Poly or CSR? Which Would YOU Choose??

[Katems]

I'm going August 24-31 and am torn between the Poly and CSR. There is a $1000 difference, both have the free dining. What do you think? Me, my husband, and four and nine year old girls. I know Poly has the monorail, but I've heard the transport time between CSR and the parks is really good. Help!! Thanks!

 

[4theloveofdisney]

In my opinion, I would love to be on the monorail. It would just be so easy to zip to MK or Epcot. However, if money is even a factor, then I don't think it's worth it. You can use bus transportation just as well and still have a great time and a wonderful trip. To also point out, you would have to use bus transport to get to MGM or AK anyway.

 

[Laura]

Oh, tough decision. I've stayed at both resorts, and they're both awesome. I think you simply need to ask yourself if it's really worth $1000 more to stay at a deluxe, what your budget's like, etc. If your itinerary is MK-heavy, perhaps that would be a plus for staying at the Polynesian. You're not necessarily going to be sorry because you chose either resort, and you know your money situation better than I do. If your budget can swing it, go deluxe. If you think $1000 can be better spent elsewhere, go moderate.

 

[jimmalru80]

The monorail line is GREAT. We have never stayed at CSR, but we feel that the Polynesian is our second home. If the MK is your main destination, you can't beat the Polynesian for quickness and convenience. Good luck and enjoy!!

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

Only you can decide if the $1000 is worth it. With that being said, , I would choose the Poly!

 

[Buzz2001]

We just returned from our 8th trip to CSR and we still love it just as much as our first time back in 1998. CSR is definitely our favorite resort!!

THE PROS
No sharing bus service with other resorts
Centrally located with short rides to the parks and Blizzard Beach
Largest hot tub on WDW property - holds 22
Best main pool area (of the mods) with 3 quiet pools
New shuttle service eliminates long walks to any of the villages
High speed internet service
WiFi avaiable as well
Free use of the gym
Spa
Fridge in the room
Coffeemaker in the room
Iron and ironing board
full room service menu
2 arcades
beautifully landscaped
central air, not a noisey wall unit

THE CONS
Full size beds (kings size beds are available)
one sink

IN THE MIDDLE
The Pepper Market is either a love it or hate it place. We love it but some folks just don't care for it.

Convention resort - some guests don't like seeing other guests at work. Doesn't bother us and helps keep the buses empty. GF, Cont, BW, Y & B Club are also convention resorts.

Check out my website below

 

[mousefansmom]

We have been at both, and although we will be at the Poly again this Winter, for $1000, I would have to think twice. We LOVE the pool at CSR, bigger and less crowded than Poly. Poly rooms are bigger, but then again, we weren't in our room much at all. When we stayed at CSR, we did drive to the Poly to eat at Ohana, also rode the monorail a few times. However for much less than $1000, you could rent a car, and traveling would be a non-issue to parks and other resorts.
Tough decision, Good Luck!
Mousefansmom

 

[Polofan87]

Im a big Poly fan as you can tell because its very very relaxing. I went mabey 6 times in my life time and every time we go I say that I had the best time. Its not a very crowded resort imo because it feels like there is so much space. I love the boats that you can go on and travel all the way to the Wilderness lodge area and look around on your boat. Its also very relaxing sitting on the beach watching the fire crackers. Theres always Hawiian music playing as you walk around the resort which is one of my favorite things about it. The quiet pool is very relaxing and the stands on the top floor where they sell things are quite nice people. When I asked them for something to bring back for my girlfriend they gave me a really cool picture frame that was only 1 left and was very cheap. I am going to the CBR this year but my favorite is the poly.

 

[SpoonfulofSugar]

We stayed at the Poly this past May--- and it was our greatest vacation ever!!! We loved the Poly, the themeing, monorail, close to TTC and a very short ride to the MK-- so afternoon breaks were easy. We've never satyed at CSR but it looks great too. The rooms at the Poly are bigger and they have balconies, also there is the nightly Electrical Water Pagent.
I think you would have a great time at either resort!!! August can be very hot in the afternoons and not waiting for a bus may be a benefit. If you can afford it why not try the Poly and next time if there is no free dining do CSR!

 

[Suzanne74]

I would easily choose CSR and here is why....

You are getting the free dining and paying rack rate for the room. The price of the hotel in turn decided the % you are getting off with the free dining. There is more bang for your buck going with a moderate then a deluxe. Why pay $1000 more for the same exact free dining plan. If you do decide to do a deluxe, wait until there is a % off rate or specific dollar amount off - it will seem more worthwhile.

I have stayed at the Poly and I do love the grounds and atmosphere but the rooms are showing some age and even though they are slightly bigger, it doesn't justify $1000. A lot of 2nd floor rooms have no balcony either so the amentities in the room are the exact same as CSR if you get stuck in one. For me if I pay that price, I better get a balcony!!! Poly's bathroom is slightly bigger and has a daybed, thats it - no difference.

Yes, the monorail is great and yes seeing the castle on the lagoon is nice but I thought the bus service to AK and MGM was the worst I have ever seen so the "monorail resort" wasn't great overall for transporation. The AK bus was shared with the Contemporary and was almost full when it arrived. Then we had to drop people off at Blizzard Beach then finally go to AK. In total waited 65min from arrival to bus stop to AK.

CSR does not share a bus with any other resort and has a much bigger theme pool along with 3 other pools and LOTS of lounge chairs. As much as I loved the Poly Volcano pool and the zero degree entry it was MOBBED with kids and adults ALL THE TIME and that was in May. So much that you couldn't swim just sorta tread water in place, They also had NO lounges throughout the whole day and ran out of kids life vests. Another problem with the Poly pool is it surrounded by the volcano, trees etc... which is beautiful but lacks the parents to sit down to actually see their kids. There are only a few lounges and chairs that you can see the whole pool from - which in turn lead so many parents standing around in the zero degree entry side the whole time - not relaxing. I like to be able to relax in a lounger or chair and watch dd and dh play in the pool. At CSR it is very open and accessible to seeing the kids, even on their water slide. I think CSR has a good balance of kids and adults and that is what I am looking for.

I don't want people to think I am bashing the Poly though, I do love it there but late August, I can only imagine mobs and mobs of kids at that pool on top of the pool hoppers and other resort guests that come into to see the fireworks etc... Just a little too hectic for me. No matter where you chose though, I do highly recommend Ohana's - yummy!

I love Disney thru and thru and go hard all day but when we head back to the resort I want some R&R to get me ready for the next day.

Save yor $1000 and either rent a car (which is great for the free dining - you can resort hop easier) or just pocket it for your next WDW trip.

 

[2MuchOhana]

My vote is for the Polynesian! I haven't stayed there yet; but plan to in the future. The $1000 difference would be well worth it IMHO. We had a very bad experience at CSR including the bus service. Maybe it was an off week there; I don't know. So, for me the $1000 extra would be worth every penny! I am going from my personal experience which unfortunately has been jaded a bit.

However, my opinion aside go with the resort you feel most comfortable with spending the money on. Every resort is worth trying. Some you will love. Others you will like. And unfortunately there will be some that are just not the right fit you you or your family! You will never know until you try it.
So pick the one that speaks to you from both the theming to the cost.

Hope you have a magical vacation whereever you decide to stay!

Jodi

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

I would book CSR and put the $1000 you are saving by not staying at the Poly in a fund for your NEXT trip!

 

[johnnyr]

I have stayed at both resorts. The Poly would be my choice. Although CSR is nice, I didn't like the Pepper Market, the size of the resort and the convention "feel". If money isn't the issue for you, I would select the Poly is a heartbeat.

 

[MickeyMacks]

Why not split your stay and be at the Poly for the part of your vacation when you'll be mostly at Epcot and MK, and CSR for when you're doing mostly MGM and Animal Kingdom. The Poly looks fantastic and is convenient but wouldn't it be nice to save a few hundred dollars AND get two great resort pools in one vacation!

 

[paults]

for $ 1000 more!! no way. Stay at CSR its great and the girls will love the pool I suggest the CABANA area with a water view (lake) . We just stay there in May and loved it. We are DVC'ers at BWV but just love CSR now too.

JUST THINK WHAT YOU CAN BUY THE GIRLS WITH AN EXTRA $1000 :thewave:

 

[susy]

I've stayed at both. Just got back from the Poly a week ago. I would choose CSR. It has one thing the Poly does not have, whiich we missed!!!! The hot tub!!! And at CSR, it's huge. The pool area at CSR is just as impressive-if not more. the poly did nto seenas deluxe to me as the otehr deluxes we've tried-WL, AKL, BC.In my opinion it is definitely NOT worth $1000 more-monorail or no monorail

 

[TinyToonThor]

I just think being in Disney is wonderful no matter where you stay.

In the end you will make the right decision. Enjoy your vacation.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

Though we would LOVE to stay at the Poly, that $1000 difference is a good reason to choose CSR. You need to decide if you would rather put that money towards something else. Both are great choices, but I would choose CSR and save the money.

 

[SuzEm]

I just got back from at split stay between CSR and Poly. I love both resorts. However, if I was saving $1000, I believe I'd have to go with CSR. Also, if I planned on spending a good deal of time in all the parks, I'd go with CSR. I really enjoyed our stay at the Poly, but we had time to really enjoy the resort and only visited MK and Epcot while at the Poly. We planned it that way - staying at CSR during the part of the trip we planned on spending more time in the parks. Worked out great!

 

[NHBelle]

Well I have never stayed at CSR, but I have it booked for my August trip and can't wait. I have stayed at the Poly and broke the bank to do it and guess what.... I was very dissapointed. Its not worth the $ IMOP. The rooms are very musty and feel "damp" and the pool is very over crowded all the time,even at midnight. I do love OHana and will definately go there to eat, but as far as deluxes go AKL is way better and if I had an etra 1,000 I would stay there even without the monorail.