AKL - Free Dining and my guys don't want to stay there.

[kmb584]

I think you need to explain to them that their reasoning is faulty.

As others have mentioned, the only alternative transportation option at POR is the boat ride to Disney Springs. Riverside has 5 bus stops and the grounds are fairly spread out, so unless you're staying in a preferred room the walk to and from the main building (not for the buses, but for food, sundry shop, etc...) can take a bit of time. AKL, on the other hand, has only 2 bus stops and all of the rooms, suites, and villas are located within the main buildings.

 

[kandb]

I can't see why children wouldn't want to stay at AKL. It's a beautiful resort and when mommy and daddy are paying for the vacation, the non-payers shouldn't have too much say

 

[melissapealo]

I can't see why children wouldn't want to stay at AKL. It's a beautiful resort and when mommy and daddy are paying for the vacation, the non-payers shouldn't have too much say

OP never stated who her boys are. It could very well include a husband as well as kids. I disagree that children shouldn't have say. Children are just as important in any decision of where to stay or not stay and should be included.

I would show them pictures of AKL as well as POR and then discuss the busing at both resorts. Maybe make a list of pros and cons for each resort and hopefully they can see that AKL would be the better choice. Ask them to give it a chance.

 

[Sue M]

I agree.

I can't see why children wouldn't want to stay at AKL. It's a beautiful resort and when mommy and daddy are paying for the vacation, the non-payers shouldn't have too much say

When my daughters were young I'd discuss the options and we'd look at the pics together to get them involved, but the final decision was mine since I'm the one paying. My DH isn't interested in Disney and is happy to stay home and dog sit!

 

[mickeynut1]

I disagree that children shouldn't have say. Children are just as important in any decision of where to stay or not stay and should be included.

These are my thoughts as well. My DH and both DSs are pretty easy going, but they are always included in making the decision where we stay .

I would show them pictures of AKL as well as POR and then discuss the busing at both resorts. Maybe make a list of pros and cons for each resort and hopefully they can see that AKL would be the better choice. Ask them to give it a chance.

I think this is a good idea .

 

[Apopper74]

Show them the pools at each. No comparison.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Lay down the law. You are the parent. Or some such.

 

[megveg]

For room comparison, Royal does NOT equal LIVE ANIMALS. Free Dining is an expensive and if it saves you money, that trumps a lot of things but if I were you, I'd tell the boys "We are staying at an amazing hotel with a mini zoo outside our window AND OUR FOOD IS FREE. We are staying AKL. Done"

but thats just me, staying at WDW is great either way but free dining and ANIMALS make it WAYYYYY better

 

[ols386]

Who are your "guys?" If they are your kids--I'd pull rank as the parent and say "We are staying where I want because I'm paying."

This (above).

And aren't the Royal Rooms more for girls? And your "guys" are boys?

 

[avic77]

Stayed at both, Id take AKL over PORS 100%

 

[elaine amj]

I'd work uber into your budget. Tell your guys you'll arrange for them to be whisked to and from parks without the horrendous bus lines. You'll still save a ton of money over POR

 

[bumbershoot]

This (above).

And aren't the Royal Rooms more for girls? And your "guys" are boys?

Royal rooms are royal. Deep blues and purples. And pictures of princesses. Nothing offensive to boys at all.

 

[southjerseymom]

Thanks all. Sorry I confused you all with the "my guys" post. Actually have DD 14 and DS 17. This will probably be last Trip to WDW since we need to start looking at colleges. Anyway, I have to crunch the numbers. We are appetizer not dessert folks so sometimes TS doesn't work for us. We would probably use credits for signature restaurants. And yes, make no mistake...I am the ultimate decision maker but I want us all to be happy. I get the animal stuff but our local zoo has the "savannah" with bongos, giraffes etc and they don't really fascinate us..free food does lol. I have ressies everywhere but I have to pull the trigger and decide.

 

[Disnsyncey]

you SAY that the animals don't interest you, but there is NOTHING like waking up and walking out onto your porch and seeing ankole cattle or a giraffe (the ankole cattle liked to stay in our area when we had savannah view)

The whole building indoors, the pool, the decor, the animals, and the food would sell me on AKL....ask them WHY they want the POR Royal room, and you can figure out their ACTUAL desires and what they are looking for in a resort....and then probably explain that AKL has that but better hahahah

 

[Karebear]

I have a boy and girl as well (though slightly younger than yours). Can you get the bunk bed room at AKL? That alone would make me pick that resort so no fighting over beds. I have not stayed at AKL but have visited it. I have stayed at POR. POR was nice but AKL is amazing. Have fun planning!

 

[kandb]

We are a family of 5 but when it was just my husband, myself and our older twins we stayed at AKL and really loved it. Unfortunately, they really don't accommodate families of 5, unless you get an expensive suite or villa. I really wish they would sleep 5 because we would love to go back there and my younger 8 year old would love it there.

 

[em36]

I stayed at POR once, and the buses took some getting used to. I timed the trip, and it took eleven minutes to go to each bus stop within the resort. That really adds up when you have to depend on buses. I did think that the POR Riverside grounds are beautiful, though!

 

[Skippyboo]

I have a boy and girl as well (though slightly younger than yours). Can you get the bunk bed room at AKL? That alone would make me pick that resort so no fighting over beds. I have not stayed at AKL but have visited it. I have stayed at POR. POR was nice but AKL is amazing. Have fun planning!

You can get 1 Queen with 2 bunk beds with a Savannah View or a Pool View

 

[vinotinto]

I think you would have a great time at either, but if AKL comes with FD for not that much more than POR, then I think it's a no brainer. AKL has the best theme of any WDW resort. It's so peaceful and the restaurants on site are all fantastic!

Note that the bunk bed is not quite as long as the queen bed at AKL. We noticed that during our last trip. Our DS was 11 at the time and slept on the bottom bunk. He was comfortable, but I did wonder if a taller/larger child would have difficulty sleeping in the bunks.

 

[igrsod]

I say tell them to try it just one time, they might be surprised. Every resort has good and bad points about it. I've stayed at both, and transportation is the same at both truly. No big difference there.
As an example of this, my hubby didn't really want to stay at Beach Club this past trip, but I really did, (he loves AKL). He now loves BC, even he was surprised by this. So, you never really know until you try.