Why has Poly gotten so expensive?

[JohnDaleswife]

Yup - I'm totally one of those people. I remember my parents waking me up to watch the water parade from our room when I was 6. I dream of staying there with my kids (although renting DVC for a studio will probably be how we go).

I wish my parents had taken me there when I was little.

 

[freediverdude]

Yes that person was lucky to have parents who planned vacations, because staying at the Poly or Contemporary back in the 70s and some 80s before the other hotels appeared, required planning and booking it about a year in advance- they were always booked.

 

[JohnDaleswife]

How much was your travel agent charging per night when you made the reservation? Wasn't it still about $200 per night. I would stay there again if the price was less $200 per night like it was when I stayed there last year.

No, it averaged out to $375 a night. Value season, 3 adults so really $350 a night but I passed. Too much money with the construction going on.

 

[JohnDaleswife]

Yes that person was lucky to have parents who planned vacations, because staying at the Poly or Contemporary back in the 70s and some 80s before the other hotels appeared, required planning and booking it about a year in advance- they were always booked.

Very true.

 

[mickeynut1]

I still can't believe we are talking over $800 per night at those resorts, for a room that is not concierge, not attached to the main building, not during peak dates like Christmas week or Spring break or 4th of July weekend, just a regular hotel room on a random night in May. Even the standard room "look out the window at a bush or the monorail beam" are $600+. Now granted a lot of people won't be paying that and will get some kind of discount, depending on what Disney feels like, but still some will end up paying that, probably more than we suspect.

I agree, those prices are totally crazy! We never pay for views as I don't think they are worth the extra cost over a standard/GV (just my opinion), but like you said, even the standard room rates are getting ridiculous. We won't stay at the Poly or GF without a decent discount, but you are right that there are people who will/do pay those rates and will continue to do so.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Yes that person was lucky to have parents who planned vacations, because staying at the Poly or Contemporary back in the 70s and some 80s before the other hotels appeared, required planning and booking it about a year in advance- they were always booked.

My first visit was in utero, to the CR, in 1971. We also did the Poly later in the 1970s.

I cannot take my younger child to the CR until she gets over her fear of firework booms. Or, well, I could, but it would be silly to do it.

 

[LemonNeko]

I wish my parents had taken me there when I was little.

We stayed at the Poly for Three Nights when I was 9 and my mom can still remember how expensive it was.
I was able to stay at the Contemporary with my Oma when I was 4. My son wants to stay there on our next trip but he will need to settle for All-Star Music as one night at the Contemporary is more than my husband makes in a week with the US exchange.

 

[cmarsh31]

I wish my parents had taken me there when I was little.

We actually did a split stay at Poly and the Treehouses (so I also want to stay at the SSR ones some time). My parents must have planned for years - as an adult, I assume my grandmother (who always traveled with us) paid for a significant portion. I still remember the tooth fairy visiting me at the Treehouse and my dad getting bit by a peacock! They were up on our balcony and he had the brilliant idea to feed them...

 

[MakiraMarlena]

for whatever reason, Disney thinks it can achieve sufficient occupancy at those prices. If they can't, there will be discounts.

 

[Babsy]

We stayed there on our first trip. It was nice. But since they built DVC villas with NO one bedroom villas, I have no need to stay there on points. And I probably won't stay there for cash either. Once was enough.

It was our first stay as well!
AND, You are so right! No one bedrooms! We looked at buying DVC at the Poly last week when we were staying at the GF. We just couldn't stay here - we need two real beds and the bungalows are outrageous for $$ or points! WHY didn't they put any one bedroom or two bedroom units in the regular DVC buildings? I guess that we will continue to pay cash for our CL rooms, but we would like to buy into DVC if they had anything other than studios.

Considering buying resale at the CR......or maybe the GF.......?

Meanwhile, I would like to stay at the Poly again someday......just not at these exorbitant rates!

 

[Babsy]

I agree, those prices are totally crazy! We never pay for views as I don't think they are worth the extra cost over a standard/GV (just my opinion), but like you said, even the standard room rates are getting ridiculous. We won't stay at the Poly or GF without a decent discount, but you are right that there are people who will/do pay those rates and will continue to do so.

Yes, but even getting a decent discount is getting more difficult. I love the Poly too, but getting a reasonable rate is probably going to be challenging going forward I am afraid. Once the construction is finished, booking here will likely be crazy for a while. All the people that waited for the construction to finish will be ready to go back to the Poly ASAP! (Like me, for example)

 

[mickeynut1]

Yes, but even getting a decent discount is getting more difficult. I love the Poly too, but getting a reasonable rate is probably going to be challenging going forward I am afraid. Once the construction is finished, booking here will likely be crazy for a while. All the people that waited for the construction to finish will be ready to go back to the Poly ASAP! (Like me, for example)

I agree! Disney has started lessening discounts and while there are still discounts to be had, the percentage off seems to be getting less and less as time goes on (especially for the monorail resorts ). I also agree that there are lots of people waiting for the construction to wrap up at the Poly before they book a stay there. I think it always had a good following, but will probably be more popular once everything is completed.

 

[cheryllarsen]

Its highly desirable and hard to get in. They can charge for it because they are getting it!

 

[cheryllarsen]

We are staying there for the first time next week. I had to book seven months ahead to get in with DVC points.

 

[jon18uk]

AND, You are so right! No one bedrooms! We looked at buying DVC at the Poly last week when we were staying at the GF. We just couldn't stay here - we need two real beds and the bungalows are outrageous for $$ or points! WHY didn't they put any one bedroom or two bedroom units in the regular DVC buildings? I guess that we will continue to pay cash for our CL rooms, but we would like to buy into DVC if they had anything other than studios.

We stayed at Saratoga Springs a few years ago as there was a good discount and had similar thoughts about beds. Although it was nice to have a separate bedroom from our snoring friend, the fact that all villa units seem so reliant on sofa beds feels wrong when all regular rooms have two full beds.

 

[JohnDaleswife]

Yep, good ole supply and demand.

 

[Mollydolly334]

Back in 2002 when I was 8 years old, my family spent 10 nights at the Polynesian (Samoa longhouse). My dad got a great deal through a travel agent. Now, we couldn't dream of staying that long with these prices. The only way we would stay at the Poly again is by renting DVC points! Which really sucks, because it's my family's absolute favorite resort. Every time I step on those grounds, it feels like home.

 

[surfcruiser]

I'm glad I was able to stay there for a week with my wife and kids back in 2000. I know, that was a long time ago, but we managed to get Hawaii Concierge for $360 a night with an AP discount. Not only the price... but I think the bungalows have kind of ruined the beach there for us. The kids' most memorable part of that trip was less theme park and more playing on the beach with the open lake before them, Dad taking them on catamaran rides, and watching the fireworks and floaty parade from our own little (seemingly) private shoreline.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I agree with what everyone has said... diminished inventory due to loss of rooms to DVC, new amenities, cult following, etc. Another factor I'll toss in the mix is the fact that ANY room on property is getting hard to find. Especially for folks who don't book 6-12 months in advance. Many families who want a moderate resort, or a less expensive deluxe resort, just can't find a room short notice. So they are forced to book more expensive categories if they want to be on property. Like many of you have said, it's supply and demand. Disney can charge whatever they want because they know resorts will be full. I really wish they'd build another moderate resort!!!

 

[EarsAndTiaras]

Yup - I'm totally one of those people. I remember my parents waking me up to watch the water parade from our room when I was 6. I dream of staying there with my kids (although renting DVC for a studio will probably be how we go).

Me too! I was 4 the first time we stayed at the Poly & we stayed there frequently throughout my childhood. I have so many fun memories... watching the water pageant from the room, playing on the beach, stealing macadamia nuts from the jar they used to give you at check in, etc. I've enjoyed many Disney resorts, but the Poly will always be my favorite.

I think the nostalgia factor is very powerful.