Disney's POLYNESIAN VILLAGE RESORT Information & Questions

[mickeynut1]

Add my husband and I to the late October travelers list. We arrive on the 20th and leave on the 28th. It's our first time at Poly and only his second trip to WDW.

Looks like late Oct is a great time to go as there will be lots of Disers at the Poly during that time...lol. Hope you have a great time and enjoy the Poly .

My toddler son and I are staying at Poly DVC in 10 days and I CANNOT WAIIIITTT!!!

Hope you have a great trip .

 

[PPFlight75]

Hey there! Since @GADisneyDad14 summoned me, I’d be happy to help! We just stayed in Tokelau and thought the building was lovely. We had a view of the quiet pool and a side view of the castle. We had to walk to do laundry, but it was close by. I have not stayed in any other building, so I cannot compare the others. Enjoy!

View attachment 345548 View attachment 345549

PS. - @GADisneyDad14 has been asking quite a bit of help from The Dark Side lately...admit it...

Love your view!!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

1) If I don’t need to be first in line at rope drop but want to enjoy an hour or so of light lines, what time would you recommend we get in line for the monorail? I haven’t yet done the resort-side security checks. We have 4 days at Magic Kingdom so will be doing stuff at a casual pace.

For the purposes of my response, I'm going to assume MK has regular 9am park opening on your days. My feedback would be a bit different if the park opening is earlier.

On 9AM park opening days, MK lets everyone through the gates approx 7:45-8am and guests are free to roam Main Street up to the Hub/Castle. Many shops are open during this time, PhotoPass photographers are usually out, Main Street Bakery is open, the Main Street Vehicles are often out. The welcome show will be on the castle stage at 8:55am, after which the "ropes drop" at the Hub spokes and the park is open.

Sorry if you already know that! But it impacts my timing recommendation.

Since the above creates a more "slow loading" situation at MK vs the old mega lines outside the main entrance, you have some flexibility in what time you leave Poly.

Generally speaking, we'll leave Poly around 8-8:15am, which then (baring any monorail delays) gives us plenty of time to stroll Main Street, chill, and enjoy the sights/sounds before the park opens. But you have a lot of flexibility here and can pretty much time it at your own pace/needs.

The security check at the Poly monorail at that hour should be pretty easy... they'll be plenty of people on your same plan, but the lines are not so bad that you need to build in a lot of time.

Hope that helps - happy to answer any questions.

 

[monica9]

For the purposes of my response, I'm going to assume MK has regular 9am park opening on your days. My feedback would be a bit different if the park opening is earlier.

On 9AM park opening days, MK lets everyone through the gates approx 7:45-8am and guests are free to roam Main Street up to the Hub/Castle. Many shops are open during this time, PhotoPass photographers are usually out, Main Street Bakery is open, the Main Street Vehicles are often out. The welcome show will be on the castle stage at 8:55am, after which the "ropes drop" at the Hub spokes and the park is open.

Sorry if you already know that! But it impacts my timing recommendation.

Since the above creates a more "slow loading" situation at MK vs the old mega lines outside the main entrance, you have some flexibility in what time you leave Poly.

Generally speaking, we'll leave Poly around 8-8:15am, which then (baring any monorail delays) gives us plenty of time to stroll Main Street, chill, and enjoy the sights/sounds before the park opens. But you have a lot of flexibility here and can pretty much time it at your own pace/needs.

The security check at the Poly monorail at that hour should be pretty easy... they'll be plenty of people on your same plan, but the lines are not so bad that you need to build in a lot of time.

Hope that helps - happy to answer any questions.

Are the lines to get in the monorail really long early morning? Do you usually get on the first monorail if you leave poly say 15-20 min before park opens?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Are the lines to get in the monorail really long early morning? Do you usually get on the first monorail if you leave poly say 15-20 min before park opens?

Monorail hours can change week to week, but they have generally been starting at 7am these days. Here’s a link to the Times Guide that has monorail hours: http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/p/weekly-walt-disney-world-times-guides.html

When it opens at 7am, the first monorail will be sometime around 7am, or shortly thereafter.

I personally have not experienced what I call “really long” security lines at the Poly monorail station. At most I’ve only ever been maybe 10-15 people back. Usually it’s just a few people, and the line moves at a reasonable pace.

Granted - things can happen such a monorail delays, closures, etc which can create more crowds on the platform that spill back to the security line - but that would not really be the norm.

I view it as a “Your Mileage May Vary” topic because things can be different on any given Disney morning, but that has been my experience.

 

[monica9]

Monorail hours can change week to week, but they have generally been starting at 7am these days. Here’s a link to the Times Guide that has monorail hours: http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/p/weekly-walt-disney-world-times-guides.html

When it opens at 7am, the first monorail will be sometime around 7am, or shortly thereafter.

I personally have not experienced what I call “really long” security lines at the Poly monorail station. At most I’ve only ever been maybe 10-15 people back. Usually it’s just a few people, and the line moves at a reasonable pace.

Granted - things can happen such a monorail delays, closures, etc which can create more crowds on the platform that spill back to the security line - but that would not really be the norm.

I view it as a “Your Mileage May Vary” topic because things can be different on any given Disney morning, but that has been my experience.

oK thank you. I think I am just worried because this is our first monorail resort and my sister stayed at GF and had long waits getting back to her resort at night. I wonder how busy it will be getting to the resorts as well. Thank you for the help!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

oK thank you. I think I am just worried because this is our first monorail resort and my sister stayed at GF and had long waits getting back to her resort at night. I wonder how busy it will be getting to the resorts as well. Thank you for the help!

Yeah, getting back to Poly (or GF) at night can be variable. If you’re leaving at a peak exit time - like after HEA - then yeah, you’ll be in a crowd both getting on the monorail or Poly resort boat. Non-peak time and you can walk right on. And every variation in between.

 

[DisneyFave]

For the purposes of my response, I'm going to assume MK has regular 9am park opening on your days. My feedback would be a bit different if the park opening is earlier.

On 9AM park opening days, MK lets everyone through the gates approx 7:45-8am and guests are free to roam Main Street up to the Hub/Castle. Many shops are open during this time, PhotoPass photographers are usually out, Main Street Bakery is open, the Main Street Vehicles are often out. The welcome show will be on the castle stage at 8:55am, after which the "ropes drop" at the Hub spokes and the park is open.

Sorry if you already know that! But it impacts my timing recommendation.

Since the above creates a more "slow loading" situation at MK vs the old mega lines outside the main entrance, you have some flexibility in what time you leave Poly.

Generally speaking, we'll leave Poly around 8-8:15am, which then (baring any monorail delays) gives us plenty of time to stroll Main Street, chill, and enjoy the sights/sounds before the park opens. But you have a lot of flexibility here and can pretty much time it at your own pace/needs.

The security check at the Poly monorail at that hour should be pretty easy... they'll be plenty of people on your same plan, but the lines are not so bad that you need to build in a lot of time.

Hope that helps - happy to answer any questions.

So helpful!! Thank you!!!! We will follow your 8am advice. I am now wondering the same about Epcot. We would want to ride Spaceship Earth with <10 min wait. What time would you say we should leave the DVC side of Poly?

 

[kat_lh]

On 9AM park opening days, MK lets everyone through the gates approx 7:45-8am and guests are free to roam Main Street up to the Hub/Castle. Many shops are open during this time, PhotoPass photographers are usually out, Main Street Bakery is open, the Main Street Vehicles are often out. The welcome show will be on the castle stage at 8:55am, after which the "ropes drop" at the Hub spokes and the park is open.

Not anything really to do with Poly as this is more a general park question but you definitely know what you are talking about! What time do they open the hub if EMH is at 8 am?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Not anything really to do with Poly as this is more a general park question but you definitely know what you are talking about! What time do they open the hub if EMH is at 8 am?

It’s roughly the same setup as a regular 9am park opening without EMHs.

Main Street/the Hub will open to everyone roughly 7:45-8, but only EMH eligible guests can get past the Hub into Tomorrowland and Fantasyland (the other lands are not open for AM EMHs). There are CMs with scanners on the open Hub “spokes” - that’s how they check who is EMH eligible.

The welcome show is still on the castle stage at around 8:55am.

Hope that helps!

 

[Lsdolphin]

Can we can we expect the monorail to be running by 7:00 am on the EMM mornings or would there be another way to get to MK earlier enough?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Can we can we expect the monorail to be running by 7:00 am on the EMM mornings or would there be another way to get to MK earlier enough?

The last few times I’ve done MK EMM (most recent this July), the resort monorail was running starting at 7am. Worked fine for us.

Here are some time stamps from July from photos if helpful!

7:16am - loaded monorail at Poly station (we probably left our room at 7am, if I had to guess)
7:26am - at MK, walking down ramp from the monorail station
7:29am - checked in and waiting outside the MK front entrance with a few hundred friends
7:45am - they let us in

I do recommend checking the Times Guide when you are there just to make sure you have the latest hours: http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/p/weekly-walt-disney-world-times-guides.html

Hope that helps!

 

[Lsdolphin]

The last few times I’ve done MK EMM (most recent this July), the resort monorail was running starting at 7am. Worked fine for us.

Here’s some time stamps from July from photos if helpful!

7:16am - loaded monorail at Poly station (we probably left our room at 7am, if I had to guess)
7:26am - at MK, walking down ramp from the monorail station
7:29am - checked in and waiting outside the MK front entrance with a few hundred friends
7:45am - they let us in

I do recommend checking the Times Guide when you are there just to make sure you have the latest hours: http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/p/weekly-walt-disney-world-times-guides.html

Hope that helps!

Thank you this is very helpful!!! Planning to attend EMM on 9/4 can't wait!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Thank you this is very helpful!!! Planning to attend EMM on 9/4 can't wait!

BTW, this wasn’t EMM, but another time at some point last year I was aiming to be at the MK entrance at 7:45am. Walked over to the Poly monorail entrance and it was down for mechanical issues (so said the CM). When the monorail isn’t running, there is “supposed” to be a bus to MK. I didn’t want to chance waiting so grabbed a taxi and took it over to CR.

I guess point being, stuff can happen so it’s usually good to have a backup plan in mind just in case.

You probably know all of that anyway, the “panic” of that morning just came back to me in thinking about your question.

 

[MIAMouseketeer]

Can we can we expect the monorail to be running by 7:00 am on the EMM mornings or would there be another way to get to MK earlier enough?

We went a week ago from the GF and it was running. Got to MK at 7:35

 

[kat_lh]

It’s roughly the same setup as a regular 9am park opening without EMHs.

Main Street/the Hub will open to everyone roughly 7:45-8, but only EMH eligible guests can get past the Hub into Tomorrowland and Fantasyland (the other lands are not open for AM EMHs). There are CMs with scanners on the open Hub “spokes” - that’s how they check who is EMH eligible.

The welcome show is still on the castle stage at around 8:55am.

Hope that helps!

Perfect info - thank you!

 

[keishashadow]

best longhouse to request in with a DVC standard view? TIA

Hey there! Since @GADisneyDad14 summoned me, I’d be happy to help! We just stayed in Tokelau and thought the building was lovely. We had a view of the quiet pool and a side view of the castle. We had to walk to do laundry, but it was close by. I have not stayed in any other building, so I cannot compare the others. Enjoy!

View attachment 345548 View attachment 345549

PS. - @GADisneyDad14 has been asking quite a bit of help from The Dark Side lately...admit it...

We were a few studios closer to lake, same basic view. Give the nod to the studios vs rooms due to bathroom layout and more space

Hi all! I'm so excited for our first stay at the Poly. This is definitely a splurge for us as we usually stay at mods. It's also my son's first trip! It will be the three of us.

I need help selecting a room that will work best with a 13 month old. We have booked an entry level standard room. Do any of these come with king beds rather than 2 doubles (or a queen - 1 bed)? We will have a crib set up so it would be nice to have more space. It's also key for us to have a balcony/patio so we have somewhere to hang out once our kiddo goes to bed. I know some of the buildings don't have balconies, right?

Guessing first floor is easiest with a stroller.

I don't really care so much about location, but it would be nice to be close to a bar (ha!) to grab some drinks for our patio. This is probably least important.

If I had to prioritize:
1. Balcony
2. King/queen Bed
3. Location (wherever it may be)

And finally, can we do Trader Sam's with a 13 month old? Any other tips for us?

Thank you!

Initially wasn’t thrilled with our upgrade to Samoa in 2nd floor - no balcony. Didn’t take long to realize what a great location it was!

oK thank you. I think I am just worried because this is our first monorail resort and my sister stayed at GF and had long waits getting back to her resort at night. I wonder how busy it will be getting to the resorts as well. Thank you for the help!

Surprising how many departing mk guests pile into resort monorail. When we see the line backed up to bottom of ramp, would elect the boat service. They were running them nearly back to back last week as MNSSHP let out!

One comment on bus service to mgm for emh of 7 am. Surprised to discover first bus not scheduled until 6:30 am. Wound up ubering for $6 and let off far closer to park. Poly has the furthest temporary bus stop there argh

Shout out to activity staff who in the inclement weather evenings set up shop at lilos. GD loved the paint a pineapple activity which is in testing mode there.

 

[SL6827]

Does anyone have a preference with a standard view villa at the Poly? Got two nights reserved in December, ya, its like my third resort change up, LoL, so I was wondering about a standard view in the DVC buildings. Not to concerned with floor I suppose, but maybe which building.

 

[anneboleyn]

I leave for Disney World in 8 days! I can’t believe it is in the single digits...it feels like last week when I first booked the hotels and it was over 300 days away!

We are doing a split stay with the first week at AKL and the second week at the Poly! I am so excited to just wander around the Poly...it looks like such a pretty resort! I am hoping for a first floor room so that I can sit on the patio and drink tea and enjoy the views

8 more days!

 

[monica9]

Odd question but does Poly have a bus from MK to Poly if boat and monorail lines are backed up too much?