WL vs. POLY pools

[BelleinPA]

My family stayed at WL in May 2004 and LOVED it! We are considering staying at the POLY next May. One of our considerations is the pool area. How do the main pools compare? Any info on the pool slides, availability of chairs, pool bars, pool crowds, etc. would be appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[trappednabox]

I know the pools at the poly were a major selling point for us. it was 1 of the reasons we chose it. It didn't hurt that the poly looks gorgeous online!

 

[skiwee1]

No comparison. The Poly pool is much bigger then the WL one. The Poly pool isn't as crowded either. The slide is MUCH better at the Poly pool and it is also zero entry. The WL has a small kiddie pool but the zero entry is much better for little ones. The view from the Poly pool is wonderful! You can sit in the pool and see the castle or the lovely lake and the boats going by. The beach is also much nicer. The Barefoot poolbar is great. Rose is super nice bartender! Can you tell I am at the Poly pool way too much? LOL! You will love the Poly pool!

 

[BelleinPA]

The POLY pool sounds great! Thanks for the info!

 

[disneyfan67]

No comparison. The Poly pool is much bigger then the WL one. The Poly pool isn't as crowded either. The slide is MUCH better at the Poly pool and it is also zero entry. The WL has a small kiddie pool but the zero entry is much better for little ones. The view from the Poly pool is wonderful! You can sit in the pool and see the castle or the lovely lake and the boats going by. The beach is also much nicer. The Barefoot poolbar is great. Rose is super nice bartender! Can you tell I am at the Poly pool way too much? LOL! You will love the Poly pool!

You're right about the view! I love the volcano pool and the drinks they serve at the barefoot bar are great. The zero entry is good for kids and anyone who doesn't like to jump right in the pool. I love the Hawaiian music they pipe under the water also.

 

[Violetx3]

I haven't seen either pool, so I am curious to know what people who have visited both resorts think. I did notice that the 2005 Unofficial Guide to WDW gives the WL pool 4 1/2 stars and the Poly pool 4 stars.

 

[eeyore0062]

The Poly pool is a Zero Entry Pool, has a nice slide, and a kids area with the fountains. It doesn't have a hot tub or a kiddie pool. The theming is quite different, as you would expect when comparing a pool in a resort representing the Pacific Northwest and a pool representing the South Seas Islands. We thought the water in the Poly pool was quite a bit warmer, and we liked that it was right on the beach, so we could sun on the beach then take a dip in the pool. It definitely expanded the amount of seating available and gave the kids an alternative place to play. I also loved the hammocks... I would lie there for hours under the palm trees and read, only getting up to cool off in the pool. It was HEAVEN!

 

[skiwee1]

I haven't seen either pool, so I am curious to know what people who have visited both resorts think. I did notice that the 2005 Unofficial Guide to WDW gives the WL pool 4 1/2 stars and the Poly pool 4 stars.

Since I've stayed at both resorts the only thing I can think of why the WL got 4 1/2 stars is because of the hottub. Personally I think that should bring it down a notch! I won't use any public hot tub due to the high risk of germs spreading. Also the Disney hot tubs are always mobbed with unsupervised kids. I really think Disney should have a minimum age for use like age 16 whether they are with parents or not.

 

[Sandi]

We've also stayed at both Poly and WL and would definately rate the Poly pool over WL. The slide at Poly is much longer, faster, and more fun. The zero entry is another bonus. We found it less crowded than the WL pool also. We also liked the waterfall into the pool and the placement of the restrooms at Poly.

10 year old DD says there is no question that Poly is superior -- the slide is way better.

 

[HauteCuisine]

On our last trip to WL, we used the Villas pool and Hot Tub. Very "uncrowded "and relaxing.

 

[mirlow]

The Poly pool isn't as crowded either.

When we were there in August it was so packed it wasn't any fun. I love the Polynesian pool, but because it was so crowded we are giving the GF a try this time. I'm sure it's hit or miss because it was only packed on 3 of our 6 night's stay. The pool is a big draw for us. It is great having the zero entry with the beach right there. My youngest is 4 and likes to spend most of her time in the fountains and on the beach. I can sit right there and watch all of my kids play away in the same area.
I am worried about how crowded the WL pool will be on our upcoming trip. We usually go to the WL in January and we have it all to ourselves.

 

[skiwee1]

When we were there in August it was so packed it wasn't any fun. I love the Polynesian pool, but because it was so crowded we are giving the GF a try this time. I'm sure it's hit or miss because it was only packed on 3 of our 6 night's stay. The pool is a big draw for us. It is great having the zero entry with the beach right there. My youngest is 4 and likes to spend most of her time in the fountains and on the beach. I can sit right there and watch all of my kids play away in the same area.
I am worried about how crowded the WL pool will be on our upcoming trip. We usually go to the WL in January and we have it all to ourselves.

Be very worried. Our stay at the WL was in May, long before the crowds came in. The WL pool was ridiculous. Besides not having a place to sit, there was no place to move in the pool. We were literally elbow to elbow. The kiddie pool was termed kiddie soup because of all the kids crammed in an overly hot tub of water. The Poly pool was much less crowded in the months of May and October.