Which Long House and Why?

[disneygirl76]

Hey All! :wave:

DH and I are doing some research and wanted to request a long house. At this time, we have chosen to do a garden view room. I would love to upgrade to a Theme Park view but can't justify the extra $1100. What long house do you recommend? And why?

I have the tikiman website which has loads of info but I am looking for personal reviews.

Thank you!

 

[Polydweller]

Thanks for the info! Does the Tahiti South side have balconies?

Yep. It's also one of the 4 newer buildings. Another plus for Tahiti is that the lavatories have two sinks which might make things easier if you have a larger family.

 

[captainkidd]

Thanks for the info! Does the Tahiti South side have balconies?

The 3 "newer" longhouses, Tokelau, Tahiti and Rapa Nui, all have balconies on the 2nd and 3rd floor.

We had a theme park view last year in Tahiti. While it was nice, we don't spend much time on the balcony, and I wouldn't pay the extra price again. Biggest plus for Tokelau over Tahiti for us was the distance from the bus stop. If it was ever raining (which in the summer it does every day), the walk to Tokelau was very quick. The walk to Tahiti, we got soaked. Although Tahiti is closest to the TTC, if it's raining, you're gonna get wet no matter what. Honestly, I can't think of one advantage to a Tahiti Garden View over Tokelau.

 

[captainkidd]

A flaw however was the mousekeeping. It took them three tries to clean our windows properly so they were finally without stains and remove the cobwebs from the balcony. Furniture was looking partially already quite used and had stains from coffee creamer. Absolutely unacceptable at that price level.
It is one of the two oldest WDW resorts and the AC was the loudest we ever experienced at a Disney resort although it was functioning properly.

In our stays at the Poly, we've experienced the same thing. Honestly, it's why we're venturing to the Boardwalk this summer, and in future, staying near Magic Kingdom, will probably stay at the GF. We love the Poly. In fact, we were married there. But as you said, the mousekeeping and condition of some of the rooms is not on par with the price range.

 

[obrienIII]

I would also go with Tokelau. As others have said it is centrally located to the TTC and the GCH. I always request a room at the northern end because you will have lagoon views at garden view prices. Also, you can walk out the doors to either a private beach with hammocks or straight out to the point to view fireworks. If you stay on the eastern side you will have views of the contempo or on the west side you will see the GF. I stayed on the first floor a few years ago and had great views of the castle a few steps off our patio. I also agree with others about visiting tikiman's page. Hope this helps and have a great time!

 

[Spike-in-Berlin]

In our stays at the Poly, we've experienced the same thing. Honestly, it's why we're venturing to the Boardwalk this summer, and in future, staying near Magic Kingdom, will probably stay at the GF. We love the Poly. In fact, we were married there. But as you said, the mousekeeping and condition of some of the rooms is not on par with the price range.

Thank you VERY MUCH. I already thought we are perhaps a little picky about this because nearly every one adores the Poly without the slightest criticism.
But although we love it too, we will stay probably again at the YC this summer, we stayed there for 6 days last fall and we were stunned by the beautiful, perfect tidy and very clean room we had. The best room ever at a Disney resort.
WL room ist nice too but a little too small for deluxe, Animal Kingdom room was a nightmare (lampsheds like in the Haunted Mansion), Poly was already mentioned and Yacht Club was, well, nothing less than perfect.
The most comfortable hotel bed in the US I EVER slept in and I stayed at the Sheraton Bal Harbor, the Don Cesar, the Fontainebleau etc.
They are all no match for the Yacht Club rooms.

 

[captainkidd]

Thank you VERY MUCH. I already thought we are perhaps a little picky about this because nearly every one adores the Poly without the slightest criticism.
But although we love it too, we will stay probably again at the YC this summer, we stayed there for 6 days last fall and we were stunned by the beautiful, perfect tidy and very clean room we had. The best room ever at a Disney resort.
WL room ist nice too but a little too small for deluxe, Animal Kingdom room was a nightmare (lampsheds like in the Haunted Mansion), Poly was already mentioned and Yacht Club was, well, nothing less than perfect.
The most comfortable hotel bed in the US I EVER slept in and I stayed at the Sheraton Bal Harbor, the Don Cesar, the Fontainebleau etc.
They are all no match for the Yacht Club rooms.

I had no problems with the YC rooms, but we stayed there 2 summer ago, and left after 4 nights. I was very unimpressed with the service and problems we had:

1.We paid for a water view room, and the only way to see the water from the room we were in would have been to extend a ladder 15 feet out from the balcony and climb across it. We asked to be switched to a room that we paid for, and they sent us all the way to the last room at the end of the hotel, with one of the smaller balconies.

2.We arrived via limo from Universal, and none of the valets helped us with our luggage.

3.I had shipped a box down full of diapers and other stuff for the kids. About 50 pounds. Not only would they not bring the box to our room, but they charged me $10 to pick it up at the Convention Center, and would not allow me to use a cart to lug it all the way across the hotel.

4.Fire alarm at 5:00AM. Had to evacuate building. No explanation or apology for it. That was enough for us. We asked to be moved to the Poly.

 

[disneygirl76]

Thank you SO much! I'm going to put in a first and second request, Tokelau and Tahiti.

To weigh in on the rooms. DH and I have stayed in WL, GF (several times), and YC. Also, mom and I stayed in Pop one night. Adding Poly this year.

So WL - very nice, but as stated, smaller for a Deluxe price and although cheaper then other Deluxes, not worth it since you are dependent on the buses which can be a major pain in the rear. YC - overall one of the nicest and best experiences since 2005 when DH and I started going yearly to WDW. Clean, prompt, tidy, big rooms, just wonderful! The only thing that happened, we would be in the room during turn down service. So each day, I turned it down. So DH was out and I was there getting ready for dinner and mousekeeper came to door. She said, just open, I have chocolate. So I opened the door, and she poured these chocolate coins in my hand and then looked at me and said, "for you, not too much!" I was like WHAT?! But it was funny!!! :lol:

As for GF, I have stayed there 4 times. All but one time was it amazing. It was the big trip in June 2009 with the broken nose lamp and broken furniture. they made it right by bumping it up to concierge level but still, I wish I had no gone through that. As for the Pop - i didn't like it. It was fine for one night - mom and i just needed a place to crash b/c we stayed too late and didn't want to drive home. There were these little bugs on the floor and it was noisy! Someone came and vacuumed but I still felt buggy.

I'm looking forward to adding Poly to the list and hopefully we will have a grand experience!!