So WWYD - Poly or CSR? (Long)

[CarolinaChick]

Just seeking opinions:
We currently have an AP rate ressie for Poly Garden View reserved for 9 nights at the end of the month (total is $2521). Since I can't leave well enough alone - I was checking the online availability for AP rates during our travel period. CSR came up with a STD view room for $952. If I switch our ressies and after applying our Poly deposit to the CSR ressie we would owe $638 vs. $2207 we owe for the Poly.
Our travel party consists of me, my husband and 5-yr old daughter. My husband and I had always stayed at Mods before our daughter was born. CSR is our favorite. The year after DD was born Disney ran that package - four nights for the price of seven and we made the 'mistake' of trying a Deluxe (the Poly), as we thought it would be super convenient with a 1-yr old in a stroller. We LOVED the Poly - the beach, the convenience of the monorail, the dining options of it and surrounding resorts, etc. Then I hear KA-CHING and think of the $1500 we could save by staying at CSR.
So what would you do?
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
1. We are not park commandos - we spend a lot of time at the resort
2. We'll be celbrating our 15-year wedding anniversary on our vacation
3. My daugter's favorite things about WDW is the EWP and swimming

Sorry this is long and probably sounds obsessive - I just can't stop thinking about what decision to make.

I'd love to hear your advice. Thanks!

 

[disneyjunebug]

Ooooooohhhhh, this is a hard choice. I can see it both ways.

If I put the question to my DH, he would choose saving the money! Me, I see all the intangibles: being on the monorail, nice pool, great atmosphere, etc.

But if you are driving, you can still come over to the Poly and eat. The pool area at CSR is great and the atmosphere there is wonderful too.

And with the extra moolah, you could buy lots of things to remember the trip by!

 

[Piglets Mommy]

Just seeking opinions:
We currently have an AP rate ressie for Poly Garden View reserved for 9 nights at the end of the month (total is $2521). Since I can't leave well enough alone - I was checking the online availability for AP rates during our travel period. CSR came up with a STD view room for $952. If I switch our ressies and after applying our Poly deposit to the CSR ressie we would owe $638 vs. $2207 we owe for the Poly.
Our travel party consists of me, my husband and 5-yr old daughter. My husband and I had always stayed at Mods before our daughter was born. CSR is our favorite. The year after DD was born Disney ran that package - four nights for the price of seven and we made the 'mistake' of trying a Deluxe (the Poly), as we thought it would be super convenient with a 1-yr old in a stroller. We LOVED the Poly - the beach, the convenience of the monorail, the dining options of it and surrounding resorts, etc. Then I hear KA-CHING and think of the $1500 we could save by staying at CSR.
So what would you do?
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
1. We are not park commandos - we spend a lot of time at the resort
2. We'll be celbrating our 15-year wedding anniversary on our vacation
3. My daugter's favorite things about WDW is the EWP and swimming

Sorry this is long and probably sounds obsessive - I just can't stop thinking about what decision to make.

I'd love to hear your advice. Thanks!

I've never stayed at CSR, but would have to vote for the Poly!!!! At first when I saw how much $$$ you could save, I was gonna say CSR...BUT....It's your anniversary and the Poly is so romantic, you have a great pool, and the beach for watching the EWP, and the monorail...I'd say stick with the Poly. I feel it's the most romantic resort on property, and what better place to spend your 15 yr. anniversary. You can also let DD play at Neverland club for alittle bit while you and DH have an anniversary dinner.

 

[lovmy2girls]

The title of your thread said "WWYD" so......my story is we tried the same thing one December as you can tell by my signature below. We thought we would save $$ by staying at the CSR after trying the Poly.....biggest mistake we ever made in regards to Disney. It just wasn't the same. Instead of saving money, I felt like we wasted money because the trip just wasn't 100% of what it could have been. Every time we went back to the resort, we really felt regret and didn't want to be there. WE went back the next month for the preview of EE and stayed at the Poly, so the whole mistake cost us really, because we would not have gone in Jan if we would have just stayed at the Poly in the first place We had to go back and get our fix for the Poly, we are Poly addicts

And if this is an anniversay trip, then stay at the Poly!!!!

 

[mom22boys]

I am debating between Poly and POR for our May 2008 trip. Even though the Poly costs soooo much more I am leaning towards the Poly. I really think the trip will be that much better being at the Poly. The monorail, the beach, seeing Wishes right from our resort, the atmosphere, the closeness of so many dining choices are all reasons why I think a trip to the Poly will be in a different league than a trip to POR. Like you we are not park commandos. While we are at WDW we want to relax and soak in the magic, and I think the Poly will be the perfect place for us to do that!

Good luck deciding!

 

[CarolinaChick]

We thought we would save $$ by staying at the CSR after trying the Poly.....biggest mistake we ever made in regards to Disney. It just wasn't the same. Instead of saving money, I felt like we wasted money because the trip just wasn't 100% of what it could have been. Every time we went back to the resort, we really felt regret and didn't want to be there.

Wow - I hadn't thought about aspect of it!

Thank you all for your opinions. Yes, I think the Poly is more romantic. My practical side just kept rearing it's head in trying to save money. Not that we have money to throw around, but I guess you only live once and vacations are sort of 'investments' in your life's memories. I think the Poly is worth it.

 

[Marty Joe]

Aloha CC,
First of all, congrats on 15 years of marrige! While CSR is a fine place to be, it is not a deluxe, tropical, or romantic (IMHO). CSR has no luau, O'hana, Kona, beach, EWP, view of Wishes, view of the castle, monorail, launch (boat to MK), tiki torch lighted pathways, or Hawaiian music. There is no way you can take a Boston Whaler out on the Seven Seas lagoon or catch a monorail to EPCOT at the CSR! Would the CSR have Dole Whips? Nope! Have a Lapu Lapu or a Mai Tai next to the Volcano Pool - not going to happen at the CSR! Your 5yo will think she has the best parents ever when you take her to the Neverland Club. They play dress up, play games, watch Videos, and make new friends. When we tried to pick our daughter up after the first time at the NLC, she threw a royal hissey. We promised to take her back the next night becaused she had such a good time. This will buy you some time for some Kona magic or Tambu Lounge magic or California Grill magic or any other magic you can think of hug! Do yourself (and family) a favor and give the Poly a shot. Pull out all the stops! Let er rip! When you enter the Great Ceremonial House and you get hit right in the nose with that tropical smell, you will be ruined for life! Which ever you decide - have a great time!

 

[Buzz2001]

I love CSR and you can check out my CSR website for pics and info but I won't try to tell you that CSR (a mod) is better than the Poly (a deluxe). But for a mod, I think CSR is a great resort.

 

[NJPluto]

Just seeking opinions:
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
1. We are not park commandos - we spend a lot of time at the resort
2. We'll be celbrating our 15-year wedding anniversary on our vacation
3. My daugter's favorite things about WDW is the EWP and swimming

CSR looks like a beautiful resort and I'm sure you'd have a great time but it really sounds like you want the Poly. DH and I always discuss trying a different resort but we love the Poly. If we couldn't swing it then we'd check out our options and try something new but if the money isn't a problem and if you really want the Poly then why settle for something else? Either way you'd have a great time but it sounds like you want the Poly.