Disney's Polynesian Resort

Disney's Polynesian Resort was one of the original hotels built at the Walt Disney World Resort (the others being the Contemporary Resort and Fort Wilderness Campground) and is only a short monorail ride from the Magic Kingdom.

Rating: 3.5 stars
Rooms: 853 rooms & suites
Rates: from $355 to $900 Check rates

Address: 1600 Seven Seas Drive, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Area: Magic Kingdom Resort
Nearest airport: Orlando International (MCO)
Map: Click to view

The Polynesian sits on the white sandy beaches of the Seven Seas Lagoon and you can use the ferry services or monorail to access the rest of the parks.

A rolling renovation program took place during 2005/2006.

Disney's Polynesian Resort evokes memories of a lush tropical South Seas paradise with its landscaped gardens full of orchids, bananas, hibiscus, gardenias, bromeliads and swaying palm trees.

Colorful ducks and ibis roam the grounds and at night, the resort is lit by torches complete with Hawaiian music.

The buildings consist of a series of two and three-storey longhouses; there are eleven in total and each is named after a well known tropical island like Fiji, Hawaii, Tonga, Samosa and Tahiti.

They are all clustered around the main Great Ceremonial Longhouse all styled on the A-frame shaped Polynesian longhouse.

When you enter the vast lobby with its cooling rock waterfall, you feel like you have stepped into a tropical rain forest with free-flying brightly colored tropical Macaws perched in the branches overhead. To add to the South Seas ambience, you will be greated with a traditional lei welcome.

Many of the guest rooms have patios or balconies and all are decorated in tropical colors with wicker and bamboo furniture and marble floored bathrooms.

Disney's Polynesian Resort is great place to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks; especially from one of the white sandy beaches, relaxing in a hammock, swing or cabana.

Rooms/Suites

The Polynesian Resort has some the largest rooms in the whole of the Walt Disney World Resort.

Standard rooms will sleep 5 (plus a baby in a crib) on two queen beds and a day bed (some rooms are available with a king sized bed instead).

With the standard rooms, there are three views; Garden View overlooking the beautiful tropical gardens, Lagoon View overlooking the Seven Seas Lagoon or Magic Kingdom view with views of the Magic Kingdom theme park and Cinderella's Castle.

There are also suites sleeping up to 9 people available in the small Tonga longhouse; one bedroom with separate sitting area (sleeps 5), two bedroom (Princess) with separate sitting area and 2 baths (sleeps 9) or two bedroom (King Kamehameha) split over two floors with 3 1/2 baths plus kitchen (sleeps 6).

Dining

The 'Ohana restaurant (meaning family) is open for breakfast and dinner each day and is situated on the second floor of the Great Ceremonial Longhouse. At breakfast time you can enjoy the 'Ohana Character Dining with Lilo & Stitch.

In the evening, the 'Ohana provides a family-style all-you-can-eat Polynesian feast with the food cooked over an amazing 18 foot long open fire pit in the center of the restaurant. The menus have a Hawaiian flavor to them with appetizers, grilled meat and seafood specialties.

The Kona Cafe is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and serves American-style breakfasts followed by more Asian-styled lunches and dinners. Don't miss Auntie Kaui's Tonga Toast for breakfast.

As its name suggests, the Kona Cafe also brew a great cup of Kona coffee. It is also situated on the second floor of the Great Ceremonial Longhouse.

If all you want is a snack, then there is always Captain Cook's Snack and Ice Cream Company, an all-day food court serving sandwiches, burgers, pizzas, salads, drinks and novelty ice creams. It is on the first floor of the Great Ceremonial Longhouse and you can also purchase refillable Disney mugs here.

Recreation

Just outside the 'Ohana restaurant is the Tambu Cocktail Lounge which serves drinks.

The Polynesian Resort has two heated swimming pools. The main pool, the Nanea (meaning tranquil) Volcano Slide Pool features a sandy bottom, waterfalls, grotto caves and a slide plus a 24-hour children's wet playground area. The nearby Barefoot Pool Bar (seasonal opening) serves drinks and snacks.

There is also a smaller children's pool and a spa (Jacuzzi/hot tub).

You can rent a Pontoon Boat, a Canopy Boat or Sea Raycer by Sea Ray from the Marina. Disney also offer specialty cruises on the Seven Seas Lagoon.

You can just lie on the beach, play volleyball, go fishing (catch and release only) or walk the scenic 1 mile path to the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa where you will find a fitness center (the Polynesian Resort does not have its own fitness center).

You can watch the Electric Water Pageant that circles the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay from one of the beaches.

The Never Land Club offers childcare for children aged 4 to 12 years and is themed after Peter Pan. Kids can play computer games, watch Disney Movies and play other supervised activities plus dinner and snacks.

Next door is the Moana Mickey's Fun Hut and Arcade where the children can play video games.

At the Polynesian Resort Luau Cove there are outdoor Catholic Masses and Protestant services every Sunday.

Amenities

The Polynesian Resort offers a host of amenities including:

• room service (including pizza delivery)
• concierge service
• rooms and facilities for guests with disabilities
• free parking, valet parking (charge applicable)
• minibar, iron and ironing board, wall safe
• coffee maker and microwave (available on request)
• refrigerator (available on request)
• TV with Disney Channel and ESPN
• babysitting and childcare services, Pak-n-Play Crib available
• laundry facilities/services (coin operated)
• bath robes and hair dryer
• voice mail, wireless internet access (surcharge for high-speed access)
• plus a number of shops; Maui Mickey's for Disney Character fashions, Polynesian Princess for women's resort fashions, Robinson Crusoe Esq. for casual menswear, Samoa Snacks selling housewares, sodas, liquor, wine, beer and snacks, Trader Jack's for souvenirs and News from Civilization for newspapers, books, snacks and gifts