AKL vs POLY

[Christinaxo]

Which one would be recommended for first time visitors, 2 adults/2 kids (DS8, DD4) traveling this August? I have been like obsessed with the POLY since I've started my disney planning but Hubby felt it was way too much. Went with AKL Standard view room which was deluxe but more in our price range. Now I found a deal that will put us at the POLY for only $300 more than what we were going to pay for AKL (which in my non expert opinion lol seemed fantastic for 7 nights!) Now I just need to sell the POLY to him, or should I even bother? (deal would give us a discount on AKL as well, saving us almost $400). They love the theming at AKL, but also don't really care but I look at the POLY and it just seems so magical to me! I picture us sitting on the beach watching the fireworks and it makes me so excited! (I have never been so am literally jumping out of my skin with excitement to give this experience to my children.) We are also celebrating our 10 year anniversary, as well as DD4 birthday, and my recent college graduation! Any tips on room location as well for when I win him over (fingers crossed ) would also be extremely helpful! Hes so tired of me second guessing our resort but I think it's because I really just wanted to stay at the POLY! lol Thank You!!!

 

[disd55]

Of course the kids would love AKL, with it's theming. In contrast, POLY is beautiful and just an overall better resort IMO. It has a great pool! POLY is one of the originals and it has spectacular views of MK. It also has the monorail and boat which is a plus! If I had a chance to stay at POLY, I would. Tell your DH that there's only so many times you'll be able to stay at a resort like POLY. You can always go back to AKL, it's always going to be cheaper than POLY.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Without a doubt.... Poly.... Location, location, location... With youngsters your ages, location to the MK Is prime.

We've stayed once at AKL, couldn't wait to get out of there and onto our second resort... Didn't care for the location mostly, then the spread out ness of the resort and then the food.... So much to see and do at the Poly, 2 other resorts to explore plus the Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness are right at your doorstep.... And that's a fair price for the Poly over AKL!

 

[kapoof]

I love both, but for me poly has the edge. I love a beach and akl has no beach. I enjoyed the savannah but I really really love the poly. . You can stay at the poly and have dinner at bomas in the akl it is a wonderful place to visit and bomas is so good! Enjoy your trip!

 

[Christinaxo]

Of course the kids would love AKL, with it's theming. In contrast, POLY is beautiful and just an overall better resort IMO. It has a great pool! POLY is one of the originals and it has spectacular views of MK. It also has the monorail and boat which is a plus! If I had a chance to stay at POLY, I would. Tell your DH that there's only so many times you'll be able to stay at a resort like POLY. You can always go back to AKL, it's always going to be cheaper than POLY.

Youre absolutely right and that will be my main point thank you! AKL will always be offered at a lower rate and we can do it whenever next time may be!

Without a doubt.... Poly.... Location, location, location... With youngsters your ages, location to the MK Is prime.

We've stayed once at AKL, couldn't wait to get out of there and onto our second resort... Didn't care for the location mostly, then the spread out ness of the resort and then the food.... So much to see and do at the Poly, 2 other resorts to explore plus the Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness are right at your doorstep.... And that's a fair price for the Poly over AKL!

Thanks I feel better already! I figured it to be so worth it seeing as though you get more room space and an actual bathroom (really excited about that lol) and the monorail! its going to be so easy for me to bring DD for afternoon relaxing! Im so excited!

 

[Christinaxo]

I love both, but for me poly has the edge. I love a beach and akl has no beach. I enjoyed the savannah but I really really love the poly. . You can stay at the poly and have dinner at bomas in the akl it is a wonderful place to visit and bomas is so good! Enjoy your trip!

I have a breakfast ADR at Bomas and am still so excited to try it! Thank you so much!

 

[mmmears]

I love them both -- my family has stayed at them both several times and we have always enjoyed these two resorts. For first time visitors, I think the Poly has an edge with its location -- you will be in the middle of the Disney magic and get to watch the fireworks from the beach, take the boat to the MK, the monorail to Epcot, etc. Plus it just sounds like you really want the Poly. I was going to suggest visiting AKL, but it looks like you are doing that already.

 

[Nancyg56]

I love both of them. Kids would Love AKL, it has a lot to offer them, but honestly, I think your best bet would be the POLY. As others have pointed out, it is an original Disney Resort, has a pretty beach and the volcano pool is great. (I did not like it, but I am not crazy about slides ). The grounds are lush and tropical, the monorail is right there!

My DD and DGD would take the POly over any other resort.

 

[ben10]

For first timers Poly wins hands down. I remember my first stay--the view of the castle at MK from the Poly said you're in Disney! Pool is great, you are on monorail, boat to MK, Electric water parade at night--I could go on and on but this would be my choice! Especially with younger children the location to MK cannot be beat. Have a great time!

 

[Christinaxo]

I love them both -- my family has stayed at them both several times and we have always enjoyed these two resorts. For first time visitors, I think the Poly has an edge with its location -- you will be in the middle of the Disney magic and get to watch the fireworks from the beach, take the boat to the MK, the monorail to Epcot, etc. Plus it just sounds like you really want the Poly. I was going to suggest visiting AKL, but it looks like you are doing that already.

I love both of them. Kids would Love AKL, it has a lot to offer them, but honestly, I think your best bet would be the POLY. As others have pointed out, it is an original Disney Resort, has a pretty beach and the volcano pool is great. (I did not like it, but I am not crazy about slides ). The grounds are lush and tropical, the monorail is right there!

My DD and DGD would take the POly over any other resort.

Thanks for the advice! He said yes! So POLY it is!!! I am SO much more excited (if that was even possible! lol) Also we will be getting in late afternoon our 1st night and had used an expedia coupon to pay for our first night at AKL. We will still stay there (since it covered the entire night's cost) seeing as though we will be spending our 1st park day at AK. So it actually works out great and we get to experience a little bit of AKL!

 

[Christinaxo]

For first timers Poly wins hands down. I remember my first stay--the view of the castle at MK from the Poly said you're in Disney! Pool is great, you are on monorail, boat to MK, Electric water parade at night--I could go on and on but this would be my choice! Especially with younger children the location to MK cannot be beat. Have a great time!

Thank you so much! I cant wait to experience all of this!

 

[Christinaxo]

Any recommendation on room location for a standard view? Thanks again!

 

[mmmears]

Thanks for the advice! He said yes! So POLY it is!!! I am SO much more excited (if that was even possible! lol) Also we will be getting in late afternoon our 1st night and had used an expedia coupon to pay for our first night at AKL. We will still stay there (since it covered the entire night's cost) seeing as though we will be spending our 1st park day at AK. So it actually works out great and we get to experience a little bit of AKL!

That's great! We've actually done 2 split-stays with AKL and Poly -- they compliment each other very nicely. You will be able to check out AKL and the animals, pools, and activities if you like on your first day. Have a great trip!

 

[kapoof]

Any recommendation on room location for a standard view? Thanks again!

If you can book a room with pool view at the akl it isn't much more money than a standard, but you get a much nicer view. At the poly, it is laid out different, even the standard views are good, so if your On a budget just stick with a standard. Keep in mind there is a chance for pixie dust. We booked a standard at the poly and got upgraded to cl! it was awesome. so here's hoping you get some!

 

[bdklein]

Any recommendation on room location for a standard view? Thanks again!

Tokelau, pool side, as close to the beach as possible.

And google tikiman website for everything Poly.

 

[StitchSetSpike]

Animal Kingdom - Savanna view. Stayed here last February, highly recommended!

 

[catnik]

It will be crowded and hot in August and with kids ages 8 and 4, I soooooo recommend the Poly. The monorail access is beyond wonderful and the proximity to MK (which is the park your kids will want to visit ALL THE TIME) can't be beat. The pool is kid friendly and the nightly campfire/marshmallow roast, EWP and Wishes fireworks watching at the beach are memory makers. For a standard room, we have stayed in the Rarotonga longhouse and found it very convenient to the pool, Capt Cook's food area and the monorail line. Have fun!!!!

 

[Christinaxo]

That's great! We've actually done 2 split-stays with AKL and Poly -- they compliment each other very nicely. You will be able to check out AKL and the animals, pools, and activities if you like on your first day. Have a great trip!

Thanks so much!!!!

 

[Christinaxo]

Tokelau, pool side, as close to the beach as possible.

And google tikiman website for everything Poly.

Thank you! That website is awesome!

If you can book a room with pool view at the akl it isn't much more money than a standard, but you get a much nicer view. At the poly, it is laid out different, even the standard views are good, so if your On a budget just stick with a standard. Keep in mind there is a chance for pixie dust. We booked a standard at the poly and got upgraded to cl! it was awesome. so here's hoping you get some!

Wow that must have been an awesome experience! And very exciting! We will b so ecstatic just to be in WDW but some pixie dust is very much welcome

Animal Kingdom - Savanna view. Stayed here last February, highly recommended!

Thank you!

It will be crowded and hot in August and with kids ages 8 and 4, I soooooo recommend the Poly. The monorail access is beyond wonderful and the proximity to MK (which is the park your kids will want to visit ALL THE TIME) can't be beat. The pool is kid friendly and the nightly campfire/marshmallow roast, EWP and Wishes fireworks watching at the beach are memory makers. For a standard room, we have stayed in the Rarotonga longhouse and found it very convenient to the pool, Capt Cook's food area and the monorail line. Have fun!!!!

Thanks so much! Cannot wait to start making those memories!

 

[shyjade]

I've stayed at both. First stay was at AKL. Next stay was at Poly.

We have NOT returned to AKL, but returned to Poly several times. AKL is nice, but Poly just feels so good to us, and we have no desire to stay anywhere else (except that now our budget forces us to stay at Values ).