Poly vs. POR -- difference of $2,000+

[jennw75]

Advice needed! We've never stayed at a moderate resort and with two small kids (4 and 6 and we're traveling with our nanny) we're concerned about the convenience factor and food options by switching from the Poly to POR.

That said, we'd save over $2,000 and that includes staying an extra night at POR. Please share your thoughts and experience. We'd be traveling in January/February so the pools aren't so much of an issue as the bus vs. monorail, travel time, size of resort, QS food options, room size, etc.

We feel like we need to make a decision this weekend before the Disney Visa discounts become public on Monday.

Thanks!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I would save the $2000. That is a lot of money.

POR has a much better food court for QS. And $2000. That's a good 529 contribution, or a new garage door, or most of another Disney trip.

 

[aleh021]

Advice needed! We've never stayed at a moderate resort and with two small kids (4 and 6 and we're traveling with our nanny) we're concerned about the convenience factor and food options by switching from the Poly to POR.

That said, we'd save over $2,000 and that includes staying an extra night at POR. Please share your thoughts and experience. We'd be traveling in January/February so the pools aren't so much of an issue as the bus vs. monorail, travel time, size of resort, QS food options, room size, etc.

We feel like we need to make a decision this weekend before the Disney Visa discounts become public on Monday.

Thanks!

Most definitely switch & save the $2000. As much as I absolutely love the Poly, I would go with POR. You get an extra night, and save a significant amount of money. I have stayed at both before & POR is really beautiful and to me feels like a "Deluxe-lite" resort. & Bus transportation isn't bad either to be honest. Plus you have boat transportation to Disney Springs.

At the end of the day, go with what your gut tells you & what makes most sense for you

Just do it as soon as you can!

 

[Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL]

I would say it depends on the value one places on the $2k. For some that would be their entire DW vacation budget. For others, just a small %. Personally, I would save the $2k and go with POR. I have stayed there before and was very happy with it. Of course, we spend very little time actually at the resort when we're at DW so it's not a huge factor for us.

 

[Disneylover99]

Stay at POR

 

[Hikergirl]

Are you all staying in the same room, or do you have 2 rooms at each resort? If you were all sharing at the Poly and plan to do the same at POR then I'd save the $2000.

 

[jennw75]

Thanks everyone. I just ran the numbers again and it's a difference of $2856. Based on your feedback I think we'll give POR a try.

Any certain building I should request for easy access to transportation and food?

 

[TJA]

I'm in the minority and I know the cost is a lot more, but we'd choose Poly if we could swing the extra money.

Reasons:

If staying in one room, you won't all fit comfortably in the POR room. At least not compared to the Poly room, which is much larger and has a daybed.

POR has an internal bus system because the resort is so large. We found this very tedious.

At Poly, you'll have the TTC which offers direct monorail to both MK and Epcot. Also have the boat to MK. Also walking path to GF. Can watch Wishes from the beach at Poly. Can see the Castle right from the main pool at Poly. Views are incredible! Has character breakfast at Ohana and also a great family style dinner there too. Resort grounds are more compact so no matter which building you are in, you won't be far from the main building.

In all fairness, we do think POR is a gorgeous resort and LOVE the food court there! There's just really not much of a comparison when looking at the perks and convenience. If we did stay at POR again, we'd book a preferred room to be near the main building.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Lordy. For $2856, Poly is nice but it isn't that nice, and I always have to assume that anyone who asks a question like "should I switch for $X?" means it is not insignificant as a sum of cash.

With a party of 5, you will be put in Alligator Bayou, I believe. AB rooms have 2 queens and a trundle bed, so they're actually quite similar to a Poly room in that regard, although the POR trundle is best for a child (and you have two, so that's okay) and the Poly daybed can be used by smaller adults.

You might want to request ground floor if there's a stroller involved.

 

[TJA]

OP - our posts crossed and I see you made your decision. In your shoes, I'd surely book a preferred room. Otherwise, you run the risk of not being very close to the main building. It's kind of frustrating when you're in a rush to get a drink or meal. I'd probably keep the fridge stocked with things for situations like that.

Have fun!

 

[jennw75]

OP - our posts crossed and I see you made your decision. In your shoes, I'd surely book a preferred room. Otherwise, you run the risk of not being very close to the main building. It's kind of frustrating when you're in a rush to get a drink or meal. I'd probably keep the fridge stocked with things for situations like that.

Have fun!

You're giving me second thoughts. We love being on the monorail. And having the character breakfast on-site is a real bonus. Decisions, decisions...

 

[TJA]

You're giving me second thoughts. We love being on the monorail. And having the character breakfast on-site is a real bonus. Decisions, decisions...

Sorry lol! I noticed everyone else voted for POR, understandably since the cost difference is so much, so I felt I had to give my opinion because we've been in your situation (not with a nanny along, but with our 2 young kids).

 

[_auroraborealis_]

You're giving me second thoughts. We love being on the monorail. And having the character breakfast on-site is a real bonus. Decisions, decisions...

I think you have to ask yourself: How long do you have to work to earn that $2800+? What is the opportunity cost of using it for this trip, versus saving it for another?

Once you start getting into 4-figure differences, I think how much to pay for convenience starts getting to be a question. I admit to spending $400 for a week coming up to get 3 sleeping surfaces and a more convenient resort on my split-stay. That was 2 extra hours of consulting, and not having to share a bed with my daughter the human eggbeater. So it was an easy call.

$2800+ would be 14+ hours of extra freelance for me (taxes take a bite). So that's a harder call.

 

[Disney Khi]

I would do POR for that much money. I have not stayed at the Poly, but I have stayed at GF, BC, YC, BW, and AKL, and I still like POR. It has a nice food court and fun pools, plus you can also use the pool at POFQ. It is a fun boat ride to DS. We just stayed there in June and had a great time.

 

[luvpooh]

$2800 is my airfare, hotel and park tix for my upcoming 7 night trip (granted, only 3 people). It's also a little more than I'm paying for a 7 nt cruise in a suite next year, so personally I would choose POR.

 

[Hikergirl]

I would also consider how frequently you visit WDW. It sounds like this is not your first time, would it be your last? There may be more opportunities to stay at the Poly, or splurge for another resort.

 

[jennw75]

I would also consider how frequently you visit WDW. It sounds like this is not your first time, would it be your last? There may be more opportunities to stay at the Poly, or splurge for another resort.

Thanks. We go every 2 to 3 years. One of my concerns with this trip is that my boys are at ages where they are really enthralled with the monorail. They might not be when we go back in a couple of years. So maybe this is the time to splurge a little since that magic might be over for them on the next visit. I realize I'm probably totally overthinking this!

 

[Hikergirl]

Thanks. We go every 2 to 3 years. One of my concerns with this trip is that my boys are at ages where they are really enthralled with the monorail. They might not be when we go back in a couple of years. So maybe this is the time to splurge a little since that magic might be over for them on the next visit. I realize I'm probably totally overthinking this!

Its a tough decision and I don't think you could go wrong with either resort. While we could afford the Poly, the cheapskate in me would do POR and use the savings to convince dh to go back sooner rather than later

 

[Sue M]

I don't see that this question was answered, are you sharing 1 room or is nanny having her own room? That would be the deciding factor for me on which resort.

I definatley wouldn't be sharing a POR room with 5, one being a nanny. It would be quite uncomfortable.

 

[Roy Disney]

How are you going to fit in one room at POR? There are 2 queen beds and 1 small pull down bed. Are you're 2 kids going to sleep in the pull down bed?
An adult can't fit in it unless they are very small.
I'm assuming money is no issue otherwise it wouldn't be an option to stay at the Poly for $2850 more.
If money isn't an issue then stay at the Poly.