Help me decide between AKL and POLY

[ZanyToes]

Okay..

my dilemma...

POLY pros-

Monorail.. we are planning 2 days at MK and 2 days at epcot.. a half day at each DHS and AK.

Meals.. we are planning to eat at Ohana and would like to do the spirit of Aloha show. However, we wouldn't mind switching most meals to AKL but would still want to eat at Ohana once.


AKL pros-

Theme.. We like the looks of the AKL much better and I think the kids would LOVE a savanna view.

Price.. it's a bit cheaper than POLY and that would help us have some extra spending money

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

The Poly is one of our favorite WDW resorts, but we are staying at AKL in January. How old are your kids? If they are little and will need naps and/or strollers, the Poly is tough to beat. The rooms are bigger to store the gear if you need strollers or a Pack n Play, and coming back from the MK or Epcot mid-day couldn't be easier.

If your kids are older (elementary school or older), the AKL is truly a unique experience. We visit AKL every trip to eat and look at the animals, and my kids are excited to stay there.

My kids are 6 and 10. We only take breaks at the resort if the parks are really crowded, so buses are fine with us. My kids love the monorail, but they think Disney buses are cool too, and we don't have any trouble making rope drop no matter where we stay. We don't typically go back and forth that much, so waiting for a bus is not a big deal.

Since you are primarily spending your trip at MK and Epcot, you will notice the transportation advantage at Poly. Transportation to DHS and AK from Poly is not great (but it's OK) - the bus is shared with all the monorail resorts. But getting to MK and Epcot is SO easy.

 

[ZanyToes]

They will be 7, 4, and 2. (and I'll probably be 5-7 months pregnant so might need breaks too )

 

[MissionMouse]

At Disney Deluxe is mainly about location. If you are going to mainly focus on MK and Epcot I would recommend the PR. We personally do not rate AKL theme over the PR. Their both native-tribal themed, but PR pull together with many of the Disney icons: MK Castle, Seven Seas Lagoon, Electric Water Pageant (EWP), Wishes, CR, etc. The savanna view is nice but animals normally show up just before feeding time..pretty much a routine and once you see it once it pretty much follows the same pattern=caged/confined animals. Trade the savanna view for water recreation, EWP, monorail resort dining, views, easy transportation to MK and Epcot. If you have park hoppers and don't like buses the only park you would need to take one to is the AK.

 

[MissionMouse]

They will be 7, 4, and 2. (and I'll probably be 5-7 months pregnant so might need breaks too )

Taking midday breaks back to the resorts is very easy at the monorail resorts. Monorail and ferry allow strollers on board without folding. Only the water yacht requires strollers folded. The curtains in the rooms also make the room pitch dark when closed in the middle of the day.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I would go with the Polynesian because in my opinion they have the much better theme, more transportation options, bigger guest rooms and most important they have a much better overall location.

 

[MickeyNicki]

Have stayed at both and would take Poly over AKL any day

 

[ZanyToes]

thanks guys. I actually booked POLY yesterday so I think I'll just stay with my first instincts We stayed at POP last time around so it's going to be fun to try the other end of the spectrum

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

You're welcome and have a great time.

 

[TJA]

They will be 7, 4, and 2. (and I'll probably be 5-7 months pregnant so might need breaks too )

I'm glad you booked Poly. With kids of those ages, you will appreciate the convenience of getting around at Poly. We stayed at AKL when our twins were babies and while the resort is wonderful, we did NOT enjoy taking a bus or car everywhere due to our large stroller and baby supplies. At Poly, it is a much more relaxing feeling as you can push your stroller right on the monorail. If the kids fall asleep in the stroller, leave them there and push it right on the monorail. Easy!

Enjoy your trip.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

With three kids of your kids' ages, I'd go with Poly as well. Much bigger rooms, and much more convenient with the stroller to get around.

 

[kmk1180]

With three kids of your kids' ages, I'd go with Poly as well. Much bigger rooms, and much more convenient with the stroller to get around.

LOVE AKL.
Can't wait to stay there myself (Sept 2011)
But Poly would be more useful for your group and plan.
But Plus for Poly are better......

Monorail access is tough to top.

So much time at MK and EPCOT, and only a monorail ride away.

Kids so young and another on the way, easy return to the room is very helpful.

Pool is still nice.

Can watch fireworks from the beach (and boat parade)

Resturants you want are right there.


Save AKL for a future trip, you still have 10-15years to go to that one and your kids will still enjoy it then.

 

[ppan77]

You will be very happy to be on the monorial with your kids ages. We have stayed at both. We stayed at AKL Savannah view when we were first married-no kids. I remember turning to my dh and saying "if we had kids in this room it would be tight". Rooms are way smaller in comparison to Poly! I do prefer the decor at AKL but POLY is a close second!! POLY is wonderful for restaurants, location, and room size!!!

 

[DannysMom]

They will be 7, 4, and 2. (and I'll probably be 5-7 months pregnant so might need breaks too )

Given the ages of your kids (and the fact that you are preggers, CONGRATS) and where you'll be spending most of your days, I would not hesitate to reccomend the Poly.

It's a very short walk (5 min) to the TTC from the poly to catch the Eppcot monorail, much quicker than transferring from the resort loop. I like staying at the poly as it makes Epcot area dinners very easy, especially if you are a family that does afternoon breaks at your resort.

 

[ZanyToes]

Given the ages of your kids (and the fact that you are preggers, CONGRATS) and where you'll be spending most of your days, I would not hesitate to reccomend the Poly.

It's a very short walk (5 min) to the TTC from the poly to catch the Eppcot monorail, much quicker than transferring from the resort loop. I like staying at the poly as it makes Epcot area dinners very easy, especially if you are a family that does afternoon breaks at your resort.

well.. I'm not ACTUALLY preggers yet.. hoping to find out I am in 3 weeks or so.. if not I could be less far along.. but probably somewhere between 5 and 7 months.