Poly or Wilderness Lodge during Thanksgiving

[Man-DeLorean]

Hi Everyone,

My family and I just returned from a fantastic 7-night stay at the Grand Floridian over Thanksgiving, and we had an amazing time! The resort was beautiful, especially with the holiday decorations—they were absolutely stunning. We also really enjoyed the dining options available.

We love the Magic Kingdom resorts, but we were a bit taken aback by the crowds. We found the lobby and monorail to be especially packed.

I totally understand that this is peak season, and everyone wants to experience the Christmas decorations, but we're already thinking about next year and are considering the Wilderness Lodge and the Polynesian. If you had to choose, which would you recommend for a Thanksgiving week stay?

Thanks so much for your help!

 

[Dave006]

If you had to choose, which would you recommend for a Thanksgiving week stay?

Well next year Poly will be extra busy since the new Island Tower will be open (it opens Dec.17th this year) to it may be more crowed than normal with lots of guests wanting to visit plus the additional guests staying in the Island Tower.

I would vote for the Wilderness lodge. It is always lovely with the Christmas decorations up and there are lots of quite areas to sit and relax.

Dave

 

[hertamaniac]

Wilderness Lodge with the fireplace over Christmas time just seems right. And then my favorite lobby in all of WDW is the DVC lobby at Wilderness Lodge. They have 2 fireplaces and Walt's train room. I spent many hours just relaxing in this space with no check-in desk or gift shop. Add to that Geyser's Point, and it is the quintessential location for Christmas time.

 

[pinkxray]

Wilderness Lodge! We have been there multiple times during the holiday season and it is my favorite. I don’t think the Poly is any better than GF when it comes to crowds and packed monorails.

We did stay at CR last year during peak season and really loved it bc we didn’t have to deal with the boats or monorail to Mk. We left MK after the fireworks on a 10/10 day and walked back to CR, avoiding the mob scene waiting for the boats and monorail.

We are most likely heading to WDW next Thanksgiving week and I am debating between my favorite and AK since it would be new to the kids. Poly is off our list until we see what kind of crowds the tower adds to the Poly.

 

[MICKIMINI]

I too vote for Wilderness Lodge! Gorgeous resort, less crowded but you still have boat service to MK. Enjoy!

 

[MamaMermaid]

Wilderness!

 

[Disney Spaz]

We usually do Wilderness Lodge for Thanksgiving each year but are trying the new Poly Tower next Thanksgiving to switch things up. That being said I would pick Wilderness Lodge if Grand Floridian was your choice this year. I think it will give you a different holiday vibe and be just as beautiful with much less crowds.

 

[Man-DeLorean]

Thank you for the great feedback! Since WL is not on the monorail loop and slightly more removed from the other resorts, do you still feel part of the Disney "bubble"?

 

[dansdad]

Thank you for the great feedback! Since WL is not on the monorail loop and slightly more removed from the other resorts, do you still feel part of the Disney "bubble"?

Definitely.

 

[Disney Spaz]

Thank you for the great feedback! Since WL is not on the monorail loop and slightly more removed from the other resorts, do you still feel part of the Disney "bubble"?

Absolutley. There are tons of Disney touches throughout the resort and sometimes they have characters in the lobby. If you do their tour at 9am by the huge fireplace you hear the entire story of wilderness Lodge and how it all ties into Disney, including seeing the etrain car from Walts house in CA that the used to ride on with guests.

 

[Marthasor]

Thank you for the great feedback! Since WL is not on the monorail loop and slightly more removed from the other resorts, do you still feel part of the Disney "bubble"?

Yes, it's one of the best-themed, most immersive resorts in all of WDW IMHO. Totally in the Disney bubble.

 

[gottalovepluto]

For you- Poly.

WL is beautiful but if it has its Xmas decor the lobby becomes a nuthouse outside of off hours because everyone goes to WL to see the massive tree and decor, similar to going to GF to see the Gingerbread House. Poly lobby doesn’t have any outstandingly impressive decor like that so it isn't a “must-see” on T-Day trips for Resort hoppers.

Outside of the Holidays, WL is a tranquil chill hotel and I’d recommend it to you hands down. But because you specifically didn’t like the crowds of GF’s lobby I cannot recommend WL during the holidays.

 

[DizneyFamof4]

Thank you for the great feedback! Since WL is not on the monorail loop and slightly more removed from the other resorts, do you still feel part of the Disney "bubble"?

Our family also thinks that GF is the best option during Christmas season, but if you are staying at any WDW resort level, you always feel like you are in the bubble. We will be staying at POR for New Years