AKL or GF

[Mkripke]

Which hotel would you recommend for a single father and a 6 yo DD, the AKL or the GF? Concierge or not?

 

[Mkripke]

I need to make a decision by tomorrow a.m.

Calling all experts

 

[talkdisney]

i'd go for AKL I think your 6yr would love waking up and seeing the animals out the window. I know I would!!

 

[talkdisney]

opps sorry posted 2 times

 

[grumpyandbashful]

We've stayed at both and I think you'd have a great time at either resort.
Advantages to AKL - animals, obviously, and very nice pool with a fun slide.
Advantages to GF - on monorail (which is fun in itself), very quick to MK, very pretty grounds. Pools are nice, but not quite as great as the one at AKL.

Concierge at AKL is very nice - lots of great offerings, with good choices for kids (PB & J, gummy worms, etc.), plus you can do the Sunrise Safari if you are a concierge guest at AKL.
We have only done Lodge Concierge at GF when we got a nice free upgrade - wouldn't pay for it, though.

Good luck deciding!

 

[Disney Adventurer]

Depends on what you want to do. As a resort AKL has the animals and a better pool. If you are planning on going into and out of the parks on a regular basis GF has better access. Can get to both MK and Epcot via monorail. From AKL must take bus to everything. Staying at GF you will probably feel more in the center of the action with MK right next door, Poly and Contemp on the monorail line and across Seven Seas Lagoon. AKL has more of an isolated, quit, relaxed feel, out by itself. If I were choosing it would be Grand Floridian, but each to his own.

 

[ead79]

I have stayed at both the AKL and GF (neither in concierge though), and I think they are both wonderful resorts. I would probably recommend the GF for its transportation advantages with the monorail. It's a really short trip to the Magic Kingdom, which is probably the park you will be spending the most time in. We found that the bus rides to some WDW locations from the AKL were a bit long (though the waits for the bus were never long). However, if your DD is a real animal lover, then you might prefer the AKL with a savannah view room. I think concierge is a wonderul service (only done it once at the Poly), and it's really neat to be pampered. However, the GF concierge doesn't seem to get great reviews on the board, so I might be wary of it. The regular rooms at the GF do include bathrobes and a minibar with lots of snacks and non-alcoholic drinks for your DD (though they aren't cheap) The GF rooms are larger, but with 2 people neither would be too small. I hope this helps!

 

[Mkripke]

Thanks

 

[grumpyandbashful]

One more thought - we have to split up this summer - I am taking 11 and 13 year olds in June and DH is taking older son in July. I asked my 2 where they wanted to stay (we have stayed at many WDW resorts) and they both said "AKL" simultaneously! We stayed there last June and they both loved it.
If this is the first time your daughter will be at WDW, GF might be better due to proximity to MK, though.

 

[Mkripke]

No,

She was there when she was 2 and 5.