monorail resort or VWL

[camouseketeer]

My family of 4 (me, DH, DD4, DD3) has never been to WDW and plan to go sometime in late 2006. We are trying to decide between two connecting rooms at a monorail resort (we want a separate room to hang out in while the kids sleep) or a 1BR villa at VWL (we would rent points). I know that renting points would be cheaper, but is being on the monorail at the Poly or CR worth the extra money? We would spend the majority of our time at MK, and my DH likes the convenience of the monorail. While I agree with him about the convenience, I like the idea of a full kitchen, washer/dryer, and spending less money. Is the boat from VWL to MK easy and quick? My husband does NOT like to wait. We would have a rental car and probably would use it for getting to the other parks.

Also, if we did stay at a mono resort, would you recommend the Poly or CR? We love Hawaii (the state, not the longhouse) and like the theming of the Poly (plus it has a zero entry pool), but the ability to walk from MK to CR is a big deal to us too. I'm not a fan of the current theming of CR (going just by the photos online) but the look of the renovated room is fabulous. Is there a good chance we could get a renovated room by fall of 2006?

I'm a big lurker of these boards and have learned a lot.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Jeannine

 

[spiceycat]

I would go with the Polyn. You don't need 2 rooms. the Polyn is definitely big enough for your family.

One of your kids could sleep on the day bed (twin bed).

the polyn has no king beds in their rooms only 2 queen beds and the day bed.

if you are thinking of 2 rooms at a deluxe resort. I would go with a 2-bedroom DVC resort - so the kids have their own room at night.

the 1-bedroom has a king in the bedroom and a queen sleeper sofa. while the 2-bedroom has another queen bed and a double sleeper sofa or 2 queen beds. there are also 2 bathrooms - very nice for the early morning rush.

 

[RayJay]

My family of 4 (me, DH, DD4, DD3) has never been to WDW and plan to go sometime in late 2006. We are trying to decide between two connecting rooms at a monorail resort (we want a separate room to hang out in while the kids sleep) or a 1BR villa at VWL (we would rent points). I know that renting points would be cheaper, but is being on the monorail at the Poly or CR worth the extra money? We would spend the majority of our time at MK, and my DH likes the convenience of the monorail. While I agree with him about the convenience, I like the idea of a full kitchen, washer/dryer, and spending less money. Is the boat from VWL to MK easy and quick? My husband does NOT like to wait. We would have a rental car and probably would use it for getting to the other parks.

Also, if we did stay at a mono resort, would you recommend the Poly or CR? We love Hawaii (the state, not the longhouse) and like the theming of the Poly (plus it has a zero entry pool), but the ability to walk from MK to CR is a big deal to us too. I'm not a fan of the current theming of CR (going just by the photos online) but the look of the renovated room is fabulous. Is there a good chance we could get a renovated room by fall of 2006?

I'm a big lurker of these boards and have learned a lot.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Jeannine

If I had to choose between, definately the Poly, course I've never stayed at WL, We are not into the woods, tropical OK, even CR would be better.

You cannot beat the Monorail, that said I've only had it twice, so you can make due.

Just another opinion.

Have Fun
RayJay

 

[bellarella]

I agree -- a single room at the poly will be probably more accomodating for you than the 1 bdr at WLV. The Poly has two queen beds and a daybed in each room. I believe that the WLV 1 bdr has only one queen bed and a pull out couch. On top of that there is the convenience of having 4 different ways to get to and from the MK at the Poly -- express monorail via TTC (walking distance from the Poly), boat from TTC, resort boat or resort monorail. While CR is walking distance, for me, with young kids it would be more of a hike than I would like and the boat launch directly to the Poly is so nice (my fav way to get back and forth). The poly also has the zero entry pool which CR does not have and we found that to be wonderful for DD4 and DD2.

So I would take even one room at Poly over the 1bdr WLV, and definately connecting rooms!

 

[3lilprincesses]

i agree that the convenience of a monorail resort can't be beat! we stayed at GF, which also has a zero entry pool, and one room was just fine (we have 3 young DD's). we hung out on the balcony after we put the girls to bed. i wouldn't spend the money for 2 rooms. it is my understanding that Poly's rooms are comparable in size to GF, and i agree that a zero entry pool is a huge plus w/ little ones, so picking from the resorts you mentioned, i too would go for Poly.

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

I would take VWL over Poly simply for the fact that in the Villas you have a full kitchen, separate living area and washer/dryer. Plus, at VWL the master bath has a large tub that's great for bathing the kids together at the end of the day. The boat ride to MK is relaxing and efficient. The buses are fine too. IMO, I'd take VWL over Poly when traveling with young children just for the full kitchen and washer/dryer.

We stayed at VWL last November and our kids (ages 3,4) loved it!

 

[cmrules]

I would personally go for the VWL. The kitchen and washer dryer are great to have with kids. The boat to the MK is a nice ride. We have stayed there twice and LOVE it. The only time we have had problems with the boat is leaving the park at closing. We waited an hour for the boat. Do not leave the park after wishes. Leave just before. You will see the whole thing from the boat anyway and will be back at the resort when everyone else is trying to leave.