Practically Perfect at the Poly? **UPDATE 7/28 -- And We're Back!!

[tinacaplan]

I'm caught up! Thanks for the links, that helps a TON!

SO glad Max's surgery went well!!! Whew!!!!

When we stayed at BLT we loved being on the monorail too, it is a huge benefit about those resorts, and helps me overlook the few things I didn't like about BLT. I'm interested to hear if it helped bring the Poly up a bit in your book, or not. I'm thinking it didn't make it win out over the BC because of your ticker!

No problem, I find the links to be super helpful on other's TRs. Glad his surgery is behind us, at least for right now. We have a follow up in a couple of weeks where we'll find out what's next and really get a sense of how successful the surgery was.

Can you tell I agree??? I was just thinking of my solo/girlfriends trip a year ago...sigh. I LOVE my boys, but Momma likes...no, NEEDS, some girl time too!

It was awesome! I haven't traveled on my own like that in over a decade.

I'm so glad you had such a great time on your trip!!! That's weird that SSR and the MK were so close together - I never realized it either!

It was so strange...I was like, how are we here already? I enjoyed checking out Google earth when I got back.

I'm glad you liked SSR. It's one of those places that is Disney enough but would also be a great home base for visiting any part of Orlando.

They do go a back way to MK. It's a route that is not advertised by the road signs, but it is definitely the most direct route. I think a gps will route you that way as well.

No sunscreen???? Are you crazy?????

I hadn't thought about that, but you're right. SSR would be a good place to stay for that purpose.

And nope...not my brightest decision to forgo sunscreen.

Congrats on another trip...and the Beach Club-again!

How many trips are you making in 2012???

Well..thank you. Yes, it is crazy. But...gotta use that AP! Seriously, though, this year is a total anomaly that I don't think will ever happen again. The April trip was a freak thing, as I stayed with a friend. And October is my just because I have an AP trip with my mom and no kid or husband, so costs are relatively low with that one, too. When our APs expire in February of 2012, we won't be going back for a while...at least a year probably.

Oh...gosh...I just read that last sentence again...at least a year??? A yearly trip is excessive to many...

 

[tinacaplan]

OK...if you allow me to vent here for a moment, I promise I'll try and get a real update up at some point this millenium. Because I know you're all waiting with bated breath to read my next installment.

Anyway, as many of you know (or you will now) when I purchased my AP in February I did what so many others have done before me; I decided I'd get as much use out of that baby as possible. So, a quick trip down to check out Food and Wine seemed like a great idea. I had a fantasy of doing it totally solo, but in the end, I invited my mom. OK...that's fine. But then she invited her BFF (my godmother...and they've literally been BFFs forever...like since they were five...no joke) to come, too. Said BFF, here after referrred to as my Godmother, is essentially like an aunt and I was raised with her children being like cousins.

Are you still with me? Great. Thanks.

And then my Godmother's daughter, Melissa, was invited and much to my surprise said yes, even though Disneyworld isn't her type of place by any stretch of the imagination.

So...on the one hand, I'm thrilled to have the chance to share my happy place with people I love. But... My original plan was to stay at the Beach Club, what with Food and Wine and it being my favorite resort and all. I figured since we'd be splitting the room cost, no biggie. My mom, who isn't the greatest walker, was in agreement.

But then she spoke to my Godmother today who, first of all, doesn't want to share a room. And she thinks the rack rate at BC is outrageous. I'd tend to agree. It is. But I had envisioned splitting it three, possibly even four, ways. Not to mention, I'm hoping for a discount.

But my godmother has decided that its too much and what are our other options? Well... ok fine. I know I'm being a total spoiled brat...but for a short trip in the middle of Food and Wine...I wanted to stay at the Beach Club. I know that this shouldn't bother me and I should just be grateful that I'm going again...but I have a feeling this will hardly be the first thing I compromise on.

OK...I'm done now. Just wanted to share with some of the only people who understand this craziness.

 

[natebenma]

Congrats on booking your summer trip to the Beach Club.

And if you need someone to come in and back you up about why you should stay there this fall, too, during Food & Wine... I'm your girl!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Yay for booking at the Beach Club!!! It totally makes sense to stay there during F&W. Yes, those rack rate numbers can be scary, but I think it's definitely worth explaining the reasons why staying at the Beach Club really is the best idea.

 

[tinacaplan]

When last I wrote, Max and I spent some time at the pool, about which I was pretty disappointed. Would this trend continue, or did the Poly still have some magic left to show me?

We shall see... in the meantime, we were about to embark on our first trip to EPCOT via the monorail and the TTC.

Let us start with our patio..

The view of the Contemporary from our patio:

Really kind of hoping we can get rid of this in July...

Getting closer....

And finally...we were here:

Yep... the TTC! The walk took no more than five minutes, tops. And you would have to be blind not to notice how incredibly beautiful the walk was.

Not sure what this picture is about...but here we are waiting for the monorail.

When we arrived, EPCOT was not super busy, so we were able to walk right on our Caplan family favorite:

Yep...how we love Spaceship Earth. I truly adore everything about this ride from the sights to the sounds to the smells. And that 1960s living room...I want to live there!

Once our journey through time had come to an end...where would go next? We still had awhile before our ADR at La Hacienda.... Needless to say, the choice was all Max’s.

 

[KatMark]

It seems to me that BC and anything else clsoe to Epcot during F&W is going to be very expensive. Do they want to do a moderate? Or a cheaper deluxe?

Love that walk from the Poly to the TTC...it is simply beautiful.

Great photo of you and Mark waiting for the monorail.

How is Max's eye doing?

 

[glennbo123]

Really kind of hoping we can get rid of this in July...

You're referring to the stroller....right?

 

[PirateKate]

I don't know how people don't understand why grown ups go to Disney World without kids. Disney without little kids is so much easier.

I've always thought that the location would be best at the Poly. That 5 minute walk to the TTC is nice!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Well..thank you. Yes, it is crazy. But...gotta use that AP! Seriously, though, this year is a total anomaly that I don't think will ever happen again. The April trip was a freak thing, as I stayed with a friend. And October is my just because I have an AP trip with my mom and no kid or husband, so costs are relatively low with that one, too. When our APs expire in February of 2012, we won't be going back for a while...at least a year probably.

Oh...gosh...I just read that last sentence again...at least a year??? A yearly trip is excessive to many...

We squeezed in 3 trips last year, totally unexpected - so I understand! And now, it will be over a year before we are back. Of course we managed to get Disneyland and a cruise in there...but Disneyland they practically paid us to come...or something. It was a really, really cheap trip.

But my godmother has decided that its too much and what are our other options? Well... ok fine. I know I'm being a total spoiled brat...but for a short trip in the middle of Food and Wine...I wanted to stay at the Beach Club. I know that this shouldn't bother me and I should just be grateful that I'm going again...but I have a feeling this will hardly be the first thing I compromise on.

I can understand why this bothers you. I agree with you that the walking distance during F&WF is WORTH it. Perhaps look into the Boardwalk, or even the rates at the Swan/Dolphin? Sometimes they have amazing teacher rates! Then you'll get your location, but also make the others happier.

Great update! Love that short little walk! And we too love everything about SSE. Henry talks about it all the time.

You're referring to the stroller....right?

Nice catch Glenn!

 

[MEK]

I know that this shouldn't bother me and I should just be grateful that I'm going again...but I have a feeling this will hardly be the first thing I compromise on.

OK...I'm done now. Just wanted to share with some of the only people who understand this craziness.

Well, first of all ...............................for BC this summer.

Second of all, bummer regarding the October situation. This is going to be a difficult thing to work out since paying for a single room may result in a value resort. Could that happen? Ugh - I don't even know what advice to give you. Aren't you staying one last night on your own?

I think for your mom's sake this would be the ideal resort and isn't there a day bed in some of those rooms.

DVC point rental for a 1 BR - is that possible?

I'll be back later to read your picture update because its just not the same when I can't see Max.

 

[tinacaplan]

It seems to me that BC and anything else clsoe to Epcot during F&W is going to be very expensive. Do they want to do a moderate? Or a cheaper deluxe?

They wanted something cheaper, which I can't blame them. That said, I've looked into the Swan and we can get a decent rate there, so we'll probably go with that.

Love that walk from the Poly to the TTC...it is simply beautiful.

Great photo of you and Mark waiting for the monorail.

How is Max's eye doing?

The grounds at the Poly really are gorgeous.

Thanks for asking about Max's eye. He's doing fine. We'll know more in a few weeks after our next follow-up with the eye doctor.

You're referring to the stroller....right?

Of course...of course!

I don't know how people don't understand why grown ups go to Disney World without kids. Disney without little kids is so much easier.

I've always thought that the location would be best at the Poly. That 5 minute walk to the TTC is nice!

You are so, so right...and you have your own child-free adventure coming up, don't you? You are going to have an amazing trip!

The location was nice and the monorail was great, but.... well, I have more to say about the Poly later on.

We squeezed in 3 trips last year, totally unexpected - so I understand! And now, it will be over a year before we are back. Of course we managed to get Disneyland and a cruise in there...but Disneyland they practically paid us to come...or something. It was a really, really cheap trip.

Yep...ah...how we can all rationalize. Hey, if the opportunity presents itself...who I am to not take advantage?

I can understand why this bothers you. I agree with you that the walking distance during F&WF is WORTH it. Perhaps look into the Boardwalk, or even the rates at the Swan/Dolphin? Sometimes they have amazing teacher rates! Then you'll get your location, but also make the others happier.

Well...following your advice, I looked into the Swan this morning and we can get a good rate there, about half off rack rate at BC, so... seems like a good deal to me. I just really want my mom to not have to walk a ton and the walk from the busses at EPCOT back to WS is really long. Being anywhere in the Boardwalk area would make things much easier and I'm sure, more pleasant for her.

Well, first of all ...............................for BC this summer.

Second of all, bummer regarding the October situation. This is going to be a difficult thing to work out since paying for a single room may result in a value resort. Could that happen? Ugh - I don't even know what advice to give you. Aren't you staying one last night on your own?

I think for your mom's sake this would be the ideal resort and isn't there a day bed in some of those rooms.

DVC point rental for a 1 BR - is that possible?

I'll be back later to read your picture update because its just not the same when I can't see Max.

Well...like I said above, I think the Swan is a definite possibility. We're not staying at a value. I really don't want my mom to have to walk more than is necessary. I make her sound like an invalid...she's far from it, but she has some foot issues, so... I totally agree with you on it being a great resort. I was just disappointed when my godmother opted against sharing a room. Splitting even full rack rate at BC four ways (or even two, frankly) makes it quite affordable.

I know how many people rent DVC and its fine, but it would make me so nervous, unless I was doing it directly through someone I know.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I've stayed at the Swan several times, I'd definitely recommend it! (I completely forgot about it when commenting earlier! ) The rates are MUCH better than the other 3 "actual Disney" resorts, but remember you cannot have the DDP there, if that's something you wanted. But the rooms are really nice, they have the Heavenly beds, so they're super-comfortable, and it's nice and close to Epcot!

 

[MEK]

I've stayed at the Swan several times, I'd definitely recommend it! (I completely forgot about it when commenting earlier! ) The rates are MUCH better than the other 3 "actual Disney" resorts, but remember you cannot have the DDP there, if that's something you wanted. But the rooms are really nice, they have the Heavenly beds, so they're super-comfortable, and it's nice and close to Epcot!

I must have missed this. Yes - that's definitely a good option so you can still be close to everything. I actually would love to try the swann or dolphin on one of my trips. I'm sure its a great place to stay!

 

[tinacaplan]

I've stayed at the Swan several times, I'd definitely recommend it! (I completely forgot about it when commenting earlier! ) The rates are MUCH better than the other 3 "actual Disney" resorts, but remember you cannot have the DDP there, if that's something you wanted. But the rooms are really nice, they have the Heavenly beds, so they're super-comfortable, and it's nice and close to Epcot!

Thanks! It looks great...I mean, its a Westin, for goodness sakes! Sheesh. We're not doing the DDP, so that's not an issue and I checked the price for shuttle service to MCO and its cheap enough that its an irrelevant point.

I must have missed this. Yes - that's definitely a good option so you can still be close to everything. I actually would love to try the swann or dolphin on one of my trips. I'm sure its a great place to stay!

I agree...now if my GM would agree with me. She e-mailed me back asking about canellation policies, what includes, where is it...all of which I've tried to answer. Can you not just take my word for it that its a great compromise?

And the thing that really kills me, overall, is that my godmother and her daughter travel extensively and neither one has to be worried about money. I know that no one wants to get ripped off or pay too much and yes, I get that rack rate at the BC is INSANE, but..really...I found a rate for half that and we're going to quibble? Ugh.

I said to my husband that I should've just done this trip on my own. I could happily be in a value room at Pop!

 

[norybell]

Just read your whole report, pretty much in one sitting (finally trying to carve out some DIS time)...loving it!

It's making me miss the Poly, though. (Though I totally agree with you about the pool. When I was there last I actually went over to the GF for pool time -- which they were allowing because of the slide closure -- just because the Poly pools were way too crowded for me.)

It sucks that your GM is being a pain about the hotels...stick to your guns! You'll be happy that you did, once you can stroll on over to those F&W kiosks without even thinking about it!

 

[tinacaplan]

I'll do replies later, but I had to share this quick update...

We are driving to dinner last night and Max and I are talking about our upcoming trip in July.

“We need to go for more days to go to Animal Kingdom,” Max astutely pointed out. It was the one park we skipped in February, due to our time constraints.

“Well, we’ll be there for eight. I think we’ll have plenty of time,” I said.

“What?” Mark pipes up, all of a sudden paying attention. “Can I come on the third day?” He’s joking of course. I laugh. “Seriously, that’s like two trips...”

LIGHTBULB! “Well we could do a split stay, you know people do that. Maybe it would be a good time to check out Animal Kingdom Lodge?” I suggest, not really thinking he’d go for it. Mark had made it quite clear after our most recent trip that he has no interest in staying anywhere but the Beach Club.

“Yeah, maybe it would be. We’d go to the Beach Club last, though...” Oh, yes, Mark and his beloved Beach Club.

“Oooh..more planning!”

OK.... so, somehow my ambivalent (at least planning-wise, he loves going) husband has proposed a split stay. I thought it over for a bit and realized that AKL should really be at the end of the trip, because we’re always more tired toward the end and less go-go at the parks. (Of course...god willing...if Max is 40” tall FINALLY...watch out!) AKL is clearly a resort you want to spend some serious time exploring if you’re fortunate enough to stay there. In fact, I’ve often thought that if I were ever to do a trip at Christmas, we’d go to AKL for that reason. We’d have plenty to do other than try and fight our way into the park craziness.

When I got home and looked at my planning spreadsheet, I realized that the split would actually work out perfectly. So...we’ll be doing four first four nights at the Beach Club, where we can hit up EPCOT right away and go like gangbusters to MK and DHS, too. Then, on day five, which was scheduled as our AK day anyway, we’ll pack up and move over there. It fits so nicely, in fact, it is like it was almost meant to be.

Now...the one thing I cannot decide is what view we should book. Since I can count some serious AKL/Kidani lovers as readers of this trip report I’d love some input from all of you. All told, the whole thing doesn’t come out to be any more expensive than full seven nights at the BC, by the way. Now, if I wanted to save some money, we could do a pool view, which wouldn’t bother me all that much. But...then again...what are you at AKL for if not a view of a savanna?

Feel free to convince me otherwise, as Mark would be even happier if I could come back and tell him the split stay will actually be LESS expensive, overall. A regular savanna view comes out almost even with the BC. However, club level is only a couple hundred dollars more.

Would it be worth it to go club level? We’re not on the dining plan and prefer a light breakfast, plus if we’re spending time on our balcony, readily available snacks and drinks might be great.
Not sure if its worth the added expense, though.

And, while we’re at it...does anyone know why AKL’s club level is hardly more expensive than their savanna view rooms? It isn’t the case at any of the other deluxes. Hmmm...

 

[MEK]

Well, that's pretty exciting now, isn't it?

I know there are many, many people who say You MUST have a savanah view. For me, other than coffee in the morning, I don't care about the balcony. I stayed DVC in a standard view villa and I was quite happy. I loved all the general viewing areas. If you think it adds value to your stay, then go for it. I have heard (and seen pics) of pool view rooms and I think I would actually prefer it because I love that pool at the main lodge.

Happy planning!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

That's so exciting!!! I'd love to stay at AKL someday, it really does look gorgeous to just relax in. I think it's smart to go there second, wind down your trip there!

 

[tinacaplan]

Just read your whole report, pretty much in one sitting (finally trying to carve out some DIS time)...loving it!

It's making me miss the Poly, though. (Though I totally agree with you about the pool. When I was there last I actually went over to the GF for pool time -- which they were allowing because of the slide closure -- just because the Poly pools were way too crowded for me.)

It sucks that your GM is being a pain about the hotels...stick to your guns! You'll be happy that you did, once you can stroll on over to those F&W kiosks without even thinking about it!

Thank you! How nice of you to come and catch up.

The Poly was lovely, but... needless to say, not where we're staying this summer.

I hope it works out for Food and Wine trip. We'll definitely be going, but I really hope we stay somewhere in the EPCOT resort area.

Well, that's pretty exciting now, isn't it?

I know there are many, many people who say You MUST have a savanah view. For me, other than coffee in the morning, I don't care about the balcony. I stayed DVC in a standard view villa and I was quite happy. I loved all the general viewing areas. If you think it adds value to your stay, then go for it. I have heard (and seen pics) of pool view rooms and I think I would actually prefer it because I love that pool at the main lodge.

Happy planning!

I am so excited! I've wanted to stay at AKL for a long time and when Mark brought up a split stay (Ok, he didn't call it that ), that was my very first thought. I think it will be a perfect way to finish out our trip.

And thanks for the input. Not sure what we're going to do yet.

That's so exciting!!! I'd love to stay at AKL someday, it really does look gorgeous to just relax in. I think it's smart to go there second, wind down your trip there!

I can't wait! I've wanted to stay there since we went to Jiko the first time back in 2010, but I've always been put off by its location...just seems far from everything (except AK, obviously). It isn't even the animals, per se, although they are amazing, but that lobby is just incredible and every single CM we've ever encountered while visiting there has been lovely. And I think it will be a great place to be able to relax for a bit.

 

[KatMark]

You are going to LOVE the Animal Kingdom. It is a beautiful resort and so much for Max to see and do.