What would you do?

[ajgardner]

Right now we are booked for AKL for 5 nights (through AAA). If I did my calculations correctly, when the general public discounts come out on Tuesday we would save about $500. However, I believe that a room at Poly would be at the same price that we currently have at AKL once the discount hits. So, we are trying to decide if we should save some money and stay at AKL or pay the amount that we were planning on paying anyways and switch over to the Poly. We have never stayed at either so we are not sure what to think. I'm sure we would love both - but what would you do?

(We have only been to Disney World once, a couple years ago. We booked Pop, but my husband walked into the room, said "no way am I staying here" and went to the front desk to change resorts. We ended up at the Wilderness Lodge and loved it, but want to try something new this time.)

 

[Kim1964]

Which theme appeals to you more?

Have you decided how you are going to spend your time? If you're going to be at MK a lot, Poly makes sense.

Will you have a car? AKL is pretty far removed from the parks, so the bus rides will be longer than from other properties.

Are you dying to stay at the Poly? If so, this sounds like a great opportunity. If not, I'd save the money toward my next trip.

 

[ajgardner]

[/COLOR]

Which theme appeals to you more?
We don't really have a favorite between the two...they both seem pretty neat. The kids would love to see the animals (as would I), but it would also be so nice to go out to the beach and see the fireworks and water pageant and then go hop into bed without a long journey...
Have you decided how you are going to spend your time? If you're going to be at MK a lot, Poly makes sense.
With only 5 days it will probably pretty evenly split...Hollywood Studios may only be a half day. We have the tickets that include the water park, but we may drop that and just play in the pool.
Will you have a car? AKL is pretty far removed from the parks, so the bus rides will be longer than from other properties.
No car. We will be relying only on Disney transportation...
Are you dying to stay at the Poly? If so, this sounds like a great opportunity. If not, I'd save the money toward my next trip.

I don't know if I would say we are dying to stay at the Poly...but when I think Disney the Poly always pops into my head. I really think I'm equally attached to both of them; each time I think I make a decision between the two I get a little sad because I don't want to give up the other one. If we were staying longer I'd do a split stay, but with 5 nights that won't work. I suppose I could have worse decisions to make!

 

[mmmears]

That would be a tough decision for me -- we like them both. I'd say split, but not for 5 days. Poly is more convenient to the MK and Epcot, but AKL is fantastic. AKL buses aren't bad for a few days, IMO. If you like to return to your room in the middle of the day, then go back to the parks, Poly makes it easier. It just really comes down to which resort you think you will enjoy more -- they are both really, really nice.

 

[mickeynut1]

Right now we are booked for AKL for 5 nights (through AAA). If I did my calculations correctly, when the general public discounts come out on Tuesday we would save about $500. However, I believe that a room at Poly would be at the same price that we currently have at AKL once the discount hits. So, we are trying to decide if we should save some money and stay at AKL or pay the amount that we were planning on paying anyways and switch over to the Poly. We have never stayed at either so we are not sure what to think. I'm sure we would love both - but what would you do?

(We have only been to Disney World once, a couple years ago. We booked Pop, but my husband walked into the room, said "no way am I staying here" and went to the front desk to change resorts. We ended up at the Wilderness Lodge and loved it, but want to try something new this time.)

We've stayed at both and while we loved AKL, the Poly is our favorite so I would switch. AKL is beautiful, but we love the MK area, the Poly's tropical atmosphere is relaxing, the volcano pool is awesome as it backs up to the beach with a view of the castle in the distance, the beach is great for watching the fireworks, and being on the monorail makes it convenient to visit the GF and CR for a variety of dining and shopping options. You really can't go wrong with either resort as they are both great places to stay, but my choice would be the Poly without hesitation. Good luck.

 

[sjs314]

Disney is offering 30% at the Poly so I would jump on that as I am sure once the refurbs are done end of summer the future discounts will be in the range of 15-20%.

 

[Cappy81]

We have stayed at both and both are great! AKL buses are not bad at all, for us transportation was a non-issue. It really is a personal preference I prefer Poly (not by much though), and DH and DD prefer AKL.

 

[BringingUpDisney]

It depends a lot on how your family likes to tour. If you go to the parks for the entire day you are fine either way. If like us, you like to take a big break in the afternoon, then the amount of time spent on transportation becomes an issue...

 

[ajgardner]

So, we made a decision...I left a message for our AAA agent to check the price of Poly with the 30% discount on Tuesday and if it is at a certain price to switch our reservation. I like the idea of jumping over to Magic Kingdom for a a couple of rides and then going back to the resort without it being a big ordeal. Poly had been my first choice back when we first started planning but it was too expensive at the time so went with AKL....I've spent so much time researching AKL that it got me excited for it, so switching to the Poly wasn't as easy of a choice as it would have been a few months ago! Only problem now is that I will have to rearrange some of our dining plans (had Jiko and Boma planned for our arrival dinner and then departing breakfast...).

 

[momtobrynncess]

So, we made a decision...I left a message for our AAA agent to check the price of Poly with the 30% discount on Tuesday and if it is at a certain price to switch our reservation. I like the idea of jumping over to Magic Kingdom for a a couple of rides and then going back to the resort without it being a big ordeal. Poly had been my first choice back when we first started planning but it was too expensive at the time so went with AKL....I've spent so much time researching AKL that it got me excited for it, so switching to the Poly wasn't as easy of a choice as it would have been a few months ago! Only problem now is that I will have to rearrange some of our dining plans (had Jiko and Boma planned for our arrival dinner and then departing breakfast...).

i like that decision. I think you will love the atmosphere. We have not yet stayed at AKL. We have been there for meals and have wandered around the property. It looks really beautiful, but every time we have considered staying there, we just can't let go of the location and magic of Poly. I really think that for the money, Poly is a fantastic choice! Good for you!

 

[Mynamewastaken]

Since you already stayed at WL I think AKL is sort of the same theme. You will love the Poly. We stayed there last Feb and loved it. Such a nice place. You have to make sure you get a Dole Whip- YUM!!

 

[mickeynut1]

So, we made a decision...I left a message for our AAA agent to check the price of Poly with the 30% discount on Tuesday and if it is at a certain price to switch our reservation. I like the idea of jumping over to Magic Kingdom for a a couple of rides and then going back to the resort without it being a big ordeal. Poly had been my first choice back when we first started planning but it was too expensive at the time so went with AKL....I've spent so much time researching AKL that it got me excited for it, so switching to the Poly wasn't as easy of a choice as it would have been a few months ago! Only problem now is that I will have to rearrange some of our dining plans (had Jiko and Boma planned for our arrival dinner and then departing breakfast...).

I think you made a good choice. I hope everything works out with the discount and you are able to switch to the Poly .

 

[Robbi]

OP, it's good that you're trying the Poly. We like WL a lot but AKL is amazing and is a favorite! Seeing the animals from your balcony is a fabulous experience. Hoping you get to try it one day.

 

[ajgardner]

Thanks everyone - it helps to get confirmation from all of you!

 

[waughzoo]

We are discussing the same exact topic. We have booked a 5 day trip to AKL. If we go to the Poly it is a $508 increase. Starting to think the Poly might be worth it. Easier trips to MK, fireworks on the beach, etc...I hear great things about AKL, but just concerned we might spend over an hour a day communting back and forth to parks each day.

 

[wiigirl]

Disney is offering 30% at the Poly so I would jump on that as I am sure once the refurbs are done end of summer the future discounts will be in the range of 15-20%.