Polynesian or WL?

[rdw]

We did a split stay last May at YC/WL. I LOVED the location of YC and the balcony. My favorite spot was the balcony.

My kids liked the YC but actually preferred the pool at the WL. They wouldn't do the big slide at BC/YC and didn't love the sand bottom (apparently) - but LOVED the smaller slide at WL with the light to tell them when to go.

How does the pool at Poly compare to the pool at WL?

We had great deals for YC/WL last year (40% off at YC and $260/night WL). If we can get a great deal again, we will go - we'd prefer not to be solely reliant on buses.

So, where would you recommend and how would the Poly pool compare to WL? My kids had a great time just doing the slide over and over and hubby and I could relax a bit (night time at the pool, sitting next to with a close eye on then but not in the pool). Kids will be 6 and 9 when we travel. (5 and 7 when we last went).

Thanks for any advice! (I am open to other recommendations as well). Thanks!

 

[prgal0715]

Much like WL, Poly has a smaller slide with the red light/green light to tell you when to go. Size-wise, it's more on par with WL and doesn't feel overwhelming. I love the no step entry on the beach side and the whirlpool is pretty great, IMO. I also like watching Wishes from the pool/beach area at the Poly! The rooms at the Poly are more spacious than both BC/YL and WL and the bathroom is pretty huge by Disney standards. I'm biased because the Poly is my #1 favorite resort, but I really think you'll enjoy it.

 

[InTheWick]

We've been to both in the past year. My boys (6 and 4) loved the pool at the Polynesian! It's walk in with a gradual grade to it. There's a huge splash zone on the other side of the pool area/volcano. The slide was a little too big for either of them to try. And you can see the castle from it! The one thing my boys don't like about the Poly is the lack of bunk beds. They didn't like sharing a bed with one another, something that you can avoid at the WL.

 

[rdw]

Thanks for the quick replies! Funnily enough, we had a bunk bed room at the WL and switched because my DS (7 year old) refused the top bunk! So, all good on the two beds.

The slide was what I worried most about - a smaller slide would be perfect for them. I really want something with easy transportation - we loved the boat at WL.

Can I ask - what would you consider a great rate for the Poly? Possibly looking at July so would be looking at lots of pool time. Also, do the rooms have balconies?

Any votes for CSR or one of the Port Orleans hotels?

 

[prgal0715]

I believe all of the rooms at the Poly have patios and most have balconies. If you check out TikiMan Pages, he has a great guide to all the longhouses and which ones have balconies versus ones that don't. If you're going for standard view, my personal favorite building is Aotearoa; standard view is looking out over a garden and you see the monorail gliding by. It's pretty magical! (That building also has balconies) Poly doesn't have the bunk bed, but it does have a daybed if one of the kids prefers to sleep alone.

I've stayed at POR a few times and really like it! I'm actually trying POFQ in 10 days because I've heard so many good things. The slide there is pretty cool - you actually slide down the tongue of Scales the Sea Serpent!

As for price, the Poly is undoubtedly one of the most expensive resorts on WDW property. I got an amazing rate for a late August stay through a travel agent, but I really can't speak to July. I'd say a Standard room under $300 is a bargain!

 

[InTheWick]

You can boat the MK from the Poly too. It shares a boat with the GF. You can also monorail.

If I recall correctly, balconies are only on the third floor of the longhouses. Second floor gets juliet balconies?

As far as price goes, we got a "magical deal" for August last year and got the same deal again for this upcoming August. We get our tickets separately.

 

[Trip planner]

We have stayed at both poly and WL (and CSR too). We love all three and have booked all three resorts 2x each. My kids loved the poly pool, slide and splash area (7 and 4 at the time). They have told me the pool was their favorite part of the resort. we also loved having the boat and monorail. Poly's second floor does not have a balcony (to sit on- which is disappointing) Rooms are larger at Poly. It is easy to hop to MK at night and it is fun to watch fireworks from the beach. I prefer Poly, hubby prefers WL (price aside). CSR is our choice when deluxe isn't in the budget but I try to book business class. Kids loved the CSR pool too. Bottom line, the discount/budget dictates where we stay. there are pros and cons of each resort.

 

[disny_luvr]

Just a heads up (and this may not be a big deal for your kids), but the Poly pool slide is completely dark. My boys loved it (I did, too) but I can see where it might be scary for some kids. I just want to add that the Poly pool has a great new kiddie play area. My boys loved playing there, too.

We love the Poly and I really want to stay there this summer but my boys and DH want the BC, so I lost. I am hoping to add a one night stay and moving over to the Poly for our last night and hanging out at the pool the entire day.

 

[hookedonears]

We did a split stay last May at YC/WL. I LOVED the location of YC and the balcony. My favorite spot was the balcony.

My kids liked the YC but actually preferred the pool at the WL. They wouldn't do the big slide at BC/YC and didn't love the sand bottom (apparently) - but LOVED the smaller slide at WL with the light to tell them when to go.

How does the pool at Poly compare to the pool at WL?

We had great deals for YC/WL last year (40% off at YC and $260/night WL). If we can get a great deal again, we will go - we'd prefer not to be solely reliant on buses.

So, where would you recommend and how would the Poly pool compare to WL? My kids had a great time just doing the slide over and over and hubby and I could relax a bit (night time at the pool, sitting next to with a close eye on then but not in the pool). Kids will be 6 and 9 when we travel. (5 and 7 when we last went).

Thanks for any advice! (I am open to other recommendations as well). Thanks!

Poly rooms are larger than the WL; Pool is about the same; access to the MK by Monorail or boat; Ride the Monorail all the way around, or easy walk to the TTC to catch the Monorail to EPCOT; Easy monorail ride to the GF for the best dining, with an easy walk along the lake back.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

WL has construction going on, so depending on which other amenities you used, they may be closed now. Poly is still working on the leisure pool, but that should be done sometime this year.

 

[tvsdisney]

I'll add the slide was really dark and so was the larger one in the kiddie area. My 11 year old didn't like the slide at Poly and only went down it once and he normally goes down the one at BLT over and over again. I went down the kiddie slide thinking it would be fine but again dark, stuffy and hot. Love love love the poly other than that though!!

 

[Babsy]

Thanks for the quick replies! Funnily enough, we had a bunk bed room at the WL and switched because my DS (7 year old) refused the top bunk! So, all good on the two beds.

Can I ask - what would you consider a great rate for the Poly? Possibly looking at July so would be looking at lots of pool time. Also, do the rooms have balconies?

The Poly has two queen beds and a daybed, so it has three separate sleeping areas - easily sleeps 5. (large comfortable rooms!)

There are balconies on the third floor rooms at the Poly. Ground floor rooms have a patio. Second floor rooms do not have a balcony. There is a sliding door but it opens to a railing immediately outside. Not even a standing Juliet balcony.

Some second floor rooms used to have balconies, but I believe that all the longhouses with second floor balconies were all converted to DVC. Staying in a Poly room you now only have a one in three chance at a balcony. If it is important to you, I would make that my only request.

We did a split stay last May at YC/WL. I LOVED the location of YC and the balcony. My favorite spot was the balcony.

So, where would you recommend and how would the Poly pool compare to WL?

I would recommend any of the monorail resorts, but the Poly would be my first choice followed by the GF and then the CR.

 

[mickeynut1]

The Poly has two queen beds and a daybed, so it has three separate sleeping areas - easily sleeps 5. (large comfortable rooms!)

There are balconies on the third floor rooms at the Poly. Ground floor rooms have a patio. Second floor rooms do not have a balcony. There is a sliding door but it opens to a railing immediately outside. Not even a standing Juliet balcony.

Some second floor rooms used to have balconies, but I believe that all the longhouses with second floor balconies were all converted to DVC. Staying in a Poly room you now only have a one in three chance at a balcony. If it is important to you, I would make that my only request.

I would recommend any of the monorail resorts, but the Poly would be my first choice followed by the GF and then the CR.

I agree with Babsy! The Poly rooms are large and spacious, which is great as there's plenty of room to spread out. We've stayed at the Poly, GF, and WL and while we do love the GF and WL, the Poly is our favorite (but the other 2 run a very close second).