Is Poly worth the extra cost?

[dmetcalfrn]

We love the Poly and all the amenities of the resort. Especially the pools, the beach, ability to watch Wishes and Water Parade, restaurants, theming and boat/monorail and walk to TTC. Enjoy your trip!

ETA: What about a Beach Club/Poly split stay? Maybe there's some availability at BC for a few of the days?

 

[1sttimedisneymama]

Maybe I'll feel better about it closer to arrival. Idk but I hope I'm not as let down with the room and the motel style as I think I will be

 

[Shanti]

I am not happy at all. Seriously I really wanted Beach Club, F&W ruined that. I don't even want to go now but DH says we have to since airfare is purchased.

If a nice hotel matters that much to you, stay on Disney property but technically offsite at Waldorf Astoria. The rates are cheaper than most Disney deluxes, but much nicer rooms and property (real luxury, rather than Dis-luxe), with access to the amazing pool complex at Hilton Bonnet Creek, and free shuttles to the parks. Or just stay at Hilton Bonnet Creek. Both much nicer than a Disney moderate, and they're located on property, with free shuttles.

I would stay at either of them, quite happily, before staying at a Disney moderate.

http://www.waldorfastoriaorlando.com

http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/florida/hilton-orlando-bonnet-creek-ORLHHHH/index.html

 

[1sttimedisneymama]

DH did mention maybe dropping the meal plan and paying OOP. That would make poly $2900 and then we'd have to pay for food but I told him I don't think we could eat there for $400 for 7 nights

 

[1sttimedisneymama]

If a nice hotel matters that much to you, stay on Disney property but technically offsite at Waldorf Astoria. The rates are cheaper than most deluxes, but much nicer rooms and property, with access to the amazing pool complex at Hilton Bonnet Creek, and free shuttles to the parks. Or just stay at Hilton Bonnet Creek. Both much nicer than a Disney moderate, and they're located on property, with free shuttles.

I would stay at either of them, quite happily, before staying at a Disney moderate.

http://www.waldorfastoriaorlando.com

http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/florida/hilton-orlando-bonnet-creek-ORLHHHH/index.html

Can you get the dining plan or use magical express with those? If not we don't want that

 

[Shanti]

Can you get the dining plan or use magical express with those? If not we don't want that

No, they are technically offsite, even though they're within the WDW complex.

 

[Amanda999]

(I may have written this in another thread - of yours?? - if so disregard!)

I'm guessing you are going in late August/early Sep. on a travel agent special - guessing that from the approx. $200/night at BC. (And, I know that TA has BC sold out through part of late August.)

If so, try calling the TA again next week after (if) free dining is announced. I've read more than one person on this forum say they will cancel their late August deluxe TA deal if free dining is announced.

 

[1sttimedisneymama]

Then they wouldn't work for us unfortunately. We are just gonna have to stalk the Disney page to look for beach club availability

 

[1sttimedisneymama]

(I may have written this in another thread - of yours?? - if so disregard!)

I'm guessing you are going in late August/early Sep. on a travel agent special - guessing that from the approx. $200/night at BC. (And, I know that TA has BC sold out through part of late August.)

If so, try calling the TA again next week after (if) free dining is announced. I've read more than one person on this forum say they will cancel their late August deluxe TA deal if free dining is announced.

We are going Sept 17-24

 

[Hopefully]

Maybe I'll feel better about it closer to arrival. Idk but I hope I'm not as let down with the room and the motel style as I think I will be

If you are comparing a Disney Moderate to a Vegas hotel you are indeed setting yourself up to be disappointed. They are beautifully designed and landscaped but they are"motel style". For me, there is minimal privacy as my windows open onto a public walkway. There is no special view nor a balcony to sit out and enjoy the view. That said, even the Disney Deluxe hotels are not as nice as most Vegas hotels. Somehow if you are going to go, you need to become comfortable with you choice so you can enjoy your wonderful vacation. It is all about expectations.
Checkout the resort specific thread here. Look at pictures and see how nice they look. Lots of folks LOVE the Mods

DH did mention maybe dropping the meal plan and paying OOP. That would make poly $2900 and then we'd have to pay for food but I told him I don't think we could eat there for $400 for 7 nights

I agree I don't think you can eat for 7 nights for $400.

Good Luck.

 

[mickeynut1]

We definitely would be! We will just book moderate and hope I don't hate it. I'm not excited about it at all but $3800 is more than I am comfortable spending

I would book a mod, but keep checking for availability at the BC. Sometimes availability does change, so you might get lucky and something might become available .

Either way like I said above, you are going to WDW! And that's EXCITING! Your kids will have fun either way..since you will be saving more money then you originally planned, do a pirates and pals cruise or something. Some kind of special extra

I agree! I think you'll have a great trip no matter where you stay .

DH did mention maybe dropping the meal plan and paying OOP. That would make poly $2900 and then we'd have to pay for food but I told him I don't think we could eat there for $400 for 7 nights

If it were me, I'd stick with a mod/tickets/DDP as the mods are great resorts and have a lot of offer. As much as we love the deluxes (and the Poly), I wouldn't want to stress myself out trying to stay on target of only spending $400 for meals over 7 nights .

 

[Sunshine11]

ETA: What about a Beach Club/Poly split stay? Maybe there's some availability at BC for a few of the days?

This is brilliant! Stay at the Poly the first three nights that there was no availability at the BC and switch to the BC for the second-half of your trip! That will reduce the $500 extra. You could skip the hopper portion of your park pass (if you originally had it) and do MK while at the Poly and Epcot/HS while at BC.

 

[Kimberly9701]

I would book a mod, but keep checking for availability at the BC. Sometimes availability does change, so you might get lucky and something might become available .



I agree! I think you'll have a great trip no matter where you stay .



If it were me, I'd stick with a mod/tickets/DDP as the mods are great resorts and have a lot of offer. As much as we love the deluxes (and the Poly), I wouldn't want to stress myself out trying to stay on target of only spending $400 for meals over 7 nights .

I completely agree with this after reading more responses from the OP.

If financially one will strain you, then don't do it! No need for that kind of stress on a vacation. If a mod is in your budget, stick with it, and maybe do one or two of the extras I mentioned previously.

But as much as I enjoyed Poly, I would never recommend it if someone would have to compromise food money etc.. That's no fun.

Not one hotel on Disney property is 5 star status.. You'll be fine in a moderate!

 

[Babsy]

We definitely would be! We will just book moderate and hope I don't hate it. I'm not excited about it at all but $3800 is more than I am comfortable spending

I would book a mod, but keep checking for availability at the BC. Sometimes availability does change, so you might get lucky and something might become available .



I agree! I think you'll have a great trip no matter where you stay .



If it were me, I'd stick with a mod/tickets/DDP as the mods are great resorts and have a lot of offer. As much as we love the deluxes (and the Poly), I wouldn't want to stress myself out trying to stay on target of only spending $400 for meals over 7 nights .

I agree with Mickeynut1!

Simply book what is currently available (CSR or CBR) and switch when/if availability at BC opens up. BTW, is there any availability at the YC? It is very similar to the BC, just at the other end with a slightly different decor.

The moderates are motel style, but the theming and grounds give an experience that is much better than your typical motel. Have a look at some pictures. CSR has a great pool, lots of amenities and is a great resort for the price! You will be able to book preferred which will be nice at either CSR or CBR. CBR has a fantastic tropical island vibe and a really nice pool area as well. CBR has also just been refurbished and the rooms are beautiful! Also, on the positive side, the moderate rooms are not really much smaller than the rooms at the BC.

After you choose a resort, read some posts from people that have stayed at that resort and loved it.You may find that you will see it from a new perspective and become excited to try another place out!

Every resort and category has its own special unique advantages. Find the ones that make you excited about where you are staying. WE have stayed at them all, and while we do like some a little more than others, there really isn't a WDW resort that I wouldn't happily stay in again tomorrow.

Think about how relaxed you will be able to be about spending when you are only paying $2500 instead of $3300! That is an extra $800!!!! You can have a lot of fun spending that on any extras that you will like.

Enjoy!!

 

[1sttimedisneymama]

Thanks our budget is $4000 so we have 3400 left after plane tickets so BC was comfortable but Poly would be stretching

I completely agree with this after reading more responses from the OP.

If financially one will strain you, then don't do it! No need for that kind of stress on a vacation. If a mod is in your budget, stick with it, and maybe do one or two of the extras I mentioned previously.

But as much as I enjoyed Poly, I would never recommend it if someone would have to compromise food money etc.. That's no fun.

Not one hotel on Disney property is 5 star status.. You'll be fine in a moderate!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

When looking at CSR, consider if Business Class at CSR is an option. It will have included breakfast for you, and evening drinks.

 

[Kimberly9701]

Thanks our budget is $4000 so we have 3400 left after plane tickets so BC was comfortable but Poly would be stretching

Then definitely don't do Poly!!!
If my choice was a mod and having extra money in my pocket vs Poly and stressing the whole time, maybe not buying a souvenir that I wanted, I would choose the Mod every time!!

Please don't stress!!! It will be great!!
I feel for you right now bc you sound unhappy.. Think of how HAPPY your kids will be when you arrive!!!!

Please let us know how it went

 

[1971DBday]

Thanks our budget is $4000 so we have 3400 left after plane tickets so BC was comfortable but Poly would be stretching

We are a family of 5 and we did free dining once and it was way to much food. We tally our food, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages every year and we always save money vs. if we had done the dining plan and we don't skimp. As I stated on your other thread we love the Poly!

 

[mickeynut1]

Also, on the positive side, the moderate rooms are not really much smaller than the rooms at the BC.

After you choose a resort, read some posts from people that have stayed at that resort and loved it.You may find that you will see it from a new perspective and become excited to try another place out!

Great point about room size! To add, I think CBR has the largest rooms of the mods .

Thanks our budget is $4000 so we have 3400 left after plane tickets so BC was comfortable but Poly would be stretching

Have your TA keep checking for the BC, but in the meantime, I hope you can get excited about CBR as it really is a great resort .

If my choice was a mod and having extra money in my pocket vs Poly and stressing the whole time, maybe not buying a souvenir that I wanted, I would choose the Mod every time!!

Please don't stress!!! It will be great!!