Okay Poly fans, I want to know what about this hotel makes you so obsessed. Personally, it's very Disney to me, but I just don't see what people love about it! It feels like an overpriced moderate at best to me. (Don't hurt me Poly fans.) All thoughts/comments appreciated!
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What is it about the Polynesian?
- Thread starter jmargarone27
- Start date
cw1982
Well-Known Member
I've never been as an adult, but like you said yourself, it's "very Disney." It's on the monorail line, there's an in-house dinner show, character meal, and babysitting facility (Neverland Club), and the pools are very nice.
Personally, it'll be years before I'll be able to justify that kind of price tag for a hotel room, but for those who can afford it, I definitely see the appeal.
Personally, it'll be years before I'll be able to justify that kind of price tag for a hotel room, but for those who can afford it, I definitely see the appeal.
morningstar
Well-Known Member
Very Disney? I don't really think so. Minimal Disney characters. It's very good at what Disney does well, which is make highly detailed themed environments, where the details don't necessarily scream, "Look at me," but add to the sense of immersion.
The Polynesian is an ideal of Polynesia that's better than the real thing. The ridgepoles on the longhouses, the tikis. I've been to Polynesia, and not just Hawai'i, and you don't really see much of that, but you wish you did. Maybe it's a recreation of Polynesia that once was. The look of the longhouses is just so primitive, it makes you feel like you could be on a desert island, have built your own hut on the beach, and have not a care in the world.
I really like the water feature. It's so lush and the sound of water flowing fills the lobby. That part IS like real Polynesia. It needs to be as big as it is. Plenty of lobbies install fake waterfalls, but are so obviously fake. I mean you obviously know the one at the Polynesian is fake, but when you can't see past it, you can suspend disbelief and imagine that it's the bottom of a hillside with a stream running down it. I hope they don't mess it up with the remodel.
Obviously monorail access is tops.
The beach is the best of any resort, I think. The Beach Club is okay, but come on, that's a pond. At the beach, you like to be able to look out and hardly see anything in the distance. Grand Floridian's beach is more or less the same one, but when you apply your imagination, which is better: "I'm on a beach in Florida," or "I'm on a beach in Polynesia"?
Pool is pretty good. Time was, Polynesian had the best, but others have caught up.
The Polynesian is an ideal of Polynesia that's better than the real thing. The ridgepoles on the longhouses, the tikis. I've been to Polynesia, and not just Hawai'i, and you don't really see much of that, but you wish you did. Maybe it's a recreation of Polynesia that once was. The look of the longhouses is just so primitive, it makes you feel like you could be on a desert island, have built your own hut on the beach, and have not a care in the world.
I really like the water feature. It's so lush and the sound of water flowing fills the lobby. That part IS like real Polynesia. It needs to be as big as it is. Plenty of lobbies install fake waterfalls, but are so obviously fake. I mean you obviously know the one at the Polynesian is fake, but when you can't see past it, you can suspend disbelief and imagine that it's the bottom of a hillside with a stream running down it. I hope they don't mess it up with the remodel.
Obviously monorail access is tops.
The beach is the best of any resort, I think. The Beach Club is okay, but come on, that's a pond. At the beach, you like to be able to look out and hardly see anything in the distance. Grand Floridian's beach is more or less the same one, but when you apply your imagination, which is better: "I'm on a beach in Florida," or "I'm on a beach in Polynesia"?
Pool is pretty good. Time was, Polynesian had the best, but others have caught up.
sissa216
Well-Known Member
It is very Disney to me- but "Disney" to me means quality, atmosphere, the attention to detail, the way it takes you away to another place. Who doesn't love walking through the beautiful pathways, with the wonderful music and sounds of the luau in the distance, and boats on lagoon. Having a magical parade pass by each night on the water with the hint of a fairytale in the distance as Cinderella's castle peeks out over the trees doesn't hurt either. Having a great pool, good dining choices, and the convenient monorail are all pluses as well.
I love all the resorts for different reasons, but the Polynesian is just one that helps melt your worries away.
I love all the resorts for different reasons, but the Polynesian is just one that helps melt your worries away.
slappy magoo
Well-Known Member
I think that could be the takeaway right there. For all Disney invests in the "theme" of their resorts, some seem truly more immersive than others. And Poly tends to feel like they somehow took the better elements of a resort you'd find in Hawaii or Polynesian island and replicated it well. Combine it with the view of the MK and the monorail and it has this weird blend of sci-fi/fantasy and total leisure. I'd say Poly WL and AKL all tie for most immersive themes.
DisneyPrincess5
Well-Known Member
We've stayed there twice and loved it. We loved t on the monorails line of course but i think what makes it so special for me is that its a little piece of the original disney world.
Communicore
Well-Known Member
It's an awesome 70's hotel that's losing it's 70's-ness with each passing day.
DisneyDebNJ
Well-Known Member
I am an avid Poly fan, I mean close to Poly addict LOL In my case, Poly holds ALOT of memories and traditions. My now husband proposed to me on the Poly beach. I relive my son's childhood there as well. (he is not in his mid 20s) The larger rooms, comfy beds, monorail access, are all a big draw. Im a definate creature of habit. Is it over priced? You betcha. Am I happy about the reburb? Not one bit, but the Poly is my home away from home.
40goingon7
Member
I know for me, my first trip to the world, back in '82, the Poly was the unknown hotel. Exotic, never saw the place except from the ferry or a stop on the monorail. Really put the wonder in me. Wife had a similar feeling so some 30 years later we get the opportunity to stay in the poly for a few days last year on my wife's company so we took it. Was it the best hotel ever? Close to the best I've stayed in but the grounds, pool, 24hr dole whip, beach with fireworks view and music nightly, water pageant and monorail put it way above in our book. One of those, "childhood dreams" come true. Next one is staying at the Contemporary next week!!!!
MaxsDad
Well-Known Member
We stayed there once for a weekend, as we did at BLT @ CR. We are booked to try V@GF this fall. My take:
The GF has a certain .... status, luxury to it. It is certainly nicely accommodated and beautiful. Is it "classic" though? Does it magically transport?
The Contemporary has become just that, a hotel just like today's hotels. It, to us, transports very little. It is almost devoid of theme. Is it classic? You bethca!
The Poly, though, does transport, it is a classic. It is nicely accommodated and themed. There are nice touches. To many, it seems to offer the best overall experience.
I can see your comparison to a moderate, with the separate longhouses being similar to the building layout at the mods, but if the Poly was one large building, or connected buildings, I do not think the magic would work as well.
The GF has a certain .... status, luxury to it. It is certainly nicely accommodated and beautiful. Is it "classic" though? Does it magically transport?
The Contemporary has become just that, a hotel just like today's hotels. It, to us, transports very little. It is almost devoid of theme. Is it classic? You bethca!
The Poly, though, does transport, it is a classic. It is nicely accommodated and themed. There are nice touches. To many, it seems to offer the best overall experience.
I can see your comparison to a moderate, with the separate longhouses being similar to the building layout at the mods, but if the Poly was one large building, or connected buildings, I do not think the magic would work as well.
I have to say, if I didn't stop into the Polynesian for dinner at Ohana and a look around Boutiki, the trip to Disney would definitely be incomplete. However, I just don't see how people pay similar prices to stay here compared to what you get at the Grand Floridian! I am partial to the Grand, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure it out. I just feel like the rooms not up to par with the other deludes, the buildings are dated, the pool is small (but cool), and even the little stuff (like why are the elevators so gross!) I don't know, I just would never chose to stay there. The Grand is way more my style.
StarWarsGirl
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- No
I used to think it was great, but having been to Hawaii and Aulani, it now does not remind me of Hawaii at all. I still like the water feature, Kona for breakfast, and the monorail line, but inside, it feels more like Honolulu international airport than anything. I'm excited to see what they do in the update, which is sorely needs. It feels very dark and dated on the inside. Here are some photos of Aulani's lobby:
As you can see, it keeps the nostalgic Hawaiian view but updates it. Hoping they do the same with Poly. I do see the appeal of Poly. Nice pool, on the monorail line, good food, but overall very dated. For now when we stay on the monorail line, we stay at BLT. But we're excited to see what Poly looks like after the refurb. And we will hop on the monorail for breakfast at Kona's during our stay
As you can see, it keeps the nostalgic Hawaiian view but updates it. Hoping they do the same with Poly. I do see the appeal of Poly. Nice pool, on the monorail line, good food, but overall very dated. For now when we stay on the monorail line, we stay at BLT. But we're excited to see what Poly looks like after the refurb. And we will hop on the monorail for breakfast at Kona's during our stay
surfsupdon
Well-Known Member
I, too, was let down by the Poly. It felt just like an overpriced moderate.
The room was large, yes, and our lagoon view was stellar. And Ohana is amazing. But it lacked a lot that we are accustomed to, and the beach was not maintained well, being overgrown with reeds and bushes (Tahiti beach.)
The room was large, yes, and our lagoon view was stellar. And Ohana is amazing. But it lacked a lot that we are accustomed to, and the beach was not maintained well, being overgrown with reeds and bushes (Tahiti beach.)
jlsHouston
Well-Known Member
The POLY has never let me down. Always a wonderful stay. A trip to WDW is not complete without at least a visit. Yah the condition of the elevators are atrocious and embarrassing. The pool area small but fun. The food is amazing as the press pot coffee. Grounds are beautiful and the pathways are fun to walk. The Neverland club rocks according to grandkids. I am sad about the refurb for the purpose of building more DVC but I am hoping it will still be the same POLY once all is completed.
ford91exploder
Resident Curmudgeon
I love the comments about how the Polynesian does not feel Hawaiian 
, It's not SUPPOSED to it's supposed to evoke the feel of the Polynesian islands hence the name Polynesia != Hawaii 
Unfortunately the planned changes to the GCH seem to emphasize cost of maintenance so I think the renovation overall will be a big loss to the guests and those posters who felt like the poly is an overpriced moderate will have their views confirmed.
, It's not SUPPOSED to it's supposed to evoke the feel of the Polynesian islands hence the name Polynesia != Hawaii Unfortunately the planned changes to the GCH seem to emphasize cost of maintenance so I think the renovation overall will be a big loss to the guests and those posters who felt like the poly is an overpriced moderate will have their views confirmed.
Monkee Girl
Well-Known Member
It's not really nostalgia for me since I didn't start going to the Poly until the last 4 years or so and when we did go our first time, it was because it looked interesting. Little did I know that from that first check in I would be a fan. Not only of the resort but the Polynesian culture itself. I have since taken up Hula lessons in my home town and have grown so much. The Poly just evokes a magic of the islands and has taught me that there is so much more to the culture than just laying on a beach and Hollywood style hula.
Yes, it's expensive but when I go with my family, we split it 4 ways and it makes the trip a lot more affordable.
It's not for everyone, just like the Contemporary really wasn't my thing. The Magic Kingdom view was great but the over all theme was just...boring. I have yet to stay at the Floridian but even though it looks neat, I don't know if I could tear myself away from the rustic, calm, easy atmosphere of the Polynesian. I work hard and deal with a lot of stressful people. And with the rush of the parks there is nothing like coming home to dark tiki lit walk ways.
When I want to stay cheap, I stay at the Pop. But if it's my grand vacation, It will always be at the Poly.
Yes, it's expensive but when I go with my family, we split it 4 ways and it makes the trip a lot more affordable.
It's not for everyone, just like the Contemporary really wasn't my thing. The Magic Kingdom view was great but the over all theme was just...boring. I have yet to stay at the Floridian but even though it looks neat, I don't know if I could tear myself away from the rustic, calm, easy atmosphere of the Polynesian. I work hard and deal with a lot of stressful people. And with the rush of the parks there is nothing like coming home to dark tiki lit walk ways.
When I want to stay cheap, I stay at the Pop. But if it's my grand vacation, It will always be at the Poly.
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