Wilderness Lodge vs. Polynesian - Page 2 - The DIS Discussion Forums

WLSILVERCREEKSPRINGS · 10-12-2012, 01:52 PM

WL has 3 hot tubs, Poly has zero, might not be important to everyone but it's a deal killer for us, gotta be able to soak and loosen up those muscles after a long day in the parks!

Kae · 10-12-2012, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WLSILVERCREEKSPRINGS

WL has 3 hot tubs, Poly has zero, might not be important to everyone but it's a deal killer for us, gotta be able to soak and loosen up those muscles after a long day in the parks!

Me too! And I love WL being in one building.

Kae

DEA · 10-12-2012, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klib624

WOW! I am so glad I joined this board

Everyone's responses have helped so much! When you think about spending that much money and have the hopes of the Deluxe Resort being "worth it"!

Thank you all for sharing! Now whats the best building to request at Poly? We can't afford to be Castleview but with a 13 year old and a 6 year old I want them to get the most of the location. As I said most of our trips the past 4 years have involved MAJOR walking to get to anything in the resort.

I'm partial to the Tahiti building at the Poly. It's one of the newer buildings in the complex, the rooms are larger than most of the other longhouses (476 sq. ft. vs. 415 sq. ft, Rapa Nui and Tokelau are the other longhouses with larger rooms), and although it is a few minutes' walk to the GCH, it is very close to the TTC, which gives you plenty of transportation options, and you are in a good position along the beach away from the crowds (who tend to be closer to the pool) for Wishes viewing.

Lisann · 10-12-2012, 03:07 PM

Polynesian is superior to Wilderness Lodge, in my opinion. Both are GREAT resorts, but the rooms are bigger at Poly and I really like that...don't feel so cramped. Poly has monorail access, and that is hard to beat!!

) The rooms at WL are small to me, and so I would go with Polynesian if you can swing it money-wise.

Belle'sFan · 10-13-2012, 03:37 PM

We first stayed at WL and loved it! We then tried the Poly and were surprised to find we didn't like it as much. One thing I didn't like were the crowds that came twice per night for the luau dinner show. Also the lack of a hot tub. I was also surprised that the monorail was not as great as I imagined. It was a walk to the main building and then up the stairs to get to the monorail. Often it was standing room only. Once it broke down and that was terrible! We also felt the theming at the poly was less authentic than at WL. I liked that the WL is a little more away - I felt it was more relaxing and break from the hustle. I felt the poly is exciting, but hard for kids to settle down because of the vibrant atmosphere and view of the castle. Guess I'm in the minority, but after a day in the parks I like a break someplace peaceful.

2girlsR2good · 10-13-2012, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uagirl

I've stayed at WL twice and the Poly twice. I love them both so much I don't think I could pick a favorite! I honestly don't think you can go wrong with either one.

Exactly the same for me. Love them both! You will have a wonderful time either way

PamelaKay · 10-13-2012, 04:59 PM

I have stayed at both and really enjoyed both, but my favorite is the WL.

Things I love about the WL
1. Everything is covered. When it rains, you can take the bus at the WL and from the moment you get off the bus until you are at your room, you are either covered or indoors.
2. It is significantly less $ than the Poly,
3. The geyser and hot tubs.
4. The convenient short boat ride to Hoop Dee Doo. One of my favorites.
5. The absolute friendliest staff of all the resorts I have visited.
6. The yummy cupcakes, salads and sandwiches at Roaring Forks.

Things I loved about the Poly.
1. Transportation options and convenience. Like previous folks mentioned, it is a short walk to the transportation and ticket center to catch the monorail to Epcot.
2. I believe it has the largest square footage rooms and I really like the daybed/sofa.
3. You can get dole whips from Captain Cooks.
4. Breakfast at Kona Cafe... YUMMMMY

You really cannot go wrong with either one. I think the counter service options in both Roaring Forks and Captain Hooks are great, so I wouldn't worry too much about the food court issue.

I hope you enjoy whichever one you choose.

midge3426 · 10-13-2012, 08:30 PM

We really like both resorts, but we prefer the Wilderness Lodge. I love the larger rooms as the Poly, but I hate the bathrooms. At most of the resorts the toilet and tub are enclosed and have a door. Not so at the Poly---everything is one big room. With two teenagers, it was impossible to get in the bathrooms. I will never stay there again until it is just me and my husband.

I did not like Captain Cooks, except for the Dole Whips. I did not think their food was very good.

I think the staff at the Wilderness Lodge is absolutley the nicest and most caring staff members on site---bar none.

Tigger's ally · 10-14-2012, 08:00 AM

Count me in the WL group. I am more of a relaxed person on vacation and of the two, WL just fills that bill. Poly lobby is just way too busy for me. And there is no place quite like territory lounge. Quiet little place to sit and enjoy a libation or two. No place like it at Poly. For me, the grounds of the Poly are where the beauty lies, but at WL the whole hotel is where the beauty lies.

cmadara · 10-14-2012, 11:51 AM

Love the Poly! Stayed at the WL to try something different and ended up back at the Poly after that. For me it comes down to this:
-monorail, boat and buses- so many options
-bigger rooms
-love the theme- I'm more of a tropical person than an outdoorsy person.
-memories- first resort we took our DD to and it holds many special memories- her SCREAMING her head off down the volcano slide!

But of course, everyone is different and has their favorites!

10-12-2012, 03:07 PM	#19
Lisann Mouseketeer Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 204	Polynesian is superior to Wilderness Lodge, in my opinion. Both are GREAT resorts, but the rooms are bigger at Poly and I really like that...don't feel so cramped. Poly has monorail access, and that is hard to beat!! ) The rooms at WL are small to me, and so I would go with Polynesian if you can swing it money-wise. __________________ Lisa I've stayed at: Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge, Boardwalk, Beach Club and Port Orleans Riverside.

10-13-2012, 03:37 PM	#20
Belle'sFan Earning My Ears Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Vermont Posts: 64	We first stayed at WL and loved it! We then tried the Poly and were surprised to find we didn't like it as much. One thing I didn't like were the crowds that came twice per night for the luau dinner show. Also the lack of a hot tub. I was also surprised that the monorail was not as great as I imagined. It was a walk to the main building and then up the stairs to get to the monorail. Often it was standing room only. Once it broke down and that was terrible! We also felt the theming at the poly was less authentic than at WL. I liked that the WL is a little more away - I felt it was more relaxing and break from the hustle. I felt the poly is exciting, but hard for kids to settle down because of the vibrant atmosphere and view of the castle. Guess I'm in the minority, but after a day in the parks I like a break someplace peaceful. __________________ CR 197?,WL 2000, AKL 2005, POFQ 2007, POLY 2008, POFQ 2009

10-13-2012, 04:59 PM	#22
PamelaKay DIS Veteran Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 631	Everyone will have a different opinion I have stayed at both and really enjoyed both, but my favorite is the WL. Things I love about the WL 1. Everything is covered. When it rains, you can take the bus at the WL and from the moment you get off the bus until you are at your room, you are either covered or indoors. 2. It is significantly less $ than the Poly, 3. The geyser and hot tubs. 4. The convenient short boat ride to Hoop Dee Doo. One of my favorites. 5. The absolute friendliest staff of all the resorts I have visited. 6. The yummy cupcakes, salads and sandwiches at Roaring Forks. Things I loved about the Poly. 1. Transportation options and convenience. Like previous folks mentioned, it is a short walk to the transportation and ticket center to catch the monorail to Epcot. 2. I believe it has the largest square footage rooms and I really like the daybed/sofa. 3. You can get dole whips from Captain Cooks. 4. Breakfast at Kona Cafe... YUMMMMY You really cannot go wrong with either one. I think the counter service options in both Roaring Forks and Captain Hooks are great, so I wouldn't worry too much about the food court issue. I hope you enjoy whichever one you choose. __________________ Mar 2007 - POR, Mar 2008 - WL, Mar 2009 - Dolphin and CSR, Dec 2009 - Dolphin Mar 2010 - AKL CL May 2010 - GF CL Nov 2010 - Dec 2010 POFQ and Poly CL Mar 2011 - BWI, June 2011 CBR one night and split stay between WL and BCOct 2011 - POR and WL March 2012 WL CL Oct 2012 WL CL and Dec 2012 WL CL Mar 2013 YC CL, June 2013 Poly CL, Oct 2013 BWI CL and Dec 2013 GF CL

10-14-2012, 11:51 AM	#25
cmadara Mouseketeer Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 185	Poly all the way! Love the Poly! Stayed at the WL to try something different and ended up back at the Poly after that. For me it comes down to this: -monorail, boat and buses- so many options -bigger rooms -love the theme- I'm more of a tropical person than an outdoorsy person. -memories- first resort we took our DD to and it holds many special memories- her SCREAMING her head off down the volcano slide! But of course, everyone is different and has their favorites! __________________

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10-12-2012, 01:52 PM	#16
WLSILVERCREEKSPRINGS DIS Veteran Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 700	WL has 3 hot tubs, Poly has zero, might not be important to everyone but it's a deal killer for us, gotta be able to soak and loosen up those muscles after a long day in the parks!

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10-13-2012, 08:30 PM	#23
midge3426 Mouseketeer Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 309	We really like both resorts, but we prefer the Wilderness Lodge. I love the larger rooms as the Poly, but I hate the bathrooms. At most of the resorts the toilet and tub are enclosed and have a door. Not so at the Poly---everything is one big room. With two teenagers, it was impossible to get in the bathrooms. I will never stay there again until it is just me and my husband. I did not like Captain Cooks, except for the Dole Whips. I did not think their food was very good. I think the staff at the Wilderness Lodge is absolutley the nicest and most caring staff members on site---bar none.

10-14-2012, 08:00 AM	#24
Tigger's ally Segway test dummy Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Windsor, Il Posts: 562	Count me in the WL group. I am more of a relaxed person on vacation and of the two, WL just fills that bill. Poly lobby is just way too busy for me. And there is no place quite like territory lounge. Quiet little place to sit and enjoy a libation or two. No place like it at Poly. For me, the grounds of the Poly are where the beauty lies, but at WL the whole hotel is where the beauty lies.