How do you feel about the Poly in the "colder" months?

[mum2four]

I am so excited to be planning a trip for just me and DH for the end of January! This is our only chance to stay deluxe, as we are a family of 6 when the kids are along. I thought we would be set on staying at the Poly, but then I started thinking about it too much (bad idea ), and I wonder if some of the tropical vibe that everyone loves about the Poly will be missing if the weather is cool in January?

Now, that kind of thinking has Wilderness Lodge creeping up in my mind, and what a nice, cozy, all-under-one-roof, place that would be to stay in January. But, with Christmas over by that point, maybe I'll be ready for a tropical retreat in the dead of winter instead of a cozy lodge haha!!! I know January weather is really unpredictable....40's, 80's, maybe both?

I tell ya, finding reasonable accomodations onsite for a family of 6 is tough. So now that it's only the two of us, and I have the entirety of WDW resorts to choose from, I'm overwhelmed (but in a good way)!

What do you think, Poly, WL, or some other deluxe for a January adults-only get away?

I should add we are only staying 5 nights, so not looking to do a split stay. Thanks for the input!

 

[Jenna319]

If you can swing it, IMO, there's no comparing - I'd go poly all the way! I love the convenience of being on the monorail and watching wishes from the beach. Can't wait to stay there in September!

 

[pixarmom]

We've stayed at Poly in December and January multiple times and LOVE it! Especially in January - really need the tropical retreat at that point. Our other winter favorite is BWI - I would probably choose that over Poly for just the two of us - so close to World Showcase and so relaxing to stroll around Crescent Lake.

 

[boundfordisney]

we stayed st the poly end of jan. once and found it was to cold to use the pool, really missed not having the chance to use it as this was a first time stay there. Decieded next stay would have to be in warmer months, although I really enjoyed it there I was wishing we were at the yacht club as they have hot tubs which I really missed! Other then the hot tub issue for me ,the poly is a great choice! Each resort has pro s and cons but Id be happy anywhere at disney! The yacht club is a very beautiful resort and is great for being able to walk to epcot and hs, plus the boardwalk at night time is awesome! Might want to check it out!

 

[Wood Nymph]

I stayed at the Poly in January for the marathon and it was a cold and rainy period of time. We were in Tahiti, which has a lovely view and very convenient to the TTC, but a really long walk to the GH when it is rainy, windy and cold. We never got to use the pool. It kind of put me off on staying at the Poly again, since having separate buildings was very inconvenient. And I had been badly spoiled by the Beach Club which has everything under one roof.

We stayed at the WL in February and it was great. The lodge is beautiful and the boat to MK is really nice. But if it is the two of you and you are only staying five nights, you might find an Epcot area resort nice. You can walk to two parks, which really cuts down on travel time. And there are a lot of restaurants nearby.

But if you don't get cold and rainy weather, the Poly will be nice.

 

[Texas Barbie]

Wes stayed at the Poly one february, and would have to agree that this one is better in warm weather. Looking at tropical foliage while shivering just didn't seem right. I would choose WL or an Epcot area resort.

 

[Sue M]

Both are great resorts. We did stay at Poly in January. Arriving just at tail end of a big cold snap. We used the pool a couple of times, it started warming up nicely mid day. But I did miss the lack of a hot tub. And you may want to research, because Poly is going to have construction for DVC .

WL is a great option. We have had 3 stays there,

 

[mum2four]

Thanks for the great feedback, everyone! Some of you have touched on exactlty what my concern is about the Poly. We've visited a couple times for ADR's and really loved the ambiance, but both times were during warm weather. I'm having a harder time picturing staying there if the temps were in the 50's and walking outside in the cold mornings. But, it's hard letting the Poly go because I've always wanted to stay there!

I've thought about the Epcot resorts as well, but for some reason none of them have ever had any real pull for me, you know what I mean? Not sure why. Maybe I need to look into those resorts a little more closely again. We don't plan to swim in January, but a hot tub would be nice on cool evenings.

You guys have given me some more to think about! Thanks for your help!

 

[mickeynut1]

I am so excited to be planning a trip for just me and DH for the end of January! This is our only chance to stay deluxe, as we are a family of 6 when the kids are along. I thought we would be set on staying at the Poly, but then I started thinking about it too much (bad idea ), and I wonder if some of the tropical vibe that everyone loves about the Poly will be missing if the weather is cool in January?

Now, that kind of thinking has Wilderness Lodge creeping up in my mind, and what a nice, cozy, all-under-one-roof, place that would be to stay in January. But, with Christmas over by that point, maybe I'll be ready for a tropical retreat in the dead of winter instead of a cozy lodge haha!!! I know January weather is really unpredictable....40's, 80's, maybe both?

I tell ya, finding reasonable accomodations onsite for a family of 6 is tough. So now that it's only the two of us, and I have the entirety of WDW resorts to choose from, I'm overwhelmed (but in a good way)!

What do you think, Poly, WL, or some other deluxe for a January adults-only get away?

I should add we are only staying 5 nights, so not looking to do a split stay. Thanks for the input!

That's a tough choice as they are both great resorts. With that said, the Poly is our favorite and although the weather could go either way, I think I'd go with the Poly. The grounds are beautiful any time of year and it's great having the beach for watching the fireworks, as well as a distant view of the castle from just about anywhere on the Poly grounds. Good luck deciding, although I'm sure you'll have a magical trip no matter which resort you choose.

 

[mickey2minnie1]

We are cold here in winter. If I am going to Florida, I want palm trees and the look of tropics to make me feel warm. When I went in December it was in the 40's and 50's. The Poly made me feel much better about it. I can sit by a fire at home. I want the feel of a tropical paradise. It is just beautiful at the Poly.

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

Although the Poly is absolutely beautiful, I would never stay there. That hot tub late at night is very important to my "getting older" body.

 

[taylor3297]

Stayed at the Poly at the beginning of December 2010 and Florida was having unusually cold weather. Still loved the Poly and would do it again. Even though it was freezing there were people in the pool.

As to not having a hot tub, that is fine with me. Hot tubs just aren't my cup of tea.

 

[roryc]

The one time we stayed at the Poly was in January and I thought it would be fabulous to feel like we were in Hawaii. I was born in Hawaii. It was unusually cold while we were at the Poly (low 50s during the day) and the pool was all but intolerable due to the wind at night. The palm trees and tropical feel just didn't quite get it with the temperature so cold.

I would have been much happier if I'd booked Wilderness Lodge for that time of year. I just kept thinking how we would probably like it if we were there when it was warm. But it wasn't warm and we were there and I feel like we paid a lot of money for a lot of ambiance we couldn't enjoy.

You might luck out and it be awesome weather. But chances are it won't be super warm in January and it might be downright cold.

We have since stayed at the Grand Floridian and I do think I'd enjoy going back to the Poly in the summer, but my family loves the Grand and we have ended up staying there our last 5 trips.

 

[disd55]

I've been at WL in mid-summer, MNSSHP time. I know its weird staying at that type of resort in Florida, summer regardless, but we still loved it. I can only imagine how beautiful it is in the winter. It's warm and cozy with 90 foot fireplaces! If I wanted a warm, Polynesian feel in the winter I'd go to Hawaii. Not Poly resort in disney. It's VERY unpredictable and that is one of the only resorts without a hot tub. Probably the only deluxe. WL has not one, but TWO hot tubs. The pool is 81 degrees in the winter. It's also considerably cheaper than poly. A LOT cheaper.

 

[mum2four]

I've been at WL in mid-summer, MNSSHP time. I know its weird staying at that type of resort in Florida, summer regardless, but we still loved it. I can only imagine how beautiful it is in the winter. It's warm and cozy with 90 foot fireplaces! If I wanted a warm, Polynesian feel in the winter I'd go to Hawaii. Not Poly resort in disney. It's VERY unpredictable and that is one of the only resorts without a hot tub. Probably the only deluxe. WL has not one, but TWO hot tubs. The pool is 81 degrees in the winter. It's also considerably cheaper than poly. A LOT cheaper.

Ya know, I was just starting to think we would go with the Poly, but your post now has me leaning back toward WL! You make a good point about the difference in price too. Cost isn't necessarily the deciding factor, but it is something to keep in mind when comparing the two.

Forgot to mention this trip will be to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary! Hmmm....tropical paradise or cozy lodge? They both sound great! I'll probably go back and forth a number of times before actually making a decision, but I think I'm going with WL at this point.

Appreciate everyone's feedback!

 

[fla4fun]

Ya know, I was just starting to think we would go with the Poly, but your post now has me leaning back toward WL! You make a good point about the difference in price too. Cost isn't necessarily the deciding factor, but it is something to keep in mind when comparing the two.

Forgot to mention this trip will be to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary! Hmmm....tropical paradise or cozy lodge? They both sound great! I'll probably go back and forth a number of times before actually making a decision, but I think I'm going with WL at this point.

Appreciate everyone's feedback!

The Lodge is great in January. I was there this past January. However, on my December trip, my January trip and my early March trip I had temps in the 80's, so it felt like summer all the way. That's the thing about January in Florida - you just never know. You could stay at the Lodge and it could feel like summer, or stay at the Poly, and it could be below freezing at night. There's just no way to predict it, especially this far out.

However, you can't really go wrong with either choice.

 

[disd55]

Ya know, I was just starting to think we would go with the Poly, but your post now has me leaning back toward WL! You make a good point about the difference in price too. Cost isn't necessarily the deciding factor, but it is something to keep in mind when comparing the two.

Forgot to mention this trip will be to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary! Hmmm....tropical paradise or cozy lodge? They both sound great! I'll probably go back and forth a number of times before actually making a decision, but I think I'm going with WL at this point.

Appreciate everyone's feedback!

The lodge is a beauty! So much surface area, with trails that lead to the campgrounds. Also the night time electric magical pageant, exclusive to the WL, BLT and CR on Seven Seas Lagoon. Whichever hotel you choose you will not be disappointed!