Polynesian Village Resort is a deluxe lodge at Walt Disney World themed to retro tiki tradition and the South Pacific, with monorail entry to Magic Kingdom. This evaluate options room photographs, ideas on the facilities, and whether or not this costly resort is definitely worth the cash. (Up to date February 5, 2025.)
We’ll begin with a number of updates. The excellent news is that Walt Disney World has completed development of the brand new Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. This large Disney Trip Membership addition is situated on the perimeter of the resort, and is technically a part of the Polynesian (therefore the title), however is nothing just like the legacy resort. It fairly actually towers over the longhouses.
The Island Tower has its professionals and cons, however because it’s a DVC resort, we’re not going to deal with most of these on this evaluate. All you want to know for those who’re contemplating a keep on the lodge facet of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort (or the Poly because it’s recognized by followers) is that the Island Tower provides a number of rooms to the already crowded resort with out including many facilities.
Particularly throughout busy seasons, anticipate extra congestion alongside the seashores for fireworks, within the Nice Ceremonial Home through the dinner rush, and when attempting to make use of the resort monorail throughout peak instances round park opening and shutting. On the plus facet, Wailulu Bar & Grill alongside the waterfront within the Island Tower is a good informal place to eat dinner round sundown or through the fireworks.
Now that the Island Tower is open, the majority of the multi-year development tasks on the Poly is now accomplished. The one factor that continues to be ongoing is street work. This consists of the World Drive North mission, relocation of the Polynesian’s foremost entrance, and creation of a roundabout connecting roads. Walt Disney World hasn’t formally introduced any of this, but it surely’s supported by a number of development permits.
So for those who’re questioning why there’s a “Please Pardon Our Pixie Mud” message on the official Walt Disney World web site for the Polynesian, that’s why. The message is actually a bit odd, and incorporates outdated information concerning the “proposed growth” of the resort. That was for Island Tower, which is now open. To the most effective of our information, the work that’ll final by means of 2026 is all associated to roads and the doorway, and is going on on the far facet of the parking zone–there’s no impression to the visitor expertise.
It’s actually odd that Disney wouldn’t clarify that this development revolves round roads, as we’ve heard from many readers who’re reluctant to remain on the Polynesian in 2025 or 2026. These identical worries most likely wouldn’t exist in the event that they knew it was infrastructure work on the alternative facet of the parking zone, as an alternative of development to the resort itself.
Maybe we’re mistaken and there’s extra to it that has but to be introduced, however there is no such thing as a “proposed growth” or development that’s at the moment underway on the Poly itself (because the message states). That work is all completed. Suffice to say, we have now no hesitations in staying on the Poly now that the Island Tower is completed (other than the aforementioned enhance to crowds throughout busier instances). We’re excited to lastly accomplish that once more, and suggest it to you, too.
As for the Poly itself, all work is completed on the lodge facet of the resort and has been for a number of years, together with the room refurbishment. We’ve stayed in these overhauled lodging, and share the expertise in our Photographs & Video: “Moana Makeover” Rooms at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.
Together with the brand new rooms, various upgrades have been made across the Poly within the final couple of years. The Nice Ceremonial Home acquired updates, a brand new porte-cochère and monorail station have been constructed, and gardens across the entrance entrance have been reimagined.
With all of those refurbished completed and solely development persevering with outdoors the parking zone, the Poly is feeling and looking recent as of 2025. Right here’s our up to date lodge evaluate, following our most up-to-date keep in one of many Moana rooms at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort…
As certainly one of Walt Disney World’s unique accommodations, the Polynesian has a wealthy historical past and is extremely well-liked with Disney followers. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is taken into account a village due to its sprawling structure comprised of 11 longhouses plus the over-the-water Bora Bora Bungalows, which radiate out from the Nice Ceremonial Home.
The Nice Ceremonial Home incorporates a number of eating places, retailers, an atrium foyer with many species of tropical crops, and entry to the monorail station that providers Magic Kingdom, the Transportation and Ticket Heart (TTC), Grand Floridian Resort, and Modern Resort.
Exterior the Nice Ceremonial Home, you’ll discover the Poly’s marina and have pool, plus out of doors seating areas for a handful of the resort’s eating places. There’s additionally a path that connects the Polynesian to the Island Tower to Disney’s Wedding ceremony Pavilion, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
This path now connects all the way in which to Magic Kingdom, making it theoretically doable to stroll from the Poly to Magic Kingdom (it’s a couple of mile-long stroll–undoubtedly doable within the winter months, however most likely not superb through the summer season). This path truly begins on the TTC, which means you would theoretically stroll from the TTC to Magic Kingdom. When you take pleasure in serene strolls, it’s truly fairly beautiful. However we digress.
We’ve lengthy been followers of the Poly. For me, it dates again to after I was a child, strolling from Shades of Inexperienced to the Poly for the monorail (now now not doable), and going to the Neverland Membership (now closed) whereas my mother and father went to Pleasure Island (since changed by Disney Springs).
We’ve since been again quite a few instances for eating and different functions, and have stayed on the Poly each earlier than and after the large “renewal” of the resort, on each the lodge facet and DVC facet of the property. We’ve stayed in over a half-dozen totally different room varieties, and visited the Poly extra instances than I can depend for meals or simply the South Seas serenity.
Whereas there have been some loses throughout that renewal (such because the foyer water function) and DVC growth, the Poly continues to be a superb resort and one which now feels nicer and trendy. Let’s begin by looking on the positives…
The Poly is only a flat out cool resort. It has a ton of extremely detailed tikis scattered across the grounds that have been carved by Oceanic Arts in California. I might spend a morning simply wandering round taking a look at these, and their cheeky designs all the time make me smile.
Generally, the Polynesian has a really pleasant ambiance due to its many particulars and the final island ambiance that’s so properly conveyed, even when the resort is extra a lighthearted caricature (by no means in a foul method) of island life than it’s an try at authenticity. The texture of the Poly is a particular X-factor. By way of theme and environment, that is certainly one of our favourite resorts at Walt Disney World.
By way of structure, I feel the Polynesian Resort will fulfill a wide range of visitors. I’ve said in quite a few critiques that I like resorts which might be unfold out, giving me lots to discover within the mornings. I feel this has perplexed a number of commenters, who typically appear to favor compact layouts for the effectivity’s sake.
The Poly just isn’t as unfold out as Coronado Springs or Caribbean Seaside Resort, making it straightforward to stroll to the Nice Ceremonial Home within the morning irrespective of the longhouse through which you’re staying. Regardless of this ease of entry, there’s nonetheless quite a bit to discover, making those that choose the sprawling “resort” structure (like me) pleased. The one resort that does a greater job of placing this stability might be Wilderness Lodge (Grand Floridian additionally does it properly).
Exploring the Polynesian is a ton of enjoyable, too. I’ve lengthy held the opinion that sunsets on the Polynesian are extra lovely than sunsets wherever else at Walt Disney World, and I’m satisfied that the identical is true of sunrises. One of many nice issues about staying on the Poly is getting up early and having fun with the resort with nobody else round.
Each time we keep on the Poly, I stand up properly earlier than dawn to stroll round, take photographs, and take in the ambiance. If it weren’t for desirous to take photographs, I might simply lounge in a hammock listening to the enjoyable background music for an hour or in order the solar comes up.
We additionally take pleasure in merely hanging out within the Nice Ceremonial Home. The open air atrium offers it a relaxed, spacious environment. Round supper time, it may well get loud in right here, but it surely’s typically fairly calming.
We do miss the waterfall that was once in the midst of the foyer, however other than this and the elimination of a few of the streams behind the Nice Ceremonial Home, the adjustments made to the Poly in the previous few years have been typically optimistic.
The rooms are an enormous plus at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and these is likely to be a few of the nicest at Walt Disney World now. Rooms now function Moana-inspired decor, together with custom-made fixtures and furnishings.
The standard of those is combined however largely good. The furnishings is heavy and substantial, feeling each top quality and sturdy. These do an important job of balancing theme and luxurious, providing an upscale vibe of the tropics. They make the most of textures and patterns properly, with out being overly busy or chaotic.
Functionally, there’s quite a bit to love concerning the rooms. There are tables with shops on all sides of every mattress and studying lights along with lamps. There’s additionally uplighting from the headboard itself, which is unbelievable as a single-source temper mild for decompressing after an extended day within the parks.
As with different Walt Disney World lodge redesigns, the beds are elevated with storage of suitcases. There’s additionally extra space for storing flanking the tv and dresser, however this comes with an enormous potential disadvantage–no desk. (Personally, I feel this was an pointless elimination–it is a big room and so they added lots of space for storing. No have to additionally take away the desk for much more.) The chair and sofa are each comfy, and supply loads of house for spreading out.
The extra space for storing continues within the toilet, the place there are cubbies under the sinks and an elevated countertop above.
The backlit mirror supplies ample lighting within the toilet and the stone texture behind is a pleasant contact. The bathroom can also be now separated with a door, a easy however important improve for bigger events.
By way of commonalities between the previous and older rooms, each are spacious, sleeping 5 adults with loads of room to roam, and have house to sit down, together with a desk for working and balconies with a desk and chairs.
These rooms are among the many largest at Walt Disney World, making them a great choice for bigger events or those that might be spending a number of time on the resort.
Above is a video that Sarah shot of the brand new Moana rooms at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.
Suffice to say, the Poly’s rooms are excellent for laid again, resort-centric stays. Whereas there are some accommodations at Walt Disney World geared in the direction of solely sleeping, you would simply keep on the Poly and by no means go to the parks–these are rooms you don’t wish to depart!
By way of eating, the Poly has 4 choices that we love (click on the hyperlink for our full evaluate of every):
- Dealer Sam’s Grog Grotto – Probably the greatest bars at Walt Disney World
- Kona Cafe – Desk service restaurant that’s an unheralded gem
- Captain Cook dinner’s – A very good to nice (relying upon what you order) counter service restaurant
- ‘Ohana – One in every of Walt Disney World’s hottest eating places…however maybe (controversial opinion incoming) a bit overrated.
Don’t get us mistaken–we actually take pleasure in ‘Ohana. However the worth has elevated exponentially over the previous a number of years and the standard has decreased in that very same time. It’s nonetheless a ton of enjoyable and if cash have been no problem, we’d extremely suggest it.
Along with these favorites, there’s Barefoot Pool Bar, Oasis Bar & Grill, Tambu Lounge, and some snack spots.
Most notable of those is the Pineapple Lanai window, which is among the few locations outdoors the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World to get a Dole Whip.
Whereas not one of the aforementioned eating places are nice eating choices, there are many these on the Grand Floridian and Modern, that are a brief monorail experience or stroll away.
High-quality eating within the Polynesian can be good, however given the proximity of the opposite choices, we aren’t penalizing the Poly for its lack of nice eating.
The swimming pools at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort was once merely nice, however at the moment are high notch. The primary pool with its volcano slide was completely re-done, and now seems extra genuine, whereas containing extra areas that–I feel–really feel enjoyable.
It’s not only a loud, household pool. The quiet pool is nothing particular, but it surely’s not dangerous. The refurbishment has pushed the Poly to the top of its class by way of Deluxe Resort swimming pools close to the Magic Kingdom.
Transportation is a criticism we have now about each Magic Kingdom-area and Epcot-area Deluxe Resort, and that these high-priced accommodations share buses whereas Pop Century (a Worth Resort) doesn’t continues to puzzle us. We really feel it is a severe fault of all of those Deluxe Resorts, and one thing that Disney ought to appropriate.
Happily, the Poly has handy monorail or boat transportation to the Magic Kingdom, and lots of longhouses are a brief stroll from the Ticket & Transportation Heart, which additionally affords monorail service to Epcot. Attending to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and the water parks is much less handy, however the handy entry to 2 theme parks is a large plus.
Far and away the most important draw back of the Poly is pricing. Discounted charges begin at over $500/night time and solely go up from there–and that’s if reductions are even out there.
The Poly is regularly excluded from particular affords, through which case you’re taking a look at charges within the $700+ vary. For the Polynesian Village Resort’s room charges, it needs to be a luxury-class lodge. Though the theming is enjoyable and as a fan of Disney historical past I really like the entire little particulars, the Poly isn’t on par with similarly-priced actual world accommodations.
Nevertheless, it is a widespread chorus we have now with regards to Walt Disney World accommodations, particularly on the Deluxe finish of the spectrum. It solely turns into extra pronounced with the most costly accommodations. Some nights, the Poly is double the price of the 4 Seasons Orlando or Waldorf Astoria–and it doesn’t supply commensurate luxurious.
It’s a honest level to contend that the situation, monorail transportation, and theming compensates for the dearth of luxurious. Traditionally, Walt Disney World accommodations have gone for themed design somewhat than upscale facilities.
It’s additionally honest to say that location performs an enormous function in worth–most actual world accommodations don’t have Cinderella Citadel seen within the distance, nor have they got a monorail whizzing previous them.
If you would like the most effective of each worlds, see our King Kamehameha Membership Degree at Polynesian Resort Overview. Only a honest warning that Membership Degree rooms begin at over $1,000 per night time earlier than reductions.
Conversely, for those who’re attempting to do Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort on a tighter funds, your only option is certainly renting Disney Trip Membership factors.
This provides you with the prospect to remain on the Polynesian Villas (which we choose to the common rooms, anyway) at lower than half the value of the primary lodge. When you’ve got a bigger get together and wish one thing novel and enjoyable, take into account the Polynesian Bora Bora Bungalows (we didn’t love our one keep in these, however we had an ‘unlucky incident.’)
Total, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is a good choice for many who wish to splurge on a visit, however desire a resort with a extra laid again and relaxed tropical vibe versus an opulent and splendid one. The Poly is costly, however aside from that we don’t have main complaints concerning the resort. Its theme and ambiance are distinctive and really a lot to our tastes, and it’s an important place to easily hold round and wander.
Past that, the Poly scores main factors from a practical perspective. The rooms are among the many finest at Walt Disney World, the swimming pools are nice, and the eating choices are numerous and enjoyable (minus the dearth of nice eating). Walkability and transportation additionally can’t be overstated–the flexibility to conveniently catch a monorail to each Magic Kingdom and Epcot is large, a bonus you might not absolutely recognize till having skilled it. All in all, these elements are why the Polynesian Village Resort ranks so extremely on our Checklist of the Finest & Worst Deluxe Inns at Walt Disney World.
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Your Ideas
How do you’re feeling about Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort? Do you suppose it’s overpriced for what it’s, or do you suppose it’s such an superior place that it justifies the excessive nightly charges? What are your professionals & cons for the Poly? Ideas on transportation or eating right here? Do you agree or disagree with our resort evaluate? Any questions we will help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even once you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
