[CaraMia]

We just got back from our first stay at the Poynesian Resort. On a scale of one to ten, I would say it was a 5 or 6. I have wanted to stay there since I was three years old. I think my expectations just were too high. Don't get me wrong...the room size was fantastic, the daybed was comfortable and a perfect size for my 6 yr old, the room was clean, the beds/pillows were comfy, and the Samoa building was a perfect location on the property. We were on the second floor and our room had a partial pool/lagoon view. We did not have a balcony but that was not a big deal. Kona's was good. We had one dinner and one breakfest there. We tried for Ohana's but it was booked solid. We were going to try to get there when it opened for dinner and get a table as a walk-in but we had gone to France for lunch and just were not hungry for a big dinner that night. The castmembers were all very nice and the grounds were well kept. Mousekeeping was good. We left a note saying we were having my parents join us for two nights and we needed two more blankets and extra towels. They left enough towels for probably 8 people...lol But no towel animals : (


The things that we were disappointed with...

(1) Food selection at Capt Hook's - food was good but the lunch and dinner menu were the same. At the moderates and even at AKL there were alot more selections to choose from at the counter service areas. And the kids juice boxes were not in the market fridge. If you didnt know to ask for it, you would never know they offered it. They keep it behind the counter where the food pick-up is. Alot of times it is hard to even get someone's attention to ask for it. When we did though they were very nice and accomodating.
(2) Temperature of the pool - we happen to be there rainy two days. We live in Florida and understand that rain water makes the pool chilly. And not having any sun didnt help. However, we thought it would be heated enough that made it comfortable to still swim. The water felt like in was in the low 70s. To us, that is cold. My ds swam for about 20 minutes and then had to get out. It was just too cold for him.

(3) The bus service - Monorail was great! Bus service not so great. It took about 20 minutes to get the bus to MgM. We had to wait 35 minutes to get the bus to get back to the Poly. To go to downtown disney we had to wait 40 minutes, then it took 45 MINUTES to get there. We were unaware that the bus had to stop at the Grand, and then Typhoon lagoon, and then the driver took a route that just took forever! We swore he was lost. Then at 9pm we got a bus to get back to the Poly. It took 45 minutes again to get back. It stopped at the Grand, the Contemporary and typhoon lagoon. I just think that if you are paying almost $300 or more a night, a perk should be faster bus service. They should have more buses running . 45 minutes is ridiculous.

Overall, we did like the Polynesian Resort but we didn't LOVE it like we thought we would. I honestly think that a deluxe resort should just have more perks for their guests. I really am not sure whether we will stay at the Poly again. We liked the AKL more I think. We still have two more resorts that we really want to try...the WL, and the Beach Club. Maybe one of those will appeal to us more. And if not, we always have the AKL.

[Dopey]

Oh no, I am sorry to hear that it wasn't all you thought it should be. But like you said, there are other resorts that you have experienced and loved.
How were the parks, will you be writing a trip report?

[Monique]

I'm sorry to hear that your Poly stay was not quite up to par. I've wanted to stay there for a while but something just keeps me from actually doing it. I agree that the deluxe resorts should have much more to offer and from what I've seen with their counter service locations as opposed to the ones at the values, we much prefer the values.

Well, at least now you know better.

[Dana]

I know what you mean. I did the love the overall theme and rooms of the Polynesian, but really didn't think it was worth all the money I paid. The bus service was horrible.

[Val32]

Iam sorry you didnt enjoy your stay as much.
I have to agree on the temp of the pool. We were there in Dec and it was chilly and we thought the pool was "heated" and it sure didn't feel like it.

I had no problems with the food court, it is what it is and that's why we prefer sit down meals.

I hate taking the busses, and this was the only trip that I did do that. The wait was long for MGM but AK was no problems. Unfortunately no matter where you stay you have to deal with the bus routes but with some hotels, it IS better than others, as so Ive heard. I prefer to rent a car but didn't feel it necessary staying at a monorail resort so I just dealt with it for the 5 days.
Other than that, we have a very good time at the Poly and wish our stay was longer than the short 5 days there.

[keljen]

Sorry to hear that the Poly didn't meet your exportations but as you said sometimes you build something up so much in your mind it never meets that level. We didn't have the trouble with the busses when we were there and as we usually go in December we don't usually go to the pools except to just look at them.

[PhilliesFan]

Originally Posted by keljen

Sorry to hear that the Poly didn't meet your exportations but as you said sometimes you build something up so much in your mind it never meets that level. We didn't have the trouble with the busses when we were there and as we usually go in December we don't usually go to the pools except to just look at them.

I agree. From reading these threads, it seems that many people do build things up and then are disappointed once they get there.

Sorry to read too that you didn't have a great experience at the Polynesian. Personally I love it and our experience level has always been a 10. The wonderful thing about WDW is that there are so many resorts to choose from, so everyone is happy.

[allirella]

Welcome back. Sorry that you weren't 100% pleased with the Poly. Thanks for the insight.

[MickeyMcFizzle]

I've always wanted to stay there as well, but suspected it wouldn't be worth all the money. Thanks for the insight.

Are you doing a TR?

[llama]

Thanks for your report. I've found that the bus service at the deluxe resorts is notoriously slow. We encountered the same sort of situation at both the Boardwalk and the Beach Club. I found it very frustrating. I've never stayed at the Poly - I love the ambience of the lobby and we love Kona Cafe, but that's enough for us.

[cowanfamily]

This makes me happy to have booked at the POP - it has dedicated buses, and $100s less per night.

Sorry your trip wasnt great...others have reported slow buses....

Please post a Trip Report....:

[TigTig]

That's so disappointing!!! We've wanted to stay there for years, and this coming February, we have booked it for my husband's birthday trip. We are so excited- but it's sad to hear such a report. We've always stayed at moderate resorts, and are indifferent on the busses. They are convenient to have, but they certainly take forever to get there. At the very least we'll have speedy service to two of the parks, with the monorail being so easy.

There's no way I'll be able to talk my husband out of staying there (not that I'd try- being his big day and all). Has anyone had a positive stay there???

[lisalovesmickey]

That is disappointing. I am sorry about your experience.

At least your trip was not so bad that you will never go back to WDW. I am sure you have learned from your experience and will not build up your expectations of the next resort!

Lisa

[dixie]

I was sorry to hear it didnt quite match your expectations- thanks for the insight though.

[cjd606]

TigTig,
We stayed there back in 2006, and don't regret it for a moment! We had a wonderful stay!! We didn't thenk the buses were too slow. I do think it depends on which park you are going to. I do recall our buses were combined with the Grand but no one else.

I am sorry to hear you had lousy bus service. That seems to be Disney's downfall right now. We were down at Christmas stayed at CB and their bus service was not the greatest. Sometime it's just timing, in that the bus you wanted just left a few mnutes before you arrived.
I do wish that all the deluxe resorts would each have it's own bus for just that resort. For all that you are paying to stay there, it seems like they should be given that persk too!!