Resort Options for January- Which would you do?

[Mika02]

I would not do a split stay with that short of a trip but I understand why you want Poly. I love that resort. I would choose WL as my second option. It can get downright chilly in January and WL is the cosiest of all the resorts with all of the woodwork and fireplaces hidden throughout the resort. I personally prefer WL to Contemporary as I find its theming more appealing. Contemporary is more practical but colder with all its concrete.

Did you think of maybe renting a DVC at Poly. It might come out cheeper than going through Disney?

It did cross my mind I will have to look at it to see if it would work for us.

 

[sscornette]

I agree with all of the others... Wilderness Lodge, hands down. It's gorgeous, relaxing, and close proximity to Magic Kingdom. I think if you end up having cool weather, the fireplaces will be amazing.

 

[eeyoresmom]

I would not do a split stay with that short of a trip but I understand why you want Poly. I love that resort. I would choose WL as my second option. It can get downright chilly in January and WL is the cosiest of all the resorts with all of the woodwork and fireplaces hidden throughout the resort. I personally prefer WL to Contemporary as I find its theming more appealing. Contemporary is more practical but colder with all its concrete.

Did you think of maybe renting a DVC at Poly. It might come out cheeper than going through Disney?

OP, it doesn't hurt to check but don't get your hopes up too much for the dvc studio at the Poly. We have a week booked from the 13th -20th and I have been playing around with switching just 1 night due to flights and can't find availability for the 1 night!

 

[Mika02]

OP, it doesn't hurt to check but don't get your hopes up too much for the dvc studio at the Poly. We have a week booked from the 13th -20th and I have been playing around with switching just 1 night due to flights and can't find availability for the 1 night!

That's exactly what I heard as well that you can rent the points but then there is no availability. And that is the exact time frame I would like to travel.

 

[gillep]

I would absolutely go with WL, it is a beautiful resort!

 

[Deb & Bill]

OKW would give you lots of space and two very nice queen sized beds. Plus a nice little kitchenette with an undercounter refrigerator and a microwave (and a toaster and full sized coffee pot). OKW is a great resort and Olivia's is a wonderful restaurant. We've done both breakfast and dinner there. If you are there for lunch or dinner and like fried chicken, you must get the Southernmost Buttermilk Fried Chicken. It is delicious.

 

[deide71]

I love Old Key West too, but really only if you have a car. If not the sprawling layout (part of it's charm but daunting without a car) and limited counter service options would make it a less than optimal choice.

I also love split stays. My girlfriends and I will be down in January for the Disney After Hours event. We are doing 3 resorts in 5 days (Pop, VWL and BC). My only rule for split stays is go from value to deluxe...never the other way around!

All of that being said I would either pick Contemporary or Wilderness Lodge in your circumstance. Have fun!

 

[petrola]

I agree with most of the replies about not doing a split stay for 5 days - you won't want to miss a day packing, moving and unpacking! We have been to Wilderness Lodge and I think it is one of my favorite resorts (although it really is hard to choose just one). So peaceful, and we love the boat ride to MK. It really is a gorgeous resort, with such a grand lobby and yet you can sit by the fireplace, grab a coffee and still feel cozy! (if that makes sense! ). You will not be disappointed in WL!

 

[kboo]

There are only single nights here and there for the whole month of January at DVC for any resorts being discussed here, so renting DVC points is not an option.

So, given the options OP listed, I'd NOT do a split stay for that short a trip. Then, I'd still do 5 nights instead of 4. Which leaves us with OKW or WL. Like previous posters, I'd say WL hands down. It's closer to MK and the monorail, the theming is spectacular, and the restaurants are terrific.

 

[Babsy]

My first choice would be the CR. The rooms are huge and comfortable, the walk to the MK is convenient, the amenities at the resort are awesome, transportation from there to almost anywhere in WDW is the best - only the Poly is better. I would prefer to stay here for 4 days than any of the other options for 5. I know that I am unusual in that opinion, however.

Second choice would be the WL. It is also a very nice resort. Transportation is via bus except a boat option to the MK to CR. Rooms are small but comfortable.

I would (and have) split 5 night trips, but it isn't ideal. You really need a minimum of three nights per resort, IMO, for a split stay to be worthwhile.

Enjoy whichever you choose!!

 

[rosiebean]

I don't mind split stays and have never spent the day packing, moving and unpacking...I just pack an extra small bag for the first part of our stay (which is usually one or two nights) and another for the second part (three plus nights). We bring our bags out to bell services in the morning before heading out to a park. We go to our second resort in the afternoon and call bell services for our bags as we rest before night-time plans.

So given my preference, I'd do a split stay between Poly and POFQ or Pop and Contemporary.

I also am just not a fan of WL...and would rather do a split stay between a bus-only and monorail resort than stay at a OKW (bus-only), so that plays into my opinion!

Whatever you chose, have a great time!

 

[Mika02]

Thank You all for suggestions and feedback I did ask my daughter to rate the resorts in her order of preference. I told her it was for our family trip in August . Contemporary was number 1 and Beach Club was number 2 on her list. When I went to book the Contemporary I noticed that a standard view at the Polynesian opened up for my Dates for a few hundred more. So I decided to book that. I'm hopping there will be an AP Discount in my Future to bring it down further.

Thank you again. I'm so excited to do this for her.