Dropping Polynesian Standard Room, 8/21-25

[Weather_Lady]

We've changed our resort plans, and I'll be canceling our Polynesian reservation (standard room, Sat., 8/21 - Wed., 8/25, 2021 -- sold-out dates, I believe) within the next day or so, as soon as I can link some separately-purchased tickets to my DME account.

I don't know how long it takes after a cancellation for a room to return to the online inventory or whether there's any reliable way to pick up a reservation once someone cancels it, but if by any chance someone would like to be notified (via private message) when I drop it, please comment below.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

I was going to ask you soon if you had made a final decision about moving offsite.
Not sure if you mentioned before where you had booked offsite but if you don't mind me asking? I'm just curious lol.

 

[Weather_Lady]

I was going to ask you soon if you had made a final decision about moving offsite.
Not sure if you mentioned before where you had booked offsite but if you don't mind me asking? I'm just curious lol.

Of course! We were originally going to do a townhouse in FantasyWorld resort in Kissimmee, but thanks to the astronomical price of rental cars, by the time we added in the car and parking fees, we were looking at paying nearly as much as for a Disney deluxe.

So instead, we'll be at the Dolphin, which is onsite location-wise so we don't have to rent a car, but "offsite" in the sense that it's not strictly Disney-owned-and-operated. We booked a premium 2-double studio suite (essentially a standard 2-double+ guest room with an adjoining family room space, separated by a partition wall, that has a second TV and dresser, foldout sofa, club chairs, a table for four, and a counter with cabinetry for the coffeemaker and accoutrements). At the AAA rate, and after all taxes and resort fees were added, it came out to just shy of $400/night, and of course, since I could now purchase tickets from an authorized reseller rather than from Disney (our Poly booking was part of a package, with the "2 days free" ticket promo), we saved an extra $200 on our tickets.

The only "disadvantage" as far as I can see is that we'll have to pay for an Uber to get to the airport at the end of our stay (no DME), but even after that we'll have saved over $500 by making the change, in return for additional square footage, walking distance to 2 of the 4 parks, a bigger pool complex, and a larger array of onsite dining options. I know we'll miss the level of theming we might find elsewhere, but I feel very content that this was the right choice for us for this trip. I do hope to stay at the Polynesian when we come back in 2-3 years (if we can afford it, and assuming it's "fully operational"). Hopefully you'll post a trip report with photos so I can enjoy the new Polynesian rooms vicariously.

 

[Weather_Lady]

FWIW, I just dropped the Poly reservation (11:10am, EST) if anyone is looking.

By the bye, I had no issues with linking my new tickets (from Boardwalk Ticketing this time - it was a little cheaper than UT) to DME. I canceled my Polynesian package immediately after, and all of our pre-existing park reservations (and of course, our dining) stayed intact.

Even though I'd read elsewhere that I wouldn't be able to link the Dolphin reservation to DME (as it was made through Marriot/Sheraton), I was able to do so, just using the confirmation number from Marriott.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Of course! We'll be at the Dolphin, which is onsite location-wise, but "offsite" in the sense that it's not strictly Disney-owned-and-operated. We booked a premium 2-double studio suite (essentially a standard 2-double+ guest room with an adjoining family room space, separated by a partition wall, that has a second TV and dresser, foldout sofa, club chairs, a table for four, and a counter with cabinetry for the coffeemaker and accoutrements). At the AAA rate, and after all taxes and resort fees were added, it came out to just shy of $400/night, and of course, since I could now purchase tickets from an authorized reseller rather than from Disney (our Poly booking was part of a package, with the "2 days free" ticket promo), we saved an extra $200 on our tickets.

The only "disadvantage" as far as I can see is that we'll have to pay for an Uber to get to the airport at the end of our stay (no DME), but even after that we'll have saved over $500 by making the change, in return for additional square footage, walking distance to 2 of the 4 parks, a bigger pool complex, and a larger array of onsite dining options. I know we'll miss the level of theming we might find elsewhere, but I feel very content that this was the right choice for us for this trip. I do hope to stay at the Polynesian when we come back in 2-3 years (if we can afford it, and assuming it's "fully operational"). Hopefully you'll post a trip report with photos so I can enjoy the new Polynesian rooms vicariously.

WOW sounds like a great deal!
We have considered Swan/Dolphin but DME was always a big factor in staying in a Disney owned resort.
So for our 2021 trips we'll stick with onsite but beyond that we may end up at Swan/Dolphin. We have AAA and my sister is also a teacher and I know they have some kind of teacher rate.
I wish Mears would give more details on the Mears Connect service because I've been wondering if they will serve onsite as well as offsite locations as I do trust the company to provide reliable service from and to the airport so even if I have to pay for the service I'd still use it.