How does WL compare to Swan & Poly?

[swilphil]

We stayed at the Swan last month and loved everything about it. I visited the WL for dinner during the trip, thinking I would fall in love with it and we might stay there on a future trip. But I really didn't like the woodsy atmosphere. Since my kids are 2 and 4 I would like to stay closer to MK. I'm hearing such good things about the Poly, but I'm kind of afraid to stay there too since I've never visited.

Am I selling the WL short? It seems like everyone else just LOVES it. Will I be disappointed in the Poly? Will I miss being able to walk to Epcot and MGM from the Swan. We are probably just going to stay onsite for a couple of nights on our next trip before we join my in-laws at their new Bonnet Creek timeshare, so the cost is not much of a factor.

 

[Muushka]

No, you are not selling the WL short. I am someone who loves it, but then I was in S FL for 10 years, the last thing I wanted to see was palm trees and pink/pale green decor! If you get the feeling that you don't like it because of the decor, you probably won't. We own DVC and have no desire to stay to BCV, BWV, YC......because of the decor.

You asked how it compared to Poly and Swan. We have stayed at them also, but I am probably not the one to ask how it compares (of course I am going to say they are not as nice as WL!). Poly has the monorail going for it, and Swan has the proximity to EPCOT and MGM. But for me, that is the only plusses they have.

I am a firm believer in trying everything once and making an informed decision. If I were you and wanting to be close to MK, I would probably opt for Poly. I hope you have a great trip!

 

[rileyroosmom]

Don't rule out the WL. We stayed in May and my kids absoultely loved it! We had a room with bunk beds which was a first for them. The pool is great. According to others, the slide isn't as big there as other hotels, but that could be a plus for the age of your kids. The kids (as well as yourself) will enjoy the boat ride to the MK or Contempary. You are close to Fort Wilderness which has a free zoo for the kids as well as hayrides. The resort is a little smaller and not as spread out as the bigger hotels which is very convienent when you want a snack at Roaring Forks or when you forget something in your room. The kids will even enjoy the lobby which has a steam and a bridge in it, large rocking chairs by the fireplace. I think you will love WL and should give it a try!

 

[jwfla422]

We've stayed at all of those resorts and honestly they are all very different from one another with very different atmospheres.

WL is beautiful, but it is "woodsy". I liked being able to visit the campgrounds too. The only thing I don't like is feeling a little isolated especially when you're used to the Swan (being in the middle of everything).

The POLY is also beautiful and convenient since it's on the monorail line you can go to MK & EPCOT by monorail. If you stay in a bldg close to the TTC it's even more convenient because you can walk over there and only take one monorail to EPCOT and not have to loop all the way around.

You won't be disappointed, but just keep in mind it is different than staying in the EPCOT resort area. I love that area, it's my favorite because we spend most of our time at EPCOT & MGM. We also love the S/D. But, sometimes it's nice to change every now and then. Those resorts are my favorite MK resorts. You might miss walking to Epcot but like I said sometimes it's nice to make a change (only makes you appreciate the S/D more )

 

[swilphil]

I think it must be the WL decor that doesn't thrill me, as rileyroosmom said. We live near beautiful wooded parks and Native American landmarks here in Shawnee, Kansas. Growing up we had a cabin at the Lake of the Ozarks and spent time in Colorado lodges. I like the palm trees and the beach feel at the Epcot resorts. I'd also like to try the Poly, and maybe even the Contemporary, just to be near MK and on the monorail. And of course, the GF after we win the lottery. When we visited the WL lobby, the rocking chairs and steamy bridge seemed nice for about 2 seconds. I guess it is all about escaping from what you don't know.

 

[Mouseteacher]

swilphil~I would suggest trying a monorail resort. You can't beat it for transport to the MK and Epcot. When my kids were young, we stayed at the CR. They loved the monorail going through the resort, our room faced (in the tower) the MK (they loved hearing Splash Mountain, seeing the fireworks each night and looking at Space Mtn), you can walk to the MK if you desire and the rooms were pretty large. My boys each had their own bed - one on the daybed (cut down on the arguing over who was hogging the bed!). I highly recommend the resort and I am a S/D fan, too.

 

[Muushka]

Originally posted by swilphil
Snip... I guess it is all about escaping from what you don't know.

Bingo, nail on the head.

 

[KELLY]

We are trying WL for the first time there wasn't a standard view I thought the next view would be pool no it is a wood's View I'm from Maine and let me tell you my back yard is full of a woods view. But we were going to stay at AKL and it seems like WL has more access to diffrent things. So WL here we Come. I looked at all the pictures and it looks great to me. KELLY