Where to stay for December trip?

[memobrien]

So I’m thinking about going back in December with my DD (who will almost be 6 at time of trip). We just did a week in Jan and had a ball (of course)!!! That trip we split our stay between AKL and Poly.

I've never been in Dec and I thought that it would be great to see the decorations.

So I’m trying to figure out where I want to stay. I’m thinking we are only going to go for a long weekend (4 days). I know we will be spending a most of our time at Magic Kingdom as that is her favorite. So I was thinking something close. We loved the Poly so I was thinking maybe there. But then I’m hearing LOTS of good reports about Wilderness Lodge and I know many people who have been staying there lately. I’m just not sure which….

Help me decide… What resort should we stay at? What are the pros and cons?

THANKS!

Maura

 

[tiger4me2]

I prefer the WL at Christmas time but never been to Poly at Christmas but stayed there before. We go to every resort to see the decorations & I think the WL is one of the nicest one. MHO. It has a boat along with a bus to MK.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

I've stayed at the Poly for Christmas and I LOVE it! The decorations aren't as traditional as those at the GF or the WL but the cultural interpretation of the holiday that I love. You have Hawaiian Christmas music playing on the grounds, some of the CMs doing a special hula for the holidays.

The WL is nice but since I live in Pennsylvania the theming doesn't appeal to me. The christmas decorations there are stunning though. You can't go wrong with either choice!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I vote for the GF!! (even though it wasn't on the list!! ) The holiday decorations are beautiful there!! (And MK is just 1 stop away...)

 

[memobrien]

I vote for the GF!! (even though it wasn't on the list!! ) The holiday decorations are beautiful there!! (And MK is just 1 stop away...)

Ooops... add GF to the list. Really i just said poly because i said there before. And then said WL because literally.....8 different people i know booked trips staying there in the last week. So that's why I threw them out there. But i'm open to all suggestions!

 

[Tinkaroo]

If you want to be close to the MK, as well as really enjoy a resort that "does" the holidays, I think the GF or WL are your best bets. It will likely come down to cost (unfortunately, they are very different in price), and what theme you like best for your family.

I've stayed at both in November/December, and while the WL was cozy/woodsy/had great decorations, the overall "wilderness" theme is just not me. However, it was appropriate for the holidays, and I'm glad we tried it. We were there in '05 before the latest room renovation, and our room was looking a little worn. These rooms are also about 344 sq. ft., so definitely smaller than most other deluxes.

My favorite Disney resort is the GF, and it certainly takes it up a notch in December. The hotel is beautiful at that time of year - lots of garlands, the huge tree, the life-size gingerbread house, all the holiday entertainment...it's a great spot. The rooms are bigger there (and the theme more to my liking), and we've just always had great service and experiences at the GF. You also have the convenience of the monorail (next stop - MK), and the GF is the 1st stop on the resort launch on the way back (shares with the Poly).

Good luck with whatever you decide - I don't think you can go wrong, either way! Both resorts will get a lot of "foot traffic" over the holidays, since most people make side trips to check out the decorations. Things will be a bit more hectic for sure.

 

[memobrien]

My favorite Disney resort is the GF, and it certainly takes it up a notch in December. The hotel is beautiful at that time of year - lots of garlands, the huge tree, the life-size gingerbread house, all the holiday entertainment...it's a great spot.

I totally forgot about the gingerbread house. My DD will LOVE that. We make gingerbread houses every year. Actually we do them not jsut for Christmas becasue my DD loves them so much. hehe

When does that go up?

 

[Tinkaroo]

I totally forgot about the gingerbread house. My DD will LOVE that. We make gingerbread houses every year. Actually we do them not jsut for Christmas becasue my DD loves them so much. hehe

When does that go up?

I haven't ever paid close attention to the date, but I *think* it goes up either right before, or immediately after, Thanksgiving. If you're going in December, it will definitely be there. It is beautiful!

 

[memobrien]

hmmm... now i'm starting to lean towards GF. I would love to see that gingerbread house. we saw it on a special on foodtv or something this December and my DD was freaking out over it. She couldn't get over how beautiful it was and that was on TV. hehe

I stayed at GF once before, but that was.... omg that was 17 years ago... ok longer than i thought! hehe i don't really remember much about it

maura

 

[ObsessedwiththeMouse]

We stayed at the Poly this last Christmas and loved it! The decorations weren't traditional, but I liked that about it. Here's some pictures....

We took the monorail over to the GF and it was so busy that we didn't even get a picture in front of the Gingerbread house.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

hmmm... now i'm starting to lean towards GF. I would love to see that gingerbread house. we saw it on a special on foodtv or something this December and my DD was freaking out over it. She couldn't get over how beautiful it was and that was on TV. hehe

I stayed at GF once before, but that was.... omg that was 17 years ago... ok longer than i thought! hehe i don't really remember much about it

maura

I think it goes up around the 15th of November...

If the GF is financially in the cards then I highly recommend it! It is so convenient to MK, the service is outstanding and it is so incredibly festive there at that time!! We have stayed twice before but this is our first time there at Christmastime (and I am certain it won't be our last! )

 

[Cinderumbrella]

The GF tree (2006)

The gingerbread house (2006)... you can smell it as soon as you walk in

 

[tlhbdm]

My DH and I stayed at Contemporary December 9-16th, 2007. We loved it and can't wait to go back.

 

[tiger4me2]

If you want to be close to the MK, as well as really enjoy a resort that "does" the holidays, I think the GF or WL are your best bets. It will likely come down to cost (unfortunately, they are very different in price), and what theme you like best for your family.

I've stayed at both in November/December, and while the WL was cozy/woodsy/had great decorations, the overall "wilderness" theme is just not me. However, it was appropriate for the holidays, and I'm glad we tried it. We were there in '05 before the latest room renovation, and our room was looking a little worn. These rooms are also about 344 sq. ft., so definitely smaller than most other deluxes.

My favorite Disney resort is the GF, and it certainly takes it up a notch in December. The hotel is beautiful at that time of year - lots of garlands, the huge tree, the life-size gingerbread house, all the holiday entertainment...it's a great spot. The rooms are bigger there (and the theme more to my liking), and we've just always had great service and experiences at the GF. You also have the convenience of the monorail (next stop - MK), and the GF is the 1st stop on the resort launch on the way back (shares with the Poly).

Good luck with whatever you decide - I don't think you can go wrong, either way! Both resorts will get a lot of "foot traffic" over the holidays, since most people make side trips to check out the decorations. Things will be a bit more hectic for sure.

Actually the room size is the same at AKL as they were design by same person.