Celebrating retirement- help me choose

[can'tgetenufofwdw]

I am retiring in January after 36 years with the state. I would like to treat myself with a week stay at a deluxe resort but I don't know what to choose. The Poly has always been my dream resort but I've had a few people tell me that for them it was a big let down (dark, dreary- just not what they had hoped for) I have stayed at AKL, WL, GF (25 years ago), BW and a few of the moderates and values. I know I shouldn't let others opinions impact my decision but I am struggling to choose. We just purchased annual passes yesterday and will activate them when we go in October with our adult kids and grandson. We bought them because with me being retired we can go whenever we want for long weekends etc. I would appreciate all your thought's, opinions, suggestions.

 

[OKW Lover]

We've always enjoyed the Poly. Ignore the naysayers.
Other good choices, Beach Club or the tower building at CSR.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Another vote for Poly. It was our first resort and has a distinctive Disney feel and smell. Moved on to our current love, BWI, but Poly still brings a smile to my face.

 

[CarolynFH]

I agree - stay at Poly! “Their” opinions don’t necessarily equal YOUR opinion!

 

[focusondisney]

Congratulations on your retirement!! I’ve been retired for 2 years, my husband for 1. Retirement is wonderful! We’ve never stayed at Poly, our favorite has been Yacht Club for over 25 years. If Poly is your dream, go for it!! It,just might be everything you were hoping for. Once you get those APs activated, you can try somewhere else the next trip if it’s not.

 

[Disneylover99]

If Poly is your dream resort. You should go!
Happy retirement!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Congratulations!! I also agree that you should stick with your dream resort. Enjoy!

 

[jemtx]

If you can maybe do a split stay and try two different deluxes. You could an MK then an EP/HS one and be close to all the parks and get two try out two different hotels.
Congratulations & enjoy.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I loved our Poly stay but my family preferred the Beach Club for ease of navigation.
If Poly is your dream, do it. You will never know unless you try it.

 

[Kailunkat]

We've always enjoyed the Poly. Ignore the naysayers.
Other good choices, Beach Club or the tower building at CSR.

Just an FYI that Beach Club feature pool will be under construction at this time - IDK if that is a consideration for you.
I love the Polynesian Resort. Good food, great transportation, big studio rooms and a great vibe.

How many people are you planning on going with for the trip? You may want to consider larger rooms and proximity to the parks if traveling with young family. BLT and GF have a lot of similar benefits to Poly but have more room sizes. GF was just refurbished and has so many great food choices. BLT is walking distance to MK and has rooms with fireworks views.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Poly. Unless it’s too expensive and then I’d split with Swan/Dolphin or BWI (not touching YC/BC with that pool remodel) for a few nights and then transfer to Poly.

 

[hertamaniac]

We recently stayed at Yacht Club (YC) with the WV room. It was spectacular for park proximities and transportation (especially EPCOT). Since it appears you would be going in October, the main pool at YC and Beach Club is Stormalong Bay (SB) should still be open since, I think, the refurbishment is scheduled to start in January. SB by itself would probably have me choose YC again, especially with a child.

"From January 2025 through June 2025, Stormalong Bay and Shipwreck Pool at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts will be closed for routine maintenance".

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/r...ort/?msockid=24f65f68dce46afd01334bb8dd956bb4

 

[focusondisney]

We recently stayed at Yacht Club (YC) with the WV room. It was spectacular for park proximities and transportation (especially EPCOT). Since it appears you would be going in October, the main pool at YC and Beach Club is Stormalong Bay (SB) should still be open since, I think, the refurbishment is scheduled to start in January. SB by itself would probably have me choose YC again, especially with a child.

Hmm, I took it to mean the Retirement trip would be in January, after the actual retirement. I assume most people celebrate after they retire. But the trip in October with family is already planned. Just that OP would activate their AP on that trip. Maybe @can'tgetenufofwdw can clarify when the trip will be.

I am retiring in January after 36 years with the state. I would like to treat myself with a week stay at a deluxe resort but I don't know what to choose. The Poly has always been my dream resort but I've had a few people tell me that for them it was a big let down (dark, dreary- just not what they had hoped for) I have stayed at AKL, WL, GF (25 years ago), BW and a few of the moderates and values. I know I shouldn't let others opinions impact my decision but I am struggling to choose. We just purchased annual passes yesterday and will activate them when we go in October with our adult kids and grandson. We bought them because with me being retired we can go whenever we want for long weekends etc. I would appreciate all your thought's, opinions, suggestions.

 

[beccasmom]

Different strokes…..you do you and enjoy every minute!

DH and I are celebrating our first months as retirees and it is awesome! Congratulations!

 

[Jacksonian]

I'll be retired 3 years in October and I treated myself to a Disney vacation to celebrate as well. I wanted to do Deluxe as well to celebrate and chose 2 resorts I had never stayed in: Wilderness Lodge and Yacht Club. We did 3 nights at each resort and enjoyed ourselves.

Congrats on your retirement! You will love it!

 

[crazy4wdw]

When I retired in 2021, I did a split stay between the Contemporary & Beach Club. It was wonderful. At the CR, I could quickly visit MK and Future World at Epcot and at BC, I could quickly visit World Showcase and Hollywood Studios. A great view of Magic Kingdom fireworks at the CR and at the BC could walk over to see Illuminations.

Congrats on Retirement!!!!

 

[can'tgetenufofwdw]

Hmm, I took it to mean the Retirement trip would be in January, after the actual retirement. I assume most people celebrate after they retire. But the trip in October with family is already planned. Just that OP would activate their AP on that trip. Maybe @can'tgetenufofwdw can clarify when the trip will be.

You are correct, the retirement trip would be end of January/early February

 

[elvispursley]

When my mom retired in 2021, I flew us first class and we stayed at the YC for 9 nights. I had originally booked Poly but got an awesome discount that was too good to pass up at YC. We re at S/D in a couple weeks. We really love the crescent lake area and being able to walk to 2 parks. Happy retirement!

 

[hertamaniac]

Now that I have edification of the retirement celebration travel date, I would opt for Poly over YC due to SAB refurbishment.

 

[OHmomof2]

I am retiring in January after 36 years with the state. I would like to treat myself with a week stay at a deluxe resort but I don't know what to choose. The Poly has always been my dream resort but I've had a few people tell me that for them it was a big let down (dark, dreary- just not what they had hoped for) I have stayed at AKL, WL, GF (25 years ago), BW and a few of the moderates and values. I know I shouldn't let others opinions impact my decision but I am struggling to choose. We just purchased annual passes yesterday and will activate them when we go in October with our adult kids and grandson. We bought them because with me being retired we can go whenever we want for long weekends etc. I would appreciate all your thought's, opinions, suggestions.

If the Poly has always been your dream resort…stay there! Congratulations on your upcoming retirement!