Re-living the magic!!!
:slurp: I have not been on this site for some time, but am so glad to read this thread. I have only been to Disney twice: 2001 we stayed at the AKL the first week it opened, we we first to use the room!! Kids were 2 and 4 and I was very pregnant with #3. Loved every minute of it! Never had to wait more than 5 minutes for a bus, even though some have had problems. The feeling of serenity at AKL is out of this world. Second trip was 2002, 10 blessed days at the Poly with kids now 5,7 and the baby was 9 months by that time. I think to rate one over the other is impossible! It's more really about what you want. Here's my opinions:
Pool: AKL is gargantuan, water slide is appropriate for smaller kids. And I know this one gets to be touchy sometimes, but there are 2 hot tubs! Poly has a way bigger, more exciting water slide that was not appropriate for my kids, but the zero entry pool was perfect for the crawling infant. Who could decide?
View: Poly- We had a lagoon view room on the ground floor. Kids could run out to the beach while my husband and I peacefully had coffee on the patio. (Baby wouldn't crawl in the grass- it was like invisible fencing for babies!) To watch the fireworks without going anywhere was something else! The electric light parade was cool too. And to be able to see the castle anytime you wanted, just breathtaking. AKL- Just thinking of the beauty of the giraffes and other animals coming in to eat was the most unforgettable experience. Just typing this I am swept away by the majesty of it all. A nice morning cup of coffe that you could make in the room, not a bad way to start the day. Plus, for a full day at the parks, to use the coffee maker to get the kids a bowl of instant oatmeal for a fast getaway, was a nice convenience.
Decor/theme: AKL was just gorgeous, the lobby takes your breath away. We had a savannah view room in the Zebra corridor. It was a bit smaller than the Poly's room. I liked the sinks separate from the rest of the bathroom, especially now that we are a family of 5. The carved wood furniture was incredible.
Poly-also gorgeous in that quaint, the Brady Bunch goes to Hawaii sort of way.
Activities: Poly had so much to do, you could just stay there for the whole vacation. With the Volcano pool and adjoining water-play area we actually had a hard time tearing the kids away to go to the parks in the afternoon. We rented the surrey bikes and had a blast. AKL: we got quite a bit of use out of the playground, and the animal viewing area. My kids are so into animal facts that they really enjoyed asking questions of the cast members.
Cast Members: AKL had such knowledgable people. All were wonderful and the life guards at the pool were just incredible. Poly- "Aloha!!" We could have just walked around and Aloha'd people for 10 days. Amazingly friendly helpful people.
Well, this was great for me! I guess I really don't have an opinion, it seems impossible for me to rate one resort over the other. I think it all comes down to what things are you looking for. Have you considered splitting your time?
