Looking for some advice on MK resorts

[LovetheMouse12302]

We are still debating on where to stay during our 2013 vacation. We are going to book next week, so we want to make our decision this weekend. Our travel party will be DH, me, DS 6, and DD 1.
We have narrowed down the resort choices to the 3 monorail resorts or possibly Wilderness Lodge. The only MK resort we haven't tried is the Polynesian. We enjoyed our stay at the other resorts, so it's making the decision tough!!!

Also, we are debating on the dates. DH wants to travel over Labor Day week and I want to travel the first full week in May. We have done both May and September before (although later in both months). I do not like September heat and we agreed we would only do the parks for half of the day but we would stay almost twice as long during the entire vacation. How are the crowds May vs September?

 

[OKW Lover]

Crowds in September are significantly lower than in May.

I don't find the weather any better/worse in September than May, however there is the risk of a tropical storm in September.

 

[mickeynut1]

For MK resorts, we have stayed at the GF, Poly, and WL. We have had great stays at all of them, but the Poly is our favorite. We love the tropical atmosphere, the pool, Captain Cooks, and having the beach for watching the fireworks. If you want to try something new, I think the Poly is a great choice. As far as crowds, I didn't see much difference between May and September, but everyone has differing opinions on what is busy and what is not. Good luck.

 

[Goofy4]

I would go with early May and the Poly.

In early May you can still get a low humidity day. Not so much in September.

The crowds in early May should not be bad unless you run into grad nights or special parties that shorten hours.

 

[alldiz]

I would go with May.....crowds are lower in Sept because of school starting....but it will probably be hotter and risk of hurricane storms.

My choice is the Wilderness Lodge. I love being away from the hustle and bustle of the parks when I go back to my "home". Wonderful theming....and I love the boat ride to MK. Also gives me more options....WDW is about the journey for me....so I can take a boat to the Contemporary if I want to take the monorail. More choices and peace and serenity at the end of the day.
Happy planning

Side note....I haven't stayed at the Poly and while I have always wanted to at the end of the day I can't see paying the prices for room that does not guarantee a balcony AND it always seems very busy and noisy there.
Kerri

 

[CanadianGuy]

Early May is a gorgeous time at Disney and if you follow the crowd calendars, you can see which will work out best for your family.

The crowds 'can' be significantly less in September but if a free dining offer or something similar draws the crowds then I think it's almost more like an even draw.

 

[Pig Pen]

September is hot, humid, with daily downpours. However the crowds are fairly low and if you hit the parks early in the day you can return to the resort to wait out the afternoon storms.

The first week of May has manageable crowds and the weather is usually dry. It can feel very hot though as there are less clouds and the sun beats down all day long. I think the crowds build later in the month and the rainy season will be starting.

WL is our favorite resort. We love the lobby, the music, the fake cricket chirping, the fake flames in the lanterns, the hidden trails, the EWP, everything. We have never stayed at GF nor Poly although DH would like to try them sometime.

 

[princessmocha]

I have heard that the Poly is fabulous. I haven't stayed there, but when we were planning our vacation for next Christmas it came down between the Poly and the GF. We choose the GF because I have always dreamed of staying there. if it is the only MK resort you haven't tried, then I would go for the Poly and then you would have hit them all.

 

[monami7]

The last 2 years we went in May and they broke heat records BOTH YEARS! the woman in front of us passed out in line to see tink 2 yrs ago. It is not supposed to be that hot but it was unbearable.
Notice this next trip is in 3 weeks. I dont mind heat usually, but my DH and my parents cant take another hot trip!
Sept can be very hot too but all 4 of our sept trips were cooler than those last 2 may trips!

 

[nkereina]

Crowds are lower in September but over Labor Day weekend, I think it would be pretty comparable to May. In addition to the September heat, you also have to contend with rain/possible hurricanes, refurbishments, and shorter park hours. I have been early May before and found the crowds tolerable and the weather was beautiful.

As for the resorts, I'm not sure when the construction at GF is supposed to end but that would be a factor in my decision. I'd probably pick Poly since you haven't tried it before. We stayed there several years ago and enjoyed it, and its nice to be able to walk to TTC to catch the Epcot monorail. Bonus, IMO.

 

[Stbissell]

We went over Labor Day two years ago and it was great. Very light crowds and FD. Only needed fast passes for a few rides. TSM, Soarin, Peter Pan. All of the mountains were walk on. The crowds were very low through Labor Day. The day after Labor Day the whole Disney Resort completely cleared out. Everyone kept asking if we were CMs.