Poly resort? I don't get why ppl pay more there....

[stingmom]

We had an unplanned split stay between CR and Poly and I dont get why people pay more for the Poly over CR.

Here are the noticeable differences:

Poly rooms vs CR rooms:
room is smaller
TV is smaller
No counter space
minimal dresser space
Only one phone (at CR I could unplug the one next to the bed, but still use the one by the daybed for the wake-up call, w/o not blaring in my ear)
only one sink
less bathroom counter space
shower head was in bad shape with green calcification deposits ALL over it
shower head is installed so low that DH was miserable and almost decapitated (he is 6'2" and the shower head could not have been ANY higher than 5'4")
Coffee maker in bathroom only inches from where people relieve themselves....
no hut tub at pool

post edited due to expected "bashing..." Not trying to be rude, I just don't understand it. I guess we all view our wallets differently. Mine is just tighter than others.

 

[Took]

I'm so sorry you had such a rotten experience. I've never heard of power being cut off!

I know that this sounds like a lot of trouble, but you really should write all of this down and send it to management at both CR and Poly. Even if you do not benefit directly from this complaint (and you may), you will certainly be benefitting others and showing management where they need to improve.

 

[Tikiman]

It must be hard to have had such a frustrating visit to WDW. Unfortunately bad things happen there too.

I can comment on a few of your issues but I don’t know that it will make you feel better but I hope letting some of your frustration out here will help.

Polynesian standard rooms are only smaller when compared to the Contemporary room. Other Deluxe standard rooms are even smaller.

With the new room renovation the TV will be a 27” flat screen, the big armor will be replaced with a longer lower dresser with more room, a desk area and a fold up style futon instead of the day bed to make even more room.

The older longhouses will always have only one sink but the newer ones have two. I don’t know what they are going to do in the bathrooms or if the shower will ever be raised.
Not sure the one phone is an issue. I think the concierge room has one in the bathroom also but I never considered talking to anyone on the phone if I were in the bathroom.

The hot tub has been talked over with management but no plans at this point to add one.

The bellhop issue is strange and no you should not have to wave $100 bills around and I never have had to myself. I don’t think anyone here can tell you why that happened to you and it is unfortunate but I am sure many can tell you that does not always happen.

Did you ever asked to be moved if they were so empty? I know the test room for the new room layout is in that building so that may be why they had construction going on and the electricity was off. When were you there?

I am sure you will find a resort you love.

Aloha

Steve

 

[ducklite]

Wow! Sorry you had a bad stay, but in all honesty, I wouldn't have moved resorts for two hours of no power. It seems you probably spent more than that packing moving and aggravating yourself. I'm not sure what the medical nned was, but I'm assuming you either needed to keep medication cold (fridge isnt' going to warm up that quickly) or use a nebulizer. Had it been the latter, if you needed to use it the paramedics could have been called in with a battery op unit and been there in under 5 minutes. All the resorts have generators which power essentials such as smoke detectors, telephones, elevators, hallway lighting when the power is cut.

As far as the Polynesian, we've stayed there twice, my DH and DS are both 6' and never had a problem with the shower heads being too low there. Heck, I'm just shy of 5'8" and never had a problem getting under it--so 5'4" just isn't possible.

Anne

 

[Selket]

Did you move to the Poly to get away from the power check at the CR or was it a planned move? Did you check out of the Poly and come home from your trip early because of the planned power cut?

When we checked into the AKL you practically had to swat the bellmen away (not that we did - we needed the help). Two years ago at the AKL they also cut the power off in the middle of the night (like 2-4 am or something?) - is this the time of day that happened for you? We never noticed it as we were asleep. I did wake up once and notice the lights were all out. It certainly would have been a huge hassle to change hotels for that unless you are using medical equipment which you need to be attached to overnight, etc. I certainly hope that isn't the case.

The Poly looks to have a better pool than the CR and you can walk to the TTC. The theming is more too it looks like - those are the reasons I'd guess why the Poly is more.

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

Did you leave the CR just due to the 2 hour power outage? or were you planning on moving anyway?

 

[magicmouse2]

My opinion is that it is not the size of the room that counts. There are many offsite places with huge rooms, for a lot less money if thats the most important thing to you. I am sorry you had a lot of issues with the resorts. I personally much prefer the theming of the Poly, and when they finish the renovations - putting in new TVs I will be giving up a few nights of a DVC 2 bed to stay at the Poly instead. I think if there were going to be a power cut I would have gone to a park or gone out for a meal rather than stay in the room and let it upset me.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Well that stinks. Maybe it would have been better to just hit the pool or hang in the lobby while the power was out and then come back when it was over? Then you wouldn't have had to go through all the hassle of changing resorts. We experienced a scheduled outtage once at POR... we just went shopping and came back when it was done. No big deal. Heck, I've had worse things happen here at home... we lost our power this past winter for 3 days during an ice storm. Not fun.

 

[stingmom]

The older longhouses will always have only one sink but the newer ones have two. I don’t know what they are going to do in the bathrooms or if the shower will ever be raised.

-This shower head was in bad shape and low. I couldn't believe it how low it was! It was fine for me, because I am short and so I had the extra strength of the water on my head, but DH could not stand under at all. The rim where the water was coming out was at the base of his chin.

Not sure the one phone is an issue. I think the concierge room has one in the bathroom also but I never considered talking to anyone on the phone if I were in the bathroom.

-The extra phone at CR is over by the daybed. I never have any plans to use one while in the restroom either (lol), so why would I want my coffee in there either?

Did you ever asked to be moved if they were so empty?

-When I called while at the CR about being in a room with power, the CM on the phone said, "Do you want to switch rooms again?" (Because we had to have the non-smoking room and had been moved around already.)

I am sure you will find a resort you love.

Aloha

Steve

Thanks for positive feedback Steve.

 

[Bride In The Attic]

I'm also sorry that you had such a bad time at the Poly. Personally, I feel it's worth every penny I pay for it and, while no vacation is 100% perfect, we've always had great experiences there.

Hopefully you'll find a WDW resort you are happy with.

 

[Tikiman]

No problem stingmom. Thanks for the info. I agree that the coffee maker in the bathroom is a bad place but I guess there is no other counter to put it on yet. Maybe in the new room layout it will be out on the dresser since it will be a new flat space for stuff to go.

I can see why you would not want to keep switching rooms. I am sure that did not make the vacation any easier.

Aloha

Steve

 

[cdpa4d]

I've said it before, but I believe when you pay for staying at a resort, the room is secondary. What you are really paying for are the amenities the resort has to offer.
1. Restaurants and Shops
2. Transportation
3. Services
4. Surroundings
5. Views

I know the OP is comparing the Contemporary to the Poly, but I don't see how that is a fare comparison. The resorts are so different!

ADP

 

[DebIreland]

The more I read threads like this one, the more I am amazed at what people are willing to tolerate from Disney, at least in theory anyway. This is the fourth thread I've read this week about someone getting *bad* service, because that's exactly what it is and I'm really shocked at some of the responses to the OPs.

Cutting off electricity in a guest's room is *unacceptable* plain and simple. Electricity is a *basic* necessity, not an extra that we hope for, not a luxury that we pamper ourselves with. The OP has every right to be upset about this. Yes, she *could* have gone shopping or she *could* have gone to the pool or she *could* have done a hundred other things for the 2 hours but why should she have to??? Shopping and swimming (etc.) are pursuits that the OP should be allowed to fit into her schedule when and how *she* sees fit, not when Disney (indirectly) force them upon her. She wanted to sleep back in her room (as far as I remember from the unedited post cause I read it and then came back later to the edited version, forgive me if I'm remembering it wrong) and she should have been able to. Isn't being "close to the magic" one of the perks that Disney pushes in order to get people to stay onsite. Presumably "close to the magic" is good because of the convenience of coming to/from resort to theme park for naps/swims, a "convenience" the OP was denied that afternoon.

We were in Italy 2 years ago staying at a campsite in a mobile home (that's what we call them here, not sure what they're called in the U.S. - a trailer or an RV I think).... anyway, there are lots of mosquitos in Venice and surrounding areas but for a couple of weeks there was a particulary bad infestation of them that locals hadn't seen in years (I had 92 bites on my body but that's for another thread, lol).... anyway, management called to everyone at their tents or mobile homes and asked that people stay out of the campsite for 2 to 3 hours the following afternoon because they had arranged for pest control to spray the entire campsite with a powerful chemical sray which they (rightly) felt children shouldn't be around. So everyone paid heed. We got more than 24 hours notice of this occuring and, the next day, when we returned to our mobile home in the evening, there was a voucher slipped under the door for free pizza and ice cream at the site restaurant (worth about 25 euro or so) and also a thank you note for our co-operation and an assurance that we should experience much fewer problems with the mosquitos.

Sorry, this is getting very long-winded. The point I'm making is that there is a RIGHT way to handle unforeseen or unexpected interruptions in a guests's stay at a hotel (or any other accommodation) and there is a WRONG way and frankly just telling a guest that sorry, there's no electricity for the next 2 hours without advance notice, apology or attempts to work with the guests to work out resulting problems (i.e. lack of fridge for medicine or whatever) is the WRONG way. There are *always* (of this I am convinced) measures that can be taken to satisfy the needs of guests and to show appreciation to guests for tolerating interruptions in their holiday. A simple bit of advance notice and a thank you are often all that's needed. Geez, I would be embarrassed if the power was off in my home whilst I had a guest staying and I mean a friend/relative staying for free!!

To the OP: I'm with you. The service was bad.
I know I'm only commenting on one aspect of your post and not on the main topic i.e. comparison between the 2 resorts but the bad service aspect stood out for me. I think, as 'Took' said, you should write down what happened and how you felt about it and send a letter off to management.

 

[swilphil]

We just stayed at the Contemporary and loved all the things that Stingmom mentioned about the room and the hot tub at the pool. I made my first visit to the Poly to eat and shop. I did think that their landscaping was absolutely beautiful, and the pool is certainly more exciting than the one at the CR. I don't think these two items make the Poly worth so much more per night. My favorite thing about CR is being able to walk to MK.

 

[Anthony1971]

We all get bad service sometimes.
we all have bad days sometimes and do someting that may cause another person inconvenience.
the best I would hope is the other person accepts my apology and does not demand compensation as I would do the same for that person.
I am lucky I have stayed on Disney property more then 10 times and never had a problem (this does not include cruises) I did get angry over a few things and can say Disney always fixed the problem and at times offered me compensation which I turned down as I was not looking for a freebie as the immediate and Professional attention to my few isssues is far better then I have gotten anywhere else at any price.

 

[Lives4Disney]

I didn't get to read your original post pre edit, but I agree with the list of comments you have. I have stayed at the CR for years and tried the Poly last summer. It was nice, but I like the CR better for many of the things that you have mentioned.

I also agree with everything DebIreland stated. It seems that on the DIS some people really love the Poly and heaven forbid anyone say anything negative about it. You are entitled to your opinion and it is just as valid as the Poly lovers'. I don't understand the mentality of the people that stand up for an expensive resort that wasn't so great for whatever reason, and bash an OP. We can't forget the the Poly is categorized as "deluxe" and guests pay a lot of money to stay there. We all have different expectations and experiences at any resort.

We stayed in the Poly Hawaii building LVC and the shower head in our room was VERY low. I am 6 feet tall and DH is the same. We were bent over trying to get our hair washed/rinsed!! It was a bit disapponting as were some of the other things you listed. When I go on vacation I like to stay somewhere AT LEAST as nice as home. I don't want to pay big bucks to be inconvenienced!

Good luck on your next stay. There are a lot of great resorts to choose from.

Lives4Disney

 

[stingmom]

Thanks for the positive response. There was SO much more inolved, but I have decided against posting my trip report due to the negatives comments when I briefly mentioned only a few of them here. Customer service was anything but "Magical" at both of the resorts during our stay andwe ended up leaving a day early. There is a letter being prepared for Disney, I just have to figure out where to send it.

 

[Jasminetigger]

stingmom,

I'm sorry your trip didn't live up to your expectations. I would be disappointed too. I'm also sorry you feel you can't express you views about your entire trip because of the response you might get from others here. I have read many posts over the last few days and am quite surprised at some of the repsonses that are being given when someone gives a bad review about their trip. I realize everyone has a right to express their opinion. I just think sometimes it could be handled in a more tactful manner. I totaly agree with DebIreland's post. I really wish you would reconsider and tell us about your entire trip. I really rely on the views and opinions from these boards to help me plan my vacation. I am sorry I didn't get to read your unedited version of your post. I hope your next trip is a much better one.

 

[skiwee1]

Sorry you had such an awful stay at the Poly. We have stayed there 6 times and absolutely love it! Thankfully we have never had the problems you've encountered and we wouldn't have put up with them if we had. As far as some things like single sinks that doesn't bother me a bit. I don't see the need for two. I don't drink coffee but we never had one in our room. I have never noticed the shower head being low. They always seem to shoot over my head! Sounds like you had rotten luck. We pay more money because to us we see a great value at the Poly. We are going to the CR this winter for a week to try it out but will always return to the Poly. Hope you have a better trip next time.

 

[Peter Pirate]

Yeah but the negatives of the Contemporary are:

(1) small average pool
(2) strange little men sneak into your room at night
(3) the rooms are decorated in an outdated way
(4) every other shower has a two way mirror connected to a live internet connection
(5) There is no movie theatre
(6) Anna Kournakova or Matthew McConnohey have never stayed there before
(7) The California grill really serves fish caught in Bay Lake and passes it off as Halibut
(8) The concierge behind the desk on the lobby level does not wear pants.

If this is what you seek, then knock yourself out!