Calling all diehard On-site fans!

[Grumpy23]

Finally, my DH has agreed to stay on-site for a change. We have been going to WDW since 2003 and have always stayed off-site, mostly because of cost. I have always dreamed of staying at the Polynesian and it might be a reality now.

I honestly don't even know where to begin, to get the best deal. Where do I start? Other than booking direct through the Disney website, is there a better avenue to pursue?

I am hoping all of you seasoned on-site guru's can spin me around and point me in the right direction.

 

[frdeb1999]

We love the Poly too. It's a fabulous resort. We have gone both ways and prefer to go with a TA. There are many out there. We stick with the same one always as she gives us fabulous service and little perk items that make our vacation special. If you would like the name feel free to PM me and I will gladly give you the info. HOpe you have a wonderful time planning regardless!

 

[maciemouse]

Are you flying into Disney? We drive so I always call Disney directly. I've never had any problems. I saw that you are going in April, right? I would go ahead and get the plans in the works if you are going that soon. I am hoping for a "room only" discount to be released this week for the spring. There was one last year and it was released on March 8, 2007. I don't know if one will be offered this year, I guess we will see this week. Keep checking back on these boards under "codes and rates" this week. If not you may have to pay rack rate unless you are a florida resident or a member of AAA. I hope this helps.

 

[dbarker]

Personally, I use a TA. I just don't have time to watch for the codes. My TA is a fellow Diser and is wonderful. Send me a PM if you want her info.

Join MouseSavers and sign up for their newsletters. You will get monthly (sometimes more often) newsletters letting you know about codes and such.

 

[mermaid&cinderella]

We always stay at POLY, just LOVE that resort and I just go through my TA that books everything for me, less stress and wasted time for me! Hey I might see you there, we are going in April too.

 

[septbaby]

Ah, folks looks like they plan to go in April so speed will be important.

There is a ticket special going on:
Walt Disney World® Resort
Free Park Hopper and Water Park Fun & More Ticket Upgrades when you purchase this package.
5-night, 6-day vacation with theme park tickets at a select Disney Value Resort for just $61 a day, per person, for a family of 4 in a standard room most Sunday - Thursday nights 3/30 - 5/21/2008. Hurry, you only have until March 21, 2008 to book this vacation offer.

Book your stay online now!
or call us at (407) 939-7545† or your Travel Agent. Please be sure to mention promotional code APN.

There may be mod/deluxe rooms available as well.

 

[Grumpy23]

I knew I could count on you pros for help. I'm off to work but wanted to check in real quick and update my post. I apologize, the trip we are planning for will be in either October or November. Our April trip has already been booked for offsite since last year. So if any of you are at the Poly in April and see some strange woman standing around looking like this you'll know it's me, in my planning stages and staking out the place...again!

Thanks for all the responses. I'll be reading them more thoroughly after I return home tonight.

 

[Aliceacc]

Are you AAA members?

If not, it's well worth the money; you can get discounts ranging from 10-20% off your room rates. At a deluxe, that can add up to a LOT of money.

You can book through an AAA agent if you choose. If you're planning on getting the dining package and want the AAA discount, that combination must be booked through AAA and not on your own. If you don't want the package you can do it yourself.

 

[Harambe]

My only advice: Make it AWESOME, and your DH will be an on-site convert!

 

[MainStreetFireman]

If you are going in April and again in the fall, do you have Annual Passes, or plan on buying them? Often we see great room discounts (AP rates) of up to 40% for AP holders. Additionally with an AP, you are eligible to purchase the DE (Dining Experience) card, which saves $$ on dining.

I always find that the best thing to do is to price out individual elements of your trip...know what room, park tickets, hopper etc and dining would cost at rack rate, then as promotional rates are offered, do the math to see what works best for your family. The best thing to do, if you have time, is to watch the codes and rates board on this site daily for info and rumors. Then you can be right on top of those discounts when they come out.

Good luck! The Poly is fantastic! My DW sold me on it by bringing me there for dinner ('Ohana) and EWP and Wishes from the beach one time when we were staying off-site. I just knew I had to stay there sometime. Now I'm totally hooked on staying on-site!

 

[minniekissedme]

I honestly don't even know where to begin, to get the best deal. Where do I start? Other than booking direct through the Disney website, is there a better avenue to pursue?

:

Grumpy23...good to see another Pittsburgher here!

There are certainly countless ways to approach this. What we have done (the last four years) is to research on the Disney website for available options. This gives us the general information necessary to make an informed decision. Then we call into Disney and see what they come up with. If we don't like it, we call back another time. There has always been a better deal available at one time or another. I'm not afraid to grovel for the best price.

In light of what I've learned since joining these discussions I would explore more of these boards for codes/discounts information before calling into Disney. We've received offers via mail/email and the reservation agents have been able to do better than what we were first looking to get.

We've never stayed off site. I'm sure there is value but once you get on Disney property you won't go back. With all the great transporation/resorts/EMH and more, you'll love it.

 

[spiceycat]

Finally, my DH has agreed to stay on-site for a change. We have been going to WDW since 2003 and have always stayed off-site, mostly because of cost. I have always dreamed of staying at the Polynesian and it might be a reality now.

if the problem is cost - don't count on the Polyn - it is second if not the most expensive of WDW resorts. (more expensive is GF)

in the value - Pop Century
moderates - POR

don't count these out. especially if going with Polyn would hurt your budget.

if you want to come back and stay onsite again - then remember the budget.
Plus if your DH is concern with the expensive - it is just hard to relax and have fun.