Help! Switch to SOG or stick with the Poly!

[stitchrulz]

Help!!!

I'm down to the wire here on deciding between cancelling our Poly ressies and switching to SOG. We love the Poly, but it's a HUGE difference in price. It also sounds like the Poly is going to be packed this year (due to refurbs, etc.), and always going in September, we're not used to crowds. SOG is a super value and a lovely resort with a fab location . . .

What are your thoughts? Any input is welcomed! Thanks so much; you all are great!

 

[ogreenlee]

We stayed at SOG last year, and everytime we walked over to the Poly to get on the monorail, I kept thinking that it'd be nice to stay there. I've never stayed at Poly, though.

 

[CPer'sMom]

Help!!!
We love the Poly, but it's a HUGE difference in price. SOG is a super value and a lovely resort with a fab location . . .

Honestly, I think you just answered your own question!! It sounds like you would be perfectly happy choosing SOG this time ~~ You can always return to the Poly for your next trip.

 

[TiggerTails57]

Switch and spend the $$$ having fun.....who spends that much time in their room anyway. Plus NO TAX at SOG!!

 

[princesspiglet]

We debate this every trip and end up at SOG every time! While I would love to stay at the Poly, I just can't justify the cost. We are always happy that we chose SOG because it leaves us with more money for food, souvies, etc. Plus we are only in our room to sleep- we rarely hang out at the resort. And SOG is a great resort with an awesome location.

 

[caseywirth]

Stay at SOG. One, you save money, and two, if you if you do hang at in your room at all, they have the largest standard size rooms on property! I love staying at SOG!

 

[5disneyfreaks]

I guess I don't agree with everyone on this subject. If you can afford it, stay at Poly!!! We did SOG for my birthday this year and I was disappointed.
Yes, I would stay there again, if I had to. Honestly, I would rather stay at a Value than stay at SOG. It just doesn't have the "Disney feeling" I look forward to.
Then again, that's just me.

 

[TexasMomof2]

I keep going back and forth, too. I have AKL rooms booked and I keep reading about all the cool stuff at the resort. Our kids are 5 and 3 and we'll be back in the afternoon for rest time, etc. I hear mixed reviews about SOG ( of course you'll get mixed reviews re: AKL, too).

We take one big family vacation a year and I'm also torn between (1) just "blowing" the money at AKL for a savannah view and the cool restaurants there and the whole WDW experience, or (2) saving $$, staying at SOG, spend $$ on nicer sit-down dinners (and maybe even get a sitter one night during the week so Mama and Daddy can go eat alone and celebrate anniversary).


The rate between the hotels is a substantial difference, but in 10 years, I don't know if I'll really know we spent the $ or not
UGH. Each time I hear good things about SOG, however, it makes me want to change my ressies.

Elizabeth

 

[Minnie Lor]

Go for SOG! Save big bucks, get a beautiful room, large bathroom, fridge, deck or patio. If you feel you need the Poly themeing, walk over and have dinner, have a drink, stroll the beach, watch Wishes and EWP from the beach.

We love the SOG and feel like we get to sample the Poly thru-out our trip. In fact, I'm thinking that the next time we stay at SOG I'm going to get a refillable mug from the Poly 'cause we stop by on the way to or from the parks.

Enjoy the best of both worlds and feel lucky that you get that choice.

 

[stitchrulz]

The rate between the hotels is a substantial difference, but in 10 years, I don't know if I'll really know we spent the $ or not
UGH. Each time I hear good things about SOG, however, it makes me want to change my ressies.
Elizabeth

Welcome to my boat! I hear the AKL is gorgeous, too! I guess it comes down to what kind of resort experience you're looking for.

My DH initially said to go for the Poly back in June when we booked, but all the negatives lately (although the most recent folks returning have given good reviews - sigh!), and the fact that it appears to be at capacity the week we're there makes me nervous. Disney's just got so much going on with the monorail resorts right now. They're "down" a wing at CR, and they're refurbing some things at GF, so that cuts the total number of available rooms. And, I think some of the AKL folks are still being moved to the Poly if the guest requests it do to that construction. I guess I'm mostly worried about the level of service and crowd levels. I'd hate to pay all that extra and have it turn into a crowded nightmare with iffy service . . . I think they should have called this "The Year Of A Million Refurbs."

I'm really leaning toward SOG this year just to let things "settle down" a bit. I know SOG isn't as "magical" as staying at a Disney resort, but . . .

Thanks to everyone for their helpful comments! I knew I could count on you guys for some great advice.

 

[tete01830]

I have the same problem with my October trip....I have my flights for the 25th-31st and I have had SOG booked for a while. I decided to bite the bullet and buy an AP and with the room only discount decided to look into the Poly. Because of the Democratic State convention on the 25th I cant get a deluxe room at all that night so I am definitely staying at SOG on the 25th. I made reservation at Poly for the 26-31...Only a GV room available and that makes me wonder how crowded the resort will be. I guess I never thought about walking across to the beach to watch Wishes...Thanks for the suggestion and maybe a little push to stay at Shades...

 

[stitchrulz]

Aarrgghh!!!

O.k., I've been checking room availability on the SOG site daily while I've been waffling on what to do. Up to and including late last night, the whole month of September was open ("green" on their calendar). So, now that I've decided to go with SOG, it's showing the whole month of September booked ("red")!! How could this have happened overnight?!

So, I'm going to call SOG early tomorrow morning. I was going to make the SOG ressie before I nixed the Poly just in case . . . guess that was a wise decision after all. Can you believe this? After all this torture on making a decision.

Maybe the tiki gods are trying to tell me something . . .

Thanks for letting me vent a bit. Wow!!!

 

[esk]

Please nobody flame me for this, but a game I've played in years past is to wait until about 4 weeks before our trip and call SOG for overflow rates. Got a WONDERFUL rate on an OKW one bedroom and on GF standard room doing that. Because if they have room, they won't do overflow, but the very nice SOG ressie lady told me last month that she expects my dates to be sold out at least 10 weeks before. However, this year, she said the overflow rates were only about 25% off rack, whereas I'm doing better with an AP for a SSR one bedroom.

Long post short, my point is, when you call SOG, ask for an overflow rate at the Poly. Then you can have both worlds -- stay at Poly but pay less. Not quite SOG rates, but, for us, our rate at SOG for 2 rooms would be more than a one bedroom at a DVC.

 

[tete01830]

That calendar on the website isnt always correct either. I had cancelled days on my October trip and then they went red. I called back for availability and it was available. Also, this past May the weekend was booked online in red and I called and said I would like to check overflow rates she told me they had to check SoG availability first and I told her it was red online and when she looked sure enough, they had availability....

I changed my Oct trip to stay at SOG the whole time and next year stay at Poly....

 

[stitchrulz]

Esk, no flames here. In the past, Disney had offered better military discounts all around. In 2005, we got a 40% discount from Disney for a 5 night stay at the Poly. Not that Disney is anyway obligated to give a military discount, but it was a very nice gesture. The pin code postcard discount we had this year was about 25% (sounds like the overflow discount).

The good news is, tete01830 was correct in that the SOG calendar was WRONG last night. I checked this morning, and all of September was a lovely "shade of green." So, I cancelled our Poly ressie (spoke with a very nice CM) and made our SOG ressie online. Now, I'm just waiting for their email confirm once they charge my card.

Though I'll miss the Poly, I have to say I feel quite relieved now that we're all set on this front. I'm quite certain we'll stop by there for a few of their famous tropical libations . . . and some shopping! Now, I can start getting excited about our trip!!!

Thanks again for everyone's help.

 

[TiggerTails57]

Forgot to mention.........
We have three rooms booked at SOG for 'Spring Break'.......our DD age 18 gets her OWN room, there is no way we could afford to do this at the Poly prices. She's happy not having to share with Mum and Dad.

 

[MonoManBlue]

excuse the brain fart here, but SOG??

 

[Minnie Lor]

excuse the brain fart here, but SOG??

Shades of Green. It's a luxury resort owned and operated by the military on Disney property. It's basically across the street from the Poly. Active military, retired military, and certain DoD jobs along with their families are eligible to stay.

 

[TexasMomof2]

Esk, no flames here. In the past, Disney had offered better military discounts all around. In 2005, we got a 40% discount from Disney for a 5 night stay at the Poly. Not that Disney is anyway obligated to give a military discount, but it was a very nice gesture. The pin code postcard discount we had this year was about 25% (sounds like the overflow discount).

The good news is, tete01830 was correct in that the SOG calendar was WRONG last night. I checked this morning, and all of September was a lovely "shade of green." So, I cancelled our Poly ressie (spoke with a very nice CM) and made our SOG ressie online. Now, I'm just waiting for their email confirm once they charge my card.

Though I'll miss the Poly, I have to say I feel quite relieved now that we're all set on this front. I'm quite certain we'll stop by there for a few of their famous tropical libations . . . and some shopping! Now, I can start getting excited about our trip!!!

Thanks again for everyone's help.

I'm glad many of you have such good things to say about SOG. I was leaning towards AKL, but now I'm back to SOG. My husband & I talked and if we save so much on the room, we can have some nice dinners and spend money at the parks without worrying about it. And, maybe next time, when the kids are a little older, we can splurge on AKL or the Poly, etc.

 

[Minnie Lor]

I posted a 40% military discount in the code section. See if it works for your vacation times.