WL or Poly

[decker96]

We are trying to decide whether to stay at WL or the Poly on our next trip. It will be me, DH, DD8, DS5 and DD2. Give me your pros and cons of each resort. Thanks!

 

[wdwrich]

For a family of 5, I would go with the Poly- the rooms are larger.

 

[shelly3girls]

WL
Pros - price compared to Poly, beautiful resort, boat to MK, all rooms in main building, bigger variety of food/snacks sold at shop, Whispering Canyon
Cons - pool, we experienced long line for boat at MK close,

Poly-
Pros - the pool (zero-entry), monorail, character breakfast, easy walk to Epcot monorail, awesome view of Wishes, theme, larger rooms, 'Ohanas is fun and great food!
Cons - only one I can really think of is $$ more than WL

With young children we greatly prefer the monorail resorts for convenience to the MK, you just can't beat the monorail. If cost is a big factor I would choose the WL. You really cannot go wrong either way. If you choose WL I would go with deluxe room for the extra space.

 

[stacy6552]

well, let me say that i just dont get all the raves about the Poly...

But I would reccommend that WL in a heartbeat! With bunkbeds and a queen there is plenty of room. There is great fun at the whispering canyon (eat there whether or not you stay there) and the pool is super!

 

[decker96]

Shelly3girls:

What's the negative about the WL pool?

 

[tiggersmom2]

Decker96,
I'm not Shelly3girls, but we found WL pool to be MUCH too small to accomodate all of the guests.

If I had to pick between the two, the Poly would win hands down!
When we are at the poly we feel like we are in a tropical oasis! The Volcano pool is awesome and they also have kid games in the volcano pool at certain times every day. The quiet pool is really nice also and recently refurbished. My favorite thing about the Poly is the HUGE rooms and the monorail. Trust me, with small kids, the monorail is worth its weight in gold! There is also nothing like sitting on the beach in a hammock and watching the fireworks above Cinderella's Castle!

The WL is nice but IMO it can't compare to the Poly. The rooms are much smaller, the pool is waaaay too small and there is no monorail.

This is just my opionion, hope it helps!

 

[shelly3girls]

decker96
We felt the pool at WL was just too small. I also do not remember it having the zero entry. We found that the zero entry pool at the Poly and GF really allowed us to enjoy being in the pool as a family. My younger DD plays where she can touch and my older DD can swim in the deeper end. This allows my husband and I to switch off back and forth while staying in the pool. I think this is a huge bonus to a family with a toddler.
I am not saying that I did not like the WL, in fact we really enjoyed it there. We just prefer being on the monorail for the convenience since my children are at an age where they still require an afternoon nap. We also tend to spend quite a bit of time in the pool.

 

[decker96]

Thanks for your input. I was leaning towards the Poly, but DH was iffy because of the cost. I thnik it is definitely worth the $ to be on the monorail line, so much more convenient for coming home to rest midday. I will just have to remind him of those sometimes long bus rides back to POR the last time we were there! I'm also glad to hear about the pool. Zero entry is so great with little ones!

 

[AspiringCindy]

I would choose WL! We love the atmosphere of the Lodge! We have stayed at WL 3x and have never had a problem with the pool being too small! Also, we have never waited longer than 10 minutes for a boat to MK! Sure you would have more room at the Poly, but think of all the money you would save staying at WL!

 

[lovesdumbo]

I would go concierge at the Poly. Well worth the extra $ for all the milk, juice, fruit, cookies, breakfast & PB&J your kids will eat! The rooms are big and you'd have 2 queens and a twin size daybed.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Definitely the Poly! For a family of 5 the WL would be really tight. Our family of 4 was OK there, but one more child would have been miserable. The rooms are much smaller than the Poly.

 

[hannahryan]

I actually have reservations for the WL & the Poly for 6/21-6/28. I just can't decide. My kids really want the Poly, but it is just so much more expensive. I just don't know if it will be worth it for an extra $100 a nite.

 

[johnsonet]

Just wanted to add something...I've never stayed at Poly but I have stayed at WL. We LOVED it! We were there at Spring Break and, although there were lots of people and finding a chair for everyone wasn't the easiest after 2pm, there was plenty of room in the pool and on the slide. DD had an absolute BLAST!

 

[purplebelle]

I've never stayed at the Poly either, but WL has absolutely breath-taking architecture (especially from the outside). And indoors is completely wonderful as well. I was never one for that whole ski-lodge thing until I stayed there and fell in love with the place.

I guess it depends on if you want that "hawaiian" or "lodgey" theme. Poly is really $100 more a night? Is that really worth it?

 

[tinkerbee]

Poly all the way. It's like a tropical vacation and Disney vacation all in one. I feel with the WL you don't feel like you are in Florida and when I go I want to feel like I'm in Florida. Don't get me wrong I really liked my stay at the WL it's a beautiful resort but I like the tropical feel better. I guess it's all in what kind of surroundings you want better, woods or the tropics. I think the pools at the WL are always crowded and that the transportation to MK is much better at the Poly with either the boat or monorail. and easy transportaion to Epcot with the monorail too.

 

[PamNC]

I would pick the POLY and I say that with 100% experience because we've stayed at both resorts. I have quite the opinion on this as the Poly is my favorite and I'm not too jazzed on WL, although it's a gorgeous resort.

Poly rooms are bigger - and you have lots of folks.

Poly pool is bigger - better - more fun.

Poly is more convenient. Monorail to MK and Epcot as well as boat transportation options. WL boat transportation, IMHO, sucks. We felt "far removed" at WL.

Poly is more magical - has the true Disney "spirit." However, WL is a beautifully themed resort. That's for sure - but I prefer the Poly "feel". It's more relaxing and magical. Again, just my humble opinion.

In our experience the CMs at the Poly were way way way better than at WL in regards to friendliness and service. By a long shot.

However, so I don't totally slam the WL - here's what I liked about it:

*As I said before, it's a beautifully themed resort - absolutely gorgeous.
*Loved the walking trail to Fort Wilderness
*Lobby is breathtaking
*loved the geyser

PamNC

 

[bhillier]

I haven not yet been to the Poly. I arrive May 10th for a 7 day vacation (can't wait!). Just want to let you know that I've called a few time asking for special requests and spoke c the CM's who have been so wonderful. I'm not even there and all ready I feel like I'm being treated like royality. This has made a huge difference in my vacation planning decisions to stay on site (@ Disneyland) in the past.
where ever you choose to stay will be wonderful I'm sure. Just wanted to let you know that so far I'm impressed c Poly.

 

[SpeechGuy]

If the trip is around Christmas in December, and the pools are too cold to do a lot of swimming, would that change any opinions on which resort might be a better fit during this time of the year? Since I haven't stayed on property I don't have a clue. If the pool isn't a factor, I guess it comes down to which resort has more things to offer during this time of year.....the Poly or WL.

 

[Stitch Inside]

During "colder" months, I'd definitely do WL. You can take advantage of the fireplaces. They saved our trip during our January honeymoon. The coldest temperatures in Florida ever...that I was ever witness to. And me with only two pairs of long pants.

 

[johnvree]

Originally posted by SpeechGuy
If the trip is around Christmas in December, and the pools are too cold to do a lot of swimming, would that change any opinions on which resort might be a better fit during this time of the year? Since I haven't stayed on property I don't have a clue. If the pool isn't a factor, I guess it comes down to which resort has more things to offer during this time of year.....the Poly or WL.

The pools are heated. Nothing beats simming at night in January. There is often a huge mist above the pool. Getting out of the pool is a different story.