Wilderness Lodge vs. Polynesian Resort

[UBSHANG]

Based on your overall experience with WL or PR, which deluxe property would you choose to stay at and why. We plan on visiting the MK and AK. The travel time to the MK by WL boat or PR monorail are both about 10 minutes, and both resorts would require a bus to AK, so transportation is not a significant factor. I would appreciate any comments, suggestions or advice.

 

[SeaSpray]

We've stayed at both resort, in fact we stayed at both resorts during one of our trips.

While I loved the Wilderness Lodge and would love to stay there again some time, my all-time favorite Disney World resort is the Polynesian

We're a family of 4 (DSs are 19 1/2 and 16 1/2) so the larger rooms with 2 queen beds plus a sofa bed are much better for us. When we stayed at the Wilderness Lodge, even though we had a bunk bed room, the bunks are pretty small so it was rough for my teen boys to fit. Length-wise the bunks were ok, but they're very low to the ground (probably for safety reasons) and the bottom bunk doesn't have much clearance from the top bunk. My older DS basically had to slide into the bottom bunk each night because there was not enough room for him to sit up in the bed. If you have no children, or small children, this wouldn't be an issue for you.

The Polynesian has direct boat access to the Magic Kingdom (it goes from the Polynesian directly to the Magic Kingdom, and on the return trip it stops at the Grand Floridian, then back to the Polynesian), in addition to the monorail. In fact, we use the boat most of the time to go there and we only use the monorail if we happen to already be in the Great Ceremonial House.

Also, the Ticket & Transportation Center (TTC) is a short walk from the Polynesian resort which gives you quick access to the Epcot monorail.

You have the convenience of being able to watch the fireworks show "Wishes" from the beach at the Polynesian resort, as well as the "Electrical Water Parade" which passes right by the Polynesian beach each night.

The rooms at the Polynesian are among the largest on all Disney property, as far as non-suites go. They've all been recently refurbished, although I believe that the Wilderness Lodge has been recently refurbished as well.

My favorite WDW restaurant is located at the Polynesian; the Kona Cafe.

You really can't go wrong with either resort, but I recommend the Polynesian!

If you want to see my pictures of both resorts, just click the link below in my signature to get to my web site, then click on the "Disney World Trips" link to get to the resorts.

Have fun, whichever you choose!

 

[jdcthree]

I think it depends on personal taste. I've stayed at both and personally prefer the Poly for the theme. Both have nice restaurants, staff was equal for me at each, both have nice pools, transportation overall was better at the Poly, but that won't be an issue in your case. One thing that I did like about the WL was that everything was in one building. At the Poly there are a lot of buildings and more walking involved, but it was no big deal. I would stay at either again, and I think it just depends on what kind of experience/feel you want out of the resort!

 

[kirbydog48]

I've stayed at both resorts. I loved WL; the lobby is awesome, the boat to MK is very convenient, you can watch the Electric Water Pageant from the beach. I found the rooms to be a little snug for mysef, DH and DS8. As our room was on the 4th floor overlooking the lobby, we had a gorgeous interior view, but heard every hoot and holler from WCC, which got annoying at 10PM. I fell in love with the Poly and am staying there again in April. There are better dining options I feel. I like Capt. Cook's better for a quick meal (more variety than RF), love the kona coffee in the lobby, and love Kona Cafe. Loved O'hana the first time, second time was awful. The rooms at the Poly are gorgeous, and you can watch Wishes from the beach. I feel like we could have a great relaxing vacation at the Poly even without going to the parks. The convenience of being on the monorail is great. I am more partial to the Poly.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

My family and I have stayed at the Wilderness Lodge before and we will be having our 1st stay at the Polynesian this coming Saturday. While I can't go into more detail about the Polynesian, I do agree with what SeaSpray said because it seems that there is more to do at the Polynesian. The Wilderness Lodge was a very nice Resort to stay at, so I am not knocking it or anything, but from what we seen on our visits to the Polynesian I think they have a lot more atmosphere.

 

[UBSHANG]

SeaSpray,

I really enjoyed your family vacation pictures of the PR. Thanks for your informative and helpful advice.

 

[Tam1067]

We've stayed at both--WL once and PR twice. No question here--Polynesian wins hands down.

Rooms are larger, pool has zero depth entry and is therefore nicer, grounds are nicer, standard view rooms generally have better views, restaurant options are way better and more varied (as you're on the Monorail loop), and the Monorail is great.

We liked WL a lot when we stayed there, but we moved up to Polynesian because the rooms there can't fit all 5 of us any longer, and we have no desire to go back to WL, which though a lovely resort, is not nearly the same.

 

[cdrn1]

I echo everything that Seaspray said (she has great taste in resorts!). Even down to Kona as the favorite restaurant! We thoroughly enjoyed everything about both WL and Poly, but the Polynesian has the edge when it comes to theming and beauty. I love palm trees; we have plenty of trees here in the midwest like the ones at the WL, and to me a palm shouts "VACATION"!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

SeaSpray,

I really enjoyed your family vacation pictures of the PR. Thanks for your informative and helpful advice.

So based on that response does that mean you picked the Polynesian?

 

[UBSHANG]

So based on that response does that mean you picked the Polynesian?

I am still in the process of gathering additional information about PR in order to make a well informed decision.

 

[MissionMouse]

Based on your overall experience with WL or PR, which deluxe property would you choose to stay at and why...

The Poly for most of the reasons already stated. PR also provides us a great Disney feel too and the room size allows us a little more room so we do not feel squished.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I am still in the process of gathering additional information about PR in order to make a well informed decision.

Ok, I guess that makes sense because you do want to make the right decision on where to stay.

 

[MickeyNicki]

We have stayed at both and liked them both very much. If we were going for the holidays I would stay at WL, the place is gorgeous (that is where we stayed last Dec).

We had zero issues with the transportation except for one day, we had 8 am ressies at Donalds in AK and were at the bus stop before 7 am and the bus did not show up til 20 of 8. We were late for our breakfast but the CM said the bus delay happens all the time and sat us right away.

The Poly was fantastic too, love the monorail service!

 

[Grendalynn]

We have stayed at Poly as our own family and always as a child. I love it and it has amazing ambiance! A tropical feeling and WDW all in one - what a better feel? The smell of the waterfall in the lobby is still the same as I rememeber as a child going there with my parents and sisters 20+ years ago!! Has enyone else realized that?? I think its certainly my most favorite and will be compared to all other WDW resorts we visit.

This year we will be staying at WL. We wanted a delux but not the full price tag, so this is the next best thing. DH wanted to stay at WL so will give it a try and see what its like. We wnt there last visit for dinner at WC and had a blast and like the theme. I personally like being on/near the monorail, and hope to try other deluxe resorts (that aren't too far) in the future. We have also stayed at All Start Sports when DH and I were first together; pre-kids, while it was affordable and had great atmosphere, we like to stay right in the hub-bub of things. Especially with little ones that will tire easily!