Polynesian or Waldorf Astoria.

[eliza61]

We're not taking a family vacation to the world this year but I was thinking about sneaking down to wdw in October just me and the dh to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary.

We've always wanted to stay at the Polynesian but never had the chance.

Anyway, I was playing on disneyworld.com to start the preliminary price scouting.

Got a price of 2105.18 for a 3 night/4 day stay with park hopper tickets (non negotiable on the park hoppers).

Went to the Waldof astoria site and room cost is $753 for the same plus 622 for ph tickets from maple leaf tickets for a total of 1375.00

So my two questions. My poly price is for a garden view. Is this a nice room? and honestly would you spring an extra $730 for it? Would I do better going through AAA or another agency?

I did not factor in parking (we always have a car) but that won't be that much.

I have stayed at the WA before but that was when it first open with some girlfriends so it was not the same, more of an emphasis on relaxing and spa. I loved it but this time its with my sweetie

 

[Missytara]

I am not sure for such a short trip I would go that route. If it were a week, but for three nights, I am not sure I would do it.

However, for a special occasion, it might be worth it to you.

Have you considered a moderate such as POFQ; newly refurbished rooms, quaint and romantic setting. Carriage rides available. Water taxi to DTD. You could get tickets to Cirque de Soliel for one evening and have dinner at Fulton's Crab House.

 

[Karabee]

I think I would pick Poly. For the convenience alone that would be worth it to me. Not having to deal with parking, driving - that's all what makes a Disney trip special in my mind. Plus the theme at the Poly is so great since you really feel like you're somewhere else. People might think it's a bit tacky, but it certainly makes you realize you're not home anymore!
Something to keep in mind - in the fall there are always deals. That price of the Poly might go down!

 

[eliza61]

I think I would pick Poly. For the convenience alone that would be worth it to me. Not having to deal with parking, driving - that's all what makes a Disney trip special in my mind. Plus the theme at the Poly is so great since you really feel like you're somewhere else. People might think it's a bit tacky, but it certainly makes you realize you're not home anymore!
Something to keep in mind - in the fall there are always deals. That price of the Poly might go down!

Thanks Karabee, I too thought the prices might go down later. I just plugged in some dates on disneys site. I'm also going to keep an eye out on my mousesavers emails.

We are dvc'er so normally when we go with the entire family we use our points.

 

[jujube]

Do you want fantasyland deluxe or real life deluxe?
Fantasyland=Poly
Real Life= Waldorf

 

[coopersmom]

We stayed at the Polynesian, club level, in December 2010 and were far, FAR from impressed. Dated and dingy decor, damaged rooms and furniture, constant housekeeping and other service issues (though as a service problem, that is a total hit or miss thing). All told, we'd never go back. No matter what the price.

We had a better experience at the Grand this past fall (main building), but neither can even hope to compare, in terms of style, service, room quality, as well as size, and just plain overall hotel posh (they have GPS on the pool chairs to deliver drinks/food with a button to order it) to the Waldorf-Astoria which is a truly four-star hotel. Unlike the Disney hotels which, even at their best, I think are well-located, well-themed Hampton Inns.

The Waldorf is actually far closer to both Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Stuidios and closer to all the parks than all of the "on property" Disney moderates and values, and at least one deluxe (Animal Kingdom Lodge), so while it lacks boat or monorail transport, that really is its only drawback. And something easily negated if you have your own car. And, bonus, from its "resort view" rooms you can see the fireworks from both Epcot and Magic Kingdom very, very well.

The fact that the far nicer hotel is also far cheaper, and it's an adults-only, special-occasion (and a romantic one, to boot) trip would make this a no-brainer decision for me. But that's just my opinion. Your mileage may vary.

 

[pooh4brains]

coopersmom - you sold me! I'm not the OP, but I'm ready to try a trip with a stay at the WA!

OP, I agree with the views of coopersmom re: the Poly. For the price, it doesn't measure up. I think I would try GF, or even AKL. Both of those resorts seem much more well-groomed and fresh. We didn't have ant specific issues at the Poly, but it just felt out if date and dingy.

 

[jujube]

The reason I call the Poly Fantasyland deluxe is because of some of the same things coopersmom posted. I can add that the Cms at the Poly were indifferent. We did not expect jumping up and down enthusiasm but darn the cms we encountered were about as excited as someone having surgery without an anesthetic.

If you do want a Disney resort, I would recommend the GF Royal Palm Court. It's about the closest to a real world deluxe that Disney has. It is probably 2-3 times as much per night though as the Waldorf.

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

Disclaimer: I have never stayed at WA but have drooled over the pics in my spare time....

I think it depends on what you are looking for on your anniv trip with the hubby. If you are spending alot of time at the parks, looking for the tropical theme across the lagoon castle/boat whistle/ beach atmosphere while sipping pina colavas or diving into the lapu lapu, and wanting to restaurant hop with more than a few cocktails.....I would stay at the Poly. If you are looking for a deluxe, luxurious resort, more adult atmosphere, and willing to drive to the parks and restaurants....stay at the WA. To me it is just two very different experiences neither being better....just different.

ETA: I like the garden view rooms at the Poly. Love the dark woods and island vibe. Very relaxing to me. Wonderful views for a garden view room IMO. You could book thru Disney with a AAA discount for room only--if available--and then change it to a deeper discount if one becomes available.

 

[coopersmom]

If you happen to be a Hilton Honors gold or better member, the Waldorf does at-check-in free upgrades, if nicer rooms are available. If you book online you will also be offered a chance to pay a (vastly) reduced price for an upgraded room, if one is available at check-in. I don't know if that latter offer requires Hilton Honor status or not, since we are members so I've never done online booking without that code. And, while this is all just anecdotal, so don't get your hopes up, from what I've read (do a Google search or check out the Waldorf thread on the Dis), upgrade availability is relatively common ... Not just a once-in-a-blue-moon kind of thing. Not something to expect, but at least a half decent chance of getting a nice surprise. (Again, caveat: we are high status rewards members and visit during slow times, so your mileage there may vary.)

At The Grand and Polynesian views of the lagoon and/or castle are really nice, but the overall resort atmosphere is not that relaxing (Grand more so than Poly)--the public spaces are always busy, always full and always loud--so unless you have a private balcony overlooking those things (which you won't with Garden view), you'll be in the throngs trying to enjoy them. We spent a good bit of time on our balcony at the Grand last September, but now that view would be of the DVC construction ... So, far less relaxing at present, and getting a castle view at either resort is extremely expensive.

Conversely, we've found the Waldorf and, to a lesser extent the adjacent Hilton, to be an oasis of calm amidst the Disney din. The Waldorf pool is large, but simple and more adult-centric. Very calm and quiet, with amazing, but not obsequious, service and pretty good food for poolside ... Heavenly to my mind. But you also have access to the vast Hilton pool complex, which is better than anything, including Stormalong Bay at Beach/Yacht Club, that Disney has to offer, in my opinion.

Oh and, the Waldorf's Bull & Bear restaurant is also better than anything Disney could hope to offer, save Victoria and Albert's. (We have dined at both, multiple times. And, yeah, both are really expensive, though Bull and Bear is less than V&A.) Plus, if you time it correctly, you can see fireworks while you dine. Twice. Kind of magical, I thought.

I agree with a previous poster that the only time I'd choose a Disney hotel over the Waldorf is if I could stay at the Grand Floridian Royal Palm Court and, even then, only if it was a kid-centric trip. (Which, for us personally, Disney is always is.) But GF RPC is usually much, MUCH more expensive than even a suite at the Waldorf.

One downside is that the Waldorf requires valet parking if you've got a car, and it's pretty pricy (more than Disney valet) BUT valet fees are waived if you eat at Bull and Bear. And, honestly, while self-park at the Poly isn't bad, distance-wise--unlike the Grand, where it's a hike across the street--it is often full, so valet is just easier if you've got a car. As expensive as everything else at Disney is, we've always just used it and not worried about the cost.

Also note that, if you go Waldorf, unless you're an AP holder, you will have to pay to park at Disney every day or take the shuttle everywhere, which would be a PITA, I think ... So, those additional fees might be something to consider. (We had an AP at the time, so this wasn't an issue.)

Parking fees aside, the only park we found it "harder" to get to from the Waldorf was Magic Kingdom. There, the monorail or ferry access offered at the Polynesian or Grand wins, hands down, because parking at the TTC and then taking another monorail or ferry to parks is a pain. The Waldorf does have a shuttle that goes to the TTC, but we've never used it.

For what it's worth, my four-year-old prefers the Grand but his parents definitely prefer the Waldorf.