Polynesian OR Art of Animation?

[veggiemama3]

Hello! After much research, we've narrowed it down to these 2 resorts. There is a $1,300 price difference for the week. This will most likely be our first, and only, trip to WDW as a family. I'm trying to justify the cost of the Poly. I know that is is hard to compare a Deluxe to a Value, but is it really worth spending an additional $1300 to stay at the Poly?

We are a family of 5, with kids ages 18, 10 & 7. Thank you in advance!

 

[MimiOfTwo]

If it's your only trip and the $1300 won't put you in a bind, I'd say Poly hands down.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

The Poly will have a water slide for the kids, access to Table Service restaurants (if the $1300 doesn't destroy your dining out budget), and you can watch Wishes from the resort.

But AOA, since with 5 you are clearly looking at a Family Suite, will be a larger room with a master bedroom for the grown ups, and a kitchenette. This may be attractive to you.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

If $1300 won't kill you I would definitely go with the Poly. Your kids are older so would appreciate a water slide. Access to the monorail for a once in a lifetime trip will save you a lot of travel time to the parks and any character meals (if you do them) at the monorail hotels.

Last trip we did a magical deal with BC and Poly. I could've saved a good amount of money by staying at a moderate or value with free dining but I took the plunge and went deluxe. It was well worth it and I have no regrets.

 

[Simba07]

Both are wonderful. I think you are trading location (Poly) with kitchen facilities (AoA suites). If you are going to head back to the hotel for nap or pool in the middle of the day and spend a lot of time in MK, the Poly would probably be my pick. But that is a lot of money. You really won't go wrong with either.

 

[Jojo h]

We always stay at AOA in a family suite. We love it! 2 bathrooms! The theming is great and the 10 and 7 year olds will love that. (ours are 9 and 6). The big blue pool is lots of fun even without a water slide.
I would love to stay at the Poly at some point, but can't swallow the price difference for a family trip.
We have never had a problem with the buses.
I will say Landscape of Flavors is chaos unless early in the morning, but we usually eat at the parks or other resorts for table service.

 

[veggiemama3]

Thank you! I should have also specified we are planning the first week of December 2017 - are the pools still open & usable at that time of year?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Thank you! I should have also specified we are planning the first week of December 2017 - are the pools still open & usable at that time of year?

They're heated. It depends on the other weather if it matters to you. My kids will swim in a heated outdoor pool down to 50 degrees (and there's a resort we go to where this IS a thing). Others... maybe less so. Not everyone is a viking.

 

[Disneylover99]

I love the Poly but for $1300 less, I would love a suite at AofA more.

 

[megster1123]

Hello! After much research, we've narrowed it down to these 2 resorts. There is a $1,300 price difference for the week. This will most likely be our first, and only, trip to WDW as a family. I'm trying to justify the cost of the Poly. I know that is is hard to compare a Deluxe to a Value, but is it really worth spending an additional $1300 to stay at the Poly?

We are a family of 5, with kids ages 18, 10 & 7. Thank you in advance!

We had the exact debate. This is going to be our only family trip to WDW. Husband and I have the, "we're doing it once, make it count" mindset.
We originally booked AoA, thinking the theming would appeal to our 4&5 year olds. But then after a few months of longingly looking at pics of Poly, we decided on a split stay. We check in to TPV at Poly on Monday (3 days !!) and then check in at AoA on Thursday. Haven't done a split stay before, but I really feel this will give us the best of both
I'll report back week how splitting between the two ended up.

 

[mickey2minnie1]

We did the same thing 9 years ago, once in a lifetime trip... DH said make it convenient for me and the rest is you. Monorail it was and my dream of all dream resort the Poly. Watching Wishes from the pool is gorgeous, water parade is quirky and fun, food is amazing, tiki torches are romantic at night, decoration for Christmas are such a contrast to the theme, but GF is right next door for Christmas Victorian elegance, the lobby smell is unforgettable, poolside is spear fun for all and in the dark, and Oasis pool is relaxing and perfect for an afternoon, monorail two EPCOT too. The lost is endless.

Fast forward 9 years,and we have been back many times. It is our home away from home. Kids never want to go or stay elsewhere. Now my DS 19 is going to be a college program intern beginning in January. What started as a once in a lifetime trip morphed into a part of our lives.

Enjoy and never look back!!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

For a first and only trip (if $1300 won't break the bank), absolutely hands-down Poly. The theming is amazing and there is nothing like seeing the MK from the resort. It is absolutely infused with Disney. The rooms are spacious (you will get two queens and a day bed which are much more comfortable than the bedding at AoA, IMHO), better restaurants, better amenities and the monorail to MK and EP. AoA just doesn't compare.

 

[ajh88]

Another vote for Poly. We stayed one night in a Lion King suite at AoA and we did enjoy it for the theming and it was fun walking around the different areas ... but the pool was a madhouse and while the food court was not busy while we were there, I can definitely see the potential for it being loud and crazy. I suppose only you can decide if $1300 is within your budget for the trip, but IMHO, there is no contest between the two.

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

If you plan to try to secure any type of discount for your trip, that price difference can be reduced dramatically. If the discount at AOA is 20% and the Poly is 30% (or more) you will see the gap shrink. I have never stayed at AOA, but if you can swing it, I would most definitely choose the Poly. We stayed there for the first time when our kids were very young - and about a dozen times since. It is still their resort of choice in their 20's.

 

[gdrj]

POLY POLY POLY. Being able to monorail to MK or EPCOT is great. Both pools are wonderful. Beautiful setting, and did I mention no bus or parking lot for MK or EPCOT! Plus if you are doing a Park hopper you could start at EPCOT exit the back and boat to Studios. To be able watch fireworks from hotel, plus have great restaurants at the Poly or even monorail to other resorts is IMO worth the extra, especially if this is going to be the only family trip. On the days that your at MK and its just too crazy, to be able to run back to hotel and enjoy the pool makes for such a nicer trip.

 

[caliope]

For a potentially once in a lifetime trip, I'd choose Poly for the prime location, better amenities, overall comfort, and nostalgia (it was one of the original resorts).

 

[_auroraborealis_]

If you plan to try to secure any type of discount for your trip, that price difference can be reduced dramatically. If the discount at AOA is 20% and the Poly is 30% (or more) you will see the gap shrink. I have never stayed at AOA, but if you can swing it, I would most definitely choose the Poly. We stayed there for the first time when our kids were very young - and about a dozen times since. It is still their resort of choice in their 20's.

Poly is rarely getting even 25% lately. AOA is frequently getting a better discount.

 

[veggiemama3]

Thank you all so much!!!! We are deciding to splurge and book the Poly!!

If you plan to try to secure any type of discount for your trip, that price difference can be reduced dramatically. If the discount at AOA is 20% and the Poly is 30% (or more) you will see the gap shrink. I have never stayed at AOA, but if you can swing it, I would most definitely choose the Poly. We stayed there for the first time when our kids were very young - and about a dozen times since. It is still their resort of choice in their 20's.

So if we book now, how do we get a discount applied if one becomes available?

 

[DrunkJam]

We are booked at the Poly for our last ever trip!
We are really excited.
I hope you love it!

 

[Babsy]

POLY!