This was my first split stay and first stay as DVC owner.
Part 1 - Poly Island Tower Studio 5/21 to 5/25
Initial Impression:
We loved OG Poly visit last year which made us buy into DVC. Had much higher expectation with Island Tower. The first impression on check in was.... underwhelming to say the least. We missed the whole OG Poly vibe. Rooms were good, still had decent theme (minus tiki/poly vibe). The quality of the room seemed lower than OG poly imo. The door handles were loose, thermostat had issues initially and the chair was wobbly.
Pool:
Moana kids splash pad was too small for my 7 year old but my 3 year old enjoyed it. We went to Lava pool couple of days (tip: If you want chairs, go early (right when they open) or at around 3 (when family who came in the morning leave)) and both my kids LOVED the kids splash pad area. Poly seemed crowded on all days.
Food & drink:
We had dining plan at this stretch of my trip and did 4 character dining and had most of our food at theme parks. Did not try Wailulu bar in our trip (I think its a mistake and we should have tried). Captain Cooks was crowded most of the time. Their fountain drink smelled bad (as if the water used came directly from sewage, lol). We refilled our drinks at the refill station near the island tower pool and did not have any issues with the odor. Kona cafe was amazing. We walked to VGF and had food at Gasparilla Island Grill one day. It was nice to have short walk to VGF and have some good options.
Transportation:
Monorail is THE BEST mode of transportation for our family in WDW. We rope dropped MK and learned that Monorail station at MK does not open till 7:30 a.m. (one hour before the early entry time). Plan accordingly. We walked back from MK to Poly once and the total walk time was 24 minutes. Did not try Boat or Bus from Poly.
Overall :
Wife says she likes OG Poly better than tower. Kids loved Lava pool than tower pool. If we do another stay at poly (and if its Studio), I will opt for OG longhouses.
Part 2 - AKL - 1br Savanna view Jambo House 5/26 to 5/28
Initial Impression:
This is the first stay for our family at AKL and the Savanna view was AMAZING !!! Stayed at Zebra trail overlooking Uzima Savanna. saw Giraffe every day and kids loved it.
Pool:
Uzima pool was good and we did not go to Kidani pool so not sure if that was better or not.
Food:
Food options here were the best imo. If we ever do staycation again, AKL will be our top choice.
Transportation:
With two kids and a double stroller, I hated the bus transportation. Having to fold the stroller is the most dreading thing I faced during the trip. imo, AKl is great for Staycation and if you dont have double stroller.
Overall :
AKL is one and done for us. I dont think we will stay here again.
Part 3 - BWV - 1br Boardwalk view 5/29 to 6/2
Initial Impression:
OMG, I was blown away by BWV. LOVED the theme, Liked the proximity to EPCOT and short boat ride to HS. I requested for a 5th floor room and ended up with floor 2 awayyyy from Lobby (Room number 2011). It was a long walk from Lobby, but the view was worth it. Something to keep in mind that we had balcony with wall so you have to stand up to see the boardwalk. If you sit on a chair in the balcony, all you see is a wall
Kind of a bummer.....
Pool:
Did not get to the pool
Food:
Wished BWV had more QS options. We cooked during this part of our stay and having 1br with full kitchen made is super easy.
Transportation:
LOVED the short walk to EPCOT. Warning: EPCOT early entry took almost 35+ minutes for us to get in. There were 4 lines (two for people with stroller, one for AP exclusive). We spent all our early entry time waiting in line. Boat ride to HS was nice and we could walk in 8-10 minutes.
*We had our ac quit working on day 3. I called and had a technician in 5 minutes. Spent an hour and it was fixed.
Overall:
We will def be back to BWV. I am currently looking to add some points from BWV since we all enjoyed it so much.
In my 2 week trip, EVERY SINGLE CAST MEMBER interaction was AMAZING. They really go above and beyond. Cast members are THE disney difference and they made my family's stay magical.
Part 1 - Poly Island Tower Studio 5/21 to 5/25
Initial Impression:
We loved OG Poly visit last year which made us buy into DVC. Had much higher expectation with Island Tower. The first impression on check in was.... underwhelming to say the least. We missed the whole OG Poly vibe. Rooms were good, still had decent theme (minus tiki/poly vibe). The quality of the room seemed lower than OG poly imo. The door handles were loose, thermostat had issues initially and the chair was wobbly.
Pool:
Moana kids splash pad was too small for my 7 year old but my 3 year old enjoyed it. We went to Lava pool couple of days (tip: If you want chairs, go early (right when they open) or at around 3 (when family who came in the morning leave)) and both my kids LOVED the kids splash pad area. Poly seemed crowded on all days.
Food & drink:
We had dining plan at this stretch of my trip and did 4 character dining and had most of our food at theme parks. Did not try Wailulu bar in our trip (I think its a mistake and we should have tried). Captain Cooks was crowded most of the time. Their fountain drink smelled bad (as if the water used came directly from sewage, lol). We refilled our drinks at the refill station near the island tower pool and did not have any issues with the odor. Kona cafe was amazing. We walked to VGF and had food at Gasparilla Island Grill one day. It was nice to have short walk to VGF and have some good options.
Transportation:
Monorail is THE BEST mode of transportation for our family in WDW. We rope dropped MK and learned that Monorail station at MK does not open till 7:30 a.m. (one hour before the early entry time). Plan accordingly. We walked back from MK to Poly once and the total walk time was 24 minutes. Did not try Boat or Bus from Poly.
Overall :
Wife says she likes OG Poly better than tower. Kids loved Lava pool than tower pool. If we do another stay at poly (and if its Studio), I will opt for OG longhouses.
Part 2 - AKL - 1br Savanna view Jambo House 5/26 to 5/28
Initial Impression:
This is the first stay for our family at AKL and the Savanna view was AMAZING !!! Stayed at Zebra trail overlooking Uzima Savanna. saw Giraffe every day and kids loved it.
Pool:
Uzima pool was good and we did not go to Kidani pool so not sure if that was better or not.
Food:
Food options here were the best imo. If we ever do staycation again, AKL will be our top choice.
Transportation:
With two kids and a double stroller, I hated the bus transportation. Having to fold the stroller is the most dreading thing I faced during the trip. imo, AKl is great for Staycation and if you dont have double stroller.
Overall :
AKL is one and done for us. I dont think we will stay here again.
Part 3 - BWV - 1br Boardwalk view 5/29 to 6/2
Initial Impression:
OMG, I was blown away by BWV. LOVED the theme, Liked the proximity to EPCOT and short boat ride to HS. I requested for a 5th floor room and ended up with floor 2 awayyyy from Lobby (Room number 2011). It was a long walk from Lobby, but the view was worth it. Something to keep in mind that we had balcony with wall so you have to stand up to see the boardwalk. If you sit on a chair in the balcony, all you see is a wall
Kind of a bummer.....Pool:
Did not get to the pool
Food:
Wished BWV had more QS options. We cooked during this part of our stay and having 1br with full kitchen made is super easy.
Transportation:
LOVED the short walk to EPCOT. Warning: EPCOT early entry took almost 35+ minutes for us to get in. There were 4 lines (two for people with stroller, one for AP exclusive). We spent all our early entry time waiting in line. Boat ride to HS was nice and we could walk in 8-10 minutes.
*We had our ac quit working on day 3. I called and had a technician in 5 minutes. Spent an hour and it was fixed.
Overall:
We will def be back to BWV. I am currently looking to add some points from BWV since we all enjoyed it so much.
In my 2 week trip, EVERY SINGLE CAST MEMBER interaction was AMAZING. They really go above and beyond. Cast members are THE disney difference and they made my family's stay magical.
