Polynesian Room Choice? Or Other?

[Shamrock927]

Hi everyone,

I am looking to book a trip to Disney World for my family this summer. I somewhat dread the idea of doing Disney in the summer with the heat, but it is really the only time that fits our schedule. In any case, let me give some background info. My wife and I will be traveling with our daughter who will have just turned 4 in June. We have been to Disney before. We stayed 4 or 5 nights at Animal Kingdom Lodge when she was 8 months old and done Disney Cruises the last 2 summers, staying at AKL two nights before we embarked and doing a Magic Kingdom Day. We did the Eastern Caribbean itinerary, then the Western, so now we think a resort stay for the week would be good. We LOVE AKL but also think another resort would be a good change at this point.

We really like the Polynesian, recognizing the convenience of the Monorail is a big plus. Also, we may try to do Sea World one day, and I understand the bus leaves from the ticket center right by the Polynesian. There may be other benefits of Polynesian for toddlers I am missing, too.

I am torn on room choices, however. I would like having the view... but between Lagoon View or Theme Park View... is the upgrade to Theme Park View worth the extra $250-$300 for the week? Also, we could save about $950 by choosing the Deluxe Studio - Standard View in the villas (we're not DVC members) but it sounds like that view is not great and maybe worth it to pay for the view. Any advice on the advantages, values, etc of these 3 options would be greatly appreciated!

On top of that, if there is another resort you think we should also consider, we are all ears. Wilderness Lodge is certainly more affordable in the deluxe category and we considered it a bit. With it being summer and our daughter being so young still, having a good kiddie pool and/or splash pad area for her and relatively easy transportation to the parks are big. Also, we do like our views and balconies if they are offered. So we are open to other suggestions that may be great for a 4 year old.

Thank you SO much in advance for your suggestions and advice! Just reading through some other threads on here has already been very helpful.

 

[disny_luvr]

We love the Poly and I think it would be an excellent choice for your family. We always stay in a standard view room when at the Poly. I think the standard views are some of the best on property; many views are better than standard in my opinion. Our favorite building is Samoa due to its location to the Great Ceremonial House, the bus stop and both pools. Speaking of pools, Poly has an excellent kiddie splash area and the quiet pool, now called Oasis Pool, was recently redone and gorgeous. There are excellent food options at the Poly or you can hop the monorail (or even walk to the GF) to the other monorail resorts. We love the ferry to and from the MK and the easy walk to the TTC. I honestly can't recommend the Poly enough.

You mentioned the WL and we like it there, too, but it is being renovated and I'm not sure of the status as of this summer. You may also want to look into the Beach Club. That is our second favorite resort and it should be a little cheaper than the Poly. We love the ease of walking to two parks, but, again, I'll always recommend the Poly as my number one choice.

 

[Nancyg56]

WE also like the Poly. I do not request a view. I would think about requesting a longhouse, though.

My daughter was assigned to Aoretora and she really loved that location. She faced the monorail, and said it was whisper silent. She found the little beach to be as though it was private, and said it was convenient to the quiet pool, which had a shaded area for them to enjoy.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I'm a little biased I guess but I think Poly is an excellent choice for anyone, especially parents with a 4 year old. Have stayed there numerous times over the last few years with DS ranging from 3-6 - to me it's the perfect resort all things considered. Have stayed at the other MK resorts as well, just got back from WL today actually.

Opting for a TPV room vs other view categories really comes down to personal preference and budget. For us, we like to keep DS on a reasonable sleep schedule when at Disney. We may have a couple of later nights out in a park but more often than not, that means back in the room and in bed 8-9ish. We learned early that pushing his limits too far off a routine sleep schedule just causes trouble later.

Unfortunately that means me and the wife are confined to the room as well. We opt for a TPV room because we as the adults can still enjoy several of the things Disney offers, such as the electrical pageant or Wishes, from our balcony. It enhances the overall value of the vacation for us.

Staying TPV isn't critical to having a great Poly stay, but it's a nice splurge.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

The Polynesian is awesome and, as PP noted, room view is really a matter of preference. We love any room at Poly and are happy with a standard view (particularly in the Fiji longhouse), but if view is important to you, I would go for it. If your daughter goes to bed early and you would like to see the fireworks from your room, TPV might be the right choice for you.

You might also want to consider GF if the themeing appeals to you. The GF is lovely, particularly for little girls, IMHO. It's the most "girly" of the resorts and has more amenities than Poly (every room gets turndown service, more restaurants, shops, etc.). They also have an Alice in Wonderland splash pad, which is really cute. We actually found that some of the 4th floor, lagoon view rooms in Boca Chica have a partially obstructed fireworks view (also had a great view of Poly), so, if interested in GF, you may want to see how the lagoon view room prices out compared to your options at Poly.

 

[Shamrock927]

Thanks. All very helpful. I think our situation is very similar, GADisneyDad, keeping the schedule on track for our daughter... so the TPV room has that big appeal. Especially with the summer heat, I am sure there will be limits on park time and plenty of resort time... with naps and normal bed times in there. I will take a look at GF and Beach Club, too. Thanks again for these quick replies!

 

[Nancyg56]

Thanks. All very helpful. I think our situation is very similar, GADisneyDad, keeping the schedule on track for our daughter... so the TPV room has that big appeal. Especially with the summer heat, I am sure there will be limits on park time and plenty of resort time... with naps and normal bed times in there. I will take a look at GF and Beach Club, too. Thanks again for these quick replies!

I am biased, but with a little girl I would take a hard look at the Grand. I took my little neighbors there for our vacation, and they loved it. The Grand Lobby is their own personal ballroom, little girls dancing as the Grand Pianist entertains. There is the Parasol Parade in the morning....adorable!!!! The SPlash pad thing was their favorite place to be!

I will say that my DD is not thanking me! LOL! Their favorite resort is the Poly, and so this summer she booked it for her family. My 15 YO DGD finally broke down and told her that the Poly was "nice", but she prefered the GRand. LOL!!! Thanks Nana!!!

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I think the Poly is a great choice. Four is such a magical age at WDW.

I wouldn't do a view. You can get some great standard views at the Poly. We stayed in Fiji and requested 3rd floor, marina view. We received 1st floor with a marina view. It was truly a "hidden gem" in terms of a view. Just gorgeous and a very short walk to the GCH and pool. We were the second room from the entrance into the longhouse.

In your situation, having to be in the room for bedtimes, I would see a TPV being beneficial. When my kids were young they stayed up late without issues so we were in the parks for Wishes often. But if I couldn't be and was staying at the Poly I would go for the TPV since Wishes is a must for me.

 

[monorailsilver]

The monorail to MK and Epcot is one of the many reasons we stay at the Poly. Plus I do love the resort launch to the MK...such a tough decision on which one to take!

I also prefer summer. I live in CT and it is oppressive here so why not be in FL. Rides all have a/c and it's not like you are standing/walking in the sun continuously for hours. Plus my kids tend to get soaked with all the spraying water features and I don't bring a change of clothes! We leave our room by 7-7:15 already ate breakfast in our room too. Then we go to the early entry park, leave after we have lunch and then we all nap (yes even us parents), shower and return to a park at about 5 til closing-yes even when we took our kids when they were 15 mo, 22 mo, 2 1/2 yr, 4, 5, 7 etc (I only have 3). They had a good 3-4 hour nap and were refreshed for nighttime activities. We also try to plan a max of 2 park days in a row then it's a pool day. Thankfully I never had the cranky crying kids in a park because they were hot and tired. Oh and when my son went for his first trip, I would give him ice cubes in his stroller tray table to play with. Yep great mom...

Back to the poly...our main parks are MK and Epcot to it's easy to get back for mid day breaks with the monorail (or resort launch).

The TTC is a quick, leisurely and quiet walk away.

We have only ever booked a standard room. Well when I was 3 1/2 we had lagoon view but that was 1975 and my parents knew someone so the room was even cheaper. The first trip with our oldest, DH and I took turns leaving the room during nap time. We requested a bottom floor room so we sat out there. Since that trip, we turned old and naps were required by us. So other than sitting outside while someone is getting ready, we don't lounge out there, we aren't loungers. So for us spending the extra $$$$$ for a view isn't worth it, same for club level...we bring our own breakfast and eat enough in the parks that we don't need the CL snacks. I am more of a people watcher so if I am sitting out side I will watch the people more so then the view. I mean I swim in the pool and don't stare at the castle the entire time.

As for other resorts it's a personal choice. I love the Poly.