Another Disney Question for Those Who Have Stayed at the Polynesian

We paid for a Magic Kingdom view. Do any of you recommend one building that's better than the other to stay in? I'm reading about the different buildings and locations and so many say they're pretty far from tickets and transportation. How far is far?

Which buildings are the nicest, besides the concierge which we aren't doing?

Thanks


*I found this online so I'm trying to figure out which to request.


What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

Tonga (formerly Bali Hai) - This is the suites building. All of the suites at the Polynesian are located here. Tonga is directly next door to the Great Ceremonial House. Rooms on the northern side face the marina, some with views of Cinderella Castle. Rooms facing south look over the gardens. There are balconies on both floors. Tonga now includes a Honeymoon Suite and an accessible suite.

Aotearoa (ow-TAY-a-row-a; formerly Tahiti)
This building is very close to the Great Ceremonial House, especially Captain Cook's. It is also near Luau Cove, and you may be able to hear the sounds of the Luau. If you are trying to get the to the Transportation & Ticket Center, it can be a bit of a walk. Rooms on the northern side face the garden or the lagoon. Some rooms here face Cinderella Castle and the Grand Floridian. Rooms facing south overlook the gardens and the monorail, some looking at the road. There are no balconies on the second floor.

Fiji
This building is only a short walk away from the Great Ceremonial House. It is also close to the marina and Luau Cove, where the sounds of the show might be heard from your room. It is, however, a bit of a walk if you are headed to the Transportation & Ticket Center. Rooms on the eastern side overlook the marina and the volcano. Rooms to the west overlook the gardens, and some overlook the beach. There are no balconies on the second floor.

Tuvalu (two-VA-lu; formerly Samoa)
Staying here, you are just a few minutes' walk to the Great Ceremonial House, but it is the furthest building from the Transportation & Ticket Center. Rooms to the north are lagoon view rooms, most looking at the Magic Kingdom. Rooms to the south overlook the gardens, with a few looking at the marina or beach. There are no balconies on the second floor.

Hawaii (formerly Tonga)
This is the concierge building, and you must use your Magic Band to enter the building. It has a great central location, just a minute or two from the Great Ceremonial House, and about 5 minutes from the Transportation & Ticket Center. It is centrally located to both of the pools at the Polynesian. Rooms on the northern side are lagoon views, many of which look at Cinderella Castle. Rooms to the south overlook the gardens, some facing the quiet pool. There are no balconies on the second floor. Must use Magic Band to gain access day and night.

Samoa (formerly Hawaii)
This building is located directly between the two pools. It is very convenient to the Great Ceremonial House, and about 5 minutes to the Transportation & Ticket Center. Rooms to the west face the volcano pool. Rooms on the eastern side overlook the gardens, many of them overlooking the quiet pool. There are no balconies on the second floor.

Niue (knee-UW-ay; formerly Bora Bora) - This is the smallest building at the Polynesian. It is directly next to the Great Ceremonial House, and about 5 minutes from the Transportation & Ticket Center. It is a few steps walk from either of the pools. Rooms to the west overlook the stream that leads to the pool. Rooms on the east overlook the gardens. There is no elevator in the building, but there is a second floor walkway to Rarotonga, where there is an elevator. There are no balconies on the second floor.

Rarotonga (RA-ro-ton-ga; formerly Maui)
This building is directly next to the Great Ceremonial House, and about 5 minutes to the Transportation & Ticket Center. It is also next to the arcade, laundry, and Lilo's Playhouse (kids club). The quiet pool is convenient, and it is just a few minutes away from the Volcano pool. Rooms on the northern side overlook the gardens, some with a view of the pool. Rooms to the south overlook the gardens, some looking at the monorail or the parking lot.There are no balconies on the second floor.

Tokelau (to-KAY-louw; formerly Oahu)
This building is centrally located to about everything. It is just a short walk to the Great Ceremonial House, the Transportation & Ticket Center, and the Volcano pool. It is directly next to the quiet pool, the arcade, the laundry, and Lilo's Playhouse (kids club). All rooms overlook the gardens. Some rooms to the west overlook the quiet pool. A handful of rooms on the northern end overlook the lagoon, but none face Cinderella Castle. There are balconies on all of the floors. Some rooms have roll in showers.

Tahiti (formerly Moorea)
This building is right next door to the Transportation & Ticket Center. It is a bit of a walk back to the Great Ceremonial House. It is a short walk to the quiet pool, but a bit of a longer walk to the Volcano pool. Rooms to the north are lagoon views. Some look at Cinderella Castle. Because of the trees, other rooms only look at the Grand Floridian, Space Mountain, Wilderness Lodge, the Contemporary, or the Transportation & Ticket Center. All rooms to the south overlook the gardens. There are balconies on all of the floors.

Rapa Nui (ra-pa-new-E; formerly Pago Pago)
This building is right next door the Transportation & Ticket Center. It is a bit of a walk back to the Great Ceremonial House. It is a short walk to the quiet pool, but a bit of a longer walk to the Volcano Pool. Rooms to the north overlook the gardens. Rooms to the south overlook the gardens, some looking at the parking lot. Most of the wheelchair-accessible rooms are in this building, and all of the rooms with a roll-in shower are here. There are balconies on all of the floors.

Message edited 5/6/2016 6:36:47 AM.

Another Disney Question for Those Who Have Stayed at the Polynesian

I just got back from staying at the Poly. To be honest, I wouldn't pay for a TPV (theme park view) bc of two reasons -
1) it is so easy to see the fireworks from so many places around the resort. We had a standard view and I loved the location of the building and all we had to do is walk a few feet from the building to see the fireworks. The beach was a minute walk from our building and it was awesome watching it from there.
2) All of the buildings that seemed to have the TPV were so far away from everything else. I remember walking passed one and thinking how I would never want to stay in that building bc it was so far out from the main building and the pools and even the monorail.

sorry, I know thats not much of a help! do you have a map of the buildings?

Another Disney Question for Those Who Have Stayed at the Polynesian

look on Tikiman's page. He does a great job describing pros and cons of all buildings.

Re: Another Disney Question for Those Who Have Stayed at the Polynesian

Only Aotearoa and Tuvalu have theme park view rooms that are non-club level.

tikiman map

Re: Another Disney Question for Those Who Have Stayed at the Polynesian

As pp mentioned, there are so many places to view the fireworks from the resort that you don't necessarily have to have a room view.

We stayed in Hawaii and watched them from the sitting area on the 2nd floor where they serve food. We had a club level room. Also saw them from the beach. Another time at MK. Then once on a boat ride going back to our resort.

Re: Another Disney Question for Those Who Have Stayed at the Polynesian

Another Disney Question for Those Who Have Stayed at the Polynesian

if the concierge room is the same price as the theme park, I would definitely get the concierge room. There are some perks that go along with that. Like others have said you can just go to the beach and watch the fireworks if that is why you wanted a Theme Park View

Re: Another Disney Question for Those Who Have Stayed at the Polynesian

Message edited 5/6/2016 7:24:10 PM.