So indecisive...Poly? GF? WL?

[Surgie2]

Planning a May 2018 trip and will need rooms for 6 adults, 3 preschoolers (5,5,4) and 1 infant in pack and play. I know it's early which is good/not good for OC planners like me!

I had pretty much decided on the Poly due to ease of transportation to MK, pool area and the theming. Was planning on getting 3 rooms, possibly Club Level in Hawaii depending on pricing. But then I started looking at suites and maybe that would be more cost effective to combine into 2 suites vs. 3 Club rooms.

Then friends with young kids came back and loved their stay at WL. I can't get over that the "rustic" theming does not appeal to me but this trip is a "one and only" that we grandparents are funding so we really want it to be about what is best for the kids and convenient for the adults. No car rentals planned so we'll be relying on Disney transportation.

And I don't know how or why the GF came into the mix other than reading and reading and reading and seeing so many good reviews from people of all ages, not just younger kids.

Aaargh! It's a great problem to have, I know, but it is stressing me out to make the best decision for our family.

And on a side note, my husband and I will be in Orlando in a few weeks. We are not going to Disney parks but we will be eating at a couple of resort restaurants and thought we might ask at the desk if we can get a tour or just walk around on our own.

Help please!

 

[daannzzz]

Since you are paying you pick! All three are wonderful. WL is my favorite but if you don't like the rustic theme then you should not stay there. Rooms are smaller there too. The GF is very nice but has a more formal feeling than the Polynesian but more restaurants to choose from. I would stick with the Polynesian though as I love it there too.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

We stayed at Polynesian when our kids were younger and really enjoyed it. The theming was great (though that was before they removed the interior fountain) and the monorail/boat to MK were very convenient. Our go-to resort now that the kids are older is Yacht Club since (1) we spend a lot of time at Epcot and love being able to walk there in a couple of minutes to visit or grab a bit to eat (2) it has the best pool (by far) on property (3) you can take the boat to Hollywood Studios (I hate Disney buses). With the age of the kids in your group I imagine you'll be spending more time at MK than the other resorts so that makes me think Polynesian would be best (though if your adults are focused on pool/food then Yacht/Beach Club would be my recommendation).

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

Planning a May 2018 trip and will need rooms for 6 adults, 3 preschoolers (5,5,4) and 1 infant in pack and play. I know it's early which is good/not good for OC planners like me!

I had pretty much decided on the Poly due to ease of transportation to MK, pool area and the theming. Was planning on getting 3 rooms, possibly Club Level in Hawaii depending on pricing. But then I started looking at suites and maybe that would be more cost effective to combine into 2 suites vs. 3 Club rooms.

Then friends with young kids came back and loved their stay at WL. I can't get over that the "rustic" theming does not appeal to me but this trip is a "one and only" that we grandparents are funding so we really want it to be about what is best for the kids and convenient for the adults. No car rentals planned so we'll be relying on Disney transportation.

And I don't know how or why the GF came into the mix other than reading and reading and reading and seeing so many good reviews from people of all ages, not just younger kids.

Aaargh! It's a great problem to have, I know, but it is stressing me out to make the best decision for our family.

And on a side note, my husband and I will be in Orlando in a few weeks. We are not going to Disney parks but we will be eating at a couple of resort restaurants and thought we might ask at the desk if we can get a tour or just walk around on our own.

Help please!

With respect to the resorts, no idea if they will provide a tour but you are certainly free to walk around on your own. I was in Orlando a couple of years ago for business and had a free half day so I visited Polynesian and took a ride on the monorail and visited Yacht Club and grabbed a bite at Crew's Cup Lounge, walked over to the Epcot gate and walked around Boardwalk.

 

[hakepb]

I agree. Dont book WL if that feel doesn't appeal to you.

If it's 1 out of 10 trips, then it's great to try something different, but it's not worth it for a 1 trip plan.

Theoretically you would fit into a Grand Villa at the GFV (3 bedrooms plus a media room that acts as a 4th bedroom) but I think points are so high that doesn't save anything.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Well, the GF and the WL are our top 2 favorite resorts. They both have very different feels to them though. I am not an outdoorsy type person and not usually into the rustic thing but the WL is undeniably gorgeous. We absolutely loved it.

The GF is beautiful as well, and we loved the room size and the pool area, etc...

We are staying at the Poly for the first time this year, so excited!! Darn Disney for all your awesome choices! Good luck deciding!

 

[mi*vida*loca]

The WL rustic theme doesn't appeal to me either. I've stayed at the Poly and the rooms are pretty big with a nice sized daybed. We really enjoyed our stay there and the monorail was a huge plus. GF is on my bucket list. Thinking of doing it for a mother/daughter trip.

You really can't go wrong with any of those choices!

 

[have2getaway]

We are taking our 3 triplet boys, age 7, in less than one week. My husband really loved the WL, but we chose the Polynesian because we both felt the convenience of the monorail, larger room size, and other perks (such as, fireworks and electric parade from the beach) would outweigh the WL. It was an easier decision for us as they are doing renovations at the WL when we are going, but I still feel the convenience of the monorail at the Polynesian makes it the better choice. That said, we are eating at Artist Point at the Wilderness Lodge when we are there next week. I'll let you know Our impressions of both after our trip!

Good luck on your planning! Your kids and Grandkids are blessed to have you do this for them.

 

[justme0729]

I would choose the Poly... transportation is more convenient because you can direct monorail to both MK and Epcot with a very short (3-10 min depending on your building) to the TTC, if you choose club level your Hawaii building will be very close to the pool and you can watch wishes from the beach. The only thing I don't love about the Poly is how the decor in the rooms look but the DVC rooms are beautiful if you wanted to get DVC studios

 

[DisneyWishes14]

If this is a once-and-done trip, I would not pick WL. Don't get me wrong, it's lovely, but Poly and GF will offer you bigger rooms and the convenience of the monorail. From Poly, you can even walk to TTC and catch the monorail to EP. You will also get direct views of MK and the castle from GF and Poly and, for a once in a lifetime trip, I think that view is pretty spectacular. We stayed at both GF and Poly multiple times and that's a tough call for me. Poly's theming is more appealing to me, but GF has MUCH better restaurants (and more of them). They both have super cute splash pads for the kids and nice pools.

If I were you, I would tour both resorts when you go to Orlando. You will get a much better sense of the resorts and whether they appeal to you or not when you visit. I would definitely ask to see a room - never hurts to ask!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

You use the phrase "best for the kids and convenient for the adults." I think Poly, especially Poly CL, is an ideal spot given your circumstances. I am an avid Poly CL fan and I often boil it down into just one word - convenience.

I've stayed at all of the MK resorts and I firmly believe Poly is the best blend of many things... size of rooms, location, multiple transportation options, multple dining options, theming, two great pools, could go on and on.... Staying CL means you'll be in the Hawaii building which is super-convenient to both pools, has a beautiful lounge with a Magic Kingdom view, etc, etc.

No resort and no CL is perfect and there a pros/cons to everything - but Poly has a lot of great qualities overall.

GF would be my second choice (which would be a perfectly good choice as well in my book).

No on WL for the same reasons others above have mentioned.

Happy to be any more specific if needed.

 

[Surgie2]

Thanks everyone for advice. I will likely go with my first instincts to stay at Poly but will tour it and GF when we go to Orlando in a few weeks. You're all so helpful - I appreciate it.

 

[monorailsilver]

Chiming in late...

I have stayed at all 3.

The WL was my least favorite, not for theme because it is beautiful but for waiting to get to places. I mean you have to wait no matter where you go but I swear the boat there just takes forever to come and pick you up. We do eat there every trip and the last time we took the boat back home (Poly) Via ft wilderness so my DH could see where River Country was...plus that boat came first.

GF would be my 2nd choice, as much as I love the Victorian era, I always have felt out of place there. You know me as a teenager walking into the main building dripping wet with a big MICKEY t shirt on looking for my mom and I felt like I was Cinderella being looked down on. But if there were issues with the Poly I would chose here 2nd as I need to be on the monorail.

Poly is my fav, we don't do club level, too much money and what you get isn't worth the extra price, IMO. I love to be able to walk to 2 monorails, listening to the boats toot, the wolf howl, the train whistle and just seeing the castle from the pool. It was the first resort I stayed at and I guess I fell in love when I was 3 1/2!

 

[mickeynut1]

I will likely go with my first instincts to stay at Poly but will tour it and GF when we go to Orlando in a few weeks.

I think the Poly is a great choice! We've stayed at all 3 and while we love them all, the Poly is our favorite. The rooms are large/spacious, all rooms come with a daybed (as does the GF rooms), the main pool is great as you can watch the fireworks while swimming, and it's convenient to both MK (2nd stop on monorail) and Epcot (5-7 minute walk to the TTC). I think you'd have a great time at any resort, but I think the Poly would be the best fit for this trip. I think touring the resorts is a good idea. You can also ask to see a room. If they aren't too busy and a CM is available, someone might be able to show you a room. Have a great trip!

 

[Surgie2]

Thanks for that perspective Monorailsilver. I am so torn on Club Level due to the cost. On the other hand, it would be nice to have the lounge for the parents to gather in at night while we grandparents watch the little ones after they're in bed. And I can't think of another way to "guarantee" three rooms in the same longhouse unless we do CL and being together is important to us. We'd love two of the rooms to be connecting but I know that's not at all guaranteed.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Can I ask when in May 2018 you plan on going? I follow Poly CL rates pretty closely. Remember what you see now is just the rack rate. There will likely be promotions or other discounts that may (key word) be availble next spring.

You probably know this but Poly CL TPV and LV rooms are going to be the most expensive. Garden View rooms can be much more 'reasonable.' While TPV and LV rooms are very nice, GV is a great alternative since you have the lounge that has the MK view.

I see so many larger multi-generational families use the lounge for exactly what you describe. It's just a great gathering spot for everyone at various parts of the day, but then everyone can retreat to their own room when needed.

 

[Surgie2]

Thanks DisneyDad, our tentative dates are May 4-13, 2018 with possibly a day less on each end. So a total of 7-9 nights. If we do CL we would be just fine with Garden View.

 

[toodycat]

Our first trip with our son was to the GF. I think it is a beautiful resort and very convenient to MK with both boat and monorail options. The resort is gorgeous in every way: big rooms, amazing lobby, fun pools, excellent dining options and very child-friendly. CMs at the GF have always been delightful. The view of the firworks frm the GF can't be beat. On the other hand, I've stayed at the WL twice and enjoyed it very much: amazing grounds, excellent restaurants, boat transportation to MK and a very good pool. My friends with young children all love the WL. It is true that the rooms are smaller at the WL, but the price reflects that. Finally, the Poly is my least favorite. I've stayed there twice.The rooms and public spaces seem very dark to me, and I don't like hearing the "Spirit of Aloha" drums throughout the property. No question that I am a GF cheerleader, but I think the WL is a solid choice as well. For someplace rustic, it is actually pretty luxurious.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Thanks DisneyDad, our tentative dates are May 4-13, 2018 with possibly a day less on each end. So a total of 7-9 nights. If we do CL we would be just fine with Garden View.

Yeah, not the cheapest time of year to go to Poly, but not the most expensive either! You can find very good deals on Poly CL GV rooms at certain times of year if you look around enough.

Best of luck with your planning!

 

[Surgie2]

Yeah, not the cheapest time of year to go to Poly, but not the most expensive either! You can find very good deals on Poly CL GV rooms at certain times of year if you look around enough.

So other than checking the WDW website and websites like MouseSavers, is there any place else I should be watching for discounts?