AKL standard versus POR

[disneymom2one]

Hi all...

I'm truly torn. Its a 3 night long weekend - Sat - Tues . The big thing is that it's the first trip - ever - for my 82 years young mother-in-law. We (me, dh, and 12 year old) have been about 35 times and she's finally able to come with us. She's in reasonably good shape and we so want her to have a nice time. It's Mother's Day weekend and due to AP rates, I'm able to do either for almost the same money (AKL is more - but not enough more to make it impossible). We'll actually drive in late Friday and stay at Pop.

The hitch it would be only be standard view - not pool view or savannah view. Does that make it more of a toss-up?

We've stayed in both and love both but I'm really sensitive to her needs this trip. She can walk fine but I know extended walks will make her tired. We'll definitely be doing a wheelchair thing at the parks but I'd like for her to be reasonably independent at the resort. My big concern about POR is the bus situation. That's a negative to me as is the possibility we would get somewhere other than AB 14 or so (that possibility is remote because our dd is special needs and we usually are granted requests to be close to main areas). OTOH, I think Riverside is so, so beautiful and we could do a carriage ride (have it scheduled). I just want to show her the best Disney has - and I just can't decide.

Thoughts? We have Riverside booked but AKL is available. BTW, FQ (native of NO) is out as is CBR (pool). My husband and daughter aren't big CSR fans due to the food court situation. WL isn't available and the other deluxes are out of reach $$$ wise.

 

[gardenia]

No question for me, I would go for AKL. POR is nice but there's no comparison to AKL.

 

[ZebraDomeCrazy]

Definitely AKL! We too have stayed at both and they are our two favorite resorts. That being said;

1 - With your Mother-in-law with you, I believe the buses are better at AKL. Not much chance for overcrowding or standing room only. You'd be the only bus stop!

2 - Inside corridors! - While POR is absolutely beautiful, witht he heat getting up there in May, it is really nice to get off of the bus after the parks and be right back inside the AC in a jiffy!

3- You can still visit POR for the carriage ride by going to Downtown, say for dinner or shopping, take the wonderful boat ride back to POR and stroll the grounds.

4 - Now I don't want to give you any false hopes, BUT - we have stayed at AKL 4 times. Each time we booked a standard view and EACH TIME we were upgraded!!! Twice to Pool View and twice to Savanah View!!!! We never asked for anything. Just really nice CM's. Once they asked if we were celebrating anything, and we said my DH's birthday. The CM said it wouldn't be right for him to look at a parking lot on his birthday and gave us Savanah View!! After we checked in, they brought an BDAy card from Mickey and friends, and chocolates and such! It was great. Maybe it was just luck, but 4 out of 4 trips is pretty good odds, I'd say!

5 - BOMA, BOMA, BOMA!!!

Have a great trip! Jane

 

[DisneyWorldOct08]

AKL. I had a standard room once right by an elevator. It was great. POR there is potential for a LOT of walking.

 

[Redbudlover]

Both times I stayed at AKL I was upgraded to Savanna room also. that said both times the room was a loooooong way from the main lodge. I would worry about your mother walking that far. However you can walk a ways at POR too. I like that you can get room service or a nice meal without leaving the resort at AKL if she gets tired. Even being in good shape - endurance is another question at that age. Even at mine and I am just 61. So were it me I would vote AKL. Then if she wanted to hang around the resort she would be very comfortable and they have all kinds of activities that are fun.

 

[sherry8253]

AKL hands down.

 

[lilyv]

AKL without question.

 

[ciera321]

AKL for sure!!! We like POR, but AKL is wonderful even in standard view!!!

 

[disneymom2one]

Thanks everyone! We switched. I just thought the positives outweighed the standard view by too much. We were concerned about the walking at Riverside and the rate at AKL was a really, really good rate.

Thanks again for the all the helpful advice!

 

[andrewilley]

Even as a big POR fan, I'd vote for AKL in your situation too.

Andre