AKL/RIV Stay; Poly/Monorail Tour

[atthebeachclub]

My husband really disliked how far the walk was from PIT, Im sure the heat played into it.

I felt like the walk from PIT to the GCH was shorter than the walk from the older studios Polynesian to the GCH. Location wise, PIT is preferable in many respects (outside going to the TTC).

This post may have hit my record for use of Disney/DVC acronyms.

 

[atthebeachclub]

The longhouses have some of the largest studios on property, but I have stayed in them and I do not really like them. I think the bathroom setup, especially the bathroom with the tub is a waste of space. The rooms are also so, so, so dark to the point I needed to leave my TV on at night as a source of light.

I agree with all of this. While the studios are bigger at the older studios, they don’t seem more efficient in any way. If somehow they had two toilets, I may have changed my thoughts on this. But they don’t. Oh, also, to add…putting slatted sliding doors on a room containing toilets is just a bad call.

 

[PolyRob]

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but is poly the first stop coming back from MK as well?

It seems like the food waits can be solved with proper planning and going at off times I hope. We do have ADRs at kona and ohanas so this should help.

I don't drink so not interest in trader sams. This actually really put me at ease, I did really love the vdh rooms and on my your that two bedroom pit looked phenomenal

Not silly, WDW is completely different than DL.

Coming back from MK on the resort line you stop at Contemporary Resort and TTC before getting to Poly so two stops again.

Poly is preferred on the monorail by many for transportation since you have additional options. If you don't want to stop you can actually take the express monorail direct to TTC, but then you need to walk from TTC to Poly. If you were in the DVC longhouses this could be preferred. Island Tower is the opposite side of the resort and you may not want that this time around since that is walking the entire resort.

 

[PolyRob]

I felt like the walk from PIT to the GCH was shorter than the walk from the older studios Polynesian to the GCH. Location wise, PIT is preferable in many respects (outside going to the TTC).

This post may have hit my record for use of Disney/DVC acronyms.

I agree 100%! It seems much further on that side of the resort, especially if you're baking in the sun or in the pouring rain.

 

[PolyRob]

I agree with all of this. While the studios are bigger at the older studios, they don’t seem more efficient in any way. If somehow they had two toilets, I may have changed my thoughts on this. But they don’t. Oh, also, to add…putting slatted sliding doors on a room containing toilets is just a bad call.

YES! They could have easily divided the space better and included two toilets. You could probably fit a twin bed in that tub bathroom it's so awkwardly open

 

[Girlstar30]

Once the novelty of the tower runs out - they will be the choice since they sleep 5. I will do the tower next time but only for three nights, just to try it. It will have to be a upgraded view as I don't see the point to getting a room looking at the highway.

I am staying next month in a TP view BLT so I will be able to compare - It looks like TP view in BLT is the better choice by distance.

My issue with owning poly before would actually be the lack of 2 bedroom rooms and im glad that pit solves that!

 

[Girlstar30]

This is partially why VGF is my favorite. I can easily walk to Poly from the original villa building or Big Pine Key and grab a drink or snack or head to an ADR while staying at VGF.



I am actually the opposite. I would much prefer the Island Tower to the DVC longhouses.

The longhouses have some of the largest studios on property, but I have stayed in them and I do not really like them. I think the bathroom setup, especially the bathroom with the tub is a waste of space. The rooms are also so, so, so dark to the point I needed to leave my TV on at night as a source of light.

This may also be strange, but I like the side of Poly where Island Tower resides more than the side closer to TTC. It's more compact and walking past the marina, especially at night is very nice. It's also close to GF and if I am staying at Poly I like visiting.

Just personal preference so definitely stay at both and see which you prefer!

They do seem dark from the virtual room tours ive seen which we would love for sleeping

I know my wife wont like that during the day, but I wouldnt mind. Is there a walking trail from vgf to poly? im not sure if that has been answered.

Now I feel like I have to stay at vgf again to make the decision because there is value in having that many dining options without the need to go into a theme park.

I feel like I'll never be direct because of how my brains operates

 

[atthebeachclub]

They do seem dark from the virtual room tours ive seen which we would love for sleeping

I know my wife wont like that during the day, but I wouldnt mind. Is there a walking trail from vgf to poly? im not sure if that has been answered.

Now I feel like I have to stay at vgf again to make the decision because there is value in having that many dining options without the need to go into a theme park.

I feel like I'll never be direct because of how my brains operates

Yes; great for sleeping! I also liked the balconies.

 

[PolyRob]

They do seem dark from the virtual room tours ive seen which we would love for sleeping

I know my wife wont like that during the day, but I wouldnt mind. Is there a walking trail from vgf to poly? im not sure if that has been answered.

Now I feel like I have to stay at vgf again to make the decision because there is value in having that many dining options without the need to go into a theme park.

I feel like I'll never be direct because of how my brains operates

The virtual tours are not lying There is no main overhead light in the center of the room for some reason. The Poly cash rooms still have them after the refurb

Yes, Island Tower is sandwiched between both walking paths to GF. Island Tower is basically in the parking lot of the original VGF building. It's so close and a very easy and convenient walk. This is why I am torn adding PVB direct when I could just get more VGF and still enjoy Poly dining and atmosphere with a "lower" points chart and better resort views.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I felt like the walk from PIT to the GCH was shorter than the walk from the older studios Polynesian to the GCH. Location wise, PIT is preferable in many respects (outside going to the TTC).

It very possible, we bounced around alot and it was like 500 degrees outside so I may have felt farther than it actually was.

This post may have hit my record for use of Disney/DVC acronyms.

hahaha or should I say lol

 

[Girlstar30]

The virtual tours are not lying There is no main overhead light in the center of the room for some reason. The Poly cash rooms still have them after the refurb

Yes, Island Tower is sandwiched between both walking paths to GF. Island Tower is basically in the parking lot of the original VGF building. It's so close and a very easy and convenient walk. This is why I am torn adding PVB direct when I could just get more VGF and still enjoy Poly dining and atmosphere with a "lower" points chart and better resort views.

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That walk with access to so many restaurants is a compelling reason to consider pit for me.

One of my main concerns for Poly was lack of food options that interested us namely adult fine dining, with vgf being a hop skip away problem solved and from what ive heard are some of the best over there.

Ofc I know vic and alb is phenomenal, but I have yet to experience the rest for dinner.

Now you have me rethinking my ADRs and thinking next trip after this one needs to be og vgf, og poly and throw in my animals for good measure. I am definetely going to use this walking path to vgf this time around honestly didnt even think about vgf access with pit

 

[PolyRob]

That walk with access to so many restaurants is a compelling reason to consider pit for me.

One of my main concerns for Poly was lack of food options that interested us namely adult fine dining, with vgf being a hop skip away problem solved and from what ive heard are some of the best over there.

Ofc I know vic and alb is phenomenal, but I have yet to experience the rest for dinner.

Now you have me rethinking my ADRs and thinking next trip after this one needs to be og vgf, og poly and throw in my animals for good measure. I am definetely going to use this walking path to vgf this time around honestly didnt even think about vgf access with pit

It's very nice and lets you enjoy both resorts!

Again, this is all personal preference, but Citricos in the GF main building next to Victoria & Albert's is my favorite WDW signature. It doesn't have direct views of MK like California Grill or Narcoossee's (you may catch a side glimpse of fireworks if you're dining later), but the food will make you forget about that. Narcoossee's by the boat dock is also wonderful with great service. It just has more seafood on the menu.

That's the beauty of DVC... you will be back and there is plenty of time to try everything from resorts to restaurants!