WL or Poly w/ 2 and 4 yr olds?

[suzct]

I am trying to decide which resort for early Feb. I got a decent AAA rate at WL( there is no avail for WL w/ an AP rate for that time )There is availability at the Poly, but it would be $400 or more to stay there over the WL. Not sure if it is worth it. I know people have said being on the monorail is important with little ones, but is the boat launch to the magic kingdom at WL enough? Also it probably won't be swim weather in Feb, but which resort has a better "kiddie" pool?

Thanks

 

[MissionMouse]

"... is the boat launch to the magic kingdom at WL enough?"

Sure, and they have a bus too. It's hard to pass up a good rate, but it all comes down to what you value. If you live out in Colorado, Wyoming or Montana and have traveled into some of the historical wilderness areas, the WL is not that impressive. For others it is an experience providing some memorable moments and worth serious consideration.

Overall, we enjoy the service the monorail provides and staying at the PR provides almost direct access to the transporation center which provides monorail transportation to Epcot too. The monorail provides a high frequency and capacity of transporation which is frequently available without or with little waiting. In addition, at the PR you have access to the bus, monorail, and yacht.

"Also it probably won't be swim weather in Feb, but which resort has a better "kiddie" pool?"

I'm not sure on this one, but the PR is known for it's arcade and childcare area providing lots of activities for children [The Neverland Club is open from 5:00 p.m.to midnight and offers entertainment (including a Discovery Island animal show), dining and fun for children ages 4 to 12. ]

 

[AlexTina]

I would definately suggest Poly!!! We always stay there (except for our upcoming trip, we're trying GF ). Anyhow, you will absolutely love the convinience of the monorail with small children. I would love to try some other resorts as well but DH and I have discussed it and we will wait until the little ones are a bit older before we venture away from the monorail.

Tina

 

[alohaguy]

I would suggest the Polynesian ... you can walk strollers onto the monorail and the convenience is unmatched. The close proximity of the TTC is also something that is invaluable in terms of transportation. In my 30 years of Disney trips I am still unable to see any resort that is more conveniently located than the Polynesian.

That being said, I'm sure you'll have a good trip at WL if that is your choice.

Good Luck

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

This may be surprising, given my name here, but I would go with WL!

My reasoning is that WL is more compact, while the Polynesian is more spread out. That walk back to the building at the end of the day probably seems a lot longer if you've got two little ones in tow, too!

It seems like I remember WL having a separate "kiddie pool" with just a few inches of water for them to play in, but my memory may be wrong.

At either resort, you have the options of boat and bus transportation, but the Poly does have the monorail. However, you can always take a bus from WL to the TTC, and then take the monorail wherever you'd like to go, so the kids get the fun of riding it without the extra cost of staying at a monorail resort.

I don't think you mentioned how long you are staying, but I would take that into account when it comes to the value. An extra $400 over a week (a little over $50/day) more for the Polynesian would be worth it to me, but if we're talking $400 over 4 days (extra $100/day), then I'd personally rather put that money towards other things.

And of course, depending on how long your trip is, you could always split your stay! A couple of nights at one resort, followed by a couple of nights at the other!

 

[bellarella]

I think the Poly's location can't be beat. You have your choice of every mode of transportation possible -- monorail (to MK or Epcot since the TTC is right there), resort boat launch, TTC boat launch, bus from Poly or TTC. We stayed there with our 2 and 4 year old and I kept saying how glad I was we chose that resort. The zero entry pool is great and the kids liked playing on the beach waiting to watch Wished and EWP.

 

[lmhall2000]

Okay, I can SOLVE this dilemma! With one question....

Are you having more children?

If so, then your dilemma is SOLVED!

You see, I'm in a family of five and we can't fit in a WL room unless we do deluxe which is much more than a standard Poly room. I have always wanted to stay at WL...so if you're having more children...stay at WL because it may be your only chance since there are 4 of you...

If you're not....I'd probably still stay at WL because as they get older you'll appreciate the bigger rooms at the Poly and it will give you another resort to enjoy...WL rooms are smaller and since your kids are smaller you won't notice it as much.

Hope this helps!
Tara

 

[BeccaGrace]

We were in the exact same situation (2 & 4 year old) when booking our November/December trip and we decided to go with the WL based on the cost factor, the fact that the WL is more compact and that we liked the theme better. Can't say that I haven't second-guessed my decision at all and if they end up doing the free dining offer during our stay I might switch to a monorail resort with the savings...but with things as I have them now I think we will be very happy with the WL and the transportation will not be a problem even with the little ones.
Good luck with your decision...I know we agonized about it for a LONG time!

 

[JELBoggio]

I have a 6 year old and a 4 year old and I booked a trip in May for the Poly. It was also between WL and the Poly for us. The monorail is the main reason for choosing the Poly as well as the place lookes gorgeous! I haven't been to either and this is my first trip since I was a teenager back in 86!

A friend of mine who goes each year to Disney always stayed at either Poly or GF. This past May she tried WL. She loved the hotel but said she would go back to the monorail hotels. She has two kids (5 and 6) and said that the boat to MK would stop at Ft. Wilderness before heading to MK making the boat ride a long one. Another friend told me that when she stayed at WL a couple years ago, the boat did not go to Ft. Wilderness. Maybe someone on the board knows for sure, but that boat ride to MK is the only reason she would not stay at WL again, especially since that is where she spent the majority of her time.

 

[DreaminDisney]

We stayed at Poly when kids were 2 & 5. Location couldn't be beat. It worked out perfect. I recommend Poly.

 

[MainStUSA]

Ya WL is much better for small kids, the best thing to do is take the boat to MK. And use a rental car to get every where else. I know it costs the extra money but believe me when the park closes and youre standing outside in the hot weather for an hour and a half waiting for a bus youll wish you had a car to drive . Its 100% easier.The pool at the WL is very nice too and the kids will probably like the "theme" better too.

 

[Disfreek]

We have done both. The monorail is a plus factor in favor of the Poly, but we absolutely LOVE The WL. My two year old LOVES the theming of the WL. Both of them loved being on the boat to ride to the MK.

They LOVED the bunk beds. The four year old was on top & the 2 year old slept on the bottom bunk *first time EVER in a big girl bed!

 

[rileyroosmom]

I've stayed at both and you can't go wrong which ever one you choose.
Poly has bigger rooms and the convience of the monorail is unbelievable.
Wl rooms are smaller, but if you've never been to the Poly, you certainly won't be surprised by the size of the room, (we had 5 in it and it was fine). The boat ride is fun, although longer than the monorail ride. Poly doesn't have a kiddie pool, but it has the 0' entry which is fine for kids, it also has sprinkler type area to play in. WL has a kiddie pool.
I think you will enjoy which ever one you choose, plenty of people don't stay on the monorail and have little or no trouble getting to and from the parks! The weather is cooler in February so you won't tire out as quickly so waiting for a bus won't be an issue nor will the long walk back to your room (at the Poly) be as bad when you aren't tired and hot.
Good luck in your decision.
P.S. after staying at the Poly, my kids like the WL better! (DS12, DS8)

 

[mport]

The monorail at the Poly is very nice. But with that said any future stays will be at the WL. It just seems more quiet and smaller (it is smaller), more quaint.
The only wish of my ds and dd would be to have the neverland club at the the WL instead of the cubs den.

 

[kellyf2626]

I think the Poly would be my choice...

The buses at the WL go all through Fort Wilderness when making their trek...which takes a long time IMHO. With Poly, you get the monorail, and a short walk to the TTC to get to Epcot.

I am also from the northeast, and when on vacation, want to see palm trees and be surrounded in a tropical paradise....not the same "view" as I get when I am home.

 

[mrjaws]

If you intend to go back and forth for nap time, then I'd say stay at the Poly. If you're just going to the parks all day, save the money and stay at the WL.

 

[scanne]

Hi.

You have gotten a lot of replies, but I wanted to add my experiences to the list.

In October 2004, we stayed at WL with our 3 month old and 2 year old. The room was tight, probably because we had the pack n play set up for the baby, but also because there is not a whole lot of space between the end of the beds and the armoire and table. Room size is a factor when I choose my resort now because my DS is a very active 3 year old and my DD is crawling around and into everything. However, I love the WL for its theming, Roaring Fork (the 24 hour food place), proximity to MK (the boat ride is so relaxing!) and overall ambiance. I think our next big trip will be at the WL.

Last month we spent 9 nights at the Polynesian. We were in the Tokelau building which is close to the TTC. I love the Polynesian for so many reasons, but I chose it on this trip for the size of the rooms. And boy was I glad I did. We had a TON of room for the kids to play, we kept the double stroller open AND we had a crib and there was still room to move. I loved being close to both the TTC and the Great Ceremonial House. The grounds are beautiful and it was great sitting on the beach at night watching the fireworks. Also, the pool at the Polynesian is more kid friendly, in my opinion, although WL has a separate kiddie pool. But the Polynesian's pool is a zero entry, which is like walking into the ocean. The Polynesian also has a sprinkler/fountain area that my DS loved. And don't forget the Neverland Club with free activites for the kids in the afternoons.

So, I think that if you want bigger rooms, access to the monorail and TTC, lovely theming and can swing it, I'd go for the Polynesian. But don't forget that whichever resort you choose you are in Disney and both are magical! Good luck with your decision!!!

 

[Pattymouse]

Poly if you can afford it. You will NOT be sorry!

Pat