AKL or POFQ? Which one would you choose?

[disneynewbeemom]

We are spending 8 nights at POFQ in June. I am a teacher and have tons of time on my hands right now. It looks like for about $1000.00 more, we can stay at AKL. We have two boys, 8 and 6. We plan on doing the parks until 1:00ish and then swimming/resting and returning in the evenings. Should we stick with our POFQ plans or splerge and go for AKL?

 

[GovieMom]

Your boys would absolutely love AKL with all the animal viewing, and their pool is also wonderful. It's an amazing resort, massively themed, and much more luxurious than POFQ. In my opinion, it's definitely worth a "splurge."

 

[lilyv]

We stayed at POR for a few nights last year. We really enjoyed it. But, one visit to AKL for dinner and we were hooked. Guess where we're going this year???

AKL!!!

I'm saving bit by bit so our vacation will be paid off well in advance. We are so excited!!

If it's do-able, budget wise, I think you'd be very happy you made the decision to switch.

 

[SGMCO]

Definately POFQ because it is very nice for the cost Savings--
I would save the extra money that's quiet a bit more!!!!

You can use that money for so many other things like
airfare, souveniers, food or save it for your next WDW trip!!

I would just go and eat at AKL and take a mini tour.

At POFQ you will be able to use both POFQ and POR main pools
both of which are very nice.
Also there is a nice boat ride to DTD
which AKL doesn't have.
The boat to DTD where you can
get to the Bus Hub--makes it easy to get to
ADRs at other Resorts very conveniant.

 

[rlduvall]

I have stayed at both and I love each resort for different reasons and I would be happy at either one, BUT . . . I would definitely do the upgrade and go for AKL. I personally prefer interior corridors and absolutely love having a balcony (the only two downsides for me for the Moderates). While I think your children would be happy at either resort, you would thoroughly enjoy the exotic luxury of AKL.

If you do decide to stick with POFQ and save the $1,000. (which is a substantial chunk of change), the plusses to it are the beautifully themed grounds that you can walk all around and explore, as well as riding the boat on the Sassagoula River to Downtown Disney. Also, even though the AKL rooms are slightly bigger, it doesn't necessarily feel like it because AKL has queen beds, while POFQ has double beds.

Well, as usual, I didn't help did I? I have resort confusion all the time.

 

[Disney Fans]

AKL!!

 

[Disney_luvin_family]

My vote is also going to be for AKL. We stayed there once two years ago and we were HOOKED! It is especially nice for the kids, because of the many animal viewing areas, the AMAZING pool and the fun, unique rooms! It is an awesome resort! POFQ is nice, we've stayed there once. BUT AKL is an experiance like no other!

 

[aldango]

I dunno... $1,000 can go a long way! I'd save it.

 

[DVC Mike]

AKL!!!

 

[dishm12/08]

If it was just your and DH I would say AKL, but since you got the boys, I would pick POFQ. Reason is the pool. I'm only going off of what I've read and view on the site since I'm a WDW virgin if you will. We were thinking about staying at POFQ also because they look like they have an AWESOME pool. But we wanted a balcony and it's our HM so why not. $1000 in savings is a lot.

 

[Onceler]

You could do a split stay. You would be able to save some money by staying at POFQ for part of the time and still be able to experience AKL.

 

[inloveindisney]

If it were me and I had the cash, I'd do AKL every time! It is so worth it-especially if you can get a savannah view room. I also like this resort for midday relaxing. It is dimly lit in hte lobby and just has a nice "feeling". I always feel relaxed as soon as I walk in there. The couches in the lobby are awesome too. I could definitely nap right there if I needed to!
Regarding hte pool, the AKL pool is pretty awesome too-not to mention there are animals to view right there! The slide is cool and it is one of those walk in pools with no stairs-like a beach. I can't remember the official name of it-zero something. It's beautiful with palm trees for the parents to relax and it had all the extras too for the kids to play.
Besides, if there is a chance to go deluxe, I always take it. It's just a little bit nicer on many levels.

 

[honeybee30]

We've enjoyed long stays at both resorts.

AKL is gorgeous. We loved everything about it from the restaurants to the art & architectual details to the landscaping. However, the very best part was having a view of the animals from our own balcony. I wouldn't stay there without a savannah view. It was certainly a splurge for us, but well worth it. Our October trip was our most relaxing trip to WDW yet.

POFQ has its good points too. We really like the resort's convenient location and the boat to DTD. It's a well-themed, compact resort, which I find to be quite romantic as well. Although the dragon pool would be really fun for kids, too! For a more budget-minded trip, this is our choice of moderates.

Really, it's a matter of budget and theme. If you can absorb the extra $1000 pretty easily & the African lodge feel appeals to you, then I'd definitely stay at AKL. Just don't skimp on the view. Be sure to book reservations at Jiko & Boma, too!

 

[Disney grandma]

Since you are a teacher have you checked into staying at the Dolphin resort. It may not be much more than a moderate and it is certainly a deluxe hotel.

 

[tink2]

I'm a teacher too - hence I am on the computer a lot lately!
I've stayed at both. Personally, we spend all of our time in the parks and AKL just wouldn't be worth the extra money to us. We stayed here on an upgrade one year when POFQ was under renovations and we had savannah view- very, very cool. But, the rooms weren't much bigger and the king sized bed took up a lot of the extra room (though I love a big bed!). The rooms were dark and the walk to the buses and food court was much longer at AKL- and we had a pretty good located room.
POFQ is nice- we like the smallness of the resort- never a far walk to anything. The pool looks cool- has a dragon slide- but we usually go in cooler months and haven't used it (Thanksgiving week, Dec., and this year Jan - yep, we're all taking a week off!).
My kids are the same age as yours- dd8 and ds6. I say it is a matter of budget and wants. Personally, while AKL was very neat, it was not worth that much extra money to us. There is a whole lot you could do with $1000.But, you are planning to spend a lot of time at the resort. My advice is that if you do stay at AKL, get a savannh view room (is that what you were pricing?)

 

[Bev J]

I would save the $$ and stay at POFQ, your boys will love the dragon pool, the resort is smaller so it is easy to get around plus you can use the pools at Riverside also. Our kids just love taking the boat to Downtown disney.

AKL is a beautiful resort but it is far away from everything except AK so you will be spending alot of extra time traveling back and forth especially if you want to take advantage of your resort and get a break in the afternoon for swimming or relaxing. POFQ is more centrally located so taking those much needed breaks is easier.

$1000 could buy alot of souviners, it is worth spending the extra when your not at the resort very much? We are usually at the parks from very early, a mid afternoon break and then back to the parks in the evening returning too tired to enjoy anything at the resort.

You will enjoy either resort no matter what you pick, have you thought about Wilderness Lodge, it is usually the same price as AKL.

Bev

 

[Launchpad11B]

If money is a small issue then AKL. It's awesome. I've stayed at both and they're both great....but AKL is a great experience.