Reviews of Polynesian Deluxe Studios (Disney Vacation Club)
Reviewed by Big Picture Review Date: 10/19/2015
Rating: (10) Recommended
We enjoyed a fantastic week here. We were in the Tokelau building, toward the end of the building closest to the Magic Kingdom. A few steps to the 3rd floor balcony provided the best view of the MK fireworks I've ever seen (including the view from California Grill at the Contemporary).
Everything about this resort was spectacular. Aside from the fantastic room with the double bath/shower setup, which was excellent, we also enjoyed Trader Sam's Grog Grotto, Kona Café, getting a Dole Whip at Pineapple Lanai, and the Spirit of Aloha Luau. In other words, we spent more time at the resort than usual because we really enjoyed just being there and soaking it all in.
Tokelau was a great building, with views of the Magic Kingdom, proximity to the TTC for EPCOT monorail access, proximity to the boat launches fro the Magic Kingdom, proximity to the bus stop for trips to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios, and the Ceremonial House for everything else.
We usually stay at a moderate (Port Orleans: French Quarter for the win!), so we knew this was going to be more expensive, but the value for the cost was still pretty good.
We got a good deal on the room (considering it's a monorail resort) when we booked it, probably because of the ongoing construction in the central area, where it looks like they're putting in a quiet pool and some other amenities.
The construction was only a minor inconvenience - we never heard the construction when we were in our room, and the extra few feet we had to walk around the construction area were no big deal.
Not really a positive or a negative, just an observation: the curtains in our room, when pulled completely closed, might have been a little too effective. They let it no sunlight at all. Waking up at 7:30 a.m. on a bright sunny day, the ambient light in the room would convince you it was the dead of night. We started leaving the curtains slightly open just so we'd know the sun still rose every day!
Pros:
Location, Monorail Access, Ambience, Cleanliness, Comfort, Proximity to the TTC for EPCOT MonorailCons:
Ongoing construction made getting from the Great Ceremonial House to our building a little longer than it would have been otherwise, but it was a very minor inconvenience.Reviewed by joplin Review Date: 09/07/2015
Rating: (10) Recommended
First time staying in the new Polynesian DVC. Room layout is impressive. Disney's attention to detail and quality is seen throughout this new area. Thank you WDW!!!!
Pros:
Room design, location, dining and recreationCons:
Construction until next yearReviewed by melitodezan Review Date: 08/31/2015
Rating: (10) Recommended
I have always loved the Poly and am super excited that it is a part of DVC! I lucked out and was able to book 3 nights in the middle of August in a standard view studio. I requested and received the 3rd floor. We were in the Pago Pago building, which is the closest to the parking lot and the TTC. We were 2 adults, a 13 yr old and a 7 yr old. The size of the room is awesome. Even with the murphy bed and the sofa out, I still felt I had room. The split bathroom is fantastic and HUGE! I can't wait until the rest of the DVC renovations are done at Poly, including the pool area so that there is access to another, closer pool. Pago Pago is the first building off the path to the TTC, and it was more convenient to walk there to take the monorail or the ferry to MK. I actually enjoyed it more than the Grand Floridian Studio, which I also liked and stayed at during our recent vacation.
Pros:
size of room, split bathroom, close to TTCCons:
—Reviewed by scava Review Date: 07/13/2015
Rating: (10) Recommended
Just returned from 10 day vacation at Poly studio. This is a beautiful location & I am so happy that DVC has added to our choices!! The studio is very spacious, we were 2 adults, a 14yo & 11yo no issues with storage plenty of room to store luggage & we had 4 suitcases & 2 golf bags Loved the split bathroom which gave us plenty of time to get ready!! Transportation was very easy, we were in Morea bldg. so short walk to TTC and 5 minute to main bldg. Took monorail to MK to change to bus when going to other resorts at night for dinner & returning just as easy as back to MK then hop on monorail. The only thing I thought at first would be an issue is our room was near the ferry dock & the horn starts early but after 1st day I didn't notice & missed that sound when I came home!!
I would highly recommend this location & cant wait to go back!!!
Pros:
LOCATION!!!!Cons:
noneReviewed by jordan026 Review Date: 02/24/2022
Rating: (9) Recommended
It is very spacious and beautiful, you feel like you are in the middle of the magic.
Pros:
beautiful scenery and rooms, spacious, close to MK, dole whipCons:
not a lot of food options for picky eaters, kind of far from the other parksReviewed by Diana K Review Date: 09/28/2018
Rating: (9) Recommended
I have previously stayed at the Polynesian resort prior to it becoming a DVC property, and always found it enjoyable. I'm an owner at Bay Lake Towers, so I immediately compared the studios. The bathroom setup is much nicer, with one room with a shower, and another with tub; both had sinks. It always felt more cramped in the BLT studio tiny bathroom. The shower has an awesome rain effect and the flooring reminiscent of pebbles. Made me feel like having a shower outside, but without any of the ickyness of actually being outside. The room is longer because of the extra bathroom space, but narrower. I didn't have the extra bed under the TV open, but if it was it would have been a little difficult to get to the other end of the room. Because of the bed under the TV where the dresser would normally be, I wound up using the bathroom drawers for all my clothes. Worked out well for me since I usually wind up getting dressed in the bathroom anyway. I'd definitely stay here again the future. Plus, aside from the bungalows, all the DVC rooms at the resort are studios, so it was much easier for me to book a room after the 7 month window than at other resorts besides my home one.
Pros:
Rain effect shower, extra bathroom sinks and spaceCons:
Limited drawer space, a bit narrowReviewed by Joel0917 Review Date: 09/26/2018
Rating: (9) Recommended
Hawaii feel in the heart of Orlando. This resort is great. Feels like a vacation within a vacation. And they have Dole Whip and some of the best drinks in all of WDW at the bars here. Good choice of food as well. View of fireworks on the beach at night.
Pros:
So many things. Pools. Beaches. Smores at night. Feel of the main building!Cons:
I can' think of anyReviewed by Aimee McCann Review Date: 12/20/2017
Rating: (9) Recommended
Our stay was Dec. 9-16. 4 adults sharing one room. I was afraid the room would be too small and the sofa bed uncomfortable, but I was wrong. The storage under the bed, the drawers in the baths and the closet were enough to hold our things. The laundry room was busy on a late Tues night. We didn't get any pixie dust, but the CMs we came into contact with were very helpful and pleasant. We will definitely be returning.
Pros:
Location to monorail for Epcot and MK. Two baths. ThemingCons:
noneReviewed by maze4 Review Date: 10/06/2017
Rating: (9) Recommended
We are DVC members and stayed 2 connecting studios 9/21-25 requested Tokeleu 3rd floor received ground floor #1913,1914. We arrived early rooms not ready so went to Epcot. Recieved email around 4pm rooms ready. Arrived back at resort after 9pm Luggage was there but not carry ons left at Bell Services. Room #1914 had an odor which once thought it was cigarette smoke so since my ds girlfriend has asthma we both went to front desk to alert them of situation. We were there approx 1 hour discussing options which were to have housekeeping come clean and they tried to find another room but since the hurricane alot of people were rescheduling their plans so all of DW was booked. They said that something would be avaiable the next day, while this discussion was going on another manager came over and asked room # and stated the the two rooms above ours were complaining the same smell. Head of housekeeping came as well as manager and we all came to conclusion that it was more of a mildew smell not smoke. They still cleaned and said they would shampoo carpets the next day. The manager said since we were not giving them a hard time and being reasonable they would like to compensate us. I explained that we used DVC points and they offered to refund those. That would have been great except our points would end up expiring since we have a Dec UY. so instead they comped us 1 night for each room monetary. Which ended up being over $500. They put it on our room credit which we used for F & W credits. This was truly amazing of them and not expected. The next day we came back with a puddle of water in the bathroom coming from the vent which we alerted front desk since we think that is where the smell was coming from and they quickly came and cleaned the area. We had no additional issues and the smell of the resort is very flowery so always had a nice smell. We loved using the monorail and boats and hardly had any waits. We used the walking path to TTC which only took 5 minutes and then you only had to use security checklines once. This is our home resort and look forward to returning. Only complaint We would goto quiet pools after returning from parks and the pool bar was always closed. This would be at 10pm I wish they would stayed open later. No issues with bugs, noise, boat horns etc. Loved it....
Pros:
Location, monorail, boat, quietnessCons:
pool bars not open lateReviewed by Corks84 Review Date: 02/19/2017
Rating: (9) Recommended
Our experience at the Poly was largely positive! We were 2 parties, traveling together and were assigned adjoining rooms as requested! The adjoining rooms were fantastic! This was our first trip with our 7 month old - and with the grandparents next door, we had help whenever we needed! Plus, in the evenings, we could go to their room and watch tv with the baby monitor going and the door open.
The room itself was great, we had to get a little creative with storage, but we made it work. Definitely not the drawer space we are used to at most Disney Resorts, but we made it work. The split bathroom was great and made getting ready in the mornings a breeze.
Our location in the Tokelau building was perfect, it was convenient to the resort. We often walked to the TTC to catch the monorail to Epcot which was perfect! Our only real complaint was that the monorail was unreliable at best. Each day one of the beams was down. Resulting in having to get creative in transportation. Not a huge deal, but when paying to stay at a monorail resort and then not being able to use it like it is intended is a bit disappointing.
Overall we loved our stay at the Polynesian! The rooms, the lush, tropical grounds, location and theming make it an ideal place to stay when at Disney.
