POLY, WL or AKL

[Stacy9402]

Oh where oh where to stay. I would like to stay at WL but found out my daughters friend is going the same time and is staying there and I don't want to intrude on their trip or have my daughter want her friend with us for awhile since this is our 1st family trip with just us. WHat to do..

I have always wanted to stay at the POLY but also considering AKL because it would be neat to see the animals.

We would be going hopefully at the end of Jan first of Feb. .. Is it really cool. We can spend upto $1700 for 6-7 days.

What would your choices be? I really wanting WL because I heard it isn't as sprawled out as the others.

Thanks
Stacy

 

[cara loves the poly]

Unfortunately I'm not sure if you can get a deluxe resort w/ tickets for that amount. I have heard great things about Carribean Beach Resort. You might want to check that out! Hope this helps!

 

[cara loves the poly]

If you are talking room only for that amount, I'm not sure if the weather will permit you to truley enjoy the atmosphere of the Poly. I think if it were my family, as much as i LOVE the Poly, I would lean toward Animal Kingdom.

 

[Cinderella]

It's tough to choose because all the resorts are so nice. I haven't been for five years, and I am struggling to choose between WL and Poly even though I have stayed at both. I can't help with AKL but have heard good things about it.

What I like best about both poly and WL is they are lovely and relaxing and have nice pools.

WL probably has the edge on theming - it is so dramatic. Poly theming is also excellent. I like using the monorail at the Poly to get to the other monorail resorts and MK quickly. The boat road from WL to MK is lovely, but getting to the monorail resorts can be a pain. Both have nice restaurants but for counter service, I have never liked roaring forks in WL. I don't remember the one at the poly being great - but i think it is open longer hours.

Room service in the poly is better. But, the lobby in the WL is lovelier.

I don't think the poly has hot tubs - WL has two.

Both have different advantages. Good luck choosing. Whichever resort you choose - try eating at the others - or just going to have a look round.

 

[Bashful2]

I've stayed at and love all 3, but I'd have to say the Polynesian is a slight favorite, followed by WL, then AKL. They are all 3 beautiful resorts.

The Polynesian has the monorail which makes it so convenient, especially if you manage to get a room close by.

WL has a beautiful lobby and a fireplace which is cozy and wonderful for the winter months.

AKL also has a beautiful lobby and, of course, the animals. It is, however, a little far away from everything except Animal Kingdom.

If it were me and I was going in the winter, I think I'd have to pick WL. We went at the end of November a few years ago and one of my favorite memories is sitting in a rocking chair by the fireplace drinking hot chocolate.

Good luck with whatever you decide. With those 3 resorts, there really isn't a wrong choice.

 

[Stitches]

Great choices! I'd say go with AKL. It is more like WL and less expensive than the Polynesian. It is also my favorite resort, by far ! However, I would recommend getting a savannah view room and that would be 1900 for 6 nights for 1 room. Hopefully you can find a discount. Good luck on your decision.

 

[TTA Deb]

Having stayed at all three of your choices, my 18 year old daughter and I both agree that POLY would be our first choice. Traveling by monorail and boat was wonderful. The pool was great. Loved our meals at Ohana's and Kona Cafe. Being big fans of the Magic Kingdom, it was a real treat to see Cinderella's Castle from our resort. I understand the rooms at POLY are being remodeled, so by Jan., you might have a chance to stay in one of the "new" rooms. The rooms at POLY are are larger than your other choices. BIG bathrooms!!! We've made two Florida trips in January. The weather the first trip was great...warm and sunny. Our week last Jan. was very chilly, but you know, the lush foliage and tiki torches at POLY could definitely take the chill off. We were at the WL, and as lovely as it was, it almost felt like home...no palm trees!
If you are not interested in a sprawling resort, AK may not be for you, unless you make a strong request for a room located near the lobby. We love AK, but our first room was about a mile away from the lobby...well, almost!
So, although I love all three resorts, POLY would be my first choice (my husband surprised me by taking me there for our 25th anniversary last year)! Have fun!

 

[cjb71870]

Unfortunately I'm not sure if you can get a deluxe resort w/ tickets for that amount. I have heard great things about Carribean Beach Resort. You might want to check that out! Hope this helps!

That is value season but rates at Deluxe Resorts start at 199$ per night. Just to let you know.

 

[DisneylandAlum]

I adore the WL, have stayed there twice, but this past August it was looking pretty run-down. The manager told us they are going to be doing a remodel of the entire resort starting sometime in late '05. They have already been rehabbing the Poly (although I don't think they're done?) so at this point I would choose the Poly. The WL will be gorgeous when it's done (going to have new granite sinks, paint and carpets, new linens, etc.) but it had really run down a lot, especially in the room hallways, between summer '04 and summer '05. Just FYI.

 

[PamNC]

would be the Poly. It's our favorite resort. They are in a rehab mode, so be mindful of that. I would be sure to request a room as far away from the construction as possible. Is the $1700 for room only? If so, it's possible you could get the Poly for 6 nights. Depends on your rate...do you have AP, triple AAA???? As another poster said, if that's room and tickets, I doubt you can go deluxe.

We have never stayed at AKL - but it would be cool seeing the animals. What keeps us from trying it is the location. It's so far-removed...bus or car is the only way to get around. We love the ease of the monorail. The Poly is such a magical resort. The landscaping, the food offerings, CM's, everything is top notch. The rooms are big, the pool is excellent. And the views are spectacular. We stayed at WL once and weren't overly impressed. The boat service was so slow, the rooms were dark and small and the pool was tiny. It is a beautiful resort though - especially on the outside and the lobby. We liked walking to Fort Wilderness on the trail. But, we have no desire to stay there again. Just my humble opinion.

PamNC

 

[LovintheLodge]

Based on your budget, I would lean toward AKL or WL. They are beautiful resorts. I have only stayed at WL and visited the other two (ate at Boma's and Ohana's - both yummy), but the theming of WL would be great at the time you are going. I liked that it wasn't as spread out as the other resorts. While AKL is newer than WL, I think WL's location in WDW is better. The pool is really nice and there are two hot tubs (one is hotter than the other)! I wouldn't worry about your daughter's friend going at the same time. There's so much to do at WDW that you may not even see them while you're down there. From the moment they said "Welcome Home" at check-in...We loved WL!!

 

[Stacy9402]

The $1700 is just for the room only. I am considering getting AAA. Really and truly I want to go to WL. So I think I will. Thanks for all the opinions.

 

[LouM]

Hi
We've stayed at all. My kids desperately wanted the Poly, but liked the AKL and WL better (and those 2 are cheaper). I don't think we liked the layout of the Poly. The kids liked exploring the WL and AKL (all in one building).