Why the Poly??

[nikki7680]

I need some help!! Our last 5 trip to Disney have been at Moderate resorts. Only once (our honeymoon) have we stayed deluxe. Every time we plan our trips, we price out the Poly and everytime we end up booking moderate. It's not that we can't afford the Poly, but we are conscience with our spending and keep talking ourselves out of spending the extra cash. So, it's time to plan our next vacation (September 2013) and we keep going back to the Poly but keep talking ourselves out of it because we know what a great time we can have at the moderate resorts. So, Poly Lovers, please convince us why the Poly is worth the extra money (transporation aside because that's an obvious one!). Thanks in advance!!

 

[wood8176]

I'll start with a few that I like. I'm sure others will add more reasons...
1. Love O'hana! (and the Kona Coffee)
2. Pools seem less crowded than at moderate resorts
3. I love the overall ambiance and decor.

 

[abner1776]

I am not necessarily a Poly lover since I have never stayed at the Poly, but I have eaten there a number of times and walked through the entire resort on many an occasion. I cannot comment on the rooms, but since returning from Hawaii last year for 2 weeks, I can say that the Poly reminds me of those two great weeks in Kona on the big island and Hanalai Bay on Kauai.

The Poly is almost like an escape from (dare I say this) Disney World and from our everyday lives. WDW is great and I love our trips to get away from the Boston winters, but at times we even need time away from Mickey and Minnie and the Poly provides that...even though I have never stayed there. Someday we may stay at the Poly but as a DVC member, it will be not be until they build the Poly Villas.

 

[Mousemommy1]

I need some help!! Our last 5 trip to Disney have been at Moderate resorts. Only once (our honeymoon) have we stayed deluxe. Every time we plan our trips, we price out the Poly and everytime we end up booking moderate. It's not that we can't afford the Poly, but we are conscience with our spending and keep talking ourselves out of spending the extra cash. So, it's time to plan our next vacation (September 2013) and we keep going back to the Poly but keep talking ourselves out of it because we know what a great time we can have at the moderate resorts. So, Poly Lovers, please convince us why the Poly is worth the extra money (transporation aside because that's an obvious one!). Thanks in advance!!

I have not yet stayed at the Poly, however, for our last trip in July, we made the decision to stay deluxe for the first time. I was very hesitant because I did not know if spending the extra money would be "worth it". It wasn't a matter of affording it, just like you, being frugal.

Well, we ended up staying at the WL - and it was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!
Absolutely worth every penny...so much so that we are doing it again in April, though we really wanted to try somewhere new, we are drawn back to WL again.

We would have never known if we didn't suck it up and give it a try.

You can read other's responses and previous threads on why people will say its "worth it" or not, but really, the only way you'll really know is to try it yourself.

At worst, you'll still have an amazing vacation at Disney, maybe thinking deluxes aren't for you in the future, but at least you'll definitively know.

 

[brea]

I've been to Disney three times in my life now. Twice to the Contemporary and once to the Poly. My wife on the other had has only been once at the Poly.

She has a clear leaning towards the Deluxe resorts for the transportation benefits but there are other reasons.

Transportation - We were coming back from AKL and had just missed our bus. No big deal. We hopped on the GF bus that was getting ready to leave and took the monorail back to our resort. We got into our room and back out. I saw one couple that stayed behind waiting for the next poly bus just walking into the resort while I was walking into the GCH for some nighttime shopping. They asked how we got back so quickly and I explained. Doesn't seem to be possible at the moderates.

1. She took a good look at the Contemporary and GF and has no desire to stay at either. She said the ambiance of the Poly just really gave her a feeling of "being on vacation" more so than any of the others.
2. She considers Kona Cafe to be her breakfast home away from home
3. Watching the fireworks from the beach was a lot of fun (DW looks forward to doing that with a pineapple drink in hand when we go back as she was pregnant)
4. Dinners at Ohana are amazing and you're already home!
5. Much much easier to get back to your resort with kids and/or tired feet

Not sure if that convinces you to spend the extra money or not but it's more than enough for us!

 

[nikki7680]

I have not yet stayed at the Poly, however, for our last trip in July, we made the decision to stay deluxe for the first time. I was very hesitant because I did not know if spending the extra money would be "worth it". It wasn't a matter of affording it, just like you, being frugal.

Well, we ended up staying at the WL - and it was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!
Absolutely worth every penny...so much so that we are doing it again in April, though we really wanted to try somewhere new, we are drawn back to WL again.

We would have never known if we didn't suck it up and give it a try.

You can read other's responses and previous threads on why people will say its "worth it" or not, but really, the only way you'll really know is to try it yourself.

At worst, you'll still have an amazing vacation at Disney, maybe thinking deluxes aren't for you in the future, but at least you'll definitively know.

We were also looking at WL. How long did it take via bus to get to all the parks?

 

[Mousemommy1]

We were also looking at WL. How long did it take via bus to get to all the parks?

To MK --> Easy, peasy 5 minutes (but you also have the boat option too, which tends to be a little bit longer, but is nice and relaxing)

We were really no more than 10 minutes from any of the other parks...we did stop at Ft. Wilderness and GF on a couple of occassions, but it wasn't bad at all.

 

[mickeynut1]

The Poly is our favorite resort and we love everything about it:

1. beautiful tropical atmosphere
2. the beach for relaxing in a hammock watching the fireworks
3. the volcano pool with a distant view of the castle
4. large, spacious rooms (all with a daybed)
5. ability to walk to the TTC to catch the Epcot monorail
6. relaxing to walk around at night under the lit tiki torches
7. Captain Cooks (great variety for quick CS meals/snacks)
8. Ohana
9. convenient for visiting, shopping, and/or dining at CR and GF

Good luck deciding, but I think you would really love the Poly (especially if you keep going back to it when planning a trip ). We've also stayed at the WL and while we love that resort as well, the Poly is our favorite .

 

[GrandCalifornian]

We were also looking at WL. How long did it take via bus to get to all the parks?

Since you are considering WL, I thought I'd chime in and say we love it too. Bus transportation time is about 5 minutes more than the GF, since most park busses pick up at WL first, then drive over to GF, then on to the park. The total bus time for us in September was usually about 15-20 minutes.

Being located just across the lake from CR, WL has boat transportation options to MK (which takes about 15 minutes) or to CR (in about 5 minutes) where you can get on the monorail. It definitely isn't as quick as having the monorail in the lobby like Poly does, but it is only a short boat ride away, and you still have a bus option to Epcot at WL that you don't at the Poly.

Comparing WL to Poly, we preferred WL being a smaller resort that is entirely under one roof. Poly has multiple buildings that are more spread out, more like the Moderates. Another big difference is cost, because while both are considered Deluxe resorts, WL is less expensive. The rooms at WL are definitely smaller though.

Overall, it is all Disney so you really can't go wrong, but I would definitely consider WL if you are looking for another option. Either way though, the best way to see if a Deluxe resort is for you is to try it, but you are taking the risk that you'll be hooked.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Since you are considering WL, I thought I'd chime in and say we love it too. Bus transportation time is about 5 minutes more than the GF, since most park busses pick up at WL first, then drive over to GF, then on to the park. The total bus time for us in September was usually about 15-20 minutes.

Being located just across the lake from CR, WL has boat transportation options to MK (which takes about 15 minutes) or to CR (in about 5 minutes) where you can get on the monorail. It definitely isn't as quick as having the monorail in the lobby like Poly does, but it is only a short boat ride away, and you still have a bus option to Epcot at WL that you don't at the Poly.

Comparing WL to Poly, we preferred WL being a smaller resort that is entirely under one roof. Poly has multiple buildings that are more spread out, more like the Moderates. Another big difference is cost, because while both are considered Deluxe resorts, WL is less expensive. The rooms at WL are definitely smaller though.

Overall, it is all Disney so you really can't go wrong, but I would definitely consider WL if you are looking for another option. Either way though, the best way to see if a Deluxe resort is for you is to try it, but you are taking the risk that you'll be hooked.

I'll piggyback this and suggest going CL at WL.

 

[jnota0005dakmc]

I have spent time at Poly, Contemporary, WL, OKW among others... I would rank them in this order...

1. WL
2. Poly
3. Contemporary
4. OKW

I love the ambiance of the WL and am returning their in November... I have been to Poly once, for a week and have been back for the Spirit of Aloha twice... I am a fan of the resort, but lean toward WL because of the DVC... I do love the layout of this place, but it is a bit spread out (of course no where near like OKW is...) If you decide on Poly do yourself a favor an make reservations at either Whispering Canyon or Artist Point as both are awesome experiences...

 

[sndral]

Why not ease up into the extra spending of deluxe by transitioning - I believe the least expensive deluxes are usually WL & AKL (some rooms,) next expensive are YC/BC/BWI, next up the ladder are CR then Poly and finally GF. Move up to a more 'reasonable' deluxe and see if the amenities have value for you.
BTW, if you really want to fall in love w/ the Poly, check out Tikiman's site - there's a wealth of info about everything Poly there.

 

[uagirl]

We just got back a week ago from a week at the Poly. I stayed at the Poly as a kid, but this was DHs first trip. We loved it so much our 2014 trip will be at the Poly. Here are our pros and cons.

Pros:

• Convenience
• Volcano/zero entry pool (great for those with small kids)
• Ambiance, there really is nothing else like it
• Wishes from the beach with the music piped in
• Monorail to busy? Hop on a boat instead!

Cons:

• Bus service shared with GF and Contemporary. We found buses were always 1/2 to 3/4 full by the time they made it to us
• Captain Cooks always seemed packed, but that is probably the same everywhere
• Resort is spread out. We previously stayed at WL and it didn't feel as big

 

[mickey2minnie1]

The first time we stayed there was when my kids were 10, 7, and 5. There is something magical there. Watching the fireworks at night while your kids play on the beach in the sand is a moment I will cherish forever.

My kids do not want to stay anywhere else. What more can one ask for than to see the castle first thing every morning or every night before going to bed. I just love the Poly.

 

[maryj11]

We use to be moderate people all the way until we stayed at the Poly. We have also stayed at WL and the Poly wins hands down
It is just such a relaxing tropical atmosphere, swimming at night while seeing the castle and fireworks along with the electrical water parade just cant be beat !
They have great restaurants. We loved Ohana's character breakfast and dinner. The transportation was the best I have had at any resort.
It just seemed more comfortable than any other Disney resort we had stayed at
What you should do at the end of your trip stay a few days at the Poly and try it out. That way you wont have to pay to much more and be able to see if you like it.

 

[guitarob]

I know I'm repeating a lot of what's already been said here, but I just have to chime in on this one.

The Atmosphere: Absolutely (IMHO) can not be beat anywhere. They do such an excellent job of immersing you in the feel of the tropics that it's like a vacation within a vacation. The tiki-torch lined paths, lush vegetation, Hawaiian music, sounds of the waterfalls (pool and GCH), the longhouses (as opposed to a giant hotel) and the cast members all combine to make you feel like you're really far away from everything.

The Location: Sitting directly across the lagoon from the Magic Kingdom makes the Polynesian that much more magical. It makes me feel like I'm truly in the "heart" of WDW. Viewing the fireworks from the beach (or your own balcony, as we have been blessed to be able to enjoy) is a great way to enjoy them without dealing with the crowds. If you're out early in the morning, you can listen to WDW come to life. Hearing the first boat horns of the morning on the lagoon and the music from the Magic Kingdom starting up, and watching the first monorails of the day glide around the lagoon is just awesome.

Location Part II, Transportation: The transportation options are unmatched. You have the boat and the monorail to get you to MK. You can take the monorail around to the TTC or walk there to get the monorail to Epcot and the bus to AK or DHS, or you can use the resort bus to get to AK or DHS. Similarly, on returning to the resort, you can grab either the bus to the Poly or the bus to the TTC which increases your chances of having a bus available when you need one. You're also within easy reach of the Grand Floridian and the Contemporary resort, so that it's easy to take advantage of their shops and restaurants as well. Other resorts are fairly convenient as well, because it's just a short hop to the MK to access a bus to any resort you wish to travel to, which really makes getting to ADR's fairly easy.

The Volcano Pool: It has a great slide, and a conveniently placed pool bar for beverages. It is near Capt. Cook's for snacks. And, in my mind, nothing beats sitting at the far end of the pool on the ledge with the water jets staring out across the lagoon at the castle and the water traffic.

The Cast Members: I find the CM's at the Polynesian to be some of the nicest and most helpful CM's on property. And, they all greet you with a warm "Aloha!".

The Longhouses: I know that some don't like this but, I love the way the resort is broken up into different longhouses. This makes it feel more like a resort to me. The walk between buildings isn't bad at all, and honestly, being out in the atmosphere of the resort really helps with the immersion. And, once in the buildings, the hallways are all straight, so there's no twisting and winding corridors to get lost in. The room size is also a plus. You definitely have a little more room to move around and don't feel cramped.

Restaurants: 'Ohana and the Kona Cafe are two of my favorite restaurants on property. I love being able to wake up and walk over to the Kona for breakfast and then hop on the monorail or out the front door to get our park day started. You're also within easy reach of the excellent restaurants at the GF and CR.

I'm admittedly a Polynesian fanboy, but I truly believe that the Poly holds a magic of it's own that Disney has just not been able to capture at the other resorts.

 

[DznyCrzy11]

I need some help!! Our last 5 trip to Disney have been at Moderate resorts. Only once (our honeymoon) have we stayed deluxe. Every time we plan our trips, we price out the Poly and everytime we end up booking moderate. It's not that we can't afford the Poly, but we are conscience with our spending and keep talking ourselves out of spending the extra cash. So, it's time to plan our next vacation (September 2013) and we keep going back to the Poly but keep talking ourselves out of it because we know what a great time we can have at the moderate resorts. So, Poly Lovers, please convince us why the Poly is worth the extra money (transporation aside because that's an obvious one!). Thanks in advance!!

Since everyone else has already mentioned all the great benefits to staying at the Poly, which I completely agree with, I will say we use to be in the "same boat" as you. We could not justify paying the additional money. Well for our 2010 trip we decided to splurge and just stay at the Poly since we had been wanting to stay there. Let me say, it was the best decision ever!!! We absolutely love the resort and have returned to it every year since. I'll be honest, as much as I like the idea of staying within walking distance to EPCOT, I can't bring myself to try it because I'm afraid I'll regret not staying at the Poly, my husband also agrees. For your 2013 trip I say give it a try!!

Sent from my GalaxyS II

 

[mike45248]

We have stayed there 3 times now and it is my families favorite resort. We love getting back to the resort and changing into bathing suits and going swimming right before the fireworks and watching them from inside the pool and then NOT having to fight getting back to the resort. Love the option to take the Boats or Monarail to MK or walking to the TTC for Epcot. Walking around when it gets dark and having the pathways lit up by the torches is so neat and the music playing at night also. Love the room sizes there, much larger then other resorts. Stay there once so you have an idea of what it is like for future trips.

Mike