Newbie from Ontario - with Questions

[Miss LD]

Hi!
I've been lurking on this board for several months, and just returned from an AMAZING trip to Disney World.
We loved our trip and I'm dying to go back. We're looking at late April/early May.
This past trip we stayed at a timeshare with my parents and my sister's family. This time we want to stay on Disney property. We'll be going with our kids - an energetic 5 year old (who does not nap) and a 1 year old baby girl who will need her naps.
I think staying at the Polynesian would be ideal so we could go back and forth easily and would get the necessary relaxation in the trip.
But, the cost is almost double that of the mods we're looking at. Does anyone think the extra cost is worth it? In all honesty when we stayed offsite it wasn't worth it to me to go home and nap, but my husband found the trip far too exhausting.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[wilde_oscar]

The hotels on the monorail are pricey... because they are on the monorail... and it is easy to get back and forth to MK. If MK and to a lesser Epcot are all you are concerned with, the extra cost would probably be worth it, as it would save about an hour in commute time, or so, a day. The Mods are pretty equal when it comes to transportation. in gerenal you are looking at 20 min in the am to get to the parks, 30 min. one way in the afternoon for your nap... and 40 min. for the bus ride back at park close.

the Poly has a really great pool, a great view of fireworks from the beach, and self serve dole whip.

 

[mickeynut1]

We feel the Poly is worth the extra cost for a few (of many) reasons.....the rooms are bigger, convenient monorail service to/from the MK, and the beach is great to sit and watch the fireworks....and then you have just a short walk back to your room without fighting the crowds out of the MK . But if the Poly is too much cost wise, have you considered the WL? That is also a beautiful resort, although the rooms are not as big as the ones at the Poly . The WL doesn't have the monorail but it does have convenient boat service to/from the MK and is a deluxe resort but without the deluxe price tag, as it's quite a bit cheaper than the Poly . Both the WL and the Poly have awesome pools along with great theming and beautiful grounds . The Poly and the WL are our 2 favorite resorts . Good luck deciding and happy planning .

 

[pepe of ohio]

We used to do the Poly few years ago, when it wasn't so pricey and good AP rates were given out, but now we prefer WL. It's a deluxe, rooms smaller but just as good, boat transportation to the MK is quick and easy and a relaxing ride. You can boat to CR and gain access to the monorail to get to the TTC and monorail to EPCOT or just take the bus. This resort is themed to the nines, great pool and slide, nice kiddee pool and 2 hot tubs. You can take a boat to FW, great buffets, horse barn, petting zoo etc and the EWP runs every night down by the dock. There's boat to rent, bikes, surrey bikes and a trail to go over to FW thru the woods. There are some good rates out there, even with AAA discount standard too is not that bad, just for the location alone. If you have the planning video, check out the Wilderness Lodge, you can't go wrong for the money.

 

[Jen M]

Last year we went with our two boys 3 and 7 months. We stayed at the All star sports. It was nice. Nothing fancy but the price was right. We went the first week in Sept as that is your oldest's birthday. We are going again this year and staying at the Animal Kingdom lodge. I can let you know how it was when we get back on Sept 7.

If you have any thoughts about going in Sept they usually have the dining plan included.

 

[Jen M]

Sorry forgot some info. If you go to disney's website and sign up for their newletter they usually have some good deals there. I sent away for the planning DVD this year even though I didn't need it and I got an email a couple days later offering 20% because I was a returning customer.

 

[Miss LD]

I hadn't done much research past the Polynesian.
I'd love to go in September, but DH doesn't have enough vacation days. Originally I'd planned on late Jan, but I go back from Maternity leave in early February, and it's bad enough coming off a Disney high without having to go back to work.
I'm definitely looking at Fort Wilderness now also.

 

[pepe of ohio]

I hadn't done much research past the Polynesian.
I'd love to go in September, but DH doesn't have enough vacation days. Originally I'd planned on late Jan, but I go back from Maternity leave in early February, and it's bad enough coming off a Disney high without having to go back to work.
I'm definitely looking at Fort Wilderness now also.

You, quoted Fort Wilderness, that has cabins and campsites and Wilderness Lodge is a separate resort quite a distance from FW. I was explaining the Wilderness Lodge is my post, 2 different areas, 2 different experiences.

 

[stopher1]

WELCOME!!

 

[beavdisfan]

Hello from Ontario as well.
We have been the last two years as a family group of 16. Ages 1 to 60. I'm the 60.
We stayed one year at Port Orleans French Quarter and one at Riverside.
They are both great resorts. F/Q is small easy to get around great pool and nice eating area. Riverside is much larger has bigger and better everything but that can be it's downfall for some people. It is very large. I would only stay there again in certain buildings.
The size is also the problem with Poly. it can be a long walk from to the food court etc.
I do not know about the buss service at Poly. but F/Q is perfect. You are always the first on going to the parks so there will be a seat.
If you do choose Riverside request Aligator Bayou building 15 or one close to it, at F/Q everything is close but building five on the pool side is the best we found.
If you have a CAA card go to their website and check out possible discounts. You can save at least 10% by booking through CAA rather than booking direct through Disney
Hope this helps a bit.

 

[Tink3Bell]

Welcome!

 

[Miss LD]

Hello from Ontario as well.
We have been the last two years as a family group of 16. Ages 1 to 60. I'm the 60.
We stayed one year at Port Orleans French Quarter and one at Riverside.
They are both great resorts. F/Q is small easy to get around great pool and nice eating area. Riverside is much larger has bigger and better everything but that can be it's downfall for some people. It is very large. I would only stay there again in certain buildings.
The size is also the problem with Poly. it can be a long walk from to the food court etc.
I do not know about the buss service at Poly. but F/Q is perfect. You are always the first on going to the parks so there will be a seat.
If you do choose Riverside request Aligator Bayou building 15 or one close to it, at F/Q everything is close but building five on the pool side is the best we found.
If you have a CAA card go to their website and check out possible discounts. You can save at least 10% by booking through CAA rather than booking direct through Disney
Hope this helps a bit.

That's a great idea. When we compared the prices online (just a general idea since obviously it's too far in advance) DH feels that the Poly is maybe too elaborate for this trip and wants to try something less expensive. But we know nothing about the mods ... yet.

 

[Jen M]

That's a great idea. When we compared the prices online (just a general idea since obviously it's too far in advance) DH feels that the Poly is maybe too elaborate for this trip and wants to try something less expensive. But we know nothing about the mods ... yet.

This will be my 4th trip to Disney 3rd staying at the resort. Last year we stayed at AS Sports and it was really nice. If you want something less expensive I do recommend it.