Polynesian or Art of Animation?

[wilbret]

We are booked for October at AK (our home resort), but we are looking to try out one of the resorts we haven't stayed at yet for a quick visit over the summer.

Looking at places where a family of 5 can fit. Using DVC points, fyi.

I am leaning toward Art of Animation for the pool (it will still be open), but we have been to the Poly a few times before without staying... I think I really want to try it.
Might get crazy and just do 2 nights at each place, for a taste?

 

[thanxfornoticin]

You are planning to use point for AoA? That should be doable, but is an expensive way to use your DVC points. At least at Poly you can book directly with points.

Split stays like this is how we managed to try all the different resorts! It can be fun, in a crazy way! Have a great time.

 

[TraderSamWDW]

It may very well be fewer points to stay at the Polynesian than it is to convert points to stay at AoA. If not it sure will be close.

The Poly is one of my favs, so I am biased, but to me this is not even a choice.

AoA are suites and will have more room, and the pool is pretty cool. Its a nice value resort to walk around for the theming.

I myself would not convert points to stay there, but that of course is your choice, not mine.

Might want to at least evaluate 1 night at AoA on cash, then poly on points. Gets you 2 says to use the big blue pool if you want. just another option.

If you really want to use points, have you thought about renting out your points and using the cash for AoA? Probably cheaper

A split stay is not crazy, just pack accordingly so ideally you dont have to open 1 set of suitcases, it makes it easier

 

[wilbret]

We are booked for October at AK (our home resort), but we are looking to try out one of the resorts we haven't stayed at yet for a quick visit over the summer.

Looking at places where a family of 5 can fit. Using DVC points, fyi.

I am leaning toward Art of Animation for the pool (it will still be open), but we have been to the Poly a few times before without staying... I think I really want to try it.
Might get crazy and just do 2 nights at each place, for a taste?

You are planning to use point for AoA? That should be doable, but is an expensive way to use your DVC points. At least at Poly you can book directly with points.

Split stays like this is how we managed to try all the different resorts! It can be fun, in a crazy way! Have a great time.

Yep, it’s approx 34 pts/night to stay at AoA, but we’ve always wanted to try it. Poly was less points.

We have resort hopped before, but this is a short visit, less appealing due to potential late check in. Side note, we were able to check in at Saratoga last winter at 5am, and headed straight to HS for EEMH... check in time so inconsistent.

 

[wilbret]

It may very well be fewer points to stay at the Polynesian than it is to convert points to stay at AoA. If not it sure will be close.

The Poly is one of my favs, so I am biased, but to me this is not even a choice.

AoA are suites and will have more room, and the pool is pretty cool. Its a nice value resort to walk around for the theming.

I myself would not convert points to stay there, but that of course is your choice, not mine.

Might want to at least evaluate 1 night at AoA on cash, then poly on points. Gets you 2 says to use the big blue pool if you want. just another option.

If you really want to use points, have you thought about renting out your points and using the cash for AoA? Probably cheaper

A split stay is not crazy, just pack accordingly so ideally you dont have to open 1 set of suitcases, it makes it easier

Thanks for the reply. We aren’t going to pay cash, but we do have points remaining for the year we’d like to consume. Doesn’t matter to us if it’s DVC or collection, if it’s a new resort to try. Last hurrah for summer.

We researched renting out points, but it’s not something we are interested in at the moment. A quick glance looks like the $555/n plus fees x 4 nights would be more than the cash generated by selling ~136 pts. Plus, we want to book now to plan my work travel. No patience.

Is the pool at AoA awesome? We have never even been, but we have visited Poly a couple times for meals, fireworks, etc.

 

[TraderSamWDW]

This is all personal preference. I myself would not pay 34 points per night for AoA, but the important thing is for you to understand your options and do what is best for your group.

The Big Blue pool is fun for kids (I personally do not think any pool at Disney is awesome), but it is a nicely themed pool, particularly for a value resort.

 

[wilbret]

This is all personal preference. I myself would not pay 34 points per night for AoA, but the important thing is for you to understand your options and do what is best for your group.

The Big Blue pool is fun for kids (I personally do not think any pool at Disney is awesome), but it is a nicely themed pool, particularly for a value resort.

Yeah, I was surprised it was so many points, but understand why, but the kids have seen so many videos, they want to try it. I'm not keen on paying $600/night to try it out.
Likely will just end up doing poly and doing one night at AoA and making it a pool day.

 

[monica9]

In September we stay first two nights at AOA and then 7 nights poly using Rented dvc points. There’s really no comparison in resorts in my opinion of money isn’t an issue. But I have to admit, art of animation was really fun! We would stay there again in a heartbeat. I’d do a split stay if I were you but if you can’t and money isn’t a factor, Polynesian all the way!

 

[wilbret]

In September we stay first two nights at AOA and then 7 nights poly using Rented dvc points. There’s really no comparison in resorts in my opinion of money isn’t an issue. But I have to admit, art of animation was really fun! We would stay there again in a heartbeat. I’d do a split stay if I were you but if you can’t and money isn’t a factor, Polynesian all the way!

I completely agree, no comparison based on tiers. It’s just one of those places we never would go. We goto AK almost every year, Saratoga every year, we’ve done Caribbean, Coronado, Key West, etc. Needing space for 5 also limits our choices.

 

[monica9]

Thanks for the reply. We aren’t going to pay cash, but we do have points remaining for the year we’d like to consume. Doesn’t matter to us if it’s DVC or collection, if it’s a new resort to try. Last hurrah for summer.

We researched renting out points, but it’s not something we are interested in at the moment. A quick glance looks like the $555/n plus fees x 4 nights would be more than the cash generated by selling ~136 pts. Plus, we want to book now to plan my work travel. No patience.

Is the pool at AoA awesome? We have never even been, but we have visited Poly a couple times for meals, fireworks, etc.

I really liked it. Stayed at aoa 2 nights and then switched to poly. Aoa pool is huge. A good amount of it is shallow which is nice. No matter how large it is, it’s still crowded. My 11 year old begged us to go to the small pool the second day because it was quiet and not a ton of people in it. Poly. The pool isn’t the best but it’s pretty awesome to turn and look off at the water and see grand Floridian, the castle, contemporary and all the boats coming and going. On Wednesday’s they have a guy come out and juggle fire which is neat too. The outdoor movie can be seen by the pool deck also.

I completely agree, no comparison based on tiers. It’s just one of those places we never would go. We goto AK almost every year, Saratoga every year, we’ve done Caribbean, Coronado, Key West, etc. Needing space for 5 also limits our choices.

loves AKL. Probably the nicest resort as far as themes. I just didn’t feel like we were in Disney. We have also stayed at all star sports, WL, BC, CBR and CSR. Let’s just say after we stayed at AOA we said no more moderates. Either deluxe or value from now on. Although we are doing a split UNiversal/wdw this year and splurging on the universal hotel and probably doing an all stars resort for Disney if we can’t get AOA under $200

 

[DurhamBuckeye]

We've stayed in a Cars Suite when my kids were 6 & 4, and have also stayed in a Poly studio. The AoA suite was really neat and had lots of space. The Big blue pool was cool, but my kids actually preferred the Cars themed pool. The theming at the resort is good, we found the food to be better than expected, and overall really liked it.

But we much prefer Poly. It's not as much space in the room, but it has 1.5 bathrooms, which is nice. The food is better (Dole Whip!), the theming is great, and the ease of using the monorail is awesome. My kids prefer the pool at Poly because it has a slide.

If costs were similar, I would do Poly, no question. But renting some points and staying for a night or two at AoA may be a good option too.

 

[wilbret]

We've stayed in a Cars Suite when my kids were 6 & 4, and have also stayed in a Poly studio. The AoA suite was really neat and had lots of space. The Big blue pool was cool, but my kids actually preferred the Cars themed pool. The theming at the resort is good, we found the food to be better than expected, and overall really liked it.

But we much prefer Poly. It's not as much space in the room, but it has 1.5 bathrooms, which is nice. The food is better (Dole Whip!), the theming is great, and the ease of using the monorail is awesome. My kids prefer the pool at Poly because it has a slide.

If costs were similar, I would do Poly, no question. But renting some points and staying for a night or two at AoA may be a good option too.

Ive talked myself into one night at AoA, and making the day a pool day and transfer to Poly. We have another stop before getting there, so we are going to pack for mobility anyway.

 

[wilbret]

So I did a 180, lol. I couldn’t bring myself to use points on AoA, or spend a fortune on one night. So, I booked Cabana Bay and we will do Volcano Bay before going to the Poly. Suite at Cabana Bay + 5 tickets was barely more expensive that just one night in a suite at AoA.