Opinions Please - WL vs Poly

[sigepmike]

We are heading down in December and are trying to decide between Wilderness Lodge or Poly. Anyone have an opinion between those two? Also, if we go with Poly, is the theme park view worth an extra $100 per night? I get it at CR or BLT since you are right on top of the MK, just wasn't sure about paying the extra at Poly. Thanks.

 

[mickeynut1]

Having stayed at both and loving both for different reasons, the Poly is our favorite resort overall, but for us, the WL beats out the Poly during Christmas time. The WL is amazing anytime of year, but especially during the holidays when it's all decorated . The huge fireplace in the lobby surrounded by rocking chairs is so inviting that it makes for a relaxing time to sit and take everything in . I'm sure you will have an awesome trip no matter which resort you choose, but if you are looking for a resort with beautiful decorations and surroundings for the holidays, I'd go with the WL .

As far as the TPV at the Poly.....whether or not it's worth it is different for everyone, but with that said, we aren't ones to pay extra for views. If it were me, I'd save the money and go with a regular GV or spend the extra and go with CL over a view (but that's just me ). I'm sure the TPV is great and although we do spend alot of time at the resort, we don't spend that much time in the room to warrant the extra cost for a view.

 

[RookieLady]

I have stayed at and enjoyed both. I don't know when you plan to go. This would make a difference to me. When we go to Disney, we don't move the car, which means I ride Disney transportation, including the buses. I don't prefer the buses over other transportation (except driving myself). I prefer the monorail access at the Poly to both Magic Kingdom and Epcot. You can get on a boat, too, if you want. At the Wilderness Lodge, it's the boat or the bus. In the winter, that boat is cold, even if it heats up later in the day.

 

[Karabee]

Hands down I would pick Poly. I stayed at WL last year and was far from impressed (although the room refurb might change my mind now). You just cannot beat the Poly theme and location. Having the monorail there, and being able to walk to the TTC to catch the Epcot monorail is well worth the extra money. Not sure I would ever pay more for a MK view unless you plan on sitting on your balcony alot. You can just as easily walk to the beach to see the castle and I've heard many rooms have "views" that are not all that perfect anyway.
Also, in December you might want to feel like you're somewhere tropical instead of warming up by a fire

 

[OKW Lover]

Love both resorts but there's no doubt that the Poly is better. Larger rooms. Convenient transportation to MK via monorail or launch. Short walk to TTC to catch the monorail to Epcot.

 

[starousse]

Definitely WL around the holidays.

 

[mariamouse]

Having stayed at both and loving both for different reasons, the Poly is our favorite resort overall, but for us, the WL beats out the Poly during Christmas time. The WL is amazing anytime of year, but especially during the holidays when it's all decorated . The huge fireplace in the lobby surrounded by rocking chairs is so inviting that it makes for a relaxing time to sit and take everything in . I'm sure you will have an awesome trip no matter which resort you choose, but if you are looking for a resort with beautiful decorations and surroundings for the holidays, I'd go with the WL .

As far as the TPV at the Poly.....whether or not it's worth it is different for everyone, but with that said, we aren't ones to pay extra for views. If it were me, I'd save the money and go with a regular GV or spend the extra and go with CL over a view (but that's just me ). I'm sure the TPV is great and although we do spend alot of time at the resort, we don't spend that much time in the room to warrant the extra cost for a view.

I completely agree with this. The Poly is our favorite resort any other time of year, but the WL decorations truly are beautiful and the resort theme is so well-suited to the holidays. Plus, you will be saving money!

If, however, you do not care that much about the Christmas decorations, I would go with the Poly. The Hawaiian-themed holiday decorations are still quite charming and you may find the resort to be a respite from the decorations in all of the parks. I would not pay the extra for a TPV since the GV rooms at the Poly are so great (often having a partial view of the lagoon), plus you can see the castle from the communal beach area, volcano pool, etc.

In sum, if you are a Christmas nut like I am and are largely visiting due to the fact that it is the holiday season, stay at the WL. If you are not a total Christmas nut and just want to stay at the most convenient resort, I would pick the Poly.

Have fun wherever you end up!

 

[sigepmike]

Thanks to everyone for their opinions. Whatever we do, I'm sure we can't go wrong.

 

[DJFan88]

Today, I'm all about the food options and convenience. So, I vote for Poly.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

WL, if you want all the Christmas decor. Any other time most definetly the Polynesian.

 

[heidijanesmith]

We loved staying at the Poly

The rooms are huge, transportation to MK and easy walk to the TTC and EPCOT monorail. We did not mind sharing the bus route, as the buses came quickly and the route between resorts seemed short.

Check out the tikiman website for detailed maps of rooms locations, walking times and great info on all things Poly.

We booked a GV room and did not regret it. We liked watching Wishes from the pool, beach and GCH. Our room was 1st floor, Niue longhouse facing the volcano pool. We were steps away from the pool, transportation and food. Could not have been better for us.

 

[Alabama Minnie]

LOVE both! - Xmas WL for sure!

 

[jperrot1]

I can only address your question on is the up charge for a better view worth it at the Poly. We have stayed in both a Garden view and Castle view at the Poly and the castle view is absolutely magical! Watching the fireworks while laying in your bedroom and being able to hear the accompanying music to the fireworks is an incredible experience. With that much said, I would rather pay about the same for a club level garden view than castle view without club level. That's because there's even more magic at the club level rooms IMHO.

 

[ciera321]

I've stayed at both resorts and WL in July and December. I know I'm in the minority, but the Poly just didn't do it for me, while the WL was so beautiful and well themed. Also at Christmas, the decorations at WL are so pretty, while at the Poly they are lacking, IMO. I would definately choose WL over Poly anytime, but at Christmas especially!

 

[pepe of ohio]

Preface to say, Poly about 5 times and WL over 10 times.....Poly used to be a great resort alot of years back then rack rates weren't so high and discounts were alot better.....through the years, the Poly has out priced itself.......not even considering staying CL now a days.......yeah, rooms are bigger, distant view of the MK, monorail access.....but the ends don't justify the means.....so over priced....

WL, still in the MK area, on the lakes, boat access to the MK, boat to the CR to gain monorail to EPCOT transfer......at a more affordable cost! It's all under one roof (no separate longhouses) and less traffic with day visitors clogging up the place.....what we pay for the WL, value season with AAA discount or AP discount we can do our 9-12 night stays easily than 4 night at the Poly.....for the price difference we'll take the longer stay and stay deluxe in the MK area on the lakes.....theming is second to none at the lodge and prefered by us over the Poly...

 

[*Fantasia*]

Definitely WL around the holidays.

WL, if you want all the Christmas decor. Any other time most definetly the Polynesian.

LOVE both! - Xmas WL for sure!

I would definitely choose WL during the Holiday in December!! Any other time, I would go with the Polynesian! WL is a beautiful resort.. but to stay there during the Holiday is spectacular!! There is something about WL during the Holiday, it just screams Christmas spirit!

 

[emilyann415]

Been to both, DH LOVES WL while I give the edge to Poly. It makes me feel transplanted in Hawaii which I find so wonderful. However, that said, WL wins at xmas time. We go almost every year in Dec and nothing gets you in the xmas spirit more than walking into that lodge and seeing it decorated. Our first stay at xmas time was at Poly and it was beautiful, I thought nothing could top it, UNTIL we visited WL for lunch....simply breathtaking!!!!

 

[solana131]

Thanks so much for posting this thread. I am struggling with this very same problem. I have stayed at the Poly and absolutely loved it. Had not one bad thing to say about it. There is nothing better for transportation options and customer service was amazing. GO POLY

Now that being said....hubby fell in love with the WL when we visited. We spent quite a bit of time there in Feb eating, shopping, and just exploring. I have heard amazing things about their Holiday decorations and really want to see it that time of the year. And I am not rich by any means....so the extra $$ savings is very important.

The room size at the Poly is far superior if you have a large family, or even a small one that likes separate beds. (although the bunk bed option is available) And as far as paying more for the view....not for me. The GV rooms in Tokelau are just fine, nice central location and we still had a view of the lagoon. I thought the TPV rooms were too busy with people walking by all the time. But I guess if money were no problem, I would pay it just to have the options during Wishes.

I am leaning towards a split stay between the two next November to get the best of both worlds. Is this an option for you? I know packing up and moving is a bit of a pain, but Bell Services makes it so easy for you. I'll be checking this thread frequently so I can make up my own mind too

 

[vbarry]

Same boat also but we chose WL. We are going to stay CL level there for the first time. The other times have been courtyard view.

I am really going to miss the Poly due to the large rooms and I LOVE the CL lounge.

If it is worth anything...WL rooms just went through a rehab and will all be done by Xmas and the Poly is just starting. I figure I will give WL a shot this time and opt for the Poly after all the updates are completed!!

Good luck in deciding!

 

[solana131]

If it is worth anything...WL rooms just went through a rehab and will all be done by Xmas and the Poly is just starting. I figure I will give WL a shot this time and opt for the Poly after all the updates are completed!!

Ooh, I hadn't heard anything about WL rooms being updated. That is good news! I am planning for Nov 2013, so I would think they would have a good portion of the Poly done by then (I thought the old rooms were fine).....but now you make me think more about WL. I will have to go explore and see if I can find some newly refurbed WL pics. Thanks!