We have stayed at both and I did a trip report. I took the parts of that report (July 2001) that have to do with both resorts and posted them below. Sorry it is long but you can see the two different experiences we had.
July 1, 2001
We arrive at the Yacht Club and are given our parking pass at the gate (different that the Polynesian). The resort was nice. We had paid for a standard view but we were upgraded to a view that was right at the end of the building where you look right down at the marina (room 4059). Other than the upgraded view they did not recognize it was our honeymoon even though it was on the reservations and we even mentioned it. I guess the Polynesian just spoils you when it comes to special occasions. The room was nice. It had a king bed that folded into the wall. The room was quite a bit smaller than the Polynesian and they try to cram way too much furniture into the rooms. They had chairs that blocked the dressers. You would have to move the coffee table and the chair in to the middle of the room to even get into the dresser. The sink next to the bed seemed unnecessary. They did offer all the snacks and drinks in the room (the Polynesian does not) but who would pay $6 for gummy bears? The bathrooms were small. They did have better water pressure than the Polynesian in the shower. The double sinks are on the same size counter as the single sinks in the Polynesian. They have a mirror over each sink but they are so far over you are leaning against the wall to see into it. They did have TV volume in the bathroom at the YC and that was nice. That way you can get your Zip a Dee Do Da tip for the day in the shower.
The only other thing I did not like about the YC was the way to our room was a maze. We got lost a few times and I am good with direction. We also could not get out of Stormalong bay. That was a great pool but I would not stay there for the pool. The night life was nice and the food was great (except for Cape May). We found we did not go far while we were staying at the YC. We would only go over to MGM and Epcot. When we are at the Polynesian we find that we go to Epcot and MK because it is so easy to get into from the Polynesian. I timed the difference between walking from the YC to get to EPCOT (not World Showcase because it is closed in the morning) and walking from the Polynesian to the TTC and taking the monorail to Epcot and from the Polynesian won by 6 minutes.
The Yacht Club is a beautiful resort but (Tara said this her self) we did not feel the magic till we got to the Polynesian and I am not just saying that. I was actually hoping I would come home and tell everyone we found another resort we love but I don’t think we will be back to the YC.
We than headed off to Pleasure Island for some nightlife. Did not wait very long for the bus at the YC to Downtown Disney. We did wait a while for the bus back and had to stop at the Swan than the Dolphin before the YC. I saw 3 Polynesian busses come while waiting for the YC bus.
The next day we headed to relax in Stormalong Bay. The pool was big but not as big as I expected. We rented two tubs to relax in the water on. Then we ordered some drinks from the guy walking around the pool. The pool was nice but a little crowded in spots. The slide was fun. We both noticed the water was a little too heated. It did not cool you off as much as you would like. I heard others making the same comment. They do check all the time for a stamp or a resort ID to get in. The beaches were nice but no one really used them. The halls in YC were absolutely freezing after getting wet in the pool.
Tara kept a journal and at the top of the July 4th page it said “the Honeymoon starts!!!” I felt the same way. The YC was beautiful and had a lot to offer but it just did not have the same feeling the Polynesian has. We got there and had about 6 Alohas before we got to the concierge building. They informed us at the valet that they were expecting us and our room (1505!!!) was ready. This was our room from last year during our engagement. It had one of the best views of the castle and the lagoon and was close to the concierge desk and lounge. It is a first floor (open patio) concierge lagoon view room (not connecting). After they loaded our bags on the golf cart and took us on a small tour of the Polynesian, showing us both pools, we were greeted by Marylin in the concierge lounge with a big hug and leis. We also met her daughter (Tara) who works in the concierge now.
We entered our room and WWWOOOOOOWWWWW!!!! there was a huge tropical flower arrangement (Bird of Paradise, Anthurium, Heliconias, etc.) in a big blue glass vase with a Mickey and Minnie and the Walt Disney World logo etched in it. There was also a big gift basket shaped like Mickey ears with a bottle of champagne, two glasses with Mickey ears and the castle, bath salts, bubbles, lotions, and oils, and a fancy white Mickey ear towel. One bed had the word ALOHA writen in rolled up towels and flowers from a lei all around it. The other bed had a big heart with an arrow through it with rolled up towels and leis with a white chocolate Mickey and Minnie in the middle with a card from the concierge that said “From the ‘ohana (hawaiian for family) of Disney’s Polynesian Resort, may we extend to you an “I ho’okahi kahi ke aloha” (hawaiian for be one with love!) Congratulations and best wishes for a lifetime of happiness!” There were also balloons in the corner of the room. We headed up stairs to the lounge fro some great food. The theme was Ohana night. After about 10 minutes we went back to the room and they had put out a big 14 x 30 poster that said “Mr. & Mrs. Seifert May both of you have many magical moments as you go through life happily ever after. Polynesian Resort” on our bed. Tara almost cried from joy. Later a knock at the door and someone delivered a chilled bottle of champagne and a plate with another white chocolate Mickey and Minnie and truffles with congratulations written with chocolate on the rim of the plate and Mickey candy confetti. All this and we still had the best seat for the best fireworks!!!! We went over to the MK to see your new Disney friend and order our brick replacement and they went back to the Polynesian for the fireworks. On the way there I offered my seat on the monorail to a woman who got on at the Contemporary with her kids and husband but she declined but was very thankful that I offered. I think she was surprised I offered also and said Tara had trained me well. The Great Ceremonial house was packed with people. We got the champagne ready and our chocolates along with some goodies from the lounge and sat on the patio, ready to watch the 4th fireworks. I was video taping the tons of people that were flooding the beach for the show and than someone called my name. It was Mary two floors above our room. She had read my postings in the DIS and knew who I was from that and my web page. Her and Kevin were on their anniversary trip.
There were so many kids activities going on the day we showed up. First they were all in the pool with the Polynesian staff playing games and they had one game where they throw the cream pie at the lifeguard. Then I went to the beach and video taped the sand castle building contest. After that they had a relay race on the beach. There were many kids of all ages and they looked like they were having so much fun. I firmly believe the Polynesian resort is a great resort for kids and adults.
The fireworks were wonderful. Even better than last year. They not only launched them from behind the castle and the islands of the Seven Seas Lagoon but they had them shooting off all around the lagoon. The Electric Water Pageant started it off by lighting up in front of the Polynesian beach and the music of the fireworks show came over the speakers on the beach of the Polynesian. It was at least a 10 minute show. When it finished the whole Electric Water Pageant did its show.
We started off the day as we usually do with a trip to the concierge lounge for some fruit, cereal, toasted bagles and cream cheese and some Kona coffee and orange juice. We also grabbed about 5 waters to take with us and put in the fridge in the room. We decided to try out Universal Studios this morning. All though it was fun, I don’t think we will take the time to go off property again. It was hot then rainy and the Jaws ride kept breaking. We came back checked out the pool. The slide was a blast!!! It was faster than I thought it would be. You go through a tunnel in the volcano and there are red and orange lights as you go through it. I think it is supposed to feel like a lava flow. The pool was fun and had a bubble jet sitting area at one end and the zero entry at the beach end. The bathroom was large and had lockers and a bench to change for adults and a baby changing station. The waterfall into the pool is fun to stand under. The hours of the pool must be seasonal because earlier pictures from Karen showed the pool closing at 10:00. It now says 12:00. The only problem with the pool that I see is no deep area. The deepest area was a little over 4 feet. There was plenty of lounge chairs and a kid wet play area over near the Hawaii building where the playground use to be.
After the pool we went to Tambu Lounge for drinks (Pina Colada and Lapu Lapu surved in a carved out pineapple. Lapu Lapu must mean knock you on your butt in hawaiian) before going into the Kona Café for dinner the dinner was great as usual and so was the desert.
Back in our room there was a birthday cake and hat, noise maker, candles, milk card from Mickey and balloons for my birthday from the Polynesian.
Steve
