Just Back...My Thoughts

StephMS

Earning My Ears
Joined
Jan 30, 2013
Messages
35
We returned home yesterday from a 5 night stay at WDW. We spent our first night (Friday, 5/24) at POFQ. On Saturday, my hubby surprised me with an upgrade to the POLY for the remainder of our trip.

We did not have any negative experiences. Although the parks were crowded everyone seemed to be well behaved and enjoying themselves. I didn't notice very many people walking into others because they were on cellphones, and there were far less scooters than we've seen on previous trips. People were decent on the buses, monorails, boats, etc. Although the parks were crowded, we always managed to have seats and only once or twice were there a few people (teenaged boys) standing.

One thing I did notice was the amount of kids between the ages of 7-10 in strollers. It wasn't like the family had a younger child and maybe this kid was just taking a short ride. We kept seeing this over and over. (actually hundreds of times over 4 days) These kids were always playing on a cellphone oblivious to everything around them.:confused3 I know there are some issues out there that may require this sort of thing, but these kids were crammed into "toddler" strollers. If we had only seen it once or twice I would have written it off as anything from a bad blister to some other medical problem....but we witnessed this an insane number of times.

All of our meals were excellent (even H&V where the chef actually came to our table to make sure we were enjoying our meal). The breakfast buffet at Trails End was wonderful. Disney has some wonderful CMs working there! We also ate at The Wave, Liberty Tree Tavern, ESPN, and Kona. We tried to get into Ohana the entire time we were there (this was a quickly planned trip and all ADRs were gone by the time we decided to go). We also had a few quick service meals and we have no complaints there.

Every CM we encountered this trip was friendly and personable. Anyone we had contact with was extremely helpful and positive. Especially at the POLY.pixiedust:

Which brings me to my final thoughts...The Poly was outstanding and definitely worth staying there. I told my DH on the way home that I would rather have a 2night trip and stay at the Poly than a week anywhere else. It was that great. DH and I were married 20 yrs. last Oct. It was our dream to spend that week at the Poly. Due to some really bad circumstances with serious illness in our family, and other issues, we just weren't able to make it. DH was telling our check-in CM about this and she gave us the actual flower leis they give newlywed/anniversary couples and we returned one night to find the most delicious chocolate covered strawberries in our room. I cannot say enough good things about the Poly. It was so relaxing. This was the first trip we ever made without the kids and our goal was to rest and relax. The Poly made that possible. I cannot recommend it enough...like I said if you can only stay one night...DO IT!!!!:wizard:

Overall, it was a wonderful trip. I have visited WDW over 25 times since 1972 and this was one of the best. Other than missing our kids, I wouldn't change a thing about it. I was concerned since lately I've read several reports about surly CMs, horrible guest encounters, rampant scooter/wheelchair abuse, etc, etc, but we didn't experience any of that. I hope everyone going in the future has as wonderful a time as we did!pixiedust:
 
Sounds wonderful! So glad you had a great time. I really want to try the Poly sometime. Next time I get a 40% pin code (have only received it once) it will be the Poly for sure!
 
I am glad you had a good time. We have always found the Poly CMs to be a little above the rest. We own at BLT but spend a descent amount of time at the Poly. It is our most favorite resort.
 

So glad you both had such a wonderful time...we celebrated our 20th anniversary in October, too!




:sunny:
 
One of my favorite places to eat dinner the last few years was GF Cafe. This year I booked it and when I saw the latest menu, I was a bit disappointed.

I decided just yesterday (we arrive the 15th) to take my chances and see if I could change my dining. I didn't want to go too far out of the way, because it is our last night and MK is open until 1 am. What a wonderful way to end our last full day.

I scrolled through the 15 or so choices that were available and most of them were resorts that were farther away and would take some transfers to get to. We already had several resort dinners planned around park days and I didn't want to stray too far.

The last one all the way down at the bottom of the page was Kona - I had never even throught of that; still on the monorail or boat loop - not that far to go and the food choices and style of the restaurant look just our speed.

I am sure when I get to the Poly, it will be another one of my "wishes" to stay at some point along the way!
 
glad you had a great time! Nice report.

I always loved the Poly, too. It's been a very long time since I stayed there (I think 20 years). I have been leaning towards BLT (my home resort) lately. But Poly has always been a favorite.
 
One of my favorite places to eat dinner the last few years was GF Cafe. This year I booked it and when I saw the latest menu, I was a bit disappointed.

I decided just yesterday (we arrive the 15th) to take my chances and see if I could change my dining. I didn't want to go too far out of the way, because it is our last night and MK is open until 1 am. What a wonderful way to end our last full day.

I scrolled through the 15 or so choices that were available and most of them were resorts that were farther away and would take some transfers to get to. We already had several resort dinners planned around park days and I didn't want to stray too far.

The last one all the way down at the bottom of the page was Kona - I had never even throught of that; still on the monorail or boat loop - not that far to go and the food choices and style of the restaurant look just our speed.

I am sure when I get to the Poly, it will be another one of my "wishes" to stay at some point along the way!

Kona is one of our family's favorites, both for breakfast and dinner.




:sunny:
 
I am glad you enjoyed the Poly. I will be there over July 4th and I haven't stayed there for many years. I am really looking forward to it.
 
Thanks everyone for your nice replies. To all of you headed to the Poly in the future, I hope your stay is as nice as ours was...I can't help but be a little jealous!:beach:
 
So glad you had a great trip! We are heading for our 2nd Poly stay in August. We love it too. It truly is our favorite resort and can't wait to be there again! It was our 15th anniversary last Aug and we had planned to take a trip - just dh and I to celebrate, but we decided on a quick spontaneous trip with the kids to Disney and wound up staying at POFQ. We like it there too, but Poly is where our heart is. We'll be there during our 16th anniversary this time and with kids, but it'll still be a celebration!
 
DH and I were there in October for our 30th wedding anniversary. We were given those " special " leis also. I dried them out and still smile whenever I glance at them. It is such a happy memory that we will always cherish ! :dance3:
 
One thing I did notice was the amount of kids between the ages of 7-10 in strollers. It wasn't like the family had a younger child and maybe this kid was just taking a short ride. We kept seeing this over and over. (actually hundreds of times over 4 days) These kids were always playing on a cellphone oblivious to everything around them.:confused3 I know there are some issues out there that may require this sort of thing, but these kids were crammed into "toddler" strollers. If we had only seen it once or twice I would have written it off as anything from a bad blister to some other medical problem....but we witnessed this an insane number of times.

We were there this past weekend and noticed the exact same thing. Even my DD, who does not usually notice such things, commented on it. :confused3
 
We are at DW now and my wife has noticed the same thing with much older kids in the toddler strollers. We just think it is crazy.

Our kids 9 and 6 have walked everywhere with no issues including a 13 hour day at MK. It's all about taking small breaks here and there to let everyone rest.

No need for any able bodied child to be stuffed into a toddler stroller.
 
Nole95 said:
We are at DW now and my wife has noticed the same thing with much older kids in the toddler strollers. We just think it is crazy.

Our kids 9 and 6 have walked everywhere with no issues including a 13 hour day at MK. It's all about taking small breaks here and there to let everyone rest.

No need for any able bodied child to be stuffed into a toddler stroller.

I can not say if this is the reason or not but I know that kids with autism need a stroller to have a safe and calmer place to be in a crowded situation. I'm sure that wasn't the reason for everyone you saw but it could be the reason for a good portion. You never know the reasons behind someone elses choices and just because they look fine doesn't mean there wasn't a good reason for it.

Glad you had a good trip though! Staying at the Poly is on my to do list.
 
Disney_Fanatic25 said:
I can not say if this is the reason or not but I know that kids with autism need a stroller to have a safe and calmer place to be in a crowded situation. I'm sure that wasn't the reason for everyone you saw but it could be the reason for a good portion. You never know the reasons behind someone elses choices and just because they look fine doesn't mean there wasn't a good reason for it.

Glad you had a good trip though! Staying at the Poly is on my to do list.

That.... my boss' son has autism and is 16 and almost as tall as his dad -dad is 6'-4" and son is 5'-11". He can run faster than lightening, because he walks on the balls of his feet and his calves look like those of a running back for the NFL. In addition, they can place a tray in front of him with items that will keep him occupied during lines. They know his exact schedule; noon is lunch, etc. They go back to the resort and allow him to swim in the pool and have time with dad.

They plan every possible scenario so they do not ask for help.
 
I'ts been a very long time since I stayed at Poly..would love to do it again, however we seem to be BWV fans lately - love the convenient location to 2 parks and 2 other deluxe resorts...

Regarding stoller - I understand your observances...DS will be 6 (a month shy of 7) when we go again in Aug. and I want to bring stroller not for son as much as for me! My shoulders and back get sore lugging things around the park....I have one bag with just essentials (wallet, camera, a few hand wipes) that I carry with me all the time and then in the stoller I keep an extra bag with extra wipes, first aide items, extra top and socks for DS, sunscreen, frozen bottles of water, etc. Items that make the day easier to get thru, but items I don't want to carry around in Aug heat - so the stroller. Plus it's a great place to put drinks, snacks and toerh items DS and DH hand to me while going thru the park. Sometimes I think another name for mom is pack mule!

Last time we went we basically parked stroller in an area (for example Adventureland) and then DS walked with us throughout area on rides and such. Then when we were ready to move on to next area we took stroller with us...sometimes DS sat in it if he was tired other times he didn't. For him i find stroller helpful whenthere is a large crowd to maneuver through it's easier to push him through then to "pull him through" holding hand, end of long day when headed out of park to buses and when waiting for parade - better to sit in stroller than hot sidewalk.

I'll check before we leave if DS still fits in stroller - if not, I'll have to re-think how I carry things in park. I know we can rent stroller if needed, but why spend the extra money and to tell you the truth I find stoller most helful at end of day when heading back to resort with tired child and you can't take rented strollers out of park.

If we take stroller this will definately be last year...I know I will miss it as I find it helpful to carry things more than my son...he can walk and does, but carrying things for him and DH outside of what fits into their pockets is another story......
 















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