WL or Poly with kids?

[drtaylor]

I have only stayed at CSR which was lastyear. We loved it but I want to splurge a little on our next trip and stay concierge a few nights at either WL or Poly. It will be myself, DH, DD-8yo, and DS-3yo. This will be DS first trip to WDW. We left him at home last summer with the grandparents since he was only 1. I'm making ressies now for next summer so we can start paying on it.

Which would we probably like the best for us-Wl or Poly Concierge? We have never stayed Concierge anywhere before and I thought this would be a nice treat for us. Our plans are to stay 6 nites at CSR and 3 nites at Wl or Poly.

And one more question, I was thinking of getting an AP pass for one of us next summer before we leave so we could get the AP rate on the rooms. Does the AP rate work on concierge rooms?

Thanks for all the help anyone can give me!!!!

 

[TLinden16]

Welcome to the DIS, Drtaylor!

I personally would pick the Poly over the Wilderness Lodge. There is something very special about staying at a monorail resort. The transportation at the Poly is a lot better than it is at the Wilderness Lodge. Easy monorail ride to Epcot and the Magic Kingdom. It's fun watching the fireworks while you are in the pool at night, too.

The Poly has some kids activiites that your kids would probably enjoy--arts and crafts, video game tournaments (basically an hour of free video games at the arcade), a fire dancer, etc. The concierge building was renovated last August, so I'd imagine it should still be in pretty decent shape when you are going next summer.

Both of them have excellent dining options, but I prefer the options at the Poly. I love the Kona Cafe--I think it's one of the best kept secrets on Disney property. Captain Cook's is a decent fast food stop. Oh, and the shopping is fun at the Poly as well.

I'm sure you'd be happy at either resort--they are both great. I just think that the Poly has a lot more to offer (and you will pay for those extras).

Karen

 

[drtaylor]

Thanks for the info. That helps. We went to WL lastyear and ate at Whispering Canyon and walked around the resort. We also went to Poly and walked around, then took the boat over to MK to watch the parade and fiereworks. I didn't realize you could watch the fireworks from the Poly. What kind of extras does the Poly-conc. do? Anything for the kids? I read that the housekeeping make things with the towels and the kids stuffed animals?

 

[steveanddonna]

Yes, there are AP discounts on concierge. The current discount is a flat $85 off at deluxe resorts, whether standard or concierge. I, too, vote for the Poly (though as you can see by my signature I am somewhat biased.) I think you will really appreciate the monorail access when travelling with kids, as well as the ease of getting to MK by boat and being so close to the TTC. The kids will also love the volcano pool. We have brought our nieces/nephew of various ages with us on trips to the Poly, and they love: the PB&J roundwiches and chocolate chip cookies in the concierge lounge, the volcano pool, the beach, the monorail, and watching fireworks or the EWP from the beach or lounge in their jammies before bed.

 

[Mom2R&D]

If I may ask, what's the best rate you've ever gotten for the Poly (concierge or not)? My DH and I would love to stay there when we take our boys back in 2006. We've only done All Star resorts up until now but we *love* the Poly.

Maybe if I start saving right this minute...I'll have enough money!

 

[Sabor]

Poly hands Down.
You cannot even compare the two.
Larger Rooms. (the Largest Deluxe vs the Smallest Deluxe)
Monorail Access to Two parks.
Great Atmosphere.

I may be biased because I am not a big fan of the Wilderness Lodge to me it is a sub Deluxe. I love all the Disney resorts but WL is on the bottom of the Deluxe Category with The BoardWalk Inn.
The Poly on the other hand is on the Top with the Yacht Club.

 

[drtaylor]

If we can't swing the $$ for concierge at Poly (it's a little more $$$ than WL conc.), will we still like Poly just as well without going Concierge? And if so, I would like a nice room - seeing the most. Where would I request?

 

[GlennandAnn]

Hi, drtaylor and welcome to the DIS!! We have stayed at both WL and Poly concierge with kids. While I loved both resorts, I would vote for Poly for a few reasons. The rooms are bigger, which we all know is a huge plus. I liked the lounge set up at the Poly (there is no lounge at WL) because I thought it was easier to keep track of my kids- I wasn't thinking they were going to wander and be knocking on doors or whatever. There is also a TV in Poly's lounge that was always tuned to a Disney kids channel which meant DH and I could eat in relative peace while the kids were watching a little TV on the kid sized furniture. I think the Poly is great for kids. The zero entry main pool is wonderful, you have the beach right there- our DS's spent lots of time playing with the sand on the beach. The location of Poly's concierge building is so close to the beach and the main and quiet pools. If you spend time on the beach, there is plenty of activity for the kids to watch- monorails, ferry boats, etc.


Ann

 

[mickeymouse710]

Originally posted by Sabor
Poly hands Down.
You cannot even compare the two.
Larger Rooms. (the Largest Deluxe vs the Smallest Deluxe)
Monorail Access to Two parks.
Great Atmosphere.

I may be biased because I am not a big fan of the Wilderness Lodge to me it is a sub Deluxe. I love all the Disney resorts but WL is on the bottom of the Deluxe Category with The BoardWalk Inn.
The Poly on the other hand is on the Top with the Yacht Club.

Interesting that you should say that about WL, because when it was first being built it was not billed as a deluxe resort. I forget what the term was but it was not deluxe, that I know. The popularity of this resort and the demand from guests for this resort caused it to be pushed into the deluxe category. This is why WL and AKL always have the lowest room rates in the deluxe category, although both are fantastic resorts with top notch guest amenities etc., the other deluxe resorts have that slight edge.
We love all WDW resorts, but for the OP, I agree with the rest of the posts and would recommend the Poly. The monorail access alone, to 2 parks w/a child in a stroller, is worth it's weight in gold. And the zero depth pool will be another big plus for your 3 yo.
WL is a wonderful resort and you should definitely visit for a meal and to just see the beauty of this resort, but for your kids ages, imo the Poly will be more convenient and a better fit

 

[mickeymouse710]

I liked the lounge set up at the Poly (there is no lounge at WL)

Just wanted to point out that there is a lounge in WL, it is the Territory Lounge. It is off the main lobby. It is a very nice little lounge decorated with maps and artifacts from explorers. They have good drinks and several nice munchie type items available.
We also like the Poly's lounge. Tambu Lounge is one of our favorites--gotta love those Lapu Lapu! LOL!

 

[GlennandAnn]

I meant concierge lounge!


Ann

 

[HairsprayHon]

Aloha, if money is not an issue, life does not get any better than the Poly concierge! We are heading to the Wilderness Lodge in August, because we are saving money for our return in November for my 50th birthday. My family is convinced that the air at the Poly has some magic dust that just makes you feel better when you breathe it!

 

[steveanddonna]

Originally posted by drtaylor
If we can't swing the $$ for concierge at Poly (it's a little more $$$ than WL conc.), will we still like Poly just as well without going Concierge? And if so, I would like a nice room - seeing the most. Where would I request?

You would still enjoy the pool, beach, monorail access, etc. - the only thing you wouldn't have is the lounge & the concierge staff to help with planning. If you can swing it, I would definitely go concierge, but if not I would still choose Poly over WL.

Mom2R&D The hands down best rate we got on Poly concierge was with a postcard discount in 2001 (after 9/11) and that was $199 at the beginning of December. Rates between $249 and $400 are more what we're used to (usually w/AP or Disney Visa discount )at various times of year and depending on whether it was alaggoon or garden view.

 

[mickeymouse710]

Originally posted by GlennandAnn
I meant concierge lounge!
Ann

Oops sorry, I misunderstood. I agree the Poly conceirge lounge is much nicer than the "out in the open set up" they have at WL conceirge.

 

[drtaylor]

I book my ressies lastnight for 6 nites at CSR(we like it there) and then changing to Poly-Concierge, lagoon view. With AP rate, the Poly Concierge-Lagoon view was $429. The Poly Concierge-Garden view was $309. I said to myself, "What the heck, let's go for it." I am excited now even if we won't be there until summer 2005. I can start paying for it now.

 

[princesscrazydaughte]

Are you sure you got an AP rate for next summer. You might double check that reservation and make sure that the CM didn't book you for this summer. AP rates don't usually come out until less than 6months in advance.

We stayed Poly LV Conc. this past Dec. with two little ones. It was absolutely awesome. You will love being able to see the electric parade right from your room. We had a patio and could walk right out onto the beach and to the boat dock to MK. We used the boat all the time.

Also, with little ones you actually come close to breaking even with conc. over a lagoon view room because we never had to pay for breakfast (except Cindy's) and we had all the snacks and drinks we needed whenever we came back to the room--also you get a refrigerator in your room ($10 charge in std rooms) and you can ask for almost any type of juice or milk from conceirge staff. My kids also loved the PB & J crustless sandwiches and they ate a good breakfast hanging out with the other kids on the pint-size sofa and chairs watching the disney channel. Have a great time!!

 

[GlennandAnn]

I agree about breaking even if you have little ones. We didn't pay for a breakfast during our stay (except Chef Mickey's) and the snacks really can add up in WDW! Little kids need lots of fuel, and it was so convenient to have juice and snacks right there, and not to be nickel and dimed (or should I say fived and tenned) for snacks all the time.


Ann

 

[lovesdumbo]

I've got to agree with Ann and princesscrazy. With 3 little ones I definately saved in milk and juice box costs and the convenience of not having to run out to a snack bar to purchase it was well worth the price alone. And its so great to have 1 adult take the kids down to the lounge while the other gets ready for the parks. But you would also love the Poly without concierge.

 

[steveanddonna]

drtaylor - I replied to your e-mail about AP discounts, but like princesscrazydaughter said, double check your ressie, 'cuz AP discounts aren't usually available until a couple of months before your stay.

My DH eats enough PB&J roundwiches for us to break even! I agree, though, with kids the lounge saves you not only a lot of money, but a lot of hassle. When we take our nieces/nephew, we do one character breakfast and use the offerings in the lounge for all other mornings.