For those who finally stayed deluxe, was it worth it?!

[ppony]

Another thought though. We've only had this happen once, but it happens and once was enough. With the doors directly to the outdoors, people can sit w/ chairs outside of their rooms and be quite noisy. We had a family next door to us at the CBR do that. They were loud, in the way and wouldn't move for anything. It was so obnoxious. That is only likely on the ground floor though since they can drag the chairs form the pool area if you are outside of it like we were.

We personally love the deluxes for the indoor corridors. My reason is the door to the outdoors feels to me, more like a motel than a resort. A Disney mod though is still, heads and shoulders above any motel. But that said, it can be noisy when kids run in the deluxe halls, and they do. The CR is in a league all it's own w/ noise in the tower. In OUR experience anyway.

 

[Not so Dumbo]

I just returned from the Poly....and I don't think it is worth the money. you have to walk outside the main lobby to get to your rooms and the place is really showing its wear and tear!!!! I think the Mousekeeping leaves a lot to be desired and I left a generous tip every day and had to call for towels as she didn't leave any. It took us 45 minutes to check in and no we were not in a line there was some kind of mess up and they only had me listed for 2 people and we were a party of 4. They had it listed as I did not pay and I had to dig out papers showing I did pay thru expedia. We had a marina view with a fake balcony...when I asked to upgrade to a real balcony and logoon view she 1st said 167. for the whole time then came back and said she forgot to add taxes and it would be $198./night...needless to say I did not upgrade. I was not looking for anything free but did not appreciate being told the 1st price was for the whole stay and then changed to per night. Then it took 40 minutes to get the monorail from MK to Poly what was the point we could have walked in less time. Another night we took boat that swtopped at GF and then Poly took 1 hour and 25 minutes....
The food at Capt cook's was on very good and the flatbread pizza was like eating cardboard with sauce and cheese on it! Kona cafe was better had breakfast there several mornings...tonga toast and bloody mary was good. went to the lounge one night for a drink bartender not very nice bar was sticky and was served a glass with a chunk out of it!!!! the pool was great and we enjoyed sitting there when it was warm enough!
Overall, I was really disappointed in the place and am sorry I spent that much money on the Poly. I go to Disney every year for Thanksgiving for the past 5 years and have been there 30 + times. I have stayed at all resorts except GF, AKL and Sarasota Springs.
We stayed at FIJI Building 2320 one with the fake balcony!!!!
I really do like disney, and I was so excited to stay at the Poly but can't begin to tell you how disappointed I was. It was not a magical place...but had lots of dust and not pixie dust! I will try to post some pictures later as we just got home tonight!

A lot of these were the same issues we had with the Poly. Transportation to/from MK isn't very fast by either method. The pool slide closes at 8pm. The rooms could just barely pass as being considered clean. In fact, our first room had gum stuck to the wall when we checked in and DH complained and they moved us to a different room. The halls in our longhouse were very musty or mildew smelling, the walls were paper thin, the staff were just not very friendly and the GCH was always packed with nonresort guest. Which I guess is to be expected, but still packed just the same. I would agree that the Poly isn't anylonger on the same scale as the other deluxes. I would have been super ticked if I had to pay rack rate. It was a complete 180 from the experience we had just had at the BC. Room was always clean, with towel animals. The hotel has it's own wonderful smell, CM's were awesome and always wanted to chitchat, I loved being able to walk to Epcot and the boat to HS was moderately quick. SaB stayed open until 10p and the lobby never had too many guests in it at one time. It was just very hard to believe that not only were these 2 resorts both deluxes but that the Poly charges more per night.

 

[michelle1]

If it's cool in January and you desire a hot tub keep in mind that Poly doesn't have one!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Room was always clean, with towel animals.

I agree with you that no matter where you stay the rooms should always been clean. However no matter if your staying at a Value Resort, Moderate Resort or Deluxe Resorts, getting towel animals is something that's never guaranteed and things like tipping don't increase your chances of getting them. The main reason is the Cast Members make them on their own time and personally I would rather have them working on cleaning the rooms.

 

[Amy&Dan]

It was worth it the one time I did splurge for a deluxe (Poly) and I had to pay full rack rate for a garden level room. We loved it and for that trip, at that time it was money well spent.

But all that said, it has not been worth it since then to spend that money. I loved the Poly but I have returned to WDW several times since then and stayed at values and really didn't even give it a thought to miss the Poly. So it was worth it, but I didn't have that "now I can't go back to a lower level resort" like some people do. Which I respect, but just don't share! I have also been to several of the DVC resors over many stays and just sold my DVC recently. I hated to see it go, but even that isn't upsetting me too much. In the end, I want to go to WDW and if the way I get there is to stay at a value, I am happy and feel very lucky!

I will say my next "dream stay" will be at the CR in a MK tower room. Its something I have always wanted to do but for now, I have to put that on hold for a bit! My experience at the Poly (another resort I had always wanted to stay at) did teach me that if I can afford it, its worth it. But my other trips have also proven that in the end, its just a hotel and it won't make or break my trip.

To the OP: $1,000 is a lot of money! Don't let the 4/3 deal sway you too much. Even in better economies, Disney has always had good deals. If you can travel during any weeks but peak holiday weeks, you can always get some sort of discount. For sure its a great resort and that's a great price, but good deals and the Poly will always be there. So if you decide to not take advantage of this deal, don't kick yourself over it, you'll have another opportunity to try out a deluxe. If you do go with the Poly, enjoy yourself and report back if it was indeed worth it to you!

 

[jemgumby]

If you can afford it why not give it a try....For us staying deluxe was definitely worth it but we have never paid rack rate. We always had some kind of discount, etc. However, if your going to be really bothered by spending the extra $$$ then you might not have a good time because you may be too stressed. I personally would not pay the $$$ they ask for the Poly but in looking at the prices for the Yacht and Beach club it looks reasonable considering the proximity to Epcot and DHS. If you are going to splurge on a deluxe just make sure you like the theme or else you might be disappointed.

 

[MightyDuck001]

The one time it was really worth it we got a random, free upgrade to a concierge level room at the polynesian and ate for free! that was wonderful. I don't care too much for the monorail... The Epcot area resorts (BC, YC, BW, Swan and Dolphin) are laid out much better since you can just walk to them, I think. You can get to Epcot and hollywood studios easier, too, and while I hated the idea of taking a bus to the Magic Kingdom, it works fine (although the boat from the Polynesian was really nice!).

I stayed at a moderate a couple of times (Caribbean Beach), and honestly, I didn't see much of a difference. I really liked it, and given my financial constraints, I'd stay in a moderate again since only two of us go and we spend all day outside the room.

 

[disneyforme33]

Count me in as a deluxe lover. We have stayed at the Poly, Beach Club and Wilderness Lodge. We stayed at POFQ for moderate. Hands down I would pick a deluxe and totally think it is worth it. The Poly is still my favorite with the Beach Club being a close runner up. The rooms are more spacious, beds more comfortable and the bathrooms much nicer. We also have found the level of service at deluxes far exceed the moderates. You can't beat the locations as well. We also enjoy the pool are at the deluxe as well. We like to be spoiled on vacation and spend alot more time at the reosrts then we used to. We really enjoy scheduling some down time to relax. All the deluxes offer something different so be really careful and research.

 

[snowhyte]

Previously,I couldn't see spending the money for a deluxe. However, after getting a few good deals with the AP, we decided we REALLY wanted the deluxe experience and purchased DVC. I will still stay at the mods, and love POP for certain trips. But as others have said, it is more about the whole vacation experience now and not so much just the parks. I really do enjoy the deluxes, but only on points or with a really good deal.

 

[andee515]

To us it was definately worth it at the Poly. We have never stayed at a value or mod, but if those beds and rooms are smaller we never would have made it. As a matter of fact ,in March we are staying at BLT 1 bedroom, cause I am still whiney and want a bigger room, washer and dryer and whirpool tub. I remember the days when we would stay at the cheapest hotel we could find, but with 3 kids and an older, fatter bum i really need the space and cushy beds!

 

[kaffinito]

^^^ Just curious as to why. Care to elaborate?

I sent you a PM.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

I have stayed at the ASM, CS, CBR and POFQ. This trip we splurged and stayed at AKL Club Level. I loved staying here more than I can say. We had a savannah view room and saw animals every day and night from the balcony.

It was fun to have access to the concierge lounge and to have the extra things that you get at the deluxe resort. There were more fun activities at the hotel (ceramics, jewelry making, etc.) than we had ever seen before.

We don't care much about location and honestly couldn't care less if I ever ride the monorail. We chose AKL because of the theming.

We have only ever stayed onsite once at WDW which was also at AKL. I could not imagine staying anywhere else. It was heaven. We chose it for the theming and thought it was worth every cent. I have always liked the look of the Poly and we had a walk around last time while there for breakfast. Although I haven't seen the rooms, the outer areas looked really disappointing after staying at AKL which was like an oasis.

 

[LandChildWorldAdult]

Good question. I have stayed Value/Mod/Deluxe/off-site. Each vacation is different. First of all only stay Deluxe if you won't stress over the cost. If you do it is no vacation.

By the looks of your kids ages this is the last year all 5 of you can stay at a Value or Moderate as the little one is still under 3. I'd go for a Moderate just for that reason.

This is key, imo. We considered booking two rooms at a moderate, instead of 1 at the Contemporary. We also considered the cabins. In the end, for us, this trip, the Contemporary made the most sense.

We'll see what the future holds for our family. We are never going to be "trip a year" folks, so if there is a next time, with 3 *bigger* kids, we probably will go for something with 2 separate spaces. Perhaps 2 rooms somewhere, perhaps a DVC room, perhaps the new Treehouses. It all depends.

If you are "trip a year" people, then I would save my deluxe splurge for the next time and take advantage of having one child under 4.

 

[MattDisney]

We think deluxe is worth it. We did mods at first then changed to deluxe. Our last trip, I did a mod again since it was just my son and me. Big mistake. The whole trip I missed being at a deluxe resort. We also usually do club level and we missed that a lot too.

 

[tessieg]

I am so grateful for all the info and points of view you all provided. In the end, we decided to go ahead and stay at POR with a trundle for the almost 3 yo. We love the resort--have stayed there twice--and feel good about the price point. By staying there we could afford the park hoppers and dining plan. Those things would be questionable if we went deluxe. Our 2 yo doesn't need a daily nap either so we may very well be out most of the time. We'll enjoy visiting the deluxe resorts to eat!
I am stay at home mom of 3 so am all about great deals, coupons, etc and I just think at this point in our lives, paying $1400 for the hotel room would have made me uncomfortable--$600 for the week at POR however seems a bargain(the prices are using the buy 4 get 3 deal).
Anyway, maybe in the future, when we have two incomes, we'll try deluxe--you've given me lots of great reasons to look forward to it!
Tessie

 

[KatMark]

I am so grateful for all the info and points of view you all provided. In the end, we decided to go ahead and stay at POR with a trundle for the almost 3 yo. We love the resort--have stayed there twice--and feel good about the price point. By staying there we could afford the park hoppers and dining plan. Those things would be questionable if we went deluxe. Our 2 yo doesn't need a daily nap either so we may very well be out most of the time. We'll enjoy visiting the deluxe resorts to eat!
I am stay at home mom of 3 so am all about great deals, coupons, etc and I just think at this point in our lives, paying $1400 for the hotel room would have made me uncomfortable--$600 for the week at POR however seems a bargain(the prices are using the buy 4 get 3 deal).
Anyway, maybe in the future, when we have two incomes, we'll try deluxe--you've given me lots of great reasons to look forward to it!
Tessie

Tessie, have a wonderful trip!

 

[jacksmomma]

We stayed at the Yacht Club and it was amazing! We were there with my significantly younger siblings at the beginning of June. With their amazing pool complex the kids never even asked to go to the water parks. Plus the ability to walk or take water shuttle in addition to the buses was nice. I agree that you should only do it if you will not stress over the extra money, but if you can swing it, go for it!

 

[pixarmom]

I am so grateful for all the info and points of view you all provided. In the end, we decided to go ahead and stay at POR with a trundle for the almost 3 yo. We love the resort--have stayed there twice--and feel good about the price point. By staying there we could afford the park hoppers and dining plan. Those things would be questionable if we went deluxe. Our 2 yo doesn't need a daily nap either so we may very well be out most of the time. We'll enjoy visiting the deluxe resorts to eat!
I am stay at home mom of 3 so am all about great deals, coupons, etc and I just think at this point in our lives, paying $1400 for the hotel room would have made me uncomfortable--$600 for the week at POR however seems a bargain(the prices are using the buy 4 get 3 deal).
Anyway, maybe in the future, when we have two incomes, we'll try deluxe--you've given me lots of great reasons to look forward to it!
Tessie

I'm also a mom of three, and our youngest is about the same age as yours! We've stayed in all three categories of resorts multiple times each: Poly, BC, WL, CBR, CSR and All Star Sports. When we stay in a Deluxe, I love it - especially the transportation and the atmosphere after a day in the park. When we stay in a mod or value, I love saving money and just being at Disney. And you got a great deal!! We didn't plan a 2010 trip, but got a PIN code for March when we're already in Florida. So we're trying All Star Movies (our youngest is a big Toy Story fan) and the price is amazing! We'll look forward to Deluxe again another time, but we'll have fun wherever we stay.

So even though I'm not familiar with POR, I have friends who love it, you already know you love it - you'll have a great time!