Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort at Walt Disney World (Hotel Tour)

Located directly on-site at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is one of Disney’s “Deluxe Resort” category hotels, providing an extensive array of amenities and a premium experience.  

The Polynesian was one of the original on-site hotels to open at Walt Disney World back in October 1971.  The resort features 847 rooms and suites which includes 380 rooms in Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows (vacation club).

The resort is extensively themed after a Tahitian royal assembly lodge which hoses a Great Ceremonial House at it center.  The Great Ceremonial house includes the hotel lobby / check-in desk as well as the majority of the resort’s dining and merchandise locations.  During 2020/2021 the resort underwent an extensive renovation which including enhancements to the Great Ceremonial House as well as the guest rooms.  The Villas Bungalows portion of the resort remained open during the renovation.  

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is just across the Seven Seas Lagoon from the Magic Kingdom theme park.  The resort is part of the hotels on Disney’s monorail loop along with Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.  Guests can get to the Magic Kingdom not only by the monorail service but also by water taxi or walking path.

Guests will find that hotel amenities are extensive and include two resort style pools, white sandy beaches, boat rentals, numerous organized activities, a finesses center & full service spa, complimentary resort wide transportation and a number of food & beverage options.

If you thinking about staying at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, we would appreciate if you can use our links when making the reservations.  Endless Summer is an affiliate with Expedia.com and receives a small commission for each visit that was referred by our website.  This allows us to continue to continue making great content for our audience.

Frequently Asked Questions – Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

What are the hotel rates at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort?

Since the Polynesian Village Resort is one of Disney’s “Deluxe Resorts”, prices are among the highest of any at the Walt Disney World Resort.  Typically, nightly rates range from less than $400 per night to more than $800 per night depending on the time of year and the room type. 

Does Polynesian Village Resort provide transportation to the Walt Disney World theme parks?

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort offers complimentary monorail and water taxi transportation to the Magic Kingdom as well bus transportation throughout Walt Disney World including the other theme parks, water parks and Disney Springs.  

It should be noted that guests can take the Epcot monorail from the Transportation and Ticket Center to the Epcot theme park.  The TTC is within walking distance to the Polynesian.

Is there a Resort Fee or Parking Charge at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort?

There are no Resort Fees and parking costs at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.

How many pools are there at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort?

There are two pools at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.  The main Lava Pool, which is located behind the Great Ceremonial House, features a towering volcano and a water slide while the Oasis Pool is a great place to relax and unwind.  

Contrary to rumors circulating on the internet, Disney does not allow hotel guests to “pool hop”.  However, there are a few exceptions when stay at DVC resorts (owners only), Disney’s All-Star Resorts and Disney’s Port Orleans Resorts.

What are the food & beverage options at the Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort?

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort features a number of dining options which range from grab-and-go / quick service, to upscale and resort casual dining.   See a complete list of food & beverage options below.

What is the check-in and check-out time at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort?

The check in-time at the Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is 4:00 pm and check out time is at 11:00 am.

What is the pet policy at the Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort?

With the exception of service animals, pets are not allowed at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.  However, Disney has an ongoing pilot program that allows pets at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort and the Cabins at Fort Wilderness Resort.

About Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort originally opened in October 1971 and is one of the original on-site hotels at Walt Disney World (along with Disney’s Contemporary Resort).  The Polynesian originally featured 484 room but had been expanded in 1985. At this time the resort includes 11, two- and three-story “longhouses”.  These longhouses are called Fiji, Tonga, Tuvalu, Aotearoa, Hawaii, Samoa, Niue, Barotonga, Pago Pago, Moorea and Tokelau. The property underwent a substantial renovation in 2020 / 2021 which included some retheming based on the Disney movie Moana.

In addition to the hotel buildings, there is a large lobby building called Great Ceremonial Hall which features check-in/guest services, several dining options and shopping venues.  Bus transportation services pick up and drop off just outside of the Great Ceremonial Hall and the monorail can be access from the second floor.

This resort hotel is located on-site within the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida near the northern end of the property at the end of World Drive Drive.  Access to the area is provided by the Osceola Parkway or Epcot Center Drives which connects to Interstate 4 just a few miles to the southeast.

It will take about 30 minutes to get to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort from the Orlando International Airport.  Guests can either take SR-528 (Beach Line Expressway) to Interstate 4, west to Osceola Parkway or  SR-417 west to the Osceola Parkway.  Both routes are similar in mileage and fairly easy to navigate for out-of-area travelers.

From Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, the time / distance to the visitor toll plazas at the Disney theme parks are as follows (per Google Maps):

• Magic Kingdom Park: Less than one mile, approximately 10 minutes via monorail or water taxi
• Epcot: Less than miles, approximately 10 to 15 minutes by personal vehicle or monorail
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 6.5 miles, approximately 10 to 15 minutes
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 5.8 miles, approximately 10 to 15 minutes
• Disney Springs (Orange Parking Garage): 5.4 miles, approximately 10 to 15 minutes

The time / distance to other popular Orlando area attractions is as follows:

• SeaWorld Orlando: 13.5 miles, approximately 15 to 20 minutes
•  Universal Orlando Resort: 17.3 miles, approximately 35 minutes.
• Downtown Orlando: 25 miles, approximately 30 to 40 minutes
• Orange County Convention Center: 15.1 miles, approximately 20 minutes
• The Mall at Millenia: 19.6 miles, approximately 25 to 30 minutes

Amenities at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is one of the premier hotels at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.  This resort hotel features an extensive amount of amenities and recreational offerings.

Resort Pool Areas

There are two separate pool areas at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.  The main pool is the Lava Pool which features a towering volcano with waterfall along with a 142-foot long waterslide.  The pool itself is a zero-entry beach style pool with a poolside restaurant and bar.

In addition to the Lava Pool is the Oasis Pool which is the place to go to relax after a long day at the theme parks.  This pool area features the Oasis Patios which can accommodate up to six-guests in a cabana like setting.  Rentals are first-come, first-serve and feature cushioned lounge chairs, towels and plenty of shade.  

In addition to the two pools, the Polynesian has multiple white sandy beaches that face the Seven Seas Lagoon.  Some of the best views at the Walt Disney World Resort are from this resort’s beaches. 

Resort Wide Transportation

Since the Polynesian is one of just three hotels on the “monorail loop”, guests will travel to the Magic Kingdom in air-conditioned comfort and arrive in just a few minutes.    In addition to the monorail, water taxi service is available for guests traveling to the Magic Kingdom.

For guests visiting other areas of the resort, bus transportation is provided and accessible at the front of the hotel.  Additionally, guests can take the Epcot monorail from the Transportation and Ticket Center and arrive at the front gate of Epcot within less than 15 minutes.

Organized Activities

The Polynesian offers a number of organized activities including Disney movies under the stars at the Great Ceremonial House Lawn as well as family campfires where guests can roast marshmallows.

Every evening guests will enjoy watching the Electrical Water Pageant right from the beach along the Seven Seas Lagoon.  This pageant features a number of lighted sea creatures and patriotic displays that are set to your favorite electronic Disney music.

Other Amenities

• Jogging Trail
• Fitness Center
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Laundry and Dry Cleaning Services
• Resort Concierge
• Merchandise Pickup and Delivery
• Motorized Boat Rentals and Guided Fishing Tours
• On-site Senses Spa

Dining Options at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Dining options at the Polynesian Village Resort are fairly extensive and range from quick service to upscale dining.

• ‘Ohana:  Serving American fare family-style, this Polynesian themed full-service restaurant is located in the Great Ceremonial House and open for breakfast and dinner.  Click here to see the menu at ‘Ohana. 
• Kona Cafe’: Serving a continental cuisine with a bit of Asian flair, this full-service restaurant features an open kitchen and is located in the Great Ceremonial House.  The Kona Cafe’ is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner service.  Click here to see the menu at the Kona Cafe’.
• Capt. Cook’s:  Guests will enjoy American fare at this quick service dining restaurant that is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Capt. Cook’s serves a wide