Disappointed with the Poly

[CoolPool]

Will do. Fully intend to Lava Flow, Lapu Lapu, Pina Colada, and Glowtini my way to the hilt. Cheers mate.

 

[SeaSpray]

Will do. Fully intend to Lava Flow, Lapu Lapu, Pina Colada, and Glowtini my way to the hilt. Cheers mate.

I just noticed your countdown clock...I'll see you there!

 

[DisneyBride'03]

its soooo easy to get Poly fever.....you dont catch it unless you have stayed...

 

[deedeetoo]

We have never stayed at the Poly but we have visited, the last time being last week when we ate at Ohana and then spent some time walking around after dinner. I've got to say that I have no desire to stay there. The main building seems dated and very busy. So busy that I couldn't wait to get back to the WL. I think its different strokes for different folks. While the monorail would be nice, I can't imagine staying there.

 

[DeeCeeSW]

The main building seems dated and very busy. So busy that I couldn't wait to get back to the WL.

The building seems dated because it is. It is one of the first of two resorts built on Disney property. The lobby has gone through several changes and I think it has a 2007 vibe to it now with the renovations. Every time I have been at the WL, the lobby has been PACKED with people. That lobby is ALWAYS busy. The WL lobby is larger (it APPEARS to be) so perhaps you don't "feel" it as much, but I see no difference between the Poly & WL in this respect.

 

[goofy*gurl]

I agree. I just think that if people think that Disney is out to rip them off at the Poly then they shouldn't stay there. Simple. So easy. Ignore the 999 threads that are positive and only look at this one because it confirms your inner fears of vacation "ruined".

Coolpool, I think you hit the nail on the head. I think that's what this thread all boils down to. People are so afraid of having their vacation ruined. Let's face it, all of us are here because we're just a little bit neurotic when it comes to planning our vacations. (and I mean that in the best possible way! LOL People who are that meticulous about planning do not want anything to go wrong on vacation. I'm not saying that anybody ever does, of course, but for those of us who obsess about vacation details (from the best rates to the best dates, to what to pack, where to dine and where to stay) we REALLY don't want something to ruin the plan because that means we somehow failed in making the right choice. All of that is a bunch of hooey, I agree, because life isn't perfect, so we shouldn't always expect our vacations to be perfect. Sure, perfection is something we hope for and yes, plan for - (that's why we're all here!), but it's an unrealistic expectation.

I was one of those posters who was second guessing her decision to stay at the Poly after reading some of these negative comments on this thread, but like Coolpool said, I also listened to the 999 positive comments about the Poly and I chose to keep my reservation and go to the resort with an open mind, knowing full well that some people will ALWAYS complain and other people just have different tastes, expectations, and experiences.

For those of you who are in a panic about your reservations, you have to remember that for a lot of people, Walt Disney World is not the ideal vacation and they would never waste their money going there. Gasp! I certainly wouldn't be swayed by their opinions and change my vacation destination because WDW is not *their* cup of tea.

I'm all for branching out and trying new experiences. What if a family only went to the Magic Kingdom each time they visited WDW because they had a great time there during their first visit? It would be a shame if they were too afraid to visit MGM, AK or Epcot. Look at what they'd miss? That's not to say MK can't always be their favorite, but I think life is too short not to try new experiences.
peace, love, and mouse ears

 

[CarolA]

After reading this thread, my wife and I are a bit weary about staying at the Poly. We loved the Contemporary but wanted to try something knew. We'll be at the Poly august 6th-10th. If anyone staying at the CR during that time-frame wishes to switch ressies, please let me know. The CR has always treated it well. As the old saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

I wouldn't change because of this thread. If you have been satisified with the CR then the Poly will probably be fine. The "problems" are there at both of them (The "problems" are that Disney does not truly run "deluxe" hotels That bothers some of us, but if it doesn't you then you will be fine at the Poly too!)

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

I've been laughing my way through this thread mainly because as someone who has gone to Disney since she was 1 year old, I've always known how overpriced the hotels are and that you pay for 'location' first, and service second. With that said, the Poly has been my favorite hotel and the only Disney hotel I wanted to stay in since I could fully remember my Disney trips. We always stayed off-site and my dream was to stay at the Poly as often as I could. That dream came true last December and when finances dictate I can't stay there, I still visit and eat there. I consider myself very fortunate that I can make a return visit there in August with my DD, my nephews and my godsister so they can experience the same magic that took me almost 30+ years to get to experience.

Now if I'd gone from the Unofficial Guide's intelligence on their review of the Poly, I would have stayed in a different hotel but no, it was the Poly for me and I'm so glad I did. I had a wonderful stay! Was it perfect, no but perfection is a pretty tall order. I've had overpriced hotels in London with a cracked sink and 'turbo toilet' and in LA with mold in the corner. I do *not* excuse bad service but I do not let it ruin my vacation. I solve problems for a living so if I'm on vacation and you're at least *trying* to solve my problem, I'm happy. But if I have to solve it entirely for you, your manager gets spoken to in person, someone high up gets a letter from me when I arrive home, and I go back to making my own fun on vacation.

So to echo what other people have said here, go and make up your own mind. If the Poly is what you truly want, go for it. If not, Disney has plenty of other hotels to choose from.

And on another note:

Will do. Fully intend to Lava Flow, Lapu Lapu, Pina Colada, and Glowtini my way to the hilt. Cheers mate.

Glowtini's ROCK! I don't know if I had more fun drinking the drink or playing with the glow cube and its multiple settings.

I'm so looking forward to having a Lapu Lapu in a few weeks. Enjoy the Poly!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

I've loved the Poly since the 1st time we stayed there in 1981 for $79 a night inc tx Those were the days when Disney was known for outstanding guest service i.e. we received a large beautiful basket of goodies the day after check-in because after a room change a CM put us in the same room! LOL That would probably not happen today....

WDW is now huge, with so many resorts I think they've sort of out grown what never was their top priority - the hotel hospitality industry. They were known for an incredible theme park family experience, immaculate, reasonable prices, guest service - we used to return to WDW because was less expensive than any other vacation including the cost of food! Thise were the day! LOL

Anyway, way back then the Poly and GF did have some nice ratings, even from Mobile, but it is sad now to see the changes. we even noticed the difference the first time we stayed at CBR the year it opened.

We still stay at Disney Resorts - all levels and accept that change was inevitable after opening so many resorts. Where to find CM's with enough experience....Disney does not even train new CM's the way we were trained. Maybe they bit off more than was wise, but that's water under the bridge.

One star or none, we still enjoy our visits and prefer a Disney resort. Poly does still have a Mobile 3 star rating which is not bad at all!

Interesting,and sad,that not one Disney Resort shows up on the following list:

Mobil-Rated Three Star Hotels in Orlando, Florida

Best Family Hotels in Orlando, Florida
These hotels in Orlando cater to family travelers. Special services and amenities may include milk and cookies turndown service, special kids` menus, and kid-friendly games and activities.
• Wyndham Orlando Resort
• Royal Pacific Resort
• Doubletree Castle Hotel-Orlando
Best Hotels for Romantic Getaways in Orlando, Florida
Celebrating an anniversary or honeymoon? These hotels, inns and bed and breakfasts in Orlando are especially well-suited to travelers seeking a special romantic touch.
• The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes
• The Westin Grand Bohemian, Orlando
• Portofino Bay Hotel
Best Hotels for Singles and Friend Trips in Orlando, Florida
Pick the best hotel, resort or inn for your girlfriend's weekend or golf outing with the guys. Mobil Travel Guide recommends the following hotels, resorts or inns inOrlando for friends and solo travelers.
• Hard Rock Hotel
• Royal Pacific Resort

 

[chamonix]

Seaspray and Coolpool, looks like I'll be seeing you at the Poly next week!

We'll be there July 27-Aug 3rd. We've never been in the summer, I am so excited. Can't wait to meet everyone at our gathering.

Anyone else joining us? I'm already wearing my orange bracelet.

 

[CoolPool]

Only The Ritz and the Peabody received 4 stars from Mobil. Both are in Orlando. (Maybe some of you go to visit Orlando? I don't.) The Mobil website breaks out Lake Buena Vista separately from Orlando. Disney hotels are listed in LBV only.

Chamonix: aloha!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Only The Ritz and the Peabody received 4 stars from Mobil. Both are in Orlando. (Maybe some of you go to visit Orlando? I don't.) The Mobil website breaks out Lake Buena Vista separately from Orlando. Disney hotels are listed in LBV only.

Chamonix: aloha!

I did check LBV as well and Mobile on line lists as "Orlando area" so Disney resorts would be included. Victoria and Alberts is listed that way and has a 4 star rating.

My point was that,sadly, no Disney resorts are included as the Best Family Resorts in the Orlando area.

 

[CoolPool]

Many of them got three stars - same as the Royal Pacific and Marriotts and Hyatts in the area so I'm not sure what you are saying. No, Disney hotels are not the Ritz or the Peabody; they are theme park hotels.

I mean, I do look forward to seeing what the 4 season does onsite. I think that could solve a lot of problems for Disney if they (meaning both Disney and the 4 seasons working together) get it right.

 

[freediverdude]

Just a comment: It really surprises me that people are surprised by the fact that they are paying $400 a night to be in a hotel that is smack dab right next to the highest-attended theme park in the entire world, with monorail service right to the theme park turnstyles. I think we kind of need to step back here, and realize that Disney World is a world destination, with the prices of course to match. Now that being said, Disney hopefully strives for cleanliness and decent service. But with that high an occupancy, and that many people simply coming through to look and shop and eat, etc., it's just not going to be the experience of a Ritz-Carlton or Four Seasons. It's the location that is making those prices.

 

[Cool-Beans]

The "problems" are that Disney does not truly run "deluxe" hotels

Exactly. If you are staying on Disney property, you won't do a whole lot better than the Poly. It just isn't the Utopian kind of place that some people on the DIS tend to make it out to be.

If you want a pretty, polynesian-themed hotel on the monorail, you'll be pleased as punch. If you have it built up in your head as the be-all, end-all perfect hotel or expect the kind of service you'd get in most places that are comparably priced, you could be very disappointed.

 

[Cool-Beans]

But with that high an occupancy, and that many people simply coming through to look and shop and eat, etc., it's just not going to be the experience of a Ritz-Carlton or Four Seasons.

But there's no reason it couldn't be. That's the lament.

 

[pixdust]

How I enjoy reading about the Poly. I would love to stay there. I have "visited" it only and thought it was so incredibly awesome and partly because it was dated. It was like a giant Tiki God for me. My son and I thought it was cool. If I ever get a chance to stay there...
On both occassions I have stayed on property, I thought the service was fine, I would like to see lower price tags on the rooms, but I so think you get what you pay for just being on Disney property.