Is AKL worth the price?

[Raenstoirm]

We tend to stay at "walkable" resorts or WL. We have a bb from our april trip to use for our December trip, but the way the bb dates work out we want to be in Orlando 4 days before they become active. I thought about just extending the bb into the non discounted days, but that just seems wasteful since there is a 30% general room discount and we wouldn't be able to take advantage of it. So that means we need 2 WDW ressies. We are panning 2 nights at US onsite, so that leave 2 nights for Disney. My current thought is 2 nights as WDW, 2 nights at US onsite and then 4 nights at Beach Club (our bb). We have never stayed at AKL because it is so far away from everything, but for 2 nights it might be fun. BUT it is $400 a night even with the general room discount! That just sounds like a lot to pay to be so far away. Is it worth that? Or should we try out AoA? Or maybe Coronado? I want to stay at every resort, so any of the three would fit that bill.

 

[spiceycat]

would go for Pop myself - or even CBR - since you want near a park.

CBR is across the street from Epcot - you can't walk to it - but you can see the firework from Epcot at both CBR or Pop. Pop is behind CBR - AOA is behind Pop.

AOA is great for WWOS.

 

[Raenstoirm]

would go for Pop myself - or even CBR - since you want near a park.

CBR is across the street from Epcot - you can't walk to it - but you can see the firework from Epcot at both CBR or Pop. Pop is behind CBR - AOA is behind Pop.

AOA is great for WWOS.

I have stayed at CBR. Loved it! But I am hoping to try something new this trip. I am worried about pop since Pop Warner is in town our week and I dont know if some of the kids are staying there (and groups of marauding teens drive me crazy ).

 

[themilesfamily]

We stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge by renting DVC points. So our stay was in the $160/night range for a Savanna room. At that price, yes it was absolutely worth it. We LOVED it and it is our favorite Disney hotel. We loved the pool, great dining options, the atmosphere is amazing. The animal-viewing from the balcony is amazing.

I personally couldn't do $400 a night. And, with other options, I don't think I would pay $400 a night. But that's just me and my budget! I'd do Art of Animation if I was going with kids. I'd do Coronado if I was going without kids.

But if you can swing the $400/night, or just want a splurge, you will love the AKL.

ETA: I love your idea of trying to stay at every resort!

 

[spiceycat]

I have stayed at CBR. Loved it! But I am hoping to try something new this trip. I am worried about pop since Pop Warner is in town our week and I dont know if some of the kids are staying there (and groups of marauding teens drive me crazy ).

no Pop is not on the list. that say some people know how much closer Pop is WWS than the all stars and will stay there.

if they bother you at all call the front desk and ask for security. Unlike the all stars - Pop will stop their cheering and other things at after hours. after hours are after 10pm.

 

[nemofans]

Why is it $400/night? Are you pricing savannah view? AKL standard view & pool view are only $400 or more during peak season & holidays. Otherwise, you can get a room for $295-340.
I think AKL is worth it. It's our favorite resort even over Poly & CR. We are staying there again next month. We still want to try an Epcot resort, but otherwise we prefer to stay at AKL for every trip now.
Our last trip, we stayed at CR & throughout that trip both DH & I wished we were on AKL buses over CR buses. We were frustrated at the wasted time on CR buses. Even the furthest trip to a park from AKL (which is MK) was still half the time we spent on a CR bus to HS or AK. It's also alot faster than the monorail to Epcot.

 

[Raenstoirm]

Why is it $400/night? Are you pricing savannah view?

Yes it is a savanna view. The reason to stay at AKL for us is the critter view. The resort itself is very nice (we eat at Boma every trip just to visit it), but BC and CR are better for us because of the walkability. (Granted when we stay at CR, we get the MK view or we dont stay there, so view is also on our priority list! ).

I am leaning heavily towards coronado now. I gotta decide fast!

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

IMO I would look into booking a standard view room at AKL. There are a LOT of viewing areas for the animals all around the resort and the resort itself is so unique and beautiful no matter what room view you have. Also I did an informal poll here on the DIS and it looks like people were upgraded %50 of the time to Savannah view rooms - don't remember if you mentioned what time of year you would be going and of course you have to be happy with a standard view if you book a standard. But there is a chance you could get an upgrade anyway. I think I paid $225/night - with an AP discount for a standard view room - was upgraded to a savannah view room. I would book standard again - and enjoy the resort regardless of the view I think.

 

[butsy113]

IMO I would look into booking a standard view room at AKL. There are a LOT of viewing areas for the animals all around the resort and the resort itself is so unique and beautiful no matter what room view you have. Also I did an informal poll here on the DIS and it looks like people were upgraded %50 of the time to Savannah view rooms - don't remember if you mentioned what time of year you would be going and of course you have to be happy with a standard view if you book a standard. But there is a chance you could get an upgrade anyway. I think I paid $225/night - with an AP discount for a standard view room - was upgraded to a savannah view room. I would book standard again - and enjoy the resort regardless of the view I think.

Double this all for me! AKL is our favorite!