Aloha Sara, and welcome to planDisney! The
Polynesian is one of my favorite places to stay, with its tropical vibes, fun dining, and convenient transportation... not to mention the incredible view of Cinderella Castle!
I love the original Deluxe Studios and don’t think they feel outdated. In fact, these studios had a “soft good refurbishment” just a few years ago, which means things like the rug, sofa, and chairs were replaced with brand new ones. And this particular refurbishment also replaced the sofa beds with Murphy beds. I find these way more comfortable than the sofa beds, so this was a big upgrade!
The walk to Great Ceremonial House (where the Polynesian
monorail station is) is pretty equal from the original
Disney Vacation Club buildings (Moorea, Pago Pago, and Tokelau) and the new
Island Tower—about a 0.2-mile walk. If your Deluxe Studio is in the Tokelau building, it’s a little bit closer.
However, I like staying in the original Deluxe Studios because those rooms are closer to the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC), where you can get on a direct monorail to EPCOT. You can also take the Resort Monorail from the Great Ceremonial House and transfer to the EPCOT monorail at the TTC, but walking directly there can save time!
Even if you’re not staying at the Island Tower, you can still head over there to eat at
Wailulu Bar & Grill. They have some really unique and yummy dishes. Some of my favorites there are the Ahi Tuna Crisps, Grilled Shishito Peppers, and the Wayfinder Burger. The outdoor seating also has a great view of the
Happily Ever After fireworks! You can't make advance reservations, but you can join the walk-up list or order food to-go through the
My Disney Experience app.
I hope you have a magical stay at the Polynesian. If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to visit us again at planDisney.
JoAnna