Dec.2008 CR ? POLY ? or DOLPHIN ? Pls help decide !

[martinacris]

Hello everyone...I’m writing from Italy. I have planned to go to WDW next Dec 14th until Dec 31st 2008. I have already booked a villa in Indian Creek but wanted to spend the first 5 days at an on site hotel. We have 2 girls who will be be 6 and 8 at the time we go.
First I should say that my DH does not want to know ANYTHING about this trip. He is really not into it...part of the trip is a gift from my parents, and the rest I have been saving for the past 3 years for the spending money ( buying US $ when I have a couple of extra € )...so my dilema is the following:

I already booked and paid one night at the POLYNESIAN RESORT for a standard room ( where it’s $383 per night). I don’t belong to AAA and I don’t want to count too much on any special code....
I had originally thought of the CONTEMPORARY RESORT , a standard garden room where it’s $303 per night.
The DOLPHN also came to my mind where the price for a standard room with a balcony is $289 per night ( but being able to use the the monorail transportation at the CR or POLY makes me not want to book the Dolphin )

We will rent a car, but I had planned on renting it when we left the WDW hotel..so we would rely on the monorail and buses ...I have read many trip reports regarding the above hotels...and the Polynesian has always been great.

I really liked the contemorary design at the CR and at the DOLPHIN, but I don’t know WHICH one to actually stay at ?

Is it worth paying the extra $400 and stay at the POLYNESIAN or should I simply change to the CR and use the $ 400 for the character meals and Princess Tea party as well as the MVMCP ? or even go to the Dolphin, have a car and hope that a great price comes out next year ?

Remember that my DH won’t know ANYHTING until we arrive, so I want this to be a perfect holiday...we went last year to Disneyland Paris and had a great time, and again...I booked and planned everything on my own.

Oh..I would have the 10 day tkts so we would also be going back to the parks after Christmas and before returning back to Italy. I don't think we will do Universal , but for sure Sea World for 2 days ( I want my girls to take part in the tours and to learn as much as possible ), of course som shopping and simply enjoying the villa...so I guess our first 5 days at the park will be the most important ...where the prices are still "value".

I would appreciate any suggestions or opinions !! Thanks !!!

 

[pepe of ohio]

I can see your point of view but we never have stayed in the Swan or Dolphin, won't either because to us they are not appealing in the Disney sense. We have stayed in the Poly and CR and both are very wonderful resorts but got alittle to pricey for our tastes. We latched onto the Wilderness Lodge the last 6 or more stays and basically for its location and price. It's one of the 2 cheaper deluxe resorts and WL is located in the MK area, on the lake. It has boat access to the MK and a short boat ride to CR and you're on the monorail. The themeing is grand beyond anything I could describe, when you enter the lobby it takes your breath away, pool is well themed and watching the EWP from the beach each night is a must do. Rooms are smaller than the Poly and CR but ample for a group of 4. Dining is first rate but the sole reason we stay here is for location and price, MK area and a deluxe, indoor hallways.

Bus transportation is no different than other resorts, we've never had any real problems, others tend to disagree but we never rent a car, trip 40th in January, and go only by Disney transportation with no problems. We go to EPCOT either boating to CR and monorailing to TTC and switching to EPCOT monorail for a long enjoyable ride or take the bus, it all gets us there.

I'ld check out the Disney planning video and give the Wilderness Lodge some consideration, traveling value season makes this resort a good money saver over the Poly and Cr. even check out allears.net web site for some info.

 

[ConcKahuna]

I'm a big Polynesian fan myself. It's easier to get to Epcot from than the CR is (you have to transfer monorails at the TTC for CR), and has a direct boat to MK. The busses to MGM and DTD that leave from there also go direct, as they share with CR. If your husband isn't big into Disney, he might prefer the Polynesian as the grounds are great for relaxing on with a drink in hand.

For more Polynesian info, Google or do a Yahoo search for "Polynesian" and "Tikiman" for Tikiman's site. He's got great info.

That being said, it's all personal preference. Pick what appeals to you most and relax, it's hard to go wrong with anything on Disney property!

 

[martinacris]

Thank you Pepeofohio and conkahuna for your replies !! If before I was confused....NOW I am even more !!! ( just kidding) Thaks for the WL thought...to be honest I had never though of it since it's TOO brown,. but I have started to read trip reports and comments and I am actually giving it a thought ! (like you said pepeofohio....there is a big difference in $$). The only thing I'm not too sure about the boatride..both my Dh and DD gets "seasick" on boats...so I guess we would have to rely on the bus or rent a car ( but parking would be free since onsite hotels don't charge for parking...I think!)....
I did like about the WL the fact that EVERYTHING is in the same building while at the CR and POLY ( if I stayed in a standard room it would not happen).

Thanks again and I hope to be able to make a great decision !

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Personally I would choose either the Contemporary or Polynesian over the Dolphin, because they are owned by WDW. I am sure the Dolphin is a very nice Resort, however I just can't over the fact it's not owned by WDW.

Now the question of do you choose the Contemporary or the Polynesian. Normally I would say the Contemporary since it's my favorite Resort, as you can see by my user name. However this coming Saturday my family and I are staying at the Polynesian for the 1st time, so I want to see what it's like staying there before I can give an honest opinion about them. I know that in the past I have visited there a lot, but I haven't got the full experience by staying there. So the only fair answer I can give you is both of those Resorts are equally amazing, so you can't go wrong with either one.

I also wanted to say if you were to stay at the Contemporary and wanted to go to Epcot. If you got to the Monorail station at Contemporary and the Monorail was already there and assuming you made it on, it's about 2 minute ride to the TTC so in that situation you would get there faster then walking from the Polynesian. Plus the walk to the Epcot Monorail is a very easy transfer.

 

[martinacris]

Hello CR Resort Fan 4 Life , thanks for your reply. I have read so many of your opinions inthe past months that when I saw your name I knew it was you...even if I had never posted before.
I have already decided that the Dolphin is out of a question...I have seen the POLY thread and love the photos.. I know the CR will have a contrstuction going on all of next year...not that it will matter too much, but to be next to a contrstuction is something I would not want.
I wish you a magical vacation and would appreciate it if you could let me know how your stay at the POLY is ! This will be a once in a lifetime trip and I want to choose THE hotel and not say...gee...I wish I had stayed here instead of there !?!? The difference is about $80 more for the POLY than the CR and since we will already be spending a lot of $$$$, if we were going to stay at the POLY it would mean I would have to save $410 extra...is it worth it ?
I have just looked at the WL and I even feel a bit torn towards that one !! : I'll just try and keep reading and "sleep it over"... !

Thanks again and have a wonderful time !

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Actually in December 2008 all the renovations inside the Contemporary will be 100% finished. As for the outside where the North Garden Wing building use to be, that renovation has 100% no effect on the guests staying in the Tower and South Garden Wing.

Once I get back from the Poly I will post how my family and I liked staying there, so don't worry about that.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

Just another opinion to add here.

I'd vote for staying at either the Polynesian or the CR over the Dolphin. I'm partial to the Polynesian as it is my all-time favorite hotel on Disney property and I've always been in love with the cultural touches. The pool has a wonderful slide and you can see Cinderella's castle from the pool. Everything isn't located inside however you soon learn how to go through the 'longhouses' to get where you want to go in case it rains. You can take the monorail to the MK or take a short walk through the Poly grounds to the TTC to take the monorail to EPCOT. I second the posting to visit Tikiman's website (do a google search on 'Tikiman') for more information on the Poly.

The CR would be my second choice. You can walk to the MK and take the monorail to the TTC, switch to the EPCOT monorail to go there. If I wasn't so stuck on the Poly I'd stay here. Even when I do stay at the Polynesian I visit the CR for meals and just to explore the hotel.

The WL is nice but---the rooms are smaller and the only way to get to the MK is by boat.

Is the Polynesian worth the extra money? That really is subjective. I don't think you'd go wrong with choosing the CR over the Poly. But if I were taking that loonngg plane trip from Italy (I've flown from Franfurt, Germany to the US) to visit WDW, I'd go with the Polynesian.

Best of luck with your decision. Hopefully I haven't confused you further.