Poly LVC vs.OKW

[MomofTMK]

We have reservations at Poly LVC for August. Our last trip was spent at OKW in a 2 bedroom villa. We loved the amount of space we had (being a family of 5). I thought it would be nice to try the Poly this time and be on the monorail line, closer to everything, etc., but am concerned that we will be somewhat cramped in the room. Our kids are 14, 12, and 12. I also thought about getting 2 garden view rooms at the Poly instead, but that seems a bit much. Any advice out there?

 

[lmhall2000]

We stayed at the Poly and a 2BR at OKW....the biggest advantages to the Poly is the monorail to MK...or boat ride...our children are all under 9 so MK is our hotspot...I think by the time our children are your ages they will like MGM/Epcot more...so for those I would probably prefer staying at Boardwalk Inn, Beach Club, or Yacht Club...there's more to do on the Boardwalk for their age range...but if you stay at MK most of your time then I'd choose Poly.

I think the Epcot resorts have villas or something that is bigger than their standard room...we don't spend a great deal of time in the room but having bigger children could make it seem much smaller. If you were going to do two connecting rooms...and you like MK...you might want to check out Wilderness Lodge...their rates with codes can get down to $129 a night.

Now have I really confused you?

I just think your kids would LOVE stormalong Bay at BC/YC better than the pool/monorail at Poly..unless they are MK fans.

Tara

 

[MomofTMK]

Bumping this up to see if anyone else has any thoughts or suggestions.

 

[jillhou]

We almost always stay at the Poly Concierge - both garden and lagoon. I cannot imagine a better place to stay which is why, I suppose, we always stay there!

It is sooo convenient. It's great to have the monorail to the MK which is still our favorite park and my boys are 10, 13 and 16. We love MGM, but the hours there are usually shorter than the MK - so we always come back and go to the MK at night when fewer people are there. We can usually walk on to many of the rides we love - Splash, Buzz, Pirates, etc. You can walk over to the TTC and get to Epcot easily.

The Poly is just soooo convenient. And with the lounge - you really have a lot more room than a typical hotel room - although we have no problem with the room for 5 of us in the room. If you have kids that pitch fits about sleeping together - then you might have a problem (of course - they are queen sized beds). My kids know when they start griping about sharing beds - they will give up the Poly concierge.

My kids love the volcano pool at the poly and it is so close to the Concierge building. Your kids are like mine - plenty old enough to be out there when a lifeguard is there - without you....and it is easy to check on them when you want to.

For us - the concierge breakfast is wonderful - I like to be on vacation when I am on vacation so I don't like having to worry about food and getting them fed. They can just walk down to the lounge and eat until they are full in the mornings! It is a pretty high carb breakfast - but they burn it off as we go through the parks.

I say - go for Poly LVC - nothing beats it!

 

[jarestel]

I guess it depends on what features you value more. If your family spends more than just sleeping time in the room and likes a bit of privacy away from the others for a while, the extra space at OKW would be a very nice thing. On the other hand, if your family's primary park of interest is MK and you like riding the monorail, you can't beat the Poly for convenient access to MK. Both have their advantages, but you know your family best. If the children tend to get on one another's nerves, being in one room for a whole vacation might not be the best choice, but if they get along well, why not?

Good luck! Have a great time, whatever you choose.

 

[Coach Rick]

I have done both. Staying at the Poly in 02, and OKW this past August. Having the two bedroom was awesome. That said we really didn't spend much time in the room. Now that we have bought AP's I suspect this will change some. I don't feel the urgency to be the parks every waking minute anymore. As everyone had pointed out, the Poly is way better transportation wise for MK, but I always have a car so that doesn't really affect us. I guess it really depends on your situation. How's that for hedging.

 

[magicmouse2]

I have stayed at OKW and visited POLY. I vote for Poly.

 

[colleen costello]

These two choices of yours are my all-time favorite resorts. I have loved the Poly since I was a kid, and since joining DVC I believe OKW is my favorite of all the DVC offerings. It has a quiet magic all its own.

The space at OKW is marvelous, and when we travel with my parents, we get a Villa so we can "hang out" a lot. Sometimes my parents aren't up for the parks and having an "apartment" instead of a hotel room is wonderful. That said, there is a magic to the Polynesian that can't be matched. I would sleep in the LAUNDRY ROOM to stay here! We went last June and had two adjoining rooms and it was great. As wonderful as we remembered from 1980, our last stay.

Here's why I think you should give the Poly a chance. You have splurged on a concierge room, and your kids are old enough to take advantage of the lounge. The concierge areas are like an extension of your room, and you guys can "spread out" by using thes public areas. With the food offerings, your teens will have access to snacks, drinks and a TV, so I doubt they'll spend too much time in your room. My only concern is who will sleep on the daybed as it is little. If you have one short family member, great. Otherwise, better pack the aerobed or head for OKW!