Non-running Trip Details Update: A DISCOUNT...with a twist
I did a post about a month ago with details about our resort and ADRs for the marathon trip. Early on we had decided to take the plunge and stay at the Polynesian, all the while crossing our fingers and toes that a discount would come out at some point.
Yesterday the first one was released! (Thanks again steph0808 for letting me know about it...you're awesome!)
Rather than call to update my reservation right away as I should have, I was a responsible worker and got some stuff done. These trips have to be paid for somehow, right?! As a result I didn't actually get on the phone with Disney until almost 3PM...
...
...do you see where this is going??
After about 3 minutes on hold I talked to a very nice CM who took a look at my reservation (4 nights at the Polynesian in the cheapest room they had) and informed me that there were no rooms in that category that could use this discount.
I actually wasn't too shocked by this. I know Disney only puts aside a certain number of rooms that can use these discounts, and I did take my sweet time calling...so it's possible that all of the discounted rooms in the category we wanted were already snatched up, or that there were never any discounted rooms in our category to begin with.We'll never know.
The CM let me know that there WERE Polynesian rooms available with the discount, but they were themepark view rooms. The price from our original reservation would drop only $100 if we booked one. As tempting as it was to say "Heck yes! I want to wake up looking at the Magic Kingdom each morning!" I turned that one down. At that point I asked her to give me some more prices and called Will to talk it over. We quickly made a decision (one that I probably could have just made when I was on the phone with the first CM, but I wanted to be a good wife and run it by Will first
) and then I called Disney back. This time I was on hold for 20 minutes!
Yikes! I guess word was out about the discount. But luckily the call went fine and we got the new room we wanted.
It's not at the Polynesian.
However, it is at...
..................................
(picture from disneyworld.com)
THE GRAND FLORIDIAN. THE GRAND FREAKIN' FLORIDIAN.
(Hmm...will I not fit in at the GF if I use the work "FREAKIN'"?)
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed to not be staying at the Polynesian, but making the switch to the Grand Floridian saves us $400 with this discount. And let's face it, it's not exactly like we're taking a step down in resort quality, ya know?! Really, when one's biggest "problem" in life is "darn, I'm staying at the Grand Floridian instead of the Polynesian!" life ain't too bad.
The more I think about this resort switcharoo, the more I like it. We've wanted to stay at the GF for awhile now but never really thought it was possible ($$$), so we're pretty excited about this. I know there are people who find the place stuffy, but we don't (weirdly enough we felt more uncomfortable during dinner at the Contemporary in 2011
I do have a couple of concerns, the bigger one being the not-really-happening-but-come-on-we're-not-idiots-Disney DVC construction going on at the Grand Floridian. From what I've read it sounds like most of the current refurbishments going on now should be done by January, except for the spa...which I wasn't planning on using anyway. But you never know. And if I'm being 100% truthful, I'm nervous that the room decor is going to look like my grandma styled it. No offense to my grandma, but...ya know.
So that's the big trip news! I know people change their resorts all the time, but I am SO not like that. This is the first time we've switched it up (not counting 2011 when our point rental at Kidani fell through 1 month before the trip
And we WILL stay at the Polynesian some day...I hope. Just not the right time I guess!
Happy Friday!!
I am yelling woo hoo for you!!! I too covet the Grand Floridian and one day will get there! We did the discount also but booked the dining package at POR!! I got 2 boys that are 10 and 14 and they eat me out of house and home so the food discount is always better than the room. Maybe one day Grand Floridian will happen Until then I will have to live vicariously thru you!!
Like I said, I've never run a night race at Disney before but from what I've read they seem totally different from the morning races. I think you'll like it!CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
And hey, congrats on getting most (all?) of your dining paid for with that discount. I'm sure your boys will definitely eat their money's worth!!Very well I feel great.. Need to get. In a 5 or 6 mile run tomorrow!!!
Glad to hear it's still going well.
I predict this is something I'll continue to struggle with... 
)...here are the splits:
- and texted Will that I had 4 miles to go, so this was a LONG break!
Too bad about the Poly - I just booked last night and they still had availablity according to the CM I talked to.
We are booked at the Contemporary!! We have been coveting the Contemporary ever since we first went to Disney back when I was 11 and saw how the monorail went right inside! Oh, what makes a child happy. haha
I did want the Grand Floridian, but maybe next time (my Dad is enamored with the Contemporary so we went there - it is a family reunion, my husband can't come so it's just my parents and brother and me! Gotta keep the least Disney fan, Dad, happy!).
It's okay though, I know we'll get to the Poly someday. Now that we have the GF booked I'm totally hooked on the idea of staying there! ). I hope you guys love it there.
My legs seem to be totally recovered from Saturday's 12-miler.))
ever since I got fitted for my new running shoes. I switched from brooks that killed my shins to asics that are doing this. Is that normal or do you have any advice on helping that? I also went a half size bigger in the asics. Okay shower me with you knowledge
Congrats on the hubby time until March!! I may not have said it yet but you always impress me with your dedication to training for this Dopey Challenge!!! I have another question for you so....I have been getting blisters on my feet and have lost toenails
I hope this helps!Shannon- wanted to tell you that GP deals came out today, and on the website it looks like Polynesian has standard view rooms available at the 35% off rate now.
The universe is telling me it's not meant to be! I guess I'll just have to settle for the Grand Floridian...darn! Thanks for the heads up though! I need to start bugging my brother to book his room!
) and as a result I got home earlier than normal. The weather was really nice, and I just wanted to be DONE, so I was really moving (compared to normal ). But at least I got it done!
My evenings would be so much easier if I could get out of bed with enough time to get a run in before work but I have a hard enough time getting up to just get to work on time 
I am amazed at your ability to will yourself out of bed in the mornings to go run. I usually do my runs after work and I feel like I'm constantly moving from the time I leave work until dinner is done and we're sitting down to eat! I'm not quite sure how people do it with kids in the mix too
Part of it is knowing that I signed up for the races and need to get the training in, and part of it is just that I have been doing this for so long now (running before work...I started in January or February) that it's become a habit, something that I thought would NEVER happen. It began as something I did out of necessity (with Will coaching tennis after school I had to make sure to be home for the monster pup 
), but now that tennis is over I'm still a morning runner because of what you're describing...I really like coming home right after work and just knowing that it's DONE.
Oh well.
