New to the board. Looking for some advice

[Antonio]

I am visiting Disneyworld in October for the third time. It's goin to be my honeymoon and I was originally supposed to stay at POFQ but decided to splurge and go to the Poly. Is it worth the extra $1700 I'm going to spend? Also is there any advice you can give me on places to eat and ways to make my trip better. Do they ever give free upgrades based on the occasion? I have stayed at the ASMusic and Saratoga before so I'm expecting a lot more out of the Poly. Hopefully I don't regret it.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Congradulations on up coming occasion. My personal feelings are that 1700.00 is alot of money but any up grade is always worth it if you can comfortly afford it. POFQ is a very unique resort, we visit it alot but never stayed there. We like the offerings in the food court and nightly entertainment in the lounge and we take the refreshing boat ride to DTD from there to enjoy an evening at DTD and then bus back to our resort. That said, Poly is a great resort, very romantic, peaceful around the grounds but the lobby and restaurants tend to get crowded at times. It's a monorail resort that has its pros and cons.

Back to the 1700.00, still alot of money in my book but have you given any thought to WL? In the MK area, on the water, a smaller compact resort with a smaller price than the Poly. We've done over 10 trips there and feel this resort is the most unique in the area, convenient to the MK, access to the other 3 resorts in the MK loop for shopping and dining.

No matter which you chose, you won't go wrong.....but 1700.00 can buy alot of other stuff....

 

[Metro West]

 

[mickeyluv'r]

My feeling is that while disney resorts are pricely, generally speaking, you do get something in return - so long as you are using what you get. DO keep an eye out for discounts! I don't know that any are out currently, but there likely will be something. One of the biggest 'returns' of staying deluxe is a the amount of time you save. They are often more convenient.

How much you like a resort is what you make of it. For me, the Poly is one of my favorites for eating, but not my personal top choice for where to stay. The theming is great, and being on the monorail loop is great. It's also convenient to be so close to the TTC. The rooms are big. I also think the Poly is one of the more romantic resorts on property! POFQ would be a good second choice for romantic atmosphere.

Where I'm not so fond of Poly is the layout. It's certainly more convenient than the All Stars and SSR, but it's not my favorite. The other small thing that's not my favorite is the brown decor. Lots of folks love it, but I am much happier with white bedding, bright lighting and cheery colors. I also wish Poly has a real hot tub. That said, the pool at Poly is really neat! Though there is no hot tub, the main pool does have and area with jets (as a hot tub, they just aren't hot). The view from the pool is neat. I also think the food offerings inthe food court are good. You are also very clse to GF, which also has lots of great dining.

My suggestion is often to dine near one's home resort. In the case of Poly - you'll get the best of both worlds when you dine at GF or Poly. If you pick POFQ, then consider some dining at DTD.

Simply put, you should not go expecting an upgrade ever, but Poly has been known to sometimes upgrade rooms within the resort. At POFQ, there are two room catoegories. It's possible you could get upgraded to water view, but I think that's the only potential upgrade. Disney doesn't typically upgrade toa different resort, unless a resort is overbooked. Upgrades are FAR more likely during slower times of year. October is not slow season, but it isn't Christmas either, so likely rooms won't be totally booked. POFQ is one of the smallest resorts on property.

How much you get out of a resort depends how much time you'll be spending there, how much you appreciate a better pool, etc.

If you stay at Poly, then you owe it to yourself to watch Wishes from the Poly beach (or pool) at least one night! If you pick POFQ, then you owe it to yoruself to do at least one evening ride on the DTD shuttle boat.

 

[Antonio]

I was looking at other deluxes but the Poly really caught my eye and thats why I decided to go with it over the others. I know its more money but the monorail is something im really hoping makes my trip more convenient. I loved how the online pictures of the POFQ looked but on my honeymoon I figure ill go all out. My fiance is from the caribbean and loves the beach. I figure the Poly offered a nice atmosphere for her also. Im going to stick with the Poly and hopefully everything works out. It is expensive but its a once in a lifetime thing. I plan on visiting disney every other year so ill have the rest of my life the cheapen my trip. I am going to Aruba for 6 days after Disney so I hope the Poly sets me up for that authentic Caribbean feel. Thank you all!

PS.. I heard that they usually give free dining around the time im going and they usually announce this around April. I hope this happens this year. I can sure use the $550 Ill save.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I am going to Aruba for 6 days after Disney so I hope the Poly sets me up for that authentic Caribbean feel. Thank you all!

I'm not trying to be snarky, but just for clarification- the theming of the Poly is Polynesian, not Caribbean, which is rather different. Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort has Caribbean themed decor. Although the food court at Poly has fairly standard Disney QS food, like pizza- Poly's TS dining options are Polynesian/American themed, which is quite different from Caribbean food. (Truthfully CBR's food is also more American food court than Caribbean food- at least the last time I was there.)

The monorail is very convenient - but it's really only conveneint for getting to the monorail resorts and MK. The Poly is not especially close to any of the other three parks. For Epcot, you can pick up the monorail line to Epcot at the TTC - which is right next door - but it still takes a bit to get to Epcot from there. Going to HS and AK is done via a bus that stops at Poly, CR, and GF.

Again, I'm not trying to be snarky. The display maps that Disney makes, IMO, are wildly distorted to make it look like MK is close to the other parks. MK is a far to the north, where AK is inthe southwest corner, and HS and Epcot are near the middle. If convenience to the greatest number of parks is your goal - then IMO, the Epcot deluxe resorts are more centrally located. Getting to say - the WS restaurants from Poly - is rather a healthy distance. (try Google Earth)

It makes sense then, if you are staying on the monorail loop - to spend a bigger percent of your time in MK. It also makes sense to dine on the monorail loop often. Getting around the monorail loop for dinner is usually very quick via monorail. The resort itself is very pretty.

One more tip - When I've looked in the past - if Disney offers a percent off rate and a free dining promo - your better deal, especially with just two adults in a deluxe resort- is likely to be the %off deal. (Usually you can still add the dining plan for the $48 price) Free dining will save you a maximum of $98 per day. A 30% deal may save you more like $150 per day in October. I hope you have a great honeymoon!

 

[007zLdy]

Welcome

 

[Antonio]

I was also curious if staying at a deluxe means the buses to the other resorts ran more frequent than at a moderate or an all star. I was hoping the extra money means I won't have to wait extra time for a bus to HS or AK.

 

[disneyfanbcv]

OK I go every year for the past 5 years in October. The reason sister get away. Second reason the FOOD & WINE FEST!!!!!! We stay at the Beach Club!!! Love the location. You can walk to Hollywood Studios, take a boat to Epcot or what we do is a 5min walk. At night you can take a break from the theme parks , but go across to the Boardwalk for a stroll and lite entertainment. The FOOD & WINE FEST is in Epcot and is wonderful!!!! You have a back gate entrance so you are never in lines to get into Epcot. Just saying. Now I have never stayed at the Poly , BUT I have drank at the Poly. If you have any questions on the Beach Club just ask!

 

[disneyfanbcv]

i was also curious if staying at a deluxe means the buses to the other resorts ran more frequent than at a moderate or an all star. I was hoping the extra money means i won't have to wait extra time for a bus to hs or ak.

no!

 

[Antonio]

I have a lot of inquiries so I'm jusgoing to use this board. I'm also doing advanced dinner reservations. I'm looking to do ohanas, Italy in epcot. Le cellier, biergarten and espn. Is there any other restaurants that are a must do? I heard Cali grill but my fiancé isn't a fan of the menu.

 

[disneyfanbcv]

I vote for skipping Calif Grill. I did it once and won't again now you want a good steak go to LeCellier. We always enjoy the Yacht club steak house also. Or go to Japan and have them cook infront of you fun. You want entertainment and laughs hoop de doo review. The Poly has a great Lou Aw sorry spelling on that

 

[Antonio]

How is tutto? I'm an Italian with Italian born parents and from new York so I'm very picky about my Italian food. Is it any good? I know that it's not going to be moms but is it generic Italian food?

 

[Eeyore's Wife]

Antonio, welcome to the boards!

First, while I love lots of things about the Poly, we won't stay there again. The rooms were very dark, brown and green. It felt, to me, like someone had decorated the rooms in the 1970's and never changed the decor. I don't mean that it was worn out, but that the style had not changed.

Second, you will be taking buses to DHS, Animal Kingdom, and Downtown Disney. These buses not only don't come quicker than when staying value, but you will share bus service with the Contemporary and the Grand Floridian. Magic Kingdom is rather removed from all other locations, so you can have rather long bus rides.

Third, Poly is set up with rooms in long houses. There are no amenities in these long houses and everthing you will need to use requires walking outside. Every bus, the monorail, the TTC, refilling mugs, grabbing a bite to eat, everything will require a walk outside. During rainy parts of the year, that means getting soaked anytime you leave your longhouse. As such, I would really consider staying at the Wilderness Lodge. The resort is housed under one roof, so you do not have to brave the elements to head to the snack bar, sit down restaurants, to enjoy the lobby, or grab an asprin at the store. The boat ride to MK is romantic and the cost is usually considerably lower.

Another option would be to rent points from a DVC owner and stay at a Vacation Club location such as Bay Lake Tower if you really wanted to stay near the Magic Kingdom. It is connected via a walkway to the Contemporary restaurants, monorail, and shops. You could also just stroll over the Magic Kingdom. You mentioned you will be going during historical free dining periods, the cost for a Magic Kingdom view studio is 139 points for a week in the month of September. If you rented those for $12 per point, an entire week would only cost you $1668. That is less money than you are planning to spend on an upgrade. You would be in a deluxe resort, have a great view, and be under one roof if a tropical depression sets up camp and rains on your honeymoon.

When staying DVC you can still add the dining plan and use Magical Express. Those rooms sell out fast, so you would need to jump fast to secure one. There are boards here that can help you find points to rent.

As to Tutto Italia, It is not as good as what your momma makes, but it is good quality. I was very pleased with my short ribs but not as pleased with the Lasagna, though my son enjoyed it greatly. We are foodies, and do not recommend California Grill as the last two meals there were simply average food at much above average prices. Il Mulino, at Swan and Dolphin, has the best Italian on property, but they are not part of the dining plan and you will pay out of pocket.

 

[Rachandgarry]

Hi there,

Just wanted to say that the couple of times I've stayed at the Contemporary I got reeeeeeeeeeeeeally cheesed off with the bus service - they do not come very often and as other folks have said, they stop at both other MK hotels. It is sometimes hard to get on them. The worst thing is when you are leaving DHS, AK, Downtown Disney or the Water Parks....there is ONE bus for all 3 of those hotels, and the spaces fill up fast. You would assume that Disney would provide more buses but they don't, there are less. I have stood at the parks and counted how many All Star Music/Sports buses came, whilst I waited for my Contemporary bus - 3 at DHS and AK but 5 at Downtown Disney! I was absolutely furious at the time, at the end of a long day you just want to get back not stand around waiting for buses.

Not trying to put you off, but I would definitely prepare yourself for this 'issue'.

Personally, if you can afford the Poly, I would stay at the Beach Club near Epcot - particularly considering your dining choices.

Restaurant-wise, I love Le Cellier in Canada, Ohana at the Poly, Cape May Cafe at Beach Club (or is it Yacht Club?!) and ESPN at the Boardwalk. Yacht and Beach would be ideal for all of those.

Have a fab time whatever you do!

Regards
Rachel