I cant believe this... Poly refurbishment

[senadler]

We have stayed at the Poly Villas 4-5 times and have another trip planned there later this month. For us, not having the monorail stop at the GCH would not make much of a difference. We occasionally use that stop if we need something at the store or plan to pick something up in Capt Cooks, but otherwise, I much prefer either the monorail, or better yet the Ferry Boat from the TTC. The distance between the villas and the TTC is about the same as to the GCH.

They just did a large refurbishment in the GCH house about five years ago, so I am not sure how much renovation will be done other than the monorail area. If you really want to stay at the Poly, my suggestion would be to wait a couple of months until the renovations start to see what else might be impacted.

 

[PortieOwner]

I am sure there will be a check-in and Guest Services desk even while work goes on, but why use in-person check-in when there is on-line check-in? You will get your room faster and with less hassle doing that.

About moving rooms--when YC wasn't available for my trip, they upgraded me to Kidani Villas 1-bedroom. So you might be able to go down a rung in resort desirability but get a better room.

 

[Dug720]

I am sure there will be a check-in and Guest Services desk even while work goes on, but why use in-person check-in when there is on-line check-in? You will get your room faster and with less hassle doing that.

About moving rooms--when YC wasn't available for my trip, they upgraded me to Kidani Villas 1-bedroom. So you might be able to go down a rung in resort desirability but get a better room.

Just be aware that the ONLY food option (besides the limited pool bar) at Kidani or the DVC rooms in Jambo is Sanaa. Nothing else.

 

[PortieOwner]

Just be aware that the ONLY food option (besides the limited pool bar) at Kidani or the DVC rooms in Jambo is Sanaa. Nothing else.

I always have a car when visiting WDW, and there are many off-world places to get food very close to the ALK complex.

 

[Dug720]

I always have a car when visiting WDW, and there are many off-world places to get food very close to the ALK complex.

But not everyone drives. So it's something that people need to be aware of.

 

[JFDIS]

I stayed at Poly studio villas this week and it was an absolutely fabulous trip. The pool is incredible and the service was outstanding. We really enjoyed all of our meals at the resort. To be honest the pool and the monorail were the highlights for my girls. I would feel like I was losing a little with the lobby access to the monorail being absent. I think the other posters are correct in that you should do some research after the construction starts. Who knows, they may start with the lobby and have it done by your trip. Join the Poly info board and watch YouTube videos. I think you have some time before you make your decision. Disney will only price protect so many moves per reservation. Also check out YouTube videos of the other resorts. I’ve always thought I’d want to stay at GF when seeing it from a distance but after visiting it this week realized it wasn’t for me. I’m actually planning a December stay for CR after visiting it and I always thought it looked dull. Also, Yacht club might be an option if you’re willing to change resort areas.

 

[Fangorn]

The thing about the actual announcement from Disney is that it's pretty vague on some parts. I think there are a couple of different things going on, but this is just my opinion. They've stated that they will be re-themeing the hotel rooms, and the hotel will be closed through "summer 2021". That makes sense as it will take time to redo all the rooms. Additionally, they said the Poly monorail station would be closed beginning "early October". They have no indication when it would reopen. There has been no specific word on what work will be happening on the station, but there have been indications in the past few years that there is some structural work they'd like to do to the station and portcullis of the resort, which is hard to do with the resort open. My guess, and it's only a guess, is that they decided to take advantage of the situation to just go ahead and close the hotel side, do the room rehab and do the exterior work at the same time. Since they just re-furbbed the lobby not to long ago, I don't see them closing the GCH completely. They could do some minor updates, but I'd be really surprised if they plan anything major that would close the restaurants and shops for any period of time, if at all.

For OP, by April, the work on the monorail station is likely to be completed and the station open again. I certainly wouldn't consider a change at this point, if your dream is to stay at Poly. At least wait until we have more info on what they're doing first.

As has been said several times already, but I'll say it again from the perspective a DVC member who owns a Poly, the DVC buildings are just as close to the TTC as they are to the Poly monorail station. Like others, we almost always walk over to the TTC to catch the monorail.

Steve

 

[DonaldEsquire]

Were you allowed to change to 2021 for the same package price?

No, it was an upcharge. As was Disney's attempt to move us to the Riviera. Instead we decided if we couldn't stay at our desired resort, we'd just save money and downgrade to Caribbean Beach. The other deluxe resorts are nice, but there's little to no "theming" and it's our kids' first trip. It's not about the luxury, it's about the fun. The deluxe resorts not named the Poly are kind of stiff.

 

[DVCjj]

The thing about the actual announcement from Disney is that it's pretty vague on some parts. I think there are a couple of different things going on, but this is just my opinion. They've stated that they will be re-themeing the hotel rooms, and the hotel will be closed through "summer 2021". That makes sense as it will take time to redo all the rooms. Additionally, they said the Poly monorail station would be closed beginning "early October". They have no indication when it would reopen. There has been no specific word on what work will be happening on the station, but there have been indications in the past few years that there is some structural work they'd like to do to the station and portcullis of the resort, which is hard to do with the resort open. My guess, and it's only a guess, is that they decided to take advantage of the situation to just go ahead and close the hotel side, do the room rehab and do the exterior work at the same time. Since they just re-furbbed the lobby not to long ago, I don't see them closing the GCH completely. They could do some minor updates, but I'd be really surprised if they plan anything major that would close the restaurants and shops for any period of time, if at all.

For OP, by April, the work on the monorail station is likely to be completed and the station open again. I certainly wouldn't consider a change at this point, if your dream is to stay at Poly. At least wait until we have more info on what they're doing first.

As has been said several times already, but I'll say it again from the perspective a DVC member who owns a Poly, the DVC buildings are just as close to the TTC as they are to the Poly monorail station. Like others, we almost always walk over to the TTC to catch the monorail.

Steve

Another Poly owner here We ALWAYS go to TTC also unless a specific reason to go to Ceremonial House. TTC so very convenient from DVC Villas.

 

[kanerf]

I know. Are you familiar with the Villas? Ive never been there. Would you want to stay at the Villas with no monorail or Grand Ceremonial House? Is that where you check in for the resort and the villas? Or do Villas have their own check-in? Im concerned if they close more dining options as well. This is not an inexpensive trip for our family. We are splurging and thats not a common thing for us.

From the Villas you can walk to the Transportation Center and take a Monorail, Boat or Bus to the Magic Kingdom.

 

[Beachmom0317]

Honestly I would move to GF or CR if you can. If this is a splurge trip I wouldn’t want to worry about not having the full experience. If you are going to come back shortly again in 2021 after this trip or even in early 2022 then maybe try out the poly! We own DVC and have stayed at the poly and the villas are wonderful for families and I can echo that we also walked over to the TTC instead of catching monorail from GCH. I would be concerned about what renovations might occur in GCH and if that would close anything

 

[DisneyJColeMom]

Hey Mom, don't fear! You can and WILL still have a wonderful vacation. Let me lay some stuff out for you as I am pretty familiar with Poly DVC.

Yes! Deluxe studios are great and we stayed in one in March! They are very close to the TTC (as stated before). This means you still can ride the Monorail to MK. The EPCOT line is still currently down, so any of the Monorail Resorts will not have that capability. On the map below:
View attachment 523694
Moorea and Tokelau are the 2 DVC Villa houses. As you can see on the far right, there the walking path to TTC. It's not very far at all.

Capt Cooks, Kona Cafe, Tambu Lounge, and Pineapple Lanai are all open currently. All great eats, all restaurants you can enjoy! If you reallllly loved Ohana, you can see about ordering the Twilight Fest in your room! It's all the food you could get from Ohana. I'm not sure if this is running currently, but it would be a great alternative if you loved the food there. More info about that here:
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2019...ight-feast-is-the-best-60-youll-spend-in-bed/
I would call and see if you have a lake view or standard view DVC Villa. I requested a Lake View for our next trip (which is located in Moorea) and you would still get you Ferry & Water Views that way! We got standard view for our trip this last March and it was in Tokelau. I loved the location and we faced the Oasis pool!

As they said, it's very easy to get around this resort!

THANK YOU for this!!

 

[DisneyJColeMom]

I stayed at Poly studio villas this week and it was an absolutely fabulous trip. The pool is incredible and the service was outstanding. We really enjoyed all of our meals at the resort. To be honest the pool and the monorail were the highlights for my girls. I would feel like I was losing a little with the lobby access to the monorail being absent. I think the other posters are correct in that you should do some research after the construction starts. Who knows, they may start with the lobby and have it done by your trip. Join the Poly info board and watch YouTube videos. I think you have some time before you make your decision. Disney will only price protect so many moves per reservation. Also check out YouTube videos of the other resorts. I’ve always thought I’d want to stay at GF when seeing it from a distance but after visiting it this week realized it wasn’t for me. I’m actually planning a December stay for CR after visiting it and I always thought it looked dull. Also, Yacht club might be an option if you’re willing to change resort areas.

I had the same impression of Contemporary resort, but ive only seen it thru pics and videos. Dull is what i was thinking. I really love Disney theming. BUT something about it seems cool too, the shape of it, proximity to MK & monorail right thru the middle. What made you feel different about it in person?

 

[DisneyJColeMom]

Is the Poly’s main Volcano pool open? Is this refurbishment affecting the pool?

 

[DisneyJColeMom]

Also just a random observation, I tried calling Disney & speaking to a cast member. It’s ridiculous how much more information I get from this forum. I told the CM i was a newbie & could he give me some Poly info. He didnt mention walking over to TTC at all. When I asked him if he had heard of the TTC as being an alternative, he said “The TTC monorail only goes to Epcot”. I said Oh! I cant use the TTC to go to MK? He said that is correct, only Epcot

 

[Deb & Bill]

Just be aware that the ONLY food option (besides the limited pool bar) at Kidani or the DVC rooms in Jambo is Sanaa. Nothing else.

Sure there is. In a one or two bedroom villa, it's call a full kitchen. You get a food delivery and make your own snacks and some meals. It you only have a kitchenette in a studio, you still have a microwave oven, toaster and coffee pot.

 

[DisneyJColeMom]

Also, do Poly Villa rooms currently have room service available? In-room dining or the twilight feast someone above mentioned?

 

[JFDIS]

Both pools are open including the bar at the Volcano pool and kiddie play area. The food/ beverage location at the Oasis pool was closed last week. No room service was available but we got takeout every night from either Captin Cooks or Tambu lounge.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Also, do Poly Villa rooms currently have room service available? In-room dining or the twilight feast someone above mentioned?

Not at this time.

 

[DisneyJColeMom]

Does anyone happen to know if room service is available currently at other Disney resorts that normally offer it?