Poly DVC Rental or Coronado for December?

[carolinakatie]

Hi everyone! First time poster here, hoping you guys can help me. We are planning a very last minute long weekend trip in December. Hoping to book in the next day or two! Our choices - renting DVR points for a Poly water view room or booking through Disney for queen water view room at Coronado. It's for 4 nights; 2 days in park; driving down; our family is mom, dad, boys ages 13 and 10.
Poly pros - It's the Polynesian and I've always wanted to stay there; not as crowded due to only DVC people there; close to MK.
Poly cons - a little more (only like $150 more for whole 4 days!), no daily mousekeeping, construction at Poly might be weird, no monorail, no O'Hana, one of the beds for the kids will have to be a pull out sofa

Coro pros - while not Poly, it looks very nice, daily mousekeeping, newer, no construction, we can use my friend who's a disney travel agent
Coro cons - reliant on bus/our car for both days in parks, big resort

If it wasn't for Covid, I'd be all over poly due to being able to see fireworks, use monorail, etc. I'm really torn.

 

[Best Aunt]

When renting DVC, always make sure you understand:

a) The bed situation. When a DVC unit "sleeps" a certain number of people, they don't all get real beds. It can include sofa beds, chair beds, pull down beds, and it assumes they are shared.

b) The cancellation policy. Usually if you cancel, you lose (even if it is for what you consider a good reason).

 

[nkereina]

Where did you hear CSR has daily housekeeping? Its my understanding that non-DVC resorts currently receive "light housekeeping" every other day which includes trash removal and towel replacements. This is what we experienced two weeks ago at CBR. Also, whenever you're renting DVC points, there is no daily housekeeping even in normal times. They remove trash each day but only replace towels on day 4 I believe. So I wouldn't let housekeeping to be a factor to consider for this trip.

Another thing to consider is that I believe QS is closed at CSR currently, and they are not selling reusable mugs. That said, they have other dining options and the resort is centrally located for quick commutes to the parks. The resort is large but its mitigated by the three bridges that cross the lake, so I think its one of the easiest large resorts to get around if that makes sense. You didn't say which parks you're going to, but unless you're spending both days at MK, you'd have to use a bus or your car to get elsewhere from Poly as well. I don't believe the Epcot monorail is currently running.

In the current environment, you won't get the full Poly experience, so I'm inclined to lean towards the cheaper and less complex option of CSR. As PP mentions, point rentals have a no cancellation policy and there's more flexibility when you book direct with Disney. While early December isn't too far away, I know numbers are creeping up here in NY and things are starting to be restricted again, so who knows if Florida/WDW will find a similar fate over the next few weeks. I wouldn't want to be stuck with a point rental if that were the case as it was a nightmare for people last Spring.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

You've received some good advice above, so just wanted to say to the DIS!

PS: If it were me, the lack of flexibility with renting DVC would be what would sway my decision in the current environment, just in the event of a worst-case-scenario situation.

 

[Sandisw]

I also want to add that things are chat daily with DVC rooms so whatever might have been available when you checked may not be now.

But, as mentioned, that the DVC rental will be a non refundable one and you need to be confident that you are okay with whatever the terms are of something happens.

 

[stinkpickle]

I would book CSR now and cancel at the last minute if a good, last minute DVC rental pops up just before your dates.

 

[Shellyred8]

If you are ok with all of the DVC restrictions listed in previous poster's comments, I would go for the Poly. You can easily walk to the TTC to pick up the monorail or ferry to MK/other monorail resorts. Captain Cooks and Kona Cafe are both open. If you want more food options, you can walk over to the GF or you can monorail around to GF/CR (during regular monorail hours).
The Poly rooms have the second shower and sink room, which would come in handy when getting everyone ready in the morning. Both of the pools are open, so if you plan on using the pools, you will be able to use them in a less crowded environment since the hotel side isn't open.

Happy planning!!!

 

[Wishuponastar0412]

We just got back from staying at the Poly renting DVC points. We figured there really might not be another time where there is such a little price difference between the two (originally booked Coronado as well). We are only 2, but honestly loved the extra room. I think with 4 of you, the extra bathroom space will help a lot. The room seemed massive! We only were there 2 nights, but we did get a towel refresh after our first night. We went to grab breakfast and came back to new towels which was a nice surprise! Mousekeeping was in the hallways a lot, so if we needed anything we could have asked. The construction really wasn't too noticeable. They were doing some by the quiet pool on Tuesday around 4pm, but we were getting ready to head out anyways. We enjoyed Captain Cooks and walked over to the Grand Floridian as well for more food options.

Something fun was being able to tour the Poly bungalow- something I'll never stay in, but was fun to see!

 

[LoveToGoToDisneyWorld]

I'm about to leave for my second Poly stay of the year on last minute DVC points that were an absolute steal. I never rented points until the end of June, when we jumped on an amazing deal pre-parks opening. We loved it and I've jumped on 4 deals in the last 5 months. It's completely changed how we travel there. Unlike our previous Poly stay, the mono is now closed, which will be a drawback because we like to run over to the Contempo to eat. Poly QS gets old, honestly. The renovated rooms at CS are nice, but much smaller. I personally prefer the extra space and the tropical vibe of the Poly, and pool is great, too. If the CS option is refundable, it's not a bad idea to book it but keep an eye on the last minute Poly deals. You could really score a good one as you get closer.

 

[DisneyJColeMom]

Curious what ended up happening in this thread, did OP stay at Poly? Im having a similar dilemma now. I literally have just learned about DVC rental points. I didnt know this was a thing, I am a newby to planning a Disney trip. Right now I have a standard view Poly Villa booked in April. It was an “upgrade” that was given to us when our first trip was cancelled by Covid. Later, construction was announced. I have been back & forth about changing hotels, but I so wanted to have a Poly lake view studio, and i just found one i can rent for a decent price. This whole time ive been stalking Disneys site for a lake view & its been unavailable since I booked in July. Lets say I stay at Poly, should i play it safe with my Disney reservation that can be easily cancelled, or go for the lake view rental that I was really hoping for? I thought there was daily housekeeping too btw, there really isnt? Do rentals start off with all the same amenities, they just dont refresh as often? Can you ask for more towels or toiletries if renting?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Curious what ended up happening in this thread, did OP stay at Poly? Im having a similar dilemma now. I literally have just learned about DVC rental points. I didnt know this was a thing, I am a newby to planning a Disney trip. Right now I have a standard view Poly Villa booked in April. It was an “upgrade” that was given to us when our first trip was cancelled by Covid. Later, construction was announced. I have been back & forth about changing hotels, but I so wanted to have a Poly lake view studio, and i just found one i can rent for a decent price. This whole time ive been stalking Disneys site for a lake view & its been unavailable since I booked in July. Lets say I stay at Poly, should i play it safe with my Disney reservation that can be easily cancelled, or go for the lake view rental that I was really hoping for? I thought there was daily housekeeping too btw, there really isnt? Do rentals start off with all the same amenities, they just dont refresh as often? Can you ask for more towels or toiletries if renting?

For me, I would much prefer Disney's very flexible cancellation policy vs that of a points rental. You just never know if a COVID situation pops up, things change, or whatever comes along - to me the flexibility and knowing I have near zero financial risk is important.

Personally, I also don't think the difference between a Standard View and Lake View villa at Poly is worth it enough to change directions, but that's subjective of course. I mean, having a Lake View is nice, but IMO it's not some dramatically different experience worth messing with.

As far as housekeeping...with a cash reservation, you get light housekeeping every other day. On a points reservation, you get service every 4th day. With either reservation type they generally do take the trash out daily as part of their daily security checks, but this can sometimes be YMMV. You get the same amenities and you can always call and ask for more towels, toiletries, supplies, etc with both types of reservations.

From Disney's website: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/experience-updates/resorts/

And during your stay, your room will receive a light cleaning service every other day, which will include:

• Removal of trash and used towels
• Replenishment of towels and amenities throughout the room and bathroom
• Wiping and cleaning of the vanity and counter surfaces
• Vacuuming if needed

You can also decline every-other-day service.

Please note that:

• If you’re a Disney Vacation Club Member using your Membership to stay, you’ll receive service on the 4th and 8th days, unless you decline that service.
• If there is more than one room on your reservation and you choose to decline service, your selection will apply to all rooms on the reservation.
• We reserve the right to enter any room at a Disney Resort hotel for maintenance, safety, security or any other purpose, even if the Room Occupied sign is displayed on the room door. View Walt Disney World Resort Property Rules.

Learn more about housekeeping service.

Hope that helps!