Does this sound like you? (a/k/a resort envy)...

[HeatherPage]

We (I) love the Polynesian but we'll have to save for a while to stay there (like over a year or two) but at any rate, does anyone have a favorite hotel that they may not be able to afford to stay there all the time but when you are in WDW staying at another hotel, seem to be hanging out at the favorite hotel all the time? (No I'm not talking pool hopping or anything like that). We always seem to make it over to 'Ohana for dinner and look around all the shops at the Poly and have even hopped over from the MK just to eat at Captain Cook's (decent enough food and not as hectic as a park restaurant). We just always seem to make an excuse to get over to the Poly several times during our trip and oh how I always look enviously at the people checking in at the Poly while were there. The Saturday before Easter we took a quick day trip over to the World and stopped at Captain Cook's for dinner. As my husband went back to get the car to pick us up, we hung out at the little kid's tv area for a few minutes. A mother and her two daughters were there watching tv and waiting for dad to check them in, we he finally came to get them he had all their lei's for them and was so excited as he took pictures of the little girls with their lei's on. I was so jealous - but very happy for them. Oh well, one day I'll get back there to stay

 

[disnutt]

I have resort envy for any on-site property this trip. We're staying offsite with free hotel points I got through work. Some family members will be staying at Pop Century and I'm envious!

I'm partial to AKL myself. I'm looking forward to Boma's for dinner during our trip.

 

[HeatherPage]

I'm right there with you as we are staying off property at Cypress Pointe for the first time (7 days in a 2 br condo will only be costing us about $250/week). It's only a mile from Downtown Disney and it's gotten some really great reviews though, so hopefully we'll be pleasantly surprised...but come next year, we'll be back on property
Have a great trip!!!

 

[magicmouse2]

My DH would not hang round other resorts but we spent an enjoyable evening at the Poly whilst staying at OKW. We had dinner at the Luau then did a bit of swimming in the volcano pool. As DVC members we were allowed to do that. I think the Poly is the only resort I would go to to mooch around a bit after a meal there, other than the AKL if we ate at Boma.

 

[HeatherPage]

Magicmouse, I use to own DVC (but sold due to various reasons - not one being that I didn't love staying at DVC resorts) however, we never got around to pool hopping, sure wish I had now. Oh well I'd like to get over to AKL too to eat at Boma's maybe for breakfast and check out the resort.

 

[Ergens2]

Yes, I always look longingly at GF but my DH just does not like this resort. He said he doesn't feel comfy enough there. Like he does at BW or WL. Oh well, I guess I am going to have to plan a trip with my mother since she is the only other person who would enjoy GF.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Oh yes, HeatherPage...I know exactly what you mean! I always feel like I am cheating on the WL if I even CONSIDER staying elsewhere.

I am glad, though, that the WL was booked last fall...we were "forced" to stay at AKL. We loved it! We presently have a ressie at OKW (rented points, so it is a good deal) but are on a wait list to hopefully get into BWV (we have never stayed at either resort) and I do not think we will go to the WL during our stay. It may be too painful!!!!

 

[HeatherPage]

Ergens2 - my husband says the same thing (plus that pesky little factor of it's just so darn expensive!).

Wildernesslodgelover, I feel your pain

 

[ChrisNif]

Wow,
I thought i was the only one...
It started one year i went for the xmas party but had 2 nights stay at ASMu a friend and i spent an entire day and a half hotel hopping, and i saw all but a few properties. I've been quite partial to the GF myself, and this december i took a trip with family and we hopped a bit (looking for the perfect honeymoon resort) and after seeing POFQ i will not stay anywhere else. It is just perfect in every way. BTW my least favorite resorts are the boardwalk area resorts, just too stuffy all in all.

-Chris

12 more days!

 

[TEK224]

(at least that's what my sisters tell me)

I don't think I could go to WDW anymore and stay off-site. I bought a timeshare in Orlando about 3 years ago, thinking I'd have a place to stay for my WDW trips. Before I closed, I had a trip and stayed on-site. That's it - I was captured. No off-site for me. Now I use my timeshare to trade to other places.
I love the Poly, but am also just as happy at the All-Stars. Anywhere on site is "magical" for me.

 

[Ilovestitch]

Last May we stayed at CBR (which I love) but we ate twice at the Polynesian-- I had resort envy!

When we were walking around the Polynesian, I said "now if we come back in value season and get the AP rate we could probably afford 4 nights...."

 

[Exp626]

wildernesslodgelover I know what you mean. When staying somewhere other than the WL we have to go over and have breakfast at the Whispering Canyon, at least once. Who knew at other restaraunts when you ask for ketchup they only bring you one bottle???

 

[RayJay]

We (I) love the Polynesian but we'll have to save for a while to stay there (like over a year or two) but at any rate, does anyone have a favorite hotel that they may not be able to afford to stay there all the time but when you are in WDW staying at another hotel, seem to be hanging out at the favorite hotel all the time? (No I'm not talking pool hopping or anything like that). We always seem to make it over to 'Ohana for dinner and look around all the shops at the Poly and have even hopped over from the MK just to eat at Captain Cook's (decent enough food and not as hectic as a park restaurant). We just always seem to make an excuse to get over to the Poly several times during our trip and oh how I always look enviously at the people checking in at the Poly while were there. The Saturday before Easter we took a quick day trip over to the World and stopped at Captain Cook's for dinner. As my husband went back to get the car to pick us up, we hung out at the little kid's tv area for a few minutes. A mother and her two daughters were there watching tv and waiting for dad to check them in, we he finally came to get them he had all their lei's for them and was so excited as he took pictures of the little girls with their lei's on. I was so jealous - but very happy for them. Oh well, one day I'll get back there to stay

Heather,

Great topic, you know last time we went to Disney I had the Poly at $250 a night for 10 nights, when we checked in we upgraded to Lagoon Concierge for another $1500, total for Poly was $4000 and then another $3000 on top of that for everything else (plane, tickets, etc...) .

Now, I'm very glad we did it, but that was $7000 dollars (for 10 days, Yikes), we are family of 4 with one income, some people can just afford it. That was a little much for me last time. Next time we are trying Pop and AKL for a balance.

Love the Poly but cost big bucks. I wonder how many people are just going on credit.

RayJay

 

[*Fantasia*]

I don't envy. I look at it this way... The children and I are just blessed to be able to go to Disney every year. I am just happy to be able to stay on property whether it be value or moderate or deluxe. So, no, it doesn't sound like me.

 

[Beca]

When I am not at the Beach Club, we make ANY and EVERY excuse to go hang out there (even if it is just to buy kleenex in the store). But, we don't have to try too hard...Beaches 'n Cream is enough of an excuse to go ANYTIME!!!

But, yes...I am VERY jealous of anyone who gets to stay there when I do not!!!



Beca

 

[Mermaid02]

Our second trip is Nov 30th thru Dec 7th this year and I have been trying to figure out WHERE to have dinner on my birthday. Then it struck me- I have always wanted to stay at The Poly, we've never stepped foot on property but from the pictures it sounds like heaven! So we're going to have my dinner at O'Hana's and hopefully get a view of Wishes from our table.

 

[mar2728]

Heatherpage~
Yes, I know how you feel. It has been 30 years since my husband and I first started going to Disneyworld and also first laid eyes on the Polynesian. From the very beginning my husband fell in love with that resort but the most we could ever do was gaze from afar. Two years ago, while staying at ASM, we got off the monorail at Poly and walked around. It almost made things worse because then you realized just how nice it actually was. We just never could figure out how people could afford it!
Well we are finally going to stay there next week! We will be at Disney for 10 days and we are managing to spend five of those days at the Poly.
The weird thing is that...because it is so expensive...I almost regret that we are staying there..I keep thinking of other ways we could have used that extra money. And because of that I plan on making sure we get the most out of the resort ...pool and water activities too!
I'll let ya know if I think it is truly worth it in the end!!!

 

[HeatherPage]

Great posts everyone! I said to my husband the other day, "You know we could just go stay at the Poly for our next vacation and not do the parks, that way we could save money from that part of the vacation." he said, "If I wanted to just stay at a hotel and not do anything I'd go stay up the road in (insert local town name here) for a lot less money." I was thinking, you neanderthal there's NOOO place like a Disney resort anywhere up the road except at Disney!

 

[Ergens2]

I know what you mean! This will be my last Disney trip for 2 years. But we are going to Scotland and Ireland for 2 weeks next year so I guess I will live!

 

[triplefigs]

I totally understand! We disneymooned at the Poly 10 years ago and had an unbelievable time and room right on the lagoon looking directly at Cinderella's Castle! Could also see the GF and part of the wedding pavilion. It was magical. While we were there we went to the GF to eat, and had horrible resort envy of it. GF is definitely DH's and my style. But we just loved the romantic atmosphere of the Poly, the monorail, the grounds, walking to the TTC. It was perfect!!!

So, fast forward 10 years with 4 year old triplets and only DH working... I would *love* to stay at the Poly again for our Christmas trip. BUT... DH and I really prefer 2 rooms to spread out in and that is not feasible at the Poly rates. So, we're staying at the WL (I'm very excited about it with all the good reviews of it at Christmas). DH and I will reminisce and eat breakfast at the Poly while the kids do the Pirate Cruise and then show them where Mommy and Daddy stayed when they got married!