CSR or Poly or AKL? WWYD?

[kjs1976]

We stayed at AKL before we had our daughter. We always thought it would be a great place to bring kids someday. We stayed at CSR last fall with DD 8 and really enjoyed it. We've never been to the Poly, which I always felt was like a dream resort to stay at. I love the various takes on resort advice on the Dis so I ask for your advice on which of the three to consider based on where you've stayed on the following characteristics:
1. Daughter LOVES to swim. She LOVED the CSR pool/slide in Oct so a quality pool and pool time is a must
2. We love the CS food options at all 3 resorts, so that is a must
3. If we stay at the Poly, the price would be $80 more a night than CSR so we might have to cut down on total number of trip days or days at the park, neither of which would bother us as we are regular WDW goers. Plus, it would allow for us to partake in more that the resort offers. Another option is to do a split stay and do 3-4 nights at CSR and the last two (one of which would be my 40th bday).
4. I also want to know if the Poly is "worth it". By this I mean, we're ultimately paying for a place to sleep/shower, so I just want to hear if all the amenities at the resort and size and comfort of the rooms would be worth it for $238.50 a night. We usually go when I can find a great deal so we've stayed at all levels at WDW for pretty decent prices.

I know that it's all subjective, but I do like to hear the good, bad, and ugly from all view points on this board. Thanks in advance!

Kassi

 

[Olaf63]

Save the money from deluxe and book a business class room at CSR with access to the lounge.

 

[mickeynut1]

We stayed at AKL before we had our daughter. We always thought it would be a great place to bring kids someday. We stayed at CSR last fall with DD 8 and really enjoyed it. We've never been to the Poly, which I always felt was like a dream resort to stay at. I love the various takes on resort advice on the Dis so I ask for your advice on which of the three to consider based on where you've stayed on the following characteristics:
1. Daughter LOVES to swim. She LOVED the CSR pool/slide in Oct so a quality pool and pool time is a must
2. We love the CS food options at all 3 resorts, so that is a must
3. If we stay at the Poly, the price would be $80 more a night than CSR so we might have to cut down on total number of trip days or days at the park, neither of which would bother us as we are regular WDW goers. Plus, it would allow for us to partake in more that the resort offers. Another option is to do a split stay and do 3-4 nights at CSR and the last two (one of which would be my 40th bday).
4. I also want to know if the Poly is "worth it". By this I mean, we're ultimately paying for a place to sleep/shower, so I just want to hear if all the amenities at the resort and size and comfort of the rooms would be worth it for $238.50 a night. We usually go when I can find a great deal so we've stayed at all levels at WDW for pretty decent prices.

I know that it's all subjective, but I do like to hear the good, bad, and ugly from all view points on this board. Thanks in advance!

Kassi

I can't comment on CSR as we've never stayed there, but we have stayed at both Poly and AKL. We love AKL as it's a beautiful resort, but the Poly is our favorite overall and for us, the extra cost is worth it (especially for $238/nt). We love the Poly for the following reasons:

~ large, spacious rooms
~ beautiful tropical atmosphere
~ 2 monorail stops from MK
~ convenient 5-7 minute walk to the TTC to catch the Epcot monorail
~ great pool that backs up to the beach with a distant view of the castle (can watch Wishes while swimming)
~ Captain Cooks is great for quick CS meals/snacks
~ convenient to a variety of great dining options at the GF and CR

I think you'll have a great time no matter which resort you choose, but my choice would be the Poly. Good luck.

 

[busymommy2pink]

If I could score poly for $238 a night I would be ALL over that!!

 

[Shellyb84]

That is a great price for the Poly! I would also choose that. It's definitely worth it. My DD(6) is also a big swimmer, she liked the Volcano Pool almost as well as Stormalong Bay (pools are more important to her than the theme parks). Our room at the Poly was a very comfortable size and DD enjoyed sleeping on the sofa sleeper. The ferry to MK was also nice. The overall atmosphere at a Deluxe resort is just such a huge step above a moderate, I would totally go for it if I could afford it.

 

[MinniesYooHoo]

I've stayed at all levels of resorts as well. However, I learned very quickly during one of our trips the we are not value resort people (We won't be doing that again). We've stayed at all 3 of the resorts you're considering. While I enjoyed each resort for various reasons, for me and my family, this decision is a no brainer. Poly without a doubt. As others have posted prior: The rooms are nice and spacious. We never felt as if we were on top of each other. The pool was terrific! The ability to swim in the pool and see the castle and watch the fireworks is priceless! The atmosphere and ambiance is so lush, and tranquil. And of course, very easy access to the monorail is so very convenient. Our last trip there we had 3 days of nothing but resort/pool time. I requested the Samoa Longhouse and was granted. It was a perfect location. Right between the 2 resort pools, very close to the beach, and a 2 minute walk to the Great Ceremonial House. Perfect!

 

[Amanda999]

For only $80 more per night? Poly no question. My sons could just do the pool at Poly and not even go to the parks at that age. (They actually prefer Poly's volcano pool to BC's Stormalong, as its really fun (a volcano!) and they can see the castle, and they feel they could lose us at Stormalong as its so spread out.)

And the ease of transportation with kids - very different ballgame than no kid trip - cannot be overstated. (Remember, its not only a boat or monorail ride to MK, but easy walk to TTC to get the Epcot monorail. If you dread buses like me, so easy to take a taxi to just AK (and HS too if you don't want to boat/walk from Epcot to HS.) I say splurge now while your child(ren) are younger, and go cheaper when older. And goodness $238/night at Poly is a steal - rack rate for standard view at lowest value season is around $400 IIRC, so I'd do Poly and not look back. (If I felt $80/night was a stretch financially, I'd definitely do tuna sandwiches and pasta for dinner at home alot to 'feel' I was making up the difference.)

But any of those resorts are fun!

 

[Babsy]

I can't comment on CSR as we've never stayed there, but we have stayed at both Poly and AKL. We love AKL as it's a beautiful resort, but the Poly is our favorite overall and for us, the extra cost is worth it (especially for $238/nt). We love the Poly for the following reasons:

~ large, spacious rooms
~ beautiful tropical atmosphere
~ 2 monorail stops from MK
~ convenient 5-7 minute walk to the TTC to catch the Epcot monorail
~ great pool that backs up to the beach with a distant view of the castle (can watch Wishes while swimming)
~ Captain Cooks is great for quick CS meals/snacks
~ convenient to a variety of great dining options at the GF and CR

I think you'll have a great time no matter which resort you choose, but my choice would be the Poly. Good luck.

If I could score poly for $238 a night I would be ALL over that!!

That is a great price for the Poly! I would also choose that. It's definitely worth it. My DD(6) is also a big swimmer, she liked the Volcano Pool almost as well as Stormalong Bay (pools are more important to her than the theme parks). Our room at the Poly was a very comfortable size and DD enjoyed sleeping on the sofa sleeper. The ferry to MK was also nice. The overall atmosphere at a Deluxe resort is just such a huge step above a moderate, I would totally go for it if I could afford it.

Yes, I agree absolutely with the above! For that price definitely choose the Poly! If I could stay at the Poly for that price, I would stay for two weeks and not even split the stay (I LOVE split stays).

The beautiful tropical atmosphere is so relaxing, so romantic and yet so family friendly! the Poly is stunning and yet comfortable. It is convenient with direct monorail access to both the MK and Epcot. Although I miss the old lobby, the new one is also really very nice. There is something truly special about stay in this resort.

Enjoy!

 

[nkereina]

1. Daughter LOVES to swim. She LOVED the CSR pool/slide in Oct so a quality pool and pool time is a must
2. We love the CS food options at all 3 resorts, so that is a must
3. If we stay at the Poly, the price would be $80 more a night than CSR so we might have to cut down on total number of trip days or days at the park, neither of which would bother us as we are regular WDW goers. Plus, it would allow for us to partake in more that the resort offers. Another option is to do a split stay and do 3-4 nights at CSR and the last two (one of which would be my 40th bday).
4. I also want to know if the Poly is "worth it". By this I mean, we're ultimately paying for a place to sleep/shower, so I just want to hear if all the amenities at the resort and size and comfort of the rooms would be worth it for $238.50 a night. We usually go when I can find a great deal so we've stayed at all levels at WDW for pretty decent prices.

Just my opinions...

1. I think CSR has the best pool of the three. We visited Trader Sam's back in October and thought the Poly pool looked crowded. We stayed at AKL last October as well, and the pool at Jambo House was great but we liked the one at CSR best. We have not stayed at Poly since the pool refurb though.

2. I think Poly has the best QS options of the three. AKL's The Mara was just ok, not a ton of options, but food was good. CSR has the most options but their dining facilities are operated by a third party so we found selection and quality to vary. For instance, we ordered pizza and expected it to be akin to Pizza Planet style and it was a thin crust kind I hadn't seen before anywhere at WDW, and we didn't care for it. Poly has some unique QS options, plus Dole Whips!

3. I'd always opt for the longer trip over the more expensive hotel. I also would not consider a split stay for anything less than 3 nights at each resort.

4. I think it is. Poly has great TS restaurants and being on the monorail means it's just as easy to access the TS restaurants at GF and CR as well. Being able to monorail to both MK and Epcot is invaluable as well. Plus, it's such a tranquil nice resort. Total vacation feel. We think its worth the cost, but again, I don't know that I'd be willing to cut my trip short a few days if that were the trade-off.