Checking-In at the Polynesian Village Resort in 1975
I was fortunate to receive digital scans of check-in information from a September, 1975, stay at the Polynesian Village Resort at Walt Disney World. The packet contains wonderful information about the resort and the amenities, including the cryptic key code for deciphering your room location based on the numbers on the key.
After you’ve rested a few minutes after the long journey from the Orlando Jetport at the McCoy Air Force Base, it’s time to check-in!
Aloha! You’ve reached your tropical destination… the Polynesian Village!
Here, amid lush South Seas splendor, you will be treated to accommodations and a host of services that could only be offered at the Vacation Kingdom of the World.
Each guest room in the various Longhouses has been coordinated to the hotel’s Polynesian theme and provides the ultimate in comfort while maintaining a relaxed resort atmosphere. Individual air conditioning, variable lighting, full carpeting and remote control color television including special music and Walt Disney World information channels make your stay even more enjoyable.
In keeping with our family vacation tradition, there is no extra charge for up to three children under 18 years old staying in the same room with an adult. Also, there is no charge for cribs. For more than two adults in one room, there is a $4 per person per night charge. Maximum, five persons per room, please.
When exploring the Polynesian Village, be sure to visit the Great Ceremonial House, the focal point of our Polynesian World. Various themed restaurants and shops are yours for the choosing, each with Its own blend of South Seas authenticity and Disney hospitality. For your recreation pleasure, there’s a sea of activities from water sports to nightly Polynesian Luaus in our festive Luau Cove.
But the Polynesian Village is only the beginning of your Vacation Kingdom adventure. During your stay, we encourage you to visit our entire World, including the 21st Century Contemporary Resort and the secluded woodland area of Fort Wilderness and the Tri-Circle-D Ranch. All are accessible to you and your family via the Walt Disney World transportation system.
Welcome…to YOUR world!
The Cast of Walt Disney World
For those of us familiar with the modern Disney Resort TV, it’s interesting to see what was offered in 1975:
- Channel 1, Recorded Music
- Channel 2 WESH, Orlando (NBC)
- Channel 3 WMFE, Orlando (Educational)
- Channel 5 Walt Disney World Information
- Channel 6 WDBO, Orlando (CBS)
- Channel 7 WTOG, Tampa (Independent)
- Channel 8 WFLA, Tampa (NBC)
- Channel 9 WFTV, Orlando (ABC)
- Channel 10 WTVT, Tampa (CBS)
Polynesian Village Resort Map and Guest Room Key Code Information from 1975
Another section of the check-in packet has a map of the Polynesian Village Resort with two insets featuring an overview of the Walt Disney World property and the Guest Room Key code.
In 1975, there were only eight longhouses (guest buildings) and one swimming pool. Today, there are eleven longhouses and the DVC Water Bungalows (with a DVD tower coming soon), along with other amenities. All of the guest amenities (restaurants and shops) were located in the Great Ceremonial House. I’ve read that the area that is bounded by Tonga (5), Hawaii (6), Bora Bora (7), and Maui (8) might have been a small golfing area for practice and putting. Do you remember this?
One of the inserts features a simplified overview of the Walt Disney World Resort, including: the Ticket and Transportation center, the Golf Resort, the Contemporary Resort, the Magnolia and Palm golf courses, the Magic Kingdom, Fort Wilderness, the Sri-Circle-D Ranch, and the ubiquitous Gulf Car Care Center. Getting around Walt Disney World in 1975 was such a simpler process.
The Guest Room Key Code is a fascinating piece of history. Long before the use of magnetic stripe key cards or opening your door with your Magic Band, hotels used a physical room key, similar to a house key. As per the instructions, Each guest rom key carries a four-digit number:
- First number indicates the floor number
- Second digit indicates Longhouse number (see map)
- Last two digits indicate room number.
For the example, we would have stayed in Longhouse Hawaii in room 14 of the second floor. Try to remember that after a night at the Luau!
Did you spot the Bob-A-Round Boat in the image?
Walt Disney World Guest Identification Card
The Walt Disney World Guest Identification Card was standard and offered access to resort amenities and the resort monorail. This vacation package was a two-night stay and was for room 1403.
Based on the handy-dandy Guest Room Key Code, our friends were staying in room 03 on the first floor of Samoa (now Tuvalu), which has a nice view of the marina, Seven Seas Lagoon, or, potentially, the Magic Kingdom.
We also have a copy of the itemized bill from the two-night stay at the Polynesian Village. I believe the check-in was on Friday, September 19, 1975, with the check-out on Sunday, September 21, 1975. The room price was $42.00 per night with $1.68 tax per evening. The grand total for the room, including tax for two nights was $87.36. Using the inflation calculator, this would be $242.82 per evening or $485.64 for both nights (not including tax). A quick search for a water-view room for the same dates in 2025 returns results with $907 per night (no vacation package).
There was a $6.00 charge for something called the “Catamaran Corner” that I cannot identify. Based on documentation, it was $4-$8 per hour to rent a catamaran boat. Does anyone have any other ideas?