TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

I had a very high level of anticipation for my 4 night stay at the Polynesian Resort. I was taking my sister on a trip to Disney to celebrate her anniversary for 13 years of being cancer free. I booked a water view room almost a year in advance. I was VERY excited to stay at a Disney Deluxe resort. My sister and I arrived about noon from another resort. Since my sister was in a scooter we took a bus to the TTC and walked/scooted. We checked in and waited until about 4:30 for our room. It was a ground floor room facing the Oasis pool but really had a view of a tree. I went back to our previous resort to get our bags thinking I would be helped by bell services when I arrived (I took a Lyft). It was torrentially raining when I arrived only to be met with “well, we’re really short on carts so let me see if I can find a friend to help me get a cart” and was left at the curb to unload 2 people’s worth of bags with my Lyft driver (who was actually super helpful). I paid $1,000/night for this Deluxe experience to unload my own bags and have a “water view” of a tree (I did receive a $100 resort credit for the luggage fiasco). Would I stay here again? No. Would I pay the extra for a water view? No - not knowing my water view would be the view I got. I had a great time with my sister, but the special treat of staying at the Polynesian turned out to be anything but.

I didn’t actually stay at the resort but went there for breakfast. When I arrived at 7 am, the officer at the gate to their parking lot refused me entry when I told him I didn’t have a breakfast reservation, but would be a walk up when they opened at 7:30. I was made to leave, and had to pay $35.00 to park with thousands of other cars at the main Magic Kingdom parking lot, then walk to the resort for breakfast. (I know, I should have just eaten elsewhere). As I walked up to the resort I saw that easily half of the parking spots there were empty. With the restaurant open to everyone, whether a resort guest or not, I shouldn’t have had to find expensive parking elsewhere. Very unreasonable.

Overall this is a fun resort with lots of great theming, and amazing transportation to the Magic Kingdom via monorail or boat. We also enjoyed the poolside food and beverage service. One big warning: the Moorea building is very close to the ferry dock of the Ticket and Transportation Center. Ferry horns will be part of your experience from very early in the morning to very late at night, roughly every ten minutes. While the room we were in was very nice, the noise pretty much ruined our one-night stay, as we were out for a late night in the Magic Kingdom, and then wanted to sleep in. If we were there for a longer stay, we definitely would've asked to move to a different building.

We stayed at the resort for five nights in early October, largely on the recommendation from many people. We did not have a disastrous experience by any means, but we were not overly impressed based on the price they charge for rooms. If we visited Disney again, we would select a less costly option and don't think we would need to sacrifice much in doing so. Some of the benefits are documented in other reviews (access to monorail, etc.). On the negative side, we were surprised that you only get cleaning service for your room every other day (even Motel 6 cleans your room everyday). Our room was on the ground floor facing a crowded walkway and so we had to leave our shades closed all day or else be a fishbowl. The resort is very busy/crowded, but I view that more as something to be expected on a Disney trip. I inadvertently left a jacket in the closet of our room when we left (which is my fault) and realized I forgot it on the way to the airport. What I found frustrating was there was no way to contact the hotel to try to report it (they have no phone, email, etc.). The only option was to submit a generic "lost item" request to Disney itself (no different than if you lost something at one of the parks). Not surprisingly, the response received was they were unable to find it. So to the hotel employee who claimed the jacket for themselves, you are welcome! Overall, it was very expensive for what you get and has pretty average service. You'd be better served by saving some money and staying elsewhere.

I found this resort very overpriced for what is provided. The service was good, Disney friendly, clean, all of that was fine. My issue is with the food and drink offering. Firstly it’s nearly impossible to find any fresh, healthy food or snacks, I was shocked that in this day and age the food was overpriced and not even good quality. Why there isn’t a sushi bar or poke bar or place to get Hawaiian bbq is beyond me. That would be an easy thing to setup on an outdoor grill by the pool. Capt Cooks is seriously dated and not in a good way. The food was awful. Just like fast food- and Kona cafe breakfast was a rip off too. Basically you are getting Denny’s- for more money- and it’s the same food they are serving at capt cooks. I wanted to visit the tiki bar which looked super fun but there was no space- not their fault. Run to the new restaurant in the “towers” that was really good. Also you have to work hard to find a water bottle filling station or pay $5 for Dasani. I feel by the ice machine in each building there should be a filtered water station. Its water! The tap is awful tasting. The wine program needs help too… not enough variety of whites and roses. The location is great! Being on the monorail was amazing and close to magic kingdom. The pools were fine- the main pool was an absolute zoo the day we went- no chairs open- and people crammed into the spaces. There are two other pools that are quieter. Still, I was expecting a main pool more refined and unique. The grounds and landscape are very nice and cared for. We would not return. You can stay at the ritz for these prices