POLY 100% booked 9/11-916...

[mainstreetmickey]

I was trying to upgrade from a GV today and they informed me that they were 100% to capacity during our stay. This is our first September visit and I'm kind of shocked by that. Should I be?

 

[Neelloc]

Wow...truth be told, POP is booked solid during our stay as well (9/12-9/18) and I am a little panicked. I'm used to lower crowds during free dining and a sold out resort scares me.

At bare minimum, it makes me want to rent a car so I can bybass the bus lines if they are crazy.

 

[kileybeth]

oh dear. I am feeling a bit sick in my tummy. we were suppose to go in Jan. 2008 and bumped this trip up for free dining only b/c it was also suppose to be a slow time of year. I guess no more slow times exist! and I am so not good in the heat. . .

someone please come and post a nice calming "now don't worry, it'll be fine" kind of comment?? pretty please.

 

[Poly Pal]

I believe the Polynesian's occupancy is routinely in the 90 percent range year round. So for the resort to be full during free dining is not that surprising.

 

[grannyminnie]

I believe the Polynesian's occupancy is routinely in the 90 percent range year round. So for the resort to be full during free dining is not that surprising.

It sure didn't seem anywhere near 90% occupancy in the first week of Feb. this year! We enjoyed quiet halls, and not much waiting anywhere. Of course, you had to wait in line, but it was "doable".
I switched from the Poly to the GF for our upcoming trip precisely because I noticed the Poly was solidly booked and I didn't like the "sound" of that...

 

[Poly Pal]

Grannyminnie, that's one of the nice things about the design of the Polynesian. The resort can be full and it never seems crowded.

 

[DBFLUKE]

I've heard that a couple of hotels that are being renovated are putting up guests elsewhere. So hopefully the parks will not be too bad

 

[mainstreetmickey]

I've heard that a couple of hotels that are being renovated are putting up guests elsewhere. So hopefully the parks will not be too bad

I hope that's the case. While I don't mind touring the World in a crowd, I would like to have light crowds...who wouldn't? I'll just check in after Labor Day and see if I need to get mentally prepared for a little "tighter" touring plan. I'm pretty loose on my schedule now anticipating light crowds.

 

[grannyminnie]

Grannyminnie, that's one of the nice things about the design of the Polynesian. The resort can be full and it never seems crowded.

Well, if that was the case, the design of the resort works well! I just know that we didn't hear people talking loudly in the halls or people stomping around. And of course, as it was early Feb. no one was in the pools...even the lifeguards had on winter gear!! I don't even know why they were out there! It was damp and dreary weather when we were there, but who cares? When you're at Disney, it's magical no matter!

 

[DisneyWisher]

I was trying to upgrade from a GV today and they informed me that they were 100% to capacity during our stay. This is our first September visit and I'm kind of shocked by that. Should I be?

I think this is due to AKL's renovation. They were putting people up in Poly, CR, GF, and SS but I think most people went for the monorail. I know I'd pick Poly over all the rest.

 

[Julieh22]

The BC is sold out during the dates 9/16-9/23 also... Hoping for the best.

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

WDW has taken a very slow time period (late summer, early fall) and made it a high occupancy time period simply through offering free dining. The power of the idea that you are getting something for free is really strong!!

If the occupancy is that high I really feel sorry for those guests who did not make adrs. Their meal times are not going to be fun

 

[nmartin]

we are staying at POP Sept. 15 to the 22 and it is full also! I was hoping for lower crowds also.

 

[jenjersnap]

Though I am bummed that the Poly will be totally booked since my room request will be less likely to be honored, I want to point out high occupancy does not mean the parks themselves, other than the restaurants, will be very crowded. There should be very few off-site visitors.

(She says hopefully ... )

 

[mainstreetmickey]

(She says hopefully ... )

I'm with you...

 

[pxefig]

The free dining brings people who wouldn't normally stay on site to a Disney property. If you look at travel websites for off property places there is availibility everywhere. So the parks still shouldn't be too crazy. Disney hotel room make up a tiny percentage of places to stay in the Orlando area.
That's the theory, anyway! I'm hoping it's correct, since we'll be going the day after Labor day. (The kids better all be in school!)

 

[stitchrulz]

someone please come and post a nice calming "now don't worry, it'll be fine" kind of comment?? pretty please.

Here goes . . Ahem . . .

Don't worry, it'll be fine!

Seriously, the parks should be o.k. The TS restaurants will be jam-packed. And, during the EMH's, some of the major attraction lines will actually be longer than during the regular hours (they were last year). I didn't really notice any other major crowd issues, though.

Hope this helps a bit!

 

[LoveKermit]

Just got back from the Poly.....

Our bellhop said they are full because of AKL (as mentioned) and GF renovations. Plus the GF had some conventions booked (though they will be done this week) keeping it full and maybe moving people not associated with those conventions.

He also said some people are not getting phone calls about moving until the day before. Yikes!

 

[Mom2Evie]

The free dining brings people who wouldn't normally stay on site to a Disney property. If you look at travel websites for off property places there is availibility everywhere. So the parks still shouldn't be too crazy. Disney hotel room make up a tiny percentage of places to stay in the Orlando area.
That's the theory, anyway! I'm hoping it's correct, since we'll be going the day after Labor day. (The kids better all be in school!)

I didn't think of that angle, but you're most likely right. Free Dining would be enough to attract people from off-site into a Disney Resort. SOme people that were planning a trip in October or early November might have shifted their trip to September as well. It wouldn't necessarily attract too many that weren't already planning a trip down in the fall. I'm hoping free food isn't enough of a lure to pull thousands of kids out of school!

 

[kileybeth]

Thanks stichrulz. . .I think

I've totally meaning totally (ADR's and everything!) revamped my Itinerary 2x now since I originally hoped on board for free dining and that doesn't even count the messing around with dates for flights like 6 times. . .ey yi yi

so my current Itinerary is planned to take advantage of a few Evening EMH. . .and you know what??

If it is to crowded, I'm just ditching it, and going back to resort to swim, going over to DTD or just back to my resort to people watch or sit on the beach!

I'm done!! and I'm ready for anything at this point I guess. I mean it is vacation right? hoping over to find threads on how to beat the heat now

so see you all there and have a great trip!