AKL or Poly or GF?

[beezbaby]

We are spending 5 days at BCV and then will be staying at one of the WDW resorts for 2 more nights. Right now we can get a AKL deluxe savanah view or poly garden or GF garden all for about the same price. We stayed at AKL last year and enjoyed our time. We have a 4 yr old boy. Where would you recommend?

 

[Ilovestitch]

POLYNESIAN!!!





Can you tell i'm a little biased? hee hee j/k I would probably pick a monorail resort- whichever one with the theme that appeals to me most.

 

[Superman]

Personally I would select the Grand Floridian. The Polynesian based on my limited observations appears to be run down. However, I do agree with "ILoveStitch" you should stay at a monorail resort for the convenience. GF is the nicest resort on site.

 

[tinkerbee]

POLY!!!!!!!

 

[robinb]

Your 4 year old would enjoy the Polynesian . I didn't find it to be run down at all. Every resort gets some bad press here on the DIS.

 

[johnvree]

Personally I would select the Grand Floridian. The Polynesian based on my limited observations appears to be run down. However, I do agree with "ILoveStitch" you should stay at a monorail resort for the convenience. GF is the nicest resort on site.

The Poly is not run down. In fact, it is nearing the completion of a complete refurb of all of the longhouses. Having just stayed there last year, our room appeared brand new, as did the entire building. What superman is probably refering to is that it feels like one of the originals. The landscaping is very mature and it feels a bit old world, but it is supposed to be a Polynesian island.

However, as much as I love the Poly, if it was between a garden view at the Poly and a delux savannah at the AKL, I would go for the AKL. We stayed there last year and it was really incredible. Don't get me wrong, the garden views at the Poly are beautiful. But being able to see zebra and giraffe outside your window is hard to beat.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

My vote would be for the GF. We always stay there and our ds (4) loves it. Also the Pirate Cruise (which he also loves) is there. Gasparilla's is great for quick bites and snacks and you can sit out there and watch the fireworks.

 

[beezbaby]

Thanks for the info. Could you share more info on the pirate cruise? I was unaware of it.

Thanks

 

[TaurusSES_Sport]

AKL...CONCIERGE!!!!

 

[SuperDuperBounce]

Thanks for the info. Could you share more info on the pirate cruise? I was unaware of it.

Ages 4-10, $25 or $30 each. They take them out on a party barge to the other resorts on the lake to get pieces of the treasure map, then go dig up the treasure and split up the booty when they get back. DDs 10 & 6 and DS 4 all loved it. We thought the four year old wasn't going to go until he finally got on. When he got off, he ran to mom saying "Mommy, I had a really great time." They get pirate scarves with mouse ears and learn to talk like a pirate. On they lake when approaching another boat they huddle down and then jump shouting "Arrrhhhhh".

Included is a lunch for them and two free hours for mom and dad. They give you a beeper in case you're needed. We spent our two hours at the MK shopping without hearing "can I get this?".

 

[PolyHereWeCome]

They are all super options! We faced the same decision, and this being our first trip with the kids, we really wanted some place with a great feel and easy access to the MK.

Really think they are all great places. As you can tell from my sig., we chose Poly. concierge.

Great luck, whatever you decide. fyi, we might sign the kids up for the Pirate Cruise, too -- you don't need to be a GF guest for that.

 

[CaipiraBob]

It depends, I mean, with a young child, isn't quick transportation back and forth for naps a priority? From that perspective, the Polynesian and GF are the real choice.

Plus, I have to say, if you're there during evenings with Fireworks, you're not going to see a better show nor have a better view.

Our consideration would be the children, though. Think of your choice as "Do I want a 20-40 minute commute to the room when my child gets tired, or do I want to hop on the monorail and have them in bed in 5 minutes, just when they become 'Grumpy' (this is Disney, after all)".

I'd suggest the latter will yield greater peace of mind and overall serenity during your vacation.

Hey, it's win-win here, this is JMHO...