| Polynesian | |
|---|---|
 | |
|
Opened |
October 1, 1971 |
|
Rooms |
847 |
|
Theme |
South Seas |
|
Address |
1600 Seven Seas Drive, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 |
|
Phone |
(407) 824-2000 |
|
Location |
Magic Kingdom Resort Area |
|
Category |
Deluxe |
Disney's Polynesian Resort (formerly the Polynesian Village) is a Disney owned and operated AAA Four-Diamond Award–winning resort located at the Walt Disney World Resort. It began operation on October 1, 1971 as one of Walt Disney World's first two on-site hotels. The resort has a South Seas theme, and originally opened with 492 rooms. It was designed by Welton Becket and Associates and constructed by US Steel Realty Development. The resort is owned and operated by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.
Since its opening in 1971, the resort has seen two major expansions. The first was in 1978, with the addition of a longhouse, the Tangaroa Terrace restaurant/support facility, and a secondary pool. A second expansion took place in 1985, with the construction of two additional longhouses. In that same year, the resort adopted its current name, replacing its former name of Polynesian Village. The resort now has a collective 847 rooms and suites, most recently renovated in 2006.
History[]
The resort used United States Steel's then newly-developed construction process for its original longhouses. Steel frames were erected on-site, and pre-constructed modular rooms were lifted into these frames via crane, similar to Disney's Contemporary Resort. This method of building caused problems in both Disney's Polynesian and Contemporary Resorts, with guest complaints of a moldy smell in their rooms. It was found that mold and debris had collected in the spaces between each room. The spaces were filled in, stopping the problem, and longhouses built as part of the resort's later expansions were built using conventional building techniques.
John Lennon signed the paperwork that officially broke up the Beatles at the Polynesian Resort on December 29, 1974.
Resort[]
Disney's Polynesian Resort is situated on the southern shore of the man-made Seven Seas Lagoon, south of the Magic Kingdom and adjacent to other Walt Disney World complexes, with the Transportation and Ticket Center to the east and Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa to the west. The resort is on the Magic Kingdom monorail loop, providing transportation to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot (via transfer), and is part of the route for Disney's Magic Kingdom Resorts Water Launch service. Other Walt Disney World Resort theme parks and attractions are served by Disney Transport buses.
The resort is organized around a central building named the Great Ceremonial House, itself designed after a Tahitian royal assembly lodge. The Great Ceremonial House houses guest services and most of the resort's dining and merchandise locations. The Great Ceremonial House also features a large tropical rain forest in its atrium, with over 75 species of plant life and several waterfalls. No rooms are contained in this building; instead, several lodges known as longhouses house all guest rooms and are spread out on resort property.
As of 2008, Disney's Polynesian Resort is certified green lodging property with the state of Florida.
Longhouses[]
The resort design and layout consists of 11 two and three story longhouses, spread throughout the property. The resort originally opened with eight longhouses: Bali Hai, Bora Bora, Fiji, Hawaii, Maui, Samoa, Tahiti, and Tonga. In 1978, the Oahu longhouse was added. The Moorea and Pago Pago longhouses were added in 1985.
On October 28, 1999, most of the resort's longhouses were renamed to better reflect the vast scope of the Polynesian islands. Today the longhouses are named for islands on the Polynesian isle map, with chosen longhouse names matching the relative geographic position of their namesake island(s). Ten of the eleven longhouses, excluding Fiji, were renamed. Bali Hai became Tonga, Bora Bora became Niue, Hawaii became Samoa, Maui became Rarotonga, Moorea became Tahiti, Oahu became Tokelau, Pago Pago became Rapa Nui, Samoa became Tuvalu, Tahiti became Aotearoa, and Tonga became Hawaii.
Two of the current longhouses, Hawaii (formerly Tonga) and Aotearoa (formerly Tahiti), offer a Concierge Lounge, where refreshments, views, and lounge space are offered exclusively to guests of Hawaii or Aotearoa. Hawaii arguably offers some of the best views of Seven Seas Lagoon in Walt Disney World.
Rooms[]
All standard guest rooms contain two queen beds, a daybed, a lounge chair and table, a combination dresser and entertainment center with a flat screen television, a desk with an integrated rolling table and matching chair, two closets, and convenience area between the closets for a small refrigerator and a coffee maker. Bathrooms typically include a single or dual-sink vanity, western toilet, and a bathtub. As of 2012, most guest rooms offer free wireless Internet access.
The resort's guest rooms make use of earth tones such as brown, green, and red, and are influenced by a modern interpretation of the resort's original South Seas theme. The resort has some of the largest standard rooms on Walt Disney World Resort property (415 square feet (38.6 m2) for rooms in original longhouses, 476 square feet (44.2 m2) for rooms in newer longhouses), matched only by Disney's Contemporary Resort and Shades of Green. All first floor rooms have patios, and all third floor rooms have balconies. Most second floor rooms have no balconies with the exception of Tahiti, Rapa Nui, Tokelau, and Tonga.
Dining[]
- 'Ohana
- Kona Cafe
- Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show
- Captain Cook's Snack Company
- Tambu Lounge
- Barefoot Pool Bar
Shopping[]
- BouTiki
- Trader Jack's and Samoa Snacks
- Disney's PhotoPass Desk
- Wyland Gallery
Recreation[]
- Nanea Volcano Pool and the East Pool - The resort's Nanea Volcano Theme Pool was constructed in 2001, replacing the resort's original pool. The theme pool features a large, volcano-type structure with waterfalls and a water slide that feeds into the main pool. The theme pool offers a zero-entry sloping entrance, as opposed to traditional stairs or step ladder. The resort's East Pool is a "quiet" pool for the resort, offering more depth and a freeform design somewhat more appropriate for swimming laps.
- Mikala Canoe Club Marina - The resort's lakeside Mikala Canoe Club Marina offers a variety of watercraft available for rent and offers private cruises and excursions on Seven Seas Lagoon. The marina also offers surrey bike rentals for use around the resort.
- The Neverland Club - The Neverland Club is a supervised children's activity center offering activities for children, including themed entertainment, crafts, and meals. It is open from 4:00 p.m. until midnight, and accepts toilet-trained children ages 4-12. It draws inspiration from the Disney movie Peter Pan, including a fiberglass recreation of the nursery in the foyer. It is located to the direct east of the Great Ceremonial House.
- Moana Mickey's Fun Hut Arcade - The resort has an arcade with a collection of video games and physical skill games.
- White Sand Beaches of the Seven Seas Lagoon - There is a large expanse of beach fronting the Seven Seas Lagoon, with lounge chairs, hammocks, and cabanas placed throughout the area. For a short period following the resort's opening, swimming was permitted in the Seven Seas Lagoon, with wave machines and other features built to increase the authenticity of the location. Due to land erosion concerns, the wave machines were not used beyond their initial testing period. With other operational considerations in mind, swimming/wading is not currently permitted in the Seven Seas Lagoon.
- Grand Floridian Resort Spa & Health Club - Located between Disney's Polynesian and Grand Floridan Resorts, the two share a comprehensive spa and health club facility that allows guests from both resorts to use the various equipment and services offered.