The Polynesian in 2013...and beyond

[tikiman]

The Polynesian in 2013 is going to see many changes. The biggest will be the new rooms being added in as we speak. They started on the Hawaii longhouse last week. All rooms will be updated with a new look using some of the old design. They will be replacing all the materials with new but will be the same such as the closets, desk, TV and dresser but the headboards will get a new lighter insert. The walls will get a new color and new carpets, fabrics and bedding will brighten the room. Even down to the electrical and plumbing will be replaces and all the longhouse hallways will be gutted and redesigned. The biggest change will happen to the bathrooms with a more modern look and expanded to allow for a larger counter and double sinks in all rooms. Additional Accessible (ADA compliant) rooms will be added to all longhouses. This will have some rooms with tub rails and others with roll in showers. Also all longhouses will get some randomly placed King bed rooms. These rooms can be booked and will not cost any more or less. New refrigerator venting should eliminate the problem with the overheating refrigerators.
On a not so good note the prices as usual have gone up again on average of $20 a night but in some cases (depending on day and season) up by $70. A Theme park view club level room (not even a suite) is now about $1000 a night in regular season. In 2001 the King Kamehameha 2 story suite was just around $1000 a night. The Ritz and Four Seasons in Maui is less than $500 a night.
There will be a lot of great changes to the resort in the next few years but if they don’t address housekeeping, staff training and moral and stop reducing services while raising prices, it won’t matter how great the resort is. People that go there now will stop.

 

[tractorm3]

We booked one of the honeymoon suites late this comming sept '13 there. any idea if those room will be redone by the time we arrive? I think we are checking in the 16th.

 

[wdwmagic]

Thanks as always for the updates

 

[captainkidd]

A Theme park view club level room (not even a suite) is now about $1000 a night in regular season.

That is absolutely absurd and not worth it in the least bit. I'm sorry, I've enjoyed my stays at the Poly, but that is just insane. You can rent a 1 bedroom villa at a DVC Resort for less than half the price.

 

[coachwnh]

Just stayed there in November and I agree it is in of some updates, but its still such a neat resort to walk around

 

[polynesiangirl]

That is absolutely absurd and not worth it in the least bit. I'm sorry, I've enjoyed my stays at the Poly, but that is just insane. You can rent a 1 bedroom villa at a DVC Resort for less than half the price.

I just stayed in one of those rooms (at a significant discount, might I add, nowhere near $1000) and yeah, when my husband and I looked up the price during peak season we laughed out loud. It was an amazing room, but $1,000 is complete insanity. I guess it must be worth that price to someone...

 

[Mickey2minnie1]

Thanks for the updates!! Now that they have started Hawaii, any specific updates to lounge that you know of yet?

 

[Hakunamatata]

Ever since there was just the two resorts I have always wanted to stay at Poly. Looks like I'm going to have to run accross 6 lucky numbers.

 

[captainkidd]

Ever since there was just the two resorts I have always wanted to stay at Poly. Looks like I'm going to have to run accross 6 lucky numbers.

Unless you get a steep discount, don't bother. It's a beautiful resort, but those prices are shameful. We've stayed there with a steep discount. No way is it worth rack rate.

 

[ShookieJones]

This is a resort I always wanted to stay at. We finally got the chance (We got an amazing discount and were finally able to swing it) a couple years ago and it didn't disappoint.
I'm glad I got the chance when I did because let me tell you the way those prices are headed I can't even afford to think about the Poly let alone stay there. wow.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

Being a local, for my "Polynesian" (The geographical region, not the Disney hotel) fix, I just head to The Royal Pacific Resort at Universal. It is a very nice hotel. The Orchid Court Sushi Bar in the lobby is nice. And I get 15% off at Emeril's Choup Chop restaurant with my Universal AP.

As nice as The Poly is, it is a bit frenetic with all the ankle biters running around. This, sadly, is an unfortunate effect of turning WDW into Toddlerworld!

 

[tikiman]

We booked one of the honeymoon suites late this comming sept '13 there. any idea if those room will be redone by the time we arrive? I think we are checking in the 16th.

The suites were redone in 2011. I did a walkthrough of them the day they opened in October 2011. There is no plan for changes to those rooms but the building will be down to redo the lounge in May.

 

[Poofiesdream]

Always wanted to stay there, but looks like I never will with those prices!

 

[tikiman]

Thanks for the updates!! Now that they have started Hawaii, any specific updates to lounge that you know of yet?

No one at the resort even knew what the new room design looked like so they don't have any info on what the lounge changes will be. I keep looking for info but all I am told is the lounge will be redone during the work to Hawaii.

 

[LowesChevy]

Thanks for the update...it reassures our decision to stay in October. Hopefully they will get the staff training and housekeeping issues sorted in the meantime. Those issues are so key to any wonderful vacation experience.

 

[mickey2008.1]

It's good to hear they are updating the place, because it needs it. Beautiful grounds and views, finally rooms to match. Those rates are ridiculous, we stayed ther in dec 2010 and had mk view in fiji withn40% off, worth it. $1000 a night, all i need is pofq for a week for that price. Look forward to the update and pictures.

 

[captainkidd]

Disney's rates for Club Level, in general, are ridiculous. So not worth it.