Thinking about an on site off site split stay. Which resort?

[mojokitty]

Looking for some opinions from the experts! We are going to stay at Windsor Hills condos in November. We are staying for 6 nights but were trying to decide if we should stay in a Disney resort one night so we can have the experience of staying on site. The ideal would be the AKL but I'm not sure if we can get it. We have been talking to a travel agent about it and she said we could get a night at the Polynesian for $500. It's such an extravagance for us but I'm wondering if it would be worth it for the experience. Is the poly worth the money for one night? an you recommend another resort that would give us a Disney experience for less than that? We want to get the most unique resort for our money.

Another question, the travel agent suggested that we stay their first to get the 60 day fast pass reservations but we will be driving 10 hours to get there and won't be in the resort much during the first of our trip.

 

[aristocatz]

Looking for some opinions from the experts! We are going to stay at Windsor Hills condos in November. We are staying for 6 nights but were trying to decide if we should stay in a Disney resort one night so we can have the experience of staying on site. The ideal would be the AKL but I'm not sure if we can get it. We have been talking to a travel agent about it and she said we could get a night at the Polynesian for $500. It's such an extravagance for us but I'm wondering if it would be worth it for the experience. Is the poly worth the money for one night? an you recommend another resort that would give us a Disney experience for less than that? We want to get the most unique resort for our money.

Another question, the travel agent suggested that we stay their first to get the 60 day fast pass reservations but we will be driving 10 hours to get there and won't be in the resort much during the first of our trip.

Polynesian is my favorite resort, but I don't think I would do a split stay there for only one night. By the time you check in & get settled & enjoy, it's time to check out. I might consider it if I chose to not go to the parks that day.

For that money, I would do two nights at a moderate or a value. That way you have more time to enjoy. JMO

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I agree with aristocatz. I've stayed at Poly many times and have never spent $500 a night there! Definitely not worth it, IMHO. Yes, Poly is beautiful, but so is AKL and, quite frankly, I think POR/POFQ is lovely as well. I, however, wouldn't do one night at any of the resorts. Check-in is at 3 pm and check-out is at 11 am. Yes, you can use the amenties all day on both of those days, but you will literally be paying for a room for less than a day. I would do at least 2 nights, so if that means staying at a mod or value, I would do that instead. I also wouldn't do it your first night, especially if you are driving in. I would probably do it at the end so you could at least check in to the resort early and enjoy the resort.

 

[clayfolks]

I agree with those guys ^. If a value, I would suggest Pop. If mod, POR or POFQ are both great. If deluxe, I prefer AKL over the Poly for a first stay. I think you should be able to get 2 nights at AKL for the price you have been quoted for Poly.

 

[AdamEfimoff]

What is your budget?

 

[happymommy]

Your trip is relatively short, so I wouldn't consider a split stay. No, I don't think that Poly is worth $500. Especially after a 10 hour drive, I don't think it's worth it, as you will likely just want to rest up a bit?

I agree, I'd look into a value or moderate (to me, moderate isn't worth it, but that's me, as neither have balconies, but mods have queen beds vs. double).

I'd either do your whole stay where you're booked, or book a value resort for the whole Disney experience.

 

[Chippy4]

Unless your off site stay is a month long, putting the on-site stay at the end of your trip still gives you an advantage for booking fast passes over having no on-site stay. If you spend week off-site and have a one day on-site stay at the end, you'll be able to book your fast passes 60 days from that last day, which is 53 days from the start of your trip. You might not get the choicest times for popular attractions at the start of the trip, but you're still getting the fast passes before all the off-site people.

 

[DisneyWorldbuff]

Not for one night, no. Not worth the hassle of packing up and moving and then leaving again without having more time to enjoy the resort.

 

[wdwthanksgiving]

Would you consider splitting your stay in half? Don't know what you are paying per night off site or if having the kitchen is a must...the time and effort to get to the parks plus the parking costs plus not being able to have the early fastpass/restaurant advantages of staying onsite might be worth the effort to switch to onsite for 3 nights. Staying onsite just adds so much enjoyment to our trips - the landscaping, theming and ease of movement is such an advantage...I do, however, agree that spending $500 for one night might not be worth it - I'd go to a moderate (POR is great) over the Poly.