Polynesian vs. Animal Kingdom???

[HaleysMom2]

Hi--new here, so sorry if this is asked all the time!

We are planning a Land/Sea trip in October and are having a really difficult time deciding between the Polynesian Resort and Animal Kingdom Lodge. We have heard/read wonderful things about both.

We are taking our daughter who will be 8 at the time. It appears that AK is more "Kid oriented" from what I've seen online. Is this so? My husband and I think we would like the Polynesian better, but this trip is really for her so AK may be the way to go.

Please give any suggestions/tips/reviews on either resort to help us decide! Thanks!

 

[lisaviolet]

Hi,

Welcome to the DIS!!! I'm going to be fresh with you. Please pick the resort for you and your husband. I have a really hard time when parents pick for their children, don't really understand it actually, but that's my issue, eh? So ignore and forgive my freshness. And a lot of kids are all about a pool anyways if you really do ignore me!!!!!!!

I believe the Poly would be the best choice either way. It's so beautiful. It really "takes you away". You are right on the monorail. MK loop. Both monorails are accessible. Epcot one too. Nice.

Beautiful beach area just to hang out. Pool is beautiful. Hammocks on the beach. Can watch MK fireworks right from beach. The Electrical Water Pageant goes right by you. Can easily visit GF, MK, CR, WL, FW just to hang out or to eat. Boats for transportation to MK (so quick by monorai or boat) and the Grand Floridian. So boats and monorail and few buses in comparison to all buses at AKL.

AKL is nice. But you can visit there too. They have areas that you can view the animals from the lodge and walk out to see them.

Poly!!!

Have a wonderful vacation and once again welcome to DIS.

All the best,

Lisa

 

[HaleysMom2]

Great info! Thanks! Question---is the PR still undergoing renovations? I've been reading that alot has been going on there to update the place. Are all the rooms done...or still being worked on? I would be so disappointed if we got an "old" room or if the pool was closed or something while we are there.

 

[La2kw]

Hi--new here, so sorry if this is asked all the time!

We are planning a Land/Sea trip in October and are having a really difficult time deciding between the Polynesian Resort and Animal Kingdom Lodge. We have heard/read wonderful things about both.

We are taking our daughter who will be 8 at the time. It appears that AK is more "Kid oriented" from what I've seen online. Is this so? My husband and I think we would like the Polynesian better, but this trip is really for her so AK may be the way to go.

Please give any suggestions/tips/reviews on either resort to help us decide! Thanks!

The Poly is the way to go. It's on the monorail, which will make getting to the MK and Epcot a breeze. You only ride the bus to Epcot MGM, DD, and the water parks from the Poly. AKL is far from everything and requires buses to get everywhere- definitely not the same experience. The Poly is also on the shores of the man-made Seven Seas Lagoon, which is much more picturesque than the man-made African "Savannah", IMO.

 

[dunnhorn]

Poly, Poly, Poly.

Why? Better views, ease of travel, better restaurants, speedboats, free leis, View Wishes every night from the main house, the view from the pool is amazing, better slide for an 8 year old (the AKL slide is very tame, more for preschoolers.)

And I haven't even stayed at Poly yet! However, we visit *every* time we go. O'Hana is awesome. Kona Cafe is fantastic. We love AKL, but if it were a special trip and we were really choosing between the two, really there is no choice. Stay at Poly and go visit AKL one day and eat brunch at Boma.

There will be a bunch of construction at AKL because they are building a new DVC there.

 

[abaldacci]

poly

 

[Poly Pal]

I don't think you would find a more "kid friendly" resort than the Polynesian. Animal Kingdom Lodge is beautiful but I would only stay there if I was in a savannah view room.

Unless you are traveling in the next few weeks, all of the renovations at the Polynesian will be complete (of course there is always some maintenance going on at one resort or another).

Rooms are MUCH larger at the Polynesian, transportation options are MUCH better, and the view of fireworks exploding over the castle FROM THE POOL definitely would swing my vote.

Have a great trip wherever you stay!

 

[MushyMushy]

AKL is far from everything and requires buses to get everywhere- definitely not the same experience. The Poly is also on the shores of the man-made Seven Seas Lagoon, which is much more picturesque than the man-made African "Savannah", IMO.

See, the fact that AKL is more secluded than the other resorts makes it so much more appealing to us! It's quiet and relaxing without all the hustle and bustle we've seen at the Poly. The African theme is so beautiful. The savannah itself isn't a view to necessarily wake up to every morning, but this sure is:

 

[kaysmommie]

I have stayed at Poly and we ate at AKl last trip and it is beautiful. Either resort is a good choice. If I could convince my DH to try AKl that's where we would stay but he isn't into animals or even Animal Kingdom park. Poly is great for the monorail and tropical atmosphere but since you are coming off of a cruise then AKL might be fun. Both resorts are kid friendly.

 

[wdwgirls2]

I have stayed at both and I prefer the Poly. In fact my two DD11 prefer it too. We just came back from the Poly last weekend and had a great time. We were in a MK view room in Tahiti, ground floor. It had the most beautiful view, and my kids loved having the sandy beach to play on right outside our door with a hammock to relax in. The new rooms are great, love the restaurants, easy transportation. I even love the music played throughout the resort! The AKL is beautiful too but if I had to choose, Poly would win hands down. You will love your cruise too! We have done the Magic and the Wonder in October and had beautiful, perfect weather both times. Enjoy your trip!

 

[La2kw]

See, the fact that AKL is more secluded than the other resorts makes it so much more appealing to us! It's quiet and relaxing without all the hustle and bustle we've seen at the Poly. The African theme is so beautiful. The savannah itself isn't a view to necessarily wake up to every morning, but this sure is:

Nah, I'd rather see a lake, with Cinderella's Castle and Space Mountain in the distance as I zip by on the monorail on my way to the MK instead of a bunch of smelly animals.

 

[iloveeeyore]

The Poly is VERY kid-oriented. It doesn't have as many organized kids programs as AKL, but they aren't needed! There is a nice kids section of the lobby where they can make leis and do crafts, and the pool is fantastic for an 8 year old. There's the beach, the Neverland Club and the arcade, and kids all over the place...Plus 'Ohana is fantastic for families for both dinner and breakfast (Especially Lilo & Stitch fans). My kids LOVE the Poly.

With the land/sea package, you will probably have a short amount of time in WDW? Being at the Poly will allow such easy access to everything, and you wont have to spend as much time and effort getting around the world.

 

[Tiffany]

Hi--new here, so sorry if this is asked all the time!

We are planning a Land/Sea trip in October and are having a really difficult time deciding between the Polynesian Resort and Animal Kingdom Lodge. We have heard/read wonderful things about both.

We are taking our daughter who will be 8 at the time. It appears that AK is more "Kid oriented" from what I've seen online. Is this so? My husband and I think we would like the Polynesian better, but this trip is really for her so AK may be the way to go.

Please give any suggestions/tips/reviews on either resort to help us decide! Thanks!

I think it really depends what park(s) are you planning to spend the most time at during your land portion of your trip. With an 8yr old I am assuming this is the MK and EC. If that is the case then the POLY would be the way to go. It is a short monorail ride to the MK and a short walk to the TTC to take the monrail to EC. You know your 8yr old the best but is she really going to want to spend a lot of time on the balcony looking out at the savanna?

 

[grumpymakesmehappy]

Don't worry about asking the same question over. We all do it! That's why this board is here so that friendly people can help each other out!!! We have never stayed at the AKL but we have stayed at the Polynesian countless times and have never been dissapointed. We started staying there when my sister and I were young 10 & 6. Your daughter will love it, as will you and your husband. You can see Cinderella's castle lit up at night and watch the fireworks from the beach. Beautiful! You can also watch the Electrical Water Parade swim by everynight from the lagoon. You can explore the lagoon on watercraft. Didn't they use to call them water mice or am I crazy? You can be lazy and lay in a hammock on the beach sipping a Pina Coloda. There's no guarentee you'll get one on Castaway Cay!!! DH and I just got lucky! The Poly has a really cool volcano pool that kids and kids at heart love. Ohana's offers a great character breakfast and one of the best dinners you'll ever eat. Another thing to think about, you are on the monorail and that is a major plus if you will be spending a lot of time at the MK. You can also travel by monorail to the Grand and eat at 1900 Park Fare! At the Polynesian you are within walking distance of the Ticket and Tranportation Center. You can hop a ride on the Epcot monorail too! Plus, the Polynesian has some of the best service you will ever encounter at WDW. Their CM go above and beyond. Trust me, the Polynesian is hard to beat, and I think it will put you in the perfect frame of mind to enjoy your Disney Cruise!!!

 

[ploto]

Great info! Thanks! Question---is the PR still undergoing renovations? I've been reading that alot has been going on there to update the place. Are all the rooms done...or still being worked on? I would be so disappointed if we got an "old" room or if the pool was closed or something while we are there.


The polynesian Resort's renovations have been completed.

 

[disneyfan67]

To the OP, welcome to these boards and don't worry about asking questions that many before you have done in the past. Everyone is a newbie at one time or another.

I have stayed at both resorts and I'm partial to the Polynesian because I love the resort, but that's not why I recommend it. You're only going to be on property for a short while and knowing 8 year old kids like I do, MK will be their favorite destination. The Polynesian is so close to MK and if you don't want to ride the Monorail to it, the resort boat ride is a beautiful second choice of transportation. The Pools and theming are top notch and you will love the beach overlooking the Seven Sea's lagoon and seeing the castle. The Poly really adds to the ease of a Disney vacation, but subtracts from the wallet with it's room rates.

I love the theme of AKL and I'm pretty sure there's no resort like it in America today. There's plenty to explore and the pool is huge, but fairly tame. Nice looking and the slide is geared toward smaller children and not in the least bit scary. Here's the drawbacks (if you can even you use that term.) You can only look at animals and explore the resort for so long though, before it's time to go to the parks, which is what Disney is famous for. The buses are plentiful, but if you have to judge your time well and the resort is kind of far off from everything it seems. The other thing is your food options. Both sit down restaurants are great, but the food choices aren't for everyone. My kids didn't care for Boma and my wife isn't interested in trying it again.

I would go with the Poly and stick around the MK area.

 

[sjh801]

As usual, you can't go wrong with either one. I've stayed in both and loved both. Just be happy to be at WDW!

And plan to return and try the other resort!!!

 

[polkadotminnie]

We have stayed at both and I much prefer AKL. The POLY was a big disappointment for us. The AKL CM's made us feel welcome. The lodge smelled terrific from Boma. It was welcoming. The only part of the POLY we enjoyed enough to return to is Ohana.

 

[lovmy2girls]

We are splitting out stay this summer between AKL and the Poly for our girls. They really want to stay there becasue of the animals. We love the Poly, the atmosphere can't be beat, and the monorail is nice and FUN. You just can't beat sitting on the beach and watching the castle change colors or watching wishes or the water parade.

Its a tough choice based on kids, they would prefer the animals