Concierge or Cabin Wildnerness Resort
 

We are going to WDW for 8 nights with 2 kids - 5 years old and 1 year old in early December. We currently have a concierge level room reserved at the Polynesian Resort but just told at reservations that a cabin at the Wilderness Resort is available for our dates. We loved the concierge level when we stayed at the Grand Flo last visit, but have never stayed at Poly or Wilderness Resorts so having a hard time choosing.

We thought the cabin might be a good idea with a one year old since he can be kept separate from us since he is a light sleeper. Also would like to be on the monorail at Poly and worry about the atmosphere/state of the rooms at Wildnerness.

We aren't really budget minded and like do 'nicer' vacations if that helps. Sorry so short, but baby crying as I type!

Which would you choose? Thanks!

I don't think there is a Wilderness Resort - either Wilderness Lodge, which is a beautiful resort hotel, or Fort Wilderness, which is Disney's camping, more rustic area. I know there are cabins at Fort Wilderness and I know that there are people who are absolutely in love with staying here. It seems to have a very nice spirit of camaraderie. The cabins are trailers with log siding, but they get very good reviews. People get very into decorating their camp sites for Christmas and there are carriage rides around the grounds.

I loved my stay at the Wilderness Lodge and there is a boat that takes you to Magic Kingdom. It's a beautiful resort, great Christmas decorations, and they have "sleigh" rides. They do have villas here, I think, as it is a vacation club resort.

With my three kids (5,3,1), I think I would choose the 1 bedroom, especially if it is in Wilderness Lodge. Fort Wilderness sounds like a lot of fun for me, but I think you have to be into it to enjoy it, and it is on the opposite end of the spectrum of Grand Floridian, although I want to stay at both places at some point too.

The best opinions and descriptions of places is www.disboards.com Those people know their Disney and they can tell you every detail you need to know, right down to which room to pick in every resort.

Having stayed at both as a kid, there are pros and cons for each.

Fort Wilderness is great because you have a kitchen so you don't have to eat every meal at a restaurant. However, it is not as centrally located as the Polynesian. You almost need a rental car there to go around the campground. Or rent a Golf Cart for your stay.

Polynesian is on the monorail system so it is much more convenient. Pool is a lot nicer. But you don't have a kitchen.

Either way, they are great hotels and you should enjoy them. Enjoy your trip

As stated, it's either the Wilderness Lodge or Fort Wilderness (Disney camping). If budget isn't a consideration, you might look into a Deluxe Room at the Wilderness Lodge. I believe the bedroom is separate.

Thanks for the replies. I just jotted down "Wilderness" when I was taking notes with the reservationist - I didn't know there was a difference... I'm sure it's the camping ground though. I think we would prefer something more upscale. I hear the hotel, however, is a blast. Thanks everyone and more advice is always appreciated!

We've stayed at both the Polynesian Concierge Level(most recently last weekend) and at the Wilderness Lodge concierge Level.

The problem with the Wilderness Lodge is transportation. The boat to and from the park can be excrutiatingly long. If you just miss the boat, you may be looking at it taking 40 minutes to get back to the Wilderness Lodge if the boat stops first at the Campground. (The campground shares the same transportation.)

The Poly rooms have a day bed, if that helps. Our daughter is also a light sleeper and we've never had an issue with her in these rooms.

If you do get the Poly and had intended on a Lagoon View (which is really a Magic Kingdom view) you might want to get a first floor room. (The higher number rooms at the end of the hall may have less foot traffic.)

Like you, budget is not at the top of our list. We think the pool area at the Poly is great and it is nice having the beach right there.

The one upside of the concierge lounge is that the food is pretty good and generally follows the Hawaiian theme. It's also a great place to watch the fireworks display.

In case your interested, both of our kids love the Neverland Club which is decorated in the Peter Pan theme. If given a choice between dinner with us or the kids club, they'll take dinner at the kids club anytime.

Your really do want to have a car if you're staying at the Ft. Wilderness campground. But the campground has something really neat - the nightly campfire sing-along w/ Chip & Dale. My girls thought it was a lot of fun. See: http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com...-campfire.html

I love the Polynesian resort. You might want to see about a reservation for dinner at Ohanas. That is a favorite of our family's.

With little kids, I'd keep the Poly reservation, for the convenience of transportation to the MK. Heck, my family is staying at the Poly for the convenience of transportation to the MK, and my kids are 16, 15 and 12!

(You've made ADRs for your meals, haven't you/)