[gcbdad]

I've read allot of posts with people talking about how much they love the Polynesian Resort. We like it but are not in love with it. We stayed there one night a few years ago and although the location is great, we thought it was just okay. I'm wondering what the love is?
Is it the tropical decor? Living in Florida, I am not that impressed with the tropics.
Is it just the location?
Is it the restaurants?
Did we just not stay there long enough?

If I am totally off base here, please someone show me the light.

[trilliumB]

Originally Posted by gcbdad

Living in Florida, I am not that impressed with the tropics.
Is it just the location?

I bet that's part of it -- we stayed at POR Alligator Bayou last year, but I quickly realized that it just looked like Savannah to me (where I'd lived for 2 years), so the theming didn't do anything for me, nothing exotic about it to my eyes; it didn't even really register as theming. The building area just looked like one of those endless 2-story apartment complexes that they have in the Savannah area. Oops! I didn't really expect to feel like I was back in grad school (reminded of all the stress) when on vacation at Disney.

[MerlinMatt]

I'm real interested to hear some responses on this. I've never stayed at the Poly and for our December trip, we're planning on splitting it between multiple resorts with 2-3 days at a value, 2 days at either the Poly, the Contemp. or YC/BC and then 1 night at GF.
I'd really like to hear about the Poly, particularly in comparison to the Contemporary.

[tinkerbell]

Originally Posted by trilliumB

I bet that's part of it -- we stayed at POR Alligator Bayou last year, but I quickly realized that it just looked like Savannah to me (where I'd lived for 2 years), so the theming didn't do anything for me, nothing exotic about it to my eyes; it didn't even really register as theming. The building area just looked like one of those endless 2-story apartment complexes that they have in the Savannah area. Oops! I didn't really expect to feel like I was back in grad school (reminded of all the stress) when on vacation at Disney.

lol just why we are not in love with POR or PO .. we live in the south.

Why do we love the Poly, the theme is a huge part of it. The location, the restaurants, and it was so Kid friendly when we stayed there. for example when we got the tour after the check in ..the tour was actually given to the girls :) All the CM's seemed to be extra kid friendly. My DH said its just so pretty thats what he loved about it. and of course it being a monorail resort

[ARIEL]

ill always have a soft spot for the POLY as it was where my DH and I had our honeymoon. Up until a couple of years back I was in total awe of the POLY's decor and the whole ambiance of it all, but then we stayed at the WL. My goodness, now THAT is an impressive building!!
I think the fact that the POLY is on the monorail line, is a great bonus and I also admit that i am in love with Ohanas but since staying at WL I think my 'in love ' attitude with the POLY has dwindlled slightly.

[mickaholic4077]

I plan to make a weekend out of staying at the Poly when I am finally "small enough" to take the Segway tour of Epcot. I am aiming for January 2006,so I don't stress myself out too much between now and then. I love walking through the great Ceremonial House and watching all the people walk around. Wasn't too impressed with Ohana's(dinner). I still want to try the Tonga Toast at Kona Cafe.

[dznygrl]

Maybe it's just coming from the Pacific Northwest, but the Poly theme appeals to me SO MUCH. And out of all the resorts I've visited, I still feel it holds the most magic. It's just a very warm and welcoming feel to me.

[llama]

Originally Posted by trilliumB

I bet that's part of it -- we stayed at POR Alligator Bayou last year, but I quickly realized that it just looked like Savannah to me (where I'd lived for 2 years), so the theming didn't do anything for me, nothing exotic about it to my eyes; it didn't even really register as theming. The building area just looked like one of those endless 2-story apartment complexes that they have in the Savannah area. Oops! I didn't really expect to feel like I was back in grad school (reminded of all the stress) when on vacation at Disney.

I think this is true and enters into a lot of people's feelings about a resort. I'm that way about Wilderness Lodge. Yes, it's beautiful, but lodges and wilderness like that are not a novelty to me, so I really can't get too excited about it. On the other hand, I have never stayed at the Poly, but I would LOVE to. There's something about the atmosphere there when I walk in - maybe it's the exotic tropical theme. It just seems so laid back and welcoming. Maybe it's because I love O'hanas. Don't know. Maybe someday I'll get a chance to stay there, but being DVC members, I doubt it.

[EmpressJenny]

Hahaha, that's the same reason I don't want to stay at WL. Because I live in the Poconos in Pennsylvania, it just doesn't impress me! I wanna stay at the Poly because of the monorail access. Contemporary just looks like a big cement block and I've already done the Floridian.

[phayes93]

I love the location of the Poly. We have never stayed there, but definitely plan on doing so sometime. We have been there many times to eat and for the Luau. I think being on the monorail line is what appeals to me the most, actually.

[Metalfan]

The Poly is in a great location and the atmosphere is nice. Most people consider it the most themed of the resorts. There are a bunch of different reasons. Living in Florida I agree that the tropics don't really impress me, but it is nice.

[tinkerbell]

are palm trees native to florida? .. I havent seen all of florida ..but driving to get to WDW .. all them dang pine trees, it resembles north east texas.
another thing about the poly .. I remember when we stayed there .. there was just this very layed back, relaxed feeling .. its the one resort we have stayed in that we did spend more time actually at the resort.

[Metalfan]

I agree with Tink about the atmosphere...it's VERY relaxed and calming. At least when I've been there it has been. Thats a plus if you like that type of thing. I'm more the type that likes to see people walking aorund and having fun at the resort.

[Dana]

This thread took my attention and I am anxiously waiting to hear what everyone has to say on this. I chose the Polly for my next trip becasue I just fell in love with it on sight. I have always admired it, but truely got hooked in when I went to O'hanna's for dinner last trip. It's so laid back and filled with Disney magic to me. Maybe it has to do with living in a Jersey suberb with no paradise anywhere to be found. The tropics always make me think of paradise and relaxation.....far stretch from traffic, slow drivers and shopping malls. I guess we all have our opinion of what a paradise is and that is what draws us to the resorts we like. The WL and AKL were awesome to me becasue there is nothing like that around here. The AS's (music and movies) were great too, but didn't leave me in the awe that the other two did. I can't wait to read more opinions of this resort.

[ZarSu]

We spent 2 weeks at Poly last year and loved it. The fact that you have 3 choices of transportation, monorail, bus and boat, Ohana’s, Kona, the landscaping, and the views. It is so nice to have dinner at Ohana’s and either watch the MK fireworks while eating or even better is watching them from the beach. Next time we are going to either the Wilderness lodge or Wilderness lodge cabins for 3 weeks.