Ultimate Guide to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is one of the best places to stay while at Walt Disney World. It is one of just eight deluxe resorts Disney has to offer.
During your vacation, you’ll likely want to spend most of your time out in the parks, but if you stay at the Polynesian, you can find a ton of amazing things to do there. In fact, if you decide not to go to the parks one day, you can keep yourself busy with everything the Polynesian has to offer.
Food Options
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort provides many food options. Capt. Cooks is the quick service restaurant at this resort and is a personal favorite of mine. If you’re looking to get something quick to eat, but also something delicious, you can stop by here for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Reservations are not needed so you can go in and enjoy this restaurant at your own convenience. Another restaurant housed inside the Polynesian is Kona Cafe.
Housed on the second floor of the Great Ceremonial House, this family restaurant is proud to serve traditional American meals with some Asian influences as well.
Also in the Great Ceremonial House is ‘Ohana. Here, you can enjoy breakfast with Lilo and Stitch, or enjoy a Hawaiian-themed dinner at this fun dining spot.
If you’re just looking for a cool, quick refreshment while at the Polynesian, rather than spending a lot of time in a restaurant, you can stop by Pineapple Lanai just outside of the Great Ceremonial House and enjoy an incredibly tasty Dole Whip.
Lastly, a fun spot to drink and dine for adults is Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto and Tiki Bar. This location offers unique foods and beverages, and is definitely a favorite among Polynesian residents.
Pools
The Polynesian is unique in that it has two pools for its guests; the Lava Pool and the Oasis Pool. As you can tell by their names, the two pools are very different.
Highlighted by its iconic volcano, the Lava Pool is situated right outside of Capt. Cooks. Along with its volcano comes a 142 foot water slide, making this pool popular among thrill-seekers.
Kids also generally like this pool more, due to the fact that they can have fun and enjoy themselves without worrying about disrupting others. This pool is definitely the more popular of the two at the Polynesian.
The Oasis Pool appeals to a different type of crowd. It is nestled away from the noise unlike the Lava Pool.
This pool is much quieter and much more peaceful, and is typically for people looking for a more relaxing type of swim. This pool is certainly not as exciting as the Lava Pool, but to some people it can definitely be more enjoyable.
Entertainment
The Polynesian is a wonderful resort to stay at if you’re looking for plenty of entertainment options just steps away from your room. Most nights, you will be able to watch classic Disney films under the stars on the Great Ceremonial House Lawn, right beside the Lava Pool.
This is really fun for little kids who want to relax, but also enjoy a movie at the same time. In addition, the Polynesian offers motorized boat rentals.
At the Seven Seas Marina, people can rent boats to cruise around Seven Seas Lagoon. It is truly a breathtaking experience, taking in the views of the Polynesian, Contemporary, Grand Floridian, and even Cinderella Castle.
At night, people can enjoy the Electric Water Pageant, which takes place on Seven Seas Lagoon. If you haven’t already seen it, this water show is a true Walt Disney World classic that I would highly recommend.
For people looking for a more sporty, athletic experience, there are many different options they can take up. The Polynesian offers a catch-and-release fishing excursion on Seven Seas Lagoon, an activity that many fishermen and outdoorsmen may find appealing.
On the beaches of the Polynesian, you can also start a fun game of volleyball. In addition, there is a jogging trail that goes around Seven Seas Lagoon, offering views of the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Wedding Pavilion, and more.
Review
The Polynesian always has been and always will be one of the most popular Walt Disney World resorts, and has always been my personal favorite. There are so many places to explore and activities to indulge in, where people of all ages can always find something fun to do.
I would highly recommend Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort to anybody looking for a resort that offers many food and entertainment options, as well as a beautiful, tropical Hawaiian theme.
Special thanks to intern, Tyler Antonelle, for writing this article. Tyler is a freshman at the University of Miami. He loves everything about Disney, and has been to Walt Disney World 2-3 times a year since he was born. His passion for Disney is huge and he believes there is no better way to express that passion than writing about The Most Magical Place on Earth!
