Ohana Time: Why Our Family Loved Staying at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

If you're dreaming of a Disney vacation that feels like a tropical escape and still puts you close to all the magic - Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is the ultimate spot for your family. We recently stayed here with our kids and it was truly one of our favorite Disney experiences yet. Here’s why:

Island Vibes from the Moment You Arrive

From the moment we walked into the grand, open-air lobby filled with lush greenery and the scent of tropical flowers, we felt like we were on an island far away from the hustle of everyday life. Cast Members greeted us with leis and “aloha,” and the relaxed, welcoming energy instantly made our whole family feel like we were on vacation, even before we hit the parks!

Spacious Rooms with Family-Friendly Comfort

We stayed in a standard room in Fiji (close to the marina), and it had plenty of space for our crew (2 adults, 2 kids). The rooms are Moana-themed, with fun little touches from the movie that our kids loved spotting. We especially appreciated the large bathroom area with a double vanity, it made getting out the door in the morning a lot smoother.

Bonus: You can walk right out to the beach or the marina in just minutes. Some rooms even have views of the Magic Kingdom fireworks! We were also able to watch the fireworks from the beach... which if you have watched them from the park, you know how long it takes to leave after. This is a major time saver... especially with kids.

Dole Whip on Demand + Delicious Dining

You don’t even have to go to Magic Kingdom to get your Dole Whip fix—Pineapple Lanai serves it right outside the main building.

Dining was a highlight for us. We made a reservation at 'Ohana for dinner and it was a hit with everyone. The food is served family-style. Grilled meats, noodles, dumplings, and more. And the bread pudding dessert? Worth every calorie.

For a more casual meal, Capt. Cook’s had great options for kids and parents alike. This is their quick service option. You can also sit outside after the pool and snack, dry off and still enjoy a fun adult beverage.

Beach Vibes + Easy Park Access

The white-sand beach is the perfect place to wind down after a long park day. We watched the Electrical Water Pageant from there with our toes in the sand and warm churros in hand.

And speaking of parks: You can take the monorail directly to Magic Kingdom (about a 5-minute ride) or hop on a boat from the dock. Getting to EPCOT is also simple with a quick monorail transfer at the Transportation and Ticket Center, which is right next door—an easy walk from the resort.

Kid-Approved Perks

There’s a lot to love here for kids:

A lava pool with a water slide

The zero-entry pool (perfect for toddlers)

Nightly movies under the stars

Hidden Moana and Maui details around the resort

Friendly Cast Members who go above and beyond to make kids feel special

Our little ones even got to join a hula lesson one afternoon and dance with Cast Members in the lobby—it was such a magical, unexpected moment.

Final Thoughts: Worth the Disney Splurge?

Yes, the Polynesian is a Deluxe Resort, which means a higher price tag—but for our family, the convenience, theming, and pure magic made it 100% worth it. It's not something we do every year, s it's niceIt felt like a vacation within a vacation. We left feeling rested, spoiled, and more connected as a family.

If you're looking to combine tropical relaxation with Disney enchantment, this is the place. Aloha, Polynesian—we’ll be back.