Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Transport yourself to a lush oasis of tropical palms, vibrant vegetation, and much more. Get lost in the outdoor island ambiance on moonlit nights or discover the exotic flavors of our world-class restaurants. Since 1971, Disney's Polynesian Village Resort has been a beloved Disney destination, known for its signature tropical atmosphere.
Pros:
Monorail!
Multiple transportation options - monorail, boat, and bus
gorgeous property
great location - MK area
Magic Kingdom firework viewing
on-site character dining
newly renovated
nice pool + splash pad
close to MK for mid-day breaks
Dole Whip on site
Cons:
not many! this is a favorite resort of some of our travel planners
lack of allergy friendly dining
lack of quick service dining
deluxe resort so higher quality but not as affordable
Recreation
Pools
Lava Pool - features a towering volcano, waterfall, gorgeous view, and 142 ft long waterslide. Zero entry pool with a hot tub and a splash pad area.
Oasis Pool - all-ages leisure pool nestled in a lush garden.
Oasis Patio - private shaded area available to rent
Poolside Activities - Recreation Hosts provide family friendly activities each day like games, relays, trivia and more. Available at Lava Pool
Polynesian Village Campfire Activities - roast marshmallows by a cracking fire, located on Seven Seas Lagoon beach various nights.
Movies Under the Stars - complimentary screenings of Disney films on the Great Ceremonial House lawn various evenings.
Motorized Boat Rentals - cruise around Seven Seas Lagoon in your own rental boat
Fishing - Experience bash fishing at it’s finest with a guided catch-and-release excursion
Volleyball - sandy court
Jogging Trail - a one mile path along the lagoon connecting Grand Floridian Resort & Polynesian Village Resort.
Electric Water Pageant - A night time water parade - watch whimsical water creatures cruise the lagoon to electronic Disney tunes
Seven Seas Lagoon Beach - beach right on the water to really get the feel of the South Pacific.
Dining
‘Ohana - This table service restaurant offers two dining experiences: Best Friends Breakfast with Lilo and Stitch is served family-style while characters visit with Guests. Dinner is an all-you-care-to-enjoy dinner with Hawaiian, Asian, and Polynesian dishes but no character visits. Reservations are highly recommended.
Kona Cafe - Asian inspired relaxed cafe, open for Breakast, Lunch and Dinner. Includes an onstage sushi kitchen! Table service restaurant, reservations suggested.
Capt. Cook’s - quick service dining from breakfast, lunch, dinner and even late night.
Pineapple Lanai - Dole Whip anyone?
Kona Island - Coffee shop with pastries in the morning and sushi rolls and desserts later in the day.
Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto - bar service at a tropical watering hole. Family friendly until 8pm, then adults only.
Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace - bar service at this open-air lounge.
Tambu Lounge - This bar and lounge offers a variety of tropical drinks along with a full bar and Hawaiian inspired small portion meals.
Barefoot Pool Bar - enjoy the white sandy beach and the gorgeous view by the Lava Pool while you sip a cocktail, beer, or smoothie!
Oasis Bar & Grill - pool bar with tropical cocktails, wine, beer, and assorted beverages. Quick service meals are also available.
When Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort opened on October 1, 1971 it was only Walt Disney Worlds second on-site hotel.
The resort's central building, called the Great Ceremonial House, was designed to mirror a Tahitian royal assembly lodge. It contains guest services and most of the resort's dining and merchandise locations but no guest rooms. Several lodges, called longhouses, and water bungalows are spread out amongst resort property to house all guest rooms.
Disney's Polynesian Village Resort has undergone three major expansions since it opened in 1971. The first happened in 1978, which saw the addition of a longhouse, the Tangaroa Terrace restaurant, and a secondary pool. A second expansion took place in 1985, with the construction of two more longhouses. The resort then changed its name to "Disney's Polynesian Resort" that same year. In 2014, it was announced that the resort would once again be called "Disney's Polynesian Village Resort" and would undergo additional expansion to include Disney Vacation Club accommodations and enhanced resort amenities. The third expansion opened on April 1, 2015, featuring new DVC additions and other amenities around the resort. In March of 2021 Disney Parks Blog unveiled newly refurbished accommodation, featuring fresh furnishings, fixtures, and a range of Moana inspired details, patterns, textures, and colors. The fourth expansion is currently underway for a new DVC building with new villas and amenities expected to open in 2024.
Most of the resort's longhouses are now named after islands on the Polynesian isle map, with longhouse names matching the relative geographic position of their namesake islands. The Hawaii and Tonga buildings currently offer a Concierge Lounge, which provides refreshments, views, and lounge space exclusively to guests of those buildings.
Fun fact: John Lennon was at the Polynesian Resort for Christmas 1974 when he signed the paperwork that officially broke up The Beatles.