Disney's Polynesian Resort
Encyclopedia
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 Resort'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 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 over former Polynesian Village titles. The resort now has a collective 847 rooms and suites, most recently renovated in 2006.
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, longhouses, house all guest rooms and are spread out amongst resort property.
As of 2008, Disney's Polynesian Resort is certified green lodging property with the state of Florida.
The resort used US 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. Between 1982-1984 this resort was placed in the campground catogory.
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; Maori 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.
, 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. Guest rooms are not part of a wireless network, requiring guests to use an ethernet cable (provided) for online connections.
The resort's guest rooms make use of earth tone
s 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 which do.
Disney's Polynesian Resort features two swimming pools, a marina, an arcade, a supervised children's activity center, and a shared spa and health club.
signed the paperwork that officially broke up the Beatles at the Polynesian Resort on December 29, 1974.
The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company is the largest media conglomerate in the world in terms of revenue. Founded on October 16, 1923, by Walt and Roy Disney as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, Walt Disney Productions established itself as a leader in the American animation industry before diversifying into...
owned and operated AAA Four-Diamond Award–winning resort located at the Walt Disney World Resort
Walt Disney World Resort
Walt Disney World Resort , is the world's most-visited entertaimental resort. Located in Lake Buena Vista, Florida ; approximately southwest of Orlando, Florida, United States, the resort covers an area of and includes four theme parks, two water parks, 23 on-site themed resort hotels Walt...
. It began operation on October 1, 1971 as one of Walt Disney World Resort's
Walt Disney World Resort
Walt Disney World Resort , is the world's most-visited entertaimental resort. Located in Lake Buena Vista, Florida ; approximately southwest of Orlando, Florida, United States, the resort covers an area of and includes four theme parks, two water parks, 23 on-site themed resort hotels Walt...
first two on-site hotels. The resort has a South Seas
Oceania
Oceania is a region centered on the islands of the tropical Pacific Ocean. Conceptions of what constitutes Oceania range from the coral atolls and volcanic islands of the South Pacific to the entire insular region between Asia and the Americas, including Australasia and the Malay Archipelago...
theme, and originally opened with 492 rooms. It was designed by Welton Becket and Associates
Welton Becket
Welton Becket was an architect who designed many buildings in Los Angeles, California.Becket was born in Seattle, Washington and graduated from the University of Washington program in Architecture in 1927 with a Bachelor of Architecture degree .He settled in Los Angeles in 1933 and formed a...
and constructed by US Steel Realty Development. The resort is owned and operated by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts is the segment of The Walt Disney Company that conceives, builds, and manages the company's theme parks and holiday resorts, as well as a variety of additional family-oriented leisure enterprises...
.
Since its opening in 1971, the resort has seen two major expansions; the first 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 over former Polynesian Village titles. The resort now has a collective 847 rooms and suites, most recently renovated in 2006.
Design
Seven Seas Lagoon
The Seven Seas Lagoon is the man-made lake in front of the Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida. The lake reaches a depth of 14 feet. The lake connects with the adjacent Bay Lake.- Uses and history :...
, south of the Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom Park is one of four theme parks at the Walt Disney World Resort located near Orlando, Florida. The first park built at the resort, Magic Kingdom opened Oct. 1, 1971. Designed and built by WED Enterprises, the park's layout and attractions are similar to Disneyland in Anaheim, California...
and adjacent to other Walt Disney World complexes, with the Transportation and Ticket Center to the east and Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is a AAA Four Diamond Award–winning, Victorian themed luxury hotel and spa located at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. The property opened on June 28, 1988 as the Grand Floridian Beach Resort. The name changed to Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa...
to the west. The resort is on the Magic Kingdom monorail loop
Walt Disney World Monorail System
The Walt Disney World Monorail System is a public transit system in operation at the Walt Disney World Resort.The Walt Disney World Resort currently operates twelve Mark VI monorail trains on three lines of service. The monorail system opened in 1971 with two routes and with Mark IV monorail trains...
, providing transportation to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot
Epcot
Epcot is a theme park in the Walt Disney World Resort, located near Orlando, Florida. The park is dedicated to the celebration of human achievement, namely international culture and technological innovation. The second park built at the resort, it opened on October 1, 1982 and was initially named...
(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
Disney Transport
Disney Transport is the privately operated transportation system at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Most movements are made using buses that run along the resort's public roads maintained by the Reedy Creek Improvement District and private roads...
buses.
As of 2008, Disney's Polynesian Resort is certified green lodging property with the state of Florida.
Original design and construction
Disney's Contemporary Resort
Disney's Contemporary Resort is a deluxe resort at the Walt Disney World Resort. It opened on October 1, 1971...
. 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. Between 1982-1984 this resort was placed in the campground catogory.
Longhouses
The resort design and layout consists of 11 two and three story longhouses, spread throughout the property. The resort originally opened with 8 longhouses, Bali Hai, Bora Bora, Fiji, Hawaii, Maui, Samoa, Tahiti and Tonga. In 1978, the Oahu longhouse was added and the Maui longhouse became the Maori longhouse. 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
Polynesia
Polynesia is a subregion of Oceania, made up of over 1,000 islands scattered over the central and southern Pacific Ocean. The indigenous people who inhabit the islands of Polynesia are termed Polynesians and they share many similar traits including language, culture and beliefs...
, 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; Maori became Rarotonga; Moorea became Tahiti; Oahu became Tokelau; Pago Pago became Rapa Nui; Samoa became Tuvalu; Tahiti became Aotearoa and Tonga became Hawaii.
Guest rooms
All standard guest rooms contain two queen beds, a daybedDaybed
Daybeds are used as beds as well as seating. They can be made out of wood, metal or a combination of wood and metal.A cross between chaise longue, couch and a bed....
, a lounge chair and table, a combination dresser and entertainment center with a flat screen television
Liquid crystal display television
Liquid-crystal display televisions are television sets that use LCD display technology to produce images. LCD televisions are thinner and lighter than cathode ray tube of similar display size, and are available in much larger sizes...
, 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. Guest rooms are not part of a wireless network, requiring guests to use an ethernet cable (provided) for online connections.
The resort's guest rooms make use of earth tone
Earth tone
Earth tone is a color scheme that draws from a color palette of browns, tans, greys, greens, oranges, whites, and some reds. The colors in an earth tone scheme are muted and flat in an emulation of the natural colors found in soil, moss, trees and rocks. Many earth tones originate from clay earth...
s 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 which do.
Dining
Disney's Polynesian Resort has two full service restaurants, one dinner show and one quick service restaurant.Full service dining and dinner shows
- 'Ohana - 'Ohana is a large family-style restaurant located on the second floor of the Great Ceremonial House, which serves breakfast and dinner. For breakfast, the location operates as 'Ohana's Best Friends Breakfast with Lilo and Stitch, a meal service with Disney characters Mickey MouseMickey MouseMickey Mouse is a cartoon character created in 1928 by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks at The Walt Disney Studio. Mickey is an anthropomorphic black mouse and typically wears red shorts, large yellow shoes, and white gloves...
, PlutoPluto (Disney)Pluto, also called Pluto the Pup, is a cartoon character created in 1930 by Walt Disney Productions. He is a light brown , medium-sized, short-haired dog. Unlike Goofy, Pluto is not anthropomorphic beyond some characteristics such as facial expression...
, Lilo and Stitch visiting tables while food is served family-style in calabash platters. During dinner, the location serves its 'Ohana Feast, a family style meal featuring several varieties of grilled skewered meats cooked on an oak-burning fire pit along with family-friendly live entertainment. If you're lucky, you'll have a front row seat to the Wishes fireworks show while enjoying this Hawaiian feast.
- Kona Cafe - Kona Cafe is a mid-sized à la carte restaurant located on the second floor of the Great Ceremonial House, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with Asian influences. Kona Cafe is noted for its signature breakfast dish Tonga Toast, consisting of French toastFrench toastFrench toast or Eggy Bread, is a food made with bread and eggs. It is a Christmas time dessert in Portugal and Brazil.Where French toast is served as a sweet dish, milk, sugar, or cinnamon are also commonly added before frying, and it may be then topped with sugar, butter, fruit, syrup, or other...
stuffed with deep-fried bananas and covered with sugar and cinnamon, created by the resort's cultural advisor, Auntie Kaui. Kona Cafe also serves 100% Kona coffeeKona coffeeKona coffee is the market name for coffee cultivated on the slopes of Hualalai and Mauna Loa in the North and South Kona Districts of the Big Island of Hawaii. It is one of the most expensive coffees in the world. Only coffee from the Kona Districts can be described as "Kona"...
, prepared in a French pressFrench pressA French press, also known as a press pot, coffee press, coffee plunger, cafetiere or сafetière à piston, is a simple coffee brewing device that was first patented by Italian designer Attilio Calimani in 1929....
. Lunch offers many selections like: Asian noodle bowls and teryaki beef salad.An additional kiosk bar is located adjacent to the restaurant, which serves coffee and pastries during the morning hours and sushi during the evening hours.
- Disney's Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show - A musical dinner show named the Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show is performed Tuesday through Saturday nights at 5:15 and 8:00pm at Luau Cove, an outdoor pavilion on the western edge of the resort's property. The location cuisine and entertainment is inspired by a traditional Polynesian-revueRevueA revue is a type of multi-act popular theatrical entertainment that combines music, dance and sketches. The revue has its roots in 19th century American popular entertainment and melodrama but grew into a substantial cultural presence of its own during its golden years from 1916 to 1932...
, including family style food and several authentic dances and performances intertwined with a back-story.
Quick service dining, lounges, and bars
- Captain Cook's Snack Company - Captain Cook's Snack Company, commonly referred to as Captain Cook's, is a quick serviceQSRQSR can refer to:*Quick service restaurants, also known as fast food restaurants*Quasar - Quasi-Stellar Radio-source*Salerno Costa d'Amalfi Airport, IATA airport code...
restaurant on the first floor of the Great Ceremonial House. Open 24 hours a day, the location features food with an island-style flair. Captain Cook's menu was recently expanded to additionally offer Tonga Toast and Dole WhipDole WhipDole Whip is a soft serve frozen dessert available most notably at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, as well as at Dole Plantation in Hawaii. It is also available at mainland Lappert's Ice Cream stores.The dessert is a puree reconstituted with water and then frozen before serving....
s, two exclusive items from other Walt Disney World Resort food and beverage locations.
- Tambu Lounge - Tambu Lounge is a bar with an attached lounge area, adjacent to 'Ohana on the second floor of the Great Ceremonial House, operating in the evening hours. In addition to a full menu of beverage offerings and appetizers, several resort specialties are available from Tambu Lounge, including the Lapu Lapu, an alcoholic mixed beverage served in a hollowed-out pineapplePineapplePineapple is the common name for a tropical plant and its edible fruit, which is actually a multiple fruit consisting of coalesced berries. It was given the name pineapple due to its resemblance to a pine cone. The pineapple is by far the most economically important plant in the Bromeliaceae...
. Until 2009, Tambu Lounge offered live, Hawaiian style lounge musicLounge musicLounge music is a retrospective description of music popular in the 1950s and 1960s. It is a type of mood music meant to evoke in the listeners the feeling of being in a place — a jungle, an island paradise, outer space, et cetera — other than where they are listening to it...
.
- Barefoot Pool Bar - Barefoot Pool Bar is a poolside bar offering a full selection of beverages from the early-afternoon to mid/late-evening hours. A limited amount of pre-packaged food items are available at this location.
Shopping
The resort offers several shopping areas focused on Disney parks merchandise, resort-specific specialty merchandise, convenience items, and an art gallery focused on marine-life.- BouTiki - BouTiki is the resort's largest gift shop, located on the first floor of the Great Ceremonial House. It features resort logo items, novelties with a tropical-theme, surf style clothing from QuiksilverQuiksilverQuiksilver, Inc. , is an American company based in Huntington Beach, California, one of the world's largest manufacturers of surfwear and other boardsport-related equipment...
and Roxy, and clothing by Tommy BahamaTommy BahamaTommy Bahama is the Seattle-based manufacturer of casual, men’s & women’s sportswear, denim, swimwear, accessories, footwear and a complete home furnishings collection. The brand is owned by Atlanta-based Oxford Industries. Tommy Bahama is available at Macy's, Neiman Marcus, Sak's Fifth Avenue,...
.
- Trader Jack's and Samoa Snacks - Trader Jack's and Samoa Snacks are adjacent locations on the second floor of the Great Ceremonial House. Trader Jack's features Disney theme park related merchandise. Trader Jack's also operates a Disney Pin TradingDisney pin tradingDisney pin trading is the buying and trading of collectible pins and related items featuring Disney characters, attractions, icons, events and other elements. The practice is a hobby officially supported and promoted by Disney. Many thousands of unique pins have been created over the years. Pins...
cart next its location. Samoa Snacks is the resort's convenience store, offering small snacks, refrigerated beverages and other miscellaneous sundries.
- Disney's PhotoPass Desk - Disney Photo Imaging operates a PhotoPassDisney's PhotopassDisney's PhotoPass is a professional photography service offered at Disney theme parks, water parks, and resorts. Photographers positioned at locations in the theme parks, dining events at the resorts, and at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Downtown Disney are linked to a free card containing a...
desk at the resort to provide information and process prints for their photo services offered in Disney theme parks. The PhotoPass Desk also books and coordinates on-location photo sessions around Disney's Polynesian Resort. The desk is located on the second floor of the Great Ceremonial House, adjacent to Trader Jack's and the entrance to the resort's monorail station.
- Wyland Gallery - Wyland Gallery showcases a collection of artwork by marine-life artist Robert Wyland and associates. Originals, prints, jewelry and sculpture are available for sale from the gallery, located on the first floor of the Great Ceremonial House.
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 slideWater slideA water slide is a type of slide designed for warm-weather or indoor recreational use at water parks. Water slides differ in their riding method and therefore size...
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 deeper depths and a freeform design somewhat more appropriate for swimming laps.
- Mikala Canoe Club Marina - The resort's lakeside Mikala Canoe Club Marina, or just marina, offers a variety of watercraft available for rent and offers private cruises and excursions on the Seven Seas Lagoon. The marina also offers surrey bike rentals for use around the resort.
- The Never Land Club - The Never Land 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 four through twelve. It draws inspiration from the Disney movie Peter Pan, including a fiberglass re-creation of the nursery in the foyer. The Never Land Club is located to the direct east of the Great Ceremonial House.
- Moana Mickey's Fun Hut Arcade - The resort has an arcade with a small 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 erosionErosionErosion is when materials are removed from the surface and changed into something else. It only works by hydraulic actions and transport of solids in the natural environment, and leads to the deposition of these materials elsewhere...
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 spaSpaThe term spa is associated with water treatment which is also known as balneotherapy. Spa towns or spa resorts typically offer various health treatments. The belief in the curative powers of mineral waters goes back to prehistoric times. Such practices have been popular worldwide, but are...
and health clubHealth clubA health club is a place which houses exercise equipment for the purpose of physical exercise.-Main workout area:...
facility that allows guests from both resorts to use the various equipment and services offered.
Famous Guests
John LennonJohn Lennon
John Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
signed the paperwork that officially broke up the Beatles at the Polynesian Resort on December 29, 1974.