Polynesian or Beach Club???

[Jeff Becker]

My wife and I are taking are daughters to Disney World for the first time. They will be 5 and 3 at the time of our planned visit (June 2018). We are trying to decide between the Polynesian and Beach Club resorts? Does anyone have advice for us? We want close proximity to Disney World but also want to have a variety of activities for the girls on those days we don't go to either Disney World or Epcot. Our daughters both love to swim so swimming is important. Our youngest will still be in a nap routine, so access to the resort is important to us. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thank you.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

For a first time visit, particularly with young children, I really recommend a monorail resort, so, in your case, Polynesian. IMHO, there is nothing more magical than seeing the castle from your resort and you will see it from the Poly beach (or your room if you book TPV). Poly has some of the largest rooms on property, a zero entry pool (which is great for younger children), a quiet pool, plus a splash pad for smaller children. They have a ton of resort activities (pool parties, outdoor movies, etc.). At night, you will be able to see the Electric Water Pageant and the fireworks from the Poly beach. It also has some great restaurants (O'hana is a lot of fun) plus monorail access to MK, EP (via the TTC) and the other MK resort restaurants. If MK and EP are the parks you will focus on, Poly is most convenient as you can monorail or boat to MK and either monorail or walk to TTC to catch the monorail to EP. The theming at Poly is also really magical.

BC is a lovely resort, but not as good for younger children, IMHO.

Just an FYI, Walt Disney World is the entire resort including all of the theme parks, resorts, water parks, etc. I think when you say Disney World, you are referring to Magic Kingdom?

 

[Jeff Becker]

Thank you very much DisneyWishes14. Your advice is VERY helpful. I need to get caught up on my Disney knowledge. If I may ask, what does "TPV" stand for? I am sorry for not knowing. This is all new to me. My wife and I have lots to learn!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Thank you very much DisneyWishes14. Your advice is VERY helpful. I need to get caught up on my Disney knowledge. If I may ask, what does "TPV" stand for? I am sorry for not knowing. This is all new to me. My wife and I have lots to learn!

Oh sorry! "TPV" is theme park view!

Edited to add: I guess I should warn you. I went to the Polynesian on my very first visit to WDW in the summer of 1980 and I can remember almost every moment of it. I've been back at least thirty times since. It made such a lasting, wonderful impression. So, just want to throw that out there in case you end up bring your children there, they may beg you to take them back

 

[deide71]

TPv stand for "theme park view". It is a class of rooms you can book at the Polynesian. I wouldn't recommend paying for the upgraded view in your first visit.

And I agree, the Polynesian is a great choice for a young family.

 

[senadler]

For your family I would absolutely recommend the Poly. These are our two favorite resorts, so for us it would be a tough choice, but we have older kids. You will probably spend the most time at the MK and access to Epcot is great as well.

For recreation, Storm Along Bay is fantastic pool area, but it is not as well suited for young children. While there is a nice sand area, the overall pool complex is huge, and the lazy river is very deep. The Poly pool is great and they have the children's play section in the pool area which is ideal for 3 and 5 year olds.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Excellent advice has been given above, in my humble opinion. Great posts.

I also vote Poly... it’s a great “newbie” resort given its locational advantages and the convenience of the resort amenities. We first took DS to Poly when he was 4 (he’s now 7) and we’ve been back several times a year since. It was really the resort that started our love of Disney trips as a family. I don’t like to say I have a favorite resort because they all have pros and cons, but Poly is pretty darn close for us.

Don’t hesitate to ask questions, lots of friendly folks around!

 

[Jeff Becker]

I want to thank everyone that has replied. You are REALLY helping my wife and I make our decision. We are 95% sure on the Poly (I am picking up the Disney abbreviations!). Given the age of our girls, it seems like that is the place to stay. I should have mentioned that this is also to celebrate my wife's 40th birthday! So my next question, club level or not? Is the additional cost worth it? (not that my wife isn't worth the extra money...just in case she is following these posts )

 

[megs1313]

Poly 100%. And CL would be the icing on the cake for me! Do it if you can! What a wonderful gift!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

For a first visit and a birthday, I would do CL if it's in the budget! Not only will you have access to the lounge offerings but the CL staff can help with any questions you have during your stay which can be particularly helpful on a first visit. If you book CL, consider garden view. The lagoon/theme park view side of the CL building can be quite loud during the water pageant and fireworks. If you can't swing CL, even just the standard view rooms at Poly are great!

 

[mickeynut1]

I want to thank everyone that has replied. You are REALLY helping my wife and I make our decision. We are 95% sure on the Poly (I am picking up the Disney abbreviations!). Given the age of our girls, it seems like that is the place to stay. I should have mentioned that this is also to celebrate my wife's 40th birthday! So my next question, club level or not? Is the additional cost worth it? (not that my wife isn't worth the extra money...just in case she is following these posts )

I think the Poly is a great choice! As far as CL, if it's within your budget, I'd do it. We haven't stayed CL at the Poly, but have stayed CL at other resorts. The food/drink offerings are nice and we love having the lounge for another place to sit and relax instead of in the room or around the resort. In addition, the Poly lounge has a great view of the castle/fireworks if you aren't in the park. The Poly is an amazing resort with or without CL, so you really can't go wrong (IMO) with any room category. Good luck and enjoy the planning .

 

[Hopefully]

While the BC is my favorite resort, with your girls ages I definitely agree on the Poly. It is easy Monorail access to the MK (Magic Kingdom - I think what you are calling Disney World. Disney World is the entire resort - hotels, theme parks, water parks, mini golf, lounges and restaurants etc). Also from the Poly you can walk to the TTC - Transportation and Ticket Center, for the Epcot Monorail.
How long are you planning to stay? The AK - Animal Kingdom and DHS - Disney Hollywood Studios - also have lots and lots of things your girls would also enjoy.
For a first first I would plan on at least 7 nights 8 days
Good Luck

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I want to thank everyone that has replied. You are REALLY helping my wife and I make our decision. We are 95% sure on the Poly (I am picking up the Disney abbreviations!). Given the age of our girls, it seems like that is the place to stay. I should have mentioned that this is also to celebrate my wife's 40th birthday! So my next question, club level or not? Is the additional cost worth it? (not that my wife isn't worth the extra money...just in case she is following these posts )

Well, since you mentioned Club Level... I am a big fan, especially at Poly. If it’s within your budget, I’d definitely suggest you consider it. There is such a huge ‘convenience factor’ with Poly CL with young kids that really works for our family. I’d be happy to elaborate on that if needed.

If helpful, here are some links with a bunch of pics from my Poly CL travels this year. Sometimes my posts aren’t back-to-back so may need to scroll a few pages. These trips have been in either TPV (Theme Park View) or LV (Lagoon View) rooms, both of which come with a premium price tag given the views. GV (Garden View) rooms are also an option for Poly CL, which are quite a bit cheaper.

Poly CL - Feb 2017

Poly CL - May 2017 Food

Poly CL - May 2017 Room

Poly CL - October 2017 Pics

Again, happy to answer any questions. Happy planning!

 

[Shellyb84]

That's a tough choice. With it being your first trip and the ages of your children you will probably spend the most time at MK, so the Poly would be great for that. They also have a kid's splash area that looks fun. On the other hand, the pool at BC is amazing, DD really loved the shallow sandy area and the kid's pool and small slide when she was 5. BC is our favorite resort. We love the short walk to Epcot, but that's our favorite park and we spend much more time there than MK. It really depends on where you'll spend the most time, so if it's MK I would choose Poly. You really can't go wrong with either one.

I would definitely go with CL if it's in the budget! We've never done it but I really want to sometime, just haven't talked DH into it yet.

 

[Shellyb84]

While the BC is my favorite resort, with your girls ages I definitely agree on the Poly. It is easy Monorail access to the MK (Magic Kingdom - I think what you are calling Disney World. Disney World is the entire resort - hotels, theme parks, water parks, mini golf, lounges and restaurants etc). Also from the Poly you can walk to the TTC - Transportation and Ticket Center, for the Epcot Monorail.
How long are you planning to stay? The AK - Animal Kingdom and DHS - Disney Hollywood Studios - also have lots and lots of things your girls would also enjoy.
For a first first I would plan on at least 7 nights 8 days
Good Luck

I agree on planning at least 7 nights. Our first trip as a family we spent 6 nights, and I felt it was way too short and busy. We didn't have enough down time. We've found a good balance is 2 park days followed by a rest day.

 

[Jeff Becker]

I really want to thank everyone that responded to our questions. You all have been VERY helpful. I feel like we are going to avoid mistakes by listening to all this great advice. I think we are going to book the Poly Club level today. Just need to confirm the dates! Any thoughts on whether we should purchase a dining plan when we reserve the room?

 

[mrs moon]

Beach Club is my favorite resort but with young children i also think MK area is best....I would not choose the Poly though as i feel you may be disappointed!..I found Poly to be run down & dirty (sorry)....I would choose......
Grand Floridian if money allows
Contemporary if monorail is accentual
Wilderness Lodge (which would be my choice) for a fantastic all round MK area stay!!!,( if willing to for go the monorail )...

 

[Shellyb84]

I really want to thank everyone that responded to our questions. You all have been VERY helpful. I feel like we are going to avoid mistakes by listening to all this great advice. I think we are going to book the Poly Club level today. Just need to confirm the dates! Any thoughts on whether we should purchase a dining plan when we reserve the room?

Great choice! Have fun!

I wouldn't purchase a dining plan if I were staying CL.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I really want to thank everyone that responded to our questions. You all have been VERY helpful. I feel like we are going to avoid mistakes by listening to all this great advice. I think we are going to book the Poly Club level today. Just need to confirm the dates! Any thoughts on whether we should purchase a dining plan when we reserve the room?

If you go CL, I would strongly suggest against getting a dining plan. Some people do it and enjoy it, but many (most?) don’t do it as the combination of the lounge offerings (if you partake) and your dining credits ends up being way too much.

Even if you don’t do CL, as a first timer I think the dining plan has the potential to be overkill. I personally think it’s best to have a trip or two so you can experience just how you and your family will typically dine. You can then do the dining plan on future trips if you find it makes sense. Some people will have differing opinions on this topic though.

If you want to do more CL research, come on over to the Club Level thread. Lots of nice and very knowledgeable folks over there.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I prefer the BC but with your DD's ages and the amount of time you will most likely spend at the MK I would go with the Poly. If you can swing CL go for it. Definitely no DDP if you are doing CL. It's just way too much food.