Please help me decide

[ignitorr]

Please help:

I have a reservation for 7 nights at the Poly but have an opportunity to get a 1 bedroom villa at Saratoga Springs or Old Key West for compareable money.
The question that I have is what would you do and why?

Right now I am leaning towards Old Key West by virtue of the size of the room, the washer/dryer/kitchen/jacuzzi over the Poly.


Thanks in advance for taking the time to post your thoughts!

 

[Disneyhappy]

Can you provide a few more details? How many people in your party and their ages? Will you have a car? Do you want to make your own meals?Which parks do you plan to go to? Opinions will depend on the answers to these questions. The Polynsian is our favorite Disney Resort but we own at SSR and also love OKW! Our choice of where we stay depends on our party and plans for a particular trip. Let us know!

 

[beccasmom]

I would opt for either DVC resort - OKW is my personal favorite! -over the Poly. You would gain, as you noted, additional amenities that will make your vacation so much nicer. The washer/dryer is great to have and the Jacuzzi is fabulous. Also, your family will have more room and privacy. Nothing against the Poly, but you'd gain a lot at one of the DVC resorts. OKW is more spacious; SSR is a very big resort, with easy access to DTD. You can't go wrong with either of them.

 

[MainStreetFireman]

Resorts are more of a hotel feel. DVC strikes me as a more of a home feel. I guess it depends on what kind of feel you want.

The other issue is theme. For me, this is THE major reason to stay at the Poly.

Either way -- it sounds like a good dilemma to me! I'm sure either choice is a winner!

 

[ignitorr]

Can you provide a few more details? How many people in your party and their ages? Will you have a car? Do you want to make your own meals?Which parks do you plan to go to? Opinions will depend on the answers to these questions. The Polynsian is our favorite Disney Resort but we own at SSR and also love OKW! Our choice of where we stay depends on our party and plans for a particular trip. Let us know!

Thanks for the response:

There will be 2 children 7 and 4.

We plan to rent a car as we are also planning to go to Universal and Sea World.

As for meals, we plan to use the kitchen for mostly snacks as we intend to use the Dining Plan.

As for the parks, pretty much a day at each.

 

[Disneyhappy]

Thanks for the response:

There will be 2 children 7 and 4.

We plan to rent a car as we are also planning to go to Universal and Sea World.

As for meals, we plan to use the kitchen for mostly snacks as we intend to use the Dining Plan.

As for the parks, pretty much a day at each.

The Polynesian would be great for the monorail access to the MK and Epcot. It is more of a resort feel with resort amenities. It will still have laundry facilities, just not in the room. The Polynesian has great theming and a view of the MK from the beach. It is a great place to watch the Wishes fireworks. To me, the Polynesian feels more Disney that the more laid back DVC resorts.

If you did not have a car, I would have strongly recommended that you stick with the Polynesian. SSR and OKW are rather spread out and depending on where your villa is located, it can be quite a hike to locations in the resorts. We sometimes even decide to drive to some of the parks (never MK) instead of taking the busses. If you have ADRs at resorts vs the parks, the car will also save a lot of time. The biggest plus to staying in a one bedroom unit is the privacy of your own room with a king size bed and a big jacuzzi tub. The kids will have their own "room" and TV. I think this would have been a deciding factor for me when our kids were the age of your children as DH didn't have time at home for each other and even less time on vacation. Alone time on vacation would have been great. By alone time, I mean time to be by ourselves to talk, relax, snuggle or watch something on TV other than kid shows! The laundry facilities are also a plus. The kitchen is handy with children that age, whether you plan on cooking or not. We are DVC members and get the DDP. We chose to eat breakfast in the villa and have groceries delivered on the first day of our stay. It is a money saver and time saver. We have found that it is not cost effective to get the refillable mugs at SSR or OKW since unless we are near the pool area, it is too far to go to fill the mugs. One concern I would have is the fact that the entrance to the Villa is at the living area. Make sure the doors are locked securely and consider leaving your bedroom door open so you can hear if the Villa door opens. DS is a sleepwalker and we used alarms in the house when he was younger.

I really don't think that you can go wrong with either choice but I would probably lean towards DVC, probably SSR. OKW units are larger than SSR but SSR location is better as it is close to DTD and has a great counter service, Artist Palette. It is also newer. I also like the pools better at SSR. Good luck deciding! There is no wrong choice for your family.

 

[simonkodousek]

I think you should stay at the Polynesian. We really enjoyed our stay, and the monorail convienience (sp?) cannot be beat!

 

[alldiz]

I would pick a 1 BR at SSR.....

The space is awesome....
Zero entry pool is great for the kids..
Fun pool slide....

Artist Palette......is one of the best counter service on property....
But they do not have FRENCH FRIES....they have the best
chips and flatbreads though.....

Nice walk to DTD....
Tons of pool games and fun activities at Community Hall....

POLY is awesome also.....
If you plan to spend most of your time at the parks....
I would pick the POLY....

If you want to spend more time at the resort with stuff
to do.....then I would choose SSR...
That 1 BR is so nice.....you'll find yourself going at
a slower pace.....cause your so comfy...

Either way....you cant go wrong...
Enjoy
Kerri

 

[ignitorr]

Thanks to everyone who has replied so far, and heres hoping there will be a few more opinions out there. You all have made good points. Thanks Again!

 

[Lucky'sMom]

I have stayed at both the Poly and the OKW one-bedroom (actually during the same vacation) and my 3 kids were about the same ages as yours at the time. I preferred the Poly. Yes, the room in one-bedroom is great, and my kids really loved the sand area the OKW pool. It is definitely a plus to be able to put the kids to bed and stay up yourselves, if you like. BUT...I really loved being in the "middle of the magic" at the Poly. I did not feel that way at OKW, and I personally wouldn't at SSR. With the little ones, it was so wonderful to jump on monorail and be at the MK or Epcot so easily and quickly. It was so easy to take the afternoon break and go back into the parks in the evening. That being said, I do really like the DVC properties, but I prefer BWV, BCV and VWL where I feel more a part of things. If you don't plan on having meals in the room, you'll get the free fridge at the Poly for juice boxes, soda, water, etc. All of your options are great ones, just try to decide what you want out of the accommodations, and how much you will really use the amenities at each. Good luck!

 

[ignitorr]

I have stayed at both the Poly and the OKW one-bedroom (actually during the same vacation) and my 3 kids were about the same ages as yours at the time. I preferred the Poly. Yes, the room in one-bedroom is great, and my kids really loved the sand area the OKW pool. It is definitely a plus to be able to put the kids to bed and stay up yourselves, if you like. BUT...I really loved being in the "middle of the magic" at the Poly. I did not feel that way at OKW, and I personally wouldn't at SSR. With the little ones, it was so wonderful to jump on monorail and be at the MK or Epcot so easily and quickly. It was so easy to take the afternoon break and go back into the parks in the evening. That being said, I do really like the DVC properties, but I prefer BWV, BCV and VWL where I feel more a part of things. If you don't plan on having meals in the room, you'll get the free fridge at the Poly for juice boxes, soda, water, etc. All of your options are great ones, just try to decide what you want out of the accommodations, and how much you will really use the amenities at each. Good luck!

You hit the nail on the head. I think the reason that I have been having such a tough time with this is that in my heart I know that the Poly would be best for my kids, for the reasons that you outlined as well as others. However, part of me keeps looking at the extra value achieved in the DVC.

Poly is definitely ahead in the polls for the convenience and resort type feel.
However, I cannot get myself to rule out the value of the DVC entirely and am still considerring doing something with Saratoga Springs. Perhaps a split stay would be worthwhile. Sat-Tues at Poly and Wed-Sat at SSR

 

[deide71]

We are doing exactly that...a split stay:

3nights @ poly
4nights @ OKW
1 night @ BCV

The location of the Poly can't be beat...so we are staying there for our MK EMH day, as well as a few days just to enjoy the resort.

The villa @ OKW will be a welcome change from the 5 of us all in the same room at the Poly. You have to love the washer and dryer in the unit as well.

The last day at BCV is strictly for SAB and dinner at Epcot.


55 days to go!!!!!!!!!

 

[G8r4evr]

I would stick with the Poly based simply on location =)

 

[alldiz]

I think a split stay would be great....
Almost 2 different vacations....

Some food for thought......

The 1 BR is awesome.....BUT....since the 2 beds are in
2 different rooms.....

either the kids are in 1 room and you another....
OR......1 parent and 1kid per room....
Kerri

 

[mericletwins]

I would vote for the 1 bdrm or a split stay. Our last four visits we have stayed at DVC and they are really fabulous. (kids are currently 8,8 and 7) Our two at OKW we rented a car, but never used it except to go get groceries. Once I discovered grocery delivery, there was no more need for us to rent since it just sat there. This last trip we did the DDP and were still happy to have the kitchen for breakfast and snack items, fridge for beer, soda, juice boxes, wine and bottled water.

You will have two TVs, a nice balcony and the W/D can't be more valuable. I didn't have to pack as many clothes and I came home with a suitcase full of clean clothes. It made coming home so much nicer. I would throw a load in at night and then throw it in the dryer before I went to bed or when I woke up. Also great to throw bathing suits in after a dip in the pool.

The plus to SSR is it is very quick to get to DTD where you could hop a boat to get to any other resort for ADRs or to explore. OKW has a nice boat ride to DTD, but it wouldn't be as quick as from SSR.

It sounds like you are getting a fabulous deal on the DVC properties, so that alone would probably prompt me to take the DVC. What I do like about the DVC is that it is sooo relaxing. Very nice after a day in the parks. If you feel you can'y commit totally to the DVC property trip, then at least do a split stay. I don't think you would regret it.

 

[Disneyhappy]

You hit the nail on the head. I think the reason that I have been having such a tough time with this is that in my heart I know that the Poly would be best for my kids, for the reasons that you outlined as well as others. However, part of me keeps looking at the extra value achieved in the DVC.

Poly is definitely ahead in the polls for the convenience and resort type feel.
However, I cannot get myself to rule out the value of the DVC entirely and am still considerring doing something with Saratoga Springs. Perhaps a split stay would be worthwhile. Sat-Tues at Poly and Wed-Sat at SSR

One thought to consider with a split stay is that you will have to pay for two packages with the DDP and there will be an overlap day on the check out of one resort and check in to the new resort day. Maybe consider doing the DDP when you are staying at the Polynesian and paying OOP when staying at the DVC resort since you will have a kitchen and may opt to do a few quick meals there (although my motto is to never operate a kitchen appliance for more than 1 minute at a time while on vacation which pretty much limits it to the toaster and coffee maker!)

Also, the chicken ceasar salad at Artist's Palette is the fantastic and I agree with the other poster that they have the best counter service in the whole WDW resort.

 

[bmoc_ny]

I would stay in the poly, for no reason other then the long distance between saratoga springs and all of the parks.

 

[helenabear]

Okay, I am a HUGE fan of OKW (not at all one of SSR though) and I would still stay at the Polynesian given all you said. Granted having a car will make it easier for you if you did stay at OKW, but having kids that young, I would still keep the Polynesian IMO. Keep in mind also you are going to have to have your kids share a fold out instead of a real bed at OKW. Especially having the DDP makes the bonus of having a kitchen kind of null.

The layout and size of the rooms at OKW is awesome! They are astoundingly huge! But I still would keep close to MK and the TTC with young ones.

 

[wdwlver]

I'd stay at the Poly. For your kids, you can't beat the monorail access and resort feel.

 

[alldiz]

Okay, I am a HUGE fan of OKW (not at all one of SSR though) and I would still stay at the Polynesian given all you said. Granted having a car will make it easier for you if you did stay at OKW, but having kids that young, I would still keep the Polynesian IMO. Keep in mind also you are going to have to have your kids share a fold out instead of a real bed at OKW. Especially having the DDP makes the bonus of having a kitchen kind of null.

The layout and size of the rooms at OKW is awesome! They are astoundingly huge! But I still would keep close to MK and the TTC with young ones.

Just curious....Besides room size....What did you like
better about OKW....
I've only been to SSR for DVC so far.
Thanks
Kerri