AKL, BLT, Poly, or THV? Please Help Me Compare!!!

[Mom2six]

We are about to book our trip for next year, and I really need help with the resort. There are 9 of us - me, DH, Sister, DD17, DD 16, DD15, Ds14, DD6, DD4
While I will do 2 or 3 rooms, I am leaning toward doing a villa so we can all be together. The villas that sleep 9 are AKL, BLT, or Treehouse Villas at SSR.

We stayed at the THV this past trip and liked them, but I sort of want something different. I think AKL sounds great, but DH is not as thrilled. He thinks it looks like you would walk really far in the hallways and that going from Kidani to Jambo house for meals would be a pain. He wants to know what is special about it besides seeing animals. How is the pool complex, especially for kids?

BLT made the list because it is a monorail resort, but from the map it looks like you have to go over to the CR to get on the monorail. The pictures make the pool seem a bit plain.

We went to Ohana for breakfast at the Polynesian Resort, and it seemed really really crowded there. The parking lot was packed and there were tons of people everywhere. Does it always feel crowded there. While we would not be able to stay in the same room, the resort does have some things going for it - the view of MK, the monorail, etc.

So, which resort is the best overall, in terms of the pool, ease of dining (mostly QS this time I think - my son is too impatient to really enjoy a leisurely meal), and how much walking you have to do?

Thanks! Part of my family wants to go back to THV, but I like to try new things. Yet, I don't want to be wishing I did!

 

[B-Ride]

The Great Ceremonial House at the Polynesian is often crowded with the people going to 'Ohana. We have stayed at the Poly 6 years in a row but don't find the resort itself that crowded. Of course we like visiting New York and London so don't take my word on crowds.

What about Bay Lake Towers? I assume they have suites available and it is on the monorail. As an extra bonus you can walk to the Magic Kingdom.

 

[CajunMomof3]

We love the Poly. QS has some great options for all meals (plus Dole Whip). The pool area is great, and we loved watching the Electric Water Pageant from the beach. I would vote for Poly (but it is my absolute favorite resort!).

Edit to add: We did not feel the resort was very crowded or too much walking when we were there.

 

[twinboysmom]

Well, I will offer some thoughts. I have stayed in 3 of your 4 choices. You are already familiar with the THV so you now the pros and cons that come with staying there.

I thought AKV was fantastic. It has 3 full bathrooms and the pool areas is wonderful. I think you would really enjoy it. Getting to Mara for QS is a bit of a turn off. You can get on any bus other than a downtown Disney bus to get over there or walk in aout 15 minutes.

We just returned from BLT and I can say that I never wish to stay any other place. The pool is just so so but it had a slide and it's water so still fun. The walk to the CR is easy and quicker than I thought it would be. There is a walkway from the 5th floor that puts you on the 4 th floor of the CR. really only takes a few minutes. The best part of BLT for us was being able to walk to the MK. So much quicker than taking the monorail. Maybe took us 7 minutes at most. The room was gorgeous and it has 3 full bathrooms.

As for the Poly, I have never stayed there but have spent a lot of time there. It is a beautiful property for sure but I can see a couple of negatives. The pool is always packed every time I have been by it (but it is gorgeous) and the bus service. All of the buses we took when we stayed at BLT picked up the CR first and then went to the Poly. Every morning it was standing room only by the time we got to the Poly.

I would choose BLT (and maybe consider renting DVC points if you're closer to 11 months out).

 

[FantasiaMagic]

We are about to book our trip for next year, and I really need help with the resort. There are 9 of us - me, DH, Sister, DD17, DD 16, DD15, Ds14, DD6, DD4
While I will do 2 or 3 rooms, I am leaning toward doing a villa so we can all be together. The villas that sleep 9 are AKL, BLT, or Treehouse Villas at SSR.

We stayed at the THV this past trip and liked them, but I sort of want something different. I think AKL sounds great, but DH is not as thrilled. He thinks it looks like you would walk really far in the hallways and that going from Kidani to Jambo house for meals would be a pain. He wants to know what is special about it besides seeing animals. How is the pool complex, especially for kids?

BLT made the list because it is a monorail resort, but from the map it looks like you have to go over to the CR to get on the monorail. The pictures make the pool seem a bit plain.

We went to Ohana for breakfast at the Polynesian Resort, and it seemed really really crowded there. The parking lot was packed and there were tons of people everywhere. Does it always feel crowded there. While we would not be able to stay in the same room, the resort does have some things going for it - the view of MK, the monorail, etc.

So, which resort is the best overall, in terms of the pool, ease of dining (mostly QS this time I think - my son is too impatient to really enjoy a leisurely meal), and how much walking you have to do?

Thanks! Part of my family wants to go back to THV, but I like to try new things. Yet, I don't want to be wishing I did!

I jusst stayed in the AKL KV this past August. It was a very nice resort and the animals perk was great. The only thing that was annoying was not having a place to get something quick to eat right in front of you. Sanna is the nice restaurant downstairs, (we did not eat there) and they didnt even serve breakfast only lunch/dinner. The pool side restaraunt Maji, was ok with little selection but had a drink refill station so that was good.
The giftshop sold some stuff, but not a great slection. They also had a refill station in there.
Make sure you buy stuff for your room for breakfast, bc if you dont, you will have to walk over to the Mara @ AKL. That was good with a pretty good selection.

The Kidani pool is much better then Jambo/ALK. Kidani has a better slide/kids water feature/animal viewing site for everyone then Jambo.

Overall my family liked the resort but not having a place to get something quick to eat without walking for 15 mins was frustrating.

Enjoy your trip wherever you decide to go and if you have any questions just ask I did a trip report in Aug. If You would like me to post the link just ask (but I pretty much just said everything I said in the report lol)

-FantasiaMagic

 

[Mom2six]

I jusst stayed in the AKL KV this past August. It was a very nice resort and the animals perk was great. The only thing that was annoying was not having a place to get something quick to eat right in front of you. Sanna is the nice restaurant downstairs, (we did not eat there) and they didnt even serve breakfast only lunch/dinner. The pool side restaraunt Maji, was ok with little selection but had a drink refill station so that was good.
The giftshop sold some stuff, but not a great slection. They also had a refill station in there.
Make sure you buy stuff for your room for breakfast, bc if you dont, you will have to walk over to the Mara @ AKL. That was good with a pretty good selection.

The Kidani pool is much better then Jambo/ALK. Kidani has a better slide/kids water feature/animal viewing site for everyone then Jambo.

Overall my family liked the resort but not having a place to get something quick to eat without walking for 15 mins was frustrating.

Enjoy your trip wherever you decide to go and if you have any questions just ask I did a trip report in Aug. If You would like me to post the link just ask (but I pretty much just said everything I said in the report lol)

-FantasiaMagic

I wish there was QS restaurant over by Kidani too! The views of the animals sounds nice though, and the theming is something different which is what I want.

 

[Mom2six]

Well, I will offer some thoughts. I have stayed in 3 of your 4 choices. You are already familiar with the THV so you now the pros and cons that come with staying there.

I thought AKV was fantastic. It has 3 full bathrooms and the pool areas is wonderful. I think you would really enjoy it. Getting to Mara for QS is a bit of a turn off. You can get on any bus other than a downtown Disney bus to get over there or walk in aout 15 minutes.

We just returned from BLT and I can say that I never wish to stay any other place. The pool is just so so but it had a slide and it's water so still fun. The walk to the CR is easy and quicker than I thought it would be. There is a walkway from the 5th floor that puts you on the 4 th floor of the CR. really only takes a few minutes. The best part of BLT for us was being able to walk to the MK. So much quicker than taking the monorail. Maybe took us 7 minutes at most. The room was gorgeous and it has 3 full bathrooms.

As for the Poly, I have never stayed there but have spent a lot of time there. It is a beautiful property for sure but I can see a couple of negatives. The pool is always packed every time I have been by it (but it is gorgeous) and the bus service. All of the buses we took when we stayed at BLT picked up the CR first and then went to the Poly. Every morning it was standing room only by the time we got to the Poly.

I would choose BLT (and maybe consider renting DVC points if you're closer to 11 months out).

7 minutes isn't too bad at all! Are there a lot of places to see the view of Magic Kingdom if you don't have a park view?

 

[Mom2six]

We love the Poly. QS has some great options for all meals (plus Dole Whip). The pool area is great, and we loved watching the Electric Water Pageant from the beach. I would vote for Poly (but it is my absolute favorite resort!).

Edit to add: We did not feel the resort was very crowded or too much walking when we were there.

I think my DD6 would especially like the Electric Water Pageant and being able to see MKs fireworks. Is the QS in the same building as Ohana?

 

[FantasiaMagic]

I wish there was QS restaurant over by Kidani too! The views of the animals sounds nice though, and the theming is something different which is what I want.

It was frustrating. I just don't think they have enough room to put one in. Hopefully they will come up with something though.

If you do stay there make sure to get groceries. If you will have a car then that will be no problem, if not - make an order of breakfast/snack necessities for when you will be there: that is if you decide to stay here.

IMO I would stay at BLT. I think nothing beats the location.