Why WL over Poly?

[bluwater]

I've been reading lots of threads where former Poly-lovers have converted to WL. Why?

I am trying to decide between the two and the Poly really seems to have the leg-up with the monorail.

What is it about the WL that is so special? Why are you willing to give up the monrail for the boat?

If the price was the same for both, would you still choose WL?

Thanks!! Heading down next month!

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

I think it is just a matter of personal choice. I didnt like WL and I would love to try the Poly but no hot tub. The service and transportation at AKL was far superior to WL but lots of people love it there. I never really felt like I was in Florida but I guess that was the point to feel like you were at a hunting lodge and that is just not me. Now my husband loved the theme. Pick what you think you will like the best.

 

[AllyGirl_79]

I really like them both.

I think the Poly really can't be beat in terms of convenience in transportation -- monorail to MK or Epcot (without a transfer since you can walk to the TTC). I like the theming, I like the size of the rooms, and I like that the sofa is big enough for an adult to sleep on (unlike a daybed). The plants are stunning, and, quite frankly, I have a thing for hammocks. I like Kona Cafe and Ohana (for breakfast), and I really love being able to watch the fireworks from the beach.

The WL has a "wow" factor for me -- the lobby continues to thrill me after many visits. The boat is nice, and I've always had good luck with the buses. We also like taking the boat to FW (for Trail's End) and CR (for CG and the walk to MK/monorail). We've been enough times that I'm not in a terrible hurry in terms of getting around, so that might help. I like the theming, the decor of the rooms, and the feel of the place. The landscaping is great, and you feel like you're in a different place. I enjoy both AP and WCC. I've also had good cast member experiences.

On our last trip, we stayed at both places. When I go with my family, the Poly will continue to be my preference for the extra space/bed and the transportation options. When I go with a friend, like I will next week, two beds is plenty. And there's something to be said for the lower price tag.

They both have a unique feel, and I've never been disappointed at either.

 

[GoofyFairie]

IMO people enjoy certain resorts more than others simply because of appeal. What is appealing to some isn't to others. I think every resort that Disney offers is probably awesome, but my family picks WL hands down. It is the only place we have stayed and the only place we want to stay. For us it is small, quiet, and country; similar to home. We find it relaxing to get away and decompress from all the stimulation of the parks and love the boat ride to and from MK (our favorite park!). Just pick the resort that appeals to you and your family the most.

 

[mickeymoo]

I've stayed at each resort once, both have plusses and minuses, can't qutie tell you why but we just preferred the WL, it was just the feeling of it, I guess. I think I went to the Poly with really high expectations because I always wanted to stay, went to the WL with no expectations. Long and short youreally can't go wrong with iether resort, pickthe one youwould feel more comfortable with, do a split stay or just take two trips!

 

[larryz]

Atmosphere. Grandeur. Ambience. Majesty. Magnificence. Solitude.

 

[mickeynut1]

We love both the Poly and the WL for different reasons, as they are totally different resorts. We are booked for our third stay at the WL in December and can't wait; but we will find ourselves back at the Poly next summer . We love the theming of both resorts. For the WL, the lobby is awesome and the decorations during the holidays are amazing. The WL is the best resort of them all when it comes to Christmas time, IMO . Plus we love the out-doorsy decor . On the other hand, the Poly appeals to us because we can relax in the hammocks on the beach and watch the fireworks; we also love the tropical surroundings and overall atmosphere of the resort . But the list goes on for both resorts. You've picked two great resorts to choose between as they are our two favorite . But I will say.....the Poly has a slight edge over the WL, except at Christmas time. I'd go with the resort that has the most appealing theme for your taste.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

My family and I have stayed at both Resorts and if we had to choose between them we would pick the Polynesian. Both Resorts are amazing in their own way, however it's draw of having the Monorail right there which would help with our decision. Plus there is also a boat which goes to the Magic Kingdom and the don't forget about the walkway to the TTC when going to the Epcot Monorail.

 

[boardom]

We were making this choice for our October trip and after much debate picked the Poly. We like the theming better at WL, but decided that on balance it was worth it to do the Poly because of the transportation (my 3 yr old still naps...but only in the room!) and because we liked the food options better. Also because we had a good pin code which made the $ difference relatively minimal. If not for those factors, I think we definitely would have picked WL, which is more our "style."

 

[marvel]

We stayed at both WL and Poly for 6 nights each in May and I have posted all my negatives for the Poly on a seperate thread. The main differences we found were the pool, Poly was too cold to swim in, Concierge staff were below par, linen at the Poly was terrible. The beach and fireworks are great plusses for the Poly though and the food options are good.

WL has a wonderful ambience, the transportation was fine, we didn't ever have to wait long for a bus or boat, pool is great, food options were also fine. Plus WL is general far far better value that the Poly.

It will depend on your family situation though. If the monorail is a priority for small kids then the poly is fine, but you do have to pay alot for the convenience.

 

[TJA]

We've stayed at both resorts and I'll try to answer your questions.
1) Poly-lovers have probably converted to WL because of the cost difference.
2) The WL is special because it is truly a gorgeous resort from the grounds to the lobby. The lobby has a large fireplace and it has a very warm and cozy feeling. Another appeal, as I said above, is the price. It's a tough call for my family to give up the monorail because we have a double jogger and it's SO convenient on the monorail. However, it is getting harder and harder to justify the cost to stay at Poly.
3) If the price were the same for both resorts, I'd choose Poly because of the larger rooms, monorail, and we enjoy the restaurants at Poly better than at WL. Also, at Poly, we can sit on the beach and watch Wishes. And it's very cool to see the Castle right from the pool as well.

 

[DaisyD]

I would never chose WL over the Poly. It is all personal preference but the Poly is a great all around hotel. WL has a great lobby but for me it stops there.

 

[letthewookiewin]

Yesterday, we had ressie's for a MK view room at the Poly for Dec. 7-14, and now our ressie is for a Courtyard view /w bunk beds at the WL. At first I was super excited about the view from the Poly balcony and being on the monorail. Then I started searching for pics and info for the book I always make for our WDW trips. I kept coming across pics of the WL decorated for Christmas, and I would wonder if we had picked the right resort. We had stayed at the WL on our last trip and we loved it. I love the mountains. To me the WL just felt like a family owned cabin in Rocky Mountain National Park. Each night when we returned to the resort and a CM would say "Welcome Home", it really felt like we were coming home. My DS's loved taking the boat to the CR b/c they thought it looked like the boat from Willy Wonka. When I walked into the lobby for the first time it not only took my breathe away, but I teared up. Also, I stood in one place so long just looking that my DH had to remind me that we needed to check in. On that trip, we had a woodsview room and were able to see the fireworks for MNSSHP through the trees. We never had any trouble with any of the buses. I think the most that we have to wait was maybe 10 minutes one morning. As I was planning the trip, I would have to convince myself that the view from the balcony was going to be worth not staying at the WL. Then I made our ADR's on the 10th. After I had made them, I was looking at the times that I had made our dinner ADR's and realized that more than likely we would never be in our room to see the fireworks. As soon as I realized that, I got on line to check if the WL had availability. Once I found out that they did, I asked my DH if I could make the change. He didn't care until I found out that it was less money and then he was all for it. This morning I called first thing and changed from the Poly to the WL. I just couldn't imagine being at WDW at Christmas time and not stay at the WL. My DS's wanted a bunk bed room on our last trip, but we didn't get one. We are not going to tell them that we switched hotel and that we are getting a bunk bed room. I can never keep a WDW trip a secret, so I try and keep little things like that a secret. For my family, it is just the overall feeling of being home that we get at the WL that makes it our favorite resort.

 

[alldiz]

I've been reading lots of threads where former Poly-lovers have converted to WL. Why?

I am trying to decide between the two and the Poly really seems to have the leg-up with the monorail.

What is it about the WL that is so special? Why are you willing to give up the monrail for the boat?

If the price was the same for both, would you still choose WL?

Thanks!! Heading down next month!

To be honest....the main reason I haven't stayed at the Poly YET....is they don't guarantee balconies. If I am staying deluxe.....I need a balcony....end of story.
Kerrri

 

[bluwater]

Thank you ALL for your candor. I appreciate it. This will help me with the decision.

 

[GailT]

I like Poly and better then that BWI but staying at WL for Christmas
I am
going by price even though WL is probably the best choice at this time of year.whatever one you choice they are both nice, 2 things that POLY has that WL doesn't isright on the monorail and he rooms are bogger.
Have a FUNtastic trip no matter what one you choise, it is a win win situation

 

[pepe of ohio]

When we got CM discounts we found the Poly very inviting but now that those discounts are gone, the Poly is not worth the rack rate and hardly any AP discount comes our way. To still enjoy the ambience of a deluxe, longer stays and a few bucks in my pocket, our last 10 stays have been at WL.

The monorail is not that interesting or time saving in my opinion, the boat that serves the WL gets us there just as quick and I've seen the monorail packed and have stood at the Poly. Leaving the MK to go to the Poly , its the third stop, rather take the boat back to the Lodge. They also quit the boat from the Poly to FW, we enjoy FW alot, Crocketts Tavern and Trails End have some great meals and there's a boat from WL to FW, another plus.

All in all, its the money, just too much cash for the Poly.

 

[huntconn]

I've stayed at both resorts and the only 2 things that the WL has over the Poly are 1. magnificent lobby 2. lower price. Also if you prefer the "wilderness" theme over the "south pacific" theme I guess. Other than that the Poly trumps the WL in every way. Don't get me wrong, the WL is a great resort. The Poly just offers far more pros than the WL. Overall, for whatever reason, there seems to be a large contigent of Poly supporters on these boards (maybe because it is an awesome resort!). Along with the supporters there seems to be some that really relish any negative reports on the Poly. Not that anyone with a negative opinion of the Poly is unjustified. It just seems like there is , at times, almost a resentment that so many folks genuinely love the resort. Like it or not, the Poly commands an adoration from a large group of people that most other Disney resorts do not and I think that just annoys some people.

 

[mmmears]

Some people really like to stay in a "one-building" hotel. WL is like that -- all rooms at the resort are accessed from the air-conditioned lobby. The Poly is layed-out differently, so that no matter what level of room you book, you have to walk outside (in the heat or rain or whatever) to get to your building.

That, and the theming, is a personal preference.

Poly has the monorails easily accessibly, but Disney will make you pay $$$$$ for that!

For value, I think that with AKL and WL you get "more bang for your buck!" And gorgeous architecture and theming!

 

[SnowWhitee]

I must confess we have never stayed at the Poly, but we've stayed at WL three times, once in each room type (standard, woods view, courtyard). The main reason we have not been to the Poly is price. I have not been able to justify the cost. I also like the fact that the lodge is all under one roof, whereas you have to walk between buildings at the Poly (a pain if it's raining an you want to visit a restuarant, food court or catch the monorail). If going at Christmas, I feel staying at WL is a must for theming and decor.

Our first trip was when my youngest was 2, and not being on the monorail was never an issue. We went back to the room for afternoon breaks on each of those three trips.

The bus from WL to MK takes less than 10 minutes, and having the boats were a great option. My kids loved riding them just as much as the monorail. The boats gave us access to MK, the WL campgrounds and the Contemporary. This opened up eating options beyond our resort to the campgrounds and all of the monorail resorts - what a plus! When we had early morning ADRs for Chef Mickey's, we were able to use a boat to go straight there versus taking a bus to MK and then walking or taking the monorail to the Contemporary. We had a bus or a boat to choose from for early morning ADRs to CRT at MK. And, if we did ever want to ride the monorail to MK or Epcot, we could do so via the Contemporary or first going to MK.

Just a personal word of advice, but if you can afford it and don't need to bring your own stroller, we thought it was worth it to rent the Disney ones. Not having to lug one on/off busses, the monorail or boats was a great thing for us. I know the price has increased recently, but I believe they still offer a discount if you rent multiple days up front.