Bay lake or poly with toddlers

[JonT36]

Going in November with a 2.5 year old and 1 year old debating between bay lake and poly? Any input or info as to which is better would be helpful. Also what is weather like in November? Is swimming possible with young kids or will it be too cold for them?

thanks in advance

 

[mrsap]

Poly has a great splash pad for little kids, I think they’d enjoy it! Just an all around fun atmosphere as well. November is all over the place weather wise, but you should definitely get some swimming days in! Pack a little of everything (especially if you’re going late November.) Check out YouTube videos, it will definitely help. Good luck deciding!

 

[GoofyCoaster]

Tough choice because both are excellent. The Poly has, in IMO, the better splash pad of the two. There’s also a faux grass area behind the ceremonial house for play and the sandy beach. But the convenience of being able to easily walk back and forth from MK to BLT with a double stroller is huge.
If it’s a once in a lifetime kind of trip, I’d go with Poly. If you’ll be returning to WDW within another year or two, maybe BLT. Weather and swimming may be a wildcard but the distance to MK is a known quantity.

 

[Babsy]

I would stay at CR over the Poly with toddlers in strollers and inNovember when swimming is less of a possibility. The weather in November can be nice, but it can also be quite cold. We were in WDW for the end of Nov - beginning of Dec 2019 and we didn't go swimming once. There was only the one day warm enough, but we had reservations for a busy day and it just didn't work out for swimming.

Walking to/from the MK with strollers is awesome! We loved staying in BLT for our last visit.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Are you looking at a BLT studio for your trip? They are pretty small. If you don't open the sleeper sofa and fix the older of the two a bed on the closed sofa, you'll have plenty of room for the pack and play. But a double stroller is going to be tough to fit in the room, too.

 

[JonT36]

We were looking at blt yes

 

[JonT36]

Would the 2.5 year old be able to sleep on the pull out sofa?

 

[Deb & Bill]

Would the 2.5 year old be able to sleep on the pull out sofa?

Sure, but then you have even less space in the room. When you open the sleeper sofa, it is almost right up against the patio slider. And there is about six to nine inches between the bed and the sleeper sofa. At the foot of the beds, there is very little space, but you might be able to put the pack and play by the connecting door. But a huge stroller is going to block the exit unless you store it on the balcony. There isn't any night stand for the bed, just some larger turns on the ends of the head board.

With a Polynesian studio, you could leave the sleeper sofa folded up and have the older child sleep on the fold down murphy bed. Then you could put the pack and play in front of the sofa.

 

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

Poly

 

[Tiki_Sara]

Bay Lake Tower is much quieter than The Poly. Although on the surface it would seem more suitable for young kids, the Poly is pretty much constantly rammed with people who aren't staying there and are at the Poly to dine, take a break from the parks or just look round. Bay Lake Tower has none of that. You'll likely have the pool to yourselves and the transport options are good, not to mention you can walk to MK.

 

[tvsdisney]

Poly hands down! You’ll have more room. The studios at BLT are soooo cramped and I’m assuming you’ll have a stroller too so it leaves even less room. I’m pretty sure I kept mine on the balcony. I love the location of BLT but we probably won’t ever stay there again because with two kids the space is a huge issue.

 

[JonT36]

What about a 2 bedroom at blt or 2 studios connected at poly?!the 2 studios are a lot cheaper. How much longer is it to get to Epcot from blt compared to walking to ttc at poly?

 

[SillySallySews]

We’ve stayed at both Poly and CR with toddlers and hands-down CR/BLT! You just cannot beat that walk to and from MK when you have little kids! It’s so convenient it’ll make you question why you ever considered staying anywhere else on property. TBH we just do not care for Poly in general. It was our dream resort that left us disappointed for so many reasons. We have definitely been swimming at Disney in both November and December so unless the weather is very uncooperative I would say yes, you could probably expect swimming weather during your trip.

 

[Grant Parkins]

We never stayed at Poly when mine were that small, but I wish we would have. The pool & splash pad are great, and there are several relatively quiet, grassy lawns throughout that are great to burn of some energy.

 

[MrsDuck]

I vote Poly. I think the kids would like the theme better. I know they are little but it's very fun to look at. We are staying at the Poly with our 2 year old next month.

 

[kmorlock]

I love both but Poly will definitely give you more room. There is the element of having a grassy area at Poly if on the 1st floor too. The higher floor (15th?)BLT scared me so much with a toddler. Plus, the pool at BLT is always cold. I like the Contemporary pool way more for that reason.

 

[Heavens2Betsy]

BLT. Walking back at night with kids in double stroller = two kids sound asleep by the time we reached our room. We stayed with our 3yo and 6yo and it honestly was not an issue space wise. We folded the bed up when we weren't using it, and when we were - well we were asleep so we didn't care. We visited poly on several occasions and every time it is swarming with people, but we never had that issue at BLT. We swore to never stay anywhere else. And we kept the stroller behind the door with all of our park gear still in it and our shoes kind of tossed back there too. No big deal.

Edit to add: we went late November and swam. We also usually had other amenities - laundry, giant chess, gazebo, etc - to ourselves. It was a nice break from crowds but we were still "at Disney" with the monorail running and the castle and space mountain visible.

 

[Afabena]

BLT! The walk to MK is so easy and convenient, plus they have their own security on the path. You can easily be at the pool within 30 min from leaving the MK. If it’s warm enough to swim you will not have a problem getting chairs in the afternoon and there are minimal crowds at the pool. I was there in early Nov this past year and it was HOT everyday except our last day. The last day started out warm but quickly turned into a rainy and chilly day. BLT was so convenient for afternoon pool breaks from the MK. The contemporary is also a very short walk away with shopping and dining options.

I have not stayed at Poly in a really really long time, but the resort is more spread out (I love the grounds but prefer the more compact feeling of BLT and the CR).Also if it rains it can be a long walk from your long house to the main ceremonial house and the monorail but the rooms are bigger. Good luck whatever you decide. They are both really nice resorts.

 

[GinnyBear's_mom]

BLT for 4 reasons:
1) Ability to walk to MK
2) Everything is under 1 roof at BLT (technically, including the bridge). When we stayed at the Poly this year it rained a lot, having to walk from our longhouse in the rain to get to any food, entertainment, even just to refill a mug was a drag with 3 kids
3) Community hall crafts and activities may be fun for the 2.5 year old
4) Contempo cafe has many more food choices compared to Capt. Cooke's.

 

[holden]

BLT - the walk to MK is so nice, plus it give the kids a chance to fall asleep on the way back to the room!

With the ages of your kids, they won't know the difference. Also, like a PP said, BLT allows you to access everything from under "one roof." If it rains, you won't get wet going to the bar for a drink or something to eat.