Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort with Kids: Our Stay and What Families Should Know
The Walt Disney World Resort Collection includes more than 25 different hotels, ranging from more budget-friendly value resorts to deluxe properties like Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Each one has its own unique theme, dining options, and amenities designed to help make your stay more comfortable.
With so many resorts to choose from, deciding which one will be the best fit for your family can take a little planning. During a visit to Magic Kingdom for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, my husband and I stayed with our two kids, (ages 5 and 2) at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort in a Deluxe Studio with a preferred view.
In this post, I’ll share why we chose to stay at the Polynesian, our thoughts on the room, and whether I would recommend it for a shorter trip to Walt Disney World.
Why We Chose the Polynesian
Whenever we’re planning a stay at Walt Disney World, I try to think ahead about our itinerary and how that might influence where we stay. Things like which parks we’re visiting, how late we expect to stay out, and how we’ll be getting around Disney all factor into that decision.
For this trip, we were going to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom, and we knew from previous visits that we’d likely be at the park much later than usual. Because of that, transportation back to the hotel became a top priority when deciding where to stay. Ultimately, we were willing to pay a little more for the convenience of staying at one of the Monorail resorts.
The Polynesian is one of three resorts located on the Monorail line, along with Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. The Disney Monorail connects these resorts with Magic Kingdom and the Ticket and Transportation Center, where guests can transfer to the EPCOT Monorail.
We’ve also stayed at the Contemporary before, and being able to get back to the hotel quickly after a long night at Magic Kingdom is a big advantage of these resorts, especially with tired or sleeping kids.
The Monorail ride itself only takes a few minutes, and one of the biggest benefits is that you don’t have to fold up your stroller the way you would when using Disney buses or other transportation options. From the Polynesian, it’s also a short walk to the Ticket and Transportation Center, where you can catch the Monorail to EPCOT.
In addition to the convenience of the Monorail and the Polynesian’s close proximity to Magic Kingdom, the room size and layout also looked like a great fit for our family, which made it an easy choice for this stay.
First Impressions of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Finding your way to the Polynesian is relatively easy thanks to the directional signs Disney has throughout the resort area. After a quick stop at the security gate, where you’ll be asked for the last name on your reservation and a photo ID, you’ll be on your way.
Guests have the option of pulling up front to unload luggage before continuing on to the complimentary self-parking lot, or requesting valet parking for $42 per night (subject to change). The self-parking lot is fairly large, and we didn’t have any trouble finding a spot.
The expansive porte cochere is beautiful and welcoming, and immediately sets the tone for the resort. Lush tropical gardens, along with small streams and waterfalls, make it easy to forget you’re just minutes away from the theme parks.
From there, most guests will make their way into the Great Ceremonial House, which serves as the main lobby and central hub of the resort. In addition to the front desk where you can check in, you’ll find several seating areas, dining options, and shops, all surrounded by beautiful flowers and artwork that span the entire two-story building.
Also located inside the Great Ceremonial House on the second floor is the resort’s Monorail station. From here, guests can take the Monorail directly to Magic Kingdom, travel to the Ticket and Transportation Center, or continue on to the other Monorail resorts.
Our Room: Deluxe Studio - Preferred View
Direct-to-Room Check-In (Why It’s Great for Families)
For this stay, we chose to use Disney’s Direct-to-Room Service, which allows you to check in online through the My Disney Experience app and head straight to your room when it’s ready.
This feature lets you skip the front desk entirely, which can be a big advantage when traveling with little ones who don’t want to wait in line. Your MagicBand or phone can be used to unlock the door to your room, making the process quick and easy if you’ve had a long travel day.
Finding Our Room & Resort Layout
The Polynesian grounds are beautiful, with flowers, tall grasses, and trees that make it feel like you’re on a tropical island. Our room was located on the third floor of the Moorea building, which ended up being a bit of a walk from the Great Ceremonial House.
While there are signs throughout the resort, we did find ourselves getting turned around and even had to ask a Cast Member for directions. I don’t have the best sense of direction, but navigating the resort did feel a little more challenging than expected. The buildings are spread out, and the signage can be spaced far apart, making it easy to take a wrong turn.
This is one of the biggest differences compared to staying at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, where everything feels much more centralized and easy to navigate.
Room Overview
As soon as you enter the room, your eye is immediately drawn to the view. We were fortunate to have a preferred view overlooking the Seven Seas Lagoon, and we could even see Cinderella Castle in the distance.
When booking, I requested a higher floor, and it was definitely worth it. Even though we didn’t plan to spend much time in the room, it was a really comfortable space to come back to at the end of the night.
A Deluxe Studio can sleep up to five guests and offers a spacious layout with multiple sleeping areas, two bathrooms, a small kitchenette, a seating area, and a private balcony.
Sleeping Space
The room includes one queen bed, a second Murphy-style queen bed, and an additional pull-down twin bed.
Even with the second queen bed pulled down, there was still plenty of open floor space, and my kids had room to move around and play comfortably. I also think you’d still have enough room to set up a crib or pack ‘n play if needed, and Disney offers items like cribs, pack ‘n plays, and bed rails upon request.
Bathrooms
The bathrooms feature a split design, with a tub/shower and toilet in one room and a separate shower and vanity in another. Both spaces felt fairly spacious, and having everything separated helped make getting ready for bed and out the door in the morning with kids a lot easier. The rooms can also be closed off with sliding doors for a little extra privacy when needed.
Kitchenette & Living Space
The room also includes a small kitchenette with a sink, microwave, toaster, mini fridge, and coffee maker, which is really helpful for quick meals and snacks. Disney provides a few basic supplies like a sponge, dish soap, paper towels, and a selection of coffee and tea, along with disposable bowls and cups.
There’s also a small seating area with two chairs and a table, which we used for snacks and getting ready. When the Murphy bed is put away, this area becomes a small sofa with a coffee table, giving you a nice place to sit and relax.
Storage Space
There was plenty of storage throughout the room, and we had no trouble finding space for our bags and everything we brought with us. Between the closet space, drawers, and storage under the bed, everything felt easy to tuck away and keep organized. There’s also a small in-room safe, which is helpful for keeping valuables tucked away.
One thing that worked especially well for us was using the bathroom to store our stroller overnight. The bathrooms are large enough that we were able to keep the stroller open without needing to fold it up, which made things much easier the next morning when it was time to pack everything up.
Balcony & View
The room also includes a private balcony with a small table and chairs, giving you a nice place to sit and relax. Our view overlooked the Seven Seas Lagoon, and we loved being able to watch the ferry boats going back and forth.
Staying at the Polynesian for a Magic Kingdom Day
If you’re planning a trip with a focus on Magic Kingdom–especially for a special event like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party–staying at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is a great option. There are several ways to get to the park, including the Monorail, boat, or by walking to the Ticket and Transportation Center.
With a ticket to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, you can enter the park as early as 4:00 p.m., even though the party doesn’t officially begin until 7:00 p.m. Staying at the Polynesian made it easy for us to get changed into our Halloween costumes, and then take a quick Monorail ride over to the park with plenty of time to grab dinner before everything started.
We typically drive to the parks, so being able to skip parking and avoid the tram at the end of the night was a big advantage for us, especially with tired kids who were ready to go straight back to the room. Being able to get back to the room quickly at the end of the night without an extra bus or a long walk made a big difference for us.
If you’re planning to attend a special event like the Halloween or Christmas Party, or even just expect a later night after fireworks, the convenience of staying along the Monorail line can make the end of the day much easier.
What We Loved About Our Stay
There were a few things that really stood out to us during our stay:
Easy access to Magic Kingdom using the Monorail
The convenience of getting back to the room quickly after a late night at the park
A room layout that worked really well for our family of four
The relaxing atmosphere and beautiful tropical theming
Views overlooking the Seven Seas Lagoon, with Cinderella Castle in the distance
Things to Consider Before Staying Here
While we really enjoyed our stay, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Higher price point compared to other Disney resorts
The resort is fairly spread out, which can mean longer walks depending on your room location
Navigation around the property can be a little confusing at first
Best suited for trips focused on Magic Kingdom
Final Thoughts
Overall, our family really enjoyed our stay at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort during our visit for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. The Deluxe Studio with a preferred view worked really well for our family, and having a higher floor room in the Moorea building gave us some beautiful views overlooking the Seven Seas Lagoon and even Cinderella Castle in the distance.
I think the Polynesian is a great option for families who want convenient access to Magic Kingdom while also planning to spend time enjoying the resort itself. The atmosphere, theming, and amenities are a big part of what makes this resort special.
For shorter stays like ours, especially when the main focus is a late night at Magic Kingdom, I personally preferred our experience at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. The Main Tower layout makes everything feel more centralized, and it was easier for us to navigate, especially with kids.
With the Polynesian, I found myself wishing we had more time to explore and enjoy everything the resort has to offer, from the dining options to the pool and outdoor spaces. Because of that, I think it’s a better fit for stays of at least a couple of nights, when you can take advantage of those amenities and really experience the resort. Either way, staying on the Monorail line can make a big difference when planning a trip focused on Magic Kingdom.