Need to switch from Poly because of Budget-Pop or CBR-Help Please!

[DisneyToddlers]

I've only had one trip to WDW-it was last year and we stayed at the Poly. I really loved it for it's tropical relaxing feel and the ease of taking the monorail with our 2 small children. I booked bounceback free dining at the Poly for this September, but now we realize we really better try to keep the costs down.

After researching the resorts, I've narrowed it down to either the Pop or to CBR (if I can convince DH that it's saving enough off the Poly rate!).

I had actually called Disney today and the CM was suggesting a moderate over the values because of 1. Quicker and more frequent bus service and 2. More amenities in the rooms. Can anyone give me their opinions on these issues between the 2 resorts. I think a big thing for me would be better transportation, esp. because we have a 2 year old and a 4 year old and will have a double stroller, diaper bag, etc.

I think the CBR theming might be close to that of the Poly, correct?

Also, I first told the CM that I was considering a split stay between Pop (7 nights) and Poly (3 nights) to keep costs down, but he said that I'd have to buy tickets on both packages and that would drive the cost way up, almost as expensive as staying at the Poly for the whole 10 nights. Can't I just buy one day tickets on the shorter Poly part and buy maybe an 8 day pass on the Pop segment?

Please help as I need to get this switched asap before all the free dining rooms book up! Thanks so much!

 

[mjones73]

Basically to get free dining with both packages you need some form of tickets with each. You could do one day passes and pack them away for future use then just get the other passes long enough to cover your whole trip.

As for the difference between a Value and Moderate, this thread lists some of them..

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2134556

Specially the 4th post.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

CBR is themed similarly to the Poly - very lush, relaxing, and tropical.

We have never stayed at POP, but we love CBR and would recommend it to anyone. We love the tropical feel, the spacious beautiful grounds, and the new pool is fantastic and looks like it belongs at a deluxe! It is also fun to lay on a hammock by the lake in the evening and watch IllumiNations! CBR info & pics ~ http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2074555

We choose the moderates over the values for the larger rooms (CBR having the largest), shaded bus stops, better pools, pool slides, ceiling fans, double sinks (except CSR), and just an overall more relaxing feel.

If you do decide on a split stay you should be able to just purchase a one day ticket on the one part of the trip in order to get the DDP.

Good luck!

 

[KatMark]

Ask yourself this: How much time are you going to actually be at the resort? If it is to only sleep/shower, then go with the value. If you plan on spending a good deal of time at the resort, then go with the mod.

 

[bshankin]

We've been to WDW for the past 8 years. We have stayed at the Pop Century and of all the values that is by far the nicest. (it is the newest) the kids loved it. But it is a big resort. Sometimes you have quite a little walk to eat. The buses are quite full by the end of a long tiring day. It's hard to have to stand w/ kids in arms. But the CM I have to agree with. I personally love the Port Orleans French Quarter. It's my favorite of the moderates. It's a smaller resort, great themed pool and kiddie pool. There is a refrigerator in the room (no charge) which is great to have in the room. The rooms are bigger. Never any problems with transportation really. There is always on occasion at any resort a crowded bus or two. But we never really encountered it. Can switch pools between French Quarter and Port Orleans Riverside. If I weren't getting such a good deal at the Boardwalk this year because of the 4 for 3 deal I'd be staying here! It's real nice. Good luck with your decision. keep us informed! Actually, I'm going back and forth trying to decide between the Poly & Boardwalk. Have ressie at the Boardwalk but with the deal I'm thinking I might change over to the Poly????

 

[KSG'sDisneyMem]

I usually stay at POP because I love it there, and we do values so we can go every year instead of every 2-3 years. I enjoy the leisurely stroll along the lake and to look at the trivia questions along that walkway for each year represented. The food court is good and the pools are very nice. I cannot yet comment on CBR but am going there in May for DGS surprise 5th b-day. We were able to do CBR because of the military 40% off rate being offered this year. We are staying in a pirate room and we are still paying just about the same as we would pay for a value at rack rate for that timeframe. We are really looking forward to the new/updated pools at CBR as well as the playgrounds right on the "beach" and the lovely hammocks too! I am just a bit leery of the food court at CBR as it gets very mixed reviews and typical value resort folks tend to not like the food court at CBR after having become so familiar with the value food courts. Not sure why but I am not concerned as we will be at Disney World. I think you and DH have to decide what is the most you want to pay for the room, how much time you will spend at the room (like will you be going back each day for naps?) and then figure out cost-wise what works. Regarding your question about a split stay, you only need to purchase one day park tix on each reservation to get free dining, but as a previous split-stayer myself I do not recommend it. Too time consuming to re-pack, check into another hotel, re-unpack/organize. With two young children it is a lot; I did it with DGS a couple years ago and won't do it again. Good luck and have a wonderful trip.

 

[kaffinito]

Also, I first told the CM that I was considering a split stay between Pop (7 nights) and Poly (3 nights) to keep costs down, but he said that I'd have to buy tickets on both packages and that would drive the cost way up, almost as expensive as staying at the Poly for the whole 10 nights. Can't I just buy one day tickets on the shorter Poly part and buy maybe an 8 day pass on the Pop segment?

Please help as I need to get this switched asap before all the free dining rooms book up! Thanks so much!

If you're doing the Poly after POP then buying a 1 day pass would work. We did that last year and it worked out fine. We did POP first with a full stay's worth of tickets and then went to a mod with a one day no hopper. We had free dining on each stay.

However, if you work out all of the numbers, there isn't that much of a savings if you do a value/deluxe stay vs just a mod stay. The numbers are about the same. If you really want to go back to the Poly, then a split stay might be the way to go.

I do know (from reading about it ad nauseum) that CBR's rooms are the largest mod rooms, and are the same size as the standard rooms at WL and AKL. I like staying in mods because the mods have a privacy curtain, a coffee maker and a fridge in the rooms. They also have a pool slide and a hot tub. I've stayed at POR and POFQ so far, and have CBR on my "wish" list of resorts to try.

Hope you have a great trip and that you get the deal you want!

 

[Tricia's mom]

POP !!! Don't believe anything anyone tells you about the bus transportation. It All sucks. YET...the best service I ever had was at the Value resorts.

 

[firefly4423]

good information!

 

[Turtlegirl]

CBR does not in ANY way compare to the Polynesian for theming. You will be sorely disappointed if you go to CBR expecting it to anything like the Poly. Perhaps rather than free dining, you'll be offered the 40% off code which works out to be a better deal then free dining when staying at a deluxe. Or call and see if you have the pin code associated with your name.

 

[TinkOhio]

We personally love th CBR, but any mod would be a better choice than a value if you are used to a deluxe. It would be hard for us not to keep thinking about how vast the difference in amenities is if we went from a deluxe to a value! And even though the theming isn't the same, CBR does have a very tropical, laid-back feel. It's a great change from anywhere up north!

 

[pickle's mom]

I vote CBR!

 

[Arielx2]

I have stayed at Pop and thought the bus transportation was great. The worst buses were at Poly. Pop would be my first choice for a value resort.

 

[katyjeka]

I'd have to disagree with the cast member, as we've had the worst bus experiences with WL, and OKW, and Poly. My dh was a little "ticked" considering the price of deluxes, to see a couple buses show up and leave for the values as we continued to wait for ours. I know people love Old Key West, but the bus service was HORRIBLE.

 

[Jitzy]

I've only had one trip to WDW-it was last year and we stayed at the Poly. I really loved it for it's tropical relaxing feel and the ease of taking the monorail with our 2 small children. I booked bounceback free dining at the Poly for this September, but now we realize we really better try to keep the costs down.

After researching the resorts, I've narrowed it down to either the Pop or to CBR (if I can convince DH that it's saving enough off the Poly rate!).

I had actually called Disney today and the CM was suggesting a moderate over the values because of 1. Quicker and more frequent bus service and 2. More amenities in the rooms. Can anyone give me their opinions on these issues between the 2 resorts. I think a big thing for me would be better transportation, esp. because we have a 2 year old and a 4 year old and will have a double stroller, diaper bag, etc.

I think the CBR theming might be close to that of the Poly, correct?

Also, I first told the CM that I was considering a split stay between Pop (7 nights) and Poly (3 nights) to keep costs down, but he said that I'd have to buy tickets on both packages and that would drive the cost way up, almost as expensive as staying at the Poly for the whole 10 nights. Can't I just buy one day tickets on the shorter Poly part and buy maybe an 8 day pass on the Pop segment?

Please help as I need to get this switched asap before all the free dining rooms book up! Thanks so much!

it works best for your family!

I noticed that you were going to be there for 10 days with two small children. That is a long time in a really small hotel room, which is what the value would be. Plus, you mention the stroller and the diaper bag and of course all of the other kid things you have to bring. Also, I think having the refrigerator in the room would be very helpful.

I vote CBR, but in the end you and your family's vote is the only one that counts! Have a great time!!!

 

[summersalt]

I like Pop. The only bad service we ran into was the bus service. Bus service isn't perfect at any of the resorts. I suggest staying at Pop and take the savings to rent a car. You won't have to rely on the bus service at all.

 

[iakot]

Pop room is 260 sq ft.
CBR room is 340 sq ft. Other mods are 314.

For 10 days, I would go for the extra room. We stayed at an All Star with 2 little kids. It got crampped. Don't split your stay. The moving is such a hassel. Also, each additional day on a ticket is only $12 or so for the family.

 

[clutter]

Look, this is your first trip, and it looks like your kids are toddlers.

Go for the value. If you can't get free dining at Pop, go for the All Stars. Now, I love deluxe resorts (AKL, BC). And CBR is my FAVORITE mod. But I also love the values.

Here's some reasons:

1. Yes, you have to walk a lot. But it's better than having to take an internal bus to go to the food court.

2. I know for a fact that All Stars Sports got all new mattresses in August, and they're nice!

3. Best bus service I've ever had was at All Stars during Christmas. Given that you'll be there during a not so busy time, you won't get that service, but it isn't any better or worse than another resort. All resorts have good or bad service given any day or holiday period. If you're not staying on the monorail, bus service is equal. Good or bad, it's just luck of the draw.

4. It's your first trip. You may want to go back again, and you'll be thinking it's doable if you've enjoyed a value. just think about the bounceback offer that may be waiting for you.

5. Little kids will LOVE the theming at the values.

6. You can add a frig at a value for $12/day.

 

[nwhitehead1214]

Don't get me wrong as the Poly is my absolute favorite resort. However, the bus service at the Poly is horrible, horrible. We have stayed at just about every resort and the best bus service was at the mods and values. One time we waited 1/2 hour for a bus during down season Anyhow, your bus service will go up. Like I said, we go to the Poly but if you are going for value I personally don't notice too much of a difference between the mods and the value quite honestly (couple few feet in rooms, a slide) other than that equally yoked resorts. I have never been to CBR however. Good luck with your choice.

 

[maidenfairy]

We stayed at Poly last Dec. I loved it, but the bus service was pretty shotty. It was beautiful, just too pricey. We are staying at the POP this Sept. It's really a fun resort. We've been twice before and always have a great time. The kids love the surroundings and the bus service there has always been great. If you are still feeling sad about Poly just keep reminding yourself of all the money you are saving and enjoy.