Do you stay at a Disney resort? Why or Why Not?

All four parks, waterparks, and other magic in Central Florida

Moderator: Moderators

Amy
Submarine Voyage Captain
Submarine Voyage Captain
Posts: 18543
Joined: Dec Wed 12, 2007 1:41 pm
Location: the flooded, flooded mitten

Re: Do you stay at a Disney resort? Why or Why Not?

Post by Amy » Feb Tue 08, 2011 1:32 pm

Polynesian Princess wrote:One week - 3 days at POFQ, 4 days at Polynesian.
Ah! That should be nice ~ long enough to sort of relax and see everything without rushing too much :cool:

Polynesian Princess
Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes Guide
Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes Guide
Posts: 1061
Joined: Oct Sun 11, 2009 3:35 pm

Re: Do you stay at a Disney resort? Why or Why Not?

Post by Polynesian Princess » Feb Tue 08, 2011 2:27 pm

Amy wrote:
Polynesian Princess wrote:One week - 3 days at POFQ, 4 days at Polynesian.
Ah! That should be nice ~ long enough to sort of relax and see everything without rushing too much :cool:
Yes, I think that we'll have plenty of time to enjoy both and they are so different it will be a great contrast. I wouldn't recommend split staying with a hotel stay of 2 days. It was awfully short when we did it that trip, but I can understand it if you're in a situation where you just can't justify or afford 3+ nights on one of the more expensive ones, like we were last time. I know a lot of people like doing one night at a value as their first night because they'll be arriving late, but we try to leave in the middle of the night before so that we get there early on in the day or afternoon at the latest.
Can't wait to take my twin boys on their first trip to Walt Disney World! Planning on heading there sometime Feb-May 2014!

momeja
Rocket Jets Flight Director
Rocket Jets Flight Director
Posts: 1788
Joined: Mar Mon 30, 2009 12:31 pm

Re: Do you stay at a Disney resort? Why or Why Not?

Post by momeja » Feb Tue 08, 2011 10:24 pm

Polynesian Princess wrote:One week - 3 days at POFQ, 4 days at Polynesian.
Very nice set of resorts! Both small and with a lot of atmosphere.

Polynesian Princess
Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes Guide
Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes Guide
Posts: 1061
Joined: Oct Sun 11, 2009 3:35 pm

Re: Do you stay at a Disney resort? Why or Why Not?

Post by Polynesian Princess » Feb Wed 09, 2011 12:14 am

momeja wrote:
Polynesian Princess wrote:One week - 3 days at POFQ, 4 days at Polynesian.
Very nice set of resorts! Both small and with a lot of atmosphere.
Thanks! I know I love Polynesian, but I'm not as sure about POFQ. I didn't care for POR as much, but I think I need to give it another chance since there was a lot of crazy things on that trip.
Can't wait to take my twin boys on their first trip to Walt Disney World! Planning on heading there sometime Feb-May 2014!

Amy
Submarine Voyage Captain
Submarine Voyage Captain
Posts: 18543
Joined: Dec Wed 12, 2007 1:41 pm
Location: the flooded, flooded mitten

Re: Do you stay at a Disney resort? Why or Why Not?

Post by Amy » Feb Wed 09, 2011 7:54 am

Polynesian Princess wrote:
momeja wrote:
Polynesian Princess wrote:One week - 3 days at POFQ, 4 days at Polynesian.
Very nice set of resorts! Both small and with a lot of atmosphere.
Thanks! I know I love Polynesian, but I'm not as sure about POFQ. I didn't care for POR as much, but I think I need to give it another chance since there was a lot of crazy things on that trip.
I've heard so many nice things about the POR and POFQ that I considered them for our past trip, but they were out of our price range for our extended stay :shock: I would like to go visit them to see the theming though, it sounds very nice and peaceful :D

mindflipper
Submarine Voyage Captain
Submarine Voyage Captain
Posts: 10954
Joined: Sep Sun 06, 2009 8:53 am
Location: 76 Totters Lane

Re: Do you stay at a Disney resort? Why or Why Not?

Post by mindflipper » Feb Wed 09, 2011 10:20 am

I tried for the Polynesian back on Dec 4th, but it was all booked up. Just bad timing because at that time they were filming the Christmas Day Parade that weekend for TV, and all the MK resorts were booked up.

Polynesian Princess
Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes Guide
Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes Guide
Posts: 1061
Joined: Oct Sun 11, 2009 3:35 pm

Re: Do you stay at a Disney resort? Why or Why Not?

Post by Polynesian Princess » Feb Wed 09, 2011 11:34 am

I hate it when you have bad timing! We had a break at the end of September/beginning of October and wanted to go, but we literally couldn't get a hotel room. There was nothing available except for a club level at GF, if I remember correctly, which was way out of our price range. I still don't know why the rooms were so hard to get then. I know it coincided with the beginning of the Food and Wine Festival, but I've never seen the availability THAT bad, and we've booked a lot of last minute trips.
Can't wait to take my twin boys on their first trip to Walt Disney World! Planning on heading there sometime Feb-May 2014!

momeja
Rocket Jets Flight Director
Rocket Jets Flight Director
Posts: 1788
Joined: Mar Mon 30, 2009 12:31 pm

Re: Do you stay at a Disney resort? Why or Why Not?

Post by momeja » Feb Wed 09, 2011 12:30 pm

Polynesian Princess wrote:
momeja wrote:
Polynesian Princess wrote:One week - 3 days at POFQ, 4 days at Polynesian.
Very nice set of resorts! Both small and with a lot of atmosphere.
Thanks! I know I love Polynesian, but I'm not as sure about POFQ. I didn't care for POR as much, but I think I need to give it another chance since there was a lot of crazy things on that trip.
I stayed at POFQ a few years ago with the kids and totally fell in love with it, and I am a major fan of the Poly. It's completely different from POR. The CMs there call POFQ the Country Club. You'll also love the buses. One stop is all you need for the whole resort.

Amy
Submarine Voyage Captain
Submarine Voyage Captain
Posts: 18543
Joined: Dec Wed 12, 2007 1:41 pm
Location: the flooded, flooded mitten

Re: Do you stay at a Disney resort? Why or Why Not?

Post by Amy » Feb Wed 09, 2011 2:18 pm

Polynesian Princess wrote:I hate it when you have bad timing! We had a break at the end of September/beginning of October and wanted to go, but we literally couldn't get a hotel room. There was nothing available except for a club level at GF, if I remember correctly, which was way out of our price range. I still don't know why the rooms were so hard to get then. I know it coincided with the beginning of the Food and Wine Festival, but I've never seen the availability THAT bad, and we've booked a lot of last minute trips.
I know they told me that the resort was fully booked when we were there the first week of December too. I think they really do need to expand the hotel offerings since they do seem to be booked completely a lot of the time. I think people are starting to wise up to the fact that staying on property is the best way to go ~ plus when they offer the dining plan for free...

theBIGyowski
Tom Sawyer Island Rafts Skipper
Tom Sawyer Island Rafts Skipper
Posts: 2744
Joined: Apr Mon 28, 2008 7:31 pm

Re: Do you stay at a Disney resort? Why or Why Not?

Post by theBIGyowski » Feb Wed 09, 2011 4:52 pm

Yeah the only downside to POR is that it has so many bus stops...but that can be a good thing as it means less people waiting with you at the stop.

I have stayed at both POR and POFQ and I loved both of them. The theming done on both was fantastic and walking between the two of them by the Sassagoula River is very relaxing and a nice break from the hustle and bustle of the parks. Like I said earlier too...they are the most centrally located resorts on WDW property.

I will say that nothing can beat just strolling around the grounds at the Poly though. It is easily the most relaxing resort to wander around. If you get the chance, go to the beach in front of the Tahiti building and sit on the sing there at sundown. You should have a nice breeze and the view is something words cannot describe. Better yet...go get a Dole Whip...then make your way to the beach. :)
Image

1986: Offsite
1997: Offsite
2001: Coronado Springs
2008: Shades of Green / Saratoga Springs (WDW Half Marathon)
2009: Port Orleans French Quarter (WDW Half Marathon)
2010: Port Orleans Riverside (Honeymoon)
2011: Old Key West / Bay Lake Tower
2014: Kidani Village
2015: Old Key West (5th Wedding Anniversary)
2016: Old Key West (Kids' first WDW vacation in December!)

mindflipper
Submarine Voyage Captain
Submarine Voyage Captain
Posts: 10954
Joined: Sep Sun 06, 2009 8:53 am
Location: 76 Totters Lane

Re: Do you stay at a Disney resort? Why or Why Not?

Post by mindflipper » Feb Wed 09, 2011 10:16 pm

theBIGyowski wrote:I will say that nothing can beat just strolling around the grounds at the Poly though. It is easily the most relaxing resort to wander around. If you get the chance, go to the beach in front of the Tahiti building and sit on the sing there at sundown. You should have a nice breeze and the view is something words cannot describe. Better yet...go get a Dole Whip...then make your way to the beach. :)
Now that takes me back Dec. 4th! Poly, Dole Whips, and Wishes! :D :mickey:

Polynesian Princess
Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes Guide
Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes Guide
Posts: 1061
Joined: Oct Sun 11, 2009 3:35 pm

Re: Do you stay at a Disney resort? Why or Why Not?

Post by Polynesian Princess » Feb Wed 09, 2011 10:44 pm

theBIGyowski wrote:Yeah the only downside to POR is that it has so many bus stops...but that can be a good thing as it means less people waiting with you at the stop.
I actually don't view the multiple bus stops as a downside at all. We love CSR and CBR - I think the multiple stops makes things closer and easier to get around. It's different at the smaller deluxes, but I think it works well for the moderates. And like you said, the bus stops aren't as crowded.
Can't wait to take my twin boys on their first trip to Walt Disney World! Planning on heading there sometime Feb-May 2014!

theBIGyowski
Tom Sawyer Island Rafts Skipper
Tom Sawyer Island Rafts Skipper
Posts: 2744
Joined: Apr Mon 28, 2008 7:31 pm

Re: Do you stay at a Disney resort? Why or Why Not?

Post by theBIGyowski » Feb Thu 10, 2011 11:21 am

Polynesian Princess wrote:
theBIGyowski wrote:Yeah the only downside to POR is that it has so many bus stops...but that can be a good thing as it means less people waiting with you at the stop.
I actually don't view the multiple bus stops as a downside at all. We love CSR and CBR - I think the multiple stops makes things closer and easier to get around. It's different at the smaller deluxes, but I think it works well for the moderates. And like you said, the bus stops aren't as crowded.
Yeah...POFQ has one bus stop...and it can get quite crowded if you are going to MK.
Image

1986: Offsite
1997: Offsite
2001: Coronado Springs
2008: Shades of Green / Saratoga Springs (WDW Half Marathon)
2009: Port Orleans French Quarter (WDW Half Marathon)
2010: Port Orleans Riverside (Honeymoon)
2011: Old Key West / Bay Lake Tower
2014: Kidani Village
2015: Old Key West (5th Wedding Anniversary)
2016: Old Key West (Kids' first WDW vacation in December!)

momeja
Rocket Jets Flight Director
Rocket Jets Flight Director
Posts: 1788
Joined: Mar Mon 30, 2009 12:31 pm

Re: Do you stay at a Disney resort? Why or Why Not?

Post by momeja » Feb Thu 10, 2011 1:18 pm

theBIGyowski wrote: Yeah...POFQ has one bus stop...and it can get quite crowded if you are going to MK.
On the other hand, I like knowing that once I'm on the bus, I'm on my way to a destination and not just another bus stop.

Amy
Submarine Voyage Captain
Submarine Voyage Captain
Posts: 18543
Joined: Dec Wed 12, 2007 1:41 pm
Location: the flooded, flooded mitten

Re: Do you stay at a Disney resort? Why or Why Not?

Post by Amy » Feb Thu 10, 2011 1:37 pm

momeja wrote:
theBIGyowski wrote: Yeah...POFQ has one bus stop...and it can get quite crowded if you are going to MK.
On the other hand, I like knowing that once I'm on the bus, I'm on my way to a destination and not just another bus stop.
Good point momeja. I know when we caught a bus at the Boardwalk one night I was surprised at how small the stop was! The All Star resorts might not be anything fancy, but they have a nice bus stop set-up with lots of room :D

Post Reply