Advantage of the Poly

[disneymyway]

OK here's why I love staying at the Poly.

I love getting the castle view and falling asleep late at night long after the MK has closed with the shades wide open and watching the castle change colors.

I love coming home after a day in the parks and having the torches lit and the soft Polynesian music playing.

I love having a tiki drink in the middle of the afternoon and then having my bed 2 minutes away for a little tiki nap.

I love getting up early and having my coffee on the beach.

I love walking to the TTC on the path from the Poly when I want to get to the monorail.

I love the rooms - they are huge. When there are a bunch of us we are still really comfy.

I love the use of the health club. It's a really nice one, and I love walking past the wedding chapel to get to it. I also love the walk to the Grand Floridian with the lake to one side and the monorail to the other.

I just love the location period. I love hearing the train whistle and the shows from the beach.

Now, visitors can experience most of it, but not all the time. I like that it's my base, my home for the week.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Well, at GF you get turn down service every night...chocolates on your pillow with sweet bedtime notes...plush robes in the room...beautiful bathrooms w/ spa quality toiletries...a lobby that's perfect for relaxing at night while the band or pianist play...the spa itself is wonderful...better dining...some of the best CMs I've ever met at Disney who really try to make your stay special. While checking in on our 10th anniv. they asked us if we were celebrating anything so we told them yes...the next night at turndown they left us chocolate strawberries & a bottle of bubbly with two flutes that had Mickey icons etched onto them as a gift for us to take home!

I can't explain it. I guess maybe it's because we honeymooned at the GF, and so every time we return it feels like I'm on my honeymoon again. I just love being there...it relaxes me, esp. after a day in the parks.

I think the GF does offer some of this "pampering". Its Disney's "flaghsip" resort and while the location is no better than the Poly or CR, it does have some features those resorts don't, namely the ones you just mentioned. The rest of the WDW deluxe's are more about location than the pampering one expects from a deluxe level resort. They (including the Poly) are not deluxe in the same way a Ritz is. The only other Disney resort that has that level of "pampering" that I know of in the United States is the Grand Californian at Disneyland.

The Poly is wonderful, but its not an exclusive getaway where one feels like they just stepped into some sort of out of this world, only for the rich hotel. Its a fabulously themed resort very near a fabulous theme park. With lots of public areas that Disney has designed for anyone to enjoy. And hopefully fall in love with so that they will shell out the bucks to stay there for the next trip. Basically its yet another clever way Disney has found to market their product!

 

[disneymyway]

The Poly is wonderful, but its not an exclusive getaway where one feels like they just stepped into some sort of out of this world, only for the rich hotel. Its a fabulously themed resort very near a fabulous theme park. With lots of public areas that Disney has designed for anyone to enjoy. And hopefully fall in love with so that they will shell out the bucks to stay there for the next trip. Basically its yet another clever way Disney has found to market their product!

I think this is why I don't love the GF. I understand why others do, but personally, when I'm at WDW I don't want just another nice hotel like others I have stayed at around the country. I want over the top Disney fun, the feeling that I might just be still in one of the parks! JMO, of course, but that is why I love it.

 

[lustergirl]

Ive been reading these boards for a couple of months and am starting to get a little T'd!

I have 2 rooms booked at the Poly for Thanksgiving week...paying approx $11K for vacation for 6.

Ive been reading that anyone and their mother can...

1) Eat at the restaurants and reserve before resort guests (if checking in earlier)
2) Park in the lot, use the monorail
3) See Wishes from the beaches
4) Use the kids club
5) Although frowned upon...use the pools (nobody checks IDs?

Im starting to question if I should just stay in a value and hang out at the Poly all day??

Can someone tell me what the advantage of paying and staying there is??

You holier than thou attitude really bites! Just because you paid such a high dollar amount to stay at the Poly doesn't entitle you to have the resort to yourself. I have ate at the restaurants, used the monorail, watched the fireworks without staying there. I have never used the pools at the Poly, I would consider this a no-no!

Why would you get upset over something you can't control. Focus your energy on having a beautiful trip instead! Don't automatically assume that others who "visit" the Poly are staying at a value resort- lord knows where they are staying. They could be staying at GF and decided to give the Poly a visit.

 

[BlondeAlligator]

I think this is why I don't love the GF. I understand why others do, but personally, when I'm at WDW I don't want just another nice hotel like others I have stayed at around the country. I want over the top Disney fun, the feeling that I might just be still in one of the parks! JMO, of course, but that is why I love it.

See, I don't think that the GF is like other nice hotels...it has beautiful theming from the architecture to the CMs costumes...it's just Victorian romance all the way...where else can you see the Mousekeepers do a morning walk with their parasols open through the georgous gardens...it's so charming! I also love other resorts for my different moods...I like WL when we go in the Fall or Winter...I like the Poly, too. But no matter where I stay, when I come back to the resort I want to feel still immersed in Disney, but I really want to leave the "feeling" of the parks behind...GF is relaxing but even has subtle Mickeys in the rooms!

 

[disneymyway]

See, I don't think that the GF is like other nice hotels...it has beautiful theming from the architecture to the CMs costumes...it's just Victorian romance all the way...where else can you see the Mousekeepers do a morning walk with their parasols open through the georgous gardens...it's so charming! I also love other resorts for my different moods...I like WL when we go in the Fall or Winter...I like the Poly, too. But no matter where I stay, when I come back to the resort I want to feel still immersed in Disney, but I really want to leave the "feeling" of the parks behind...GF is relaxing but even has subtle Mickeys in the rooms!

That's what's so great about WDW - something for every taste! I understand completely that you love it - I just don't. When we stayed there I just didn't have that Disney "feel". It was wonderful, don't get me wrong.

If we all wanted the same resort we'd be in a sorry situation! I get why some don't like the Poly - for me, there's just something about it that really makes it special for me.

 

[BlondeAlligator]

That's what's so great about WDW - something for every taste!

I agree!!

 

[Think Pink Tink]

My mom is in a wheelchair and we knew she'd be spending most of the time in the room, on the patio or by the pool, so we wanted to choose a resort that had a nice layout, a beautiful view and easy transporation for us to get her around. My parents got a first floor, handicapped accessible room in Rapa Nui and it was perfect. Dh, DDs and I had a 3rd floor room in Aerotoa, with a partial view of the castle, which we LOVED (only paid for lagoon view and got a MK view). The ease of the monorail being right there, especially with my mom in the wheelchair made transporation "priceless".

As far as the pools being crowded, the quiet pool was practically empty our entire trip, plenty of chairs there to sit in... we CHOSE to spend our time at the Volcano pool...which was packed by noon.

Noone checked ID's the entire 8 days we were there, but noone checked them at the CR when we stayed there in 2006, that would be a full time job. Here is what we did...we hit the parks in the mornings and then hit the pool by 1pm every afternoon, of course it was packed and no tables to be found, so we "borrowed" free chairs and then set up our own spot near the life guard, by the slide (DDs LOVED that slide) my mom would be in her wheelchair parked in the shade, again, plenty of room for her. I am a sun freak so I loved sitting in the chair getting my tan while DH, grandpa and the girls were in the pool the whole time, the chairs were just to put our towels and shoes on. It worked for all of us. The water slide at the Poly was also PRICELESS!!!

Almost every afternoon when a family was leaving a nearby table they would offer it to us, or we would GRAB it, so we would have a table by about 3pm, everyday.

I wasn't able to get dinner ressies at O'hana, and was disappointed, but we did get ressies for Kona and did the character breakfast at O'hana.

We watched the fireworks from our balcony so the crowded beach was a non issue for us...we did see alot of folks stick around after the Spirit of Aloha show to watch the fireworks but I expected that, and it certainly didn't bother me as I sat on my balcony sipping a Mai Tai watching the same fireworks, knowing those people would have to take a bus or drive back to wherever they were staying.

To be honest, I never gave it a second thought that other resort guests could be "using" ammenities for free at the resort that I paid over $10,000 to stay at. I am planning a return trip to the Poly in 2009 and if people want to waste their time schlepping from value resorts with their kids and tote bags to the Poly just to use the pool or the beach then more power to them, at the end of the day I will walk a few feet back to my room and they will be dragging all their stuff and their tired, cranky kids to the car to drive however long it takes back to their tiny room while I am sipping my Mai Tai

 

[rie'smom]

Ive been reading these boards for a couple of months and am starting to get a little T'd!

I have 2 rooms booked at the Poly for Thanksgiving week...paying approx $11K for vacation for 6.

Ive been reading that anyone and their mother can...

1) Eat at the restaurants and reserve before resort guests (if checking in earlier)
2) Park in the lot, use the monorail
3) See Wishes from the beaches
4) Use the kids club
5) Although frowned upon...use the pools (nobody checks IDs??)

Im starting to question if I should just stay in a value and hang out at the Poly all day??

Can someone tell me what the advantage of paying and staying there is??

What exactly is this extra pampering you get at the deluxe resorts?

I've seen the word "pampering" used twice in connection with deluxe resorts today but haven't actually seen any evidence when visiting the deluxe resorts. They are nice, but I haven't seen anything that makes me think it's worth the extra money.

I assume I'm missing something - so what have I missed?

I agree. We have stayed at 4 of the deluxes and I have yet to feel pampered

Honestly OP, save your money. We were at the Poly in May and I was very disappointed. We had stayed there in the past and weren't thrilled. However, after reading the raves of other DISsers, I thought that it must have improved, so we went. It's a dark Holiday Inn with a volcano.

The Disney deluxes are not deluxe. A chocolate on the pillow does make a hotel deluxe.

 

[Clotho]

I have to say that the amenities at the Deluxe level definitely make it "Deluxe" to me.

Queen beds instead of Doubles = a MUST for us
Flat screen TV's for a couple who loves to chill in the room with a latenight movie= heaven
Having multiple favorite restaurants and bar options within steps of your room, as well as room service (24 hours in some deluxes) for a couple of night owl-foodies = fabulous!
Large rooms, beautifully decorated (the latter of which is personal, I know) = well worth a little more money
At the Poly, being right at the monorail, and just steps from the TTC = priceless!

At the Poly, having the beach and the view of the MK every night, the beautiful grounds, the romantiv tiki torches at night....indescribably worth it.

At the Boardwalk, having the option to boat or walk to our favorite place, World Showcase, and all the restaurants and entertainment on the Boardwalk as well as all of the World Showcase amenities mere minutes away, being able to watch the high fireworks of Illuminations every night from your balcony = how can you even COMPARE that with any other experience?!

Bottom line, you get what you pay for at the Deluxe at Disney.

 

[LibrarianChef]

The first five visits to WDW, I always visited the Poly even though we stayed elsewhere. Sometimes we went for a swim, other times for dinner, but I made sure to go. I used to think that was okay and why pay more when you can visit there for free, but actually staying on-site changed my opinion.

1. The transportation options were the best. You can walk to the TTC and catch the monorail to Epcot or you can take a boat or monorail to the MK. The only other resorts offering you equally convenient transportation options are the Boarwalk resorts.
2. You can walk to the GF and access the spa.
3. Easier access to the restaurants. Many people visit the Poly just for the restaurants. O'Hana is one of the toughest ADRs to get.
4. You can swim anytime you want in a great pool with a water slide that is zero-entry.
5. You can wake up and immediately view the castle.
6. You have access to great coffee every morning. The food options are more diverse, not simply catering to the fast food lovers and picky eaters.
7. You don't have to hear your neighbour's toilet (I heard them a lot staying at the ASSp and ASMo) and the rooms are a good size with large beds and a nice television.
8. Easier access to the Neverland Club for resort guests as they are staring there.
9. DOLE WHIPS ON PREMISES!!!!!!

While I love to visit the GF, it is too white and sterile for my taste. I love the warm inviting colours and atmosphere at the Poly. They used to leave mints on the pillow at the Villas too. I try to visit a different resort each time we go to WDW, but I may be going back to the Poly sooner than later (or the BC now that the kids are a bit older and can appreciate SAB).

Don't get me wrong. I encourage Disney visitors to check out the other hotels and their amenities (I have been to most of them), but to assume that simply going to a place is the same as staying their is missing the whole point of the Poly, viz. comfort, relaxation, a great view, and ease of transportation.

 

[MELSMICE]

DOLE WHIPS ON PREMISES!!!!!!

OMG - where? I have stayed at the Poly times that I should know where I can get these & I don't!!!!!

 

[LibrarianChef]

OMG - where? I have stayed at the Poly times that I should know where I can get these & I don't!!!!!

They added them to Captain Cook's after the most recent refurbishment, although they have been down a few times from reports. I can't get enough of them!

See this thread for backup:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1821587

Long live pineapple goodness. Does the Poly still do cocolocos in coconuts and pina coladas in cored pinapples?

 

[simonkodousek]

For us, the main advantages of the Poly are...

1) relaxed atmosphere
2) large rooms
3) monorail resort
4) walking distance to TTC
5) seperate buildings (reduces hallway noise)

One of the only downsides to staying at the Poly is also one of the reasons we stay there; seperate buildings. If it is raining or you are carrying food to your room from Captain Cook's this can be an issue, but if you request a room in a building closer to the Great Ceremonial House, it can be avoided.

Another downside would be that the pools get crowded very quickly and early in the day (~10 AM in July) which is something that cannot be avoided, but a pool expansion is long overdue in my opinion. I would like to see the addition of a hot tub as well.

 

[freesone]

We stayed at the Poly for Thanksgiving week last year and it was great. It's a busy week anyway, so it would be more difficult to be able to tell who was and who was not staying there. The beach was not overcrowded at night, nor was the pool at any time. Busy yes, but not to an unexpected level. I would go and enjoy it.

 

[LJD2143]

Long live pineapple goodness. Does the Poly still do cocolocos in coconuts and pina coladas in cored pinapples?

At the Tambu Lounge Lapu Lapus are served in a pineapple. YUM!

 

[kinggoofy]

One of THE MAIN REASONS I have taken a liking to the POLY is because I know its DW favorite resort. Up until a few years ago, we were not able to afford it. We would always stop and visit and that would be about it.

But then on Memorial Day Sunday in May 2007, we stopped at the POLY for a drink by the pool and I just could see in DW eyes that she wanted to stay here.

I asked her one question, "If I called now and switched from CBR to here for August 07, would you want to do it?". She said "yes" and I did switch it. She didnt think I would.

Since then, I can always see the excitement on her face when it gets closer to vacation time. As of today (July 15) , we are 5 weeks away. We will be there from Aug 19th - 31st. (she would pack tonight if she could.)

For her birthday this year, I surprised her with a trip to POLY. I got her MK View 3rd floor balcony. Just seeing her wake up on her birthday and being able to sit on the balcony and look at the castle, listen to the boat horns and watch the monorail was priceless.

You will read negative post about every resort. You will read positve post about every resort. But in the end, its what you make of it.

"Our glass is ALWAYS half full and not half empty."

Things we like are: (not in any order)

Ohana's; Kona Cafe: Kona Coffee; Pool; Pool Bar; Tambuu Lounge; The hawaiin music as you walk around outside; The Monorail; Kaleo the singer in the lounge at night; the torch lighting ceremony; Auntie giving out leis at the main entrance; any room that has a 3rd floor balcony; the walk to the TTC; the grounds and walkways and others.

The one negative that I have personally is the transportation. Only because I usually like to go to ESPN Club at the BW 3-5 times a trip. The way to their is easy. Monorail to MK and bus to BW. But getting back is horrible.

 

[ekball]

Ive been reading these boards for a couple of months and am starting to get a little T'd!

I have 2 rooms booked at the Poly for Thanksgiving week...paying approx $11K for vacation for 6.

Ive been reading that anyone and their mother can...

1) Eat at the restaurants and reserve before resort guests (if checking in earlier)
2) Park in the lot, use the monorail
3) See Wishes from the beaches
4) Use the kids club
5) Although frowned upon...use the pools (nobody checks IDs??)

Im starting to question if I should just stay in a value and hang out at the Poly all day??

Can someone tell me what the advantage of paying and staying there is??

I'll get flamed for this, but this is PRECISELY why we didn't like the Poly and will not stay there again. Everyone and their mother DID do all of those things and it felt, to us, like a 5th theme park with all of the traffic from those extra visitors. I certainly don't mind that others could eat there and visit (we like to visit other resorts and eat at their restaurants too!), but I did feel like it was just too many people hanging around (and yes, using the pool, beach, etc.) I don't think that paying guests should have to battle a 'visitor' for a swing, lounge chair, table, spot in the volcano pool. Did this ruin our vacation? Heck no - would never let it ruin a fun vacation. But it IS the reason why we won't stay there again.

OP - your gut feeling is pretty accurate IMO. If you're looking for a more 'private' resort stay you *may* want to consider a move.

 

[Clotho]

1. You get preferred ADRs at the Poly restaurants. Many people visit the Poly just for the restaurants. O'Hana is one of the toughest ADRs to get.
   
2. Access to the Neverland Club, which is supposed to be limited to resort guests only.
   

These two are actually not true--you do not get any special treatment for reservations, and anyone can go to the Neverland Club. But other than that, I completely agree!!

 

[goodferry]

We did enjoy staying at the Poly, and usually do go back for a meal even if we aren't resort guests. I do wish that they would leave resort dining ADRs open to resort guests only until 30 days out, although Disney's dining system is complicated enough already.
You definitely don't get any preferential treatment just for staying at the resort when it comes to dining unless you are staying Club level.
When it comes to the pool we have been asked for resort ID before when getting towels at the resort pool. Not every time, mind you, and there were some "guests" from Fort Wilderness enjoying the pool when we were there, the ID checking is sort of hit or miss, but it never felt overly crowded, even on the beach in the evening.
So while are, to an extent, sharing the amenities with day guests, you also are staying at the resort, the monorail is right out your window, you can watch the fireworks from the beach and then WALK back to your room rather than take a bus. It's a beautiful resort, and worth the money IMHO.