Disappointed with the Poly

[PrincessK]

I know many people love the Poly but I just wanted to give my opinion and another point of view. I was very excited to finally be staying here in June. I've stayed at Port Orleans Riverside, Wilderness Lodge and the Beach Club. I was expecting to be overly impressed after reading all I could find on these boards. I'm sorry but I wasn't. We checked in at 10:00am and were told we could get a Rapi Nui room then or wait for Tokelau which would be ready by 3:00. We decided to wait. Our room was ready at 3:00, our luggage however got delivered to the wrong room. We had to leave by 3:30 to get to the Hoop Dee Doo by 5:00, we never saw our luggage and so had to go to dinner in our travel clothes. We came back after 10:00 and our suitcases had arrived. The room is big and the beds are comfy I'll give it that, but for the price you pay to stay there it's NOT worth it. The elevators are old and smell, the bathrooms don't have fans, the sink area is in the bathroom so no getting ready while someone showers, and the air conditioners shut off when you open the sliding doors and sound like freight trains when they're on. Also the pool is small for the resort size and has more tables with umbrellas than lounge chairs. Our last straw was coming back to the room at 3:30 for a nap only to find our room wasn't cleaned yet. Housekeeping knocked on the door at 3:40 and her response was I needed to request early cleaning. That was our last straw. We went through the hassle of re-packing and moving to the Wilderness Lodge. When I walked through the lobby doors at the WL I felt that feeling of excitement that you should feel when checking in at a Disney resort. I know many people love the Poly but I'm not one of them. I was very disappointed and it really put a damper on our Disney vacation. We just didn't feel like we were taken care of in the manner we should have been for the price.

 

[Trekker]

I'm sorry you did not like the Poly!

That is why Disney has so many different style resorts - something for everyone! We are going to have our first stay at WL in Oct....

 

[kentear]

Wait...your day at the Poly was so bad, you checked out and moved to Wilderness Lodge? For real?

 

[simonkodousek]

Wow, I'm sorry you had such a bad stay!

 

[goofygrl4]

That doesn't sound like a good time, and Im sorry you had to go through that. I have never had a problem staying there. I will give you the problem with the bathrooms, you would think they would have a fan in them it would save them a lot on fixing things like peeling wall paper and so on and it's just common sence. Any way as for the luggage im going to assume they were busy with a lot of check-ins. They have a lot of luggage to deliver and im sure human error come's into play more than we would like on our magical vacation. There are two pools that is why they are both on the smaller side, one is more the quite pool with no water slide or anything like that just small and round, for people to sit and relax, the whole pool is surrounded with lounge chairs, the other pool has table surrounding it with lounge chairs on the beach. I am a Poly girl so im going to say im supprised to hear someone didn't like it, but this is why there are so many resorts, people can find what they like and stick with it. I've been staying at the Poly for so long that we actually know managment that checks us in and always arranges our vacations for us! We stay in the same room everytime with a great view and so on!

Hopefully your not turned off to DIseny because if this experience and hope in the future you have a better time!

 

[cara loves the poly]

I think you should never go into a Disney resort expecting to be "blown away", the only way to go is down from there! The luxury resorts are not truely "luxury". You are paying for the beautiful view from the Poly. People need to realize that going into it. However, you should expect great customer service, there is NO excuse when that falls short!

 

[DisneyBride'03]

Sorry you did not enjoy your stay! I have read issues regarding luggage at other resorts as well. Unfortunately, this happened to you. I wouldnt have been crazy abt going out to dinner in my travel clothes either, at least you didnt have ressies at California Grill!
I have read worse experiences...sorry this put a damper on your trip.
Did you try talking with management before you headed over to WL? I think they would have made some attempts to make you happy.

 

[crazy_for_the_dis]

PrincessK, I felt the same way you did, except I discovered the WL the trip after we stayed at the Poly, so I didn't have enough sense to check-out. But, for the price, I felt ripped off at the Poly. If it did not cost so much, maybe I would not have expected as much (and at the time I was getting the pay for 4 get 7 deal they had a few years back, I couldn't imagine paying rack). Regardless, my expectations were high, and I was let down. At the WL, I felt relaxed and just, satisfied for some reason. I agree with the other posters, I guess that is why Disney offers such different choices when it comes to resorts, so everyone can find the one or ones that suit them best.

 

[CoolPool]

The luggage and housekeeping problems have pretty much been shown to be a Disney-wide situation and not Poly-specific. Smelly elevators are disgusting -hopefully you mentioned something to management on your way out the door. Tho just the words on your post "I was expecting to be overly impressed" sounds a bit like you were setting yourself up particularly since you had WL in mind as the standard and were disappointed that the Poly wasn't the same. I'm glad you were able to switch to your preferred resort in the end.

 

[tinklvr64]

PrincessK we had the same experience about 6 yrs ago when we stayed at the Poly. I was sooo excited to stay at a resort on the monorail--many things happened during our stay some Poly's fault (faucet broken in the bathroom, gas smell from torches into our room) and some not (kids running down the hallway knocking on our door, the connecting room next to us trying to get into our room, very creepy man hitting on my college age daughter at the pool with me sitting right there!)~my husband was so mad we went down to the desk at 11pm and requested a move to another resort~ they were very accomodating even willing to put us in concierge but husband had had his fill of the resort, we moved to GF with no problem and they were very apologetic I think that has left us with a bad taste in our mouths for the Poly resort~maybe someday we will revisit

 

[Dchef]

Thats interesting because before I booked our up and coming DEC trip, I agonized over the resorts and really thought I wanted to try another one. Poly was at the very top along with Contemporary. In the end we ended up with resy's at the WL. Because our trip was so fantastic last time and this time it would be Christmas...I didn't want to take the chance. I could be let down this time at the WL, but I just don't think so--I LOVE it there. I will get my Poly fix when dinner comes I guess. I think next time we will try the Contemporary.Sorry you had a bad stay but glad you made it better.

 

[disneyfan67]

I think you should never go into a Disney resort expecting to be "blown away", the only way to go is down from there! The luxury resorts are not truly "luxury". You are paying for the beautiful view from the Poly. People need to realize that going into it. However, you should expect great customer service, there is NO excuse when that falls short!

I agree. A lot of people make the mistake of thinking the high price tag of some WDW resorts, means luxury and white glove service. Sadly it's not the case and Disney doesn't seem to help the matters at times. When you stay at a resort like the Polynesian, you're paying for few things.

The proximity to MK and that Million dollar view.

Transportation options, mainly being a Monorail resort and minutes away from MK or the TTC.

The name itself and the aura and allure of staying at a original, classic WDW resort. Some people get disappointed when they read all the build up by the many fans of the resort. It seems the Polynesian has quite the fan base, me included.

The Polynesian is pretty famous and when ever I tell people we're staying there, those who know about it, always make some type of remark. Usually the price and reputation are mentioned.

I do feel it's overpriced and that leaves a bad taste in some mouths.

Good thing Disney has many resorts to choose from, so there's a chance to please everyone. There's some great off site resorts as well. I've gotten Email deals from the Ritz Carlton in Orlando for rooms as low as 178 a night with my AAA discount. The Ritz is a true 4 star hotel, IMO and one day I might try it out, at that price.

 

[pepe of ohio]

I feel the same way as most of these posts.............way to high priced for the same as any deluxe. We've stayed at the Poly, regular and conceirge and its really not worth the extra. Great location, nice view but thats alot of money for that, how much do you look out the window? We used to always stay CR until their price started to go over the top. We're confirmed WL believers, good rates for a fantastically themed resort. Still in the MK loop, boat to MK, CR and FW. We like being on the lakes and for the price we feel we're getting the best of both worlds. Only way we wqould consider the Poly again, would be a super discount or code, and as for conceirge, our feelings are no resort on property is worth what the ask for their service anymore. In the past it was a great treat to stay conceirge and worth the money but in the past years, service has gone down, offering too and the price has gone up.

 

[JPN4265]

I know many people love the Poly but I just wanted to give my opinion and another point of view. I was very excited to finally be staying here in June. I've stayed at Port Orleans Riverside, Wilderness Lodge and the Beach Club. I was expecting to be overly impressed after reading all I could find on these boards. I'm sorry but I wasn't. We checked in at 10:00am and were told we could get a Rapi Nui room then or wait for Tokelau which would be ready by 3:00. We decided to wait. Our room was ready at 3:00, our luggage however got delivered to the wrong room. We had to leave by 3:30 to get to the Hoop Dee Doo by 5:00, we never saw our luggage and so had to go to dinner in our travel clothes. We came back after 10:00 and our suitcases had arrived. The room is big and the beds are comfy I'll give it that, but for the price you pay to stay there it's NOT worth it. The elevators are old and smell, the bathrooms don't have fans, the sink area is in the bathroom so no getting ready while someone showers, and the air conditioners shut off when you open the sliding doors and sound like freight trains when they're on. Also the pool is small for the resort size and has more tables with umbrellas than lounge chairs. Our last straw was coming back to the room at 3:30 for a nap only to find our room wasn't cleaned yet. Housekeeping knocked on the door at 3:40 and her response was I needed to request early cleaning. That was our last straw. We went through the hassle of re-packing and moving to the Wilderness Lodge. When I walked through the lobby doors at the WL I felt that feeling of excitement that you should feel when checking in at a Disney resort. I know many people love the Poly but I'm not one of them. I was very disappointed and it really put a damper on our Disney vacation. We just didn't feel like we were taken care of in the manner we should have been for the price.

Another vote against the POLY. We found it to be not what it was advertised. So back to the WL and GF for us.

 

[mport]

We too got he same feeling when we stayed several years back. However we didn't move. The hotel is old and it feels it! I know I will get spanked by people who love the resorts but it does not compare to the newer resorts!

 

[eliza61]

big and the beds are comfy I'll give it that, but for the price you pay to stay there it's NOT worth it.

Sorry you did not enjoy your stay at the poly. Worth is very subjective, I've always had excellent experiences with the deluxes. but that's the great thing about Disney, one mans pain is anothers pleasure. Glad the rest of your stay was good.

 

[tnkrbell]

Like someone else posted That is why Disney has so many types and themes to their resorts!!!
We did not like the Poly either, we checked out and went to the Yacht. We also prefer the newer resorts. (this was about 5 years ago)

 

[CTDis4]

I have always felt there is a resort for everyone's taste. That being said...we felt the same way about the WL that the OP felt about the Poly....room was dirty, bedspread sticky...litter in the hallways..we sent packages back to our room and were told to pick them up at the lobby store and when we went down to get them..the first time I was told they were too busy to look for them, the second they couldn't find them - third time got them. We have stayed at the Poly, WL, AKL, POR, PORFQ and then we found the CSR and love it!!!! Go figure!!! Hubby and kids are at OKW (I don't do Disney in the Summer) right now and will be moving to the Poly after 6 nights. A last trip for for awhile with our son....growing up and entering college...the Poly was the first resort we ever stayed at...it's been a while since we stayed there. I'm interested in how they view it. To everyone...where ever you stay have a great trip!

 

[alldiz]

Sorry your trip wasn't magical at the poly......

I am dyin to try the poly though......I have
to check it off the list

I do think the price is ridiculous....no hot tub....no
guaranteed balcony....PLEEESE...

I also love WL.....so much I bought DVC.....
glad you were able to salvage your trip.....

Did you get a credit for the price difference of WL to the POLY
Kerri

 

[square pond]

We also felt very disappointed in the poly when we stayed. We had visted the poly on our honeymoon to attend the dinner show and sat on the beach. The view was so beautiful we decided we would stay there someday. Many years later after reading so much about the poly from all the fans on the boards we booked. But the resort just has a worn out feel to me. I agree the beach and views are great but if you can only afford a standard view here it just isn't worth it in my opinion. We did not switch either because we had a split stay bboked and moved to the YC after 4 days. All I can say is WOW! We wished we had booked our whole trip at the YC. The following year we stayed at WL and were also blown away. For the price of WL it is definatley worth it. This year we will try the BWI. I hope we love it like we loved YC and WL!