Poly at $624 for NewYears or Dolphin at $230?

[Boardwalk Tigger]

Ok , It is time for some decisions on my part. We are staying at BCV for several nights and then transferring for 2 nights to either the Poly (Lagoon view) at $624 a night or the Dolphin( around $230 with taxes deluxe room with a balcony). We have stayed at the Dolphin before and liked it very much but my original rate was over $360 so I thought maybe it might be fun to try the Poly for New Years (2 nights). I can't seem to get a rate under $624 with taxes, SOOOOOO the question is is it worth the difference? The positive would be that we could watch the fireworks from the Beach and it would be a new experience. On the other hand we could watch fireworks from MGM or Epcot from either our room at the Dolphin or somewhere close to the hotel. We do NOT want to be in a park at midnight on New Years. I am also a little worried about the weather this year. If it is cold in Florida I think it would be would be better to stay at the Dolphin. I just can't make up my mind. I need HELP from my fellow DIS experts!!!!!!!!! Thanks so much.

 

[CaipiraBob]

Hi, from what I've read, I can tell you a few things:

1) There will be no room to view the fireworks from the beach at the Polynesian. It will be a mob scene, and from what I have read Disney has not been able to bring that under control. Steve (AKA "Tikiman") wrote up a review on the fourth of July where he had a first floor Lagoon view and people were backed up and standing right in front of him while he sat on his patio.

My recommendation : Get a third floor room with a balcony and clear view to the castle.

2) I can tell you first hand, that fireworks as seen from the Polynesian are incredible. We thought the third floor view was magic when viewing "Wishes" for Christmas and MVMCP. Well worth the POA, IMHO. We are returning for the exact same thing this year.

3) I don't know about the Dolphin, so I can't tell you much other than I hear good things about it. That being said, I think a resort on the Monorail trumps all other resorts for any given occassion.

I would suggest you look for Tikiman's site and read up some more on the Polynesian. My buddy at work went to Disney last year for NYE and said it was an insane madhouse.

I would conclude that a 3rd floor lagoon view and ample party supplies will yield the most enjoyable results. The crowds can get out of hand on the holidays, and having your own "private sanctuary" for viewing the show will count for much towards an enjoyable experience.

I have to repeat what has been relayed by many reliable sources: Polynesian Beach on a holiday: Insane madhouse. First floor patio users can expect to have "new and exciting" guests backing up onto them to "visit". If Disney has somehow altered thier ability to control the crowds, this may be different this year. Perhaps this thread will be fortunate enough to get a response from Tikiman himself, who can relay some advice.

Good luck! On your worst day you will still be at Disney. It's win-win from there...

 

[cranbiz]

I would take the $400 and have a great time out than spending it on a room at the Poly.

The Poly is nice, but not that nice.

 

[FINFAN]

Dolphin..hands down....it will be so crowded then and you can walk to either MGM/Epcot if you changed your mind and did decide to eat at WS or take in the atmosphere. $400 IS A LARGE SUME PER NIGHT! You could eat at O'Hana's and enjoy the fireworks from there and have a ton of $$$ left over...or CaliGrill...plus as you said, the weather may be a factor, BTW, $230 for delux balcony on a peak holiday sounds like a darn good rate, especially incl resort fee and taxes.
I'd grab it and sleep peacefully with that extra $400 under my mattress!

Pam

 

[Boardwalk Tigger]

Interesting point about the first floor rooms at the Poly. The problem is there is no guarantee that you will get a higher floor. You get what you get, especially on a holiday. We could watch fireworks from our room but I wasn't counting on it because I didn't know where our room would be. Too bad Disney doesn't control the Poly beaches on a holiday. They should rope it off and only resort guests should be allowed to enter during New Years and 4th of July. Maybe I should stay at the Dolphin and save alot of money. I just thought the Poly would be great on New Years Eve. I didn't realize it was out of control there. We are not going into the parks because I thought Epcot was out of control last year. It is OK to go early but insane in the evening even with ressies for dinner there. Anyone else staying at the POLy at this time or has stayed there in the past for New Years? Thanks

 

[CaipiraBob]

It sounds like you got some great responses from Dolphin-fans (I'm one, but of the Florida variety. Maybe they'll get lucky with the draft? )

The extra $400 a night is certainly a party looking for somewhere to happen. Perhaps a PS at the California Grill? Ohana's is OK, too.

For more info, I'd use the forum and search for "New Year's Eve" in the resorts and parks forums. That should give you lots of threads and hopefully a number of direct experiences.

Anyway, I suspect there will be more people looking in and commenting on this thread. I'll check in, too. I'm curious about recent efforts at the resorts for such occassions to control crowds.

 

[Bojangles]

Originally posted by Boardwalk Tigger
Too bad Disney doesn't control the Poly beaches on a holiday. They should rope it off and only resort guests should be allowed to enter during New Years and 4th of July.

But they don't. The beach will be a zoo. If you have a first floor room, you will have to bring your patio chairs into your room very early or they will be gone. Forget about using the pool that day too. They don't check ID's and it will be packed with non-resort guests swimming in their clothes and the chairs by the pool will be dragged out to the beach by early afternoon.

You won't see a thing if you have a first floor room. Except for the backs of the strangers standing on your patio.

 

[CarolA]

There is not a hotel room at Disney worth $624 a night!

 

[JulieWent]

We stayed in a lagoon view room at the Poly last NYE. The price was not $620 (closer to $500). But, it was magical. We got a room in the building that sits directly on the lagoon (not concierge). There was NO ONE on our beach. (The main beach is down near the swimming pool / marina. I imagine it really was a mob scene.) But we were on the first floor. I was able to open the sliding glass doors, walk out onto the beach in my jammies and robe, sit on the grass, and watch peacefully and happily as my sleepy head boys snoozed away. It was by far the most magical NYE I have ever had. It got me ready for a crazy and difficult January and February. I have never regretted spending that money.

Julie

 

[Boardwalk Tigger]

Julie,

What you described was exactly what I was looking for!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's why I booked the Poly.

Unfortunately, though there are no guarantees as to where we will be placed with a lagoon view room. I was also wondering about renovations. I believe the building you are describing isn't scheduled for renovations until after the holidays. I love the look of the Poly and really would like to stay their soon. If we chose not to try it this New Years maybe we should try it another time when it isn't a holiday. I would just hate to spend an extra $800 for two nights and face a mob scene or a ragged room but if I had your experience I might consider it

 

[Bojangles]

Originally posted by Boardwalk Tigger
I would just hate to spend an extra $800 for two nights and face a mob scene or a ragged room but if I had your experience I might consider it

Other times of the year, you could stay at Polynesian 4 nights for what you'd be paying for the price of 2 on NYE. Also, you would have a better chance of switching rooms if you didn't like the view if you were there at a less crowded time.

As for your fears about the weather, we've been there on NYE when it was very pleasant. One year it was freezing and I think it was 2 years ago, it rained heavily all night.

 

[Boardwalk Tigger]

Bojangles,

I was there last year( at the Dolphin) and we were so spoiled by the nice weather. We were in the pool a lot. We lucked out because the weather had been very cool before we arrived! I would imagine the Poly is not the place of choice if it is cold out, although we love Disney so much it would be fine. You are right that we could do four nights at the Poly for the same amount of $. I will make my decision soon. My head is telling me go the Dolphin( which we really like!) but there is that little tug about a perfect New Years Eve at the Poly that has me confused. Thanks


Heh CaipiraBob...Thanks for the warning about the Poly and holidays......I am still laughing about your comment about the extra $400 a night is a party looking for somewhere to happen. Isn't that the truth

 

[Del]

I've been to the Poly and I can't believe that a room there is worth $624 a night. A huge suite or something---maybe. Not if you're not guaranteed the room or view that you want. Good luck!

Del

 

[TnKrBeLlA012]

Originally posted by CarolA
There is not a hotel room at Disney worth $624 a night!

I totally agree!!!!

 

[Boardwalk Tigger]

Del,

This is for a lagoon view room but there is no guarantee as to which building or which floor you receive. The price of the room is $560 plus tax which is $624.40 a night( they have my deposit). The price of the room is ridiculous but we can't come in by Christmas

 

[webray]

Dolphin hands down...definately.

 

[BambiTamby]

Originally posted by Del
I've been to the Poly and I can't believe that a room there is worth $624 a night. A huge suite or something---maybe. Not if you're not guaranteed the room or view that you want. Good luck!

Del

1 bedroom Princess Suite is $ 975 plus tax.

Money is all relative. It's up to you to decide if it's worth it to you.

Me? I would go for the Poly LVC and request the 2nd or 3rd floor.

Good Luck and have fun!
We're not checking into the Poly until Jan 6th!

 

[palmtreegirl]

Easy choice- Dolphin!

 

[NancyIL]

Temperature isn't the only factor. It poured at WDW on New Year's Eve 2 years ago.

Take the money saved by staying at the Dolphin and buy annual passes. Return to the Poly at a less crowded time of year and get your fancy room with an AP discount.

 

[TaurusSES_Sport]

When is this trip taking place? Because the "value" season starts the 1st of January...