Which resort will make the biggest impression on a first timer - Poly or AKL?

[DisneyFan09]

Even though my Mother thinks my interest in Disney is a little obsessive, I think I've talked her into joining my dd's and I on part of our October trip. Well, needless to say I want to make a huge first impression and need help deciding on which resort will help me do that.

I already have ressies at POR for the first 4 nights and Poly for the last 4, but now that she's agreed to come I think I will cancel POR and switch to AKL. She will only be able to be there for 4 nights so I need to decide where we should stay while she is there.

 

[TRAPPED-PARENT]

Because I'm from Michigan, I love anything with a palm tree or that looks tropical. Even though it would be nice to visit AKL, it would remind me too much of the hot summer on the farm (where I grew up)!!!

I suppose because of my background, I would choose the Poly; however, I think your mother will be impressed by either.

 

[jdads2]

Well, We haven't been to POR yet...staying at POFQ this next trip. We have stayed at the Poly, our first trip and at AKL on our last. Both are beautiful but for WOW I would choose the AKL. Even if your are not a Disney fan this resort is amazing. I think that you can't go wrong with either resort but the AKL is really something special.

 

[His_Lordship]

You have a tough choice! You could let her watch a Disney planning video and see which she would enjoy the most. Does she enjoy wildlife, or is she a beach person?

Whichever resort you pick, be sure to book a nice dinner at the other so she can see them both.

 

[CarolA]

I took my mother with me two years ago. She does not share my Disney obsession, but enjoys it. I booked us a Savannah view room and she LOVED it. She still talks about how great the hotel was and seeing the animals outside our room. I am so glad I did it!

 

[DisneyFan09]

Sorry jdads2 - you must have read this thread before I edited the subject. I typed in POR instead of Poly. We were originally staying at POR so I guess my mind was on that!

Thanks to everyone so far for the input. I'm having the most horrible time making decisions for this trip. The last time we went I did not know about the Dis and actually sometimes I think that the less you know the easier it is to plan!

It took me months to finally decide on POR and Poly and now here I am again in a quandry! I'd really like to stay at Poly for the whole time and just visit AKL but I really can't afford it and I just don't think that POR will be as impressive as the others.

Oh well, keep the opinions coming!!

 

[Hollymom1229]

For the sheer wow factor of the resort itself I would pick AKL. My fiancee never understood my Disney obsession until I took him to WDW this past September. He was blown away by this resort and wants to stay there again next September. Though he has said he would also stay at the Poly or WL.

 

[jel0511]

If you really can't afford the Poly for the entire stay, I'd definately go with AKL. This resort is so breathtaking, it's now my favorite non-DVC resort. You will enjoy your stay there and so will your mother. Personally, when I saw the title of your thread, I was torn. The Poly is so great, especially for a first time stay, with the monorail and all. But the AKL is just such a GREAT place to stay, I didn't know which to recommend. But if money is a factor, go with the AKL and don't look back, it will be GREAT!!

 

[DisneyFan09]

I should also add that I've not stayed at either of these resorts myself, I've only been to CBR!

Ideally which resort would be best to save for last?

 

[>>^..^<<]

Originally posted by DisneyFan09
Even though my Mother thinks my interest in Disney is a little obsessive

First of all.....LOL at that
.
I'm sure alot of us can relate - in fact my entire family thinks I'm totally insane when it comes to Disney... but back to your question.

I like Poly... but I don't find it much different then any tropical style hotel anywhere, this includes florida, carribean, hawaii and mediteranean...

But AKL... well - you don't see much like this resort around - I think any first timer - especailly if they are not familiar with Disney properties.. would be absolutely blown away by this african themed paradise. It ia also very warm and cozy despite its size.


I vote AKL to impress Mom and make her DisneyFan#1

>>^..^<<

 

[DisneyFan09]

<<^..^>> - I love your username!! I think you're right about AKL being pretty unique, I mean what are the chances of most of us actually getting to go to Africa? But then I think of some of the neat things about Poly like: monorail, beach, EWP, fireworks from O'Hana, etc. and it just seems like it would be more magical!! I'm really leaning toward Poly with a visit to AKL after going to AK and maybe p.s. at Boma.

But of course it will probably be another month before I can actually make a decision.

 

[aurora713]

For the resort wow! factor, I would go with AKL. For more Disney magic wow!, I would go with the Poly, because of it's location.

I would want to do the deluxe resort last. Port Orleans is nice, and either Poly or AKL will be an upgrade. But if you go down, you will possibly *miss* your deluxe resort, and not be able to enjoy POFQ.

 

[Trekker]

I have never stayed at the Polynesian but have visited friends thier. And I've spent 2 nights at AKL with DD who loves animals.

I think each resort has its positives.

AKL is so impressive when you walk into the lobby, and seeing the animals right outside your room is cool. However I think the rooms are really small for a deluxe resort. I've only eaten at Mara and Boma. Mara to me is similar to any food court in any resort. Boma is an incredible dinner buffet, but of my fammily of 4 - I'm the only one who liked all the different types of food offered, now everyone like the 23 different desserts offered.

When I visited Poly, I was really impressed with that lobby and restraunts there. I find having the monorail available from your resort very cool. The rooms are much larger and if you have a castle view that is incredible to look out your window and see that! I ate breakfast at the restraunt that is upstairs overlooking the lobby and was impressed with the food - especially the stuff french toast.

It is a tough choice, if Mom really likes animals - I would do AKL - but IMHO Poly will give more of the total Disney Magic Picture.

 

[MLAinVA]

I'd take MIL to the AKL, it is so wonderful and has so much to offer. You can enjoy the Poly with dinner at O'hana or breakfast at the Kona Cafe, but stay at AKL. A giraffe outside your window is just too unique!!!

 

[lizzie64]

As an obsessive Disney person, going to Disney this trip with a MIL who isn't such a Disney lover, I've booked a split stay with the Poly and AKL.

Hopefully, that will wow her cynical smile off.

 

[DisneyFan09]

I'm trying to make my decision easier by trying to talk my mom into going all 8 nights, then we can do 4 nights at AKL and then 4 nights at Poly!! If not I will stick to my original plan of 4 nights POR and then when she comes we'll go to Poly. She doesn't really love animals all that much and as I posted earlier, we can always go hang out at AKL and eat at Boma.

 

[>>^..^<<]

I beleive the cynical smile is permanent on a MIL... comes with the job.

>>^..^<<

 

[lizzie64]

Originally posted by >>^..^<<
I beleive the cynical smile is permanent on a MIL... comes with the job.

>>^..^<<

You are so right Cassie!!!!!!!

 

[twinmomplus2]

animal Kingdom Lodge over your other choice of Port Orleans. It is a once in a lifetime experience. Can you do half your stay Poly and Half Animal Kingdom Lodge that would be perfect.....

 

[CindysGusGus]

I just got back from my first trip to AKL, we are die hard WL fans and I was very skeptical to try anything new...on top of that I was paying for my parents to go (first real vacation for them) My mom told me if she heard the word Disney come out of my mouth one more time she was not going to go. When she stepped out on the balcony of AKL it was all over. It was cool and rainy and the rooms have a darker feel to them. Most people would say that they are dark. I felt warm by the shades of color. John Travolta and his wife were there the first 2 nights we were there and that gave that extra wow factor to my parents. I would definately say AKL has my vote!