Polynesian Resort
What does the Polynesian Resort have to offer teen visitors?
The highlights:
✔ Resort Pools
✔ Resort Activities
✔ Arcade
✔ Watercraft Rental
✔ Surrey Bike Rental
✔ Sandy Beach
✔ Torch Lighting Ceremony
✔ Campfire and Outdoor movies on the Poly Beach
✔ Fireworks and Electrical Water Pageant
✔ Walking path to the Ticket and Transportation Center
✔ Good snacking
Resort Pools
The Polynesian Resort two heated pools. The feature pool is the Nanea Volcano Pool, with a 40-foot high volcano and waterfall, and a 142-foot tubular waterslide. A random mix of music is played poolside, and there’s a daily dance party. If there’s a certain song you’d like to hear, tell a Cast Member. They gladly take requests!
There are well equipped Cabana’s available for rent, that come stocked with complementary sodas and water and a fruit basket. Enjoy a television and iPod docking station, and your very own cabana attendant. Cabanas are an expensive luxury, but without one you’ll need to claim your spot by the pool early! Chairs fill up fast at the ever-popular Volcano pool.
The quiet pool is called the “Poly East Pool.” Teen guests often prefer swimming in the quiet pools because there are fewer children using them. At the Polynesian, though, the Volcano pool tends to be much more popular with everyone.
Recreation and Entertainment
Be sure to slow down and enjoy the “Brady Bunch goes to Hawaii” vibe of the Polynesian Resort. There is a full schedule of activities designed to entertain the whole family. Hula lessons are available in the lobby several days a week. You can watch a Torch Lighting Ceremony at the Great Ceremonial House. There are even activities especially for teens, so be sure to check the schedule!
Arcade
The 24 hour arcade, Moana Mickey’s Fun Hut, is located across from the Grand Ceremonial House next to the bus stop. You’re sure to find other teenaged guests here, enjoying a mix of modern games and old classics.
Get out on the water
Boats are available for rent at the Mikala Canoe Club Marina, from canoes and pontoon boats to 14-foot Dual Hull Sailboats. Sea Raycers are also available. You must be 16 years old to drive a Sea Raycer, and you need to have your parent’s permission if you are under 18. (12 – 16 year old guests can still drive your own boat, but you’ll have to rent outside the Magic Kingdom Area. The boats from the Bay lake resort marinas are faster, so you must have a driver’s license.) For a boat ride without the boat rental, take a water taxi to the Grand Floridian Resort.
Take a spin in a Surrey Bike
You can rent a two-seater or four-seater Surrey Bike at the Marina. Be prepared – it’s a workout on the hilly terrain – but you can explore the trails between the Polynesian and Grand Floridian resort.
Relax on the beach
Grab a hammock and relax on the sandy beach. After dark, the beach is lit by Tiki torches, and makes a great spot for watching fireworks and the Electric Water Pageant.
Enjoy a campfire and a movie
Further down the Poly Beach, toward the Grand Floridian, there’s a nightly campfire, dance party and outdoor movie. There’s a different movie every night of the week, and because this is a combined activity of the Polynesian and Grand Floridian hotels, you’ll have the opportunity to meet guests from the other hotel.
Off to the parks?
You can hop on the monorail at the Grand Ceremonial House to get to the Magic Kingdom, or you can take a boat across to the park. In addition to easy access to the Magic Kingdom Park, the Polynesian is also located close to the Transportation and Ticket Center. This means a direct monorail to Epcot is only a short walk away from the Polynesian!
Roam if you want to.
The Magic Kingdom Monorail will also take you to the other monorail resorts – the Grand Floridian and the Contemporary. From the Contemporary Resort, you have access to The Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness Resort areas by water taxi. This makes the huge list of activities at Fort Wilderness available to you, and gives you new Resorts to explore.
Snacks around the resort
The Polynesian Resort offers a refillable mug. Once you purchase the mug, you can enjoy unlimited free refills from Captain Cook’s, the 24-hour counter service restaurant, for the rest of your stay. Whether you’re on a dining plan, or have a little bit of spending money, there are many snacks available around the resort in the $1 – $4 price range. Don’t miss the Pineapple Dole Whip… it’s the same one that’s available inside the Magic Kingdom, but you can get it from Captain Cook’s 24 hours a day.
