The Polynesian Village Resort at Walt Disney World

Category: Travel

The Polynesian Village in WDW is a combination of a Hawaiian vacation combined with the magic of Disney. If your family is divided about where to take your vacation this year – Hawaii or Walt Disney World – you can have the best of both at this resort.

The Polynesian is one of three resorts at WDW that is serviced by the monorail. The others are The Contemporary and The Grand Floridian. You can get right onto the monorail at the resort and go directly to The Magic Kingdom. Or, you can take a launch across The Seven Seas Lagoon right to The Magic Kingdom. From there you can easily access busses to The Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and the other parks and resorts. Or you can take the monorail from The Polynesian directly to the Transportation and Ticket Center and catch another monorail to EPCOT. Actually, it is an easy walk from the hotel to the TTC, if you’re up to it. It’s a short distance to the TTC to catch the monorail to EPCOT.

When guests enter the lobby they are greeted with leis and the warm hospitality of the islands. With soothing tropical songs playing throughout the resort, you will feel like you are in Hawaii. The spirit of Aloha is infused in this resort.

The Ohana restaurant is one of several places to dine at this resort. They have a fun character breakfast with all you can eat scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, and Mickey and Stitch mini-waffles. Everything is delicious. And to top it off, Mickey, Pluto, Lilo, and Stitch come around to everyone’s table for a meet and greet and some photo opps. Plus, everyone can join in the character parade around the restaurant. Kids love taking part in this activity, following all the characters in a musical parade.

Lilo’s Playhouse is open from the late afternoon until midnight, providing supervised activities, meals, and care for young kids. Plenty of Disney characters often stop by to visit the little guests during their time at the playhouse. It’s a carefree – and guilt-free – way for parents to make sure their kids are well cared for while they go off to explore the magic of Disney on their own. Children must be potty trained in order to attend Lilo’s Playhouse.

Two pools – one with a great water slide – are available to guests to cool off in the hot Florida sun. And in the evening there is an entertaining light show on the lagoon prior to The Magic Kingdom’s fireworks show. From the beach at the resort guests can see the castle across the lagoon, albeit not as well as being in The Magic Kingdom. However with the water show (which is like a miniature Electric Light Parade on the water) and the fireworks, guests of The Polynesian have plenty to see in the evening. I do recommend taking in the nightly laser/fireworks show in the park at least once, however. It is amazing. Nightly movies are also shown on the grounds of the resort.

The Polynesian is the place to indulge in savory Dole Whips at the Pineapple Lanai just outside of the lobby. This frozen treat is soft serve pineapple. They also have soft serve vanilla and swirls, for a refreshing taste of both. Plus guests can treat themselves to a float of pineapple juice with either a Dole Whip or soft serve vanilla. You won’t be able to have just one during your stay here. This is a popular place and definitely delicious.

A nightly Luau is also offered at the resort. Take advantage of the Polynesian food, hula dancing, fire dancing, and Island entertainers as you are transported across the continent – and the Pacific Ocean – to the islands of Polynesia. You will forget you are in Florida. Reservations are a must for the Luau and the character breakfast.
The Polynesian Village Resort has recently been updated and the over-the-water bungalows have been added for vacation club members. This is a Pacific tropical escape in the middle of Florida. Plus, it offers all the magic of Disney in the heart of Walt Disney World. Aloha.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of travel and entertainment for over 20 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

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