There’s something so majestic when you walk the grounds of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort It’s my absolute favorite hotel, hands down. The grounds and décor are breathtakingly beautiful! When I’m there I don’t feel like I’m in Florida or Disney World, it just feels exotic. In this blog we’re giving an in depth overview of the Polynesian (and why it’s our favorite).
Aloha! Welcome to Disney’s Polynesian Village
The moment you enter the Polynesian, whether from the Monorail or street level, you’re instantly transported to a Hawaiian Village. The air is scented with Hibiscus Passion from Scent Air, a perfect combination of floral and tropical notes. As you enter, and for your entire stay, you’ll be greeted with Aloha! and i’m totally OK with that.
After visiting the Hawaiian Island of Oahu I thought I’d be disappointed in the Polynesian, but it’s so perfectly themed that it feels like you’re right in the middle of a Hawaiian Island. The lobby welcomes you with perfectly themed architecture and tiki inspired details. As you exit the Ceremonial House a flourish of tropical plants and flowers await your senses. Everything combines together to make an incredible experience.
Resort Overview
If Magic Kingdom is where you plan to spend a lot of time then Disney’s Polynesian Village is a must stay. During our visit we stayed in the Rorotonga building in a regular room. This particular building was a great location adjacent to the Ceremonial House with quick access to transportation, restaurants and shops.
Here’s why I loved it – Pros:
- Location! Rope dropping Magic Kingdom or staying late is a breeze!
- Monorail resort which is oh so convenient and buses tend to be easier to ride on with lower crowds.
- You can walk to the Ticket & Transit Center, it’s only about 5-8min from the Ceremonial House.
- Situated right on Seven Seas Lagoon, you have Boat Transportation as an option to Magic Kingdom and other surrounding.
- Water Views – many rooms have great views of the Lagoon. Experience the Electrical Water Pageant from this resort.
- The Pools! Beautifully manicured and large, the pool areas are really nice. We loved the separate Kids area to splash and play.
- DVC Only Pool – this pool, while basic, is quiet and still has the beautiful décor.
- Rooms are spacious and décor is traditional Hawaiian. Regular rooms feature 2 QN beds plus a pullout Twin that folds out from the TV stand. King beds are available as well. Suites are located exclusively in the Tonga longhouse and can accommodate between four and nine people.
- The bathroom is spacious with a large traditional shower. The toilet has a door which is a plus IMO, specially for larger travel groups, and there’s a pretty double sink.
- If you’re lucky enough to stay in a bungalow they are AMAZING. Full kitchen, two bedrooms and baths, private pool and deck. There’s even a TV in the bathroom mirror!
- ALL THE DOLE WHIP! Need I say more?! Pineapple Lanai is my favorite spot to sit and enjoy some Dole Whip and enjoy the scenery.
- Restaurants are some most popular on Disney Property, we love O’Hana (for breakfast or Dinner) and Kona Grill. Captain Cook’s QS has great options for a fast meal or basic needs for your room.
- Trader Sam’s is a cult favorite bar where you can get some delicious themed drinks.
- Shopping – if you liked themed resort shops then you’ll love shopping at the Polynesian! Moana’s Mercantile always has something unique and I love being able to get Hawaiian favorites like Moana Loa chocolate or cookies.
- Chase ATM on site. Since not all Resorts have a Chase ATM it’s a plus for me!
With any travel location there are bound to be things you don’t like. While our list is short, here are the Cons:
- No kitchenette in the regular rooms but you do get a mini fridge and coffee machine.
- Grounds are expansive, plan accordingly if walking from further rooms to the Ceremonial House, it can take time and you may miss your Monorail if you don’t account for it.
- Lots of foot traffic from restaurants, monorail and hotel visitors around the Ceremonial House, but it does stay quiet as you get further away from the main lobby.
- Air Conditioning in the Bungalows does not get very cold due to each having individual small compressors. It was noticeable warm when we visited a friend’s Bungalow and while we didn’t care in the moment I could see sleeping being a potential challenge (I love sleeping under blankets so a cool room is a must).
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort: Facts & Info
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is an original Walt Disney World resort, opening on October 1, 1971. The Grand opening ceremony was on the beach on October 24, 1971. During the grand opening, the Polynesian hosted guests such as Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, the governor of Florida, and the Disney family.
The Resort is one of 5 that reside on the Seven Seas Lagoon. It expanses on 39 acres and is unique with it being the only hotel to offer Bungalows over the water. Polynesian rooms are located in one of 11 different buildings called longhouses. Each one is either 2- or 3-stories high. All rooms are accessed through interior hallways. For more information on this resort click here.
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