Premium Cabana review
When the Cabanas at the Polynesian first opened they had two standard cabanas available. Later they constructed a Premium Cabana using the area that use 
to be for hair wraps because there was already a structure there. The main differences is size, price and the Premium Cabana can go as late as midnight. It also has beach access. I wondered how this location would work with all the foot traffic going past the pool area towards the boat dock and not having seen it in person yet I was happy to get a report from someone who rented it for the whole day. Here is the report (Thanks to Carl Nixon and family).
“Heather, our attendant was fabulous and very attentive, when I asked her about tip she said that she was hourly so no tip was expected (which compelled us to tip her well)
The recreation manager met us when we arrived to claim the
cabana along with our attendant to ask about any special request, our needs, their procedures and spoke to us about our special arrangements for dinner and our daughters cake.
The furniture and set up was quite extravagant! Comfortable, plush, and plentiful the canoe couches and the divan combined made for a wonderful place to 
just lie in the sun. The large dining table served as our base and was a wonderful place to dine.
There was a surround sound system installed along with a Blu-ray disk player. (don’ t know why there was a Blu-ray player?) There was an Ihome clock/docking station for Ipod or Iphone like the ones that are in the rooms. The fridge I felt was a bit small and did not keep the sodas cold. (poor heather and her ice runs}
Privacy
There really isn’t any! At times I felt like a fish in a fishbowl! people would actually walk by the front back and side of the cabana just to “gawk” the seating was gorgeous but the hammocks were just in front of the cabana on the beach there were screaming kids swinging on them like they were the main attraction next to Its a Small World! Parents had no regard!
As the night progressed, the privacy really fell to the wayside. Kids would actually walk into the cabana. Adults would actually try to sit on the cabana furniture. It was quite disturbing! I had one guy walk into the cabana and ask me where the trash can was! I really think they should extend the ropes all the way to the water. The premium price would warrant this or have someone assigned to the cabana as a guard especially around wishes time.
The location of the cabana is great and terrible at the same time. The lush foliage around the side provide shade and quiets down the boat dock and traffic to and from the launch. Those that use the beach to get to the launch was not a good thing. The wishes view was TERRIBLE. The island and the roof of the boat dock blocked at least 25% of the view.
Dining experience
there was something special about sitting on the poly beach at that beautiful table and enjoying a steak with my family really nice experience!
Bottom line
Would I do it again? Nope! I think we could have found something else to spend our $700 on!”
The Premium Cabana can be booked for the day 10am-5pm or for the night 7pm-12am for $319.50.
They include:
Plush Veneman (high-end brand name) cabana furniture
Within the Premium Cabana:
Separate Small table and two chairs
Two padded Love Seats
Two padded Lounge chairs
Within the Private Deck:
Separate Large Dining Table (up to 6)
Separate Conversational Seating area with 2 Canoe couches and ottoman
Within the Beach
Two padded Chaise Lounge chairs
55 inch LCD television with cable access
DVD/CD/MP3 player
Phone for internal resort calls
Ceiling Fans
Mini refrigerator stocked with complimentary sodas and water.
Exclusive Cabana Space (154 Sq. Feet)
Exclusive Deck Space (456 Sq. Feet)
Exclusive Beach Space (200 Sq. Feet)
Refurbishment of Tonga suites
I have been hearing about the Tonga suites being redone since the end of last year. Looks like they are planning on starting at the begining of September. As with all their schedules, this could change. As of now they are blocking out the suites for bookings during this time.
To drive or not to drive
A question that seems to come up a lot is if people should rent a car or even when they drive to Disney World, should they use their car or Disney transportation. Disney transportation can get you just about anywhere and for as large as Disney property is, they do a great job getting everyone around. Sometimes service is better than other times but not bad considering how many destinations there are. I am sure many of us have learned tricks here and there for getting to different destinations but I have always seen a benefit in using a car.
I have one good reason to not use a car (if you are renting one). COST! You can save that money for something better.
Now the reasons to use a car.
1. Disney transportation does not go from every location to other locations. What I mean is if you want to go from a resort to a resort you would have to go to another stop and get on the bus for the resort you wanted to go to. Unless you could walk to the resort from your resort or take a boat or monorail. Also going to multiple locations like park to park and then maybe a stop at Downtown Disney is much easier with a car.
2. The other thing we like to do is keep a change of clothes or some other things that we don’t want to haul around the parks but maybe need to access, we can keep these in the car. Please no kids or animals.
3. The last reason is time. If I remember correctly Len Testa said that with the cost of tickets you are paying about $20 an hour when at Disney. Do you want to waste time sitting at a bus stop or if you are staying at a resort that has multiple bus stops (Epcot area resorts have 5 resort stops) do you want to waste that time sitting on a bus?
Disney resort guests get free parking at parks so you may consider renting or bringing a car a good idea. You can also rent after you are at your resort so if you took Magical Express to and from your resort you can still rent a car at the resort. It is cheaper because there are no airport fees and you don’t have to rent it the whole stay. They will also come and get you at your resort and bring you back.
Luckily when we stay at the Polynesian we are getting the best transportation options out of any resort so using the car is not always necessary. Also the Polynesian self park is never very far from your room unlike many of the other Disney resorts.
Hawaii at the Food and Wine Festival
If you are going to be at Disney World from September 30 – November 13 then make sure you check out the Hawaiian marketplace. It will be cooking up Kalua pork sliders and tuna poke with seaweed salad and lotus root chips. Wash that down with a Seven Tiki Mai Tai or a Kona longboard or pipeline beer.
Kona beer can also be found over at the Polynesian and is available in the club level lounge area by request.
Ways to say thanks to Cast Members
Don’t forget that when a Cast Member does something nice or something to add some magic to your trip, take some time to write to Disney and let them know. Even if it was someone behind the scenes that worked with you on your itinerary before you visited, it helps them if management knows they are doing a great job.
I think most of us can tell when a Cast Member is really interested in helping you and is happy to be there. The good Cast Members know that no matter how hard their job can be at times, they are helping make memories for people that visit Disney World. We as guests can also help by not being difficult and unreasonable with our requests and expectations.
To email Disney about a Cast Member that did something to add magic to your visit you can send it to wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com.
