booked poly - but can’t warm up to the idea of staying there...

[karasmom]

so before I go into further details... we are die hard CR CL people! It’s “our” place!

We did not think we were going to be going this first week in May so I did not book in advance. Long story short - a couple weeks ago there was NOTHING
Played around with the dates and got a reservation at POP a few days later. Had no desire of staying there. Kept calling and got a great deal on the Poly a few days later. We go to ‘Ohanas every trip so we’ve been plenty and I never had the desire to stay there (and why? We love the CR).

So anyways - I keep calling to see if there is something else popping up...

But I can’t help but wonder... is it just not “feeling” right because it’s not the CR and NOTHING will “feel” right?

I want it to be amazing ‍ And I don’t want to set myself up for a negative experience. I don’t think it will suck - I just don’t think it’ll be the same... and I don’t like change And then I keep reading about run down rooms - it’s a lot of money... I just - aaaaahhhhhh!!!

So tell me to suck up my massive 1st world problem and go enjoy the Poly which has a way nicer pool than the CR (to which my daughter says - but I love the CR pool hahaha - even the 10 year old isn’t convinced)....

 

[AngiTN]

So to make sure I have it right,
You can't get CR, at this point, at all.
You can get Pop or Poly.
And you are debating on if you should do what?
Stay at Poly or go where? What is your 2nd option?
If CR doesn't open up of course

 

[bryanb]

I like change and trying different resorts, but there are a few things in life where I'm set in my ways... so I totally get why you'd want to keep returning to something you've loved in the past. Unfortunately, I'm not yet able to afford a club level Deluxe, but I can only hope that someday I'll get so used to that I'll settle for nothing less!

I'm not sure how this would be a negative experience but if you think that's the case, I would really not go this time and find another date for your trip. It would be awful to arrive at a Disney vacation with a cloud over your head. Trust me, I've seen it enough times and it's much harder to turn that around than going in with excitement.

Your other alternative is to get excited about staying at the Polynesian, which in my mind is not hard to do. Not because it might subjectively have a nicer pool, but because it's one of the top tier hotels at the most magical place on Earth. And if your daughter can't learn to love it, she'll be fortunate enough to have experienced taking a "loss" to appreciate the CR more next time? Not sure what other answers to give but that was my best shot at some encouragement (haha). If you go, have a really great trip! I'd be really excited for you!

 

[TXDisneyFan1]

Well, I'm biased. I just switched from a tower room at CSR to the Poly last week because the Poly is our happy place. I can't say that you will like it, but we love it! I like the larger rooms, the location, both pools and the overall laid back vibe of the resort (torches and music piped all around the resort). The landscaping is lush and the dining is great! Did I mention Trader Sam's??

If you do stay there, I hope you are surprised by how much you like it!

 

[Haley R]

I think if you’ve never stayed there you should try it. I would much rather go to Disney than not at all just because my preferred resort isn’t available.

 

[paradesintherain]

So, room wise, Poly rooms are pretty similar in size to CR rooms. The grounds at Poly are just stunning, so lush and beautiful. I loved walking around them every day. Pretty similar transportation situation to CR, so that's good! Plus, CR is just a monorail away if you want to visit your happy place.

My favorite resort is AKL, and I want to stay there every trip, but when I can't it doesn't break the trip, and I don't think it will break your trip either!

 

[Ladyandthepuppies]

I get it... CR is our first choice too but I think next time we go we’re staying at Poly to accommodate the preference of others in our group. I’m not too excited about it. If I were you I would keep checking for CR, they say people frequently cancel reservations at 30 days out when the balance is due. Or, have you looked into renting at BLT?

 

[Disneylover99]

Suck it up!

Or....

Book a Pop/Poly split. You might actually fall in love with Pop and realize you never want to do CR CL ever again.

 

[Nancyg56]

I tend to agree with @bryanb. If you really are set on the one resort you love, and feel that the Poly is not going to make you happy, I would rebook at a time when the resort you want opens up. As much as I really do not understand the level of affection for a resort that makes it difficult to enjoy any other, I respect that you have that level. My husband has a similar mindset in terms of location, and while he thinks he rolls with it when we stay elsewhere, he really does not, and his attitude can sometimes be contagious. OKW? Lovely resort, a bit inconvenient, but simply beautiful. DId I mention it was not on the monorail line? Yep. He was miserable on every commute back and forth to anywhere that we did not rely on Lyft. He did not realize he was not suffering in silence because his expressions said it all. ( I did feel the need to tell him to shut up, even though he had not said a word LOL) Please do not do that to yourself or your family. If you really are dead set against any given resort for any reason, do nto stay there.

 

[Patches Lee]

The good news is you won't have to take the monorail to TTC to get to Epcot if you stay at Poly.

 

[alldiz]

I never wanted to stay at the Poly because it always felt chaotic in the lobby area. Which is where we would go to Ohana as well.
After DVC opened it is my new fav resort. Personally CR is not my fav, walk to MKis priceless tho.
But... walking to TTC center for one monorail to Epcot... priceless.
What surprised me the most is the beauty of the property. So lush and quiet once you leave main building.
Pool area over lake, watching fireworks with music piped in... Amazing.

Truth be told..... you might have a new favorite;-)
Happy planning
Kerri

 

[k5xs]

I am also a CR zealot. The clean architecture, the layout, the view, even the smell are to me so evocative. It is literally my favorite place on planet Earth.

Maybe it's because we lived in Hawaii twice (and we loved it there), but I just can't warm up to the Poly. It's the opposite of CR in so many ways (primitive architecture, cluttered appearance, etc.). I can't help but think as you glide through the CR on your way to the Poly that you'll press your hand against the door of the monorail and pine for it.

We have had two recent experiences that taught us to try new things. We are lucky enough to get the military rate, so DW shops around. When we can get the CR at a reasonable price, we grab it. But recently we could get into only the Boardwalk and later POFQ. We would have never tried them, but we very much enjoyed them both.

If it were me, I'd ditch the Poly if I could find a resort I hadn't tried yet.

 

[mickeynut1]

so before I go into further details... we are die hard CR CL people! It’s “our” place!

We did not think we were going to be going this first week in May so I did not book in advance. Long story short - a couple weeks ago there was NOTHING
Played around with the dates and got a reservation at POP a few days later. Had no desire of staying there. Kept calling and got a great deal on the Poly a few days later. We go to ‘Ohanas every trip so we’ve been plenty and I never had the desire to stay there (and why? We love the CR).

So anyways - I keep calling to see if there is something else popping up...

But I can’t help but wonder... is it just not “feeling” right because it’s not the CR and NOTHING will “feel” right?

I want it to be amazing ‍ And I don’t want to set myself up for a negative experience. I don’t think it will suck - I just don’t think it’ll be the same... and I don’t like change And then I keep reading about run down rooms - it’s a lot of money... I just - aaaaahhhhhh!!!

So tell me to suck up my massive 1st world problem and go enjoy the Poly which has a way nicer pool than the CR (to which my daughter says - but I love the CR pool hahaha - even the 10 year old isn’t convinced)....

I felt that way about the GF whenever we'd visit. I always thought the resort overall was nice, but I had zero desire to stay there. When I was invited to go along on a girls trip, GF was the resort of choice. I wasn't over the top thrilled because the GF just wasn't on my list to try, but I went with the majority choice. Well, that first stay changed my view/opinion of the resort. The GF isn't my favorite, but it runs a close second to my favorite (which is the Poly). With all that said, even though you don't have a desire to stay at the Poly, you might have a different view once you actually stay there. In my experience, visiting a resort is totally different than actually staying there. I'm not saying you will like/love the Poly, but I've always found that staying at a resort gives you a little better feel of it vs just visiting.

 

[ErinsMommy]

My husband is a DIE HARD CR fan - whether CL or TPV or both. One day at the end of our stay I asked him to go over to the Poly with me and asked at the front desk if there was someone that can give us a "room tour" of a TPV CL room. Waited about 5 minutes, then someone came out, walked us over and in my husband's own words "its just like the CR room, just different theming, and of course the castle isn't RIGHT there, but its ok" (or something along the lines). Ever since, we've been going to the Poly every year, and he LOVES it!

 

[mrsap]

So... my DH and I felt the same last year. We wanted GF, but could only get Poly. We were disappointed we weren’t staying at the resort we love. In all honesty, we were looking forward to our first week at BC more than Poly. HOWEVER... we ended up REALLY REALLY REALLY liking Poly. So much so that my kids asked if we could buy DVC there and make it our home resort (and that was Day 1!!!). We were so happy we stuck with it!! We are in the process of buying more points just so we can stay at Poly once a year!! Give it a chance, you might be pleasantly surprised as well!!! Good luck!!

 

[Brett Wyman]

I don't understand the love of CL for the cost, I don't really care for the CR, and Poly is our favorite MK resort. So my opinion probably isn't of much use BUT we try to stay at all of Deluxes at least once just to experience different things.

1. Your going to have a wonderful outdoor space that CR doesn't have.
2. Your going to have TWO pools that are much better that the CR pools.
3. You can and SHOULD walk to the TTC for Epcot and when coming back from MK at night.
4. You can get a dole whip anytime.
5. Trader Sam's Grotto.
6. That Lobby smell! (is CR the only deluxe without a lobby smell? I mean I guess they could sell "it smells like Chef Mickey's candles)
7. GF and all of its amenities are a very short walk away.

 

[nkereina]

I would consider this an opportunity to try another resort of comparable quality to your favorite CR. You'll have the same advantage of the monorail, and they are both comparable in terms of amenities, room size, etc. The only thing drastically different is the theme. And frankly, Poly has more of a vacation theme to me than CR does. We have our favorite resorts too, but always welcome the chance to try a new Disney resort - you essentially know what you are getting in terms of service and quality (this isn't the Bates Motel), so there's not much to fear.

 

[NYDisGuy]

I don't understand the love of CL for the cost, I don't really care for the CR, and Poly is our favorite MK resort.

The ability to walk 10 minutes from room directly to MK is a big selling point for some. I also think CR has the best restaurants and lounges of any resort but it's all personal preference.

 

[RamblingMad]

If I had to pay the Poly rate, I’d opt for the Four Seasons. The rooms and pool look nicer, but it’s not on the monorail.

 

[Minnie1222]

Try another resort while you can..
I had to cancel my April trip to Disney and now my July trip due to a health issue. My prospect of going to Disney at all this year is very dim (although I am going to try for October, if not, then December!).