Reality Check -- Poly really worth $400 a night?

[MsStinkerBelle]

Thanks everyone for your great input! I'm so glad I found this board We're going with POR and saving POLY for sometime when we can get a better rate. With the money we're saving we plan to get the dining plan and experience some great restaurants and dinner shows.

I like that plan. Enjoy!

 

[PaulaSue]

I just got a 40% off rate and we are going to try Poly. A sure change from POR, what we were expecting to book for a family of 5 but I guess I can rough it.

 

[Tinkaroo]

I LOVE the Poly it is my favorite resort at WDW, but there is no way I'd spend $400 a night to stay there. We did manage to get one of the email codes yesterday and are now booked at the Poly for the end of October for $235 a night....I'm so excited, but even at that I'm thinking we could have just gotten a much deal at a moderate. I figure we might not get this chance again though. My parents took us to the WDW in 1983 and we stayed at the Poly (it was $65 a night then!) and I've been wanting to stay there again ever since, so we are going for it. But $400 a night? No way.

Where can I get that rate?!

Now that would be a good Disney promotion - throw-back pricing! Could you imagine?!

To the OP - your plan sounds great. I'm in a similar dilemna as you and other posters. I'm still stewing over it, but the more and more I think about it, I don't know that I want to pay the Poly rates for regular season (and I have the AAA discount). I'm strongly considering the Swan, or maybe just not going at all! Our favorite mod, CBR, is rehabbing some things right now, and just not sure I would want to be around that. We have gotten to the point where the resort is a big part of our vacation.

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[glass slipper girl]

I haven't read the whole thread so somone may have said this already but...

How big are the rooms at the Dolphin and how does that room size compare to POR? We are also a family of 5 but my boys are 7, 5 and 1. We typically stay deluxe but decided to go for a bonus trip just before Christmas (DH and I's gift to each other). We had already been in Feb where we stayed Atrium Club at the CR and in a deluxe concierge room at the BC so we blew our yearly vacation fund (plus extra from bonus $) on that trip. We had to keep the budget down for the December trip so we opted for POR. The resort was lovely and I have zero complaints about it. Beds comfy, beautify resort, I had no transportation issues, cast members were friendly, kids loved the pool...all of that. The BUT here would be that if our kids were 11, 11 and 4 we'd have been quite cramped. Not impossible but definitely tight. with only 2 kids it would be fine but 3 (when 2 are 11) it will be tight.

The Poly rooms are much bigger. I've stayed at the Poly on a "Mom and kids weekend getaway" with one of my girlfriends and her 2 kids + my 2 kids (at the time) and I. We had 2 adults, two 4 year olds and two 2 year olds in that room along with a crib and 2 double strollers and I didn't feel cramped. Granted still smaller kids but 6 people, a crib and 2 strollers. Is it worth the extra? Only you know that. You could get 2 rooms at POR for less than 1 at the Poly and have even more room and 2 bathrooms!

If you decide you are willing to spend the extra $ for a deluxe on the monorail consider the CR Garden Wing Deluxe room for $395. It is the size of 2 CR rooms so LOTS of extra space. It's similar to the BC Deluxe room we had in Feb and we LOVED the extra space. My kids actually had room to run around and play sword fight with the swords they insisted on buying outside POTC. Look at http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=17303966&postcount=4 for pics.

You won't go wrong either way though. I am a total deluxe girl and I was happy with POR and would return.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

I haven't read the whole thread so somone may have said this already but...

How big are the rooms at the Dolphin and how does that room size compare to POR? We are also a family of 5 but my boys are 7, 5 and 1. We typically stay deluxe but decided to go for a bonus trip just before Christmas (DH and I's gift to each other). We had already been in Feb where we stayed Atrium Club at the CR and in a deluxe concierge room at the BC so we blew our yearly vacation fund (plus extra from bonus $) on that trip. We had to keep the budget down for the December trip so we opted for POR. The resort was lovely and I have zero complaints about it. Beds comfy, beautify resort, I had no transportation issues, cast members were friendly, kids loved the pool...all of that. The BUT here would be that if our kids were 11, 11 and 4 we'd have been quite cramped. Not impossible but definitely tight. with only 2 kids it would be fine but 3 (when 2 are 11) it will be tight.

The Poly rooms are much bigger. I've stayed at the Poly on a "Mom and kids weekend getaway" with one of my girlfriends and her 2 kids + my 2 kids (at the time) and I. We had 2 adults, two 4 year olds and two 2 year olds in that room along with a crib and 2 double strollers and I didn't feel cramped. Granted still smaller kids but 6 people, a crib and 2 strollers. Is it worth the extra? Only you know that. You could get 2 rooms at POR for less than 1 at the Poly and have even more room and 2 bathrooms!

If you decide you are willing to spend the extra $ for a deluxe on the monorail consider the CR Garden Wing Deluxe room for $395. It is the size of 2 CR rooms so LOTS of extra space. It's similar to the BC Deluxe room we had in Feb and we LOVED the extra space. My kids actually had room to run around and play sword fight with the swords they insisted on buying outside POTC. Look at http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=17303966&postcount=4 for pics.

You won't go wrong either way though. I am a total deluxe girl and I was happy with POR and would return.

Whats the room occupancy on the CR GW Deluxe? I didn't think 5 could fit well unless one is under the age of 3. Very curious.

 

[goofy4tink]

Whats the room occupancy on the CR GW Deluxe? I didn't think 5 could fit well unless one is under the age of 3. Very curious.

Those rooms have two queen beds and a day bed..yes, they can sleep 5.

As for whether or not the Polynesian is worth it....not for me. I've stayed at the CR, Polynesian, BCV, BWV, S/D, POR, POP, ASMusic. Which rooms were worth what I paid?? BCV, BWV..both because I own DVC, so it's well worth it. Other than those two...POP/Music were the ones really 'worth' the money. I love the deluxes..I truly do. But, for the most part you are there to go to the parks. Most people do not use the resorts as their vacation spot, never leaving it. I have friends that will only do GF Concierge....otherwise they feel like they're slumming. I have yet to figure out the allure of concierge level....unless you are staying put at your resort, and using it's amenities, then why bother? Why pay that kind of money to be able to get some free munchies/drinks throughout the day? I'm not trying to be argumentative here..I realize that there are people out there who love that level, I just don't get it.
And that's kind of how I feel about most of the deluxes. When I stay in them (BCV and BWV included) I seldom use the 'spas', I don't use their table service restaurants, the pool slide is fun for my dd but she doesn't care one way or the other about them. Unless you are going to avail yourself of the extras, that you are paying for in the first place, then why not stay in a moderate or a value? The one thing I do like though is the easy access to the parks that each deluxe provides. But, even then, the bus transportation tends to suffer a bit.

 

[bavaria]

I have yet to figure out the allure of concierge level....unless you are staying put at your resort, and using it's amenities, then why bother? Why pay that kind of money to be able to get some free munchies/drinks throughout the day?

I agree with you (surprised?) Concierge level does add a little value to my day when I am working; being able to stop for a coffee in the morning, or an appetizer or sweet at night on my way to my room from a long day out. Plus when I am in a location for weeks or even months, it does feel good to know the staff, and have them make arrangements etc for me.

But on vacation, it takes away from the enjoyment for the most part! I don't want to 'make time' to use the lounge to get 'value' from it. Plus the WDW concierge levels are actually not up to par to deluxe concierge levels outside of WDW (that is a whole different discussion, I know!)

BCV, BWV, yes, I get 'value' using my DVC; Swan/Dolphin perhaps. The other WDW deluxe resorts are not really 'deluxe' - they are three star hotels which happen to have nice neighbours.

 

[ekmom]

We are going at the beginning of March and staying at CSR. Just before Christmas we got some unexpected money and I considered trying to switch to Poly as a special treat and then I saw the $400+ price tag. There's just no way I could justify that, I kept thinking of all of the other things I could use that money for.

 

[goofy4tink]

I agree with you (surprised?) Concierge level does add a little value to my day when I am working; being able to stop for a coffee in the morning, or an appetizer or sweet at night on my way to my room from a long day out. Plus when I am in a location for weeks or even months, it does feel good to know the staff, and have them make arrangements etc for me.

But on vacation, it takes away from the enjoyment for the most part! I don't want to 'make time' to use the lounge to get 'value' from it. Plus the WDW concierge levels are actually not up to par to deluxe concierge levels outside of WDW (that is a whole different discussion, I know!)

BCV, BWV, yes, I get 'value' using my DVC; Swan/Dolphin perhaps. The other WDW deluxe resorts are not really 'deluxe' - they are three star hotels which happen to have nice neighbours.

Nope, not surprised at all!

 

[jeanninepl]

I do think that "worth" is relative to the person. We are staying at the Poly this July. My husband and I have had a crazy year and want to take the kids to Disney and enjoy but that also involves spending half our time just lounging and relaxing at the resort by the pool. So for us, the convenience and the beauty of this resort is just what we need.

 

[mshoo1]

If the cost of the Poly bothers you even in the slightest, choose POR. You don't want to be on vacation and be thinking about how you may have overpaid for your hotel. The prices at the Poly can go up to $600 during holiday periods for MK views. I paid less than that last year for an oceanfront room at the Ritz Carlton in Maui--and I can honestly say that comparing the Poly to the Ritz is like comparing the prettiest girl in your high school to Miss Universe. They're both pretty, but clearly there's a difference.

At the Poly you are paying the extra money for convenience. I decided to go ahead and pay the ridiculous rates for the Poly for an upcoming trip over President's Day weekend, because we are only there for 3 full days--2 of which will be spent in the MK. If you are not spending the bulk of your vacation in the MK, then it makes the POR an even easier choice.

I really do like the Poly, but as others have said, the rates are crazy. However, as a Disney shareholder, I must add that Disney is well within its rights to charge whatever the market will bear The Disney hotels are a prefect example of the law of supply and demand.

 

[SnowWitch]

We have stayed at the Poly on several trips. We stayed just last June and Oct. That being said as I was looking at options for our upcoming April trip, I just cannot justify the price. Can we afford it, yes but "do I think it is worth rack rate?" NO. We haven't stayed at a moderate in over 10 years but I have been considering it for this trip. I cannot see paying over $3000 just for the room. If discounts become available I will reconsider but for now this family is passing on the Poly.

 

[CoolPool]

Look for deals. $400 for a garden view...well to some that's probably okay to others that's probably truly beyond their budget and imagination. It is worth $300 a night for its amenities and location based on what I've seen. Last summer I took advantage of the special group rate offered and got a wonderful room for $267 a night including tax. It was totally worth it. I'd do again in a heartbeat.

 

[bavaria]

Nope, not surprised at all!

Hmmm, just as I thought!

So, some more thought on concierge and deluxe.... I have friends who insist on staying GF Concierge every trip, while I stay DVC or at a value or moderate or GASP offsite at a resort far above the quality at GF (and over dinner the other night these same friends were telling me that the GF is a poor three star hotel, in their opinion, compared to the places they stay in other parts of the world....I tend to agree - it has nice neighbours, nice grounds, but service and quality of guestroom is lacking)

But back to concierge. I use the services of a concierge when working - to book my car service this week for instance, or change my airline ticket maybe, or book me a meal somewhere, or sometimes to get theatre tickets. I don't have time to do all of that and fit in a 14 hour work day.

What did we use the concierge services for at WDW? the lovely GF Concierge staff pretty much strong armed my friend into booking 'Ohana for my birthday celebration, and cancelled our dinner plans elsewhere. There were six very straight laced adults, and one three year old. The three year old was moderately pleased, the rest of us miserable. That 'service' was not personalized at all, and while some may have appreciated it, my friend did not. She felt that the concierge did not listen to her specific requests and chose based on the mass appeal of a restaurant, rather than the personal requests of the guest.

 

[BarbieWannabe]

Hi,

I'm so impressed by all the information available here. You are all so well informed! We are taking our 7 yr old grandson and our daughter from March 14th thru 22nd. (I know its primo time, but we have no choice) I have not been to WDW in years, and the last time I was there was 2000, and stayed offsite for business. I am working thru a TA. We are staying at ASsports and requested preferred, with deluxe dining and parkhopper. My initial quote was $4100. (the room rate is $171.00) A November discount took it down to $3800. I also requested a quote for AK. That was $6500. OUCH! After reading all the info in this thread, I'm worried I made a mistake. It seems people have stayed at nicer places for less money. Is it because of "when" we are going? Would an upgrade be for a better room or a moderate resort? I'd love to stay somewhere with larger rooms and more amenities, but I sympathize with the $400 for a room at the POLY quandry. Its so hard to know what to do, and it seems the more I read, the more confused I become. If anyone has any advice it certainly would be welcome.

 

[MickeyMacks]

We stayed at the Poly three nights during regular season for about $300. The grounds and the location are great but in my opinion the resort room really isn't worth that much money, maybe $200, or $250 at max, but I can't see paying more than that for any kind of room, even the Grand Floridian. It was an older building, we had no balcony, it was very humid despite the air conditioning, some of the lights didn't work, etc. We were paying for the overall resort experience and location, which were worth it.

A deluxe resort is great to experience for two or three nights where you'll be spending a lot of time at the resort enjoying its pools, restaurants, gardens and entertainment, which we did (making sure we got our money's worth!)

It was nice to try it for a short stay but I certainly wouldn't want to pay that much per night for a whole week or 10-day vacation when I can get a perfectly wonderful Disney experience at another resort for less. I'd love to try short "immersion" stays at Animal Kingdom Lodge and Wilderness Lodge!

 

[marivaid]

We spent 4 nights at the Poly in July for $350/night. For us it was worth it, but we came back in the afternoon for long breaks, ate at all the restaurants on site, and spent a lot of time enjoying the pools and beach.
If we'd planned on spending most of our time at the parks, I would never have spent that much.

 

[mom3girls2007]

I just wanted to thank you all for your great opinions and advice! Using the tips here, I just booked our trip for May and now we are so excited to go! I used AAA discount to get room only reservations (hoping discounts may come later!). I reserved a STD POR room for $161 per night (179 rack rate) for the first 4 nights, and then booked BC for last 3 nights of our vacation for $333 with AAA discount ($370 rack rate at disney). It is still alot to pay for a room, but at the end of our trip we're thinking it will be "worth" it as we may be ready to hang out more at the resort - the kids will love the great pool there, than we can walk into Epcot at night for dinner, and enjoy the Boardwalk area. I think we will really enjoy the Split Stay. FYI-- We've also decided not to do the DDP, after looking into it more -- 2 11 year olds means paying for 2 extra adults, and we didn't think we'd spend $165 EVERY day on food since we don't plan to do an elaborate TS meal each day with our 4 year old.

 

[surfergirl602]

I'm in pretty much in the same situation as you!!! Instead of the Poly, I have had my heart set on staying in the animal kingdom villas. my husband wants me to come up with a reason OTHER than "because I want to" to justify speanding close to 500 a night for 9 days on a room. We're only haveing one "rest" day, and will only be at the hotel for mornings and sleeping. I really really want to go there.... but I just can't see spending all that money to sleep in an african themed hotel. Sure, the vision of waking up and sitting on my balcony with a cup of coffee listening and watching the exotic animals below me would be would amazing, but we're going to animal kingdom for two full days. I think that would be enough.

If we don't stay there, we would stay at a moderate hotel, and I just don't know if I like those the same. We have 6 people in our party, including one infant, and I don't know where we'd find the room.

I know in my heart that we really shouldn't do the AKV this time around. Even though we "have" the money, I would really like to use the extra we'd save for doing other things.

 

[surfergirl602]

I'm in pretty much in the same situation as you!!! Instead of the Poly, I have had my heart set on staying in the animal kingdom villas. my husband wants me to come up with a reason OTHER than "because I want to" to justify speanding close to 500 a night for 9 days on a room. We're only haveing one "rest" day, and will only be at the hotel for mornings and sleeping. I really really want to go there.... but I just can't see spending all that money to sleep in an african themed hotel. Sure, the vision of waking up and sitting on my balcony with a cup of coffee listening and watching the exotic animals below me would be would amazing, but we're going to animal kingdom for two full days. I think that would be enough.

If we don't stay there, we would stay at a moderate hotel, and I just don't know if I like those the same. We have 6 people in our party, including one infant, and I don't know where we'd find the room.

I know in my heart that we really shouldn't do the AKV this time around. Even though we "have" the money, I would really like to use the extra we'd save for doing other things.