Welcome To Episode 250

Alicea 0:23

Hello everyone. I'm Alicea.

Nathan 0:25

And I'm Nathan.

Alicea 0:26

And welcome to episode 250 of Adventures and Mouse Capades. 250.

Nathan 0:32

250? That's insane. I didn't know that we'd get past 25.

Alicea 0:38

We talk a lot.

Nathan 0:40

We do talk a lot. For two introverts, we seem to talk a lot. And uh thank you to everybody out there for listening to us ramble.

Alicea 0:48

Yeah. If you have a chance, we'd love it. If you could leave a review, smash that like button. Four stars, five stars, ten stars, all the stars. Yeah.

Nathan 0:58

Yeah. Ring that bell, all the good stuff.

What DVC Is And Why It Matters

Alicea 1:02

Well, this week we are continuing our occasional series covering some of the nicest accommodations that you can find at Disney Resorts. Disney Vacation Club Villas, DVC, if you're nasty. In particular, we're digging into one of Disney World's original hotels, a fan favorite, and a location that has seen a lot of change over the years. Disney's Polynesian Villas and Bungalows.

Nathan 1:21

Now, as a reminder, Disney Vacation Club is Disney's timeshare product that lets you stay at deluxe class hotels in Walt Disney World in Florida, Disneyland in California, and off-site resorts in Hawaii, Vero Beach, Florida, and Hilton Head, North Carolina. If you want a broader overview of how DVC works, give a listen to episode 14 or 98 of this here podcast.

Alicea 1:46

We are DVC owners at the Aulani Resort in Hawaii, the Villas at Disneyland Hotel, and here at the Polynesian Villas in Bungalows and Tower in Orlando. So, needless to say, there are a bunch of other episodes and trip reports in our back catalog where we talk about staying in Disney Vacation Club accommodations at these and other DVC locations too.

Nathan 2:07

And an important disclaimer: this is not a sponsored ad for timeshare purposes. We are not affiliated with Disney. We are just big fans of DVC and know lots of folks have questions about how this all works. If you want to talk specifics about ownership, we highly recommend checking out DisneyVacationClub.com or reaching out to DVC directly. And if you're in a Disney park, resort, or cruise ship, there's bound to be a DVC information desk close by to help you out.

Alicea 2:40

Yes, indeed. Let's dive right in.

Nathan 2:43

Let's do it.

Polynesian History And Modern Updates

Alicea 2:44

Disney's Polynesian Village Resort opened on October 1st, 1971. If that date sounds familiar, it's because that's the same day Walt Disney World itself opened, featuring Magic Kingdom and the Contemporary Resort. Of course, that also means that a couple of weeks ago, the Polynesian Resort celebrated its 55th birthday. But don't worry, like many who are famous, she's had a little work done over the years.

Nathan 3:09

Situated on the white sand beaches of Seven Seas Lagoon across from the Magic Kingdom, the resort featured 492 rooms and suites when it first opened. In addition to the great ceremonial house, with a two-story waterfall in the main lobby, and several restaurants and lounges, the rooms were clustered in eight longhouses, each named after a significant culture in Polynesia: Tahiti, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Hawaii, Bora Bora, and Maui.

Alicea 3:42

There have been several expansions over the years, including converting three buildings into Disney Vacation Club villas in 2015. While the hotel is still referred to as the Polynesian Village Resort, the DVC side of things is officially called Disney's Polynesian Villas and Bungalows. All that said, you'll often hear most Disney fans just call this place the Polly.

Nathan 4:03

Because that's what it is. Today there are 1,132 rooms and suites spread across 11 two and three-story longhouses containing 484 hotel rooms and suites and 360 DVC villas. Additionally, there are 20 overwater bungalows plus another 268 DVC villas and studios in the new 10-story island tower that opened in 2024.

Alicea 4:51

The current layout of the resort includes, and pardon me I am totally going to butcher these names, Tonga, Aotearoa, Fiji, Tuvalu, Hawaii, Samoa, Niue, and Rarotonga buildings for hotel rooms; Tokelau,

Alicea 4:52

Morea, and Pago Pago for the DVC Villas, the Bora Bora Bungalow neighborhood, plus the island tower. Though some of today's building names are carried forward from 1971, the labels have been shuffled around over the decades. And I do not want to try and pronounce any of those again, because that was ridiculous.

Samantha 5:10

Good job, Alicea. I would have done way worse than you, believe me, Nathan asked.

Nathan 5:14

Right. And also, who wants consistency? Literally, like the Bora Bora, like or I don't think it was Bora Bora. I think it was Pago Pago and a couple other things. Like they've moved around because just reasons.

Alicea 5:27

I guess. Yeah.

Nathan 5:29

Thanks, Disney. The Polynesian Resort is, of course, styled after the architecture and landscapes of the Pacific Islands. Room decor invokes the warmth and romance of the South Pacific, infused with Disney magic. The hotel rooms were refurbished in 2021 and feature Moana. The DVC longhouses retain a more traditional Polynesian resort design with Lilo and Stitch touches added. The overwater bungalows evoke a luxury South Pacific resort aesthetic, featuring natural woods and tropical materials with minimal Disney character presence.

Alicea 6:09

The new island tower has its own design language, which, according to Disney, brings the adventurous spirit of Polynesia to life. Rather than being just a Moana hotel tower, the theme is broader with modern Polynesian influences that highlight wayfinding, exploration, and navigation, in addition to everyone's favorite princess from the fictional island of Motanui.

Nathan 6:31

And of course, the poly features multiple pools, direct access to the monorail and the seven seas lagoon, and fan favorite restaurants and lounges. We'd of course be remiss if we didn't also at least mention that John Lennon famously, infamously, signed the papers that officially dissolved the Beatles during his Christmas vacation stay at the Poly in December of 1974. Sad.

Alicea 7:00

Sad.

Nathan 7:01

Let's talk about the

Studios, Bungalows, And Tower Villas

Nathan 7:02

accommodations, shall we?

Alicea 7:04

As we mentioned, there are 360 DVC villas in the three original longhouse style buildings. These have resort or preferred views, which face the Bungalows, Seven Seas Lagoon, and Magic Kingdom beyond. The resort views feature the lush grounds of the resort.

Nathan 7:22

The 360 deluxe studio rooms sleep five and are the largest studios on Disney property at 477 square feet. These feature a queen bed, a Queen Murphy bed couch conversion, and the now classic DVC under TV kid-sized single pull-down. The kitchenette area has a microwave, a sink, and a small fridge. The bathroom is a unique split design here. One room holds the toilet, sink, and a tub/slash shower, while the other has a sink and a shower, which is kind of cool. I kind of like the cruise line, except you get two showers in it.

Alicea 8:05

The 20 over water bungalows have some of the most iconic views of any Disney resort property with a front row seat to Magic Kingdom Fireworks and the electrical water pageant from your own private deck. The 20 bungalow villas sleep up to eight in 1,093 square feet of luxury. The primary bedroom features a king bed, an ensuite bath with two sinks, soaking tub, separate shower, and a dedicated door to the overwatered deck. There's also a TV in the mirror, which is kind of cool. The second bedroom has a queen bed and an under TV pull down. And then there's a Queen Murphy and a second TV pull-down in the living room. There's a hall bath with a full tub, a stacked washer and dryer, and beautiful, fully provisioned kitchen with a dining table for eight and a spacious living room area. Of course, there's also your own private wraparound deck featuring lounge chairs, a dining table for four, hanging chairs, and your own splash pool.

Nathan 9:03

The bungalows are glorious.

Alicea 9:06

They are.

Nathan 9:06

That was an amazing stay. But we'll talk more about that later. There are 268 island tower rooms and villas that offer resort premium preferred or theme park views. Resort views overlook gardens or parking lots and are generally on the quote unquote back side of the tower or in the wing that's closest to the rest of the poly resort. Preferred views offer views of the pools or lagoon. The few premium view rooms are all duo studios that overlook the Seven Seas Lagoon towards the contemporary and space mountain, though you cannot see the castle from here. And then, of course, the theme park views all offer at least a partial view of the Magic Kingdom and Seven Seas Lagoon. These are the perfect spot for sunsets, fireworks, and the electrical water pageant.

Alicea 10:04

For the different types of rooms, there are 39 duo studio rooms. These sleep just two in a comfy 262 square feet. This room type debuted with the Riviera and featured the very comfortable queen-size Murphy bed to sleep just two. While there is an undercounter fridge, microwave, and coffee maker, this is a controversial to some room design and it lacks a kitchen and dining table found in most DVC villas. That said, it is a perfect spot for a couple who's just looking for somewhere to lay their head at night and grab a shower in the morning. They do have a small balcony as well.

Nathan 10:40

Also in the tower, we have 136 deluxe studio rooms, which sleep four in 378 square feet. There's a queen bed plus the queen size Murphy bed. These have a sink in the kitchenette and do offer a small banquet table and a bench for in-room dining or rope drop planning and research. There's a full bath and, of course, a balcony as well.

Alicea 11:10

The island towers 74 one-bedroom villas each sleep five in a comfortable 767 square feet. These villas feature a king-size bed in a separate room with an ensuite, plus the Queen Murphy, in addition to the kid-size under TV pull-down. There is a second spacious full bath in the suite, plus a full kitchen, dining table, stacked washer and dryer, and a double-wide balcony with seating for four.

Nathan 11:35

If you need more room, there are 15 two-bedroom villas coming in at 1,150 square feet that sleep nine. Plus, there are another 41 quote unquote lockoff villas where a studio and one bedroom can be combined. Basically, if you want to know what a two-bedroom looks like here, replay what we said about the studio and a one-bedroom, merge them together, and voila, there you have it.

Alicea 12:03

Though the dedicated ones are a little bit different than the lockoffs.

Nathan 12:06

Ever so slightly. And they are five square feet more. It's not really enough to write home about.

Alicea 12:16

They also don’t have an extra kitchen.

Nathan 12:16

Okay, fair. There's no extra kitchenette.

Alicea 12:19

Yes.

Nathan 12:19

Okay. I stand or rather sit corrected.

Alicea 12:23

And of course, if your points budget is generous and you are looking to splurge, there are four two-bedroom penthouse villas at the island tower. These ninth and tenth floor suites sleep eight in 1,391 square feet of Disney opulence. There is a king bed in the primary bedroom with a generous ensuite featuring both a soaking tub and a separate shower, plus your own dedicated balcony. The second bedroom features two queen beds, its own dedicated balcony, plus another ensuite with a shower. And then there's a queen-size Murphy bed in the living room, a third full bath with a shower, a full kitchen, a roomy dining table for eight, and yet another massive balcony off the living and dining areas. And don't forget that every DVC villa, one bedroom and up, including these penthouses, come with an in-suite washer and dryer.

Nathan 13:15

Now, if you're interested, full digital walkthroughs of all of these room options are available from the DVC websites page for Disney's Polynesian villas and bungalows.

Points Charts And Contract Expiration

Nathan 13:28

Let's talk about kind of the essentials about the resort. And we'll start off with DVC points. As a reminder, Disney Vacation Club introduced points rather than specific weeks and room types to the timeshare industry. A DVC purchase grants you a certain number of points per year. Points charts for the Polynesian villas and bungalows start at 13 points per night during September in a duo studio and run all the way up to 226 points per night for a bungalow or a two-bedroom penthouse during peak travel season around the holidays on a weekend. The most common room type, the deluxe studio, ranges between 15 and 43 points per night.

Alicea 14:16

DVC contracts are good for 50 years of points from resort opening, not the purchase date. Since the first DVC villas and bungalows at the Poly opened in 2015, the contracts expire January 31st, 2066. It is worth noting that although the Island Tower came online in 2024, that capacity was rolled into the existing timeshare entity, so the expiration remains 2066.

Nathan 14:42

We also want to point out that nobody's 100% sure what DVC will do for current owners when these contracts do eventually expire. We'll start finding out in 2042 when the first DVC contracts at Old Key West Resort start hitting their term limit. There are lots of theories out there, but we don't expect to hear anything officially from Disney until that date gets a lot closer. We'll just have to wait and see what happens.

Alicea 15:09

Yes, indeed. Now on to the basics.

Check In, Parking, And Transportation

Alicea 15:12

Check-in for the DVC villas is at 4 p.m. For the hotel side, check-in is at 3 p.m. And check out is at 11 a.m. for both.

Nathan 15:23

The check-in desk, concierge, bell services, and valet are all available in the Great Ceremonial House. This is over in the main area of the Polynesian Resort. Additionally, while the Island Tower doesn't have a traditional front desk, there are cast members available to assist with check-in or other needs.

Alicea 15:45

As with all Florida resorts, self-parking for DVC owners and reservations is included. Valet is available via the Great Ceremonial House for a fee. It is also worth calling out that in Disney World, if you cannot find a handicapped spot, you can receive complimentary valet parking. But of course, please don't forget to tip the crew.

Nathan 16:18

Laundry is available ensuite for 1 bedroom and langer villas and and there’s a common laundry room on the first floor of both the DVC Moorea building and the island tower. These are free to use for DVC guests, but a card or token may be required from the front desk to cover the costs.

Alicea 16:26

Transportation. The Polynesian is one of the best connected resorts at Walt Disney World. One of the highlights of staying at a monorail resort is easy transportation to the Magic Kingdom. As the name would suggest, the Poly has its own monorail stop on the resort loop that can whisk you right to the park or to the Grand Floridian or Contemporary Resorts or the Ticketing and Transportation Center for a quick transfer to the Epcot Monorail. You can also just walk over the TTC if you want.

Nathan 16:53

Indeed. The Polynesian also has its own dock on Seven Seas Lagoon where a resort launch boat can whisk you over to the park. This is a great way to get back to your resort after fireworks. And if you're up for it, you could even walk around Seven Seas Lagoon to Magic Kingdom via the Grand Floridian. I mean, we wouldn't, but you do you.

Alicea 17:16

Exactly. If you are wanting to get to Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, or the water parks, you can also take a Disney bus. There's a stop right under the monorail near the Grand Ceremonial House.

Nathan 17:30

And I guess if you really want to get adventurous, you could go to Hollywood Studios by taking the monorail to the TTC, transferring to the Epcot line, walking through Epcot, keeping right past Canada, and exiting at the International Gateway, then getting on the Skyliner all the way over to Hollywood Studios. But who are we kidding? You're staying at the Poly and you're bougie like us. Just order a Minnie Van for door-to-door service.

Alicea 17:55

I don't have a quip for that, sorry.

Pools, Beach Time, And Activities

Alicea 17:59

On to amenities. When it comes to on-site amenities, since the Polynesian villas and bungalows are really just a subset of what's at the Polynesian Village Resort, we are going to cover everything on offer at the poly. Guests at the Island Tower have access to all of these benefits.

Nathan 18:16

There are three major pools there at the Polynesian Resort. The lava pool serves as the feature pool for the resort and features a 142-foot water slide through a volcano, and there's also a waterfall. If you're looking for a little bit gentler access point into the water, there's also a zero entry end of the pool, kind of like a beach.

Alicea 18:43

The oasis pool provides a quieter leisure pool experience away from the hustle and bustle of the main pool. Along with the island tower came the zero entry cove pool overlooking the Seven Seas Lagoon. And also added was Moana's Voyage splash area featuring Moana-themed waterplay for younger children. And a really cool sculpture of Moana on her little boat is out there too. It's really cool.

Nathan 19:09

I forgot about that. There are, of course, poolside cabanas available for rental as well at the Cove Pool. And of course, like any Polynesian resort, this one has a beautiful white sand beach along Seven Seas Lagoon to relax, get some sun, play some volleyball, or even watch the fireworks or electrical water pageant. Just note, there's a fence. You can't get in the water, and the things in the water can't get to you. Exactly. Don't cross the fence line. Nope.

Alicea 19:42

There's also a small marina where you can rent boats for a tour or a guided fishing excursion. If walking 20,000 steps a day in the parks is not enough for you, there are, of course, fitness facilities near the Oasis Pool as well as in the Island Tower. And if walking 20,000 steps a day has been too much for you, there's the Senses Spa at the Grand Floridian just next door to ease your sore muscles.

Nathan 20:06

Like most other DVC resorts, there are also lots of organized activities, including campfire stories, movies under the stars, and crafts. Just check the front desk or Disney's website for the latest schedule.

Alicea 20:20

There's also on-site shopping at the Boutique and Moana Mercantile. It is worth noting that there are a few things that the Poly does not have to be aware of. There's no community hall room for activities or game rentals like is found at many of the other DVC resorts. You may encounter references to Lilo's Playhouse, the Neverland Club, or Tangaroa Terrace in some reviews and websites. Unfortunately, these are all closed, as is the Spirit of Aloha dinner show, which was a luau held next to the Polynesian Village Resort up until 2020. The island tower sits where the show used to be held.

Nathan 21:01

The hidden amenity at the Polynesian, though, is simply being able to spend an evening on the beach with a dole whip, watch the electrical water pageant drift by, and enjoy the happily ever-after fireworks from across the Seven Seas Lagoon without ever entering a park. For many visitors, that is the quintessential poly experience.

Alicea 21:24

We would also be remiss if we didn't mention the lounge areas in the island tower. These are, I think there's six of them, and they are two stories each. It's where you see the cutouts in the tower. And they are each themed after a different area of the islands. Like there's a lava one, there's one that's more based off of the plants and everything. They're really nice. These are open to anybody that is staying in the island tower. If you are not staying in the island tower, you cannot get into these rooms. And these are a Great place to watch the fireworks or watch the electric water parade. They also have some on the other side where that kind of overlooks the golf course and the road over there, which is just kind of nice for relaxing and chilling.

Dining Hits From Tonga Toast To Trader Sam’s

Nathan 22:16

Absolutely. Now let's talk about food since we brought up Dole Whips. We'd of course be remiss if we didn't talk about food as the other quintessential poly experience here. Food and beverage are key. One of the Polynesians' greatest strengths is that there really isn't a weak dining option on property. Whether you're looking for a character breakfast, signature dinner, quick service meal, a tropical cocktail, or one of Disney's most iconic snacks, you'll find it here.

Alicea 22:51

Captain Cooks is the resort's quick service location located on the first floor of the Great Ceremonial House. It is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late night snacks, and it is a fan favorite for the Tonga Toast without needing an Ohana reservation. Mobile order is highly recommended during peak times.

Nathan 23:09

Kona Cafe serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and is one of the most underappreciated table service restaurants at Walt Disney World. The famous Tonga Toast originated here and remains one of Disney's signature breakfast dishes. Dinner features sushi, steaks, and Asian-inspired specialties.

Alicea 23:30

Speaking of iconic, Ohana has been a Polynesian institution for decades and remains one of the most sought-after dining reservations at Walt Disney World. The restaurant's name means family, and that spirit carries through the entire experience. Breakfast features a character meal with visits from Lilo, Stitch, Mickey, and Pluto, making it one of the most popular ways to meet Disney characters outside of the parks. In the evening, Ohana transforms into an all-you care-to-enjoy feast featuring skewers of grilled meats, noodles, dumplings, chicken wings, and the famous Ohana bread pudding that has developed an almost cult following among Disney fans. Whether you are celebrating a special occasion or simply looking for a memorable meal, Ohana is often considered a rite of passage for first-time Polynesian guests. Reservations can be extremely difficult to secure, so do plan ahead and book as early as your reservation window allows, and keep checking the app.

Nathan 24:28

Indeed. Wailulu Bar and Grill opened with the Island Tower in December of 2024 and has quickly become one of the most scenic dining locations at Walt Disney World. The name comes from the Hawaiian words for water and calm, which is fitting given its location overlooking the Seven Seas Lagoon. Think of Wailulu as the Polynesian's answer to Geyser Point at Wilderness Lodge, a destination-worthy lounge and restaurant that's well worth visiting, even if you're not staying at the island tower. Quick service breakfast is available in the mornings, while lunch and dinner feature Polynesian and styled cuisine influenced by cultures across the Pacific Islands. The restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating, beautiful waterfront views, and some of the resort's best vantage points for the electrical water pageant and Magic Kingdom fireworks.

Alicea 25:27

Trader Sam's Grog Grotto is the East Coast sibling to Disneyland's Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar. Though many Disney fans would argue the Florida version is even better.

Nathan 25:37

Debatable.

Alicea 25:38

Yes. Hidden beneath the great ceremonial house, this highly themed tiki lounge transforms drink orders into entertainment with special effects, audience participation, and plenty of Disney magic. Seating inside is famously limited, so waits can stretch well beyond a couple of hours during busy periods, but that's part of the experience. If you cannot get into the grotto itself, don't worry, the adjacent Trader Sam's Tiki Terrace serves many of the same drinks in a more relaxed outdoor setting and often features live music in the evenings. Whether you are ordering a famous Uh-oh-a, a Nautilus, or just stopping by to see what all the fuss is about, Trader Sam's has earned its reputation as one of the best lounges in all of Walt Disney World.

Nathan 26:22

The Barefoot Pool Bar is the Polynesians' original pool bar located next to the lava pool and just steps from Seven Seas Lagoon. Open throughout the day, it's a great place to grab a tropical cocktail, frozen drink, beer, or a light bite without ever leaving the pool area. If your ideal vacation afternoon involves sitting under a palm tree with a Lapu Lapu nearby, this is probably where you'll end up. Indeed.

Alicea 26:53

The Oasis Bar and Grill serves guests relaxing around the quieter Oasis Pool, thus the name, and offers many of the same tropical beverages and casual poolside fare as Barefoot Pool Bar. Because it is tucked away from the activity around the lava pool and Great Ceremonial House, it is often one of the resort's most overlooked spots to grab a drink and enjoy a slower pace.

Nathan 27:15

Kona Island is one of those hidden gems that many guests walk right past on their way to Kona Cafe or the Monorail. Located on the second floor of the Great Ceremonial House, Kona Island serves specialty coffee, espresso drinks, and pastries in the morning, then transitions to grab and go sushi and desserts later in the day. It's a great option if you want a quick breakfast without waiting for a table at Kona Cafe, and it serves the resort's exclusive Kona blend coffee.

Alicea 27:48

And of course, we cannot forget the Tamboo Lounge Pineapple Lanai. Because if you want a Dole Whip, this is where you go.

Nathan 27:57

I forgot it because I don't do Dole Whips. So it's okay.

Alicea 28:03

Right outside the Grand Ceremonial House as you're on your way to the pool or the other areas on your left. Just go there and get a dole whip.

Nathan 28:11

Or not. Well, there is so much on offer at the Polynesian Resort. It's just a

What Stayed With Us After Visiting

Nathan 28:20

magical place for us. While this is one of Disney's oldest hotels, we had never stayed here until just like three months ago. We'd eaten here a few times at Ohana or visited Trader Sam's, but hadn't actually spent the night. We kind of knew we'd like it a lot since we're already huge fans of Disney's Aulani resort and Polynesian culture and food in general, but wanted to at least give the rest of Disney World a chance before we stayed at the Poly. And we were not disappointed.

Alicea 28:51

Yeah, needless to say, this soared up to the top of our list of places to stay in Florida.

Nathan 28:56

Yeah. The theming here is just spot on and fantastic. There's no comparison. Yeah. The theming's great. It is an amazing celebration of everything from the Polynesian cultures, and it is not done in a cheap or demeaning way. Yeah. It is authentic to the South Pacific as you can get while still being in Florida.

Alicea 29:25

Yeah. And I like that the decor is a little different between the main part and then the island tower as well. Um, I know the island tower is brand new, but it's understated a little more in the towers, uh, but still uses a lot of beautiful textures and theming.

Nathan 29:44

Yeah. The tower really is a modern take on a Polynesian-inspired theming and design and influence, whereas the rest of the resort is kind of a more traditional, like dark and rich take. Yeah. The the tower is it's just more modern and airy and light and open, but still infused with what makes Polynesia just so magical and and amazing, and really what draws us to it.

Alicea 30:18

Yep. Now we have not stayed in the main Polynesian. We've only stayed in the island tower. But where we did stay was extremely comfortable.

Nathan 30:29

Now that's almost true.

Alicea 30:31

Almost true. We did stay in the bungalows, but I mean That's all of us of a different color. Yes.

Nathan 30:36

I am very interested in staying in one of the regular DVC rooms, one of the DVC studios, one of these days, just because the old classic hotel rooms that we have stayed in have been some of the nicest accommodations we have. And when I say that, I mean we stayed a long time ago at the contemporary resort in one of the A-frame tower rooms. And it's huge and spacious and amazing. We haven't been there since they refurbished it. I'd like to do that with all the incredible theming. We got the same thing at the Disneyland Hotel, staying in the original tower. Yeah. And those rooms are gigantic by modern standards. And you get the same thing here in the hotel rooms and the DVC side rooms and the long houses there at the poly. I am very interested in trying that uh on one of our upcoming trips.

Alicea 31:36

Yeah. And you can't beat the food at this resort.

Nathan 31:39

It is so good. There's there's so, so much. I mean, I feel like we need to give Ohana another shot because we had Ohana dinner for the first time on this last trip. We'd done several breakfasts and they're nice. Dinner was on another level, but we had been snacking and everything all throughout the day, and it was kind of a long day. And we were just worn out. Yeah. And we did not get everything that we could get out of that meal. Yeah.

Alicea 32:12

We still, I mean, we still really enjoyed it. It's just we couldn't eat everything we wanted to. No, I would like to have more. Yeah.

Nathan 32:18

Which is sad, but it is the truth. I think the other bonus that we uh had was when we checked into the bungalow and we had uh some time to kill. You know, we we grabbed some food, we put our name on Trader Sam's list first thing, and they're like, hey, it's probably gonna be like three plus hours. That's fine. We're not going anywhere because we're staying here. Like, there is no better way to wait for Trader Sam's than if you're staying there on site at the Polynesian Resort. They will text you with 15 minutes ahead of time to show up, and it's perfect. It is the way to go to Trader Sam's.

Alicea 32:59

The resort is a little bit sprawling. There is no kind of direct route to the front desk from the villa's tower. You do have to kind of go through past Trader Sam's and past the marina and everything to get there. But it's not bad.

Nathan 33:15

No, it's not too bad. And I think, you know, the same is true on the the older side, especially when you're looking at the DVC long houses. They are the farthest to the other side, towards the ticketing and transportation center from the great ceremonial house. So that there is a little bit of walking to get around the resort to get to things. You know, it's it's not old Key West, you know, it is not get in a car. There's not a bus loop like we have at some of the other resorts uh around Disney World. Uh, but there's a little bit of a hike to get between here and there, and you do need to plan on that or uh dodge a few raindrops on your way to your room if there is some weather moving through.

Alicea 33:57

Yep. And that's for either side. That's if you're staying at the longhouses, or if you're staying at the bungalows, or if you're staying at the island tower.

Nathan 34:04

Right. It's not as bad with the island tower because at least you can park there or get dropped off right at the front door to the island tower. But yeah, definitely for the bungalows or some of the more remote longhouses, you're a little bit more exposed at times.

Alicea 34:19

I'm really surprised it took us so long to stay here.

Nathan 34:23

Yeah, I am too. I am too. And it's really boxed us into quite a dilemma because we really want to spend a relaxing resort day or two here, but the parks are right there. And you know, it is so tempting to go into a park or go do a thing. There's so much to do in Disney World that, you know, despite our best intentions of having a chill out resort day on our trip this past summer, when we had a bungalow for an extra day, we completely failed and ended up spending the whole day in Magic Kingdom and walked like eight or nine miles.

Alicea 35:02

So to be honest, we pretty much do that every time. Like we say we want to do a resort day, but I don't know that we ever really have.

Nathan 35:12

No, I know.

Alicea 35:13

Maybe, maybe at the Riviera when you had we had your folks with us. That that was a forcing function.

Nathan 35:18

That was a forcing function. Hmm. Maybe I need to break myself again.

Alicea 35:22

No, no, no, no, no, no, no. No, please don't.

Nathan 35:24

Fair enough. Fair enough. Well, Pinky promise, let's spend a down day next time we're at the poly.

Alicea 35:32

Okay. I don't know when that is, but okay. I don't either.

Nathan 35:35

And we'll both forget between now and then and we won't do it. So, but just know that in our hearts we really, really want to. Yep.

Listener Stories, Contact Info, And Wrap

Nathan 35:43

Well, that is our look at Disney's Polynesian villas and bungalows, Polynesian village resorts, poly, the all of the names. Island Tower, bungalows. Exactly it is such a fantastic place to stay. If you have stayed at the Polynesian, we would love to hear from you. We'd love to hear your stories, your experiences. Please reach out on social media or via email. We would love to hear from you. Or if you want to go, let us know in the comments. Let us know why you want to go. What do you think is calling your name from the Polynesian?

Alicea 36:28

As we wrap up, a reminder that we are not affiliated with Disney or any of its subsidiaries. Everything you hear on this show is based on personal experiences, opinions, and questionable snack choices. We are, however, proudly affiliated with fun.

Nathan 36:44

And Trader Sam's.

Alicea 36:45

And Trader Sam's.

Nathan 36:47

If you're planning a Disney vacation, we always recommend working with a travel advisor or reaching out to Disney directly to help make the magic happen. And if you enjoyed today's episode, please take a second to rate and review the show. It really helps other Disney fans find us.

Alicea 37:04

If you have a question, a topic suggestion, or a Disney story that you'd love to share, please send us an email at podcast at our mousecapades.com.

Nathan 37:12

You can also find us on Instagram, Facebook, and threads at OurMouseCapades, and on YouTube at Our Mouse Capades Pod. Also, please don't forget to share us with your friends, your family, and Disney fans of all ages.

Alicea 37:28

Thank you so much for listening. We'll be back in your ears next week.

Speaker 37:32

Thank you for flying Star Tours. Bye-bye.

Alicea 37:41

Check in for the DVC Villas is at 4 p.m. If you're staying in the regular hotel, that is a 3 p.m. chicken. Checkout is at 11.

Nathan 37:50

Hold on. Can you say that one more time? Because I'm pretty sure you said it was a 3 p.m. chicken. No.

Alicea 37:58

Hey, hey.