Reviews of Polynesian Village Resort (Deluxe Resort)
Reviewed by Anonymous Review Date: 09/03/2023
Rating: (8) Recommended
We stayed for five nights at the end of July. This was a bucket list resort and had high expectations. The grounds are beautiful and feels like the tropics. Theme is top notch with island music, tiki torches, great ceremonial house, and pools/hot tub. We stayed in room with theme park view of Magic Kingdom but was at the end of Tuvalu where the construction is visible and heard. We were not disturbed by it as during the day we were in the parks when construction was going on and did not seem to start early or go on late in the day. Watching fireworks from room deck or the beach was very enjoyable as the music is piped in all over the resort. Others have complained about the ferry horns, but we enjoyed that and was not loud enough to wake anyone up. Dined at the Tambu Lounge and Kona Cafe (have done Ohana other times when not a resort guest) and the food was delicious. Pineapple Lenai always a treat! Trader Sam's was a highlight and by fluke our first night we were put on the list without having to stand in a line. The interactive experience, food and drinks along with great waitstaff, made for great memories! Agree with other posts the resort is overcrowded especially making dining difficult. Captain Cooks quick service was a great option for dining in our room or grabbing snacks after a day in the parks. The main pool was full of kiddos and if that is not for you, recommend the Lava Pool and Oasis Pool Bar. Enjoyed both as an adult kid free option. The room was not equal to the price point and that is after the re-theme to Moana. The decor and layout is great and room is kept very clean by cleaning staff, but room is average and really you are only sleeping there most days. Proximity to Magic Kingdom and other bay resorts made convenience to the park and transportation center and resort hopping an enjoyable experience. Side note, there is laundry room on premises but recommend not leaving your laundry bag or any items unattended as someone stole mine, really expected more from elite guests. Also, wish they had not taken away Spirit of Aloha dinner experience. Once in a lifetime experience!
Pros:
Island theme Food and character dining experience Trader Sam'sCons:
Price point No more Spirit of AlohaReviewed by EddieC Review Date: 06/11/2023
Rating: (8) Recommended
This was a bucket list resort for me! Everything about the Poly is great; the food, the pool, transportation, proximity to MK. What really took away from my enjoyment of the Poly was that fact that is SO popular. Lots of families obviously stay here, but tons of people who are not staying here come to check it out or eat in the restaurants (I did it myself when I wasn't staying here!) and that leads to A LOT of overcrowding. The Grand Ceremonial House is always mobbed, and the restaurants and Tambu Lounge is also usually packed. We stayed club level and, honestly, there were too many small kids in the club lounge, it really detracted from our enjoyment. Don't know if I would stay here again, having crossed it off my bucket list, but if I did I would, admittedly, stay in the resort more and hit the restaurants, etc at off-peak hours. I'd also go to Trader Sam's, we didn't get the chance.
Pros:
Location, dining quality, transportaion, room/resort themingCons:
Crowds Crowds Crowds! And too many small kids.Reviewed by Anonymous Review Date: 05/31/2023
Rating: (7) Recommended
Resort is beautiful and our DVC studio room was perfect. BUT the main pool was really overcrowded (we were not there at a peak time). The quiet pool was good, but as we were there with younger kids they wanted to use the slide/splash pad etc.
The food was good, but we had to hunt for a inside table at captain cooks.
Pros:
Location, it's beauyand the food is greatCons:
Really busy and overcrowdedReviewed by Iluvvacations Review Date: 12/21/2022
Rating: (10) Recommended
If you can swing it, stay here! I can’t afford to stay here for my whole vacation, but I can figure out 2 nights. We did a split stay here, Pop and POR. We stayed here on Monday and Tuesday nights, which gave us extended evening Monday at Epcot and Wednesday at MK since that’s the day we checked out. We had a standard room and it was miles better that the other places we stayed this trip as well as Coronado (previous trips). Everything thing here is nicer, plain and simple. Not to mention closer and quicker transportation (with the exception of the skyliner). They have the monorail, ferry and busses. I suggest the ferry to and from MK. Not many people use it and it seems quicker than the monorail. The pool and restaurants made for a fun resort day.
Pros:
Close to MKCons:
ExpensiveReviewed by Anonymous Review Date: 07/13/2022
Rating: (7) Recommended
I have stayed at this resort two times both in the vacation club area.
The first time was not the best. We found mold in the room. Both pools are good. The second time I stayed it was wonderful and had no complaints.
Pros:
Pool, great way to see fireworks without having a park ticket.Cons:
Some rooms might have mold.Reviewed by PolynesianStitch Review Date: 06/26/2022
Rating: (10) Recommended
Had a newly renovated room overlooking the gardens and quiet pool. Room was extremely nice, having the third sleep surface was a plus for the three of us adults. Excellent lighting in the bathroom, liked the glass sliding door for the shower (Easier to keep clean). Plenty of room for 3 adults to get ready in the morning. Quiet at night, short walk to Great Ceremonial Hall for coffee, breakfast, and catching the monorail. Huge plus being on monorail for both Magic Kingdom and Epcot. Easy check in, staff was generous in bringing extra towels. Would definitely like to stay here again
Pros:
convenient, immaculately clean, newly renovated, good quick service restaurant for quick meals, good transportation choicesCons:
noneReviewed by fisharefriendsnotfood Review Date: 06/09/2022
Rating: (9) Recommended
we stayed at the polynesian for the first time in december having only visited for ‘ohana before, and absolutely loved it! exceeded our expectations , the new subtle themes of moana are so cute and i love a disney wooden floor instead of the old carpet. new favourite resort , changed our booking for august to stay at the poly again !
Pros:
dole whip🥰clean rooms , lovely theming and loved being able to walk to mk! beautiful sunset views with the castle 🙂Cons:
only con is the priceReviewed by Anonymous Review Date: 04/28/2022
Rating: (9) Recommended
My mom booked us a room her for my senior trip and I just about cried when we arrived. I loved this resort so so much. From the food to the rooms to the plants around the resort this resort is amazing. The beach that faces Magic Kingdom was one of my favorite things about this resort.
Pros:
Beautiful, homey, and great foodCons:
The only con is the priceReviewed by Mariet Review Date: 02/22/2022
Rating: (8) Recommended
This resort is very beautiful! I loved being able to watch the fireworks from Magic Kingdom from the beach. Walking around at night was so cool with the tiki torches lit along the walkways. We actually got an upgrade to a DVC room, because we needed 2 beds and the first room only had one. The walk to the TTC was close and it was nice to hop on the ferry boat over the Magic Kingdom.
Pros:
Dole Whip, Beautiful SceneryCons:
The priceReviewed by skinewyork Review Date: 01/10/2022
Rating: (8) Recommended
If your trip consists of primarily Magic Kingdom and resort days, especially if you have young children, this is the resort for you. The ease of transport and multiple transportation options cannot be overstated as a plus. Five to ten minutes to and from the Magic Kingdom either by monorail or boat means it's easy to take a break in the middle of the day and still feel like you're getting your money's worth at the park. The theming is great for young families, especially compared to the other two monorail resorts (The Grand Floridian has a very upscale posh vibe, and the Contemporary is super modern and feels a lot more sterile). I wouldn't spend money on the theme park view room (I did), because the electric lights parade is easily visible from pretty much anywhere on the resort, and the fireworks are best seen from the beach where you can also hear the music. I recommend doing a monorail resort tour on a day you don't have park tickets, as the three monorail resorts are all unique and interesting and enjoyable to experience. The cast members were extremely helpful and went out of their way to give us a good experience every time we interacted with them, and there were plenty of them (possibly a perk to a deluxe resort?). The poolside activities were great for the kids, there were plenty of lounge chairs for all, the quick service food was more than adequate, and the room was LARGE. But. The PRICE!
