How does the Polynesian rank among Disney’s Deluxe Resorts?
In the 1990s, the surviving members of the legendary rock band The Beatles got together for the Anthology. The documentary, a career-spanning retrospective that included some key members of the larger Beatles family.
The discussion reached the White Album, a two disc set bolstered by the many songs written during their retreat in India. And the debate was whether the double album was too big or bloated.
Back and forth it went.
Then, finally and emphatically, they cut to Paul McCartney.
“It’s great. It sold. It’s the bloody Beatles White Album, shut up,” he said with a dismissive wave.
I think of that quote whenever I hear someone nitpicking Disney’s Polynesian Resort.
It’s aging.
It lacks this.
It lacks that.
It’s not as good as (fill in the blank).
And there I am, dismissive wave at the read.
“It’s great. It sells. It’s the bloody Polynesian,” I say, omitting the “shut up”, because I don’t want to be rude. But yeah, shut up.
The Beatles reference is particular humorous here considering the Polynesian is where John Lennon signed the dissolution papers officially breaking up the band, but that’s a story for another day.
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What is the Polynesian resort?
One of Disney’s premier Deluxe resorts, and one of the original resorts on property. Opening with the Magic Kingdom on October 1, 1971, the Polynesian, the Contemporary, and Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground were there for guests on the first day.
The resort – which has expanded thrice over the years – came at the tail end of the national tiki craze. Dating back to the early 1930’s the national obsession with Tiki culture – using elements from oceanic cultures from around the world – peaked in the 1950s and into the 1960s. The obsession was still popular enough as Disney was in its planning process that Disney – which had the Enchanted Tiki Room in California already – wanted more Tiki culture in Orlando.
Today, the Poly celebrates the spirit of the South Pacific with its Island Tower, villas and bungalows. As a monorail resort, the famous conveyance stops just a few steps from the Poly lobby and can spirit you to the Magic Kingdom in minutes. You can also glide to EPCOT, but you have to change trains at the Transportation and Ticket center.
The resort features multiple options for dining and/or drinks. It is one of the best destinations for the famous Dole Whip, and the slightly less famous but insanely tasty POG juice.
The resort is home to the Lava Pool, one of the best pools in Disney, and frankly, all of Orlando, plus a couple of other pools and a kids area.
Fireworks views from the resort’s rooms are available as are views of Bay Lake. You can also watch Magic Kingdom fireworks from the beach, but if you really want the best fireworks view from outside the park, the Contemporary is the move.
The theming inside the resort, especially the lobby, is impeccable. IMPECCABLE. I would stay in the lobby with its comfy chairs if they’d let me.
It may be that I’m partial to the Polynesian vibes, but I find just setting foot in this resort incredibly refreshing.
People nitpick the Poly?
Yes and the non-McCartney part of me gets it. When you spend in excess of $500, $600 or $700 it comes with expectations. For some people, those expectations are set at perfection and anything less is unacceptable.
What are the most frequent nitpicks? It is an aging resort and despite renovations and additions, you can find places where the hotels’ 55 years are apparent.
Does this bother me? No. But usually by the time I see anything like that I’ve already had a couple of boozy Dole Whips and can’t be bothered.
They also point to the in-resort dining and see decline, especially in Ohana, the premier restaurant on site and formerly one of the top character dining experiences on property.
Has it been surpassed by newer experiences? Yes. Is Disney saving money on the buffet and/or family dining across the park? Probably.
Is the POG juice still fantastic? Reader, it is.
Ohana
In the morning, it’s character dining with Lilo and Stich, Mickey, and Pluto. Though, it’s important to remember that characters are subject to change. Part of the reason we like this one – and we prefer to character dine at the resorts – is that Lilo is a fairly rare character. Also, our youngest is Stitch obsessed. But while I’ve found some complaints with the breakfast, we’ve never had an issue.
It’s an American style breakfast with Polynesian influences. You’re getting scrambled eggs, potatoes, Mickey and Stitch waffles, ham with pineapple, and more. There are allergy friendly options – our middle child is allergic to beef and eggs – and Disney accommodated him easily.
You also get the aforementioned POG juice – pineapple, orange, and guava – and the pineapple-coconut breakfast bread.
The meet and greet experience is about the same as at any restaurant. The characters come around, visit each table and pose for pictures and such. At our last visit, there was a hiccup with Stitch who missed our table in the rotation. The attendants solved it quickly and while we got a little less time than normal, it remained all good.
The dinner at Ohana is not a character meal, but it offers tasty Hawaiian flavors.
Both meals are prix fixe and are all-you-care-to enjoy. It’s $53 for adults and breakfast and $33 for kids 3 to 9. Dinner is $67 and $44, respectively.
The dinner meal comes with a salad, signature Ohana Bread (good), and the famous Ohana Bread Pudding (great).
Your skillet – unless you have special dietary requirements – includes pork dumplings, peel and eat shrimp, wood-fire grilled teriyaki beef, and the also famous Ohana Noodles with Teriyaki. Please, don’t fill up on the bread.
And while it would be hard to justify paying $44 a head for small children, it’s a pretty great night out for families with older kids and young adults.
Other dining options
Pineapple Lanai serves pineapple Dole Whip. You can get it with a vanilla swirl, in a float or get boozy with it. I’m convinced the Dole Whip with rum floater is one of the reasons they don’t let me sleep in the lobby.
Capt. Cook’s is your base price-level Disney resort quick service spot for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It does have interesting flavors.
You’ve got five bars including multiple pool bars and both Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto and Tiki Terrace.
The other top dining spot, right next to Ohana, is the Kona Café serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Disney site says this spot – with pricing ranging from $15-$35 – infuses traditional American meals with Asian zest, and they have sushi.
Appetizers include pot stickers and bao buns. The sushi options are fairly traditional for those used to Americanized sushi. But they are fresh and excellently prepared.
In addition to poke and dashi bowls, entrees include stir-fry options, ribs, braised pork shank, and Char siu duck.
Where does the Polynesian rank among Disney’s Deluxe resorts?
It’s an unanswerable question, really. For me, it’s right at the top with Wilderness Lodge.
Some people prefer the vibes and location at the Yacht Club or views at Animal Kingdom Lodge. You’ll even hear some stump for the Grand Floridian.
Given an unlimited budget and time, I’d stay at them all. But given one chance to pick, it’s flip a coin between the Polynesian and Wilderness lodge.
Is the Polynesian worth it?
We get asked questions like this a lot, and the honest answer is depends entirely on your budget and how much of it you’re willing to spend at the resort.
For our family, a deluxe resort stay can double the price of the trip. Sometimes it can more than double it. And while I enjoy splurging on some of the finer things, I have done many vacations in the moderate or value resorts. We have enjoyed every bit of those vacations as well.
If a stay at the Poly is within your budget, than yes, it absolutely is worth it. If not, don’t force it. Get a meal in the Poly and enjoy the theming, and then take the monorail back to Magic Kingdom and take a bus back to your Disney resort and your Disney vacation will still be simply fine.
Is it worth it? Yes. But it isn’t essential to a successful Disney experience.
