Moderate vs Deluxe???

[padawans]

I think for $250 you'll get quite a lot of value.

• The resort is a deluxe, which means more amenities. Unfortunately, it doesn't mean a larger room if you choose WL. If you chose Poly, it would be a much larger room.
• Access to 2 full-service restaurants and quick service (though this is more limited than the QS at the moderates).
• Access to more pools.
• Ability to take advantage of water activities like boat rentals or view the Electrical Water Pageant.
• Hotel style versus motel...rooms are off of interior corridors, no walking outside to go get your morning coffee, etc.
• If either of your parents has a handicapped placard, you will be able to get free valet parking, which is a great benefit if walking a lot is an issue. (though valet parking is one of the best deals at Disney IMO and if you are dining at other deluxe resorts, its value really pays off...you pay 1x per day and that gives you valet privileges at all resorts with valet parking)
• Boat service to MK is great IME.
• Nicer public areas...huge, impressive lobby, pool bar.
  
  Poly has never appealed to me (I've stayed at every deluxe except Poly...in fact, the only resorts I haven't stayed in are ASSports, POFQ, Poly and OKW) so I probably wouldn't stay at the Poly UNLESS the larger room was a dealbreaker (and it's fairly significant in size difference IIRC). The Poly has the monorail advantage, but I've never found it to be faster than boat service unless you happen to get lucky and monorail arrives just as you get to the station. But it would get you 2 parks without having to use bus service, which might be worth it to you.

It's a shorter ride to Mk from Poly whether you take the boat or monorail. We waited a long time for the boat at Wl. There is always going to be luck involved when transportation is involved, but all things being equal the monorail is faster.

 

[Tara]

It's a shorter ride to Mk from Poly whether you take the boat or monorail. We waited a long time for the boat at Wl. There is always going to be luck involved when transportation is involved, but all things being equal the monorail is faster.

The problem is that all things usually aren't equal...the monorail goes down more often than boat service is suspended. I can't tell you how many times I've stood and waited...and waited...for the monorail at GF. When it's working well, it's great, I totally agree, and I'm a big monorail fan in general. But I don't think the ride is so much shorter than I'd pay extra for the poly over WL based on that alone.

 

[Tara]

Okay, Pepe and Tara are very convincing and WL is back in the mix. My hesitation with WL is the transportation to all the other parks. Also, how long are the corridors? It looks really big In the ariel view. The theming is beautiful and I am sure they would love it coming from the Rockies in Canada. These are exactly the kind of things I love to know about a resort.

Thank you all,

K in SA

I've never thought "wow, these corridors are long" like I have in some other resorts. (I'm looking at you, BWV and Kidani!!) The themeing is some of the best of any WDW property, too...though lots of people love the Poly themeing, too.

The transportation to other parks is just fine IME. Here's how it compares:

WL
MK by boat
Epcot, Studios, AK by bus (IME they don't share bus routes for the first 2...but take that with a grain of salt because in general I Don't Do Buses )

CR
MK by boat or monorail
Epcot by monorail (either make full loop on resort monorail and transfer to Epcot monorail or walk to TTC and take Epcot monorail directly)
Studios and AK by bus shared with Contemporary and GF (CR is middle stop)

 

[padawans]

The problem is that all things usually aren't equal...the monorail goes down more often than boat service is suspended. I can't tell you how many times I've stood and waited...and waited...for the monorail at GF. When it's working well, it's great, I totally agree, and I'm a big monorail fan in general. But I don't think the ride is so much shorter than I'd pay extra for the poly over WL based on that alone.

I have never had the monorail break down, and if it is the boat ride is very short. A lot shorter than the one from Wl. Not trying to get in a debate. I have stayed at both, and the Poly is the better of the two resorts IMO. I would assume thats why Disney charges more for it. I don't think Disney is charging more just for the monorail. The rooms at the monorail resorts are much larger than Wl. Since Op is getting a good discount a couple hundred dollars more for the Poly is well worth it.

 

[MickeyNicki]

Like Real Estate its LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION!

I would much rather stay as close to the action without having to bus it all the time...the Epcot resorts are our favorite

 

[padawans]

Same goes for the Poly, it maybe your dream resort but depending where your longhouse is located, it could be quite a distance from the main building which makes popping to the pool, Capt. Cooks and Ceremonial House quite a walk....quite a bit of walking to get anywhere at the Poly, no rooms in the CH......not familar with Riverside at all, but from visits to POFQ, the resort is more compact than the Poly but some walking is involved to get around....still sticking to my guns on the WL....rooms maybe the same sizewise as a moderate but the logistics of getting around the property are alot easier...we've stayed there over 10 trips and the boats come quick, we either get on the first or second boat...never waited long at all and for leaving the MK, it's a straight walk out the MK across to the WL boat landing and board....the decision is very hard if you've never been to those resorts to know the distances and walking involved to get around...some will say walking at the Poly to the monorail or ferry dock is close but for pldsters with mobility issues, especially returning to the Poly after a day of traversing the parks can and will be an issue.....choose wisely...

This is not necessarily true. There are many longhouses close to the GCH and pool. The poly has been great about room requests, and I am sure they would accommodate anybody with mobility issues. The walk from our room at Wl was farther than our walk at Poly has ever been. The logistics of getting around the Poly are just as simpler than the Wl or any other resort I have stayed at. There are no long hallways. At the WL boat dock is just as far away as the Poly boat dock and requires walking up hill. There is a elevator to the monorail so I don't see how that is a issue.

 

[pepe of ohio]

This is not necessarily true. There are many longhouses close to the GCH and pool. The poly has been great about room requests, and I am sure they would accommodate anybody with mobility issues. The walk from our room at Wl was farther than our walk at Poly has ever been. The logistics of getting around the Poly are just as simpler than the Wl or any other resort I have stayed at. There are no long hallways. At the WL boat dock is just as far away as the Poly boat dock and requires walking up hill. There is a elevator to the monorail so I don't see how that is a issue.

Yeah, there's alot of longhouses and rooms close to everything...the chances of you getting one are slim, and not what I want to base my requests on.....there's no hill from the WL exit by Roaring Forks to the boat dock....and yes, we've stayed many a time at the Poly, worst bus transportation in many trips there then all the other resorts we've stayed at..but way back their rate wasn't so out of line...

As for the monorail...we were in WDW past January, and while waiting to take it to the CR to do some shopping...it was down on 2 occasions, first quit lengthy...until they fix the issues with it, I have no ambition on being trapped on one.......irregardless of either and all the debates over the Poly or WL....when price becomes a factor for what you get....the Poly is way out of line in price....when I can get the WL, with a general discount for less than 200 a night.....there are many factors to consider in picking resorts, logistics, location, size, amenities and price far out goes personal choice..especially traveling with an older couple.....also, if I wanted to stay at the resort and relax, without the walk to the GCH and then the small sitting area where you will be trampled....I'd prefer to relax in the lobby or small nooks located throughout the WL...as far as I'm concerned, this debate is over....I'll move on

 

[padawans]

Yeah, there's alot of longhouses and rooms close to everything...the chances of you getting one are slim, and not what I want to base my requests on.....there's no hill from the WL exit by Roaring Forks to the boat dock....and yes, we've stayed many a time at the Poly, worst bus transportation in many trips there then all the other resorts we've stayed at..but way back their rate wasn't so out of line...

As for the monorail...we were in WDW past January, and while waiting to take it to the CR to do some shopping...it was down on 2 occasions, first quit lengthy...until they fix the issues with it, I have no ambition on being trapped on one.......irregardless of either and all the debates over the Poly or WL....when price becomes a factor for what you get....the Poly is way out of line in price....when I can get the WL, with a general discount for less than 200 a night.....there are many factors to consider in picking resorts, logistics, location, size, amenities and price far out goes personal choice..especially traveling with an older couple.....also, if I wanted to stay at the resort and relax, without the walk to the GCH and then the small sitting area where you will be trampled....I'd prefer to relax in the lobby or small nooks located throughout the WL...as far as I'm concerned, this debate is over....I'll move on

No the chances are not slim. I have always gotten my room request. If you visit the Poly thread you will see that a lot of people do. What you considier a long walk may be short to most people. Bus transportation has always been great at the Poly, and you can also walk to the ttc to get a direct bus if you want. I don't find the Poly to be out of line when compared to the price of the Wl. Thats your opinion thats fine. Wl lodge is the only resort I have stayed at that I left feeling like I had overpaid for what I got. I always book with 40% off and I feel the price difference is justified.

By the way I wasn't having a debate with you. I was giving the op my opinion of both resorts. I was also clarifying false information that was given. I really do not see one resort being better than the other for somebody with mobility issues. I never stated that I did not like Wl or that I would not stay there again. No need to get to defensive.