Scared of the Poly

[trish1970]

Back in February, when DH and I decided to plan a Sept. trip to WDW with 2 yo DS, I struggled with the decision of where to stay. After long painstaking hours of research and reading these boards, we decided to go with the Poly Concierge. I was satisfied with that decision and never looked back.
Now that the trip is coming up soon, I am back on the boards and getting very excited. However, I just read a few trip reports which had awful things to say about the Poly and the concierge lounge. (musty smelling rooms, lousy service from mousekeeper, dirty concierge lounge ect.) I am afraid that we may have made the wrong hotel choice. I love the location of the Poly, but I would like to have a nice room and fun resort experience too! Someone referred to the room as a cave.... now I'm scared. We are spending a lot of money on this trip and I don't want to get there and be disappointed.
So.... I need you all to tell me once again how wonderful the Poly is (or isn't).
Back in February, everyone was raving about the Poly, and it seems that isn't the case anymore. Has the resort gone downhill over the past few years? I am actually considering changing our hotel. HELP!!! Thanks

 

[Peter Pirate]

Changing to where? The Poly isn't even my favorite resort but I'd love to know which resort you could consider that would have a higher level of guest satisfaction as reported here on the DIS.

All resorts go through the exact same praising/bashing and you simply must decide which is right for you (obviously that was the Poly).

Stick with your original decision and stop worrying. Yes something could go wrong but the EXACT same thing will be true at EVERY SINGLE WDW RESORT.

Go, have fun and quit worrying. It'll take years off your life!

 

[Jenn Lynn]

I take everything I read here with a grain of salt. I would stick with the Poly and form your own opinion.

DH and I stayed there in 2000 on our honeymoon. We did not notice any of the negative things that have been said about the resort. I liked the Poly and DH did not, but that is just because it is not his 'taste'.

Have a great time!

 

[fam4jc]

Hi. we went to the Poly in June. It is a very nice resort. I have my own set of complaints, but nothing that would prevent me from staying there again! The concierge lounge got crowded, not dirty. The food was always good. The service was great in the lounge. Our room was very nice. no strange odors. The location so close to the pool and a short walk to the main building and monorail station was great. It is a very relaxed, pretty resort. I wouldn't change your reservation unless you think you want more glitz. JMHO.

 

[Texowl2]

we've stayed at the Poly 4 times-always been very happy. Not a big fan of concierge-really don't think it's worth the extra money as we're at the parks when the lounge is open.

Remember the three rules of real estate-Location, location, location. The poly can't be beat being next ti TTC and on the resort monorail. My kids are still talking about dinner at Ohana's.....

 

[colleen costello]

We stayed at the beginning of June and it was wonderful. The room was gorgeous and the grounds were also. I could not imagine anyone ever referring to that room as "a cave." Ours was spotless and sunny. One whole wall was sliding door, for goodness sake -- not dark at all.

We stayed in Raratonga, which has just been renovated. I believe the Hawaaii concierge has just been renovated. I can only imagine the rooms are as nice as ours was. We LOVED our stay and I am daydreaming about returning. The Poly can spoil you pretty quickly!

I hope you have a great stay.

 

[shortcake_smurf]

We stayed at the Poly in April 2002 and it was great. We had a first floor room where you could walk right out on to the beach. My DDs loved that. We could also sit in the room at night and watch the MK fireworks which was the best (no crowds). I'd go back in a second. I wouldn't worry too much about a few negative comments, if they were all bad, then I would worry. Have a great time.

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

We were at the Poly two weeks ago...pre cruise. It was wonderfu!

My first and still my favorite! (We have been to most WDW Resorts)

 

[Luvofdisney]

Hi Trish
We will be there in Sept. with our ds16 and ds5 in the same building as you, we picked LVC We've spent alot of money too and its our 4th time at the poly We love the tropical grounds, and the whole tropical theme, we never felt the rooms were cave like. The boys love the pool, and the Ohana feast is great. Please don't worry, I'd never be spending the money we are spending if we didn't love the Poly that much, I'm not afraid. If you have a problem when you get there just go to the cast members at the front desk in the Hawaii building and I'm sure they'll do their best to fix it. They are all great people, I've had three so far help me with things in my planning.
I'll see you there in Sept
Michele Spera

 

[callaghan]

Hi Michelle and Trish,
Well it looks like three of us will be LVC at the same time. we were there last year in September and was blown away by the resort and staff. So much we are taking an unlanned trip this year. You will love it!!!! I have two DD's, 5 and 2, and wouldn't stay anywhere else. As for the "cave", as someone said one whole wall was a door and it is one of the biggest rooms in the world. We never had a problem with mousekeeping, concierge was bending over backwards for us and everyone around us. Don't worry, and I'll see you guys in the lounge!!!

callie

 

[skiwee1]

I stay at the Poly about 30 days a year. You will love it! I have never had a smelly room, bad CM, rotten service or anything else. Every trip has been absolutely perfect! If you are going to base your resort choice on negative reports then you might as well stay home. I have read just as many horrid trip reports from folks staying at the GF, CR, WL, Poly, and every other one. There is always going to be people that just aren't happy, just had rotten luck, just found a CM that was having a bad day, and so on. I had a chance to stay at the GF cheaper then the Poly and I refused. The Poly is just a little piece of tropical solitude in the middle of WDW.

 

[DisneyMim]

Keep in mind that if you search hard enough every resort has bad reports. The bad ones get the most press because people don't usually post good stays. EVERY Disney resort from value to deluxe has people who like them and people who don't. Thank goodness. If everyone liked the same thing, none of us would ever get a room. I've stayed at the Poly many times and have always had a wonderful stay. I've stayed at other Disney resorts and have had some great stays and some not so great stays. I usually don't post negative stuff because I would never want anyone to switch their hotel based on my one stay. Each vacation is different. Don't worry, go and have a good time. If you really don't enjoy it, don't stay there next time, try somewhere else. That's the beauty of Disney. There are so many wonderful resorts, in all price ranges, that you really have to try a few visits until you know what you really like. If you have some time I would suggest going over to a few, or as many as you can, other resorts and see if they "feel right" to you.

Have a wonderful vacation!!!

 

[packy]

We stayed at the Poly in 1998 and just booked it again for this August (we stayed at other DWD resorts in between). The rooms are large (not caves) and the grounds are beautiful. They have a new pool since we were there and many of the buildings have been refurbished in the last few years. Can't think that you made a bad choice (because if you did, we did, and we didn't).

 

[LisaZoe]

Since I haven't stayed at any WDW resort, I know my opinion won't carry as much weight as others who have. However, I know what you are going through when it comes to questioning choice of resorts. My DD, almost 3, and I will make our first WDW trip in mid-Sept and will stay at WL but I am definitely considering a split stay with half the nights at Poly (although I can only dream about staying CL "someday"). Like you, I've seen the reviews mentioning a musty spell, bad mousekeeping and other problems at Poly. The way I look at it is that each person has different standards and expectations for those things. Some people might think one or two used cups in the Concierge lounge is appalling while I probably wouldn't even notice it unless I was positive the same cups had been there that morning... and even then I might think it was coincidence sooner than bad CM behavior. Same applies to smells. Some people are ultra-sensitive to scents that most others wouldn't even notice.

I've read a few books about WDW, official and unofficial. While I would be very surprised for the official book to mention anything remotely negative about a resort, the unofficial ones are written specifically to help out fellow travelers who are sceptical of the "official" line. None of these list anything worse than some issues with noise in some buildings close to parking lots or some less than desirable views, such as those blocked by the lush plants outside some first floor rooms.

I guess my philosophy is to not expect perfection in others until I can obtain it myself. Until I'm granted "godhood", I'll try to overlook minor imperfections that don't affect my enjoyment and will only complain if something is really a problem.

Have a great trip! I took DD to Disneyland just before she turned 2 and she loved it. While on rides, I wondered if she was frightened until we got off and I saw the look of sheer joy and heard her say "again"

 

[purplebelle]

These boards are wonderful and informative but I spent many a day worrying about CBR back when "everyone" was complaining about the mold and poor quality of the resort. The misleading power these boards had over me is very obvious now b/c I was worried about staying at my selection (CBR) even though I had stayed at the resort twice before reading all the negative posts (okay, so I was under the age of 15, but I still ignored my past experiences and worried about my trip that was coming up at the time). CBR was absolutely enjoyable and I laughed at myself for even worrying for a minute. For as many negative posts there are just as many, and hopefully more positive ones. So don't become too concerned unless it's a specific need or want you have (handicapped accessibility; only sit down restaurants; no outside entrances to room, etc.; etc.)

 

[Planogirl]

I wouldn't worry. The Polynesian generally comes up as the most popular resort or at least close to that on polls. There has to be a reason for that.

I am puzzled about this smell though. I've never noticed it so maybe it's the vegetation or something?

 

[PoohBear]

Peter Pirate put it perfectly!

Say that 10 times fast and relax.
My tongue is worn out already

Like DisneyMim, I try not to post too many negative things either. There are so many people that Disney cannot possibly make every single moment of every single vacation magical (there are humans running the place ). But.. if I find something that really is bothering me, I let a cast member know about it (politely). Most of the time that CM will fix it and we are back on track for our magical vacation
If they don't fix it and it bothers you that much, you can ask the front desk to switch you to another hotel. That is not always easy, you might not be able to choose where you want to stay at that point but it may save your vacation.
I have stayed at the Poly and I did find it dated but I loved the atmosphere. If it were anyplace other than Disney, I do not think it is worth the money. However, I will be staying there again later this year. Have a great vacation, no matter where you are, because you'll be with your loved ones. And definitely take Disney Mim's advice and do some resort hopping to find out which resort suits you. Hope this helps

 

[Tonyspad]

I believe many of the negative posts have to do with two types of situations. First, as you stated you have planned this trip many months in advance and have been looking forward to the trip. If ANYTHING does not go EXACTLY as you had expected it puts a negative spin on the entire trip. Secondly, many people state the high cost of a trip to WDW. A trip to WDW is VERY expensive and I have read how "for the money we are spending" quote one too many times. The cost associated with a vacation of this type is high and it does take many months or years to save up for the trip. Because of the high cost if everything is not PERFECT then the negative comments start. In life nothing is perfect and if something does not go as planned try to make the best of it and go on with your trip. I believe the quality time spent at WDW with your family will far out do any slight problems that might occur.

 

[iloveeeyore]

"We are going to the Poly this August. We have not heard this gossip, but so far we think the Polynesian is a great choice. It is so convenient to every park and fireworks! We have looked up the rooms and have not seen anything wrong with them. In fact, we think the canopies are very exotic!"

Relax and enjoy your vacation at the Poly. Everyone has their own individual tastes and expectations. You will read positive and negative reviews about every resort, restaurant, attraction, souvenier, etc.

I like washing dishes. Do you?

 

[Tikiman]

I get reports all the time. The musty smell has only been reported in a handful of lower level rooms in Tahiti but it is a big building with plenty of rooms that people just coming home said were the best rooms they have stayed in at WDW.

Hawaii concierge has had no reports of a smell since the rehab last year and there is nothing worn or dirty about the concierge lounge since it was all redone.

Does this look like a cave?