Please compare the WL slide vs. Poly slide

[princesscrazydaughte]

I have DS2 1/2 and DD 4 1/2 and they both can swim and love slides. We stayed at Poly in Dec. and loved it but I can't decide whether it is worth so much more than the WL since it looks like there may be no AP rates for December. I know the Poly is more convenient b/c of the Monorail for park hopping and dining but we plan on hitting both the HDDR and Mickey's Backyard BBQ this trip, so the WL would be convenient for those. We mostly used the boat to MK at the Poly because we didn't spend much time at Epcot. If we stay at WL I can't decide what room to request. My husband loves water views so I guess the Courtyard is the way to go but I am unsure.

Thoughts and help appreciated

 

[perpetualplanner]

It's been a while since our Wilderness stay but we really preferred it over the Poly. The slides are probably similar - the Poly is covered but I don't believe the Wilderness one was. At the time of our Wilderness stay my oldest (then only) was 3 and he loved the slide. During our Poly stay my youngest was 4 and he loved that slide. I'm not sure though that my oldest would have used the Poly slide at 3 because of the enclosure though he loved it at 7 when we were there.

We really preferred the theming of the Wilderness over the Poly and while the room size difference is noticable we'd pick the Wilderness. Of course now we're hooked on the BWI.

 

[Kimberle]

I haven't been to the Poly, but I can tell you about WL's.

First, most people look right at it and don't even realize that it is a slide. When you look at the "bend" in the main pool, you'll see a big "pile" of rocks. It is really the slide. You are enclosed the entire ride down. The water is also kind of "forced" making the ride pretty fast. You cannot take small children down with you. Each rider must ride by themself. You are "ejected" into about 4-5 feet of water and your head nearly always goes under no matter how hard you try to keep it up.

Unless your kids swim really well, I wouldn't allow them on the slide. I did not let my 4.5 yo on, not that she wanted to go. You can however, let them wear their life jackets or bubbles.

It's a fun slide. I have a picture (I think) in my link below.

 

[weluvpluto]

Oh No!!!!
Is the slide st the WL really that deep at the end? We changed our ressie to be there at the end of our stay and I didn't realize it would be that deep! My kids are pretty good swimmers, but I'm a little nervous about my youngest coming out of the slide into water over her head.
Is there a pretty strong current at the bottom, like at the bottom of other pool slides?

 

[Kimberle]

No, I don't remember any current in the pool where the slide ends.

You will be allowed to stand at the bottem to assist your child when he/she comes out. Watch, let your child decide. You can always borrow a life jacket from the guards until you & your child are comfortable.

It's a fun slide, it's just faster than it looks and it is covered most of the way.

 

[Valera]

In pictures it is difficult to tell the size of the water slide at WL.

I have a 10 year old that loves the water. Is the size of this slide something he would likely enjoy, or is it mainly for younger children?

Thank you.

 

[princesscrazydaughte]

I thought the WL lodge slide was smaller than the Poly--is it the other way around? Because our week was so cold in December, we never made it down the slide at Poly. Is the slide more tame at Poly?

 

[perpetualplanner]

I also think that the WL slide is shorter than the Poly but wasn't sure since our WL stay was so long ago. I do remember that at the Poly the lifeguards would NOT let a parent stand near the end of the slide to catch children coming off they had to be able to get to the side on their own. They were constantly telling parents to vacate that area. The kids could were lifejackets to go down the slide though so as long as they don't freak out at getting some water in their face they LOVE IT.

We have a pool at home and my kids should have been born fish so none of that is ever a problem for us and I don't notice it as much. My kids also LOVE the slide at BWI.

 

[princesscrazydaughte]

Thanks Perpetualplanner!! Anyone else have thoughts on this??

 

[TwingleMum]

If you are going in December again swimming is an iffy proposition. Chances are it will be too cold for swimming. Rather than having the slide determine where you stay doesn't it make more sense to figure where you will spend the most time? MK? EPCOT? MGM? AK? If its MK than I'd suggest that the Poly wins hands down. And if your lucky enough to be able to swim the pool is awesome. Although the Poly doesn't have hot tubs and the WL does which may come in real handy in cool weather. AWWW I'm sorry I haven't been any help at all. Problem is I love both.

 

[jwill]

I think the Poly slide is much nicer. It seemed to be longer and I think the enclosed tube add much to the experience.

 

[skiwee1]

The Poly slide is much better then the WL one. It is longer, in the dark, and steeper.