POLY, WL, or AKL... Oh my!

[moorekw]

Planning a trip to WDW this October. The fams usually stays at POP, but looking to step up to a deluxe resort this go round. Reading alot of different reviews and observations regarding POLY, WL, and AKL. For a family of four (13 & 8 y.o.) who only spend a brief amount of time at the resort but really enjoy the pool time and snack options while not at the parks, which might you suggest? Is there a hands-down fave amongst y'all? The bunkbed options at WL and AKL seem to be a big deciding factor at the moment.

I really like the ambience of WL, but some of the pool/transportation comments have got me concerned. AKL seems okay, but the construction comments have prompted attention. POLY has gotten some decent reviews of late.

Thanx in advance for your consideration of this post.

 

[AKLRULZ]

AKL is my overall favorite resort, but I'm personally avoiding it during the construction. I'd personally choose WL over the Poly, but honestly you won't go wrong with either. We always have a rental car onsite for getting to places quickly, but we've never had any issues at the WL with the transportation. Not sure what you've heard about the pool, but we love the WL pool, too. And one of the biggest sells to me regarding the WL over Poly is that WL is a completely self contained resort - the Poly is set up with several lodges.

Happy planning!

 

[grannyminnie]

Any of these three is awesome in it's own way, and having stayed at all three, it would be hard to pick a favorite...oh, all right, it's the Poly, but that's because I'm a granny without kids along usually, and spend a good deal of time at the resort. You should think about what your family would enjoy the most, and go from there, if money is no object. If it is, obviously, the Poly is a lot more expensive.
By the way, bunk beds will need to be booked if your kids have to have them, otherwise, it would just be a request, and not guaranteed.
If you decide to go club level, then the snacks will be taken care of. If not, some have reported that the "food court" at the WL is crowded a lot of the time.
Transportation is spotty depending on when you are there and where you're headed. Best to have a car, I think!

 

[moorekw]

Thank you very much, ma'am.

 

[FlashScout]

Regarding bunk beds, they are an added cost at AKL or WL, so it's not possible to request them without paying for them. I haven't been to AKL, but we visited the Poly on our last trip to show it to DD. Captain Cook's was packed with people around 4 PM, worse than I ever saw Roaring Forks, even in the morning rush. I think that can happen anywhere, so don't go on just my anecdotal report.

Poly has a definite advantage, transportation-wise, being on the monorail to MK and just a short walk from the TTC for the monorail to EPCOT. Personally, I prefer the theming of the WL and the grandeur of the lobby and grounds.

 

[mickeystoontown]

We decided to bump up from the CBR to the WL for our June, 2008 stay. While we really love the CBR, we wanted to upgrade and the WL is more within our budget.

From everything I have read, nearly everyone enjoys their stay at the WL. The transportation issue doesn't really bother me too much. I know that transportation is a hit or miss situation no matter where you stay.

When I look at the pictures of the Wilderness Lodge, I am blown away. We've also ridden over to Fort Wilderness via the boat and I've gotten several glimpses of the WL.

I am also anxious to get a look around the store at Wilderness Lodge. We live in a log home in Louisiana and I am always looking for new items to add to our collection.

I have friends who stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and they said even though they had a nice stay (and they had a savannah view), they probably wouldn't stay there again. They said the restaurants and other amenities were so far away from where they stayed.

I also looked into staying at the Poly but I just can't justify the $$$$ it would cost to stay there.

 

[followme2disney]

I prefer the Polynesian. The monorail transportation and the Volcano pool are great.

 

[moorekw]

Thanks to all for your invaluable advice, input and anecdotes. We have booked WL bunk room for the October 2007 vacation!!!

It's been two years too long.

 

[kandlsutton5]

We have stayed at AK in 9/2003. We didn't plan meals very well since it was a last minute trip. There were several nights where we decided to head back to the lodge and grab a bite only to go hungry because the restaurants were so packed. (Counter Service at the Mara was not good, Boma was excellent but expensive, and Jiko was way out of our budget).

In December we are staying at the Poly. WL isn't an option for us since we are a family of 5 (me, DH, DDs13&7, and DS3). We have eaten there and the WL is breathtaking. We were torn between the Beach Club and the Poly (since we booked with DCL, we can't break up our stay). We decided on the Poly because it has the largest rooms of a Deluxe resort, is on the monorail (which we probably couldn't have afforded without the DCL package), and we will spend the majority of our time at MK.

If you are staying for a week, why don't you try both the Poly and the WL? Disney will move you luggage for you....

 

[marlower]

Have you consider BC/YC? I have 2 DD, 13 and 10 and last summer we loved staying at BC. The pool there is fabulous and now that my girls are older, they really enjoy Epcot and MGM, you can walk to Epcot and take a boat to MGM. The bus transportation to MK wasn't too bad either, sometimes we would walk through Epcot and then catch a monorail to MK too! We will be staying at WL this summer, I have heard the pool is not as nice as BC but it still looks great!

 

[Disney Ron]

Thanks to all for your invaluable advice, input and anecdotes. We have booked WL bunk room for the October 2007 vacation!!!

It's been two years too long.

Congratulations!!!! You made a great choice! I guarantee WL will not disappoint and your whole family is going to love it.

Our family will be HOME again at WL in December, and we can not wait!

Mrs. Disney Ron

 

[Disney Ron]

MOOREKW, just wanted to mention to lobby at WL is a great place to relax and people watch. DH and I love to get a drink from the Territory Lounge. We bring it to the lobby and sit on a sofa or by the fireplace. Also if you are looking a quick bite the pulled pork and cole slaw flatbread at the Territory Lounge is amazing!

Have a great time!
Mrs. Disney Ron

 

[moorekw]

MOOREKW, just wanted to mention to lobby at WL is a great place to relax and people watch. DH and I love to get a drink from the Territory Lounge. We bring it to the lobby and sit on a sofa or by the fireplace. Also if you are looking a quick bite the pulled pork and cole slaw flatbread at the Territory Lounge is amazing!

Have a great time!
Mrs. Disney Ron

Thank you so much for the tips. The fams is psyched and now the cruel agonizing wait til October commences.

 

[simonkodousek]

Congratulations on choosing a great resort! We also had a bunkbed room when we stayed there in 2004 and it was great! Have a magical vacation...

 

[moorekw]

Have you consider BC/YC? I have 2 DD, 13 and 10 and last summer we loved staying at BC. The pool there is fabulous and now that my girls are older, they really enjoy Epcot and MGM, you can walk to Epcot and take a boat to MGM. The bus transportation to MK wasn't too bad either, sometimes we would walk through Epcot and then catch a monorail to MK too! We will be staying at WL this summer, I have heard the pool is not as nice as BC but it still looks great!

Thanks! We hadn't actually considered either of these resorts, but will definitely give them some consideration for the next trip.

 

[Doc CW]

AKL was almsot perfect the only 2 complaints I have about it was the really small food court and how far away it was from everything, otherwise it was perfect and it was definitely one of the best resorts in WDW I would definitely stay at AKL.