AKL or POR???

[May Queen]

Hi disers, MQ here
My family and I are going back to WDW this summer and we are either going to stay at AKL or POR for 2 or 3 nights. I know, not a long visit, but it's what we could get. We do not want to stay at a value resort or a deluxe other than Animal Kingdom Lodge or Wilderness Lodge. A moderate would be best! So, which one would you recommend? I've heard great things about both resorts, however I am aware of the bus situation at POR and of the construction situation at AKL. Thanks for your help!
~MQ

 

[ScottOKW2K]

It would be best if we knew your approximate dates of travel. There are different rate periods for POR and AKL. Early summer at AKL is value season, where the same time is summer rate season at Riverside. That being said I have stayed at both resorts and enjoyed both quite a bit - it would be a hard choice.

 

[May Queen]

Sorry about that! We will be going to Disney somewhere between August 8 and the 15th. So, that's value season.

 

[petrymom]

Stayed at both and loved them both, but if I could afford AKL I would stay there again in a heartbeat. Spent Christmas 2006 at AKL and was surprisingly upgraded to a savannah view with bunk beds.

LOVED it!!! But, if money were an issue, I would stay at the POR.

We are actually trying another new place in MArch, just to say we tried something new. The CBR!!!

Good luck!!!

 

[SGMCO]

We've stayed at POR and visited AKL (ate at Bomas-toured lobby and outside area).
I was very surprised at how dark the Lobby was at AKL--it was nice but so dreary. I would hope that that is not how the rest of the resort was.
For the kind of money you pay to stay there it seems that they would
make it a little more cheery.
Maybe if I was able to stay there at the resort I might get used to the
darkness?? Was great to visit though, not sure if I would feel comfortable staying
there.

On the other hand POR has Beautiful landscaping. We had not one problem with
the busses while we were there. It has wonderful TS and CS restaurants.
We loved the convenience of the Boat ride to DTD. The main pool in a lot of fun.
I thought it was a great reasonable use of money (rates were great).
It may be a MOD but has plenty of Disney feeling.
We will be staying at the sister resort POFQ on our upcoming trip and
will be also taking a walk over to POR to eat. Can't wait!!

 

[heartbeeps]

are you going to spend your time at the parks or do you plan on spending time at the hotel as well? We're planning 2 days at AKL exclusively - with nice dinners arranged - plus 2 days at the parks so AKL works well. If we were planning a "bomb the parks marathon run" then I'd stay at POR since we wouldn't be in the room much!

are you restricted to a budget? (AKL is about $100 more a night for a standard room - unless you get a "code.")

answer - "it all depends"

 

[purpliequeen]

We stayed at AKL from August 13-18 two years ago.

We loved AKL because it was so cool the moment we stepped in the lobby. The heat and humidity in August is so high that it was nice being in a resort in which we could walk through the interior hallways to get to our room. No walking between buildings or down exterior hallways.

We also loved the pool area. There was so much to do. It's hard to compare the two resorts, as I've never stayed at POR. I have heard good things about it, but you are comparing POR to a deluxe resort with a great interior design that cannot be beat. We would also stay at AKL in a heartbeat. Perhaps I'm biased.

The theme of the resort was also to die for. it was so cool to be in such a different environment.

Oh, and the buses? Not an issue at all for us. It was actually nice taking the AKL buses because AKL doesn't share with other resorts. In fact, for most of the bus rides, they were non-stop compared to other resorts we have stayed at such as the BCV, which stops at BC, YC, etc. etc. or SSR, which had four stops on the entire property. It was nice to go from one bus stop at AKL straight to our next destination. In fact, because the buses were for the most part non-stop, our travel time seemed a bit faster (at least it was air conditioned the whole way). However, the AKL buses do stop at one of the water parks before heading on to another park (perhaps Hollywood Studios), I can't quite remember.

Anyway, good luck deciding!

 

[May Queen]

are you going to spend your time at the parks or do you plan on spending time at the hotel as well? We're planning 2 days at AKL exclusively - with nice dinners arranged - plus 2 days at the parks so AKL works well. If we were planning a "bomb the parks marathon run" then I'd stay at POR since we wouldn't be in the room much!

are you restricted to a budget? (AKL is about $100 more a night for a standard room - unless you get a "code.")

answer - "it all depends"

We plan on spending the majority of our time at the parks. Like, we would go to the park first thing in the morning, but leave at around 2:00 or so and go back to the hotel for a swim or something like that and go back to the park at around 4:30 or so. We don't want to spend too much money, but neither resort would not put us into bankruptcy. We haven't been to Disney in 2 years, so it wouldn't be a big deal to stay at a higher-quality resort. Thanks for your replies so far!!

 

[May Queen]

Are you given a choice between alligator bayou and magnolia bend? Or are you just assigned a room randomly or according to what is open?

 

[magicmouse2]

Both fantastically themed resorts, but AKL is more upscale and 'different' great retaurants, and shop. Love the lobby of AKL. If the budget is there, do AKL. You can avoid the heat and rain when heading for meals, as oposed to the oudoor walking to food court at POR.

 

[ScottOKW2K]

Sorry about that! We will be going to Disney somewhere between August 8 and the 15th. So, that's value season.

That would be Value season at AKL. Rates for standard view are $225/$225 (Sun-Thu/Fri&Sat). However, most of August is also Value season for the moderates. POR would be $149/$149. These are rack rates.

Though I love both resorts for a short trip like yours I would say splurge a little and go for the Lodge. Either way, you will enjoy your trip - they are both excellent choices.

 

[May Queen]

Thanks everyone for all of your help. We've decided to go with Port Orleans Riverside because of the construction going on at AKL, the realization that we won't be spending much time at the resort, and the fact thath we will probably not use any of the table service restaurants (we stayed at WL for our last visit and ate all but one of our meals at the hotel at Roaring Forks!) Thanks again!!

 

[Doc CW]

If I were you I would stay at POFQ cause its the best mod resort in my opinion.

 

[guynhawaii]

Aloha,

AKL is for R&R and not for park visiting. IMHO it's a terrible waste to go to AKL and not enjoy the animals. Plus AKL is the furthest resort from MK (15'). If you plan on hitting the parks hard then save the $$ and sleep at a less expensire resort.

 

[llmurphy17]

I love AKL