Help - totally over analyzed myself out of a decision!

[jagruti6]

We are planning a trip in May and cannot decide where to stay. We have been going back and forth for weeks....So I am hoping you all help us out. We have our choices narrowed down to 3 resorts, this our reasoning...

AKL- Standard View -We love the theme of ALK this is the cheapest option and therefore has remained on the table for consideration.

AKL - Savanna View -Who doesn't want to see the animals from their window?!

Pros: AKL is probably our favorite in terms of theme, and we love Boma. Interesting pool (like the idea of a zero entry pool for DD). Doesn't share the buses with other resorts.

Cons: Distance and possibly buses. We won't have a car, and we be relying on Disney transportation. We will be coming back at mid day each day for a nap. Also we are rope drop people. I don't want to get up early just to be held up by a long bus ride.

Contemporary Resort - Garden View

Pros: Monorail Monorail Monorail. Also cheaper then AKL Savanna View and Poly.

Cons: Just about everything else. Not really that excited about staying here. I would be if it was just a trip for DH and I, But doesn't seem like a good fit for us as a family.

Poly -Garden View

Pros: monorail/ transportation. Zero entry pool. Everyone likes the theme, though not as much as AKL.

Cons: Though we can afford it quite comfortably, I can't help but think about how many extra mickey bars we could buy if we stayed else where.

As you can see I have totally over analyzed myself out of a decision. Please post what you would pick and why!

[KatMark]

Although we are dying to try the AKL, since you indicate that you want to come back every afternoon for a nap, I would pick the Poly. We've done both the CR and the Poly--in room types as you described--and we just preferred everything about the Poly--from the friendliness of the CM's, to the rooms, to the layout/landscaping, the pool, etc.

[em6668]

My vote was for the Contemporary. AKL is difficult for rope drop and getting back to the room for a nap. I did not choose the Poly because I would rather spend that money on Mickey Bars! But this is your decision...whatever you decided have fun!

[ajpa]

I vote for Contemporary and more Mickey Bars!!!!

Plus the CR pool has a huge slide, BIG rooms, and you will have GREAT views of fireworks and you can WALK to MK. For midday nappers you just can't beat that with a stick!

[lorihannahgwen]

Originally Posted by jagruti6

We are planning a trip in May and cannot decide where to stay. We have been going back and forth for weeks....So I am hoping you all help us out. We have our choices narrowed down to 3 resorts, this our reasoning...

AKL- Standard View -We love the theme of ALK this is the cheapest option and therefore has remained on the table for consideration.

AKL - Savanna View -Who doesn't want to see the animals from their window?!

Pros: AKL is probably our favorite in terms of theme, and we love Boma. Interesting pool (like the idea of a zero entry pool for DD). Doesn't share the buses with other resorts.

Cons: Distance and possibly buses. We won't have a car, and we be relying on Disney transportation. We will be coming back at mid day each day for a nap. Also we are rope drop people. I don't want to get up early just to be held up by a long bus ride.

Contemporary Resort - Garden View

Pros: Monorail Monorail Monorail. Also cheaper then AKL Savanna View and Poly.

Cons: Just about everything else. Not really that excited about staying here. I would be if it was just a trip for DH and I, But doesn't seem like a good fit for us as a family.

Poly -Garden View

Pros: monorail/ transportation. Zero entry pool. Everyone likes the theme, though not as much as AKL.

Cons: Though we can afford it quite comfortably, I can't help but think about how many extra mickey bars we could buy if we stayed else where.

As you can see I have totally over analyzed myself out of a decision. Please post what you would pick and why!

IMO I see that you would not be happy staying at the Contemporary. You would save money, but you would be wishing that you stayed someplace else. I would not pick AKL because you want to be there for rope drop and take afternoon naps. I think that the bus rides would make this prohibitive. So I voted for the Poly. It is a great location and great themeing. You will enjoy your vacation more because your little one(s) won't be crabby from missing a nap. You also get the zero entry pool.
I have littles ones that need that afternoon nap still and we stayed at the Villas at the Wilderness Lodge. It was great! We went back to our room every afternoon for a break. It made the vacation very enjoyable.

[GovieMom]

AKL Savannah view! I can't tell you how absolutely amazing it is to wake in the morning and see giraffes and zebras grazing in the mist. Where else can you experience that? We loved the massive themeing at AKL; everything is gorgeous, inside and out. Oh, and we had great bus service as well; the buses arrive continuously, and it only takes about 15 mts. to get to MK. We've stayed at several resorts, but AKL is my kids' hands-down favorite.

[kaffinito]

I voted for Contemporary garden view. The theme might not "wow" you, but the location is the best. They have a better than average food court, great restaurants, and you can walk to MK from there. With the ages of your kids, I would save a little bit of $$$ and stay here just for the proximity to MK.

My second choice would be Poly. It's a great resort for families and for kids, and since it's right next to the TTC is an easy hop to EPCOT as well.

Last would be AKL. It's a very long bus ride at park closing when you have to stand up for 20 minutes to get back to your resort with two little ones. The counter service is ok but limited, and why spend money for a savanna view when you might not get to see any animals, or if you do, see them rarely? JMO of AKL.

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

My vote was for the Contemporary and this is why. Their Garden Wing rooms are among the least expensive of all the Deluxe Resorts, plus it's less then a 5 minunte walk to the Tower under a covered walkway. So if it was raining you wouldn't get wet. Besides that for your kids they just opened up a brand new splash play area, they have an amazing water slide and their overall location to the Magic Kingdom speaks for itself.

[pepe of ohio]

I had to pick the Polynesian from your list. We're not fans of AKL, few animals, long bus rides and nowhere to wander at night and didn't care for the food offerings. The CR, used to be our favorites until all the changes over the years, we started there in 1977. The Poly is fantastic but it comes with a con, just too expensive for what you get, out priced itself in our way of vacationing. Have you considered WL? Close to MK, boat ride away or quick bus ride, boat to CR to gain access to monorail and boat to FW for some good buffet dining. It's one of the two cheapest deluxe resorts. We like being under one roof, quite compact, great pool and very easy to return to for those afternoon breaks.

[oldbay]

My choice:
1) Contemporary
2) Poly
3) AKL

I have stayed at the Contem. and the Poly. I would pick the Poly if the price was the same but think the cost for what you get you cannot beat the Contem. My kids all loved the Contem. last year when we went. I think the only big advantage to the Poly is the zero-entry pool for little kids. I honestly felt like our room was nicer and cleaner in the Contem and we also had garden view for both hotels.

Good luck with your choice.

[Luv Bunnies]

I voted for the Contemporary for a couple of reasons. I noticed that your kids are very young and having the Monorail right there would be almost a necessity for mid-day breaks. The Poly has nicer theming but your 1 year old probably won't notice the difference and your 5 year old will probably be thrilled just to be staying in a hotel with a pool and Monorail running right through it. Plus, the $$$ savings will be better spent on other parts of the trip. You can always plan on AKL for a future trip when the kids are older and having the Monorail right there isn't such a big deal. For this trip, I would pick the Contemporary.

[Sawhiskey]

AKL and if you can get the savannah view then get it. I had NO problem getting to early morning ADRs. The buses at AKL do not take long to get anywhere. I dont know where people get this crazy idea that it takes forver to get to the parks from AKL. I had no problem and didnt wait long at all.

[robinb]

I voted AKL Savannah view. It's really a great resort and the animals outside your balcony can't be beat. The additional bus ride is really not all that bad.

[Epcot4Me]

It seems like you really like the AKL theme, so I voted to go there. I especially wouldn't go to CR if it doesn't appeal to you- that's a lot of money to spend on a resort you don't think you'll like.

Sometimes buses can be a pain, but this is true of every resort- while Poly & CR are close to MK and you can monorail to Epcot, you're relying on the buses for DHS and AK. So those days you will have the same problems.

Also, I know you mentioned extra mickey bars with the savings, but what about a rental car? As your dates get closer, you can find some good deals usually and then have the option of driving. Just a thought!

[rickybobby13]

Poly garden view