Just Back from Split Stay at POR and Poly...

[bolgers love wdw]

We just got back from our latest WDW adventure. We arrived last Saturday, September 19 at POR. We absolutely loved this resort. Upon arrival at around 11:30 am we were afraid that our room may not be ready just yet, but we were informed that we were given a complimentary upgrade to a water view in Oak Manor. We had hoped for Aligator Bayuo but once we got to our lovely room, we were absolutely thrilled with it. The room was clean and we were lucky enough to get a corner room as well. It overlooked the quiet pool and that made our DS very happy. When we got into the room, his first question was "Can we go swimming dada?" How do you say no to that . So, off we went while mommy was putting everything away.

We were able to get a boat to Downtown Disney that afternoon and we did a little shopping. The bus transportation was great in our opinion. We did not wait more than 5 minutes or so for bus pick up at POR. We did leave from the River Delta Platform most days as it was very convenient from the main buildings. We enjoyed the food court and really loved the feel of this resort. We found it very quiet, relaxing and we just found ourself not wanting our to leave this resort. We really did enjoy the theming of this resort, the cast members were very friendly and the food court and transportation was good.

On Tuesday morning, we sadly said farewell to POR and Aloha to the Poly. We arrived for breakfast with some family at O'Hana's. Our DS loved the parade around the restaurant and the characters. After breakfast, we went down and checked in. We were lucky to get a room at 9:30 am. We were in Tahiti, room 2040. The room was very nice and we were glad to get into it and set up. We went to the main pool after getting settled and enjoyed swimming for a few hours. We enjoyed a nice lunch at Capt. Cooks with family and then had a nap to prepare for MNSSHP-AWESOME BTW

We were able to enjoy the beautiful grounds some on Wednesday but my DW and were surprised at how much we really enjoyed POR and how much we missed it. I grew up going to the Poly (around 22 visits over a 25 year period) and never stayed anywhere else till DW forced me to stay at Wilderness Lodge on honeymoon. Since then, we have tried so many numerous resorts that I no longer miss the poly at all. We found the cast members at the poly to not be as magical as at other resorts. The CM's at POR were very friendly and helpful. At check in at POR our son was given 30 micky mouse stickers as a welcome to the resort. This made his day!!! The poly just didn't seem to have that magic feel as it did years ago, we were like another customer checking in, not specail. We like early mousekeeping as well. At POR we had this done no problem but at the Poly, we made the same request and it was not done. Also, the monorail was not very convenient for us. We waited for long periods of time and we even decided to take the boat launch one time because monorails were being taken off the track at around 3:45 pm Wednesday and it would take around 20 minutes to do all that needed to be done. Also, one trip, we loaded on our monorail at MK and it took us around 30 minutes to get back to the Poly. The buses at Riverside had a direct line to the MK and only took us 10 minutes roughly.

Overall, we had a great trip and will more than likely return to Riverside. It will be a while before we head back to the poly. We enjoy the Wilderness Lodge too much on the MK resort side to not stay there.

If anyone has any questions, please feel free to ask.

[SGMCO]

So glad you had a great trip.
POR is our families Favorite Resort, it's so peaceful
and beautiful. Rivermill is a Great CS Restaurant-
love the Create your own Pasta, we definatly will stay there again.
I've always wanted to stay at the POLY but have not
been able to justify the cost. We always make a visit
to the POLY every trip to eat at Ohanas and take a mini tour.

[bolgers love wdw]

We will definately stay at POR again. It is right behind WL in our family resort rankings. We think when we go to WDW next May we will stay there again. It was great.

We did enjoy River Mill. We will try Boatwrights next trip as well. Have you tried the carriage ride? It seemed like it was great. We will have to give it a try next year.

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Did you find the walk from the Tahiti Longhouses to the Great Ceremonial House and back the other way took to long, since it's located far away.

[bolgers love wdw]

CR Fan 4 Life we did find it a bit of a hike from Tahiti to the Great Ceremonial House. We were on the far end Tahiti (closer to Transportation and Ticket Center). We actually walked over to TTC to take the monorail instead of walking to GCH.

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Originally Posted by bolgers love wdw

CR Fan 4 Life we did find it a bit of a hike from Tahiti to the Great Ceremonial House. We were on the far end Tahiti (closer to Transportation and Ticket Center). We actually walked over to TTC to take the monorail instead of walking to GCH.

Oh really because I can honestly say that is something I never would have thought of doing that if I was staying in that section.

[bolgers love wdw]

CR Fan 4 Life- The pathway to the TTC was right outside Tahiti. It was a short walk and more convenient than going to the GCH.

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Originally Posted by bolgers love wdw

CR Fan 4 Life- The pathway to the TTC was right outside Tahiti. It was a short walk and more convenient than going to the GCH.

I knew that because my family and I stayed at the Polynesian in December 2007 and walked to the TTC. I just meant if we stayed in the Tahiti Longhouse it would have never crossed our minds to use the Resort Monorail from the TTC when going to the GCH, even though it would have been right there and a lot closer.

[exit30]

I grew up staying at the Poly as well and while it is still my favorite we have come to love WL a great deal. POR is also one of our favorites.

[Scott MC]

I'm glad you liked POR. I stayed there when it was Dixie Landings and loved it. I"m sorry your experience at the Polynesian wasn't as magical. From all I've read on these boards, it seems like the CMs at the value and moderate resorts try harder than those at the deluxe resorts. On our last trip, we did a split stay at the GF and CSR and in terms of helpfulness, the CMs at GF blew those at CSR away (with the exception of the club level CMs, who we thought were acting just a wee bit self-important).

[bolgers love wdw]

CR Fan 4 Life -I just meant if we stayed in the Tahiti Longhouse it would have never crossed our minds to use the Resort Monorail from the TTC when going to the GCH, even though it would have been right there and a lot closer.

- I hope the idea helps you if you ever stay at the Poly again.

exit30-Glad you have grown to love other resorts as well. The lodge and now POR will be high on our list of favorites!!

ScottMC - From all I've read on these boards, it seems like the CMs at the value and moderate resorts try harder than those at the deluxe resorts.

- DW and I were saying that as well. We notice that the CM's at the Wilderness Lodge seem to have a lot of MAGIC and we have said that we believe it is from them wanting to prove that they are just as good as the other MK resorts. We did notice that the CM's at POR were very magical. Maybe, the CM's at the deluxes could take a lesson from these CM's