akl or pofq

[aidansmom]

We have the option of a poolview room at AKL or a courtyard room at POFQ. We're traveling with our (almost) two year old, and while I like the idea of having a balcony at AKL, it seems like I've seen lots of complaints about noise, location, etc. Any opinions? Thanks!

 

[F1Julie]

I stayed at AKL in August and loved it. We had a standard view and had no problems at all with noise. I don't even know if we had neighbors. If you are concerned about noise, a poolview room may not be the way to go. The bus service was great and very efficient. People say that AKL is so far removed from everything, but it really isn't. The resort is beautiful, it's great to see the animals, and the resort restaurants are great. AKL is probably the first resort I'd visit again for a second trip (after I try all the others I want to stay at).

 

[dopeys biggest fan]

AKL WITHOUT A DOUBT!!!! Me and DH stayed in a poolview room in January and had abosultly no problem with noise! I actually stood at the balcony doors opening and closing them amazed at how sound proof they were!! the AKL is a great hotel for kids with all the animals around. and the layout is great!

The POFQ is a sprawling hotel and it can take you as long as ten minutes to walk to the lobby from your room! you have to go outside to get anywhere, where as with the AKL you can walk to the lobby, shop, restaurants with out ever going outside! I am in love with the AKL and can't wait to go back!!!

I hope this info helps you!

 

[luvmk]

I have stayed at both and would do AKL. The previous poster who mentioned POFQ is sprawling is correct. We have never had a problem with noise. As far as being away from everything, I don't see much difference between the two. You will have to take the busses to the parks from either resort. We found the bus system to be more efficient from AKL than from POFQ. Have fun wherever you decide to stay!


Rachel

 

[ctrabada]

I disagree with the previous posters on the size of POFQ. Actually, this resort is small. They might be confused with POR which is rather big. I have stayed at both POFQ and AKL and loved them both.

AKL is a deluxe and it's beautiful. I loved seeing the animals and the pool was great. POFQ is a moderate but the rooms are pretty big and everything is within a short walking distance. AKL is pretty large and you can walk quite a bit, depending on where your room is located, so don't be fooled by the interior corridors. I never thought that its location was a problem and bus service was very good.

Either one will be a good choice, but I would probably choose AKL.

 

[palmtreegirl]

ctrabada- I think Dopeys biggest fan was confusing the POFQ with the POR, it's an easy mistake to make.

To the OP- I've stayed at both resorts and I say if you can afford the AKL, go for it. It's beautiful resort and you can beat all the amenities and extras that come with a deluxe resort.

The POFQ is a very pretty resort though. I'm just not a big fan of the "motel style" rooms because I really love having a balcony and the no closet thing really bugs me for some reason.

 

[ducklite]

I've stayed at both, and didn't find POFQ very big at all.

I prefer the AKL though, for many reasons, including all interior corridors, more dining selections, and of course the animals!

Especially with a child, I'd go there. The other thing is the pool is zero entry, so it's great for little ones!

Anne

 

[tink2]

I've stayed at both and liked both. However, for the money- I'd go with POFQ. It is very small and a short walk to anywhere. AKL is one building, but it is large. If you happen to be at the end of a wing, it is a very long walk! We were not that far away from the lobby, but we did notice noise from the hallways at times. Especially at night. We had a savannah view and it was wonderful. We did not like the food at the food court- I give POFQ the nod for that. AKL is nice, but besides the animals, POFQ is just as nice to me. The rooms are a little bigger at AKL, but the bigger beds take up most of that extra room. The buses at AKL were wonderful- very efficient! That makes up for the location.
Either way, I think you'll be happy. Both are great!
Good luck with your decision!

 

[kbkids]

POFQ is my most favorite moderate - I love it. It is a very small resort, close to everything - pool, food court (which is really good, very colorful, lots of things to catch a child's eye), bus stops, playground, etc. It's nice to be right on the river and able to ride the boat to Downtown Disney.

BUT, my kids were 6 and 2 when we stayed there. The 6 yr old loved it!! It's her most favorite pool!! The 2 yr old had fun, but not as much. I think he would have really been intrigued by the animals at AKL. At that age, especially if they love animals, I would go for AKL.

 

[candleonwater]

This sure isn't going to clear things up, but I thought I'd put my 2c in anyway...

We've stayed at both (and found POFQ to be a nice, compact resort), and my daughter and I both LOVED POFQ. Short distance to food court (and we had a water view room), and the bus was great as we got on before the POR people. The theming was wonderful as was the water taxi to DD.

AKL - we stayed there for a short trip during spring break... in a Savannah view room. I wasn't wild about the resort, but my daughter absolutely loved it. Not so much so that she is insisting that we stay there again this year (she wants to give another resort a try), but it is definitely someplace I would say you have to stay at least once. The resort was dark, but not unpleasant, nor noisy (and this was during springbreak). To us, the pool wasn't anything special - my daughter (7 at the time) enjoyed the pool at POFQ every bit as much. Our most hated part of AKL? The buses! We're spoiled by the Beach Club, but even so, I think the 45 minute wait we had for a bus to MK was a bit much! That being said... we really liked the dining choices at AKL. One of my biggest complaints about BC is the lack of places to grab a quick meal... and this is covered at AKL with the Mara. Boma - we ate dinner there as well as Easter Sunday Breakfast. We LOVED it.

All that being said, in our book, you can't go wrong with EITHER resort.