Hi Beth!
I know the feeling! I absolutely love the Deluxe resorts and the Wilderness Lodge is my absolute favorite! However, the Art of Animation is incredibly themed and a beautiful brand-new resort too!
One of my favorite things about both the Wilderness Lodge and the Polynesian is their location. Being so close to the Magic Kingdom with young kids really does make for easy traveling, especially if you'd like to return to the hotel for naps!
One thing to consider is the possibility of connecting rooms at the Wilderness Lodge. This option would allow you to book two standard view rooms for about the price of a deluxe room, and often at a lower price if there is a
Special Offer available. A "hidden" perk to this is that with two rooms, you'll have TWO bathrooms. This can be a real time and sanity saver when you are trying to get ready to head to the parks.
If you're leaning toward the Art of Animation, which is more budget friendly, then I wouldn't worry too much about feeling "let down" by the resort. It really is incredibly themed and the kids are sure to love seeing the characters and life-size accents around the resort. Nap or pool breaks are still very do-able with Disney Bus Transportation.
Hope this helps a bit in the decision making process!
PS. The adjoining room idea would work for standard rooms at just about any Disney Resort, not just the Wilderness Lodge!