I Am Now Officially Insane! Switch to Poly??

[eclectics]

Ok. I'm beginning to question my sanity. Put down my deposit on AKL Savannah and have to pay the balance by the 21st. Trip is Sept. 4 to 14. Originally planed on the Poly. DSO really wanted to stay there but nicer Savannah room was still cheaper than a Garden Poly room so I booked the AKL. Really looking forward to it but a little voice keeps telling me I'll enjoy the Poly much more. Price difference for the 10 nights is only $300 for garden view, plus we'll have monorail etc. I'm really torn now and can't decide. I know it's not too late to switch (although my TA will probably have a cow) . A few ADR's will have to be switched also. Is the Poly worth changing everything for? Please convince me!!! We'll still do Boma for dinner so we can check out the AKL. Thanks! Also, if I do switch, what is the nicest longhouse for a jungle-like garden view room.

 

[alohaguy]

If you are MK and Epcot people then I would make the switch to the Polynesian if for no other reason than location. The theming of both resorts is terrific ... just a matter of personal taste.

For my family, nothing beats the location of the Polynesian.

Good luck with your decision and have a great trip.

 

[slk537]

I hear you - I've often wondered if the people at Member Services and CRO hate me for as many times as I've changed my mind on our trips. Our next one began at Disneyland at the Grand California for 4 nights, moved to WDW at the Poly for 4 nights and is currently (and finally, I believe) for 5 nights at WL. And I can't even tell you how many times we've changed our minds with DVC resorts....

As to your choice - if you are MK people definitely splurge. If not - both are such beautiful resorts. You'll be happy with either.

 

[Nik's Mom]

We've stayed at both hotels and loved both! Have you stayed at Poly before? If you have, then try AKL out. What about a split stay. I have to say, I prefer AKL more. But Poly was a close 2nd! Such a hard choice...

 

[AlexTina]

We've stayed at both and if I were you I would switch to the Poly we love it and always stay in Tahiti for a great garden view. You'll also be extremely close to the TTC from Tahiti and there is a great beach on the lagoon view side to watch the fireworks from at night. We love the Poly so much that I can't even convince myself to try a stay at the Grand Floridian for our next short trip this Sept. I'm just so nervous that I'll be disappointed by anything other than the Poly. Have Fun!!!

Tina

 

[CarolB]

Have stayed at both, but the Poly at least 6 or 7 times.....AKL only twice. Last June (2004) we split our stay between the 2. I like both places, but.....
Pros for the Poly =
Rooms are bigger
You have easy walking distance to all the monorails.....Resort Monorail (MK) in the Great Ceremonial House, Resort and Express Monorail to MK at TTC and Epcot monorail to TTC...you also can walk to the Ferry at TTC or take the boat launch from the Lagoon to the MK....Can't beat that.
More "in the action" - can see Wishes from the beach if you don't want to go to the park and there is the Electric Water Parade that goes by each night
Some garden view rooms actually give you a water view - our June 2005 view

Pros for AKL
Awesome Lobby
Animals right outside your window/balcony
Excellent bus service (better buses than Poly, in my opinion)
Quiet
Nice pool with hot tubs
Good resort programs, if you want to hang around the resort and be entertained

Cons for Poly -
Captain Cooks has a limited menu and is small
Can't really think of any others except cost. Some feel the rooms are a bit "worn" - not my opinion - have stayed in Hawaii, Tahiti and Tokelau

Cons for AKL -
Distance - you are far from everything, except AK (but you don't share buses like you do at the Poly)
Rooms are smaller than Poly

Don't think you can go wrong, but if you want more Poly info, check out
http://tikiman2001.homestead.com/

 

[eclectics]

Guess I have to figure out if I am just having "cold feet" about AKL or do I REALLY want the Poly. Thanks for the pros and cons and yes, I have visted Tikiman's wonderful website. Maybe a split stay is the answer. I emailed TA and I'll see what she has to say (if she's still speaking to me after all the ADR changes I've given her in the last 2 weeks). Any other thoughts are most welcome. Thanks!!!!

 

[tinkercubbyfan]

We switched from Poly to AKL at last minute and we didn't regret it one bit. We loved AKL sooo much. Visited Poly and we all agreed tha we were glad we were at AKL. The theme was so magical and amazing and seeing the animals outside our balcony was priceless. The smell of the lobby, sitting by the fire at night...need I go on. We love AKL.......

 

[MECH8T7]

We were there last March. It was our first family trip to WDW. We did 5 nights Poly and 3 nights AKL CL. It worked out great. We all liked the theming of the AKL but the Poly was great for its proximity to the MK and access to the monorails. We found the AKL to be a bit secluded in relation to the rest of WDW (other than AK, of course) but that was fine because we had planned to spend most of our time at AKL either exploring the resort or visiting AK. We did take the bus from AKL to the MK on a couple of occassions and it felt like a long time to get there when compared to going to the MK from the Poly earlier in the week (and that is not taking into account the waiting time for a bus). So, I don't think we would consider staying exclusively at AKL for a long stay without a rental car, too. (We had one last March but wanted to try out the WDW bus system.)

We liked both resorts. Either one would be a great choice. However, I think a split stay gives you the best of both worlds. Good luch with your choice.

 

[Carolinagirl1063]

We love the AKL but have not stayed at the Poly. I think you will be happy with either choice. I would rather spend my $300 on trinkets, food or DD.

 

[Evil Emperor Zurg]

My opinion is the AKL. I think that it is honestly the nicest resort on property. I mean the Popy is nice but the rooms are not that big and you are just paying for the location. The savannah room is out of this world, especially if you love animals like I do. I mean there is nothing like waking up and going out on the balcony and seeing a giraffe. The animals are so close it is great. Not to mention that the restraints are amazing there. Jiko is unbelievable.
The poly does have the kona cafe which has an amazing dinner menu but for my money I would choose the AKL hands down. The only downfall is that it is a long bus ride from the AKL to anywhere. Have a good trip.

 

[pennst8r]

I feel so much better about constantly changing my mind on resorts after joining this board! DH thinks I'm insane.

I know that when I have that nagging feeling, it's usually right. I had 2 connecting rooms at CBR booked, but it just didn't feel right. I kept worrying about the distances from everywhere and the long bus rides to parks. I realized I was already looking for things to complain about at CBR, and that wasn't going to work--too much money to not be happy! I finally switched to YC after many nights combing these boards for info. (and getting an AP and better rates!)

 

[alohaguy]

Just to let you know, the Polynesian standard rooms are the largest standard rooms of any property in WDW. The AKL rooms are not larger than the Polynesian rooms. And, in fact, there are three 'newer' buildings at the Polynesiand which have rooms that are approx. 450 sq. ft. - very spacious.

So the previous post about rooms at the Polynesian being small may just be that person's personal perceptions, because they are actually the largest on property.

Just making your decision harder ...

 

[eclectics]

Thanks you guys for all your input! Glad to know I'm not the only one that would consider switching horses in mid race. There actually is no good reason NOT to do a split-stay. There are enough nights to justify it and it's just the two of us. We certainly don't mind throwing our stuff back in the suitcase and switching. That way we get to experience both resorts and no regrets about what we are missing!!!! Next trip might just have to be a Mod so it will be nice to stay at 2 Deluxes. Haven't heard from TA yet (she probably took a xanax and went home). Just hoping because I'm on the free dining, it won't be problem. Technically I'm "booked" and can't imagine Disney will have a problem, especially since I'm not downgrading. I'll let you know! Thanks again.........

 

[pepe of ohio]

I totally agree with CarolB, I had a split stay once, and only once with the first 3 nights at AKL and the next 9 night at the Poly. First time ever at AKL but have stayed numerous times at Poly, CR and WL and Y&B resorts. We couldn't get all 12 days at Poly so we did the split, wife wanted to try AKL. The resort is very nice but once the sun goes down, there's really nothing to see and do there. AK closes at 5 pm and everything else is a bus ride over and back, to me, a real hassle. Needless to say, our real vacation didn't start until we made the switch to the Poly, from there its Disney World, sights, smells, sounds. The split really was terrible, gave luggage to bell services but they never told us the transfer arrives at new resort after 3 pm. If I had know that, wife and I only have 4 bags, I would have taken them on the bus with us and not waste the day waiting for our luggage. We can't start our day until all the stuff is put away, stuff in fridge, ice in bucket and a quick dip, our suits were in our bags, we left AKL at 8:30 am and luggage arrives at 4pm. We went to DTD and wandered around, checked some resorts on the monorail loop until then and finally relaxed with a beverage at the pool, listen to the boats toot, enjoyed the lights of the GF and CR and really enjoyed the fireworks and water parade every night.