Christmas at WL or Poly w/ MK view?

[letthewookiewin]

Which would you pick Christmas week at the WL or early Dec. at the Poly w/ MK view?
I am currently planning a trip for the week of Christmas 2008. If the trip stays as planned we are staying at the WL from Dec.21-29th, and using the Deluxe DDP. I went on Disney's website and priced a trip for Dec. 7-14th. We could stay at the Poly with a MK view, and it will be cheaper. I asked the DH and he said he would think about it, which is DH speak for "I'm playing World of Warcraft and don't want to talk Disney". I asked the DS's and they really want to be there the week of Christmas. Now I'm torn on which time to go. On the one hand you have the fact that I hate crowds, and have a tendancy to have minor panic attacks when in huge crowds (I don't even like to have my boys birthday parties at Chucky E. Cheese because of it.). On the other hand we would be at WDW on Christmas, I've always wanted to be at WDW on Christmas, and I don't mind dealing with the crowds to make the DS's happy.
Anyone have any thoughts that might help. I thought I had everything planned out just right, even have all our ADR's picked for the entire trip. Now, I'm just confused on what to do.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

My vote was for the Poly and here is why. My family and I just stayed there from the 15th - 25th and we were lucky enough to get an upgrade to a Club Level Lagoon View which had an amazing view of the Magic Kingdom. We got to see Wishes and Holiday Wishes for MVMCP and for both shows we heard the music right on our balcony, so how can you beat that?

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I vote for the Poly earlier in December. No exaggeration, I wouldn't go Christmas week if it were free. I've seen the pics and read the horror stories.

 

[Disney1976]

I vote for early December. Yes, it's nice to be at Disney for Christmas, the problem is that thousands of other people also have that same idea! It is one of the busiest times of year for Disney (I'm sure others will back me up on that) and if you hate crowds to the point of having minor panic attacks, you won't feel very comfortable when you're jostling for space every moment at the MK (and other parks)! I think it's noble that you are willing to go to great lengths for your DS's happiness, but there is a limit. Going during Christmas time would be almost as special I think, as there are holiday events, and the parks and resorts are all decorated for Christmas, and it really is a magical time.

Have fun, whatever you choose!

 

[ploto]

POLY/EARLY DEC

I like poly better than WL for one thing.

The crowd levels in early DEC are much lower than Christmas week. There are way to many Christmas week horror stories.

 

[letthewookiewin]

My DH finally gave an opinion. He said that the trip was for the boys, so it was up to them when we went. He asked them and of course they voted for Christmas week. After they left the room, I told him that after getting advice from some people that are more wise about Disney at Christmas, I thought it would be a better idea to go earlier in December. Also, I reminded him that it was cheaper, and that once they get to WDW they'll be happy. He gave me two options. Option 1: Go the week of Christmas 2008 with the trip as planned, and then we can get the MK view at the Poly for our 15th wedding anny in 2010. Options 2: just not go at all. He said if the boys want to go the week of Christmas, we will go the week of Christmas. He didn't care if it cost more to make them happy, and that he was really looking forward to being there on Christmas. I don't know which part is more shocking. The part where he is willing to spend more money, or that he is really looking forward to going. Maybe it's just the 2 ADR's I have planned for the Biergarten. Since those are the only two options he gave me, I will have to go with Option 1, and just deal with the crowds.

 

[boomhauer]

Can I just ask why you wouldn't go for Wilderness Lodge earlier in December?

Given that I would never go during Christmas week, I suppose I would say Polynesian. But again, only because it's either that or the worst week of the year.

As for the 2 resorts, ESPECIALLY at Christmas time, no comparison. Wilderness wins hands down. It's simply beautiful. The Polynesian had boring decorations up and truth be told, doesn't have a good Christmas atmosphere anyways.

 

[Toot Sweet]

I vote for the Poly earlier in December. No exaggeration, I wouldn't go Christmas week if it were free. I've seen the pics and read the horror stories.

Same here. I hate huge crowds and it would not be much fun for my family. I'd definitely go in early December, even if it meant staying at the All-stars instead of WL.

 

[Piglets Mommy]

It looks like your decision has been made for you, but i voted for Poly, early Dec. We love the Poly and going in early Dec.

 

[ducklite]

I vote for the Poly earlier in December. No exaggeration, I wouldn't go Christmas week if it were free. I've seen the pics and read the horror stories.

MTE!

OP, I've stayed at both resorts, and both are lovely. Here are some things to think about:

At the WL, everything is under one roof. So if the weather id cold or rainy, you don't have to go outside to get to the restaurants, lobby, transportation, etc.

At the WL you can get bunk beds so the kids don't ahve to share.

The rooms at the Polynesian are significantly roomier.

The PR has a single bed sized day bed that would easily accomodate one of your children, so they still don't have to share. Extra pillows and blankets are in the closet.

A disadvantage to the PR is that the sink is located inside teh bathroom with the tub/toilet, making it more difficult for several people to get dressed at once.

The view from the Polynesian across the Lagoon is stunning. It's wonderful to watch the fireworks from there.

The pools at the Polynesian are generally considered better than the pool at the WL, but this is subjective.

At the Polynesian it's a ten minute walk to the GF to add five additional dining options. At the WL you're pretty much "stuck" with three choices.

The lobby's at both resorts are lovely with the WL edging out the PR in most peoples eyes, the grounds at the PR are more lush and better for exploring.

Whichever you decide, I'm sure you'll ahve a wonderful trip.

 

[letthewookiewin]

Can I just ask why you wouldn't go for Wilderness Lodge earlier in December?

Given that I would never go during Christmas week, I suppose I would say Polynesian. But again, only because it's either that or the worst week of the year.

As for the 2 resorts, ESPECIALLY at Christmas time, no comparison. Wilderness wins hands down. It's simply beautiful. The Polynesian had boring decorations up and truth be told, doesn't have a good Christmas atmosphere anyways.

The reason I would have booked the Poly in early December, is just to have the MK view. As long as we can afford it the only other place that I would stay at other than the WL, is the Poly with a MK view. On our last trip, my DH and I spent every night while the DS's went to sleep on the balcony. I thought it would be nice to sit on the balcony of the Poly and look at the MK while going over menus and stuff for the next day. Of the resort with a good view of the MK, the only one my DS's were interested in was the Poly. I don't like the CR, so that wasn't an option, and luckily they didn't like it either. They said the GF was "way too girly", so that left us with the Poly. I'll just wait for 2010 to get that view. That trip the DS might not go though, since it will be our 15th year wedding anny. Then again, I bet they will. Since we are planning on spending some time at Universal since the Harry Potter section will be open by then. Oh well, I think I have a little bit of time to plan that trip.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I picked the Poly earlier. I'd never pay for Christmas week. I know the choice has already been made though.

Oh well. I once stayed at GF with a view of the castle. We're not the kind of folks to be sitting in our room during the regular fireworks (tried once, stayed at Swan witha balcony to see them, but we were in a park every night instead.) - BUT - we were at Disney early in November, and late our last night (1am, past park closing) they rehearsed the Christmas show (sans fireworks). It was really pretty and a magical way to end our stay.

 

[swilphil]

I picked early December just because you said you hate crowds. I'm not sure how you are going to manage pulling your kids out of school for a week, but that's a whole 'nother thread!

I, too, hate Chuck E Cheese-- "Oh, the noise, noise, noise, noise," but I can do Disney at Christmas. It's actually less stressful than being at home. We take several days off to stay at the resort.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

I picked early December as well, but since you're being outvoted, don't think that you can't have a good time Christmas week as well. I've done it twice, and it went very well both times. What you need to keep in mind is that to have the best experience, you must book your ADRs 180 days out, calling the dining line at 6:55 and keep calling until you get through.
I also recommend booking an IllumiNations Cruise if you can financially swing it.
Get to the park of your choice 45 minutes before opening! I can't stress enough how much of a difference there is in crowds at opening as compared to noon-midnight. Parks are open late, and most people will take up the late option rather than try to get park touring done early. You WILL have an advantage if you are there at opening.
Make good use of non-park entertainment for the rest of the day. Rent searaycers. Tour resorts. See Cirque, if it's in your budget.
Enjoy your resort. Don't be afraid to leave the parks if your family is approaching melt-down (and they will!).
Split into 2 groups if it's convenient...pairs can move through the crowds so much easier than packs.

 

[letthewookiewin]

I picked early December just because you said you hate crowds. I'm not sure how you are going to manage pulling your kids out of school for a week, but that's a whole 'nother thread!

I, too, hate Chuck E Cheese-- "Oh, the noise, noise, noise, noise," but I can do Disney at Christmas. It's actually less stressful than being at home. We take several days off to stay at the resort.

Well, that was another reason we had originally planned for the week of Christmas. With their school, you can't miss more than 10% of the school year. It doesn't matter if it was for doctors appts or not. This was a new rule that started this school year. Before they got so many excused (with doctor's note), and so many unexcused. With that rule we could have taken them out and not worry about it. My DS8 was recently diagnosed with Epilepsy and possible Autism, so he is out for doctors appts and periodic blood work and EEGs. I know that if he goes over the 10% b/c of medical things it won't be a problem. However, if the days we take him out to go on a WDW vacation push him over the 10%, I can see them giving us trouble over it.

I picked early December as well, but since you're being outvoted, don't think that you can't have a good time Christmas week as well. I've done it twice, and it went very well both times. What you need to keep in mind is that to have the best experience, you must book your ADRs 180 days out, calling the dining line at 6:55 and keep calling until you get through.
I also recommend booking an IllumiNations Cruise if you can financially swing it.
Get to the park of your choice 45 minutes before opening! I can't stress enough how much of a difference there is in crowds at opening as compared to noon-midnight. Parks are open late, and most people will take up the late option rather than try to get park touring done early. You WILL have an advantage if you are there at opening.
Make good use of non-park entertainment for the rest of the day. Rent searaycers. Tour resorts. See Cirque, if it's in your budget.
Enjoy your resort. Don't be afraid to leave the parks if your family is approaching melt-down (and they will!).
Split into 2 groups if it's convenient...pairs can move through the crowds so much easier than packs.

Yeah, I've been kinda obsessive about keeping up with the 180 day out mark. I have 5 months 4 weeks, until I can make our ADRs. I am hoping to eat at Le Cellier with the CP package on Christmas Eve. Also, we want to eat at CRT for both breakfast and dinner on Christmas day.
Luckily, we are planning on being there for 9 days. We are only spending 1/2 day at Disney Studios, 2 at AK, 3 at EPCOT, 2 at the MK. We will spend the day we arrive at Disney Studios, and then the last day will depend on how late we can get a flight out. However, I am thinking about changing it to 1 day at AK, 3 days at MK. If I do that our last day will be spent at the AK.

 

[daisy_77]

I love both resorts but the WL at Christmas time would be lovely.

 

[shortbun]

We went over Christmas week about 4 years ago. We bailed out of the parks three days due to crowds. It was VERY intense. We found other fun things to do but I would not do it again.

 

[ducklite]

My vote was for the Poly and here is why. My family and I just stayed there from the 15th - 25th and we were lucky enough to get an upgrade to a Club Level Lagoon View which had an amazing view of the Magic Kingdom. We got to see Wishes and Holiday Wishes for MVMCP and for both shows we heard the music right on our balcony, so how can you beat that?

They weren't asking about club level, and upgrades don't happen to everyone--and no one should plan a vacation expecting an upgrade. I'm not sure how your comments are at all relevent to the OP's question. If you think they were, I think you need to elaborate, because it wasn't clear.

 

[STEAMBOAT209]

I voted the Poly early Dec. The Poly is great during the holiday season, decorations are beautiful, as well as WL, but; during Christmas week? No, I would not go to WDW during Christmas week. If the choice was just between the Poly and WL early Dec, then I would go with WL, but it isn't, so I would choose the Poly.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

They weren't asking about club level, and upgrades don't happen to everyone--and no one should plan a vacation expecting an upgrade. I'm not sure how your comments are at all relevent to the OP's question. If you think they were, I think you need to elaborate, because it wasn't clear.

I only said my previous reply the way I did because our stay happen to be Club Level and we had a view of Cinderella's castle. So my reply was relevant because the OP was asking about the Magic Kingdom view, which is what we had. I know they are not asking about staying Club Level, so my reply was based on the view we had and nothing to do with the Club Level service.