Wilderness Lodge vs Contemporary vs Polynesian

[GrandCanyon]

Trying to decide on a NYE hotel room for our family of four. Who has cleaner and better rooms? I've heard Wilderness Lodge has the best/cleanest rooms, but I'm concerned about not getting to MK on Jan 1 on the boat compared to the monorail. Thoughts on rooms and early morning travel?

 

[mickeynut1]

My choice would be the Poly. We've never stayed at the CR and while we love the WL, the Poly is our favorite. The WL has recently finished a room refurb, but even with that being done, the Poly is hard to beat (IMO) for location/convenience to MK, the beach for fireworks, and the beautiful grounds. Plus the Poly rooms are much larger than those at the WL and all rooms come with a daybed. With that said, I'm sure you'll have a great trip no matter which resort you choose. Good luck.

 

[pixarmom]

We've stayed at all three and Poly is my favorite. I think the rooms at all three are very clean - could not rate one over the other in terms of cleanliness. Overall, I'd recommend Poly - fun theming, large rooms, great dining options, wonderful pool, monorail to MK directly and Epcot directly from TTC. Just love it! But if you're looking for a more contemporary, "clean" look and don't want to rely on boat or monorail to get to MK (the walking path is VERY quick) the Contemporary may be a good choice for your family.

 

[OKW Lover]

As far as cleaner rooms goes, its a toss-up. There really isn't any difference in the housekeeping standards for these three resorts.

As fas as which has the "best" rooms, you'll have to tell us what you consider to be important features. If it's purely size, then the Poly and Contemporary rooms are larger than those at WL.

 

[MulanMom]

I thought I read on another thread that WL also has a bus running to MK? That might alleviate some of the concern you have about the boat transportation to MK. When we stayed at VWL and needed to get to a preopening CP ADR, I remember taking a boat that went to the Contemporary then walking from there.

With MK, the Contemporary with it's walking path gives you the most control.

With the Poly, you've got monorail, boat, and don't forget you can walk to the TTC and take the ferry from there.

As far as which hotel is cleaner, can't help you with that. I think that depends on housekeeping staff. The Poly rooms are more dated and will be refurbished soon, if that makes any difference.

Do these resorts still have availability for NYE? You may end up having to take whatever you can get! However, with the hotels you've chosen, I'm sure you'd do well with any of them!

 

[Mousemommy1]

I thought I read on another thread that WL also has a bus running to MK? That might alleviate some of the concern you have about the boat transportation to MK. When we stayed at VWL and needed to get to a preopening CP ADR, I remember taking a boat that went to the Contemporary then walking from there.

With MK, the Contemporary with it's walking path gives you the most control.

With the Poly, you've got monorail, boat, and don't forget you can walk to the TTC and take the ferry from there.

As far as which hotel is cleaner, can't help you with that. I think that depends on housekeeping staff. The Poly rooms are more dated and will be refurbished soon, if that makes any difference.

Do these resorts still have availability for NYE? You may end up having to take whatever you can get! However, with the hotels you've chosen, I'm sure you'd do well with any of them!

Yes. There is a direct 5 minute, non sharing bus ride to MK, which we found to be a lot more efficient than the boat. The boat is great but we liked the bus just as much if not more.

 

[heidijanesmith]

My choice would be the Poly. We've never stayed at the CR and while we love the WL, the Poly is our favorite. The WL has recently finished a room refurb, but even with that being done, the Poly is hard to beat (IMO) for location/convenience to MK, the beach for fireworks, and the beautiful grounds. Plus the Poly rooms are much larger than those at the WL and all rooms come with a daybed. With that said, I'm sure you'll have a great trip no matter which resort you choose. Good luck.

Agree with above, the Poly's rooms are huge and they all have a very comfy daybed. The Poly is our favorite hands down. Our room was very clean when we checked in and Mousekeeping did a great job daily.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Yeah, the Poly used to be a favorite back in the day, still could be but not for the rate they are asking.... even with a discount it's over priced ...

We gave up years ago on the Poly, convenience and location could not justify the cost to us... We moved onto WL. We enjoy the MK area and the lakes, used to always stay at CR but changes to the resort and tearing down of the north wing pushed us out ( had the biggest and best arcade on property) did one trip at the GF and that place is over rated and mediocre at best... Not fond of the decor or layout let alone the money factor.

Bottom line, WL can't be beat for a deluxe on the small side, in the MK area and on the lakes with a price tag far under the big : on the monorail ... It's where we've hung our hats at least 15 trips...

 

[nkereina]

I don't know about cleanest rooms, but WL has the newest rooms. Most recently renovated. If you're worried about the quickest trip to MK, CR would be the best since you can walk - no waiting for transportation.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Among these 3 resorts, I think it really depends on what your #1 concern is. I haven't stayed at the CR, but I have stayed at the Poly and WL.

For cleanliness, my experience has been that there isn't one resort that is cleaner than any other. In 10+ trips to WDW, I have yet to have a room that hasn't been clean. However, I know there are people on these boards that have had bad experiences at the same resorts where I've had good experiences. It more depends on the quality of the individual housekeeper that services your room than which resort you are at.

I don't know about cleanest rooms, but WL has the newest rooms. Most recently renovated. If you're worried about the quickest trip to MK, CR would be the best since you can walk - no waiting for transportation.

If transportation to the MK is your #1 concern, then I'd agree with the above poster and say you'd want to stay at the CR. It's a short walk to the front gate of the MK. With all the issues the monorail has been having in the past couple years, I don't consider the monorail to be that great of an advantage if you are only considering transportation to the MK. I found the boats at the WL to be quick, efficient, and very relaxing. The Poly does have the edge transportation-wise if you take into account the access to the TTC and the Epcot monorail (short walk from the Poly) and the boat launch to the MK in addition to the monorail.

For size of the rooms, the Poly and the CR have larger rooms than the WL.

The last, but sometimes most important factor, is which resort's themeing most appeals to you? That's personal preference. For me, it's a tossup between the Poly and the WL with the CR taking last place.

 

[twinboysmom]

Hi OP. I think Maggie's mom summed it up very well. All 3 resorts are great. Odds are your room will be very clean but a dirty room can happen at any resort. We have gone 4-6 times a year since 2000. We haven't had a dirty room.

For transportation on new years, the CR will offer thhe walkway. It's a quick walk, maybe 7 minutes. So much quicker than the monorail and no wait times. The rooms are large and you will be guaranteed a balcony if you stay in the tower section. The garden wing rooms do not have balconies (some have patios) but they offer a substantial savings for the same size room if that is important to you. I think that all the WL rooms have a balcony or patio (not 100% sure) but not all of the Poly rooms have a balcony or patio.

 

[alldiz]

For that time of year I would pick WL.....the decorations are absolutely fantastic and it will feel away from the crazy hustle and bustle while you are there....an oasis....

Most people dont get up that early so you should be fine. Lots of options...there is a bus to MK....also 2 boats. If the MK happens to fill up...you can take the boat to the Contemporary and walk or monrail from there.
Happy planning
Kerri

 

[Maggie'sMom]

For that time of year I would pick WL.....the decorations are absolutely fantastic and it will feel away from the crazy hustle and bustle while you are there....an oasis....

Most people dont get up that early so you should be fine. Lots of options...there is a bus to MK....also 2 boats. If the MK happens to fill up...you can take the boat to the Contemporary and walk or monrail from there.

I would never recommend taking the monorail from the CR to the MK. The MK is the last stop before the CR. So when you are boarding at the CR, there will be stops at the TTC, Poly, and GF before you get to the MK. It could easily take 20 minutes or longer. Going from the MK to the CR is much easier since the CR is just the next stop.

 

[bytheblood]

Plain and simple.....

Wilderness Lodge =

Polynesian =

Contemporary =


And yes, this!!!!

For that time of year I would pick WL.....the decorations are absolutely fantastic and it will feel away from the crazy hustle and bustle while you are there....an oasis....

 

[CandleontheWater]

I'm going to go against the grain here and say that staying at the CR is your very best bet for NYE. If you are going to spend NYE at the MK, then you will be thanking your lucky stars for that easy walk back at the end of the night when you see the line for the boats and monorail.

On a super busy night like NYE it could still take you more than an hour to get back to the Poly or WL after the fireworks, if you stay at the CR, you will be in your room in less than 15. Nothing has easier access to the MK than the Contemporary, hands down.

 

[Karabee]

Completely agree with the previous poster. CR would be my pick so walking will be an option. The night of MNSSHP there was a line for the WL boat that still shocks me! To walk would be amazing after NYE.
As for clean rooms - I'm not sure what you've heard about WL being the cleanest but all ill say is I don't agree with that at all. Then again, it all depends on housekeeping so it really is a matter of who has cleaned.
To be honest though, all are nice resorts and you're lucky I stay in any

 

[Deb & Bill]

With all things being somewhat equal, being able to walk back to your resort at the end of the day should be the deal breaker. Big time saver. You'd be in bed at the CR before you even got on transportation for any of the other two.