Using points for the Poly or AKL????

[disgirl]

Has anyone used points to stay at the Polynesian and or Animal Kingdom lodge(weekday Points)? We have stayed at the Poly years ago twice and really liked it, have never been to AKL but heard nice things about it. If we did do this, it would only be for 3 nights before going to DVC. I know it is not a great use of points, but am just considering it as a "treat" since we have not been to one of these non DVC resorts in years. I would love to hear opinions and experiences.

Also, is the AK only worth it if you stay in Savannah view over the water/pool view? We have a 14 year old boy who loves SAB, do you think he would prefer the Polynesian pool or the AKL pool? I have never seen AKL at all so I do not know what the pool slide is like, etc?? He enjoys slides. Again, any opinions would be appreciated. I will probably post on the resort board as well, but wanted to hear experiences from any fellow DVCers that may have used points for either of these resorts. THANKS SO MUCH!!

 

[dianeschlicht]

We have used points for a night at AKL in the past. If your trip is soon, you might be able to do that, but with the new AKC coming up, you likely will only be able to use points at that in the future, and not at the lodge itself. Rumor is that they will start selling AKV in March, so not sure how that would effect the ability to reserve the regular lodge.

 

[DVCLiz]

I think it would be a great use of your points!!! For me, DVC is about being able to have the resort experience I choose, so if I want to occasionally "spend" my points on a non-DVC resort, that for me is the beauty of the system. I would hate to have to stop and do a cost analysis every time I made a reservation!!!

We love the AKL, so that would be my choice. I really enjoyed their pool, but we didn't swim at the Poly so I don't know what their slide is like. I do think it's worth it to stay in a Savannah view room at AKL, though. It's just such an amazing experience!!

Have fun deciding!!

 

[Mahusky]

Has anyone used points to stay at the Polynesian and or Animal Kingdom lodge(weekday Points)? We have stayed at the Poly years ago twice and really liked it, have never been to AKL but heard nice things about it. If we did do this, it would only be for 3 nights before going to DVC. I know it is not a great use of points, but am just considering it as a "treat" since we have not been to one of these non DVC resorts in years. I would love to hear opinions and experiences.

Also, is the AK only worth it if you stay in Savannah view over the water/pool view? We have a 14 year old boy who loves SAB, do you think he would prefer the Polynesian pool or the AKL pool? I have never seen AKL at all so I do not know what the pool slide is like, etc?? He enjoys slides. Again, any opinions would be appreciated. I will probably post on the resort board as well, but wanted to hear experiences from any fellow DVCers that may have used points for either of these resorts. THANKS SO MUCH!!

AKL Lodge is very nice. I especially like the theming there and the feeling you get when you walk in the lobby! The Lobby is similar in WOW factor as WL. The Savannah rooms are special although I will admit after our 1st visit there the seeing the animals from the room thing wore off on my 3 children. They were like cool ok .... saw that the last time! "Spoiled Brats!!! Restaurants, etc.. are nice.

The pool is nice but average. SAB is MUUUUCH nicer! I have opten complained on these boards why the don't allow pool hopping to the pool there?

I would stay there again.... and I would recommend staying there if you haven't done it!

Good Luck and enjoy!

 

[disgirl]

Thank you everyone for the quick and very informative replies.

Diane: That is a very interesting point you raised. If we do this during this years trip, it would be in August. I did not realize they would be selling points for there so soon. Does that mean the lodge will be closed while they are renovating into DVC? I am sorry I have not been on these boards that much in the last 5 months or so, therefore, I really have not been following the news about AKL turning into DVC. Now, I feel bad we never tried AKL before if you think we would not be able to use points for the lodge anymore. Although I would love more points, I do not think we can afford to buy into AK anytime soon. Thanks for the information Diane.

Now, I do not know if we should try the Polynesian for three days if AKL is not an option, but that would mean staying in a studio for the rest of our stay at BCV, because we do not have enough points to stay at the Poly and then a 1 bedroom. Our other option which I first thought of was BCV studio for a few nights then move to a 1 bedroom BCV (there are 3 of us) for the rest of the stay. I have not discussed the idea of the Polynesian with DH yet as I just started thinking of it this morning. I know DH and DS LOVE the BCV, but I just think trying different places then the year before makes the trip a little more interesting. Any other thoughts, experiences, or opinions would be appreciated. THANKS!!

 

[dianeschlicht]

First of all, sorry about that typo up there in my first post! I meant to type AKV, but being a dog breeder and exhibitor, AKC seems to be VERY familiar to my fingers!

Some of the rumors are that they will start selling in March and that reservations will be available some time in the fall. Now who knows what's true or not, but it seems to me if you reserve on points now, you will be allowed to stay on points.

 

[disgirl]

Thanks Diane. As a fellow dog lover, no problem at all

You got me thinking now though Diane. As I said before, I really had not followed this board too closely in the last few months so had not really thought about AKV. Are they turning rooms at the lodge into DVC? Would there be lots of construction going on then in August? Also, someone on the resorts board mentioned the Savannah view maybe not being so great when it is hot, which of course it would be in August. Is this something to consider if I can use points at AKL?

Thanks again.

 

[Dean]

Remember AKL will likely be removed as an option come this fall.

 

[disgirl]

Thanks Dean. Yes, that is what Diane thought. We would be going in August. Do you or anyone here think we would have lots of construction to deal with because of the AKV being built? I would not want to experience it for the first time with construction, etc. Thanks!!

 

[Dean]

Thanks Dean. Yes, that is what Diane thought. We would be going in August. Do you or anyone here think we would have lots of construction to deal with because of the AKV being built? I would not want to experience it for the first time with construction, etc. Thanks!!

I doubt it'll be major issue but I'm sure some will be affected more than others.

 

[Mahusky]

Thanks Dean. Yes, that is what Diane thought. We would be going in August. Do you or anyone here think we would have lots of construction to deal with because of the AKV being built? I would not want to experience it for the first time with construction, etc. Thanks!!

I have stayed at the BWV during the construction and it was hardly noticeable or an inconveniece.

IMHO the best Savanah room are the low floor (so you can see beneath the foliage) and the construction is being completed on the top floors.

I think you will have a magical time at the AKL.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I doubt the construction will be an issue. The first DVC rooms will be the conversion of the top floors of AKL, and the new AKV building will be beyond the current hotel and not connected to it. We have also been told that AKV will have its own check-in, restaurant, savannah, etc.

 

[dgaston]

Although I may be the only one who thinks this way, I think the pool slide and pool will be disappointing for a 14 year old boy. On the other hand he might love using the night goggles with some of the AKL staff. And don't forget to eat at Boma!

 

[disgirl]

Thanks again everyone.
dgaston: I am glad you posted what you did because I was wondering the same thing. I have only seen one or two pictures of the AKL slide/pool and it does look short. Is that true? Also, have you ever been to the Poly pool and do you know if that slide is any longer than the AKL one?
I realize none of these pools compare to SAB but we would be going there after the Poly or AKL so he would get to go in there too.

I finally spoke to DH about my thoughts here and he was ok with the idea of either the Poly or AKL, but the only problem is we would have to forfeit staying in the 1 bedroom at BCV if we do go to Poly or AKL for 2-3 nights on points first. I really do not want to borrow any points as we may have to do that for future trips if DS brings a friend a long one year. In order to stay at the Poly or AKL for 2-3 nights on points, it looks like we would have to stay in a studio(I want our trip to be 8-9 nights). Decisions decisions, we really did fall in love with the 1 bedroom when we got to stay in one last year with banked points. I have a little over 1 week before I need to make a final decision to book BCV at the 7th month mark.

Thanks again everyone and any more comments about either the Poly or AKL are appreciated while I am number crunching (point crunching,LOL) and trying to decide. Thanks! You are all the best!!

 

[dgaston]

Disgirl: The slide at the Poly is much better than the slide at AKL. I know lots of people with young children love the zero entry, but for teens and adults, I think the watering hole concept isn't as interesting. I like the pool and slide much better at CSR and POR for example. At least in the volcano pool there are some enclosed red areas meant to be lava, and the slide is much longer. But no matter what, you are then going to SAB -- great water features.