Poly or Wilderness Lodge In November

[mklovesdisney]

I have a dilemma.. I booked a bounceback for 35% off the Poly late November. Quick background is we are big Poly people an our daughter loves the beach and pool at the Poly, especially that we can watch her in the pool righ in front of us. We just stayed there last month and had a garden ground floor room. We loved it! The problem I am having is all the reviews for the Wilderness Lodge, especially at Christmas. They all are so positive. If we stayed there we would love a ground floor room courtyard view. Would we regret staying there if we are diehard Poly fans or would the Lodge live up-to the reviews especially at Christmas time? So confused. I guess I am just looking for opinions from anyone that stayed at both. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Wood Nymph]

You could always visit the resort if you are concerned about missing the Poly.

 

[spiceycat]

go try WL - it is cheaper and you might like it.

 

[mickeynut1]

We've stayed at both and while the Poly is our favorite resort, we do love the WL (especially at Christmas time). I don't think you would be disappointed in the WL as it's a beautiful resort and is convenient to MK (as well as to the CR/monorail).

 

[Tropics]

We were also just at the Poly last month and will be back at the beginning of December this year because we loved it so much. One thing to keep in mind is that the Poly will be renovated though out this year so by the time you go back at the end of November the rooms at the Poly will be freshly renovated.

 

[grimley1968]

Besides WL being a great resort of its own, with its boats to MK, great theming, varied dining options, and being less expensive, WL has another thing Poly doesn't have that could be useful for late November: hot tubs. Poly has no hut tub; WL has 2, one that is truly hot and another that is warmer than pool water but not really hot. Besides that, I think WL has a more effective pool heating system (for the main part of the pool) than the Poly. I'm not sure why this is, but water in the Poly pool has always felt chillier to me than the WL pool.

 

[pepe of ohio]

We have stayed at both but the Poly has outpriced itself a few years ago for us..... Discounts too low and room rates too high. We've moved on ...... And the WL has become our most favorite resort , you will not regret it!

 

[blackacex2]

Poly is a nicer resort by far than the Wilderness Lodge. That's why it's so much more expensive. In every poll the poly wins for favorite resort in all of Disney year after year. It's simply the best place to stay, basically no compromises when staying there.

 

[Happyjen27]

I am watching this thread closely!

My first ever WDW trip in December included 9 days at the Poly. I was underwhelmed.

I have been excited about trying WL in December of this year. I've narrowed it down to Contemporary or WL, with WL edging out the CR.

Keep the info flowing Poly and WL fans!!

 

[elaw]

As nice as the Poly is, it lacks that Christmas vibe when compared to WL.

WL

WLV

The Poly

 

[MissionMouse]

PR and WL are historically the most popular deluxe resorts during the time period you are going (Christmas Season). What is important is to understand what you like and want from a vacation, since you have no reference to all of the people writing these reviews. Reviews are vague and contain slants that you are not aware of to be any real value; unless there is an issue, like the pool is closed. We have stayed at both during the Christmas season (club level) and there is a real possibility you will miss the PR. We always found it a lot easier to get back to the PR after MVMCP, then WL.

 

[Wood Nymph]

I agree with the PP. The resort that you choose is very much a personal choice, based on your own likes, dislikes, activities planned, etc. You are going to get lots of opinions here. And you may miss the Poly if you are a Poly lover.

The Wilderness Lodge has smaller rooms, much smaller, than the Poly. And it isn't on the monorail or a quick walk to the TTC, like the Poly is. If in doubt, just come for a visit.

We love the Beach Club and the Epcot resort area, but decided to give the WL a try on our trip early this month. We loved the lodge, the boat ride to MK, the restaurant options, pool and general ambiance of the WL. But to be honest, after all those BC vacations, we had a little bit of an adjustment to this resort. But we are giving the WL another try at Christmas for both the decorations and the fact that the resort is gorgeous. But we will probably end up at the BC again some day.

 

[butternut]

If you really want to be in the holiday spirit,my vote would be for WL. On the other hand i find the rooms in the WL small and dark . Tough choice but i guess it comes down to what you would prefer more.

 

[Robbi]

You can't beat the WL for holiday warmth. We would not stay anywhere else during the holiday season.

 

[GinnerD]

You could always try a split stay. Do a few days at the WL first and then the remainder of the trip at the Poly. Might be the best of both worlds!

 

[ktlm]

We absolutely love both. The thing that gives the Poly the edge for us, is the room size and the closeness to the TTC to grab the express monorail to Epcot. Aside from that, we would probably prefer WL. We really enjoy that everything is in one building at WL, and it is beautiful. I will say that a ground floor courtyard view might be a little loud, but maybe not so much in November when the mornings might be a little cooler. The one time we had a courtyard instead of a woods view, we were on the 3rd floor right outside the seating area where people take their CS outside to enjoy and the path down to the boat, and it got pretty loud outside our window in the mornings.

 

[blackacex2]

I am watching this thread closely!

My first ever WDW trip in December included 9 days at the Poly. I was underwhelmed.

I have been excited about trying WL in December of this year. I've narrowed it down to Contemporary or WL, with WL edging out the CR.

Keep the info flowing Poly and WL fans!!

If you were underwhelmed by the poly I don't know if disney has anything to offer you that you will be impressed with.

 

[Robbi]

If you were underwhelmed by the poly I don't know if disney has anything to offer you that you will be impressed with.

I disagree. We stayed at the Poly a number of years ago and it did not appeal to us. A few years ago we gave it another try and again, we did not like it at all.
The CMs were indifferent, the rooms are dark and gloomy, the Volcano pool is too small for the resort's size, the monorail is always crowded with people coming and going for the meals.
On the other hand, we love other WDW resorts, especially, CSR, BWV, BC, and AKV.

 

[blackacex2]

I disagree. We stayed at the Poly a number of years ago and it did not appeal to us. A few years ago we can it another try and again, we did not like it at all.
The CMs were indifferent, the rooms are dark and gloomy, the Volcano pool is too small for the resort's size, the monorail is always crowded with people coming and going for the meals.
On the other hand, we love other WDW resorts, especially, CSR, BWV, BC, and AKV.

Wow. Well that's good now I don't feel so bad about not being able to afford the stay there.

 

[mklovesdisney]

We were also just at the Poly last month and will be back at the beginning of December this year because we loved it so much. One thing to keep in mind is that the Poly will be renovated though out this year so by the time you go back at the end of November the rooms at the Poly will be freshly renovated.

Thank you. That is exactly what my husband keeps saying. It would be nice to see them after they are freshly done. I am thinking maybe stick with the Poly this time while I have the 35% off since the Poly does not offer that much of a discount very often. Seems when they offer room discounts they knock Poly's down to 20% sometimes. .....Then while we are out there, check out Wilderness Lodge for our next stay.

Thanks again everyone for you imput