JUST BACK FROM 7 NIGHTS POR & 12 NIGHTS POLY GVC

[scousemouse67]

Where do I start, so much to tell, so I am not going to cover everything and if anybody has questions then by all means fire away.

We spent 7 nights at POR Riverside 05/12-05/19.

Our second time at POR and it was great, no problems at all. Its a lovely resort, loads of pools and happy staff, we had a quiet pool to ourselves loads of times.

We were actually able to stay in the same room block 18, room 1802, my three daughters were so happy, they are aged 9, 6 and 4. The block is a great location, right behind us was the quiet pool and a very short walk to the main building via the ducks and rabbits.

I cannot fault the resort, the rooms could be a bit bigger and I think our families time at 5 in a room at POR are coming to an end. The trundle bed was used though not anybodys favourite bed.

Everything about the resort is great IMO, we love the boat to Downtown, buses are frequent and journeys good. Foodhall was good, the food is typical WDW fare and price. A big hall, so never a problem getting a seat.

Highly recommended

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05/19-05/31 Poly GVC

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I deliberated and deliberated over the Poly and GVC for what seemed an age.

It lived upto my expectations and beyond.

Let me first say, I had arranged most of my PS myself and sent back the iteniery to planning including my PS and new requests.

I only sent the Iteniery back 2 weeks before my visit and I casually asked for CRT for family of 5 any morning. GUESS WHAT? I got it, I thanked the conceriege staff and they said they 'all have thier contacts".

I know how hard people try to CRT, to be honest I wasnt that bothered and my girls had never really asked, but I thought why not and hey presto Concereige came up with the goods. They also got me into a few other places that were booked up, so from that stand point conceroege was a great facility.

The lounge is a lovely relaxed place to go after coming back in the afternoon, from the pool , beach, park, e.t.c. The food & drinks provided were really welcome.

We never used the settings as a replacement for anything, they were a great option, I think we only did breakfast twice, but my girls just loved it. I only let my eldest go on her own, she loved the snacks, juice and a new convert to sushi! A snank before going back to your room to change for the evening and even watching the fireworks form the lounge or beach is great. My two youngest loved the snacks to, there at an age where they are very fussy (or spoilt) I felt very safe and secure letting my daughter go to the lounge alone, with either sister, not 3 together or there would of been juice and cookies everywhere. Somebody else on another post said they love the convenieve of Hawaii. I totally agree, we discussed the value for money, and came to the quick conclusion, that seeing my girls happy is all that matters. Dont get me wrong they enjoy going to our local park with the dog and a ball to, so I know you dont have to spend alot of money to see your children happy or yourself, all parents will know that. I also know that saying non concerige would alos of been great, Conceriege just adds that littel touch, which sometime makes your vactaion.

Being a Brit, the value of holidaying in the USA (dollar to Sterling) is great and we also have Premium Annual Passes so we got a pass rate on the rooms at both POR & Poly and I know my perception of values for money is different to USA citizens.

We are considering Lagoon view because to be able to let the kids go out the room onto the grass or beach and keep my eye on them whilst sipping a glass of wine or cold beer & a cookie! is part of my holiday or just being on the beach with them just yards from our room is convenience with a capital C.

Room size are above average and accomadte 5 no problem the settee bed is better than the trundles on POR. Location of resort and Hawaii is great, Volcano pool good, just a bit to small for the size of resort. Beach, main building, food, Kona, Ohanas, Spirit of aloha all wonderful. Views really magical, girls woke up evry single morning to Birds, ducks, chickd and rabbits outside our patio.

Buses were a bit slow to and from resort, especially to downtown, because of the stops.

Overall we were very very happy and had no bad experiences. Loved it all and thanks to everyone else who has posted good and bad about WDW resots POR and Poly, it helped me make the choices we made, shows, accomadation, Ps, e.tc..

Highly Recommended

Cheers

 

[Luv2trav]

19 nights... I am so jealous... Thanks for the report.

 

[scoutsmom99]

scousemouse67,
Thank-you for that wonderful report! I'm glad to hear you and your family had a fabulous stay

 

[clombardi]

We are considering Lagoon view because to be able to let the kids go out the room onto the grass or beach and keep my eye on them whilst sipping a glass of wine or cold beer & a cookie! is part of my holiday or just being on the beach with them just yards from our room is convenience with a capital C.

We are staying Poly GVC in July. My husband is wondering if beer is available in the afternoon as well as the evening. Were you able to get a beer at any time at the concierge?

 

[MagicKingdom05]

scousemouse67,

Did you save up vacation time from the previous year to do this, or did you have 19 vacation day's this year.

 

[Luv2trav]

Jason, They are from Europe and I think they get more vacation time than we do. I think most of them get 6 weeks vacation..

 

[BCV23]

Thanks for the report. Sounds like you had a great stay at both resorts.

We were with you at the Polynesian concierge for a few nights. We were there from the 18 to 22 before moving to BCV. I remember hearing a delightful British accent....perhaps it was you.

When you are on holiday for such a nice, long time do you find yourself thinking you are still in FL when you awaken at home? I find that happens to me once I'm gone nine nights. Have no idea why it kicks in at 9 but it does. With 19, I would probably be really confused!

Are your schools out yet or just a break?

 

[MagicKingdom05]

Luv2trav,

Ok thanks. I have always thought of maybe saving one years vacation and rolling it into the next year so I could have like 27 days, but I don't think that I would beable to go a whole year without one.

 

[Sammie]

Jason, They are from Europe and I think they get more vacation time than we do. I think most of them get 6 weeks vacation..

It all depends on where you work in the US, many of my relatives get at least 6 weeks vacation if not more. Of course they did not get that much when they started but they do now.

 

[Luv2trav]

It all depends on where you work in the US, many of my relatives get at least 6 weeks vacation if not more. Of course they did not get that much when they started but they do now.

I agree some people do get that amount but it's not as common as it is in Europe.

 

[Tess]

We are staying Poly GVC in July. My husband is wondering if beer is available in the afternoon as well as the evening. Were you able to get a beer at any time at the concierge?

I really don't know the "official" policy--but last year we were told that if we wanted a beer before evening service all we needed to do was ask for it. I know others were being served throughout the afternoon. Personally, we have our own brand in our room so we are able to have more than one cold drink around the pool. By the time you leave the lounge and get to the pool, that little plastic cup gets pretty warm fairly quickly. Now, if you were just hanging around the lounge in the mid-afternoon, that wouldn't be an issue.

 

[scousemouse67]

Replies:

Clombard: I dont usually drink mid afternoon, but had no prob getting a beer in the lounge after 4pm, usually only when I asked. Sometimes they had bottles in a cooler on display, othertimes you needed to ask.

Magic: I take about 7-8 weeks vacation a year so a 3 week vacation In the sunshine state is never a problem. I anit rtavelling 4500 miles for a weekend!

BCV23: You probably heard the "delightful sounds of my daughters before you heard mine, I never get a word in!!!

After about 3 weeks getting out of Florida mode is tough, especailly the jet lag, I have been up these last few mornings before the birds!

But every waking moment is worth it.

Cheers

 

[tinknsnow]

Now that is some vacation! Awesome.

So glad that you loved PolyGVC-- we are staying there for the first time on our next trip and cannot wait.

Thanks for the post.

 

[rifamtrav]

scousemouse67, thanks for the great review of Poly. We're going in Sep with DD's 12,10,10 (only a regular GV though). I am glad to hear you didn't mind letting your oldest go to the lounge alone. We have done some travelling and the last few years have let our oldest go back and forth between lounge/lobby/pool etc. She's very responsible so I'm not worried. For this trip I was thinking of letting the 3 of them explore a bit around the resort (the oldest will have a cell phone, if needed). Do you think that would be safe?
Since the food settings were never a meal replacement, I'm curious where did you eat?