Help me make a decision on resort for this weekend!!!

[3dog2kidmom]

I'm glad you already decided, Pamela, because I was not going to be able to talk you out of the Poly. I have to admit that I'm a bit spoiled since most of the traveling I do is for work and they always put us up at really nice hotels. And I fell in LOVE with the Poly when we stayed there for the land part of our land/sea vacation last January. In fact I originally booked our next January trip at WL, but it just didn't feel right at all so I crunched the numbers, cut a night off, and moved our ressie to the Polynesian.

That said, I think OKW looks really nice and when (not if) we buy into DVC someday I think we would mostly like to stay there... with an occasional night at the Poly because I love it so. What is it about that place that draws us so, I wonder........

[pbhall13]

For me the draw is a memory from my early teens (1983). It was our first family trip to Disney and we were staying off site. After leaving the Magic Kingdom my parents and aunt and uncle wanted to ride the monorail over to the Polynesian for a quick drink.........I remember entering the lobby and there was a bar area when you first entered. We all sat around, my sister and I with our Shirley Temples, and just soaked in the atmosphere. I remember thinking to myself "Someday when I am rich I am going to bring my family to stay at the Poly!!". It just made such an impression on a 13 year old (and then a few months later I traveled to Hawaii with my parents and fell in love with the whole polynesian theme/culture).

Flash forward to 2006. I booked 2 nights at the Poly and we were upgraded (complimentary) to concierge.....it was a magical first stay at the Poly (I have stayed at WL, Contemporary, OKW, Boardwalk, All stars, POR, Tree top Villas, Beach Club, Pop Century and nothing, I mean nothing compares to the Polynesian for me!!!) I am a sucker for memories...........my girls absolutely love it there now as well.

I figure our next trip I will save up for a full week vacation there to really get the feel!!

[3dog2kidmom]

For me the draw is a memory from my early teens (1983). It was our first family trip to Disney and we were staying off site. After leaving the Magic Kingdom my parents and aunt and uncle wanted to ride the monorail over to the Polynesian for a quick drink.........I remember entering the lobby and there was a bar area when you first entered. We all sat around, my sister and I with our Shirley Temples, and just soaked in the atmosphere. I remember thinking to myself "Someday when I am rich I am going to bring my family to stay at the Poly!!". It just made such an impression on a 13 year old (and then a few months later I traveled to Hawaii with my parents and fell in love with the whole polynesian theme/culture).

Flash forward to 2006. I booked 2 nights at the Poly and we were upgraded (complimentary) to concierge.....it was a magical first stay at the Poly (I have stayed at WL, Contemporary, OKW, Boardwalk, All stars, POR, Tree top Villas, Beach Club, Pop Century and nothing, I mean nothing compares to the Polynesian for me!!!) I am a sucker for memories...........my girls absolutely love it there now as well.

I figure our next trip I will save up for a full week vacation there to really get the feel!!

What a great memory. My kids love it as well. I was actually in Maui (for work -- at one of those really nice hotels) in August, sitting there watching the ocean, and being reminded of the Polynesian. It was right then and there that I called my travel agent and asked her to switch our reservations.

I hope you get your full week there. I would love just to have a few days to explore the resort but we are never able to get very long trips in due to dogs and work schedules.

Have a wonderful, magical trip this weekend!

[linanglab]

Pamela - I thought it would cost me quite a bit more to rent points from a DVC member than staying at POR or even 2 rooms at a value. We have 5 people, so I thought that we would have to get a bit more of an expensive room. Any details would be great.

[wilsonfamily4]

I rented points last January. I got them for $10.00 a point and got 120 points. We stayed 7 nights and had a studio 4 nights and a 1 bedroom for the other 3. So for $1200.00, we stayed for a whole week at a DVC. Such great price. But it hooked us on DVC.

[pbhall13]

Angela..........

I just put in some dates for next summer to give you an idea.

July 6th to the 11th (Sunday to Friday) Total of 110 points and if you pay $10 a point that would be $1110. for a 1 bedroom at Old Key West. Check out the disney site to get info on the rooms there or the DIS. Master bedroom has 1 King Bed. there is a full kitchen with table (not that you want to cook, but great for breakfast...we usually bring oatmeal or do bagels/cereal). The concept is open with a living room that has a queen sleeper sofa and another sofa (does not pull out). Bathroom is split...you have access from master and living area. One side has jacuzzi tub sink and the other with a connecting door has shower. There is also a washer and dryer which is great. When you book DVC thru points you only get limited cleaning service, but this never bothers me. there is so much room in the one bedroom that you don't feel like you have stuff all over the room. You also have access to a balcony. The master and the living room both have a tv.

I find that it is cheapest to stay Sunday and check out on Friday when renting points....and if we want to arrive before Sunday (which we always do) I just book the cheapest room that I can find on property (weekend prices for DVC double so it ends up being less expensive to stay at an all star or POR)

Hope this helps a bit..........again any other questions give a holler.

I also buy my park tickets on my own and not thru disney....we have water delivered from staples (nice savings with that) and make our breakfast in room (nothing fancy just quick to get us started for the day....they do have a coffee maker if that is what you need to start your day)

We love it and find that we have more than enough room. and the savings is better than staying moderate.......and did I already mention the EXTRA room that you have............I know you have 2 growing boys and a princess that would love the extra space.......even if you are only sleeping there.

Take Care, Pamela

[linanglab]

Thanks Pamela for the info. I will have to do some research. I think it would be great for the space.

Now....if only I could win the DVC price from YOAMD!!!!! Then it wouldn't even be an issue!!!

[ligrumpygirl]

The problem with a 1 bedroom is that it is LEGALLY for 4 people and Angela has 5. Can't "sneak" anybody in...no room key thus no EMH.

Not saying it hasn't been done....but of course I am not advocating anything

[linanglab]

The problem with a 1 bedroom is that it is LEGALLY for 4 people and Angela has 5. Can't "sneak" anybody in...no room key thus no EMH.

Not saying it hasn't been done....but of course I am not advocating anything

So, I am assuming that having 5 people would mean a bigger DVC room, which would be LOTS more than 2 rooms at a value????

[disney_girl]

Angela,

The 1 bdrm sleeps 4 and 2 bdrm sleeps up to 8. Using the same dates and $10/pt from above, the 2 bdrm would be $1500 for 5 nights (Sun-Fri). The weekends really do jump up! Options for weekends would be to book OKW with cash (prob $$$), stay at Value or book offsite (ack- can't believe I even said that lol).

During that time of year, the pt values at OKW for a 2 bdrm are:
Sun-Thu 30 pts/night
Fri- Sat 73 pts/ night
Weekly 296 pts

First week of June is a little cheaper
Sun-Thu 27 pts/ night
Fri-Sat 64 pts/ night
Weekly 263 pts

The point values do change slightly depending on which DVC resort you choose. The DIS board has pretty good info on DVC as well!

HTH

Carla