AKL or Poly, which would you choose?

[ChiTownZee]

Poly garden view for 1277 or AKL standard view for 859.

This is for 5 nights, 3 adult and one (birthday) child. We're taking DH's mother with us who hasn't been in over 20 years.

 

[Bete]

I opted for the AKL but I did a Savannah view. The AP rates are out and for Dec. and it's $171/night including tax.

For the child and a grandmother to look out of their balcony together and see wild animals all around can't be beat. There are trails they can walk, too. The swimming pool is neat there, as well.

Even if you stay standard view you can walk around to the lookout points through the resort to see the animals. There's storytelling around the firepit.

I think you have to place yourself in their shoes. I look at the Polynesian as more romantic and honeymoon oriented.

Obviously, you will have fun either way but for your group I think AKL all the way.

 

[mariamouse]

IMO, the Polynesian all the way. While I have not stayed at the AKL, I have visited it. It is a wonderfully-themed resort, although the location is not the best. If you LOVE the AK park, then maybe you want to stay there, although if we're staying in a deluxe and the price isn't too horrible, we opt for the resorts where it is easier to get to the parks and to retreat to our hotel. While we may stay at the AKL someday, having to take the bus everywhere is a big drawback for us. I love being in the Epcot or MK area because the monorail/pathways/boats are so wonderful. The Polynesian's pools and restaurants are great (we love the Kona Cafe!) and having the TTC, monorail, and GF/CR nextdoor, it is really convenient. The theming is really authentic and the GCH is awesome, with its plants and giftshops. The rooms are larger than those at AKL and even in GV rooms, there is a chance of a LV and a slim chance of a parking lot view. I highly recommend Tokelau longhouse, although Tikiman's site will give you all the info. you could possibly need! Being able to lay on the beach hammocks while watching MK fireworks and the Electrical Water Pageant is so relaxing and heart-warming. For us, more magic is felt when we're visiting the Polynesian and for someone who hasn't visited in 20 years, feeling the magic again is important! I understand the magic is everywhere in WDW, but I feel a lot of it there... just my experience, I guess. Whichever you choose, I know you will have an amazing time. Find out which theming/location you prefer and choose what you think is best. Enjoy WDW!

mariamouse

 

[SnackyStacky]

I actually just had this very dilemma, and I think the answer lies more in what you're looking for in your hotel.

I ended up choosing the Animal Kingdom lodge for a couple reasons. First was budget. The Polynesian was somewhat more expensive than the Animal Kingdom Lodge. The view was very important to us. We knew we'd either get a waterview or a deluxe savannah view, and the deluxe savannah view was somewhat cheaper.

Second, I looked at transportation options. While the Polynesian does have the monorail, I had initially planned to rent a car, and use it to get everywhere with the exception of the Magic Kingdom, simply because I hated the process of going to the TTC, getting on the monorail, and then walking to the gates. The busses drop you off right at the gates. Well, with the monorail being the only way to get to the Magic Kingdom (other than a ferry boat), it kind of made that pretty much a moot point. Having a car negated the need for bus transportation, so that really wasn't a concern of mine.

Third, I'm going on my honeymoon, and my fiancée and I have been to Disney World a couple of times together, so we've pretty much experienced the parks. We wanted to have a little bit more time at the resort, and since the Animal Kingdom Lodge is somewhat more secluded, we opted for that.

And lastly, I much prefer how everything is under one roof at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. I don't much care for having a "main building" at a resort.

Another option is to split your stay. Do a few nights at one, and then move to the other. If some good AP rates come out, I may just do that.

Whatever you decide, I'm sure you'll have a WONDERFUL trip. Enjoy!