian over a regular hotel. As we can't go to Florida as easily as alot of you guys (Travelling from the UK and all) we do all the parks and literally spend all day in them and out and about.... I'm finding it hard to justify paying so much more for a hotel we will probably only sleep in and leave almost immediately after we wake up.

 

[Moustronaut]

Well there are two things specific to Polynesain:

1. Monorail Access to MK and Epcot (via walk to TTC). This makes getting to those parks unbelivably easy.
2. South Pacific Theming. Palm trees, volcano pool, luau, etc.

Beyond that, there's not a lot to Polyneasian above any of the other Disney Deluxe resorts. It mostly comes down to personal preference what kind of themeing and decor you personally like.

Now if you want to compare staying on Disney property to not staying on Disney property, well that list is MUCH MUCH longer. Disney transportation, Disney service, Extra Magic Hours in the park, Free parking at the parks, Guest Services in the hotels, package delivery from the park shops to your room, and many others. If you are going to Orlando to go to WaltDisneyWorld, you can not beat the extra level of service specific to Disney resorts. If you are going to Orlando to visit many other attractions and parks as well, it's a little harder to justify the extra expense.

 

[col]

ok so ive never stayed at the polynesian but ive always loved the hawaii themeing so while ive been sitting here here is what i think:

pros
- its the polynesian
- its right facing magic kingdom
- it has a beach and you can watch wishes from the beach
- the water pagent (allearsnet.com)
- looks amazing in the pictures
- monorail resort
- theming looks amazing
- delux resort
- more amneties than moderate and value resorts

cons
- very expensive
- will you only be sleeping there?


let me know how you get on!

 

[tigsmom]

I would say if you could swing it then by all means try it. You don't have to stay the entire time there (thus saving some money), but you get more as a Guest of Disney (on site) than as a guest of Disney (day tripper).

As was mentioned earlier by Moustronaut, there are some things that you can only take advantage of when you stay on site. Also, if you only have to travel a short way back to your resort (and not wasting an hour or more in travel time/parking $$ ) you may be tempted to take advantage of the things it has to offer . The beach at the Poly is very nice for a romantic stroll in the evening or early morning. You can see the MK fireworks and the Electrical Water Pagent from the beach while sipping a refreshing drink or having a late snack.

I have stayed off site and on and I have to say that there is definately more magic to be had on site.

 

[Laura]

I just got back from Poly so here's my list for you....

PROS....
Rooms are huge
Pillows are super comfy
The Great Ceremonial House is full of nice gift shops, restaurants, and an art gallery
The Polynesian is the only resort with direct monorail transportation to both MK and Epcot
You can watch the EWP and fireworks from the beach every night
You can hear all the happenings at the MK (like opening ceremony, Cinderellabration, etc) so it feels like you're always in the park
Laying in a Hammock and watching fireworks is the best thing in the world

CONS
Captain Cook's (fast food restaurant there) is not so great
You may have a long walk to the pool, or the bus stop, or whatever depending on which building your room is in

It's a great place to stay, and well worth the money

 

[Moustronaut]

Ok... to be fair.

Cons about Polynesian:
- Polynesian is made up of several seperate buildings. So you may have to walk out in the rain to get from your room to where the food and shops are. Poly and the Grand Floridian are the only two deluxe resorts that make you do this. Every other deluxe is all under one roof.
- It's pricey! Poly is the second most expensive resort on Disney property. You can get much the same level of service minus the south seas theme and monorail for less money at other Disney resorts.
- It's unique construction. The original part of Poly was built when WDW opened using prefabbed room units. I have read that the older buildings are very creaky if you have someone staying above you but I have not experienced this myself.

Cons about Disney Resorts in general:
Probably the only drawback is that all the extra service item like transportation, extra magic hours, theming, etc come at a premiun price. The $80/night "very nice" hotel you can stay at in parts of the Orlando area becomes a Value resort on Disney property. No room service or in room dining. Motel style construction with a room door that opens to the outside and a window with a walkway in front of it. You sacrifice some of the perks and privacy of a more traditional hotel for the Disney experience.

If you want the Disney experience, you can not beat staying on property. However, if things like room service, interior doors and hallways, privacy through your room window are really important to you, it's must less expensive to find these off site.

 

[Moustronaut]

DOH! that darn refresh button


Ok... to be fair.

Cons about Polynesian:
- Polynesian is made up of several seperate buildings. So you may have to walk out in the rain to get from your room to where the food and shops are. Poly and the Grand Floridian are the only two deluxe resorts that make you do this. Every other deluxe is all under one roof.
- It's pricey! Poly is the second most expensive resort on Disney property. You can get much the same level of service minus the south seas theme and monorail for less money at other Disney resorts.
- It's unique construction. The original part of Poly was built when WDW opened using prefabbed room units. I have read that the older buildings are very creaky if you have someone staying above you but I have not experienced this myself.

Cons about Disney Resorts in general:
Probably the only drawback is that all the extra service item like transportation, extra magic hours, theming, etc come at a premiun price. The $80/night "very nice" hotel you can stay at in parts of the Orlando area becomes a Value resort on Disney property. No room service or in room dining. Motel style construction with a room door that opens to the outside and a window with a walkway in front of it. You sacrifice some of the perks and privacy of a more traditional hotel for the Disney experience.

If you want the Disney experience, you can not beat staying on property. However, if things like room service, interior doors and hallways, privacy through your room window are really important to you, it's must less expensive to find these off site.

 

[Julius & Boobah]

thanks guys great insights.

As mentioned by tigs mom what we thought we could do is spend the first 4 or 5 days at the Poly and stay the rest of the time elsewhere. because we want to visit Sea World, Discovery Cove, IOA and USF aswell maybe this is a better option.

I'd love to stay at a resort with a monorail link on and we'd love to use the Poly's pool and watch the fireworks and EWP on the beach, we also want to eat at Ohana's one night and have a character breakfast too I'm just not sure 4 days would be enough to do all those things AND go to a park every day!

I also have a few more questions....

we're looking to go at the end of September 06 (but looking to book asap) are there fireworks at the MK everynight at this time of year? It would make it more difficult if they were only on certain nights as we want to stay at the Poly on a day we go to the MK to see the fireworks AND want to watch them from the beach.

How do the EMH work exactly?? If they're in the morning I totally understand but I heard that some of them are in the evening so how do you get access to these and what do Disney do wait for everyone to leave the park then let hotel guests back in? lol

I also love the Contemporary.... is the character breakfast better there than the Poly or what Character Breakfast would you recommend?

Thanks again every comment is taken in and appreciated

 

[Moustronaut]

Chef Mickey's at Contemporary is one of the best charater breakfasts on Disney property. But the resort restaurants are open to any one at any resort (on site or off). Just easier to get to obviously if you are staying near by.

In September, MK shows Wishes nightly. Usually around 9pm. Though personally I think watching it from anywhere else besides the hub in the Magic Kingdom is highly over rated.

EMH in the morning are pretty easy, you have to show your resort room key (which is probably also your park ticket) to get in early. The evening EMH works a bit different. About 2 hours before the normal closing time of a park, they will set up a few sites when you can show your room key in exchange for a wristband. After the normal park closing time, Cast Memembers will not let guests into the queues for attractions without a wristband.

 

[Moustronaut]

I'd love to stay at a resort with a monorail link on and we'd love to use the Poly's pool and watch the fireworks and EWP on the beach, we also want to eat at Ohana's one night and have a character breakfast too I'm just not sure 4 days would be enough to do all those things AND go to a park every day!

The only thing that requires you to actually stay at Polynesian is your desire to use the Volcano pool. You do not need to stay at Poly to enjoy it's restaurants or walk on its beaches to watch the water pagent or Wishes. Heck you don't even need to stay on-site to enjoy anything but the pool.

Might I recommend Contemporary. It's about 100 less per night. The Monorail makes it very easy to go from your room at Contemporary to eat a meal at Ohanas or Kona Cafe. Also makes it very easy to get back to your room after you watched wishes or the water pagent.

 

[tigsmom]

We love Chef Mickey's for breakfast. We haven't tried it for dinner yet, but my brother and his kids swear by it. You can eat at any restaurant, in any Resort you like- you do not have to be staying there. We usually stay at the Wilderness Lodge and do Chef Mickey's one day and the Concourse Steakhouse (right next to it) on our last night.

We usually only stay 4 Nights at WDW as we tack it on at the end of a visit to family that live not too far away.

We have plenty of time to see all the parks, fireworks and parades that we want. We also wander around the resorts,Boardwalk, and maybe a water park.

We like night EMH better than the early morning ones, but do both.
For the night ones you just have to get a wristband at the park. The CMs look for this to confirm you are eligable to ride the rides. Since they have opened the EMH up to all guests and not just the first 5,000 paying ones they have become overcrowded and we did not really have that great a time this past August (but that could have been due to the excessive heat also).

As for the Contemporary vs the Polynesian - I would go with the Poly as we did not care for the decor at the Contemporary.

As an aside can I suggest a breakfast or dinner at the WL? Its a short boatride away from both the MK and the Contemporary and is well worth the time & effort.

 

[PixyDust]

We broke down and stayed a week at the Poly last October. After a couple of nights, my husband and I agreed that it did not meet our expectations. Of course everyone is different, so it may just be the cat's meow for you. We actually liked Port Orleans Riverside better. But that was always the resort we stayed in over the years before joining DVC, so we have a lot of good memories there.

Long story short, we want to try out all the deluxe resorts, so we are now spending the first three nights of our vacation at a deluxe, then moving to our home away from home for the remainder. That way, we can see if we love the place and want to go back, or if we don't, we aren't counting the money we spent on the room in our heads each day thinking of what we could have done with the money.

On the breakfast - my absolute favorite is 1900 Park Fare. You'll get special attention from any of the character breakfasts if you tell them it's Sam's birthday, but I especially love the stuff they give you at Park Fare. And the food is great.

 

[ssidiouss@mac.c]

What about the Wilderness Lodge for 199 a night?

 

[Moustronaut]

What about the Wilderness Lodge for 199 a night?

No monorail... but other than that, an excellent choice.

 

[kaylasmom]

Personally, I feel that WL is the most beautiful resort on property. If you have kids, Whispering Canyon is awesome, and I think the pool is phenomenal!!!

I do love the Polynesian, just not its price. Monorail convenience is a MAJOR plus though.

If you are looking off Property for the Sea World, Universal thing... I think that the Gaylord Palms is incredible, and has great amenities with transportation to all the parks in the area. And my personal favorite is the Peabody (that's where I stayed on my honeymoon several years back). The "march of the ducks" is quite a treat and the service in that hotel is unmatched anywhere in the Orlando area. And since the Peabody is on I-Drive, it is very convenient to restaurants, Sea World and Universal. Oh goodness, I almost forgot the Nickelodeon Hotel. It's brand new and with the pool and water slides there, you'd never have to leave to go to a water park!!!! It's totally catered to the Kid crowd, but it was a lot of fun. Restaurants are good too, including a Seafood buffet.

Have a great trip!!!

 

[Crescent_Fresh]

Polynesian!!!!

I have loved the Polynesian since 1979 on my first visit. I have gone back every trip since and gone to thier luau (30+ times)... matter of fact got engaged there last November 26th in the middle of the spirit of o'hana Holiday show.

I remember the smell of the lobby and the smile on my face when we first enetered, the beauty of all the foliage and waterfalls. The thatch and island feel. I am an avid surfer and have traveled extensively and LOVE the Polynesian culture. I love this hotel. When I get my extra DVC points, regardless of home base and point usage, I will always stay at this location.

The buildings are great the aesthetics are great, the island feel is great (did I say it was great yet?). Also late at night, a walk on the beach, or even earlier durring the water light boat parade or firework shows over at the MK it is absolutely beautiful with the light of teh Grand Floridian and the refection of the fireworks off the seven seas lagoon. Also a quick monorail trip to MK, and a quick walk to the ticket center to jump over to EPCOT or a bus ride anywhere else... I haven't had hawaiian barbeque or polynesian cooking for 3 years since I left samoan friends in Los Angeles... I have a Disney Dining card and am moving to Orlando in 29 hours... I cannot wait for a taste, sights, smell and feel of the islands once again...

Me ke aloha pume'ehana... You'll love it!!!

 

[Woody13]

To Polynesian, or not to Polynesian: that is the question:

Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer

The slings and arrows of an outrageous offsite hotel,

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For I would stay at the less expensive hotel.


</PRE>

 

[Nansafan]

The Poly was our first on-property hotel. We've also enjoyed the GF, Contemporary, POFQ, POR (as POR and as Dixie Landings). My brother has also stayed at the CB and CS. The Poly is the one we always go back to for an extended stay. If you can, I'd say to stay at the Poly for a few days. Being on the monorail is the best and who can not love getting on the monorail at the Poly station and hearing "Aloha and welcome aboard!". As far as room size goes, I believe the Contemporary has the largest rooms on property with the Poly being a close second. Yes, the walk from the Great Ceremonial House can be long late at night after a full day at the parks but the tiki torches and polynesian music serenading you back to your room is quite nice. The fare at Captain Cook's is a bit limited but at least you can get something to eat at 12:00 PM. At the Moderate resorts, the food courts tend to close by 10:00 so you're stuck without a midnight snack if you didn't grab something before leaving your park for the night. While staying at the POFQ and POR we've stopped at the Contemporary or the Poly for something to eat late then headed back to our resort since their food courts were closed.

Staying at the Poly for at least a couple nights gets my vote.

 

[DisneygeekCT]

PROS....

The Polynesian is the only resort with direct monorail transportation to both MK and Epcot

What do you mean by direct monorail transportation to Epcot - by walking to the TTC and getting on the Epcot monorail? When I was at the World in Feb., I don't remember seeing that.

 

[RealHawker]

Hi guys,

I'm looking for some honest advice on where to stay on our next trip to Orlando. For Sam's birthday we're going to come to town and do all the parks like I've done hundreds of times before. Now as it's a special occassion we really wanted to stay at the Polynesian it looks fantastic and when we've been past it on the monorail we've been so jealous of people staying there.

However....

Last time we were in Florida we stayed in a very nice hotel in a great location that provided everyhing we needed for about $80 a night! The Polynesian is $315!!!! This significantly bumps up the price of our trip I was wondering if you could give me the pros of staying at the Polynesian over a regular hotel. As we can't go to Florida as easily as alot of you guys (Travelling from the UK and all) we do all the parks and literally spend all day in them and out and about.... I'm finding it hard to justify paying so much more for a hotel we will probably only sleep in and leave almost immediately after we wake up.

I would reccomend the polynesian when you are going to be in the pool alot, namely the warm months, In winter it may not be worth it, espcially with disney closing sooner, means more time in parks and less at the resort.(assuming you dont take a big break during the day because they are closing earlier)

I guess you could see it the other way too, that since the parks are closed earlier, you would be at the hotel more. I think the Contemporary has more to do inside than Polynesian....