Hi Chelsea,
Welcome to planDisney! What a fun question to talk through together – I've stayed at both
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and
Disney’s Beach Club Resort and I’m happy to share the details of these fabulous rooms with you. Both are considered
Deluxe Resorts in the Disney Resorts Collection and offer lots of space with the option of a balcony or patio. I adore a cup of coffee on the balcony to start any Disney day, or a quiet moment before retiring to bed after a long theme park day.
Please know that the guest room windows of any Walt Disney World Resort hotel room cannot be opened for your safety, and for the safety of others on the property. If a resort room has a balcony or patio (available on some ground floor rooms), it will also have a sliding door or traditional door to open for access. While these balconies and patios offer expanded space and expansive views, please note that there is no smoking inside any resort room nor on the balcony. There are
designated smoking areas throughout the Walt Disney World Resort.
At Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, many of the ground floor rooms offer a patio (or
lanai) with two chairs and a side table. All the rooms in Tokelau, Tahiti, and Rapa Nui longhouses will have balconies whereas those in the rest of the resort will feature patios on the ground level and balconies on the third floor only. If you are located on the second floor without a proper balcony, the room will still have a sliding door to open to fresh air with a safety rail to prevent you from venturing further.
At Disney’s Beach Club Resort, be sure to request a room with a balcony if desired. Please know that not all rooms are equal in balcony size due to the design of the structure. Last week, I was in a lovely room that had a charming “Juliet” balcony – my friend and I could stand together on it and look out to the beautiful grounds, but it was not large enough for a chair nor for our third friend in the room with us. Other balconies we observed nearby were quite large, so it will depend on your exact room configuration and location.
You may specify exact room details during your online check-in, or
call Disney directly to have a special balcony or patio request noted on your reservation.
The location, style, and food options are plentiful at both relaxed resorts, Chelsea! Be sure to browse the room configurations for each on their websites under the Room Rates tab and think if you’ll be visiting
Magic Kingdom Park or
Disney’s Hollywood Studios and
EPCOT more frequently if resort location matters to you. I’ve stayed at both resorts when my son was younger and required a mid-day nap, and for adult-only trips with no break. You can’t go wrong with either selection, so I hope you find a room that suits your vacation style.
Please let us know how else we can help you plan the most magical vacation! Sending you happy thoughts for a special patio or balcony space to relax with those island-style breezes.
Happy planning,
Amy