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Disney’s Polynesian Resort is considered one of the most popular Disney resorts. Sitting directly across the Magic Kingdom, it has lush theming and great amenities. Here are 5 reasons your children, in particular, will enjoy this resort!
Disney’s Polynesian Resort
Themed after the South Pacific with sandy beaches, lush vegetation, and tiki torches, Disney’s Polynesian is highly sought after by guests. It’s like taking a Hawaiian vacation in the middle of Florida with all the Disney perks.
The resort is located on the monorail, directly across the Magic Kingdom on the Seven Seas Lagoon. It is one of the pricier Disney World Resorts because it is categorized as a deluxe resort.
But, with that price tag comes some great perks and amenities! There are several restaurants and even a couple lounges onsite. The pool is one of the best on property.
There is even a marina with boat rentals and other recreational activities. Be sure to read our guide to the Polynesian HERE.
Disney with Kids
Choosing a hotel for your stay is very important business. You need to consider the cost, amenities, room accommodations, restaurants, recreation depending on your needs and goals for the vacation. Disney has 30 resort hotels, so there is at least one that will surely fit your needs.
As a mom of four that has stayed at almost all Disney World resorts, I (Monica) have a pretty good idea of what my kids enjoy and don’t appreciate about resorts. You can check out my favorite resorts for kids in this post.
While the Polynesian does not rank highest in the deluxe category, it is still pretty high on the list! In no particular order, here are five reasons your kids will love the Polynesian Resort
Character Meal with Lilo and Stitch
‘Ohana is considered one of the more popular character dining experiences at Disney World due to the laid-back atmosphere, Hawaiian dishes, and fun characters. Breakfast features character meets with Lilo, Stitch, Pluto, and Mickey (in his Hawaiian attire).
The breakfast food at ‘Ohana is a blend of mostly traditional American food with a few Hawaiian infused dishes. It is nowhere near as “themed” as dinner is, which consists of wings, dumplings, and noodles. Dinner is not a character meal, so I recommend breakfast for families and children.
Not only will you get to meet some fun characters, but your kids may also participate in a dance around the dining room. I want to point out I did not notice this on my last visit to ‘Ohana, so it may not be offered anymore (or maybe it just wasn’t offered that particular day).
Read my full review of breakfast at ‘Ohana in this post.
Sandy Beach and Fireworks Viewing
I don’t know about your kids, but my kids love to play in sand. There is just something about the texture of it that is so mesmerizing. No matter where we are or what we are doing, they will always stop to play in sand.
The Polynesian has a large sandy beach that faces the Seven Seas Lagoon and Magic Kingdom. My children love to play in it, and I admit I find myself scooping it up and playing with it too. As an added bonus, there are some chairs available for adults to sit in. You can also play volleyball and roast marshmallows.
If you are enjoying the beach at night, you will be treated to an incredible view of the Happily Ever After fireworks at Magic Kingdom. While there are other spots in the Magic Kingdom Resort Area to see them, I particularly enjoy this location.
It provides a straight view of the fireworks, plus the kids can stretch out and play without disturbing other Guests. It is a much more laid-back viewing area than California Grill or right on Main Street. Disney even pipes the music in!
The Pool and Lawn Area
Children really love the Lava Pool at the Polynesian. It features a waterfall, volcano, 142-foot slide, zero-depth entry, and a toddler play area. There are fantastic views of the Magic Kingdom, which means you can also view the fireworks from the pool.
While the slide is certainly not the best or longest slide of the Disney resorts, kids just really love it for some reason. It may be the feeling like you are sliding down a volcano.
For parents, enjoy lounge seating with Cast Members serving food and drinks from the Barefoot Pool Bar. You can also mobile order food from Capt. Cook’s, which is right outside the pool area.
There is a lawn area outside the back of the Great Ceremonial House right next to the Lava Pool. While this is nothing special (it’s literally just fake grass), kids just really enjoy the open space to run free. I think it is a small respite from the structured days in the parks. My family will typically order from Capt. Cook’s, eat outside, and let the kids run around.
Fun Theming in the Rooms
Disney completed a renovation of the rooms at the Polynesian Resort a few years ago. They are now themed to Moana, and kids love them!
One of the common complaints from the old rooms was the fact that they were so dark and had a lot of dark accents and wood. The rooms are now brighter and the colors are softer and more welcoming. The wood is no longer the dark wood that they had but much lighter and more modern. They also completely got rid of the dark carpeting.
Your kids will notice touches of Moana throughout the entire room. Of course there are the obvious pictures, characters, and details from the movie that you will recognize. But, one of the things that stands out to families is the floor which has a slight sandy texture!
Read more about these new rooms in Maggie’s post.
Transportation
Okay, this last one is for the parents! The Polynesian is conveniently located right across from the Magic Kingdom. This means you are a short ride via monorail, ferry, boat, or walk to/from the park! You can also easily access the other resorts that surround the Seven Seas Lagoon.
You will have to transfer at the Transportation and Ticket Center if you wish to get to Epcot. But, if you are staying at the Polynesian you are a short walk to get there, which means you do not have to take the resort monorail ride and transfer. Instead of walking to the Great Ceremonial House walk towards the DVC buildings. The TTC is just past there.
This is great for families because it eliminates the need to use a bus for two of the four theme parks. No getting sleepy kids out of strollers or dealing with meltdowns when a bus takes too long. I highly recommend the Polynesian for your visit to Disney with kids!
Using a Travel Agent can help you navigate the ins and outs of planning! I am here to help! Please fill out this form and put my name (Monica) in the Special Request box.
Do your children love the Polynesian? Let us know in the comments below, and share this post with a friend who is considering a stay here with their kids!
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