Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is the first place I stayed on-site at Disney World over 25 years ago on a trip with my aunt, cousin, and grandma. I remember walking into a tropical paradise and how special that vacation felt. As I prepared for our first family stay in a Disney Polynesian Resort Studio Villa I wondered if I would still feel that special magic. Thankfully the answer was “Yes!” Years later, the Polynesian Village Resort, and specifically the Disney Polynesian Deluxe Studio Villa, still made me feel like I was on an extra special Disney World vacation.
Location
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Polynesian Villas and Bungalows are located on the same property. The Polynesian is considered a Magic Kingdom resort.
Polynesian Resort Overview
The South Pacific-inspired resort is one of three original Disney World hotels that opened when the Magic Kingdom did October 1, 1971. The inspiration is thoughtfully integrated throughout Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.
Some of our favorite touches are receiving a lei at check-in, the beautiful lobby in the Great Ceremonial House with flowers and tropical influence everywhere, and the winding paths to the low longhouses lit with torches at night.
Are you more of a video person? Then this walkthrough of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and our deluxe studio villa is just for you.
Polynesian Village Resort Pools
Polynesian Village Resort has two pools and a splash play area. Lava Pool is the main pool with a waterslide located just behind the Great Ceremonial House.
The Lava Pool is popular with guests since the kids’ play area is nearby, the waterslide is fun for everyone, and the atmosphere feels like a tropical vacation. You can even grab a delicious Dole Whip at Pineapple Lanai just steps from this pool area.
Shaded spots are hard to find at Lava Pool, so plan on plenty on sunblock if you aren’t there right at opening time.
Right next to Lava Pool is the Kiki Tikis Splash Play area. This huge structure has tons of fun water play options for kids.
The Oasis Pool was located just across from our Polynesian Deluxe Studio Villa room and is considered a leisure pool. This means the pool has a more relaxed vibe and less kids than the Lava Pool. Oasis Pool also has a zero-entry walkway into the water which is really cool.
Polynesian Village Resort Dining
There is a diverse set of dining options at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Choose from quick service, table service, bars, or a luau show. Here is a quick summary of the available dining options. Check here for more information on menus and hours.
Quick Service
- Capt. Cook’s – A quick service option serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. You can also buy grab-and-go items like pastries, snacks, or drinks here.
- Oasis Bar and Grill – Not your typical pool food, Oasis Bar and Grill has Polynesian inspired meals and drinks right by the Oasis pool.
- Kona Island – Kona Island offers a quick breakfast option in the morning and then made to order sushi and sashimi in the afternoon.
Table Service and Dinner Shows
- Kona Cafe – Kona Cafe is home of the famous Tonga Toast. Tonga Toast is a specialty french toast option that is super thick bread with sliced bananas inside rolled in cinnamon sugar before being cooked. It is served with a choice of breakfast meat, strawberry compote (yum) and syrup. My first Tonga Toast was good, but extremely filling. Next time I would talk someone into ordering a different breakfast option and then split the Tonga Toast. Please note: You can also get Tonga Toast at Capt. Cook’s, although it is not served with the same strawberry compote.
- ‘Ohana – ‘Ohana serves a character meal breakfast where you can meet Lilo and Stitch (find out more about character meals in my complete guide) and a non-character dinner with delicious Polynesian-themed family style platters.
- Disney’s Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show – Feast on an all-you-care-to-enjoy meal while watching a dinner show of hula dancers, fire dancing, and drummers.
Lounges and Snacks
- Tambu Lounge – This lounge offers drinks and exotic food options for breakfast, lunch, and late night dining.
- Pineapple Lanai – Dole whips! Need I say more?
- Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto – This lounge serves alcoholic and non-alcoholic specialty drinks with several delicious appetizer options.
- Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace – This outdoor lounge with live music (check times) is open from late afternoon until late-night and serves the same items as Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto.
Polynesian Deluxe Studio Villa
We stayed in a Disney’s Polynesian Villas and Bungalows Deluxe Studio Villa. While walking to our deluxe studio villa we fell in love with the resort, and as soon as we opened the door the same happened with our room.
Bathrooms
The Polynesian Resort Deluxe Studio Villa is one of our favorite Disney World deluxe studios. Entering the room you’ll find a spacious full bathroom just off the entrance hall.
Further down the hall a second partial bathroom makes getting ready with a group much easier. This second bathroom has a sink, vanity, and a beautifully tiled shower.
Kitchenette
Across from this second partial bathroom is the kitchenette. The kitchenette had the following features:
- Sink
- Mini-fridge
- Microwave
- Toaster
- Coffee pot
- Real glasses and coffee mugs
- Disposable cutlery, paper plates and coffee cups
- Can opener and a wine opener
Bedroom
Next is the bedroom area. The first thing I noticed was the Polynesian decor around the room like the Tiki Tiki Room inspired bird paintings and the Tiki god lamp. The bedroom holds a queen-size bed, a newly installed queen-size pull down bed, and the cutest single-size murphy bed I’ve ever seen.
This move from fold out couch to pull down bed is a trend at Disney World that has made sleeping much more comfortable for those relegated to the “spare” bed.
The studio is built to accommodate up to 5 adults, but I think an adult might not love the twin murphy bed. However, I do think the twin size bed is perfect for kids or toddlers since it is low to the ground.
The bedroom area also has a round table with two plush chairs and a storage ottoman in front of the sleeper sofa. I was concerned that since the dresser was really a twin murphy bed there would not be enough storage in the room. However, I found that the closet and two drawers located under the side of the traditional bed provided plenty of storage space.
Porch
The last part of this incredible Polynesian Deluxe Studio Villa is the outdoor seating area. The sliding glass door opens to a private porch with two lounge chairs and a side table.
Although there isn’t seating for four, we had plenty of space for my mom, dad, Elizabeth, and I to hang out and enjoy some afternoon rest. I love the view of the palm trees, winding pathways, and longhouses from our room.
Our Polynesian Deluxe Studio Villa had the following great features:
- Queen-size bed
- Queen-size pull down bed
- Twin-size pull down bed
- A full bathroom
- A second partial bathroom with sink and shower
- Kitchenette with supplies
- Blackout shades
In Room WiFi
In room wifi is provided at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort at no additional charge. Please know that the free wifi is fine for checking email or social media accounts, but doesn’t always work for streaming video from services like Netflix.
Parking
Self-parking is complimentary for resort guests while valet parking costs $33 per night at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn and Villas
Transportation To Parks
There are so many transportation options when staying at Disney’s Polynesian Village resort!
Magic Kingdom
You have 5 options for going to Magic Kingdom from Disney’s Polynesian Resort:
- Take a small boat directly from the Polynesian boat dock to Magic Kingdom.
- (This option is unavailable until Great Ceremonial House contruction is complete.) Grab the monorail from the second floor of the Great Ceremonial House. This monorail line connects Disney’s Polynesian Resort to Magic Kingdom, Grand Floridian, Contemporary, and the Transportation and Ticket Center.
- Walk to the Transportation and Ticket Center. Take the large ferry across the lake to Magic Kingdom.
- Take the walkway to the Transportation and Ticket Center and then take the express monorail to Magic Kingdom.
- Walk the path towards Grand Floridian and continue all the way to Magic Kingdom.
Epcot
There are two ways to reach Epcot from Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort:
- Walk to the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) and take the Epcot express monorail
- Grab the monorail from the Great Ceremonial House and take the loop to the TTC. Transfer to the Epcot express monorail line.
Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, and Water Parks
To reach Hollywood Studios, Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach, or Animal Kingdom you will take the Disney World bus transportation system. The bus stop is located near the Rarotonga longhouse.
Overall Impression
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is just as tranquil, beautiful, and special as I remembered it from my trip all those years ago. My daughter absolutely loved everything about this resort and keeps telling anyone who will listen about our experience there. The Polynesian Deluxe Studio Villa surpassed all of my (high) expectations and is now my favorite deluxe studio villa at Disney World (with Copper Creek as a close second).
More Disney World Planning Resources
Do you need more help planning your Disney World trip? Check out other Disney World tips and tricks in my Disney World Guides.
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