Is Poly worth it?

[minniem]

Hi all,

Just wanted to post a question: do you think the poly is worth it? Of course I would LOVE to stay there but it's just so much $$$.

A little background on us: we are planning a trip for next spring. It will be our 2nd time to Disney with kids. Last time was 3 years ago, so this is a once every few years vacation. Our kids ages: 7,5,2,infant.

The main reason we chose Poly was b/c it's on the monorail and close to MK. Since my kids are on the younger side, MK is kind of where it's at for them. We stayed at the Dolphin last time and while it was nice I was really wanting to stay "on-site" this time so we could do the dining plan.

Also, I am thinking of trying to take a break from the parks during the day and I think if we stayed off sight just the time to get back and forth to the hotel would make it not worth it. Since we are going to have our 2 littlest (2 1/2 and 5 mos) with us, I was thinking they will definitely need a break during the day. And obviously, the monorail would be the quickest route to and fro.

My DH is in sticker shock over the cost of the rooms, (and I am too I admit). But is the convenience worth the cost?

Thanks for any input!

 

[grimley1968]

The convenience, to me, is the #1 reason why the Poly is worth it (if you can swing it) with young kids needing strollers. You are within walking distance of direct monorails to EPCOT and MK, via the TTC, meaning you can leave strollers unfolded from the time you leave your room until you get back. Very nice feature with napping kids you don't want to wake up. Also great for breaks for swimming, etc.

There's also the resort monorail, even closer than the TTC, as well as boats to and from MK (have to fold the strollers up here, though).

The feature pool is great for little ones, with a zero depth entry, and a great slide for the older kids. There is not a traditional kiddie pool there, but there is an area with jumping water jets. There is NO hot tub at the Poly, which is the biggest flaw with the whole place, in my opinion.

I'd try to stay here if possible, this time. When your kids are older, and you don't need to stroll them around, is a good time to try the other WDW resorts, which all offer unique and fun things. But none of them offer the transportation convenience that the Poly does.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

I'd say the convience is worth it. However, if the cost is too high you could make it work anywhere else too.

 

[BrianD]

The Polynesian is a great resort, but I couldn't swing the price of a room there paying rack rate, and in the Spring. The good news is that unless your trip is planned for the weeks before or after Easter, then you should be able to get a discount on that room rate when discounts come out.

 

[Iceman10]

Man the Poly is such a cool place but I have a hard justyifing spending $400+ on a hotel room that I will hardley be in.

 

[Rhode Island Quahog]

It is worth it, if you can afford it. The location and monorail can't be beat with small children. We love deluxes and because of that, we bought into Disney Vacation Club at Bay Lake Tower in June.

We stayed in the Poly for 10 Days from late September into early October, and although we have no children...we loved it! Good luck with whatever you choose!

Val

 

[captinhookedondisney]

YES! it is my favorite resort. Went once and remember every second.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

It's overall location, Monorail transportation, and walkway to the Transportation & Ticket Center make the Polynesian worth it.

 

[pepe of ohio]

My personal opinion is no, it's not worth the rack rate they are charging, monorail convenience and all. We've stayed there quite a few times many years ago before the rates went thru the roof. AP discounts made the difference and we had CM discounts too. The room is bigger than most but convenience is not worth that much money. We can easily stay at WL, use the boat to the MK and pocket quite a bit of change with the difference. We've been in some rooms at the Poly, that it was closer to use the resort launch to get to the MK, we also have done our share of standing on the monorail too, so convenience of the monorail is a moot point. The question is, if the rate is worth it for you to stay there, being there are other resorts in the MK area. We' moved on from the Poly years ago, we still have AP's but the discounts aren't enough to make us stay there, we rather stay at the WL and make our trip longer with the savings.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Totally worth it. With five plus an infant, you need a larger room that will sleep everyone. The Poly's rooms are large enough to put a stroller and a pack n play, plus you have a day bed and two queens. Some other deluxe resorts offer the same amenties, but you can't fit five plus an infant at WL or AKL unless you get a villa. A 1-BR villa at AKV will sleep five plus an infant, but I think you would need a 2-BR at VWL.

If you want to take mid-day breaks, it is hard to beat the convenience of any of the monorail resorts. We prefer the Poly to the Contemporary and Grand Floridian because of the theming.

If you still want space but are willing to sacrifice convenience, the All Star family suites and FW cabins will give you some space at a lower price. But mid-day breaks would be harder.

 

[Indio]

We stayed there for the 1st time this June. It was our dream resort. We got the Pay 4/3 free deal. With the discount, it was great. The monorail was convenient, but we rode the boats more (but we don't have any strollers). The pool was fun for the kids - not so much for the adults - too crowded and too shallow. The food court was good but very small - not a whole lot of choices. SO, if I came across another GREAT discount, I'd stay there again.

I would never pay rack rates to stay there again though.

 

[vettegirl]

We stayed there the first time in May with the 40% military rate and it was fantastic. The rooms were huge, flat screen tv's, and large bathrooms. The grounds were beautiful, the volcano slide & pool were fun, and the looking out at the MK every night was priceless. Also the restaurants and bar are phenomenal and the service is top notch. I highly recommend the Poly!!!

 

[jmamom]

We are staying there in Sept and here's why its worth it to me:
1) One hotel room that big enough for all of us - don't have to worry about the connecting rooms issue.
2)Ease of Transportation - when my kids get tired, they are DONE. More monorail, less buses.
3) My kids are not night people - they are up early and in bed early. But at the Poly (with lagoon view) we can still watch the water parade and fireworks, even if the little one is asleep, or they are in PJ's and ready for bed.
4) We plan plenty of resort time in the afternoons, and the pool and activities look great for the various ages of my kids.
Good luck choosing - I know its hard!!!

 

[SharonLowe]

Try magical vacations (google them) - they get some great rates and might have your dates available. We're going for our first Poly stay later this month; only did it because I got such a good rate.

Your other choices are limited since you have 5 plus an infant so try to get the best rate possible on the Poly.

 

[JoanneNC]

One of these years we may actually get to stay there but I don't feel any of the WDW resorts are truly worth what they can charge

 

[MissionMouse]

Hi all,...My DH is in sticker shock over the cost of the rooms, (and I am too I admit). But is the convenience worth the cost?

There is a reason Disney World is 47 square miles...and inside this exclusive zone Disney is able to price things without competition. Clearly, Disney World resorts are way over priced...many asking 5 star rates and providing 3 star value (worth). Considering this you should never pay rack rate for any resort at anytime. Book early and keep looking for better deals, especially when Disney is struggling like they are right now. It also pays to go at other times than peak season too.

We have stay at the PR many times and is is a nice place to stay. I would say we have always stayed Club-LV, so we have always had a special time with great views. It is definately overpriced and struggles to maintain service standards, but it is a great place to stay when needing to return to your resort midday for breaks or naps. Outside of the Disney World bubble it is not worth it, but within Disney you are primarily paying for location.

I am not sure the PR would be as popular as it is right now, if it was in another location within the Disney property.

 

[Aliceacc]

Personally, I think it's worth every dime.

But there are some ways to get the convenience for less--

Take a look at www.mousesavers.com There are sometimes discounts available. AAA offers a 10-20% discount, depending on the resort and season.

Have you considered the Contemporary? It's also on the monorail, its basic rooms are cheaper than teh Poly, and you can walk to the MK if the lines are too bad.

 

[Tam1067]

We've stayed at the Poly three times, most recently in August 2008. It is a lovely resort. My kids and DH really like it--and if I hadn't insisted that we try something different this year just for once, we'd be heading there soon again.

It is worth it because as others have mentioned, the transportation is great. With kids the age of yours, you'll be at MK a lot, and it's easy to get there from the Poly. Also, the pool is great for kids the age of yours, and I doubt you'll miss not having a hot tub because you'll be running after your little guys. Also, the view from the beach is spectacular. My kids had a blast watching Wishes from the beach. Dining options are great, either at the resort itself or via the monorail to the Contemporary and Grand Floridian.

Now the cost is fairly high compared to what you'd pay for a similar room elsewhere, but location counts.

Here's the problem--once you stay there, you migth have a hard time trying something different next time.

 

[npmommie]

We love the Poly, I totally think it is worth it.
my kids always ask when we are going back to the "Lilo and Stitch" hotel. LOL

 

[npmommie]

Here's the problem--once you stay there, you migth have a hard time trying something different next time.

This is true. my dh wants to stay somewhere else on our next trip. I am wanting to oblige him and let him pick the next resort, but I am having a hard time getting the poly out of my head!! LOL