Polynesian, Animal Kingdom, or Pop Century?

[grumpsgal]

I called yesterday to book a Disney vacation at our favorite and usual value resort; Pop Century. While booking, I received a "one time offer" for the Polynesian Resort for approximately $800 more than the Pop. We also received an offer for AKL for approx. $700 more. What would you do? Are the deluxe hotels really worth the extra $?

 

[uconn01001]

I called yesterday to book a Disney vacation at our favorite and usual value resort; Pop Century. While booking, I received a "one time offer" for the Polynesian Resort for approximately $800 more than the Pop. We also received an offer for AKL for approx. $700 more. What would you do? Are the deluxe hotels really worth the extra $?

my opinion if you are even considering AKL and POLY, then I see no reason to even consider Pop century. To me that is just a typical Motel 6. I think the money is well worth it seeing that it is a total different vacation if you stay at a deluxe.

 

[jeanninepl]

I think it all depends on how important your resort is to you. If you just use it to sleep in then save the money - if you spend a lot of time at your resort, then the deluxes are absolutely worth it.

My family and I enjoy our resort as much as the parks. We spend half of our time at the pool and enjoying the amenities at the resort. So, we will only stay deluxe for that reason.

Think about which one works best for your family.

 

[TTT103]

If the additional $700-$800 is not an issue, then I would go with either the AKL or Poly. As was previously stated, the Pop's are nothing more than a decorated Motel 6.

It's a tough call between Poly and AKL. I truly love the AKL becuase of the theming and animals, but the Poly is on the monorail. With that said, the Poly is an older property (despite renovations), but a very nice one. Personally, you can't go wrong with either one, but I'd opt for the AKL.

 

[grannyminnie]

I'm wondering why you were offered this "one time offer"...
never has happened to me! I'm jealous!

 

[uconn01001]

If the additional $700-$800 is not an issue, then I would go with either the AKL or Poly. As was previously stated, the Pop's are nothing more than a decorated Motel 6.

It's a tough call between Poly and AKL. I truly love the AKL becuase of the theming and animals, but the Poly is on the monorail. With that said, the Poly is an older property (despite renovations), but a very nice one. Personally, you can't go wrong with either one, but I'd opt for the AKL.

I also notice that great difference between the amount of kids and rude people at the POP and say the POLY. Maybe its me, but I have never encountered any rude people and kids that misbehave at the POLY and AKL like I did the times I had to stay at the value resorts (usually went when the forgien tours were there)

 

[PrincessKitty1]

How many days was the offer for? If it's just for a stay of a few days, it's not that great a deal. If it's for a stay of a week, that's an awesome deal and I'd go for it!

 

[CanadianGuy]

I'm wondering why you were offered this "one time offer"...
never has happened to me! I'm jealous!

This are called "upsells" and they are random offers that happen on the screens of CM's at the Disney Reservations Center. Usually these offers will encourage someone considering a value or moderate resort to try a different resort at a higher level.

Supposedly these random upsells happen about once in every 200 calls or something like that.

This information is mostly just rumor based on feedback from former DRC employees and other castmembers.

Knox

 

[kjs1976]

My two cents...the value resorts are by no means "decorated motel 6s". We've stayed at them numerous times and have always had great service and a wonderful room. We've also stayed at AKL and OKW and encountered the worst behaved children at these resorts versus any of the 6 times we've stayed at the values. DH and I even still make the comment that people not only go to AKL to see wild animals, but to let their children run wild. Now, does that mean we think all kids at AKL are not well-behaved? No. But I will say that our combined two stays at AKL and OKW yielded many more sightings of misbehaving children than the six we've had at values.

 

[simonkodousek]

I would go for the Poly or AKL! My personal pick would be AKL, but if you like the MK stay at the Poly!

 

[Wendi2000]

How many nights?

 

[mcco5543]

Do you have kids? How long is the stay for?

All I know is that when my wife and I walked into AKL for Dinner at Boma we both burst into tears it was so beautiful and mystical.

 

[grumpsgal]

To answer some of the questions.... we do have children, ages 13 & 14. The stay is for 6 nights/7days. We've never even considered a deluxe, just figured we'd put our money into food and entertainment. But I have to admit, this is a tempting offer and I only have 3 more hours to decide!!!! Thanks for all the help and encouragement. I've got time for a little more......

 

[HLAuburn]

Both sound like a great deal, and you may not get rates like that again, so personally, I'd jump on it! We're stay at the Poly for the first time in Sept and we've only visited AKL, but I would prefer either over POP any day. For $100 more, I'd take the Poly!

 

[Rudy6]

my opinion if you are even considering AKL and POLY, then I see no reason to even consider Pop century. To me that is just a typical Motel 6. I think the money is well worth it seeing that it is a total different vacation if you stay at a deluxe.

What Motel 6 did you stay in that looked like Pop Century?

I stayed once at a Motel 6. We were so tired from driving, that we pulled into a Motel 6. It was one of the scariest experiences in my life. The room was gross, and gross is being polite. To make matters worse, I was afraid to leave this gross room. On a positive note, at least the gross room had enough locks on the door to keep the locals out.

 

[Marty Joe]

grumpsgal,

You have no choice. This is your "get out of jail free" card. Take advantage of a gift from Disney and let'er rip! If you like tropical and relaxing, you know where to go - starts with a "P" and ends with "ian". Think monorail, O'hana, Kona, Tambu Lounge, a Luau, Wishes from the beach, swimming next to a volcano, hula lessions, and my personal favorite - Mai Tai's out the Ying Yang!

 

[stemikger]

I totally disagree about the Motel 6 comparison, Pop Century is a wonderful resort and believe me, I don't understand how people can compare it to a Motel 6. However, it is a value resort and it is a very different experience from the Poly and AKL.

I simply love Pop, but if the $800 is not going to break the bank, I would stay at the Poly. I never stayed at the Poly, but I wanted to stay there, since my dad took us many years ago, and when I go to Ohanas on my trips, I just love the atmosphere there. I would go with the deluxe, if the money isn't a huge issue and I would pick the Poly over AKL because of the monorail service.

 

[grumpsgal]

Thanks Marty Joe! We were just discussing AKL or Poly! I think we're going Poly!!! We can't wait! 42 days and counting!

 

[petrymom]

If you can afford the extra cost - TAKE the upgrade. I have not ever stayed at pop, but we stayed at AKL last christmas and it was FABULOUS!!!! I got a good price too at that time, but I don't think it was as good as yours.

The Deluxes are VERY NICE!!!!

Have a great time!!!!

 

[Doc CW]

You should definitely stay at AKL it was a very calm and quiet place and the animals have a relaxing effect. My only complaint would be that it was so fay away from everything.