Went resort hopping and...

[Desnik]

We were greatly surprised by the AKL!!! We didn't think we would like it but we fell in love. We bumped into a friendly CM who gladly showed us a Savanah view room which we thought was beautiful. DH said we will definately split our stay next visit to include at least 3 nights here!!YIPPEE!! The attention to detail here is what makes this resort unique and so beautiful. The CM informed us that they have the 3rd largest collection of African artifacts in the world!!
We also went over to the Poly to see why everyone seems to like this resort so much. We actually laughed when we walked in. Immediately we got to smell that famous oder, but that isn't what made us not like it here. DH said it perfectly"It reminds me of when the Brady's went to Hawaii" We couldn't stop laughing. Aside from it having a great location this resort didn't appeal to us at all. Now I know I am going to get "slammed" for this opinion because I know alot of you love this resort. Please keep in mind it is JMHO. I'm sure it is a great resort and like I said the location is great, but I think it could use updating to the year 2002. It just felt so "70's"
We also went to the YC/BC and we liked the YC side better, but the BC side is closer to Epcot. The location of both is great and they are both very pretty. And that pool, well it looks fun but evertime we walked by there it was always so crowded!(we were at the BWI, so we took many trips around the lake)

 

[josierac]

Thank you for your opinions. When we go to the Polynesian for dinner, we feel the same way.

We are trying the Beach Club and the Boardwalk Inn this year and we are looking forward to it.

 

[DawnCt]

The Poly has been refurbished several times over the years. The exterior has been brightened, the floor and ceilings in the main ceremonial house have been redone and perhaps it does in some ways look dated; however, I must say, after having been to four different islands in Hawaii, the decor looks very similar to the decor of many Hawaiian hotels, from the indoor gardens, to exterior plantings and the fish ponds. I have a fondness for the Poly because it was the first Disney hotel that we ever stayed in some 25 years ago. It smelled the same then as it does not.

 

[Janet2k]

Desnik, glad you liked your glimpse of the AKL. I hope when you stay there, you have a wonderful time (it is such a unique resort with wonderful CM's).

I haven't stayed at the Poly yet but will do so one of these days. I have been there lots of times, for dinner or visiting friends who were staying there. It, too, is a unique resort. I have never noticed the infamous smell, however (not that I'm complaining!). The Poly has always smelled wonderful to me. Of course lots of folks dislike the Poly's Luau, but give me those male hula dancers' legs anytime!

 

[TeresaNJ]

I love reading people's differing opinions. It always amazes me how different we all are. My DH and I absolutely love WL, my kids think it's okay, they'd rather stay where there are palm trees. My uncle loved the Poly, he stayed there 16 times!! We had to force him to try the GF with us. We stayed at the GF during the holidays. It was beautiful, but not my taste. My second favorite resort is the Beach Club; I think the Yacht Club side is a little too stuffy for me, but it too, is beautiful with all that dark polished wood, and nautical theming. We stayed at the Poly twice, but the last time was in 1990, and that was with my ex-husband who was NOT romantic. My new DH and I had dinner there on our honeymoon, and he definitely wants to stay there for a few days on a future trip. He thought it was great, and never mentioned a smell. I do think it can be a very romantic resort if you're there with the right person. I've stayed at the BWI and BWV; nice, but not my favorite, didn't care for the room decor at the BWI, and didn't like the pool atmosphere at the BW, but I do love the location and the boardwalk itself. Stayed at AKL, liked it alot, DH loved it, DD visited and wants to stay there. It is not on my top resorts to stay at. Port Orleans was nice, landscaping beautiful, especially with the river running behind it, but I'm use to more spaciousness in the rooms, but would stay there again if need be. Anyway, my point is, we will all like different things at different times in our lives, and the great thing about WDW is that we get so many choices.

 

[Ityldu]

Thank goodness we don't all agree on everything or that one specific resort, resaurant and ride would be impossible to ever get in.

Even when not staying at the Polynesian, we can't start a trip to Disney w/o walking in the Polynesian lobby, just to smell the tropical scent. To me it is what Disney is all about. It's an original, it's where we stayed as a kid and you just can't beat the monorail and view of MK. If they ever "updated" the appearance, I doubt I'd ever stay there. GF & BC/YC are very nice, but not to our liking. Dolphin is our 2nd fav. resort - greatest pool of Disney resorts.

 

[disneydawn6]

I have not stayed in a Disney delux hotel that I have not LOVED... All were different and unique in their own way.. Last being the Poly Con. where I didn't smell anything bad... I am going to Hawaii in 3 weeks so it will be neat to compare it too the real thing.... My plan is to stay in all the hotel at WDW.. Still have GF, YC, CR and all the all stars to go...
The only one I have not cared for was CS.. We were way out in Ranchero and thought the prices were too high for a food court....

 

[Gillian]

It sounds like DH will LOVE the polynesian! He remembers the 70s fondly

It's funny how these boards influence your decisions. I've never stayed at any of the monorail resorts and thought the GF would be my first choice. But now I can't wait to try the CR & Polynesian & the GF is going to have to wait for us!

 

[BethC1952]

It's not a trip to WDW for us without at least one trip to the Poly to wander around. It's one of our favorite things to do on our last night at WDW (and this trip we'll have two "last nights"!) I really got a good chuckle at Desnik's comment about the Brady's in Hawaii because we said the same thing! We do notice a smell--DH calls it "Tropical Chlorine". It's not a bad smell, and it's something that we occasionally smell in places and it makes us fondly remember WDW.

For my money, the Moderate Resorts are a better deal. We don't need much space since we're all adults and travel light. We don't spend much time in our room except to sleep, shower and dress, and whatever kind of room or resort we're in we're at Disney World. That beats being at home any day!

Beth

 

[hunnypotmama]

What's the Poly "smell" you all have referred to? Is it mildew?

hunnypotmama

 

[Ityldu]

The "Poly smell" is the same smell I notice when I enter any type of tropical area. We we go to zoos or even when we were in Jamaica after it rained. I don't consider it a mildew smell at all, just a beautiful, lush, tropical foliage smell. I'm sure those situations have mildew, how can they not with so much dampness, so I guess I can see how it reminds some of mildew, but to us, nothing in the world smells better then the lobby at the Polynesian.

Like I've said before, until I smell that lobby, my vacation just can't begin.