AKL v. Poly

[4firsttimes]

We are planning a trip for Dec 19-23. 2 adults and 4 kids ages 11 to 17. We have stayed at WL on both our previous visits and LOVED it. We have the choice of AKL (std view) or Poly (them park view) this time. Poly is $2,160 more. Would we be disappointed with the std view at AKL? Is travel time to Parks really bad?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Hi!
Std views at AKL can be pretty bad, but that sure is a huge difference in price! We stayed at AKL the end of September in 2004 and were upgraded from std to Savannah at check-in...but you'll be there at a very busy time, so an upgrade would be unlikely.

Personally, we would not book AKL std again, but would book pool or savannah. The kids would LOVE Savannah - would it still be a nice savings?

We found the buses to be excellent at AKL. Never waited longer than 10 mins, usually less.

Poly is one of my fav resorts and at that time of yr it would be nice to be on the monorail. What about a garden view at Poly? Some beautiful garden views!

Good luck in deciding!

 

[4firsttimes]

The rooms I mentioned are the only ones available at either hotel per WDW. I can get a courtyard view at WL on Expedia, but I was wanting to add DDP and it doesn't seem like I can when booking through Expedia.

The kids have always wanted to stay at Poly, but I hear quite a few negative comments about the condition of the rooms. I stayed there way back in the 70's and I thought it was the most wonderful place on Earth. I kind of hate to ruin my memory.

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[DisneyDad in PA]

The rooms I mentioned are the only ones available at either hotel per WDW. I can get a courtyard view at WL on Expedia, but I was wanting to add DDP and it doesn't seem like I can when booking through Expedia.

The kids have always wanted to stay at Poly, but I hear quite a few negative comments about the condition of the rooms. I stayed there way back in the 70's and I thought it was the most wonderful place on Earth. I kind of hate to ruin my memory.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Just stayed at Poly 8/17 - 8/25. Earlier this year they just finished rehabbing all of the rooms at the Poly. Ours was in great shape.

We stayed at aKL last September and I agree the busses weren't bad at all. However, we did come to love the monorail access from the Poly.

 

[vanillarum]

We have never stayed at the AKL, but we were at the Poly from Aug 15-24, and it was awesome !! We stayed at the Poly when we were NOOBs back in '98 (our first trip) and reallly missed a lot. Since then, my DS (15) has become a future Imagineer (totally obsessed), and my DD (10) is not far behind ! Of course, we also discovered the DIS since then, and that makes all the difference !! I,myself, love the Poly 'cause it reminds me of being in Hawaii in '85 (honeymoon), and I just love the whole feel of it ! Not to mention I did all the planning for our last trip, and the Poly is my #1 choice (DW wanted to stay less expensive, but we got such a great rate, we (I) couldn't turn it down !! Only downside, from our view, was how crowded the Volcano pool was. But we were in Tokelau, right next to the quiet pool, and my kids loved it ! Our room was perfect, not a single complaint. Good luck !!

 

[CoolPool]

The AKL and the Poly are my two favorite resorts.

I stayed at the Poly for 10 nights in the Samoa longhouse this summer. The room was pristine. The housekeeping was splendid. Friendly staff. No complaints. I also stayed at the Poly about 11 times from 1972 to mid eighties so I understand the fond memories. I felt the Poly lived up to and exceeded my expectations. Maybe I live in an alternative-Poly-universe when it comes to reading about other people's complaints - I just didn't have a single negative experience there. The resort was refurbished only last year. The monorail remains a huge plus. Also I just love the theme.

The AKL is, to me, a marvel of Disney imagination. Where else in the world outside of Africa can you see giraffes and zebras (etc) from your balcony? Spectacular place, really unique. Not sure how my opinion would have changed if I'd have a standard view. Maybe it would have seemed "less" but then again there are many public views of the savannah that you can take advantage of too. I thought the buses were just fine. You are physically further from MK but the bus is a pleasant cool-down time after being in the parks. You can kind of veg and take it all in before you trek to your room. We never waited long for a bus either and they didn't share buses with any other resort so it made the trip "seamless" to the parks.

*My caveat is always that I am not a park commando. I don't spend every waking minute dreaming of my all-day-do-or-die park assault so time spent outside the parks is equally important to me.

 

[Marthasor]

I have only visited AKL and, while it is gorgeous, it is a little off the beaten path for my taste. We stayed at Poly in Dec. '05 and LOVED IT! We were in a brand new rehabbed room in the Fiji longhouse and it was wonderful. As another pp said - the Poly has been totally rehabbed over the past few years. There are so many things I love about the resort, but one in particular is the quick access you have to so many other areas - you can take the monorail to CR, GF and MK. Walk to GF. Monorail or walk to TTC to grab the monorail to EPCOT - it's quicker access to other areas that AKL simply does not have. If cost isn't an issue, I would go for the Poly MK view room over the AKL standard view.

 

[septbaby]

What did you love about WL? Can you get similar things at either of these? I'm not sure the view will be that big of a deal. Many, many posts say you can see animals often better in the public viewing spots than from the savanna rooms. We just changed a ressie from WL to AKL, so I've been reading the boards quite a bit for info. We booked pool view, it was available for only $10/night more during our stay, but would have been just as happy to book std view.

For $2,000 you can get a lot of taxis and other treats to enhance your stay!

Good luck with your decision and if its AKL I'll be looking forward to reading your review!

 

[queenofhartz]

For the price difference, I would select AKL. I stayed at AKL a few years ago, and it was a unique experience. I did have a savannah room (and I have to admit that I found myself sprinting to the window everytime we got "home" to see what the animals outside were up to.) But, even with a standard view, I would suspect that the experience still has to be amazing. The common areas have excellent views of the animals. I thought the swimming pool was very nice, and we enjoyed the restaurants. They also had great activities for children (storytelling at night around a large fire pit, night vision goggles, etc.) We did not have any problems with using the buses (granted, this was several years ago and things may have changed.) Well, to be honest, we never spend very much time in our room, so personally, I wouldn't be able to justify the price difference.

On the other hand, I have visited the Poly, but I have never actually stayed there (yet ). The Poly pool also looks very cool, and the resort is on the monorail which is a plus. Additionally, I've been scouring recent Poly reviews recently, and most of the people returning from the Poly are reporting that Mousekeeping is doing a great job and the resort is in nice shape. So, hopefully, the oldness and cleanliness issues they were having are in the past.

Well, I don't think I helped much...I talked up the AKL and then I talked up the Poly. I'm sure you'll love either place. Hmmm....I would still go with AKL for the price.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I would go with the Polynesian. My personal opinion is it's worth the extra $ per night because of the Monorail service, their location is not in a remote area away from everything like AKL is and chances are parts of the AKL are still being renovated for the DVC section of rooms that is being built there.

 

[pepe of ohio]

We have just returned from the WL last night, 9 wonderful nights. We have stayed at the Poly, years ago, but the price has made us switch to WL. Its just too costly to stay Poly even with the convenience of the Monorail. We have stayed once at the AKL and that was enough, we don't even visit the resort or park anymore, nothing of interest at either for us. Resort is too remote, out of the way, we had Savannah view and very few animals were seen from our window except at feeding times and when AK is closed, usually 5 pm, there's nothing to do at the resort so its bus to here and there.

WL suits us perfectly, grand resort a boat or bus ride to the MK, no longer then 15 minutes either way. We boated to the CR and monorail shopped and checked out lounges one day, we boat to FW, best pizza on property, by the way, one night we were sitting in front of the WL and a PAPA Johns pizza delivery car pulls up and delivers the pizza to a couple waiting, 26 bucks for one pizza, at home its no more than 10 bucks. Anyho, back to topic, best bang for the bucks, our bucks, it WL, better priced than Poly, just as close to MK, we rather take the savings and stay alot longer at WDW, and close to the park we spend more time in, MK.

 

[skoi]

Can't give you advice either way, we loved both. Just wanted to share some observations.

We just returned from a short stay at AKL, but in one of the DVC villas, not a regular room. We had a savanna view and saw many animals, at all times of the day. The pool is great, big, beautiful, with a lot of chairs, some in nice, shady, secluded areas. The only downside (according to the kids) was the slide was a little too tame for them. The resort is beautiful. I've seen a lot of pictures, but none really do it justice. The bus service was very good, the rides seemed short compared to what we've had at Boardwalk and Beach Club, especially to the Magic Kingdom.

Last year we stayed at the Poly, loved it as well. We were second floor in Samoa. Housekeeping was good, room was beautiful. I just regret not having the balcony. The pool was great, but a tad small. Kids loved the slide (it's their favorite on property). We liked the easy access to Magic Kingdom, and being able to view the parade on the lake and Wishes from the beach.

Both hotels are sort of dark in their decor, but we like that. If I had to choose , it would be hard. Anyway you can do a split stay? We did that this time with Boardwalk and AK. Have a great trip!

 

[MissionMouse]

Considering your availability issue I would not really jump on a Standared view at the AKL. The view is a large part of a AKL stay in our opinion. Where else In the U.S. can you lodge and look out your balcony and see Africian animals? I would note there are numerous commmon area where you can view animals inside and outside the resort.

If the budget is tight decide by that factor alone. AKL is isolated in comparison to other deluxe resorts. No recreational water activites besides the pool are available. Bus transportation is it's only source of Disney travel where as other deluxes you can walk, boat or even monorail.

If budget is not a deciding factor I think you might ask for opinion from your kids, especially the teenagers, since they would be joining you during this trip.
we would steer you toward the PR due to some of the reasons cite, other reason not cited and the AKL construction (personal preference to avoid construction zones while on vacation when other options are available).

 

[4firsttimes]

Thanks everyone for all the comments. I am, unfortunately, still undecided. Money IS a factor - mostly in that $2k (the price difference) can do a lot of things.

What we loved about WL:

ambiance - probably a pro for AKL
boat to MK - pro Poly

I agree with the poster who said they didn't go to AK park. We skipped it altogether on our last trip to Disney. My kids are not animal fanatics and at their ages prefer the "attractions" aka rides. Although we never spend a lot of time at the hotel, so I'm not sure it matters. Somewhere else on the boards I read that someone thought AKL was so remote that you lost some of the Disney magic. hmmm.

The pool is a big plus for the Poly, but in December there are no guarantees we can use it.

We have upgraded (for a small fee) to concierge at check in both previous visits to WL. I was planning to do the DDP this time. Now I think I may check on the price of concierge at Poly, skipping the DDP. (We are not big eaters. In the past we have eaten one TS meal per day and just used concierge for other food and drinks.) Any thoughts on this?

I need to try to run a price comparison. My DH says I spend waaay too much time analyzing all of these things.

 

[MissionMouse]

...Money IS a factor ... kids are not animal fanatics ...prefer the "attractions" aka rides....never spend a lot of time at the hotel, ...I may check on the price of concierge at Poly, skipping the DDP. ...not big eaters. In the past we have eaten one TS meal per day and just used concierge for other food and drinks.) Any thoughts on this?

I need to try to run a price comparison. My DH says I spend waaay too much time analyzing all of these things.

Your DH is putting out mixed signals. Money is a factor so performing analytical research is part of the process. Sounds like you already understand concierge is not a meal plan substitute, but if you do one non-breakfast TS it is doable with some snack between the two. We do concierge, no dining plan (cheaper to not use it with young kids) and either one or two TS each day. Breakfast normally in the lounge but not always.

Compare your options but if your are not an animal family I would select another resort closer to the parks you expect to visit the most often if not the PR.