Getting Ready for Another Awesome August Adventure! PTR - Page 8 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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! I'm really hoping we can get either Beach Club or the Boardwalk Inn for our October trip next year, so we'll be close to Epcot for the F&WF. Did you have one of the newly renovated rooms?
It really looked like a great trip! I'm so glad the rain didn't hang around too long.
So I want to know what specifically changed your mind about the Poly being your favorite. I can absolutely understand why you love the BWI so much though! I think that is now my first choice of deluxe resorts. I really want to stay there! I'm more of an Epcot girl so I think that's why I'm drawn to it.
But I'm so glad you had a great trip overall! Hope the kids are having a wonderful first day of school!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by disny_luvr
What happened that you had to get a new room at the Poly? What is it that you like so much about BWI?
Well, we checked in and were told that they didn't have any rooms available in the longhouse we requested, which is to be expected and was totally fine. So, I asked if we could have a third floor room in any building. The CM said there weren't any available and she had a second floor room available for us right now in Niue. This was about 10:45 in the morning. I said that we were willing to wait until later for a third floor in any building. Nope, nothing available. I found that hard to believe.
So off we went to our second floor Niue room. We go in and walk over and open the slider to find a smoking section right in front of the room, as well as the floor soaked by the sliding door. So back to the lobby we go. I was nice about it. I just said that we couldn't be there with all the cigarette smoke. I had a different CM this time. He called housekeeping or the room assigner, I'm not sure. And what do you know - there would be third floor rooms opening up later. He said we would be on the back side of Aotearoa - monorail view. I said that was fine and we left for AK.
We ended up on the far end of Aotearoa. It was fine. Just a bit removed and really nothing to watch, except the monorail!
The Poly pool is just okay now. I'm not sure what they did to the volcano, but it just looks weird now. Lots of people were commenting on it. And I hate the way the chairs are stacked. It's just not the same intimate, relaxed feel it once was. There was no Hawaiian music playing a the pool anymore either. The CM's just let anyone in the gates, even if their bands aren't working to open it. And I realize most of the people are probably staying there, because sometimes ours wouldn't work. But you know others are sneaking in. We stood to watch Wishes on the beach, while we watched a family take up a bunch of chairs and discuss what would be the best way to get back to their resort afterwards. So they obviously weren't staying there.
So, sadly we just didn't love it like we used to. It's still a great resort and very beautiful. The CM's and housekeeping were great. Kona and Ohana were great. Captain Cook's is a bit confusing and takes a long time, and always very busy.
The BWI water view rooms just can't be beat!! There's just so much to do and see all right there at the BWI. The pool is great, it's never crowded, and the slide is the best. I know some people have a problem with the clown slide, but we love it! The kids love all the CS/Snack food options right there - the To Go Kart (lots of yummy fried foods), the Bakery, Seashore Sweets, Pizza Window, etc. Plus everything at the BC, YC, Swan, Dolphin, and Epcot right there! We just love the overall feel and atmosphere there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
! I'm really hoping we can get either Beach Club or the Boardwalk Inn for our October trip next year, so we'll be close to Epcot for the F&WF. Did you have one of the newly renovated rooms?
It's a totally different feel at an Epcot resort. It's very nice! The BC just had their rooms renovated. I haven't seen them yet. We had a water view room at the BWI and they are the best!
__________________
Shelly
Disney Destinations Specialist
Magical Vacations Travel
Last edited by Momof2Disneyboys; 09-09-2015 at 10:45 AM..
Well, we checked in and were told that they didn't have any rooms available in the longhouse we requested, which is to be expected and was totally fine. So, I asked if we could have a third floor room in any building. The CM said there weren't any available and she had a second floor room available for us right now in Niue. This was about 10:45 in the morning. I said that we were willing to wait until later for a third floor in any building. Nope, nothing available. I found that hard to believe.
So off we went to our second floor Niue room. We go in and walk over and open the slider to find a smoking section right in front of the room, as well as the floor soaked by the sliding door. So back to the lobby we go. I was nice about it. I just said that we couldn't be there with all the cigarette smoke. I had a different CM this time. He called housekeeping or the room assigner, I'm not sure. And what do you know - there would be third floor rooms opening up later. He said we would be on the back side of Aotearoa - monorail view. I said that was fine and we left for AK.
We ended up on the far end of Aotearoa. It was fine. Just a bit removed and really nothing to watch, except the monorail!
The Poly pool is just okay now. I'm not sure what they did to the volcano, but it just looks weird now. Lots of people were commenting on it. And I hate the way the chairs are stacked. It's just not the same intimate, relaxed feel it once was. There was no Hawaiian music playing a the pool anymore either. The CM's just let anyone in the gates, even if their bands aren't working to open it. And I realize most of the people are probably staying there, because sometimes ours wouldn't work. But you know others are sneaking in. We stood to watch Wishes on the beach, while we watched a family take up a bunch of chairs and discuss what would be the best way to get back to their resort afterwards. So they obviously weren't staying there.
So, sadly we just didn't love it like we used to. It's still a great resort and very beautiful. The CM's and housekeeping were great. Kona and Ohana were great. Captain Cook's is a bit confusing and takes a long time, and always very busy.
The BWI water view rooms just can't be beat!! There's just so much to do and see all right there at the BWI. The pool is great, it's never crowded, and the slide is the best. I know some people have a problem with the clown slide, but we love it! The kids love all the CS/Snack food options right there - the To Go Kart (lots of yummy fried foods), the Bakery, Seashore Sweets, Pizza Window, etc. Plus everything at the BC, YC, Swan, Dolphin, and Epcot right there! We just love the overall feel and atmosphere there.
It's a totally different feel at an Epcot resort. It's very nice! The BC just had their rooms renovated. I haven't seen them yet. We had a water view room at the BWI and they are the best!
I agree about the Poly pool; the rock formation is rather odd looking. My problem with the pool is that there is no dang shade and it does get packed. Our bands never opened the gates our whole trip and CMs would come over and open the gate for us; they never asked if we were staying there so we totally could've been pool hopping. Something really does need to be done about that. I don't know why they can't pay a CM to check peoples' bands like at the BC/YC. My boys loved the new kid water area though.
I've recently read a lot of hit or miss reviews about the Poly. There seems to be a lot of inconsistency with peoples' stays there. Based on our last trip, my boys would pick to stay at the BC over the Poly.
There is something magical about the Epcot resort area. We'll have to give BWI a try sometime.
I agree about the Poly pool; the rock formation is rather odd looking. My problem with the pool is that there is no dang shade and it does get packed. Our bands never opened the gates our whole trip and CMs would come over and open the gate for us; they never asked if we were staying there so we totally could've been pool hopping. Something really does need to be done about that. I don't know why they can't pay a CM to check peoples' bands like at the BC/YC. My boys loved the new kid water area though.
I've recently read a lot of hit or miss reviews about the Poly. There seems to be a lot of inconsistency with peoples' stays there. Based on our last trip, my boys would pick to stay at the BC over the Poly.
There is something magical about the Epcot resort area. We'll have to give BWI a try sometime.
Yep, those are my thoughts exactly.
__________________
Shelly
Disney Destinations Specialist
Magical Vacations Travel
Shelly, you have a new ticker - to Disneyland!!! That is soooooo exciting! You really need to do a PTR and TR for that one. We'd like to go out West and stop at DL in a few years so I'll be picking your brain! You have a lot of firsts coming up. You are probably soon ready to check-in for your cruise and book your excursions. I just booked all of ours on August 30th and we sail on November 28th.
Shelly, you have a new ticker - to Disneyland!!! That is soooooo exciting! You really need to do a PTR and TR for that one. We'd like to go out West and stop at DL in a few years so I'll be picking your brain! You have a lot of firsts coming up. You are probably soon ready to check-in for your cruise and book your excursions. I just booked all of ours on August 30th and we sail on November 28th.
Yes!! I am VERY excited about us finally taking our first DL trip! We have been talking about it for years!
One week until check in and cruise excursions! Still not sure what we are doing as far as excursions!! What excursions did you book?
__________________
Shelly
Disney Destinations Specialist
Magical Vacations Travel
Yes!! I am VERY excited about us finally taking our first DL trip! We have been talking about it for years!
One week until check in and cruise excursions! Still not sure what we are doing as far as excursions!! What excursions did you book?
In Cozumel I booked a dolphin swim at Chankanaab and in Grand Cayman I booked a day at Seven Mile Beach. I booked both through Disney but now I'm thinking about canceling them and doing them on our own to save money. We'll see. I didn't book anything for Castaway Cay but last time I booked the package that included bike rentals, tube rentals and something else. We might just hang out on the beach; we are huge beach people.
Where are you staying at Disneyland? I sometimes venture to Disneyland sites and look at the hotels. At least there are only a few to choose from; it should make picking one easier.
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In Cozumel I booked a dolphin swim at Chankanaab and in Grand Cayman I booked a day at Seven Mile Beach. I booked both through Disney but now I'm thinking about canceling them and doing them on our own to save money. We'll see. I didn't book anything for Castaway Cay but last time I booked the package that included bike rentals, tube rentals and something else. We might just hang out on the beach; we are huge beach people.
Where are you staying at Disneyland? I sometimes venture to Disneyland sites and look at the hotels. At least there are only a few to choose from; it should make picking one easier.
That sounds like fun! I haven't really looked into the Caribbean excursions too much.
We are booked at the Disneyland Hotel. Yep, with only 3 choices it's not too hard!
Quote:
Originally Posted by disny_luvr
Where is your cruise sailing to?
The Bahamas. We will stop in Nassau and Castaway Cay. I'm not sure what to do for excursions. And my day is tomorrow!! I just have a hard time spending $300 for an excursion, on top of the cruise price. We may just do one of the less expensive boat tours at Nassau and then spend the day on the beach at Castaway Cay.
__________________
Shelly
Disney Destinations Specialist
Magical Vacations Travel
Sorry there's no TR yet. I'd like to say I'll get to it soon, but I just don't know if that will happen. This week is going to be a really busy week for my travel agency, plus DS has 3 soccer games. Crazy!!
Maybe I'll get it started in October!
__________________
Shelly
Disney Destinations Specialist
Magical Vacations Travel
Whenever you start your TR I'll be here ready to read it. Did you book any excursions?
You might be the only one!!!
I booked the Discover Atlantic excursion for Nassau. We wanted a dry excursion for that day. I didn't book anything for Castaway Cay. We will just spend the day on the beach and checking out everything there is there!
__________________
Shelly
Disney Destinations Specialist
Magical Vacations Travel
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! I'm really hoping we can get either Beach Club or the Boardwalk Inn for our October trip next year, so we'll be close to Epcot for the F&WF. Did you have one of the newly renovated rooms? 
There's just so much to do and see all right there at the BWI. The pool is great, it's never crowded, and the slide is the best. I know some people have a problem with the clown slide, but we love it! The kids love all the CS/Snack food options right there - the To Go Kart (lots of yummy fried foods), the Bakery, Seashore Sweets, Pizza Window, etc. Plus everything at the BC, YC, Swan, Dolphin, and Epcot right there! We just love the overall feel and atmosphere there. 
We have been talking about it for years!
What excursions did you book?
We may just do one of the less expensive boat tours at Nassau and then spend the day on the beach at Castaway Cay.
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