Poly vs Wilderness Lodge vs Animal Kingdom Lodge

[Tigert]

Let me preface this by saying I have stayed at both WL and AKL although it’s been several years. I have also researched endlessly and probably just need to pick the hotel by drawing out of a hat. Heading there Apr/May 2024 and I just can’t decide where to stay. My husband has never been to Disney and it will be just the two of us for 4 nights. The price isn’t necessarily a barrier, but is the Poly really worth the extra cost for 2 adults that will have a car? The plan is to rent DVC points which I have done before. For reference, the price difference is only $500-600 to stay at the Poly. Thanks for any input!

 

[Skippyboo]

Never stayed at Poly. AKL this May for a week and going to WL at beginning of August. With the construction at Poly, I would not consider staying there until it’s finished.

I love AKL - animals, dining, it’s its own little world, WL - boat to MK, great dining. doesn’t feel like you’re in Florida.

What parks are you going to hit or it’s more of a resort stay? If it’s mainly Epcot & HS, maybe one of Epcot resorts where you can walk to 2 parks.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Poly has the monorail if you’re visiting parks. They’re all beautiful, it’s down to whichever theming you prefee

 

[Tigert]

Never stayed at Poly. AKL this May for a week and going to WL at beginning of August. With the construction at Poly, I would not consider staying there until it’s finished.

I love AKL - animals, dining, it’s its own little world, WL - boat to MK, great dining. doesn’t feel like you’re in Florida.

What parks are you going to hit or it’s more of a resort stay? If it’s mainly Epcot & HS, maybe one of Epcot resorts where you can walk to 2 parks.

We are going to try to hit all the parks if possible which is why the convenience of the Poly is appealing. When is construction slated to be completed?

 

[Skippyboo]

The new Poly DVC tower is scheduled for late 2024 opening

 

[Nabas]

We’ve stayed at all three multiple times.

AKV- Jambo House is arguably the best stand-alone WDW hotel.

Poly might be worth the cost if you want to stay on the Monorail and are really drawn by the theming.

But if it’s just you and your spouse, then consider the Boardwalk as this puts you within walking distance of WDW’s two most adult theme parks. Something you’ll really appreciate if you stay late.

The Boardwalk itself is very active at night around Epcot’s closing time, with several bars and restaurants within walking distance, and live performances.

 

[wilckepedia]

Since your dates are in one of the lower cost rate seasons for DVC, I'd splurge on the Poly, you're not going to get much better of a deal. In particular, since you mentioned renting points, the DVC rooms are closer to the TTC, and the tower construction is on the GF side of the resort. I stayed there in January and wasn't personally bothered by the construction at all. It was actually faster for me to walk to the TTC than the Great Ceremonial House, so I took the monorail to Epcot or the express to MK.

As a previous poster said, Boardwalk is in a great location for Studios and Epcot, and is slated to have just completed refurbishment by your trip (and my next one). I'm currently booked for Boardwalk in May. However, if that is something you're interested in, I'd be flexible on dates and starting working on booking now. Boardwalk has limited availability and it goes FAST. As a Boardwalk owner, I had to piece my trip together with multiple reservations and waitlists.

 

[maltdizzy]

Poly offers the monorail and boat launch to the MK, and you can walk right over to the TTC for the Epcot monorail (you could monorail to the TTC, but it's the long way around). Plus, easy access to the monorail resorts for dining. That's a significant convenience over the AKL and WL, which are relatively isolated.

Our other favorite is the YC&BC, which offers walking, boat, or Skyliner to Epcot or HS, which can be very convenient if you plan to dine a lot in Epcot.

As far as the resorts and amenities themselves, that's a push to me.

 

[TikiTikiTikiTom]

If you love all 3 resorts, you could always plan a non-park day to visit the ones you are not staying at, so you still get to experience all 3. We own DVC at the Poly because we love it so much - monorail is so convenient, Trader Sam's is so much fun especially for an adults trip, watching MK fireworks from the beach (or your balcony if you splurge on a Lake View) is such a great way to end the day, and I think Kona Cafe is very underrated.

 

[kanerf]

The Poly Studios are much larger the those at both WL and AKL. They feature the split bath, so that both of you can have a shower at the same time. Easy access to MK and Epcot via monorail is not to be missed. Even though you have a car the walk from the parking at Epcot to the park in the hot sun can be a beast.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

We love the Poly!! It is my favorite resort. We were just there over the 4th. We did not hear any of the construction. If you are on the DVC side of the resort you won’t hear or see any construction. All of it is on the other side near Aotearoa, Figi, Tonga and Tuvalu.
We requested Rarotonga.
I think I read you’re staying DVC so I wouldn’t worry about that. Personally if I was put in any of those buildings near construction I’d request to move to the other side. When going by there on the monorail I saw rooms overlooking a pile of dirt!!
So my vote is the Polynesian!!
I’d also look at each resort’s thread if you need help deciding. Have a great trip!

 

[jchaeh]

Let me preface this by saying I have stayed at both WL and AKL although it’s been several years. I have also researched endlessly and probably just need to pick the hotel by drawing out of a hat. Heading there Apr/May 2024 and I just can’t decide where to stay. My husband has never been to Disney and it will be just the two of us for 4 nights. The price isn’t necessarily a barrier, but is the Poly really worth the extra cost for 2 adults that will have a car? The plan is to rent DVC points which I have done before. For reference, the price difference is only $500-600 to stay at the Poly. Thanks for any input!

I have stayed at Grand Floridian, Poly, Carribean, and Wilderness Lodge. Poly is one of our absolute favorites!

 

[AmyMac1109]

I'll take a Poly DVC studio over a WL DVC studio (CC or BRV) or AKL DVC studio any day. Don't get me wrong, I love WL and AKL, but I find the actual DVC studios at Poly to be much better (more spacious, more comfortable beds, bigger bathroom(s)- I hate, hate, hate the bathrooms in BRV studios).

Poly DVC studios are far from construction. It didn't bother us at all when we were there in January. Access to Monorail for MK and EPCOT days were fantastic. Though, the Monorail was actually down for a day and a half during our stay. We had to walk to TTC and catch a bus to EPCOT and/or MK from there. That wasn't a huge deal though, since the DVC studios are literally just across the parking lot from TTC. My kids enjoyed the Poly pool the best, but WL was a close second. We did like the various animal viewing spots at AKL and enjoyed sitting on the patios for downtime. But that wasn't worth forgoing the convenience of Poly (and even WL) or the size of the rooms/bathrooms.

If you can swing Poly, that would be my vote very time.

 

[Mle8308]

If renting points, you may want to start putting some requests out there, you are already within the 11 month mark for your dates. Poly has lots of studios and AKL shouldn't be too difficult, BRV just had a rehab, so that might be more popular. I'd start to get ready to book something. I'd do either the WL or Poly.

 

[MamaMermaid]

Poly, if you can swing it, no question!

 

[jchaeh]

Polynesian

 

[Jack Kerouac]

As others have said, the Poly DVC buildings are furthest away from the construction, so you shouldn't worry about that. Plus, you may find the monorail and boats to be nice transportation choices in addition to the car. For this being your husband's first trip to WDW, I can't think of a better way to ruin all future WDW trips for him than to stay at the Poly.

 

[ktink]

I've only stayed at AKL out of your choices but we do have an upcoming stay at Poly. I would go for Poly out of these 3 choices. I'm hoping this is my new favorite resort, it's been a long time dream of mine to stay at Poly! But as others have said.. BWI is a great choice. DH & I did a split stay last January at BWI & GF. I wish we would've just stayed at BWI. It's such a great area for an adult trip!

 

[maxbuffmelvin]

I've stayed at all three, and they are my Top 3 favorite resorts at WDW, especially the theming. Poly is my #1 because of its proximity to MK since I spend most of my park time at MK. Plus, the DVC studios at Poly have two showers. I always have a car at WDW, so I drive to all the parks except MK since TTC parking is inconvenient.