Dining in and Around Disney's Polynesian Resort

Disney's Polynesian Resort is one of the two original Walt Disney World hotels and still sits on the shores of Seven Seas Lagoon, beckoning travelers to its laid back South Pacific glory. A wide expansive beach, an enchanting volcano pool and a breathtaking view of the Magic Kingdom park draw visitors here in droves to stay among the south seas magic. With all the Polynesian has to offer, the dining is no exception. Several family favorites make this a destination for many guests of the Walt Disney World resort, and even the counter service has a few gems!

Barefoot Bar. What would a South Seas getaway be without a few blended drinks, complete with umbrella? The Barefoot Bar delivers rum with a punch here in its location at the Volcano Pool.

Kona Island Café Coffee Bar. Walt Disney World is not known for its coffee. Nescafe is served at most locations and does not tend to measure up to even the basic cup of joe brewed at home. The Kona Island Café is a location where coffee lovers can not only find coffee that is better than average, they just may come away drinking the best coffee they've ever had. Treat yourself to Kona blend coffee, imported from Hawaii and enjoy a muffin or pastry for a delicious morning wake-you-up!

Kona Island Sushi Bar. In the later day, the Kona Island Café transforms itself from a coffee haven to a sushi paradise. From a tradition California roll to tempura to a combo plate, sushi lovers will not come away hungry. Enjoy a mai tai, sake or Kona lager with your sushi and make it a meal!

Kona Café. The quieter of the two table service restaurants, Kona Café is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and serves up excellent food with an Asian twist. Breakfast features include the pineapple macadamia nut pancakes and the classic Tonga toast. Lunch offers up sandwiches, Polysnesian plate lunch and fish tacos and dinner adds on a few more upscale offerings such as teriyaki steak, macadamia crusted mahi mahi and tuna oscar.

'Ohana. Fans of the film Lilo and Stitch will remember that " 'Ohana means family" and this restaurant is determined to prove that adage right. Guest for breakfast will enjoy their all you care to eat family style fruit, pastries, Mickey waffles, potatoes, scrambled eggs, bacon and sausage while being visited by luminaries such as Lilo, Stitch, Pluto, and Mickey Mouse himself. Dinner is also a family style affair with Polynesian inspired sides like noodles, stir fried broccoli, sticky wings, potstickers, and a refreshing salad. The main course is skewered meats, flame roasted in pits in the center of the room and brought to your table by servers. Dessert is a bananas foster inspired bread pudding, vanilla ice cream and sauce. If you have any picky young eaters among you, feel free to ask for children's favorites as a substitution.

Captain Cook's. Located just off the volcano pool on the first floor of the Great Ceremonial House is a counter service location that serves up a few items that make it a destination of its own. The infamous Tonga toast served up at the Kona Café for breakfast is also available here for lower cost and higher speed and convenience. A large sourdough bread slice, stuffed with sliced bananas, deep fried and rolled in sugar is a perennial fan favorite. Another jewel located here is the soft serve Dole whip of Magic Kingdom fame. Lunch and dinner include sandwiches, flatbreads and sides with a Polynesian flavor and makes this counter service location unique and excellent.

Spirit of Aloha Polynesia Luau. The Spirit of Aloha is an open air dinner show where guest sit together, enjoying ribs, chicken, fried rice, vegetables, pineapple and salad while watching a dazzling show. Drinks are included in the price of the show and this includes beer and wine alongside the milk and sodas. Kids have alternative menus as well and dessert is dramatically served up volcano style at the tables. The show takes two table service credits on the dining plan.

Every inch of the Polynesian Resort is saturated with the feeling of being in the islands and the cuisine and restaurants are no exception. The experience is compounded when you are a guest of the resort, but nearly all dining locales are destinations in and of themselves. Each is worth a monorail trip from the Magic Kingdom when you're looking for a break from the park, but not a break from the Disney Magic!