Disappointed with the Poly

[CarolA]

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.

Well, here's the deal. For what you PAY at the Poly why should you accept the "luggage and housekeeping" standards. If Disney wants to charge "Luxury" rates then we need to hold them to the standard. My standard for the Mods/Values is LESS then my standard for the "deluxes" I am not a fan of the "it's Disney so expect less" view that is predominate on this board.

(That said I don't think a 3:40 cleaning is unreasonable at any hotel)

Disney does not measure up in the folllowing areas

1. Service. It's nice but not great. Go check in at a true luxury resort. BIG difference right there and it continues. Valet is not a half hour wait, turn down is not "request" etc.

2. Amenenties. Sleep at the Swan/Dolphin one night. Notice the quality of the bed linens. Look at the quality of the bed lines at Disney. Disney loses....


The Poly has some other issues. One it's not a TRUE interior access hotel. Those "outbuildings" disqualify it (and they aren't very secure) IT's OLD! Disney has done some updating but as the OP pointed out, the bathrooms etc aren't up to standard, that requires a compete RIP OUT! Things like no hot tub etc. really hurt it's "rating"


The "exclusivity" argument MIGHT be something Disney does NOT want to control but EVERYTHING else required to get a great rating is within thier control They have chosen NOT to meet the standard because we keep paying the prices they want for thier substandard service/quality.
IMHO I won't pay "deluxe" prices. The location of the mods/values is almost as good for a much more reasonable price.

(And why do we give Disney a "pass" on hotels? Would we be OK with the MK being the same as Six Flags? Why can we expect MORE there, but LESS in the hotel area??? Wasn't Walt's whole model about providing BETTER QUALITY? How come WWWD is fine when it's a change to the park, but the hotels can be "so so"?)

 

[Mary2e]

I just returned from the Poly and also stayed in Tokelau (I requested it) on the 1st floor for a week. We were in a garden view room (pool) as that was all that was available when we made the reservation.

I have been there many many times, most often in either lagoon view or LVC.

I had no issues with the room. It was well maintained and cleaned at a reasonable hour each day.

We love the hotel, but quite honestly, we chose it because of the location. We were on the premium package and knew that to get the best value we would need to be able to move around quickly and easily and the Poly provides that.

When we go in the fall/spring, we stay at an EC resort because of the ease of getting to EC, since it's often the only park open that late at night.

However, we have been staying at the Hyatt Grand Cypress the most in the past couple of years. The service is outstanding, and I have status with them and always get upgraded to their concierge.

The service at all disney hotels is not that great for the price paid. It's always been that way.

For example, after a few times, the staff at the Hyatt knows who we are and welcomes us back. Heck, the guard at the entrance gate tells the bellmen we're on our way up. We get greeted by name. There's even a bellman who hugs me everytime we return to the hotel and welcomes me back.

There's no request that's not taken care of immediately. The rooms are nicer. The resort is almost as pretty as the Poly. THE PRICES ARE LESS.

Granted, we lose access and it's not the same disney ambiance. BUT, would you rather pay around $200-$300 per night for a true resort experience and go several times a year or spend $400 per night for mediocre service and go once?

The Poly is the Poly and Disney resorts are Disney resorts... I've finally learned when to stay at a Disney resort and when not to for my convenience. The old days of automatically staying at a Disney resort are over - mostly because they have raised their rates to obscene levels for the services provided.

 

[Lewisc]

The Disney resorts, including the GF, don't even earn a 4 star rating from the real rating services. Staff to guest ratio is a factor. Not enough staff means rooms don't get cleaned until after 3p.

Disney would have you believe exclusive guest access is an issue but non-guests are allowed to dine in the restaurants in 5 star hotels. Disney might have to actually prevent pool crashing if they want a higher rating.

The real reason is Disney found they could charge deluxe prices without having the expenses associated with a 4 or 5 star hotel.

I wound up staying at the POP last October. The level of service was superior to what I ever received in any deluxe Disney hotel.

I didn't read every post in this thread but POLY offers great view of the castle. Unlike the GF and Contemporary there is very little convention or group bookings. That's why Disney is able to charge what they charge.

Actually, the reason Disney resorts won't get a 5 star rating is because a 5 star hotel requires certain elements and intangibles that Disney can't provide. I believe one of them is exclusive guest access to the resort amenities.

I'm not saying service is not a key element because I'm sure it is. It's just there's more to a 5 star rating than cleanliness of the resort and service.

 

[CarolA]

Actually in response to ANOTHER thread on this same topic I just went to the Mobil Travel Guide website.

Mobil's standard for four stars....

Mobil Four-Star Hotels: Outstanding establishment in a distinctive setting with expanded amenities and exceptional service to create a luxury experience. Services may include, but are not limited to, automatic turndown service, valet parking and 24-hour room service. The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, Mandarin Oriental Miami and Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas are prominent names in the Mobil Four-Star category, known for personalized service and hospitality, in addition to luxurious accommodations.

Now lets see:

Automatic turndown .. NO
Personalized Service..... I don't think so
Luxurious Accomdations..... 40 year old bathrooms pretty much count you out there

Notice that NO WHERE on there does it say "exclusive" access. That may be a criteria, but it's not where Disney is really hurting.

And here is a description of the check in process at a Four Star in Orlando (Ritz)
Consistent with the type of greeting I have received at other Ritz-Carlton hotels, both the doorman and valet who led me into the lobby immediately welcomed me. Baggage assistance was also flawless and my luggage was efficiently whisked away to my room. While I was waiting at the registration desk, a staff member offered me a glass of lemonade, a most refreshing gesture given the heat in Orlando. I also received a personalized note upon check-in that made me feel special and that my arrival had been anticipated.


(Has that happened to anyone at Disney NOT staying concerige??? Doubt it!)

 

[Mary2e]

I believe another criteria is 24 hour room service.

The Poly's room service closes at midnight.

 

[Chloe'sMom]

I'm sorry you didn't like the resort and that you were able to transfer somewhere where you were happier. The Polynesian was the first resort that we ever stayed in, so it will always hold a special place in my heart as our honeymoon resort. But I also only spent $90.00 per night there. We were originally slotted to stay at CBR, but they closed it for refurb 2 weeks before the wedding. The Disney CM took pity on me and upgraded me to the Poly for the same price as CBR since it was our honeymoon.

There are things I love about the Poly. I love the resturants, I love the location, It was fun being on the monorail and catching a boat over to MK. I like watching the fireworks from the beach and the electric water pagent.

That all being said - I would never stay there for more then $100.00 per night. In truth I can enjoy the resturants w/o staying there, and I have rented mouseboats from there to enjoy the lake as well. I can easily go to the beach to watch fireworks and the water pagent.

I think for the prices they charge - you truly don't get much. Not hot tub, no jacuzzi tub, the size of the rooms are very adequate, and the style much better since the refurbishment. But I don't need to look out my window every second and see the castle.

Of course - view means little to me. I've stayed at AKL with a standard view and enjoyed every second.

So don't feel bad for not liking the Poly. Different strokes for different folks.

~Amanda

 

[goofy*gurl]

This is an interesting discussion.

I "get" the whole location, location, location thing with the Poly. The same could be said for hotels in Manhattan. But you can get a lot of luxury in a prime location for $400 a night in NYC.

I do some traveling for my job and even if I'm staying at a $79/night room at big hotel chain, I don't appreciate old smelly elevators and small run down bathrooms. I tolerate them because I have to when I'm on the road. But I certainly wouldn't expect to find that if I'm paying $400+ a night for a room.

All that being said, I will go to the Poly next spring with an open mind. It looks like a beautiful resort and our family of 5 needs the extra space. I'm looking forward to being on the monorail (we've never been to Epcot!). If we're let down a little by the "deluxe" accommodations then we'll live with it. It's not like I haven't been warned and it certainly wouldn't be the end of the world. I'm just looking forward to another Disney World vacation with my family.

 

[CoolPool]

Quote
The Poly has some other issues. One it's not a TRUE interior access hotel. Those "outbuildings" disqualify it (and they aren't very secure)
UnQuote
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/lemeridien/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1905
http://www.boraboralagoon.com/web/obor/obor_a1a_splash.jsp

Then I suppose these places aren't very secure either. And EGADS people have to walk from their bungalow all the way to the lobby and restaurants in the WEATHER on a narrow walkway not approved by US Federal Standards. The Poly was built to resemble traditional longhouses as found in Polynesia and other parts of tropical Asia. Actually in much of the area communal longhouses are more the norm than bungalows but you get the picture. Unbeatable views off these bungalows though. Have you ever stayed in a hotel like this? Its amazing. I highly recommend it.

Disney is selling access and location to THEME PARKS. They can get these rates and they will continue to get these rates. Stop hurting yourselves.

 

[Disneylvr]

It has been 10 years ago (almost) but we too were disappointed with the Poly in some ways. Our room was filthy upon arrivial including spiderwebs with huge spiders sitting in them, several burnt out lightbulbs..... It took serveral phone calls and several house to get our room cleaned and lightbulbs replaced.

Last year we stayed at the Contemporary but watched the water pageant from the Poly beach after a dinner at the Kona Cafe. It made me long to stay there again as the grounds are so beautiful and peaceful. It was a disappointment to have to go back to the Contemporary. So next year we are going to give the Polynesian another chance if we can save enough $$$ to do so.

 

[madcat]

I love going to Disney, I do not love the aspect of paying so much for okay rooms and service. And yes it can be said that you are staying ON property and that is what you are paying for but some of those resorts are still 10 min rides by bus or car. when you pay top dollar (and really it dosent matter if you are staying at one of the values or deluxe resorts you ARE paying top dollar) then unquestionable service and quite frankley ammenities should be expected. You should get top notch service. when a family of 4 staying at a "value" resort during "value" season costs upwards of 2,131.00 (that is with the dining plan 6/nights 7 days 4 day park hopper NOT a preferred room location) than excellent service and ammenities are what you should get. I myself am "two-sided" on this. I have only stayed at POFQ, and I love that resort but anywhere else I stay when I am not going to disney, I almost refuse to stay at a hotel where the doors to the rooms are on the outside, but I dont mind doing it there for some reason. We thought about staying at the Poly on our next trip, but that was more for the location. After thinking it through though it makes no sense to pay that much just for the location. We will be trying the WL lodge though.

 

[DisneyBride'03]

Again..... has the OP returned to this thread?

 

[hmp2z]

(That said I don't think a 3:40 cleaning is unreasonable at any hotel)

I think a 3:40 cleaning is not only unreasonable, but ridiculous! Why do people choose to pay premium prices to stay at monorail resorts? So that they can return to their rooms after lunch for a rest & to escape the heat. If they only came back to their rooms after dinner & they were done for the day, then they would be staying at the Ritz Carlton for 2/3 the price of the WDW deluxes.

I fully expect my room to be cleaned when I return from lunch. If Disney can't hire enough Mousekeepers, or can't contract out enough Mousekeepers, then they need to suck it up and raise salaries.

Nothing gets you down like paying $300-500/night for your hotel room and then returning for a rest only to find a messy, unmade room. Blech...

I don't see why Disney can't have standards at least as high as those of a Quality Inn. But then again, I'm not one to throw money at a location that couldn't care less whether they got my business or not. If I don't see the service, then I'm gone.

Cheers!
Heather W

 

[hmp2z]

I also received a personalized note upon check-in that made me feel special and that my arrival had been anticipated.

(Has that happened to anyone at Disney NOT staying concerige??? Doubt it!)

That hasn't ever happened to us, and we stay concierge 90% of the time!

Cheers!
Heather W

 

[eliza61]

I agree with the comments about the level of service but what I don't agree with is the price. Disney does not charge 4 star prices. My upcoming trip in november, we checked out the 4 stars in Orlando

Ritz carlton grand cypress $459.00-$1499.00 per night
The Peabody orlando. A value rate is $479.00
4 Seasons Atlanta (I was just there for a wedding 6/1) was $389.00 a night with the bridal party discount.

I find this to be the case when I travel to most major cities (except Miami). 4 & 5 stars you do get the perks but I can't think of one that I've stayed at recently that is 239.00 a night.

 

[Lewisc]

Rack rate at the POLY
MK View $455-670
concierge GV 465-690

Ritz Carlton-Grand Lakes frequently has rooms available $200-$250.

Disney is able to charge rates that are a lot closer to what 4 star charge then to 3 star.

I agree with the comments about the level of service but what I don't agree with is the price. Disney does not charge 4 star prices. My upcoming trip in november, we checked out the 4 stars in Orlando

Ritz carlton grand cypress $459.00-$1499.00 per night
The Peabody orlando. A value rate is $479.00
4 Seasons Atlanta (I was just there for a wedding 6/1) was $389.00 a night with the bridal party discount.

I find this to be the case when I travel to most major cities (except Miami). 4 & 5 stars you do get the perks but I can't think of one that I've stayed at recently that is 239.00 a night.

 

[tigger536]

Our last stay at the Poly we were checked in by the CM from he** (won't go into details but he was awful - really rude). And our room wasn't cleaned for two days during our stay. We we called to complain the explanation was the housekeeping was "busy and short staffed". Um, what? Not acceptable. It was our last stay there, we tried other resorts after that.

 

[eliza61]

who pays rack rate?

 

[trtrans]

We just returned from the Poly only two weeks ago and I have to say we had a wonderful time with no complaints about the service. We were in the King Club Hawaii Bldg and when we arrived the bellmen were really busy and I guess they are suppose to get you to the bldg right away but it did take about 20 minutes and they were just apologizing for that and giving our kids gifts for the wait. That did not wreck our vacation at all we just went on about our day no big deal.
We did come back to our rooms usually after lunch for the kids to get a break from the heat and swim a little to relax and had no problems with the rooms being cleaned by 1:00, I could not tell you what time they cleaned because we usually left pretty early. Our room was at the end of the bldg on the 3rd floor we were actually the last room before exiting and had no problems.
I found the staff to be quite friendly and very good with the kids.
I loved the location with being close to mk and having the monorail and being clsoe to the ttc for epcot it was a great benefit I thought. We did all the parks and used the bus transportation for the other parks and I believe only had to wait maybe 20 minutes once for a bus to animal Kingdom. At the end of the day the buses were quite full but I found that many adults would give up their seats for kids and older people which I found really respectful and kind.
The air in the Hawaii bldg was central air and we never had a problem with the noise. I believe at most hotels and even cruises when you open your balcony door and leave it open the air shuts off. I don't think that is a bad thing though.
We did have the turn down treatment but I can not tell you what time that they came because we were never around until usually late. But that was a special treat to come back and have a chocolate on your pillow waiting for you.

I guess that you would just have to know your own taste and know what kind of place you would like to know if it's worth it for you to stay at any hotel. When I read some of the reviews I just read them and decided for myself if it was best for my family or if it's something that would bother us?

I'm glad that the op did move to another hotel if that suits them better, but you souldn't let any other complaints sway you from something that could happen at any other place also.

Sorry for being way too long just rattling I guess!

Dawn

 

[Cool-Beans]

And why do we give Disney a "pass" on hotels? Would we be OK with the MK being the same as Six Flags? Why can we expect MORE there, but LESS in the hotel area??? Wasn't Walt's whole model about providing BETTER QUALITY? How come WWWD is fine when it's a change to the park, but the hotels can be "so so"?

This is a really good question, IMO. One I keep mulling over in my head.

Location and theme for me. The rest of the advantages (for me), have been un-done. Mickey wake-up is now Stitch. Ick. The adorable old Mickey soaps have been switched for bathetic replacements. There are fewer morning EMHs and I can't use them if I'm at Wishes/Illuminations the evening prior to the EMH...so that isn't much of a perk anymore. And the staff member who trumps what you'd find offsite is now more a serendipitous strike than a dependable element in the hotel.

It's great being close to the parks, saves precious park time...and some of the views are extraordinary. The little themed touches (especially in AKL, but in all of them, really) lift my spirits a little. Can I live without this stuff to save a pile of dough?????

And I've always stayed in WDW hotels, so I'd have to learn the area a little bit better. A little scary, but a little adventurous. Besides, I'm good with a map and if all else fails, my phone has that GPS thing that finds things for you and directs you to where you need to be.

I still stay with Disney, but each trip I feel the offsite pull more and more. Each trip I give it more consideration and do more offsite hotel research.

Last few trips, I made up my mind to stay offsite, but didn't. One of these days, I'm sure I will.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Our last stay at the Poly we were checked in by the CM from he** (won't go into details but he was awful - really rude).

The loooong time it takes to check in is my #1 complaint with the Disney hotels. Directly attributable to having inept desk clerks and not enough of them.

It just isn't that hard to hire desk clerks and train them, for Pete's sake.

(My #2 complaint is all the crap left over from previous guests that I find in my rooms.)