Help! Stick with AKL or take the Poly

[Sweet Pea UK]

HI. We are booked for AKL in November. When I contacted them yesterday to ask whether we will be moved I was told that NOvember people aren't being moved at present but if I would like to move they could arrange that at no additional cost. I asked for GF or Poly and have been offered Poly as GF is full??!!

Don't know what to do now? Do I play safe and opt for the Poly? I have no knowledge of this hotel at all or do I risk the AKL being ready? I don't want to get there after a long flight from the UK and be told we've got to move like has happened to some people and then only being left with a resort I don't like.

We are travelling with DD who will be 6 and our nephew who is 7.

I urgently need some advice from you helpful people.

Many thanks

 

[TheLastPrincess]

First of all, who did you call and ask? We are staying at AKL in Sept and so far all I've heard is that Sept people are NOT being moved, no, we cannot even ASK to be moved, so I find it surprising that you were "offered" a move at "no additional cost"! Do enlighten us!

Second, I checked availability at the AKL online and saw that every room type possible was available, leading me to believe that they are not "closing" off the resort like they are doing the next couple of months. Of course, this is always subject to change.

Third, if she offered you the Poly, at no additional cost, I'd seriously consider it. The Poly is beautiful and 90% of the people who stay there RAVE about it, and IMOP, watching Castle Fireworks from the beach is totally cooler than zoo animals.

But that's just me!!!

 

[DRRluvsWDW]

We loved everything about the Poly in Dec 2006!
Great service,rooms,pool,beach,activities,restaurants. Perfect vacation atmosphere. Very quick transportation on the monorail and buses. I totally agree the fireworks from the beach are better than animals.

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

First of all, who did you call and ask? We are staying at AKL in Sept and so far all I've heard is that Sept people are NOT being moved, no, we cannot even ASK to be moved, so I find it surprising that you were "offered" a move at "no additional cost"! Do enlighten us!

Second, I checked availability at the AKL online and saw that every room type possible was available, leading me to believe that they are not "closing" off the resort like they are doing the next couple of months. Of course, this is always subject to change.

Third, if she offered you the Poly, at no additional cost, I'd seriously consider it. The Poly is beautiful and 90% of the people who stay there RAVE about it, and IMOP, watching Castle Fireworks from the beach is totally cooler than zoo animals.

But that's just me!!!

We are booked through Virgin Holidays but I contacted Disney through the "contact us" page on Disneyworld.co.uk. I had a reply from a cast member in WHolesale reservations who said they weren't moving anybody at the moment but if we would rather be moved they would move us at no additional cost. I replied saying I would only move to GF or Poly as have experience of the other Deluxe resorts. The reply was that GF was full but Poly was available but she couldn't say how long it would be available for. I have now replied and said that we will take the Poly as we have been planning this holiday for 15 months already and don't want to wait until nearer the time to move from AKL and risking the resorts I'd move to being full.

I still need convincing I've done the right thing. My heart was set on AKL and I've been reading so much about it. I guess if I now read as much on the POly I will grow to feel the same about this resort.

 

[cara loves the poly]

google - tikiman polynesian. his website has a wealth of information about the Poly.

 

[karebear1]

Here's Tikiman's website:

*****************************************

 

[karebear1]

Oops- I've never had that happen before!

 

[LukenDC]

I have stayed at both the AKL and Poly. Of the two, I preferred the Poly. The Poly has larger rooms, a better location, multiple sources of transport (boat and monorail to MK, monorail to Epcot), and is in close proximity to GF and Contemporary. The Poly has a beach from which you can watch the monorails circling the lagoon and see the Castle at MK. It's simply magical at night! Definitely look at Tikiman's site.

The AKL is magnificent by any standard, but its rooms are noticeably smaller than the ones at Poly and the resort is located in a far corner of the WDW complex and feels somewhat isolated.

If I were you, I would switch to Poly and make dining reservations at AKL so that you can enjoy the resort's restaurants, animal viewing, and stunning lobby.

 

[kutchyone]

Both look wonderful but AKL is a low end deluxe and you are getting a high end deluxe for the same price. Also, with the kids in your group I think you and they will appreciate the monorail stop away locaiton of the Poly to MK and EPCOT. You made the right decision. You can always look forward to staying at AKL on a future trip.

I am surprised that they moved you at no additonal cost for a November trip though.

 

[DiskneeFan]

I've stayed at both and love both. But.........Poly for AKL price, I'd take Poly in a heartbeat. Heck, I'd even pay a bit more

 

[newjmom]

SweatPea, please let us know if your upgrade went thru and if so, did u do it on the WDW reservations #?
I too am booked for November and would rather upgrade now then risk no availability if they do it later.
I think you made the right choice.
TIA,

 

[CoolPool]

Tikiman's website was dis'ed from the board because of perceived competition from another travel agency. Dis is just protecting its turf which is how the capitalist game is played, but the punishment does seem extreme as 1) competition keeps everyone on their toes and is healthy and 2) the website is 99.9 percent information only. You can still google it by using tikiman and 2001.

Sweatpea: the Polynesian has a tropical theme. It has direct access to the monorail to MK and a short walk to the Epcot monorail. It is an original Walt Disney World hotel and it is frequently a destination in and of itself. I stayed at the AKL in January and I think that is a TERRIFIC hotel too but if you are worried, then go with your gut or do a split stay so that you will at least experience the AKL but have the Poly as a backup in case you aren't satisfied.

 

[grannyminnie]

I just did what might be thought of as a stupid thing! I called and cancelled our AKL concierge booking for the end of November, to move to the Poly. I am paying the rack rate.. but am so very hopeful that a great discount will "come down the pike" before we go..
I didn't call the special number because honestly, I thought that people staying so far off would not be offered a deal. And now that I see that a poster above has, I should have asked. However, the main reason for my post is to warn anybody that wants to move to either the Poly or the GF at that time; you better call!! I asked, and there is NO availability at GF all when we are there, and only lagoon view at the Poly was available. Rooms might be at a premium, literally, as well as figuratively, so you might ought to be pro-active if you're concerned.

 

[ElizabethB]

We've stayed at both. Although AKL is excellent, the Polynesian has soooo much to offer -- not the least of which is the convenience of the monorail. Also, the rooms are larger and more comfortable. I think you'll be very happy there. I would certainly take the Poly at the AKL price if it were offered to me.

Enjoy!

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

SweatPea, please let us know if your upgrade went thru and if so, did u do it on the WDW reservations #?
I too am booked for November and would rather upgrade now then risk no availability if they do it later.
I think you made the right choice.
TIA,

HI. I have received confirmation from Disney that my move to the Poly has all gone through and that they will notify Virgin HOlidays for me. No going back now ... !

 

[newjmom]

HI. We are booked for AKL in November. When I contacted them yesterday to ask whether we will be moved I was told that NOvember people aren't being moved at present but if I would like to move they could arrange that at no additional cost. I asked for GF or Poly and have been offered Poly as GF is full??!!

SweetPea
Congrats! was it the regular CM's on the 800# who upgraded you? or did they transfer you to someone else?
Did you ask to change hotels or did they just offer?
Ar eyou paying AKL rack rate or were you on a discounted rate?
TIA.

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

I didn't call a number I emailed through disneyworld.co.uk and somebody there forwarded my email onto wholesale reservations, who then got in touch and said that although they weren't moving at present I could take a move at no extra cost. I replied saying I would only take GF or Poly and she emailed back with the Poly. I discussed it with my family who are also travelling with me and they agreed that we oughn't to take the risk that we will be moved from AKL at last minute and take the Poly. So I emailed her back and she changed the reservation at no cost to myself or Virgin Holidays.

Getting excited all over again now as started to look at info on the Poly and although I will miss seeing the amimals at AKL I think my DD who is 6 is going to love being so close to the Magic Kingdom.

I hope you are as lucky as we have been with our reservation. I can't tell you if I paid rack rate as we paid as a package through Virgin Holidays and I don't know what rack rate is. I paid 1300 english pounds for 14 nights including our flight if thats any help, approx $2700??

 

[newjmom]

Thanks! I don't know anyone who has not been happy with the poly....Being on the monorail is a HUGE conveneience, especially if you are traveling with family and may split up (ie., someone go back to the hotel early) at some point.

 

[momtobrynncess]

I think that's a phenomenal deal!!! Some people can only dream of POLY, and it has a very strong following. I would very much like to try that resort someday. To have reserved AKL and get upgraded to Poly is fantastic. The difference in the price borders on astronomical. I think that to come all this way, and to possibly be disappointed in your resort (AKL) due to loud noise, etc., might be a bit of a let down. We would like to try AKL someday as well, after all the commotion. Good for you!!!!

 

[karylrocks]

I have stayed at AKL and love the theming and the animals. I have visited the Poly a few times and it is beautiful! It is considerably more expensive than AKL so we have never been able to stay there. You have been given an awesome upgrade, don't regret it for a minute!