The Polynesian has always been an iconic Disney resort and one kids dream of staying in. The beaches, the Volcano water slide at the Lava Pool and the option to get Dole Whip right in your resort are enough to entice the young, and young at heart. Not to mention its beautiful location next to Seven Seas Lagoon, where you can watch Happily Ever After without having to leave your resort. In this article we’re going to look at which is the best Polynesian Studio for Families.
When the Polynesian opened its DVC rooms in April 2015, only two types of rooms were available: Deluxe Studios and Bungalows. Most guests opted to stay in a Studio. Because let’s face it, most of us can only dream of having enough points for an extended stay in a Bungalow! With the opening of the Polynesian Island Tower in 2024 the choice of rooms available has expanded hugely. There are now eight different Studio choices across a range of Duo Studios (for two guests only), Island Tower Deluxe Studios (for four guests), and the original Longhouse Deluxe Studios (for five guests). So if your family are looking stay at the Polynesian, but your points won’t stretch to a larger room, which Studio should you opt for?
Island Tower Deluxe Studio
Sleeping four adults and one infant, the Island Tower Deluxe Studio is a perfect choice for the average two child family.
These Studios comes in the three view categories, each costing an increasing number of points per night:
- Resort View – from14 points a night
- Preferred View – from 19 points a night
- Theme Park View – from 24 points a night
Pros:
At around 425 square feet, the Island Tower Deluxe Studios are a good size. As is the case in most Deluxe Studios, there’s a queen sized bed and a pull down Murphy bed. However, this is one of the first Studios to feature a kitchenette with actual plates and cups! There’s even a dishwasher to clean them in. Along with all the usual features such as a microwave, toaster, coffee maker and mini fridge. This is definitely a step up from the small kitchenette in most Studio rooms and can make a huge difference when travelling with young children who like to have an endless supply or snacks and drinks. There’s even a bench and table area to make eating in the room that little bit easier
These Island Tower Studios also features a huge amount of storage. You’ll find cupboards in the kitchenette and plenty of drawers under the tv, in addition to a large closet as you enter the room. In some Studios it can feel cramped trying to fit a family of four, plus all their luggage into the room, but this certainly isn’t the case here.
The views from the Island Tower also have to get a mention. Even if you book a cheaper Resort View Studio, the Island Tower features relaxing terrace areas, open to all guests staying in the Tower. Both the Bamboo Forest Terrace Garden and the Wave Break Terrace Garden have stunning views over Magic Kingdom and are a prime viewing sport for Happily Ever After.
Cons:
It’s hard to think of cons for these gorgeous new rooms, but there are a couple of minor ones. Whilst there’s no denying the new Island Tower Deluxe Studios have a beautiful bathroom, it might not be the most practical set up for a family. There’s no tub, only a walk in shower and although the toilet is behind a separate door, it features frosted glass which doesn’t provide as much privacy as normal.
These Studios are also missing the fifth sleeper bed that the Studios in the Longhouses benefit from. This means if you need a room for five people over the age of three, you won’t be able to book an Island Tower Studio.
Deluxe Studio (in the Original Longhouses)
The OG Polynesian Deluxe Studios, split across three longhouses: Tokelau, Moorea and Pago Pago, can accommodate up to five adults and one infant.
These Deluxe Studios come in only two view categories:
- Resort View – from 14 points a night
- Preferred View (previously called Lake View) – from 19 points a night
Pros:
The most obvious pro of the original Deluxe Studios is the size. Coming in at around 447 square foot they are by far the biggest of the Studios at the Polynesian. They also feature the fifth sleeper bed which means for three kid families, they are the only available option.
The other huge perk of these Deluxe Studios is that they have two bathrooms! One features a walk in shower, similar to that found in the Tower Studios. The other features a tub and a toilet. This means not only can you have more than one family member getting ready at the same time, you can give your little ones a bath.
Cons:
Whilst the kitchenette in the Longhouse Deluxe Studios isn’t a con compared to most other Studios on Walt Disney World property, it certainly isn’t as good as those found in the Island Tower Studios. Although you have all the usual kitchenette features, you’ll only find paper cups, plates and bowls in these rooms unlike the crockery provided in the Island Tower Deluxe Studios and of course this means there’s no dishwasher.
With the addition of the fifth sleeper, you also lose a lot of storage space, in particular drawers. So if you’re coming for a longer stay, or you just like to bring a lot of stuff with you, you may struggle to put it all away.
The view choices are more limited in these Studios. You certainly won’t be getting a beautiful theme park view you’d find from the Island Tower. Most original Deluxe Studios have a resort view. Of the preferred view studios (all located within the Moorea building), if you end up on the first floor you’ll likely have your view of the lake blocked by the Bungalows. So if you want to watch the fireworks, you’ll have to head down to the beach.
Island Tower Duo Studio
There is one final, surprise option for smaller families. Given that the Duo Studios only sleep two people, it might seem a strange choice to mention. However, if you’re a couple with a baby or toddler under three years old, then you can stay in a Duo Studio. Infants are allowed in addition to two guests! So if this is your first vacation as a family of three, don’t rule this option out.
The Duo Studio comes in three view categories, each view costing an increasing number of points per night:
- Preferred View – from 12 points a night
- Resort View – from 16 points a night
- Premium View – from 19 points a night
Pros:
The big pro for these rooms is the point cost. These rooms are generally around 2-5 points cheaper per night than the equivalent Deluxe Studio. In peak season, this can increase to 9 points cheaper a night. Because of this a Duo Studio is by far the most economical way to stay at the Polynesian.
You also have access to the stunning views from the terrace areas as you do in the Island Tower Deluxe Studios. Even if you don’t pick a Premium View room, you can still benefit from a stunning fireworks view from within the Tower.
Cons:
The lower point cost does come with some pretty big sacrifices. You won’t have as much space as you would in either of the other Deluxe Studio choices. At 262 square feet, the room is a similar size to a standard Value Resort room. Unlike a Value Resort room though, the only bed in a Duo Studio is a pull down Murphy bed. So if one of you likes to nap whilst the other prefers to chill on the sofa, this might not be the room for you.
Another con is the kitchen space in these Studios. Whilst the Duo Studios still feature a kitchenette, it’s much smaller, doesn’t have a sink and only has a beverage cooler not a fridge. Because of this, it might not be the best option if you need to store baby formula or food or if you have to wash up bottles, as this would have to be done in the bathroom sink!
Which Studio is The Best?
As you can see there are pro’s and con’s of all the Studio choices available at the Polynesian now. For my family the winner has to be the Island Tower Deluxe Studios. With two kids and an unhealthy obsession with watching Happily Ever After, for us these rooms can’t be beaten. But I know every family is different and what works for us doesn’t work for everyone. That’s the beauty of being a DVC member, there are so many choices and options that everyone can vacation in the way they love!
Have you stayed in the different Studios at the Polynesian? If you have let me know in the comments below which one you prefer. Or if you’re yet to stay there, which do you think you’ll choose?
