Polynesian Or Animal Kingdom Lodge?

[PacMan2006]

We are deciding between these two. What does everyone feel is better? Is transportation by bus truly a hassel with the AKL? I have read that the Poly is close to the monorail, boat, etc.

But just curious about opinions. Thanks.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

i would go with the poly. The monorail is connected to the resort. Theres ton of great info at http://tikiman2001.homestead.com/index.html
its a webiste all about the Poly. I do like AKL but I like the poly better.

Are you going with kids? When do you plan on going? Those would effect my choice as well.

 

[PacMan2006]

Sorry, I forgot that info.

Just two adults going--no kids.

And we are going around the 2nd week of December?

Would it get pretty chilly at the Poly, with that wind blowing off the water?

Is transportation via bus really bad/a hastle to and from the AKL?

 

[Cole'sMom]

That's so funny you posted this question. My husband and I just changed our reservations from AKL to Poly. We have always stayed at AKL, but we called Disney with a discount code and we got a better rate at the Poly. We figured with the baby, a monorail resort is a better option this visit. We have only eaten at the Poly once and the resort seems very cool. AKL is serene, welcoming, quiet and the CM are nice. I have gathered that the Poly CM are equally as nice. I think both the resorts have the same feel. This may be our only chance to stay at a monorail resort, so we grabbed it. I honestly don't think you can go wrong with either choice. The buses are very quick at AKL, and the food is great. It's like a second vacation-there are many things to learn and look at, the CM are very knowledgable and the animals are soooo cool! If you stay there, be sure to look with the night vision goggles sometime-very cool. Good luck with your decision and have a great trip!

 

[tigsmom]

It would be chilly at the AKL too if its windy out.

I haven't stayed at the AKL, but have visited and its beautiful. We stayed in RapaNui at the Poly ...towards the back by the TTC. Its a really nice resort, but we didn't like walking outside for everything especially when its raining.

Being on the monorail is a big plus, but we don't mind traveling by bus.

 

[darrin933]

Go with the poly. The rooms at akl seem small, some of the rooms at the poly seem twice as large compared to akl. At the poly you can see wishes everynight the light pageant on the water, be at the beach and so on. No it does not get chilly with the wind coming off the water. I usually get a lagoon view and we have not ever had a wind problem. If you are a passholder you should be able to get a great rate at the poly before the holiday season starts. Grab a lapu lapu with Walter at the Tambu, relax and check the castle out!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

the poly has options as well. You can take the monorail over to the CR or GF for dinner or exploring. Also theres the boat at the CR that goes to the WL to check that out. The buses at AKL dont share with any other resorts so thats good but its not really close to anything but AK.

 

[PacMan2006]

Thanks a lot for your help, everyone.

I have a question. It seems like the Poly has a lot of...parts to it that, I suppose, are the different areas that you stay in. What are the areas that you'd recommend to stay in at the Poly? What are the areas to avoid or that aren't ideal?

 

[PacMan2006]

Hey everyone,

One more question...is it possible to check into the Poly late at night? We probably won't be able to get there until 11 PM or 12 AM...would we be able to check-in at that time?

 

[Alicnwondrln]

you can check in at 3pm. I would have your reservation noted that you will be checking in late. If you are staying concierge you will be in the Hawaii longhouse. If not there are several others and depending on what view you book garden, lagoon, or MK view that will effect what longhouse you can request.


the following info is from tikimans site
http://tikiman2001.homestead.com/map.html

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Lagoon V[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]ie[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]w[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] rooms are rooms that are facing the [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Magic Kingdom[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] or the Seven Seas Lagoon but may have the castle partly or fully blocked[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif].[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] Some are blocked partly by foliage (mostly ground level rooms), tree-tops (mostly 3rd floor rooms) or blocked by Beachcombers Island off the shore of the Polynesian (rooms in Tuvalu).[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Magic Kingdom View[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] (new as of 2006) are lagoon view rooms with unobstructed views of the castle. See longhouse pages for Aotearoa, Tuvalu and Tahiti for a list of Magic Kingdom View rooms. All other rooms on the lagoon side of these buildings are considered[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Lagoon View[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Garden View[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] rooms are all rooms except lagoon view rooms. Your view in a garden view room could be anything from a partial view of the lagoon, a pool view, a marina view, a view of the garden areas, a monorail view or a parking lot view.[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]There were many questions when the [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Magic Kingdom View[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] was introduced and I had my own concerns. After finding out more about it I believe it is a good thing. The rooms that were selected to be [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Magic Kingdom View[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] were selected because they have an unobstructed view of the castle. The price for these rooms are about the same as a [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Garden View[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Concierge[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] room and in the past that is what a standard [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Lagoon View[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] room cost. Now a standard Lagoon View room cost less than a [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Garden View[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Concierge[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] room. Also there are a small handfull of [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Lagoon View[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] rooms that have quite a few plants blocking the view but most of the remaining [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Lagoon View[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] rooms still have a great view and infact many still have a view of the castle. Below is a photo of a room in Tahiti that is considered a [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Lagoon View[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] room and not a [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Magic Kingdom View [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]and as you can see the castle is still visable. [/FONT]​

 

[jab300]

We've stayed at both resorts and they are both great! The buses run fine from the AKL but it is a bit of a walk from the rooms to the bus waiting. We found, too that the food at the AKL is spicy...even the "fast food court" place had African spices in stuff. By the end of our trip poor dh had heartburn. But don't forget the really big perk...the animals! It was just magical for us to look out our patio everyday and see the animals. We've stayed there twice now, once right after it opened and can't complain.

Now I have to say I prefer Poly. Can't beat the atmosphere, shopping, monorail, boat access, and food. If we had never been to AKL I would pick it just to get that experience. When staying at the Poly we stay in Rarotonga because it is right next to the Ceremonial House, i.e. monorail and eating, close to the pool and beach, and not too shabby a walk to the ticket center to catch a ferry.

 

[jim1051]

I'd go Poly. I prefer it as well as but the transportation issue is huge. Monorail boats walking dist to trans. center for mono top epcot.

 

[SarahBella82]

I'll add my ten cents for this debate, which seems to rage here more often than not.

I love both resorts, and the ambiance is amazing in both. POLY will make you feel like you are on a typical tropical island. It's a departure from reality, and you'll love it.

AKL is beautiful, and because we are less familiar with African environments than tropical, it's a little more exotic. I prefer AKL because I feel like I am literally worlds away. The lobby is dark and moody. The smells are infectious. And the energy is powerful.

I vote for AKL. But you will love it either way.

 

[slappy magoo]

They're both incredible resorts. I love AKL, but for a lot of people, it seems like Poly is the Alpha and Omega, the ultimate Disney resort. More popular than even GF or Yacht Club with Stormalong Bay. Location is a main reason, where you not only have access to the MK monorail, you're walking distance to the Epcot monorail as well. The Savannah views at AKL are lovely, but the view at Poly is essentially a view of all that is "Disney" to so many people. And while it may just be a perception on my part, it feels like Poly is more of what Walt himself wanted WDW to be. I wouldn't refuse a room in either resort, but as much as I love AKL, were I able to afford the Poly, I'd probably do it.

 

[FloridaRocks]

Animal Kingdom Lodge