Pop vs. POFQ vs. Poly

[TarzansKat]

Alright, DISers, I know you're all full of opinions on your favorite resorts, so I'm starting this thread so you can weigh in. I try to look at everything from a financial standpoint and from what we enjoy. DH and I have DS3. DH and I have stayed previously at GF, Poly, AKL, WL, POFQ, and Pop. Pop were our most recent two trips, and DS does love that fun theming and the kiddie pool.

In the past, even though I only stayed there once, I fell in love with POFQ. I loved how it reminded me of New Orleans, loved the beignets, but since DS was a baby, we did not really explore the resort, pool, or any children's areas, so I have no idea whether or not he'd enjoy it compared to Pop. I also know that going to any other resort I won't have the variety of the Pop food court and DH will lose his slushy coke machine. I have looked at my tentative itinerary and I only had us eating at the food court twice during the whole trip, so I'm thinking, I can probably find my variety in the parks. Oh, but that slushy coke...will I end up using all my snack credits to appease DH's cravings?

The Poly...ah what can I say, I love me some Poly...now if I had oodles of money I'd stay at the GF and be done with it. That was my honeymoon stay and I love, love, loved it. Of course then I worked for the Disney Store, and they were still owned by Disney, so I was considered a cast member and got 50% off the concierge level... Those were the days. :::sigh::: But, I digress.

I think Poly looks fun for kids and of course my biggest draw is that it's on the monorail. I am so sick of trucking that stroller around and having to fold and unfold it every time we get on and off a bus. We've done it for 3 trips with DS and eventually, it gets wearing. However, that being said, I think we're looking at almost a $1000 difference in price between Poly and Pop. This year has been a big pay down the student loan year for us. Do I have the money to stay at the Poly? Yes. Should I be spending it on that? I know it's a personal choice, but I'm hoping you all can give me your healthy perspectives.

I welcome your advice, I ask you to join my thread...and if you particularly love a resort I haven't mentioned, just throw in your two cents, I am open and ready for the DIS board wisdom. I should add we are most liking heading down in September towards the end of the month with the hopes of free dining. I have tried...oh, how I have tried...to call and see if I have an 40% off codes, but no such luck.

 

[maciemouse]

Pop and Poly are my two favorite resorts! We have a DD that is 3 and DS that is 4. I completely understand the stroller issue. Once we stayed at Poly last year, my husband was like "we will never again stay at a resort off the monorail loop". When we went to book our trip in May, the Poly was over $400 dollars a night. I booked our trip for AKL to save money. When I told my husband, he said to move us to the Poly. So now we are back at the Poly. Good luck deciding! Oh one more thing, whenever I ask my kids where they want to stay, they say POP. They totally relate Disney to POP. Have fun with free dining. We have done it the last two years and it was great.

 

[TarzansKat]

Thanks for weighing in. I know that if I bit the bullet and did a "big" trip this year, I may have to look at not going next year. I think that's okay as long as we're all aware it means going to Disney every two years instead of every year. I would love that monorail convenience. DH, however, even though he will kevitch about the stroller a blue streak, cannot justify spending the additional funds. Part of me agrees with him and part of me wants to go for that Poly stay!

 

[cemgal53]

I have never stayed at Pop but have stayed at both POFQ and the Poly. Also have stayed a number of times at the ASMs. NOW! I must say that if price were no object, I would stay at the Poly...gas and energy prices being what they are....price IS an object!
I love the POFQ, theming, size, cms. I have priced POFQ, Poly and ASM for upcoming September trip and POFQ still wins out!
Enjoy whichever resort you choose! It is Disney after all!

 

[TarzansKat]

I have never stayed at Pop but have stayed at both POFQ and the Poly. Also have stayed a number of times at the ASMs. NOW! I must say that if price were no object, I would stay at the Poly...gas and energy prices being what they are....price IS an object!
I love the POFQ, theming, size, cms. I have priced POFQ, Poly and ASM for upcoming September trip and POFQ still wins out!
Enjoy whichever resort you choose! It is Disney after all!

Can you tell me anything about the food court or kiddie pool or playground (if there is one) at POFQ? I would love the perspective of someone who remembers, which I clearly, do not. Thanks in advance!

 

[TarzansKat]

bump

 

[skw444]

We stayed at POFQ in September and we loved it so much we're going back this September. It was our first trip so I can't compare it to POP, but...the pool area was nice. There was a small kiddie pool and then the big pool. There was a small playground near the pool area but it was closed during our stay but I do know that it was small.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

Hiya!

I've stayed at Pop, POFQ and the Poly. I like all three resorts but the Poly is our favorite!

POP is a lot of fun! We love staying in the 70's section. There are three pools, a pop-jet area, very large food court and lots of activities for the kids. My main gripe with Pop is just that it has basic amenities. I like the amenities at a deluxe like the Poly but my wallet doesn't. So we usually start our vacation staying at POP for about 3 - 4 nights to hit the parks hard, then go over the Poly for 5 more nights to wind down.

POFQ has very nice landscaping, is the first to be picked up by bus before going over to POR, the pool is very nice, love the gift shop. While we like it, we miss the monorail and would rather split our stay between Pop and the Polynesian.

Have you considered a split stay between Pop and the Poly? Disney can transfer your luggage to your second resort for you!

 

[TarzansKat]

The split stay is not a bad suggestion. I don't know what DH would think of it, but it concerns me as being an issue for free dining. Has anyone done a split during free dining and do you need to purchase separate tickets since you technically have two lengths of stay instead of one?

 

[TarzansKat]

We'll be bumpin' on up...

would love to hear more opinions...

 

[skipperkim]

I've not stayed at Poly, but have stayed at Pop and POFQ. I won't be returning to Pop, I'm just not a value girl. I love POFQ. It's so quiet and peaceful. The hot tub is secluded and Scat Cats is great. The beignets are the best and so is the boat to DTD. I'm sure DS will love that. Also, POFQ has its own bus stop at MK in the evening, a huge plus for a small resort.

 

[TarzansKat]

Thanks, skipperkim. I know that regardless of where we stay it's still Disney, but somehow the jump from value to mod is a little more palatable than the jump from value to deluxe. Now, I don't mind the Pop, but I do remember the quietness at the end of the day at POFQ, and I don't think that would be a bad thing. I just worry if DS will enjoy it as much as he's enjoyed Pop. I know that seems silly...I mean, the kid is three, I think he'll enjoy any hotel as long as there's a pool!

 

[cemgal53]

My children are grown but having seen all the kids at the pool at POFQ, I think he will enjoy it! The alligators playing instruments and the serpent slide will keep him entertained! I know it kept ME entertained! You can also take the boat up to Riverside and enjoy the pool there. Nice change of pace.
Food court is small and a little chaotic but we didn't have any problems. Playground is also small but it is a small resort so it never looked overcrowded.
Buses-we never had a problem. First pick up and then you ride through Riverside, so that takes a little while but except for one bus driver who went 5 miles an hour through the resorts and then slowed down WAY before the stops the rides went quickly.

 

[SA53]

I am planning on a split stay between the Pop and the Poly in August. We have stayed at the Pop and loved it but since it is for our 20th Anniversary I am thinking of booking out last 4 nights at the Poly. We will then do most of touring of MGM and Animal Kingdom while at the Pop and then MK and Epcot while at the Poly.

Now, I just have to convince my husband that we should go!!!!

k in sa

 

[TarzansKat]

SA53, here's some for you to convince your DH to take that plunge! I can't think of a more wonderful way to celebrate an anniversary. I, however, am notorious for finding reasons to visit the mouse. Thanks for throwing in your two cents.