Lagoon Views at the Polynesian

[Amy]

Does anyone know if you can any of the Water Main street Electrical Parade from a Poly room? That would be cool. How much extra do they get for a room for with a better view? I'm thinking about staying there is the extra money worth it?

Yes, you can see the Electrical Water Pageant from some of the Lagoon View rooms at the Polynesian. A Lagoon View is about $100 - $130 more per night than the standard, or Garden View rooms (http://allears.net/acc/faq_poly.htm). Of course, you'll also be able to see it from a Theme Park View room, which costs even more. Some of the rooms will have a better view than others - some of the Garden View rooms even have at least a partial view of it (I just stayed in one in Tokelau that did), but that's more random. Judging by the layout of the place (http://www.wdwinfo.com/maps/PolynesianMap.pdf) and the location of the Electrical Water Pageant, Tuvalu is probably your best bet for a good view of it. Hawaii will also have a nice view, but of course that's the club level building, so that costs extra.

Do people actually pay $100 (or more) per night, simply for the view? Do you ever luck out and get one of these rooms just because that is all that is available and you don't have to pay more?!

[Polynesian Princess]

Apparently people do or they wouldn't exist! I personally don't understand the appeal either of the water view rooms. They just never would be worth the money to me. I can see why people would want the Theme Park view, but I don't know if I could ever justify an extra $140 a night just to see the castle from my window. While it would be really nice, for approximately every 2-3 nights I spent in the Theme Park view room I could have an extra night in a regular room.

And yes, sometimes you can get a "magical upgrade", but you usually don't know about it until you check in and is completely random. This may be done because they oversold a room type, because there was a problem with your room, or simply because they didn't sell the higher end rooms and want to make someone's trip extra magical. We've been upgraded twice. The first time was at POR - after waiting 30+ minutes in the check in line, we finally got our room keys and were told that our room was ready. We toted our luggage up and found our room - only to find other people's stuff in the room (including a wad of cash on the table ). We went back to the concierge desk at the front and explained what had happened. Apparently the people had extended their stay that morning and it hadn't been properly marked in the computer. We got upgraded to a water view room for our trouble (and learned our lesson to never carry up the luggage before checking the room out first! ). The second time was our first stay at the Polynesian for our anniversary. We booked the standard Garden View room, but got an upgrade to Garden View Club Level. It was wonderful (though I was spoiled by it and secretly hoped it would happen again on this last trip ).

[mindflipper]

I completely agree about the room views. It's not worth the money involved just to get a room with a view that you would enjoy for the briefest of time. It may be a different story if you had a longer stay, but then that really begins to add it up in that case! Ouch!

[theBIGyowski]

the only upgrades that I could see being worth it would be MK views from the Contemporary...if you have young children that would love the fireworks

all of that only if you have a money tree in your back yard

I know a great family who has everything mentioned above and recently bought into DVC at Bay Lake Tower. It was totally worth it for them to get the room they got for their daughter's first trip to WDW.

Me? I wouldn't pay that much extra...because I care more about the parks and the food than the room. Besides...if you want the atmosphere just spend a few hours walking around the resort(s) you like the most...then go back to your resort to sleep. It definitely saved DW and I a lot of money.

[Wizzard419]

I don't think they give away the rooms for free, no real incentive to, but it might be like other places where you can check while you're checking in to see if they have any left and would be offering them at a discount.

[Polynesian Princess]

I don't think they give away the rooms for free, no real incentive to, but it might be like other places where you can check while you're checking in to see if they have any left and would be offering them at a discount.

They actually do upgrade people for free for no real reason. As I mentioned in my previous post, I had this happen at the Polynesian. By the time you are checking in, if a room hasn't been booked for that evening, it's probably going to remain empty. Though some people will walk in and try to book a room, by far the majority of people have their rooms booked months before they go to Disney. The rooms cost the same to upkeep, so Disney isn't losing any money except for what they lost by it not being booked, so it really doesn't make a difference to them.

In fact, Disney has incentives to upgrade you. It's a "magical" and happy thing, making you more likely to be satisfied and make a return trip. They also hope that by experiencing the higher end, you'll end up booking that on future trips. While that's probably hit or miss on water views, I think this strategy pays off on theme park view and club level, since many people get "spoiled" by those experiences and have a hard time going back to a standard room.

As I said earlier, it's completely random whether or not you get upgraded. It's more likely to happen on a shorter trip (a higher room is more likely to be open for 2 nights than 7 nights) and during less crowded times.

[Amy]

I don't think they give away the rooms for free, no real incentive to, but it might be like other places where you can check while you're checking in to see if they have any left and would be offering them at a discount.

They actually do upgrade people for free for no real reason. As I mentioned in my previous post, I had this happen at the Polynesian. By the time you are checking in, if a room hasn't been booked for that evening, it's probably going to remain empty. Though some people will walk in and try to book a room, by far the majority of people have their rooms booked months before they go to Disney. The rooms cost the same to upkeep, so Disney isn't losing any money except for what they lost by it not being booked, so it really doesn't make a difference to them.

In fact, Disney has incentives to upgrade you. It's a "magical" and happy thing, making you more likely to be satisfied and make a return trip. They also hope that by experiencing the higher end, you'll end up booking that on future trips. While that's probably hit or miss on water views, I think this strategy pays off on theme park view and club level, since many people get "spoiled" by those experiences and have a hard time going back to a standard room.

As I said earlier, it's completely random whether or not you get upgraded. It's more likely to happen on a shorter trip (a higher room is more likely to be open for 2 nights than 7 nights) and during less crowded times.

I should ask on our next trip...I wonder if the All Star resorts even have a club level?!

[Polynesian Princess]

No, they're only at the deluxes. It was really nice, but is pretty expensive - the Garden View Club Level at the Polynesian is about the same cost as a normal Theme Park View.

[Amy]

No, they're only at the deluxes. It was really nice, but is pretty expensive - the Garden View Club Level at the Polynesian is about the same cost as a normal Theme Park View.

What sort of perks are there with the club level? I know we stayed on the concierge floor at DL and they had a free continental brekkie, different snacks throughout the day, and cookies and treats at night. As well as many different beverages, bottled water, pop, juice, etc. in bottles and cans. We saved a ton of money by eating the breakfast and taking beverages with us for drinking during the day. It was worth the slight cost to upgrade there, but I don't know if that would be the case in WDW.

[horizons1]

I would have to say those who do not see the value in a view room probably have not had one with a good view. There are some truly magical spots you can only appreciate from certain vantage points.

[momeja]

I should ask on our next trip...I wonder if the All Star resorts even have a club level?!

Actually, this is an interesting idea. I'm sure there are people out there for whom the room isn't a big deal, but they'd like the luxury of Club Level. Amy, I think you're on to something. You should tell Disney!

[Amy]

I should ask on our next trip...I wonder if the All Star resorts even have a club level?!

Actually, this is an interesting idea. I'm sure there are people out there for whom the room isn't a big deal, but they'd like the luxury of Club Level. Amy, I think you're on to something. You should tell Disney!

Wow! My sarcasm actually might be on to something?! I should tell them and see if they would reward me with a free upgrade

[Brian845]

In fact, Disney has incentives to upgrade you. It's a "magical" and happy thing, making you more likely to be satisfied and make a return trip. They also hope that by experiencing the higher end, you'll end up booking that on future trips. While that's probably hit or miss on water views, I think this strategy pays off on theme park view and club level, since many people get "spoiled" by those experiences and have a hard time going back to a standard room.

I agree that the strategy works, at least for us. We honeymooned at the Grand Floridian on the club level, and when we returned in 2006 we got bumped up to the club level at the AKL. We're hooked now and going to try the club level at the Wilderness Lodge.

I'm sure many people would say that it's not worth the extra price, but I really like being able to grab a quick breakfast and head out to the parks. It makes it more like being at home where you can just grab whatever you want and go.

[momeja]

I should ask on our next trip...I wonder if the All Star resorts even have a club level?!

Actually, this is an interesting idea. I'm sure there are people out there for whom the room isn't a big deal, but they'd like the luxury of Club Level. Amy, I think you're on to something. You should tell Disney!

Wow! My sarcasm actually might be on to something?! I should tell them and see if they would reward me with a free upgrade

If they do, ask for Club Level

[Polynesian Princess]

No, they're only at the deluxes. It was really nice, but is pretty expensive - the Garden View Club Level at the Polynesian is about the same cost as a normal Theme Park View.

What sort of perks are there with the club level? I know we stayed on the concierge floor at DL and they had a free continental brekkie, different snacks throughout the day, and cookies and treats at night. As well as many different beverages, bottled water, pop, juice, etc. in bottles and cans. We saved a ton of money by eating the breakfast and taking beverages with us for drinking during the day. It was worth the slight cost to upgrade there, but I don't know if that would be the case in WDW.

Similar perks - a lounge with breakfast, snacks (with more and nicer ones around meal times), and desserts in the evening with all the various drinks. In the evening (and maybe at other times in the day, but I'm not positive), they also provided beer, wine, and other adult beverages. You also get a separate check in and concierge staff that are there to make dining reservations or whatever else you might need. If I remember correctly, you get a daily paper delivered. And I'm not sure this is at every hotel's club level, but at the Polynesian you also got turn down service (basically they come and fold the comforter and sheets down for you in the evening so they're ready for you to climb into, plus you get a chocolate on the pillow ).

The lounge at the Polynesian is two floors with two story glass windows where you can look straight at the castle. During Wishes, they dim the lights and pipe the music in the lounge. It really is a great view, but they also pipe they music on the beach of the Polynesian, so you can really get the same view for free by standing in front of the building. Of course, there's going to be a lot more people on the beach who might talk or otherwise be disruptive to the show, but even in the lounge there can be inconsiderate idiots (like the family who ruined our attempt at videoing Wishes from the lounge by pushing their way in front of my husband and I who had been waiting there much longer and then proceeding to talk the whole time because they'd apparently watched the show in the lounge for several nights in a row and didn't really care about seeing the fireworks).

It was really nice and I'd love to do it again for a special trip or when I'm rich , but at WDW club level is $150 - $200 more per night and that's just from standard view to standard view club level. It's even more if you want a room with a view as well. I'm just not going to eat that much money worth in snacks.

I agree that the strategy works, at least for us. We honeymooned at the Grand Floridian on the club level, and when we returned in 2006 we got bumped up to the club level at the AKL. We're hooked now and going to try the club level at the Wilderness Lodge.

I'm sure many people would say that it's not worth the extra price, but I really like being able to grab a quick breakfast and head out to the parks. It makes it more like being at home where you can just grab whatever you want and go.

I'm sure it's a very effective strategy. I've heard lots of people online who get a free upgrade to club level (and also those who book it for a special trip), who then don't want to stay in a regular room again. It even partially worked on my husband and I - before we got upgraded we thought the club level was just a ridiculous waste of money. Now even though we still think the price is quite steep, we have moments of "wouldn't it be nice if...".

I would have to say those who do not see the value in a view room probably have not had one with a good view. There are some truly magical spots you can only appreciate from certain vantage points.

I think the debate for the value of view rooms and club level is the same. Practically speaking, they are not worth more than a standard view room - all of the rooms have the same beds and amenities to give you a comfortable place to sleep. Even though the club level provides food, other than breakfast it's really not enough for a meal and you're spending far more than you would just buying regular meals. The value comes in the experience these things provide, which is why the value varies so widely from person to person. While I can imagine that having a room where I can see the castle out of my window would be very nice, I simply don't spend that much time in the room at all, but especially not looking out the window. Plus, I think looking at the other buildings and plants is great. But to someone who spends a lot of time in their room, or enjoys relaxing on their balcony, etc., they're obviously going to place a higher value on this. For club level, the value lies in how much the person likes being pampered, how much they need or want the services of the concierge for reservations and plans, and how much they like having food and drinks readily available.