Hi, Candy! I recently stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. It was big, beautiful, and the animals were amazing. That said, I really prefer staying at either the Contemporary or Polynesian. We had a great time at AKL, but I feel the others give you more of that famous "Disney Magic" feeling! I also prefer the convenience of staying on right on the monorail line.
Now, between the Polynesian and the Contemporary I like the Polynesian. The Contemporary can't be beat for its proximity to the Magic Kingdom and the views from the Tower rooms are terrific, but I just love the tropical theme of the Polynesian, the beach, and the tiki torches in the evenings!
This is just my opinion! Others say the Animal Kingdom Lodge is their favorite resort. I suggest you go to
www.disneyworld.com and research each resort and see what appeals most to your family. But, for my family, my first choice is Polynesian, second choice Contemporary, and third choice Animal Kingdom Lodge. Good luck deciding (and the great news is that they are all super resorts, so you can't get this one wrong!)