My Disney Fates

[MinnieMommy07]

Oh, I am having some trouble here! My husband has agreed to a second Disney vacation once I graduate school and have my degree (and a job for awhile)! The problem is I must choose my Disney fate from the list below...


What Disney fate would you rather face?

10 days at the Polynesian Resort- the lush grounds, the white sand beaches on the Seven Seas lagoon, laying on the beach at night watching the fireworks over Cinderella's Castle at the Magic Kingdom, the awesome monorail, I could go on and on..... but forfeit another vacation for the next five years

10 days at the Animal Kingdom Lodge- where else can you wake up and be greeted by a savannah full of animals, take a safari, the gorgeous hotel, the world class dining... but forfeit another vacation for the next 3 years-

10 days split stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge/Polynesian Resort 6 days/4 days- everything you could ask for- but forfeit another vacation for the next 4 years


If I could only win the lottery...

 

[BuzzSaw]

I would choose:
10 days at the Animal Kingdom Lodge- where else can you wake up and be greeted by a savannah full of animals, take a safari, the gorgeous hotel, the world class dining... but forfeit another vacation for the next 3 years-

Shortest time between next vacation.

 

[tigergrad]

I'd do the split stay. Seems like the best of "three" worlds to me.

 

[Paige Michalchuk]

I picked AKL, too, b/c of the shortest time between vacations. Plus, when I ate at Boma, I couldn't help but notice how nice AKL is.

 

[irunnoft]

I'd do the split stay and then purchase at DVC AK when you're on your trip. Then you'll be back before 4 years is up!

 

[MinnieMommy07]

My daughter will be six years old. Does this sway opinions for either resort?

 

[sisaaliyah]

I would go with AK choice again shortest time between vacations. DBIL's family likes to go every three years. They've found that it's a great time to hit each age group.

 

[Megan07]

I would do the stay at AKL with 3 years between vacations. Disney is addicting and waiting only 3 years vs. 4 or 5 between visits is hard enough. Go for AKL. It's Disney. You can't be disappointed!

 

[bellebud]

I have to pick 'other' (even though it's not there)... I couldn't go that long between vacations... I'd definitely go cheaper (moderate or value), but do the 10 days, and go on vacation again next year. Your dd will not care about how much the resorts cost, she will be happy in any hotel. And she will be thrilled all over again next year when you go on a family vacation again (wherever you go). Vacation time is quality family time to me, a quality that you just cannot get at home spending time together... it's discovering new things together, that's why I just couldn't do that. Your dd is 6... so the next time you'll go on a family vacation will be when she's 9, 10 or 11... I'd rethink the whole thing. (I'm not meaning to sound judgemental or bossy, so please don't take it that way, I just want to give you something else to think about - because it's not confusing enough, right?

BUT if I had to pick from your options, I'd do the one w/ going on vacation again in 3 years, because of my reasoning above.

And pretending you were going on vacation again next year, and just needed opinions on the resort options, I'd go w/ the split stay. We've done that many times and loved it! And I've stayed at both resorts, and both are SO incredible in their own ways.

 

[mmmears]

I chose the split. We just came back from a 10-day split between AKL & Poly and it was wonderful...

Really, it was like we had the best of both worlds.

AKL has fantastic bus service (Poly doesn't!), so we spent our AKL days at AK, DHS, BB, etc. AKL is an amazing, magical resort with great food options, atmosphere, and activities. The animals on the savanna are fun to watch. The pool is really, really large, has a nice waterslide, and a "beach" entry on one side. Plus it looks so natural!

At the Poly, we used the boats and monorails to visit MK and EP. The busses to/from the Poly were terrible and we ended up in taxis about half of the time. The Poly itself was wonderful. My DD loved playing in the sand on the beach, and the pools there are very nice, too. You can zip over to the MK in no time, and watch the EWP and the fireworks from the Poly beach.

Really, it was a wonderful, magical vacation and I'm really glad we split our 10 days between the 2 resorts. For a 10-day trip, I prefer to split since it's alot of time to be in one place. We felt like we had 2 vacations, 2 themes, 2 pools, etc. all in one trip to WDW!

 

[gchockeymom]

I agree with BelleBud. My kids are now 11 and 17 and have been to Disney more than most adults. If we ask them where they want to go, it's Disney everytime. We've stayed at moderate and value resorts and they prefer the value. They realize that we can go 5-6 times per year at value resorts. Our favorite place is the cabins at FW though. There's no where else in the world like the fort in my opinion. Camping with Chip and Dale is the best.
3 years is a long time for your daughter to be without a Disney trip.
So if that's the only options, the one where you are back in 3 years.
Have fun!!

 

[mbcary]

I voted for AKL b/c there is no way I could go longer than three years in between trips. AKL is a great resort. I have never stayed at Poly though. That is still on my list of things to do.

 

[DLo]

I picked akl. The main reason is the time between vacations. We loved the Poly last year but wouldn't give up vacation time to stay there. Both are beautiful . I don't think you can go wrong with either.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I voted for the Polynesian because I think it has the better theme, better overall location, bigger guest rooms and a lot more transportation options.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

I didn't vote, but why not go with a value resort and not have to go without a vacation for so long? We personally love the values and then you'd have something to look forward to in a year of so. JMO...

 

[disneymayz]

You did not state (sorry if you did and I did not see it) when the last time you went was.
I voted split. Cause..
1) you already have to wait 3 years so another year would not be that bad (assuming that you have not gone for many years. Since it is your DD 1st time and being 6)
2)you get to experiance 2 great resorts on one trip.
3)Will help you decide what you really like so when you go back in 4 years then you will know.

No matter what, it is great knowing that you will be going back someday.

 

[karibritt01]

I have to pick 'other' (even though it's not there)... I couldn't go that long between vacations... I'd definitely go cheaper (moderate or value), but do the 10 days, and go on vacation again next year. Your dd will not care about how much the resorts cost, she will be happy in any hotel. And she will be thrilled all over again next year when you go on a family vacation again (wherever you go). Vacation time is quality family time to me, a quality that you just cannot get at home spending time together... it's discovering new things together, that's why I just couldn't do that. Your dd is 6... so the next time you'll go on a family vacation will be when she's 9, 10 or 11... I'd rethink the whole thing. (I'm not meaning to sound judgemental or bossy, so please don't take it that way, I just want to give you something else to think about - because it's not confusing enough, right?

BUT if I had to pick from your options, I'd do the one w/ going on vacation again in 3 years, because of my reasoning above.

And pretending you were going on vacation again next year, and just needed opinions on the resort options, I'd go w/ the split stay. We've done that many times and loved it! And I've stayed at both resorts, and both are SO incredible in their own ways.

I agree! I would scale back to a moderate, and not wait so long between vacations. It would not be worth a deluxe resort to give up that much vacation time with my family. CSR is a beautiful moderate with deluxe amenities if that is what you are looking for.

 

[I Run Long]

I chose AKL. We are waiting 3 years between trips (going next year) and the 3 year wait is just killing me. I just couldn't imagine having to wait longer. Besides I just love AKL.

 

[MinnieMommy07]

I really appreciate the answers, everyone! I think I've made a decision- Animal Kingdom Lodge! So many people really find it to be a great place! Plus I don't think I could wait more than three years to head back to Disneyworld, either!

 

[mmmears]

I really appreciate the answers, everyone! I think I've made a decision- Animal Kingdom Lodge! So many people really find it to be a great place! Plus I don't think I could wait more than three years to head back to Disneyworld, either!

Great choice (you really couldn't go wrong between the two anyway). We thought AKL was a magical oasis, and it felt so peaceful after a crowded day in the parks. I think you'll really enjoy it there.