Poly Vs WL help!

[JenQ]

Ok so my new dates are apparently Jersey Week. Will it be considerably busier than the week of Nov 14-21st??

 

[Karebear]

As of right now, no I can't get any of the Adr's. That's what is making it so hard for me. My daughter is 8 and I would love for her to dine in the castle now before she gets older and we have that reservation now. All the ones I really want are the ones everyone wants so they aren't available with the new dates.

I would keep your current reservation because of your ADR's. We were there last Sept. (a slow time) and had reservations for CRT. A few weeks before the trip, some friends who were there at the same time as us decided that the mom and daughter would like to either join us at CRT or go on their own. We could not change our reservation and they never got one. Yes, sometimes people do get reservations later towards the trip, but often times they do not as well. If eating in the castle and your other reservations are important, then I would keep them.

Also, as others have said, this might be your last chance to stay at the WL as I think that the rooms only hold 4. Have a great trip!

 

[mspoppins14]

Jersey Week is not terrible at all, I was there last year during that exact time. I definitely used other websites to plan which park on which day and it really helped. You could switch your reservation, but to me it sounds like your ADRs are a pretty high priority to you. If you were to switch, while an ADR may open up for the restaurant you want, it may not be at an ideal time. Switching is a gamble, but the temptation of the POLY is strong. If it were me I would keep everything as is. I'd plan to go to the POLY where the room is bigger and all 3 kids can enjoy the volcano pool, Aloha Dinner Show, etc.

 

[JenQ]

Jersey Week is not terrible at all, I was there last year during that exact time. I definitely used other websites to plan which park on which day and it really helped. You could switch your reservation, but to me it sounds like your ADRs are a pretty high priority to you. If you were to switch, while an ADR may open up for the restaurant you want, it may not be at an ideal time. Switching is a gamble, but the temptation of the POLY is strong. If it were me I would keep everything as is. I'd plan to go to the POLY when the room is bigger and all 3 kids can enjoy the volcano pool, Aloha Dinner Show, etc.

I think the ADR that is bothering me the most is CRT. My BOG ressie was not on a good day or time anyway so I probably would have given it up at some point. I feel like I could get the others. You're right, the Poly temptation is strong especially with the extra room. When I look at pics or video of the WL rooms and imagine a Pack n play in there with two other kids, I feel cramped already.

 

[Tom Mac]

The Poly and WL are my two favorite hotels. Pricing aside, in terms of overall size, acessibility, and function when traveling with youngsters the Poly is the way to go. Now that's not to say WL is any less accommodating, BUT, there's no question the rooms are larger at Poly (of course their rates are also higher,) and the monorail is a million times better than boat/bus. My fiance and I absolutely love the WL (Fun fact: Most returned to resort at Disney,) but in terms of travel it can be frustrating at times. Now I preface that by saying hands down the most frustrating in terms of traveling is AKL, but you know that going into it because it has to be off the grid. However, it can be frustrating traveling at WL because you're paying more for a resort that's apart of a park area (i.e. Magic Kingdom,) but at times you are literally so close, yet you can be sitting there sometimes like where is the bus/boat?! If pricing is not an issue and you are willing to put in the reboot, Poly is probably you're best bet as it's the first time you are traveling to Disney with youngsters. However, what we're talking about isn't the end all be all, and you will love both resorts and subsequently your vacation regardless!

 

[mspoppins14]

I think the ADR that is bothering me the most is CRT. My BOG ressie was not on a good day or time anyway so I probably would have given it up at some point. I feel like I could get the others. You're right, the Poly temptation is strong especially with the extra room. When I look at pics or video of the WL rooms and imagine a Pack n play in there with two other kids, I feel cramped already.

Is your draw for CRT eating inside the castle? Or dining with the princesses? If it's dining with the princesses I know that Akershus in Norway at Epcot also has princess dining. Or even the Grand Floridian has a couple options with some princesses... Maybe if you switch to the Poly you could look into the Grand Floridian since it would be very easy to access on the monorail loop? Also, if you cancel CRT it will free up an extra dining plan TS credit! CRT requires 2 TS credits.

Here's a link I found that talks about the different princess options http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/princessess.htm

 

[MissionMouse]

We have stayed at both and the rooms at PR are about 75 sq. ft. larger, but a pack n play will make either one of these rooms with two other children feel cramped. Staying club level allowed us to also use the lounge at times giving us a larger room to spend some time back at the resort. The time you are going is close to the time Christmas decorations start to be seen. These are also the two resorts that are the most in demand during the Christmas season starting in November. I will say it was easier to move around from the PR, since you have the Ferry, Monorail, Water Yacht and Bus. WL you have the bus, water yacht to MK which experiences surges at times with guest returning to the resort combine with others making their ADRs. PR is also in my opinion one of the most abused deluxe resorts on property [i.e. pool hoppers (fence now at PR), resort hoppers running around the entire grounds and inside longs houses, etc.] leading us to select more relaxing resorts. For us a vacation should not include us expected to deal with construction noise, dirt, obstacles, etc.. There is a point in time where it is best to keep your original plans and don't doubt them. You will have a great trip if you believe you will with either choice; pointing out a lot of the magic is in you...Disney just brings it out. If special dining experiences are important you should stay with your original plans or except the situation you may not get anything like you originally had for the other time period.

 

[Babsy]

We've stayed at both and while the Poly is our favorite overall, we also love the WL. I don't think you can go wrong with either one as they are both great places to stay. With that said, if your next trip won't be until after your youngest turns 3, I'd try the WL now and save the Poly for when the WL will no longer accommodate your family of 5 in one standard room. Good luck, but I'm sure you'll have a great trip no matter when you go and which resort you choose .

I think that Micketnut1 is right! Both resorts are awesome! You will love the WL! It is jaw dropping gorgeous when you enter that lobby!
Plus you will be able to stay at the Poly in the future. The WL will not always be available for you due to your family size. Plus you have ADR's in place that may not happen if you move your dates. I would stay with the WL and look at the Poly for a future trip. IF you look for them, there are often deals to be had.

The WL is awesome!!! You will have the peace of having everything booked. I would stay with the great vacation that you have planned.

If you change, you will still have a great vacation in an awesome resort. It is just that I wouldn't want to give up the opportunities that you have now.

Good luck choosing!