I'm Worried.

[Pluto1976]

If you really CAN eat peanut butter and save enough to make up the difference I think you should book the Poly. It's what you want. If you booked the poly, you'd have the excited feeling that you are lacking right now. Listen to yourself...you know...

You are afraid of setting yourself up to be disappointed. That WILL happen no matter how beautiful the WL is. It is NOT what you want!

I gotta agree with this wholeheartedly!

The DW and I love the Poly and are going back this November. We thought of going cheaper and staying somewhere else but just could not get excited about staying somewhere else. The Poly theme appeals so much to us!

So, for the next 2.5 months we are cutting out dining out and happy hours to save money so we can stay where we want.

Nothing against the WL. It is about what you want and what you enjoy.

 

[KELLY]

I'm in the same situation well sort of. We have the $$ to stay at the AKL room only and use are exsisting tickets. But we are going on a DC next year follwed by a 11 night stay at Disney not sure which resort yet. So we are thinking of staying at POP for the 8 nights at Halloween this trip and doing a package free QSDP . We could save around 1000.00 plus not use our tickets we have left and save them for next year. But for some reason AKL is really wanting me there. I have a few days to make my choice. The pakcage at pop is only 200.00 more than our resort stay at the AKL.

 

[jackal]

Hi, Jackal!

As you probably remember, we decided to stay at the WL this year too. And ever since then, I've been questioning our "group" decision. I toyed with the idea of a 2-bed at OKW (there's 6 of us all together, but not in same room), also gave consideration to the new Waldorf-Astoria that opens in October, and most of all, thought about staying at the BC/YC or BWI because that's where the majority of us REALLY want to stay (but it's more $$). Not $1,000 more, but still a good amount.

So I feel your pain, somewhat.

However, I think the majority of reviews I've read give the WL a really big thumbs up, so I'm sticking with it (I think ). I think it will be fun to give it a try. So I vote that you stick with it.

I'd love to hear about your stay when you get back, as you'll be going before us.



Pink

Pink, I'll definitely give you a report when we get back. Well, that is if we end up staying there I'm still so torn. Everyone here makes great points and then you think you are secure in your decision and then another great point is made. It's rough Oh, and I REALLY want to stay at BC one day. I would change over there in a heartbeat too but we are doing the Halloween parties a number of times so it just seems more logical to stay at a MK resort.

 

[NOLA_Tink]

You guys are making some really great points! I love these boards. Still haven't solved my problem, but you all have me thinking! Thank you

Ultimately, you'll forget all about your worries once you get there! Seriously, I love WL for its theme, ferry, and dining options. I never thought I would want to stay there until we had lunch at Whispering Canyon. The resort's charm really surpised me & the size is great. I understand your concern, but you'll be so overwhelmed by joy upon arrival that your worries will be a thing of the past!

 

[jackal]

I gotta agree with this wholeheartedly!

The DW and I love the Poly and are going back this November. We thought of going cheaper and staying somewhere else but just could not get excited about staying somewhere else. The Poly theme appeals so much to us!

So, for the next 2.5 months we are cutting out dining out and happy hours to save money so we can stay where we want.

Nothing against the WL. It is about what you want and what you enjoy.

Disney really should make it harder to change your resort reservations so people like me can't change so easily and go back and forth until the trip finally gets here. We love the Poly, Pluto. I know exactly how you feel

 

[MickeyNicki]

The WL is fantastic, we were just there last month and loved it! The cinnamon pecan rolls at RF are the best!

If it were me (and it was, we cancelled the BWI and decided on the POFQ and saved $1000) I would rather have a great vacation at the WL than drop a wad for the Poly (and I love the Poly) and the CR doesnt compare to WL...IMHO WL is so much better!

 

[Brian&Amy]

WL was our Honeymoon resort. Marvelous and Magical for couples and grown-ups. For the little ones I would have to say that there was not a lot of attention grabbers there. The architecture is amazing and the details are stunning but for a small child the pool and the arcade are about it. The late night boat rides to and from MK are welcome relaxation times and offer great views. The only downside I have found was the bus transportation which usually also picks up at the campgrounds.

 

[jackal]

WL was our Honeymoon resort. Marvelous and Magical for couples and grown-ups. For the little ones I would have to say that there was not a lot of attention grabbers there. The architecture is amazing and the details are stunning but for a small child the pool and the arcade are about it. The late night boat rides to and from MK are welcome relaxation times and offer great views. The only downside I have found was the bus transportation which usually also picks up at the campgrounds.

Thanks. I am used to the transporation as at the Poly and CR, we stopped at the GF and sometimes the other resort. Sometimes there were 3 stops on the bus route. That, we are used to, and really didn't mind too much. I'm worried about even attempting the boat ride at WL. It looks great for me, but last trip we took the boat from DHS to the boardwalk area and we all thought it would never get there. We are not the stop and smell the roses kind of family. We want to get to our destination and get their quick. Especially DD15 - she wants to just get there. Doesn't matter if it's a lovely boat ride, it needs to get their quick. The buses she didn't mind either. We have always had good bus service at the poly and cr. I guess we wouldn't know any different if it wasn't good bus service cuz that is all we stayed at.

 

[dancin Disney style]

I know how you're feeling. On our last trip I was not excited to go which is really odd since all I do is think about my next vacation. I'm quite sure that it's the only reason I work. Anyway, even after we arrived I was walking to the room (we stayed at ASMu...my DD got to choose) and I kept thinking 'why did we come here, we should have gone to an island or someplace else'. It had nothing to do with the resort I just really felt like we have over done Disney. We have been there 7 times in the last 5 years, plus many times before that. I think I was just tired and over worked because after dinner that night at DTD I stopped thinking those crazy thoughts. We ended up having a total blast. This was more of an R&R trip anyway. Out of 9 days we spent 5 of them at the pool all day. Looking back I know that I was in dire need of a break from my daily stresses and that was why I couldn't get excited about the trip.

 

[CheshireKittyKat]

We have stayed at the Wilderness Lodge several times, and I will second what everyone else says about how beautiful and wonderful it is.

The one recommendation that I haven't seen come up is to rent a car. The bus to the MK is a quick trip- the boat is fun, but can be slow. If you are people that want to get where you are going, definetly get the car- it will be worth the money.

The last thing I have to add is to have a little gratitude. Many people go to Disney once, or just a few times. Be thankful you don't have to stay in some dive off property.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

If you don't want to rent a car....take a $5 cab ride to the way end of the Contemporary (tell the drive to let you off right before he would make his right hand turn into the CR property. The take the 5 minute walk to MK. We've done that several times.

 

[jackal]

We have stayed at the Wilderness Lodge several times, and I will second what everyone else says about how beautiful and wonderful it is.

The one recommendation that I haven't seen come up is to rent a car. The bus to the MK is a quick trip- the boat is fun, but can be slow. If you are people that want to get where you are going, definetly get the car- it will be worth the money.

The last thing I have to add is to have a little gratitude. Many people go to Disney once, or just a few times. Be thankful you don't have to stay in some dive off property.

I know. And I am really, really grateful we get to go at all. And we get to attend a few parties while there. We all should just be happy we are going. I have got to snap out of this!

As far as the car, we just couldn't do it. My DH doesn't like to drive where he is not familiar and I do not like to drive at all so we basically are "forced" to use Disney transporation. Thank god we have been lucky and have never had any problems with it so far. A car rental is out of the question - he's on vacation - he wants someone else to do the driving. I can't blame him really. He would be really, really stressed with driving and then parking. It would make for some unpleasant experiences - I just know it.

 

[rie'smom]

Thanks. I am used to the transporation as at the Poly and CR, we stopped at the GF and sometimes the other resort. Sometimes there were 3 stops on the bus route. That, we are used to, and really didn't mind too much. I'm worried about even attempting the boat ride at WL. It looks great for me, but last trip we took the boat from DHS to the boardwalk area and we all thought it would never get there. We are not the stop and smell the roses kind of family. We want to get to our destination and get their quick. Especially DD15 - she wants to just get there. Doesn't matter if it's a lovely boat ride, it needs to get their quick. The buses she didn't mind either. We have always had good bus service at the poly and cr. I guess we wouldn't know any different if it wasn't good bus service cuz that is all we stayed at.

My daughter, also 15, is another one who want to get to the parks quickly. We take a cab. It's super quick.

 

[Pinkpony]

Pink, I'll definitely give you a report when we get back. Well, that is if we end up staying there I'm still so torn. Everyone here makes great points and then you think you are secure in your decision and then another great point is made. It's rough Oh, and I REALLY want to stay at BC one day. I would change over there in a heartbeat too but we are doing the Halloween parties a number of times so it just seems more logical to stay at a MK resort.

Let me know if you change your mind!

And as far as gratitude, I don't think having a tough time deciding where to stay has anything at all with whether you're grateful for the opportunity to go to WDW. When you're spending that kind of money, you want to make sure you're where you want to be! We couldn't afford to go until our oldest son was 16, and the next trip he was 24, so we're super grateful to go, but it's still hard to decide where to stay.

Keep us all posted!

 

[jackemail]

I love, love, love Poly---stayed there over 30 times. That said, I also love WL, and would stay there in a heartbeat! Love the outside area, the nature walk over to Fort Wilderness, the boat ride to the MK. It is such a wonderful resort!!

 

[Nadjalu]

Sorry to see you are still concerned with this issue.
With our upcoming trip I fully anticipated staying at AKL. I have always wanted to and with our FD Pin and a fantastic rate on our airfare it was within our budget, barely but still within the limits.
I went back and forth for weeks over it. We love POP and find it suits us well for our needs, but I have always wanted to stay at AKL. (I am an animal lover from the get go)
After weeks of back and forth I finally determined that it really wasn't worth the extra $1000 for us to stay there. Like I said it was in our budget but I just didn't feel right spending that money on it. So I booked POP and after I was done had such relief, that I made the right decision. Now I am $1000 closer to my next DW vacation!

So maybe what you need to do is switch it to the Poly and see if you feel relief or pains of spending that money. You can always switch it back (if I understand correctly) as long as it doesn't sell out.
Sometimes change is hard for us, maybe that is what is bothering you. Or maybe something else is behind it entirely........who knows.
It is your vacation I hope you solve this and start to enjoying it. LIfe is too short to worry over small details.

 

[jackal]

You know, I really do think I have a problem with change! You are right. IF we get a new copier at work I freak out because it's a change. We tried CR after staying at the Poly a few times and I thought I would be disappointed with that, while I was, it did not ruin our trip at all.

I really wish when we first started going to WDW that we would have started with a value and worked our way up. I think we got too spoiled and I was always afraid to try something else. But of course, that was our first trip and "had" to be special. Well 5 trips later, of course, I want to make this one special so feel that we should stay at the Poly. But $1,000 is so much money.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

You may want to rent a car. Personally, I hate waiting for WDW transportation when I can get in a car and go anywhere on property in under 7 minutes. Easy cheesy.

As far as the resorts go... I love the theming of the Poly, but after living in Hawaii I know the Poly isn't as authentic as it could be so I'm perfectly content to just dine there. I loved the grandeur of the WL.... so much more inspiring than the Poly. You'll have a great time. Be happy you're going and don't try to put such a huge burden on yourself about the resort choice. It's still WDW, it's still in the MK area. And think about the rental car...

Thanks. I am used to the transporation as at the Poly and CR, we stopped at the GF and sometimes the other resort. Sometimes there were 3 stops on the bus route. That, we are used to, and really didn't mind too much. I'm worried about even attempting the boat ride at WL. It looks great for me, but last trip we took the boat from DHS to the boardwalk area and we all thought it would never get there. We are not the stop and smell the roses kind of family. We want to get to our destination and get their quick. Especially DD15 - she wants to just get there. Doesn't matter if it's a lovely boat ride, it needs to get their quick. The buses she didn't mind either. We have always had good bus service at the poly and cr. I guess we wouldn't know any different if it wasn't good bus service cuz that is all we stayed at.

 

[tami82]

You should keep checking back with CR, at one point when i was going they were booked up and then closer to the time it seemed to have some openings, perhaps some people who booked room only had cancelled. The CR garden wings are very nice we just came back from there not too long ago. Otherwise im sure the WL would be nice. $1000 is alot. It may be nice to try somewhere different. I was looking into WL but it didnt accommodate 5 people.

 

[marie1203]

It is not busy at that time a year we were at the WL for the first Halloween party we took the ferry it worked great even after we didn't have to wait to get back on the ferry I love the WL and not the Poly as much.