AKL, Poly or WL

[smsmsw]

Trying to decide between AKL, Poly, and WL. Thinking about DVC rental as an option, though I know our choices could be limited as we are looking at the end of April 2018. So open to regular rooms as well.

About us: Family of 4, at time of travel, boys will be 4 and 7. We went to WL last November and loved it. Do we try something new or stick with what we love?

I loved the grand feeling of WL lobby and resort. Enjoyed close proximity of all amenities at resort. Though I am not opposed to having to walk a bit more if needed. Loved the boat ride to MK and CR. Didn't mind taking buses, even with double stroller. However, wouldn't be my first choice of transportation.

On the other hand, love the look of AKL, particularly Jambo House. Plus it would be most cost effective for us. I imagine kids would love seeing animals. Restaurants look great. Pools look good.

Poly seems like a fun option with close proximity to MK with view of fireworks, etc. Liked using monorail. Pool looks nice. Love the tropical feel. Iconic resort.

I assume AKL and WL would feel less crowded than Poly? That might be a factor for us. Will likely spend a day at AK park, a day at HS, a day at Epcot and a couple days or more at MK. Want a bunch of resort time too during breaks and possibly a whole day dedicated to resort.

Thoughts?

 

[mickeynut1]

Trying to decide between AKL, Poly, and WL. Thinking about DVC rental as an option, though I know our choices could be limited as we are looking at the end of April 2018. So open to regular rooms as well.

About us: Family of 4, at time of travel, boys will be 4 and 7. We went to WL last November and loved it. Do we try something new or stick with what we love?

I loved the grand feeling of WL lobby and resort. Enjoyed close proximity of all amenities at resort. Though I am not opposed to having to walk a bit more if needed. Loved the boat ride to MK and CR. Didn't mind taking buses, even with double stroller. However, wouldn't be my first choice of transportation.

On the other hand, love the look of AKL, particularly Jambo House. Plus it would be most cost effective for us. I imagine kids would love seeing animals. Restaurants look great. Pools look good.

Poly seems like a fun option with close proximity to MK with view of fireworks, etc. Liked using monorail. Pool looks nice. Love the tropical feel. Iconic resort.

I assume AKL and WL would feel less crowded than Poly? That might be a factor for us. Will likely spend a day at AK park, a day at HS, a day at Epcot and a couple days or more at MK. Want a bunch of resort time too during breaks and possibly a whole day dedicated to resort.

Thoughts?

We've stayed at all 3 and IMO, you really can't go wrong with any of them. The Poly is our favorite overall, but we also love the WL and AKL for many reasons (theme/decor, dining, pools). The Poly rooms are quite a bit larger/more spacious than WL/AKL and all rooms come with a daybed, which can come in handy if your boys would want their own bed. On the other hand, bunk beds are available at WL/AKL, which might be fun for the boys (our boys loved them when they were younger). We have our favorites, but we also like trying different resorts (but I also understand leaning toward another stay at a resort you know/love). Good luck deciding, but I know you'll have a great time no matter which resort you choose .

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We've stayed at all three and while AKL is beautiful it is not convenient to MK and you will be on busses the whole time (unless you take uber/lyft or a Minnie Van). Poly is nice, but I much prefer WL. It is so much more relaxing than Poly IMHO and there is so much to do. My DS9 and I spent a whole morning just playing basketball, ping pong and pool and then walking around the lobby looking at all of the decor. I like that there are 2 QS options as well (that aren't as chaotic as Poly's).

If you don't mind being on the buses, I would give AKL a try. Otherwise, I would pick WL.

 

[MrsDuck]

With your boys at that age, I'd probably do Poly solely for the monorail. Then, I'd opt for Wilderness followed by AKL.

AKL is my favorite resort ever but the ease of transport is so important when you have little ones!

 

[Spencer Wright]

AKL is my absolutely favorite, however it is quite a trek to MK and a good distance to Epcot. Everywhere else on property is pretty accessible.

Poly can be pretty noisy and claustrophobic and has a very small pool. That's my own opinion, there are MANY who would disagree in that regard.

AKL and WL have great pool areas for kids.

 

[Disneyhenry]

I have stayed at AKL and WL, I have visited Poly a few times I love all three! But I love WL at Christmas the most, during the time your going I would say POLY and AKL as a 2nd choice AKL does have an amazing pool and those animals are great! Have fun I think you'll love them all

 

[Sue M]

All great options. I haven’t stayed in DVC. But regular rooms at WL & AKL have bunk bed options. I like all 3 but if I had to choose it would be Poly. On monorail, Easy travel for ADRs in MK resorts. Monorail or boat to MK, can walk to TTC for Epcot monorail. The best thing is sitting on the beach to watch MK fireworks, and Electric Water Parade.

 

[senadler]

I have a similar decision to make. We are doing a split stay in March with the first half currently booked at the Poly and the second half at AKL. We are in DVC for both. I am considering wait listing Copper Creak to try out Wilderness Lodge. We have never stayed there, and have stayed at the Poly multiple times, but I am really torn. We absolutely love the Poly, and the two bathroom areas are a plus, but is also a big difference in points. I am thinking trying a new resort and saving some points could be a big win.

 

[smsmsw]

Thanks for all the great feedback so far!

 

[Shanti]

Trying to decide between AKL, Poly, and WL. Thinking about DVC rental as an option, though I know our choices could be limited as we are looking at the end of April 2018. So open to regular rooms as well.

About us: Family of 4, at time of travel, boys will be 4 and 7. We went to WL last November and loved it. Do we try something new or stick with what we love?

I loved the grand feeling of WL lobby and resort. Enjoyed close proximity of all amenities at resort. Though I am not opposed to having to walk a bit more if needed. Loved the boat ride to MK and CR. Didn't mind taking buses, even with double stroller. However, wouldn't be my first choice of transportation.

On the other hand, love the look of AKL, particularly Jambo House. Plus it would be most cost effective for us. I imagine kids would love seeing animals. Restaurants look great. Pools look good.

Poly seems like a fun option with close proximity to MK with view of fireworks, etc. Liked using monorail. Pool looks nice. Love the tropical feel. Iconic resort.

I assume AKL and WL would feel less crowded than Poly? That might be a factor for us. Will likely spend a day at AK park, a day at HS, a day at Epcot and a couple days or more at MK. Want a bunch of resort time too during breaks and possibly a whole day dedicated to resort.

Thoughts?

AKL is the most relaxed and resort-like of the three. (Poly's lobby feels like an airport in comparison.) All guests at AKL get to use both sets of feature pools: the one at Jambo and the one at Kidani. And of course, the animals make it very special. We had efficient bus service when we were there this April. I've stayed at all of them and that would be my choice out of those three resorts.

 

[Lilyrampant]

Id suggest WL just for the bunk rooms and the boat launch. We are opting for poly this next trip as my FIL is in a scooter and monorail will ultimately be easier!

But my heart is with WL

 

[senadler]

While I have decided to go ahead and try to move to the WL for part of our upcoming trip, I actually would recommend the Poly. The rooms are bigger, the monorail is very convenient, especially if you are still using a stroller for your youngest, and the resort itself is something you really should experience at least once. The kids will love the monorail as your primary mode of transportation, and the ferry or boats are great too. I have stayed at AKL once, and while we are staying there for part of our upcoming trip, options for dining and transportation are limited for a longer stay.

 

[allsaintsatx]

I'd say put all 3 names in a hat and pick one. Those are literally my 3 favorite resorts at WDW and each has amazing strengths and just tiny weaknesses. Some of my favorite restaurants at WDW are in those 3 resorts, the Poly and Kidani AKL pools are our favorites on property and they all have equally amazing kid splash areas. And man are all 3 resorts just beautiful! On a side note, AKL is bus-only transport, but they do have dedicated AKL buses, so no sharing with other resorts. Whichever resort you choose, you win!

 

[smsmsw]

Thanks again for your input, we ended up selecting AKL and booked our DVC Villa today! Staying at Jambo House. The deciding factor was my husband who said to "go with the cheapest option".. ha! He said he was fine with the bus transportation, so we shall see....