Polynesian vs. AKL

[Belleandtinker]

We are planning a trip for early May and need your experience. We LOVE the AKL, but are now looking at the Polynesian (we have never stayed there, yet). There will be two adults and one 2-year old. Any suggestions? Thoughts?

 

[litlpixie]

We loved the AKL too and also have never stayed at the Poly...I would try the Poly!! That way you can say you stayed there.

 

[nemofans]

I have stayed at both resorts & would stay at AKL over Poly any day. We stayed at Poly when my DS was 19 mos old. The benefits were large room size & many transportation options. However, we had a bad experience w/a burst pipe in the next room that flooded into ours & ruined some of our stuff. The main problem was how they handled it. It was hassle after hassle & it blew a day at the parks for us. We felt it was definitely not worth the cost. There were also little things, like the fridge kept going out during the night. Even after I called maintenance who came to fix it. I had to keep buying new milk b /c the fridge was warm by morning. The walls are very thin & we could hear the family next to us clearly. This made it difficult for naptime & bedtime w/my DS b/c he could hear the noise. The beach was filthy w/food & cigarette butts. I could go on & on.
I think after staying at AKL, you'd be disappointed in the theme & lack of activities.
We just stayed at AKL w/our DS who's now 2.5 yrs old. I loved the theme, the bus service was efficient, restaurants excellent, & pool & activities were great. Then of course the animals! We couldn't hear our neighbors at all either.
We will never stay at Poly again. If we wanted a monorail resort, we would do Contemporary or GF instead.
I know there are many people who love the Poly & have had great experiences there. I'm just sharing ours...

 

[Native NYer]

We have only stayed at the Poly and absolutely loved it. We originally reserved AKL for our trip last month, then decided to switch to the Poly after researching transportation options at both resorts. If you're going to spend a good amount of time at the MK, then I'd say the Poly. If you really don't mind taking buses to all of the parks or will have your own car, then go for AKL. We really didn't want to spend that much time on buses during our vacation. That was our deciding factor. But we live in NYC and take the bus to work everyday!

No matter what you decide, you'll have a wonderful vacation at WDW!

 

[PrincessNoelle'sMom]

POLY, no doubt about it

 

[heatherlynn444]

Poly is my second fav resort next to the GF. having a small child being cose to teh MK and on the monorail can be a true blessing with strollers! it is a beautiful resort with great theming and great location. i say go for it, if you try it and dont like it, go back to AKL the next time. but i have stayed at both and prefer the POLY

 

[Jalva22]

Have stayed at Poly twice and AKL twice. We've had nothing but good experiences at either resort. I know there are people though, who have had bad experiences at both. The above could be said for every resort on property.

Plusses at the Poly: Monorail, monorail, monorail. Longer pool slide (though the AKL pool slide is probably more a 2 yr old's cup of tea). Ability to view Wishes from the pool and beach area. Monorail again: Easy access to dining at GF, Contemporary, MK, Epcot. Larger rooms.

Poly negatives: Cost. You have to go outside to get to your room (can be a challenge during those periodic Florida monsoons).

AKL Plusses: Theming. Newer resort. Food court is better than Poly's IMO. No need to go outside to get from your room to other areas of the resort.

AKL Minuses (compared to Poly): Smaller rooms. No monorail.

We love them both, but opt for AKL and WL these days because the cost is much better and we're still dazzled by our resort. With a 2 yr old, though, I would go with Poly if it were me for the convenience of the monorail.

 

[CoolPool]

I've stayed at both resorts in the last year.

Benefits of Poly:
1) larger room with daybed
2) monorail to MK (easy w/stroller) and quick walk to monorail to Epcot
3) 2 pools / beach - can watch fireworks at the resort w/o being in the crowds at MK at night with a little one
4) close proximity and monorail to Contemporary and GF which expands the "ease" of going to different restaurants and can give you something to do if you suffer from a little park burnout.

Benefits of AKL:
1) dedicated bus service
2) close to AK (subjective: personally it is my favorite park)
3) animals on property are amazing/unique and African theming is tasteful and respectful
4) Boma (subjective: I like it)

Either would be great!

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

We've stayed at both the Polynesian and the AKL. We like both because of the cultural theming. The Poly can't be beat if you're spending most of your time at the MK and EPCOT. Swimming in the pool with the castle in view, the monorail, easy access to other resorts for dining/shopping, the electrical water parade and seeing Wishes from the beach or your room--the Poly is truly magical.

Now the AKL we love because it is so far away from the other parks. You have the animals on the savannahs, culturally-inspired restaurants (Boma, Jiko), a wonderful pool complex, all of the rooms are inside of the resort, close proximity to AK. We really loved being able to 'leave' the hustle and bustle of the parks for a different experiences.

We like both for different reasons. Ideally I'd like a split stay between the AKL and the Poly!

 

[Belleandtinker]

Since we stayed at the AKL before, we definately want to do it again in the future. We are thinking Poly now and AKL on our next visit. Thanks!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Poly

 

[Belleandtinker]

Any suggestions on a garden room view room?

 

[Jalva22]

Any suggestions on a garden room view room?

Samoa is right in between the 2 pools. The side facing the volcano pool also has a nice view of the GF in the distance. Tokelau is on the other side of the 'quiet' pool and closer to the TTC. Both are a short walk away from the GCH, though Samoa is closer. Those are my favorites.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

Any suggestions on a garden room view room?

My favorites are Samoa and Fiji. Both are close to the GCH. With Samoa, you can get either a view of the volcano pool or the quiet pool. With Fiji you can get a garden view or a view of the marina/lagoon at the price of garden view.

 

[Turtlegirl]

Had your same dilemma and decided to split our stay. 4 nights Poly/4 nights AKL. Never stayed at Poly before but wanted the convenience of the monorail because it will be our 6 year old dd's first trip. Love AKL and wanted her to experience that as well. I think it will be fun to have these different experiences in the same trip-right in the action and then relaxing a bit at AKL.

 

[Hollywoodhaha]

hard decision.]

i have stayed at akl & poly and many others and these 2 are my favorites.

 

[Phedre]

I like the Poly, but I love AKL about a billion times more. If I hadn't stayed at Poly before, I would want to do that and make the decision for myself I think you will have a great time at either place honestly so don't stress, flip a coin and have a great time

 

[ConcKahuna]

My name is ConcKahuna, and I'm a Polyholic.

Those are both great resorts, and I agree with others that if you've done AKL before, try the Polynesian! I 2nd the Fiji comment, although I much prefer Tokelau to Samoa. Tokelau is right across the quiet pool from Fiji, so you are still close to both pools. The rooms are larger than the rooms in the "Older" buildings (like Samoa), and you are also close to the bus stop and closer to the TTC for the Epcot monorail.