Poly Standard Room or AKL CL

[mckinsey]

I've been going to WDW since the early 70's (actually before that as my parents and I visited while it was under construction, lol). We've always stayed at moderate resorts (hubby and kids and I) or offsite (with my parents as a child/teen) and spent long, long days at the park. This has already been a tough year (DH's health issues, losing my Mom, emptying and about to sell house I grew up in), and we have a trip planned for December 9-16 as a hubby and I only 'reward' for getting through this year. Right now we are booked at the Poly, standard room - all that's currently available there. DH's only requests were 1) relaxing trip - lots of down time (that will be a big change) and 2) be in Disney for the Star Wars movie premiere, which our trip covers. I'm booking a deluxe as a surprise - he's expecting POFQ (our favorite mod). Poly has been a dream of mine since my first childhood Disney trip all those years ago. However, DH LOVES Animal Kingdom, and I can book AKL CL. Transportation time is not a big issue for us. So which of these two resort choices do you think would be the most relaxing for our down times and why? Thanks in advance for any advice you can give!!

 

[mtemm]

Have you considered a split stay? Might be nice so you both get your dream resorts. My other thought was AKL CL since it's a surprise for him and that's his favorite. And CL would be a nice add to a relaxing trip

 

[GoGoBeans]

Sorry about your rough year.

For down time, especially in December, I'd say AKL. I could sit in that lobby for hours, so many rocking chairs, fire pits, animals. Grab a glass of wine or beer and chill. Lots of great choices for restaurants too. Jiko is a fave of ours. We've also spent hours in the lounge.

Poly seems a summer resort to me. The GCH is so busy that I wouldn't relax there like I would AKL.

How about a split stay so you can get the best of both worlds?

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I agree with GoGoBeans. I find AKL to be much more relaxing than Poly. With AKL CL, you will get a savanna view room with a guaranteed balcony and two quieter pools (IMHO) with some shade (there is hardly any shade at the Poly pool). You'll have the CL lounge to relax and have breakfast, snacks and drinks and the lobby of AKL I find to be less chaotic than Poly as well. If you are looking for a quieter more relaxing place to stay, AKL has my vote.

 

[MumziMom]

My husband and I spent one night at AKL CL for our 25th, and had a lovely time. We didn't even go to any of the parks. Had a wonderful time on our balcony viewing the animals, loved the welcome, relaxing in the lounge, we walked both wings of the resort, rested at a table and played a couple of board games (it rained later, and it was lovely sitting there, with either a cappuccino or a drink while it rained) it was fun trying the apps, and the first night when we arrived too late for the app service, it was great eating at the bar/Victoria Falls and talking with the bartender. We enjoyed small bites, then wandered back to the CL lounge to have a few sweets. Breakfast was lovely. Very, very relaxing. If you are going to spend that many days, I'd also second a split stay. Could you see (and afford) if CL was available there at the beginning or end of your stay? Also very relaxing there. We stayed there once with our son and daughter, and would LOVE to again, alone with my husband. We really liked the lounge, seeing the fireworks and the quiet breakfasts/apps/etc. Lovely to take the small boats to MK. They are both magical.

 

[mickeynut1]

I like the suggestions of a split stay, but if that's not an option, I'd go with AKL CL. The Poly is our favorite resort overall, but we do love AKL. I think AKL is a great fit for that time of year, along with it being a more relaxing trip with a lot of down time. We've never stayed CL at AKL, but have stayed CL at other resorts and having a lounge to go to is very nice. AKL is sort of isolated from everything, but that's one of the things I love most about it as it makes for a quiet & peaceful stay. Both are great resorts and you really can't go wrong with either one, but in your situation, I'd go with AKL CL. Good luck!

 

[daisydee43]

If being on the monorail line isn't important to you, go with club level at AKL. What a treat!

 

[mckinsey]

Thank you all for the great information! We'll be enjoying AKL for this trip. Can't wait! Thank again!