Pre-Trip Yep, We're Poly going back to WDW PTR!

My poor wife Val is not the biggest fan of Walt Disney World. Our last trip was in 2011 - we stayed at the Beach Club Villas and had a great time, but she vowed that would be her last Disney trip. She likes a nice beach or island vacation; sit on the beach, wade in the ocean, read books, have drinks, and relax. It's not that I don't like that kind of vacation, but I just love going to the World and so do our kids.

Last year we had two "beach" trips ( one was for a friend's wedding ) so for this year the kids have been clamoring to go back to Disney. I love the fact that my two teenagers ( heck, Alex is now 19 ) love Disney. With the 30% off deal at deluxe resorts, the pressure really turned up.


Val really had no chance - she actually agreed to let us go on our own without her but we twisted her arm and in the end she broke her vow - we were going back!

After spending some time on the new site for WDW I just couldn't get the rooms I wanted and I couldn't see all the availability I needed to create some options. I then realized that I needed help, so I called my WDWMagic friend, @Disneyfalcon aka Tammy at Kingdom Konsultants. She quickly put together some options for the Beach Club, Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge for us.

We had stayed at the Beach Club in 2009 and 2011 and loved it. Val, however, decided she wanted something different " if I have to go back, I at least want to try a different resort". OK, I said, sounds reasonable. After helping her view all the resorts she picked the Polynesian.

So the next day I called Tammy and told her to scrap everything and let's look at the Poly. Let me just say, I drove Tammy crazy ( and will probably continue to do so ) and she was just great. I know how much of a Disney nut she is and now know she is a great TA to book a Disney trip with! Even though I'm pretty astute with my WDW knowlege, she was invaluable.

In the end we booked an 8 day trip at the Poly for myself and my two daughters with Val and my son joining us 3 days in after a water polo tournament. We arrive July 29th and depart August 5th - I am beyond thrilled! Here's a picture of the crew from our trip last year to Anna Marie Island...

 

[Billy6]

Good stuff Chris! We go annually but it's very hard to get the wife to go more than once a year! I feel your pain!

 

[mousefreak]

Sounds like an awesome trip! It will be here before you know it. I hope the Grand Floridian spa will make a Disney fan out of Mrs Fractal.
Can't wait to hear more of your plans and a full TR when you get home. I'm sure you'll take a couple of pictures.

 

[George]

WL is one of my dvc homes. Whispering Canyon is great. Make sure you ask for a "little coke" or whatever when you need a refill. Also, ask for ketchup regardless of whether you need it.

 

[Disneyfalcon]

I totally missed this! You didn't drive me crazy at all! I am happy to help! Especially since we will get another trip report out of it!

 

[HouCuseChickie]

Yay Chris!!! Soooooo glad to hear you're getting to return to WDW!!!!! Maybe the tropical vibe of the Poly will help sway Val...if not, the spa time surely can't hurt Either way, it sounds like anything that would give her some added relaxation at WDW would be a plus. Also total envy over your dining selections...several on my must try list that are still being put off until later...especially Jiko and Citricos. Can't wait to read your TR and see your pics when you get back!!! Also hoping for some good Sterg antics! Have an awesome trip!!!

 

[fractal]

Hooray! Enjoyed your previous reports and look fwd to this one! Beautiful family shot. I've never stayed at the Poly - interested to hear your reviews. We visit Ohana usually each trip and I would loooove to stay there!! Happy rest-of-planning!

Thank you! This is our first time at the Polynesian and I'm getting more excited about it.

Beautiful family photo! I always enjoy your reports so I will look forward to another one!

And Tammy is pretty awesome, isn't she?!

Tammy is great and thanks!

Chris! I totally thought of your family at a random moment last week while scrubbing something and letting my mind wander. I thought, "Hmmm...fractal-n-crew did the beach last summer...they're due to hit up The World soon..." So cool, y'all stayin' at the Poly. I love the landscape and atmosphere there. I think I love the thought of Val workin' the reverse-psychology game on you. If that's the case, I would love to be a charter member of her fan club! That would be so boss!

Tammy is the best TA eeeevah! I know perfectly well how to book all my Disney travel and sometimes I feel like a lazy butt for asking someone to do it for me. But then if I booked all my own I'd be giving DTC a cut that I could reroute to a fellow Disney nerd if she does it. I love to feel like I'm helping someone with the Mousey love get to their next adventure even in the smallest of ways. Plus, its fun to send her surprise thank-yous when we get home! Having Tammy in the loop rocks!

So, going out on a limb here, but I wonder if Val would let you send her with us WDWMagic girls on our group cruise in September??? We might have the perfect roomies for her and it'd introduce her to a whole new realm that could potentially pay off for the rest of you in a big way. Okay, yeah, I'm totally fishing for more gals to come have fun with us. It's shameless. I know. But, honestly, the way you describe Val's preferences for travel I can see the cruises being right up her alley while offering the rest of you all the fun & Disney vibe you love, too!

I'm in for this adventure! Of course! Can't wait!

BTW, gorgeous family pic! Beautiful bunch y'all got there. Good work, bud!

Hey Kelly! Yeah, I just couldn't stay away. If Val is pulling the 'ol reverse-psychology trick on me she' doing a good job of it. I'm so glad I reached out to Tammy to help with our plans.

Thanks for the cruise invite for Val, I threw it out to her and she really appreciates the offer. She' mulling to over but it will be a tough decision - she was trying to plan a trip to the islands with her Mom to just sit and "chill". I'll let you know soon.

Thanks!

Alright, another WDW trip for Fractal and company!! I love it!! Nice work on getting Val to go, too. You're due for a WDW trip expecially since you did TWO beachy vacations last year!!

The Poly is my dream resort! It was a little too expensive though for us this year but maybe next time!! Can't wait to see how you like it. Great dining choices, too. Have never been to Citrico's but we have tried Narcoossee's and that was pretty good.

Can't wait to read all about your adventures!!!

Thanks! We ARE due! That's exactly what I said! Lol! I was hoping to schedule a trip around a Disney Race but I take this.

I'll make sure to take a lot of note and pictures of the Polynesian. Looking forward to the meals as well!

 

[fractal]

Good stuff Chris! We go annually but it's very hard to get the wife to go more than once a year! I feel your pain!

Count your blessing my friend!

Sounds like an awesome trip! It will be here before you know it. I hope the Grand Floridian spa will make a Disney fan out of Mrs Fractal.
Can't wait to hear more of your plans and a full TR when you get home. I'm sure you'll take a couple of pictures.

108 days but who's counting! Yes, I hope the spa and some other tricks up my sleep can help Val "cross over" to the Disney side. I have a new camera and ready to go!

WL is one of my dvc homes. Whispering Canyon is great. Make sure you ask for a "little coke" or whatever when you need a refill. Also, ask for ketchup regardless of whether you need it.

We were "this close" to booking WL. I can't wait to see it. Thanks for the "tips" and feel free to pass along any more!

I totally missed this! You didn't drive me crazy at all! I am happy to help! Especially since we will get another trip report out of it!

Don't be modest! Thanks for your help!

Yay Chris!!! Soooooo glad to hear you're getting to return to WDW!!!!! Maybe the tropical vibe of the Poly will help sway Val...if not, the spa time surely can't hurt Either way, it sounds like anything that would give her some added relaxation at WDW would be a plus. Also total envy over your dining selections...several on my must try list that are still being put off until later...especially Jiko and Citricos. Can't wait to read your TR and see your pics when you get back!!! Also hoping for some good Sterg antics! Have an awesome trip!!!

Thanks and I'm trying my best! Yes, I thought it was a good mix of new restaurants and some favorites. Sterg is been in prime form lately so he's warming up for the trip.

 

[ShookieJones]

Yeah man! Looking forward to this report Chris.

I FINALLY got to stay at the Poly (my dream resort) for the first time a couple of years back.
It did NOT disappoint!

 

[TheMouseFan]

I'm in!! I'm so jealous, you got to go to Disneyland and now you are staying at the Poly! Both are things I really want to do. Can't wait to read your TR and see all your incredible pics!

 

[fractal]

Yeah man! Looking forward to this report Chris.

I FINALLY got to stay at the Poly (my dream resort) for the first time a couple of years back.
It did NOT disappoint!

Thanks Shookie! Great to hear about the Poly!

I'm in!! I'm so jealous, you got to go to Disneyland and now you are staying at the Poly! Both are things I really want to do. Can't wait to read your TR and see all your incredible pics!

Yes - I've been pretty fortunate. Thanks and I'm getting my new camera ready!

 

[farrellbarrel]

I love staying at the Poly! The monorails great, the views from MK, the beach, you will have so much fun!!

 

[Lynn1030]

Wahoo! Definitely looking forward to your report and photos!

 

[worldtraveler]

Fantastic news. I love your trip reports. Now to hear you are going to be experiencing my favorite resort on property, this is awesome. Looks like the planning is going well so far. Can't wait for the actual trip to get here.

 

[HollyBelle]

Has it really been two years already, Chris!? My how time flies. I'm thinking switching things up and staying at the Polynesian is a great decision. While I may be totally biased, there's just something about the place... an extra bit of magic, especially in the evenings with all the torches lit up. Looking forward to hearing all about it!

 

[mamamouse]

thats aewsome i can't wait to hear all about it

 

[JourneyGirl13]

Ooooh I absolutely LOVE the Poly!!!!!!! It's my favorite!! And the 50's Prime Time Café is one of my favorite restaurants!!!!!

Have a great and safe trip and I can't wait to read your TR when you get back!! Have a MAGICAL time!!!!

 

[ksr99]

Fun times ahead. The first time I was at the Poly I was 5 years old, 1984, and since that trip is always number one on my hotels list. I proposed to my girlfriend when we stayed there(tahiti building is where we happened to stay and it was perfect and then ast year I actually got married there as wel(on the beach and then spent our honeymoon there)l! Sooner or later I should probably post the pics of the Disney Wedding!
Citricos is a great place, it has a nice ambiance(it was actually the place we had eaten at before I took her on a horse drawn carriage ride and proposed) so I might be a little biased. We sat near a window, it was later in the evening so the place wasn't that busy and it just had a nice mood to it.
Jiko is another nice place, the steak is great and it had a nice wine list. The only issue(trying to find one) was that it was a bit noisy, we like a quiet atmosphere. But again nothing too terrible, we've been back several times.
Im thinking you should take the wife on tuesday night(just the two of you) to Victoria and Alberts. Its fantastic and its really well worth the price. For the service and the quality of the courses you treated to, its really a bargain. Plus it may convince her to go down a few more times!

One thing that is kinda of different about the poly is how the rooms are classic dark wood and it seems almost too dark, but at night the place really makes you feel like your somewhere else. Its kind of hard to explain. I just remember spending a few days at the grand floridian and then going to the poly and even for me I wasn't sure if it was a wise move. But then once the sun was down, tiki torches lit, it reminded me of why I love it. The wife and I have spent quite some time on the balcony just enjoying a bottle of wine and soaking in the ambiance.

Your also a brave man to go that time of year, hot as hell!

 

[kodastar]

My poor wife Val is not the biggest fan of Walt Disney World. Our last trip was in 2011 - we stayed at the Beach Club Villas and had a great time, but she vowed that would be her last Disney trip. She likes a nice beach or island vacation; sit on the beach, wade in the ocean, read books, have drinks, and relax. It's not that I don't like that kind of vacation, but I just love going to the World and so do our kids.

Last year we had two "beach" trips ( one was for a friend's wedding ) so for this year the kids have been clamoring to go back to Disney. I love the fact that my two teenagers ( heck, Alex is now 19 ) love Disney. With the 30% off deal at deluxe resorts, the pressure really turned up.


Val really had no chance - she actually agreed to let us go on our own without her but we twisted her arm and in the end she broke her vow - we were going back!

After spending some time on the new site for WDW I just couldn't get the rooms I wanted and I couldn't see all the availability I needed to create some options. I then realized that I needed help, so I called my WDWMagic friend, @Disneyfalcon aka Tammy at Kingdom Konsultants. She quickly put together some options for the Beach Club, Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge for us.

We had stayed at the Beach Club in 2009 and 2011 and loved it. Val, however, decided she wanted something different " if I have to go back, I at least want to try a different resort". OK, I said, sounds reasonable. After helping her view all the resorts she picked the Polynesian.

So the next day I called Tammy and told her to scrap everything and let's look at the Poly. Let me just say, I drove Tammy crazy ( and will probably continue to do so ) and she was just great. I know how much of a Disney nut she is and now know she is a great TA to book a Disney trip with! Even though I'm pretty astute with my WDW knowlege, she was invaluable.

In the end we booked an 8 day trip at the Poly for myself and my two daughters with Val and my son joining us 3 days in after a water polo tournament. We arrive July 29th and depart August 5th - I am beyond thrilled! Here's a picture of the crew from our trip last year to Anna Marie Island...

She will love the poly I stay there every time I go have checked out other places and nothing compares !!!

 

[fractal]

I love staying at the Poly! The monorails great, the views from MK, the beach, you will have so much fun!!

You guys are getting me even more excited!

Wahoo! Definitely looking forward to your report and photos!

Thanks!

Fantastic news. I love your trip reports. Now to hear you are going to be experiencing my favorite resort on property, this is awesome. Looks like the planning is going well so far. Can't wait for the actual trip to get here.

thank you! You and I both!

Has it really been two years already, Chris!? My how time flies. I'm thinking switching things up and staying at the Polynesian is a great decision. While I may be totally biased, there's just something about the place... an extra bit of magic, especially in the evenings with all the torches lit up. Looking forward to hearing all about it!

Yes Holly, two long years ( with a little Disneyland squeezed in between )! Now that you have an ( adorable ) little one time will fly even faster! Your TR/wedding report from the Poly made it a bit easier for me to say no to the Beach Club. Looks like a great resort!

thats aewsome i can't wait to hear all about it

Thanks mamamouse!

Ooooh I absolutely LOVE the Poly!!!!!!! It's my favorite!! And the 50's Prime Time Café is one of my favorite restaurants!!!!!

Have a great and safe trip and I can't wait to read your TR when you get back!! Have a MAGICAL time!!!!

Seriously, you all are not making this wait any easier! 50's PT is also Toni's favorite. Thanks so much!

Fun times ahead. The first time I was at the Poly I was 5 years old, 1984, and since that trip is always number one on my hotels list. I proposed to my girlfriend when we stayed there(tahiti building is where we happened to stay and it was perfect and then ast year I actually got married there as wel(on the beach and then spent our honeymoon there)l! Sooner or later I should probably post the pics of the Disney Wedding!
Citricos is a great place, it has a nice ambiance(it was actually the place we had eaten at before I took her on a horse drawn carriage ride and proposed) so I might be a little biased. We sat near a window, it was later in the evening so the place wasn't that busy and it just had a nice mood to it.
Jiko is another nice place, the steak is great and it had a nice wine list. The only issue(trying to find one) was that it was a bit noisy, we like a quiet atmosphere. But again nothing too terrible, we've been back several times.
Im thinking you should take the wife on tuesday night(just the two of you) to Victoria and Alberts. Its fantastic and its really well worth the price. For the service and the quality of the courses you treated to, its really a bargain. Plus it may convince her to go down a few more times!

One thing that is kinda of different about the poly is how the rooms are classic dark wood and it seems almost too dark, but at night the place really makes you feel like your somewhere else. Its kind of hard to explain. I just remember spending a few days at the grand floridian and then going to the poly and even for me I wasn't sure if it was a wise move. But then once the sun was down, tiki torches lit, it reminded me of why I love it. The wife and I have spent quite some time on the balcony just enjoying a bottle of wine and soaking in the ambiance.

Your also a brave man to go that time of year, hot as hell!

Wow! Thanks for sharing and you should post those pictures!

I appreciate all the tips and reviews. I was thinking of V&A and you may have pushed me closer. I do keep hearing how great it is hanging around the resort at night - can't wait!

July-August is really the only time we can go now with school and other activities. It was really hot on our last trip in August 2011 but we managed. We used mostly mornings and evenings for the parks. It is kinda neat running around MK at 2:00am in shorts, t-shirt and sandals.

 

[ksr99]

V&A is worth it. Before the tip I think our bill was around 400 bucks but that also included wine pairing. It was about a three hour event, and by no means do they rush you. They are also more than happy to refill any glasses of wine that seems to vanish and I remember getting seconds on a few courses because of how awesome they were. When I took the inlaws out to dinner at V&A they were happy to design the 9 courses around both the veg menu and the "normal" menu for the mother in law.

If you happen to get or request a building at the Poly that is closest to where they do the luau dinner, you'll be able to hear the music while relaxing on the balcony.