Poly club level or Contemporary MK view? Please help! I need advice...

[DisneyRobin]

We have a MK view room booked at the CR for our trip during Jersey Week this November. It’s me and my 2 teens going and we love the CR because we can walk to the MK and have good views of the castle from our room.

Since hearing about the CL FPs that you can buy when staying club level, I’ve been tempted and trying to upgrade our room to club.

There are no Club rooms available at the Contemporary but we could get a garden view Club level room at the Poly for about $100 more per night.

It’s a 4 night trip so not sure how much we’d really use the lounge but I’m thinking that the extra FPs would be good.

What would you do?

Also, if you’re familiar with garden view rooms in the Hawai’i building at the Poly, what should I request (best location, view, not too far from stuff, etc)?

Thank you!!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

This November... as in a couple of weeks from now?

Note that the CL FP program pulls from the general FP "pool" - it's not special access to FPs that otherwise aren't available. You can certainly book the program now with an eligible CL reservation, but you may not like your possible selections of FPs. Although that depends on your targeted rides of course.

The real value of the program is booking it 90 days out when you basically have your choice of anything. Late in the game is a different story.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Also, if you’re familiar with garden view rooms in the Hawai’i building at the Poly, what should I request (best location, view, not too far from stuff, etc)?

But to answer this part.... in the Hawaii longhouse (which is where the regular CL rooms are located)... third floor rooms have balconies... first floor rooms have patios.... second floor rooms don't have an outdoor space - just the faux Juliette style sliding glass door/railing which is typical for the Poly resort-side (non-DVC/villa) longhouses. Many prefer an outdoor space so make "third or first floor room" their only request (which is what we would do in this room type/view category).

 

[DisneyRobin]

This November... as in a couple of weeks from now?

Note that the CL FP program pulls from the general FP "pool" - it's not special access to FPs that otherwise aren't available. You can certainly book the program now with an eligible CL reservation, but you may not like your possible selections of FPs. Although that depends on your targeted rides of course.

The real value of the program is booking it 90 days out when you basically have your choice of anything. Late in the game is a different story.

Yes - just a few weeks away!

I’ve been looking at the fast pass availability and it looks like it would still be helpful now. We already have the hard to get fast passes that I booked at our 60 day mark. The only thing is that the tiering in hs is taking up 2 days of our 4 day trip.

So, for example when we have SDD, we can’t get tot, tsm or rnr... we have to go on a different day for our rnr fp and then just hope tsm and tot work out. There are a good number of FPs left for the hs rides other than SDD.

There are still FPs avail for late in the day at Epcot for tt and soaring so we could ride those back to back before our frozen dessert party...and we could then do rd that day at the mk.

So, hopefully we could still get some helpful FPs to make it worth while. I’m definitely reviewing the fp availability carefully trying to figure out a new plan if we do this.

As far as the rooms go, would you pick Poly club garden or contemp MK view?

 

[DisneyRobin]

But to answer this part.... in the Hawaii longhouse (which is where the regular CL rooms are located)... third floor rooms have balconies... first floor rooms have patios.... second floor rooms don't have an outdoor space - just the faux Juliette style sliding glass door/railing which is typical for the Poly resort-side (non-DVC/villa) longhouses. Many prefer an outdoor space so make "third or first floor room" their only request (which is what we would do in this room type/view category).

Thank you!!

Do you know which floor you enter the lounge on? Any garden views better than others?

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

Buying the additional FPs is a total Disney money grab. $50/per person/per day/min. of 3 days. Your addtl 100/night just turned into +250/night. Disney is counting on you not knowing to book and modify (or care to bother) a 4th, 5th, 6th, etc FP as you are traveling throughout he parks. Even if that does not bother you, I'd be inclined to go with CR MK view with 2 teenagers. That view is hard to beat and such a treat for your teenagers.

All that being said, you cant go wrong with a Hawaii longhouse garden view. We always prefer 3rd floor, but 1st and even 2nd w/o the balcony were just fine.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Thank you!!

Do you know which floor you enter the lounge on? Any garden views better than others?

I'm a Poly CL lover, FWIW. Although I like CR too, in fairness.

The main part of the Poly CL lounge is on the second floor with a smaller third floor seating area (and restroom).

I've had rooms on every floor and view category there. For Garden View... all rooms face the Oasis Pool side of the building. Some are going to be more direct views of plants, some a more open view towards the Oasis Pool. All are rather lovely, just different variations on a theme. The only GV rooms I don't care for are the ones "first" down the hall from the lounge/elevator end. Those look more towards the side of Samoa than at the Oasis Pool and are closer to a service entrance. But that's a pretty picky observation on my part.

I usually just say "third floor first priority, first floor second priority." I have also done"third or first floor, middle of the building." Hawaii isn't all that big so even the furthest room from the lounge isn't 'that far' - but sometimes we like being closer.

Couple of conflicting pieces of advice there, but hope it helps.

Sounds like you have a good handle on the CL program.

 

[DisneyRobin]

Buying the additional FPs is a total Disney money grab. $50/per person/per day/min. of 3 days. Your addtl 100/night just turned into +250/night. Disney is counting on you not knowing to book and modify (or care to bother) a 4th, 5th, 6th, etc FP as you are traveling throughout he parks. Even if that does not bother you, I'd be inclined to go with CR MK view with 2 teenagers. That view is hard to beat and such a treat for your teenagers.

All that being said, you cant go wrong with a Hawaii longhouse garden view. We always prefer 3rd floor, but 1st and even 2nd w/o the balcony were just fine.

Yes you’re right, the total cost of switching from the mk view CR room to the Poly club with 3 xtra FPs per day for 3 days will be $850. Trying to decide whether the convenience of the FPs will be worth it. The club lounge would be nice just not sure how much we’ll actually get to use it.

It’s also really hard for us to move away from the MK view room.

The extra fast passes could be worth the extra money though since it’ll take a lot of stress off the trip. Since we’re going during a busy time and we hate wasting time in lots of long lines, it may be worth it.

I think all of the tiering and no emm or dah to buy makes it extra hard. Also, no more EEMH and no late nights... We always have to go at busy times since my kids are in school and getting the 3rd and 4th FPs to the tier 1 rides doesn’t usually work for us.

Decisions. Decisions.

 

[apartment j]

In most situations, I'd say stick with CR, because I love a good room view and also because I've tried most of the club level lounges and find the food completely uninspiring. We'll use a club lounge as an extra space for taking a break and for the occasional beverage, but my family doesn't get enough value out of it in most cases. However for you, OP, I think the switch makes sense simply for those extra paid fastpasses since you're traveling with teens who want to go on all of the headliners, and your trip is relatively short. It sounds like you've done your homework, know what fastpasses are still available, appreciate having the guarantee of more rides with short wait times, and are at peace with the additional cost.

 

[DisneyRobin]

I'm a Poly CL lover, FWIW. Although I like CR too, in fairness.

The main part of the Poly CL lounge is on the second floor with a smaller third floor seating area (and restroom).

I've had rooms on every floor and view category there. For Garden View... all rooms face the Oasis Pool side of the building. Some are going to be more direct views of plants, some a more open view towards the Oasis Pool. All are rather lovely, just different variations on a theme. The only GV rooms I don't care for are the ones "first" down the hall from the lounge/elevator end. Those look more towards the side of Samoa than at the Oasis Pool and are closer to a service entrance. But that's a pretty picky observation on my part.

I usually just say "third floor first priority, first floor second priority." I have also done"third or first floor, middle of the building." Hawaii isn't all that big so even the furthest room from the lounge isn't 'that far' - but sometimes we like being closer.

Couple of conflicting pieces of advice there, but hope it helps.

Sounds like you have a good handle on the CL program.

Thank you so much for the room recommendations and for sharing your thoughts on all of this!

I was actually long time Poly lover, too! Sometimes staying CL but my usual request was 1st floor Tahiti bldg (now renamed and a timeshare bldg) so we had a great view of the MK, quick walk to the TTC and my kids could run out and play on the grass and in the hammocks.

When the big construction project started years ago, we decided to try some other resorts and then fell in love with the contemporary. The quick and easy walk to the MK is amazing and the room with the mk view make me feel like we’re staying right in the mk. We also really like the California grill and chef mickeys...

I do miss the Poly though and would love to go back. It’s hard to give up something that we already have booked and love so much but it might time to go back. I really do love the Poly, the tiki torches and the theming!

For $300 more per night, I could get the mk view Poly club room but that’s gets hard to justify... then instead of $850 for the room upgrade and FPs it's $1650...
so I’m trying to just consider the garden club Poly room.

Thank you again for your help!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Thank you so much for the room recommendations and for sharing your thoughts on all of this!

I was actually long time Poly lover, too! Sometimes staying CL but my usual request was 1st floor Tahiti bldg (now renamed and a timeshare bldg) so we had a great view of the MK, quick walk to the TTC and my kids could run out and play on the grass and in the hammocks.

When the big construction project started years ago, we decided to try some other resorts and then fell in love with the contemporary. The quick and easy walk to the MK is amazing and the room with the mk view make me feel like we’re staying right in the mk. We also really like the California grill and chef mickeys...

I do miss the Poly though and would love to go back. It’s hard to give up something that we already have booked and love so much but it might time to go back. I really do love the Poly, the tiki torches and the theming!

For $300 more per night, I could get the mk view Poly club room but that’s gets hard to justify... then instead of $850 for the room upgrade and FPs it's $1650...
so I’m trying to just consider the garden club Poly room.

Thank you again for your help!

Lol, I’ll bow out of any sane/logical advice at this point. If I could book any room on property it would be the Poly CL TPV category. Personal favorite. So I’m probably the wrong person to give any reasonable advice!!

Although in some seriousness... When thinking about some of these more expensive accommodation options, I’m always thinking trip purpose and plan. If y’all are going to be out/about and not really around the resort all that much, that sort of argues against the cost of a TPV room, unless you just want to it to splurge on the time you’ll be around the resort.

With a Garden View room, remember you have the lounge with the MK view - so it’s sort of the next best thing, and much cheaper than TPV!

I think you already mentioned, CR CL isn’t available for your dates?

 

[Mainsail Minnie]

I'd do the club level room. We got upgraded to club level at Beach Club last year, so we hadn't planned our trip around using the lounge & didn't get extra FPs, but nevertheless, the lounge experience really spoiled us, just being able to drop in for breakfast, lunch or a snack, not having to schedule it, & being able to eat light, which generally seems hard to do at Disney restaurants. If you use the CLFP system, you won't have to spend as much time in the parks (only one day for HS, for example), so you might end up utilizing the resort more.

 

[DisneyRobin]

Lol, I’ll bow out of any sane/logical advice at this point. If I could book any room on property it would be the Poly CL TPV category. Personal favorite. So I’m probably the wrong person to give any reasonable advice!!

Although in some seriousness... When thinking about some of these more expensive accommodation options, I’m always thinking trip purpose and plan. If y’all are going to be out/about and not really around the resort all that much, that sort of argues against the cost of a TPV room, unless you just want to it to splurge on the time you’ll be around the resort.

With a Garden View room, remember you have the lounge with the MK view - so it’s sort of the next best thing, and much cheaper than TPV!

I think you already mentioned, CR CL isn’t available for your dates?

The CR is completely booked. Late last night, a CL room showed up online at the CR but when I looked this morning, it was gone. I called reservations and they confirmed that there were no rooms available. Then they told me about the CL rooms available at the Poly.

I love the theme park view rooms best, too. It’s just hard to justify leaving a tpv room and paying close to $2000 (after taxes) for another just so we can get extra fast passes. Maybe it’s worth it though... I do love the view. I’m not a big sleeper so I lenjoy sitting on the balcony looking out at the park late at night when everyone is sleeping. A nice view makes me feel like we’re still ‘there’ even when we’re back at the room.

One other thing that I’m considering is staying in our CR room and booking the ultimate day of thrills tour. I thought it was too expensive ($1050 for the 3 of us) , but now that I’m thinking of spending more anyway... Have you done that your or heard any feedback about it? Not sure how I feel about hanging out with a tour guide all day. My daughter thinks it would be fun. Lol

 

[Eastern]

I would keep your CR TPV room for now since you know you'll like it, but I would have grabbed the CL room when you saw it. Keep looking, maybe it'll happen again. I like std CL at CR because it's usually about the same price as a non-CL TPV room, but you can still see MK if you go to the lounge. You also said you will probably not be around the room much, so why pay for TPV?

Jersey week gets crowded, but it's at its worst at F&W on Friday/Saturday nights. Skip the extra FPs and just get up early. You will still get plenty done.

I like Poly but I would not pay for TPV and I would not pay for extra FP. I would rather spend money on other stuff. If you could get Poly CL for a cheaper price than your CR TPV non-CL, I would also do that, just because I think that the convenience of CL breakfast, happy hour, and lounge access has value to me.

Ignore everything above if you've got lots of money to spend as my point of view is more value-oriented.

I find that with a lot of Disney planning, it's very easy to keep adding things on, while losing sight of the fact that you are staying in a resort @ $500/night. Enjoy the resort, do some rides, enjoy the atmosphere. If you've got the top ride FPs already, you're not missing much anyway. Get on the shortest line.

 

[Anchored]

I would keep my room and pay for a VIP tour

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I would keep my room and pay for a VIP tour

I was starting to think the same thing. Since you're venturing into bigger $ OP, might as well consider one! While I have not done the Ultimate Day of Thrills tour, I'd rather do a VIP tour than a scheduled/group tour. Of course, a VIP tour will be the most expensive option of everything you're contemplating here, but if you want to hit the parks hard for a day, it may be worth considering. Then you can rest on your CR balcony the next day.

 

[Eastern]

Value proposition: book POP/POR first two nights, nice dinner and parks arrival day, VIP tour next day, deluxe resort when you can actually be there and use it.

 

[SillySallySews]

We just did a CL TPV at CR in August and it was by far our favorite MK view. I would choose that over Poly GV any day, especially if you plan to watch fireworks from the room. We did the CL FP and I have conflicting thoughts on whether or not we will ever do them again. The biggest advantage for us, which at this point you would not have, was the ability to book everything we wanted at the exact times wanted. Using them on our vacation was a bit more tricky. Rides went down, one night of our trip DHS closed early due to an electrical issue, when the rides do go down and come back up the fast pass waits also go up, and it’s one thing to have a 45 minute wait with a “free” FP, it’s another when you paid for it and you’re still waiting what feels like a really long time. I’m glad we tried the CL FP, but in the future I’d be more interested in booking a VIP tour if I’m shelling out that kind of money anyway.

 

[heidijanesmith]

We have done the Poly CL x2 and it's my favorite CL. We have done the garden level view room x1, 3rd floor. For us a balcony or patio is a must, so I was very happy with my 3rd floor room. The CL is on the 2nd floor, but's easy to get there from any floor.

The CL room has a huge windows, so you can watch the Fireworks from inside the CL. They turn down the light and put the music on. As we do not watch HEA from inside the park (DH can not handle the crowds) this was a great treat for us.

The Poly also has a wonderful pool, you can watch HEA from the pool too. We also like the beach area to watch.

The Poly is so much fun and one of our favorites! I would book there for sure.

 

[DisneyRobin]

Thank you so much for all of the great advice and suggestions! I really appreciate it!!

When I woke up yesterday morning, the Poly club rooms were gone! So that was that I figured the mk view room at the contemporary was meant to be and then decided to book the ultimate thrills tour so we wouldn’t have to worry about the tiers and fastpasses, etc...

I waited on hold for an hour trying to book the tour but no one answered! After waiting for one hour I hung up. I thought maybe my call got lost so I called again but the message said the wait time was over 30 mins so I just gave up. So weird that when you call to book a private tour they wouldn’t have more people answering phones!

At that point, I figured I’d just do rope drop everyday - even the day after the Xmas party... but of course I didn’t give up completely.

This morning, I checked room availability again and a club level mk view contemporary room popped up! I called and booked the room right away. I just finished booking the 3 extra FPs for 3 of our days.

Well, that’s the end of the story. Now that I have the Poly on my mind, we may stay there next time.

Thank you again for all of your help!!