9 Days Poly CL DxDP...Too Much Food???...Too Much Fun!!!...1600 Pictures

[cdotla]

I have only stayed at a Mod once, and it was CBR. I have also been to CR 3 times, Poly 3 times, BC once and YC once.

From what I have gleaned from your touring style from your TR, I think you would be better off in a Deluxe.

However, if you were looking to tone down expenses a bit, I would suggest a split stay at CBR to START (not FINISH), with a transfer to a Deluxe for the end of the stay.

I personally loved CBR. BUT...it was just me and DD in the room. I have no doubt I would have found the room small for an extended period with 4 people in the room.

As for buses, I have always rented a car except for one trip, which coincidentially was the trip to CBR. I have also taken the buses on occasion from several deluxe resorts. Personally I have found that CBR's buses work BETTER than the deluxe resorts b/c they don't share with other resorts. (I have always found it so ironic that the most expensive resorts have the crappiest bus service.)

Admittedly, a split stay is a tad inconvenient. However, we stayed at 3 different resorts on our trip in May (1st nite at CR, 8 nites at BC, then 1 nite at Poly), and the transfer is not as bad as you would think. Not as great as staying put in one place the whole time, but you do gain some advantages. For us it was to experience 3 different deluxe accomodations on one trip.

One other comment about CBR....given your love of the Poly, I think it would certainly be the best moderate resort for you. Like you, I LOVE the Poly. It is my favourite resort - hands down. I found it had many commonalities with CBR. Admittedly there are also many differences. There is no Castle in the background, no monorail running outside the resort, and no queen beds. However, it also has such a nice, tropical feel to it. And I think you would be almost as happy strolling the beautiful CBR grounds in the early morning as you were at the Poly. (Almost is the key word...still no Castle. )

My favourite WDW trip of all time was at CBR. It is a wonderful place!

 

[jdd]

How were the buses at the CBR? Again, this is one of my concerns. The monorail & boats are so convenient at the Poly & GF. I'll be anxious to see what you think about the Poly. When you get back, post back and let us know.

To be very honest, one of the reasons we drive now is to be able to have our own car to go back and forth to the parks! We've never had a really bad bus experience, but it's just so nice being able to come and go without waiting on a bus. And I feel much better having the kids sitting down, strapped in, than standing on a crowded bus at the end of the night when everyone's tired.

But, really, CBRs buses were fine. We were in the Jamaica section (which I would highly recommend, BTW) so I think we were one of the last stops on the way out of the resort - never had a problem getting a seat in the mornings, though. There are several different stops within the resort, so you have to get used to that, but it goes pretty quickly.

Just as an aside, I did a trip report on our trip last August - I actually never finished the last couple of days (went back to try, but the thread is closed!), but it has some pictures of FW Cabins, if anyone is interested. Now I just have to figure out how to add the link to my signature

 

[hstrickland]

I have only stayed at a Mod once, and it was CBR. I have also been to CR 3 times, Poly 3 times, BC once and YC once.....

Thanks for all the info! You have a wealth of knowledge....one reason I love reading your TR. Will have to check out your TR of CBR. I think the family will have to sit down together (my parents included) and decide if the split stay is something we want to tackle...look at all of our options, ya know.

........Just as an aside, I did a trip report on our trip last August - I actually never finished the last couple of days (went back to try, but the thread is closed!), but it has some pictures of FW Cabins, if anyone is interested. Now I just have to figure out how to add the link to my signature

Thank you for the bus info!!

Do you need some directions about adding links to signatures? Will be happy to explain....would love to see your pics!

 

[jdd]

Do you need some directions about adding links to signatures? Will be happy to explain....would love to see your pics!

Yes, please! I copied the link into my signature, but I'd like to know how to rename it so it's a little prettier...

 

[hstrickland]

Yes, please! I copied the link into my signature, but I'd like to know how to rename it so it's a little prettier...

Okay...I think this is correct...

1) Open your TR report and copy the link

2) When you are editing your signature, first type in what you would like it to say...example..."2009 Trip Report"

3) Then highlight "2009 Trip Report" and click the "insert link" icon and paste your link

If this doesn't work, let me know. You can also use this for TRs to make links on the first page. Hope this makes sense.

 

[jdd]

Okay...I think this is correct...

1) Open your TR report and copy the link

2) When you are editing your signature, first type in what you would like it to say...example..."2009 Trip Report"

3) Then highlight "2009 Trip Report" and click the "insert link" icon and paste your link

If this doesn't work, let me know. You can also use this for TRs to make links on the first page. Hope this makes sense.

Thanks so much! It worked! Now I really wish I would have finished the report....This year I'll do one for sure!

 

[jsrj21]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!

Read the report in its entirety today. It's ridiculously HOT and sticky in South Eastern Connecticut today and since I am a teacher and off for the summer as well, I decided to catch up on the DIS.

This was as well written and thorough a trip report as I have ever read. Thank you so much. My family and I have been to WDW 8 times and our 9th time will be on August 2nd, 2010!! We have stayed all 8 times and this year as well at Caribbean Beach Resort. We absolutely love it. We have been to most of the resorts on property and we love the Poly, GF, and Animal Kingdom Lodge. We are going to do a split stay one of these years at the Poly and of course, CBR.

I think you will like CBR. Look, it won't be the Poly but the grounds, the pools, and the bus service are really good. I totally agree with you about the convenience of the Monorail. Look at how weird we are; we take the bus to Epcot and then take the monorail to MK sometimes just for the heck of it. Other times, we'll take the bus to Epcot, then to TTP, and then to the Poly for dinner at Ohana. I too wish the monorail ran to every resort.

I am not sure how to plug pix in these posts but I have really good photos of the new Pirate-themed pool at CBR. Speaking of which, I was wondering what camera you had on your trip and I read that you have a Nikon D5000 - I just got one for Christmas. Have no clue what I'm doing but I need to learn before our trip in a few weeks - I don't want to ruin any pictures. I also have a small Sony digital that I take to water parks, etc but this Nikon takes awesome shots and I want to try and take fireworks pictures and enough good shots to get me through the year before our return.

Again, GREAT job and one more thing; your parents seem like the 'coolest' set of parents a person can have. They are adorable.

Enjoy your summer!

Jose
Norwalk, CT.

We

 

[hstrickland]

Thanks so much! It worked! Now I really wish I would have finished the report....This year I'll do one for sure!

GREAT!!! I'll check it out AND I'll be waiting for your NEW TR! Take some pics of the POR room with the trundle (y'all are staying there, right?) I'm curious about those rooms.

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!
Read the report in its entirety today. It's ridiculously HOT and sticky in South Eastern Connecticut today and since I am a teacher and off for the summer as well, I decided to catch up on the DIS.

My sister and BIL live in Glastonbury, CT... a beautiful state! I'm not much on the cold, though...too much Southern blood

This was as well written and thorough a trip report as I have ever read. Thank you so much. My family and I have been to WDW 8 times and our 9th time will be on August 2nd, 2010!! We have stayed all 8 times and this year as well at Caribbean Beach Resort. We absolutely love it. We have been to most of the resorts on property and we love the Poly, GF, and Animal Kingdom Lodge. We are going to do a split stay one of these years at the Poly and of course, CBR.

I'm seriously going to check out the CBR. I promised my DH that I would really try and save money on this trip since we went all out in May...not sure we will be there 10 days unless a great discount comes out. And be careful staying at the Poly....it might spoil you

I am not sure how to plug pix in these posts but I have really good photos of the new Pirate-themed pool at CBR. Speaking of which, I was wondering what camera you had on your trip and I read that you have a Nikon D5000 - I just got one for Christmas. Have no clue what I'm doing but I need to learn before our trip in a few weeks - I don't want to ruin any pictures.

Would love to see your pics of the room. You have to download your pics to a place like Photobucket first. If you would like help, just let me know. The camera is actually fairly easy to use. I bought a "dummies" book that taught me the basics....if in doubt, turn the setting to auto

Again, GREAT job and one more thing; your parents seem like the 'coolest' set of parents a person can have. They are adorable.

Enjoy your summer!

Jose
Norwalk, CT.

Thanks for the kind words, Jose! I have really enjoyed doing this TR!!! And yes....my parents are 1 in a million!!!! My family is extremely lucky to have them. We always have a great time together.

Y'all have a fabulous time on your trip...I'll be starting back to school (pre-planning) while you are having the time of your life

 

[hstrickland]

Okay....I'm going to attempt to post this short video clip of Wishes. WARNING! WARNING! It is NOT high quality, don't get too excited

While we were eating at California Grill, we watched the fireworks from the observation deck. Well, I decided that I might try to record some of the show with my new camera (Nikon D5000). There was a group of teeny boppers behind us that would NOT hush...they were super loud, giggly etc....of course that sound is recorded, unfortunately. I don't think they were REALLY watching the fireworks at all. Since DH and I had seen Wishes several times earlier in the week, it wasn't that irritating. Looking back now, I really wish that I would have made a video of the fireworks from our Poly patio....oh well...next time

Notice that the fireworks are coming from 2 different locations in MK...just an observation. This is what I was talking about earlier in one of my post...from the Poly, the fireworks look like they are right over the castle...from the CR & GF, you can tell that they aren't over it. Not a huge deal!...no flamming...just an observation. It's still very magical from any location!!!!

Click on the picture and make sure your volume is working on your computer.....it may take a few seconds for it to pop up.
​

 

[jdd]

Okay....I'm going to attempt to post this short video clip of Wishes. WARNING! WARNING! It is NOT high quality, don't get too excited

While we were eating at California Grill, we watched the fireworks from the observation deck. Well, I decided that I might try to record some of the show with my new camera (Nikon D5000). There was a group of teeny boppers behind us that would NOT hush...they were super loud, giggly etc....of course that sound is recorded, unfortunately. I don't think they were REALLY watching the fireworks at all. Since DH and I had seen Wishes several times earlier in the week, it wasn't that irritating. Looking back now, I really wish that I would have made a video of the fireworks from our Poly patio....oh well...next time

Notice that the fireworks are coming from 2 different locations in MK...just an observation. This is what I was talking about earlier in one of my post...from the Poly, the fireworks look like they are right over the castle...from the CR & GF, you can tell that they aren't over it. Not a huge deal!...no flamming...just an observation. It's still very magical from any location!!!!

Click on the picture and make sure your volume is working on your computer.....it may take a few seconds for it to pop up.
​

Love it!! I can't decide if I want them to hold over the Summer Nightastic fireworks for our trip, or go back to Wishes.... There's something so special about Wishes - always brings a tear to my eye...can't wait to see fireworks from the Poly beach

 

[hstrickland]

Love it!! I can't decide if I want them to hold over the Summer Nightastic fireworks for our trip, or go back to Wishes.... There's something so special about Wishes - always brings a tear to my eye...can't wait to see fireworks from the Poly beach

EVERY time we watched Wishes during our stay, I had a tear in my eye...especially when I was holding my little girl in my lap. Now, DS3 wants me to play the video over AND over AND over again. He loves it...and tries to sing along...it's so precious. What's even better is when DH sits down on the sofa and blurts out a line of song from Wishes Then we all start laughing!

Can't wait to hear how you like the fireworks from the Poly!! I'm excited for your family! Your boys will LOVE it...and you, too, of course Do y'all plan on watching the fireworks from the beach more than once? Or do you stay in the parks until close?

 

[Yellowbellow]

Thanks for the kind words. We are not the 'coolest' -- Just love WDW just as much as our kids. and the Poly as much as they do. But I do agree that the Poly offers one of the best views of Wishes one can have.

 

[jdd]

Do y'all plan on watching the fireworks from the beach more than once? Or do you stay in the parks until close?

We have four nights at the Poly. I just checked my schedule (just the overview one - don't have the detailed plans done yet ) and have one night scheduled for the fireworks from the beach, and every other night it's a possibility!

Our first day there, we have ressies at O'Hana for dinner at 8:20pm. I'm trying to get those changed to around 7pm, as Wishes is at 9pm that night. Second day is DHS/Water park day, so we'll definitely be back for the fireworks at 9pm. Third day is Epcot, but MK is open until 10pm that night, so we may be able to get back from Epcot just in time to see the fireworks. Our final full day is an MK day - depending on the crowds, we may just stay in the park to watch - we'll see!

There are also two other families in our neighborhood going at the same time (our school district starts after Labor Day this year due to construction, so people are taking advantage of that ), so we all decided we'll meet up for the fireworks one night. Not sure when that's going to be (they're not as OCD as me ) so I have to leave some room in my plan!

I'm getting so excited - every time I drive on the freeway here, I just want to pass my exit and keep going south!

 

[DisneyBoundinDec]

We just got back from a short stay at the CBR and my boys LOVED the pool! We are staying at the Poly in November so I will report back and see which one was better for them.. but I agree that the CBR is a very nice resort for a moderate..

edited : how do I get my pictures to show up?? I clicked on the add picture and put in my link but they didn't show up? anyway.. here is a link to our resent 2 day stay where you can see the pool.. very fun for the kids!

http://gallery.me.com/lrosica#100118

 

[DisneyBoundinDec]

 

[jdd]

We just got back from a short stay at the CBR and my boys LOVED the pool! We are staying at the Poly in November so I will report back and see which one was better for them.. but I agree that the CBR is a very nice resort for a moderate..

edited : how do I get my pictures to show up?? I clicked on the add picture and put in my link but they didn't show up? anyway.. here is a link to our resent 2 day stay where you can see the pool.. very fun for the kids!

http://gallery.me.com/lrosica#100118

Wow - great pictures! Makes me homesick for CBR - may have to do the two rooms next year!!

 

[hstrickland]

Thanks for the kind words. We are not the 'coolest' -- Just love WDW just as much as our kids. and the Poly as much as they do. But I do agree that the Poly offers one of the best views of Wishes one can have.

Y'all are the coolest, dad!

We have four nights at the Poly. I just checked my schedule (just the overview one - don't have the detailed plans done yet ) and have one night scheduled for the fireworks from the beach, and every other night it's a possibility!

Our first day there, we have ressies at O'Hana for dinner at 8:20pm. I'm trying to get those changed to around 7pm, as Wishes is at 9pm that night. Second day is DHS/Water park day, so we'll definitely be back for the fireworks at 9pm. Third day is Epcot, but MK is open until 10pm that night, so we may be able to get back from Epcot just in time to see the fireworks. Our final full day is an MK day - depending on the crowds, we may just stay in the park to watch - we'll see!

There are also two other families in our neighborhood going at the same time (our school district starts after Labor Day this year due to construction, so people are taking advantage of that ), so we all decided we'll meet up for the fireworks one night. Not sure when that's going to be (they're not as OCD as me ) so I have to leave some room in my plan!

I'm getting so excited - every time I drive on the freeway here, I just want to pass my exit and keep going south!

That will be tons of fun with neighbors!!! How cool! Wish our schools went back after Labor Day!! We start Aug. 6!!!

When we ate at Ohana, we had a 6:45 ressies (I think) and checked in fairly early....they called us within 10 minutes. If you can't change your reservation, maybe y'all could try going early.

We just got back from a short stay at the CBR and my boys LOVED the pool! We are staying at the Poly in November so I will report back and see which one was better for them.. but I agree that the CBR is a very nice resort for a moderate..

edited : how do I get my pictures to show up?? I clicked on the add picture and put in my link but they didn't show up? anyway.. here is a link to our resent 2 day stay where you can see the pool.. very fun for the kids!

http://gallery.me.com/lrosica#100118

Okay...WOW! That CBR pool looks awesome! Looks better than some of the deluxes.

If you want to post pics, you have to download them on Photobucket, Flicker (something like that). I went to one of those "How to" threads and listened to the video...shows you how to load pics on the Dis....pretty easy.

Thanks for sharing your photos!!! I LOVE looking at other people's Disney trips.

 

[bsredfish]

I am finally caught up. Nice lil' clip of Wishes.
Looking forward to your next installment .

 

[TheNewMrsB]

Do y'all always do TPV at the Poly? Isn't it the best view?!

We booked TPV for our honeymoon two years back, and were blessed enough to have had a little pixie dust sprinkled on us last year - we were upgraded to our honeymoon room for free. It was amazing! This year we booked TPV again thanks to the government being so generous with our refund (haha). Can't wait! I've been way too spoiled, for sure! It is truly the best - especially looking out over the color-changing castle before settling in for bed. Siiiiigh...

 

[TheNewMrsB]

While we were eating at California Grill, we watched the fireworks from the observation deck. Well, I decided that I might try to record some of the show with my new camera (Nikon D5000). There was a group of teeny boppers behind us that would NOT hush...they were super loud, giggly etc....of course that sound is recorded, unfortunately. I don't think they were REALLY watching the fireworks at all. Since DH and I had seen Wishes several times earlier in the week, it wasn't that irritating. Looking back now, I really wish that I would have made a video of the fireworks from our Poly patio....oh well...next time

Great video! I have always wanted to see how they look from CG since I've heard so many great things about the view. I have to admit, it's irritating to me when people talk all the way through this or Illuminations. I want to shush them! But I don't. No need to brawl in WDW.