swirvenirvin
Footballguy
How about the Polynesian in general. I know its not worth the price but nothing probably is at Disney. Seems cool though
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Disney Vacation (4 Viewers)
- Thread starter DOVCommish
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AcerFC
Footballguy
Bruce Dickinson
Footballguy
My wife's favorite Disney hotel. It is really cool. Nice pools, great beach, super easy to get to and from MK via monorail or boat. Ohana is a favorite of the thread. Kona Cafe is a really good, too. Heck, the QSR is great for taking plates to the beach or back to the room. I have a gripe with how the bathrooms in the guest rooms are laid out, but that's a quibble.
If you're worried about price - and yes, the Poly is VERY expensive - consider splitting the stay between Poly on your MK days and somewhere less expensive for the satellite parks. It's a bit of a hassle packing up mid-trip, but most of the resorts ship your bags from resort-to-resort for you, so you can pack up and check out, hit the parks, then when you check in to your new place your bags will be waiting for you.
swirvenirvin
Footballguy
swirvenirvin
Footballguy
yeah the more im reading the more stuff seems to be closed off.. Especially for the kids..
swirvenirvin
Footballguy
So the BIL lives close by. Is it possible for him to book and check in for us if we are all listed in the room.
He offered it to us, not sure how much savings there is from Florida resident but I read it at 35% at Poly at 5 nights that would be about $1k in savings
ETA it looks like these come out randomly and are not offered in November right now
He offered it to us, not sure how much savings there is from Florida resident but I read it at 35% at Poly at 5 nights that would be about $1k in savings
ETA it looks like these come out randomly and are not offered in November right now
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Reaper
Footballguy
swirvenirvin
Footballguy
didnt think about magic band thing will have too look into that I guess.
he would actually be checking in and might even stay a night, but wouldnt stay the entire time and go to the parks
AAABatteries
Footballguy
How many are in your room? If you can add him without going over the room limit just do it and have him check in with you and pay - you pay him. I can't imagine they wouldn't allow that - he could always leave for family reasons to go back home.
swirvenirvin
Footballguy
Quez
Footballguy
Yes. Just log in on the my Disney experience app. You can add, buy, link tickets, etc.
swirvenirvin
Footballguy
So will have an almost 5 yr old and 6 yr old in November. Trying to decide between a 2 or 3 day pass.
What's the ranking of the parks for kids our age.
Figure Magic Kingdom is a must, then not sure about the other 3
What's the ranking of the parks for kids our age.
Figure Magic Kingdom is a must, then not sure about the other 3
AcerFC
Footballguy
For those ages I would say MK, Epcot, AK, HS
Unless they are die hard Star Wars fans. Then switch AK and HS. Toy Story is an awesome awesome ride, but with so much construction at HS, not sure it can rank above any right now
Maybe do a 2 day park hopper and hit two parks in a day
glvsav37
Footballguy
IMO, MK is a 2 day (1 and 1/2 at least) day park. So much there between rides, shows, parades, fireworks. But it is also generally the busiest, so trying to get a good chunk of stuff done there in 1 day is daunting.
For the others: my #2 for kids (and I know this is prob not general consensus) is Animal Kingdom. Ride for ride, it doesn't stack up to some of the other parks, but there is soo much to do there if you do it slowly. People too often fly through there and don't get the whole experience, or miss money things b/c of the park layout.
In addion to the rides, there are a lot of 'long' attractions, meaning things that you can sit and enjoy for more than a 1:30 ride. 2 shows there, Legend of the Lion King and Nemo are both decent in length—but can hold kids attention. Flights of wonder is fun show with jokes for kids, but adults will catch the higher level jokes.
You can spend an hour or more at Rafiki's Planet Watch
And the hidden gem for kids IMO is the Wilderness Explorer Club. Its a free activity where kids get a field journal and have to visit the WE locations throughout the park. There they will learn facts and info about Dinos, foreign languages, insects, and a whole bunch more. At each station they collect sticker badges for the book. My kids were determined to fill theirs.
Epcot and Studios is a 3/4 toss up for me. Unless you kids have avery strong need to see star wars stuff, IMO Studios is pretty much a 1/2 day park right now. And Epcot is fun, but kids that young may not get the full value of it.
For the others: my #2 for kids (and I know this is prob not general consensus) is Animal Kingdom. Ride for ride, it doesn't stack up to some of the other parks, but there is soo much to do there if you do it slowly. People too often fly through there and don't get the whole experience, or miss money things b/c of the park layout.
In addion to the rides, there are a lot of 'long' attractions, meaning things that you can sit and enjoy for more than a 1:30 ride. 2 shows there, Legend of the Lion King and Nemo are both decent in length—but can hold kids attention. Flights of wonder is fun show with jokes for kids, but adults will catch the higher level jokes.
You can spend an hour or more at Rafiki's Planet Watch
And the hidden gem for kids IMO is the Wilderness Explorer Club. Its a free activity where kids get a field journal and have to visit the WE locations throughout the park. There they will learn facts and info about Dinos, foreign languages, insects, and a whole bunch more. At each station they collect sticker badges for the book. My kids were determined to fill theirs.
Epcot and Studios is a 3/4 toss up for me. Unless you kids have avery strong need to see star wars stuff, IMO Studios is pretty much a 1/2 day park right now. And Epcot is fun, but kids that young may not get the full value of it.
AcerFC
Footballguy
I agree with glv that AK is really fun. I love it. However, the new Frozen ride will be open at Epcot. Combine that with the Finding Nemo ride, the Pixar 3d movie, the golf ball and Figment and I think its the perfect zone for your kids.
But I can easily see AK and Epcot switching. My wife doesnt love AK, I do
But I can easily see AK and Epcot switching. My wife doesnt love AK, I do
jb1020
Footballguy
I agree, AK is a day park at least. We flew thru it the first time. Second time we had a lot more fun. I Didn't know about the explorers club.
Tomorrow we hit our 7 month window to try and book BLT with our DVC points.
Looks like we can split the trip up, Dec 11-12 at the Poly (32 points) then move into BLT Dec 13th-19th (126) points. 8 nights seems like a legit trip. When are your dates @glvsav37?
Is changing from the Poly to BLT a complete pita, or is it pretty seamless?
Tomorrow we hit our 7 month window to try and book BLT with our DVC points.
Looks like we can split the trip up, Dec 11-12 at the Poly (32 points) then move into BLT Dec 13th-19th (126) points. 8 nights seems like a legit trip. When are your dates @glvsav37?
Is changing from the Poly to BLT a complete pita, or is it pretty seamless?
glvsav37
Footballguy
@jb1020 We will be staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge studio room from Aug 2-6 and then at BLT 1 bedroom suite from the 6th-14th. 13 days total.
It will be our first split stay, so I'm not sure of the actual PIA%, but I do know a few things:
1.They will take your bags and move them for free. They may not end up there for a few hours, but (esp being you are staying at BLT) I would plan to be at the MK on 'moving day'. This way you can break out of the park when your room is ready and be at the resort in 5 min.
2. You do physically need to check out of Polly and then check in to BLT.
3. PIA level high: if you are on the dining plan, you need to have used all of your credits from the Polly stay before moving over to BLT. For what ever GD reason, they will have you for 2 different dining plans (one for Polly and one for BLT) and not 1 consecutive length of trip plan. So if you planned on saving a dining credit to use on a 2 credit meal, but that meal was on your BLT stay, you would not be able to carry over the credit. That said, check with dining cat members, but on the day of check out, your credits are actually active till midnight of that day. Just a minor annoyance in this day and age.
My plan for the split, instead of each person packing their clothes in their own suitcase, we are going to share suitcases and only use 1 set per resort. This way, we will have AKL suitcases and BLT suitcase. While at AKL, we are not even opening the BLT ones. This way its less to re-pack. Granted ,bathroom stuff and such will have to be repacked, but my hope is that it will lessen the time we will spend working the night before.
I'll be sure to report back after we come home to give you the 411.
It will be our first split stay, so I'm not sure of the actual PIA%, but I do know a few things:
1.They will take your bags and move them for free. They may not end up there for a few hours, but (esp being you are staying at BLT) I would plan to be at the MK on 'moving day'. This way you can break out of the park when your room is ready and be at the resort in 5 min.
2. You do physically need to check out of Polly and then check in to BLT.
3. PIA level high: if you are on the dining plan, you need to have used all of your credits from the Polly stay before moving over to BLT. For what ever GD reason, they will have you for 2 different dining plans (one for Polly and one for BLT) and not 1 consecutive length of trip plan. So if you planned on saving a dining credit to use on a 2 credit meal, but that meal was on your BLT stay, you would not be able to carry over the credit. That said, check with dining cat members, but on the day of check out, your credits are actually active till midnight of that day. Just a minor annoyance in this day and age.
My plan for the split, instead of each person packing their clothes in their own suitcase, we are going to share suitcases and only use 1 set per resort. This way, we will have AKL suitcases and BLT suitcase. While at AKL, we are not even opening the BLT ones. This way its less to re-pack. Granted ,bathroom stuff and such will have to be repacked, but my hope is that it will lessen the time we will spend working the night before.
I'll be sure to report back after we come home to give you the 411.
jb1020
Footballguy
For some reason I tought you had a December trip planned too. Good idea on the bags...and the dining plan, Huh??? I figured that was taken care of regardless of where we stay.
Won't cramp us either way. Our crew is pretty much down for whatever. December seems like ages away!
Won't cramp us either way. Our crew is pretty much down for whatever. December seems like ages away!
Binky The Doormat
Footballguy
AcerFC
Footballguy
The ride right in the front of epcot. Where they take you through the history of the world
Just got back with 9 and 6 year olds. I think the six year old would rank them Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood. Test Track and Spaceship Earth were big hits at Epcot, but not much else. May depend on girl or boy, too, if they want to do princess things and/or see the live shows.
Binky The Doormat
Footballguy
glvsav37
Footballguy
the one where they "Flunked Flank?" and we all learned that "Its good to be the king" lol
—Spaceship Earth
glvsav37
Footballguy
no..summers only for a while. My wife is a teacher, so its the only time we can get away. I'm at 83 days and while it does seem like forever as well, I can make our FP's at the end of the month.
swirvenirvin
Footballguy
Yes, pretty much their favorite thing right now as the continuously watch all 7 now episodes for their night time show in 20 minute increments, legos, lightsabers,etc
swirvenirvin
Footballguy
Godsbrother
Footballguy
Another bonus of the Polynesian is it's proximity to the Ticket & Transportation Center so you have access to the EPCOT monorail loop.
Definitely. I would recommend walking between the Polynesian and the Epcot monorail (i.e. don't take the monorail from the Poly to the Transportation Center in order to switch monorails).
avoiding injuries
Footballguy
My 6yo would rank them (I would too):
mk, ak, hs, epcot
mk, ak, hs, epcot
swirvenirvin
Footballguy
im thinking we are gonna do 3 out of the 4 and have a chill day at poly on our 3rd day to break it up and do the breakfast thing and luau thing
swirvenirvin
Footballguy
so it looks like the poly standard room is now not available in early November and it was a few days ago. There are standard rooms available almost every week from now until the week I want in early November. I assume they are just playing games and not really sold out? Its a random week Nov 6th in November.
dumb
dumb
swirvenirvin
Footballguy
so it looks like we can get Saratoga springs villas for about half the cost of what I booked the poly for from one of the dvc sites.
anyone stay there before?
anyone stay there before?
jb1020
Footballguy
@glvsav37 we must be doing it wrong! We thought since our trip started on Dec 11th, we could call and book BLT yesterday...but technically we weren't 7 months out. Since we wanted to book BLT on Dec 13, we had to wait til May 13. No biggie right???? wrong....Saturday the 17th is no longer available. Going to have to wing it at the Poly for 7 nights. Slightly discouraging, but not the biggest deal.
Have you ever had success on the waiting list?
glvsav37
Footballguy
yea, booking is a PIA....its not a preceved 7 mos, but gotta figure in 30 vs 31 month days, leap years, lunar moon...etc. And yes, the BLT book, is considered a whole new booking to them, not an extension of the current reservation polly. Real PIA and fudges you sometimes, just like this.
you'll also find that (when you do a split stay) booking dining is the same issue. If you are staying in one place all week, you can book all your dining the day the window opens. On a split stay, you can only book dining from window open > check out. Then wait for the window to open on the 2nd resort check in for the rest of your trip.
Everything is considered 2 new resort reservations.
listen, 7 nights at the polly is a damn good consultation prize. You're in. thats all that matters. Go on the wait list and don't worry about it. As for WL success, IDK, never had to rely on it. We are on it now just for a different/cheaper room type, but if it does not come through, no biggie.
Important, on the waitlist....make sure they put you on an automatic expire 30 days from check in. Again, another stupid thing, the wait list is an automatic fill...meaning you won't get a phone call, your reservation will automatically change if your room opens up. However, DVC has a thing where if you modify or cancel your reservation 30 days from check-in your points go into a DVC purgatory and things get all fudged up. So if you are within 30 days, and then the computer moves your reservation, you run the risk of losing some points and the reservation getting screwed up.
Talk to the agent about it, they can give you the details in full, but no room is worth you getting there and finding your points #### the bed. So be sure and set your waitlist to expire 30 days before check in.
Enjoy the polly...its a great resort.
you'll also find that (when you do a split stay) booking dining is the same issue. If you are staying in one place all week, you can book all your dining the day the window opens. On a split stay, you can only book dining from window open > check out. Then wait for the window to open on the 2nd resort check in for the rest of your trip.
Everything is considered 2 new resort reservations.
listen, 7 nights at the polly is a damn good consultation prize. You're in. thats all that matters. Go on the wait list and don't worry about it. As for WL success, IDK, never had to rely on it. We are on it now just for a different/cheaper room type, but if it does not come through, no biggie.
Important, on the waitlist....make sure they put you on an automatic expire 30 days from check in. Again, another stupid thing, the wait list is an automatic fill...meaning you won't get a phone call, your reservation will automatically change if your room opens up. However, DVC has a thing where if you modify or cancel your reservation 30 days from check-in your points go into a DVC purgatory and things get all fudged up. So if you are within 30 days, and then the computer moves your reservation, you run the risk of losing some points and the reservation getting screwed up.
Talk to the agent about it, they can give you the details in full, but no room is worth you getting there and finding your points #### the bed. So be sure and set your waitlist to expire 30 days before check in.
Enjoy the polly...its a great resort.
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AcerFC
Footballguy
You don't have to.
But it does add to the experience. Many places on site will not have room for you if you don't plan ahead.
jb1020
Footballguy
Yeah, we're gonna just roll with 7 nights at the Poly. I can't complain, especially with all the other stuff going on in the FFA right now. Seems rediculous to even think about complaining about getting shut out at BLT.
Got any tips on booking a dinner at Cinderellas Royal table? thats the last one on our list we'd like to do. Ur longest Disney trip has been 5 nights, so staying 7 I feel like we can slow it down and enjoy the little things like the pool and restaurants.
Planning on a breakfast at the Poly one day, that's the Lilo and Stitch meal I think.
Any good places to eat off the actual resorts, like the boardwalk area?
Got any tips on booking a dinner at Cinderellas Royal table? thats the last one on our list we'd like to do. Ur longest Disney trip has been 5 nights, so staying 7 I feel like we can slow it down and enjoy the little things like the pool and restaurants.
Planning on a breakfast at the Poly one day, that's the Lilo and Stitch meal I think.
Any good places to eat off the actual resorts, like the boardwalk area?
AcerFC
Footballguy
yes, Lilo and Stitch breakfast is at the poly. My kids loved it
I have never had an issue with getting into the castle, even though its the most over rated experience. One time, we walked right up expecting to be shut down and they were like, follow us to your seats. So if nothing opens up in the reservations, try walking up that day
Cappy has recommended Cap May Cafe in the boardwalk area for all you can eat seafood. We actually changed our reservations from the Italian place in Epcot to Cape May based on his advice.
GreekFreak
Footballguy
We stayed there last year for a couple nights while we waited for our Bay Lake room to open up.
It's ok, pretty big place. They have boats that take you over to downtown disney.
For the amount of time you spend in the rooms or the resort, it really isn't a bad option.
swirvenirvin
Footballguy
From what I am reading though there are no buses that go from Saratoga to another. Without a car think it would be hard to get to anywhere besides the parks
glvsav37
Footballguy
Yea, its strange about the little nit picking and planning issues in this thread vs the actual gravity of the real world like whats going on with Shady.
But....its Disney and hey, the struggle is real!!
My best tip for booking any had to get ADR is to set that meal further back in your stay. Using the "check in +10 days" booking rational, if you are booking those hard to get ones more into the back of your stay, by nature you are not fighting as many people for that booking. its complicated but thats what all the experts say. No reason not to try fro an early trip meal if you want it, but your % goes up further into your trip—so be flexible on those.
Remember, that is a 2 credit meal if you are on the dining plan.
Good places to eat...they are all (ok, most) good places to eat. You just need to identify what types of meal experiences you want—Character meals? Sit down or fine dining? Breakfasts or dinners?
We like to do really big breakfasts with a few nice diners. So we opt for the Crystal Palaces, 1990 Park fare and Chef Mickeys for breakfast, then Ohana, Be Our Guest and Teppen Edo types for dinner. We use to do a lot of character meals, but as my kids get older we don't need them as much. For those with young kids, I say load up on those b/c you get to tell 2 birds with 1 stone....why spend time on line meeting charachers AND wait around at restaurants..just do both at the same time.
(at least for us) A lot will depend on where you plan on being that day. Spending time at one park, then traveling all the way across town for a meal at a distant resort isn't always the best use of time.
As @AcerFC said, Cape May is a good joint for a buffet.
Being at the polly, they have 2 great places—Ohana, breakfast is good, but dinner there is a favorite around here. And Kona Cafe (tonga toast, yummy). Right next door at the Grand Flo, is 1900 Park Fare which is one of our fav breakfasts. We are also doing dinner there this trip (fun b/c it has the wicked step sisters from cinderella).
Whispering Canyon at fort wilderness lodge is a fun family meal. Kids enjoy it b/c they do some fun stuff with the servers and have stick horse races around the restaurant.
Boardwalk has been changing their restaurants a lot and i'm not sure whats there now, except for the ESPN club. But FWIR, most are more finer dining.
I'm personally looking forward to Sanna at Animal Kingdom Lodge this trip.
Inside the parks, you have everything at Epcot...sky's the limit there. If you can get Be Our Guest for Diner at MK, its is a really great experience. I love dining at the studios (really one of the last few reasons to go there), Prime Time is fun as well as Sci-Fi Dine in. And besides Rain forest, I have not done much at AK.
Ramblin Wreck
Footballguy
How do you guys make it in the parks in July or August? It was hotter than hell in there today and it's just mid May.
glvsav37
Footballguy
early mornings and late nights. The rest is in the pool.
We eat anywhere and everywhere. Transportation system makes it pretty easy to go anywhere. Each resort restaurant has their own theme and atmosphere.
In the park quick stops, I guess you mean quick service?
MK: Casey Jr. on main st. Huge chili dogs. Pecos Bills is always a must do (b/c I use to work there). Columbia Harbor House (lots of room to eat, very rarely no tables avail). Stay away from Cosmic Rays, the way you need ot order will make you pull your hair out.
Epcot: Best place is Sunshine seasons in the Land Pavilion. Lots of variety and pretty big dining area. Electric umbrella is a good spot too. In world showcase, most countries have some form of a take out location, just depends on what type of food you crave.
Studios...all pretty basic and ####ty. I don't do Quick serve when i'm there. They do have some good snack locations like Staring Rolls that has great cupcakes.
AK: Yak and Yeti has a QS location right outside the sit down restaurant with many of the same dishes. Restaurantasaurus is basic burgers and stuff but a nice big location. I have not been to Harambe market in a while, but I hear they have some unique dishes. Stay away from Pizzafari.
Don't overlook Disney Springs wither...Earl of Sandwich is up there on the yum scale.
