Poly--AKL or WL

[buzz1fan]

After staying at the Poly, would we be disappointed in AKL or WL? We really liked the beach and pool atmosphere at the Poly. The bigger room was nice too. The Boat was nice and very quick to the park. So far it seems like the pool is nicer at AKL than WL from pictures I have seen. Are the rooms a lot smaller than the Poly? Next time we will not need a pack N play, so that will free us some room.

Just early planning for 2010!

 

[Diehl2229]

I think someone will chime in on the other two but we love the POLY and what i've been told has the largest rooms in Disney? I have heard good things about the WL which we might try next year

 

[shyjade]

We stayed at the AKL in 2006 and really didn't care for our experience, even though we thought it was a beautiful resort. We tried the Poly last year and NO comparison, the Poly was SO much better in our opinion. We are returning to the Poly again this year and don't care to go back to AKL to stay.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

The rooms at the Poly are bigger than those at the WL or the AKL. I like the WL more than the AKL but thats just me. Both the AKL and WL are alittle dark and the pool at the WL is usully packed just like the one at the Poly.
The transportation is okay at the AKL but better at the WL and Poly in my opinion.

 

[unionville]

We have stayed at all three. We absolutely adore the Poly, but if funds do not support that idea we choose the Wilderness Lodge. We have only stayed at the Animal Kingdom once. We had a great time, but the only form of transportation was the bus and it seemed to take a long time to get places. Yes, the Wilderness Lodge rooms will be smaller than the Poly (not unusually small for a hotel room). A small room at Disney is better than my room at home any day!!!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I would go back to the Polynesian.

 

[PolyHereWeCome]

One of DH's favorite things about a Disney vacation is leaving the car behind when we step on our airplane. DH, DD, DS, and I enjoyed eating at AKL and enjoyed the AK Park, but when I suggested us staying there for our second trip to Disney (1st stay was Poly), DH said "Absolutely Not -- too far from everything!" Our children enjoyed viewing the animals, but you can do that for free and not have to stay there.

MK and Epcot are our favorite parks, maybe if we only wanted to go to AK I'd have been able to convince DH.

Have no experience with the WL, although friends of ours stayed there (with a car) and really liked it. It's more cost effective and think the boat transportation to MK is supposed to be very good, so from our perspective, it'd be preferable over AKL.

Everyone's going to chime in with their own preferences, some will be the same as yours, some won't be. And others are just going to . The Poly. just seems to best meet all of our needs and we've always had a wonderful vacation. Wherever you stay, I'm sure it'll be magical. It's Disney after all.

 

[pepe of ohio]

We've done quite a few stays at the Poly, back when room rates were less and discounts were bigger. What we liked was the atmosphere, very quiet and serene resort. What's is different, pool is small and tends to be crowded, less lounging and seating in pool area, individual longhouses means going outside and long walks to food courst and monorail but the kicker is the price, too high.

AKL, stayed there only once, didn't care for the layout, long walks to the lobby, pool and food court and to go anywhere it's a bus.

WL, our favorite, easy to snag a good rate even with AAA. Pool area is huge, alot of seating, chaises and tables though others feel the pool is small. The pool is "U" shaped and we never had any problems with swimming or seats. Last 10 stays have been there. Resort is all under one roof and no matter where you're at it's a short walk to the food court. The boat to the MK is fast and relaxing and you can take a boat to FW or CR to gain access to the monorail. EWP each night is a nice touch, does have a marina and beach and the pool area has 2 hot tubs if that's your bag.

We pick for location, especially for the MK, like being on the water with both lakes it's just a different feeling. But bottom line, though the rooms are alittle smaller its the price. Poly too expensive, AKL to remote and WL is priced right and convenient.

 

[MissionMouse]

After staying at the Poly, would we be disappointed in AKL or WL?

We have stayed at all three of these resorts and it all depends on you and why you liked the PR. Location always places a part...

...We really liked the beach and pool atmosphere at the Poly. ..The Boat was nice and very quick to the park. So far it seems like the pool is nicer at AKL than WL from pictures I have seen...

PR water launch gets you back quicker to the resort than the WL water launches. At park closing we also find it is easier to get back to the PR than the WL. Worse case take the ferry to PR.

...Are the rooms a lot smaller than the Poly? Next time we will not need a pack N play, so that will free us some room...

If this is an important item to you...you might notice a slight difference in room size...more in the areas where you walk and next to the window along with the bathroom floor plan too.

 

[aprilgail2]

I would stay at the poly. Wilderness lodge is nice too but dark in there as is AKL- we just got back and went to AKL for dinner and then walked around the pool area and the premises- my friend had the same reaction as me "IT SMELLS SO BAD HERE!" the smell of animals as you were by the pool and sitting outside by the bar was overpowering- I don't know how anyone could sit out and enjoy their balconys with that smell all day long!

 

[frdeb1999]

I would pick the Poly also. We love the overall atmosphere, large rooms, pool area, and monorail access.

 

[polineedyan]

Stayed at POLY with split to POR. What a difference. Poly is totally different. Even the CM's seemed to be more pleasant at the Poly. Cleaner,quiter, bigger rooms, less walking. Even the walk to the TTC was not bad at all. Even with a 2yo. As for WL, never stayed there, but am considering it. So, interested to see the posts..

 

[mickeynut1]

Having stayed at the Poly and the WL, we love both resorts for different reasons . We are booked for our third stay at the WL in December, but we will be back at the Poly in July 2009. With that said, both resorts are totally different, but both are very appealing in their own way. We love the Poly for the larger rooms, a tropical atmosphere with the beach to sit and watch the fireworks, an awesome pool, and Kona Cafe and Ohana are amazing restaurants . On the other hand, the WL has an amazing lobby, a great pool, a relaxing boat ride to/from the MK, and the ambiance of the resort can't be beat, IMO. If you're looking for something different, the WL is a great choice (can't comment on AKL as we've never stayed there ). But whichever resort you choose, I'm sure you'll have a great trip . Good luck with your decision and happy planning .

 

[Jalva22]

Our first trip started at AKL then moved to the Poly (split-stay). The next trip we did WL-AKL.

Our feeling was that the Poly was much nicer for transportation options and it had a nice, big room. But we liked both WL and AKL strictly as resorts better than the Poly.

Everybody's different, and each resort has its diehard fans as well as detractors on these boards. So in the end, you won't know until you try it yourself. But we love all 3 resorts.

 

[Disney.Dreamer]

I have stayed at the Wilderness Lodge, granted it was before I stayed at the Polynesian, but it was amazing there. The atmosphere is so welcoming, and it is a very well themed resort. As mickeynut1 said the WL has a very nice boat ride to both the Magic Kingdom, and the Contemporary resort. I cannot speak for the AKL because I have never stayed there before.

Good Luck and have a magical time planning!!

 

[johnsonet]

Well it sounds as though you know what to expect.
I have stayed at all three (only once at WL; 5+ at Poly, 10+ at AKL). I have enjoyed every stay I don't think you can go wrong.
If you loved Poly maybe you should stick with that but if you're interested in checking out another Disney resort I would highly recommend AKL. IF you're open to new experiences and different styles of decor...
Pool area at AKL is large and nicely done. The animals and activities at AKL are really incredible. Having been at the Poly before, you had the beach and the Seven Seas Lagoon and the monorail and undoubtedly felt like you were in the middle of the magic, so to speak... AKL is not at all like that. You are in your own world there, secluded but in a good way. Lush landscaping, the savannas to enjoy, beautiful lobby, nice food court area... 2 really good restaurants. It's a lot different from being at the MK resorts. Not better or worse - different.
Yes the rooms are smaller as you know but they are very attractive. Dark woods and richl colored fabrics. The rooms are dark because it is an "African lodge". Pastels wouldn't exactly go with the theming. (Same with WL).
Bus transportation is always good. As with anything, there can be exceptions. But in general we have had great experience there and the buses don't stop at any other resorts
Good luck!