Poly vs WL

[sdbbcampbell]

Ok...so here we are, another year at the WL. No complaints love it!!!! 9th year in a row there!!! However, have a little extra $$$ this year, and was contemplating switching to the Poly. We stayed there in 2000. I know it has been refurbished, pool and all, but any real WOW factor over the WL? The pool does look amazing, and my 15/and 16 year old do love to use the pool. But am just not sure it is a worthwhile switch. The only other resort we have stayed at is the AKL. Like it, but still felt the WL was home. Any suggestions, even on another deluxe resort? Thanks!!!!

 

[hstrickland]

We have stayed at both resorts. Just returned from the Poly from a 9 day stay. While I really like the WL, I fell in love with the Poly. The transportation options were great! So easy to jump on the monorail to MK or EP...the TTC is only a short walk from the Poly. The rooms are bigger, too. If you have the extra money, why not try something different?? Of course if the WL feels like home, you might be missing it while staying at a different resort Either resort will be great!!!! .....just very different. Check out the Poly picture thread...this might help make your decision.

Happy Planning!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I have stayed at both resorts which are great in their own way, however I would go with the Polynesian because of the Resort Monorail access, bigger rooms and I like their theme just a bit more.

 

[skiingfast]

I'd give it another shot. The kids may appreciate the change. Nice pool and the monorail.

Just saying that as far as deluxes go I think the POLY, AKL and WL are the most exotic themed and the other are the most standard hotel themed.

 

[Sue M]

I've stayed at both, and love both. But change is nice.
Some of the things I love about Poly is the larger rooms, beautiful torch lit paths, love the beaches, and watching Wishes. Love being able to see the Castle even while swimming. Being on monorail was great. Very fast to get to MK, or GF & CR for dinners. Walking path to TTC for Epcot monorail. We were at the parks in no time. Love Kona Cafe.
We stayed in Tokelau in a garden view room, great building, it's one of the newer ones, and I like the bathroom better in the newer buildings. They're also slightly larger. I think you'd appreciate the extra space with 2 teens!

 

[WiscMomof2]

Stayed at both and love both. I say if it's within your budget go for the Poly. If nothing else for something new and different.

 

[SnackyStacky]

Generally, people that have to ask this kind of question are the kind that should probably stick with what you love.

I can tell you that the rooms are SUBSTANTIALLY larger at the Polynesian.

The transportation options are fantastic. You have the busses, monorail, and boats - but you're also next to the Ticket and Transportation Center. VERY easy to grab a monorail to Epcot. It's also great in the evening if there's a HUGE line for the resort monorail. Just hop on the express, disembark at the Ticket and Transportation Center, and walk back to the Polynesian.

The pool is pretty spiffy - but it does tend to attract guests who are not staying at the Polynesian, and as a result tends to be more crowded.

If it were me - I would try the Polynesian. Just to be able to say I've tried it. But just by the way you phrased your initial post, I think that you may want to stick with the Wilderness Lodge.

 

[mickeynut1]

Have stayed at both and love both for different reasons, but the Poly has a slight edge over the WL for us . The larger rooms are a nice perk, but we just love the tropical atmosphere and relaxing feel the Poly gives ......plus the volcano pool is great . It's also nice to be able to relax on the beach in a hammock and watch the fireworks .

 

[iloveeeyore]

My family of 4 has stayed at both and we love both. But when it came time to plan our special celebration trip, and we considered where to stay, the answer was unanimously the Poly. There's something extra special about the location of the Poly. The view of the castle from the pool cannot be beat! And while the WL is beautifully and elaborately themed, when I'm in Florida, I really want palm trees and tropical flowers. That is a personal opinion, of course.

If you love the boat transportation at WL, don't forget that the Poly also has a boat to MK, and it has immediate access to the ferry at the TTC. I admit that I will miss the big open lobby with the fireplace at the WL, and DH especially will miss the hot tubs, but other than those 2 amenities, Poly offers everything that WL offers and MORE. We are really excited to be going back to the Poly!

Not to confuse you more, but you did ask for other deluxe suggestions...have you considered BC/YC? They have the biggest (many say best) theme pool on property, and you can walk from there to Epcot and DHS. Your kids are probably a great age to appreciate all that the Epcot resort area has to offer. We have never stayed there because we are not turned on by the theme of those resorts (we spend time at the Jersey shore, so we get our beach/yacht fixes there), but I think it might be worth thinking about for you. Price-wise, those resorts fall somewhere between WL and Poly.

 

[momtobrynncess]

Having stayed at both, the transportation options are definitely better, and we enjoy the theming better. We also enjoy the larger rooms, and I don't know how much the quick service food options have changed at WL since we stayed there, but we think the qsf options at Poly are just great! We did really like the pool at WL, but like the Volcano pool just as well. In addition, Poly has the quiet pool. Plus, viewing the fireworks from the beach (or from your room depending on your longhouse/view) is amazing!

 

[irishtigger]

I just came back from staying at the Poly for the 2nd time and I will never stay anywhere else. Its just the feeling you get when you walk in and you really feel like you are on vacation. While I think the WL is very nice my mom stayed here with my sister and said the tranportation was a major problem. I hope you have a nice trip no matter where you stay

 

[Tommy_B]

With a 15 & 16 yo, I would look at the Yacht & Beach Club too. When my kids were teens they loved Stormalong Bay, actually they still do.

We also like the YBC because there is a backdoor entrance into EPCOT so we could use the dining options of EPCOT every night in addition to the choices in the hotel and the Boardwalk.

Between the Poly & WL, we tend to like the WL better, especially near Christmas, but we haven't been back to the Poly since it's last rennovation. The Poly does have a great location and many pluses, so if it is between these two, I'd try the Poly so you can know. You surely will not be disappointed.

 

[sdbbcampbell]

Ok....calling AAA to switch to POLY now! Thanks everyone!!!!

 

[The_Banking_Scot]

Hi,

I'm doing both ( taking advantage of the Disney US discount offer)- the UK disney site is not offering the same rates

I have 2 nights at WL 8-10th October ( Courtyard view)

then 5 nights at the Poly ( Club level)

Just over 1 month to go ( spending also 3 nights at the Doubletree for Universal and 2 nights at the hilton Garden inn at Seaworld)

Regards

TBS

 

[DiscussDisney]

Well, we just returned from the Poly 2 days ago and all I can say is WOW. We really loved it there. We usually stay at the WL, but that now has changed. The rooms at the Poly are so much bigger and the grounds are just beautiful. Considering how big the resort is, it was always so quiet (except for the GCH). The Poly is so much more relaxing than the WL. Don't get me wrong, the WL is wonderful and we always loved our stays there, but the Poly....Wow!!

 

[cflowers]

I vote Poly we loved our stay in June beautiful and it really spoils you, staying there again in March 2011 TPV so excited but have a wonderful trip.

 

[nathanyell]

If you have the cash to do it, then it sounds great.

Since we usually go in the winter, the hottubs turn out to be the main draw in the evenings. We were really puzzled by the Poly not having any. Also, I always felt that WL has less crowds and at the end of the day in the parks that is a big draw for me.

Brian

 

[LovetheTink]

I'm in the same boat. We've stayed at the WL last trip (my husbands 1st, my 3rd) and he dosen't want to stay anywhere else. I'd love to try the Poly but not sure if I can sway him to my way of thinking! Hope you have a great trip!