Wilderness Lodge or Polynesian?

[lharris619]

We are planning a trip for early December of 2018 and I'm so torn on where we should stay. I feel like I've researched and researched the resorts so much that I'm making this harder than it needs to be

Right now, I'm torn between the Wilderness Lodge or the Polynesian. Is the Polynesian worth the extra cost?

I have 2 kids and they will be 5 and 8 at the time we travel.

Thanks!!!

 

[shanew21]

WL is incredible during Christmas, so that may sway your decision.

 

[Amv209614]

Do a split stay! We are DVC so we stay at WL over the weekend (higher points/cost) and then go to the Poly for a few nights as well during the week (fewer points/less expensive than weekends).

 

[Spencer Wright]

There will be other posters more knowledgeable about the transit situation from the WL than me, but one huge advantage of the Poly is relatively easy access to Epcot and the MK.

I highly recommend the Poly.

 

[Marthasor]

As a resort, I love WL much more than Poly, but it does come with its downsides so you just need to decide what your priorities are.

WL is absolutely gorgeous, it has a nice pool (not as nice or big as Poly's though and no splash pad), great restaurants that are fairly easy to get in to (unlike Poly restaurants that pretty much require an ADR) and 2, great QS restaurants (Poly only has one and it's super chaotic). WL also has a small basketball court and some other recreation (ping pong, pool, etc. a path to Ft. W) that Poly doesn't have. Poly, however, has much bigger rooms. WL will offer you boat service to MK (you can get direct service or boat service to CR and then walk to MK). It shares buses with Ft. W for the other parks (which is kind of a pain, IMHO. We started using lyft/Minnie Vans when staying there in August to cut down on transportation time). Poly, of course, has monorail access.

In general, I find WL to be quiet peaceful and I find Poly to be loud and chaotic! So, for me, it would come down to general atmosphere, room size, transportation, recreation and dining. I've stayed at both several times (we'll be staying at WL again this December) and I would much prefer to stay at WL over Poly.

 

[Wood Nymph]

We are planning a trip for early December of 2018 and I'm so torn on where we should stay. I feel like I've researched and researched the resorts so much that I'm making this harder than it needs to be

Right now, I'm torn between the Wilderness Lodge or the Polynesian. Is the Polynesian worth the extra cost?

I have 2 kids and they will be 5 and 8 at the time we travel.

Thanks!!!

The WL is a great resort to stay at, especially when you have kids. The boat to MK is a lot of fun and everyone really enjoys it. It takes less time for the WL boat to travel from MK to the WL then it takes the monorail to travel from MK to the Poly. Bus service at WL is good, too, with WL being the first stop for all the returning buses.

They have a really nice children's splash pad at WL. There are two pools and the newest one is a zero entry pool.

The nice thing about the WL is that everything is under one roof. You don't have to walk to separate buildings like you do at the Poly. We like the WL a whole lot more than the Poly.

 

[mickeynut1]

We are planning a trip for early December of 2018 and I'm so torn on where we should stay. I feel like I've researched and researched the resorts so much that I'm making this harder than it needs to be

Right now, I'm torn between the Wilderness Lodge or the Polynesian. Is the Polynesian worth the extra cost?

I have 2 kids and they will be 5 and 8 at the time we travel.

Thanks!!!

We've stayed at both and while the Poly is our favorite resort overall, the WL is our favorite during the holidays. The lodge is beautiful anytime of year, but is amazing when decorated for the holidays. I think they both have nice pools, beautiful atmospheres, and great dining options. With that said, you really can't go wrong with either one as they are both great. Good luck .

 

[iLoveThaMagic]

Both are lovely resorts, but the Poly for sure! It's one of my personal favs && the location is LIFE!

 

[melissapealo]

What a nice dilemma to have as both are great resorts. For a December trip I would go with WL just due to the holiday decorations they have.

 

[Derek Demsher]

literally the two resorts i have the hardest time choosing between too haha
The rooms at Poly are definitely bigger and a little nicer, but its nice that WL is all under one roof (for the most part).
I agree that WL is better at christmas time, and its definitely more affordable, plus kids those ages will probably be more impressed
by the lodge than the Poly.
So in your case id say go with the WL for this trip, and save the Poly for the next one