AKL or GF

[lomillerin]

These are the only 2 resorts available for a trip this October.
We prefer the Epcot resorts but none are available.
GF is more $ but we will spend the extra if we feel it is worth it.

We have stayed at AKL before. We liked it, not loved. How does GF compare? Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Nancyg56]

I you did not love AKL then I would give the Grand a try. It is a lovely resort with plenty to keep anyone occupied. I stayed their as a compromise one time....and I am hooked. WE then booked a family trip and now my DD is not thanking me. It seems my 14 YO DGD loves the Grand more than their previous family choice of the Poly.

Honestly, we stayed there in October and it is not too far out from Epcot becuase of the monorail. You can easily take a nice break in the afternoon and relax in the lobby to the tunes the Grand Pianist plays, or stop in late afternoon to enjoy the Grand Orchestra. Dining choices are plenty, and the grounds are perfect for a stroll.
I always thought that the Grand woudl be stuffy but nothing was further from the truth. This is a resort that draws you to rnjoy your vacation. Just one caution....do not hop on the monorail with your cocktail, planning to relax by the MK fence line and people watch. Dry means dry outside and in! LOL!!!

 

[Mousemommy1]

We fell in love with everything about the Grand when we stayed there in April, and we didn't think we would like it!!

It is absolutely gorgeous, the rooms were perfect, the service was amazing (look for the twin bellhops!!) and we just really enjoyed everything about it.

 

[mickeynut1]

These are the only 2 resorts available for a trip this October.
We prefer the Epcot resorts but none are available.
GF is more $ but we will spend the extra if we feel it is worth it.

We have stayed at AKL before. We liked it, not loved. How does GF compare? Any advice is appreciated.

I agree with Nancy56. If you didn't love AKL, I'd give the GF a try. We've stayed at both and while we love both for different reasons, the two are really so different that it's hard to compare, IMO. With that said, the GF is a great resort with a lot to offer. The rooms are large and spacious, the grounds the beautiful, and being on the monorail makes it convenient for visiting the Poly and CR for dining/shopping. If the extra cost is doable, I'd give the GF a try. Good luck .

 

[StaciaRae]

I think it depends on your style. We stayed at AKL in January and we loved it. We had dinner at GF and spent some time walking around and we both agreed that its not our style. Its pretty and all, but we would not want to stay there. We much preferred the rustic, adirondack style of AKL and WL to the style of GF.

 

[loves to dive]

Like others, I'd say if you didn't love AKL to go with GF but you might want to look into Swan/Dolphin. They often have lower prices and are Epcot resorts, just not owned by Disney so you won't get MDE or MBs. If you do look at them make sure you factor in their silly resort fee with comparing prices, I've found sometimes after I factor that and the parking fee (I drive down) I can find something at BC/YC or BW for the same price.

 

[MelanieRI]

These are the only 2 resorts available for a trip this October.
We prefer the Epcot resorts but none are available.
GF is more $ but we will spend the extra if we feel it is worth it.

We have stayed at AKL before. We liked it, not loved. How does GF compare? Any advice is appreciated.

I'm having the same problem! I love staying at the YC but they only have availability in the middle of my stay, not the first or last day. Which would be too many resort changes. lol I just stayed at the GF for the first time a few weeks ago and it is a very nice resort. I loved the room sizes and the pools were nice. We did end up having to walk to SL in the rain a few times but luckily we had umbrellas. I would stay at the GF over AKL but too each their own. I find at the AKL the rooms can be very far away, the rooms are dark, and the buses are always full of people needing to stand no matter what time of day. I'm trying to decide between WL and AKL myself. Hopefully, we'll both end up with a pleasant vacation no matter where we stay!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Like others, I'd say if you didn't love AKL to go with GF but you might want to look into Swan/Dolphin. They often have lower prices and are Epcot resorts, just not owned by Disney so you won't get MDE or MBs. If you do look at them make sure you factor in their silly resort fee with comparing prices, I've found sometimes after I factor that and the parking fee (I drive down) I can find something at BC/YC or BW for the same price.

I agree with this. If you didn't love AKL, I would definitely consider GF. GF is absolutely beautiful - spacious, recently renovated rooms, tons of amenites (restaurants, pools) onsite, easy transportation to MK, great view of the fireworks, etc. That being said, it's pretty darn expensive!

I would look into the Swan (we prefer it over the Dolphin). Price it out either on the Swan/Dolphin site or the SPG site (Starwood Preferred Guest). You will find better deals online and they are typically running discounts (if you have AAA, are a nurse or teacher, etc.). We stayed at the Swan over Memorial Day weekend, saved a ton of money over staying at a WDW resort and absolutely loved it. The rooms at the Swan have all been recently renovated, it's super close to DHS and EP and they have a fantastic recreation (pool, beach, etc.) area. You will have to pay for a car/taxi/shuttle to get you back and forth though, so factor that in to the price.

 

[MrsJamesPSullivan]

I like AKL but I like it at the end of a trip for a couple of days when we're going to do DAK one day and have a nice relaxing day just hanging around the resort watching animals, exploring the lobby, listening to story tellers etc. The rest of the trip I want to be near MK or Epcot not taking a long bus ride everywhere. I don't mind the busses I just mind always having to take one from AKL.
I would stay at the GF. You have more transportation options, it's a beautiful resort and you're not so far away from everything.
Either way your at Disney though so you've already won.

 

[lomillerin]

I think I have decided on GF.
Now I have to get dining reservations.

 

[mickeynut1]

I think I have decided on GF.
Now I have to get dining reservations.

I don't think you'll regret it. The GF is a great resort! Have a great trip .

 

[DAKL101]

Seriously dont stay at the Dolphin. It is disgustingly dirty, staff are usually rude, you get nickeled and dimed (pay for wi-fi, pay for parking, etc), the lobby is an early 90's mall, constant conventions (cheerleaders, doctors and women selling things) and the only benefit is that is it cheap (and the pool is kind of neat).



ETA: The swan is better. Cleaner.