Resort/Transportation issues

[TexasJule]

We just returned from our first trip to WDW and we stayed at the Poly. We spent every day at MK and took the Ferry each day. We are planning our 2012 visit and can't decide where to stay. We loved being able to take the Ferry each day as my dd and I get motion sickness very easily. We want to visit Epcot and HS as well as MK on this trip. We do not want to get on a bus only the monorail or boats. Should we stay at an Epcot resort for several days while we visit Epcot and HS and then switch to one of the MK resorts for the last few days when we want to visit MK? We will be bringing my Mom along and she has some walking issues so we don't really want long walks to the parks each day. Price aside, in your opinions, where would you suggest we stay? Thanks for the help!!!!!!!

 

[Sammie]

If you liked the ferry I would recommend Wilderness Lodge for MK or even the Contemporary.

Then yes if buses bother you, then stay at one of the Epcot resorts. What about Animal Kingdom though are not going there?

 

[cbg1027]

I think, as you suggested, that the best bet is a split stay between an MK area resort (GF, Poly, CR, or WL) and an Epcot area resort (BWI, Yc, BC, Swan, Dolphin).

You could stay at a monorail resort only, but that would be a big hassle to get to DHS without taking a bus. You'd have to take the monorail to Epcot, walk to the back of the park, and then walk or take a boat over to DHS. You would also not be able to get to DHS before Epcot opens.

So I would plan for your days at MK to be at the Poly, CR, GF, or WL so you can take boats. Then you can spend a few days at an Epcot area resort to utilize the boats to Epcot and DHS.

I haven't stayed at any of those resorts so I can't offer the most informed opinion. But since you already did the Poly, I'd try another MK area resort.

 

[TexasJule]

Thanks everyone! We are not planning on going to AK this trip. We do not want to stay at the Poly again so we thought we would definitely try another MK resort if we split the stay. Any of you know how much of a hassle it is to switch resorts?

 

[gehrig38sox]

you would most likely have to take a bus to switch resorts

 

[Mousemommy1]

Thanks everyone! We are not planning on going to AK this trip. We do not want to stay at the Poly again so we thought we would definitely try another MK resort if we split the stay. Any of you know how much of a hassle it is to switch resorts?

Just out of curiosity...what were your thoughts on the Poly?

 

[Sue M]

IMO Poly has the best transportation of the MK resorts because you can take boat or monorail to & from MK, and they have a walking path to the TTC for Epcot monorail.

But if you don't like Poly, then maybe try CR? You can walk to MK or monorail. And take the monorail to TTC and transfer to Epcot monorail.
to get to DHS without a bus you'd have to walk through Epcot to back entrance to get the boat to DHS.

Or do a split stay with an Epcot resort.

Have you tried the Seabands for motion sickness? I've heard may like them.

 

[TexasJule]

Aside from being around the corner from the ferry, we didn't care for it. Our room was not cleaned well each day. Our refrigerator did not work and they replaced it with one that still did not work. They do not change sheets each day, only after your 4th night, which for the price I was paying for two rooms I would have liked them changed daily. We found the concierges to be very unfriendly and made us feel like we were putting them out when we asked questions. When we arrived at the resort no one carried our bags in for us. We stood in line for 20 minutes even though we had done online check-in. Then we were given our room keys and a map. Once again no one offered to take us to our rooms even though my Mom was with us and has trouble walking. We were in the Tahiti building which was the very last building closest to the Ferry. We were also next to the elevator and could hear it every time someone used it. We had a package shipped to the hotel and when we checked in I asked for it and was told it would be delivered to our room within 20 minutes. I had to call three more times and finally walked to to the main house to get it. When I got to the main house I was told they would have to bring it to me and it would be there within 30 minutes. They brought it about two hours later. Those are just a few of the reason I didn't care for it.

 

[maxiesmom]

Aside from being around the corner from the ferry, we didn't care for it. Our room was not cleaned well each day. Our refrigerator did not work and they replaced it with one that still did not work. They do not change sheets each day, only after your 4th night, which for the price I was paying for two rooms I would have liked them changed daily. We found the concierges to be very unfriendly and made us feel like we were putting them out when we asked questions. When we arrived at the resort no one carried our bags in for us. We stood in line for 20 minutes even though we had done online check-in. Then we were given our room keys and a map. Once again no one offered to take us to our rooms even though my Mom was with us and has trouble walking. We were in the Tahiti building which was the very last building closest to the Ferry. We were also next to the elevator and could hear it every time someone used it. We had a package shipped to the hotel and when we checked in I asked for it and was told it would be delivered to our room within 20 minutes. I had to call three more times and finally walked to to the main house to get it. When I got to the main house I was told they would have to bring it to me and it would be there within 30 minutes. They brought it about two hours later. Those are just a few of the reason I didn't care for it.

I hate to tell you, but a few things that bothered you you will find at every Disney resort.

On line check in typically means that your vacation packet will be ready to hand you when you check in. It doesn't mean that you will never have to wait in line to check in.

There should have been a card in your room telling you that they do not change sheets every day, unless you request them to. It is an Eco-friendly thing. Every resort does this.

Disney used to do a bit more with helping you with your bags and getting you to your room. The stopped a few years ago, though I'm sure if you would have asked for help they would have provided it.

If the elevator noise was bothering you, did you ask to switch rooms? Again, the CMs can't help you if you don't let them know you need help.

I'm sorry you didn't enjoy your stay more, but some of what bothered you are not issues that just the Poly has, you will find the same things at the other resorts as well.

 

[goofy4tink]

Aside from being around the corner from the ferry, we didn't care for it. Our room was not cleaned well each day. Our refrigerator did not work and they replaced it with one that still did not work. They do not change sheets each day, only after your 4th night, which for the price I was paying for two rooms I would have liked them changed daily. We found the concierges to be very unfriendly and made us feel like we were putting them out when we asked questions. When we arrived at the resort no one carried our bags in for us. We stood in line for 20 minutes even though we had done online check-in. Then we were given our room keys and a map. Once again no one offered to take us to our rooms even though my Mom was with us and has trouble walking. We were in the Tahiti building which was the very last building closest to the Ferry. We were also next to the elevator and could hear it every time someone used it. We had a package shipped to the hotel and when we checked in I asked for it and was told it would be delivered to our room within 20 minutes. I had to call three more times and finally walked to to the main house to get it. When I got to the main house I was told they would have to bring it to me and it would be there within 30 minutes. They brought it about two hours later. Those are just a few of the reason I didn't care for it.

A few thoughts, then some recommendations...
You aren't going to find any resort, at WDW, that changes your sheets daily. It just isn't going to happen no matter how much you pay. If you want that service, then you are going to have to ask for it, and possibly pay addtl for it.
Also..it is not routine to have a CM accompany the guests to their room. Any of the issues you had could very well happen at any resort at WDW. I have to say that the Polynesian was the one resort where there was someone, with their hand out, trying to touch our luggage from the time we arrived in our towncar. We ended up tipping 3 different people to handle our bags before we got to our room!!! Drove my dh nuts..he still talks about it.

So, with those things in mind...if you don't want to use buses, and want to spend your time in Epcot and DHS, I would go with BW, or any of the other Epcot resorts. I chose BW simply because it is more equi-distant to both parks. I stay there routinely....BWV is my DVC home resort, and I love it there.
If you want to do a split stay....I would go with WL for the MK part of your stay...then you can take the boat to MK, and it's a bit less expensive than the other MK resorts. Then...the day you are to change resorts, you can hand off your bags to Bell Services and they will get the bags moved to your next resort. You can boat over to MK for a few hours. Then, take the bus to your new resort. Then you can get checked in. If your room isn't ready, you can still head to Epcot or DHS.
Be prepared though...baggage transfer is not quick. You won't get your bags until very late afternoon/early evening. I have transferred my bags many times...I have never had my bags delivered before 5pm...and I hand them off by 7:30am!!! If it's important that you have access to those bags, I would just get a cab to the next resort first thing in the morning...that way you can take the bags with you and they can be left with Bell Services until the room is ready. At least they'll be at the resort and you will be able to access them if need be.

 

[Hopefully]

I agree with Maxismom, many of the things you didn't like, you will find at every WDW resort, not just the Poly. I actually agree with not changing sheets daily. I don't do that at home. I support the environmental conservation at WDW.
I think a split stay is best for you where you want to avoid buses. The Boardwalk is almost equidistant to both Epcot and DHS for walking. If you think walking is too much for your Mom, than I would go with the Beach Club. It is much closer to Epcot, our favorite park, but you can use the boats to both parks.
Have a Good Trip

 

[bowbat]

In your situation, I'd recommend a split stay of CR/BWI.

Contemporary tower rooms are spacious & modern, and all are just an elevator ride away from the monorail. Plus you have the option of taking the ferry or walking to MK (though I would imagine walking would be out, considering your mom). CR remains my son & husband's favorite resort -- my husband for the convenience of it (he loves the location and having so many great shops, restaurants, activities all under one roof), my kid because the monorail goes through it.

For the Epcot/DHS part of your trip, I highly recommend BWI. We're just back from an amazing stay there. The staff was the friendliest I've encountered at any Disney resort, and the rooms are elegant, bright, and spacious. You can walk or, for your mom's benefit, take the ferry to both parks.

For less expensive options, I'd suggest you look into WL for your MK stay and the Swan/Dolphin for your Epcot/DHS stay.

BTW, I think that room noise is one of those pick-your-evil things -- you can either have the convenience of being near the elevators...and the added noise that comes with it, or you can have a quieter room that's a longer walk to the elevators.