What don't you love about the POLY?

[Leigh123]

I would like to preface this by saying I am not a negative type poster, and that I love WDW an am a true believer in the "MAGIC". That being said, here goes......... I feel like I need to stay at the Polynesian even though something keeps holding me back. We are AP holders and take 2 to 3 trips a year alternating between Animal Kingdom Lodge and the Beach Club. Every trip I almost book the Polynesian but something stops me an I’m not sure what it is. I know lots of reasons people love it so I would really like to hear some reasons you may not like it or did not enjoy your stay ,to help me make my decision. I should say we are two adults no children and spend an equal amount of time at all four parks with daily pool breaks. Thanks in advance for your information.

 

[LYSE]

My only negatives apply only to DVC:
No dvc cms at front desk
Laundry room is undersized
Most of 1st floor lake view is actually bungalow view.

I guess if I had to pick one thing in general about the resort it would be how crowded the lobby can get with the Ohana check in line and everything else going on.

Overall we love our home resort though

 

[vinotinto]

We’ve stayed twice. It’s got a lot going for it, but some of the negatives for me:
- it’s always so busy and loud. There are so many guests that are not staying at the Poly that come to eat, shop, take a break in the lobby and look around. It’s not a big resort and it does get overwhelmed sometimes. This is the biggest negative IMHO. None of the peacefulness of WL or AKL.

- The volcano pool area is rather small for the number of guests. The chairs are placed right next to each other and often it’s hard to find one. I don’t think they do enough to deter outside guests from using the pool.

- It lacks a true signature restaurant, but in all fairness, it’s easy enough to get to CR and GF for a true signature meal.

- Buses takes a while to get to AK, DHS. Shares buses (mostly with GF). In the past, the Monorail has sometimes run on a limited hours/reduced schedule due to maintenance and it’s been difficult to find out the schedule. For example, it’s not printed with the operating hours.

- Rooms are showing their age. I really wish they would be fab and would transport me somewhere else, but they don’t.

- Separate, self-standing buildings means that when it rains or it’s hot, you are walking outside to get to your room.

-Cost. Comparing standard rooms, only GF’s are more expensive.

 

[Mousemommy1]

The Poly is a beautiful resort with great amenities. Their club level is awesome. The only thing I don't like (and for me, this is huge) is that the resort theming is very dark. I prefer lighter theming like at the GF. Darker theming makes it feel "dirty" for lack of a better term, though I don't think the Poly was dirty at all - it's just my perception of the darker theming.

 

[ZellyB]

We stayed at the Poly in January and it was the resort I most looked forward to staying at, but as mentioned above, I felt the rooms were pretty dark and the one we were in felt a bit worn and in need of a refurb. But, the grounds themselves were lovely as was the beach and view of the castle, so I'd still rate it as a great stay. It was unseasonably cold when we were there so we couldn't really enjoy the grounds or the pool and I think had we been able to do that more, our overall feeling for the resort would have been improved.

 

[TinkBink]

The only thing we don't love about the Poly is that the second floor rooms do not have balconies. My DH and I love sitting out on the balcony with cocktails so we are a little nervous about ending up without one but we have always gotten our room requests so not a big deal so far! Also, we felt there was a little longer of a wait for buses than we have experienced at other resorts. But not enough to keep us away as we're going back in January! It's really worth a try!

 

[_Kristi_]

We visited in October last year and felt it was a high volume, quick turnover hotel. The lobby was fine but when you get into the actual room buildings you can see the wear and tear from so many quests all the time. It just feels like there's never enough time between quests for the rooms to really be cleaned or the hallways properly taken care of. Our building had one elevator and it could hold at most our stroller and 3 other people. We needed to take the elevator twice to bring luggage and the stroller to our room. We only had 2 suitcases. It was impossibly small and we opted to carry the stroller down the stairs rather than sit and wait for hot, stinky, tiny elevator every time we left. The best thing the hotel has going for it is the short walk to the TTC to get to Epcot. We felt really fortunate to have MK and Epcot options without much fuss. We are going back to GF this year. I can justify the expense more for their quality over Poly.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We stopped staying at the Poly a few years ago. It's gorgeous, but the lobby is busy, Capt. Cook's is SUPER chaotic, we always needed to go elsewhere for ADR's as Kona and O'hana (especially O'hana) are impossible as walk-ups, there is no shade in the pool and you can't escape the noise (unless you are in Rarotonga, which I actually liked). If you are on the Fiji end of the resort, you have noise until 10 pm with the luau and if you are near the lagoon, the electric water pageant and fireworks every night are enough to drive me bonkers.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Pools are too small for guest load.

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

I too love the Poly, especially the CL and we stay there often. To give a few things that I don't like about the Poly - One thing is that all other Deluxe resorts have at least one restaurant that you can get reservations at the last minute - not the Poly. I wish they would leave some ADRs for guests. The second thing is that you have to walk outside to your room when it is raining - especially when it is a down pour. And third thing is it's quick service can be pretty hectic. But that being said we love the theme of the resort - especially the beach at night.

 

[FSU Girl]

I'm staying there for my first time in November, but the reason I've never booked it before is the room locations. I hate that you have to go outside to get to your room. I feel like a deluxe resort, you shouldn't have to deal with the elements like if it's raining or something.

 

[vinotinto]

I too love the Poly, especially the CL and we stay there often. To give a few things that I don't like about the Poly - One thing is that all other Deluxe resorts have at least one restaurant that you can get reservations at the last minute - not the Poly. I wish they would leave some ADRs for guests. The second thing is that you have to walk outside to your room when it is raining - especially when it is a down pour. And third thing is it's quick service can be pretty hectic. But that being said we love the theme of the resort - especially the beach at night.

I forgot to mention this too. When we last stayed, i tried to walk up at Kona at around 7:45 on a few mornings. The were booked. Our last day, I bit the bullet and made an ADR the night before. They really should leave some space for guests that are staying at the resort to walk up.

 

[mrs moon]

We checked in last Oct..Room was dated,carpet was wet down near fridge,,hated the view..The QS had a revolting smell from under the coffee disposal..Staff though were lovely and moved us to the Beach Club ( full refund on room difference) ...Maybe we were really unlucky but i would be scared to try there again!!

 

[Wood Nymph]

I don’t like the separate buildings, the noisy lobby, the dark wood and a small main pool. It doesn’t appeal to me at all.

 

[Farro]

We did not like the lobby smell (controversial, I know).

We did not like all the people there that weren't actually staying at the Polynesian, but there for Trader Sam's or dinner somewhere. They took up the space at the lounge and they crowded walkway/exists to our longhouse.

And lastly, I'm in the minority, but I could not STAND how slow the bartenders were at Tambu. I get it's supposed to be a relaxed island vibe, but there were only two of us (separately) at the bar and the two bartenders just stood and washed glasses, having a conversation before strolling over to get our drinks. They were nice, but sloooooowwwww....

That's all, otherwise we liked it.

 

[monorailsilver]

The pool is too crowded.

There is no one at the gate to scan each and every person in your parties band and then give you a wrist band.

My dh won’t stay anywhere else since I made him try there around 1998/99. But I convinced him to do a split at the BC in August. Initially at the BC he said he hated it. I think it was more the room as the room was smaller and louder, but I don’t sleep and he does in the am. Then we moved to the Poly, he got in the pool and said...I hate this place, they need a bigger pool. In all the previous trips we never had it be as crowded as it was this August.

The bungalows...I miss the view! We got engaged on a hammock on the beach in front of Tahiti.

 

[snappy]

Bungalows seriously detracted from view. Elevators were slow, dingy, dated. Hallways somehow seemed institutional.

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

I forgot to mention this too. When we last stayed, i tried to walk up at Kona at around 7:45 on a few mornings. The were booked. Our last day, I bit the bullet and made an ADR the night before. They really should leave some space for guests that are staying at the resort to walk up.

Completely agree. At CR, GF, WL and AKL - we have no problems with walk up meals.

 

[Leigh123]

Thanks so much for taking the time for all your detailed responses. I don’t think I’m going to do it LOL

 

[mi*vida*loca]

The pool is blah. Way overhyped. It’s small and the slide is just ok. My kids preferred the CBR pool (stayed there previously) over the poly. After our poly stay we did a split with BC and you couldn’t get my kids out of SAB.

The lobby is so busy and chaotic.