AKL versus the Poly??

[DreaminofDisney06]

Would you keep ressies for a standard view at AKL or if you could have a garden view at the Poly instead, which would you choose and why? We currently have ressies at AKL for a standard room. The garden view room at Poly is more expensive and wondered what more we would be getting for the price. I know the transportation at Poly will be much better with the monorail. The AKL is beautiful and all from pics and think it would be neat too but I've always wanted to stay at the Poly and like the whole Polynesian/Hawaii theme. I was just wondering what are the major perks that make one stand out from the other. THANKS A BUNCH

 

[Boo'sMom]

It really all depends on what you want to do at WDW. IMHO if you're going to spend a lot of time @ MK or Epcot, it makes more sense to stay at Poly, just for the ease of travel.
I've stayed at both, and Poly is my favorite, but AKL is a very close second.




guess that didn't really help at all, did it??

 

[eeyoreiscool]

I would probably pick AKL over the Poly. We have been to both resorts and AKL is our favorite.

 

[pepe of ohio]

We've stayed at both and AKL is not a favorite of ours. When the sun goes down, there's not much to do there. Its off to the bus quene and ride somewhere else, then the long hall back. We also don't care for AK, layed out poorly and too crowded anytime during the day. We most often skip this park or just go into it for Kali and Safari but most times those attractions are packed too.

Poly is about the best. Rooms are about the largest for a standard room. Monorail transportation to EPCOT and MK. Also you can visit the GF and CR for shopping, dining or sightseeing. We like the lounge at CR for night time viewing of EWP then taking the boat over to Fort Wilderness for Trails End pizza and beer. Strolling around FW in the evening and seeing the horse barn and commisory is neat then returning via boat to WL and finally back to the Poly for a night time swim. The paddle wheel boat to MK is great too and we use it and the small ferry boat more than the monorail to go to the MK. Grounds are laid out better with more walking trails and you can walk over to the GF in the evening for a drink at Narcossee's and back for a quaint stroll, and seeing the EWP and Wishes every night from any lake beach is priceless. Only time you really need a bus is for DTD and MGM.

That just our take on a vacation but others feel AKL is to die for, it's to each their own but we vote Poly every time.

 

[Texa]

We love both and our doing a split stay this June. However, if this were my very first trip to the world and I had to choose one I would choose the POLY hands down. A first trip you spend a lot of time getting oriented and the POLY is beautiful and convenient and right in the middle of the action.

 

[rt2dz]

I have not stayed at the Poly. We are trying the Poly for the first time in Dec. AKL though is a HUGE favorite of ours. Absolutely love it. I just don't see the negatives; never experienced them. I have had an exteremly hard time deciding between the two hotels for this next trip; just decided we had to try something new.

However, I wouldn't want to stay AKL in a standard view. While the hotel is wonderful no matter what room you have, I've been too spoiled by having savannah views and will only do savannah views anymore. So, if it is AKL standard or Poly, I'd go Poly. If it were AKL savannah or Poly, I'd suggest you try AKL.

 

[bunnyfoo]

I like both resorts but the Poly would win if you were going to be spending most of your time at MK and Epcot. Of course, if you're undecided, you could could try splitting a stay at both resorts.

 

[Texa]

However, I wouldn't want to stay AKL in a standard view. While the hotel is wonderful no matter what room you have, I've been too spoiled by having savannah views and will only do savannah views anymore. So, if it is AKL standard or Poly, I'd go Poly. If it were AKL savannah or Poly, I'd suggest you try AKL.

This is very true. We agonized over these exact two for our upcoming trip in June and ended up planning a split stay.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

poly hands down
i like it soo much better than akl
its on the monorail, kona cafe is soooo good, the volcano pool, walk to ttc, there is so much there
I just didnt like akl when we were there

 

[DisneyLisa]

We did a split stay between the AKL & Poly in July and I agree, the Poly wins hands down...there's no comparison IMO.

We found the AKL rooms dark, small & dreary and the resort so far removed from everything. The Poly on the other hand, has large, lovely rooms (and we didn't even have a newly renovated room). The easy access to the monorails & parks can't be beat. You also have great access to the many restaurants at the Poly, MK and the other monorail resorts. I'd stay at the there again in a heartbeat but I'd personally rather stay at the POFQ than the AKL...it's just not worth the extra $$ IMO (but I know a lot of people love the AKL).

 

[parrothead86]

We have stayed at both and love both.. but we always go back to the Poly. They have several newly remodeled rooms with Plasma tvs..
The pools are great at both..Butthe Poly has the lake and fireworks over the magic kingdom. Boat Rentals.
The rooms at the Poly are larger too.

 

[DepCor0311]

Like most here, have stayed at both...AKL is a beautiful resort, but for me, the real appeal is a Savannah View room...If you are not going to do that, then I would take a standard room at the Poly over a standard view at the AKL any day. You can't really beat the Poly for location.