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Have you ever stayed at the Polynesian resort at Disney World? If so, what did you think of it and would you stay there again? If you haven't stayed at the Polynesian, would you want to or do you prefer other resorts on the property? Apart from staying there, do you recommend visiting the Polynesian for restaurants or for other reasons?

Answers posted to the list:

We stayed there in 2002 during their renovations which were hardly noticeable. We had a quiet room in one of the side buildings facing the Luau (which never bothered us). Absolutely wonderful! The beach was the best thing. That is the only place we watched the fireworks from and the Electric Water Pageant. I also very much enjoy being driven to my room with our luggage in one of the carts. We didn't have that at the medium level resort we stayed at before.

Laura

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I have never stayed at the Poly, however, we love to have breakfast at the Kona Cafe for their infamous Tonga Toast-YUMMY!!!!!

Tracey

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We stayed there 2 years ago for our anniversary. We stayed in concierge. My DH and I really liked it. Concierge was wonderful. We also love the Kona Cafe me for the Tonga Toast and both of us for the coffee. We also like O'Hana. Our son enjoys the games and the food is quite good.

Cora

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DH and I had scheduled a Disney Cruise which had been scheduled for early October after 9/11. I was very uneasy about going, but had used DVC points for the cruise and had to use them or lose them. We cancelled our cruise and found that by staying 10 days at the Poly, we used just about all the points we had used for the cruise. Needless to say, I jumped at the chance. A stay at the Poly had long been a dream of mine. We were very excited about the whole trip and checked in with great anticipation. We had booked a Lagoon View room, but one was not available when we arrived. A very helpful CM did some maneuvering and ultimately we got one at Aoteria (sp!!). We opened the door and the stale smell of must or mildew was very strong. We DID have a great location - we could hear Haunted Mansion, the train whistle, see the evening water parade from our balcony.

We were kinda near the main buildings. It all sounds heavenly, I know, but I would probably not stay there again. The rooms were old and in need of upgrading. They were dark and not very inviting. We liked O'Hana and the Kona Cafe was ok. The best part was the monorail, but getting to other parks off the monorail required a lot a patience and waiting both in the parks and at the resort.

Staff was great - CM's very helpful. Theming was out-of-this-world. But would we do it again - probably not. We bought into Disney Vacation Club that trip -Boardwalk Villas - and we just love BWV. The rooms are a light as the Poly was dark, we like being able to walk to two parks, we love the fact that you can see Illuminations from our balcony, we love the nightlife there. You can have the Poly, give me BWV any day!!

PTSMickey

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We have never stayed at the Polynesian, but we do really like it anyway. We like the atmosphere, the beach out back with the hammocks and the enclosures for getting the sun. Also the view is great across the water seeing the castle, being able to catch the boats over there, and the water parade at night. Also, you can hear the luau's going on so you can either go to one or hear it and it always sounds beautiful to me. They grow gardenias, hibiscus and other exotic, fragrant flowers in the gardens along the paths to enjoy by day, and by night, I love the pathways leading everywhere all lit up by the torches. We like the atmosphere inside the lobby and we sit around in there sometimes waiting to be called into O'Hanas or Kona. There always seems to be something nice going on in there. I can even remember when they used to have parrots and mccaws flying around in the tropical garden on the first floor! We used to look over the glass enclosure (what's the word) down into there and watch them. I would recommend O'Hana's, we really like it, and even the (my memory tonight isn't great) Kona Cafe? is a pretty nice place to eat. My daughter goes into the gift shops an we look in the clothes stores sometimes too, while there. When we are in Disney, however, with our family consisting of 2 adults, 2 teens and a sometimes there 20 year old, we just don't do well in hotel rooms, unless we have 2. We like Old Key West and since we are DVC, we try our best to stay there each time, the whole time. But resort hopping for the afternoon or evening is a fun thing we enjoy.

Kathy

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We stayed at the Polynesian on our first trip to WDW. Before we got there, we must have changed our resort three or four times. We brought our two nieces with us, so we were five and needed either a delux or two values or moderates (unless we got Dixie Landings. We finally decided on the Polynesian and got a Lagoon View in the Moorea Bldg (now Tahiti). The kids loved it and so did we. We joined DVC on that trip, so we were able to use part of our stay at the Polynesian towards our downpayment. I didn't care much for Kona Cafe (can't remember the old name, but I didn't like it then either). We've done 'Ohana, but I wasn't that crazy about it for dinner (very noisy and busy). We did Mickey's Luau on that first trip - the food was terrible, but the show was fun. The seating was terrible, even though we had a decent view of the stage area. Those chairs are very uncomfortable.

Since then, we have stayed at many resorts including the Grand Floridian. We took up walking and running, so the distance from the GF through the PR and over to TTC is a nice jaunt.

We'd probably stay there again, but I'd avoid the restaurants. Capt Cook's wasn't too bad.

Deborah

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I stayed at the Poly for my 15th b-day present (in 1975!). It was nice then, but I think now it's too expensive for my budget. It was nice to walk to the TTC and having the monorail run through.

Ana

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Stayed at the Polynesian like 4 or 5 years ago. It was good for the trip we went on, partly because it was free. The room was nice and there was some touch of the pixie dust to it, but I have stayed at nicer or more enchanting places on the property. Beach Club comes to mind actually. Ohana's was very good for breakfast every morning, as was the coffee house place there (name is slipping me).

Chris

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The Polynesian was nice and convenient, although we did use the car for MGM and Animal Kingdom because we could. We ended up in the Samoa building, which is probably the most convenient location for folks with small kids, because it is close to the main building to catch the Magic Kingdom monorail, the pools were right out the door literally, and it was a tolerable walk over to the TTC to get the Epcot monorial (but we took the resort monorial on the way home since we were the next stop and usually quite tired of walking). The room was on the ground floor, but was very quiet and we only had to endure one night of children violently stomping and running overhead. Best places we ate: California Grill & Garden Grill. Least favorite: Kona Cafe in the hotel (very slow service and some mild food poisoning).

Bryan

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I've stayed there for the first time last Oct. and thoroughly enjoyed it. I had heard that it was getting old and tired but it seems that since they have remodeled the rooms (which they are almost done with) it seems very very nice. I loved the atmosphere. I would definitely stay there again. I have also eaten at Ohanas and Kona Cafe. I ate at KC for breakfast and two words say it all - TONGA TOAST! Very yummy and of course ya gotta get Kona Coffee. Ohanas for dinner was also very enjoyable. We had a window table with a view of Cindy's castle so we were able to watch the good night kiss. And that was extra special cuz it was the first time my friends had ever been to WDW.

The beach is nice to sit on at night and watch the Electrical Pageant. I could hear the music from the luau when I sat out on my balcony. All the great flowers and plants. Great pathways to just wander around on. It was great to take the launce to MK. And renting a Water Mouse was a blast!

Pam

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