If you’ve ever been to the Walt Disney World Resort, you know there are lots of hotel choices! We recently stayed at the Polynesian Village Resort. It was our first time at this lively property, which celebrates the spirit of the South Pacific.
The resort was one of the two original hotels that opened alongside Magic Kingdom 50 years ago. The property recently underwent a big renovation. We were curious to check out the updates.
Accommodations
We booked a Pool/Marina View room. Our room was located in the Samoa building, with a view of the Oasis Pool. Most rooms sleep five, but suites and bungalows can accommodate up to eight people. Our balcony room had two queen beds and a day bed, plenty of room for our family of four.
The rooms are Moana-themed, but the detailing is classy, and not over-the-top. Our room was spacious and modern. The bathroom was large, with double sink, a separate toilet and rain shower. Each room has a coffee and tea station. There was ample drawer and closet space as well as under-the-bed storage for luggage.
If you really wanna splurge, the Polynesian has overwater bungalows. The bungalows sleep 8, have 2 bathrooms, a full kitchen, washer-dryer, and a private deck and plunge pool.
Activities
There are two large pools on property, one has a water slide that stretches 142 feet through a volcano. There’s a nearby splash area for younger kids. Additionally, there’s the more low-key Oasis pool.
The resort hosts lots of activities like pool parties, movies on the lawn, arts & crafts, and more.
[ Related: Disney’s Riviera Resort Review ]
Dining
Several dining choices are available on-property. We ate two meals at the resort: we had a sit-down breakfast at the Kona Cafe on our first morning. Menu items have an island flair, like Loco Moco. Tonga Toast is the specialty item, which is banana stuffed French Toast. The second morning we had a quick serve meal at Capt. Cooks. Character dining is available at ‘Ohana.
We managed to get inside Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto for a cocktail. Know this, it requires some effort. This place is very popular. A line forms just before 1 pm. At 2, the hostess will begin taking names, in advance of the 3 pm opening. The bar holds approximately 55 people. You’ll put your name on the list and receive an approximate return time. You’ll receive a text and have 10 minutes to return to the bar before losing your spot. Kids may enter before 8 pm.
Trader Sam’s feels like a cross between the Jungle Cruise and the Enchanted Tiki Room. It’s fun! The cocktails are served in Tiki glasses, some of which you can purchase as souvenirs. The menu includes items like the Polynesian Pearl, HippopotoMai-Tai, and the Dark & Tropical Stormy.
Be sure to get a Dole Whip at the Pineapple Lanai. Beyond pineapple, expect to see featured flavors, like lime. You can even order a spiked Dole Whip.
[ Related: Do-It-Yourself Dole Whip Recipe ]
Pricing
At Walt Disney World, resort prices vary based on the room type: value is the cheapest, moderate is the mid-range and deluxe is the most expensive.
The Polynesian is considered a Deluxe Resort and it’s priced accordingly. Our room rates were around $800 per night during the week of Thanksgiving.
Transportation
Beyond price, location is another factor to consider. Walt Disney World spans 25,000 acres, or 40 square miles. That means things are spread out. Traveling from place-to-place can eat into your vacation time.
The Polynesian Village Resort is located near Magic Kingdom and the Transportation Center. Monorail and boat service is offered to Magic Kingdom. Buses are available to other locations.
Booking
With 25 Walt Disney World resort hotels, selecting one can be overwhelming. We book all of our Disney travel through Magic Family Getaways. We used to do all of the research and booking ourselves, but now we leave it to the pros. The travel advisors at Magic Family Getaways know and love Disney. They handle all of the details at no additional cost to you. We highly recommend their service.
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