5 STAR HOTELS IRELAND

Disney's Polynesian [Village] Resort

This was the first hotel I ever stayed at in WDW so it will always be a special place for me. I've gone back and forth over the years trying to determine which is the better resort, the Polynesian or the Wilderness Lodge, and I've come to the conclusion that they are both equally great.

Besides the wonderful (and it truly is wonderful) theming and atmosphere at the Polynesian Resort...

The Polynesian has the monorail service to the Magic Kingdom as well as a short walk to the TTC to catch one to EPCOT. Along with the monorail, the Polynesian has the best resort room views on property--that of the Tahiti building-- with a picturesque view of Seven Seas Lagoon with the castle in the distance. What makes the Tahiti building (and other Lagoon facing buildings) also special is that you have prime viewing spots of the Kingdom's nightly fireworks from the comfort of your own room, or you can enjoy them from the beach just a short distance away. During the day, you can hear the train whistle at the Magic Kingdom all the way from across the Lagoon.

From personal experience, you can't go wrong staying in the Fiji, Tuvalu, or Tahiti building. But out of these, the Tahiti is by far the very best, once you stay there (in a Lagoon view room) you'll see for yourself-- and you'll probably become spoiled on your future visits.


To break it down, here are some reasons as to why the Polynesian is so great:

- Monorail service to Magic Kingdom (either from the lobby or the TTC) and EPCOT (a short walk to the TTC to catch the monorail)
- Ferry boat service to the Magic Kingdom ~ you have options!
- Huge rooms! I mean they are huge, they don't make them like this anymore
- Wonderful atmosphere throughout the entire grounds -- a big part of why this resort is so special
- Prime viewing spots (from lagoon-view rooms or the beach) for the Magic Kingdom's nightly fireworks AND the Electrical Water Pageant on Seven Seas Lagoon
- Watercraft rentals --with 2 lakes to ride around on-- I like renting the small (2 seater) boats that you can go pretty fast in, although they have gotten me in trouble with the Boston Whaler patrols on the lake...

I can't help it if I want to drive right up near the Magic Kingdom ferry boat to catch the waves they leave behind.... or do donuts on the lake near the shoreline for everyone to see.... or get to close to the Magic Kingdom's boat docks... or.....
: )

Also if you rent a watercraft, head near the old River Country waterpark and you will find a shoe tree -- their is a tree in the water with a ton of shoes thrown on it... they should still be there.


I captured the Polynesian lobby waterfall from a few different angles/spots (so I may upload a few variations), but I especially liked this one because of the colorful pink plant in the foreground.

blend so well with the surrounding scenery.

this last trip was light in terms of picture taking. when you travel with a large group of family members. each with their own agendas it ends up being really tough to fit your own in. for one you're always bringing up the rear whenever we're walking from one place to the next. and then there's missed visual opportunities everywhere..each time you curse yourself inside.

saturday night, after epcot closed, everyone was ready to head back to the hotel. I wanted to stay back and capture some night shots around with the tripod. I also had a plan to head back to the hotel (the holiday inn at hotel plaza blvd) that required me going to disney's beach resort, get on the bus to downtown disney and walk back to the hotel. this did not go well with the group. my wife was whatever about it saying its never enough for me. and my grandmother thought everyone was playing a game on her saying we left eddy at epcot. she even called me about 40 minutes after they left saying 'but eddy are you crazy? why would you want to stay in a park by yourself? how are you getting back?'.. anyway i got back to the hotel about 80 minutes after they left. the next morning i was the talk of the breakfast table.

-eddy didn't they kick you out?
-no.

-what's the point if the rides are closed?
-its not about the rides.

-and you walked from epcot to the hotel?
-no i took a bus from the hotel directly next to the world showcase to downtown disney and walked about a quarter mile to the hotel..its like walking from tomorrowland to adventureland.

-weren't you afraid someone was going to mug you?
-mug me? on disney property?

-you know you're obsessed right?
-no. not really. i just like taking pictures there. and even more so without the crowds.

they don't get it. but either way, its increasingly difficult for me to enjoy any picture taking if i'm with family so my question to all of you is...how do you find the time? are photowalks the solution? what if your wife doesn't like you going to disney by yourself?