Probably unpopular opinion

[Prince John Robin Hood]

We’re trying Portofino in Aug. Last visit we stayed at HRH. Lovely resort but just so loud and chaotic in all the public spaces.

I want RPR for the closeness to the parks but we booked late and PB is the only deluxe available - I keep checking though! It’s going to be packed & *hot*; just glad we’ll have EP!

I think we were just really unlikely at RPR, most people seem to like it. Portofino is supposed to really nice as well I believe.

 

[GreyTami]

We're 27 year DVC members & Royal Pacific at Universal is our favorite resort in Orlando. We usually try to add a few days at RPR when using DVC points.

We really loved it!

 

[GreyTami]

Why do you think you should have received a room first? Is this compared to your family member? Did you request first available room or something else? What did they request?

I have never stayed at Poly because we typically stay in 2 bedrooms, so I can not comment on the furnishing.

Sorry you are unhappy with your room.

Not unhappy, just not necessarily for us. No cost is no cost once we bought our DVC contract, we are happy to be at Disney!

We didn’t request first available, but it is strange to me that any guest that checked in ahead of time and was first in the lobby was given a room after someone that hadn’t even arrived yet theoretically. We made the same requests for preference.

 

[Brett Wyman]

We have always received our request for Tokelau(but we do note bottom floor okay on our request). If I got Pago Pago I'd politely ask if I could keep waiting. It is VERY far away.

As for Polys 70's charm, its odd but it seems like its becoming more fashionable to hate on it. Like others say you are either in for that feel or you aren't!

We do also prefer 1 bedrooms but squeeze a Poly stay in we don't all travel or on shorter trips because its my favorite resort at WDW.

 

[GreyTami]

Hmmmm. I'm wondering if DVC is your thing, based on what you say here.

When your room is ready, it'll be ready. Varies from building to building at a resort because they've different housekeepers.

We indicate a late morning arrival at online check-in (driving in and actually do arrive about noon) and usually are in our villa by 1:00-1:45 or so. That's been at VGF, though, which may be a factor. Or (more likely) we got pixie dusted 2-3 times in a row. Next one might not be till well after 4:00. It can vary that substantially.

However, our last stay in November was in PagoPago on arrival night. Did online check-in, noting early arrival, and got into our room at around 12:30.

Your further comments suggest that your preferences possibly make you ill-suited to have good DVC experiences because you're expecting more from a stay than DVC may deliver. Nothing particularly wrong with that. Good thing you got an inkling now that that may be the case.

Selling might be advisable for you. Something to consider.

Thanks, we love DVC, and have had early check ins over the last few years so we were surprised when we indicated a 12:30 arrival, showed up later than expected, and still didn’t receive a room until 5pm. More than anything, this stay is just reinforcing our preference for a 1 bedroom. We have enjoyed rooms at OKW and BW. Didn’t love AK (rooms are dark), but live sleeping around so …

 

[GreyTami]

Not sure what is unpopular about sharing an opinion, but a little confused that you were comparing a 1BDR to a Studio - I would take a 1BDR all day as well. Isn't Poly currently all Studios (except for the Bungalows)?

Its not clear if you own DVC, you were renting, or where your home resort is located. I would have to agree with a previous poster, maybe DVC is not a good fit for you based on the resorts/room types you prefer. Good luck to wherever your travels take you in the future!

Thanks, we own Copper Creek and Vero Beach. We were trying Poly as we needed two rooms this trip, and I think Poly has the largest studio (with the 2 baths). Ultimately not our thing, but certainly understand others love it based on location and theming. I went into this trip thinking we would hate Universal, but that hotel was so great it was hard to overlook the differences.

 

[GreyTami]

We had the worst experience at Royal Pacific and would likely never go back. Poly has always been good for us but we never stayed in Pago Pago. If we stay at Universal we'll likely try Hard Rock next time.

Wow, sorry to hear that.

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

Not unhappy, just not necessarily for us. No cost is no cost once we bought our DVC contract, we are happy to be at Disney!

We didn’t request first available, but it is strange to me that any guest that checked in ahead of time and was first in the lobby was given a room after someone that hadn’t even arrived yet theoretically. We made the same requests for preference.

Rooms are assigned a few days ahead. It is not a matter of who arrives first. It is a complicated Tetris. It is not a hotel.
Glad your Universal stay was so good for you. Sounds like you really want/expect the hotel experience, although many of those assign rooms ahead of time, not whoever checks in first. As others have suggested, DVC may not be for you.
Your dalmatian avatar is cute.

 

[Stargazer65]

I do like the 2 showers and the huge bathroom

It is nice, if you have five people you can have one at each sink, one in each shower, and one making a call on the big white telephone all at the same time!

The studio only issue is the only thing I don't like about Poly, but if I'm staying in a studio...those are pretty good ones to pick especially for a larger group.

 

[RoseGold]

Obviously, it's dated. It's an original WDW hotel. And yea, DVC assigns rooms terribly in the whole system. It's an overall DVC problem.

But I'm baffled that your main complaint is how "far away" the pool is. I'm not sure what you expect with hotels of this size. All Disney hotels could have a trek to get the pool, some way more, like AoA. If walking to the pool is a big deal, then maybe a massive, Disney hotel isn't the right choice.

 

[Stargazer65]

But I'm baffled that your main complaint is how "far away" the pool is. I'm not sure what you expect with hotels of this size. All Disney hotels could have a trek to get the pool, some way more, like AoA. If walking to the pool is a big deal, then maybe a massive, Disney hotel isn't the right choice.

I never thought it was a big deal either. However, I do remember one trip staying at SSR, trekking over to the Paddock Pool with the kiddos and thinking "if there was a special hell for pool lovers, it would look like the Carousel".

 

[Matty B13]

I think the nostalgia factor with the Poly is why a lot of people like it.

I actually like the layout of the buildings and the fact that they are not connected, and don't have covered walkways. Gives it a more outdoor feel to the resort. Not looking forward to the Poly Tower because I don't think it fits in with the rest of the resort. I like that 2 bedroom units will probably be in the new Poly Tower, and it was the reason why we didn't by the original Poly DVC..... so I think the new Poly DVC will be a pass for us, at least until we get a resort stay under our belts to see if we like it.

 

[Chuck S]

I stayed at the Poly a few years ago. I thought it was nice for a studio. But I rarely stay in studios, and it was convenient as we had booked the luau. I also agree with the nostalgia factor, as I grew up in California, an Hawaii was THE place to go on vacation.

I just returned from a stay at Kidani. Lovely resort, nice rooms, but wow those walks to/from your room when you're at the end of the hall leaves a lot to be desired. I'd always wanted to stay there in a Savannah view, the animals were relaxing to watch and all, but probably a one and done for me. So far, I haven't found anywhere I like better than OKW.

On my list of "someday" resorts is BLT and Wilderness Lodge.

 

[Jayunit09]

I'm sorry you didn't like the room. We bought DVC planning on 1 and 2 bedrooms every other year. We have zero interests in Poly anyways (just a preference) but only being studios assured we wont stay unless the towers will be available after 7 months in the future.

I assume the room wont be ready til 4 or later and am very happy if its sooner.

 

[Frugal Fairy Tales]

everything has its pros and cons…. the pro for poly studios is they are roomy and the overall location on WDW property is very good

 

[McCrae]

We just checked in for our first stay at Poly (2 adults, 1 kid). We reserved two rooms (one studio for us, one for a family member). Checked in online with preference weeks ago, but we’re assigned to Pago Pago and didn’t receive our room assignment until 5pm (after arriving around 3:15pm). Family members checked in yesterday online and are in Moorea (arrived right at 4pm and had room immediately). Beyond the thought that I think we should have received a room first, this hotel is dated. We came from a cash stay at Loews Royal Pacific in a one bed suite and the differences are astounding. We much prefer a one bed and this stay just reinforces that. This may be a one and done for us … and don’t even get me started on how far away the pool is …

I totally agree with your thoughts on the Poly and have avoided staying there. The new Tower could be a game changer when it’s built. For us a number of DVC resorts are not too our taste…typically the older resorts. VGF, VGC and BLT are our favourites. It’s good that through the DVC portfolio the pretences of a wider audience is covered.

 

[shoegal9]

I also have a somewhat unpopular opinion of Bay Lake Tower. The decor is boring, the studios are so small, and I am pretty sure I can hop a boat from the Poly and get to Magic Kingdom quicker than that walk that everyone raves about. I just can't stand the Contemporary- with the exception of California Grill (pre-covid) and Steakhouse 71. People think I am nuts.

I'm big on the Disney nostalgia from my childhood in the 80s and 90s, and the Poly was always my favorite resort. We are Poly owners and love it so much we just got married there. Even after visiting Aulani we still love the Poly and appreciate its 60s/70s vibe.

We do hope to stay at Royal Pacific soon.... as a Disney loyalist my husband usually has to promise me nice things to get me near Universal