AKL or POR?

[pummillfamily]

We are planning a trip in Feb. 2011. Is it worth $540 to stay at AKL instead of POR? The room at AKL would be a standard and if we weren't upgraded for free we'd have a view of the parking lot. But I see some reviews of POR that are somewhat scary. We've stayed at POFQ but lately those reviews are REALLY bad. But then how much time will we be in the room? Probably not much (kids ages are 12 and 15).
We could knock off a night and fly out in the late evening on our day of departure to save money but I think we'd actually lose because we'd lose the free dining points for that night.
Any suggestions? Are upgrades common at AKL?
Thanks!

 

[rkrushing4]

My husband and I stayed at AKL in September and DH, DD21, and DD16 all stayed at POR Thanksgiving week. On hotel alone I liked AKL. There was more space in the room. I liked the balcony and the bus stop was a very short walk. They had many activities to participate in on the lobby and different places around the resort. We had a pool view so during the morning and night I would go to the Savanah to see the animals. That all said I did like POR. We stayed in both sections and I liked the Mansion rooms. They were a short walk from the food court and store. POR food court is excellent. AKL lacks a lot. It was dirty and poor selections. When making your decision I would consider if you like to eat at your resort a lot. I would also consider what your kids like to do and compare some of the activities. Also the decor is very different so what interest you more.

 

[jlk806]

POFQ is going through a rehab now so I think alot of the negativity about the conditions of the rooms will go away as the rehab is complete.

Ive never stayed at either PO resort but did stay at AKL but I have to say I probably wouldnt stay at AKL without the savanna view, though many will say there are lots of public areas to view the animals, which there are, but IMO if I am staying there nothing beats sitting on the balcony late at night watching zebras and giraffes feed right outside the room. AKL (both Jambo and Kidani) have nice pools, but since you are going in Feb I wouldnt put too much planning into which pool is best since there is no guarantee it will be warm enough to swim!

So IMO, a standard view at AKL isnt worth $540 over a mod. I also wouldnt put much hope into being upgraded, because upgrades are few and far between and can never be planned on. Good luck planning!

 

[pummillfamily]

I didn't state it well, but $540 was the cost over a period of 6 days, 5 nights. This is why it's so hard to decide.
Thanks for your comments!

 

[ColinCodyMom]

AKL is definitely worth it!! It's truly an amazing place.

 

[*QueenB*]

We actually stayed at both this year and defniately AKL. We paid for standard view but got a savanna view anyway. Awesome and worth it. POR wasnt bad dont get me wrong but I just wasnt crazy about it.

 

[sweetdana]

I actually like POR and FQ better than AK. (Assuming you are going to do parks almost every day, and not just AK. Also assuming you have kids under 8.)

I think AK is beautiful, but so far away from everything. and adding Standing Room Only. (Not every time, but enough, it is tooooooo far. )
At the end of the night getting picked up from the MK, waiting 10 mins for a bus, then holding on to her, a bar, and all the packages/stroller, a 30 mins is to long. Even Epcot and HS are over 20 mins.
POR is in the middle of everything, and a bus to DTD. Also they have what I believe to be the best QS rest of any resort.

 

[C&B Young]

We just got back from AKL, our first ever "deluxe" stay after previously having stayed at POFQ 3 times. AKL is nice, but it felt more like a glorified moderate. The only real deluxe aspects are the lobby and the savannas. Bus service was awful and the Mara is inadequate. We're looking at a February visit and we'd much rather have $540 extra in our pocket than stay at AKL again.

 

[mkoerner]

AKL is a beautiful resort, but if you do not have a car, it is very inconvenient on Disney transportation. You have to take the bus everywhere and most things are rather far from the resort. This stinks esp. if you're leaving a park or DTD with tired children on a crowded bus. POR is beautiful and our family's favorite. We have never had any issues. Transportation is sometimes shared with POFQ, but not always. There is a lovely boat to DTD and their food court is in my opinion, the best of any resort.

 

[cassie]

Why not a split stay? I did that when AKL first opened, very pricey then. I spent the first 4 days at POR, then remaining 3 days at AKL with a savanna view. The balcony
and view were awesome, but I much preferred the open space at POR. At AKL there is no place to walk around except the viewing area off the lobby. But every time I go to Disney I have to visit the AKL. It is an awesome hotel and I like to eat at Boma and shop in the marketplace.

 

[CLR4321]

I love POR, but would definitely opt for AKL if it was an option. POR is great....we stayed there in March 2009 and are staying there again next month. I agree with the PP's who mentioned trying to do a split stay. That way you can experience both resorts.