This year, I had a very special birthday. My husband got me three nights at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Here is what made my birthday stay so magical!
The History
For a true Disney fan, a stay at the Poly is a trip back into Disney history. The Polynesian Village Resort was one of the two original resorts when Walt Disney World opened in October 1971. It is also one of the only Disney World resorts imagined by Walt Disney himself! Walt and his wife, Lillian, vacationed in Hawaii, loved the Polynesian culture, and wanted to bring it to the new theme park.
The Location
What a treat to have a direct view of Cinderella’s Castle when dining and swimming at the Poly! For my family, it was a constant reminder of where we were, and it was especially fun to watch at night as the castle colors subtly changed from green to purple to pink. The beaches of the resort are also one of the best places to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks. After dinner, we strolled out into the sand and viewed the fireworks over the Seven Seas Lagoon.
The Food
The Polynesian has some of the best dining on property. For me, a perfect day of dining would be Tonga Toast at the Kona Café for breakfast, Thai Coconut Meatballs from Captain Cook’s for lunch, and Pineapple-Coconut Bread and Pork Dumplings at ‘Ohana for dinner. My kids would recommend finishing the day with a Dole Whip from Pineapple Lanai! Another family favorite is the Pulled Pork Nachos from Captain Cook’s. The nachos make a perfect poolside snack!
The Transportation
After staying many times at Disney’s value and moderate resorts, my family couldn’t believe that the monorail was just a short walk from our room. We could even see the monorail from our window! The Poly is right on Disney’s main transportation route with easy access to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot. The resort’s water taxi is another great transportation option. The taxi regularly transports guests to and from the Magic Kingdom. We got lucky on our trip back from the Magic Kingdom and had the boat all to ourselves!
The Pools
On every Disney vacation, we spend a day at the pool. It is a fun way to relax and get ready for another day at the parks. The newly renovated Lava Pool at the Poly is one of the best on property. The pool features a waterfall and 142 foot-long, fast-moving slide through a volcano. The pool even carries you partly through a dark tunnel! My kids also enjoyed the water playground area next to the pool. They loved getting as many people wet as possible with the playground’s water guns and cannons! If you are in the mood for a quieter swim, the resort has a lovely leisure pool called the Oasis Pool.
The Rooms
The rooms at the Poly are spacious and beautiful. The Polynesian-inspired lamps on either side of the beds give the rooms a romantic glow. My family also liked the extra space. We stayed in a standard room with a couch that can be converted into a day bed. My sons loved that they didn’t have to share a bed! We also appreciated the larger bathroom space with double vanities.
With its history, location, food, transportation, pools, and rooms, who wouldn’t choose a stay at the Polynesian Village Resort for their birthday!
