WL/POLY people-help please!!

[ChristyJ]

I currently have ressies for 12/3-12/7 WL, then 12/7-12/11 Poly GVC. This is our first trip, during which we are celebrating our 10 anniversary & DH's 37th & DD's 8th birthdays (both on 12/5).
Anyway...I've been pretty happy with my choice of splitting our stay, but now I'm second guessing whether we should just stay at WL for the whole stay and save around $500.00?

I've heard wonderful things about both resorts-at the Poly we would have the added plus of concierge, but we already have tickets to MVMCP, Circque de soleil-and I want to get dinner tickets for the Candlelight Processional and seating for a couple of character breakfasts etc., so I'm wondering how much time we'll actually spend at the Poly to use the concierge services.

I'd love input from others...thanks!!!

 

[auntpolly]

That's so hard to say with 2 wonderful choices. I'm such a Poly fan but WL is cool too.
Here's my pro switching points:

The transportation is better at the Poly; it might be nice to be closer to the action for a few days.

If you've never stayed at the Poly, it would be really fun to give it a try. Fireworks on the beach. Great pool. Huge rooms.

Here's my pro staying at the WL the whole time points:

I'm a fan of staying put on vacation. DH always likes to change hotels several times on vacation but I never let him at WDW. I want to unpack my bags, put my stuff away, and pretend I live there.

Saving money is always nice!

Concierge is nice, but in my opinion only if you have money to burn. I see people using it for whole meals all of the time (!) but we just use it for drinks, coffee in the AM, fruit, and occasionally dessert.

Whatever you decide, don't look back! Both choices are good and you don't want to ruin your vacation second guessing yourself!

 

[ChristyJ]

We haven't stayed at either resort before.

Poly GVC was supposed to be a surprise for my husband to celebrate our 10th anniversary, but he opened the mail from WDW a few weeks ago and found out...with only a AAA discount, the price is pretty steep, but I felt as though we'd get a discount and it was a good time to splurge (he thinks we should stay at a value-"All you do is sleep in your room.").

My somewhat rationale side is starting to win over...should we really spend an extra $500. for Poly Concierge when we probably will only use morning offerings two out of the four days...we're not big drinkers, but would likely enjoy a glass of wine (DH beer)...of course we'd love the dessert...we probably would be out at the parks when apps. are servered in the early evening...

I know that part of the benefit of concierge is the service, and that's priceless...

...oh I don't know...

 

[Kimberle]

We haven't stayed at the Poly and don't really have a desire to. We LOVED our stay at WL. It is a compact resort, nothing is a very far walk. The pool area is so beautiful and relaxing. If it gets to crowded, just go over to the quiet pool next to the villas. The beach is a great place to sit with a book. I have some pictures below if you'd like to look.

We found the transportation wonderful. Just as good as our stay at the CR. My dd expecially loved the boats. (Large boat goes WL/FW/MK, any order, small boat goes WL/CR/FW, and order).

 

[auntpolly]

Christy could you switch to GV without the concierge? I wonder what that rate would be. Tahiti is such a great building -- I think that's the name of it (I was just there but don't trust my memory) -- I mean the one within spitting distance of the TTC. It' so great! You have immediate access to both the MK and EPCOT!

Concierge is really great, but if I were cutting costs I'd do it there! JMO!

Polly

PS -- just checked -- it's Tahiti

 

[skiwee1]

I've stayed at both but only a garden view at the Poly, not concierge. While I loved the themeing of WL I could not stand the small rooms, undesized pool area, especially for the kiddies, and the terrible transportation options. If you don't want to spend that much then try to downgrade to gardenview and get rid ofthe concierge option. I love the Poly. We love the location, the pool and slide are much better, the rooms are HUGE, the place is just perfect. I wouldn't even stay at the WL at all. I would stay my entire tripo at the Poly in a GV room but that is just me.

 

[ironz]

Yep...Tahiti is a great building, and you can get a view of the lagoon with the castle in the background there.

It must be just me, but I don't get the deal with Concierge...maybe 'cause I am not at the resorts *that* much. Even if I took a day to relax at the resort, don't know if I'd be in/out of the lounge that much. But, hey, I've never tried it at WDW, so who am I to say?

The WL is fabulous as well, but I'll agree with another post that the Poly has different things to offer, and the ease of transportation is one thing that will keep me coming back to the Poly many times (with visits to other resorts from time to time, so I can experience it all).

Have fun!!!
bets

 

[ChristyJ]

Thanks for all of the input!

I ended up switching our ressies to all 8 nights at the WL-once I mentioned the idea to my husband, he was all for it (he loves to save a buck ).

What made me finally decide was I found out info. about the candlelight processional dinner package and liked the resturant option that was a "level 3 tier" more than the "level 1 & 2 tiers," BUT level 3 is something like $42.00 while level 1 is around $26.00-my first thought was "I can't spend $40.00 more for dinner."
Then I realized that the extra $500. could be used for other things like going to the resturants we really want to go to (choosing a level 3 resturant) and doing other things such as a couple of character breakfasts. With this being our first trip, I'm sure we'll have more opportunities to visit again, and maybe next time I'll have to do 8 nights at the Poly!!
Thanks again!!

 

[Tinks]

Warning: if you try the Poly, you'll be hooked!

I obviously vote for splitting your stay. The Polynesian is so relaxing and has much better transportation than the WL. The pool is larger and more fun for kids, although I think they can have fun at either. We have stayed at both resorts and I overwhelmingly prefer the Polynesian. So do my kids.

I think you'll find that the "all we do is sleep in the room" "we don't spend much time at the resorts" thoughts will be replaced by "how can we stay longer so we can hang out at the Polynesian longer?' thoughts.

Have a great stay and enjoy the tropical feel of the Poly!

 

[kda]

Those are 2 great resort options, with wonderful things about each one. We've enjoyed many great trips at both. WL is at it's very best in December, with the holiday decorations and the spectacular fire place.

We've been there at least 6 times and are DVC members, with VWL as our home property, so we have obviously love it and haven't had any problems with the transportation or we wouldn't keep returning. Yes, we've had a couple of 30 minute waits (out of ~ 50 days we've spent there), but have had a similar experience at almost every WDW resort at one time or another.

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[ChristyJ]

kda-thanks, I feel good about our decision-now we'll be able to do more of the extras and from the pictures I've seen & things I've heard from others, I'm sure we'll love the WL. (I know we'd probaboly LOVE Poly as well, but we'll visit Ohana and maybe stay at the resort next time! )

 

[my3boys]

We've stayed at both, and you made a super decision to stay at WL the entire trip because it is a DECEMBER visit!!! The WL is incredibly themed during Christmas. It has the "wow" factor throughout the entire resort; and since the WL is one building, you never leave the holiday decorations.

Have a super trip; it will be so much fun and NOT crowded!!!!

 

[TheBellhop]

I have only stayed in the VWL, but the WL decorations are AMAZING!!! It's so awesome how so much detail goes into it. Once I stepped into it I was like, "WOW!". I looked over at my little sisters face and it was priceless. WL is true Disney magic. The two pools are beautiful. The slide is alot of fun at WL. I wasn't too impressed when we walked around the Poly...it seems...(dons flame suit) stuck in the 70's...but that's just my opinion. Roaring Forks is a nice little place to grab a quick breakfast. They have music piped through the corridors and frog and cricket tapes playing on the outside. It really seems you're there. I'm sure you'll make a good choice either way because both are Disney...but I really like the WL.

Have fun!

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

Those are my two favorite resorts, so its a tough call! How about just converting one or two Poly nights into WL ones, rather than all? That way you get to stay at both, but still save a little money over staying as many days at the Poly.