Poly or Pop?

[specchalakani]

Hey,

I will be going to Disney in December for 4 days with my daughter. I have a AAA quote of 1386.98 for the Pop which includes park hoppers and Deluxe Dining. I just got a quote of 1637.98 for the Poly and this includes Park hoppers but no dining. My daughter has Down Syndrome and we aren't commando types and we really love the Poly.

I'm really conflicted about this. This is a first trip for just the two of us as her father and I are getting a divorce so this will be different all the way around. I've never done the dining before so I don't know what to expect. We've also never stayed at Pop so I don't know what I'm missing there as well.

I think that the Poly quote is pretty good too, don't you?

Please help me to make a decision on this.

Thank you

 

[traci]

I have never stayed at the Pop so I can't help you there. I have done the DP and I have stayed at the Poly. I would pick the Poly over the DP. The ease of getting around from the Poly can't be beat.

Good-Luck and have a wonderful trip with you daughter

 

[DiznEeyore]

Given the variables you've got, I'd definitely go with the Poly. So much more convenient, more room, etc.

I will caveat that by saying we never use the dining plan -- it's way too much food for us, so that wouldn't be a consideration at all.

Whatever you decide, I hope you and your princess have a magical trip!

 

[lexmelinda]

If I were on a 4 day trip, I wouldn't bother to do all the sit down dining. I'd do the Poly!

That being said, that's still a lot of money for a 4 day trip. Can you get a cheaper room at the Contemporary? Same convenience factor.

 

[Karlzmom]

For the price difference, its a no-brainer for me. Poly all the way. Unless the $$ would be a major hardship, I'd definately go for the Poly. You'll find the Monorail easy to use and being close the the TTC can't be beat.

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

The last time we had a package that included dining was almost 10 years ago so I don't have any recent experience to comment on. The reason we don't do the dining plan now is that I do remember getting more food than we could ever eat. It just seems wasteful to get the dining plan for us. You and your DD could probably share alot of meals; that's what we do. Saves money and your waistline!

I have stayed at the Poly many times with the most recent visit being in October 2006. I think you'd be better off staying at the Poly since the transportation (to MK & EPCOT anyway) are much more convenient than Pop. Also, the rooms at the Poly are much larger.

So, personally, I'd forego the dining plan to stay at the Poly.

Good luck in your decision and have a great trip!

 

[SeaSpray]

The last time we had a package that included dining was almost 10 years ago so I don't have any recent experience to comment on. The reason we don't do the dining plan now is that I do remember getting more food than we could ever eat. It just seems wasteful to get the dining plan for us. You and your DD could probably share alot of meals; that's what we do. Saves money and your waistline!

I have stayed at the Poly many times with the most recent visit being in October 2006. I think you'd be better off staying at the Poly since the transportation (to MK & EPCOT anyway) are much more convenient than Pop. Also, the rooms at the Poly are much larger.

So, personally, I'd forego the dining plan to stay at the Poly.

Good luck in your decision and have a great trip!

I agree with everyone who recommends the Polynesian.

Whichever you choose, I hope that you and your DD have a wonderful time!!

 

[Aliceacc]

Forgive me if this is out of line:

If your marriage is breaking up, finances may become more of a concern. Would you consider a moderate-- perhaps Carribean Beach or POR-- to save some money? You would still have that beachy theming, but at a lower cost. Or look into the Wilderness Lodge. It's still deluxe, close to the MK, but not quite as expensive as the Poly.

And consider the regular DDP, not the deluxe. You could save some serious money, and still have one sit down meal per day.

Again, forgive me if I'm reading more into your post than was there.

 

[DannysMom]

Hey,

I will be going to Disney in December for 4 days with my daughter. I have a AAA quote of 1386.98 for the Pop which includes park hoppers and Deluxe Dining. I just got a quote of 1637.98 for the Poly and this includes Park hoppers but no dining. My daughter has Down Syndrome and we aren't commando types and we really love the Poly.

I'm really conflicted about this. This is a first trip for just the two of us as her father and I are getting a divorce so this will be different all the way around. I've never done the dining before so I don't know what to expect. We've also never stayed at Pop so I don't know what I'm missing there as well.

I think that the Poly quote is pretty good too, don't you?

Please help me to make a decision on this.

Thank you

I've never stayed at POP so I can't really comment there. We're going back for our 2nd stay at the Poly & we love it too. Our son has very mild CP, and we think the location just can't be beat, monorail to MK & short walk to the TTC for a direct monrail to Epcot. I think that's a decent quote for Poly & having a special needs kid, I go for convienence over saving a few bucks (if you can afford it) every time.

I just wanted to also say that if your daughter has any low-tone or stamina issues (as many children w/ Down Syndrome do) make sure that you bring your own stroller and maybe swing by Guest Services to see about being able to use her stroller as a wheelchair, having access to places reg. stroller can't go, lines etc. I often hang over at the DisAbiliites board, nice knowledgable folks over there.

 

[AmyAllan&Eve]

I would definitely do the Poly.

I enjoy the dining plan, but I do not save money with it.

DH and I eat a lot! And we can still share a fast food meal at any Disney eatery and feel full. So no savings there!

As for the character meals, the dining plan does not save you money on those. You need to eat something more expensive than a character meal to break even with the cost of the dining plan.

And as for the nicer restaurants, without the gratuity and appetizer included, they would no longer save us money either.

And as for the really nice dining options, the signature restaurants have always cost the equivalent of two meals on the plan, so they have never been a savings.

All that being said, I am beginning to think Bah! to the dining plan. It's only advantage is the comfort of having it prepaid.

I would rather order what I want along the way.

The beauty and convenience of the Poly could never be replaced by a dining plan in my mind. It's well worth the extra money to stay there.

I hope you have a wonderful time. I am hoping to do a mother and daughter trip with my four year old this summer. DH doesn't really like Disney. (I think that's crazy, and I still hold out hope he will come to his senses!) Anyway, rather than have his negativity along for the ride, I am hoping to make a special trip for me and Evie. I would love to stay at the Poly with Eve!

 

[specchalakani]

Thanks so much to those that replied! I think that we will go to the Poly. We're not big eaters really and I think we would spend our entire stay eating if we did the dining plan.

I know that it may seem odd to do this because of the divorce, but that's exactly WHY I'm doing it. My daughter has dealt with so much and so beautifully. I've put the money away and Disney is what we love to do, so this would be her Christmas gift.

I think that I will speak with the AAA agent who has worked so hard for me and see what their rate is just to make sure that we get the best deal.

Thanks again to all who have been so kind in their responses.

 

[joepic]

Poly is an excellent quote!!!!!!

You shouldn't have to think twice about choosing between the two!

good luck!

 

[koolmom2]

There really is no comparison between the two. The Pop is fun for a day, the Poly is fun every day.

 

[Gillian]

That sounds like a nice trip! Is it 3 nights or 4 nights? Is your daughter under 10? If so, the dining plan is a good deal.

I guess I feel you're not comparing apples to apples. You'll still need to eat if you're staying at the Polynesian, right? If you're going close to Christmas they might increase the price of certain meals (buffets, family style) like they did this year. I believe it started around 12/16 not sure of the exact day. It didn't affect people on the dining plan.

Compare it to:
Pop with no dining (they have a nice food court there)
Pop with regular dining (so that you can plan a few fun meals while there)
Polynesian with regular dining

The Polynesian is lovely, and convenient, but Pop Century is fun too. Sometimes a budget resort means you can splurge guilt free on other things.

 

[Disneylvr]

Our daughter has autism and we shortened our trip so that we could stay at the Poly. You just can't beat the convenience of the monorail and the theming. We didn't want to stay at a resort where driving to the parks or using buses was our only transportation option.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

Congrats on choosing the Poly!

While I've stayed at Pop, I have a special needs child who is on the autistic spectrum and Pop is wayyy too hectic for us to stay at for a prolonged period of time. The Poly makes it easy to get back to the room for breaks and relaxation.

 

[disneydreamin247]

I too have a child on the autism spectrum with ADHD, and the monorail is just so convenient. We originally booked the Poly, but due to financial restrictions that came up we had to switch. You can't beat the convenience, especially when you have a special needs child.

 

[TnTWalter]

We did the Dining Plan on both trips; which would be the base dining plan, not deluxe. I think deluxe is probably overkill but the base is very nic eand there is minimal to none out of pocket dining expenses [if you plan well].


We loved the Poly but we also loved POP.

OP doesn't have an autistic child that I read about so I would say that it all depends on whether you need the cost savings or not.

The monorail was great and we loved it. But if you're going to AK or Studios, not much difference. We also did enjoy the boat ride to MK.

I would go back to either. Actually thinking of moderate or off-site next time...we have 3 kids so our choices are sadly limited. I would love to try some of the resorts that you might enjoy...AKL Coronado Springs a studio at a DVC...

Good luck.

Trish

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

OP doesn't have an autistic child that I read about so I would say that it all depends on whether you need the cost savings or not.

The OP mentioned her child has Downs Syndrome (special needs) so I was speaking to the effect of her having a special needs child, not specifically an autistic one.

 

[StratMan]

I can tell you that I recently booked 4 days (3 nights) at the CR and paid a lot more than the quote you have for the Poly. It sounds like a very good deal to me. So, I guess you can add me to the landslide of Poly voters.

I hope you and your daughter have a wonderful time. Good luck to both of you.