Maybe some will remember me...need advice

[Allensfan]

Hello everyone

I was here a year ago planning to take my husband and 6 year old son to Disney to celebrate his birthday when we found out my husband had cancer. We did end up going on the trip in Sept, got a wheel chair for hubby, and made the most of it.

Now that he is feeling better, we are thinking about going back. We stayed in the Animal Kingdom Lodge hotel with a view of the animals and a bunkbed. It was very nice and we liked the room. This time we are thinking of going to the Polynesian hotel. I noticed there is a "Garden View" and a "Lagoon View"...I was unsure if it was worth the price difference of $600.00 to get the Lagoon View???

Did they improve the rooms at the Polynesian? I heard last year they may be having a face lift.

Also, I had heard the dining plan was going to not include many places that we went to last year, but all the same eating spots seem to still be included. Any changes with the dining plan that I should know about?

We did go to V & A's last time and I think we will skip it this time. It was very nice, but not the cat's pj's.

Also, we would like to try Discovery Cove....which I know is not a Disney property, but since my husband could not get in the water last year, I thought maybe he would enjoy it. Any advice would be great.

Thanks so much!!!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I remember you. Glad your trip when well and that you DH is feeling better.

All the Poly rooms were recently rehabbed and they are great. Also Captain Cooks was totally redone.

There are lots of different views - garden, lagoon and theme park. While the lagoon and theme park are nice you can alwso see Wishes and EWP from the beach for free!

Whatever you decide have a great time. Glad things are going better for you.

 

[irisbud]

Hi Allensfan

So glad that your husband is feeling better!

As to your first question, I have not yet stayed at the Polynesian, but the view at any of the hotels is a matter of preference. We had a GV from the suite we were upgraded to at the GF and it was beautiful. We recieved savannah view at AKL in that suite and our view was . I know many people love what they see, but we were less than impressed by that particular location. Wishes from the Poly beach is supposed to be fabulous, and you would have plenty of great vantage points from the resort. When we go to the Poly in 2008, we are going to have a GV with our L/S package, and we are OK with that. If it is very important to you, though, you should book it or you will regret that you did not the entire trip.

As to your second question, I would encourage anyone who has ever considered visiting Discovery Cove to make plans to do so. DC is so beautiful, peaceful and realaxing. Even if you do not swim with the dolphins, there is still so much to do that is so unique. You get to snorkel with hundreds of beautifully colored tropical fish in the large saltwater pool. You can float on the lazy river to an island that has an aviary and some small animals wandering about. When we were there, we were able to feed both the birds and the animals. There is a ray pond, which is cool to walk in. The provided lunch was really good quality. The dophin swim was fun. You are in small groups so you get some interaction time, and at the end, we actually got to individually "ride" the dolphin. DC provides you with snorkel gear and a vest or wetsuit. The locker rooms were clean and well lit. The whole park was very, very beautifully landscaped. I love Disney, but they have nothing like this on their property, and it is really well worth doing. My dad and I are making the trip again in October, in fact.

HTH

Amy

 

[Allensfan]

Any other hotels that you have tried, other than AKL, that you liked? My son loves to swim and I did not know which hotel had a great pool.

Thanks for the info on DC, we are excited about it, even though it is pricey.

 

[irisbud]

LOVED GF and can't wait to go back! AKL was alright, just not our style. Gf's pool is pretty, but not very exciting. Poly is supposed to have a nice pool, but we haven't stayed there. Lots say that the best pool is Stormalong Bay at BC/YC!

 

[kinggoofy]

I have no advice on your question.

BUT, I do remember your story and just wanted to say that I am glad your husband is feeling better and hopefully your lives our getting back to "normal".

 

[SB in KY]

Personally I would take the $600 saved on a garden view at the Poly and use it for a memorable day at DC...we have stayed both views at the Poly and honestly I have to say I was less than enthralled with the lagoon view...it was niice, but we ended up going to the beach to watch the fireworks anyways. The garden views are very nice...we have always been on the ground floor so we could sit on the patio and feed the ducks and look at the flowers by day, torches by night and sometimes we have been by the momrail, which was fun to watch outside too.

IMHO the best views on property are from the tower rooms at the CR....a lot of people don't care for the themimg there but the views are absolutely spectacular from the park view rooms.

For about the same price you could probably get a 1BR at Old Key West or one of the DVC resorts....no view to speak of from them, but the space and relaxed atmosphere are hard to beat.

Have fun planning this trip!

 

[Allensfan]

BC and YC?? I have never even looked at those properties, i will have to check them out.

Yes life is getting back to normal. We ended up having to take our trip in the middle of chemo and my hubby got a blood clot while we were there. but I have to say that Disney took great care of us. If anyone is thinking of traveling there with a health issue, I have some tips that could help. Happy to help if I can.

 

[kaysmommie]

Welcome back Allensfan, I do remember reading your posts. We stayed at Poly last fall and going back again in October. All the rooms have been redone and they are really nice. I don't know if you will think lagoon view is worth $600 more or not, depends on the person. They do have some nice garden views and only a small percentage are parking lot view. I would pay $600 more for and MK view but don't know if lagoon view is worth that much more unless you can see MK and the castle. All of the deluxe pools are really nice, but Beach/ Yacht club is the best.

 

[Cass]

.I was unsure if it was worth the price difference of $600.00 to get the Lagoon View???
!

600.00 difference for the week? so 85.00 a night for a nicer view?

If it was 600.00 a night! then I'd be

 

[Allensfan]

Also, we paid for an animal view at AKL but ended up getting a mini upgrade to a bunk bed room. I really did enjoy AKL but I thought it would be nice to try something different. Maybe since we will be traveling in Sept again,and that is not a busy time to go, we would get upgraded to a better view at Poly.

 

[Allensfan]

600.00 difference for the week? so 85.00 a night for a nicer view?

If it was 600.00 a night! then I'd be

That is exactly how I felt. You add on $540.00 for 5 days for a Lagoon view and add on $708.00 for 5 days for a Theme park view.

Sounds like a ton for 5 nights.

 

[RachelTori]

Also, we paid for an animal view at AKL but ended up getting a mini upgrade to a bunk bed room. I really did enjoy AKL but I thought it would be nice to try something different. Maybe since we will be traveling in Sept again,and that is not a busy time to go, we would get upgraded to a better view at Poly.

Welcome back! So happy to hear your hubby is doing well!

Just want to make sure you know that there really is NO "not busy" time at WDW! So please don't count on a room upgrade or you might be disappointed.

I think Poly is great, but I'm going to agree with other posters about BC/YC. The pool is awesome; the location of the resorts is great too - so easy to get to Epcot & MGM.

Please let us know what you decide, OK? And continued prayers and Pixiedust for your family.

 

[Allensfan]

Welcome back! So happy to hear your hubby is doing well!

Just want to make sure you know that there really is NO "not busy" time at WDW! So please don't count on a room upgrade or you might be disappointed.

I think Poly is great, but I'm going to agree with other posters about BC/YC. The pool is awesome; the location of the resorts is great too - so easy to get to Epcot & MGM.

Please let us know what you decide, OK? And continued prayers and Pixiedust for your family.

Thanks Laura! I have learned never to count on an upgrade, but that sure is good advice. So many people 'bank' on getting one and then end up so upset. That is why I always book a room that will make me happy either way. I just hope there are not too many 'garden views' that overlook the parking lot.

We did find that traveling in Sept was very non-crowded. I wonder if others thought that too. It just happens to be when my son's birthday is, but it works out great that it is a low season for Disney too. You guys will have to let me know about the crowds in Sept from your experience.

I am going to check on the BC and YC just because I have never seen them before and I would hate to miss out on something cool.

 

[RachelTori]

I definitely agree - compared to other months, September is "non-crowded"! The Free Dining during that time is filling rooms; plus earlier this year, WDW offered room only and package codes which many of us took advantage of!

 

[sfbank]

Just wanted to say I am glad your husband is doing better and hope he continues to improve. We have never stayed at the Polynesian but wanted to add a count for the EPCOT resorts. We have not stayed at the Yacht Club or Beach Club but have heard good things about them. We stay across the lake at the Boardwalk Inn and you will love the area. It is so convenient to be able to walk/boat to EPCOT & MGM. The bus rides to the other parks are short. I think you would be happy at this area too! We have walked by Stormalong Bay and it does look neat. Whatever you decide have a great trip!!