7 Bizarre Things We Love About Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

One of the best conversation starters we hear constantly involves which Disney World hotel is your favorite, but no one ever wants to talk about the bizarre things that you can find around the hotels!

With so many hotels to choose from when you stay at Disney World, it can be hard to find the finer details of each one. So, grab your dole whip from Aloha Isle, pull up a comfy chair, and allow us to walk you through all the bizarre reasons why we love Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is one of the resorts closest to Magic Kingdom and is conveniently located just a short monorail ride away. This hotel was also one of three resorts that opened the same day as Walt Disney World — October 1st, 1971 (along with Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Disney’s Fort Wilderness), making it a true classic Disney World location.

This hotel draws inspiration from the Polynesian isles in every inch of the grounds including the architecture, food, entertainment, and even their amenities. But, even the most stunning places can hide the most bizarre secrets, and we’re here to tell you our favorites!

1. The Limited Yet Banger Menu Options At Capt. Cooks

Capt. Cook’s is a popular quick-service dining location for good reason. While it might have a fairly limited menu mostly made of Thai- Coconut Meatballs, the Aloha Pork Sandwich, Pulled Pork Nachos, and a few other American-style offerings like a basic cheeseburger and chicken nuggets, it’s a hard one to beat!

Their Polynesian-inspired offerings usually rank high on our list of favorites and to be honest, our mouths are watering just thinking about their menu right now.

2. The Unique Obsession Some People Have With The Cookies From Honolulu Cookie Company

There’s a snack you can’t buy anywhere else in Disney World that has quite the following — the shortbread cookies from the Honolulu Cookie Company. You’ll typically find these treats (when they’re available) at BouTiki, which is the gift shop located on the first floor of the hotel.

They’re sold in tin containers, boxes, or pre-packaged bags so their cost will vary depending on which package you choose.

3. Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto Is All The Entertainment You Need

Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto is the ultimate hang-out spot with great theming, special effects, and hilarious antics that will keep you coming back again and again. If you’re looking for a more mature vibe, consider stopping by after 7PM, when Trader Sam’s is open for adults only and the Cast Members really can kick their jokes, drinks, and entertainment into high gear.

There’s also an incredible whole room effect you can get a front-row seat to when you ask for the Uh-Oa drink experience!

4. Home To One Of The Most Public Breakups in History

Sometimes those weird things you think are rumors actually turn out to be true. When you’re here, you can walk right by (and maybe be lucky enough to stay in) the room where John Lennon signed the paperwork that went on to dissolve the Beatles. While we hate that the Polynesian hotel is part of such a sad piece to this puzzle, it’s hard to turn down an opportunity to visit such a historic place that will forever be associated with such a public heartbreak that reverberated for decades long after.

5. The Intense Obsession With ‘Ohana Noodles

Much like the shortbread cookies there’s another food item here that has it’s won the hearts of many Disney foodies, the ‘Ohana noodles! If you’ve got a craving that only these pan-Asian style noodles can curb typically you can find these at the hotel in either Capt. Cook’s downstairs next to Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto or…

… upstairs in the Tambu Lounge (bonus points to you if you pair it with the Ohana Bread Pudding at the lounge!)

6. Wait, There Were Waves Here Once?

When the resort opened in 1971, a wave-making machine created artificial waves that crashed onto the beach area. In theory, it was a nice idea to give it more of a South Seas feel, but it also created rapid beach erosion. Use of the wave machine ceased shortly afterward. The machine was located on Beachcomber Island, across the lagoon, and if you look towards the island while on the boat to the Magic Kingdom or Grand Floridian, you can see where the wave machine used to be.

7. They’ve Got Some Over-The-Top Drinks

We really get a kick out of some of these drinks and love that this hotel knows how to not take itself so seriously. Take for for instance the Lapu Lapu, yes it’s really served in a pineapple.

This is your heads up if you order the Backscratcher drink, you might get more than you bargain for!

A literal backscratcher may be offered to you with the namesake drink, while others like the Zombie…

… will be served to you in a literal shrunken head.

And there you have it! All of these reasons might sound a bit strange and bizarre to you but to us, it’s just another reason why we could gush about Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort all day long! For the latest in Disney World news and updates, be sure to check back in with us at AllEars!

What do you love most about Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort? Tell us in the comments below!

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