We are in the preliminary phases of planning our first 'family' trip in the spring of 2019. I have been to Disney World more times than I can count, but not since I was pregnant with our daughter. My husband has only been a few times and not since he was a child. He stayed at the Contemporary growing up, so he only wants to stay on the monorail. I clearly love the monorail, and we both love the idea of the Polynesian...but WOW the price tag. I think Wilderness Lodge looks wonderful, and I loved it when I stayed there several years ago. Can anyone pro/con me on both? Kids will be 2 and 4 when we go, so clearly we would mainly be in the Magic Kingdom.
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Poly vs Wilderness Lodge
- Thread starter Meghan McCrary
- Start date
Weather_Lady
Well-Known Member
We've stayed at the Wilderness Lodge (we rented points and stayed in a DVC villa back in the fall of 2014). We haven't stayed at the Poly yet (first time will be in May 2018), so I can't speak from experience, although I've done a lot of research. My thoughts would be:
Cons of WL:
- not on the monorail
- no on-site character dining, if that's a priority for you
- smaller square footage than some other deluxes (a standard room is smaller than one at the monorail resorts, although there is still plenty of space for a family of four and all of the same in-room amenities)
Pros of WL:
- scenic 10-minute boat ride or fast 5-minute bus ride to the MK (sometimes with a stop at Fort Wilderness, but that only adds a minute or two) -- IMO, about as convenient as the monorail
- easy access by boat or walking path to Fort Wilderness near Pioneer Hall, so it's super-convenient if the Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue happens to be in your plans
- gorgeous, kid-friendly theming (next to AKL and/or the Polynesian, I think it's the most kid-friendly deluxe), with a terrific feature pool and a wide variety of restaurants (signature, TS and CS) and lounges (indoor or lakeside)
- best price point, by far, of the MK-area resorts
- small footprint compared with some other deluxes (e.g., Polynesian, Grand Floridian), so it's easier to get around, and a shorter walk for little feet at the end of the day
Cons of WL:
- not on the monorail
- no on-site character dining, if that's a priority for you
- smaller square footage than some other deluxes (a standard room is smaller than one at the monorail resorts, although there is still plenty of space for a family of four and all of the same in-room amenities)
Pros of WL:
- scenic 10-minute boat ride or fast 5-minute bus ride to the MK (sometimes with a stop at Fort Wilderness, but that only adds a minute or two) -- IMO, about as convenient as the monorail
- easy access by boat or walking path to Fort Wilderness near Pioneer Hall, so it's super-convenient if the Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue happens to be in your plans
- gorgeous, kid-friendly theming (next to AKL and/or the Polynesian, I think it's the most kid-friendly deluxe), with a terrific feature pool and a wide variety of restaurants (signature, TS and CS) and lounges (indoor or lakeside)
- best price point, by far, of the MK-area resorts
- small footprint compared with some other deluxes (e.g., Polynesian, Grand Floridian), so it's easier to get around, and a shorter walk for little feet at the end of the day
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epcotisbest
Well-Known Member
Being at a monorail resort is quite meaningless at times when the monorail is down, which is occurring more often these days.
I like the Poly OK, but would take WL over Poly every single time, even if the price point was similar. The overall theme, for me, is more appealing, and we, in our advancing age, enjoy more resort time than park time. Now that the WL remodeling has been completed, I think it would be a wonderful choice again. We have stayed multiple times at WL and will again sometime in the future.
Now, there will be others who are passionate about Poly for the same reasons we like WL. You really can't go wrong with either. Our personal preference is WL.
I like the Poly OK, but would take WL over Poly every single time, even if the price point was similar. The overall theme, for me, is more appealing, and we, in our advancing age, enjoy more resort time than park time. Now that the WL remodeling has been completed, I think it would be a wonderful choice again. We have stayed multiple times at WL and will again sometime in the future.
Now, there will be others who are passionate about Poly for the same reasons we like WL. You really can't go wrong with either. Our personal preference is WL.
LadyBirdV
New Member
I stayed at Wilderness Lodge in 2014 and Polynesian in 2017. Here's my opinion on how they stack up :
Park Access : Poly. The boat from WL is nice and convenient too, but you can do either from the Poly, and the monorail is so Disney to me. And being able to walk to TTC for the Epcot monorail is GREAT.
Theme : Totally personal preference, they are both well themed. For me, the tropical theme feels more relaxed, but I liked the WL theme too
Pool : The Lava pool , slide, and splash park at the Polynesian is really good - I have not seen the new splash pad at WL though.
Beach : Watching the fireworks from the beach at the Poly is a wonderful perk.
Food : Wilderness Lodge has a really good Signature restaurant on-site (Artist's Point) , and Whispering Canyon Cafe is a good time. O'Hana is one of the best restaurants on property, and I love the Coconut Curry Meatballs at Capt Cooks -- Draw ??
Rooms : We got upgraded to a 1 BR suite at WL, so that was obviously awesome, but in general the rooms at the Poly are bigger.
Overall, putting aside price, it would be hands down Poly for me. Factoring in price, I'd still prefer Poly, but it's very close.
Park Access : Poly. The boat from WL is nice and convenient too, but you can do either from the Poly, and the monorail is so Disney to me. And being able to walk to TTC for the Epcot monorail is GREAT.
Theme : Totally personal preference, they are both well themed. For me, the tropical theme feels more relaxed, but I liked the WL theme too
Pool : The Lava pool , slide, and splash park at the Polynesian is really good - I have not seen the new splash pad at WL though.
Beach : Watching the fireworks from the beach at the Poly is a wonderful perk.
Food : Wilderness Lodge has a really good Signature restaurant on-site (Artist's Point) , and Whispering Canyon Cafe is a good time. O'Hana is one of the best restaurants on property, and I love the Coconut Curry Meatballs at Capt Cooks -- Draw ??
Rooms : We got upgraded to a 1 BR suite at WL, so that was obviously awesome, but in general the rooms at the Poly are bigger.
Overall, putting aside price, it would be hands down Poly for me. Factoring in price, I'd still prefer Poly, but it's very close.
I think I is funny how people talk about the monorail always being down, we have been to Disney World 6 times and it has never been down, we have stayed ay Poly three times and it has been awesome having it there and again has never been down
epcotisbest
Well-Known Member
Except I did not say anything about the monorail "always being down." I said it is occurring more often. Our last two trips the monorail was down twice when we tried to return to Poly from MK and the previous trip, three times when we wanted to go to Epcot from BLT. Now this is just during times we wanted to use it. Not a real big deal as there were buses quickly lined up at Contemporary to take us to TTC, and while the line to the boat to Poly was longer than usual, we got there soon enough. There was a period time when the monorail was down everyday for quite a bit of time. Fortunately you were not there during that time frame.
Weather_Lady
Well-Known Member
Isn't it amazing how different people have different experiences? It's like we're all unique individuals or something.
zurgandfriend
Well-Known Member
I would say stay at the WL, at 4 years old my DS loved it. Just the lobby knocked his socks off and Whispering Canyon was his favorite place to eat. The pool is great too.
durangojim
Well-Known Member
Having stayed at the Poly 5 months ago I felt it was overpriced and the service was not up to the relatively low standards that Disney sets for its Deluxe resorts. We've stayed at all the Deluxe resorts except for the Contemporary so I have quite a few places to compare the Poly with. If this was 5 years or more ago I'd say the Poly was worth it, but not anymore unfortunately.
The WL is great but the rooms are smaller. The boat ride can be wonderful but it isn't as convenient to get to Epcot since you can't walk to the TTC.
One highlight of the Poly is that, while they don't have cabanas anymore, they do have a cabana type thing at the quiet (Oasis?) pool for a reasonable $50 or $75/day rental fee which included a couch and some lounge chairs. The pool grill/bar is right there and the servers come around often. In march it also included either 2 free water sprite rentals or a pontoon boat rental. Overall that was the highlight of staying at the Poly and the best deal on Disney property IMO.
The WL is great but the rooms are smaller. The boat ride can be wonderful but it isn't as convenient to get to Epcot since you can't walk to the TTC.
One highlight of the Poly is that, while they don't have cabanas anymore, they do have a cabana type thing at the quiet (Oasis?) pool for a reasonable $50 or $75/day rental fee which included a couch and some lounge chairs. The pool grill/bar is right there and the servers come around often. In march it also included either 2 free water sprite rentals or a pontoon boat rental. Overall that was the highlight of staying at the Poly and the best deal on Disney property IMO.
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21stamps
Well-Known Member
I stayed at WL last year because it was the only (MK) resort available. Ended up loving it!!
But here's my list of negatives -
Dark, Small rooms.
No monorail access.
Overall we enjoyed it very much and I wouldn't hesitate to go back.. However, given the choice if both were available- I'd choose Poly every time. Especially for the pools. (Unless you're going during the Christmas holidays, then I'd recommend a split stay)
But here's my list of negatives -
Dark, Small rooms.
No monorail access.
Overall we enjoyed it very much and I wouldn't hesitate to go back.. However, given the choice if both were available- I'd choose Poly every time. Especially for the pools. (Unless you're going during the Christmas holidays, then I'd recommend a split stay)
JTT
Well-Known Member
I love the Poly! (I like the Contemporary.) I like the WL also.
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correcaminos
Well-Known Member
But being at Polynesian when the monorail is down gives you 2 alternatives for transportation to MK and easier to get to TTC. One is wheelchair accessible at all times too. So I don't agree it is meaningless at all resorts.
WL and Polynesian are like apples and oranges in theming. They share the idea you can take a boat to MK. Each has good dining options, but that's where it ends.
If your husband really wants monorail only, you're going to have a tough sale honestly. I do like Polynesian more for the theming and the room sizes are great. WL is more cozy feeling and to me Polynesian is more laid back. For going back and relaxing with the young ones even from MK, Polynesian will be easier as you do have more options to get back to the room.
Neither is bad at all. To me the only real con for WL is the boat ride only to MK and buses everywhere else. Even at deluxe resorts the buses have not been great to me and I try to avoid as much as possible.
epcotisbest
Well-Known Member
I am doing a pretty poor job of expressing my thoughts lately and for that I apologize. Might be the old age thing.
I meant the importance of being on a monorail resort when the monorail is down then, at least for the moment, makes it a non-monorail resort, so that particular perk does not exist at that particular time.
correcaminos
Well-Known Member
I follow you now - no need to apologize at all!
I just start viewing it as an MK view resort vs monorail. Makes me feel better when the monorail is down
Beacon Joe
Well-Known Member
With young kids in tow? The Polynesian, due to multiple transport options and the ease of quickly (usually) returning to the hotel for naps.
crxbrett
Well-Known Member
While I do really enjoy going over to the WL when I am in WDW, there are a few things that affect why I never stay there.
1 - me growing up and being from California, it just reminds me too much of being in CA on vacation up in Mammoth or something and that's something I really don't need or want on vacation in WDW lol I realize for most people this would not be an issue. I suppose it would be how someone from Hawai'i may not want to stay at the Poly if they are looking for an experience they can't get at home.
2 - I only go in summer, so for me the Poly fits in more with that weather. The WL would feel odd to me in hot, muggy weather. I think it is more ideal as a winter resort in FL when the weather is more dry and mild.
I know those are both odd reasons to be sure, but those are my reasons. As others have already stated, the Poly is also more conveniently located, affords better views, offers more in terms of food and bars and the pool area is more impressive.
If I were going during winter the WL might appeal to me more. But for summer, I just find it too out of place and think the Poly is a better place to stay.
1 - me growing up and being from California, it just reminds me too much of being in CA on vacation up in Mammoth or something and that's something I really don't need or want on vacation in WDW lol I realize for most people this would not be an issue. I suppose it would be how someone from Hawai'i may not want to stay at the Poly if they are looking for an experience they can't get at home.
2 - I only go in summer, so for me the Poly fits in more with that weather. The WL would feel odd to me in hot, muggy weather. I think it is more ideal as a winter resort in FL when the weather is more dry and mild.
I know those are both odd reasons to be sure, but those are my reasons. As others have already stated, the Poly is also more conveniently located, affords better views, offers more in terms of food and bars and the pool area is more impressive.
If I were going during winter the WL might appeal to me more. But for summer, I just find it too out of place and think the Poly is a better place to stay.
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zero creativity
Active Member
I have stayed at both and poly would be my choice if money was not an option. The transportation at WL is poor in my experience. Buses being your only option and when I was there you picked up the campgrounds. The ride to the other resorts is long. We ended up driving to animal kingdom instead. We had before park opening reservations at crystal palace and had to take a boat to the contemporary and walk from there.
captainkidd
Well-Known Member
Having stayed at both numerous times, here's how I would break it down:
Transportation - Poly wins simply for the monorail to Epcot. Boat ride is great from WL to MK, but can be slow.
Food - Although Ohana is my favorite restaurant, I'm giving this one to Wilderness Lodge based on Whispering Canyon being better than Kona and Roaring Fork being better than Captain Cooks.
Rooms - Poly takes this. Rooms are far bigger and that's pretty much the only reason.
Theme - This is extremely tight as both have magnificent themes. However, I have to give this to Wilderness Lodge. It could go either way, but Poly has lost a lot of appeal with the removal of the waterfall in the lobby and the beach areas with hammocks.
Pools - Giving this one to Wilderness Lodge as well. The Volcano pool at the Poly is too small and the quiet pool is so over chlorinated, we couldn't even go swimming in it.
So all in all, I'm giving it to Wilderness Lodge and that's not even considering price which is far less than the Poly. However, there is definitely much to love at the Poly. In terms of a real resort feel, it's the best on property.
Transportation - Poly wins simply for the monorail to Epcot. Boat ride is great from WL to MK, but can be slow.
Food - Although Ohana is my favorite restaurant, I'm giving this one to Wilderness Lodge based on Whispering Canyon being better than Kona and Roaring Fork being better than Captain Cooks.
Rooms - Poly takes this. Rooms are far bigger and that's pretty much the only reason.
Theme - This is extremely tight as both have magnificent themes. However, I have to give this to Wilderness Lodge. It could go either way, but Poly has lost a lot of appeal with the removal of the waterfall in the lobby and the beach areas with hammocks.
Pools - Giving this one to Wilderness Lodge as well. The Volcano pool at the Poly is too small and the quiet pool is so over chlorinated, we couldn't even go swimming in it.
So all in all, I'm giving it to Wilderness Lodge and that's not even considering price which is far less than the Poly. However, there is definitely much to love at the Poly. In terms of a real resort feel, it's the best on property.
DarthVader
Sith Lord
I'm facing a similar quandary, we have reservations for the Poly but the Wilderness Lodge is a lot cheaper.
The Poly has location as its main advantage, i.e., the monorail, and walking distance to the TTC. The WL, would be buses and/or a boat to MK.
Many people seem to love the Poly, and tbh, my family wanted to stay there but I think their excitement has waned a bit. My kids saw the water slide at the Yacht Club resort, I saw that the WL was cheaper and my wife mentioned off property, so we're all over the board
The Poly has location as its main advantage, i.e., the monorail, and walking distance to the TTC. The WL, would be buses and/or a boat to MK.
Many people seem to love the Poly, and tbh, my family wanted to stay there but I think their excitement has waned a bit. My kids saw the water slide at the Yacht Club resort, I saw that the WL was cheaper and my wife mentioned off property, so we're all over the board