Animal Kingdom, Wilderness or Poly-which would you pick and why?

[FairyDust2008]

We are booking this weekend and these are the final 3 we are down to. We had put WL out of the picture but ended up putting it actually high in the running now. It was weird how we weren't sure about it but the more I watched the DVD and especially reviews here and on a trip site and the pictures from people from this board that have been to WL, it is really looks like a GORGEOUS resort. But...........we like the theming of the AK and the Poly. So give me your input and let me know which you would prefer and why? Please feel free to post any recent pics. Pics help ALOT. THANKS AGAIN DISBOARDERS. I CAN ALWAYS COUNT ON YOU ALL

 

[Gary M]

I have stayed at all three resorts and like the WL more than the other two. I like the theme of the WL best, I just feel more at home there.

 

[Pooh Bear Hugs]

The Poly for the view, ease of walking to GF for meals/kids activities.

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

AKL if you need to save a few bucks otherwise go for the Poly or an Epcot resort. WL IMO has really bad transportation although it was a very pretty resort.

 

[Native NYer]

We've only stayed at the Poly, but we LOVED it! It was nice to be able to walk to the GCH or TTC to catch the monorail to the MK or Epcot. We used the buses to AK and it was great!

The grounds are beautiful and relaxing. We were in the Tahiti building, which is farther away from the GCH (less than a 5 min walk) and close to the TTC. Tahiti was quiet and tranquil.

We have also looked into AKL and WL, but we spend so much time at MK that it wouldn't make as much sense. Plus, I've read on here that transportation from WL is a bit of a problem.

 

[pepe of ohio]

For us, without a doubt, its Wilderness Lodge. We've stayed at all 3 one time or another and here's our take: AKL, least of our liking, to far from the glitz and glitter of WDW, AK closes at 5 pm then its back to the resort for nothing to do, then its bus everywhere to find something to do. Long walks through the halls if you rooms at the end of an arm to the food court or lobby and as for Savannah Rooms, we had one, free up grade, and saw a few animals only at feeding time, not worth paying for and when they are not there its just a mauled over woods, not a pleasant view for sitting on the balcony.

Polynesian Resort: This is a very fine resort, we like it alot, windy walking trails around the resort, you can walk to the GF and snoop around, Kona Cafe has great meals and the pool is small but fun. Transportation is great, big ferry, small boat, bus or monorail to where you're going and great views across the lake of the MK. Recently we just couldn't justify the high price, I mean high price. When we can snag the 40% AP discount is was okay but now for our money to stay in the MK area longer, we like the WL.

WL, great themeing, great pool, on the lakes so transpo to FW, again great dining there, CR boat ride to gain acess to monorail for shoppimg or EPCOT and buses that haven't been a problem is 10 stays. Being around the 2 lakes seems more exciting, easier methods and picks in travel in the evenings when the parks are closed. Dining is good but you're in touch with 4 other resort areas and again its the location. We like the MK, stays open usually the most and latest and its only 15 minutes away. that all said, and either using a AAA or AP discount, we can easily take the savings from the Poly and spend 10-12 nights at the Lodge, Wilderness, and relax and see everything at a leisurely pace.

Thats our take of the 3, others have their views but we rather spend more time on property and enjoy the surrounding since we've spent a considerable sum on travel to get there, and a 4 or 5 night stay isn't worth it with all there is to see and do. And let me tell you, staying at the WL for 2 weeks is sheer heaven, days to enjoy the resort and pool, a day for DTD and resort shopping with a park schedule looming overhead and just being on a Disney vacation without a daily plan is a whole different ballgame. We buy AP's and its nothing to take the boat to the MK, and just grab some hot dogs from Casey's and a funnel cake and return to the resort, or go to the CR and monorail to the lounges in the loop ,and a special for us is boat to FW, catch the EWP at night and pop into Crocketts Tavern for pizza and beer and see the horse barn.

 

[Liz]

We just returned from a December trip to WL and we loved it! However with your choices I would definitely choose the Poly if you can afford it! That would be my choice but its gotten too expensive for our budget. You can't beat being on the monorail for ease of transportation and the tropical theming is just beautiful. Also one of the most popular restaurants at WDW is there (Kona).

If not Poly then definitely WL as a second choice. AKL is beautiful too but only has bus transportation so that would be my last choice. Good luck deciding! Actually you can't go wrong with any of the three!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I don't think I'd ever pay the Poly premium. If the prices were equal , sure, but boy do they charge a premium!

I love AKL of all the resorts myself. But I'm also one to try out different resorts too.

My biggest gripe with WL is that the pool seems too small for the size of the resort. I really like the zero depth entry at AKL's pool, and the hot tubs are great there.

But then, none of the Epcot resorts are on your list either. The bonus of the Epcot deluxes is that they have very quick access to BOTH Epcot and MGM Studios!

 

[simonkodousek]

Even though the Polynesian's price is higher than the WL or AKL, I like it a lot more because...

~Larger rooms
~Better views IMHO
~Better restaurant choices
~Better pools
~Seperate buildings, has a sense of tranquility
~Excellent transportation, monorail from GCH or TTC, bus, boat
~Theme!!!!!
~Close to MK, but very quick to Epcot

I'm sure there are more reasons, but I just woke up. I'll add them later.

 

[debelfish]

We just got back from the Poly two weeks ago. Our first trip we stayed at AKL and the second WL. We are planning another trip in June and are picking AKL or WL. We loved the Poly and were upgraded to club level and if I had unlimited money I would stay there again. The reality is it is at least $100 more a night and that puts it out of price range.
The thing about AKL and WL is that everything is in one building. I love that. We are going in June and if it is raining outside you aren't stuck in your room. You can go to the lobby, gift shop and eat without having to brave the elements. There are lots of nooks you can go to and sit and read. The pool at WL is ok but the one at AKL is amazing. So are the childrens activities.
Either resort you pick will be great. Just pick the one you feel is right for your family.
Goof luck and have fun.
Elizabeth

 

[PlainJane]

I have stayed at all three, and would return to all of them. If given the choice, I would choose the Poly.

The busses at AKL arrived very frequently when I stayed there, but it felt like ages until we got to a park. I'm sure someone is going to come on here and give the exact minutes it will take to get from one place to another, to prove me wrong, but I've stayed in all of the deluxe and DVC resort areas and I've never felt like it took that terribly long to get everywhere. While I didn't like Boma, the Mara and Jiko are both wonderful. It's a beautiful resort, but I wouldn't put it first on my list to go back if 1. I wasn't staying on the Savannah, 2. I was going to be hitting the parks a lot, and 3. if I planned to return before the construction was over.

The transportation from WL to everywhere besides the MK was very slow. The buses took forever to show up and when they did, so many people had accumulated because the wait had been so long that the bus would be standing room only, and then we still had to go to Fort Wilderness where we would spend a good deal of time getting everyone crammed in. This was January by the way, so not exactly peak time. I'm not personally a fan of the restaurants at this resort, but I do like Roaring Forks. The main pool does seem pretty small for the size of the resort, but the quiet pool never seemed to be busy, so if you don't mind not having a slide that would be a good option. I personally prefer the quiet pool because the woods surrounding just make the setting very serene. The lodge is gorgeous and the lobby is a very relaxing place to spend an afternoon. Besides the transportation, I really like the resort.

Out of all the resorts I've stayed at the Poly had the best transportation. With direct monorails to both MK and Epcot, a boat to the MK as well, and from what I've experienced a very efficient bus system. The rooms are huge, you have a good number of restaurants to choose from if you condsider the monorail resorts collectively. The pool is beautiful (no hot tub, just a heads up), I've never seen it busy, but considering the size of the resort, I wouldn't be shocked to see it in that condition. I really enjoyed everything about the resort.

Out of the resorts you mentioned, I doubt you'll be disappointed in any of them, but the Poly is definitely getting my vote.

 

[kwlewis10]

We did AKL last February and did like it, though wished the buses didn't take so long (waiting at the resort and driving) and we didn't see as many animals from our savannah room as we thought we would.

We are planning a trip for December and initially picked WL so that we could just take the boat to MK. Rather than a 1.5 and 3 year-old as last time, we will now have a 1.5, 3 and 5 year old. So collapsing stroller(s) and dealing with 3 kids, we don't think that dealing with the AKL buses is good for us. However, we then found out that the Poly has a daybed and so can accomodate 3 adults, 2 kids and the baby (in a pnp or bed with mom and dad).

For us, for this trip, it makes it much more economical to do 1 room at the Poly than 2 rooms at the WL. Yes, we'll have to squeeze a bit with MIL, but the benefits will more than make up for it. The quick and easy monorail where we may not necessarily have to break down stroller(s). The beach right there to watch the fireworks. Among other things. So right now we are planning for the Poly and very much looking forward to it.

In the future when the kids are older and no strollers or MIL, we'll probably do WL.

 

[karenklo]

We stayed at the Poly in aug '06 and loved it! There was so much to do there and transportation was a breeze! We had a concierge room with a Magic Kingdom view! The castle was directly across from us. It was a great place for the fireworks and water parade(water parade you only need to see once in your life). Our boys loved the Neverland Club there for kids. The pool water slide made the kids not want to even go to a water park! If you can swing it-I would go for the POLY!