Your advice please - WL or Poly? ** UPDATE on Page 2 **

[WDWBetsy]

Yes, I'm thinking about changing our resort again!

For about $500 more, we can stay in a garden view room at the Poly - vs. a woods view at WL.

The DH has mentioned that he likes the appeal of the WL, but he really doesn't get into the planning - and he's seen more photos of the WL. I think he's just not wanting to listen to my Disney World ramblings anymore. He doesn't get excited until the day we get there.

When I break it down, it's about $71 more per night - not that bad for more convenience (the monorail) and the atmosphere. Plus the theming just appeals more to me.

What are your thoughts on this? From a $ standpoint, it's not that big of a deal to us, but I'm curious to know what others would do.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Tron72]

WDWBetsy,

Personally, I would stay at the WL, but I tend to like the convience of having everything under one roof and I love the Old West/frontier theme. With that said, I also have stayed at the Poly and love the theme as well. I know there are a lot of people would say one is better then the other and yes the Poly does have the Monorail, but it all boils down to what you and your husband like more. Now, if you have never stayed at the Poly, then maybe go ahead and try it, then you can least know if it is worth staying there again. I try to tell friends that if Money is not the issue then stay at the hotel that has the theme they love the most, but don't be afraid to try something new if you feel like you want a change.

Bottom Line: You will be at Walt Disney World, so you are going to have a great time. I hope this helped A little, if you like here is a website of the poly very good http://tikiman2001.homestead.com/

Anyways,

Have a great time when you go.

Tron72
Heading Back for a Grand Gathering - staying at the Wilderness Lodge - May 12 - 21, 2005.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

I Will say that I like having everything under one roof also.
I'm not thrilled about the resorts with the different buildings etc...
BUT If it were me I think I would still pick the Poly since I really don't like the theme of Wilderness Lodge.
The poly seems to have a lot to offer and you ARE on the monorail .

I think you just have to keep looking up info on here and see what works best for your family.

 

[WDWBetsy]

Thanks for the replies so far!

 

[javaj]

We just went through this WL vs Poly decision a few weeks ago. We chose Poly!

We had a great pin rate package with dining at WL ($137 per night woods view plus dining), then got an awesome SOG overflow rate for Poly ($214 per night garden view). It was tough giving up that dining package, we were even getting 1 day passes just so we could get the dining package, but we gave it up to stay at the Poly. The convenience of the monorail, walking distance to TTC, theming, and size of the rooms were what won us over.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[BCV23]

I would choose the Polynesian.

The monorail and little launches are fun as well as convenient. It is great to walk to the TTC and catch the monorail to Epcot.

The rooms are much larger and the grounds are so beautiful.

There are so many good restaurants on the monorail circuit.

There is nothing like strolling along the Polynesian beaches and watching the castle change colors.

But Tron has great advice...choose the one that has the theming that appeals to you the most.

 

[Sandi]

I would switch to Poly in a heartbeat! We've stayed at both WL and Poly and found the Poly to be a much better resort. My 10 year old DD and I stayed at Poly in February and just loved it. The pool and volcano slide are great; the rooms are quite a bit larger and more airy. We also liked the WL when DH, DD and I were there a bit more than a year ago. But, in a head to head comparison where money isn't an issue, we'd do Poly for sure.

I always thought the lobby at WL, while beautiful, was really loud. I don't know how people in rooms around the lobby could stand it. We were in a woods view room in a wing and it was quiet enough.

The Kona Cafe at Poly is a great breakfast place. My DD also thought the food court was better at Poly than at WL.

 

[WDWBetsy]

Great replies and advice... you are all so wonderful!

 

[lclark0621]

I would pick the WL over the Poly every day of the week!

I love the WL. It is simply beautiful & just such a great resort.

The Poly to me feels kind of drab. I like the whole Poly theme, but when I walk in there I feel like I am walking into someone's reck room from the 70s. Just does not do it for me.

The WL is my favorite hotel in Disney. I just love it!

 

[fam4jc]

The poly is great but I don't think we will stay there again. A garden view there is just ho-hum imho. If I were to do the Poly again it would be a lagoon view. Although the pool area is fantastic. Tough choices...

 

[lisareniff]

One thing that keeps us from going to the WL is the food choices at the resort. We like the restaurants better at the Poly and there are more within easy access. We went to WC this past trip and enjoyed it, but can't see eating there after a tiring day at the parks. It's sort of a one time restaurant. In contrast the Poly's lower end table service is very good and I could see eating there a couple times, if need be.

Of course there is the transportation advantage too!

 

[mndisfam]

Tell me if I am starting to see a trend here I noticed about theming when we just stayed at the Villas of Wilderness Lodge. People from northern states and western states seem to like the tropical/florida resorts more bcs WL reminds them more of home. That's how we felt. We want the Florida tropical feeling when we escape old man winter!

People from the south that we met at WL - and a few on the boards - told me they LOVE WL bcs of the pine trees. etc. (I am sitting and looking at a pine/aspen forest covered with snow as I type!) One lady I meant from New Orleans told me she would never stay at POrt Orleans bcs she grew up there, or old Key West bcs she once lived there. WHile the themeing was great she said, she said she wants a different feel!

Wilderness Lodge was lovely, but hit too close to home! I think whoever gave you the advice of picking the theming you want had a great point!

 

[Leota]

I would choose the Polynesian over WL. I like the themeing more, the rooms are bigger, it is more convienent, more peaceful.... I have stayed at both, like the themeing of both, had some issues with my stays at both (funny, only 2 times I felt a little let down or had service issues were at both WL & Poly) Given my personal experience, I feel the Polynesian was the better of the two.

 

[jarestel]

Sounds like you're sort of leaning towards the Poly anyway, so go for it! Either resort is fabulous, but since you have a preference and $$ isn't a problem, go with your first choice and have a great time. You can always do WL on your next trip.

 

[estnh]

We have stayed at them both, and while we like them both, the Poly would be our choice hands down. We think that the Poly gives you the little bit extra that you expect from a deluxe, and WL is really more of a good moderate.

There is another thread on this board today from a poster who just got back from WL, and it would be interesting for you to read to help make a decision.

 

[bpg]

How do you get the discount rates?

 

[WDWBetsy]

I am really leaning towards the Poly. Now if I would only get a reply from my travel agent! This is only going to happen if I can get the AAA rate.

Since the DH and I are trying to start a family, I think the Poly would be great if I'm heavy w/child (I can just see me waddling around). Of course, if I'm too far along, we will have to postpone the trip... but until that happens, the trip is on!

Again - thanks for all the helpful comments. Until I hear back from the travel agent, I'm on the fence!

 

[denman007]

We had a great time at the Poly - never stayed WL.

I have some pics in my signature of Poly.

 

[lisareniff]

Tell me if I am starting to see a trend here I noticed about theming when we just stayed at the Villas of Wilderness Lodge. People from northern states and western states seem to like the tropical/florida resorts more bcs WL reminds them more of home. That's how we felt. We want the Florida tropical feeling when we escape old man winter!

Wilderness Lodge was lovely, but hit too close to home! I think whoever gave you the advice of picking the theming you want had a great point!

I definately fit in this catagory!!

 

[WDWBetsy]

We had a great time at the Poly - never stayed WL.

I have some pics in my signature of Poly.

Your photos are terrific! Great quality...