A Quick Poly review

[rotlex]

Just returned from a 12 day stay at the Poly, our first ever stay there, and wanted to give a quick review.

We booked last fall after getting a very magical deal we found about about from these boards. The deal was tremendous, and we had only ever stayed at AKL or WL as far as deluxe goes due to cost.

Check in was awesome. Pulling up to the Poly for something other than a dinner reservation was very magical in itself. The lobby, while not quite as breathtaking as the Wilderness Lodge was quite nice. Breathing that air and knowing we would be staying there was a thrill to say the least! We were greeted promptly and went through the standard check in procedure. Our room, in Tuvalu, was not ready right away, so we took to the pool area and hung out for while.

The pool area was very nice. So cool to be able to see the castle, monorail, GF etc. right from that location. (not to mention the proximity to the Dole Whip stand)! Once we got the text the room was ready, we headed there to check it out. We had a garden view room on the 3rd floor. (Our only request was a room with a balcony which we did get). The room was nice, big, but honestly, not in the best of shape. I thought these were all recently "updated"? Not bad by any means, just "lived in" looking. The biggest surprise was not seeing what is usually the standard Mickey head towel config on one of the beds upon arrival, LOL.

With all that said, our stay was very enjoyable. It was so nice having the monorail available for MK, as well as being only a short walk to the TTC to catch a ride to Epcot. We're totally spoiled now with those options being available. Outside of that, I'd say our stay was very average. Not in a bad way, but I can't help but think that, other than location, I would never ever spend "rack rate" to stay there. Maybe were spoiled, but we have had much better overall service and "Disney Magic" at the Wilderness Lodge. (Our normal go to resort if were not staying at a mod). It's hard to explain it, but after the wow factor of check in and seeing the castle, fireworks at night, and the views, it just didn't do anything extraordinary for us. No "welcome homes" when entering the lobby each night, no stickers for the kids from any of the staff, no towel animals and well, just nothing extra at all. Again, not bad, and a great stay, but if I was spending more that $200 or so a night, I'd have been fairly disappointed.

Happily, we did book a bounce back for next year, free dining, at CBR. Looking forward to our next trip, and planning it already!

 

[yolie912]

great mini review! thanks for sharing.

 

[Hopefully]

Just returned from a 12 day stay at the Poly, our first ever stay there, and wanted to give a quick review.

We booked last fall after getting a very magical deal we found about about from these boards. The deal was tremendous, and we had only ever stayed at AKL or WL as far as deluxe goes due to cost.

Check in was awesome. Pulling up to the Poly for something other than a dinner reservation was very magical in itself. The lobby, while not quite as breathtaking as the Wilderness Lodge was quite nice. Breathing that air and knowing we would be staying there was a thrill to say the least! We were greeted promptly and went through the standard check in procedure. Our room, in Tuvalu, was not ready right away, so we took to the pool area and hung out for while.

The pool area was very nice. So cool to be able to see the castle, monorail, GF etc. right from that location. (not to mention the proximity to the Dole Whip stand)! Once we got the text the room was ready, we headed there to check it out. We had a garden view room on the 3rd floor. (Our only request was a room with a balcony which we did get). The room was nice, big, but honestly, not in the best of shape. I thought these were all recently "updated"? Not bad by any means, just "lived in" looking. The biggest surprise was not seeing what is usually the standard Mickey head towel config on one of the beds upon arrival, LOL.

With all that said, our stay was very enjoyable. It was so nice having the monorail available for MK, as well as being only a short walk to the TTC to catch a ride to Epcot. We're totally spoiled now with those options being available. Outside of that, I'd say our stay was very average. Not in a bad way, but I can't help but think that, other than location, I would never ever spend "rack rate" to stay there. Maybe were spoiled, but we have had much better overall service and "Disney Magic" at the Wilderness Lodge. (Our normal go to resort if were not staying at a mod). It's hard to explain it, but after the wow factor of check in and seeing the castle, fireworks at night, and the views, it just didn't do anything extraordinary for us. No "welcome homes" when entering the lobby each night, no stickers for the kids from any of the staff, no towel animals and well, just nothing extra at all. Again, not bad, and a great stay, but if I was spending more that $200 or so a night, I'd have been fairly disappointed.

Happily, we did book a bounce back for next year, free dining, at CBR. Looking forward to our next trip, and planning it already!

Thank you for the great review. I appreciate your insight & thoughts. With the super high occupancy rate at Disney & specifically the Poly I am not surprised it felt lived in. I fear your expectations of a Disney Deluxe, based on price, were not realistic. Disney Deluxe is nothing like deluxe in the real world. You pay for location. I get your disappointment, & I'm sorry.
" Welcome Home" is usually intended for DVC Owners. Towel animals have been eliminated resort wide.
Staying Deluxe at Disney is so expensive. It is normal to expect more. I'm glad you had a great trip.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Just returned from a 12 day stay at the Poly, our first ever stay there, and wanted to give a quick review.

Thanks for taking the time to post your review of your stay at the Poly. We feel the same way about that resort. It is nice but it doesn't really do anything for us. I'm not a fan of the separate buildings. But you can't beat that great rate you got. And it is fun to try different resorts. We love the Wilderness Lodge and every time we enter the lobby we feel like we are home. It is a great place to stay.

 

[Tigger's ally]

I fear your expectations of a Disney Deluxe, based on price, were not realistic. Disney Deluxe is nothing like deluxe in the real world.

Did you read the part about the op usually stays at WL? Their "deluxe expectations" were not based on a "deluxe in the real world", they were based on a cheaper deluxe a few hundred yards away.

 

[disneyAndi14]

We did the same magical deal and stayed at GF, we loved it! The price afforded us the luxury of the GF so this was great. The monorail resorts are so very convenient.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

I know the Deluxes get a lot of heat from people annoyed that room and overall shared-space quality or upkeep doesn't seem in keeping with the level of quality they might find in a non-Disney corporate hotel. It's important to bear in mind that unlike non-Disney hotels, the guests at WDW resorts are overwhelmingly children. And their happy, WDW-fueled playful energy can be very hard on rooms, furniture, upholstery, rugs, etc. If you don't get there immediately at the beginning of the six-year room refurb cycle, you have to expect some level of kid-inspired wear and tear. It just comes with the territory.

 

[mickeynut1]

Thanks for your review. Have fun planning your next trip .

 

[Farro]

We always seem to stay at a hotel right before a refurb, so if that still holds true, expect the Polynesian to be refurbished after we visit in October 2017!

 

[ParksPixar&Pizza]

I can totally understand how after the initial awe factor, it was average besides location and convenience. Great review and it put a lot of things in perspective because I've always wanted to stay there! Enjoy planning CBR!

 

[tony67]

I feel this way about all the Disney Deluxes to be honest - they just don't compare to a similarly priced corporate hotel.
They have the location though.
Poly would always be my first choiceif I ever wanted to stay at a deluxe again- just for the location and transportation.
I also find the theme better than the others - but it's been a few years since I've seen a rate that was worthwhile at the poly.

The AK is very nice - but it is a bit out of the way and unless you get the room with a view - its not all that great and again the rates have more than doubled since my last stay.
I did like the WL, but I staid the 1st year they were open and the transportation was a nightmare - so for the money I would never risk it again.

CR, GF - I'd pick poly over those unless we got an amazing deal

YC - BC - I like the location for getting to Epoct, but I'd always pick swan or Dolphin over those.

I tend to stick to CBR and CSR - with the room discount that is typically available and what you get for the money it is not overpriced IMO