Polynesian Smell

[Minnie1976]

My husbnd and son loved the smell when you walked into the Polynesian. I hadn't read anything on the boards about the smell changing so we were surprised when we walked into the Polynesian and the hotel smelled like flowers. Has anyone else noticed that the smell changed? I had to hurry and text my son - no more Poly smell now flowers. It is a nice smell.

 

[YankeeMouse]

We stayed there in September and I was disappointed when we arrived and there was no smell at all. The next day, when walking through the GCH, there was definitely a scent going on, but not that waterfall/foliage/flower smell. It was a little different, just a flowery smell. It was not the original Poly smell.

 

[TikiGuy]

I have been going there since I was a kid (1974 1st trip), the smell of the lobby always took me back to that time. Just went there recently and the new smell destroyed the nostalga totally. For some reason they don't understand what a simple smell triggers in a persons mind. Every time I entered the lobby I would get a headache. I was told the current Vice President of the resort implemented the new smell. Now I avoid the lobby when ever I can. It seems worse in the back of the lobby by the waterfall.

 

[captainkidd]

I have been going there since I was a kid (1974 1st trip), the smell of the lobby always took me back to that time. Just went there recently and the new smell destroyed the nostalga totally. For some reason they don't understand what a simple smell triggers in a persons mind. Every time I entered the lobby I would get a headache. I was told the current Vice President of the resort implemented the new smell. Now I avoid the lobby when ever I can. It seems worse in the back of the lobby by the waterfall.

Absolutely. The ironic thing is, on one of their attractions (Journey Into Imagination), this exact sentiment is part of the ride's narration.

I agree about the new scent. It's terrible. Didn't give me a headache, but apparently, I'm allergic to it, as I was sneezing, coughing, had watery eyes and a sore throat until I got out of there.

 

[rle4lunch]

Don't say that...I'm seriously gonna write a little letter to Iger.

I'll join in on that petition. That's one of my favorite smells since I first stayed there in 1982. I was 6 years old and had dreams after that of walking through Disney and I could smell that smell in my dreams all the time.

 

[GrumpySue]

I also get terrible headaches from these faux scents, I am a little disappointed that they did not consider people with allergy/sinus issues as well as asthma. Bad move.

 

[Flip83]

We were there 2 weeks ago and it's so upsetting. It really is gone. That and the Contemporary were always my favorite resort smells.

I will say this, not just because its a new smell, but the new smell they have going is awful. It's like a strong flowery fake smell. Gave me a bit of a headache. Nothing to go overboard over, but it was a bit much.

 

[Minnie1976]

We were there 2 weeks ago and it's so upsetting. It really is gone. That and the Contemporary were always my favorite resort smells.

I will say this, not just because its a new smell, but the new smell they have going is awful. It's like a strong flowery fake smell. Gave me a bit of a headache. Nothing to go overboard over, but it was a bit much.

The flowery smell was there when we were there the week of Christmas. One of my sons was there in February and didn't seem to think there was any smell. He and my husband both loved the old Poly smell.

 

[captainkidd]

Here's a copy of the email I sent to WDW Guest Communications. Granted, I'm only one person, but was this move really worth losing $5,000 to Disney?


To whom it may concern:

As you may or may not know, a change was recently made at the Polynesian Resort. It seems management decided to pipe in an air freshener to the Great Ceremonial House. As you can see by the attached thread from a WDW fan forum, people are very unhappy about it. Some, myself included, are having allergic reactions to it.

The Polynesian is one of the original resorts at WDW. It is an iconic resort that brings back beautiful memories for thousands of returning guests, and a huge part of that, was the lovely, floral smell in the lobby combined with that of the waterfall. How does changing something like that help anyone? People will either not notice a difference if they're not Poly die-hards, or people will be unhappy, as is obvious by this thread. As for me - As crazy as it might sound, this move cost Disney $5,000 on my end. I had an 11 night reservation at the Polynesian this July, paid for in full. When I stepped into the lobby this past February, I was sneezing, coughing, had watery eyes, and a sore throat until I left the building. I immediately cancelled my reservation and decided to rent DVC points from a member and stay elsewhere.

I understand the changing of menus and the changing of resort rooms to remain current and fresh, but this change makes absolutely ZERO sense, on any level.

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=830381

Thank you for your time.

 

[Trippr]

I heard that all the deluxe resorts are getting scent systems installed in their lobbies by a company called ScentAir. The scent is "Green Clover and Aloe." The first two were the Yacht and Beach Club. I have to admit, even though I am not a fan oh the Polynesian, the smell does remind me of the amazing food I will be eating at Ohana and the fact that I am in Disney!!! However, the Grand Floridian only uses fresh flowers to scent the lobby, and a scent from the same company called "Tropical Spice" to scent the buildings. I know because the machine is underneath the tables on either side of the walk-in foyer.

I just wanted to put in my 2 scents. (pun intended). I am a member of the DVC, and also live about 1 hour east of WDW. So as you can imagine I am there frequently. Recently I visited the Grand Floridian resort, and immediately had to know the scent in the lobby. It smells so clean and sophisticated. I went to the front desk where the manager on duty told me that it is the "Fresh Air" scent from "ScentAir". However, she also told me that the scent is delivered through the air conditioning ductwork using a system called "ScentStream", not a standalone machine mounted somewhere in the lobby. Just wanted to clear this up a bit.

 

[tikiman]

The smells used at the Polynesian are called "green bamboo" and "white tea and ginger"

You won't have the smell of the waterfall and plants when they are removed during the GCH renovation.

 

[jmargarone27]

I just wanted to put in my 2 scents. (pun intended). I am a member of the DVC, and also live about 1 hour east of WDW. So as you can imagine I am there frequently. Recently I visited the Grand Floridian resort, and immediately had to know the scent in the lobby. It smells so clean and sophisticated. I went to the front desk where the manager on duty told me that it is the "Fresh Air" scent from "ScentAir". However, she also told me that the scent is delivered through the air conditioning ductwork using a system called "ScentStream", not a standalone machine mounted somewhere in the lobby. Just wanted to clear this up a bit.

In the main lobby, that is true. But the guestroom buildings have the ScentWave system and they are little black fans underneath the tables as you walk into the foyer.