DILEMMA! Ft. Wilderness or POLY!?!

[luvdisney77]

Ok, in April we are going to the World.

Here's the dilemma. I have a discount that will allow me to get a Ft. Wilderness cabin for $1484 for 7 days or the Poly GV for $2041 for 7.

I have ALWAYS wanted to stay at the POLY. We have a 16 month old, and the Monorail would be LOVELY! Never have stayed at a Monorail resort..

Last time we were there with the baby, she was 5 months old and we stayed at the AsMFS.

I just want to make sure that we will have enough room. The rooms at the Poly look huge! I know that there is a seperate room in the cabins, but I also know it is HUGE on the grounds over there! We went for the Hoop Dee Doo last time, and I couldn't believe how big the grounds were.

Ahh, but $557! What do the experts say??......

 

[luvdisney77]

bump..anyone?

 

[jjiillee]

I haven't stayed at either place, but I would stay at the poly. Last year we stayed at the BLT and having the monorail was great. Our youngest was around 18 mos at the time. It was great at night when he fell asleep in the stroller and we could roll right onto the monorail.

 

[mouselovenfamily]

For me, book the Poly!! I've stayed at FWCG and with a little one, diaper bag, stroller, the internal shuttle, it would get old really fast!!

Monorail would be great!! Easy to get to two parks, beautiful grounds, easy walk to GF if you want. You and your child my appreciate FWCG when shes a little older too. Then the separate room may be nicer, room to spread out, many things for an older child to do.

I really understand the $$$. For us, it's vacation. We make it as enjoyable as possible with in reason. I could find other ways to cut the $557.00 and make it work out.

Can't wait to hear your choice!!

 

[lovealatte]

Go with the Poly! seems like you've already convinced yourself of it anyways The Poly is gorgeous (I also love WL) but like you said, Ft. Wilderness is a different feeling. Go for it.. so worth it.

 

[blondinkaya]

My dream resort is the Poly. This trip I'll be in the FW cabins (for the second time). I love them, don't get me wrong! They're perfect for our needs (first time we brought mil, this time fil--they're divorced, otherwise we would've taken them both the first time around ). We can fit all five of us very comfortably, and FW is so peaceful at the end (or middle) of a hectic day.

That said, I just love the theming of the Poly. It seems so ... exotic and relaxing. I had made ressies for there before deciding to invite fil on our trip. We'll definitely stay there next time (unless we buy a camper, then we'll be Ft people till the end of time).

 

[hannahdrewmom]

Poly all the way! If you want convience with a little one FW is NOT the way to. You will need a golf cart, take internal buses, it is not fun with a stroller. It is worth every penny of that $500. Book it and don't look back!

 

[blondinkaya]

Poly all the way! If you want convience with a little one FW is NOT the way to. You will need a golf cart, take internal buses, it is not fun with a stroller. It is worth every penny of that $500. Book it and don't look back!

Technically, you wouldn't need a golf cart, as there is ample internal bus transportation. We never had a problem with the internal buses, and we saw lots of families with young ones. We never had to wait for long for a bus to show up, and the cabin was really nice and peaceful (no neighbors flushing toilets, no stomping down the hallway, our car was right outside, etc.)

(That said, I would still go with the Poly )

 

[kerri0616]

This is a one-sided opinion because I've never been to Ft Wilderness. We stayed at the Poly in July.

Ft Wilderness looks like a camping trip.

Poly is vacationing in a tropical resort.

Which is more appealing to you?

Kerri

 

[Singinglizzie]

I've only stayed at the Poly, so I am a bit biased, but location, location, location! Especially with a little one, it's much each to go back and forth. Mind you there is a bit of walking from the monorail to your room, but it's soo convenient. As another thought, have you priced out a garden wing room at the Contemporary? They are large rooms and also have monorail access and may come out a little less expensive.

 

[blondinkaya]

This is a one-sided opinion because I've never been to Ft Wilderness. We stayed at the Poly in July.

Ft Wilderness looks like a camping trip.

Poly is vacationing in a tropical resort.

Which is more appealing to you?

Kerri

Ft Wilderness encompasses privacy, the Poly entails having to deal with people above, below, across, and beside you. It's not as secluded. It could very well be much more noisy and not as relaxing.

Staying in a cabin is NOT like camping. You have all the amenities you would at any other Disney resort. Bonuses include the benefit of being able to park right outside your room (cabin) and housekeeping (they even run the dishwasher for you). Yes, you even get a fully equipped kitchen in the cabin, as well as two coffee makers (a 10-cup and a 4-cup).

 

[happycamps]

When my kids were young, it was worth every dime to stay at the Contemporary. We've never stayed at the Poly, but the monorail at the CR was worth gold. I personally love fort wilderness, but with little ones, I preferred the convenience of the monorail.

 

[DaveInTN]

I'll preface by stating that I ADORE the Fort. It is home to me. We stay there a couple of times a year. But, to quote you:

I have ALWAYS wanted to stay at the POLY.

That to me is your answer. As long as the $500 isn't a huge issue for your vacation budget, I'd book the Poly and not look back. If I'm reading correctly, you are a family of 3...so I think a room at the Poly would be more than big enough for you. This is your dream. And this is YOUR vacation. Follow your heart. Go for it, and have a magical time.

 

[MinnieGi]

I was going to say Poly b/c you mention your one child, but I looked at your signature and see you have three others too, are you all going? So that will be 6 of you in one room?????

For 6 I'd go with FW cabin, you'll have a bedroom for the kids and a murphy bed in the living room for you and DH. Plus a kitchen for snacks, drinks and even meals if you want.

FW is a VERY fun experience! We stayed in a cabin a few years ago and my kids say they want to do it again. It is SOOOO peaceful, yet you are only a boat ride away from MK!! My kids loved exploring the campground, petting zoo, stables, playgrounds, beach area, marina, pools. They have a cute campfire with Chip N Dale each night followed by a movie on an outside screen. It was fun to watch the fireworks from their beach too.

 

[ginadv]

I was just about to reply saying, "Poly definitely," until I too realized that you've got 4 kids which makes a huge difference in my answer.

We were just in the same situation--Poly or FW--I've always, always wanted to stay at the Poly. First off, we've got three girls, 8, 6, & 4 and to all be in one room wouldn't be much of a vacation (unless we had a patio). Secondly, the price diff. for us was WAY more than $557. We decided on the cabins at the Fort and now I cannot wait!

There is a full kitchen, a separate bedroom with bunks, a double bed AND room for the pack and play (it's a squeeze, but it can work), outdoor space (the kids can play on the deck while you're getting packed up for the day at the park) and the cabin is very spacious. The kitchen alone is a huge perk as we'll do breakfast and lunch at the cabin almost everyday. I know you can get a mini-fridge at the Poly, but a real kitchen is going to be great.

We are renting a golf cart to facilitate our comings and goings. After reading a lot about the pros and cons of the carts, I decided that we wouldn't do it without the cart. I just don't want to add that extra element of the internal buses. I want to be zipping (responsibly, of course!) around the fort in our cart--to the pool, to the outpost, to the marina, to the hoop dee doo, etc.

So long story short, if you've got your whole brood with you, I'd definitely opt for the cabins. Plus, you can take the blue flag launch from FW over to the Contemporary and hop on the monorail there to visit any of the monorail resorts for dining (we're going to both Chef Mickey's and 'Ohana during the course of the week).

Some day I'll stay at the Poly...but I have a feeling I'm going to love the FW cabins so much that I'll never go anywhere else!

Let us know what you decide...

 

[luvdisney77]

I'll preface by stating that I ADORE the Fort. It is home to me. We stay there a couple of times a year. But, to quote you:



That to me is your answer. As long as the $500 isn't a huge issue for your vacation budget, I'd book the Poly and not look back. If I'm reading correctly, you are a family of 3...so I think a room at the Poly would be more than big enough for you. This is your dream. And this is YOUR vacation. Follow your heart. Go for it, and have a magical time.

Thank you! You are SO right!!!

This has become an awesome thread! I knew you all would give me the answers that I was searching for. This is why I love the DIS.
Keep 'em coming! i love reading everyone's experiences.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

Six in the family, children 14, 11, 8, 16 months. No brainer-FW cabin.

 

[krichards]

The cabins would fit your families needs a lot better than the POLY I would think. Plus you have so much room to let them play. It's so nice to grill out on the deck and hang out with family. Those are my most fondest memories of my trips with family to Disney World.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I would go with the Polynesian.

 

[blessedby3]

Six in the family, children 14, 11, 8, 16 months. No brainer-FW cabin.

I disagree....we are a family of 6 and stayed at the Poly in 2009. The baby was 17 mos and our others were 19, 13, and 10. We had plenty of room at the Poly. We requested a room in Tokelou (sp?) as that longhouse and one or two others had more square footage. We had such a great time there.
I cant imagine FW cabins would compare to the Poly at all. From what I have read, there is lots of travel to get to your cabin once leaving the dock. Not very convienent. With the Poly, you have monorail access and you can also walk right over to the TTC. It just cant be compared.
Another thing to think about...when your youngest turns 3, you wont be able to stay at the Poly The room holds 5 plus an infant UNDER 3. That right there would seal the deal for me. We are glad we got to spend a vacation at the Poly before our youngest turned 3.
The FW cabins dont look enticing to me at all....