Getting Me A Little Worried

[KMLOVESWDW]

Going to try not to ramble or be a baby about this. It's getting me a little nervous that most the deluxes have one thing or another going on at the same time. With people being 'forced' out of their ressies at AKL, construction at CR & room rehab at GR, I worried that the Poly is going to be super busy for our upcoming trip. It's not that I mind the people, but this is our first stay there & we want a patio or balcony in the worst way. It's one of the major reasons we are staying there. I know someone has to get the rooms without either (second floor), but I feel my chances are getting slimmer on getting first or third because of displaced travelers. DH is driving me crazy about this saying " what are we going to do if we don't get a balcony" blah blah blah. I feel the same way. I could go stay at a nice mod with no balcony for alot less money. I know there are only requests not guarantees. Don't know if upon checkin if there isn't a p or b for us, if we would change resorts & maybe go to WL. I don't really want to do that since we have already stayed at WL & because trip happened only because of the Poly. If we couldn't get it at this great rate, there would have been no trip. I just don't want to sit here & worry about it until Sept 28-that's alot of gray hair waiting to happen!!! Thanks for letting me vent-any words of wisdom?

 

[schwaa]

it sound to me like having a balcony is the most important thing about the resort your stay at. It might be better for your sanity if you just switch to a hotel where all the rooms have balconies so at least you know you'll have a balcony.

It's such a shame that so many rooms at the Polynesian don't have balconies. The rates are so high there, you should at least get a blacony (not to mention Mickey Mouse sitting on it with a key to the magic kingdom!)

 

[hmp2z]

I knew they were moving AKL guests in August, but didn't realize that construction would still be going on in late September. Are you sure about that? There is a thread on here about someone who had reservations in early September, called to check, and was told that construction wasn't going to be a problem by then.

Cheers!
Heather W

 

[Smailey]

Don't go to the Poly for a balcony. The third floor is the only floor that offers one. The balcony on the second floor goes out about a foot. I'm not sure about the third floor, but I do know it is big enough to walk out on. If a balcony matters that much to you I'd stay elsewhere because chances are you will be disappointed. The Poly is still a great resort so if you still choose to go, have a great time!

 

[1gr8mouse]

I think the key to the whole room assign. thing is when you arrive on property!!! If you arrive early your chances are far better for the balcony.
We stayed in Garden view there and did get a very small balcony...about 3' deep.....barely enough room for your legs when you sat in the chair....but it was still awsome sipping coffee in the early am on the balcony!!!!

I am in a similar situation...We have 2 rooms at POP for 2 adults 2 children...our boys (13,14) will have there own room/beds and DW and I in the other.....We booked through AAA and have a guarantee for connecting rooms in writing.....I called today about another issue and the CM said "Those rooms are not guaranteed to be connecting". I told him we have a guarantee, he said it was in error....DW says if they are not connecting we walk out of there!!!!! The CM said you do have a better chance with an early arrival time.....We should be there by 1:00pm.

So more than likely we will be having a argument at the front desk if they are not connecting.....just how I want to spend my vacation.....

 

[SB in KY]

Personally I like the patio (first floor) rooms at the Poly better than the balconies....they are much bigger, you don't feel hemmed in and all of the gardens/vegetation is so lush...awesome at night when the torches are all lit. I don't think anyone requests those rooms hardly.

Mostly I would not get too anxious about it. The Poly stays at >90% occupancy rate all the time, so it isn't like it will be noticably busier because a few AKL refugees are around. There is always construction or refurbishing of one or more resorts going on at WDW...the AKL relocation hysteria is pretty rampant on these boards, but honestly it isn't a massive number of rooms, especially considering how many resorts they will be spread out over. (and there may not be ANY by the time you arrive anyways)

Just check in early on your day of arrival and let them know that a patio or balcony is your MOST important request...they will find something for you.

 

[Disneydenise]

I would send the room request 3-5 days prior to checkin. I would also make sure when you are checking in that the CM is aware of your wish for a balcony. I have refused rooms at Disney resorts. This is your vacation and it most likely isn't a free vacation. When you work all year and look forward to vacation I think that having a patio or balcony isn't really that big a request. Good Luck and enjoy the view from your balcony or patio.

 

[KMLOVESWDW]

You posters are all so sweet-& smart!! I guess I'm just one of those people that do not like to make a fuss. Yes, I don't care about how close I am to this or that-just the balcony or patio. Our flight gets into Orlando at 10 am & I know we will be at the Poly by 11 or 11:30 the latest. I didn't know that an early arrival time would make much difference. I did have nice luck with a CM at POR this past May. Our TA never put our room request in & when he told me that he gave me a map & told me to pick out a few spots that we would like. He came back with one of them!! We weren't that picky either. Just the building number. Hopefully all will work out with the Poly. I'm in the service industry & I know people get alot further when they are NICE!! I'm plenty nice!!! Well, I'll be crossing my fingers until then. I just want to sit on my balcony or patio with a little drinkie & relax!! We are usually park lunatics so this would be a first for us. Thanks to all!! Keep up the positive wishes

 

[rileyroosmom]

I understand your concerns about the balcony. We went to the Poly 2 years ago, got a postcard rate so I knew this was going to be a once in a life time trip. We were staying 8 nights and like you, I envisioned sitting with a drink on the balcony. Well on check in I held my breath and the CM announced I had a lovely room on the 2nd floor of Samoa - no balcony. I begged/pleaded for any thing with a balcony - nothing. He assured me it was one of only eleven (i think that was the number) rooms with this view and assured me I'd love it. I took the room begrudgingly. The view was lovely, the volcano pool smack in front of me, the monorail and GF off to the right. When I wanted to "sit on the balcony", I opened the door and turned the chair around. Had to sit on my legs because the railing outside of the window was directly in my view. It was ok and the Poly has a great big room. Honestly though, 2 years later, when I think of that trip I'm still annoyed that I didn't have a balcony/patio after paying that kind of money. Isn't that one of the things that separates a mod from a deluxe? I posted about my trip on these boards and I got a lot of bashing when I complained of the no balcony/patio.

That being said, I'm glad I stayed at the Poly, but I wouldn't again. Even my kids liked the WL better and we had a patio!!! Good luck and have a fun trip.

 

[JulyGirl]

I would not switch resorts. I would just kindly ask the front desk if a room with a patio or balcony was available when you checked in. If you are not too picky about the building you are in, chances are you would get your request for a balcony.

I really wish the Polynesian would charge a bit less for their non balcony rooms.

 

[G8r4evr]

Charging less for the non balcony rooms seems like a good idea. That way, those who pay the higher rate would be guaranteed a balcony and maybe a slightly lower rate (for those who dont care about balconies) would allow some new guests to enjoy the POLY.

 

[jhryb]

I can't understand why they would have built those second floor longhouses without balconies. Adding balconies would be a great idea for the next refurbishment. I am staying at the Poly in August and I definitely do not want a room on the second floor of a longhouse without a balcony

 

[Buttercup Roberts]

I'd switch to a resort that has exactly what you want. I loved our balcony at the Yacht Club, in a water view room.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

With people being 'forced' out of their ressies at AKL, construction at CR & room rehab at GR, I worried that the Poly is going to be super busy for our upcoming trip.

For the record no one is being forced to not stay at the Contemporary and Grand Floridian because of construction. If guests don't wish to stay there that is their choice and not the choice of WDW.

 

[robinb]

If it's that important to you I would make it your #1 request ... before building preference or anything else. We had a great 1st floor patio overlooking the monorail when we stayed there and I loved it .

 

[jenjersnap]

I am concerned I won't be getting my room requests, which include a balcony, because of this AKL mess. I am really cheesed off about the influx, in fact. This is the first time I've ever paid rack rate (yes, I am getting free dining but I'd rather get a great room discount) and I never will again.

If it weren't my anniversary, I'd cancel. Truly. We can come back when they get their act together. I still might, DH and I have to look long and hard.

(I am really sorry for the displaced AKL guests, but Disney really stumbled on this one with poor planning and opening the flood gates of "Sure we'll move you ANYWHERE".)

 

[KMLOVESWDW]

For the record no one is being forced to not stay at the Contemporary and Grand Floridian because of construction. If guests don't wish to stay there that is their choice and not the choice of WDW.

And for the record, I don't think that is what I posted. I simply mentioned the construction at CR & room rehab at GF because some people don't want to hear that or look at or not have certain restaurants available to them during their trip so they might decide to book elsewhere. It's my understanding from many threads, that people are being called to move to different resorts that have ressies at AK. That's the only one I mentioned about that-for the record.

 

[AllyGirl_79]

I totally understand the desire for a balcony or patio. I agree that making it your first request and being very nice at check-in are the best bets. Also remember that the second floor rooms in the three "new" buildings do have balconies. So don't panic if they mention second floor at check-in without thinking about which building it is. (I saw a woman checking in last November who threw a fit about getting a second floor room number. Wouldn't let the CM say anything, just yelled and yelled. And since it was a room in Tahiti, which has balconies on the second floor, I hope she felt really bad about it later. )

I booked a lagoon view for January, and I actually made a little cheat-sheet that reminds me which of the waterview buildings have 2nd floor pseudo-balconies. Hopefully, while I'm still at the check-in desk, I can politely request a switch if necessary (without lugging everyone to the room and then going back). If not, I'm still at the Poly, so I'll deal.

As to the people worried about the folks from AKL ... I can't quite wrap my head around it. The Poly is almost always near capacity in the summer. Another poster said 90% average (that takes into account periods where attendance is lower) and I'd heard similar numbers. If they move the folks from AKL, it just means fewer rooms available for the masses of people who make last minute reservations. In the end, I don't think it's going to make all that much of a difference because most of the rooms will be full regardless. Room requests depend more on the day you arrive (are lots of people checking out that day?) and luck then a few percentage points in capacity. I wouldn't waste any worries on the AKL movement.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Frankly.. I wouldn't worry. Seriously.

Relocators are getting offers to move to DVC resorts as well.

And the other hotel issues you mentioned are really barely a blip for guests.

Knox