Thanks everyone. It sounds beautiful. I am excited, but reading these posts makes me wish August would get here even quicker. I think the hardest thing to give up about the Poly is the monorail. Are the boats timely? We have stayed at POR and although I liked the resort, I hated the buses coming home from the parks. I like the idea of the boats to the MK as that is where we spend most of our time. Also, what is the snack bar/ counter service like?
We have stayed at both resorts. That being said, we much prefer the WL. We have been going to the WL since it's opening..and we honestly..haven't had any issues with the transportation. The monorail of the Poly is nice..don't get me wrong. However, the actual rooms are in long houses where you have to walk to the Grand Ceromonial House(Lobby) and then go up stairs and catch the monorail. You will have to go outside to from your long house to reach the ceremonial house. Not a big deal, but when the weather is not rainy, you are walking through that to get to the lobby area. Where as with the WL it's a hotel..that is U shaped. You can reach the outside of the resort from different areas, without having to go to the lobby, however you can also stay entirely inside the resort to reach the lobby where you will find your dining options and shops. Without ever having to venture out into inclement weather, should you encounter it. I like that. Also the lobby is a great place to people watch. We throughly enjoy taking the water launch. In fact, even when we were at the Poly, we took that water lauch to the MK. Yes, we have been on it when it went to FW also. It is NO big deal. It's right there, you aren't going out of your way. In fact, I kind of like seeing another resort. Also, if you are going to the Hoop Dee Doo Revue(Disney's best dinner show) it's located in FW..so it's the easiest and quickest way to get there.
The WL...is spectacular. My kids won't stay anywhere else. We try to get a room on the side of the resort that faces the Wilderness Lodge Villas. This used to be a "woods view" before the Villas were built. Frankly we prefer this to an actual woods view, as the villas are quite lovely to look at..and it overlooks the walking/bike trail that leads to FW. I will tell you that we have had a standard room, and have not been happy with it. We found ourselves to be on the side of the resort that is an actual woods view..only we would hear the delivery trucks to the Whispering Canyon and didn't enjoy the constant smoke house odors. I am going to tell you that if for ANY reason you should encounter this, simply go to the front desk and ask for another room. The staff at the WL is incredibly accomodating. We were moved, and even upgraded the following day to a Courtyard view room. They couldn't have been nicer. Now, we know we prefer the opposite side of the resort(facing the villas) and avoid any chance of that happening. There are bike rentals located at the marina, and there are bikes for people of all ages. You can take a bike ride over to FW, we found this a lovely way to spend an afternoon. The resort itself is simply majestic. It just feels much newer than the Poly. Although the Poly has made renovations, it does retain a darker..older feel. Which some people find endearing, yet others think it's sort of "Brady Bunch". Poly lovers are a loyal bunch. As are those repeat visitors of the WL. I really think it depends on what you are looking for in a resort, as far as theme. Only I have never thought of the WL as a step down..or to save money. Although, it is less than the rate at the Poly. To us it's simply been a choice of what we liked best, and what had more to offer our family.
you will not be disappointed.
