Polynesian or Wilderness Lodge

[Mickey_Man]

DW & I are staying at the Beach Club Villas this summer but decided to extend our stay by three more days! We are looking at staying at either the Polynesian or the Wildnerness Lodge. Unsure on which way to go. Here are our thoughts:

Poly:

Pros - Monorail, I've never stayed there and always wanted to, romantic (5th wedding anniversary trip)

Cons - $$$

WL:

Pros - much less expensive with the AP discount, still romantic, Artist Point ressie, neither DW nor I have ever stayed here

Cons - no monorail

Which way should we go??

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I voted for the Polynesian because I thought it was a great Resort to stay at and having the Monorail does make things easier. However I have also stayed at the Wilderness Lodge which is also a great Resort, so I am sure you will have a great time no matter the Resort you select.

 

[vicki_c]

I love both resorts - you really can't make a bad choice. But Poly is my favorite resort, so I voted that way.

 

[Sabor]

With no Kids?

I say go with WL --- The Monorail will not really do you much as far as Epcot goes because the rest of your trip is at BC and I am sure you will get your WS fix while staying over there.

To get to MK from WL -- the Bus is crazy short, or you have the relaxing boat ride yes the mono will be shorter but not by a tremendous amount depending on which longhouse you are at.

And if there is a day you were not doing a park and wanted to just chill at the resort , no place better than wl.

WL is amazing - the lobby , the architecture , the landscaping , the pool are all top notch and as good if not better ( personal taste weighs in here) than the Poly.

For the same money I would choose the WL for less it is a no brainer.

 

[mmmears]

Since you are already staying near Epcot, you probably wont need the monorail from the Poly to there, so I voted for WL. Plus it is a really beautiful resort! I dont know what discount you have, but you may be able to splurge and get a club-level room or a room with a nice view at WL for the price of a standard room at the Poly. If you'll still be visiting Epcot alot on those days, then I would consider the Poly.

Have a great trip!

 

[TJA]

Since you are staying in the Epcot area for the first part of your trip, I vote for WL for your last 3 days. At BC, you will have been to Epcot quite a lot, probably, so the monorail at Poly would really only benefit MK -- and you'll have a boat from WL to MK which is a very nice ride. BUT my vote would change to Poly if you have young kids and strollers in the picture. In that case, go with the monorail for quicker and easier transportation to MK.

 

[simonkodousek]

In all honesty, I feel that the Wilderness Lodge is a better resort overall than the Polynesian. I'm not saying that I hate the Polynesian for whatever reasons, but there is no reason to pay outrageous prices to stay at a resort with sub-par service. We experienced some of the best service in a hotel/resort anywhere we have stayed, even outside of Disney World, at the Wilderness Lodge. The Polynesian's staff seemed untrained, unknowledgable, and rude, compared to the Wilderness Lodge's staff.

If a room, its size, and overall amenities, are more important than the resort's staff and how issues are handled and resolved, then by all means, stay at the Polynesian. Just don't expect amazing service.

Just my $0.02.

 

[EltonJohn]

Which way should we go??

For your anniversary I'd stay at the Poly, but then again every summer I get to see the Old Faithful Inn in person.

 

[AKLforever]

I have been at both, the WL is much newer and MUCH nicer all the way around.

 

[Lamandpercy]

Having stayed at both my vote goes to WL. The Poly was nice but the volcano pool was very crowded and the horns from the ferries were loud and woke me up when napping. Also didn't like Kona Cafe that much but loved Whispering Canyon. The lodge is so quiet and peaceful and the theming is fabulous. We saw deer, an armadillo, humming birds and the ever present ducks and bunnies at the lodge as well which made my day.

 

[Mickey_Man]

I dont know what discount you have,

QUOTE]

We have the AP rates for July, if that matters at all, and yes this is a trip without kids.

 

[Aliceacc]

Poly:
I've never stayed there and always wanted to

If you can swing it financially, I say go for what you've "always wanted" to do.

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

We've been to both multiple times and they both have their merits. Based on your comments and the time of year, I would go with the POLY. We have 4 rooms booked there June 28-July 6th.

Good Luck with your no lose decision!

 

[Allison]

I haven't had a chance to stay at WL yet but would like to.

We stayed at the Polynesian and it was great. I think it would be an excellent choice. Watching Wishes from the beach is nice especially if you snag a hammock. It's a beautiful place.

 

[JimR24]

We had this same choice to make for our trip in September. We had originally booked the POLY and then visited both with my MIL. When she walked into the WL, it took her breath away. She thought it was the more expensive of the 2.

We thought the monorail was great but not worth the extra $$$. We came home and switched to the WL.

 

[alldiz]

I would do WL....it is very romantic....lots of nooks and crannies to explore and sit with a glass of wine of cup of coffee.

Also you might want to relax on your balcony....and the Poly does not guarantee that.
Happy planning
Kerri

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

I'd probably pick Poly just because we have never stayed there. Have fun I dont think you can go wrong either way!!

 

[mickeynut1]

Having stayed at both and love them both for different reasons, I voted for the Poly . The WL is beautiful with great theming, but I have to admit the Poly is our #1 choice resort over the two . We are staying at the WL in December because the holiday decorations can't be beat (IMO), but the Poly will always be the place for us all other times of the year

 

[Mickey_Man]

WL has good X-Mas decorations?? I will have to keep that in mind when we go back in December!


We just switched to the WL - the discussion on midafternoon noise, crowdedness of the pool, and ultimately the $$ savings with the AP made us change. Knowing us we will change again, so look for the "Grand Floridian vs. Wildnerness Lodge" Poll coming from me in a few weeks!