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A Walt Disney World Resort vacation can be costly, but Disney offers several options to accommodate different budgets. With over 400 dining venues, guests can choose from casual snacks like Cheeseburger Spring Rolls and Mickey Pretzels to more upscale meals, such as Filet Mignon, fresh fish, and extravagant buffet spreads.
While theme park tickets can add up, especially when including a Park Hopper option, Disney often provides special offers throughout the year. Additionally, the longer your stay, the more affordable the cost per day for tickets becomes.
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Related: 7 Points To Include When Planning A Walt Disney World Budget
One of the largest expenses on a Disney vacation is the resort hotel. Even the most budget-friendly options, like Disney’s All-Star resorts, can cost several hundred dollars per night.
Although Deluxe Resorts may be beyond the budget for some, many guests feel the experience justifies the higher price. These resorts offer luxury amenities and a premium stay, which is reflected in the cost.
However, one guest’s recent visit to one of Disney’s top-tier hotels left them far from enchanted.
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Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is one of Walt Disney World’s crown jewels, promising guests a luxurious, tropical escape complete with iconic views of the Magic Kingdom and convenient monorail access. But for one guest, the dream of staying at this Deluxe Resort turned into a disappointing reality, leaving them to question whether it was worth the premium price tag.
Reddit user CoffeeChangesThings shared their experience on a popular Disney discussion thread, recounting their less-than-magical stay at the Polynesian. They booked a lake-view room for a single night, splurging $912 in hopes of ending their vacation on a high note. Unfortunately, they found themselves let down by the room’s condition.
“A chunk of drywall was missing right next to the shower, and a metal end cap part of the shower fixture was missing, leaving a screw head exposed and rusty. The USB port in the nightstand was broken, and both receptacles in the wall plug were so worn out they wouldn’t hold any cords. Overall, very disappointed in what I was expecting to be much better quality for that price.”
Disappointed but not defeated, the guest chalked it up as a learning experience, saying, “They got me for $912…lesson learned I guess?”
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Related: Disney Unveils Moana Surprise at Polynesian Resort—Fans Are Delighted!
The Reddit post struck a chord with Disney fans, many of whom chimed in with their own frustrations about the quality of Deluxe Resorts at Walt Disney World. While the Polynesian Village is beloved for its immersive theming and proximity to the parks, some guests argue that the accommodations fall short of true luxury standards.
One commenter summed it up:
“‘Deluxe quality resorts at Disney are comparable to 3-4 star hotels at best. You’re not paying for a significantly nicer hotel. You’re paying to be closer to the park.”
Others suggested off-property alternatives like the Four Seasons Orlando or the Waldorf Astoria, which offer genuine luxury for a similar—or even lower—price. These hotels, while not directly connected to Disney parks, are known for their superior amenities and attention to detail.
Credit: Four Seasons Orlando, Booking.com
Adding insult to injury, the Polynesian is currently undergoing major construction as part of an expansion project to build a Disney Vacation Club tower. While Disney has made efforts to inform guests about the work, the construction has impacted the resort’s overall atmosphere, with reports of noise, blocked views, and diminished aesthetic appeal.
Despite these disruptions, room prices remain sky-high, leaving some guests feeling that the resort’s charm has been overshadowed by its shortcomings.
Some Reddit users encouraged CoffeeChangesThings to contact Disney’s Guest Relations team to share their feedback, as the company is often willing to offer compensation for disappointing experiences.
What’s your take? Have you had a similar experience at a Disney Deluxe Resort? Do you think the Polynesian is still worth the splurge, or are off-property alternatives the way to go? Let us know in the comments below!
We rented DVC in Tokelau building. Our 3rd night I opened my notebook that was on the shelf where the fold down bed is. Ants everywhere! I had a closed container of snacks and 2 containers of popcorn from the confectionery at Magic Kingdom. I immediately called the front desk who sent a maintenance man to our room. This was 9:30 at night. We had showers and in our jammies. Once he arrived he shined his flashlight and commented oh those are just ghost ants. They won’t hurt you. My first thought was how many ants have I eaten the last 3 days. Setting breakfast food there while showering getting dressed whatever. He looked around the patio door the connecting room door and the entry door. Coming in everywhere. He said keep your food up higher. I’m thinking hanging from the ceiling. He says put it in the cabinet. I told home before I do that shine your flashlight. Yep ants! He told me to call the front desk to move rooms if I wanted. Who wants to do that at that time of the night. Next morning we did change rooms though.
Out trip was Oct 26 thru Nov 2. Filled out survey never heard a word from Disney. I have stayed at several Disney resorts. Great experiences. Staying at Poly was on my bucket list. What a disappointment.