AKL or SSR for trip in October with kid

[HappyGrape]

Have you stayed at both? What was your experience

I like the idea of being able to walk to Disney Springs. We stayed at SSR before and loved it. AKL looks so pretty - perhaps worth the 35 usd extra per day

Which one would you choose?

 

[westie55]

I have stayed at both resorts. I really liked them both. AKL has a real "Wow" factor lobby. I love the in depth theming of the resort. Of the deluxes I think AKL might have the best executed theme. SSR is nice too, though. While some people consider it lacking in theme, I am a horse person so can appreciate the equine details and the starting gate water feature at the Grandstand pool, etc. I wouldn't hesitate to stay at both resorts another time. When I stayed at SSR my trip was short so I didn't take advantage of being able to walk to Disney Springs. If you haven't tried AKL, I think it's worth it! I, personally, love staying at different resorts so that each of my vacations feels a little different and fresh. I think you can't go wrong with either, but since you've done SSR, I'd give AKL a try. AKL has been the resort that has impressed me most at Disney. We'll see if that changes when I try GF this fall

 

[Epcot82Guy]

A few random thoughts:
-Theme/"luxury" - I think AKLwins hands down. But, the setting across from Disney Springs is nice (and, as westie55 said, if you are a horse person or from Upstate NY, there are certainly exceptions). I also see the old Disney Institute in it, so it feels like an "overlay" - but not something the average guest sees necessarily. The lobby at SSR is nice. The lobby at AKL is stunning, especially since you have two (Jambo and Kidani). AKL feels much more high end and remote - and is unfortunately just that - remote! SSR is more in between the deluxes and moderates for me.

-Location - The access to Disney Springs is nice, but it really depends on if you plan Resort-to-Resort travel. The walk from SSR to DIsney Springs and then around Disney Springs is actually longer than you may think. AKLis way out of the way. But, navigating the resort once you are there is a bit easier. You do have walkable access.

-Rooms - These are fairly a push, save for Savannah view. That's a huge plus for AKL, but not sure you're looking for that. Inside, it's more theme preference and the slight advantage of fully indoor hallways vs. covered hallways.

-Food - This is personal. AKL has some of the best food on property. But, it is somewhat unique. SSR on the other hand has pretty basic, lack luster food options to me. But, you have access more easily to all of Disney Springs. And, there's something big to be said for grabbing a pastry at Amorette's, poutine at Daily Poutine, etc. then walking back to SSR (pretending you are burning off any meaningful portion of the calories consumed!).

-Activities/Rec - This is a tie, but with differences. The pools at both are actually great. I may like AKL slightly better, but more because the resort surrounds it a bit, and you have extra Savannah's nearby. Generally, it's a push. For other activities, it's really the Animals vs. Disney Springs. The Savannahs are really cool. So is watching and walking to Disney Springs. I would note the rooms near Disney Springs at SSR are preferred (upcharge) as are the Savannah Rooms at AKL (upcharge). So, review accordingly.

-Transportation - This is generally a tie, too (except for Resort-to-Resort). AKL is more compact, with one bus stop for each side. SSR is more spread out, but there are bus stops scattered about. So, based on your room, you could end up walking generally the same distance at both. Neither is particularly close to the Parks (save for DAK for AKL, but you still require a bus). The big exception here would be Resort-to-Resort. You have the ability to walk to Disney Springs and get buses to any resort hotel and vice versa at SSR. It's a hike, but you have more control than the required bus-to-a-park-then-other-hotel set up for AKL.

 

[HappyGrape]

All great points. I am reading that SSR is now implementing preferred area, much higher price to better located rooms. Meaning even in SSR we could end up further from Disney Springs and the lobby. I am not sure how would this impact our experience, we loved the springs

 

[Deb & Bill]

All great points. I am reading that SSR is now implementing preferred area, much higher price to better located rooms. Meaning even in SSR we could end up further from Disney Springs and the lobby. I am not sure how would this impact our experience, we loved the springs

Preferred is considered Congress Park and the Springs. Grandstand, Paddock and Carousel are all considered Standard.

 

[HappyGrape]

I would be happy with Grandstand or Paddock but I would not be very happy with Carousel! I am booking through Disney UK and Ireland and they don't offer the preferred rooms AT ALL for the current special offers

We plan spend at least 2 weeks end of October. We do many epcot days and I wonder if the travel to AKL will feel much longer? We do travel to various resorts good bit but mainly around MK. We loved having meals at Disney springs and I enjoyed the understated but wonderful theme of the resort.

AKL standard view is 35 usd a night more compared to SSR standard
Savana view is 160 a night over SSR and unfortunately way above our budget

The AKL standard view room allocation for the offers (free dinning) are always limited and if I don't book soon would be gone

 

[HappyGrape]

we always have car, potentially we could park the car at congress park if staying at SSR and walk over to Disney Springs if we are very further?

 

[Flossbolna]

Hi there! I have stayed at both, AKL is one of my favorite resorts.

As to transportation: I have always found that the busses from AKL were pretty good. The advantage is that you don't circle the whole resort like SSR before you get on your way. To me this whole going through every single bus stop got tired very quickly at SSR. Also, I found that the distance between SSR and MK was quite long as well.

AKL standard view most likely will give you a view of the parking lot. I always got pool view as this was never that much more than standard view, but much nicer view.

AKL will be a hotel room (unless you are talking about booking a studio specifically, then standard studio would actually mean that you get a pool view or a bad savanna view), while SSR is a studio. Main difference is that AKL has two queen beds, no sofa, and no kitchenette, just a sofa.

AKL has a very different feel as there are no real hotel grounds you can walk around. There are plenty of viewing areas that are all accessed from inside, but it does not have the park like feel that SSR has.

If you are staying at SSR to get to Disney Springs you could also always just hop on the next bus and take it to Congress Park and walk from there. If you have a car, we have found driving to Disney Springs really convenient now that they have the two parking garages open.

I would always pick AKL over SSR in a heart beat, but you should pick what is right for you and your family.

 

[HappyGrape]

How did I miss reply from my favorite dis'er??? Thanks @Flossbolna. I still haven't made my mind up, and we did enjoy the park feeling for sure but we never stayed at proper deluxe hotel and not sure if it's deal breaker for us

Trying to decide if the upgrade is worth 440 euro to me. It's already expensive holiday and with the current euro rate the cost of Disney is getting higher. My heart is telling me yes, my mind is saying - well, it could pay for car hire or Universal tickets

 

[Flossbolna]

I totally understand that 440 € is quite a difference. I would be thinking about it, too.

Not sure when you were last at Universal, but I would say that if you have been there in recent years and if you think you will be back in Orlando in the not too distant future, it would be worth it to spend the money on AKL instead of Universal. The new Kong ride at Universal is nice, but not so exciting that I would say one cannot wait a couple of years until you see it. And the newest attraction with Jimmy Fallon is getting pretty bad reviews. So, really nothing that new and exciting there.

There are also quite a few activities at AKL that are fun to take part in. This is the current month's activities and they usually stay pretty much the same year round:

http://www.kennythepirate.com/resor...animal-kingdom-lodge-resort-recreation-guide/

I have done some of the guided tours and loved all of them. The night vision goggles in the evening are really nice, too. And lots of kids really enjoy the bead activities where you get a bead after every activity and end up with a small bracelet.

So, this is definitely a resort where the resort is the destination and you might need fewer other distractions. Also, with Pandora opening in May, I think AK will change quite a lot. I also really liked the new nighttime show there, Rivers of Light. So, it would be really nice to stay to close to the park where it will all be happening at WDW this year.

Not sure if you like water parks, but you could also save money with regard to Unversal if instead of going to the big parks, you just visit their brand new water park Volcano Bay, which is going to open in May. Entrance there would be less than to the theme parks. Especially if you were looking at hoppers.

 

[MrsDuck]

AKL is my favorite but the proximity to Disney Springs is great, especially if you have a kiddo!