Where to Stay

[Pioneer Hall]

Well I have pretty much narrowed it down to two choices...

Polynesian and Animal Kingdom Lodge. I am leaning closer to the Polynesian because we stayed there and really liked it. So I want to see what you think about the two resorts and your opinions.

Please don't just vote...explain why you chose one over the other.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

Originally posted by disneyqueen
I thought that the rooms at the AKL were bigger than those at poly, but we did have a king size bed which might make it seem bigger to us. When we stay at hotel that doesn't have the boats (like AKL) we just go over to the Poly and use thiers. No problem in that. If you want something more centralized go with the Poly, if you want seculsion go with the AKL. I will always pick AKL over the Poly, because I love animals and its just better all around. IMO. I also thought the bathroom was bigger. It was a lot nicer, but we did stay in it the first year it was there.

The Polynesian rooms are 409 Sq. Ft.. The Animal Kingdom Lodge rooms are 340 Sq. Ft. The bathrooms at the Polynesian are also some of the biggest on property (the AKL bathrooms are the same size as the moderates. The sinks aren't even in the bathroom.)

 

[disneyqueen]

I like that the sinks aren't in the bathroom. I can get ready in the morning while my husband takes a shower. It is much better this way! IMO! I have stayed at the moderates and the deluxe hotels on property and the AKL shower area is way bigger! It was almost twice the size. We did get a deluxe room at AKL which is suppose to be bigger than the normal rooms at AKL according to the lady at the front desk. It sure did seem bigger than the Poly.:lol:

 

[Pioneer Hall]

Originally posted by disneyqueen
I like that the sinks aren't in the bathroom. I can get ready in the morning while my husband takes a shower. It is much better this way! IMO! I have stayed at the moderates and the deluxe hotels on property and the AKL shower area is way bigger! It was almost twice the size. We did get a deluxe room at AKL which is suppose to be bigger than the normal rooms at AKL according to the lady at the front desk. It sure did seem bigger than the Poly.:lol:

AKL Deluxe rooms are 380 Sq. Ft.. Like I said before the Polynesian rooms are 409 Sq. Ft.. Almost 30 Sq. Ft. larger...that's a pretty substantial difference.

 

[kennyj29]

No Choice

Polynesian all the way!!!!!!!!! AKL is beautiful but way to out of the main stream............it is way to isolated for my taste. There is nothing quite like being on the monorail line. Polynesian is beautiful also and the convenience of the location is worth every penny. As beautiful as the AKL is, I would pick the Poly hands down. Just came back from a Disney trip and we stayed at the Poly. We brought cousins with us who haven't been there in 21 years. They couldn't stop complimenting the resort. We brought them to all the expensive resorts and they even said the lay out of the Poly, where it's located and the workers there are just the best. They wouldn't stay anywhere else either!!:animwink:

 

[cymbaldiva]

Originally posted by sigsegv
The Poly is nice too, but has a bit of the "Tropical 70s" thing still going on, even though Disney has been trying to mute that. Still, the Poly is more central to things and probably much easier to get to/from than the AKL.

-sig

IMHO, the Poly has the classic Disney thing going on....You know, the sort of thing I've been dreaming of visiting?

Never mind the fact that the retro 70's thing is supposedly kewl right now!

 

[sigsegv]

Originally posted by cymbaldiva
IMHO, the Poly has the classic Disney thing going on....You know, the sort of thing I've been dreaming of visiting?

Never mind the fact that the retro 70's thing is supposedly kewl right now!

More proof that I'm no longer cool. I've been through the 70s once and it was ugly then and it's ugly now. :hurl:

-sig (who should know not to post before he gets his caffeine)

EDIT: Still, I'd rather stay at the Poly than AKL. THe AKL is too isolated.

 

[AkiraRaptor]

I've stayed at both, and they wife and I love AKL much more so than the Polynesian.

Everyone can go back and forth over the little things like sq. footage, the monorail line, etc. But for us, it's all about the theming of AKL and the animals.

We loved our stay at the Polynesian, don't get me wrong, and if AKL was not a choice we'd probebly end up at Polynesian or the Wilderness Lodge, but we just feel AKL is the best resort.

Here's our resons why:

The animals, the staff, the conceiage lounge and service, the food - BOMA and JIKO, Sunrise Safari tour (need conceiage for this), the resort itself.

The last one is in reference to all the art and history placed around the resort. They even have tours of the resort by CMs.

When we stayed at the Polynesian, it ended up just being a nice place to sleep at night. We never returned to the resort until the parks closed, and left first thing in the moring. After the initial walk around the first night their, it was just a nice resort to us.

But at AKL, we found ourselves lingering around in the morning, not in a rush to get to the parks, we would watch the animals, have a nice breakfast at Boma, talk to the African CMs, which btw everyone should do. These CMs are great to talk to, they have a welth of information and stories to tell. And we would return the resort in the afternoons, and evenings more often than not.

It just felt more like a vacation resort than the Polynesian did for us.

Have fun in either resort you stay at!

 

[WDWspider]

Originally posted by DisneyInsider
AKL Deluxe rooms are 380 Sq. Ft.. Like I said before the Polynesian rooms are 409 Sq. Ft.. Almost 30 Sq. Ft. larger...that's a pretty substantial difference.

Does it matter???

As long as they both have the same things (beds, sinks, tvs, etc...) who cares if 30 sq ft can be cut out and still have a comfortable room to sleep in. I sure don't care, if it's bigger great, but if you still get the same things in the room, who cares. I also love the idea of the sinks on the outside. I like they are double sinks even more... one person showers while two others comb hair, brush teeth, whatever, great time saver.

 

[AkiraRaptor]

Originally posted by sigsegv
Still, the Poly is more central to things and probably much easier to get to/from than the AKL.

-sig

I'd agree to that if you mainly only go to MK, but EPCOT and MGM and DAK can be just as much a "pain" to get to from the Polynesian as AKL. Not that either is a "pain" at all. :lol:

The AKLs bus system is very good. Of course there are a few that will tell of horror stories, but overall, the busses at AKL are very good. And I'm sure if Tyler is watching this thread he'll speak up on behave of the AKLs transporation as well.

The MK is the only long ride, EPCOT, MGM and DAK only take a few minuets each. Even DD only takes a few minuets and that's even with a stop at one of the water parks in the middle.

The only plus on the transprtation I'd give the Polynesian is the monorail to MK, other than than that, they are the same, and in my opinion, AKL's even better.

Just my opinion...

 

[wdwguru]

I know you've already made your decision, but I too will put in my two cents.

My last trip to WDW was just over a year ago . During that trip, we spent two nights at AKL, two nights at the Polynesian and took a 3 night cruise. We had a deluxe room with a savannah room; it was magnificent and we loved it. So much so that we were sad to leave it and go to the Polynesian. We hadn't stayed at either one before. I was mad that I had not just stayed at the AKL for the 4 nights...and then we got to the Polynesian . We had a lagoon view room and I quickly forgot all about the AKL. The view, the transportation, the space, it was heavenly. I still love them both, but if I were to choose between the two today, I would definitely go with the Polynesian and my DH agrees.

21 days and counting! :sohappy: :sohappy: :sohappy:

 

[Pioneer Hall]

Originally posted by spider-man
Does it matter???

As long as they both have the same things (beds, sinks, tvs, etc...) who cares if 30 sq ft can be cut out and still have a comfortable room to sleep in. I sure don't care, if it's bigger great, but if you still get the same things in the room, who cares. I also love the idea of the sinks on the outside. I like they are double sinks even more... one person showers while two others comb hair, brush teeth, whatever, great time saver.

But to get within the 30 Sq. Ft. you need a deluxe room. Otherwise it is almost 70 Sq. Ft.. And a deluxe room costs more than a room at the Polynesian. So when you look at it like that you can see that they are really putting a high price tag on the room. $340 for a deluxe room that doesn't even over look a safari ($350 a night for safari). Where as I can get a standard room in the Polynesian that is bigger than any room (standard or deluxe) at AKL for $299. I know the animals are nice, but you really have to compare the whole thing, and I just think that overall the Polynesian will win.

 

[WDWspider]

Originally posted by DisneyInsider
But to get within the 30 Sq. Ft. you need a deluxe room. Otherwise it is almost 70 Sq. Ft.. And a deluxe room costs more than a room at the Polynesian. So when you look at it like that you can see that they are really putting a high price tag on the room. $340 for a deluxe room that doesn't even over look a safari ($350 a night for safari). Where as I can get a standard room in the Polynesian that is bigger than any room (standard or deluxe) at AKL for $299. I know the animals are nice, but you really have to compare the whole thing, and I just think that overall the Polynesian will win.

Oh :brick: I see what you mean now, still the size doesn't matter, it's how they use it. j/k

Well, it is interesting to see how close the poll has stayed throughout the start of this thread... neck and neck all the way. It's heavily a perception thing... depends on what you want and/or looking for I think.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

Originally posted by spider-man
Oh :brick: I see what you mean now, still the size doesn't matter, it's how they use it. j/k

Well, it is interesting to see how close the poll has stayed throughout the start of this thread... neck and neck all the way. It's heavily a perception thing... depends on what you want and/or looking for I think.

Exactly! I see how people are saying that you should stay there for the animals. But I can go to the resort and see the animals without staying there. To my family I think the room size, transportation, and recreation are more important than Giraffe. We wouldn't be at the resort enough to enjoy a view that is really costing us $75 a night (Standard AKL room is $199...$275 for savannah view). This is why we get garden view rooms at the Polynesian. I can walk out to the beach to see the castle. I don't really need to see it from my window. I just think that to spend all that money just to see animals doesn't pay. I would rather have those extra ammenities for the money.

 

[WDWspider]

Originally posted by DisneyInsider
Exactly! I see how people are saying that you should stay there for the animals. But I can go to the resort and see the animals without staying there. To my family I think the room size, transportation, and recreation are more important than Giraffe. We wouldn't be at the resort enough to enjoy a view that is really costing us $75 a night (Standard AKL room is $199...$275 for savannah view). This is why we get garden view rooms at the Polynesian. I can walk out to the beach to see the castle. I don't really need to see it from my window. I just think that to spend all that money just to see animals doesn't pay. I would rather have those extra ammenities for the money.

Oh course I would never consider staying for book rates either, but that's a whole different story.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

Originally posted by spider-man
Oh course I would never consider staying for book rates either, but that's a whole different story.

Well I don't either. I get a travel agent discount. But even though the rooms are discounted their price category stays the same (unless the people at Disney want to be really nice). A Deluxe room at AKL still costs more than a room at the Polynesian.

 

[kennyj29]

When you said you take the monorail to Magic Kingdom fromthe Poly and that's the only advantage, you are totally forgetting that you also get the monorail to Epcot from there also. We stayed closer to the Epcot monorail and we had the convenience of both monorails. Poly is so beautiful at night sitting on the beach on the lounge chairs watching the fireworks from magic kingdom, the electric parade and just the outstanding views from there. Honestly, there is nothing like it!!!!! The Volcano pool is also beautiful and the tranquil aviance is unbeatable. You really feel like your walking in the tropics!!!! We hope to stay at AKL for a short stay, we've gone their to see it and eat there but honestly, the restaurants don't compare because even though the restaurants in both places are great, with the monorail system you get triple the restaurants!!!! That's why the Poly is so much more convenient!!!!!!!!!!! :animwink:

 

[Pioneer Hall]

I also don't look at the restaurants when I go resort shopping. If I want to go to a restaurant it doesn't matter whether or not it is in my resort. This year we are going to Boma and Ohana whether or not we stay at the Polynesian or AKL. That doesn't matter. The only thing we need when we stay food wise is a quick service food court type area.

 

[Crazy4Mickey]

I voted for the Poly. It is just so much more convenient to the MK. I just love the polynesian atmosphere vs. the jungle and it's animals!! I feel where there are animals there are more kids. More kids...more noise. You want to stay somewhere where you can sit and say AAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!! Poly all the way!!

Enjoy your trip!

 

[kennyj29]

Restaurants

The las few times we've stayed at the Poly, we have also gotten the discovery magic plan (well worth i!) Restaurants do have a big impact on our stay because of the plan. Especially the breakfasts. Dinner's you can get to anywhere in the Kingdom but when you talk breakfasts and you want to get to the parks early, that becomes a major factor. The Poly offers you numerous breakfasts on the monorail line and you can get to them early. To not be on that monorail line and have to worry about getting to a hotel for breakfast it would then become a disaster. Yes, you can eat breakfast at most parks early, however, when you stay for 10 days or more, eating at the same places in the parks can get boring.

 

[diegorivera2]

Poly vs. Animal Kingdom Lodge

Having stayed at the Polynesian twice ('99 and '00) and once at the Coronado Springs, which is close in location to the AK Lodge ('95) I would have to argue the the Poly wins because it is a monrail resort. The *key* bonus to this is if you stay in one of the longhouses close to the TTC you can just walk back to your room at the end of a hectic day. We stayed at the Poly in July 2000 for a week and this was an absolute life! The Poly remains our favorite for this fact alone, not to mention the wonderful smells and sounds at this resort and the romantic, retro-Disney feel. Also, I must say the Kona Cafe coffee stop in the Poly is the *best* in WDW for a wake me up stop.