undercover tourist polynesian

14 FUN Things to Do at the Polynesian Resort

Are you looking for ideas on what to do at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort? When you stay at a Disney deluxe hotel, it’s always a good idea to spend some quality time touring the grounds and enjoying the resort amenities. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Polynesian Villas and Bungalows are located in a prime location at WDW that allows easy access to Magic Kingdom and Epcot.

If you plan on dishing out a bunch of money on a room with a high rate (like at the Poly), you will want to know that your kids aren’t going to be bored at this pricey resort. Luckily, the Polynesian Resort offers plenty of unique and exciting activities to keep everyone in the family entertained throughout your visit. These are our top 16 picks on what to do at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort at Walt Disney World.

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View Magic Kingdom Fireworks

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort provides families an up-close view of the nightly Magic Kingdom fireworks show. You can even hear the accompanying music throughout the resort as you watch!

***Tip for Families on a Budget- My family and I had a great view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks from our standard view room at Disney’s Polynesian Villas and Bungalows!

We could see and hear the show from our balcony in the Tokelau building. I didn’t expect to have this view since we paid the standard rate rather than upgrading to a water view; however, we were pleasantly surprised!

I found our super reasonable rate on David’s Vacation Club website by renting DVC points. We find that renting DVC points from David’s Vacation Club is by far the BEST way to score a deep discount on your room at Walt Disney World! Just use the easy cost calculator to price out your room at the Polynesian!

Swim in the Oasis (aka the Quiet) Pool

You have more than likely seen photos of the main pool at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. But, did you know the hotel also offers a second pool for guests to enjoy?

pool with text overlay 15 Things to do at Disney's Polynesian Resort

The Oasis Pool at the Polynesian Resort is centrally located on the property and is a super fun swimming area for kids to enjoy. Since it’s usually far less crowded than the main pool at the Polynesian, the Oasis Pool is referred to as the Quiet Pool .

Oasis Pool at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort

The Oasis Pool is a lot of fun, and it’s the perfect spot to unwind and relax after a long day at the parks! If you are visiting the Polynesian Resort with a baby or a toddler, the Oasis Pool offers a really shallow section complete with small splash fountains!

Watch the Electrical Water Pageant

Make sure you check the nightly schedule for the Electrical Water Pageant before your visit. You can see and hear the show right from the Polynesian Resort! This roughly 15 minute show takes place nightly before the Magic Kingdom fireworks display. It’s so convenient to enjoy the Electrical Water Pageant on the Seven Seas Lagoon from the comfort of your resort rather than by fighting the crowds at Disney’s Magic Kingdom.

Play on the Water Slide at the Lava Pool

The Lava Pool at Disney’s Polynesian Resort is the main feature pool at the hotel. It includes a large water slide that wraps around the HUGE volcano at the pool. Another highlight of the Lava Pool is the shaded grotto area you can find behind the waterfalls.

Lava Pool and water slide at Disney's Polynesian Resort

If you are visiting with a baby or a toddler , the Lava Pool offers a zero entry section and a separate splash pad. Kiki Tikis Splash Play area is located right next to the Lava Pool and features shallow water, spray fountains, and smaller water slides.

Order a Dole Whip

My family and I love taking Disney Cruise Line vacations, and Dole Whip frozen treats are a super popular refreshment on the ships. Visitors to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort also go crazy for the delicious Dole Whip snacks. They often flock to Pineapple Lanai to order different versions of the famous frozen treat. My kids especially like to order the “swirl” version of the Dole Whip, which consists of a combination of vanilla and pineapple flavors.

Walk to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

You can’t miss the views of the Grand Floridian Resort while you are staying at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, but you can also get an up close look at the elaborate hotel by taking a short walk.

view of Disney's Grand Floridian from Polynesian Village Resort

Once on the grounds of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, you can spend time touring the hotel, enjoying the dining options, or pampering your little ones at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique (reservations highly recommended).

Ride the Small Boat to Disney’s Magic Kingdom

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort provides a small ferry boat that will take you to the Magic Kingdom Theme Park. Note that this is a different boat than the large ferry you will find at the Transportation and Ticket Center.

The small ferry boat can only hold a few families at a time, but it’s a great option for a quick ride to Magic Kingdom. If you don’t have theme park tickets, you could just enjoy the closer view of Cinderella’s Castle. You could also stroll over to tour Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

Listen to Live Music at Trader Sam’s

Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto is a lounge situated near the Lava Pool and Captain Cook’s quickservice dining option. With both indoor and outdoor seating, Trader Sam’s offers cocktails and appetizers for its patrons. If you head outside to Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace, you can often find live music to enjoy for your entertainment.

Look for Lizards, Birds, and Other Creatures

If your kids are animal lovers like mine, they will enjoy seeing different types of animals around the resort. You can often find birds, bunnies, and lizards near the pathways at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.

Roast Marshmallows at the Campfire

Be sure to check the activity schedule at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort to determine the scheduled times for the campfire. Kids love spending time roasting marshmallows and make S’mores by the fire in the evenings.

Watch an Outdoor Movie

When you arrive at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, look for the schedule for Movies under the Stars. Grab a Dole Whip frozen treat to enjoy as you lounge and watch the family friendly Disney film!

Play in the Sand

You can play and experience all sorts of fun activities on the sandy beach at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Enjoy views of the the lagoon and castle while building sandcastles, playing volleyball, or swinging on the beach furniture.

Rent a Motorized Boat

Did you know you can rent a motorized boat at the Seven Seas Marina at the Polynesian Resort? Boat rental options include mini speedboats, 6 seater boats, and 10 seater pontoons. The marina is located near Captain Cook’s quick service restaurant and the Lava Pool. You can also book fishing excursions here!

Ride the Monorail

Take a short walk across the parking lot at Disney’s Polynesian Resort to the Transportation and Ticket Center. Here, you can hop on the monorail to take a ride just for fun. You can make stops at the monorail resorts or ride all the way to Epcot!

Overall, Disney’s Polynesian Resort is full of all kinds of fun things to do. Whether you’re looking to cool off in the themed pools or unwind at Trader Sam’s, you’ll certainly enjoy your time spent at this deluxe Disney hotel. What is your favorite thing to do at the Polynesian Resort? Comment below to share it with us!

water slides, pools, desserts, and beach with text overlay 15 Fun Activities Disney's Polynesian Resort

Shari is an experienced planner and organizer for Disney vacations, cruising, and U.S. travel. Her family vacation information, reviews, and tips provide insight for moms and dads everywhere. You can read more about her story, including her journey through breast cancer, in the about me page.