10 Reasons to Love Disney’s Polynesian Resort

| |

This past summer, we visited Disney World in Florida for the 4th time (see some of our previous adventures here). This visit, we stayed at the Polynesian Village Resort and it was one of our favorite resorts- EVER! The Polynesian is one of the original Disney resorts, opening in 1971. The 39 acre South Pacific themed resort includes over 800 rooms across several “Longhouse” buildings (named after Polynesian isles), one and two bedrooms suites (including “Club” Level suites), Disney Vacation Club suites that opened in 2015, almost a dozen dining options, two pool complexes, retail shops, and tons of daily activities and programs.  This week, we’re sharing ten reasons why we love the resort and why it’s a great place for everyone!

Note: Disney World is constantly changing policies, promotions, and upkeep to its parks and resorts. While the information we’re sharing is up to date as of fall 2022, it’s always best to check any important details closer to your visit.

  1. Direct Monorail access: Located inside the Great Ceremonial House, The Polynesian is one of only three resorts with direct monorail access (the Contemporary and Grand Floridian are the other two resorts). The monorail will also stop at the Magic Kingdom (two stops from the Polynesian) and the Transportation Center for Epcot (one stop before the Polynesian). The Transportation Center is also a very short walk from the Polynesian- very convenient. Note: The monorail typically runs 30 minutes before the parks open and one hour after the parks close. However, if guests ride the monorail before the parks open, the monorail will not let guests off early- be sure to check with a cast member when you’re on property. 
  1. Boat Launch: The Polynesian Resort also has a boat launch that rotates amongst the Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Magic Kingdom, and Fort Wilderness every day starting 30 minutes before the Magic Kingdom opens until one hour after the park closes. The launch is located on the beach near the main Lava Pool. Note: In addition to monorail access and the boat launch, buses also stop at the Polynesian resort on continuous loops. 
  1. Front row viewing for nightly entertainment: The beach of the Polynesian provides the best views for both the nightly Electrical Water Pageant (which lasts about 15 minutes and occurs first) in the Seven Seas Lagoon and the nightly Disney Enchantment fireworks over the Magic Kingdom (which lasts about 15 minutes). The synchronized music is piped in through speakers on the beach. 
  1. The massive pool complexes: The main Lava Pool complex is located right behind the Great Ceremonial House and was renovated in 2015. The main pool has four to five foot deep areas, zero entry areas, a tubular slide, a separate children’s splash pad area, and plenty of lounge chairs, umbrellas, and chairs. There is also a separate hot tub area with views of the Seven Seas Lagoon. The quieter Oasis Pool area has a zero entry and opens as early as 7am. Both pool complexes have lifeguards, attendants for poolside food and drink service, and walk up snack bar service 

Would you like to save this?

We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later.

  1. Scavenger Hunts and gifts from the Concierge: Make sure the kids (and kids at heart) stop by the concierge desk in the Great ceremonial House for flower leis, scavenger hunts, and the Polynesian’s version of Hidden Mickeys. 
  1. Tons of food options: The Polynesian offers everything from fine dining to quick service to snacks. Here’s a complete list:
    1. ‘Ohana: The (arguably) the most popular spot on property, Ohana is open for breakfast and dinner, with family style feasts with a Polynesian themed menu. Lilo and Stitch visit guests during breakfast service and there is live music during dinner service. Located on the second floor of the Great Ceremonial House and reservations are strongly recommended. 
    2. Kona Cafe: Full service restaurant for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Located on the second floor of the Great Ceremonial House. The Cafe just went through a renovation and is set to reopen in November 2022. 
    3. Kona Island: Quick service pastries and coffee in the morning (and open early for rope droppers!) and snacks, salads, sushi and drinks later in the day. Located next to the Kona Cafe on one side and the entrance to the Monorail on the other side. 
    4. Captain Cook’s: Quick service open 24 hours a day for meals, snacks, and refillable mug stations. Located on the first floor of the Great Ceremonial House with easy access to the Lava Pool complex and plenty of outdoor seating.
    5. Pineapple Lanai: Quick service spot serving the Dole Whip and other desserts. Located outside the Great Ceremonial House with outdoor seating and opening around lunchtime through the evening.
    6. Barefoot Pool Bar and Oasis Bar & Grill: Located at the pool complexes, offering drinks, snacks, and single serve meals, typically from 11am-8pm.
    7. Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto: Serves great drinks and a limited bar food snack menu. There is both indoor and outdoor seating and live entertainment. Best for the adult crowd, but children are welcome until 8pm nightly. 
  1. Daily activities: The resort offers a wide variety of activities, including daily lava pool parties, lawn games, camp fires, and crafts. There are large signs throughout the resort that display the daily schedule. The resort also features sand volleyball courts, jogging trails, and boat rentals (additional fees apply). 
  1. Beautiful grounds: The Polynesian Village is beautiful- it truly transports guests to the South Pacific. Disney is known for their attention to detail and it shows at the Polynesian. There are also several amenities that adults will appreciate (in addition to what we have mentioned in this post)- see the full list here.
  1. Well appointed rooms: The Polynesian offers a variety of rooms, suites, studios, and bungalows that can fit up to eight people; however, a majority of the rooms and suites are designed for up to five guests. In addition to queen beds, each room has a couch, sitting area, closets, and full bathroom. There is plenty of space to store luggage, hang clothes, and lock valuables in a safe. When we visited (summer 2022) housekeeping services were offered every other day, but guests can call the front desk anytime for additional supplies and toiletries. We stayed in the Rarotonga building and LOVED the close proximity to the Great Ceremonial House on one end of the building (literally 10 steps door to door) and to the  bus pick up depot on the end of the building (literally 12 steps to the path).
  2. Shopping:  Gifts shops in the Great Ceremonial House include Bou Tiki and Moana Mercantile, which sell a wide variety of apparel, jewelry, souvenirs, home decor, snacks, and drinks.

Looking for other adventures at Disney World? See our posts featuring the Contemporary Resort, Disney Springs, and Disney Dining. And follow along on our adventures on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. 

New England based, part high school English teacher, part non profit founder, part road tripper who LOVES hopping in the family SUV to explore America. Our bucket list includes National Parks, MLB stadiums, presidential libraries, and eating wherever the locals eat!

Similar Posts

  • | | | |

    Playing “I Spy” at the Connecticut State Capitol

    Visiting state capitol buildings is one of the first things we do when visiting the capital city. It’s a little ironic that it took our family, who has lived in Connecticut for almost 20 years, this long, but we recently, finally made it to the CT Capitol for a tour.

    Connecticut was founded in 1662 and is known as the Constitution State, as it was the first state to adopt a constitution.  Built in 1878, the Connecticut Capitol building, located in downtown Hartford, was designed by Richard M. Upjohn to replicate a Victorian Gothic style. The building overlooks Bushnell Memorial Park’s 41 acres in the heart of Hartford and was restored in the 1980s to the original colors and design. The addition of the Legislative Office Building (LOB), which opened in 1988, allowed for office space for Connecticut’s 151 Representatives (each representing approximately 25,000 constituents)  and 36 State Senators (each representing approximately 90,000-100,000 constituents). The “LOB” also allows for more public meeting spaces and opportunities for state officials to meet as committees and with public interest groups. The first and second floors of the LOB and the first floor of the Capitol are both open to the public; upper level floors house private offices and chambers and guests must be accompanied by officials. 

  • | | | |

    10 Ways to Explore the Florence Griswold Museum in Lyme, Connecticut

    We enjoy visiting art museums with our children. Some people may think art museums are not an ideal spot to bring children, but there are a whole variety of reasons why you should- read them in this post. We’ve recently been researching local museums in Connecticut and were pleased to see that the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme is open and taking very good steps to honor pandemic restrictions and keep everyone safe and healthy.

    Home to military sea captain Robert Griswold and his family in the middle 1800s until Florence Griswold’s death in 1937, the 12 acre estate includes art galleries, the main mansion, three additional structures with exhibits, an artist trail, gift shop, and seasonal cafe. The Griswold family harvested a large collection of gardens, producing much of the food the family ate, and later served to guests. Griswold inherited the home from her family and began welcoming boarders in 1899 as a way of making money. Up to 18 artists, who became known as the Lyme Art Colony, would stay in the home at one time,. Famous guests include President Woodrow Wilson and his first wife, an aspiring artist. Old Lyme became known as one of the biggest Impressionist art colonies in America, in large part to the Griswold campus. Today, it is open to visitors and welcomes families to explore what life was like for the artists in the early 20th century.

  • | | | | | | |

    Five Things to Do in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Besides Hiking

    I’m saying it from the start: I am not a hiker. Or a camper. I think I like to hike and camp. I think I like being in the wilderness and communing with nature. I think I like to be without technology and modern day conveniences like running water. But when push comes to shove, I like it for about a day.

    So here’s the disclaimer: I spent one day in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I want to be up front: you could spend weeks- months- inside this national park that spans over 500,000 acres across two states (Tennessee and North Carolina). But I know my limitations, and I knew at the start of an almost four week road trip it was going to be a marathon and not a sprint, so I couldn’t get burnt out right away. I researched the Great Smoky Mountains and found the most manageable places to explore that would still give me the sense of accomplishment of hiking/camping/communing with nature. Here’s what I recommend if you want to get a feel for the mountains without camping for days:

  • | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

    Enjoying a New England Fall With Kids Without Looking at Leaves

    I love that I grew up in New England, and recent travels have confirmed I will always be a New Englander. One of my favorite things about living in New England is the change in seasons, and there is (arguably) nothing more beautiful than fall in New England. However, I would argue that it takes a more “mature” desire to spend significant time looking at foliage. I don’t know too many toddlers, children, or teenagers who enjoy going for long drives in the country just to look at leaves. If your children are anything like mine, they like to do things, especially when the weather is still warm enough to be outside for extended periods of time.

    Here is a list of some of my family’s favorite things to do in the Northeast during the fall and links to full, detailed blog post. Yes, you’ll still see plenty of beautiful foliage while traveling to these spots, but your children will be happily engaged, entertained, and energized:

  • | | | |

    The New York Botanical Garden

    The New York Botanical Garden is one of my favorite places to visit. My family lives less than an hour from the Bronx and it’s a pretty drive on the parkways. The 250 acre campus was created in 1891 and has over one million planets, 30,000 trees, and over four million specimens on site. They have dozens of classes, workshops, field trips, family events, summer camps, and even college degrees; the fall 2017 catalog is 55 pages!  There is so.much.to.do for every age and interest; the Saturday morning bird watching walks are especially popular.

    We purchased a family membership four years ago and we visit at least once a season (yes, it is beautiful to visit during the winter!).  The children always enjoy visiting, and the entire campus is stroller friendly (they will ask you to leave stroller outside at some buildings). Plus, they do a nice job of having plenty of clean restrooms spread throughout The Garden. The grounds are accessible by train, local buses, and car- there is a good size parking lot and a garage not too far away. You’ll notice my photos span the past 5 year when we started visiting

  • | | | | | | | |

    New Bedford, Massachusetts

    New Bedford, a small city located in the southeastern part of Massachusetts (about an hour from Boston), is known as the whaling capital of the world, due to the protected deep water harbor of Buzzard’s Bay and ideal transportation routes. Indeed, New Bedford has a rich history in whaling, fishing, and commerce. At its peak in the mid 1850s, New Bedford employed over 300 ships and 10,000 fisherman.

    My family recently took a weekend trip to visit the New Bedford area and were pleasantly surprised by the variety of family friendly activities, even in the “off” winter season. I started my research at DestinationNewBedford.org and found lots of helpful advice.  I printed copies of the Kids Scavenger Hunt for my kids to complete while we were in town, although you can find copies at many local attractions.

6 Comments

  1. you hit everything right on!
    it was outstanding 1st time we took our kids in the early 80s. you spotlight all the great memories and cement the continued opportunities there. I agree. I ver6 high recommendation foe family stay here!!!

    Reply

  2. Next time we will definitely try it. The activities are great for the kids and adults too. It looks like they have gone all out to get the polynesian experience. Love the picures. This year’s Disney visit, as well as our 2016 visit made wonderful memories! I can’t wait to go back.

    Reply

  3. Well I’m convinced, this looks like the perfect spot to stay for a Disney vacation in Florida. Now I’m super excited to plan one. I love that there’s boat shuttles as well as the Monorail for transportation options, and those pools look AWESOME!

    Reply

  4. The grounds look so beautiful. Not to mention all the food. My relatives go to Disney just to check out all the amazing food options.

    Reply

  5. Looks like nice spacious accommodations for a family visiting Disney. The food looks yummy too. In all honesty, I have never been to Disney World.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *