Poly or OKW?

[heimlichfan]

I have friends with two DDs (5 and 2) who will be making their first trip to The World at the end of February.

Reservations are all set (as is the itinerary I made them!)at the Poly but they've just been offered a 2 bedroom villa for free at OKW. Should they keep the Poly or switch to OKW?

Things to consider:
1. Money is not a factor - grandpa (who's RICH!) is footing the whole bill
2. It will be the first trip for the two little girls ever and the first trip for their parents since they got married
3. They have a castle view room at the Poly
4. They will only be there for 4 days

I said to stick at the Poly - nothing beats getting to see Cinderella's castle from your room, it's great to be at a monorail resort, and they are much closer to MK which is where they will be spending most of their time.

So what do you think? Would you have told them to switch to OKW (free, more space) or stay at the Poly (location, location, location) for their short trip?

 

[Deb & Bill]

Nothing beats an OKW two bedroom villa except maybe an OKW Grand Villa. They will get two comfy queen sized beds, one king sized bed, one queen sized sleeper sofa. Plus a full sized washer and dryer, a jacuzzi tub in the master bedroom. Really large porch, real dining room area. Three TV sets, one with DVD player. A great way to get spoiled on a very first trip.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

That's a though call to make and in this situation there are very good reasons for staying at either Resort. Normally I would say the Polynesian because of the fact it's close to the Magic Kingdom, their theme is a lot better then Old Key West and because they plan to spend most of their time at the Magic Kingdom. However if they are given the chance for a free trip maybe they should pick Old Key West and the fact they can get extra space for everyone.

 

[Cindie-rella]

Is it just the 4 of them going? Do you mean "free" for OKW as an upgrade? How does one who doesn't really do alot of travel to WDW get a "FREE" 2 bedroom villa????!!!! I want one !!!!
Anyway, if it is only the 4 of them and it's only for 3 or 4 nights I would have to stay at the POLY. I mean come on, Castle View with 2 little princesses!!! So much closer and convenient to the MK. They'll have a character meal right at their resort. A monorail or boat ride to MK ...the nightly water pageant on the lagoon...easy access to the place they'll probably spend most of their time at(MK) plus quite a few character meals just a hop skip and a jump on the monorail away and lets not forget being able to see the fireworks over the castle every night. All that you have right at your fingertips will save so much time since they really don't have much time to spare. And besides, if it is just the 4 of them why would they need such a big room and how much time will they really have to enjoy that room? POLY all the way!

 

[deide71]

OKW. That 2br is huge! The washer and dryer are a godsend with 2 little ones, even for 4 days.

OKW hands down!

 

[PlainJane]

Reasons I think they should stay at the Poly:

1. Their children are very small and will not require a second bedroom to themselves.

2. They are going for a very short period of time. If they were going for a longer period of time I would probably recommend the larger accommodations, but because they won't be there very long, they probably won't even see the room that much.

3. Transportation from OKW to the MK can be very frustrating. The shortest amount of time I have ever waited for a bus is 30 minutes. The longest was over an hour. I've stayed at OKW at least five times, and transportation to the MK has always been an issue.

4. OKW doesn't have an amazing CS option, it's not even inside. I know some would say ,"but you have a kitchen", I personally would not buy groceries for a 4 day vacation, just sounds like a waste of money and food to me.

5. Olivia's has also gone down hill lately. Last time I was there they completely butchered my order, and it took (I kid you not) 2 hours to get out of there. They weren't even busy, I think there might have been four dining parties including ours.

I love OKW, but I think it is more of a resort to take advantage of if you're going for an extended stay, and can take advantage of what the villa offers.

 

[Cee]

Once you've had a 2BR you can never go back! Disney can "excite" small kids
and OKW is a welcome retreat at the end of(or middle of) the day. For the
first trip, it might be nice to be on the monorail and so close to MK. I don't
think you can go wrong either way. Thanks, Grandpa!

 

[Tink415]

Keep the Poly! First trip, castle view room, monorail, young children, short trip - it'll be great! I love the 2BDs at OKW too, but, honestly if we didn't have DVC and I wasn't using points for the stay, it wouldn't be my first choice. The extra room, kitchen, washer & dryer are great but the view could be of the highway thru some trees and walking/busing to get food can be a pain if you don't have a car. Of Course, since the trip is free it should all be good either way

 

[ploto]

That is a tough call to make.

It comes down to do you want the space at OKW, or the theme/location of the poly.

I would stay at poly. Even if space is more limited nothing beats seeing the castle from you room on you first stay. that alone will add a ton of magic to your stay. Also at the poly you have monorail service which will help alot getting to MK and Epcot. Then you can walk to TTC for faster bus service to AK and MGM. The overall theming of Poly is great, and soooooo magical!!!

 

[chalee94]

i love OKW and i own there, but for a first trip with 2 little ones (and if cost is really no object), i'd have to vote to stay on the monorail.

 

[chip007]

I vote for the Poly too. I've stayed at both and IMO the Poly has more of that "Disney feel."

Also I will never forget my DD3 waking up in the middle of the night, looking out the window from her bed and shouting "Mama, Mama, Cinderella Castle right there." Her joy was priceless.

And, of course, the monorail makes the Poly just so much more convenient.

 

[mom4graceandlogan]

POLY, POLY, POLY, POLY! We have stayed there with girls exact same age with castle view. Can't beat the magic you feel. While I have not stayed at OKW I have explored it as we are buying DVC soon. You cannot beat the magic/theme at the POLY and the monorail right there. I would spend a week at the POLY even if the MK wasn't across the lake. The only reason we have not bought DVC yet is the constant internal debate of our family afraid we will lose our split stays at the Poly. So we are probably buying DVC with the condition that we always add 4 nights at the POLY to all DVC stays. The Poly is a big part of what DIsney feels so magical. Space is nice, but I just don't get the feel at OKW or SS.

 

[Piglets Mommy]

Wow! That's a tough one! (although I wish I was in such a "tough" situation.) The Poly is my absolure favorite resort, but at first I was going to say OKW....I mean, a 2br villa would be a dream. BUT If they hae young girls and are only going for 4 days, then I would say the Poly, just for the amount of transportation time they will save. And they have so many more dining options that way too. What ever they choose, I hope they have a great time!

 

[Kona*Queen]

We've stayed at both and without a doubt, i'd stick with The Poly.

 

[stacy6552]

YES! Switch to OKW.

 

[heimlichfan]

Thanks for all the fun replies!

The free "upgrade" by the way, came from a friend of the family. But since my friend's not paying for the trip anyway, money isn't an issue.

Shared all thoughts posted on the thread and my friend is going to stick to the Poly. Nothing beats a castle view for two first-time princesses!
(The only thing that would make it better is if I could go too!)

 

[llmurphy17]

Villas are great- having a washer and dryer with young kids is a dream.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

If they stay for free at OKW can they extend their vacation? They could then take advantage of both resorts and split their stay (if they could add days, I mean).

Free is awfully hard to pass up. Just because a generous Grandfather is paying for the Poly, that doesn't mean they shouldn't look at free accomodations!

Having a separate bedroom for the children is awfully nice. They can nap, or go to bed for the evening at a reasonable time and with the door closed, the parents can still enjoy their evening.

Disney does produce sensory overload. I've been with children that age and I was totally grateful for the relaxed atmosphere of OKW.

I've never had a bus transport problem there (but family recently did from PI to OKW) so that would not be an issue for me.

Tough call in many ways, but when it comes to spending money, free works for me every time.