Planning a trip for late January 2019. My first choice is AKL Jambo with a Savanna View. However, if it's outside my budget, second choice is the Polynesian. I notice that many of the Polynesian rooms do not have a balcony. Is it worth paying extra for a Pool, Marina or Lagoon view, if I don't have a balcony to enjoy it? I do like a balcony or patio to relax after a long day. Any thoughts or room/longhouse suggestions?
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Polynesian Room Question
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winstongator
Well-Known Member
From my memory, I stayed in Tokelau, in a DVC studio. I got what I thought was a decent price. Ground floor. Had the pull down bed. We had a patio, which was nice for my daughters to do cartwheels and back bends on the lawn. View was of another longhouse. We loved it there. Watched Wishes twice from the beach, enjoyed the pool, and my kids also liked the open area between the pool and the Great ceremonial house. Another plus is you can walk to TTC and monorail to Epcot.
Between Jan 21-Feb 13, AKL Jambo Savanna view ranges from $564-$580 per night (includes tax).
For the same date range, for Poly Pool/Marina/Lagoon view, rates range from $634-$755 per night (includes tax).
What I forgot to mention is that there are 5 of us. So, I would need a suite or villa at Animal Kingdom, thus the higher price. Looks like any of the rooms at Poly will fit 5.
PrincessNelly_NJ
Well-Known Member
You should look into renting DVC points, it will save you the most money for large accommodations.
Patsy Williams
Member
Animal Kingdom Lodge will probably be cheaper than Polynesian...but I think if you request a 1st or 3rd floor room you will be able to get one with a balcony. We stayed there this past April on first floor in Samoa. It was a pool/marina view room . We loved the location but it was right across from the volcano Pool and had a large balcony. I could be noisy though being right across from the pool. The rooms are large and do sleep 5 ... I think the Poly and the Contemporary have the largest rooms of all the resorts. It is a hard choice because both are awesome.. Have fun and enjoy!!!
Thank you--I appreciate the information!
HwdStudio
Well-Known Member
Another member mentioned renting DVC points. You would get a much more affordable rate. Possibly a deluxe studio for the price of a moderate preferred room. I don’t own at Poly but I do own at Grand Flo, Saratoga, Animal Kimgdom and Old key West. You should look into one of the rental agencies or try to find an owner. My points stayed rented as soon as they come available.
Thank you for the tip--will look into that.
correcaminos
Well-Known Member
If you do rent DVC points *all* DVC rooms at Polynesian have balconies or patios
They also have a 2nd shower.
Weather_Lady
Well-Known Member
Excellent point. By way of illustration, we rented DVC points for our stay at the Poly in May 2018 (through David's Vacation Rentals). We paid $408/night for a 465 SF DVC studio with a queen bed, foldout sofa, Murphy bed, kitchenette with fridge, small appliances, microwave and extra sink, 1 3/4 baths and a sizeable balcony, when standard view rooms at the Poly (415 SF with two queen beds, fridge/coffeemaker and a single, split bath) were starting at $630/night for the same dates. At the end of the day, we paid 35% less money for what was (in our estimation) a much bigger, better room.
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I love the idea of a second (partial) bath for the 5 of us. And that's a significant difference in cost. Thank you Weather_Lady and helenabear for the helpful information. Much appreciated!
ThatMouse
Well-Known Member
Poly probably has the most extraordinary standard views of all the resorts. Every direction is landscaped. In my 3 last visits, I've gotten views of the pools and lake + beach + grand floridian (Fiji). All standard view rooms. Two were ground floor with a patio which was fine, and easy to go in and out of the room. I haven't yet gotten a non-balcony which would actually be a bummer being spoiled so much.
When you check-in, the front desk has a lot of info about the room not available to the public, like photos of the views. If it's not busy, you might have some choices, but be clear about what you're asking for. Don't just ask for an upgrade or a "better" room. The CM's are more concerned about getting you in a room, and not messing things up with their extremely slow and buggy check-in system.
Also, I think any room over $300 is way more than what you need to spend.
When you check-in, the front desk has a lot of info about the room not available to the public, like photos of the views. If it's not busy, you might have some choices, but be clear about what you're asking for. Don't just ask for an upgrade or a "better" room. The CM's are more concerned about getting you in a room, and not messing things up with their extremely slow and buggy check-in system.
Also, I think any room over $300 is way more than what you need to spend.
Dianak28
New Member
Hi! Pool views and marina views are the same as garden views no extra charge! The extra comes when you ask for lagoon or theme park view. I think all views at the Poly and beautiful (except for parking lot I always bother them to not take one of those). If you request a third floor room these all have balconies. My requests have pretty much always been satisfied when I call a month or so ahead to leave the request on my reservation. I sometimes call twice because I have had a CM tell me they wrote down my request and found out on the second call that there was no request written the first time. I also ask at check in to make sure. OH and if you decide to go with a Poly DVC Studio (which I suggest), the second and third floor both have balconies.
As for Poly vs Animal Kingdom... I'm a lifelong Polynesian fan and always think its the best option for a stay. Animal Kingdom is beautiful but the location is where I find problem with it. Close to AK which is great, but nothing else. Poly has easy non-bus transport to MK and Epcot.
Also my favorite longhouse for DVC is Tokelau because of the central location - about equidistant from the Great Ceremonial House and the Ticket and Transportation Center for Epcot. As for non DVC I like Fiji and Samoa because neither have any parking lot views!
), the second and third floor both have balconies.As for Poly vs Animal Kingdom... I'm a lifelong Polynesian fan and always think its the best option for a stay. Animal Kingdom is beautiful but the location is where I find problem with it. Close to AK which is great, but nothing else. Poly has easy non-bus transport to MK and Epcot.
Also my favorite longhouse for DVC is Tokelau because of the central location - about equidistant from the Great Ceremonial House and the Ticket and Transportation Center for Epcot. As for non DVC I like Fiji and Samoa because neither have any parking lot views!
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Thank you for the information--this answers my question. When I was a kid, Poly was where the "rich people" stayed. I'm 49 and certainly not rich, but hope to make it happen!Hi! Pool views and marina views are the same as garden views no extra charge! The extra comes when you ask for lagoon or theme park view. I think all views at the Poly and beautiful (except for parking lot I always bother them to not take one of those). If you request a third floor room these all have balconies. My requests have pretty much always been satisfied when I call a month or so ahead to leave the request on my reservation. I sometimes call twice because I have had a CM tell me they wrote down my request and found out on the second call that there was no request written the first time. I also ask at check in to make sure. OH and if you decide to go with a Poly DVC Studio (which I suggest
As for Poly vs Animal Kingdom... I'm a lifelong Polynesian fan and always think its the best option for a stay. Animal Kingdom is beautiful but the location is where I find problem with it. Close to AK which is great, but nothing else. Poly has easy non-bus transport to MK and Epcot.
Also my favorite longhouse for DVC is Tokelau because of the central location - about equidistant from the Great Ceremonial House and the Ticket and Transportation Center for Epcot. As for non DVC I like Fiji and Samoa because neither have any parking lot views!
Tuvalu
Premium Member
Dianak28
New Member
WOW! Oh my goodness. I have not stayed in non-DVC in quite a few years. Thanks for the info! DVC always seems to be cheaper anyways I think I'll stay with that for a while!