Poly or RR?

[tara595]

Hello! Planning a trip for August of this year. It will be 2 adults and three kids ages 8,9,10 (2 separate families)

I have enough points for two studios at either Rivera or Poly (not the new tower, unfortunately). I haven't stayed at either but have visited both and loved them. Is it worth staying at the Poly, even if it's not the new section? The Riveria is beautiful too, so I'm trying to figure it all out! I love the parks but also spend a good amount of time at the resort as well.

Thanks everyone!

 

[thanxfornoticin]

For us, it would be where do we plan to spend more of our time. Poly is so convenient for MK and even EP. Riv so convenient for EP and HS. If those things are equal or aren't a priority, we'd do Poly - an original, iconic monorail resort.

 

[Mle8308]

Hard choice, I am staying at the OG Poly in September and I am a little concerned about how crowded it might be with the addition of the Tower. Pools and restaurants were already really busy, and now adding the Tower rooms into the mix will make it even worse. Adds to the already very crowded/busy transportation, too. Another thing to consider is the Poly is spread out, you have to go outside to get to the Great Ceremonial House, in August it rains a lot, so you can get soaked going from your room to basically any location. Ask me how I know... Riviera is all contained in one building, which is nice during the summer rain and hurricane season. The restaurants at the Riviera are some of the best on property, QS included. And no sharing busses or a monorail with other resorts. Pools are less crowded, too. The Skyliner is great, but in the case of storms, it can stop, too, so that is a potential negative to consider. Also, if you have the points to stay at the OG Poly, you should have enough to stay at the Tower. Points are the same for the standard studio (OG Poly) and the resort view in the Tower. It's a tough decision! Oh, and you are more likely to have firework views of Epcot in a resort view studio than a standard studio at the Poly (MK fireworks). Good luck, fortunately, there is no bad choice!

 

[gottalovepluto]

Poly, Aug weather could turn the skyliner into a crapshoot and it seems in every report of this (and when it happened to me I concurred) Disney cannot get it's stuff together and takes forever (like an hour+) to get buses running the "Skyliner Route". You'd think every t-storm was totally unexpected and a new experience to them

 

[Disney Spaz]

I agree with thanxfornoticin It depends on which parks you are going to focus on. After that is is personal preference to me. We fell in love with the new Poly Tower and bought points which I thought I would never do. That being said we are big MK and Epcot people and we love the options for food at Poly, GF and Contemporary or a boat ride to WL for Roaring Forks or Geyser Point.

 

[HairyChest]

Poly 100%
Seeing Cinderella castle from your resort gives you all the Disney feels. The OG longhouses are large and most of the views are beautiful. The boatride and monorail is very convenient too.

 

[tara595]

Hard choice, I am staying at the OG Poly in September and I am a little concerned about how crowded it might be with the addition of the Tower. Pools and restaurants were already really busy, and now adding the Tower rooms into the mix will make it even worse. Adds to the already very crowded/busy transportation, too. Another thing to consider is the Poly is spread out, you have to go outside to get to the Great Ceremonial House, in August it rains a lot, so you can get soaked going from your room to basically any location. Ask me how I know... Riviera is all contained in one building, which is nice during the summer rain and hurricane season. The restaurants at the Riviera are some of the best on property, QS included. And no sharing busses or a monorail with other resorts. Pools are less crowded, too. The Skyliner is great, but in the case of storms, it can stop, too, so that is a potential negative to consider. Also, if you have the points to stay at the OG Poly, you should have enough to stay at the Tower. Points are the same for the standard studio (OG Poly) and the resort view in the Tower. It's a tough decision! Oh, and you are more likely to have firework views of Epcot in a resort view studio than a standard studio at the Poly (MK fireworks). Good luck, fortunately, there is no bad choice!

thank you! How do you feel about BLT or GF? That's another option. I do love WL but have stayed there before. I'd like to stay somewhere new.

 

[Mle8308]

thank you! How do you feel about BLT or GF? That's another option. I do love WL but have stayed there before. I'd like to stay somewhere new.

I've only stayed at the CR in the Tower or Garden Wing, never BLT. I have heard that the studios at BLT are small, they are being renovated right now, but that won't change the size and the layout seems to be the same. It's been over 10 years since I've stayed at the GF, so I really can't comment. I do love the new decor in the rooms, it was needed. The only negative about the GF is the spread out location (like Poly), they do share busses with the Poly and it's the last stop on the monorail. Busses, when I stayed at the Poly, were often nearly full when we pulled up to the GF, it was always standing room only. If I were paying GF rack rates, I would not be happy about that. The monorail can be crowded, too - depending on the time of day. It's only a short trip to the MK, so it's not too bad. My concern with the transportation is how much the new Poly Tower will add to an already busy system. I considered changing my fall trip to all Poly but I don't think I will until I hear more about how busy the busses/pools are now. It's a tough decision, but like I said before, I don't think you can really make a bad choice! Third world problems!

 

[BlueGreen5]

Is it worth staying at the Poly, even if it's not the new section?

Absolutely. Island Tower is not really conveniently located to the monorail like the legacy Poly.

The Riveria is beautiful too, so I'm trying to figure it all out! I love the parks but also spend a good amount of time at the resort as well.

Stay at Poly and spend as much time at Riviera as you want. Sure, you won't be able to use the pool at Riviera, but no kid looks at the Riviera pool and desperately wishes they could use it. It's kind of bland and quiet - it's like...just there...and nice, of course...but blah from a kid's point of view. After just a couple of hours, my kids were asking to go over to the Caribbean Beach pool (which of course you "can't do," so we "didn't do that" ). The opposite is true about the Poly pool - incredibly themed, fun, bustling, immersive, etc. Kids love the Poly pool.


We've stayed at both resorts with kids and, without question, I would suggest Poly over the Riviera unless your kids are unlike mine and prefer a quiet, relaxing space.

 

[Brian Noble]

no kid looks at the Riviera pool and desperately wishes they could use it.

My kids are now in their 20s. When they were younger they had three properties they wanted in a pool:

1. It should exist
2. It should contain water
3. The water should be wet

 

[bdrex28]

That's a tough one. The initial thought would be Poly since you have younger children and you may end up at MK quite a bit. Plus Poly is more kid decorated vs Riviera.

But...you have Riviera which is easy access to Epcot and HS and yet very much relies on the skyliner and with storms it will be shut down here and there.

Are you dead set on Riviera or Poly? What about BLT or even BWV or Beach Club?

BWV and Beach put you closer to Epcot and HS and you get boat transportation to HS and walk to Epcot. Bus to MK and AK. BWV have fun stuff in the evening for the kids. Breakfast is probably better at Beach than what you'd find at BWV if you go to a sit down. They have the character breakfast at Beach Club. Also Beach club has a great pool for kids.

BWV and Beach will have lower point costs. Garden/Pool view at BWV should be gettable.

BLT should be well into refurb if not finished. You'll be able to access Poly from monorail , walk to MK , etc. Good options that are kid friendly for food with characters if, again, character breakfasts at the hotel are something you want.

My kids are now much older. 17/22/28

But when young they liked AKV because of the animals and savannah view and they liked the Contemporary/BLT and going to Chef Mickey's. When we did VGF they thought it was pretty but that's it, nothing like many adults think. Now we are almost exclusively Boardwalk when we stay. I like Riviera but I think it's a bit generic and I also find it not overly convenient even with the Skyliner.

In truth, I would think about what you want to see. Where will you be spending most of your time in the parks? Will you go to a sit down breakfast at the hotel or park or just eat something in the room? We have always been about convenience. So where we'll be spending our time is what has always 100% driven our resort hotel choice.

 

[eticketplease]

Absolutely. Island Tower is not really conveniently located to the monorail like the legacy Poly.



Stay at Poly and spend as much time at Riviera as you want. Sure, you won't be able to use the pool at Riviera, but no kid looks at the Riviera pool and desperately wishes they could use it. It's kind of bland and quiet - it's like...just there...and nice, of course...but blah from a kid's point of view. After just a couple of hours, my kids were asking to go over to the Caribbean Beach pool (which of course you "can't do," so we "didn't do that" ). The opposite is true about the Poly pool - incredibly themed, fun, bustling, immersive, etc. Kids love the Poly pool.


We've stayed at both resorts with kids and, without question, I would suggest Poly over the Riviera unless your kids are unlike mine and prefer a quiet, relaxing space.

This right here!!!

The lava pool is much better for kids and they also have a nice quiet pool as well.
Both pools have pool bars with adult dole whips to boot.

OP unless you are looking at Theme Park rooms the points for studios are the same for longhouses or the tower.
The longhouses you will have more room and an extra shower and the room is a closer match to those at RIV.

 

[Brian Noble]

I'm an old grump, but I'd encourage you to pick the one you want to stay at. The kids will have a great time no matter where they are; they are at WDW.

 

[Hubalorian]

I would go RIV. In a standard view studio, you could luck into seeing some fireworks

 

[DL1WDW2]

I'm an old grump, but I'd encourage you to pick the one you want to stay at. The kids will have a great time no matter where they are; they are at WDW.

Hi Brian I posted a few questions about Club Wyndham Tour (and cruises offer) at new location in the MargaritaVille Resort Complex near WDW ./AK/Target
Sorry to interrupt conversation They are building their new timeshare at this complex … Thought you might like to know.
The WaterPark in this location “H2O Live “is fantastic even tho it looks boring driving past…
Also has a very generous AP Discount Offer currently

Thanks for all your help always interesting ! !

 

[eticketplease]

I would go RIV. In a standard view studio, you could luck into seeing some fireworks

No luck required if on the beach at poly

 

[eticketplease]

Hi Brian I posted a few questions about Club Wyndham Tour (and cruises offer) at new location in the MargaritaVille Resort Complex near WDW ./AK/Target
Sorry to interrupt conversation They are building their new timeshare at this complex … Thought you might like to know.
The WaterPark in this location “H2O Live “is fantastic even tho it looks boring driving past…
Also has a very generous AP Discount Offer currently

Thanks for all your help always interesting ! !

WDW AP Discount at Wyndham? How can I find out about this?

 

[bdrex28]

No luck required if on the beach at poly

Or could chill on the boardwalk with the kids being entertained by a magician or boardwalk act and watch the Epcot show with an ice cream or corn dog in hand

 

[eticketplease]

Or could chill on the boardwalk with the kids being entertained by a magician or boardwalk act and watch the Epcot show with an ice cream or corn dog in hand

Don't forget about Joe's as well

 

[bdrex28]

Don't forget about Joe's as well

LOL that's true, the kids could even get a pretzel or dole whip slushy thing at Joe's and the adults could of course get a Margarita