Polynesian vs. Wilderness Lodge

[clareita]

I am planning a trip for April 2008 and I can't decide where to stay - the Polynesian or the Wilderness Lodge. They both sound great. Maybe you can help me decide. Here is the pertinent info.

This our first time staying on-site and our first trip to WDW in 5 years.

Our group is me, my husband, and 3 kids. The kids are 2 girls, ages 9 and 7 and a boy, age 4.

We are staying for 7 nights and plan on going to the parks for 5 days.

We plan on going to the MK twice, and Epcot, MGM, and AK once.

We will have a rental car. I know, it's kind of crazy, but my husband likes having a car.

We are big believers in the going back to the hotel in the afternoon plan. We were at Disneyland last August, and we went back to the hotel (Disneyland Hotel, absolutely loved it for anyone planning a trip to California) by about 1:30 or 2, had dinner in Downtown Disney and were back in the parks by about 6.

Any thoughts?

 

[pinkrose]

Both resorts are very nice. With the Poly, you do have the monorail, which is nice when going back for afternoon breaks. Of course, the WL is only a bus ride away (boat from MK).

 

[sbkline]

Both resorts are right there in the MK area, so they are pretty much "equal" in regards to the convenience of going back in the afternoon for a swim. So beyond that, it's pretty much a matter of opinion on which one each person thinks is better. I'd stay at either one. Although I originally thought I would prefer Wilderness Lodge, I'm starting to have a harder time deciding which one I would prefer between the two. The wife and I made brief stops at each last time and we thought they both looked good.

btw, we hope to go next April as well. :wave:

 

[ThinkTink721]

I have heard good things about both also.
Both are nice for kids.
I think the Poly has the Neverland Club for kids.
The Poly does have the monorail which is convenient if you are going to the MK.
The Poly is also close to Epcot.
Which do you like better - the scenic woods or a tropical paradise?
Hope this helps!
:wave:

 

[tigsmom]

I've stayed at both (the WL numerous times) and both are beautiful in their own right. We like the WL better because everything is consolidated...you don't have to go outside to get to the shops and restaurants; that was the one thing we didn't like about the Polynesian.
Both have good restaurants and pools for the kids and as much as people complain about the bus system at the WL we have never had a problem.

We also like to break in the afternoon even though the kids are now teens, it just keeps everybody happy. :lookaroun

I don't think you would go wrong with either choice.

Ps... there is the Cub's Den for kids (open from 5 -midnight) in case you want a quiet meal alone/

 

[WDWKat26]

I have heard good things about both also.
Both are nice for kids.
I think the Poly has the Neverland Club for kids.
The Poly does have the monorail which is convenient if you are going to the MK.
The Poly is also close to Epcot.
Which do you like better - the scenic woods or a tropical paradise?
Hope this helps!
:wave:

Don't you mean Poly is close to MK? It's not close to Epcot.

 

[tigsmom]

Don't you mean Poly is close to MK? It's not close to Epcot.

well close to Epcot if you walk to the back of the property to the TTC and hop the monorail; a very short walk on a nicely landscaped path.

 

[ThinkTink721]

Don't you mean Poly is close to MK? It's not close to Epcot.

Yeah, Poly is close to MK.
The WL is closer to Epcot.
Sorry!
:wave:

 

[sbkline]

Don't you mean Poly is close to MK? It's not close to Epcot.

Epcot is just a monorail ride away, so it's close to the Poly. But for that matter, it's close to the WL also, since WL and Poly are both right there by the MK. However, you have to take a bus from WL to Epcot, whereas you just hop the monorail to get there from Epcot.

 

[tigsmom]

Yeah, Poly is close to MK.
The WL is closer to Epcot.
Sorry!
:wave:

Don't be, you were right the first time! :lol:

 

[DisneyJoe]

A family of 5 can fit in any standard room at the Polynesian, most rooms at the Wilderness Lodge can only sleep 4 plus a child under the age of 3 in a crib; you would need to upgrade to a Wilderness Lodge Deluxe room to be able to sleep 5 - or get 2 rooms.

Some pricing for April using 2007 as a guide, assuming 2nd half of April, regular season:

Poly Garden Room $385 per night plus tax

WL Standard room, $265 per night plus tax, but you would need 2 rooms
WL Deluxe room, $550 per night plus tax


-Joe

 

[scole3388]

We have stayed at both resorts, and both are beautiful w/ fabulous pools. But, in your situation, I would choose the Poly because the rooms are larger and because of the ease with which you can get to the MK and EPCOT. Plus, you can walk to the Grand which is fun. Have a great trip!

Sue

 

[sleepybear]

It's a tough choice. I think WL does a better job with its theme, and it is more consolidated, which makes getting around easier. But Poly does have larger rooms, which you'll probably need. So I vote Poly. Just remember to save some tonga toast for the rest of us.

 

[Cinderella1976]

I love the Wilderness Lodge, but because of your party size I would choose the Poly unless you want to get the Deluxe Room at the WL. I don't think you can go wrong with either resort. They are both wonderful. Also for fast and easy access to the parks the Poly would be the way to go. Have a great time :wave:

 

[bgraham34]

I have reservation at the Poly in Sept with free dining. I have never stayed there before. We usually stay at WL but they did not have free dining rooms available when we were are there. I always wanted to stay at the Poly but I really want the Lodge, I love it.

 

[Eyorefan]

I love the Wilderness Lodge, but because of your party size I would choose the Poly unless you want to get the Deluxe Room at the WL. I don't think you can go wrong with either resort. They are both wonderful. Also for fast and easy access to the parks the Poly would be the way to go. Have a great time :wave:

We've stayed both places and I agree, for a party of 5 I would stay at the Poly, not only does it sleep 5 with the sleeper sofa, but the rooms are much bigger. With 5 people and their stuff you will need the extra space to move around.

 

[vilegirl]

This is a tough one. I had the same dilemma this year. We usually go to Disney 2-3 times each year. We always go in December for a week and we always stay at the Poly. It's so convenient that it's on the monorail, the theming is beautiful and the rooms are very spacious. However, WL is also one of our favorite resorts. Every year we say how much we would love to stay at WL for our Dec trip, but then we somehow always end up at the Poly.:ROFLOL:Well, this year we bit the bullet and we're staying at WL. We're so excited! Overall, both are wonderful resorts. The biggest difference is whether or not you want monorail access. It's nice, but the boat from WL is wonderful too. I really don't think you'll be disappointed with whatever choice you make.

 

[tooltime]

My thoughts keep going back to the Poly as my first choice

i am planning our first trip and would like a comfy room with three beds. based on what i have read here (given my very limited understanding) i keep going back to the poly as my first choice.

i also like having the monorail, restaurants...

...i'm ready to go right now! somebody put me on a plane!!

 

[aaron2525]

Ive stayed at both. the polynesian is the better choice. the polynesian has a nice pool with a fun slide, and a beach where at night time you can watch the fireworks show ( incredible). the monorail gives you acces to both epcot and the magic kingdom which im sure your older kids will enjoy.

 

[happymom52003]

We love the Wilderness Lodge. We love the theming, the restaurants, the beach area, the trees, the bunnies that are all over the place, the amazing lobby, I could go on and on. Our kids LOVE the boat ride to the MK. If you want monorail access, you can take a very short boat ride to the Comtemporay. But since you will have a car (we always rent one too), you can drive to Epcot if you stay at the WL. It is sooooo much faster than taking a bus. We drive to all of the parks except for MK. Have you considered getting a DVC villa at WL (you do not have to be a DVC member to get one). That is what we do. Our family just does not do well staying in one room together, so we get a one bedroom villa. We love the full kitchen with the kids....makes it so easy to eat a quick breakfast in our room, and it is nice to have a regular sized fridge vs. a mini fridge. And we love the washer and dryer that is in your room (it is no big deal for me to do laundry on vacation....it is so worth it to be able to pack lighter and not deal with stinky clothes...we just throw a load in at night...it is no big deal). You should look into it.