Switched from Poly to WL - will I regret it?

[mikeandsunshine]

So, we had a reservation for a Garden View room at the Poly for 4 nights and 3 day tickets with Deluxe Dining. We got to thinking and thought 3 days in the parks might not be enough and wanted to add it another day. At the Poly to add the dining, tickets, and room it was almost $700 more, so we decided to look somewhere else. We found out that we could stay at the WL with 5 day tickets for 5 nights with deluxe dining for $84 more, so we decided to go with that. I really hope I made the right choice, I always second guess everything. We have a 5, 2, and 9 months old. We will have our own car though and will drive to reservations and parks, I really don't want to be lugging a double stroller onto a bus. Someone tell me I made the right decision!

 

[SydneyBristow]

I think you made the right decision. The WL is a beautiful resort, one of my favorites.

 

[PrincessBride010103]

you totally made the right decision!! though i dont have any kids yet, (just one on the way!) my husband and i love the wilderness lodge!! we personally think the rooms are much nicer than the poly and you added 2 days to your trip for less than $100 more! you wont regret it!

 

[LillersMom]

The big advantage to the Poly is being able to wheel the stroller right on the monorail instead of having to deal with the bus...at least for MK and Epcot. The WL is a beautiful hotel it sounds like you were planning on drivng quite a bit anyway. So the big benefit of the monorail might not have meant much to you. For what it is worth my kids were 5 and 3 when they stayed at the WL and they thought it was awesome! Though we prefer the Poly now. I think you'll have a wonderful time regardless of where you are staying!

 

[elan]

I think you've made the right decision. You'll love WL. We've used a double stroller on the boat to MK many a times with no problems. Enjoy the extra day.

 

[TJA]

Considering the money difference, I think you made the right choice. We're trying the WL next month for the 1st time with toddlers. Just so you know, you can roll your double stroller right on the big boat between MK and WL, so that will be a nice break from taking your car. We're planning to stay late at MK and let our twins fall asleep in the jogger, then just boat back to WL without waking them up. We did stay at WL pre-kids and I do remember it as being a stunningly beautiful resort. Can't wait to stay there again.

 

[ProudMommyof2]

Not to be a dissenting voice, but I think the WL rooms are small for 3 kids. I would give up the deluxe dining, go for basic, and stay at the Poly-IMHO!

 

[lmhall2000]

I have to dissent here...we've been there done that....you're probably going to have a pack n play for the infant...takes up space in the room which is considerably smaller than the Poly..you lose the monorail...let me repeat, you LOSE the Monorail! EEK! We went when our children were 5, 2 & 1.....7,5 & 4....hands down my husband and I both agreed that the monorail is worth the expense! The larger room is a major plus when dealing with an infant. We were at the AKL when we had the infant and it was TIGHT! Especially with a 2 year old trying to walk around everywhere...don't know when you're going, but I would bet you'll get a special discount (unless it's June/July) that will make up for most of that difference.

Believe me, $700 is a big chunk of change for us..we only travel there about once every 3 years...if we were traveling 3x a year maybe I could see hauling the kids up and on the buses/boats etc....but nothing beats the convenience of the monorail with kids in strollers...we took the boat from Poly to MK a few times (kids were out of strollers) and it was not fun maneuvering them on/off the boat....much less the buses....I'd eat beans and rice for 4 months for that convenience! Plus, you can be back at your resort in 10 minutes!

Now, something you might consider is pricing a Garden Wing room at the Contemporary...usually that room is $50 less per night or more than the Poly...that would be an option I'd consider and you can walk to MK..we loved that!

Tara

 

[harmonium]

You made the right call. You may not be able to roll onto the monorail, but you can roll down to the boats that take you to the MK. We stayed at WLV for the first time this year and we are in love with it. The pool is great, the location is great, and you can get in and out by car with no hassle.
One piece of advice I will give you is that you drive to the door to drop off the kids before parking and follow that method throughout the trip with drop offs and pick ups. The walk to the parking lot from the resort is awkward. Not terrible, but not convenient.
I can't vouch for the CMs at the Poly, but the CMs at WL were very accomodating and friendly. Plus, if you were interested in a hot tub, the Poly does not have one, where WL has two near the main pool and 1 in the quiet pool area.

 

[boomhauer]

FTR - We had 2 pack n plays in our room at the WL, a 7 year old in one bed and 2 adults in the other. We had no problems with space at all.

We also had a double stroller which rolled right onto the boat to Magic Kingdom with no problem.

 

[vbarry]

I would ditch the deluxe dining and stay at the Poly. Your kids may be too tired to enjoy all of the dining but you will love the monorail and the larger rooms.

I enjoy WL but the rooms are much smaller. We had two children, a pack and play and a stroller and we were constantly on top of each other.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I would ditch the deluxe dining and stay at the Poly. Your kids may be too tired to enjoy all of the dining but you will love the monorail and the larger rooms.

I enjoy WL but the rooms are much smaller. We had two children, a pack and play and a stroller and we were constantly on top of each other.

not a bad idea

 

[Dallas_Lady]

I'd probably give up the Deluxe Dining regardless, especially since you only have 3-5 days. You'll end up feeling like you spent your whole vacation inside a restaurant.

With 3 small kids, I think you'll be comfy enough at the WL. Personally, I would always choose a longer stay over nicer accomodations.

 

[OKW Lover]

The WL is wonderful and I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Lots of things to explore around the building.

For example, the fireplace in the lobby has a chimney that is true to the strata of he rock in the Grand Canyon. If you go up to each of the floors there is a plaque that says what period the rock was formed. Oldest at the bottom of course.

Also, You know the bundled columns that hold up the ceiling in the lobby? Some of them don't go all the way up and those are topped with carvings of animal heads. The further up a column goes the higher in the forest you'll find the particular animal. Thus you'll see birds on the very tallest columns and burrowing animals in the shortest.

When you check-in, there are little carved animals under the check-in counter right at eye level for the children.

The two totem polls in the lobby are authentic and tell a story (read from the bottom up).

However, having said all that, I'd be sad not to stay at the Polly because it is just so nice. Its relaxing and exotic all at once. Its convenience to the monorail to the MK (or a short walk over to the TTC to catch the monorail to Epcot) makes it easy to get around.

So, plan on going to the Poly on a future trip.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I would ditch the deluxe dining and stay at the Poly. Your kids may be too tired to enjoy all of the dining but you will love the monorail and the larger rooms.

I enjoy WL but the rooms are much smaller. We had two children, a pack and play and a stroller and we were constantly on top of each other.

That is exactly what I would do.

Of course I would ditch the deluxe dining even if I decided to stay at WL. With three small children you will be wasting a lot of time on sit down meals.

Heck - price out 7 nights at WL with regular dining and you might come out with the same price.

Or 6 nights and park tickets at the Poly. Worth a look.

 

[srgibbs]

The WL is beautiful and you have just added two days to your vacation that alone is worth it. I cannot agree more with all the posts to get rid of the deluxe dining. There is no way you will want that much food and waste that much time with 3 kids. We always have credits let over (CS) with just the regular dining and 1TS meal a day is more than plenty and takes up a good bit of time. You will feel like you need to go to all those TS meals b/c you paid for it. I would def. change to reg. dining and just save that money for spending money for kiddos. Have a great trip.