AKL vs. Poly

[brneyegirl24]

Thank you all so much for your replies! Reading your opinions has been very helpful. Tikiman your information has been extremely helpful. For those of you who did a split stay, was it worth it to you? How hard is it to switch hotels? By that I'm wondering about all that has to be done to get from one to the other not if it was sad for you to leave one and move to the other. I'm still torn between the two, and I'm wondering if a split stay would be best. However, if it's a real pain to go from one to the other, I think I'm leaning more toward the Poly. Thanks again for all your responses. You guys rock!!!

 

[Tikiman]

Moving was no problem. We did not use Disney to move our stuff but you can don that. They do a good job but I like to have access to my stuff at all times and not have to wonder when it will be delivered.

We packed up the rental car at the AKL early and headed to the water park until about noon. Than we stopped at Downtown Disney to shop and eat. We got to the Polynesian about 3:00 and the room was ready.

If you want to read out trip report from the split stay here is the link.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=230951


Aloha

Steve

 

[Tikiman]

Now that I read my old trip report we did something else the day we moved so it must have been a different trip we did that on our move day.

 

[Texa]

We couldn't decide between these two so we are splitting our stay between both. We are doing AK, downtown disney, and the studios from AKL, then MK and EP from the Poly. I need to work Typhoon Lagoon in there somewhere at DS's request (although why I don't know we have the #1 rated waterpark here in town but according to DS "but it's not Disney's waterpark". How can you argue with logic like that!

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

I think Tikiman totally nails it right on the head! I have to say tho that splitting is a great choice, we love to do that and it really livens up the trip! I think you'll really enjoy yourselves. Have fun!

 

[disney funseeker]

We have stayed at both. Our girls are the same age as your dd.

We loved the Poly and then on our most recent visit, stayed at AKL.
Now, we would choose AKL over the Poly and we didn't even have a Savanna view either.

We spent an entire day doing activities at AKL. Morning, afternoon and a couple of evening activities. The resort is beautiful. The bus service was very good.

The only convenience I missed was the monorail to MK. But since the bus service is still very good at AKL, we don't mind giving up that convenience.

Seriously think about that split stay. You have to experience both these resorts.

 

[brneyegirl24]

I have a silly question. Does it cost more to do a split stay? How exactly does all that work with reservations and cost?

 

[KIANGA]

We Will Be Doing A Split Stay On Our Next Trip. 6 Nights At AKL And 5 Nights At The Polynesian. Love Both Resorts. You Do Have To Take A Bus From AKL To AK.

 

[brneyegirl24]

My sis, who is on the boards alot, told me that at one time you had a picture of the revamped rooms at the Poly. Would it be possible for you to post that for me? I'm really starting to lean toward the Poly, and she said that the redone rooms rock! Thanks so much for your help!

 

[Texa]

We Will Be Doing A Split Stay On Our Next Trip. 6 Nights At AKL And 5 Nights At The Polynesian. Love Both Resorts. You Do Have To Take A Bus From AKL To AK.

We're doing close to the same thing. 6 nights AKL and 4 nights POLY in June. I can't wait!

 

[DisneyMim]

I've stayed at both the Poly and AKL multiple times and for me the Poly wins hands down. I just love the "south seas" atmosphere and the resort really takes me back to Hawaii, the beach, tropical smells, sights, sounds, etc. etc. etc. Now, all that being said, I love the AKL too!! I too agree with the split stay. It really is the only way you will know what resort you like best and you may like them both!! We do split stays all the time and it really is no big deal. It can give you a feel of two separate vacations and make your whole experience better. I am a firm believer that as much as you can talk and read about other people's vacations the only real way you will know if you like a resort, restaurant, etc. is to go yourself. I don't think you can go wrong at either resort. We love to watch the animals at the AKL. I kept going out to the balcony in the middle of the night!! As for transportation, well that's another area where everyone has their own opinion. When we are at the Poly it's great to just hop on the monorail (my family's favorite ride!) and go to MK and Epcot. We always rent a car as we prefer it over riding the buses, so nothing is far away for us. As this is your first time at both resorts I think you will have a wonderful time no matter what you choose. Each and every Disney resort is so different and unique. It's what makes Disney sepcial.

Happy Planning and Have a Wonderful Vacation!!

 

[Tikiman]

My sis, who is on the boards alot, told me that at one time you had a picture of the revamped rooms at the Poly. Would it be possible for you to post that for me? I'm really starting to lean toward the Poly, and she said that the redone rooms rock! Thanks so much for your help!

The photos are in many locations on my web site.

 

[brneyegirl24]

The photos are in many locations on my web site.

Thanks I'll check it out!

 

[brneyegirl24]

The pictures were great. I love your web site!

 

[Mama Twinkles]

I agree that you should do a split stay. Since you will be there for 6 nights, I'd recommend 4 nights at the Poly followed by 2 at AKL. AKL is self-contained and land-locked, so the shorter part of the stay should be there. Plus, you may feel rushed and short-changed at the Poly if you leave there too quickly. And I think you should end the trip at AKL because you will probably be park-focussed when you first arrive at WDW, whereas by the time you get to AKL you may want to kick back a bit and enjoy the resort and its superior restaurants. Those two resorts have my favorite pools. Even though the BC is my favorite resort (followed closely by your two choices), I'm probably one of the only people in the world who don't care for Stormalong Bay.

Enjoy the trip, whatever you decide!

 

[Tikiman]

I agree that you should do a split stay. Since you will be there for 6 nights, I'd recommend 4 nights at the Poly followed by 2 at AKL. AKL is self-contained and land-locked, so the shorter part of the stay should be there. Plus, you may feel rushed and short-changed at the Poly if you leave there too quickly. And I think you should end the trip at AKL because you will probably be park-focussed when you first arrive at WDW, whereas by the time you get to AKL you may want to kick back a bit and enjoy the resort and its superior restaurants. Those two resorts have my favorite pools. Even though the BC is my favorite resort (followed closely by your two choices), I'm probably one of the only people in the world who don't care for Stormalong Bay.

Enjoy the trip, whatever you decide!

I am with you Mama but I would switch the two around and do AKL first for 2 nights and than finish at the Polynesian. It is nice to spend the last night watching the fireworks from the beach. I also was not a fan of Storm along bay so you are not alone there.

 

[Samsma]

If you want to do a split stay, and a dining package, do you have to do two complete packages, therefore adding to your ticket prices? We usually split our stays using room only, but this December we are doing 7 nights at the Poly only because we can't figure out how to split our stay and keep the dining package.

 

[brneyegirl24]

If you want to do a split stay, and a dining package, do you have to do two complete packages, therefore adding to your ticket prices? We usually split our stays using room only, but this December we are doing 7 nights at the Poly only because we can't figure out how to split our stay and keep the dining package.

That's a good question. How does that work?