Polynesian vs. Animal Kingdom

[Sharlyne]

My family will be going on our first Disney trip in Sept. Would you stay at the Poly or AKL?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I would go with the Polynesian.

 

[dishm12/08]

My family will be going on our first Disney trip in Sept. Would you stay at the Poly or AKL?

Tell us more about your family. Will their be small children in your party?

Personally, I don't think you could wrong with either. We're honeymooning there for our first trip. We originally booked AKL, but upgraded to Poly with a pin code FI got. Keep in mind that a difference other than the themeing is the fact that Poly is on the monorail and AKL you have to bus everywhere. Expecially if you have young children with you, you might want to take the Poly for the monorail access.

 

[disneydreamin247]

I would go with Poly. They have pretty recently renovated rooms, and it is closer to the action, aside from AKL being close to AK. Poly also has monorail access to MK and Epcot. JMO!

 

[KatMark]

I would have to pick AKL. We have stayed at the Poly and loved it each time, but I would love to stay at the AKL with a savannah view and see the animals in the morning while drinking my coffee.

 

[polineedyan]

it always seems to come back to the monorail regarding the polynesian. I would love nothing more than to see a giraffe outside my window. Once, maybe twice.. After 5 days or so, I might begin to feel like I was in a zoo.
If the key to the resort experience is escape..Polynesian tops it.
Just my view..It may change after June 19th!

 

[lmhall2000]

Welcome and War Eagle!

We've stayed at both..hands down if you have children under 6 Poly...monorail is worth any amount of money extra (my husband's opinion)...

The only reason I would choose AKL is if you have children that are completely crazy over animals....ya know the type that live for that next National Geographic magazine! When our kids saw the animals, we thought they would just flip out..but after the first 30 minutes, they really weren't running to the deck when we said, LOOK at the GIRAFFE!!! They'd just wave their hand and say "yeah, yeah"...but we could not take them away from the pool at the Poly...much better slide and we liked taking the boat or monorail to MK...

Enjoy!
Tara

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

We love AKL. I admit that I did price out Poly for this year's trip (strictly to be on the monorail because DD LOVES seeing the animals every day) but I couldn't justify the price increase (it's pretty steep) just to be on the monorail. But if cost isn't an issue...go for it.

 

[frdeb1999]

I'd opt for the Poly. Having the monorail right there is wonderful. The rooms are huge, resturants are great and you get the fireworks from the beach. For a 1st trip since your going to want to see and do everything time is going to be a major factor....and the monorail right there at your resort will help you get to see and do alot more. Both are wonderful resorts....I'd just vote for Poly.

 

[Sharlyne]

Thank you all for your advice and comments. My husband really wants to stay at AKL but I was afraid after seeing the animals the first day or two, we would not be so excited. Besides the Poly seems to have more to offer my 10 y.o. son PLUS theres the monorail Thanks again and WAR EAGLE !!

 

[Disneyonmymind]

so we ended up booking 4 nights at the Poly, followed by 3 nights at the AKL. Can't wait to be there!

 

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

I have no kids, but we had the same resorts in mind when we decided to go in September. I really want to stay at AKL, but that monorail is awefully handy, Kona Coffee is awefully addictive, Beverly at Kona Cafe is awefully sweet, and my honey just loves the Poly. So, we decided to go Poly.

 

[EltonJohn]

Polynesian-it's on the monorail and I like the theming. AKL is not in a great location, and I don't like the theming.

 

[Lovetherodent]

I prefer the AKL as a resort. It's so different from anything I'd ever been in before. The theming is magnificent and all the educational programs at the resort are really cool. Once indoors, the Poly looks more like any old hotel; however, the rooms are bigger.

AKL is less expensive. I booked room only with a code and got $129 a night (standard view with bunkbeds).

AKL has a huge pool, but the water slide is pretty tame. Poly has a smaller pool, but my kids liked it better.

What cinches it for me, though, is the transportation. The monorail to MK and Epcot is so much nicer than the long bus trips from AKL. If money isn't an issue, do the Poly.

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Where does everyone get these codes? Please let me in on the secret.

 

[OnourwaytoWDW]

While I have stayed at Poly and love it there, I can't really see myself staying anywhere else.
And I agree with one poster...seeing the animals first is exciting, second is cool..third is nice....fourth..eh...unless they are going to jump up and sing "I just can't wait to be King", it's just not exciting.

 

[shyjade]

I've stayed at both and hands down, DD10 & I both prefer the Poly. The transportation, watching the fireworks from the beach, the tropical feel (we live in WI), the friendly people...we just loved it there last year. So much, that we are going back this year and taking my parents. I know they will love it as much as we do!

And for the record, my DD10 IS definately one of those animal-obsessed kids, and even she prefers the Poly over seeing the animals daily. My guess is because Disney is so stimulating as a whole, that like me, she prefers the relaxed feel she gets at the Poly. I bet she would prefer the AKL if it were located elsewhere, not at Disney where there is already so much to do and see. Does that make sense?

 

[HappyTrouble]

We have styed at AKL and the Poly w/ the Poly being the most recent which was August '07. The entire week both my daughters were ready to go back to AKL. On day 5 of our trip we had dinner at Boma's and when we walked into AKL they both stopped, took in the smell (which I have been trying to duplicate to no avail!) and, no kidding, turned and looked at me and said next time we have to stay here again!! We stayed at AKL in March of 2004. The Poly is nice, don't get me wrong. (I am the one who really wanted to stay there.) AKL has the best pool area IMO, the bus service was fantastic when we were there and the rooms were about the same but I love being under 1 roof and not having to walk outside just to go get something to eat. We Loved watching the animals epecially at night, so relaxing!! Why not do a split stay?? That way you get a little of both. It is not hard to switch resorts. Christmas of '05 we stayed at 3 different hotels over 10 days and I thought it really added a twist to our vacation.......just a thought.

 

[mickeynut1]

We've never stayed at the AKL, but we LOVE the Poly The resort is absolutely beautiful and being able to see the castle and watch the fireworks from the beach or pool, is awesome