If Poly and WL were the same price, which would you choose?

[afcgirl]

We are currently booked for WL for four nights in July prior to our Disney Wonder cruise.

We chose WL because (i) it gets rave reviews on here, (ii) it's close to MK (my kids will be 5 and 3), and (iii) it is cheaper than Poly.

However, I would be willing to pay more for Poly if it was worth it, and now I am second-guessing myself. So, if Poly and WL were the same price, which one would you choose?

Thanks in advance!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

This is not a really fair response, as I haven't stayed at WL yet. But if they were exactly the same price, I would have to go w/the Poly, if only for the difference in transportation. You just can't beat the access to MK and Epcot on the monorail, IMO. The Poly has such a wonderful atmosphere, unexplainable, but many posters say the same about WL!!

WL is on our wish-list, though. We will definitely be staying there at some point. But if price was the same, I'd take the Poly every time!!!

 

[EdDome]

Both are wonderfully themed. The Poly's rooms are larger and sleep 5 which is at leat part of the reason why it's priced higher. When my kids were young, proximity to the monorail or boat transportation to the MK was worth it to me.

 

[susy]

I have visted the Poly for dinner and have stayed at WL. I love the LODGE!!!!!! It is just so grand!! The boat to MK is quick and convenient. There is also a boat to the Contmeporary (we used it to go to Chef Mickey).

We had so much fun renting surrey bikes and riding over to FW for the FREE petting zoo!! The playground on the beach, the pool, and the food court INSIDE was great. We just got back from PC where it was pouring and DH had to brave the rains to get us dinner.

Whsipering canyon is a lot of fun. My son loved the pony races.

The Poly is great, too. It just depends on what you are looking for and how much you want to pay$$$.

 

[aladdinsgirl]

We have stayed at both resorts and I love both of them for different reasons. But if I had a choice and money didn't matter, without a second thought I'd chose the Poly. It is such a fantastic resort, the rooms are awesome, the grounds are beautiful, the location can't be beat. I'd live there if I could!

But if I were you, I wouldn't worry about the reservation, the WL is a great resort too and I think you'll love it just as much. Stay at the WL, but definitely visit the Poly.

Krista

 

[Eeyore1954]

Been to both and would select WL hands-down. I enjoy the theming more; loved the get-away-from-it-all feeling but still being in the middle of the magic; loved the boat ride to MK; great restaurants; didn't feel crowded; didn't feel too spread out -- just enough room. For me it was PERFECT!

 

[colleen costello]

My dream trip would be a stay split between these two. Poly first when I have lots of energy and finish up at the Lodge. I'd need at least 4 nights at each! Now if I could just win that lottery...

I am actually working on this very scenario... Have plans for the Villas at the Lodge in June and am watching for AP rates/codes to add on a few nights, possibly at the Poly. Is everyone remembering to say your code-prayers before bed each night?

 

[Dana49]

We have stayed at both resorts and both are excellent. However, I think, with the little ones, I would stay at the Polynesian. The main reason is transportation. The transportation from the Poly is much more convenient than from the Wilderness Lodge. With little children, the monorail makes a significant difference and cuts down on the walking.

 

[CamColt]

Even with the Poly being more, I would always choose that over WL(and I have). We had our first visit to WL in December, just to check it out(we were going on a sleigh ride from there). While Ill admit it is a beautiful resort, I just couldnt go to Florida and stay there. If it werein Canada or the mountains or somthing like that, Id love to stay there, but in Florida...no way! Give me palm trees, tiki torches and tropical waterfalls anyday.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

Have stay in both many times but you can see by signature WL is now my home...also stay at WL when I not using my DVC points. I loved the Poly but when they built the Lodge I fell in love with it.

 

[ac_roo]

Poly hands down. We recently stayed at the Poly...did the resort tours...went from GF to Contemporary to WL. WL was beautiful, but my issue is that it is the ONLY Magic Kingdom resort without monorail access. I find the ferry slow and slow! The boat and monorail to Poly was sooo much faster. Even the boat was a lot quicker. I think it's the size of the WL boat...it's pretty big.

 

[slimplaw]

I've stayed at both and I would choose WL. Island and beach themes do nothing for me. I prefer WL because of the theme. I could sit and rock in front of the fireplace for an hour or 2 at WL.

 

[#1MMFan]

I love both. I haven't stayed at the Poly, but it is second top of my list (WL is top). I honestly have to say I don't find the monorail all that convenient. The boat from WL to MK is relaxing, short (only about 8 mins to dock) and honestly it is probably not much longer than getting a monorail certainly at TTC or Contemporary, perhaps Poly too. There is little difference walking when getting off the monorail or boat. We also used the boat to contemporary quite a bit, and took the monorail from there to vist Poly etc. No probs. The monorail is great, but after a few goes especially going to Epcot, the walk at the end down the ramps begins to wear you down.

I'm sure you'll love the Lodge.

John

 

[Kimberle]

No contest, WL.

Poly just reminds me of that old Brady bunch show gone "Hawaii".....

 

[dznyntnh]

Wilderness Lodge!!

I stayed there for the first time last year and loved it.

The polynesian has never impressed me. The theming is boring.

 

[gt3jay]

Having stayed at both, I would have to vote for the Poly. The staff was absolutely wonderful and friendly. The rooms are larger and the monorail is the way to go.

Both pools were great, with the Poly's zero entry pool a slight favorite. Both had great restaurants, WL's Whispering Canyon was great. I only remember having to ride the bus to the Animal Kingdom during our Poly stay. I remember riding the bus alot at the Wilderness Lodge. It wasn't that bad, just not as convenient as the Poly. We actually enjoyed the "long" boat ride to the MK from the wilderness lodge.

Both are great resorts. Which is "best" only depends on ones own tastes. With litte ones, the Poly's convenience is worth every penny. Without little ones, both are wonderful. Have a great trip.

 

[Lexxiefern]

I've stayed at both this past year and I would definately pick the WL. I don't think we will ever return to the Poly - nothing wrong with it, just not for us. [although DH does think the Poly is dated]

 

[afcgirl]

I appreciate everyone's taking the time to respond. I think I will stick with my reservation at WL and save some money. Both resorts seem wonderful.

I only started thinking about switching when I saw the new Poly pictures posted on the board. Since Hawaii is one of my favorite vacation destinations, it looked beautiful to me. The pictures of WL on the other hand just don't move me as much. I am thinking you just have to be there to appreciate it (at least I hope so).

Thanks again!

 

[colleen costello]

afcgirl, your plan sounds good to me. With all the money you save you can "hang out" at the Poly. We spend a day there every visit, although I haven't stayed there in years because we have DVC now and usually stay with points, not cash. But Poly is a great place to visit. You can hang out at the beach area, shop in the shops and then have a great dinner at Ohana or Kona. We always do just this, then head out to the beach to see the fireworks and the water pageant. Then we take a "round trip" monorail ride, up front if possible. This is what we always do on our last night at WDW because the Poly has been my favorite since about 1972... We always have fun there even if we don't "sleep" there!

I also happen to LOVE the Lodge! You may come to love it, too.

 

[dimimi]

We loved the Poly! We looked around at the Wilderness Lodge and although it was pretty, we are one of the odd families that don't care for the theming. We prefer the tropical atmosphere. Also, we LOVED having the monorail right there for our use. It was very convenient.